§ Viscount Palmerstonobtained leave and brought in a bill for the purpose of carrying into effect the convention between her Majesty and the King of the French, relative to fisheries on the coasts of the British Islands and France.
§ Captain Pechellhaving taken a great interest in this question, it was naturally to him a source of the most lively satisfaction to congratulate the noble Lord on 581 the attainment of an object which he for one had never been sanguine enough to expect in its present shape; and it must ever be considered as one of the proudest events of the noble Lord's political career, to have established that influence in the councils of France, which had procured the settlement of a question which, for upwards of 150 years, had been a constant matter of dispute between the two countries. And coupling with this measure the noble Lord's late exertions relative to the suppression of the traffic in slaves, and viewing the successful result of his negociations with Spain, by the clearance from the seas of all slave vessels under the Spanish flag, it was not too much to say, that in obtaining this convention with France, the noble Lord has added another laurel to the wreath which he had won on former occasions. This measure would undoubtedly produce the most amicable and satisfactory results, and would enable the fishermen in the narrow seas, to pursue their lawful avocations without fear or the restraint, to which, for the last ten years, they had so often been subject. It would also prevent the mortifying circumstance of witnessing foreign boats casting their nets, as it were, within the length of a boat hook of the British shores, when our own boats were not permitted to approach those of France within two or three leagues. It would also prevent those unfortunate collisions, which had so constantly taken place, between the fishing vessels of both countries, and which, from the superior size and equipment of the French boats, always terminated to the disadvantage and loss of our own. He would therefore offer to the noble Lord the thanks of the fishermen generally, and more particularly those of the Kent and Sussex coasts, whose complaints had invariably been attended to by the noble Lord. He now trusted that no time would be lost in carrying out a measure which would promote the amicable relations between this country and France.
§ Viscount Palmerstonsaid, this was really an important Convention, which he trusted would be effectual in preventing the recurrence of those differences which had on many occasions threatened to create very serious difficulties. It was founded on principles of perfect equality. Neither country conceded more than it would obtain, and therefore he trusted it would prove entirely satisfactory to both.
582 Bill read a first and second time, committed, and the report was then received.