The Canadian Reciprocity Treaty of 1854

esident Pierce,1 and immediately began an earnest consideration of these two questions which were each day becoming more important. The new administration was determined to protect as far as possible the rights of American fishermen, and in the early part of July, 1853, James C. Dobbin, Secretary of the Navy, issued orders to concentrate a small naval force at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The purpose of such a concentration was to afford " protection to such of our citizens as are there engaged in the fisheries," and Commodore W. B. Shubrick was placed in command.2 The following instructions to Shubrick, dated July 14, 1853, were significant: Reposing confidence in your judgment, prudence, and patriotism, the Navy Department sends you on a mission involving the discharge of delicate and responsible duties bearing at once on the protection of rights and the preservation of peace. Information has reached the Government of the United States that her Britannic Majesty's Government has stationed off New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and at other points along the coast of British American possessions, a considerable force of war steamers and sailing vessels, under the command of Sir George Seymour, fully armed and manned; that this array of naval strength is alleged to be destined for service in protecting the rights of British subjects, and preventing the apprehended encroachments of American citizens upon the "fishing grounds" reserved to Grea...