Thomas Wolley to Vice-Admiral Wellesley, May 5, 1870

Mr. Wolley to Vice-Admiral Wellesley.

Sir: With reference to my letter of the 9th April last, in regard to the protection of Canadian fisheries, I am commanded by my lords commissioners of the admiralty to transmit to you, for your information and guidance, the inclosed copy of a letter from the under-secretary of state for the colonies, dated 30th ultimo, relative to the recent determination to increase the stringency of the existing practice by dispensing with the warnings hitherto given, and seizing at once any vessel detected in violating the law.

My lords desire me to remind you of the extreme importance of commanding officers of the ships selected to protect the fisheries exercising the utmost discretion in carrying out their instructions, paying special attention to. Lord Granville’s observation that no vessel should be seized unless it is evident and can be clearly proved that the offense of fishing has been committed, and that the vessel is captured within three miles of land.

I am, &c.,