256 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



for the purpose of obtaining supplies, the proposal will be cordially 

 accepted and acted on by the government of the United States. 

 In that event there will be no objection on the part of the United 

 States Government to entertain suggestions for an independent agree- 

 ment in respect to the fisheries of Newfoundland, if made by the 

 authorized agents of the Imperial Government. 



Yours, etc., 



E. J. Phelps." 



This proposition was an important and significant one and pro- 

 vokes immediate interest. Canada was then vigorously enforcing 

 the provisions of the Treaty of 1818 and rigidly excluding American 

 fishermen from any privileges denied by that Treaty. It was not- the 

 fault of the Canadian people that this course w-as necessary. They 

 had not sought the termination of the fishery clauses of the Treaty of 

 1871. This was the act of the United States Government and Con- 

 gress. The enforcement of the Treaty of 1818 was giving trouble and 

 inconvenience to Am^erican fishermen. Not being able to procure 

 bait was a distinct drawback to their operations on the Banks. New- 

 foundland had abundant supplies of bait. If this could be obtained 

 by means of a separate Treaty with Newfoundland, the Canadian 

 regulations could be laughed at; and if, at the same time, Newfound- 

 land fishermen by such an independent treaty could obtain free access 

 to the American market, Canadian fishermen would be placed at a 

 tremendous disadvantage. The adoption of such a policy would 

 destroy the moral effect of Canada's firm attitude and leave the 

 fishery rights of the greater part of British North America in a helpless 

 position. 



The Imperial Government seemed to apprehend this feature, and 

 consequently, on July 28, the Colonial Office forwarded a despatch 

 to the Governor of Newfoundland, in which it was stated that it was 

 "the wish of Her Majesty's Government that no separate action should 

 be taken by the Newfoundland Government in the direction sug- 

 gested without full previous communication with Her Majesty's 

 Government." 



This determination was at the same time conmiunicated to the 

 Governor-General for the information of the Canadian Ministers. 



The Newfoundland Government on the receipt of the despatch 

 from the Colonial Secretary, passed a Minute of Council expressing 

 gratification at the disposition- of the United States to enter into 

 negotiations in a friendly spirit and urging that authority be given 

 by the Imperial Government to open communication with the United 

 States as soon as favorable opportunity offered. Nothing further 



