406 Fortieth Annual Meeting 



diplomatic conference and correspondence, the outcome of 

 which was the negotiation and adoption in 1818 of a new 

 treaty. The important article of this treaty was as 

 follows : 



Whereas differences have arisen respecting the Liberty claimed by 

 the United States for the inhabitants thereof, to take, dry and cure fish 

 on Certain Coasts, Bays, Harbours, and Creeks of His Britannic 

 Majesty's Dominions in America, it is agreed between the High Con- 

 tracting Parties, that the inhabitants of the said United States shall 

 have forever, in common with the Subjects of His Britannic Majesty, 

 the Liberty to take fish of every kind on that part of the Southern 

 Coast of Newfoundland which extends from Cape Ray to the Rameau 

 Islands, on the Western and the Northern Coast of Newfoundland, 

 from the said Cape Ray to the Quirpon Islands, on the shores of the 

 Magdalen Islands, and also on the Coasts, Bays, Harbours and Creeks 

 from Mount Joly on the Southern Coast of Labrador, to and through 

 the Straights of Belleisle and thence Northwardly indefinitely along the 

 Coast, without prejudice, however, to any of the exclusive Rights of the 

 Hudson Bay Company : And that the American fishermen shall have 

 liberty forever, to dry and cure fish in any of the unsettled Bays, Har- 

 bours and Creeks of the Southern part of the Coast of Newfoundland 

 hereabove described, and of the Coast of Labrador ; but so soon as the 

 same or any portion thereof, shall be settled it shall not be lawful for 

 the said Fishermen to dry or cure Fish at such Portion so settled, 

 without previous agreement for such purpose with the Inhabitants, 

 Proprietors, or Possessors of the ground. And the United States hereby 

 renounce forever, any Liberty, heretofore enjoyed or claimed by the 

 Inhabitants thereof, to take, dry or cure Fish on, or within three marine 

 Miles of any of the Coasts, Bays, Creeks or Harbours of His Britannic 

 Majesty's Dominions in America not included within the abovemen- 

 tioned limits : Provided, however, that the American Fishermen shall be 

 admitted to enter such Bays, or Harbours for the purpose of Shelter 

 and of repairing Damages therein, or purchasing Wood, and of obtain- 

 ing Water, and for no other purpose whatever. But they shall be under 

 such Restrictions as may be necessary to prevent their taking, drying or 

 curing Fish therein, or in any other manner whatever abusing the 

 Privileges hereby reserved to them. 



Although the express object of this treaty was the defini- 

 tion of the rights of United States fishermen on the coasts 

 of Canada and Newfoundland, it afterwards transpired 

 that those rights were still unsettled and uncertain; and for 

 over ninety years the matter remained a source of annoy- 

 ance, contention, bad feeling, and conflict, until the respon- 

 sible authorities of the two nations chose an opportune 



