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a subject of our deliberations, are utterly without foundation, and 
cannot be maintained, and that the action of French subjects in this 
behalf has been in violation of treaty obligations and of international 
law, and that there has resulted therefrom a gross trespass upon the 
rights of British subjects, for which an exemplary compensation should 
be demanded from the Government of France. : 
Whilst we humbly submit to your Majesty, that our assertions of 
right, as your Majesty's subjects in this behalf, are unquestionable, we 
would further submit. to your Majesty the irrefragable character of our 
conclusions by reference to the following facts :— 
(1.) Because it was declared by the Treaty of Utrecht that it should 
» unlawful for the French to erect buildings except those | 
‘necessary and usual for drying of fish.” | 
(2.) Because the annie of Paris (1763) restricted the liberty to 
“¢ fishing and drying.” J 
(3.) Because the Treaty of Versailles (1783) speaks of “ the fishery 
‘assigned to them by the Treaty of Utrecht.” 
(4.) Because the declaration speaks of “ the fishery” and “ the method 
“of carrying on the fishery which has at all times been acknowledged 
“ shall be the plan upon which the fishery shall be carried on there.” 
(5.)' Because the French King’s counter declaration speaks of ‘ the 
“fishery on the coast of iby aise) which has been the object of 
“ the new arrangements.” 
(6.) Because the Treaty of Paris (1814) declares that the French 
right of fishery ‘ shall be replaced upon the footing in which it stood 
“tn 1792.” 
(7.) Because there was no such industry as the lobster fishery in 
Newfoundland at any of these periods, and no such industry was — 
heard of until within a few years past, and the language used to 
describe “ the fishery” which the French were entitled to pursue 
is utterly inapplicable to lobster-catching, or the erection of 
factories for taking or canning lobsters. 
Having regard to all the facts referred to and the necessary deduc-— 
tions relating therefrom, we are led to the expression of opinion, that 
in this matter, that is to say, in the assertion and protection of the 
rights of your Majesty’s subjects in Newfoundland against the 
ageressive and unwarranted claims of French subjects, and for the 
avoidance of discord, tumult, and disturbance between the subjects of — 
the two great Powers, it is necessary that some firm and vigorous action — 
should be taken by the colony with the co-operation and active assist-— 
ance of your Majesty’s Government. . 
