118 
Governor to Secretary of State, 27th March, 1890. qj 
Joint Committee of both Houses of Legislature appointed to frame 
address on modus vivendi. Ministers request that your Lordship’s — 
telegram of 24th March, in which possibility of date alteration 
suggested, be communicated to Committee. 
Secretary of State to Governor, 29th March, 1890. 
Referring to your telegram of 27th March,—In my telegram of 24th | 
March I did not suggest possibility of any alteration in date, but that 
French Government might agree to maintenance of status quo ante Ist __ 
July, 1889. You should give it to Committee, and all telegraphic — 
correspondence respecting modus vivendi, with the exception of my | 
confidential message of 28th March, and it is most desirable that 
before framing address they should await arrival of my despatch of 
21st March, now on the way, giving account of negotiations. 
rn a a a Ne Fe me = = 
H. 
PUBLIC ACTION IN NEWFOUNDLAND. 
ResotutTions Aboprep at A Mass Merrine or Crrizens oF SAINT 
Jonn’s, NEWFOUNDLAND, HELD IN BANNERMAN PARK, ON THE 
26th er 1890. 
First Resolution. | 
Whereas the negotiations leading to the adoption of the modus | 
vivendi between her Majesty’s Government and the Government of | 
Trance were commenced, and carried on, and the arrangement itself 
concluded, without the consent, and even without the knowledge of the 
community or Legislature of this colony ; 
And whereas it is a fundamental principle of responsible govern- 
ment that the people shall directly, or through their representatives in | 
Parliament assembled, be consulted concerning all matters appertaining — | 
to their Government, and more especially to their territorial and 
maritime rights ; | 
And whereas the application of this constitutional principle to this” 
colony has been especially guaranteed by her Majesty’s Government i in 
wu despatch bearing date the 26th day of March, a.p. 1857, stating 
“that the rights enjoyed by the community of Newfoundland are not 
“to be ceded or exchanged without their consent, and that the 
“ constitutional mode of submitting measures for that consent is by 
“laying them before the Colonial Legislature,” and “that the consent — 
“of the community of Newfoundland is regarded by her Majesty's 
