The Fishery Question. 69 



and extension of trade between the United 

 States and British North America." It was 

 also promised that no hmit should be set 

 to the proposals to be brought forward by 

 either party in the commission suggested. '°° 



Whatever steps had been taken by the 

 United States Government, looking to the 

 appointment of a commission, were brought to 

 a standstill by the influence of the American 

 fishing interest upon Congressional action. 



Consequently the temporary arrangement 

 for the season of 1885, proceeding from the 

 good-will of the two governments, and find- 

 ing a precedent in 1871, has not had the de- 

 sired effect of avoiding misunderstanding. '°' 

 Canada considered that she had given valua- 

 ble privileges for nothing, besides facing a 

 duty of one per cent, a pound on prepared 

 fish, levied in the interest of an American 

 monopoly. The concession, in spite of all past 

 experience, may also, in some quarters, have 

 raised hopes of an indefinite postponement of 

 any return to the state of things existing be- 

 fore the treaty of 1873. In the present atti- 

 tude of the Dominion and Imperial govern- 

 ments there is nothing unusual. Citizens of 

 the United States and subjects of Her Brit- 



