PERTAINING TO NEGOTIATION OF TREATY OF 1818. 287 



The undersigned prays Lord Castlereagh to accept the renewed 

 assurance of his high consideration. 



John Quincy Adams. 

 Right Hon. Lord Viscount Castlereagh, 



His Majesty : s principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. 



Mr. Adams to the Secretary of State. 



[Extract.] 



London, February 8, 1816. 

 In relation to the fisheries, little was said ; he told me that he had, 

 the evening before, read my note to him concerning them; that the 

 British Government would adhere to their principle respecting the 

 treaty, and to the exclusive rights of their territorial jurisdiction; 

 but that they had no wish to prevent us from fishing, and would 

 readily enter into a negotiation for an arrangement on this subject. 



Mr. Monroe to Mr. Adams. 



Department of State, February 27, 1816 

 Sir: Since my last of the 10th of December, I have had the honor 

 to receive your letter of November 21, with those of the 12th, 19th, 

 26tb mid 30th of September, the 7th and 31st of October, and 8th of 

 November. With the latter, a copy of Lord Bathurst's reply to your 

 note of September 25, on the fisheries, was likewise received. 



It appears by these communications that, although the British 

 Government denies our right of taking, curing and drying fish 

 within their jurisdiction, and on the coast of the British provinces in 

 North America, it is willing to secure to our citizens the liberty 

 stipulated by the treaty of 1783, under such regulations as will secure 

 the benefit to both parties, and will likewise prevent the smuggling 

 of goods into the British provinces by our vessels engaged in the 

 fisheries. 



It i- I if .| »*■( 1 that the reply which you intimate you intended giving 

 to Lord Bathurst's note may have produced some change in the 

 sentiments of the British Government on this interesting subject; it 

 is nevertheless, thought proper to enclose yon an instruction, to be 

 shown (o the British Government, authorizing you to negotiate a 

 convention providing for the objects contemplated. 



It is very important that this trust should he executed in a manner 



not to weaken onr right, which, it is presumed, may be done with the 

 concurrence of the British Government, either by the reservation of 

 mutual rights, or making the Instrument a remedy for abuses. 



A to the manner in which the injuries complained of by the Brit- 

 ish Government are to he remedied, you will he able, in aid of your 

 own knowledge of the subject, to obtain better information than I 

 can communicate. 



