522 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. 



they observe (hem disposed to cross the line of demarcation, and the 

 fishermen who trespass, pay the penalty of their improper pro- 

 ceedings. 



In like manner, trespasses have been committed by French and 

 British fishermen, respectively, on the coast of Newfoundland; and, 

 in order to avoid disputes, the two governments resolved to endeavor, 

 by negotiation, to establish rules for the mutual regulation of the 

 fisheries; but pending the conclusion of such negotiations, her 

 Majesty's government and the government of France have placed a 

 force olf the coast of Newfoundland to watch the proceedings, respect- 

 ively, of the fishermen of the two countries. 



You will read this despatch to Mr. Webster, and, in leaving a copy 

 of it with him, you will not fail to assure him, and to request him to 

 assure the President of the United States, that her Majesty's govern- 

 ment continue to feel the same anxiety that has long been felt in this 

 country for the maintenance of the best relations between the two 

 governments, and it will be to them a source of sincere satisfaction if 

 the attention which has thus been drawn to the subject of the fisheries 

 should lead to an adjustment, by amicable negotiations, upon a more 

 satisfactory footing than at present, of the system of commercial 

 intercourse between the United States and her Majesty's North Am- 

 erican colonial possessions. 



I am, &c, 



Malmesbury. 



Lord Malmesbury to Mr. Lawrence. 



Foreign Office, August 13, 1852. 

 My Dear Sir: The orders that are to go out to our admiral, and 

 of which I have given Mr. Crampton notice, are — 

 Not to interfere with the Magdalen islands. 



To consider the Bay of Fundy on the same footing as we placed 

 it in 1845. 



To capture American fishing vessels only under precisely [the] 

 same circumstances as those which would have been acted upon of 

 late years, and when manifestly infringing the treaty. 



To exercise these instructions with the greatest forbearance and 

 moderation. 



Yours, truly, 



Malmesbury. 



Mr. Lawrence to Mr. Webster. 



No. 200.] Legation of the United States, 



London, August 13, 1852. 

 Sir: On the 11th instant I again had an interview with Lord 

 Malmesbury, at his request, at the Foreign Office, at which Sir John 

 Packington was present. The conversation was substantially a repe- 

 tition of what had taken place previously between Lord Malmesbury 

 and myself. Nothing new was said to alter the views I have already 

 expressed to you. 



