566 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. 



Her Majesty's Government cannot therefore accept any responsi- 

 bility lor the results which they fear may arise from the termination 

 of the Reciprocity Treaty by the act of The United States' Govern- 

 ment themselves — results which they have done their utmost to avoid, 

 and which, if they do occur, Her Majesty's Government will most sin- 

 cerely deplore. 



Clarendon. 



Sir F. Bruce. 



Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams. 



No. 1737.] Department or State, 



Washington, April 10, 1866. 



Sir: I send you a copy of a very suggestive letter from Mr. 

 Richard D. Cutts, who, perhaps, you are aware, was employed, as 

 surveyor for marking, on the part of the United States, the fishery 

 limits under the reciprocity treaty. Mr. Cutts's long familiarity 

 with that subject practically and theoretically entitles his suggestions 

 to respect. 



It is desirable to avoid any collision or misunderstanding with 

 Great Britain on the subject growing out of the termination of the 

 reciprocity treaty. With this view I enclose a draft of a protocol, 

 which you may propose to Lord Clarendon for a temporary regula- 

 tion of the matter. If he should agree to it it may be signed. When 

 signed it is desirable that the instructions referred to in the conclud- 

 ing paragraph should at once be despatched by the British govern- 

 ment. 



As the fishing season is at hand, the collisions which might be ap- 

 prehended may occur when that season advances. 

 I am, sir, your obedient servant, 



William H. Seward. 



Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c. &c, &c. 



[Inclosure No. 1.] 



Mr. Cutts to Mr. Seward. 



Washington, April 7, 1866. 

 Sir: For a full understanding of the differences which now exist 

 in regard to the rights which belong to American fishermen, in the 

 seas bordering the British North American colonies, it is necessary 

 to refer to the treaties and negotiations which preceded the conven- 

 tion of 1818, so far as they relate to the fisheries. 



DEFINITIVE TREATY OF PEACE. 1783. 



Article 3. " It is agreed that the people of the United States shall 

 continue to enjoy unmolested, the right to take fish of any kind on 

 the Grand Bank, and on all the other banks of Newfoundland; also 

 in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and at all other places in the sea where 

 the inhabitants of both countries used at any time heretofore to fish ; 

 and, also, that they shall have liberty to take fish of every kind on 

 such part of the coast of Newfoundland as British fishermen shall use, 

 but not to dry or cure the same on that island; and also on the 

 coasts, bays and creeks of all other of his Britannic Majesty's do- 

 minions in America." 



