PERIOD FROM 1854 TO 1871. 577 



I must distinctly inform you that on a matter so intimately con- 

 nected with the international relations of this country, her Majesty's 

 government will not be disposed to yield tlieir own opinion of what 

 it is reasonable to insist on, nor to enforce the strict rights of her 

 Majesty's subjects beyond what appears to them to be required by the 

 reason and justice of the case. 

 I have, etc., 



(Signed) Edward Card well. 



Lieut. Governor of Nova Scotia. 



Sir F. Bruce to Mr. Seward. 



Washington, May 31, 1S66. 



Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the government of 

 Canada have authorized P. Fortin, esquire, the magistrate com- 

 manding the government vessel La Canadienne, employed in pro- 

 tecting the fisheries of Canada, to issue fishery licenses on the pay- 

 ment of the sum of fifty cents per ton of measurement of the vessels 

 proposed to be used in fishing. 



These licenses will remain in force during this season, and will 

 confer upon the holders of them, as far as the Canadian fisheries 

 are concerned, all the rights enjoyed by the fishermen of the United 

 States under the reciprocity treaty. 



This measure is of a provisional nature, and I trust that before 

 another fishery season arrives an opportunity will be afforded of 

 placing this and other matters affecting the trading relations between 

 the United States and the provinces on a permanent and satisfactory 

 footing. 



I have, etc., 



Frederick W. A. Bruce. 



Hon. William IT. Seward, &c, &c, &c. 



Mr. Seward to Sir F. Bruce. 



Department of State, 



Washington, June \, 1SGG. 



Sir: T have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of 

 the .">l-i ultimo, in which you inform me thai the government of 

 Canada have authorized P. Fortin. •■ q., the magistrate commanding 

 the government vessel La Canadienne, employed in protecting the 

 fisheries of Canada, to issue fishery licenses on tin' payment 01 fifty 

 cents per ton of measurement of the vessels proposed to be used in 

 fishing, these licenses to remain in force during this season, and to 

 confer upon the holders of them, b Ear as the Canadian fisheries arc 

 concerned, all the rights enjoyed by the fishermen of tic United 

 State under the reciprocity treaty, and that this measure is pro- 

 visional. 



In reply, I have the honor to inform you that this provisional 

 arrangement i- duly appreciated by this government as evincing an 

 amicable and liberal spirit on the pari of the authorities of Canada, 



