PERIOD FROM 1854 TO 1871. 633 



the coasts of Her Majesty's possessions in North America, and as to 

 any other questions between them which affect the relations of the 

 United States toward those possessions. 



As the consideration of these matter- would, however, involve in- 

 vestigations of a somewhat complicated nature, and as it is very 

 desirable that they should be thoroughly examined. I am directed 

 by Lord Granville to propose to the Government of the United Slates 

 the appointment of a Joint High Commission, which shall be com- 

 posed of members to be named by each Government; shall hold its 

 sessions at Washington, and shall treat of and discuss the mode of 

 settling the different questions which have arisen out of the fisheries, 

 as well as those which affect the relations of the United States toward 

 Her Majesty's possessions in North America. 



I am confident that this proposal will be met by your Government 

 in the same cordial spirit of friendship which has, induced Her 

 Majesty's Government to tender it, and I cannot doubt that in that 

 case the result will not fail to contribute to the maintenance of the 

 good relations between the two countries, which I am convinced the 

 Government of the United States, as well as that of Her Majesty, 

 equally have at heart. 



I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your 

 most obedient, humble servant, 



Edward Thornton. 



Hon. Hamilton Fish, &c. 



Mr. Fish to Sir Edward Thornton. 



Deiwktmf.nt of St.vi v.. 

 Washington, January SO, 1871. 

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

 January 26, in which you inform me, in compliance with instructions 

 t'n.ni Earl Granville, that Her Majesty's Governmenl deem it of im- 

 portance to the good relation- which they are ever anxious should 

 subsist and be strengthened between the United State- and Great 

 Britain, thai a friendly and complete understanding should be come 

 to between the two Governments as to the extent of the rights which 

 belong to the citizens of the United States and Her Majesty's subjects, 

 respectively, with reference to the fisheries on the coasts of Her 

 Majesty' | ions in North America, and as to any other questions 



between them which affed the relations of the United States toward 

 those po e ions; and further, that as the consideration of these 

 tioi would invoke investigations of a somewhat complicated 

 nature, and as it is xcrv desirable thai they should be thoroughly 

 examined, you are directed by Lord Granville to propose to the 

 ernmenl of the Tinted Stat the appointment of a Joint High 

 Commis ion, which hall be composed 01 members to be named by 

 each Government; mall hold it m at Washington, and shall 



,f and discus the mode of settling the different question which 



i, out of the li hen. ., i! ;i all I ho •> whieh affect the 



,.,.|.,, ,,f the United State toward Her Majesty's posse rions 



in North Amer: 



I have laid your note before the Pre ident, who instructs me 

 t na t he hares with Hei Ma Government the appreciation of 



