DESPATCHES, REPORTS, CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. 123 



creeks, in North America, by the fishing vessels of the United States, 

 and the forcible exclusion of British vessels from places where the 

 fishery might be most advantageously conducted. They had, like- 

 wise, reason to complain of the clandestine introduction of pro- 

 hibited goods into the British colonies by American vessels ostensibly 

 engaged in the fishing trade, to the great injury of the British 

 revenue. 



The undersigned has felt it incumbent on him thus generally to 

 notice these obstructions, in the hope that the attention of the Gov- 

 ernment of the United States will be directed to the subject; and that 

 they may be induced, amicably and cordially, to co-operate 

 72 with His Majesty's Government in devising such regulations 

 as shall prevent the recurrence of similar inconveniences. 



His Majesty's Government are willing to enter into negotiations 

 with the Government of the United States for the modified renewal 

 of the liberties in question ; and they doubt not that an arrangement 

 may be made, satisfactory to both countries, and tending to confirm 

 the amity now so happily subsisting between them. 



The undersigned avails himself of this opportunity of renewing to 

 Mr. Adams the assurances of his high consideration. 



BATHURST. 



No. 20. 1816, January 22: Letter from Mr. Adams to Viscount 



Castlereagh. 



13 CRAVEN STREET, January 22, 1816. 



The undersigned, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipoten- 

 tiary from the United States of America, has received, and communi- 

 cated to the Government of the United States, the answer of Lord 

 Bathurst to a letter which he had the honour of addressing to his 

 Lordship on the 25th September last, representing the grounds upon 

 which the American Government consider the people of the United 

 States entitled to all the rights and liberties in and connected with the 

 fisheries on the coasts of North America, which had been enjoyed by 

 them previously to the American revolution, and which, by the third 

 article of the treaty of peace of 1783, were recognised by Great 

 Britain as rights, and liberties belonging to them. The reply to 

 Lord Bathurst's note has been delayed by circumstances which it is 

 unnecessary to detail. It is for the Government of the United States 

 alone to decide upon the proposal of a negotiation upon the subject. 

 That they will at all times be ready to agree upon arrangements 

 which may obviate and prevent the recurrence of those inconveniences 

 stated to have resulted from the exercise by the people of the United 

 States of these rights and liberties, is not to be doubted ; but as Lord 

 Bathurst appears to have understood some of the observations in the 

 letter of the undersigned as importing inferences not intended by him, 

 and as some of his Lordship's remarks particularly require a reply, 

 it is presumed that, since Lord Castlereagh's return, it will, with 

 propriety, be addressed to him. 



It had been stated, in the letter to Lord Bathurst, that the treaty 

 of peace of 1783 between Great Britain and the United States was of a 

 peculiar nature, and bore in that nature a character of permanency, 



