DESPATCHES, REPORTS, CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. 137 



has the honour to acquaint him that, as soon as the proposi- 

 80 tion which Mr. Bagot was authorised, in July last, to make to 

 the Government of the United States, for arranging the man- 

 ner in which American citizens might be permitted to carry on the 

 fisheries within the British limits, had been by them declined, viz: 

 in the month of February, the same was immediately notified by His 

 Majesty's Minister in America to the British admiral commanding at 

 Halifax; the effect of which notification was to revive the orders 

 which Mr. Bagot had taken upon himself to suspend, in the expecta- 

 tion that the discussions in which he was then employed with the 

 American Government would have led to a satisfactory issue. 



These discussions having failed of success, and the orders above 

 alluded to being consequently now in full force, the British Govern- 

 ment cannot but feel some reluctance again to suspend them, without 

 being in possession of more precise grounds for expecting an adjust- 

 ment. Persuaded, however, from the official communication received 

 from Mr. Adams, that it is not only the sincere desire of the President 

 of the United States to come to an amicable arrangement, but also 

 that he, being already in possession of the views of Great Britain, is 

 now led to entertain a strong expectation that a settlement which shall 

 reconcile the interests of both parties may, without any material 

 delay, be effectuated, the Prince Regent, under these impressions, is 

 willing to give to the American Government this additional proof of 

 his earnest wish that the negotiation should proceed, under circum- 

 stances the most favourable to a speedy and amicable conclusion, by 

 acceding to the application of the Government of the United States, 

 as brought forward by Mr. Adams. Instructions will, accordingly, be 

 expedited to the naval commanders on the American station to sus- 

 pend the execution of the said orders during the approaching season. 

 Ample opportunity will thus be afforded for coming to an amicable 

 arrangement, more particularly as it appears that the American Sec- 

 retary, in February last/had it in contemplation to offer, for the 

 consideration of the British Government, some specific proposition on 

 the subject, which Mr. Bagot did not then feel himself authorised to 

 take, ad referendum, but which he has since been instructed to receive, 

 and transmit for the opinion of his court. 



No. 2S.1817, August 4: Letter from Mr. Rush (United States 

 Acting Secretary of State) to Mr. Bagot. 



DEPARTMENT or STATE, August 4i 1817. 



SIR: It becomes my duty to address you upon a subject of deep 

 interest to all those citizens of this country who are concerned in the 

 fisheries. 



By representations made to this department, it appears that, at the 

 commencement of the present fishing season, twenty sail of fishing 

 vessels, of from twenty-five to forty-five tons burden, belonging to 

 ports of the United States, were fitted out and sailed for the pur- 

 pose of fishing on the western bank. That, while on their way, a 

 number of them were compelled, by a storm, to put into a harbour at 



