232 MISCELLANEOUS 



that a counter-proposal (to be final) should now be made, offering 

 such equitable conditions as could be received, and -would, in the 

 event of refusal, cast upon the French Government the breaking up 

 of negotiations, in which case things would remain in the favorable 

 position wherein they have been placed by the protective measures 

 adopted last year. I also stated tnat the project of instructions for 

 the British Commissioner was prepared in this spirit, and that I felt 

 convinced that these proposals would be rejected, being so much below 

 the French pretensions. 



I gave the same explanation to Messrs. Archibald and Strachey, 

 who have taken a very different view of the matter, having considered 

 as a project of Treaty that which was only intended as a project of 

 Instructions for proposals. 



The amended pro]ect transmitted by these gentlemen is not, in my 

 humble opinion, such as can meet your Lordship's views. It offers 

 nothing more than a confirmation of some of the advantages of which 

 the French are, and long have been (whether right or wrong) in real 

 possession, whilst it would deprive them of many benefits they now 

 virtually enjoy. Therefore, as all would be loss to them without any 

 compensation, it cannot be expected that these propositions would be 

 accepted. 



The present local interest of the Newfoundland merchants seem to 

 be the sole object kept in view, without any consideration whatever 

 for the international difficulties in which Her Majesty's Government 

 are involved by a long toleration of the French interpretation of 

 treaties made at remote periods, when the British Settlements in New- 

 foundland did not extend beyond a small portion of the Southern 

 and Eastern coasts of the Island; when the best fishery (that on the 

 Banks) was entirely carried on by ships from Great Britain, and the 

 Colonial Fishery was confined to the long-shore fishing on the South- 

 ern and part of the Eastern coasts; and when the fisheries on the 

 Western and Northern coasts, and along the shore of Labrador, were 

 of little or no importance to the colony. 



I must, however, exempt Mr. Strachey from this last observation. 

 He is aware of the difficulties to be contended with, for he admits 

 "that much has passed to commit the British Government to the 

 more enlarged interpretation respecting fixed Settlements, adopted 

 by Mons. de Bon." He also acquiesces in proposing the cession to 

 the French of a right of Fishery to Belle Isle in the straits, a measure 

 which Mr. Archibald strongly opposes. 



With reference to the sale of bait to the French on the Southern 

 coast, the total objection of this measure is not in accordance with 

 the pressing solicitations from the colony for a free and reciprocal 

 trade and right of fishery, with the United States. The Americans 

 frequent the bank fishery for which they are obliged to bring bait 

 from the coast of America. When they acquire the right to take it 

 themselves on the coast of Newfoundland, they are likely to become 



Notwithstanding this rejection, Messrs. Archibald and Strachey think that 

 "If the proposed Treaty of Reciprocity with the United States takes place, 

 there can no longer be the same motive, nor indeed could it be equally prac- 

 ticable, to resist the French supply of bait." (Enclosure No. 1, page 24, in 

 Messrs. Archibald and Strachey's despatch.) 



