260 MISCELLANEOUS 



Labouchere to the Governor of this Colony, dated 26th March, 1857, a 

 copy of which was, at the time transmitted to the Legislature of your 

 Province. 



Being equally interested with this colony in the maintenance of 

 the rights in question, I forward for the information of your Legis- 

 lature, a copy of the proceedings this Assembly has adopted on the 

 subject. 



I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, 



(Signed) A. SHEA, Speaker. 



[Inclosure.] 

 [Copy.] 



Resolutions adopted by the House of Assembly on the convention 

 in course of negotiations between Great Britain and France on the 

 subject of the Newfoundland Fisheries : 



Resolved, That the House has heard, with surprise and alarm, that 

 the convention in course of negotiation between Great Britain and 

 France, on the subject of the Newfoundland Fisheries, is not to be 

 submitted for the assent of the people of this colony. 



Resolved, That such a procedure, on the part of her Majesty's Gov- 

 ernment, would be a violation of the pledge given by Mr. Labouchere, 

 in his despatch dated March 26th, 1857, in which it is declared that 

 the consent of the people of Newfoundland is regarded by her 

 Majesty's Government as the essential preliminary to any modifica- 

 tion of their maritime or territorial rights. 



Resolved, That this pledge, which has been aptly styled the Colonial 

 Magna Charta, cannot be withdrawn without a breach of faith on the 

 part of the British Government toward all the North American 

 Colonies, and would, necessarily, awaken a strong feeling of indigna- 

 tion in the breasts of those communities of loyal British subjects. 



Resolved, That we most firmly and earnestly pray the Imperial 

 Government not to disturb the sacred rights of the Colonists in the 

 matter in question, for, apart from its injustice, we should deeply re- 

 gret the stain it would inflict on the honor of the Imperial name. 



Resolved, That an address, embodying the foregoing Resolutions, be 

 prepared, and forthwith transmitted to her Majesty's Government, 

 and that copies be sent to the Legislatures of Canada, Nova Scotia, 

 New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, for their information. 



Resolved, That if it should seem necessary, this question should be 

 brought before the House of Commons, in order that no means shall 

 be left untried for the vindication of our rights. 



House of Assembly, 29th January, 1861. 



Ordered, That the despatch and resolutions do lie on the table, and 

 be printed in the Journals. 



[Inclosure.] 



APPENDIX No. 26. 

 The Duke of Newcastle to Sir A. Bannerman. 



No. 80.] DOWNING STREET, 4th March, 1861. 



SIR: I have received your despatches Nos. 11 and 12, of the 30th 

 ultimo, inclosing addresses from the House of Assembly of New- 



