BRITISH, COLONIAL AND OTHER CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. 261 



foundland, and from certain members of your Executive Council, 

 respecting a convention for regulating the Newfoundland fisheries 

 which is at present in course of negotiation between the English and 

 French Governments. 



You acted rightly in forwarding to me those addresses, and in 

 your statements to the Assembly, you have accurately represented 

 the views of Her Majesty's Government. 



It is plain that the responsibility of securing to French fishermen 

 the free exercise of every right guaranteed to them by existing treaties, 

 rests on the British Government which made those treaties. This 

 obligation they cannot transfer to the colony of Newfoundland, but 

 are bound themselves to discharge frankly and effectually. 



Subject to that obligation Her Majesty's Government are most 

 anxious, not only to protect and advance the interests of Newfound- 

 land, but in all local questions to ascertain, and as far as possible, 

 defer to the wishes of the colonists. 



The convention now proposed, has not for its object in any way 

 to enlarge the maritime or territorial rights of France, or to abridge 

 those of Newfoundland, but primarily and almost exclusively to 

 provide a machinery capable of securing that the just rights of each 

 party under the existing treaties, shall be respected by the other. 



The comparatively unimportant clauses of the convention which 

 have not this object, contain provisions which will confer material 

 advantages on some of. the inhabitants of Newfoundland, and em- 

 brace nothing which in the opinion of Her Majesty's Government, 

 falls within the spirit of Mr. Labouchere's promise, which was not 

 lost sight of by them throughout the protracted negociations with the 

 French Government. 



I make these observations to prevent misconception. But, I do not 

 anticipate that the provisions of the convention will be considered 

 by the community of Newfoundland any more than they are by Her 

 Majesty's Government, either as injurious to their interests, or as 

 involving such modification of their rights as was contemplated in 

 Mr. Labouchere's despatch. 



I regret much that it is not in my power at once to authorize you 

 to communicate a copy of that convention to the Government and 

 Legislature of the colony. 

 I have, &c. 



(Signed) NEWCASTLE. 



Governor Sir A. BANNERMAN, &c., &c., &c. 



Message of His Excellency the Governor to the House of Assembly. 



A. BANNERMAN, Governor. 



The Governor has received an address from the House of Assembly, 

 requesting that he will " cause to be laid before the House copies of 

 all correspondence with her Majesty's government on the subject of 

 French claims of fishing on the Newfoundland coast." 



The Governor has to inform the House of Assembly that he never 

 had any correspondence with her Majesty's government on the sub- 

 ject of " French claims of fishing on the Newfoundland coast." 



