310 MISCELLANEOUS 



[Inclosure.] 



Extract from Minutes of Council. July 15, 1884' 



The Council have had under consideration the Arrangement agreed 

 to by Messrs. Ford and Pennell, Commissioners appointed by Her 

 Majesty's Government, and by M. Jagerschmidt and Captain Bigrel, 

 on the part of the Government of France, with regard to the New- 

 foundland Fisheries question, together with a despatch, dated the 

 12th June, 1884, of the Right Honourable Secretary of State for the 

 Colonies to his Excellency the Governor on this subject. 



The Council appreciate the endeavors of Her Majesty's Government 

 to effect an arrangement for the prevention of the difficulties period- 

 ically recurring between the fishermen of both nations. 



It is to be regretted that Her Majesty's Government have not been 

 enabled to secure to British subjects to the full extent those rights 

 for which the Government of Newfoundland have contended, and 

 which are set forth in the Resolutions adopted by the Local Legisla- 

 ture, dated the 23rd April, 1874, to the principles of which Resolu- 

 tions the Council still adhere. 



Reciprocating the solicitude of Her Majesty's Government for the 

 attainment of the object in view, the Council confide in the assurance 

 of the Right Honourable Lord Derby, in his despatch above quoted, 

 that under the proposed Arrangement the claim of the French to an 

 exclusive right of fishery is withdrawn, and the concurrent right of 

 British fishermen recognized to fish everywhere on the coast between 

 Cape St. John and Cape Ray, provided they do not actually interfere 

 with or molest French fishermen in the exercise of their fishing 

 industry. 



With regard to complaints and offences, the adjudication of which 

 would rest solely with the Commanders of French cruizers, the 

 Council must rely upon an equitable construction being applied to 

 the terms of the Treaties; and they trust that vigilant exercise by 

 the British cruizers of the powers conferred on them, sustained by 

 Her Majesty's Government, will insure to British subjects the full 

 enjoyment of those privileges contemplated by the proposed Arrange- 

 ment. In a word, the Council feel assured that the whole proposition 

 will be carried out in the spirit of equity and mutual consideration 

 essential to its success. 



With these views the Council would respectfully urge that the fol- 

 lowing modifications may be effected, in such manner as Her Maj- 

 esty's Government may deem best adapted to the attainment of the 

 ends desired. 



An erroneous estimate appears to have obtained of the value of 

 that portion of the coast tinted red on the Map accompanying the 

 present proposals. Although this extent of coast is apparently open 

 to British occupation, yet that portion between Bonne Bay and Cat's 

 Arm in White Bay is impossible of settlement, inasmuch as the har- 

 bours and landing-places within these limits are practically reserved 

 for the use of the French. It is believed that in the vicinity of some 

 of these harbours there are valuable mineral deposits, and unless 

 means of ingress and egress are afforded, such deposits cannot be 

 worked. The present Arrangement should therefore contain a pro- 

 vision allowing of the erection of wharves and buildings necessary 



