318 MISCELLANEOUS 



I think it right to let you know that I am giving orders to vessels 

 of my division to take no notice of a Decree which regulates a fishery 

 the enjoyment of which belongs only to France. The Colonial Secre- 

 tary has no right whatever to give to or take from the British resi- 

 dents established on the Newfoundland coast, between Cape Ray and 

 Cape St. John, passing by the north, any right whatever, when such 

 right concerns the fishery, and I am convinced that my Government 

 takes the same view of the question. 

 I am, &c. 



(Signed) F. LE CLERC. 



The Earl of Iddesleigh to M. Waddington. 



FOREIGN OrriCE, October 28, 1886, 



M. L'AMBASSADEUR : With reference to Count d'Aubigny's note of 

 the 20th ultimo on the subject of a Decree passed by the Government of 

 Newfoundland prohibiting lobster fishing in Bonne Bay for three 

 years from the 30th ultimo, I have the honour to state to your Excel- 

 lency that this Decree has not been received by Her Majesty's Govern- 

 ment, but that the Governor of Newfoundland has been requested to 

 send home a copy of the document. 



I have, &c. (Signed) IDDESLEIGH. 



Mr. Stanhope to Governor Sir G. Des Vceux. 



[Extract.] 



DOWNING STREET, October 30, 1886. 



I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of a note received 

 through the Foreign Office from the French Charge d'Affaires at this 

 Court, in which he gives notice on behalf of his Government that 

 they cannot recognize the validity of a Decree recently passed by the 

 Government of Newfounland prohibiting for three years the fishing 

 for lobsters in Bonne Bay. 



I would be glad to be furnished with a copy of the Decree. 



It would be advisable that any Decree or Order affecting the fish- 

 eries on the west and north-west coasts of Newfoundland should con- 

 tain a clause reserving French rights under Treaty. 



Colonial Office to Foreign Office (Received December 23.) 



DOWNING STREET, December 22. 1886. 



SIR : With reference to your letter of the 27th September last, and 

 to the reply from this Department of the 25th October, respecting an 

 order issued in Newfoundland prohibiting for three years, with cer- 

 tain reservations, the fishing for lobsters in Bonne Bay, I am directed 

 by Mr. Secretary Stanhope to transmit to you, to be laid before the 



