THE NORTHEAST COAST FISHERIES 525 



regulations. The seizures of their vessels were compara- 

 tively few and far between, considering the persistency with 

 which the Americans violated their laws. For all privileges 

 granted them, the Americans were unwilling to make any 

 return. The Canadians reiterated their willingness to remove 

 at any time the regulations so obnoxious to the American 

 fishermen, and to grant them the fullest liberties in their 

 ports, if the United States would but compensate them for 

 such concessions. Their price, they said, was free Canadian 

 fish into the United States, but this the Americans who sought 

 favors of them opposed with all their influence in Congress. 



A treaty with England was signed in Washington, Febru- 

 ary 15, 1888, providing for a commission to designate and 

 describe the British waters in which the United States should 

 enjoy full right to fish, and in like manner to enumerate 

 and state specifically the harbors and other waters in which 

 such rights would thenceforth be denied. One article recited 

 that whenever the United States Government should remove 

 the tariff duty upon the products of the Canadian fishery, 

 then the privilege of entering all ports, harbors, etc., of the 

 Dominion coasts would be accorded Americans for the fol- 

 lowing purposes, namely : 



" 1. The purchase of provisions, bait, ice, seines, lines, arid 

 all other supplies arid outfits. 



" 2. Transshipment of catch, for transport by any means 

 of conveyance. 



" 3. Shipping of crews." 



The draft of treaty went to the Senate strongly recom- 

 mended by President Cleveland, but failed to become law. 

 Pending action by Congress, the following Modus Vivendi 

 was agreed upon in February, 1888, which by tacit consent 

 has continued to remain in force by renewal each year to 

 the present time : 



1. For a period not exceeding two years from the present date, 

 the privilege of entering the bays and harbors of the Atlantic 

 coasts of Canada and Newfoundland shall be granted to the 

 United States fishing vessels by annual licenses at a fee of $1.50 

 per ton for the following purposes : 



