PERIOD FROM 1871 TO 1888. 179 



Mr. Blaine's instructions on tliis point were promptly communicated 

 to Lord Granville by Mr. Lowell in his note bearing date the following 

 day.*^ With reference to the same subject, Sir Edward Thornton 

 wrote to Lord Granville on March 14, 1881, as a result of an inter- 

 view with Mr. Blaine, stating that "upon my inquiring what steps 

 it was proposed to take with a vievv^ to an agreement as to the rules 

 and regulations which are to prevail hereafter respecting the fish- 

 eries, Mr. Blaine replied that this question would meet the early con- 

 sideration of the United States' Govermnent, and that he thought it 

 was very desirable that a decision should be arrived at as soon as 

 possible." '' 



In reply Lord Granville wrote to Sir Edward Thornton on April 2, 

 1881, stating that he need not remind him how desirable it was in 

 view of the approach of the fishing season that an understanding 

 should be arrived at \vith regard to the regulations to be framed 

 for the fisheries with a view to the prevention of future misunder- 

 standings. '^ 



While this question of joint regulations was still under consid- 

 eration, the negotiations for the settlement of the Fortune Bay cases 

 were concluded, leaving the question of joint regulations still unset- 

 tled, but it was held open for fiu'ther consideration, as appears from 

 the following extract from Mr. Blaine's note of May 6, 1881, to Sir 

 Edward Thornton: 



In accepting Lord Granville's offer in this matter, I desire to state 

 that at your convenience I will discuss the subject of the joint cruisers 

 on the fishing grounds, and the code of instructions under which they 

 should sail.*^ 



The proposal that a joint agreement should be arrived at as to the 

 regulations which should govern the fisheries, was renewed a j^ear 

 later by Mr. West, the British Minister at Washington, who submitted 

 to Mr. Frelinghuysen, the Secretary of State, on May 3, 1882, the 

 following memorandum : 



British Memorandum. 



With reference to correspondence which has passed between Her 

 Majesty's Legation and the State Department respecting the New- 

 foundland Fisheries question, it is sought to determine what Regu- 

 lations it would be expedient to enforce for the protection of the 



a Appendix, p. 732. c Appendix, p. 733. 



''Appendix, p. 732. d Appendix, p. 736. 



