ARBITRATION OF OUTSTANDING PECUNIARY CLAIMS 



BETWEEN 



GREAT BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES 



OF AMERICA. 



In the Matter of the United States Claim respecting the 



Frederick Gerring, Jr. 



ANSWER OF HIS MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT. 



1. By the first article of the treaty concluded at London 20th 

 October, 1818, between Great Britain and the United States it is 

 stipulated as follows: — 



Article I. 



" Whereas differences have arisen respecting the liberty claimed 

 " by the United States for the inhabitants thereof, to take, dr}^, 

 " and cure fish on certain coasts, bays, harbours and creeks of 

 " His Britannic Majesty's dominions in America, it is agreed 

 " between the high contracting parties, that the inhabitants of the 

 " said United States shall have forever, in common with the sub- 

 " jeets of His Britannic Majesty, the liberty to take fish of every 

 " kind on that part of the southern coast of Newfoundland which 

 " extends from Cape Ray to the Rameau Islands, on the western 

 " and northern coast of Newfoundland, from the said Cape Ray 

 " to the Quirpon Islands on the shores of the Magdalen Islands, 

 " and also on the coasts, bays, harbours and creeks from ^fount 

 " Joly on the southern coast of Labrador, to and through the 

 " Straits of Belleisle and thence northwardly indefinitely along the 

 " coast, without prejudice, however, to any of the exclusive rights 

 " of the Hudson Bay Company; And that the American fishermen 

 " shall also have liberty forever, to dry and cure fish in any of the 

 " unsettled bays, harbours and creeks of the southern part of the 

 " coast of Newfoundland hereabove described, and of the coast of 

 " Labrador; but so soon as the same, or any portion thereof, shall 

 " be settled, it shall not be lawful for the said fishermen to dry or 

 41079—2 



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