732 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. 



could be originated at this season of the year. But he authorized 

 me to inform your Lordship that he hoped that he and I could come 

 to an agreement upon the question at issue without reference to a 

 third person, and that, after further inquiries and when he had satis- 

 fied himself as to the probable existence of other claims, and should 

 have complete control of the claimants and of the whole matter, he 

 would even be able to accept your Lordship's offer of 15,0002., coupled 

 with a statement, on its acceptance, in the terms desired by Her 

 Majesty's Government. 



Upon my inquiring what steps it was proposed to take with a view 

 to an agreement as to the rules and regulations which are to prevail 

 hereafter respecting the fisheries, Mr. Elaine replied that this ques- 

 tion would meet the early consideration of the United States' Gov- 

 ernment, and that he thought it was very desirable that a decision 

 should be arrived at as soon as possible. 



Mr. Elaine was most cordial in his manner, and expressed his 

 earnest hope that there might be no obstacle to friendly relations 

 between the two Governments. 



Mr. Lowell to Earl Granville. 



LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, 

 London, March 15, 1881. (Received March 15.) 

 My LORD, I have the honour to inform your Lordship that I re- 

 ceived last evening a cable message from Mr. Elaine, in which he 

 instructs me to say that your Lordship's proposition to refer the 

 question of damages to American fishermen to himself and Sir 

 Edward Thornton is accepted, and further suggesting that the sub- 

 ject of joint cruisers should be postponed or should also be referred 

 to the same gentlemen. I inclose a copy of this telegram. 

 I have, &c. 



(Signed) J. R. LOWELL. 



Earl Granville to Sir E. Thornton. 



FOREIGN OFFICE, March 17, 1881. 



SIR, With reference to my despatch of this day's date in which I 

 inclosed a copy of a letter from Mr. Lowell forwarding a copy of a 

 telegram from Mr. Elaine stating that the proposition to refer to 

 him and to yourself the Fortune Bay indemnity is accepted, I should 

 wish to know whether Her Majesty's Government are to understand 

 that the claims in question are to be referred for investigation and 

 assessment, or merely in order that Mr. Elaine and yourself may 

 agree upon the acceptance by the United States' Government of a 

 lump sum upon his giving you the assurance which Her Majesty's 

 Government have required. 



You will have seen that the telegram from Mr. Elaine does not 

 tally with the statement made to you by him on Saturday last, as 

 reported in your telegram of the 15th instant. 

 I am, &c. 



(Signed) GRANVILLE. 



