736 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. 



Granville, unless new facts could be found which would warrant the 

 demand. 



Both of us have discovered, I think, that we have no practical 

 means of assessing the damages except by taking the facts as stated 

 in the American case, unless, indeed, we should resort, at great ex- 

 pense and with endless trouble, to a new, independent, and exhaustive 

 investigation by original testimony in each and every claim. 



Under these circumstances it is proper that I should frankly state 

 to you that I find no other claims than those already presented for 

 wrongs inflicted in the waters of Newfoundland and its dependencies ; 

 and, as I originally advised you, I have no desire to urge you to in- 

 crease the sum offered by Lord Granville on the old claims. 



My investigations have included the period up to March 4, 1881 ; 

 and in giving the receipt I would, if desired, be willing to cover that 

 period. I make this oner in the hope that you will recognise in it a 

 disposition on the part of the United States to be not merely just but 

 liberal in dealing with Her Majesty's Government on this complicated 

 and somewhat delicate question. 



Your understanding, communicated verbally, that the injury at 

 Aspee Bay was to be included, is correct, and the receipt which I shall 

 give will cover that case. 



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

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

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

 should san. I understand this subject to have been also referred by 

 Lord Granville. 



I have, &c., JAMES G. BLAINE. 



Sir Edward Thornton to Mr. Elaine. 



WASHINGTON, May 28, 1881. 



(Received May 28.) 



SIR : With reference to your note of the 6th instant, relating to the 

 discussions which have recently taken place between Her Majesty's 

 Government and that of the United States with regard to the losses 

 alleged to have been suffered by United States fishermen in Fortune 

 Bay, Newfoundland, on the 6th of January 1878, in consequence of 

 certain acts committed by natives of that colony, I have the honor to 

 inform you that Her Majesty's Government is prepared to meet the 

 views of the Government of the United States upon this matter by 

 the payment of the sum of 15,000 sterling in full satisfaction of all 

 claims for disturbance of American fishermen in their fishing opera- 

 tions on the coasts of Newfoundland and its dependencies up to the 

 4th of March last, including the occurrences at Aspee Bay, Cape 

 Breton, Nova Scotia, in the Dominion of Canada, a statement of 

 which is made at pages 138 to 141, inclusive, of Ex. Doc. No. 84 of 

 the second session of the House of Representatives of the Forty-sixth 

 Congress. 



It will, however, be clearly understood that the above-mentioned 

 payment will be made without prejudice to any question of the rights 

 of either of the two governments under Articles XVIII to XXV, 



