742 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. 



The government of Newfoundland regret that the good faith of the 

 local authorities should be called in question. It is not denied that 

 differences have arisen, and may again occur, between British and 

 United States fishermen when plying their calling in the same locality, 

 such differences not being infrequent even when fishermen of the 

 same nationality fish together. But they are not aware of any case 

 of dispute between British and American fishermen in which, on 

 complaint made, an investigation has not taken place and justice has 

 not been administered. 



The colonial authorities at Saint John's have expressed a wish that 

 the attention of the Government of the United States should be called 

 to the demoralizing effects upon the people of Newfoundland, result- 

 ing from smuggling, and the sale by the United States fishermen of 

 various articles, including spirits to a considerable extent. 



The police force of the country, they state, has been necessarily 

 increased, and even now is inadequate, not indeed for the preservation 

 of order amongst the native population, but for the prevention of 

 wanton destruction of property and other lawless acts committed by a 

 rough class of United States fishermen, who, after committing out- 

 rages, take refuge on board their vessels, leaving the unfortunate 

 sufferers without remedy. 



In forwarding these observations, Her Majesty's Government have 

 no desire to raise a discussion with the Government of the United 

 States, on matters which it would be unreasonable to expect should 

 be entirely within their control. Her Majesty's Government cor- 

 dially reciprocate the friendly spirit in which their attention has been 

 invited by Mr. Elaine to the treaty privileges of the American fisher- 

 men, but they would point out that reports, from whomsoever re- 

 ceived, of irregularities of which no complaint is made at the time, 

 and on or from the spot, to the responsible authorities, must be ac- 

 cepted with some degree of caution. For their part, Her Majesty's 

 Government fully appreciate the desire expressed in Mr. Lowell's 

 letter, that every precaution should be taken to obviate the recurrence 

 of disputes on the fishing grounds of Newfoundland between the 

 British and American fishermen, and they trust that the measures 

 which have been adopted, and which will be supplemented, if neces- 

 sary, by further action ; may fulfill the common wishes of the two 

 governments. 



I have, &c., GRANVILLE. 



BRITISH EMBASSY. 



British Memorandum of May 3, 1882. 



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 Regula- 

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

 fisheries, and to this end attention is sailed to the following Acts viz. 

 Cap : 102 consolidated Statutes Newfoundland, 



38. Viet: Cap: 7 



39 " " 6 



40 " " 13 

 42 " " 2 



