832 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. 



In the present case, however, there is every reason to desire that the 

 two Governments, without awaiting the result of the judicial pro- 

 ceedings, should allay the popular feeling which these differences 

 have excited in both countries, by an attempt to effect such an equi- 

 table revision of the Treaty as may reconcile conflicting interests. 



With this view my predecessor addressed a despatch to Her 

 Majesty's Minister at Washington, containing a Report from the 

 Canadian Government on all the points involved, and instructed 

 him to communicate it to your Government, and to invite their 

 friendly observations upon that document, in the hope that such an 

 interchange of views might lead to some basis of negotiation. 



No reply has been received by Her Majesty's Government to that 

 communication, but assurances have repeatedly been exchanged 

 between the two Governments of their desire to come to an arrange- 

 ment. 



The hopes which were entertained at one time of a settlement 

 on a broad and comprehensive basis by means of a new Commercial 

 Treaty were unfortunately frustrated by the rejection of the pro- 

 posal for a Joint Commission. 



It may be, however, that a more restricted basis might be acceptable 

 to your Government, such, for instance, as an arrangement limited 

 entirely to the fishery interests. 



It is evident that the great desire of both Governments to arrive 

 at an equitable arrangement cannot be attained unless they are both 

 prepared to make some concessions. 



The nature of the concessions which it would be in the power of 

 this country to make with reference to the Canadian fisheries are well 

 known : but Her Majesty's Government, who have naturally been in 

 constant communication with the Dominion Government on this 

 question, are quite unable to make any proposal to them of the nature 

 contemplated, unless they are informed to what extent the United 

 States Government are disposed to meet them in the way of con- 

 cession. 



Her Majesty's Government therefore earnestly hope that the Gov- 

 ernment of the United States may find themselves able to view the 

 position in the light in which I have placed it before you, and by a 

 frank declaration of the nature of the benefits which they are pre- 

 pared to offer on their side to facilitate the efforts of Her Majesty r s 

 Government to take some immediate action towards the settlement 

 of this most important and urgent question. 

 I have, &c., 



IDDESLEIGH. 



E. J. PHELPS, Esq. 



Mr. Bayard to Sir L. West. 



DEPARTMENT or STATE, 

 Washington, September 10, 1886. 



SIR: It is my duty to ask you to bring to the attention of Her 

 Britannic Majesty's Government the treatment lately experienced by 

 an American fishing vessel, the Mottie Adams, of Gloucester, Mass., 

 at the hands of the collector of customs at Port Mulgrave, in the 

 Strait of Canso, Nova Scotia. 



