838 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. 



actions complained of, and to afford reparation for what has already 

 taken place. The subject has become one of grave importance, and I 

 earnestly solicit the immediate attention of your lordship to the 

 question it involves, and to the views presented in my former note 

 and in those of the Secretary of State. 



The proposal in your lordship's note that a revision of the treaty 

 stipulations bearing upon the subject of the fisheries should be at- 

 tempted by the Government, upon the basis of mutual concessions is 

 one that under other circumstances would merit and receive serious 

 consideration. Such a revision was desired by the Government of 

 the United States before the present disputes arose, and when there 

 was a reasonable prospect that it might have been carried into effect. 

 Various reasons not within its control now concur to make the present 

 time inopportune for that purpose, and greatly to diminish the hope 

 of a favorable result to such an effort. Not the least of them is the 

 irritation produced in the United States by the course of the Cana- 

 dian Government, and the belief thereby engendered that a new 

 treaty is attempted to be forced upon the United States Government. 



It seems apparent that the questions now presented and the trans- 

 actions that are the subject of present complaint must be considered 

 and adjusted upon the provisions of the existing treaty, and upon the 

 construction that is to be given to them. 



A just construction of these stipulations, and such as would consist 

 with the dignity, the interests, and the friendly relations of the two 

 countries, ought not to be difficult, and can doubtless be arrived at. 



As it appears to me very important to these relations that the col- 

 lisions between the American fishermen and the Canadian officials 

 should terminate. I suggest to your lordship whether an ad interim 

 construction of the terms of the existing treaty cannot be reached by 

 mutual understanding of the Governments, to be carried out inform- 

 ally by instructions given on both sides, without prejudice to 

 ultimate claims of either, and terminable at the will of either, by 

 which the conduct of the business can be so regulated for the time 

 being as to prevent disputes and injurious proceedings until a more 

 permanent understanding can be had. 



Should this suggestion meet with your lordship's approval, perhaps 

 you may be able to propose an outline for such an arrangement. 



I am not prepared nor authorized to present one at this time, but 

 may hereafter be instructed to do so if the effort is thought advisable. 

 I have, &c., 



E. J. PHELPS. 



Sir L. West to Mr. Bayard. 



BRITISH LEGATION, 

 Washington, September 17, 1886. 



(Received September 18.) 



SIR : With reference to your note of the 30th of July last, calling 

 attention to alleged infractions of the convention of 1818 by the 

 authorities at Bonne Bay, Newfoundland, and at Port Amherst, 

 Magdalen Islands, I have now received instructions from Her 

 Majesty's secretary of state for foreign affairs to inform you of the 



