PERIOD FROM 1871 TO 1905. 947 



but have been proceeded with by this Department under the direction 

 of the President. 



The number of plenipotentiaries to be employed on either side does 

 not seem to be material to the object in view. The treaty of 1854 com- 

 prehended the same class of questions substantially, and as I have be- 

 fore remarked in my correspondence with you, was negotiated by the 

 Earl of Elgin, at that time governor-general of Canada, and Mr. 

 William L. Marcy, then the Secretary of State of the United States. 

 By reference also to our prior treaties with Great Britain it will be 

 found that the number of plenipotentiaries employed on either side 

 varied and was frequently unequal. 



The " mixed commission " referred to in the first article of the ad 

 interim proposal submitted by you in December last to the British 

 foreign office, was to be authorized by Congress before appointed, and 

 only under legislative authority could they be so employed and pro- 

 vision made for their compensation. 



It is not, therefore, considered essential or important for the ac- 

 complishment of the negotiation now contemplated to provide for the 

 appointment of a commission, eo nomine. 



The questions to be considered and settled are not so complicated in 

 number or nature as to require a large numerical force of negotiators, 

 such as was apparently deemed expedient in 1871. 



It is regarded by the President as of the highest importance that a 

 distinct and friendly understanding should without delay be arrived 

 at between the United States and Great Britain, touching the extent 

 of the rights which belong respectively to the citizens of the United 

 States and the subjects of Her Britannic Majesty in relation to the 

 fisheries on the coasts of the British Possessions in North America, 

 and as to any other questions which affect the trade and commercial 

 relations between the United States and those possessions. 



You are, therefore, instructed to propose to Her Majesty's principal 

 secretary of state for foreign affairs the appointment of an envoy ex- 

 traordinary and minister plenipotentiary, to meet in the city of 

 Washington a minister plenipotentiary of the Government of the 

 United States, duly authorized by the respective Governments to treat 

 of and discuss the mode of settling all questions which have arisen out 

 of the fisheries on the coasts of British North America, and all other 

 questions affecting the relations between the United States and Her 

 Britannic Majesty's possessions in North America. 



Should it be found necessary or expedient to increase the number of 

 the representatives of either party in the proposed negotiation, it can 

 be done, and notice be given to that effect. 



Believing this proposal to be in accord with late expressions of 

 Her Majesty's Government, indicating a cordial and sincere desire to 

 arrive at an amicable, permanent, and just settlement of the important 

 question above referred to, I transmit it to you for presentation, in 

 the full confidence of its prompt acceptance by Her Majesty's Gov- 

 ernment, and I have the honor to be, Sir, 

 Your obedient servant, 



T. F. BAYARD. 



