986 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. 



yent any interference upon any ground by the officers of the New- 

 foundland Government with American fishermen, when they go to 

 exercise their Treaty rights upon the Newfoundland coast during the 

 approaching fishing season. 



I beg to inclose herewith a copy of this letter from the Secretary of 

 State of the United States. 

 I have, &c., 



(Signed) WHITELAW REED. 



Lord Elgin to Governor MacGregor. 



DOWNING STREET, August 6, 1906. 



SIR: I have the honour to forward, to be laid before your Ministers, 

 copy of a note from the United States' Ambassador at this Court, 

 inclosing copy of a letter from Mr. Root which sets out the views of the 

 United States' Government as to the conditions on which the rights 

 of American fishermen under the Convention of 1818 are to be exer- 

 cised. 



2. Copies of the Memorandum of his Majesty's Government which 

 Mr. Root's letter discusses were forwarded to you on the 15th Feb- 

 ruary last. 



3. Mr. Root's letter is engaging the careful attention of His Maj- 

 esty's Government. I will communicate with you again as soon as I 

 am in a position to state the decision to which they have come in the 

 matter. 



I have, &c. (Signed) ELGIN. 



Lord Elgin to Governor MacGregor. 



[Telegraphic.] 



DOWNING STREET, August 8, 1906. 



Copies went to you by last mail of communication from United 

 States' Government in which thev contend that Convention of 1818 

 justifies no interference, reasonable or unreasonable, with exercise of 

 American rights of fishery, and request His Majesty's Government to 

 prevent any interference upon any ground by officers of Newfound- 

 land Government with American fishermen when they go to exercise 

 their Treaty rights upon the coast of Newfoundland during approach- 

 ing fishing season. They disclaim desire that Newfoundland fish- 

 eries shall go unregulated, and express their readiness to join with 

 His Majesty's Government in agreeing upon all reasonable and suit- 

 able regulations for due control of fishermen of both countries in 

 exercise of their rights, but state that they cannot permit exercise of 

 these rights to be subject to will of Newfoundland. Pending such an 

 agreement, the furthest they are prepared to go is to accept such 

 limitations as were in existence at time Convention of 1818 was con- 

 cluded, and in support of this position appeal to Lord Salisbury's 

 note to United States' Minister of the 3rd April, 1880, in connection 



