QUESTION FIVE. 141 



of course, the harbors and creeks, contained within the three mile 

 limit. There was no assertion of jurisdiction over the waters of the 

 great outer bays, but only over the harbors and creeks lying close 

 upon the shores within the three mile limit." 



These vessels were all restored to their owners, the seizures being 

 held illegal. 6 



THE NEGOTIATIONS OF 1818. 



July 3, 1815, Great Britain and the United States had concluded 

 a commercial treaty which would expire by limitation four years from 

 its date." 



In May, 1818, John Quincy Adams, who had returned from Eng- 

 land to be Secretary of State, instructed Mr. Hush, who had de- 

 parted to England as minister for the United States, " the President 

 desires you to propose an immediate general negotiation of a com- 

 mercial treaty to embrace the continuance for a further term of 

 years of the convention [of 1815] and also the other subjects in 

 discussion between the two Governments, viz, the question concern- 

 ing the slaves, that relating to the fisheries, the boundary from the 

 Lake of the Woods, and the Columbia River settlement." * 



Great Britain willingly entered into the negotiation. 



In July, 1818, the Secretary of State transmitted to Messrs. Gal- 

 latin and Rush, who had been appointed American Commissioners, 

 the President's instructions for the conduct of the negotiation. As to 

 the fisheries, these instructions were: 



The proceedings, deliberations, and communications upon this 

 subject, which took place at the negotiation of Ghent, will be fresh 

 in the remembrance of Mr. Gallatin. Mr. Rush possesses copies of 

 the correspondence with the British Government relating to it after 

 the conclusion of the peace, and of that which has passed here "be- 

 tween Mr. Bagot and this Government. Copies of several letters 

 received by Members of Congress during the late session from the 

 parts of the country most deeply interested in the fisheries are now 

 transmitted. 



The President authorizes you to agree to an article whereby the 

 United States will desist from the liberty of fishing, and curing and 

 drying fish within the British jurisdiction generally, upon condition 



U. S. Case, 43, 47. c U. S. Case, 51. 



"U. S. Case, Appendix, 308. *U. S. Case, Appendix, 302. 



