334 NEW ENGLAND FISHERIES 



time for the treaty to be ratified, presented a paper in 

 which it was stated that "with the further object of af- 

 fording evidence of their anxious desire to promote good 

 feeling and to remove all possible subject of controversy, 

 the British plenipotentiaries are ready to make the fol- 

 lowing temporary arrangement for a period not exceeding 

 two years, in order to afford a 'modus vivendi' pending the 

 ratification of the treaty: 



1. For a period not exceeding two years from the present 

 date, the privilege of entering the bays and harbors of the 

 Atlantic coasts of Canada and Newfoundland shall be granted 

 to United States fishing vessels by annual licenses at a fee of 

 $1.50 per ton for the following purposes : 



The purchase of bait, ice, seines, lines, and all other 

 supplies and outfits. 



Transshipment of catch and shipping of crews. 



2. If during the continuance of this arrangement the United 

 States should remove the duties on fish, fish-oil, whale and seal- 

 oil (and their coverings, packages, etc.), the said licenses shall 

 be issued free of charge. 



3. United States fishing vessels entering the bays and harbors 

 of the Atlantic coasts of Canada or of Newfoundland for any 

 of the four purposes mentioned in Article I of the convention of 

 October 20, 1818, and not remaining therein more than twenty- 

 four hours, shall not be required to enter or clear at the custom- 

 house, providing that they do not communicate with the shore. 



4. Forfeiture to be exacted only for the offenses of fishing or 

 preparing to fish in territorial waters. 



5. This arrangement to take effect as soon as the necessary 

 measures can be completed by the colonial authorities. 



Washington, February 15, 1888. 



This arrangement was agreed to by the American com- 

 missioners, and since that time it has been, by renewal, the 

 fisheries arrangement between the two countries. An at- 



