1909.] ATLANTIC FISHERIES QUESTION. 339 



shore. In that way the extent of territorial waters from which 

 American fishermen were exchided under the treaty of 1818 was still 

 further extended. The convention guaranteed free passage to 

 American fishing vessels through the Gut of Canso,*^ a right to 

 which they were entitled by the Law of Nations. The convention 

 also provided a right of refuge to American fishermen in Canadian 

 ports fleeing from the danger of storms — a right to which all sea- 

 faring men are entitled in the ports of all civilized countries — and, 

 when the American vessels needed to make repairs, the privilege 

 to land their catch and tranship it to America. 



In view of the very great advantages that were given by this 

 convention to Canada and Newfoundland in exchange for rights 

 which American fishing vessels already possessed under the Law of 

 Nations without any grant by treaty from either Canada or New- 

 foundland, the American Senate very properly refused August 21, 

 1888, to confirm the convention, and so it failed to become a treaty. 



During the latter part of 1890 and the beginning of 1891, Secre- 

 tary Blaine for America and Sir Julian Pauncefote for Great 

 Britain held numerous parleys concerning the fishery question as 

 between America and Newfoundland. Their negotiations finally re- 

 sulted in a convention known as the Blaine-Bond Convention, since 

 Sir Robert Bond, the Newfoundland premier, inspired the negotia- 

 tions of the British Minister.*^ This convention was to last for 

 five years from the date it should go into operation, and niigjht 

 thereafter be renewed from year to year. It provided that Amer- 

 ican fishing vessels entering Newfoundland waters should have the 

 privilege of buying bait on the same terms as Newfoundland fish- 

 mg vessels. Also it was agreed that American fishing vessels 

 should " have the privilege of touching and trading, selling fish and 

 oil, and procuring supplies in Newfoundland, conforming to the 

 harbor regulations, but without other charge than the payment of 

 such light, harbor and customs dues as are or may be levied on New- 



" Senate Executive Documents, No. 113, 50th Congress, ist Session, Wash- 

 ington, 1888, p. 135. John Westlake, " International Law," Cambridge Univer- 

 sity Press, 1904, Part I., p. 193. 



*^ " Convention between the United States of America and Great Britain, 

 for the Improvement of Commercial Relations between the United States and 

 Her Britannic Majesty's Colony of Newfoundland." This unratified agree- 

 ment is known as the Blaine-Bond Convention. 



