UNITED STATES AND CANADA 213 



considering the position which will be created by 

 the immediate commencement of the fishing season 

 before the Treaty can possibly be ratified by the 

 Senate of the United States, by the Parliament of 

 Canada, and the Legislature of Newfoundland. 



In the absence of such ratification the old con- 

 ditions which have given rise to so much friction 

 and irritation might be revived, and might interfere 

 with the unprejudiced consideration of the Treaty 

 by the legislative bodies concerned. 



Under these circumstances, and with the further 

 object of affording evidence of their anxious desire 

 to promote good feeling and to remove all possible 

 subjects of controversy, the British Plenipoten- 

 tiaries are ready to make the following temporary 

 arrangement for a period not exceeding two years, 

 in order to afford a modus vivendi pending the ratifi- 

 cation of the Treaty : 



1 . For a period not exceeding two years from the 

 present date, the privilege of entering the bays and 

 harbours of the Atlantic coasts of Canada and of 

 Newfoundland shall be granted to United States 

 fishing vessels by annual licences at a fee of ij 

 dollars per ton — for the following purposes : 



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

 other supplies and outfits. 



Transhipment of catch and shipping of crews. 



2. If, during the continuance of this arrange- 

 ment, the United States should remove the duties 

 on fish, fish oil, whale and seal oil (and their cover- 

 ings, packages, &c), the said licences shall be issued 

 free of charge. 



