200 THE NEWFOUNDLAND FISHERY QUESTION. 



new Administration, of which Mr. Thorburn was Premier, not being 

 responsible for the action of its predecessors, felt themselves justified 

 and compelled, for the reasons stated in the resolutions aforesaid,, in 

 rejecting the Convention. 



The French Government were naturally surprised and displeased 

 at the bold and hostile attitude assumed by the Government and 

 Legislature of Newfoundland towards "this solemn agreement," 

 arrived at after so much effort and sacrifice by England and 

 France, and therefore they conveyed to the English Government in 

 an important Despatch, dated June 21st, 1886, their intentions in 

 somewhat vigorous terms. M. De Freycinet declared : 



That in these circumstances he could not prolong the tolerant attitude we 

 have hitherto observed, and that the facts now brought to our knowledge compel us 

 to look exclusively to the assertion of our Rights within the limits prescribed by the 

 Treaties. 



Accordingly the Legislature of Newfoundland became alarmed, 

 and a Select Committee was appointed to consider the subject of the 

 capture and sale of bait, and on May 17th, 1886, they reported that 

 as the possession of, fresh bait was essential to the prosecution of the 

 cod-fishery, and that as the French bounties to their fishermen 

 practically destroyed the Foreign trade of the Colony, an Act should 

 be passed to prohibit the sale and exportation of bait to the French, 

 except under special licence, and on 1 8th May, the Act, containing 

 eight clauses, was passed by the House of Assembly, and also by the 

 Legislative Council, to come into operation on the 31st December 

 following. 



The Governor of Newfoundland, Sir G. William Des Voeux, 

 having refused to give assent to this Bill, the Colonial Government 

 appointed a Commissioner, Sir Ambrose Shea, to proceed to England 

 for the purpose of urging upon H.M. Government the vital impor- 

 tance of the measure for the interests of the Colony ; and on January 

 14th, 1887, the Governor addressed an important Despatch to the 

 Colonial Minister in which he urged at considerable length reasons 

 in favour of its approval and signature by her Majesty the Queen, 

 but notwithstanding this urgent recommendation of the Governor, 

 the petition of the Legislature, together with the representations of 

 the Commissioner, Sir Ambrose Shea, the British Cabinet were unable 

 to advise its confirmation by her Majesty, and the Minister of the 

 Colonies, Sir Henry Holland (now Lord Knutsford), in a Despatch 

 of 3rd February, 1887, set forth the reasons for that refusal. 



