AWARD OF THE TRIBUNAL i 



Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague. The North Atlantic 



Coast Fisheries 



PREAMBLE 



Whereas a Special Agreement between the United States of America and Great 

 Britain, signed at Washington the 27th January, 1909, and confirmed by interchange 

 of Notes dated the 4th March, 1909, was concluded in conformity with the provisions 

 of the General Arbitration Treaty between the United States of America and Great 

 Britain, signed the 4th April, 1908, and ratified the 4th June, 1908; 



And whereas the said Special Agreement for the submission of questions relating 

 to fisheries on the North Atlantic Coast under the general treaty of Arbitration con- 

 cluded between the United States and Great Britain on the 4th day of April, igo8, 

 is as follows: 



Art. I. Whereas by Article I of the Convention signed at London on the 20th 

 day of October, 1818, between Great Britain and the United States, it was agreed as 

 follows : — 



Whereas differences have arisen respecting the liberty claimed by the United States for 

 the inhabitants thereof, to take, dry and cure Fish on Certain Coasts, Bays, Harbours and 

 Creeks of His Britannic Majesty's Dominions in America, it is agreed between the High 

 Contracting Parties, that the Inhabitants of the said United States shall have forever, in 

 common with the Subjects of His Britannic Majesty, the Liberty to take Fish of every kind 

 on that part of the Southern Coast of Newfoundland which extends from Cape Ray to the 

 Rameau Islands, on the Western and Northern Coast of Newfoundland, from the said 

 Cape Ray to the Quirpon Islands, on the shores of the Magdalen Islands, and also on the 

 Coasts, Bays, Harbours, and Creeks from Mount Joly on the Southern Coast of Labrador, 

 to and through the Straits of Belleisle and thence Northwardly indefinitely along the coast, 

 without prejudice, however, to any of the exclusive Rights of the Hudson Bay Company; 

 and that the American Fishermen shall also have liberty forever, to dry and cure Fish in 

 any of the unsettled Bays, Harbours and Creeks of the Southern part of the Coast of New- 

 foundland hereabove described, and of the Coast of Labrador; but so soon as the same, or 

 any Portion thereof, shall be settled, it shall not be lawful for the said Fishermen to dry or 

 cure Fish at such Portion so settled, without previous agreement for such purpose with the 

 Inhabitants, Proprietors, or Possessors of the ground. — And the United States hereby 

 renounce forever, any Liberty heretofore enjoyed or claimed by the Inhabitants, thereof, to 

 take, dry, or cure Fish on, or within three marine Miles of any of the Coasts, Bays, Creeks, 

 or Harbours of His Britannic Majesty's Dominions in America not included within the 

 above-mentioned limits; provided, however, that the American Fishermen shall be admitted 

 to enter such Bays or Harbours for the purpose of Shelter and of repairing Damages therein, 

 of purchasing Wood, and of obtaining Water, and for no other purpose whatever. But 

 they shall be under such Restrictions as may be necessary to prevent their taking, drying 

 or curing Fish therein, or in any other manner whatever abusing the Privileges hereby 

 reserved to them. 



' " Oral Argument," Vol. II, p. 1433. 

 488 



