Notice of Secretary Bayard.
By direction of the President, the undersigned, Secretary of State, hereby makes known to all whom it may concern that a temporary diplomatic agreement has been entered into between the Government of the United States and the Government of Her Britannic Majesty in relation to the fishing privileges which were granted by the fishery clauses of the treaty between the United States and Great Britain of May 8, 1871, whereby the privilege of fishing, which would otherwise have terminated with the treaty clauses on the 1st of July proximo, may continue to be enjoyed by the citizens and subjects of the two countries engaged in fishing operations throughout the season of 1885.
This agreement proceeds from the mutual good-will of the two Governments, and has been reached solely to avoid all misunderstanding and difficulties which might otherwise arise from the abrupt termination of the fishing of 1885 in the midst of the season. The immunity which is accorded by this agreement to the vessels belonging to citizens of the United States engaged in fishing in the British American waters will likewise be extended to British vessels and subjects engaged in fishing in the waters of the United States.
The joint resolution of Congress of March 3, 1833, providing for the termination of the fishing articles of the treaty of May 8, 1871, having repealed in terms the act of March 1, 1873, for the execution of the fishing articles, and that repeal being express and absolute from the date of the termination of the said fishing articles, under due notification given and proclaimed by the President of the United States, to wit, July 1, 1885, the present temporary agreement in no way affects the question of statutory enactment or exemption from customs duties, as to which the abrogation of the fishing articles remains complete.
As part of this agreement, the President will bring the whole question of the fisheries before Congress at its next session in December, and recommend the appointment of a joint commission by the Governments of the United States and Great Britain to consider the matter, in the interest of maintaining good neighborhood and friendly intercourse between the two countries, thus affording a prospect of negotiation for the development and extension of trade between the United States and British North America.
Copies of the memoranda and exchanged notes on which this temporary agreement rests are appended.
Reference is also made to the President’s proclamation of January 31, 1885, terminating the fishing articles of the treaty of Washington.
Secretary of State.