No. 249.
Mr. Bayard to Mr. Steele.
Washington, June 8, 1886.
Sir: I have received your letter of June 5, giving at length your views upon the present “relation of American fisheries with England and her provinces.”
Your discussion of the situation is comprehensive, and will receive due consideration.
The chief remedy you propose—the levy of a tariff duty of 1 cent per pound upon fresh and salt fish—is, of course, solely for the consideration of Congress.
The object and earnest endeavor of the Executive will be to secure American citizens the full enjoyment of all the rights under treaties and law without molestation, and no effort to that end has been or will be lacking on the part of those charged with the administration of the laws.
I am, &c.,