No. 302.
Mr. Bayard
to Mr. Phelps.
Department
of State,
Washington, December 8,
1886.
No. 472.]
Sir: My attention has just been drawn to a notice
published by the British Government in London in relation to the exercise of
fishing rights in common with France.
It occurs to me that it may be pertinent to-the consideration of the
questions discussed in the modm vivendi, in relation
to the British North American fisheries, lately forwarded to you by this
Department.
The publication no doubt can readily be procured in London. It is issued in
pamphlet form.
I am, etc.,
Inclosure in No. 472.
Further notice to British fishermen with respect to
the exclusive fishery limits of France.
The French Government have intimated to Her Majesty’s Government that the
recent detention of English oyster smacks which entered Havre to pass
Sunday there in fine weather, was effected by the maritime authority at
that port for an infraction of Articles LXXXV and LXXXVI of the
International Fishery Regulations of May 24, 1843, and that the minister
of marine in Paris, on learning the circumstances, directed that the
smacks should he immediately released, in consequence of the toleration
which has for a long time existed in the United Kingdom and France as
regards not enforcing the strict observance of these articles.
The French Government have given special instructions for preventing a
recurrence of like circumstances, without a preliminary reference on the
part of the authority at the port to the ministry of marine.
The French Government have further intimitated that, in the event of
their finding that the maintenance of the existing toleration gives rise
to inconvenience, notice will be given to Her Majesty’s Government, so
as to allow of the latter issuing timely warning to British fishermen.
(The Board of Trade Journal, vol. 1, No. 4, p. 146, 1886, London.)
