Sir Julian Pauncefote to Mr. Gresham.
Washington, June 25, 1894. (Received June 27.)
Sir: In obedience to instructions from Her Majesty’s principal secretary of state for foreign affairs, I have the honor to ask your kind intervention in the following matter:
From information received by the Canadian Government from the lieutenant governor of British Columbia it appears that the salmon fisheries of the Fraser River have been greatly injured by the setting of ground nets by the United States citizens at Point Roberts, on the boundary line of Washington Territory.
The example was followed by Canadian subjects, who obtained permission to use similar nets in Boundary Bay, a sheet of water between the said Point Roberts and the mouth of Fraser River, and within Canadian jurisdiction.
It is feared that the increase in the number of these traps will diminish the chances of fishermen using drift nets, and it is understood that both Canadian and United States fishermen complain that this mode of fishing is injurious to the salmon-fishing industry of the district.
I have under these circumstances been instructed to call your attention to the question, in order that if possible an agreement may be arrived at as to joint action for the preservation of this valuable industry.
I have, etc.,