Mr. Sherman to Sir Julian Pauncefote.
Washington, November 8, 1897.
My Dear Sir Julian: I take pleasure in repeating the assurance which I gave you verbally yesterday when you handed me your note of that date, that my Government will very heartily welcome the visit to Washington of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the prime minister of Canada, and Sir Louis Davies, minister of marine, and that it cheerfully yields to the desire of the Marquis of Salisbury to so far modify the character of the meeting of experts, as set forth in Mr. Adam’s note of the 15th ultimo, as to admit the officials named as well as yourself to the meeting, in order to watch the discussion and suggest questions.
I beg to add that Mr. John W. Foster, whom, as you know, the President has intrusted with the negotiations relative to the seal question, will be expected also to attend the meetings on the part of the United States.
I take it for granted that the foregoing modification of the character of the meeting does not in any wise relieve the experts from the duty of reaching conclusions on their own behalf respecting the conditions of the Pribilof seal herd and making a report thereon. I am, etc.,