The Secretary of State to the British Ambassador.

My Dear Mr. Ambassador:

I think you will be gratified by the two extracts which I inclose from letters written by British and Newfoundland officers to the agent of the American Department of Commerce and Labor, who was on the Fish Commission vessel, the Grampus, during the present fishing season on the Newfoundland coast. The people on both sides seem to have conducted themselves with great good sense and good temper.

I am, etc.,

Elihu Root.
[Inclosure.]

Secretary of Commerce and Labor to Secretary of State

Sir: At the request of the commissioner of fisheries, I have the honor to transmit herewith, for the confidential information of the Department of State, extracts from two personal letters regarding the Newfoundland fisheries question received by Mr. A. B. Alexander, who represented this department on the Newfoundland coast during the past season.

A copy of the commissioner’s letter is also transmitted herewith for your further information in the matter.

Respectfully,

V. H. Metcalf,
Secretary.
[Subinclosure 1.]

Commissioner Bowers to Secretary of Commerce and Labor.

Sir: I transmit herewith, for the confidential information of the Department of State, extracts from two personal letters regarding the Newfoundland fishery question received by Mr. A. B. Alexander, who represented this department on the Newfoundland coast during the past season. The first letter is from the captain of the British cruiser Latonia, who was on the grounds in his vessel during practically the entire fishery season and was personally familiar with the operations of the department’s schooner Grampus and the American fishing vessels. The second letter is from the Newfoundland inspector of customs, who was the official representative of the Newfoundland government on the treaty coast during the fishing season and the source of the information on which that government based its protest to London against the alleged irregular action of the Grampus and other American vessels.

Respectfully,

(Signed)
Geo. M. Bowers,
Commissioner.

[Subinclosure 2.]

Extract from letter to A. B. Alexander from Joseph O’Reilly, inspector of customs for Newfoundland, dated January 29, 1906:

“I think on the whole the season has been fairly successful for all connected with the fishery. While we had no reason to complain of the manner in [Page 677] which the fishery was conducted, there is room for improvement and another season better regulations will be necessary in the interest of your people as well as our own. I think that we both should be pleased how we came out of that fishery business, as you well know there were in the early days of the dispute all the elements of serious complications and that an injudicious act might at any moment result in serious trouble. * * * I feel pleased at how the whole thing terminated.”

[Subinclosure 3.]

Extract from letter to A. B. Alexander from H. I. Hibbert, captain of the British cruiser Latona, dated December 15, 1905:

“I should like to take this opportunity of thanking you for the great courtesy and kindness you have shown me in all matters in which we have had any dealings. I am so thankful that everything has passed off quietly and without any troubles, and I am convinced that this result is mainly due to the excellent advice and counsel given by you to the fishing skippers.”