No. 189.
Sir
Edward Thornton to Mr. Fish.
Sir: I have the honor to refer you to a note addressed to Mr. Bancroft Davis by Mr. Pakenham on the 10th of September, 1871, asking the consideration by the Government of the United States of a proposal made by the government of Newfoundland that American fishermen should be admitted to the right of taking seals within the territorial jurisdiction of Newfoundland on the condition of the admission of the produce of the Newfoundland seal-fishery into the United States free of duty.
Mr. Bancroft Davis replied, on the 23d of the same month, that the subject would receive consideration, but that the proposal was one which needed congressional approval before it could be definitively accepted by the Department of State.
In compliance with an instruction which I have received this morning from Earl Granville, I have the honor to inquire whether any steps have been taken by your Department with a view to carry out the proposal made by the government of Newfoundland, with regard to which Mr. Bancroft Davis was at the time informed that Her Majesty’s government would be glad if it could be acceded to.
I have, &c.,