The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-23
THE FISHERY TREATY.

Secretary Bayard Says All the Important
Facts Have Been Communicated.
WASHINGTON, March 22.-The President sent
brief message to the Senate, to-day in reply
TO a resolution introduced by Senator Frye, ON
the 10th inst, requesting the President to trans
init to the Senate copies of the minutes and
daily protocols OF the meetings of the commis-
sioners who negotiated the fisheries treaty with
Great Britain. He inclosed copy of q letter
received from the Secretary Of State on the sub
ject, and said he hoped the information con-
tanned therein would prove a satisfactory
answer to the resolution. The following is the
text of the letter referred to:
To the President:
The undersigned to whom the Senate resolution OF
March l6, 1883. referred by the President.
Of March S. 1858 the conciu ding eco correspond.
ence between the United States and Great
s in H. Soh ~ssH. was sas
muncated to the Senate and together with what had
body in full possession of the complete documentary
history which preceded the conference of the plenipo
tentiaries in this capital on Nov % last Together
with the special message referred to, the full Of
the joint protocols agreed to and duly signed by
also transmitted In conformity with the invar
able course pursued in previous negotiations when
confidence should be maintained in its deliberations,
and only results should be announced and such other
zscon Of bs % s
standing, which strictly kept the discussions pro-
ceeded, through its and prolonged sessions,
with that eedom and inforality in the exchange OF
views which the nature of the negotiations required
and without which its progress would have been
terialy n mpered and any agreement rendered very
difheutSof attainment. No stenographer adj
mitted to the conference. and minutes daily
protocols were agreed upon and signed bv the joint
protOcosts other than those already transmitted to
the Senate.
Upon the conclusion of the treaty, some members
OF tho conference at left the city. under the
pressure of other dutes and is thus probable that
udn mi
have been placed in the joint protocols. After the
conference had finally adjourned and Sir Charles Tup
per had returned to OTTAWA request was received.
through the British minister that be given to
the publication of certain proposal which had been
submitted by the British plenpotent and de-
clined by the American The consent, desired,
given and inclose herewith copy of the papers
referred TO. Every point submitted TO the
ference is covered by the papers In possession of
the Senate except the great question of damages
sustained by fishermen, which, being met by the
counter-elaim for damages TO British vessels in
Behring sea, was left for future settlement.
To the discretion and control of the executive
ntrusted the initiation and conduct of the negotiating
implicit confidence between the agents negotiations
for the voluntary adjustment of vexed questions in
controversy between nations could not hopefully be
entered upon. The presentation, modification,
adoption withdrawal of propositions naturally
and necessarily accompanied by oral arguments and
explanatory statements which IL is impossible
ately to reproduce, and without which just under
standing OF the proceedings could not be had.
Respectfully submitted, IT. #. BAYARD.