GREAT BRITAIN.                       563

  I am under the impression that it is politically attached to Newfound-
land, but desire to be authoritatively informed on the question.
  Have the goodness, also, to say whether any part of Labrador is
separated from the jurisdiction of either the Dominion of Canada or
that of Newfoundland.
      I have, &c.,
                                             ,HAMILTON FISH.



                              No. 331.

                      Mr. Watson to Mr. Fish.

                  WASHINGTON, July 177 1874. (Received July 18.)
  SIR: In obedience to an instruction which has been conveyed to me
by Her Majesty's principal secretary of state for foreign affairs, I have
the honor to state to you that, on the understanding that the draft
reciprocity treaty for the reciprocal regulation of the commerce and
trade between the United States and Canada, as agreed to by you, will
be considered by the Senate in December next, Her Majesty's govern-
ment will await the final result of the consideration which the treaty
may then receive in the Senate before taking any fresh steps with regard
to the fisheries commission.
  I am further directed by the Earl of Derby to add that Her Majesty's
government wish it to be clearly understood that their right to revert to
the provisions of the treaty of Washington for the appointment of the
fisheries commission is in no way prejudiced by the delay that has
occurred, or that may occur, in consequence of the proceedings with
reference to the reciprocity treaty.
      I have, &c.,
                                                IR. G. WATSON.



                              No. 332.

                      Mr. Fish to Mr. Watson.

                                  DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
                                        Washington, July 18, 1874.
  SIR: I have to acknowledged the reception of your note of 17th in-
stant, wherein, in obedience to an instruction from Her Majesty's princi-
pal secretary of state for foreign affairs, you state that, on the under-
standing that the draft reciprocity treaty for the reciprocal regulation
of the commerce and trade between the United States and Canada, as
agreed to by you, (me,) will be considered by the Senate in December
next, Her Majesty's government will await the final result of the con-
sideration which the treaty may then receive in the Senate before taking
any fresh steps with regard to the fisheries commission, and that you
a re further directed by the Earl of Derby to add that Her Majesty's gov-
ernment wish it to be clearly understood that their right to revert to
the provisions of the treaty of Washington for the appointment of the
fisheries commission is in no way predjudiced by the delay that has
occurred or that may occur in consequence of the proceedings with
reference to the reciprocity treaty.