Pakenham to Hamilton Fish, November 14, 1871

No. 177. Mr. Pahenham to Mr. Fish.

Sir: I have the honor to inclose a copy of a letter from an American merchant residing at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, to the lieutenant governor of that colony, as also a copy of the governor’s reply, and from which it will be seen that Mr. Hall entertains doubts as to whether the refusal of Canada to assent to the provisional arrangement proposed by the United States, and assented to by the legislature of that colony, may not work adversely to the interests of those persons in Prince Edward Island who have this year made large investments in the fishery business, in the expectation of receiving back the duties collected in the United States on fish-oil and fish exported from that island into the United States during the present fishing season. Application has been made to Earl Granville, by the colonial office, on this subject, and I have been directed to endeavor to ascertain whether the proposal will be made to Congress on its meeting to refund those duties as regards Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.

I should feel obliged if you would cause me to be early informed on the subject, so that I may forward the reply of the United States Government to Earl Granville with as little delay as possible.

I have, &c,