CONCLUSION OF THE NEGOTIATIONS.
The treaty was concluded without any further exposition between the parties as to the points of difference. Tn his letter to Mr. G. Canning of February 17, S25. transmitting the treaty. Mi. Ss, Can- ving shows clearly his nuderstanding of the eifeet of the line which was to be drwwn parallel to the coast. Te iuderstood that the line wits drawn, not on territorial waters, but on land, Te says:
The line of demarcation along the strip of land on the porthwest coast of America assigned to Russia is laid down in the convention agrevably to your directions, notwithstanding some difficulties raise! on this point, ax well as on that which regards the onder of the articles, by the Russian pleniputentiaries. ¢
He says “strip of kind” quid not ‘strips of land and water.”
Mr. Middleton, on that very day. had an interview with Mr. Canning which he recorded ina letter to Mr. Adana, This contem- pormeous record of the views of Mr, Canning ought to have weight. In the first place it ts not contradictory of, but entirely consistent with. all that had gone hefore. If Myr. Middleton had heen capable of making a self-serving record for his country, no such motive could possibly have then existed, He says:
1 have the honor to aequaint you that a econvention was signed yestenlay between the Russian and British plenipotentiagies relative to navinedion, fisheries, and com ineroe in the Grout (tovan, and to territorial demarcation upon the Northwest Coast ef America, In a conversation held this day with Me. &tration! Canning | have learned that this treaty is medeled ina great degree opon that whirl: was signed fey me in the nenth of April fast, ane that its provisions are ax follows, to wit:
The freedom of navigation and fishery throughont the Great Geean and upon all its coast=; the privileze of landing at all wnovenpied point=; that of trading with the natives, and the special privileges vf reciproeal trade aim] navigation seeured for ten years Upon the northwest coast of America, together with the muta restriction- prohibiting the trading in firearms or spirituons liyuers, are all stipulated in the iiriti-h asin the American Treaty, ail some new provisions are made fer the privi- lege of refitting vessels in the respeetive ports, and ne higher sinties are to be moposel than upon National Vessels,
He understood that hy unoceupied * cousts” was meant all the Cousts:
Count Nesselrode, in writing to Connt Lieven February 20, Ls25, coumunicating the fret that the treaty had heen signed. said:
The only point that dias given rise to ane difficulties ino our diseussions with the British plenipotentiary relited te the limits of the strip of coast whieh Russia ix to
Toe 4%. App. 22s. PL SO Appi, 24.
