d the British North American possessions, to become
operative so soon as the proper legislation should be had on the part of
Great Britain and its possessions. That legislation on the part of Great
Britain and its possessions had not then been had.

Having, prior to the meeting of Congress in December last, received
official information of the consideration by Great Britain and its
possessions of the legislation necessary on their part to bring those
articles into operation, I communicated that fact to Congress in my
annual message at the opening of the present session, and renewed the
recommendation for your early adoption of the legislation in the same
direction necessary on the part of this Government.

The near approach of the end of the session induces me again to urgently
call your attention to the importance of this legislation on the part of
Congress.

It will be remembered that the treaty of Washington resulted from an
overture on the part of Great Britain to treat with reference to the
fisheries on the coast of Her Majesty's possessions in North America
and other questions between them affecting the relations of the United
States toward these possessions. To this overture a reply was made on
the part of this Government that while appreciating the importance of
a friendly and complete understanding between the two Governments with
reference to the subject specially suggested by the British Government,
it was thought that the removal of the differences growing out of
what were generically known as the Alabama claims was essential to
the restoration of cordial and amicable relations between the two
Governments, and the assent of this Government to treat on the subject
of the fisheries was made dependent on the assent of Great Britain
to allow the joint commission which it had prepared on the questions
suggested by that Government to treat also and settle the differences
growing out of the Alabama claims.

Great Britain assented to this, and the treaty of Washington proposed
a settlement of both classes of questions.

Those relating to the Alabama claims and to the northwestern water
boundary, commonly known as the San Juan question, have been disposed
of in pursuance of the terms of the treaty.

Those relating to the fisheries were made by the terms of the treaty to
depend upon the legislation which the constitutions of the respective
Governments made necessary to carry those provisions into effect.

Grea