Mr. Blaine to Sir Julian Pauncefote.
Washington, February 12, 1892.
My Dear Sir Julian: The motive you have always urged upon me for assembling the commissioners on seal fisheries at an early date was that they could provide a modus vivendi that would be sufficient while the arbitration should go on, with plenty of time to consider the various points.
I was surprised to hear that your commissioners yesterday declined to discuss the modus vivendi on the allegation that that was a subject reserved for you and me. This puts an entirely new phase upon the work of the commission and largely diminishes its value. Will you have the goodness to advise me of the precise scope of the work which you assigned to your commissioners?
Very truly, yours,