SECTION B.-PLEADINGS
SECTION B. - PIÈCES ÉCRITES
. 1. MEMORIAL SUBMITTEU BY
THE GOVEKNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Paragrapk
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Speto the International Court of JusticeD. .ute. . . 1-2
CIaim of the United Kingdom . . . . . . . . 3
Arrangement of the Mernorial and Supporting
Annexes . , . . . . . . . . , . . . 4
PART 1.-TOPOGRAPHY, EARLIER HTSTOKY
AND H'ISTORICALBACKGROUND IN THE rgtll
AND 20th CENTURlES . . . . . . . . . 5-x18
Section A.-Topography . . . , . . . . . . . 5-12
General Topography of the Channel Islands . . . 5
The Ecréhous Group . . . . . . . . . . 6
Particulars of Rocks above water in the ~crkhous
Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
The Minquiers Group . . . . . . . . . . 8-10
ParGroupars.of. . .s ab.ve.wa,er. .in. . .ifin.ui.rs. II
Nomenclature , , . . , . . . . , . . . 12
Section B.-The Channel Islands and the EcrPhous
and Minquiers Islets-Their History, 1200-1800 . 13-66
Introductory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Sub-Section A.-The Channel Islands : General
History . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . 14-43
General Anglo-French History, 1066-1473 . . . 14-21
The Norman Con uest . . . . . . . . 14-15
Consolidation of theirhFrenchssMonarchy under 16
King Philip Augustus (1180-1223) . . . . 16-17,
Loss of Continental. Normandy by King John
of England (1199-1216) . . . . . . . . 16
Treaty of Lambeth, 12th September, 1217 . . 17
English Attempts to regain Continental Nor-
Treatyy of Paris, ~ctober, 1259 . , .: , . .. 18
The Hundred Years' War, 1337-1453 . . . . 19-2012 hIE3lORIAL OP THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III52)
Paragraph Page
Treaty of Calais (Brétigny),24th October, 1360 19 28-29
Campaign of King Henry V of England (1413-
1422). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Treaty of Troyes, ~1st May, 1420 , . . , . 20
Loss of the English Possessions on the Mainland
of France . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Attempts of King Edward IV of England (1461-
1483) to regain Continental Normandy . . 21
Treaty of Picquigny, 29th August, 1475 . . . 21
Loss and Reconquest of the Channel Islands,
1205-1217 . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-25
. Annexation of the channe1 Islands by William
Loiigsword, Duke of Nomandy (931-942) . 22
English and French .Struggles in the Islands,
1214-1217 . . . . . . . . . . . . 23-24
Treaty of Lambeth, 12th Scptember, 1217,
wliereby King 'Henry III (1216-1272) of
ErigIand gained the Islands . . . . . . 24
lienunciation of continental Normandy by
H12j9 II. u.de. t. . .eat. .f Pa.i., .cto. . . 25
English Policy towards the Islands in the 13th
and 14th Centuries . . . , . . . . . 26-28
Exhortations to the Wardens of the Islands
on Policy . . . . . . . , . . . . . 26
Visits of English Itinerant Justices to the
Islands, Assizes and Quo Warranto Proceed-
ings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Exemption of the Channel Islands from certain
Ciistoms Duties . . . . . . , . . . 28
Defence of the Channel Islands in the 14th and
15th Centuries . . . . . . . . . . . 29-33
Their Use as English Military 13ases . . . . 29
Attempts to Seize them by the French and
Scots, 1336, 1337, 1338, 1339, 1356 . . , 30
Kenewed Raids by the French and Bretons,
1372-1403 . . . . . . . , . . . 31-32
Occiipation of Jersey by Pierre de Brézéand
Recnpture of the ~sknd, i468, by the Ènglish . . 33
Seizure of Sark by the French in 1549 . , . 33
Steps taken to Safeguard the Channel Islands
from the Ravages of \Var . . . . . . . 34-36
Papal Rionition of the 27th February, 148r,
conferringNeutrality on the Channel Islands 34
Papal 13ullof the 1st March, 1483, Reinforcing
the Monition . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Iniririgements of Neutrality . . . . . . . 34-35
Abolition of the .Privilege of Neutrality,
8th August, 1689 . . . . . . . . . . 36 ~~~ORIAL OP THE ~NI-ET) KIKGDOM (3 III 52)
Puvagvafih
Ecciesiastical Events in the Islands . . . , . 37-39
Diandtethat of Bishop of Coutancesngland'. Court 37
Possessions of French Abbeys in the ~hannei
Islands and their Treatment from the 13th
to 15th Centuries . . . . .. . . . .
Trançfer of the Channel 1slands from the Dioceçe 38
of Coutances to that of Salisbury, and later
Winchester .. . . . . . . . ... 39
The Islands during the 17th and 18th centuries 40-43
The Channel Islands during the Civil War in
England, 1642-1651 . . . . . . . . . 40
The Channel Islands after the Kestoration cif
Charles II, 1660 . .. . . . . ... 41
French Attacks and Threats against the Islands
in the later :rBth Century . . , . . , , 42-43
Sub-Section B.-Tfic Ecréhous and the Minquiers
Islets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44-53
The Ecréhous Islets . . . . . , . . . . 44-50
Grant by Piers des Préaux of the Ecréhous to
the Abbey of Val-Richer, 1203 . . . . . 44
Grant and Confirmation of the Channel Islands,
14th January and a~st June, 1200, by King
John of England to Piers des.Préaux . 44
French Co~iquest of Continental ~ormand~,
Judicial Proceedings. by the English King's . .
Justices relating to the Ecrbhous, 1323-1331
Letters of Protection froin the King of England
to the Prior of the Ecréhous and other Priors,
18th August, 1337 . . . .....
Endowrnents of the Priory of the Ecréhous in
the 15th Century . . . . . . . . . .
Wheat-Rents 1t:vied on Jersey Parishes to sup-
port the Priory of the Ecréhous . . . .
Act of the States of Jersey, 1691, relating to
the Ecréhous . . . . . . . . . . .
The Minquiers Islets . . . . . . . . . .
The English Crown's Claim to Wreck at the
Minquiers, 1615, 1616, 1617 . . . . . .
Action brought by the English Crown, 6th
August, 1692, claiming the Right of Wreck
at the Minquiers . . . . . . . . . .
Fish-Tithcs payable in Jersey on Fish cnught
off the Minquiers . , . . , . . . . .
Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sub-Section C.-The Present Constitution of Jersey
The Constitutional Relationship of the Channel
Islands to the United Kingdom . . . . .14 SIEXIORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III52)
Para,gvapkPage
Thuntil 1771ur. o. J. . . . . . . . . .s 60
Transfer of the Legislative Power from the
Royal Court to the Assembly of the States 60
The Constitutional Reform of 1948 . . . . 61
The Bailiff . . . . . . . . . , . , 62
The Lieutenant-Governor . . . . . . . . 63
Cotrative AutharityS. . . . . . .sing A.mi. .- 64
Various Officiaisof Jersey: Attorney-General,
Greffier, Jurats and Constables . . . . 65-66
Section C.-Account of the Treatieç and Diplornatic
Correspondence Relating to the Present Dispute
during the 19th and 20th Centuries . . . . .
Introductory . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Siib-Section A.-Negotiations between 18x9and 1837
Early Fishery Dispute in the 19th century, and
Correspondence, 14th September, 1819 and
12th June, 1820 . . . . . . . . . . .
The Draft Convention of the 9th September, 1824
Sub-Section B.-International Agreements . . .
The Fishery Convention of the 2nd August, 1839
The Fishery Convention of the 11th November,
1867 . . , . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Siibrnarine Telegraph Convention of the
2nd January, 1859 . . . . . . . - . . .
Sub-Section C.-Diplornatic Correspondence Ke-
specting the Ecréhous . . . . . . . . .
Treasury Warrant of the gth October, 1875, and
French Protest of 27th February, 1876 . . .
Petition of Jersey Fishermen against Activities
of French Fisherrnen, 1883, and French Protest
Jersey Projet de Loi88. . . . . . . . .eged
Second French Protest of the 26th May, 1883 .
Reply of the United Kingdom Government,
24th October, 1883 . . . . . . . . . .
Reply of the French Governrnent, 15th December,
1886, enclosing a Report by a Committee of
French Specialists . . . . . . . . . .
Reply of the United Kingdom Government,
27th. October, 1887 . . . . . . . . . .
Rep1888, in which Sovereignty over the Ecréhous
was first CIairned. . . . ., . . . . .
Reply of the United Kingdom Government,
3rd February, 1858 . . . . . . . . . . NEMORIAL OF THE USITED KIKGDOM (3-11152). 1.5
Puragraph Page
Sub-Section :D.-Diplornatic Correspondence Re-
specting the Minquiers ......... 99-118 63-73
Petition of Jersey Fishermen against Activities
of French Fishermen, November, 1869, and
British Protest, 12th Kovember, 1869 ... 99 63-64
Reyly of the French Government, 11th March,
1870. .............. IOO 64
Protest ofthe French Government, 17th huglst,
1888, against the Officia1Visit of the Jersey
Piers and Hart~ours Cornmittee, in which Sov-
ereignty over the Minquiers \vas first Claimed IOI 64-65
Reply of the United Kingdom Government,
21st November, 1888 ......... 102-103 65-67
Excha~igesbetween the two Govcrnmcnts relative
to the Hoisting of the British FIag and the
placing of Navigational Aids, 1902-1904... 101-111 64-70
Aide-Mémoivefrorn the United Kingdom Govern-
ment to the French Ambassador, 17th August,
1905 ............... II2 70-71
Proposa1 of the French Government to relinquish
the Neutralization of the Minquiersn ....m for 113 71
Protest by the United Kingdom Government, .
26th July, 1929, against an attempt by a
French Subject to Build at the Minquiers . . 1r4 71-72
Protest by the French Government against
Measures taken by Jersey Authorities, 5th Oc-
tober, 1937. .......... 1x5 72
Further Note from the French Government,
10th January, 1938 .......... 116 72-73
Reply of the United Kingdom Government,
18th July, 1938, ta the French Xotes ... 117 73
PART II.-FACTS RELATING TO THE ECRE-
HOUS AND MINQUIERS GKOUPS ..... 119-17 73-101
Introduction. .............. 119-124 73-75
Section A.-The Ecréhous .......... 125-152 75-88
Ancient Title.............. 125-134 75-78
Charter, 14th January, 1200, of Ring John of
England to Piers des Préaux....... 125 7.5.
Grant by Piers desPréaux,01203,hof the Ecréhous 125 75
Islets to the Abbey of Val-Richer..... 125-127 75-76
Qzto Warra~zfoProceedings of 1309, summoning
the Abbot of Val-Richer before the English.
Justices in Jersey .......... 128-13076-77
Drowning of Jerseymen in 1309, returning from
the Ecrkhous ............ 131 7716 MEI\IOHIAI, 01: THE UNITED KIWCIIOM (3
I-etters of Protection froni the King of England
to the I'rior of the Ecréhoiis and othcr Priors,
18th August, 1337 . . . , . . . , .
Significancc of the Trcaty of Calais (Brétigny),
24th Octobcr. 1360, and Summary . . . .
Endowments of the Priory of the 1Scréhousin
the 15th Century . . . . . . . . , .
Gcl'arochial MaAuthority Sov. .igri.y . . . .. . . .
Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . , .
Rating . . , . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inquests . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ciistoms . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Census . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Graiit of Lcases by thc Crowii rclating to tlie
Ecriihous . . . . . .....,.
Other Contracts rclating to Kea1 Property nt the
Officia1 Constructions ic., . .and Visitç. . .. , .
Evidencc of Habitable 13iiildingsnt the Ecrélioiis
Acts Specifically Kelating to Fishing . . . , ,
Summary of Evidence . . . . . . . . . .
Evidence (from a printcd Voluinc}, dated 1682,
by Lieutenant-Bailiff Jean Poingdestre, and
from a Cliart of Caytain Martin White, K.N.
Petition, 1883, of Jerscy Fisliermen to tlie States
of jersey concerning Depredations of Frencli
Presentation, .1583, of a .fornial l'ctitiori to the
Privy Council in London . . . . . . . .
Fishing Activities of Jerseyinen at the Ecréhous
sincc abolit 1840 . . . . .. . . . . . ,
Section B.-The Minquiers . . . . . . . . , .
Ancient Title . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The English Crown's Claiiii .to \IJreck at the
Minquiers. 1615, 1616, 1617 . . . ...
Act1692,rouclaiming thee EnRigtitCroof IVreck at the
Minquiers . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Position of the Channel Islands (including the
Minquiers} after thc French Coiiquest of Con-
tinental Normandy in 1204 . . . . . . .
General Acts Manifesting Soïrercignty . . . . .
Parochial Aiithority . . . . . . . '. . .
Police . . . : . . . . . . . . . . .
Rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Customss . .. . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . . . . .
Census . . . . . . . . , . . , . .
*Contracts relating to Kcal Yroperty nt the Min-
qiiiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paragraph Page
Officia1 Constnictions &c., and Visits .... 165 93-95
Evidence of Habitable Buildings aithe Minquiers 166-169 95-98
Acts Spccifically Relating to Fishing .... 170-179 93-101
Summary of Evidence .... .... .170 98
Evidence of Visits by Jersey ~isienricn to the
Xinquiers in 1615, 1616 and 1692 ..... 171 99
Protest by Jersey Fishemen against Quarrying
activities at the Minquiers in 1807 .... 172 '39
Evidence of Fishing by Jerseymen 'at the Min-
quiers from about 1850 .... 173 !J9
Petitionç, 1869 and 187a, by Jersey l?isherieri
against Interference by' French Fishermen at
the Minquiers ........... I74 90-IOO
Protest by the United Kingdom Government,
12th Novernber, 1869, arising out 'of thesc
Protcsts and Reply of theFrench Government,
11th March, 1870 .......... - 175 100
Fiirther Evidcnce of Fishing Activities at the
Ninquiers 1)y Jerseymen ........ 176-179 100-IOI
PART 111.-SUBMISSIONS OF THE GOVEKN-
MENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM RELATIBG
TO THE ISSUE OF SOVEREIGNTY OVERTHE .
IST-ETS AND KOCKS OF THE ECKEHOUS AND
NINQUIERS GKOU PS .......... 180-235 101-125
Section A.-The Scopc of the Dispute. ... 180-181 or
Section B.-The principles applicable to the Determi-
nation of the Case. ........... 182-184 102
Question of the Rurden of Proof ....... 182 10s
Sources of Law apl>licahleto the Case ..... 183 IM
Submiçsions on the Issue of Sovereignty ... 184 102
Section C.-Legal Arguments in Support of the Sub-
missions of the Issue of Sovereignty ..... 185-198 102-108
Rases of the Claim to Sovereignty by the United
Kingdom in the preçent Case ....... 185-186 102-rog .
Opinions of Writers on International Lam on the
Acquisition of Sovereignty. ...... .187-188 log-104
The Island of Palmas (or Niangnsj Case .... 190-194 104-106
The Case on the Legal Statzts oEastern Greenland 195-rg7 106-ro7
Section D.-Application of the Legal Submissions on
the Issue of Sovereignty to the Facts contained in
Part II of the Memorial ....... 199-207 108-113
Evidencc in General oOriginal Title, and of Effective
Possession by the United Kingdom to the Ecré-
11011snd Minquiers Groups of Islets.... .199 108-109
Evidence in Detail relating to the Ecrélious . . 200-203 109-XII
Evidence in Detail relating to the Minquiers... 204-207 III-113
Section E.-Application of the Legal ~ubmissions on
the Issue of Sovereignty ta the Treaties and Diplo-
matic Correspondence relating to the present Dispute18 MENORIAL OF THE UN~TED KISGDOJI (3 III52)
during the 19th and 20th Centuries contained in
Section C of Part 1 of the Mernorial ..... 208-234
Conclusions to be drawn froin Treatiesatid Diplo-
matic Correspondence during the 19thand 20th
Centuries .... ......... 208-zog
Negotiations between 1~1~ and 1837 . . , . . 210-215
International Agreements ......... 216-218
Diplornatic Correspondencc ......... 219-234
Diplomatic Correspoiidence relating tothe Ecré-
hous ............... 220-227
Diplomatic Correspondeiice relating to theMin-
quiers. .............. 228-234
Seof theFUnited Kingdomf t.........f theGovernment
235
THE CASE OF THE RIINQUIERSAND THE ECREHOUS*
INTRODUCTION
I. This hfemorial is suhmitted to the Court in pursuance of
an Order made by the Vice-.Presiclent of the Court dated the
15th January, 1952, follomi~igupon the ~iotification datcd the
6th Uecember, 1951, addressccl to the Registrar of the Coiirt by
Her Brita~inic hlajesty's Amhassador at The Hague, of the special
agreement concluded' bet\veci-i the Government of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northerri Ireland and the Govern-
ment of the French Keliuhlic. This special agreement, which uTas
signed in London on the 29th Ileceinbcr, 1950,and the ratifications
of which were exchanged in Paris on the 24th Septernber, 1951,
on which day the agreement entercd irito force, reads as followç :
SPECIAL AGREEMEKTFOR SUBMISSIOEITO THE INTER-
NATIONALCOURT OFJUSTICEOFDIFFERENCESBETWEEX
THEUNITEDKINGDOM OFGREAT BRITAINANDNORTHERK
IRELANDANDTHE FRENCHREPUBLICCONCERNING SOV-
EREIGNTY OVER THE MINQUIERSAND ECREHOSISLETS
The Govemment of the United Kingdom ofGreat Britain and
Northem Treland and thc Goveriiment of the French Republic ;
Conside~g that differenceshave arisen between them as a
resultof claims by each of them to sovereignty over the islets
and rocks in the hfinqiiiers and Ecrehos groups;
Tlie Islets arc spellecl "Minqiiiers" and"Ecrdlious" ttestof thisthe
Memorial;where, however, variant spellof thcnames have been found in
quotations, tliese have been Ieft iirialtcrcd. AlEhIORIALOF THE IJNITEDKISGDOAI (3 111 j2) 19
Desiring that these differences should be settled by a decision
of the International Court of Justice deterrnining their respective
rights as regards s.overeignty over those islets and rocks ;
Desiring to define the issues tn be siibmitted to the International
Court of Justice ;
Have agreed as follows :
The Court is requested to determine ~vliether the sovereigiity
over the isletsand rocks (in so far as they are capabie of appro-
priation) of the Minquiers and Ecrchos groups respectively belongs
to the United Kingdom or the French Repiiblic.
Without prejudice to any question as to the burden of proof,
the Contracting Parties agree, having, regard to Article 37 of the
Rules of Court, that the written proceedings should consist of-
(1) a United Kingdoin rncmorial to be submitted withiri three
months of the notification of the present Agreement to the
Court in pursuance of Article III below ;
(2) a French countcr-mernorial to be submitted withiri tliree
months of delivery of the United Kingdom memorial ;
(3) a United Kingdom reply followed by a French rejoinder to
be delivered within such tirnes as the Court mny order.
Upon the entry into force of the present Agreement, it may
be notified to the Court under Article 40 of the Statute of the
Court by either of the Contracting Parties.
(a) The present Agreement shall be subjcct to ratification.
(b) The instruments of ratification shall be exchanged as soon
as possible in Paris and the present Agreement shall enter into
force immediately upon the exchange of ratifications.
In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly aiithorised
thereto by their respective Governments, have signed the liresent
Agreement and have affixcd thereto their seals.
Done in duplicate in London, the 29th day of December, '1950,
in English and French, bath texts being equally authoritative.
(L.S.) W. E. BECKETT.
(L.S.) ANDRÉ GROS.
2. In accordance with Article II of the Agreement and with
Article 37 of the Rules of the Court, thc Vice-President of the
Court, in the Order dated the 15th January, has fised as time
Iimits for the filing of the Memorial and the Counter-hfemorial
the 6th March, 1952, and the 6th June, 1952, respectively.20 >lEMORIhL OF THE UXITED KISGDO3I 13 IIIj2)
3. In this Memorial the Governrnent of the United Kingdom
set out the grounds on which the Court is asked to declarc :
That the United Kingdoni is entitled u~ider international
law to full and undivided sovereignty over the Islets and
Rocks (in so far as they are capable of appropriation) of the
Minquiers and the Ecréhous groups.
4. This hlemorial is divided into four Parts. The first three
Parts, constituting the body of the Memorial, are containcd iii
Volume i*.These individual Parts themselves arc divided :
(a) Part 1, which is soh-divided into three Sections, contailis :
(i) In Section A, a toyographicai description of the
Channel lsla~ids in general, and each of the ttr70
groups of Islets, together \rith a list of those Rocks
urhich are always above water.
(ii) In Section B, a brief and factual outline of the
historical position of the Channel Islands betwceii
rzoo and 1800 in relation to England and France,
togethcr with such relevant details as are knonrn
about the two groups of Islets themsclves.
(iii) In SectionC, an account of the historical background
to the prescrit dispute during the 19th and 20th
cerituries.
(6) Part II coiitains the fncts relating to thc Ecréhous aiid the
Miiicluiersgroups, ulhich support the claim of the Uniteci
Kingdom to sovcreignty over these Islets and Rocks. Tlic
case of the Ecréhous group is taken first in Section A of
this Part, because the documentary evidence, dating back,
as it does, to the 13th centuryi, s more ancierit thaii that
relating to the case of the Minquiers, \\!hich is contained
in Section B of this Part.
jc) Part III coiitains the suhmissions of the United Kitigdoiii
on the legal issues irivolved in the case, and the statement
of the Uriitcd Kingdom claim.
(d) Part IV comprises the Annexes, containing supportiiig
evidencc from manuscript and printed sources, charts and
photogralihs, aiid is divided into three Volumes :
(i) VoIuine Ii containing printed Annexes from -41 to
AI~u.
(ii) Volume 111 containing Charts from HI to 89.
(iii) Volunic IV containing Photographs from CI to Czo.
(e) In addition there are separately submitted for the con-
venience of the Court twenty-five sets of.certified photo-
static copies, authenticating those printed Annexes which
relate to medieval evidence before 14Sj (unless tiiis has
See pp. Ii-rz5[i\'otbythe Rcgisfrnv.] .\IE3IORIrZL 01:TH15 UNITITD IiINGDOM (3 III j2) 21
becn priiited) takeii from the national archives, and to
local eviderice from Jersey archives ; one set of which
wiIl incIude photostatic copies aiithenticating al1 the
rcmaining (and more modern) printccl Annexes.
PART I
TOPOGRAPBY,EARLIER HISTORYAND HISTORICALBACK-
GROUND IN THE 19th AND 20th CENTURIES
Genenil ï'opogrnphy O/ the Chanliel Islnitds l
j. Thc archipelago known as the Channcl Islands lies iiithe
rectangulnr hay forrned by the west coast of thc Departmerit of
:Ifanche (the Cotenliiz) and the north coast of the Departnients
of Ille-el-Vilaine and C6les-drt-~Vo~dr ,oughly hetwcen Lat. qgO
47' N. and Lat. 4S050' N. The principal Islands are Jersey, Giiern-
sey, Alderney, Sark, Herm and Jethou. In addition, there are a
great number of Islets and rocks. some of which are inhabitcd.
The Channel Islands fa11into' four groups :
((1)The most northerly group, ivhich lies due west of Ca+ de
la Hague, ancl consists of Aldernejr, Rrirhou, Ortac, thc
Cascluets, and marly other Islets.
(6) Thc second anrl most ivesterly grou]), which consists of
Guernsey, Sark, Herni, Jethou ancl a few lslets to the
cast aiicl tirest of thern.
(c) The third group, south-east of the second and separated
from Fraiice by the strait know~ias La Déroute, includes
Jersey and a few Islets, of which the most important are
nonfcollectively kiiown as the Ecréhoiis, lying north-
east of jersey.
Of the rocks permailently ahovc water iiithe Ecréhoiis
groul), that ~iearest to Jerscy lies 3.9 sea-niiles "orth-
cast of IdaCoupe Point, tlic cxtreme north-cast poiiit of
.Jersey, and that iieareçt to the Zrench mainlancl lics 6.6
sea-miles south-\rrest of Cap de Carterlit. The principal
Islet is know~ias Maître Ile, and lies 4-95 sca-iniles from
La Coupe Point, and 7.3 sea-miles from Cap de Carteret.
(d) The fourth aiid last group coiisists of the Minquiers, due
south of Jerscy,. Of the rocks permaiiently above water
in thc Rfinquicrç group that ncarest to Jersey lies 9.8 sea-
miles due south of Ida hlottc, the most southerly point
of Jersey, and that nearcst to the French mainland lies
16.2 sea-rniles from Pointe iltcMeingn.
l Sritish Admiraltchart So.iGG9. Scc Annex 1 i.
A sca-mile insixtieth parofa tlcgrcoflatitudeIii tilatitii(oftlic Ecrc-
litiithiswoiilbe 2,027.01yarcts.22 hIEAIORIAL OF THE UNITED RIXGDOJI (3 III 52)
The Iles Chaztsey, belonging to Francc, lie hetwcen the
Rlinquiers arid the mainland of France, ancl are separated
front the hfinqiiiers by 8 sea-miles.
The EcréhozisGrozip
6, The 12créhousgroup is more compact than the Mincluiers;
it consists of reefs on which lie several Islets ancl numerous above-
mater, dryiiig and suiiken rocks. The group exteiids about 4 sea-
miles east-south-east from a position about 4& sea-miles north-
east of La Coupe Point (Lat. 49' 14' N., Loiig. 2" 02' W.), the
north-eastcrn extremity of Jersey. The most important of the
Islets and above-water rocks forming part of the Ecréhous are
the folio\ving :
(cc) 3Iaitre Ile, the largcst (about 300 yards by IjO yards). This
contains a house I occupied by Lord Trent of Nottingham,
\\?hose prcdecessor obtaincd a lease of the entire Islet
from the Crown in 1923, the ruins of an ailcient priory 2,
a slipway and a beacon.
(6) hlar~notiére, situated about 3+ cables3 northbuard of the
beacon on Maître Ile and almost joined to Maitrc Ile at
low \vater, This Islet contains :iCustom House, slipwaj:
aiid flagstafi, al1 maintained by the States of Jersey, as
~irellas fourtecn granite huts4 owned by Jerseymen ;
t~vel\~eof these are occupied and two are in ruins.
(c) Blaiic Ile. At low tide this is joined to Narmotière. It
contains a ~riodern two-storied housc owned h57 Major
R. J. B. Bolitho of Jersey, ancl two or three half-ruined
hutç
All the habitable buildings on Marmotiiire and Blanc Ile are
occupied from time to time during the sprir-ig and summer by
Jerseymen, partIy hy fishermen and partly for holiday purposes.
Particulars of Rocks aboie wafer iniha EcréhozisGrozrp
7. The followi~iglist of rocks which are abovc water lvithin
the Ecréhotis group is based on the British Admiralty chart
No. 3367 aiid the French chart No. 826. The rocks. (with aypro-
priate details and their local jersey names in brackets, if differing
from those on officia1 charts, or identifying rocks un~iarned br;
these charts are the following :
Sec Annea C I.
*Sec Annex C 2.
A cableisone-tentliofa sea-iii(an approxjmatioti zoo yards).
See Annexes C 3,C 4,C 5.
See Annes C O.
See Annex C 6.
Chart withthe Islets and Rocks ringed in red. Sec Anf32.
aThcrc arc no officia1 Jersey names, and the local oneseithcrbeen given
by past generations of Jerscy hshermen, or are inuse amongstofthe present
dny.Their spciling is sometimes phonetical. hlEJlORTAL OF THE USITED KINGDOM (3 IIIj2) 23
(a) Maitre Ile (named Maitresse Ile on the French chart). This
is the inaiii Islet of the grouy, and is 25 fcet high l. Near
to it are the following rocks :
(i) Rock (Les Eclets) about 3 cables south-south-~vcst of
the heacon on Maître Ile ;it is shenrn oii the French
chart with a symbol (T) denoting it as yerinsneiitly
dry (i.e., above {{rater).There is a drying figure
(i.e., the figure shewing its height above the datuni
of tlie chart) 7.9 metres close ~iorth\~~ard. 011 the
13ritish Admiralty chart it is ]lot clearly shewii as
permaiiently dry. A drying height of 22 feet is
shcwri to be close. north of it. Allowing foi- the
differcnce in datums of the French and British
charts these figures agrce.
(ii) Rock (Lü Chapelle) about ~f cables soutli-south-ivest
of the beacon on Rilattre Ile. No height is 6 r'~v~:0~1
the charts.
I (iii) Rock (L'Osweigh) about one cable south-south-cast
of the beacon on Maître Ile. No height is giveii
oii tlie charts.
(iv) Five rocks (Ide Four) \vithiilrp cablcs iiorthof l~eacoii
o~iRlaitre Ile. Xo heights are charted. A11of thesc
five rocks lie on the drying ledge tiorth of the lslet
but t\vo only are shelvn on the British Admiraltj?
chart.
(b) Botivet (Le Houset). 6 feet high.
(c) Bigorne. rg feet high.
{d) Colombier (Le Haut). 15 feet high.
(e) Grande Galère (Grand Galai). IO feet high.
(1) Graiide lioirsse. 27 fcet high.
(g) Grecn Rock-(Grande Brec). No height is given oii charts.
(h) Grosse Tete. 27 feet high. Two yerrnatiently dry i.ocks
(callccl locally Grosse Têteand Graveli) are shewil here
on the French chart, separated by about a cablc. No
height is given for the south-eastern one. One mcli only
is shewri oii the British Admiralty chart.
(i) La Vielle. 19 feet high.
(j) Les Côtes. 25 feet high. Six rocks are shewn for this group
oii the Freiich chart and five on the British Adniirdty
chart.
. (k) RIarmotière (Marmotier). Shcwn on the French chart as
two separate Islets and on the British Admiralty chart as
two Islets joined by a causemay above water. No heights
are given on the charts, but houses are sheivn on botli
the main Islets. The northern Islet is kiiown-as Blanc Ile.
(I) Petite Roiisse. 17 feet high.
Heightsarcmcasurcti from High-\liaMark. 24 JIISJIOKIAL OF THE USITED KINGDOM (3 III52)
(in) Hocheport (1.a Kuardhe Port). Shewn on the British Admi-
raity chart as an Islet, but not as suchon the French chart.
(n) Sablonière. 6 feet high.
(O) Tas de Fois (Tas de Pais). Ij feet high.
ï'he iMiiiqi~iersGroup
8. The Jliilcluiers are a widely scattered collection of Islets, aiid
of above-water, drying and sunken rocks and reefs, together with
ilurncrous banks of shingIe, gravel, and çand. The oilly inhabited
Islct is Maîtresse Ile (200 yards by 50 yards), which is situated
1x4 sca-miles south of La Roque1 Point (Lat. 49" IO' N., Long.
2" 02' W.) 011 thc mainland of Jersey and 17 sea-miles north-
" riorth-west of I'oinle~ Z Meinga (Lat. 48' 42' N., Long. 1" 56'W.),
the iiearest poiiit oii the mainlaiid of France. Thc French Islands
na~ned Iles Charisejt Iie rihoiit Si sea-miles cast-south-east of
~~aitressc Ilc.
c).The oiily other habitable idet iri the Mii~cluiersgroup is Les
hlaisons, abolit 4+ sca-miles west of hlaitresse Ilc. On Rlaitresse .
Ile itsclf, ho~vever, the States of Jersey rnaintaiii a siibstantial
slipway Qvhich affords the only means of landiiig, a Ciistorn
House, a house for the Bailiff of Jersey 3, nsmall first-aid building
and a fiagstaff 'Shere are also about a dozcn huts "clonging
to Jerseymen ; dl but two of thcse wcrc stripped of roof and
woodwork cluring the Second \fTorld War, whcn thc Gcrnians
maintained an anti-aircraft post on the Islet.
IO. Since the ciid of the Second \YorId IVar the States of .Jersey
havc built a large \vooderi hut for the use of their fishermen, who
occupy it wliile fishing from the Islct during the spriiig and siirnmer.
The Islct also contains a wooden hut erected by a party ofFreiich-
men in Juile, 1939, and a flagstsff was erected by sornc I~rerichmeii
in August, 1945.
P~rticrllarsof Iiocks above water ir~ the Minqtbiers Gru~rp
11. The following list of rocks which are ahove water within tiir
Jlincluiers group is based on the British Admiralty chart No. 2100 "
and on the French chart No. 4599. The rocks (with appropriate
cletails and their local Jersey names in brackets, if differing froni
those on officia] charts, or identifying rocks unnained 119 these
charts) are the following :
(a) Illaitresse Ilc. This, the main Islet of the grouli, is 31 feet
high. Xear to it are the following rocks :
In Jerscy thiname isinvariably spcllLa Ib.xliic.
Sec Annex C 7.
Scc Annex C g.
Sec Annex C IO.
*Chart ivith lslets and Rocks riin retSec Annex l<3. ~IEMORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOJI (3 III52) 25
(il Rock (Grand Guillot or Grune Guillot). 14 feet high ;
I$ cables north-east of flagstaff on Maîtresse Ile.
(ii)Rock (The Puffin). One cabIe north-east of flagstaff.
(iii) Rocher N (Nord) E (Est). 15 feet high ; one mble
east of flagstaff.
(iv) Rock (Petit hlaitre Ile). One cable çoutli-west of
flagstaff.
(v) Rocher Blanc (Blanche Rocque or Bianche Croc).
About 3 cables south-cast of the flagsti~ff.
No'heights are charted in the case of (ii), (iv) aiid (v),
above.
(b) Cheminee (Le Grand Cheminée Godfrsy or Chiminée God-
fray). 8 feet high.
(c) Fourchi Rouge (La Kouge Frouchi). 8 feet high.
(d) Grand Vascelin. Two rocks about 7 feet Ziigh, shewri on
the French chart as 12-6 aiid 12.3 metres above datum,
or about 3 feet and 23 feet ahove rnean high watcr spring
tides.
(e) Grune du Brai (Petit Clicminée Godfray). One foot 'liigh.
Near to it is :Rock. About 23 cables northward. This is
marked on the British Admirdty chart as z feet high,
but oii the French chart, tliis rock is shewrl as drying
10.5 nietres, or about three feet belozothe level of mean
high \vater spring tides.
(f) Grunes de Norman, Haute Gruiie (Grilne de Norniai~).
3 feet high.
(g) Le Faucheur (Pointue Faucheur). The souther~imost rock
is Ir feet high. Near to it are the following rocks :
(i) Rock (Kond Faucheur). 11 feet hig]). r$ cahles north-
east of'southernmost rock.
(ii) Rock (Piat Faucheur). 22 cables north-nortli-east of
southernmost rock. No heiglit is charted.
(iii) Rock (Faucheur à la Mauve). S feet high. 3: cables
north-nort h-east of southernmost rock.
(iv) Rock. 3 feet high. 5 cables north-east of southernrnost
rock.
(v)Rock (Le Poseye). One foot high. Y$ cables iictrth-
north-east of southernrnost rock. Shewn an the
French chart as drying 11.7 metres or 0.2 nietres
above mean high water spring tides.
(h) Le Figuier (Le Fi Gee). One foot high.
(i) Les filaisons (Grand Maison or The Maison). The southerii
rock is about20 feet high. Nearby are the following rocks :
(i) Two rocks (La Cormôrandcrie). 15 feet high, about
a cable north-west of the southcrn rock.26 ;\IEJIOHI:ILOF THE UXITED IiISCDO>I (3 111 j2)
(ii) Rock (La Petite Maison). TS fcet high, aboiita cable
north-east of the southern rock.
(iii) Rock (La BIathe à Sous). 8 feet high, about 3 cahles
north-west of the southern rock.
(iv) Rock (Rocher à Glvap). About 4 cablcs north-east of
the southern rock. No height is charted.
[j) Pipette Rocks. The rock known as Grand Haguet (called
locally Le Gros Bùt or Cloud of Iona) in this group iç
4 feet high. It is shewn on the French chart as dryi~ig
12.3 metrcs which is 0.8 mctres above mean high water
spring tides. In addition there are the follou~iiigrocks :
(i)Rock (Grand Pipette or Bencoii Rock). About. 6 feet
high and aboiit 4 cables enst of Graiid Haguct.
(ii) Rock (Gros Bût). About a csblc soiith-lvest of (i).
No height is charted.
(iii) Rock (Rouge Chateau). About 3 feet high and about
3 cables soiith-east of (i).
(k) Plate A Sabloii (Piate à Sabion). 4 feet high. 1t is shén.11
on the French chart as dryiiig 11.3 rnetreç, which is
0.2metrcs belowthe level of mcan high iilater spring tides.
(1) Pointue à Sablon. 2 feet high.
(nt) Kocher du Sud (Gros Rocher du Sud). 13 feet high.
(II) Roclier du Sud Bas (Rond Rocher du Sud). This is a rock
j feet high. Near to it are :
(i) Rock (Grand Grune de Brai). ro feet high. This is
charted on the Admiralty chart XO. 2100 as IO feet
high, and on the French chart No. 4599 as 13 nietreç
= 5 feet high. It is about n cable north-west of
the Kocher du Sud Bas.
.(ii) Rock (Petit Grune de Brai). This is shewri on the
French chart close ilorthward of thc southernmost
rock, but no height is giveri.
12. In this Mernorial, unless the coiitoct otherwise requires, al1
references to the "Ecréhous" or to the "Islets and Rocks of the
12créhousgroup", and to the ''3Tincluicrs"or to the "Islets and
Rocks of the Minquiers group", include respectively al1 the Islets
and Rocks in each group, particulars of which are given in the
precedi~lg paragraphs.
SECTIOS B.-THE CHANNEL ISLANDS AND THE ECREHOUS
AND MINQUIERS ISLETS-THEIR HISTORY, 1200-1800
Introductory
13.This Section is divided into three Sub-Sections. Sub-Sectio~i
=i provides a summary of the ieading events in the history of the JIEJIORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDO31 (3 III52)
27
Chaniiel Islands as a ivhole, together with a brief account of Anglo-
French relations in Normandy. The material is treated factually.
No attempt is made to describe in detail the comples aclministrative
organization .in the Middle Ages, though occasional references to
it are necessarily made. Sub-Section B includes al1the relevant
facts relating to the period in question, ivhich it lias been possible
to discover concerning the Ecréhous and Minquiers Islets. Finally,
some account of the present constitution of Jersey is appended
as Siib-SectionC.
Sub-Section A.-The Channel Islands : General History
GenernlA lzgiaFrench History, 1066-1475
14. The union of England and Normandy u-as acconiplished ori
the 14th October, 1066, when William, Dukc of Norrnandy, on
Jhe pretest of being the acknowledged heir of the English King,
Edward the Confesser (1042-106 6cf,ated and slew at Senlac
Hill near Hastings in Sussex, Harold 11 (January-October, 1066);
who had seized the throne on the Confeçsor's death. Following
this victory, \ViIliarn had, nithi11 a feiv years, hrought the rest
of England under his rule.
Ij. The Xorman Conquest Ras, however, iri no sense the migra-
tion of a race from one territory to another. During the 10th and
~xth centuries the Norsernen (Norrnans) hsd firmly established
themselves in Normaridy, and consolidatecl a growing principality,
which admitted but a nominal suzerainty to French Kings. It
was iiot their intention to abandon thiç ricli conquest (which
included the ChannelIslands) ;and thus King William I of England
(1066-1087) devoted equal attention to hoth England and Nor-,
mancly ;his barons held large estates in both, and the principles
of feuclalism as practised in the Duchy werc iiitroduced into the
newly-won kingdom.
16. After William's death there were occasions when inheritance
or rebellion threatened to break this union. But, under King
Henry II of England (1154-118g),the authority ofa singlesovereign
was firmly established in both England and Normandy. i\loreover,
by Henry's marriage with Eleanor ofAquitaine, considerable new
territories were added to his dorninioiis. Towards the end of Henry's
reign, another danger to the retention of Normandy and other
French possessions began to appear. King Philip II (Philip Augus-
tus) of France (1130-1223 )as to concentrate increasingly on
transforming into an actual, a hitherto nebulous, overlordship
over his powerful vassal, the Duke of Normandy, who held in
addition other extensive territories in France and was, moreover,
now the sovereign King of Englaiid. The opyortunity presented
itself soon after Henry II's death in 1189, through the long
absence-partly on Crusade, partly in captivi ty-of the English 28 3lEMORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III 52)
Iiing, Richard 1 (1189-11g9), the intrigues of his brother, John,
and, lastlv, through the liremature death of Richard, whoçe
military I~rowess alone .mas enough to thwart Philip's designs.-
,Seizing a legal pretext to invade Normandy in 1202, the French
King had, by 1zo4, driven King John of Englancl (1x99-rzrG) -
from continental Normandy.
17. Meanwhile, Philip's. u1nbitio.n to conquer Englaiid was
atternpted during his lifetime by his son, Louis (afterivards
Louis VIII), partly at the invitation of a rebellious English baron-
age. The attempt, hawever, failed ; and, by the Treaty of Lam-
beth, signed on the rztli September, 1217 l, it was agreed, infer
dia,that both sides should rccover the possessions ,which theÿ
had held before Philip's invasion of Kormandy in 1202. This
provision includecl such of the Channel Islands as still rernained
in French Iiands (see paragraph 24, below).
18. John was succeeded by his son, King Henry III of Englancl
(12r6-127~), who made several u~isucceçsfulatternyts to regain his'
lost possessions on the inainlantl of France. By a treaty dra~vn
up at Abbeville on the 18th May, 1258, and ratified at Paris iii
October, 1259 2, Henry renou~iced al1 claims to contincntal Nor-
inandy, as well as certain other possessions there ;but the Channel
Islands are not exprcssly ~nentioiied. Promises of the restitution
of various other territories madc hv the French King, Louis IX
(1226-12701, tardily or never implernented, led to fresh disputes.
Some attempt \vas made to scttle disputed points at Périgueux in
1311, when the French claimed that, in virtue of thc Treaty of
1259, al1 the Islands adjoining Normandy, Saintonge and Poitou
should be theirs. To this, the English replied that, in thcir opinion,
according to the terrns of thc Treaty, the King of England (i.e.,
Edward II (1307-1327)) could neither surrender nor restore any
Islands 3. The meeting at Périgueux reached no conclusion ; but
the English wcre in undisputed possession of the Channel Islands
at the timc.
19. The first phase of thc Hundred Years' \Var (133.7-1453)
between England and France %as ended by the Treaty of Calais
(often referred to as the Treaty of Brétigny) in 1360. This instru-
inent, which \vas ratified at Calais on the 24th October, 1360 5,
l Rynier. Fmdera, &c. (lievisecl Etl.), i,pt. ip. 148.Soine brief account of
tlicvarious sources on which this Mernorial and its supporting Annexes are b.sed
will be found asaTcxtual k'refacc to Volume II (Printed Annexes).
Exchequer (Treasury ofReceipt), Uiploniatic Documents. No. 10. See .4nnes
A 1.
AI, Gavrilovitch,Etzad8sntv ie TvtiddeIJorisde 1259 (1899),pp.128, 140-3
(l'ièces Justificatives, No. l'III).
* Thc origins of the \Var arc con~plcbut its ostensible cauwas the claim of
King Edward III ofEngland, through hisrnother, Isabel, daughofrKing PhiliIV
of France (rz85-1314), to the French throne.
Treaty Roll, 34 Edward III, pt. 4m.2.See Annex A 2.A draftof thisTreaty
ivas signed (but never ratified) at Brétigny on the 8th &Iay, 1360, wliich diffcrs
somewhat frcim that signed and ratified at Calais. ~~EJIORIALOF THE UNITED KIKGDOM (3 111 52) 29
gave to King Edward III of England (1327-1377) iiurnerous
territories in the south-west, west ariclnorth of France. No mention
was specifically made of the Channel Islands ; but, hg7Article 6
of the Treaty, it uras agreed that "le dit Roi Denglelerre I:i.e.,
King Edward III of England] et ses heirs uzironiiet tendro?tttoutes
les Isles adiacerzs au.s terres paiis el lieux az~antnomezensanzble
auec toutesaîttresIsles le qrleztxle dif Roi Dengleterretient u present".
("The said Kiiig of England and his successors shall have and
hold al1tlie Islands adjacent to the lands, the countries and places
above-named, together with al1 the other Islands which the said
King of England now holds"). Beforc the signing of the Tri:aty
of Calais, however,, an attcmpt had alrcady been made to treat
for peace. On the 24th Afarch, 1359, a secret agreement had Iiecn
coriclucled iiiLondon between the captive King of France, .John II
(13.50-13641,and Edward III, which restored to the English Crowii
in perpetuity "toute la duchiéde No~tnartdie,entièrement uvecq'lles
tofittesles cités,chasteaztx, diocèses, terres,Pazs et lieztx de ~ntisn~e
la dztchié,avecqarestouttes ses ap$artejzances et appendances gztes-
coizques" ("al1 the Duchy of Normandy, entirely with al1 its cities,
castles, dioceses, lands, regions aiid places lying within the Iluchy
itself with al1 its appurtenances and dependencies wrhatsoever") l.
One pear later, however, this secret agreement was replaccd by
the Treaty of Calais refcrred to above.
20. At the outset of his reign, King Henry V of England (1413-
1422) revivecl the pretensions of Edward III, his great-grandfather.
The Agincourt carnpaign of 1415, u~hichhad begun with an invasion
of Normaridy, \vas largely a trial of strength :the serious invasion
of the Duchy \vas not undertakcn until 1417,when it \{as system-
atically occupied. By the Treaty of Troyes on the ~1st May,
1420 2, Henry obtained the hand of Kathcrine, daughter of the
French Kiiig, Charles VI (1380-1q22), and was acknowledged heir
to the French Crown. In addition, he was to retain continental
Normandy and the rest of his conqiicsts-even in Charles' lifetime.
After Henry's tleath in 1422, the English hold on France gradually
weakened and, by 1453, Calais and the Channel Islands alone
remained in English hands. No forma1 instrument eiided the.
Hundred Years' War, but exhaustion and the dynastic wrar in
England between the rival Houses of Lancaster and York com-
bined to prevent a renewal of the struggle.
21. In 1472, however, King Edward IV of England (1461-1483)
began seriously to consider the possibility of recovering continental
Normandy-even the French Crown itself-and landed at Calais
l Art. 4.This Treatyyas fora long timeunknown until first printed in 1833
from a 14th centurtextdiscoveredatPoitiers cfE. Cosneau,Lcs Grands Traités
d:2,Exchequcr C(Treasury Keceipt). Diplomatic DocumentsSo. qri See Annex
A 3.
330 3IE3lOHIAL OF THE UNITED KIXGDOhI (3 III 52)
in July, 1475. By the Treaty of Picquigny on the 29th August,
1475 E,dward was bought off with a large sum of money by King
Louis XI of France (1461-1483) and returned to England without
having struck a blow. No further attempt was ever made by ali
English sovereign to claim hy force of arms the Crown of France,
though the empty title of King of France remained part of the
English Royal Style until 1800 l.
The Loss alzd Re-Conqr,est of fhe Chn?t?seJ sEands, 1205-1217
22. Before the French concluest of continental Normandy iii
1204 from King Jolin (see paragraph 16, above), the Channel
Islands were an integral part of the Duchy of Normancly and were
included ivithin its administration. They had been annexed by
William Longsword, Diike of Normandy (g31-gqz), in 933-the
year in which he received also the districts of Avranches and
Coutances from the Frencli King, Raoul (923-g36),following a
successful campaign against his western neighbours, the Bretons,
Many important fiefs in the Islands were appurtenances of larger
ones, cliiefly in the Cotentin area (i.e th, modern Department of
Manche), but the Dukes tliemselves possessed considerable personal
estates in the Islands.
23. The Islands, during the years 1204-1213, changed hands
between the English and the French more than once. RIuch of
the detsiled history of the cvents during these years is somewhat
obscure. According to staternents made at the Assize of 1309%
(see paragraphs 46 and 128, bclow),held in Jersey, King Philip II
(Philip Augustus) of France (1180-1223) twice ejected the English
King John (1199-1216) froin the Islands, and the latter twice by
armed force reconquered them. Philip appears to have endeavoured .
at first to secure thern by persuasive means. His cause is said to,
have been supported there by a "French party", composed of lay
and ecclesiasticalpersons with continental connexions. The majonty
of the'Islanders, however, probably apprehensive of French inten-
tions towards their own interests, opposed him4. About 1205,
Philip had secured the Islands by force of arms ; but, a yenr later,
the French were driven out by the English under Eustace the.
Monk and John was able to resume their administration through.
l Thc Royal Xrms of France, too, continued to be quartered untiycar.t
Fief:an estate heldabaron directly ofthe Kinreturn forcertainservices,
chiefly military.
a Assiz: proceedings beforc thc King's justices in his Courts.
' P. Aubery du Boutley. "L'ArchipAnglo-Kormand: La Question des Ecré--
Ikssdela Manche), xxi37.nriques et Coloniales (citing Pkgot-Ogier, des-oire
Eustace was a nated privateer, sailing sometirnes under the English,sometimes.
under the French flag. Captured by the Engli1217nat the sca-battleof Sand-.
wich, he aas unceremoniously beheaded as a traitor. his \STarden l.Eustace himself later deserted to the French, ancl
in 1212 endeavoured to retake the Islands for his new masters.
He appears to have beeii successful in holding Sark until 1214
wvhenit waç recaptured by Philip d'Aubigny, \Varden of Jersey,
to whose ciistody Sark was committed on the 8th December,
1214~. Jersey and Guernsey themselves did not remain long in
French hands, if indeed they were ever completcly occupied.
24. Some of the snialler Islands may have been held by Eiistace
and his follorversfor, according to a clause in the Treaty of Lambeth
of the 12th September, 12x7 (sec paravaph 17, above), Louis
(eldest son of King Philip Augustus, aftenvards Louis VIII) ngrécd
to send his letters patent lo the "brethren" of Eustace (Iiiniself
captured at the nava1 Battle of Sandwich in 1217, and bclieaded
by the English), ordering them to give the Islands back to King
Henry III of Englünd, who had succeeded John in tIie previous
year \ By the ciid of 1217, itcan be reasonably assumed that al1
the chief Islands were once inore in the possession of the English.
25. But the mainland remained firmly in French hands. l'et,
until he had finally renounced his claims to continental Normandy
under the Treaty of Paris in 1259 (see yaragraph 18, above),
Hemy III did not givc up hope of regaining the Duchy as well
as the Islands. Thus, in June, 1247, Drew de Barentin, Wardeii '
of the Islands from 1240 to IzjZ, had a grant of ro pounds' worth
of land in Rozel iiiJersey Ito hold until the land of England and
'Normandy be one or the king restore the said land to the right
heirs [of the previous grantee] of his free will or by a peace ...."5.
Et~glislt Yolicy towarcis the lsla?tds in the x3lh aitd rqfh Cenitrries
26. Owing to the scyaration of the Islands from continentaI
Normandy, some alternative administration hsd to be framcd bp
the English Crown tci replace that of the Dukes of former years.
Upon this question the policy of the English aulhorities was often
inspired by a care to satisfy the Islanders that their ancient customs
' The jVardcn was an cificial, appointed by the King. and directly responsible
to him.His primary duty\vasto provide for the defence of the Islands, but he also
cofiected and adrninistered the King'srevenues and performed, nsually through
subordinatcofficials, varioits other duties.
a On tlie16th JIarcli1~15,the King ordered the release from Porchestcr. Castle
of prisoners capturetl in S: HofuliLiffernrztm Pale~rfiu~n(Records Commission.
'1835)p. 130.
Ibid.. p125.
' "lteni, de insulisfiet ; dominLodovicus miltef litteras suas palenies fruiribus
[. ..1"ii("Also. lct the islands be dealt with;theslord Louis shall send his
letters patent to the brethren of Eustace the &fonk,notably that they [the islands]
may bc returned to the lord Henry King of England[....1") (Rymer, loc. cil.)!
Cal. Charter Roits, 1226-p. 324. 32 - MEIvIORIXL OF THE UNITED KIKGDORI (3 II? 52)
and rights would be observedl. It would appear that King John
granted them a charter of their liberties, the precise date of which
is unknown. A'further indication of the general policy of English
rulers is given in a writ of Henry III to Philip d'Aubigny, Warden
of the Islands, in 1218. "It is not our intention to institi~te" (runs
this document) "new assizes in the Islands at present, but it is
Our will that the assizes which were observed there in the time of
King Henry [i.et. he Second] oiir grandfather, King Richard our
uncle, and the Lord King John our father, should be observed
there now" This is rreinforced by a later exhortation to Philip
d'iiubigny, the y-ounger, to "rule the Islanders by right and due
customs, as they have been accustorned to be ruled in the time of
Our ancestors, Kings of England" 3. In a word, the object of the
English aiithorities was to preserve, as far as possible, the order
of things existing before the loss of continental Normandy.
27. In 1279 Jersey and Guernsey acquired from King Edward 1
of England (1272-1307 as)a,matter of administrative colivenience,
an officia1seal ad contractzcs.That same pear Otes de Grandisson,
Warden of the Islands, was commissioned to inquire into the
King's rights 4. These were evidently challenged, for there were
complairits from time to time against the administration in 1280,
1292 and 1297 5, and frequently during the succeeding century.
'Towards the end of the 13th century Itinerant Justices or Justices
in Eyre chiefly from England (though some were Islanders),
who had included the Islands within their circuit as early as the
12th ce~itury, again made their appearancc. At first they dealt
with inquiries into the local administration, the cornplaints of the
natives against violations of their customary law, and the state
1 R. Besnier (3 former Professor of Law in Caen University) in bis Compte .
Hendu, 'tLe Statut Juridique des iles an@--riormandes du XIIre au XVIIIe siècic"
(Revue Historique de Droit Français et Elvanger vol. 13, 1934). sumrnarizcs the
situation in 1217 thus :"Détachéesde la Norntandie cnfait en xzoq,en droit par le
traitéde 1217 [i.e., the Treaty of Lambeth],les lles anglo-novmandes de jersey et
Gueriîesey restepzt rattachéesau roi d'ilngletewe par l'allégeance féodale.Elles luttent
pour faire reconnaitve leuvs privilèges traditionnels. Elles obtiennent d'abord d'êfve
considkréescomme des e'fiauesdu duch6 disparu, liées au voi d'Angletevre en tant que
du duc de Normandie et non en tant que souverain anglais [ . . 1". ("Detached
from Normandy in fact in1204, and in law by the treaty of 1217 [i.e., the Treaty
of Lambeth], the Anglo-Norman [i.e.Channel] Islands of Jersey and Guernsey
rernained attached to the King of Engiand by feudal allegiance. They strove for
thc recognition of their traditionaprivileges. They at first got theniselves regarded
as fragments of the vanished duchy, bound to the King of England rather as Dulie
of Normandy than'as English sovereign [...]").
S J. H. Le Patourel, The Medieval Admi~zrstratiotz of the Channel Islands 1199-
1399 (1937).P. 36.
Ibid., loc. cif. I
Ibid.,p.53.
Zbid., pp.53-4.
8 Itinerant Justices or Justices in Eyreivere the King's Jùstices tvho trai.èlledS
on circuit to hear cases. as they still do to-day. The meanin6 of Eyre is identical
with that of Itinerant. 3IEJIORIAI. OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III 52) 33
of the King's rights. Finally these commissions were combined in
rzgg to form a general ejel; and it was on this occasioil that
pleas de quo warranh (see paragraphs 46 and 128, below) appear
for the first tiinc. Thcreafter eyres and assizes were held at regular
intervals, uiitil the eyre itself-whether i~i England or in the
Islands-ccased to be held by the rniddle of the 14th century,
though comrnisçioriç for specific purposes continued uniil its cIose z.
2s. 111 1303, the riew customs duty ordered to be levied in
Eiigla~~cl011aliens n7asmade to apply to the Islaiiders, who imrne-
diately objected. During the succeeding years, as the result of
frcquent complaints, they obtained a number of teinporary
esernptioiis from customs dutics, which becarne pernianent throiigh
a chnrtcr given to them by King Richard 11 of England (1377-
1399) iii1394. Ail early eximple of these tem~iorary exemptions
occurs in 1309, when King Edward II of England (1307-1327)~on
receiving a compIaint that his collectors of customs at Southarnp-
ton, \Veymouth, 1,ymc Kegis and Dartmouth were 1 evying iipon
the Islanders "the same tolls and customs as upon alien merchiints,
to wit of Alniain, France, Spain, Portugal, Navarre, Lombardy,
Tiiscany (Ttiscie), Z'rovence, Catalan (Cniholoii), the duchy [of
Acluitaine], Toulouse, Cahors (Cati~rcefi),Flanders, Brabant, and
al1 other foreigi~ lands", gave instructions that the Islanilerç
themselves shoiilrl not be distrained for payment of these tolls
anci customs, I~ecause "the king regards the inhabitants of these
islancls as of his realrn" 3.The problem which prcsented itself was
that the Islanders were neither aliens Iior denizens :at best, they
could bc regarded as "reputed denizens" of England. Thcy tliem-
selves merc, not u~iriaturally, desirous of being considered as
English, when it \vas to their advantage, but were rcsolved to
retain thcir own privileges if it suited thcm.
TJte Defer~ce O/ the Clza~znelIsLcindsinthe 14th ad 15th Cei~tu~ies
zg. Tlie adcrliiate defeiice of the Islands nrtturally hccanie' a
matter of great concerii to the English during the Middle Ages.
By the 13th century they "were already regarded as a convenicnt
brise for rnilitsi-p expeditions to France, and were so used iil1213,
1232, and 1242" 4. This functioii assumed an cven greater impor-
tance oii the outbreak of the .Hundred Years' \Var in November,
1337 To assist in maintaining control of the western approaches
to the Lnglish Channel and to provide a haven for shipping, it
was esseritial that they be firmly hcld hy tl-ieEnglish. The organi-
' General cyre: an assize (orjudicialproceedings)which cmbrüçed a wide
varietyof litigation ancl inquiintoadministrative acts.
- cf.Le S'atoiircl, cd.. pp. 64-6. .. ,
Cal. Close Holis, i307-i313p. I12.There wcrc similar orders in 131r. 1335,
1337. 1340,1357,1370and rjyo: cf.Le l'atourel, ocit.. p. irg.2).
''Le I'atoiirclop.ci&.,p. 31, citing.DT. iVilliams"The 1rnport.c~ of 4he
Ctinnncl Islnntls&c.,in SociétjersiaiseBzdIeti>ixi.18, 23, 30-1.34 . MEMORIAI- 01: TH];:UNITED KINGDOM (3 IIIj2)
zation of their defcncc cluriiig the Middlc hges was based chiefly
on the two royal castles of Castlc Coriiet iii Guer~isey and Mont
Orgueil (Gorcy) Castle in Jersey, whose garrisoiis were professional
soldiers from England, though intiiiies of emergcncy the iiihabitan ts
themselves supplied ini1itnr.y aid. , .
30. Thc strategic imliortailcc of tlie Islarids was equally recog-
nizecl hy tlie French, who made various attempts io seize them
duriiig the Huiidrccl Ycars' \Var (1337-145T 3h)e.Islands had
already bcen raided 1)ythc Scots and the Frencli not long before
the outbreak of the Ifrsr, iri 133Gand 1337. In Ilecember, 1336,.
a proclamatioii of King Edward III of England (1327-137 r7)ted
that David Bruce, the esiled King of Scotlaiid, had collected a
fieet in French ports arid attacked Guer~iseyand Jersey. In May,
1337, Edivard III ordercd a levy of Jerseymen, and from that
year al1 able-bodied inen were espected to servc under nrms in
time of need '.Then, in hlarch, 1338, tlic year after the war had
begriii, Jersey was ravagecl hy Nicholas Réhuchet, the Admira1
of France, n-ho, having failed to capture Mont:Orgueil Castle, mas,
howevcr, unable to hold the Islaiicl. Béhirchct'sattack on Guernsey,
Alderney aiid Sark,in September, 1338,was much more successful :
al1 threc Islands fell into his hands, and wcrc not won back until
October, 1340, though the French rnanagcd to hold CastIe Cornet
in Guernsey until .4ugust, 234j. I\lcan\vhile, Réhuchet's siiccesses
against Guernsey. Alderney ailcl Sark gave encouragement to the
Freiicli, whosc King, Pliilip VI (1323-13j0), granted the tvhoiéof
the Channel Islands to his son John, the Dauphin, then stpled
Duke of Normandy. John, in tiirn, granted them to the Jlarshal
of Fraiice, Robert Bertrancl, who, to inake goocl his possession,
invaded Jersey in 1339, biit tiras unsuccesçful in establishing his
hold on it for any long duration. In 1356-7Castle Cornet in Guernsey
was again taken iiy the French and held for some months2. The
Iles Chausey, which lie close to thc French inainland ancl which
are now ü French possession, Ivere, presumably, returned to the
English under the Treaty of Lambetli in 1217 ;but, according to
the 17th century Jerse!~ historian, Jean Poingdestre, thcy were
lost to the Freiich in1343 In latcr centuries thep changed hands
repcatedly, but by the end of tlie 18th centuiy had bccomc ail
acknowledged French possessioii.
31. The great iiüval \lictory of thc Englisli over the French at
Sluys in 1340 gave command of the seas to the Englisli for more
than thirty years, and security to the Islaiids. But, with the
decisive defeat of 'the English by the French offLa Rochelle i11
1372, the positioii \vas complctely revcrsed : ~iot only were the
G. K. 13alleinA. Hislorjj of the I01JcrsejvBc., p. 59.
*Scc pamplilct by Patourel"I<arIicInvasionoftlic Chaniiel Islands" (i945)
aCresarea orA Ilisroursiif lho Island of Jersey (Jcrsiois'10thIJubn.,
'889), P. 98. ME~IORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 11152) 35
Islands in danger from France, but, in addition, the Channel soon
became infested with great nurnbers of pirates of al1 nationalities,
including even English. This situation was to endure until the
invasion of continental Normandy by King Henry V of England
(1413-1422) in 1415-a period of forty-three years. During the
next five years after their victory off La Rochelle, the French
conducted a series of raids on the Islands. In the spring of 1.372,
shortly beforc the Battle of La Rochelle, Guernsey and Jersey
were invaded by Owen of Wales, who had taken service with the
French l.He wasted the former Island, but failed to take Castte
Cornet, and so withdrew. In 1373, the celebrated Bertrand du
Guesclin invaded Jersey. He laid siege to Mont Orgueil Castle,
hut had only succeeded in capturing the outer works of the castle
when it \vas reIieved by an English naval force a.
32. In 1380 Jean de Vienne, the French Admiral, made a descent
upon this same Island and captured its caçtles, but he was d,riven
out by 1382. Tlie Islands were raided again in 1403 by the Bretons :
three years later, Jersey itself was attacked liy Pero Nino, a
Castilian pirate, in alliance with Hector de Ponthriand, a Breton
csptain S.
33. After a long period of immunity, Jersej? was occuyied from
1461 to 1468 (i.e d.,ring the struggle betwecn the rival English
royal Houses of York and Lancaster, known as the Wars of the
Roses) first by the Seneschal of Normandy, Pierre de Brézé,Count
of Maulevrier, who \vas a cousin of Queen hlargaret, wife of the
deposed Lancastrian King of England, Henry VI (1422-1461). The
circurnstances surroiinding this occupation are obscure, but it
seems probable that the Islands were found to be useful to the
exiled House of Lancaster in bargaining for French aid 4.De Brézé
made no attempt to interfere either with the system of governmcnt
in Jersey or with the Islanders' way of life ;and his Ordinances,
promulgated in 1462, rcgarded as a landmark in the evolution
of Jersey Government" S. On his departure from the Island in
1463, his follourer, Jean Carbonnel, heId it for Charles, Duke of
Normandg, then in revolt against his brother, King Louis XI of
France (1461-1483). Finally the Island wns retaken in 1468 for
the Yorkist King of England, Edward IV (1461-1483), by the
English fleet under Richard Harliston, with the help of Philip de
Carteret. In 1549 a French expedition seized Sark (then uninliab-
ited) and held it for nine years ; attempts to land in Jersey and
Guernsey were, hon~cver, repulsed.
- ---
l Le l'ataurelï'A~TfedievaAdmi~isfraiiooftheChaii~ieIslnizds,G2.
a Ibid.p. 64.
Le Patourel, "Ertrlier Invasof thChannel Islands"(143~~).
' Ibid.The storyof Sir Philipde Carteret's Iiolding western porticin of
Jersey is legenda:ythe French occupation was complete.
Ibid. 3IEWORIAL OP THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III 52)
3€l
Steps taken toSafeguardthe ChaîtnelIslands /rom the Ravages of War
34. 011 the 27th February, 1481, following a petition addressed
jointly by King Edward IV of England "and the inhabitants
ecclesiastical and secular of Guernsey, Jersey and Alderney and
the islands adjacent thereto" to Pope Sixtus IV, complaining that
"divers pirates, etc." frequently raided the Islands, their churches,
monasteries and people, "carrying off booty ....and prisoners,
waunding ancl slaying", the Pope issued a monition ordering "the
said pirates, etc., and their abettors to abstain frorn such attacks;
etc., under pain of eoipso sentence of excommunication, anathema,
eternal malediction, confiscation, etc.", atid to make restitution l.
The intention was evidently to protect the local commercial pros-
perity of the Islands. On the 1st March, 1483, at the request of
Edward IV, this temporary Papal injunction was re-issued by the
same Pope as a Bu11 2, which provided that the Islanders and their
surrounding seas, to the limit of human vision, should be regarded
as neutrai in time of war, with immunity from capture within
those limits of enemy ships and goods 3.The Bull was hailed ~vith
enthusiasm, not only in the Islands, but dso in France, where it
mas officially proclaimed, and the new privilege of neutrality was
enforced in both the I~lsular and the French courts. There were,
of course, transgressions of the privilege, as in 1549, when Sark
mas occupied by the French and attcmpts were made on Jersey
and Guernsey. Again, in 1626,when war broke out between England
and France, the Fr'ench Governmeilt issued proclamations prohib-
iting any tracic with the Islands a.
35. Since the privilege of neutrality rested upon a Papal Bull,
a delicate situation was created by the rejection of Papal Supremacy &.
In practice the neutrality of the Islands was observed as before ;
but it was obviously necessary to replace the Bull as the authority
for the privilege. Queen Elizabeth of England (15.58-1603). ,n her
Charters to Guernsey in 1560 and to Jersey in 1562, expressly
allowed trading with al], even with the enemy, in tirne of war
but no forma1 decision was taken until 1587, when an incident
which occurred in the previous year led Queen Elizabeth and her
Council to concludc that some general riiliiig was necessary. Ili
February, 1586, Sir Thomas Leighton, the Governor of Guernsey,
1 Cd. Paprrl Leflevsxiii,pt. i,p. 258 (rinpiibcl. shee;scf.iliid., xi.Go3See
Annex A 4.
A text,much corruptcd, ofthis Bull iç enrollcd on the Confirmation Rotl,
IHen. VII, pt.I,No. g.
A. J. Eagleston, l'he ChuizwrlIslaiidsirnder Tttdor Governineîrt, 1485-1642
(19491.P.43.
Ibrd.p. 47.
5In the hrst instance by King Henry VI11 of.Hngland (1509-1557)in 1530, as
the result of the L'ope'refusal to agreeto the King's divorcc from Kather~ne of
_.lragon.
ISaglestonop. cit., y.j.ordered the seizure of certain French ships, alleging that their
cargoes iiicluded Spanish goods ; whereupon thc Frenchmcn,
relying upon the Island's pnvilegc of neutrality, appealed to the
Royal Court of Guernsey, xvhich ordered their releasc. Leighton,
~vhohad been instructed to detain Spanish goods, however, refusecl
to comply without the authority of the Queen's Privy Coiincil.
The Royal Court o:EGuernsey in turn appealed to the Council,
which upheid its decision on the ground that the goods, although
Spanish, belonged to the French l. This led the Privy Council
to revieu. the whole c~uestion of neutrality. On the 11th Junc,
1587, it informed Leighton that it was "satisfied' that the privilege
had in fact esisted", and he was "instructed that no such arrest
[of ships and goods] should be made in future tci the prejudice of
the island privileges and liberties."
36. The privilege of neutrality lasted for morc thaii zoo years,
tintil itwas abolished by an Order in Council of King LZTillianI iII
of England (1689-I~OZ),dated the 8th August, 1689 Tlie inhabit-
ants of the Islands were flagrantly abusing the privilege of neutrali-
ty by \ilholesale smuggling. Morcover, \Villiam, at the very outset
of his reign, had resolvcd upon war with France ; and, since a
profitable source of income to thc lslanders appears to have been
the supplying of guripowder and aminunition to the French niain-
laiicl, he no doubt tvished to preveiit trading with the potential
cnemy 4.
Ecclesinstical Eve~zfs i~athe Islands
37. During the Middle Ages the Islands were includcd in the
Iliocese of Coutaiices on the Norman mainland. Sii-icethey were
therefore ecclesiristically within the jurisdiction of a.French Bishop,
the natural friction between the Bishop's and the King's Coiirts
was incvitably increased after their separation from Normandy.
There were twu main causes for this friction. The King ofteii found
cause to allege that the Bishoy's Court was hearing pleas which
the King considered should be heard before Iiis own. For instance,
in 1309, the liarden of the Islands was instructcd to proclaim the
King's order "prohibiting any one from citirig, uilder pain of
forfeiture, any of the officers of thc said island [sic]o ,r any other
person of the same, to appear before the bishop of Coutances and
otlier ecclesiastical judges outsidc the said islands to answcr
concerning inheritances and fees in the said islands, the cognisance
whereof pertains to the king, which he learns that certain men
have presuined to do" 5.Again, the King claimed that the Islanders
Ibid., op. cil.,45-6.
Ibid.p. 46.
Privy Council Registe2/73, f209. Sec Annex X j.
Evidently the trad\vascarried onat thEcréhous,which foriiica convenient
rcirtlei-votrsfor Jerseymen and Frenchm: cfBalleine, op. cil.. pp. 236-7.
j Cal. CloseRolls, 1307-13, p. 153. js hllSB1ORIAL OF THIS UNITED KINGDOM (3 II1 52)
enjoyed a Papal privilege to the effect that, even in ecclesiastical
actions, they could not be citcd outside the Islands. The difficulty
arising out of this privilege was overcome by appointing the two
Rural Deans in Jersey as special commissaries of the Bishop of
Coutaiices, with authority to dcal with actions nominally within
the cornpetence of his Court. These Deanery Courts thus acquired
a certain measure of importance. Desyite these special provisions,
the anomaly of divided allegiance between an E~lglish King aiid
a French Bishop becamc increasingly intolerable under the impact
of the Hundred Years' \Var between England and France, and of
the Great Schisrn I.
38. Thcre was yet aiiother ecclesiastical link between the Islaiids
and Normandy. The monasteries and cathedra1 chapters of the
mainland hcld extensive possessions throughout the group. Almost
al1the advowsons and tithes of the parish churches, togcther with
a number of chapels, were hdd hy Norman abbeys 2. The Abbey
of Mont-Saint-Xlichel had estates in the Channel Islands, second
only to the King's ;but considerable fiefs were possessed also by
the Abbeys of Cherbourg, Blanchelande, La Trinité (Cacn), St.
Sauveur and RIontebourg, and by the Bishop and Chapter of
Coutances. hlost of the smaller Islands belongcd also to the Chilrch.
Herin was held bp Cherbourg ; Jethou, Lihou and the Iles Chausey .
by Mont-Saint-Michel ; the Ecréhous Islets by the Abbey of Val-
Richer. These inonastic possessions received the same treattnent
as those of thc so-called "alicn priories" in England, i.e.,they were
. sequestrated by the King on the outbreak of every !var between
England and France from the 13th to the 15th centuries. At the
heginning of the reign of King Henry V of England, however,
Parliament cornplainecl that, though Richard II had orclered that
no Frerichmeil should cnjoy any benefice within the realm, yet
many did so. This waç especially true of Jersey S. Thus, in 1414,
the property of al1 foreign ecclesiastics was declared forfeit to the
Crown, and many of the priories were suppressed and fell into
ruin;.
39. Ili ordcr to end the aiiomaly createcl by a French Bishop
exercising jurisdiction ovcr English terri tory, it was decided to
Broadly' speaking, thc Grcat Schiskn in thePoman Cliurchmas the rcsult of
the sirnultancous election, after the dcath of Pope GSI in 137s.of tivo I'opcs.
Opinion throughout Italy had become greatly cxaspcrated hy the morc or less
continuous residcncc atvignon. frorn 130of no less than sevcn successivc I';pes
and the Italianwçre deterrnined that the Pope should return to Rome mhich, by
1378. had becomc the centre of fiercc political strifc. Accordingly, in that year,
the Italian Cardinals proceeded to clcct one of their owii coiintrymen (Urb;n VI)
the foreign Cnrdinals chosnon-l talian (ClemeVI 1). Tlidual Papacy inevitably
Ied to the political division of E:thus, England was Urbanist, Prancc Clcmen-
tist. TheSchism was finally healcd by the Council of Constancc in 1417.
2 A kiv of the advowsons, however, were held by the hbhy of blariiioutier,
nearRalleinc, opcil.p.77., op.ci!.p.34. hlEbIORIAL OIi THE UNITEI) KINGDOAI (3 III52) 39
transfer the Tslands to an Eiiglisli diocese l. Accordiiigl~~,or1 the
26th October, 1496, liy a Bull of Pope Alexander VI, the- nrere
included within the Ilioceçc of Salisbury 2 ;but, or1the 20th Jan- .
iiary, 1500, another Bull of thc same Pope transferrecl them to the
Diocesc of Winchester 3, to which they have ever sincc been
attached. The Bull of 1500 was, howevcr, for mariy years tacitly
ignored ; and the transfer did iiot in fact take place uiitil ;iç latc
as 1569, when Quccn Elizabeth (1558-1603)) on the 11th hlarcli
of that year, formalIy severcd the last link with the Freiicli Dioccsc 4.
The reason for thc long delay in effecting the transfer scerns largely
to have l~eenthe reluctancc on the part of the Bishop of IVinchester
and his officiais to undertakc a difficult joiirney for comparstively
poor additions to tlic Dioccsc, while the Bishop of Coutailces was
iinwilling to forgo Iiis rcvenucs iri the Islands G. The Bishop of
Coutanccs had, in fact, beeii confirrnetl in his ecclesiastical juris-
clictioil by King Edward VI of Eiiglaiid (1547-1j53 i))April,
15jo Rut after the cluarrel 11etu-cenKing Henry VI11 of England
(1509-154 a7 ) the l'apacy, and the acloption of the Reformed '
Rcligioii in England, relations betiveeii thc islanders and thcir
French Bishop steadilj- gre\v \verse ; and tlic change of diocese
becaine iiievitable after 1565, \vlieii the Act of Uniformit? \\?as
made applicable to the Islancls.
40. The Civil \Var iiiIZngland iiithe middle of the 17th centliry
hrought a further pcriod of iinrest arid division within both the
Islands of Jcrsey and Guernsey. nuring this struggle hetwecri
King and Parliament, Gucrnsey supporteci the latter (though
there \vas an important lioyalist rninority tliere), whilst Jersey
\vas at first diviclcd Bcts1ec~ithe two causes, but latcr hecame
conlpletely lioyalist under Sir George Carteret until 16j1, ~vheii
it mas finally captured by Admiral Blake and occupied by the
Parliamentary Army. On the 9th Junc, 1646, the Jersey authorities
issued orders forbidding local mariners froni carrying any pcrsons
out of the Island unlcsç such persons had first obtaiiied a passport,
and forbidding any persons, without permission from thcir parochiai
' During the Sçhism, thc Islands werc tcmporarily trnnsferrcd to the Diocese
of Santcs :cf.1'.de Gibon. LesIlcs Chauseyel leurHistoir e2nd Ed.. 1935). 196.
Eagleston.op. cil.p. 49.
a 17ublic Itecord Oficc Special Collections, So. 7 (I'apal I 1r-i 533). Bo4.
So. 2. SceAnnex A 6.
Eaglcston,op. ci!.p.51.
Ibid., p49.
a Ibid..p. 50. "As to tlic 13ishop of Coutances' jiirisdictinn," (iSir1-Iugli
Pa~ilet, Governor of Jerscy, to Sir IVilliarn Cccil, on tlic 12th I)ccemb1559)
"ordcr was takcn in Edwnrd VI.'s timc for us to consider liim as our diaceun'in
al1 things not contrarytcithc laws of the rcalm" : Cal. State Pupers.Doinesfic.
1601This Act cnforced. undcr scvcrc penaltics. the 1-ituroftlie Churdiof lhg-
land upon the urliolcnation.40 3IEJIOKIAL OF THE USITE13 KINGDO31 (3 111 52)
authority, to fish either at the Iles Chausey or the Ecréhous
Islets l. Diiring this disturbed period, neither the French nor the
Spaniards inade aily attempt to attack the Islands.
41. Follo~rringthe Iiestoration of the Eilglish hlvnarchy under
King Charles II iil1660, dcsyite the fact that there were long periods
of \var betïreeii England and France, the Islands, though often in
a state of alarm, remailied free from invasion until the latter years
of the 13th century. During this periocl, particularly in Jersey, they
were occupied with problerns ofa domestic character. The insularitu ,
of the inhabitants is testified by a cornplaint against foreigners
setting up shops for the sale of inerchandise in Jersey. As :t result
of this a Royal Order of 1660 directed that no stranger other than
an English subjcct should be allowed to do $0.
42. In 177G, as a reply tu Frcnch assistance for the Ainerican
Colonies which wcrc thcn in revolt against Great Britain, thelatter
country encouraged Jersey privàteerç to harry French shipping and
coastal areas of the mainland. As a result, the French once more
took actioii agairist the Islands. In 1779aiid 1781 they niade two
serious, but uiisuccessful, attacks on Jersey. The latter, knonrn as
"Ln Szrrprise de Jersey", resultetl in French troops, undcr the
Baron de Kullecourt, completely takiiig the Island by surprise, but
lieing decisivcly clefeated in thcir cndcavour to capture Elizabeth
Castle, near St. Helier, by the British regular troops under Major
Pierson and the meii of the Jersey hlilitia -4fter this invasion the
Islands gradually settled down to normal conditions.
43. On the outbreak of the Freiich Iievolutionary War il11792
the Islands were oncc Inore iia state of alarrn. In 1794 the French
Cornmittee of Public Safety ordered thcir capture and an army was
gathered at St. MaIo, without, howcver, ariy actual invasion being
undertaken. Serioiis preparations for the same purpose wcrc again
made by Napoleon in 1798. After 1815 Ariglo-French relations
became more friendly. The differenccs which did occur between the
Islanders and their Frcnch neighbours were mainly conccrned with
fishing. These arc dealt \vit11in a following Section.
Sub-Section B,-The Ecréhousand MinquiersTslets
44. The'first nieiltion of the Ecréhoiis Islets occurs in 1203, when
Piers des Préaux, n Norman 3,granted "the island of Ecréhous
lJouv?zal dcJct~nChevulier (Sociéjersinise1906), pp. 332-3. .
Ballcine,op.cil.pp. 264-5.
3He \vas the bcst ltnownofa large farnily of brothers, the sons of Osbert, lord
of Préaux (now intheDcpartment of Seirte-lnftrieure). As a friend of King John,
he stoocl second onin1204,in point of importance. to the Seneschal of Xorrnandy.
He had also held tofficc oBailiff of the Cotortiii. He died between 121216nd
(cfF.M.Powicke, l%e Loss of Norntandy (1189-1204) (Manchester1913)~App. II.
p. 510). ~vliolly"("ins.nl ame Escrehof~ integre")to the Abbey of Val-IZicher
in Normandy, on condition that the Abbey buiId a chape1 thereon,
where Masses "for the sou1of John, the illustrious King of Englaiid",
"qui insztlm asihidedit" ("who gave me the Islands (i.e t. , Channel
Islands)") should be celebrated l. Piers des Préaux himself Iiad
yreviously, on the 14th January, 1200, been granted by King John
the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey alid Alderney ; ancl it is clear that
the Ecréhoiis were included in this grsnt as a part of .Jersey. There
is no doubt, however, that Piers' grant to the Abbey refers prirn;irily
to the present Rlaitre Ile (the largest of the three iiihabited lslets
in the Ecréhoiisgroup)though, owirig to their proximity, the intcn-
tion may well have been to include the test of the groiip ; mhile it is
equally certain that, in the expression "gui insitlas înihi dctrdit"
' ("~vhogave the Islands to me"), "insztlas" refers tothe King's grant
to Piers of the above Islands of Guernsey, Jersey and lildcrncy.
On the 21st June, 1200, King John confirmed his charter to Piers =,
while Piers' charter to the Abbey was confirmcd togethcr with the
Abbey's other possessions in Holy Trinity Parish,Jersey, by Vivisii,
Bishop of Coutances, in ,1205 4.
45. 011 the 24th Jiine, 1204, the French coticlucst of contineiital
Normandy was completed with Piers des Préaiix' surrender of
Rouen, the Norman capital, to King Philip Augustiis % Piers sutise-
quently acknowledged the suzerainty of the French King over his
continental possessions by an aveu de ses fiefs (a recogiiiticiii that he
held his estates of the King), which did not, however, iricliidc the
Channel Islands f His allegiance to Philip was net of long duration :
a story had been put about that ithad beeri hought ;11uthc "was
a brave and'had proved himself a faithful nian ;it is likely that
circumstaiices were tcio strong for him" '. In or before 1207 he was
back in England with King John who, on the 29th Juiie, 1207,
restored to him his English lands, but not .the Channel Islands,
concerning which the King would do his pleasure "with the counsel"
Gallia Chrisfian(a17sg), xi. col94, So. XXXII (InslrzriizetiSce Annex
A 7. The same work (xi, col.446)observes : " HrecinsrrlAnnglorrrlrncrnes6siçirl
& illa." "This Island[i.e.Jersey] now belongs to the English. justasdoes the
othcr [i.e.t,e Ecrtchous]". The Cistercian Xbbey of Val-Richer \vas situatedin
St-Ouen-le-Pin,Department ofCalvados.
Charte; Roll, I John. m. 28.See Annex X 8. The charter includes the grant of
the marriage of the daughter of \Villiam. Earl of the Isle [of Wight], siibject to
certain contingencies,besides property in Alton, in the County of Souttiainpton.
and in Rouen.
confirmationRisthe fact that it is in tmo parts. Separate charters. of identical date,
were used to confirrn (i) the threc Islands, the marriage and tlic property in;Alton
(ii) the properin Rouen.
Hermant. "Histoire du Diocèse de~a~eux." &c. (1726)t.ome 2, p. zoj (31s.
in Bibliothèqduee le Villde Cacn ;ex iwf.the Librarian).
cf.Powicke, op. cit.pp. 383-387.
fG. Dupont. HistoiredtrCoientiti edesesIlesi ,.455-6.
'Powicke, op. cil.p. 387.42 JIEIIORIAL OF THE UXITE KDIXGDOSI (3 III 52)
of the 'Earl of Chester and Ingram des Préaux,Piers' brother l.
Several years later (19th Narch, 1216) \Villiam des Préaux (presum-
ably the son ofPiers) received a grant from King John of the Inanor
of Alton, togcther with al1 the lancts, late of William de Lanvalay
and of Hauf de Rochester, but should the King be unable to ensure
that he received them, it was the King's wiU that William be
granted the "islarids[sic]" of Jersey, with three hundred pounds'
worth of Inncl in England.
46. The next meiition of the Ecréhousoccurs in the quo warratzlo
proceedings diiring the general eyre of 1309 (see yaragraphs 27,
above and 128, below), when the Abhot of Val-Richer was sum-
moned heiore the English King's Justices sjtting-in Jersey to say
by what warrant he hdd the advowson and certain ciidowments of
the Priory establislied 011 Maître Ile by Piers des Préaux 3.There is
evidence of visits hy jerseymen about this time to the Isletç to
collect wreck of the sea (see paragraph 131, below). In 1323 ,oUow-
ing a cornplaint that the monks of the Ecréhous had built a wall
round their "manse" at Archirondel in St.,Martin's Parish, Jersey,
"to the nuisaricc of the King and of the neiglibourç", Thomas le
Taneour, thc Prior, appeared before the English King's Justices,
sitting in Jersey, and declared that the wall had bee~ibuilt over
forty years ago, and ~ieitliercaused a nilisance nor encroached upoii
the Icing's highway or the common land :the Prior's contentions
were borne out by a view sçubscquently made 4.
47. The records of the Assizcs of the English Iii~ig'sJustices held
in Jersey shew tliat in I32j Piers Bernard of "Yynsol'", John Pyk,
an Englishrnan, and others-again at Archirondel-robbed the
Prior of his bed, chape1 vestments and a dish with a trivet, worth
in al137 shillings &.In 1328-9,the Priory is mentioned in the Clrarden
of the Channel Islands' account for that year, when a sum of
20 shillings \irasliaid to the Priory as part of its endowments
This was an annrial charge upon the King's rcvenues in the Island
-' Patent Roll,S John, ni.3. See Anncx A II.'1'hcIslantlrvcre. ifact,ncver
restorcd to Iiim.
aKotitli Cliautarur(Records Comniission, 1837)~p.-20.
3Assize Itoll2 Edw. II, m. 36. See AnnexX 12.
4Ibid.1 ,7 Edw. II, m. aidSeeAnnex A i3. The manse was probably as old as
its wall, and therefore cxisted at the tofthe quowaruanfoproceedings in 1309
l'et .the Prior then deposed that he "himself and his fellow [monk] and their
servant" wcrc "dwelling in the aforesaid Chape1 throughout thewhole year" (in
order to maintain a iieaçon for the beneofmariners). It shoulbc noted that, at
the present day, the Ecréhous Islets, for administratpurposes, are attachedto
St. Martin's I'arish in Jersey.
6Ibid., 5Edw. 111m. ig. SeeAnnex 14.Piers Bernard held the office of Warden
of; the Islands (for a definition of which, see p. 31).jointly with Lawrence
de Gaillars. fromgust 133~t~o August 1331 :cf.Le Patourelop. citApp., p.126.
6Hxchequer Accounts (Various). Bundle 89, No.12, m. 2.Sec Annex 15. The
tions in the Channel Islands and Xormandy, including the Abbcy of Holy Trinity,a-
Caen. 31E310RI.%L OF THE USITED KINGUO.\'I (3 III j2) 43
of Jersey, and is referred to in the qijo weiarraltloproceedjiigs in
1309 (see paragraph 128, below). In 133?Thomas, Prior of the
Ecréhous (probably to be identified with Prior Thomas le Taneour
mentioned above), wss found guilty by the King's Justices i11
Guernsey of assaultirig Joan, widow of Robert Hubert, by kicking
her and throwing her to the ground in Ralph Hubert's house in
Holy Trinity Parish, Jersey, for which offence the Yrior was fineci 1.
On the 10th April, 1337, Gabriel,. eleventh Abbot of Val-liichcr,
sent two monks to the Ecréhous lslets ''adconserva?ldam Giege~ztlam
capellawcbeab Maria" ("to rnjintain and serve the chapel of the
Blessed Mary") (i.e., the Priory chapel) 2.
48. On the 18th August, 1337, the Yrior of "Acrehomede Insttln
de lereseye" ("Ecréhous of the Island of JerseyJJ), together with tlie
Priors of various other religious Iiouses in Jersey and Guernsey and
thcir dependencies, receivcd lettcrs of protection from Ed~vard 3II,
during pleasure (see paragraph 131, below). This, no doubt, was
in anticipation of the Hundred Years' \Var, which broke out in
November, 1337. In addition to the clear description of the Ecrétious
as a part of Jersey, it is significant that, the day bcfore the Priors
received their protections, a comniission issued from the English
Excliequer ordering the seizure of the property of "al1 Frenchmen
and others of the lordship and power of the king of France, as well
secular as religious, within the king's realm and power", and the
detention of all religious in their houses, as it was known that the
King of France had gathered together a "great fleet in divers parts
of his Iordship" which was to be sent against the rcalm and the
Channel Isla~lds ".
49. Apart ?rom a 15th ceiitury Iist of the endowments of the
Priory =, the next reference (appare~~tly)to the Ecréhous belongs
tothe year Ij28, when anextente(i.e., rental) ofthe Island of Jersey
shews that a wheat-rent was paid in support of the Priory, and
levied on the Jersey Parishes of St. Rlartin and St. Saviour 6. Tliere
Assize ~011, 5 Edw. III, m.iSd.Sec Annex A 16. It may be noteù that the
Hubert farnily, at any rate from the 15th ccntury, until as late as 1749, paid a
wheat-rent to the Ecréhous from St. Martin's Pariswhich adjoins Holy Srinity:
Cartrrlairc de Jersey (Sociéti Jersiaip.421, NO. 329 :se8 Annex 18;Exlenie
sec Annex Ig.sey, 1749.-George[sic11 (Sucidid Jevsiaise, 8th Pubn.), pp. 1:,49
Galliu Christiana, xi, col. 447. Thc datc is given as "Thursbcfore I'altn
Sundity". 1337.
a Patent Koll, ir Edw. III, pt. 2ni.g.Sec Annex A 17. The others wrrc the
Priors ofSt. Clernent, Bonne Nuit, L'lslet, Lecq, aSt. Peter, in Jersey;and
those of St. Michel du Valle. Herm, Lihou, and Blanchelande ("de Blancii Lartda"),
in Gucrnse~,
' Cal. Fine RolZs, 1337-1347, p. 37.
"Les rentes de NotreDame de Escrcliou en Gierresy" :Cartulaire deJersey
(SocididJersiaise), pp. 420-421. NO. 329. See Annex A 16. This rental, lvhich is
described as a fragment, is (orwas) among the records of the Department of Calva-
dos. atCaen.
Exlenit dc l'Il.? de Jersey. 1528.- Henri VIII (Sociétd Jersiaise, 6th ~ubn.),
p. 20.See Annex 4 19.
5are later references to these wheat-rents in exteates of 1607, 1668
and 1749 l.Writing circa1682, Jean Poingdestre, a distinguished
Jersey constitutional lawyer and sometime Lieutenant-Bailiff of the
Island, Sap that "The smallIslot of Ekerho [Ecréhous]had ancient-
ly a small Priory beloriging to Jersey, & endowed from thence ;
the Ruines whereof remaiiie to this day ; which serue in rainy
weather for a shelter to such as goe theither to fish or fetch Vraic
[sea-weed] ;the place affoarding nothing besides, & being of noe vse
at all" (see paragraph 146, below). In 1692 an Act of the States
of Jersey 3, because of a state of war between England and France,
restricted travel to the Ecréhous. Only such persons as had legiti-
mate busiriess, çuch asgathering sea-weed,were allowed to go there.
The object was to prevent trading with the enemy. In 1692Philippe
Le Geyt, another Jersey historian, mentions fish-tithes payable on
the Island un fish csught offits coasts and off certain Islets, among
which he specifically includes the Ecréhous 4.
50. From the 19th century onwards references to the Ecréhous
becorne more common. They are coiisidered in Section A of Part II
of this Mernorial.
51. References to the Minquiers Islets are far fewer than thoçe
to the Ecréhous Islets. Apparently, the earliest mention of the
Minquiers belongs to the reigrl of King James I of England (1603-
1625). 011 1615,1616 and 1617, there are entries on the rolls of the
Court of the Fief and Seignory of Noirmont in Jersey, which shew'
that the Crown claimed the right to wreck of the sea at the Min-
quiers Islets which the Crown would not have done, if the Min-
quiers had not been regarded as British territory . Towards the end
of the same century this right became the subject of a law-suit.
On the 6th Auest,. 1692, the King's Attorney-General and the
King's Receiver of Revenues in Jersey successfully claimed .the
right to wreck at the hlincluiers in defiance of the counter-claim of
' ' Exlente de I'Ile de Jersey, 1607.- Jacques I (SociéféJersiaise, 5th Pubn.),
pp. 6-7 ; Extente {ac.), 1668.-Charles 11 (S. J..7th Pubn.). pp. 6, 35;60;
Extente (&c.)1749.-George[sic] II (S.J.. 8th Pubn.), pp18,49.See Annex h 19.
In 1668the rent was paid also by the Parishes of St. Clement and St. Helier, and.
in 1749,also by Grouvitle Parish. Despite the long intcrvals between these extentes,
it is reasonable to assume regular payment of the rents inthe interim.
Cisarea or A Discourse of the Island of Jersey (SocaJersiaise, 10th f'ubn.),
P. 99.
Actes desEtals del'lle de Jersey .z689-170o0ciétéJersiaise, 17th Pubn.. 36.
Jeusey,~UYala Constilulion, les Lois. et les Usadescette Ile (1846-1847), i. ;6
iii. 615See Annex A 69.
"Res de la Cour du Fief et Seigneurie de Noirmontff. 67-9, (penes Mrs. C.
M. de Gruchy, widow of G. F. B. de bruchy, late SeignedeNoirmont). See Annex
A 20.For the King's right to wreck of the sea, cf. the early 14th century Statutc
de Prerogativa Regis, sect. xiii (Statof IheReaEm,i. 226), BlE>IORIAL OF THE UFITED RISCDOaI (3 III 52) 45
Deborah, widow of Philippe Dumaresq, Seigneur of Samarès, ~vho
was acting iiibehalf of her son, a rninor, and judgernent was
accordingly pronounced by the Royal Court of Jersey l. Deborah
Durnaresq theii obtained leave from the King's Privy Council to
appeal against the judgement on the Gth Novernber, 1692, wheri the
Council also summoiied the respondents to appear to answer her
appeal a.The order uras served on the respondents in Jersey on the
16th August, 1693 =.
52. In 1692 Le Geyt, the Jersey historian previously referred to
(see paragraph 49, above), also mentions the Minquiers Islets in
connexion with the iish-tithes payable in Jersey on fish caught off
its coasts ',
53. Later references (i.e.after the 17th century) are considered
in Section B of Part II of this Rlemorial.
Conclusion
54. As it has been stated (see paragraph 21, above), no English
sovereign after Edward IV (1461-14 8er)ously considered recover-
ing the lost possessionsof England in France itself. Thus, continental
Normandy waç, in actual fact, relinquished to the French Crown,
despite the absence of any forma1 instrument which ackiiowledged
its surrender.
55. The Channel Islands themselves, however, contiilued, escept
for certain brief periods, in the firm possession of the English. The
longest period during which any of them was occupied by a French
force was from 1461-1468, during the IVarsof the Roses (see para-
graph 33, above). Other French attacks upon the Islands were
sporadic, and at no time did the invaderç obtain, except in the case
of Sark in the niiddle of the 16th century (seeparagraphs 33'ancl34,
above), more tIian a temporary foothold.
56. It will be seen therefore that during the Middle Ages the
Channel Islands remained attached to the English Crown by feudal
ties, the English King was represented there by Lords or Wardens
of the Islands, and the latter delegated their administrative func-
tions to officiaismainly drawn from the Islanders. In later years the
Islanders themselves secured an increasing degree of administrative
autonomy, but this neither impaired the sovereignty of the English
Crown over the Islands, nor prejudiced the ailegiance ofthe Islanclers
to the Crown.
57. That the Ecrétious were considered iil medieval tirnes tv be
part of the Channel IsIands is shewn by the fact that Piers des
1 Acte de la CourRoy:tlde 1'Ilede Jersey. GthAugu1Gg2.Sce Annex X Zr.
MS. penes the Libraryofthe SociPtjersiuise, St. Helier.Annex A 22.
a IbidSee Annex A 22.
Les Manuscrits dePhilippeLe Geyf,Ecuyer,kc.,loc.cil.See Annex A 69. JIEJIORIAL OF THE USITED KISGDOM (3 111 j2)
46
Préaux, who had been granted the Channel Islands by John in.
rzoo, considered that he, in turn, in 1203, could grant these Isletç
by subinfeudation in virtiie of the charter of 1200, which mentioned.
by namc only the three largest Channel Islands (i.e.,Jersey, Guern-
sey, and Alderney ;see paragraph 4, ahove). Aftcr the separation.
of the whole archipelago from continental Normandy in 1204, the
continuation of thc Ecréhoiisas an appendage of Jersey during the.
Middle Ages is shewn by various judicial and administrative acts,
which are dealt with in paragraphs 46 to 49 inclusive, above, in
yaragraphs 128 to131 inclusive, below, and in yaragraph zoo, below..
Evidence relating to the Minquiers is of latcr origin than that con--
cerning the Ecréhous. Its absence before 1615 (the earliest date of'
any present evidence discovered by the Government of the United
Kingdom) is prohably due to loss of records. There iç evidence to.
prove the existence as far back as 1550 (and possibly still earlier) of'
Court Rolls of the Seignory of Noirmont, which claimed seignoriaL
rights over the Minquiers l.It would seem unlikely that these rights.
should suddenly have been first exercised in the year 1615 (seepara--
graph 51, nbove).
58. The acts inanifesting sovereignty, which are set out in.
Part II of this Memorial, shew that in modern times the close,
relationship between Jersey and both groups of Isletç, the existence
of which is supported by the medieval and 17th century evidence,
was but the continuation of an already long established state
of afiairs.
Sub-Section C.-The Present Constitution of Jersey
59. The Channel Islands are included among the British Isles,
but do not form part of the United Kingdom. The laws of the.
Channel Islands are based on the ancient customs of the Duchy
of Wormaildy, of whicli tliey foniied part until 1205. The saver--
eignty of the King of England is, to the present day, only admitted
in his right: as Dukc of Normandy. The Channel Islands are siibject.
to the legislativc supremacy of the United Kingdom Parliament,.
which is exercised for them inrelation to such subjects as nationality.
and defence. The legislative assemblies of Jersey and Guernsey,.
known as the States, have power to pass Acts which require the-
approval of the King in Council. The Channel Islands possess.
their own courts from which an appeal lies to the Judicial Com-
mittee of the Privy Council in London.
60. After the separation of the Island of jersey from Normandy.
and in imitation of the procedure in that country, the Royal Court,
1 There existsa manuscriptinventory(pe?tesRlrs. C. JI. de Gruchy, widow of'
G. F. B. de Gruchy, late Seigneur de Noirmont), compiled in the early 18th century,.
of the surviving rolls from 1550to 1The.first series rufrom 1550to IjSj,
the second from 1556to15G2,thethird froi1565to 57 1,the fourth fro1613
to 1631,thc fifth fr1637 tu 164jand the last from 1660t1718. ME%IORIAL OF THE USITEI) KINGDOM (3 III j~) 47
that is to Say, the Bailiff (seeyaragraph 62, below) and the 12 Jiiratç
(see yaragrap6 h6, below), assiirned, or were empowered to exercise,
a certain degree of legislative power with regard to the local affriirs
of the Island. Through the years, it became customary for the
Royal Court, in matters of importance, to call to its assistance
and counsel "the captain, or his lieutenant in his absence, erith
the 12 ministers [or rectors] :inclthe ra constables" of the Jersey
yarishes, and this body came to bc called the Three Estates or
the Common Council of the Island. Legislative yower remained
with the Royal Court until 1771, when it was removed from that
body and vested in the whole "Assernbly of the States", thiit is
to ssy, the 12 Jurats, the 12 Rectors and the 12 Constables of
the parishes.
61. In 1Sj6, 14 Ileputies werc added to the States and the
constitution of that Asscmbly remained unchanged (save for an
iiicrease, in 1907, iii the niimber of Deputies from 14 to 17) rintil
~gqS, when a major constitutional reform took place, a riew
Assembly of the States, consisting of 12 Senators, 12 Constables
and 25 Deputies, being created. Thc Jurats and the Rectors ceased
to sit in the States, the former, however, remaining in office as
members of the Royal Court.
62. The Bailiff was at first onc of the chief subordinate officersof
thc Warden land \vas appoirited by him. Later he was confirmed
iil officeby the Crown, and bcgarl to call himself the King's Bailiff.
He became the officia1 who presided ovcr the King's Courts in
Jersey or Guernsey, Now the principal civilian in the Island, l.1~is
appointed by the Sovereigii, and, in addition to his judicial duties,
presides over the Assembly of the States.
63. The Lieutenant-Governor 2, who is also appointed by the
Sovereign, and who is tlie successor of the "captain" previously
referred to (see paragraph 60, above), continues, as of old, to enjoy
the right to sit, and to speak, in the States. He is the representative
of Her Majesty in the Islancl, anci is the official channel of com-
munication between the Governmerit of the United Kingdoni and
the Insular Authorities.
64. The administrative authority of the States is exercisecl
through Committees of its inemhers elected by, and respoiisibIe.
to, the Assembly. Two of those Committees, that is to Say, of
Harbours and Airport (formerly Pierç and Harbours) and of'
Finance, are concerncd with the Minquiers and the Ecréhous, the
former because it is responsible for fisheries, the maintenance of
buoys and beacons and navigational matters generally, the latter
because it is the Insular Customs authoritÿ. Prior to 1922, juris-
Seepage 31. notr,foran explanation ofthoffice.
There existed in earlier tliomcc of Govcrnorbutit nasoftenasinecurc,
and was finally abolished in 1854.48 fiIEAIORIA01; THE liSITED KISGD03I (3 III 52)
dictioii in the matter of customs kvas vested in ,a body known
as the Asscmbly of the Governor, 13ailiffand Jurats. In that yenr
their jurisdiction was transferred to the States.
65. Amongst other Jersey officials is the Attorney-Geiieral
(Procureur Généralde la Reine). He isa lcgal officer of the Crowii,
appointed to lilead the Crown's cause, to give guidance tu the
Crown's representatives, to advise the Royal Court on doubtful
points of law, and to prosecute offenders. He has a seat in the
States, and may spcak, but not tvote, and acts as the Iegal adviser
to the States. The Greffier of the States is the Clerk and Registrar
of the Assernbly and Keeper of the Records.
66. The Jurats (Jurés Justiciers} are tweive honorary, elected
Judges, who with the Bailiff form the Royal Court. They are more
akin to the "doomsmen" or judgcs of the old Teutonic Tribes thari
to the feucialofficialsof 13th c.eiitury. And i1309 , hen Justices
Itinerant demanded by what right Jurats wereelected, the Islanders
replied that "their forefathers from time immemorial have always
been wont to have twelve Jurats from smong themselves", who
"judgc al1 causes, pleas, contempts, transgressions, and felonies,
except siich as be too arduous". The officeofConstable (Conriétablc)
is an honorary post. The Constable is civic head of his parish,
represents it in the States, presides over the Parish Assembly,
and is head of the Police. In the earlydays Constables often held
office for life, but since 1621 a new electiori is held every three
years. The Constable is assisted by Ccnteniers. Originally, like
Anglo-Sacon "Hundred-men", they wcre responsible for the
behaviour of about a hundred families. Now they are elected for
three years by the electors of the paristohe the Constable's chief
assistants in al1 his duties.
SECTION C.-ACCOUNT OF THE TREATIES AXD DIPLOMATIC
CORRESPONDENCE RELATiNG TO THE PRESENT DISPUTE
DURING THE 19th AXD zoth CENTURIES
Introductory
67. The Government of the United Kingdom will in the preseiit
Section ofthis Memorialgive an accouiit of the negotiations between,
and of the agreements concluded by, the two Governments relating
to fishing rights in the aress between the Channel Islands and the
coast ofthe French mainland, and of the diplomatic corresponderice
which they exchanged relating to the issue of sovereigiity over the
Ecréhous and the Minquiers. While the United Kingdom Govern-
ment consider that the Court may hold that the negotiations
between, and the engagements concluded by,the two Governmeiits
concerning fishing rights throw no direct light on the issue of
sovereignty, they will submit in Part III of this Memorial that 31EllIORI.4LOF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III52) 49
certain conclusions relevant to that issue may be drawn from these
iiegotiations and engagements. The United Kingdom Goverfiment
will similarly submit in Part III of this blemorial that conclusions
relevant to the sovereignty issue may be made from a co~isideritiori
of the diplornatic exchanges concerning that issue, which took place
during the latter half of the 19th century, and the first half of the
20th century.
65. There appears to be no evidence that during the 19th century
France formally challenged the sovereignty of the United Ki~igdom
over the Islets and Rocks of the Ecréhous group until 1876 (see
paragraph 85, below), or its sovereignty over the Islets and Rocks
of the Minquiers grouy until 1838 (see paragraplt 101, below). On
various occasions from 1819 to 1839, and again in 1866 and 1867,
discussions took place between the French and United Kingdom
Governments regarding disputes bet~veenFrench and British fisher-
men as to their ~espective rights of fishing in the area bet~veerithe
Channel Islands and the coast .of the French mainland. These
discussions resiilted in a draf Convention of 1824 (see further para-
graph 76, belom), which was not signed, and in the signature or1the
2nd August, 1839, of a Fishery Convention, which was ratified on
the 16th August, 1839 (see further paragraphs 79-81, below), and,
on the 11th November, 1867,of another Fishery Convention, which,
dthough ratified on the 18th December, 1867, never came into
operation (see further paragraph 82, below). The 1839 Convention
was subsequently slightly rnodified in 1928 by an Agreement
between His PvIajesty'sGovernment in the United Kingdom and
the Irish Free State and the French Governinent regarding the
lirnits of French Fisheries in Granville Bay
69. After the end of hostilities in the Second World War, the two
Governrnents concluded an Agreement, which was signed on the
30th January, 19j1, and ratified on the 24th September, 1951,
regarding fishing rights in the areas of the Ecréhousand Minquiers a.
Its purpose, as stated in tlie Preamble, was "to settle certain dif-
ferences w-hichhave arisen between them [i.e .he Governments of
France and the United Kingdom] with reference to fishing rights in
the areas of the Ecrehos and Minquiers". The broad effect of the
settlement, which has been reached about fishing rights, is that
French and British nationsls will have equal rights offishery in the
whoIe area between the limit of three miles calculated from low-
water mark on the coaçt of the Island of Jersey and the limit within
which the excliisive right of fishing is reserved to French nationals
l Se Trealy Series h'oz (1929)The Agreement re-defined, withuiit substani
tially altering, the lines donwthe chart annexed to the 1839 Convention.'
.. Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdomof Great Bi-itain
and Sorthern Irelandand the Government of the French Republic regarding
Iligliof Fisherin areasoftheEcrehos and Mincluiers (Treafy Sevies No. 4 (1952)).
Ske Annex -423.5O IIEAIORIAI. 01THE üXITE:D KINGDOM (3 III52)
bp the 1839 Conveiitio~i(see paragraph 80, below) as re-definebj
thc 1928 Dcclaratioil (sec paragraph 68, above), except that in four
zones, as shewn on the charts annesed to the Agreement, one (or
the other) party to it \vil1have the right to graiit fishing concessions
in them accordiiig as to whether France or the United Kingdom
is held by the Coiirt to have sovereignty over certain Islets and
Rocks of the Minquiers ancl Ecréhous groups. This Agreement \cas
made wit1ic)ut prejudice to the determination of the question of
sovcreigrity over the Ecréhousand Minquiers now submitted to the
Court. Thc parties have agreed, inoreover, that this Agreement
çhall not be relied oby either of them for the piirpose of substaii-
tisting tlicir claiin to snvereignty over either the Ecréhous or the
Miniluiers.
70. Iri additiontn thc negotiatinns which rcsulted in the drawiiig
up of thc Fishcry Conventions referred to in the prececling para-
graphs, diylomatic correspondence relating to the Ecréhous and the
Mincluicrswas cxchanged lietween the tw-OGovernments on various
occasions during the latter half of the 19th century and duririg this
century. Tliis correspondence tvas concerned in part \\rith the ques-
tion of fishing rights in the areas of the Ecréhousand the Rlinquiers.
It, however, dealt .also ïvitli the issue of sovereignty over the two
groups of Islets.
71. This Section of the 3'Icniorialisdivided into four Sub-Sections.
Sub-Section A will deal with the negotiations betwreen the two
Governments bctween 1819 and 1837,iii which ycar a Mixcd Co~n-
missioii was appointcd by them to consider inter alla complaints on
the part of the French fishermen against the English, especiallp in
regard to dredgiiig for oysteroffthe French coast. Sub-Section H
will deal with the1839 and 1867 Conventions. In this Sub-Section,
reference willalso be made to the Submarine Cable Convention
between France arid England of the 2nd January, 1859. Su\)-
Section C will dcal separately with the diplomatic correspondence
which resiilted from the assertion of rights in co~inexioiitvith the
Ecréhous by the French Government and Sub-Sectiori Il with the
similar corrcspondciicc relating to the Minquiers.
Sub-Section A.-Negotiations between 1819 and 1837
72,Early in thc 19th century disputes betwccn French and
British fishermen became frequent in the English Clinnnel. These
disputes, in so far as they related to the Channel Islands and the
neighbouriiig coast of France, IV-ouldappear to have arise~i from
fishing on the part of British fishermen for oysters in oyster .heds
off the coast of Normaridy, in yarticular in the ofyGranville and
Cancale Rcads, sorne of which lay jvithin, and some outside, French
territorial waters. The French Government addressed several pro-
tests to the United Kingdom Government in 1819 and subsequent IIIEMORIAI. OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III 52) 51
ycars, and, in 1824, negotiations took place for the concIusion of a
Fishery Convention.
73. The diplornatic correspondence betweeri the two Governrrients
during this period relates to questions concernirig fisheries, and is
not directly concerned with the issue relating to sovereignty which
the Court is being asked to consider. The United Kingdom Govern-
ment will, howevcr, refer to two documents belongiiig to the period
in question.
74. 011 tlie 12th June, 1820, the French Anibassador, Count de
,Caraman, addressecl a Note to thc British Foreign Secretary, 'Lord
Castlereagh, in which he referred to previous complaints (regarding
violations of French territory committed by British fisherinen) made
by the French Government to the Unitcd Kingdom Governnient,
and attached copies of several letters, together with two charts2,
from the French bfinister of Marine to the French B'linisterof Foreign
Affairs. These letters give details of the violations, and the first of
them, dated the 14th Scptember, 181g3, contains proposals for
delimiting the areas within ivhich the fishermen of each country
ivould be entitled to the excliisive right of fishery.
75. The relevance of the proposals referred to in the preceding
paragraph is to be foiind in the fact that they recognize the existence
"de ce qu'on appellc ??terterritoriale" (the two latter words being
underlined in the text), derived from the sovereignty of tlie littoral
state. &Ioreover, the blinquiers are separately named as belonging
to the United Kingdom in the following terms :
"V.E. trouvera ci-joint des copies de ces tracés,Ia couleur bleue
indique l'étenduede la mer Territoriale pourlaFrance et la Couleur
rouge l'étendue de cette Mer pour les Iles d'Aurigny, de Cers
[Sark], de Jersey et des Minquiers possédéespar l'Angleterreu.
'It wiJlbe seen from the tcxt of the letter dated the 14th Septeniber,
1819 3, that, while the French Government recognizecl that the
sovereignty of the littoral state estended over the adjacent waters,
they did not hold at the period in question the view that in al1
circumstances the limits of such territorial waters were three rniles
from low-water mark. They therefore proposed that, to meet the
special circiimstances then existing in the areas between the Channel
lslands and France, the two Governments should agree to a mari-
time belt of six miles round their respective coasts. The effect of
this proposa1 in regard to the Ecréhous was that, unlike thc Min-
quiers, they were treated as belonging to nobocly, and therefore
carried no maritime belt of their own. They fall for the inost part
ivithin the British maritime belt of six miles rouncl Jersey, and out-
side the Frencli maritime belt. The proposa1 that the British mari-
Sec Annex A24.
Sec AnnexesS 4 and 135.
Sce Annex A25.time belt should be drawn round the Minquiers is in accordance
with the statement contained in the letter dated the 14th Septem-
ber, 1819, that the Minquiers were possessed by England. The
United Kingdom Government will discuss in Part III of this RZemo-
rial the relevance of these proposals of the French Government to
the issue of sovereignty (seeparagraphs 210 to 213 inclusive, below).
76. The United Kingdom Government appear to have made no
irnmediatereply to the French proposals referred to in the preceding
t\+o paragraphs. In 1823, however, further negotiations were beguii
and in that year a conference took place in Granville, which \!-as
continued in London iii 1824. AS a result of these discussions a
draft Fishery-Convention was drawn up, the English text of which
)vas agreed in September, 1824, between the Prince de Polignac,
the French Ambassador, and Jfr. Henry Hobhouse, Permanent
Under-Secretary of State for the British Home Department l.
The basis ofthe proposed Convention tvasthe reciprocalrecognitioii,
laid down in Article I, by the two Governments "as inherent iii
the territorial Sovereignty of each State, [of] the exclusive Right
of fishing within the Distance of one Marine Leagueor the tn~eiitieth
part of a Degree from the Shore along the Coasts of their respective
Possessions in Europe". In the case of fishing for oysters, mussels
and other shell-fish, it was proposed that each High Contractiiig
Party should recognize the other as being entitled to the right of
fishery in certain additional areas beyond the three-mile limit
measured from low-water mark (Article 1).Article 2 of this draft
Convention sets out the li~nits of the French shell-fish fisheries.
The approsimate position of this line has been plotted by the
British Adniiralty on British Admiralty cliart No. 2669 Article 3
of the draft gives tlie limits of the United Kingdom shell-fiçh
fishery (also plotted on the chart above mentioned).
77. Neither the Ecréhous iior the Minquiers are referred to in
the 1824 draft Convention. The United Kingdom Goveriiment
tvill, however, discuss in Part III of this Rlemorial the relevance
of the draft Convention tothe issue of sovereignty beforc the Court
(sec paragraphs 214 and 215, beiow) .
78. The draft Convention discussed in the precediiig paragraphs .
\vas never sig~led,because the United Kingdom Governnieiit tvere
riot prepared to agree that it should apply generalIy to al1fisheries
on the coasts of the two countries, a point on which the French
Ambassador refused to give way. hleanwhile, provisional arrange-
ments had been concluded locally, pending the conclusion of a
Conventioii. These gave the French exclusive oyster fishing rights
within six miles of their coastline in the disputed area. They were,
' Letter datedthe 9thSeptember, 1824,fromJlr.Hobhouse to Rlr. Planta of
tlie British Foreign OfS.c Annex A 26.
Sec Annex B6.6. 1IEXIORIAL OF THE UNITED RINGDO31 (3 III j2) 53
as Lord Palmerston ivrote later, "purely temporarp and informal",
and rested "upon no forma1 convention or recorded agreement
between the two Governments", but were "rnerely a temporary
arrangement between two lieutenants of the respective navies on
the spot ; for the supposed convenience of the parties, and until
the two Governments should corne to a final settleme~it of the
inatter" 1. These provisional arrangements reached in 1824 did
iiot put an end to the disputes between the fishermen of the two
couritricsOn tlie one hand, the United Kingdoni fishermen objected
to these provisional arrangements on tlie ground that they were un-
diily urifavourable to them, and, or1the other, the French fishcrmen
complained of violations by United Kingdorn fishermen of French
fishing areas. M'hilethe disputes were not corifiiiedto areas between.
the Chaiinel Islands and the coast of the French insinland, it was
in these areas that they werc ~nost frecluent anci serious. The
Governnient of the United Kingdom accordingly proposed to the
French Government in 1836 that n Miued Coinniission should be
appointed to examine the conditions on the spot and to hear the
coinplaints of the fishermeri of both countries with the object of
agreeing on yrciposals for a settlement of the problem.
Sub-Section B.-International Agreements
79. 1111837 a Mixed Commissioii was :ippoiiited hy the Frerich
ancl British Governments to consider cornplaints on the part of
French fisherrneii against the English, cspecially in regard to the
dredgiiig for oysters off the French coast :and to dcfine the lirnits
withiir which the nationals of thc two countries should be at
liberty to fish for oÿsters between Jersey and the neighbouring
coast of France. In 1839 a Convention was drawn iip basecl on
the recommenclations of the Commission. The opportunity was
taken at the same time, as explained in the preamble to the Conven-
tion, "to define and regulate the lirnits ivithi~i \\.hich the general
right of fishery on all parts of thc coasts of the two couritries shall
be excliisively reserved to the subjects of 'France and of Great.
Britain respectively". The purpose of the Convention, therefore,
was to define and regulate the limits of the exclusive right of the
oyster and other fishery on the coasts of Great Britain and France.
The United Kingdom Government will submit in Part III of this
Jfemorial their contentions regarding the relevnnce of this Conveii-
tion to the issue of sovereignty (see paragraphs 216 and 217,
helow). '
Bo. By Article Iit was agreed that the liries drawii on the chart
aiiiiexcd to this Convention urould be acknowledged as defiiiing
l Lcttcrof Lord Palmerston to Lord Granville, thcn British -Xn~bassadi>rin
I"aris,of the 29th Rla1837 :Foreign Office Papers, 271535. .!:
Sec Annex A 27.The chart accompnnying thc Convention isat Annex'7.54 MEMORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III 52)
the limits bctween which and the French shore the oyster fishery
should be reserved exclusively to French subjects. By Article 2
of the Convention it was declared that the oyster fishery within
three miles of the Island of Jersey, calculated from low-water
mark, should be reserved cxclusively to British subjects. By
Article 3, it was further declared that the oyster fishery outside
of the limits withi~i which that fishery was exclusively rescrved to
British and French subjects respectively should be comrnon to the
subjects of both countries. Article 9 then yrovided that the subjects
of Her Britannic blajesty should enjoy the exclusive right of fishery
within the distance of three miles from low-water mark along the
whole extent of the coasts of the British Islands ; and that the
subjects of the King of the French should enjoy the exclusive right
of fishery within the distance of three miles from low-water mark
along the ~~rholeentent of the coasts of France ;it being understood
that upon that part of the coast of France which was situated
hetweeil Cap Carteretand Point du Menga French subjects should
enjoy the exclusive right of al1 kinds of fishery within tlie lirnits
assigned in Article r for the French oyster fishery. It was further
agreed that the distance of three miles fixed as the general limit
for the exclusive right of fishery upon the coasts of the two ccuntries
should, with respect to hays, the mouths of which did not exceecl
ten miles in width, be measured from a straight line drawii from
headland to headlancl. Lastly, it was agreed in Article 11 that a
Commission should be set up by the High Contracting Parties.
This Commission was to "prepare a set of regulations for the
guidance of the fishermen of the two countries, in the scas above-
mentioned", and to subrnit them to the two Governments "for
apyroval aiid confirmation".
81.On the 24th May, 1843, Regulations drawn up pursuant
to Article II of the 1839 Convention were signed on behalf of the
British and French Governments. By Article 1 it was agreed that
British and French subjects fishing in the seas lying between the
coasts of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and
those of the Kingdom of France should conform to the Regirlations,
wliich inter alia provided that :
"The Limits within which the general Right of Fishery is
exclusively reserved to the Subjects of the Two Kingdoms respect-
ively are fixed (with the Exception of those in GranvilIe Bay)at
Three hliles Distance from Low-water Mark"(Article II) ;
"The Commanders of Cruisers of both Countries shall exercise
their Judgment as to the Causes of any Transgressions committed
by British or French Fishing Boats i~i the Seas where the said
Boats have the Right to fish in common ...."(Article LXV) ;and :
registratiooffishing boats&c. containcd provisforthe rcgulatiooifishingtie
* Regulatio?zfor the Guidance of the Fishevmen of GrBvitniiz aof Fvatzce,
6.c:Statut8sAt Lavge (1842-3x,xiv. 863-70. 3IE3IORIAL OF THE USITED KINGDOJI (3 III 52) . j5
"The Fishing Boats of tlie otie Country shall not aliproach
nearer to any Part of the Coasts of the other Country ttinn the
Limit of Thrcc Miles, specified in Article IX. [i.e.,g] of the Con-
ventioii [of 18391" (Article LXXXV).
Thcse Rcgulations and the Convention itself were carrietl iiito
effect on the British side by ;in Act of Parliament I, Section XVlll
of which ciiacted that the ivords " Britislt Vessel" should l~ccon-
struecl to inean any British or Irish fishing vesse1 or frshing'boat
belongiiig toany of the Islands of Giieriisey, Jersey, Sark, Alclcri~ey,
or ?dan, or any Island thereunto belonging.
82. Ti1 1867a new Fisherv Convention Iras concluded hetwcen
Great Britain and France, khich, although subsequently ratified,
\vas never brought into operation. Article I of the Conventici~i
yrovided that the exclusive right nf fishcry should 11eeiljnycti hy
British aiid French subjects respectively over the samc ni-cas as
\iras laid clowii in Article 9 of the 1839 Coriventiori, nainely, loithin
a clistance of thrce milcs fro1-nlow-water mark, except iii regard to
the part of thc coast of France which lies betweeri Cap Carferet
and lsoi?tledzt :Merzga,that is, the area lying to the east of the line
drawn on the chart annesed to the Convention. This line \vas
identical with that shewn on the chart anilescd to the 1839 2011-
v-ention. 13y Article 3s it was declarcd that :
"Thc terms 'Britisli Islüiidç' aiid 'Uiiited Kingdom', employed iii
this Convcntiori, shall includc the Islands of Jersey, Cr~iernsey,
Alderncy, Sark, aiid Man, with their cleperidencies".
83. On the 2nd Jai-iuary, 1559, a Co~i\~ention was signcclat I'nris
between the French Rlinister of thc Interior and representativt:~ of
the British Submarine Telcgraph Cornpaiiy, under the provisioiis of
which the Company was grantcti certain concessionary rights in
respect of stihmarine telegraph cables hetween France and England,
including one to be established at the request of the French Govenl-
ment betwecii France and the Channel Islands. This Conveniiori,
which was approved by a French Imperia1 Decree 5, has 110 con-
nexion with the Fishery Con\rentions referred to in the preccdi~lg
l Sliat of the ~2nd August, 1843 (6 & 7 Vict. Cap. 79) Statules al Large
(1842-3), xxxiv. 860-3.
' Sec Anriex A 28. 'rlictiart accompanying tlic Conventionisat rliincx138.
As regards the other Articles of this Convcntion, Artic2edefincd thc lirnits
ofthc I'rcnchcxcliisive fisheby reference to lines drawn onacliart. annexed to
the Convcntiori, wliich aere identical rvitli tliose dra~vn on the chart aiitoxcd
the 1639 Convention (see paragraphs 79 and 80. abovc). Article 3 extetidecl tbç
applicationof the Convention to the scas adjoining the coasts of Franceanilthe
United Kingdoni. Articles 4 to37 inclrisive provided for the practical app1ica:ion
of theConvention. and contained detailetl provisions for the regulation of fishing,
the registrationoffishing boats, &c. Articles 39 t42 inclusive containedformal
provisions.
Se2 Anncx A 29.
" Sce Annex :\ 29.56 . I\IEIlORIXL OF THE UNITED KISGDOII (3 111 52)
paragraphs of this Sub-Section. It is, however, considered appro-
priate to refer toit at this point in the Mernorial, because, as in the
case of Article 38 of the 1867 Convention l,referred to in the pre-
ceding paragraph, it contains in Article II (2) a reference to the
depenclencies of J'ersey, which treats them as British possessions.
The relevarit passage is as follows :
"La Compagnie seule aura le droit de relier la France auxdites.
îles Anglaisesde Jersey, Aldemey, Sark, et Guernesey, et autres
îles et ilots en dépendant,et s'engagà fairepasser par ces nouvelles
lignes toutes les dépèchesFrançaises qui lui seront remises.
"Le nombre de zones qui devra servir de base à l'établissement
de la taxe, des côtes de France aux îles Anglaises de Jersey,
Alderney, Sark, ct Guernesey, et aux îles ou ilots en dépendant,
est fisécomme suit pour chaque dépêche simple de quinze mots".
Sq. During thelatter part of the 19th century, and again in tlie
20th centiiry the French Go\-ernment asserted rights in respect of'
the Ecréhous aiid Minquiers on several occasions in consequence of
ineasures taken by the United ICir~gdomGovernment. In giving an
accouilt of this correspondence, the Government of the Uiiited
Kingdom \vil1 deal' separateiy with that relating to the Ecréhous.
group and that relating to the hIinquiers group of Islets.
Sub-Section C.-Diplornatic CorrespondenceRespecting the Ecréhous
35. ATreasury Warrant constituting Jersey a Port of the Chaiîilel
Islaiids )vas issued on the 9th October, 1875 2,under the authority
of tlie Customs Coi~soliclationAct, 1Sj3 3, This included thc follo\v-
irig passage "and \ve do hercby declare that the limits of the said
Port shall include the whole of the said Island together with the
rocks callcd the Ecrehou Rocks and shall extend seaward to a
distance of three iniles frorn low-water mark of the coast of the said
Island and three miles frorn low-water mark of the said Ecrehou
Rocks and sliall include al1Islandstogether with al1Bayç Harbours
Rivers aiid Crccks withiil the aforesaid limits". The Warrant led tu
a protcst dated the 27th Felxuary, 1876 frorn the Frerich Ambas-
sador in London, the Narquis d'Harcourt, to Lord Derby, the
British Foreign Secretary. The protest, which was based on tlie
Fishery Convention of 1839 5, was to the effect that the Trcasury
Warrant iinplied "itne dérogation formelle aux disyositioils de la
Convention des pêcherics, du z Août 1839, qui fixe a [sic] 3 milles
autour de l'ile de Jersey la limite de la mer territoriale Anglaise".
Lord Derby replied in a Note dated the 6th July, 1876, enclosing
1Scc ilnncz X28.
? See Annex A 30.
SecrlnnexcA.3 .p. 107.
Sce Anncx X 27.
Çce-4nnex A 32. i\IEMORIAL OF THE USlTED KIPIGDO3Z (3 III 5'2) 57
a B.Iemoranduml which hc clairiled constituted "undeniable evidance
that the Ecrehoti Rocks are British property as an uildoubted
dependency of the Island of Jersey". Xo ansttrer to thiç Note was
received from the French Government.
86. The next occasion on whiih the Ecréhous n-ere the çubjcct
of correspondence between the United Kingdom alid French Govern-
inents occiirred in 1883. Iri March of that year fishermen and laricl-
owners living on the east coast of Jersey sent a yetition to the
States of Jersey cornplaining of illcgal fishing activities at the
Ecréhous by French fishermen 2. On the basis' of information
received from the French Vice-Consul at Jersey, the French Ainbas-
sador, M. Tissot, addressecl a Note to the British Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs, Lord Granville, ori the 25th April, rSS3 3.In
that Note M. Tissot rcferred to a "projet de loi [of the States of
Jersey] tendant à interdire aux pêcheursFrançais l'acciiscicsEcre-
hous, groupe de rochers situéàdista~iceégalcde Jcrsey et du littoral
français" 4. M. Tissot went on to say : "Cette prétention ne sriurriit
êtreadmise par le gouvernenient de la République et, si les Etats
de Jersey votaient le projet de loi en seconde lecture, ce fait serait
contraire à un usage constant, recoiinu notamment dans la conven-
tion sur les pêcheriesde 1839 actuelleinent en vigueur entre les deux
pays".
87. M. Tissot then referrcd to the correspondence ivhich had
taken place in 1576 (see püragraph 85, above) aiid explainecl the
reason ~vhy the French Government had sent no reply to Lord
Derby's letter of the Gth July, 1576, in the folloning terms : "Le
Gouvernement français n'a pas jugé opportlin à cette époque
d'entamer une discussion sur ce point avec le gouvernement britan-
nique et il s'est maintenu daiis cette réserve jusqii'à présentd'autant
plus volontiers qu'eii fait nos pêcheursoiit continué à exercer Leur
industrie le long des Ecrehous sans rencontrer d'opposition de la
part de l'autorité britannique, ce qui perniet de supposer que les
arguments présentésdans le mémorandum cle 1876 pour revendiquer
la propriétéexclusive de cegroupe de rochers ne lui paraissaient pas
1 See Annex A 33. This hIemorandurn itsetwaç basecl upon the evidencc and
opinions oftheCommissioners of His Majesty's Custonis. and the Attorney-Gencral
of jerscy, BE. ee Annexes A 34. A 35and A 36.
See Annex A 37. The action takenby the Jersey autlioritiand tlie Uiiited
Xingdom Govcrnment in regard to tliis pctition is descriineparagraplis'47and
148,below.
See Annex A 38.
Thisstatement is in iact inaccurate in two resp:cts
(A) The Ecréhous are not cqually distant from Jcrsey and the Frencti cobut,
nearer to the former (sec paragrapj(c), above).
(b) There was no Projet dr Loiin the legislative sense suggested by hl. Tissot.
but only a petition prcsentedto the States of Jerseby the fisliermen and
landqwners ;and discussion in tlie States in which it was proposecl to pass
addrcsscd to Her Majcsty Queen Victoria. pctition othe tnattcrshoulctie I 5t3 11E~lORIAL OF THE UKlTED KlKCDOJl (3 II152)
sbsolumcnt pérenlptoires". 31.Tissot later proceeded to discuss in
detail with refererice to t1839 and 1867 Conventions the cluestioli
whether, on the proper construction of the 1839 Convention, the
Ecréhous shoulcl hc regarded as coinpriçed in the zone in which the
rights of fishing were tobe common to the subjects of both countrics,
and asked that the necessary rneasures should be taken "pour Le
maintien dc l'état de choses auquel la résolution prise par I'Asçcm-
bléede Jersey est de nature à porter iine grave atteinte".
88. The French Government did not in the Note referrcd to in
the preceding paragraph attempt to justify a French clsim to
sovereignty over the Ecréhous. 011 the contrary, as in 1820 (see
paragraph 75, above), they were Iierc arguing that the Ecrkhous
belonged to nobody, that is to say, that they were ras nz~lli~~s.
The French case \iras based on the words of Article 2 of the 1839
Convention, which defined the limits of the exclusive British
oyster fishcry as "ivithin three miles of the Island of Jersey",
whereas the Ecréhous are beyond that lirnit. 31.Tissot went on to
argue that if the three-mile limit, in respect of which British subjects'
had the esclusive right to oyster fishing, were drawrnround the
Ecréhous it "....supprimerait entièrement dans ces parages toute
mer commune enlre les eaux anglaises et françaises, alors que
l'article 3 de la mêmeconvention parle d'une mer commune situiic
entre les limites des dcux zones anglaisc et française, limites en
dedans desquelles la pêcheaux huîtres est exclusivemerit réservée
soit aux pgcheurs frayais, soit aux sujets britanniclues". This
statement was in fact inaccurate. The principal Islet in the Ecré-
hous group, Maître Ile, lies 7.3 sea-miles from Cap de Carteret
(çee sub-paragraph (c) of paragraph 5, above}, while the part of
the line marked 011the chart annexed tothe 1839 Convention which
runs opposite the Ecréhous, and defines the French fiçhery limits,
a is on the average, only two miles frorn the French coast. If the
British fishery limit wcre calculatedristhree miles from thc Maître
Ile, there ivould be 1.3sea-miles of waters in which the right of
fishery would be common to French and British nationals. Even if
the British three-mile limit had been calculated from the rock in
the Ecréhous pcrinanently above high \vater which is nearest to
the French mainlarid and irrhich lies 64 sea-miles south-west of
Cap de Cnrteret(see sub-paragraph (c) of paragraph 5, above), a
"common sea" of half a mile's breadth would nonetheless remain,
even at itç narrowest point. The question whether the Ecréhous
were com~-irisedin the area in which, under Article 3 of the 1839
Convention, the oyster fishery wüs common to both British and
French subjects, depended on their bei~igregarded as res nztlliz&s,
and on their not being regarded as British, since in the latter case,
as the United Kingdom Governme~it contended, the limits of the
exclusive British fishery would, as provided by Article 9 of the
1839 Convention, be three miles frorn low-water mark round the'
Ecréhous. 3IEAIORIAI. OF THE UNITIEI) KINGUO3l (3 III 52) 39,
89. In a second Note dated the 26th May, 1883 l Pif.Tissot
referred to his previous letter of the 25th hpril, 1883 (see paragraph
56, above) as having drawn attention to "le caractère illbgal d'une
mesure [the supposed Projet de Loi] qui ne tendait A rien moins
clu'à méconnaître la iieutralité de ces îlots, implicitement consacrée
par les conventions [i.e., o1839 and 18671 conclues entre la France
et l'AngleterreJJ. He \vent on to appeaI to "l'esprit de justice dont
s'est montré animéle gouvernement de la Reine [Irictoria] lorsclu'il
s'est refusé à plusieurs reprises, dans le cours de ces deriiières
années, et notamment en 1881, à préter son appui aux tentatives
faites par les habitants de Jersey depuis 1857, pour modifier à
leur profit le slatzc qtro sanctionné par le droit conventionnel" 2.
go. Lord Granville replied to M. Waddington on behdf of the
Unitcd Kingdoin Government in a Note dated the 24th October,
z8S3 S. In referriiig to the allegation that the Ecréhous twre res
.nzdEius,he pointed out that this \vas the firsttime that such a
proposition had been put fortvard, and that it had "no foundation
in any Convention or correspondencc between the two Govern-
ments", and went on to say :
".Ican hardly believe, M.l'Ambassadeiir, that M.Tissot intended
seriously to cal1in question the right of the British Crown to the
sovereignty of the Ecréhos.Those islets have always becn treztted
as a dependency of Jersey ; the soi1belongs entirely to Jerçeymen
-chiefly fisherrnen who have dwellings and own small tracts of
land there-and the islets for administrative purpçes form part
of the Parish of St. Martin's, in the Island of Jersey.
"Moreover, when, in October 1875 ,s stated by M. Tissot, the
Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury issued an Order
constituting the Island of Jersey a Channel port, and nientioning
the Ecréhosas being included in the limits of that port, the 13arl
of Derby, then Secrctary of State for this Department, in rt:ply
to a reyresentation from the French Ambaçsador on this subject,
and after consultation with the Law Advisers of the Cro\vn,
furnished his Excdlency ~5th a çtatement of facts which, in the
view of Her blajesty's Govemment, presented co~~clusive evidence
of the title of the British Crown to the Ecréhos as dependencieç
Sec Annex A 39.
It would appear tliat thcre had been some fishing by Frenchnicn off the
Ecrbhous from tirne to time in previous ycars, and that the lslets wcre also iised
by both Britishand Frencli smuggfers. The British Foreign Office, however, recom-
mended in 1632 that drastic action to cnforce thc Fishery Kegulations in relation
to the Ecréhous should not be taken. ththernattcr ivas not of such consequence
as tojustify addressing Sote to the French Government,and that the esisting
statc of affairs \vas to Lielcft undistapart from any steps wliich it inibet
necessary to takc to protect the revenue in the Channel IsThe Jersey author-
offtlie I<créhous, not satisfied with thc ncgativc attadoptcd by the IJniteden-
Kingdom Governmcnt, and the States of Jerscy, theredecided to takc the inatter
up with the authoritiein 1,ondonIt isto these incidents that the passage quoted
froni M. Tissot's letter no doubt refers.
a Sec Annex A 40. BIEhIORIAL OF THE UlriITED KISGDOAl (3 III52)
60
of Jersey, and those statements the French Governmcnt did not
attempt to controvert l.
"Her Majesty's Government, therefore, do not consider it
necessary to discuss the question of the sovereignty of Great
Britain over those islets ; and the only question which arises is
whether, the Ecréhosbeing British territory, French fishennen are
entitled,under the terrns of the Convention of 1839, to participate
either in the oyster fishery'or in the general fisherywithiii 3 miles
of those islets",
91. The Note then proceeds to discuss at some length the prolier
construction of the 1839 Convention, read in conjunctioii with
the 1867 Convention, with rcference to the French claim that
French fisherinen ivere "entitled, under the tcrms of the Convention
of 1839, to participate either in the oyster fishery or in the gencral
lishery within 3 miles of thosc isIets". In regard to the general
right of fisliery, Lord Granville concludes the.Note by stating : "AS
regards the right ofgeneral fishcry within 3 miles of the Ecréhos,
Her Majesty's Government considcr that the terrns of Article IX
[i.e.,g] of the Convention of 1839 and of the Fishery Kegulations
[i.e.of 18431 above referred to, admit of no doubt as to its being
reserved exc~usivelp to British subjects. The claim of French
fishermen to participate in it apyears to put in question the sover-
eignty of Great Britain over those islets, and 1 trust, therefore,
M. l'Ambassüdeur, that your Government will' sppreciate the .
difficuity felt by Her Majesty's Government in making any conces-
sion on this point consistently with the territorial rights of this
country".
92. The French Goverilment eventually replied to Lord Graii-
ville's Note of the 24th October, 1883 (see paragraph go, above)
in a Note dated the 15th Ilecember, 1886, from M. Waddingtoii,
French Ambassador in London to Lord Iddesleigh, the British
Foreign Secretary In this Note, M. Waddington first states that
the French Government had postponed their reply to the arguments
1See paragraph 85. above.
Articlg of therS3g Convention reads as follow:
"The subjects of His nlajesty the King of the French shall enjoy the exclusive
right of fishery within the distance of three miles from low-water mark, along
the wholc extent of the coasts of France, and the subjects of Her Britanniclr
Majesty shall enjoy the exclusive right of fishery ~vithin the distance of thrce
miles from low-watemark, along the wholeextent of the coasts of the British
Islands.
"It being undcrstoodthat upon that partof the coast of France ahich lies
exclusiverightoftal1kinds of fishery within the limits assigned in first article
of this Convention for the french oyster fishery.
"It is equallagreed that the distance of three miles fixasthe general
limit for the exclusive right of fishery upon the coasts of the two countries,
shall,with respect to bays, the moutlis of which do not cxcced ten miles in
width, be measured from astraight line drawn from headland to headlsnd."
See Annex A 41. BIERIORTAJ, OF THE UNITED KINGDOLI (3 II1 52) 61
contained in the hleinorandum enclosed with Lord Derby's Note
of the 6th July, 1876 (see paragraph 85, above), in order that the
United Kingdom's contentions might be studied by a Committee
of Specialists appointed by the French Governrnent, and that the
Committee had submitted a Report to the French Ministry of
Foreign Affairs l.The Note then proceeds to contend, on the basis
of the arguments in the Report relating to the rights of fishery,
that French nationds have the right to fish around the Ecréhous
Islets, and that this would be the case "lors mêmeque les titres
les plus légitimes de la France à posséder les Ecrhhous ne seraient
pas désormais établis". M. IVaddington, having cxpresscd the hope
of the French Government that the United Kingdom Govern~iietlt
would recognize the validity of the conclusions submitted in the
Report, goes on to say :
"L'administration française en exposant ainsi les titres qui lui
permettraient d'établir son autorité sur les Ecréhous ne nourrit
aucune viséede nature à inquiéter le Gouvernernent de la Reine.
Pour le prouver, je suis autorisé A déclarer que nous ne ferions
pas d'opposition à ce que ces ilôts [sic] fussent neutralisés au
point de vue militaire, et nous prendrions volontiers a cet égard
tous les engagements les plus propres à écarter les malentendus."
According to the information available to the Government of the
United Kingdom, this was the first time that the French Govern-
ment claimed sovereignty over the Ecréhous. In its previous com-
munications the French Government had contendcd that the Ecré-
hous belonged to nobody (see paragraphs 75, 88 and 89, above).
93. The United Kingdom Governmcnt subseqtlently replied to
M. Waddington's Note of the 15th December, 1886 (see paragraph
92, above), in a Note a dated the 27th October, 1887, addressecl by
Lord Salisbury the British Foreign Secretary, to Count d'Aubigny,
the French Chargé d'Affaires. Lord Salisbury first addressed him-
self to the question of sovereignty in the following terms :
"As regards the first point, 1 would begin by observing that
H.M1sGov' were unprepared to Iearn, especially after the corre-
spondence which ha taken place upon the subject, that the
French Gov' seriously dispute at the present day the Sovereign
Rights of Great Hritain over the Ecréhos.
"The question wnç rnooted in 1876in connection with a Treasury
Order relating to Jersey and its Dependencies, and in reply -toa-
Note of the 27t! ofFeb. of that year from the Marquis d'Hu-
court, at that time French Ambassador at this Court, a Memloran-
dum] : was communicated to H[is]. E[xceliency]. establishing
beyond any possibility of doubt the title of Great Britain to the
Ecréhos".
A copy of this Repcirwas cncloscd &itli the NotSce Annex A 42. The
contentionscontained inthisReport arc cliscussinl'art1iIof this Mernorial.
SecAnnex A 43.
562 MEMORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III 52)
94. Lord Salisbury then drew attention to a dispatch datecl the
26th March, 1884, which had been addressed by an officia1 of the
French Government, M. Billot, to the French Minister of Marine,
M.Peyron, and another dispatch of the same date addressecl by the
latter tothe PréfetMariti?iteat Brest '.The dispatch of M. Billot
contains a statement relevant to the question of sovereignty, which
isas follows :
"Quant à la pêchegénérale,les limites en sont régléespar
l'article g de la mêmeconvention, d'après laquelle les pêcheurs.
de la laise[sic] de basse mer, le long de toute l'étendue descôtes.
des îles anglaises, et vous savez, que le gouvernement angii'a
cessédc revendiquer les Ecrehous comme une dépendancede ces.
iles. Dans l'état laquestion, et pour prevenir tout conflit, vous
jugerez sans doute utile d'interdire I'accésdes Ecrehou?t nos,
s'ils ne tenaient pas compte de cetdéfense".ls ils s'ex oseraient
t
is made in the
96. The French Government replied to Lord Salisbury' Note of.
the 27th October, 1887 (see paragraph93, above) in a fur er Notc
dated the 26th January, 18883, from M. Waddington to Lord.
Salisbury had, in his last Note, replied to therench co tentions.
in a general manner, as if they were only of acadernic interest,
stated that he had been instructed to maintain the as rtion of'
French sovcreignty over the Ecréhous. He then replied to he argu--
ment made by Lord Salisbury thatthe Memorandum encl sed with.
Lord Derby's Note of the 6th July, 1876 (çee paragraph 8 , above)'
had for many years gone unanswered by saying that thequestion
of sovereignty was "de la médiocre urgence," and to th further.
argument based on the dispatches of the Ministries of ioreign
in Paris to the Foreign Ofice in London.
cuaSeeAnncxtA 48. thhlemorial. 3IEAIOR1AL OP THE UKITED KIXGDOJI (3 III 52) 63
-4ffairs and Marine of the 26th March, 1884 (see paragraph 94,
abovc) by saying that :
"l'intention du Gouvernement français n'était que d'empêcher
provisoirement 'dans létat[sic] de la question' nos pêcheursde
fréquenter les Ecrehous et d'y pécher des poissons ou des
crustacés. Nous tenions, par cette précaution, Aécarter toute
cause de conflit entre les pêcheursdes deux pays et il ne parait
[sicp]as admissible qu'on puisse tirer parti contre nous, à titre
définitif, d'une rnesure qui n*'avaitqu'un caracthe provisoire
et qui prouve précisémentl'esprit coriciliant dans lequel nous
avons toujours entendu suivre ces pourparlers".
The rernainder of the Nota deals with the question of fishing
rights, and concludcs as follows :
"En communiquant ces observations à Votre Seigneurie je
crois devoir La prier de vouloir bien soumettre toute l'affaire
des Ecrehous à un nouvel examen et je Lui serais obligé de
m'adresser une réponsedès qu'il Lui sera possible, principale-
ment en ce qui concerne la question des pêcheriesdont Ie
rkglement présente un intérêtplus immédiat".
97. Lord Salisbury replied- in a Note dated the 3rd February,
1888 ,o JI. Waddington's Note of the 26th January, 1888, referred
to in the yreceding paragraph. In his Note, Lord Salisbury stated
that the statements contained in M. Waddiiigton's Note would
reccive the attentive consideration of Wcr Alajesty's Government,
and that a further cornmunicatioii would be addressed to M. Wad-
ciington upon the subjcct. The questio~i of whst should be said in
this further communication was discussed between the British Home
Office and Foreign Office. It was eventually decitled that nothing
could usefully be added to the arguments put fonvard in Lord
Salisbury's Note to Count d'bubigny of the 27th October, 1887
(see paragraph 93, above).
98. No evidence has been found in thc archives of the British
Foreign Office that the French Government again asserted a claim
to sovereignty over the Ecréhous, aithough Lord Salisbury, in his
Note to JI. Waddington dated the zrst November, 1888, on the
subject of the RIinquiers (see paragraph 102, below), mentioned
them together with the Minquiers as being British. ,
Sub-Section D.- Diplomatic CorrespondenceRespecting
the Minquiers
-- ---" .
99. In November, 1869, the United Kingdom Board of Trade
received a complaint made by certain fishermen of the parishes of
' SeeAnnex A 54.
* SeeAnnex A 50. hlEMOR1AL OF THE USITED KIKGDOAI (3 III 52)
stated :
"....It appears tlist the Jersey fisherm
resorting to a range of Kocks and shallow
these poor fishcrmen have long
of shelter when unable to return home,
tliat their hard earned livelihood is se
depredatioiis on the part of the Fren
profit by the labour of their Neighbours".
-
xoo. Couiit Daru,of the French afini
replied to the Note referred to in the pr
Note2 dated the 11th hlarch, 1870, in
been impossible to trace any Frcilch national \vho had
cated in the alleged tliefts. -4lthough t
French fishermen were responsible in an
that wrarnjngs had been issued to pre
any interference in the future by French fishermen
of the Jersey fishermen who resorted to the Nin
Note there is no suggestion on the part
that the Minquiers were iiot British t
made to them by the French Government.
101. In May, 1888, it appears that
visited Maîtresse Ile,and placed a trian
of the Islet and also some posts on 0th
marked two other Islets with white-w
same year it seems that the Cornmitte
States of Jersey paid an ofliciai visit to the Minquiers, w
4 llEhIORIAI,OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 11152) 65
rise to a protest on the part of thc French Govemment contained
in a Note dated the 27th August, 1888,addressed by M.Waddington
to Lord Salisbury l.The former stated that the Minquiers were
"un groupe d'ilôts[sic] qui fait incontestablerneiit partie de notre
domaine maritime". He then referred to the various works carried
out during thc preceding thirty years by the French authorities
on these rocks, which he claimed were administered by the engineer
of the port of C;raiiville. He mentioned in particular a floating light,
which had been maintained sincc 1861 ,nd a buoy placed in 1883,
and claimed that "ces actes de souveraineté n'ont provoqué et ne
pouvaient provocluer aucune observation de la part du Gouverne-
ment de la Reine [Victoria]". M. Waddington concluded hy alluding
to the need to provide for the safety of ships inthe waters adjacent
to the Dliiiquiers, aiid requestcd the United Kingdom Government
to recognize thc validity of the French claims.
102. The United Kingdom replicù to the Note referred to in the
preceding paragraph in a Note dated the 21st November, 1888,
seiit by Lord Salisbury to Al.\Ynddingtoii 2.Lord Salisbury begins
by discussing the particular argumerits iii favour of French sover-
eig~lty in the fi,llowiiig terms:
"That daim was stated to bc founded on the foiiowingfacts :-
1st T'plateau';nquiers arc ricontinuation of the Chaussey[sic]
2?<1 That a hydrographical survey of these Rocks was made
by French officers about 30 years ago ;
3':lr that, in 1861, the French Government pIaced a floating
Lightship (which they have since maintained) at a point
south-west of the Minquiers 'plateau' ; and
4tl:lthnt, in 1883, they placed a Buoy (which they have also
since rnaintained) off the south-east coast of these Rocks.
"Your Escellency then yroceeds to inform me that the French
Government consider that thcse proceedings on their part con-
stitute acts of sovereignty, and that the circurnstance that they
have never called forth any remonstrance on the part of Her
hIajesty's Government, whilst the position of the french[sz'c]floating
lightshi~iis laid down on thc English Admiralty Charts, tends to
strengthen their claim.
"With regard to the 16: point, 1 would beg permission to cal1
Your Excellency's attention to the Fishery Conventions concluded
between the two countnes on the 2. August 1839 and the
11th Novembcr 1SG7, and especially to the AIaps which were
anneved to each of them, and upon which a red line was drawn,
defining the limits between certain fixed points and the French
shore within which the oyster fishery was to be reserved excIusively
to french[sic] subjects,
"On reference to these hlaps it wiiibe seen that the Minquiers
group, so far frorn having been marked thereupon as acontinuation
'Sce Annex .-\ 53.
a Sec Anncx A 54. of the Chaussey[sic] group, which u
France, was distinctly scvered from the
which separated the two grouys of Islan
- outsidc the waters which were reserve
of French fishennen.
"By Art IX [Le.,g] of the Conventi
subjects of Her Britannic RIajesty \ver
to enjoy the exclusiveright of fishery within the dista
from low-water mark, along the whole
'British Islands', the snme right bei
fishern~en to exclusive fishery withi
extent oftliccoast of Francc ;and bp
of the 11th November 1867 the sa
granted to British and French fishe
explained, in the 38th article, th
employecl in the Convention should incl
Gucrnscy, Alderney, Sark and Man, '
which expression could only have
of those Channel Islands, whic
name in the Treaty, such as the
"With regard to the zt!tpoint,
by a French Naval officer some 30 years ago, 1 may be permitted
to rernind Your Excellency that thesc rocks were first sucveyed
whoa onrithe samc occasion madeptaia survey of the Frencl:: [? 18131,
coast in
the neighbourhood? including the Bay of Saint-AIalc, so that
manifestly no daim to sovereignty could be based rnerely on
this ground.
"As regards the 3rd point, namely the placing of a fioating
Lightship by the Frencli authorities at a point South- est of the
Minquiers rocks, and of a Huoy off the South-East Co
security of navigation, çuch proceedings cannot, in
of Her Majesty's Government, be cited as proofs of sovereignty
over the rocks themselves, for it is not denicd that Bri'ish fisher-
men, and more yarticularly Fishermen from the Eastern and
Southern coasts of the Island of Jersey, have from time irlrnemorial
resorted to the filinqiiiers Rocks to pursue their avocations, and
that they have erected huts on thoçe rocks, in lvhich they have
been in the habit of rcsiding during the summer months, without
any rcmonstrance either on the part of the French Government
or on that of the French fishermen".
103. The Note then proceeded to set out "a few histoiical facts
in support of the British Claim to sovereignty over the: e Islets",
and then referred to 31. \ITacidi~igton'sstatemeiit that t'le French
right of sovereignty o\..erthe Minquiers had never b$forc been
called into question, and drew attention to the Note adc.resscd by
MT. L. S. West to the Prince de la Tour d'Auvergne, or. the 21th
November, 1869 (sec paragralih 99, above), iii which the hli~icluicrs
1The Note iserroneous in citing Article 37 of tlie Conventioof 1867 as
defining tlie Iimofsexclusive fishery assigned to the fishers of ejfierry.
These limitare in actual fact lclown in the first ~iaragrofArt cle1. MEMORIAL OF THE UNITED KIKGDOM (3 III52) 67
were described as a "dependency of the Channel Islands", and to
the fact that the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in its ri:ply
dated the 11th March, 1870 (see paragraph 100, above), did not
.deny that the Minquiers IsIets were British, and "çtated that steps
would be taken to prevent the recurrence of such proceeclings [:i.e.,
depredations of French fishermen at the hlinquiers]". He concIuded
by stating that, in vicw of the reasons he had adduced, the United
Xingdom Government were confident that the French Governrrient
\vould "admit that the right of Sovereignty of the British Cromn
over the Minquiers Group of Islets can no longer be considered
open to doubt".
104. No reply to Lord Salisbury's Note referred to inthe precetling
tïvo paragraphs was received by the United Kingdom Government,
and the latter therefore considered that their clairn to sovereign ty
had been admitted. On the 26th November, 1902, however, the
French Embassy in London communicated an Aide-Ménzo,ir c
to the British Foreign Office on the subject of the erection of a
flagstaff on the Rlaîtresse Ile 2.The Aide-Mémoirestated that the
Conzmandant de la Station de Granville had reported in 1897 that
the British flag was sometimes flown on the Minquiers Islets, but
that, although from the French point of view these Islets "ont
toujours étéconsiderées comme dépendant des Chausey, et par .
suite, du territoire français ....Toutefois le Gouvernement dc la
République décidade ne faire aucune autre démarche à ce sujet;'
l'incident dont il s'agit ne semblant êtrele fait que de quelques
pécheurs[sic] isolés".The Aide-Mémoirethen stated thatthe recent
hoisting of the flagappeared to be in the nature of an officia1act
and concluded as follows :
"L'Ambass?deur de France croit devoir appeler l'attention du
Secrétaired'Etat pour les Affaires Etrangères sur cette nouvelle
. manifestation et surla question que soulèveraitilne sorte de prise
de possession $un groupe d'ilotsjsic] dont la souveraineté n'a
jamais étéreconnue au Gouvernement Britannique par le Gou-
vernement Français".
105. On the 3rd December, 1902, Lord Lansdowne, the British
Foreign Secretary, replied to the French Aide-Méwioire in a letter
to 31. Cambon, the French Ambassador, pointing out that a Note
dealing with the case in question was addressed to M. Waddington
by Lord Salisbury on the z~st Kovember, 1888, to which an answer
had not been received, and stating that on the grounds set forth
iii Lord Salisbury's Note (see paragraphs ~oa and 103,above) His
Majesty's Government considered these Isletsto be unquestionably
British.
See AnnexA 55.
See AnnexA 56.was no doubt that referred to in paragraph 165(b), belorv.68 NEMORIAL OF THE UNITED KINDGOM (3 III51
106. On the 28th February, 1903, Sir Edmund Ili
British Ambassador in Paris, sent to the British Foreigi
announcement which had appeared in Le Temps of Pari
previously, to the effect that the Ad?ninistration de:
Chaussées had decided to erect a lighthouse on the 1
In consequence, Sir E. Monçon, on the instructions of 1
downe 2, dated the 25th March, 1903, addressed :
M. Delcassé, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, i
asked for an assurance that there was no intention on the
French Government to erect the lighthouse in ques
Dispatch of the 19th April, 1903 ,he British Ambassad
nicated a French reply, dated the 17th April, 1903~ ; 1
Governme~it stated :
"De l'enquêteque j'ai poursuivie auprès des adm
compétentes, ilrésulte qu'iln'existe aucun projet de c
et que seule la modification du feu des îles Chausse:
donner naissance à cette fausse nouvelle".
107. While in Paris the French Government, in the
the 17th Aprii, 1903, made no claim to sovereignty
Minquiers, M. Geoffray, the French Chargé d'Affaires, CE
Foreign Office on the 20th April, 1903, and stated witl
to reports in the French press that the British Aaghad bi
on the Minquiers, that the French Government "WOU
to be in a position to state that no steps had been or
taken by us [the United Kingdom Government] to alter't
situation". Sir Thomas Sanderson, Permanent Under-SI
State for Foreign Affairs, inforrned M. Geoffray that ht
that the British Aag had recently been re-hoisted there'
it was not "a new departure", and that the United
Government "regarded the islets as incontestably Briti:
108.On the 27th April, 1903, M. Cambon, the Fren
sador, discussed the question of the Minquiers withLord 1
and reiterated the contentions of the French Government
of their claim to sovereignty over these Islets M. Can
ever, summed up this conversation by saying that, in h
view, the Minquiers really belonged to no one in particu
did not see why it should not be agreed that they sh
regarded by Great Britain and France. If so, there m
l See Annex A 57.
"ee Annex A 58. This reprintthe instructionof Lord Lansdaivne, dated
the 25thMarch, 1903. The Note addréssed bythe British A4rnbassadore French
Foreign Office has been destroyed.
a See Annex A 59.
See Anncx A 59.
5 The Foreign Officeecord of the conversatiobctwcen AI. GeciAray ancl Slr
Thomas Sanderson and a later written reply to him are contaiindnnex A 60.
The Foreign Office recorofthis conversatioiscontained ina dispatchof
the ForeignOcce to the British AmbassadorinParis. See Annex A1:. MEMORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III 52) 69
understanding that any lights or beacons to be erected on or near
the Minquiers should be at the common expense of both Powers.
Lord Lansdow~ie unciertook to consider M. Cambon's statement,
but added that, as the Iatter u7asaware, the Minquiers were claimed
hy Great Britain.
109. A further conversation concerning the Minquiers took
.place bctween M. Carnbon and Lord Lansdowne on the 13th May,
19031, in urhich M. Cambon stated he was authorized to make
unofficially the suggestion that Great Britain and France should
agree that the Minquiers should be regarded as belonging neither
to Great Britain nor to France, but that these tu70 Powers should
assume responsibility for any expense which it might be necessary
to incur in buoying or beaconing the Minquiers. Lord Lansdowne
undcrtook to inform the British Home Officeand Admiralty of this
proposal.
110. On the 23rd June, 1903, the United Kingdom Governrrient
communicatcd an Aide-Mémoire to M. Cambon, in reply to the
proposa1 of the French Government referred to in the preceding
I
paragraph, in which the United Kingdom Government stated 1:hat
. they were unalile to admit that the British rights of ownership
over these Islets were open to question. This Aide-Mémoirerecited
briefly the reasons for this view and the grounds on lvhich the
United Kingdom Government clairned sovereignty over the
Minquiers. On the 15th July, 1903, M. Cambon communicated an
Aide-Mémoire to the British Foreign Office in repIy to its Aide-
Mémoireof the -3rd June, re-stating shortly the French contentions. .
On the 18th December, 1903, M. Cambon cornmitnicated another
Aide-Mëmoire to the British Foreign Office with reference to the
renewed hoisting of the British flag on Maitresse Ile, to which Lord
Lansdowne replied in an Aide-Mémoire dated the agrd December,
1903, stating that this practice had alwsys been customary.
111. M. Cambon cornmunicated a further Aide-Mémoire (dated
the 18th January, 1904) on the 20th January, 1904, in which he
stated that the French Government had always protested against
the United Kingdom claim to sovereignty over the Minquiers on
the ground that the 1839 Convention supported the French claim,
and that "les seuls travaux exécutésaux Minquiers pour l'usage des
navigateurs aient été effectuésaux frais du Gouvernementfrançais" 6.
--
1 The Foreign Office record of this conversis again coritaincd in a clispatch
of the Foreign Office to the British Ambassain Paris. Sec Annex 62.
Sec Annex A 63.
a SeeAnnex A 64.
See Annex A 65.
See Annex A 66.
See Annex A 67. M. Canibon would not appear to have bcen accuratelj7
informed, as no workof arikind hadbeen carried out btheFrench Governrnent
at theMinquiers, nor withinthethree milelimit froni tliose rocks. In fact, the7O MEhfORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III 52
Accordingly, M.Cambon renewed his protest at the hois ing of the
British flag on the Minquiers, but concluded by again :xpressing
the hope that "le Gouvernement britannique sera disposé, :nlaissant
de côtéla question de souveraineté, à examiner avec le ;ouverne-
ment français lessuggestions en vue d'un arrangement dei difficultés
actuellement soulevées qui étaient contenues dans s Note du
15 Juillet 1903" (see paragraph 110, above). On the 13th
uly, 1904,
M. Cambon called at the British Foreign Officeand mad represen-
tations about the renewed hoisting of the British flag oi Maîtresse
Ile on the 4th July, and informed Lord Lansdowne that M Delc;rssé,
the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, considered th; t in vieur
of the conclusion of the Anglo-French Agreements of the 3th April,
1904 2, the moment was opportune to settle the quest 3n of the
Iilinquiers.
112. The United Kingdom Government communicate L a Memo-
randum (dated the 17th August, 1go5), to hl. Cambon (i the 18th
August, 1905 3.This hlemorandum set out in some detail 1 le conten-
tions of the United Kingdom Government on the issui ~tf sover-
eignty based i.nterdia on the interpretation of the 183' and 1867
Conventions ; it also referred to the fact that the Fren; i Govern-
ment had raised no objection to the claim asserted in :[r. West's
Note of the 12th November, 1869 (see paragraph 99, al we), that
the Minquiers were a dependency of the Channel Islan s, and to
the 1ong:standing occupation of the Maitressc Isle 15; Jersey
fisherrnen. The bIemorandum ment on to refute the Frencl argument
based on the works of lighting and buoyingalluded to inM Ca~nbon's
Memorandum of the I jth July, 1903 (see paragraph 1- ), above),
stating that "no works of any kind have been execut ,d by the
French Government at the Minquiers, nor even in the mmediate
vicinity of the islands". The Memorandum stated fui her that,
while the United Kingdom Government were "unablc to relincluish
their claim to sovereignty over the Minquiers", they wou i propose,
in order to arrive at some satisfactory settlement of th cluestion,
"that the islands should be recognized as British territor: and that
British subjects alone should have the right of landing a: d residing
upon them and of fishing within the waters surroy lcli~igthe
outlying rocks, which are uncovered at spring tide, and :omprised
within the line marked on the accompanying chart, bt that the
buoys, invthe channel to the sauth-xvest of the Minquiers, outsidc tl by light
limit from the rocksinorder to assist the navigation of vesseltlit! tliremile
(See also paragraphI02, above.) - own Coast.
l See Annex X 68.
Presurnnbly the two Declarations between the United Kingdon and France
respecting (1)Egypt and Xlorocco ;(2)Siam, Madagascar, and the Xi vHebrides ;
and the Convention betwcen the two countries respecting Kewfoundlad, and ?Vest
and Central Africa signed 8th April,1904 (Tveaty Series.1905, Soi ri,7 and 5
respectively).
.3Seo Anfies A 69. BIERIORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOhl (3 III 52) 7I
waters outside that line should be open to the fishermen of 110th
countries, in so far as they do not corne within the territorial or
fishing limits of some other adjacent line of coast".
113. M. Geoffray, Chargé d'Affaires at the French Ernbassy in
London, sent an acknowledgrnent dated the zxst October, 1905,
of the receipt of the 'United ICingdom Memorandilm referred to in
.the preceding paragraph, in which he statecl that it had been referred
to the French Government, Shortly before this Memorandum was
communicated to M. Cambon, the United Kingdom Government
had occasion, as a result of an application by a British subject,
>Ir. 1%'E.. Heppell, for a mining concession on I'ossession Island
(one of the Crozet group in the Soutli Atlantic Ocean), to inquire
frorn the French Governrnent whether they had assilmed sovereignty
over the Crozets. Iii reply toa further request for information made
by the British Foreign Office, 11. Cambon, apparent11 misunder-
:standing the purpose of the inquiry, suggested shortly afterwards a
transaction *under ivhich the French Goverriment would re~~oiirice
.any claim to the Crozet Islancls in return.for the agreement of the
United Kingdoiri Governmeiit that the Minquiers Islets should he
treateci as belongi~ig to nohody, that is to say, as res nztllizls. The
Giiited ICingdom Government repliecl in a Note dated the 6th De-
cember, 1905, that they made no claim to the Crozet Islands and
that they could not therefore conteniplate the proposed transaction.
Eventuall y, after several reminders 4,the French Gcivernmcnt stated
in 1907 that they hacl no interest in the Crozet Islands, but they
made no repIy on the subject of the Mernorandum ofthe 17th August,
rgo j,referred to in the precediiig paragraph.
114. TIie questiori of sovereignty over the Minquiers Islets did
not arise again until 1929. In that year, a French national, a
AI. Le Roux, who purported to hold a lease granted to him by a
document signed by three French departmental offrcials,attem~ited
to erect a hut on the Maîtresse Ile (see paragraph 165, below). In
the course of a convcrsatioii on the 11th July, 1929, with Sir
. R. Lindsay, Permanent Under-Secretary of State to the British
Foreign Office,the French Ambassador, RI.de Fleuriau, inentioned,
possibly in coniiexion with RI. Le Roux's action, that he thought
that the status of thc Islets had never been definitely settled and
the "plateau" was regarded as "mer libre," that is, that it ti7as
"neutral." The United Kingdom Government took up the matter
Sec Annex A 70.
Vhe details of this are contained in a dispatch from tlic BritiOfficereign
to theBritish Ambassadorin Paris29thNovember, 1905, See Anoex h 71.
panying rnemorandumTfroin the British ForeiOffice to the Britisli Ambasssdor
inParis.
' See Annex A 73. Francc did eventuallassume sovereigntyof the Crozet
Islandsin 1913.
See Annex 4 74. MEMORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 111 52)
72
in a Note l, dated 26th July, 1929, in Xvhichthey referred to the
Memorandum of the 17th August, 1905 (see paragraph 112, above)
and to the forma1acknowledgment of its receipt dated the'z~st Octo-
ber, Igoj (see paragraph 113,above). The Note stated that no
reply, other than the forma1acknowledgment, having been received
to the Memorandum, the United Kingdom Government "have
accordingly always assumed that the French Government had no
desire to dissent from the view expressed in the memorandum, and
theythink that there must be some misunderstanding if a lease has
actually been granted to Monsieur Leroux by a French authority,
as alleged". The Note concludcd by rene~vingthe offer made in the
1905 Rlemorandum to reach a friendly settlement of the practical
questions involved, and by requesting the French Government to
restrain M. Le Roux froiii proceeding further with his building
operations, pending such discussion. The French Govcrnmcnt did
not reply to this Note of the 26th July,rgzg. Xt appears, however,
that M. Le Roux withdreu7 from Maîtresse Ile, having only con-
structed a fonndation \va11of some eighteen inches (see paragraph
168, below).
1i5.'~everal years later, the French Ambassador in London,
M. Corbiil, addressed a Note dated the 5th October, 1937, to
Mr. Eden, the British Foreign Secretary, inwhich the French Govern-
ment stated that they had nevcr renouriced, and had no intention
of renouncing, their sovereignrights over the Minquiers Islets. The
occasion of this Note was stated to be the fact that French fishermen
engaged in fishing iii the areas off the Mincluiers Islets had been
concerned for some time at certain measures taken by the Jersey
authorities.The alleged rneasures were the recent constructio~i on
Maitresse lle of a Custom house displaying the Jersey coat-of-arms
and the fact that "chaque fois qu'un bateau français s'approchait
de cette Ue les couleurs britanniques étaient hissées à un mât de
pavillon", and that "des bouéeset des balises auraient étéinstallées
par les services compétents de l'île de Jersey". The Note then
explained that these measures had caused concern among French
fishermen as they feared that "cette prise de possession de jacto"
rnight result in their access to the Minquiers being denied or restrict-
ed, reasserted the French claim to sovereignty, as mentioned above,
and requested an assurance of the United Kingdom Govcrnmeilt
that,as in the past, no hindrance would be placed in the way of the
exercise of the French fishing industry in the areas off the Minquiers
Islets.
116. The French Government in a Note dated the 10th January,
1938, made a further request for an assurance that the exercise of
SeeAnnex A76.75.
See Annex A 77. RlEhIORIAL OF THE UKlTED KiBGDObI (3 III 52) 73
fishing rights by French nationals in the areas off the Rlinqiiiers
11-ouldnot be iiiterfered with.
117. The United Kingdom Covcrnment rcpliecl to the French
Xotes referred to in the two preceding paragraphs ins Note ' dated
the 18th July,1938, iil which they drew attention to the bicmoran-
dum of the 17th August, 1905 (see paragraph 112, above), which
they considered to "afford conclusive proof of British sovereignty
over the Minquiers Islands", and stated that, whilc the United
Kingdom Government were uriable to admit that British sovereignty
over the Islets, and therefore over the territorial waters surrounding
them, could be calledin question, they assured the French Govem-
ment that "there is no intentionatpresent to prevent French fisher-
men from fishing in the waters outside the line of low-water mark
which iç drawn between the outermost rocks uncovered at loiv~water
at ecluinoctial spring tides". This Note then went on to explain, as
regards the activiticsof the Jersey authorities to which the French
Note dated the 5th October, 1937 ,ad drawii attention (see para-
graph 115, above), tli;~tthc Custom House had been establishecl in
rgog with a vicw to checking smuggling, that the flagstaff had been
maintained by the States of jersey from timc immcrnorinl, and thnt
it had been the custom to fly the British flag from it on suita.ble
occasions. The Notc further explained that the Statesof Jcrsey had,
during the sumniers of 1936 and 1937 ,mploycd a iiurnber of work-
men in extending thc lündiiig-stage and in work connccted uith
buoys and beacons, and that, as these workmen were in the liabit
of signalling their rnessagcs to passing steamers for transmission to
Jersey, this fact might explaiii the increase in the shewing of Aags
~eported by French fishermen. The Note concludcd by stati~ig that
the work of providing improved or additional lights, buoys and
beacons was still procceding, and that this and the other activities,
which had caused concern to French fishermen, would ~iotdisturb
their liberty of fishing.
118. The French Govcrnmcnt made no reply to the Note dated
-the18th July, 1938, referred to in the preceding paragraph.
PART II
PACTSRELATING TO THE ECREHOUS AND MINQUIERSGROUPS
Introduction
119. The Governmcnt of the United Kingdom in this Part of the
Mernorial will set out the facts relating to the Ecréhous and Min-
quiers groups of Islets and Rocks, which support the daim of the
United Kingdom to sovereignty over them. The United Kingdom
Sec Annex A 78. ,74 MEMORIAL OF THE USITED KIXGDOlI (3 III52)
Government wish first to draw the attention of the Court to the
terms of Articles 1 and II of the Special Agreement of the 29th De-
cember, 1950 (sce paragraph 1, above). .
120. Article I of the Special Agreement provides :
"The Court isrequested to determine whether the sovereignty
over the islets and rocks (in so far as they arc capable of .
appropriation) of tlie Minquiers and Ecrehos grouys respectively
belongs to the United Kingdom or the French Republic".
It will be çeeii from the terms of this Article that the French aiid
United Kingdom Gover~imentsare ngreed that the lslets and Rocks
(in so faras they are capable ofappropriation) of the hfinquiers aiid
Ecréhousgroups belong eithcr to 'rance or tothe United Kingdom.
Thc basis on which thc dispute between the two Governiiients h;is
been subrnittcd to the Court is, therefore, that nonc of the Mets
or Rocks is to bc regarded as Tesnztllizis, but that sovereignty over
each of theni bclo~igseither to France or to the United Kingdom.
121. The United Kingdom Government also draw the attention
of the Court to Article 11of the Special Agreement, which provides
that the agreement reached between them and the French Goveril-
ment as to the order in which the witten proceedings are to be
submitted to the Court is "Without prejudice to any question as to
the burden of proof", as between them and the French Govcrnment.
It therefore follows that thc Court is being asked to decicle this
dispute on the basis that sovereignty over the Ninquiers and the
Ecréhous should be adjudged to the party which shews the bctter
.title to them in intcrnatio~ial law, and the fact that it falls to the
United Kiiigdoni Government to open the witten proceediilgs does
not mean that the United Kingdom is to be regarded asthe plaintiff
(ncfor)or that France is to be regarded as the defendant. The maxim
actoriinciclnbitprobntio istherefore not applicable to the prcserit case.
122. The United Kingdom Government invite the Court to take
note, in considering this Part of .their Memorial, of the fact that it
is not in dispute that sovereignty over the Channel Islands as a
whole belongs to the United Kingdom. The sole issue before the
Court is "whether the sovercignty over the islets and rocks (in so
far as they arc capable of appropriation) of the Minquiers and
Ecrehos groups rcspectively belongs to the United Kingdom or the
French liepublic".
'123, As has been shewn in Section B of Part 1 of this Memorial,
the Channel Islands as a whole formed part of the Duchy of Nor-
mandy and were included in its general scheme of administration
in the 12th century. Continental Normandy was conquered by
Philip Augustus (1x80-1223), King of France, in 1204, the imme-
diate result of which conquest u7as the isolation of the Channel
Islands from Normandy, although the French King attempted later
for several years to conquer them. JIE5IORIAL OF THE UXlTED KINGDO11 (3 III 52)
75
124. The United Kingdom Government will submit that, since
the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, the Ecréhous and Min-
quiers groups have always been part of the territory of the English
Crown as dependencics of Jersey; and that the evidence proves
that the Kings of England have exercised jurisdiction over thesc
groups of Islets, while France has never done so.
SECTION A.-THE ECREHOUS
Ancient Title
125. The.earliest document relating to either group of IsIets by
iiame.refers tothe Ecréhous,and içdated 1203.Onthe 14th January,
1200, King John of England (1199-121 gr)nted by charter to
Piers des Préaux (Peirtrs de Prntellis), one of his subjects, the
Islands of Gerse, Gernereand Aztrene (Jersey, Guernsey and .Alder-
ney) and a grant of 60 pounds' (sterling)worth of land in Alton =,in
England, together with certain property in Rouen. By this graiit,
which was confirrned bp charters dated st Angers on the 21st June,
12003, Yiersbecame "Lord of the Islands" (i.e.the Channel Islancls),
Yiers then made a gant in 1203 of the Ecréhous Islets by name to
the Abbey of Val-Richer 4.This latter grant contained a condition
whereby the Abbey was to build a church at the Ecréhous, where
prayers would bt: said for the illustriouç King of England who had
nominated Piers aç Lord of the Islands.
126. The fact that Piers des Préaux rccited in his grant to the
hbbey of Val-Richer that King John of England had given him t.he
Islands (i~~sulas mihi dedit) shews that Piers considered that King
John's grant to him cif the Island of Jersey (see paragraph 125,
above), included the EcréhousIslets. So entirely mere these adjacent
Ecréhous Islets considered as nccessarily included in the grant of
the larger Island of Jersey that Piers' title to the Ecréhous, and the
only title he could confer by subinfeudation (i.e., by sub-g~ant of
property which he held as feuclal tenant of an overlord) in 1203,
was derived from the grant of 1200 by King John.
127. The Channel Islands were held by Piers in precisely the.
same way as the 60 pounds' (sterling) worth of land in Englarid,
granted to him by King John at the same time and by the saine
charter. M. Dupont, the French antiquary and author of the well-
known history, Histoire du Codenlin et de ses ILes,designates this
Charter of King John as a "Donation desiles dzcCotentin par Jean-
Charter RolI,John, m.28.See AnnexA 8.
Alton is in the County of Southampton.
a Charter Rolz,John.m. 29.See Annexes Ag and IO.
' CalliChrisfiana (1759)x~i,94,No. XXXlI (Insirumenfa).SeeAnnex A 7.
Val-Bicher isin Xormandy. JIE3lORIAL OF THE UNITED KISGDOhI (3 III 52)
76
sarrs-Terre à Pierre de Préaitx" l, and recognizes that the Ecréhous
islets,were included in King John's Charter of 1200.
128. Tlie next refererice to the Ecréhous is in an Assize Roll of
1309, which records tlie judicial proceedings of the sittings of
English Judges (Justices Itincrant) in Jersey Doubtlcss in pur-
suance of the grant made by Piers des Préaux, the Abbey of Val-
Richer had established a Priory on one of the Islets (now known
as Maître Ile), and in this year the Abbot was summoned before
these Justices to Say bpwhat warrant {quo wa~ranto)~he held the
.zd\~o.oivson(i.e., a right ofpropcrty entitling the owner to present to
an ecclesiastical office) and certain endowments of this Priory.
129. The fact that the Abbot was required to answer for the
advowson of the Priory establishes that -the King of England and
the Justices believed the Ecréhousto be part of the King's territory :
had it been otherwise, the Justices would have had no jurisdiction.
And it raiscs a probability that, in the opinion of the King's advisers,
any right which the Abbot might have in the Ecréhous was held
directly of the King :the King claimed the advowson as his right,
thus asserting that, unless the Abbot could shew titlc to it, it
belonged to the King. In the absence of evidence to the contrary,
the advowson of a church belonged to the owner of thc land on
wrhich the church stood ; the King \vas therefore asserting, not
rnerely tliat he was the lord of whom the Ecréhous were held, but
further that, unless the Abhot could shew title, he (the King) was
the immediate lord of the Islcts. This assertion can onlp mean that
l Dupont, i. 489(No.43 of Pièces Jztstificatiuss).
l Assize Roll,2 Edw. II. m. 36.Sce Annex A 12. For an explanaticiii of the term
" Justicc Itinerant"see paragraph 27, notcG, aboce.
Thcse proceedings arc recordcd on the hssize Roll çited in thc prcccding n'.e
under the titlPhcita de Quo Wurranto (Pieasof Quo rVarranto)Somc expianation
of the term quo warranto is desirable. \Vrits asking the clucstion Quo LVarranto
(by what warrant) had issued out of the English Chancery (i.e.the royal office for
the issue of tvrits authorizinproccss in the King's Courts) since the end of the
12th ccntury ;and in the course of the 13th century they came to bc used particu-
larly, though not exclusively, whcn the King was questioninthe right ofs subject
to exercisc a liberty or franchi(i.e.a special privilege mhich only the King could
grant). The hypothesis was that liberties or franchises were rights exclusivcly at
thc disposal ofthe King. and that.if a subject claimed to cxercise onehe must
slicw in wliat way he had obtained this right frorn tlie King. RIuusc was made
of thc writ for this purpose by King Edward 1of England (1272-1307).AS it W~S
postulatcd that the right in question must prima facie belong to the ICing, the
dcfendant was in a sense also plaintiff, since the burden of proof lay upon hi;
and for this reason there werc objections toany extension of the scope of the wnt.
right which could be onned by any Iandowner (including feuthe King). In fact, in
the prmeedings under discussion, the quo warranto formula was not applied to the-
advowson, butonly to one of the cndowmcnts :the formula used in connexion with
the advowson was that of the ordinary proprietar=-rit, the process by which any
English subject could start proceedings relating to the ownership of land.
'The endowments wcre in Jersey. andthe proceedings in relation to them prove
nothing as to the status of the Ecréhous. hlEhlORlAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III 52) 77
the Ecréhous harl nlways been part of the demesnc of the Crown
in the Channel Islands, and that, tliough they migIit be inclutiecl
in grailts to \Yarclens l like Piers, wheii such grants detcrrnined, the
Islets reverted to the dcrnesne of tlie Crown. IVhnt happened, in
short, was that the King's advisers, findiiig a church on land which
they believed to ,bc part of the King's own demesne, clsimed the
advowson. The Abbot, as appears froin what has bccn said ahove,
coiilcl in fact liavc produccd a sufficient answer to this claim. Hc
coulcl have shcwn tint Picrs had, while Lord of the Islands, granted
the Islcts to him to Iiold by \vay of subiiifeudatiori (i.et. he Abbot
held of Piers who iiiturn held of thc King) ;ancl that, ~vhilethe
mesne tenure of Piers as holding clirect from the King had clis-
appearecl ivhen Picrs ceased to bc Lord of the Islaiids, this would
11othave destroyetl tlic Abbot's title, Iiut merely Icft hirn as the
Kiiigi~cilant-iri-chicf. As .tenant of the Islets in clcmesne, the
Ahbot mas prinia facie onrner of the aclvowson. The Abbot, hciw-
evcr, did rlot take this course ;but insteüd, through his procurator,
tlie Yrior, said that he was uri\i~illirigto cxert hiinself for Iiis rights
("%on vlrlt Lnbortue pro endew~"). Tlie reason for his iin\villingness
to do so was (as tlic I'rior himself declared) that the I'riory was of
littie valcie. The decisioti given, however, ~35 that the Abbot shoilld
contiiiiie to holcl the ~iroperty at the ICit-ig'spleastirc. rI'hereason
for tlic decision proh:~hly was that Jerseymeri coiisiticrcd as valuable
the inaiiltcnâncc of a liglit in the church at the Ecréhous to giiide
mariners 2.
130. 111 the submissioii of the United Kingdom Govcrrinient, the
fact that the Abliot \V:LS requirecl to answcr hcfore tlic King's
.lustices for the aclvowson of the Priory, and thnt thcse Justices
tiecidcd that the property was to bc lield at the I(irig's plessure,
shews that the Ecréhous were part of the territory of thc King of
Erigland.
131. The Assize Roll which records the procecdiiigs in 1309also
shews that Jerseymeii occasionally fretlueiited the Ecréhoiiç Islets 3
at this time, and tells a sad stary of how a lr~rgcriumher were
clrowncd while rcturning from gatlicring wreck of the sca (zuveccztnt)
on the Islets, A later nierition of thc Ecrbhuus occilrs on the Patent
Roll in 1337 4, aiid sheivs that in tli:~t year, shortly before the out-
break of the Huiidrcd Years' \Var. the King of England granted
lettcrs of protection to the Prior, together with the Priors of the
\.arioiis other religious houses in Jerscy and Gucrnsey. The enlry
on the Roll refers to "Acrehowede I~tsicfade lereseye" ("Ecréhoiis
of the Islancl of Jerscy") (see parngrnph 48, ahove), ancl providcs
furthcr evidence of tlie dependeiîce of the Ecréhous on Jcrscy.
l':oa definition of this offisee parügra~rli23 (p.31). note I.
Assize Roll.2 Etlu-,II,in.36. Sec Annex I\ 12.
a ibid.2 Edv*. Il,in.qSd. Sec Annex r\79.
I'atent Roll.I IEdir.111,pt. z, in. gSce~innc'tti I7.78 hIE&IORIAL OF THE UNITE]) KINCDOM (3 III 52)
132. Lastly, with refereiice to the qitestion of Ancient Title, the
Court's attention is drawn to the Treaty of Calais (commonly
referred to as theTreaty of Brétigny), concluded between the Kings
of Englaiid and France (Edward III and John 11,respectively), on
the 24th October, 1360, and ratified on the same day The sixth
Article of this Treaty provided that the King of England should
have al1 the Islands adjacent to the lands, countries and places
previously named in the Treaty, togetlier with al1the Islands xvhich
hc tlieii held. The first five Articles mention a large number of
lands, coiintries and places, but none of them so placed that the
Channel Islands could be said to be adjacent. The Goverilment of
the United lCingdom, therefore, rely upon the concluding phrase of
the sixth Article (i,e., "together with al1 other Islands which the
said King of England [Edward III] now holds"), and say that the
Chaiinel Islands and the Ecréhous as part of them were, at the date
of the Treaty of Calais, held by the English King. The presumption
that it was so is a strong one since, as haç been she~vn,the Ecréhous
group was held bjr the English Cro~vnin 1203, and was still so held
in 1337.
133. Tlie medieval evidence rcferrecl to in the preceding para-
graphs of this Section which contains syecific mention of the Ecré-
hous as belonging to the English Crown thus covers the period 1200
to 1337.
134. Only one further reference to the Ecréhous between 1337
and the early 16th century has so far been found, i.e.a,list of the
endowments of the Priory of Ecréhous A possiblc explanation of
tliis nhsence of information is that thc EcréhousPriory was one of
the alicn priories inclucledin the sequestration by Henry V, in 1413,
of a11alien priories within his realm, as a result of which many of
them fell into ruiii.
GeneralActs ManifestingSovereignty
135. Thcrc is evideiice to shew that, for well over a century, the
Ecréhous have beeri treated, for administrative purposes, as form-
ing part of the Parish of St. Martin in the Island of Jersey. Ii is
impossible to establish by documentary cvidence how this position
arose, but there can be little doubt tliat it flowed naturally from
the fact that al1the Jersey fishermeii liübitually making use of the
Ecréhous came from Rozel in the Pnrish of St. Martin, and that
they would therefore report to the Constable (i.e.Mayor) of that
Parish any matters concerning the Isletç which required action on
his part. Evidence regarding the exercise of this parochial authority
can be classified under t~voheadings, namely, Police and Rati~tg.
l 'Trcaty Roll.13~1~Ill,pt. 4m.2. SecAnnex A 2.
Sec~inrügraph 49, sbrand,Annex A 18. MEMORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 II1 52) 79
136. (a) Police.-(i) An example of action taken by the Police
of the Parish of St. Martin is the prosecution of one, George Romeril,
in 1826, before the RoyaI Court of Jersey l.Romeril was alleged to
have committed an sttempt against the life of a certain John
McGras by shooting him with a pistol or other kind of firearm
at the Ecréhous. He surrendered himself to the Coilstable of St.
Martin, who, in hiç capacity as chief of police in that Parish and
because the Ecréhous fell within his jurisdiction, imprisoned
Romeril, reported the matter to the Attorney-Genernl of jersey,
and proceeded to make investigations. Romeril was later committed
for trial and graiited bail.As the records do not contain any further
reference to his prosecution, it seems probable that he abscondecl.
(ii)A further example of the exercise of authority at the Ecréhous
by the Police of the Parish of St. Martin is found in a notice, repro-
duced by Charles Frémine, a Frenchman, in his pamphlet, Le Roi
des Écvehou,tvritten :~t Carteret in August, 1884, as having been
seen by him posted up on a rock on Rlarmotièrc, in the Ecréhous
group. This reads as folIows :
"Messieurs les pêcheurs
qui fréquentent les
Ecréhossont priés
de ne pas déposer d'immondices
au-dessus du plein de Mars.
Signé : LE~~PRI~RE
Connétable de Saint-biartin.
DE QUELLEVILLE. 2
(iii) Yet another example of the exercise of aiithority at the
Ecréhous bÿ the Police of the Parish of St. Martin is to be found
in the fact that, whenever a person has died at the Ecréhous in
circumstances requiring an Inquest (see paragraph 137, below), the
police investigations have bcen conducted by the k[oilorary Police
of the Parish of St. Martin.
(b) Rating.-Some of the houses on these Ecréhous IsIets have ,
been regularly assessecl for the yurposeç of parochial rates in the
Parish of St. 'Martin, a fact which furnishes additional evidence
that the Islets were decmed to be within that Parish. In the year
1889, that is to Say, in the year following the enactment of the
Insular Law relating to parochial rating, three owners were rated
in respect of four houses, and, in the year 1950, six owncrs were
l Râles de la CourRoyale de 1'Ilede Jersey, 27 Mai et 17JuinSee hnnex
A 80.
shewingon blarmotièra huilrtiwith agranite lintel inscribïd SrMARTLNr-,
. JERSEY", further evideiice that the wasewithin tlie paroi St.Martin
in Jersey.80 MEJIORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDO31 (3 III52)
rated in respect of six houses l.Rates mere levied on properties at
the Ecréhous in every iiitervening year with the exception of the
period of tlie German occupatio~i during the Second World War.
An example of a rating schedule for r889 is that assessing the
properties of the Rev. LVilliamLemprière, resident of the Parish
of St.Martin Hc is clescribcdas owner of a "Maison aux Echréos".
Similarly in 1950, J. C. Becquet, of this same Parish, is assessed hy
the parochial authorities iii respect of "Une maison aux Ecrehos"
Others paying rates in 1950 were Baron Trent of Nottingham, Major
R. J. B. Bolitho, the heirs of hlrs. Yvonne Riley, and Messrs. J. T.
Becquet and E. P. Billot.
137. The Law of Jersey recluires that an Inquest conducted by
Her Majesty's Viscount be held in order to determine the cause
of death where a doctor is unable to issue a certificate, or where
it is caused by accident. This Law has been followed in thc case
of the Ecréhous, as if they formed part of the Islaiid of Jersey
itself. During this ccntury such Inquests have been held to inquire
into the cause of death in the following cases :
(a) On the zrçt Decemher, 1917 , hen a body had been found
on the 11th November, 19x7 ,t the Ecréhous 4.The verdict found
recorded the fact thüt, owing to the decomposition of the remains
and absence of any othcr evidencc, it was impossible to establish
identity or cause of death.
(b) On the 19th July, 1948, when Mrs. Yvonne Rilcy (née
LempriCre) had been dro\vned between hlarmotière and Maître
Ile5. The verdict found recorded that this lady was accideiitally
drowned near the EcrChous on the 5th July, 1948, whcii a punt
in which she was returni~igto her yacht, trrhich wrisrnoorcd ofi
shore, tiiled and sank.
CZCS~O~~~S
138.-(a) Customs Authority over the Ecréhous has been
exercised for ncarly a century. In 1884, the Assernbly of the
.Governor, Bailiff aiid Jurats, as the Customs Autliority of the
Island of Jersey purcliased by forma1 contract a house on Mar-
motière, one of the Xslets, from a Jerseyman, Heiiry Cliürles
Bertram 6.The contract describes Marmotière as "un des Ilôtsjsic]
dit 'Ecrehos' dépendant de la paroisse de Sf Martin en cette île
--
1Amdavit of Hcnry Ahier,Constableof the Parish of St. Martin, gatli April.
1951.See Annex A 81. Copies of Kating Schedules for the years 18891950
are also reproducirAnncxes A 82 and A 83.
Set?Annex A 82.
See AnnexA 83.
' Rôles de la Cour Royadc1'IIede Jerse22Décembre, 1917. ScAnnex 1184.
Ibid.. 19 Juillet, 1948.Sce Anncx A 85.
Registre Publdc I'llc de Jersey, Livre 267.folio Annex A 86. JlEhlORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III52) 81
[Jersey]". The building itself, which stands to this day, was
conycrted into a Custom House, and a granite plaque bearing
the Armç of Jersey was affixed to one of the wdlsl.
(b) II. Frémine refers in his pamphlet, Le Roi des Écrelzoz~,
to an unfinished notice which waç being painted at the time of
his visit to the Ecréhous in 1884 on the wdl of one of the hoiises
on Marmotière. The notice reads as follo~vs :
"Au nom de
Dieu et la Religion
Amen.
L'an mil huit cent 81
Le 2qe jour de novembre
à l'assemblée di1 govcrncur
bailli et jurés
p~ésents
Lieutenant-général Lothian Nicholsoil
" 2
-4s the Assembly of the Governor, Bailiff and Jurats was at that
time thc Customs hiithority in Jersey, it is to be iiiferred that
this notice related to the Customs .4clrninistration.
(6) Therc is evidence to shew that, hetwecn 1850 and 1895, it
was the practice of ari official of Her Rlajesty's Customs in Jersey
to visit the Ecréhous from time to timc. For these visits, there
were at least two reasons : (i) to enclorse thc certificate of the
licensed fishing boat belonging toPhilippe Piilcl (secpnragraph 150,
l~elow),a Jerseyman locdly known as Le Roi des Ecré/lozcs ,nd
(ii) to investigate whether the Ecréhous wcrc I~eingused by Pinel
or others for smuggling purposes. As regards (i), the following
information has been extracted from the Register of Her Majesty's
Customs and Excise in Jersey. In pursuance of the provisions of
the Sea Fisheries Act, 1868 (31 8 32 Vict. c. 45) Philippe Pinel,
Master, caused to be registered on the 23rd April, 1872, the cutter
John belonging to "Rozel Ecrehos Rocks" S. The registration
number, 164, in the 2nd class, was giveri to the boat. The tonnage
was stated to be one, the length 13 feet, the number of crew, one,
and the ordinary mode of fishing was classed as "Lobster".' On
the 27th February, 18'82,the relevant entry was cancelled with
the endorsement "Not used for Fishing".
Censzrs
139. The Ecréhous Islets have been included by the Jersey
üitthorities within the scope of their Census enurnerations. An
SccAnnex C 3.
FrCminc,op.cit.,.14.
Sce Annex A 87.82 hlE&ïORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III 52) '
example of such an enurneration is that of 1901 l, when the "Islets
of Ecrého, dependencies of Rozel Vingtaine [i.e.a division of the
Parish of St. Martin in Jersey]" were visited by an officialeriumer-
ator. The return records that there were two small houses on
Blanc Ile, nine on blarmottière [sica ]nd two on Maître Ile. A John
Mollet-isgiven asthe "Head of Family".
Gragztof Leases by the Crown relating to the Ecréhozcs
140. In 1923 there was a clear exercise of sovereignty on the
part of the United Kingdom when the Crown, acting through the
Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury and His Majesty's
Receiver General in Jersey, granted a lease of Maîtresse Ile (now
usually called Maître Ile) for a period of 25 years to Sir Jesse Boot,
Bart. (afterwards Baron Trent of Nottingham) 2.In the tvords of
the contract itself, Sir JesseBoot "a SollicitédesLords Commissaires
de la Trksorerie de Sa Majesté u~i bail à termage [a lease for a.
specified period] de la dite Ile et que sa prière a été favorablement
accueillie...." Under the 'lease he promised to preserve the ruins
of the ancient Priory on Maîtresse Ile. Yet again, in 1948, a further
lease was granted by the Crown to the second Baron Trent and
the contract was drawn uy in simiiar terms.
Other Contractsrelatiîzg to Real Property at the Ecréhous
141. ln addition to the above-mentioned Crown Leases, there
are a number of contracts and other transactions, betweerî Jersey
residents, or between them ancl Jersey public authorities, involving
real property at the Ecréhous, which were (and still are) passed
before the Royal Court of Jersey and registered in the Public
Registry of Deeds of the Island. This is the normal practice in
regard to real property in' Jersey, although it has not invariably
been followedin the case of houses at the Ecréhous.It is noteworthy
that, in most of these contracts, the Ecréhaus are described as
"dépendant" on the Parish of St. Martin, and situated on the
"Fief de Sa Majesté". Moreover, these contracts, as is usual in
deeds relating to real property in 'Jersey itself, impose. upon the
purchaser an obligation in respect of the payment of seignorial
dues (i.e.,the liability of the tenant to his feudal landlord). Exam-
ples of these contracts and transactions are to be found in 1863 4,
then C. Gailichan sold a house and itsappnrtenances and land to
J. Le Bailly ; in 1881 6, when L. Godfray sold to H. C. Bertram a
building, the contract for which describes the Ecréhousas "attenant
à et dépendant de la paroisse de Saint-Martin en cette île [i,e.,
Jersey], sur le Fief de Sa Majesté ....; and in 1884 6,when, as is
l SeeAniiex A 88.
Rcgistrc Publide 1'Ilde JerseyLivre 391, foli161. 'ÇeAnnex A 89.
Ibid., Livre 449~. folios 197-8. See Annex A go.
j Ibid.Livre276, foli201.eSce Annex Argz.
Ibid.L,ivr287, folio 81SceAnnex A 86. hlE310RIAL OF THE UPr'lTED KINGDOXI (3 III52) 83
noteti in sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph 138, ahove, the Jersey
authorities piirchased a building, which was later converted into
a Custom Houçe. Several other contracts were made iii the 20th
Ccntury, even as recently as 1947 l, when one involved three
properties on Marmotière ; these properties are described as
situated "aux Iles des Ecréhos en la Paroisse rie St. Martin, sur
le Fief du Roi ...."
Ogicial'Constrscctions,Gc., and Visits
142 (a) The Jersey authorities have from time to time crected
signal posts and provided various facilities for thc lienefit of Jcrsey
fisherrnen. At least as early as 1893there was a flagstaff on Marmo-
tière,from which the British flag\vas flown II tas found riecessary
to replace this mast about xgog ;and, on the 28th January, 1910,
the Piers and Harbours Committee of the States of Jersey obtained
perinisçion from the Crown to cstablish a signal post on the
southernmost part of Marmotière 3,and a flrigstaff!vas duly erected
at that point. This, in turn, was rcplaced by a new flagstaff in
1950~ T.here is also evidence of a flagstaff on Maître Ile of the
Ecréhousin 1907,on which the British flag was hoisted 5.
(b) Secondly, in 1895, a sIipway was constructed at hlarmotière
to facilitate the access of fishermen to, that Idet ; it \vas repaired
on the authority of the Jersey Piers and Harbours Comtnittee in
1906 O, and has ever since been maintained by the States. Although
it has not at any time been deerned necessary to ercct any navi-
gational buoys or beacons, a mooring-huoy was placed in 1939 in a
position to the south of Marmotière, some hslf-cühle's length from
the landing rocks, and was replaced in thc same position in 1947 '.
(c) It has dso been the practice of the various Insular Authorities,
which have from time to time been concerned with Custorns, luith
Harbours, with Fishing, etc., that is to Say, the Assembly of the
Governor, Bailiff and jurats, and the Finance Committee and the
Piers and Harbours Committee of the States of Jersey, io make
visits to the Ecréhous. Officialrecords shew one to have been made
as early as 1885, and they have been carried out with some fre-
quency ever since. It was at first customary during some of these
' Ibid.,Livre44.52,foli37. SeeAnnex X yj.
"Acte tlc l'Assernbl6du Gouverneur, Bailli eJ~irGs,2Juin, 1893.See Annex
A 94.
Acte du Cornit4 des Havres et ChaussBcs, 5 Fdvrier~gio. See Annex -4 gj.
"ec Anncx C 5.
" Actc du Comité des Hirvres et Chaussées, 15 Avril,1907. See Annex A 96.
Acte clu CainitidesHavres ctChaussBes, 13Octobrc, i9oG. Sec Annex A 97.
Afidavit ofW. (;lTurzer, Harbour Master of Jerscy, 20th August, 1951, para-
graph (IV).See Annex A 98.
Vertificate of F.de L. Bois. Greffier of thc States of Jer.eeAnnex A ijq.
Other officia1 visits havetaken place, which arerecortledas.for example. that
of thc31StJuly, 1595 Sec Annex C 13.84 3IE>IORIAI, OP THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III 52)
visits to hoist the Red Ensign '.Later by an Act of the 15th April,
1907, the Picrs and Narbours Cornmitte decided that the Union
Jack should be hoistecl instcad (see sub-paragraph (a), above).
The Lieutenant-Goveriior of Jersey frequently accompanicd those
parties in the past, as the liresent Lieutenant-Governor is \iront
to do to-day
Evidelace of Habitable Bzcildirtgs at the Ecréhous
143. Further support of the United Kingdom's claim to sover-
eignty iç to be foiind in the otvnership and occupation by Jcrseyrnen
of houses at the Ecréhous. At the present time there are sorne 15
habitable houses there, disposed as follotvs :
(a) On Blanc Ile.One house belonging to an Englishman (Major
R. J. B. I3olitho) living in Jcrsey. There are also to be foiirid on
this Islet the ruins of thc old stone hut bearing the datc 1820 in
which Yliililipc Piilel livcd, and of the other stone huts whiçli are
referred to by Cnptain FVhite, R.N., who surveyed the Channel
Islands and the French Coast over a number of years from 1812
(see sub-paragrnlih (a) of paragraph 144, below).
(b) On Marmotière. Thirteen houses, one of them (the Custom
House) belonging to the States of Jersey and the others to Jersey
residents. There are also the ruins here of four other huts 5.
(c) 011 Maître Ile. One house belonging to Baron Trent. Some
ruins of the ancierit Priory are also to be seen 6.Many of the houses
previously rcferred to (with the exception of the house on Blanc
Ile, which \vas constructed about 1930) are presumably the
survivorç of thc huts which were observed by Captain White in
1823 (see sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph 144, below), and are
inentioned iri a brochure called The Ecréhoziswhich was priiited
iiiJersey in 1884, and illustrated by the \vell-known artist, P. J.
Ouless. The huts have always been 01%-ne dy Jerseymen or Jersey
residents of British birth, arid in some cases it is possible to trace
back the title of the present owners for a considerable pcriod (see
paragraph 141, above).
144. (a) The Captain White referred to in the preceding paragraph
tvas Captain Martin White, li.N., who, on instructions from the
British Adinirnlty, surveyed the English, Irish and Bristol Channcls
from 1812 to 1828 7. Captain White records that he \vas at Maitre
1Acte de I'Açscmblde(luGouvcrncur, .Bailli et Jur28 Juin,1893.SceAnnex
h 9Rffidüvitof ljrigadier R. MH. Lewis. Secretary totheGovernnicnt iithe
Island of Jerse20th August, 1951 SceAnnex A IOO.
Affidavitof \V.G. Furzcr, Fiarbour >lasteJersey,20th August, 1951para-
grapll (II)See Anncx A gS.
Sec Annex C 1 1.
j See Annexes C I,4, 5.
"ee Aiinex C2.
'L. S. Da\vçon~VleriioiofHydrography, Pt.1.(1750-IS~O),p.52. hZE>IORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDORI (3 III 52) 85
Ile of the Ecréhous in Nay, 1813 l.On a chart of the EcrChous
drawn by him, some time before 1823, huts are shetirn on al1 three
Islets thereof,i.e.,Blanc IIe, IvIarmotiére,and Maitre Ile. Three are
shewn on Blanc IZe,one of which must have been the hut bearing
the date 1820, mentioned in sub-paragraph (o) of the preceding
paragraph. The actual number on Rfarmotière and Maître Ile
cannot be identified on the chart, but Captain White wvrotea iiote
thereon, the relevant part of ~vhichreads as follows :
"....There are 5 or 6 huts on the Maitre Isle[sic], & about
twice that number on the ~Iarmotier[sic], belonging to Inhabit-
arits of Jersey, who occaçionally resort thereto during the
Fishing & Vraching [gathering of seaiveed] seasoiis. 'These
z latter will alsci afford occasional shelter to small Boats &
their cre\r7s,against the inclemency of the Weather, in ivllich
case they shoitld be beached & hove up. There is however
neither Fuel, sustenance or Fresh water (except rain water
in cavities of rocks) on either".
(b) In the brochure, The Ecrélious, referred to in sub-paragraph
(c) of paragraph 143, above, the names of Jersey owners of hoiises
on the Ecréhous are given, which approximatc closely tvitli the
nuinber of houses mentioned in Captain Martin White's \nitten
riote of 1823.
(c) Lastly, a letter written in 1846 to the Lieutenant-Goverilor
of Jersey by W. Le Couteur, thcn Her Majesty's Viscount in Jersey,
gives particulars of houses on Maître Ile, owned by inhabitants of
Jersey, one of which was then at least twcnty ycars old $.
Acts Specifically Relating to Fishing
145. There is evidence to shew :
(o) that Jerseymen were already fishing and gathering vraic
at the Ecréhous during the 17th century ;
(6) that the Ecréhous have continucd to be rcgularly fished by
Jerscymen from that time right up to the present, except during
the years of German Occupation of Jersey (1940-19 4 5en such
fishiiig was prohibited by the Occupying Authority4, and thnt
several of those fishermen have omned, and do own, huts at the
Ecréhous, in which they have from time to time lived during the
long surnmer fiahing season :one of these fishcrmen, moreover,
Sercq and CoastrofFrance; undertaken in theïearl1812, by Capt. JI.hite. te.riicy.
floyal Savy; by Order of TheRightHonorable The Lords Cummissioners of the
Adrniralty"31s. 542~p. 105.(Hydrographic Dept., Admiralty, London.)
' "An Orometric Surveyof TheEcrehoc Rocks" : iliip.41.
Sce AnnexA 101.
Orders of the Commandant of the German Forces in Occupation of the Island
of Jersey(2nd July, ig40paragraph 8. Çee AnnexA 102. had been prepared, appointed a delegation to wait upon the Privy
Council in support thereof. On the 11th July, 1883, the Committee
upon their return from London, reported upon their mission to the
States, svhorecorded their approval l. As a result ofthe representa-
tions of the States, a formal Note ]vas addressed by the British
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Lord Granville, to the French
Ambassador at the Coud of St. James, M. Waddington (sec para-
graphs go and 91, above) 2.
149. Jersey fishermen, who are to-day fishing the Ecréhous, are
able to remember the names of rnernbers of their families, and of -
other men, who have fished the Ecréhous as their sole occupation
from circa 1S4o right dolvn to the present day Until very recent
times, when the advent of the motor fishing boat has made it
possible for fishermen to proceed to the Ecréhous to fiçh brciay
and to return to their homes at Rozel at night to sleep, the pract icc
\vas for them to proceed to the Ecréhous, rowing or sailing as can-
ditions of wind and tide dictated, and to stay there for several
days or the inside of a week, returning to their homes, during the
busy summer season, merely for week-ends.
150. During this period, a Jersey fisherman, Philippe Pinel (çee
sub-paragraph (c) of paragraph 138, above), ~vho was known as
Le Roi des Ecréhous, lived at the Ecréhous. Pinel first settIed or?
Maître Ile 3*in May, 1850, when he was30 years ofage. He remained
there two surnmers, wintering in Jersey. He, with his wife, then
took up his permanent reside~iceat the Ecréhous and, making lise
of the ruins of old huts, they built a dwelling in which they lived
together for many years. Pinel lived by lobster fishing, by burning
vraic (seawced) for fertiliser and by making crab and lobster pots,
He had a srnall garden, a dog and a few fowls. He caused to be
presented to Queen Victoria baskets of his making, and thc Queen,
in return, gave him a blue serge coat. In orabout 1882, Pinel's wife
returned to Jersey, but hc continued to live alone on the Ecréhous
until approximately 1895 4.
151. It would not appear that any attempt was made, between
1883 and 1926, by French fishermen to fish the Ecréhous; about
the latter year they made attempts to fisii with pots in the rnanner
of the Jersey fishermen. The Jersey fishermen dumyed the French-
Inen's gear'and reported the matter to the States. The Frenchmen
departed, and did not resume their activities until. about 1938, when
l Ibid.II Juillet1883. SeAnnex A aog.
a SeeAnnex A 40.
Affidavitof J. T. Becquet, Ecrdhous fisherman, 28th 1951.See hinnexes
A 106 and C 14.
.'*MaîtreIIe iinaccurate:it shouid havreadBlanc Ile. See United Kingdom
Reply,page 424,note I.
C. Frémine. LeRoidesÉcvehou, p. 8-11, and local tradition.88 ~IE~IORIAL OF THE UN~TED KINGDOM (3 III 52)
they began to attempt a certain arnount of low-water fishiiig (with-
out pots) l.
152. During the period of the German Occupation, Jerscy fisher-
men were prevcnted by the Germans from fishing the Ecréhous
(see sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph 145, sbove), and it is under-
stood that French fishermcn were also kept away from the area.
Immediately after the Liberation of the Island of J'ersey, on the
9th May, 1945 the Rozel fishermcii resumed their traditional fishing
at the Ecréhous and they have continued to do so right iip to the
present time, four Jerseymen being thus cngaged upon a ~vllole-time
basis. Sincc thc Liberation, French fishcrmen have resumed sporadi-
cally the low-water fishing at the Ecréhous, which they began
shortly before the War.
Ancient Title
153. There are no knowti records of procecdings in the Courts of
Jersey as early as the 14th century whicli reIatc to title to property
in the hlinqiliers, as has been secn to be the case with the Ecréhous
(see paragraphs 125 to 130 inclusive, above). There is, however,
some evidence in early 17th century manor court rolls. Btoreover,
therc are certain assumptions which apply to bot11groiips of Islets
(see paragraph 156, below) .
154. To deal first with the procecdings in the 17th century. There
are certain pleas in the Seignorial Court (i.e., the court of the feudal
lord of the manor) of Noirmont in Jersey (see paragraph 51, above).
From the Rolls ofthat Court there have heen extracted tlirec entries,
one in each of the years 1615, 1616 and 1617 :each eritry relates
to the removal of wreck from the hlinquiers in derogaticiii of the
feudal rights of the lord of the manor. The extrüct, dated the
11th June, 1617, shews that three defendants were required to
appear at the next session of the Seignorial Court of Noirmont or
in the CozwSztpérieztre (i.e.,the Royal Court of Jersey), ivhich still
sits to the present day, The Fief of Noirrnorit was in 1616-17 in the
King's hands 3,aiid ço it cannot bc said ivhether the right of it~eck
' Affidavit ofJ. T. Becquet, Ecréhousfisherman, 28th April. 1951. Sec Annex
A 106.
Riiles de la Codu Fief et Seigneurie de Soirmon(penes3lrs. C. hdeGruchy,
widolv of G.li.B. de Gruchy, latc Seigneur de Noirmpnt).SeeAnnex 20.
Socie'féJersiaise Lltrlletin Annx.l238 ; vi180,note (1).461."During the
period under review[i.e.Edward VI to Charles Tlthe fief wainthe 1Cing'slinnds.
but it was not merged with tlie Cro~vnfiefs anitrrtaincd its full autonomy, the
rollsmentioning 'le Seigneude ce fieu' without any indication that tlie Crownwas
meant." [Ibid., p. 23S.j I1643 King Charles 1 of England granted liy patcnt to
Sir George deCarteret the fiefs and manors of Melesches. Grainvantl Koirmont
vi.462.1"ofus and our lieirsand successorsiitcapileby knight's scrvicc." [Ibid. h1EbIORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III52) 89
was claimed by the King as Seigneur of the Fief or as part of his
genera1 prerogative of wreck, which was confirmed by Section 13
of the Statutc de Prerogativn Regz's,circa 1330 l.It is immaterial
to clecide this : in either casc the King of :England was exercisiiig
jurisdiction in one of ]lis courts ovcr the Minquiers.
155. At the end of the 17th century this question of the right: of
wreck again figured in the Royal Court of Jersey. Deborah Diimn-
rescl, gusrdian of her son, the Seigneur of the Fief of Sarnai-ès,
contested the right.of the Eiiglish Crown to claim ivreck at the
;Ilinquiers. On the 6th Augilst, 1692,the Court recorded a judgement
in favour of the King's Procurator (Attorney-General) and the
King's Receivcr of Revenues. Subsequently, Deborah Uumaresq
was given leave, on the 6th November, 1692, by the King's Privy
Council to apjieal against the juclgcin~nt, and a summons ivas
issued, rctluiring the attendancc hcfore the King's Council, of thc
King's Procurator and King's Rcceiver of Revenues of Jersey to
answer the appeal
156. licverting to the assumptions referred to in paragraph 153,
above, the Iilincluiers, like the Ecrélious, formed part of the Duchy
of Normandy and, therefore, helongcd to the English King (Jolin)
as Duke of Norniaiidy at the time of the coriquest of Normandy'by
King Philip Augustus of France (see paragraphs 23 to 25 incIusivc,
45, 123 and 124, above). The French conquest related only to the
inainland. The Channel Islands, including at this date (1204) the
Minquiers, rcniained in the hands of King John. Until the contn~rjr
is proved, this state of affairs must be presurned to have continuetl.
It has been so presumed right down to the present day in the cnsc
of the larger Chanilel Islands. Accordingly, it is asserted that, in
1360, the date of the Treaty of Calais (BrCtigny), the Eiiglish
Crottin held the Minquiers, as has been shewn in the case of the
Ecréhous (sec paragraph 132, above).
1j7. Presumptions based on events which took place centuries
ago may well be challenged, if they cannot be reinforced by rnore
recent eveiits, which can only bc explained as resuIting from the
exercise of sovereignty. In this case there is the evidence of such
exercise by the King of England in the 17th century, which has
beeri described iri paragraphs 154 and 155, above. This forms a link
witli the continuous series of modcrn acts evidencing a display of
sovcreignty, which are described in the following paragraphs. Silice
there arc groiinds for believing that the King of Erigland acquired
sovereignty at a much earlier period, the presumption of riglitful
origin operates to streiigthen that belief.
l "Item habet \Varectummarisper totuni regnum, \ValIenas et sturgiones captos
in mari vel alibi infra regnum, exceptis quibusdam lacis privilegiatis per Rcgern".
("Also he [thKing] has wreck of thseüthrouahoutthe ivhole realm, ivhales and
'sturgeon taken in thc orelsewhere wittiin the rcalm. exinsuch places ivhicli
arc privileged by the King(SluttrlO/the Healm, i226).
a See .4nncxeA rI and li22.90 RIE~VIORIBL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III 52)
General Acts Manifesting Sovereignty
Parochial Authorlty
IjS. The Minquiers, according to local tradition, have always been
treated for the purposes of general administration as part of the
Paris11 of Grouville in the Island of Jersey '. It is impossible to
establish by documentary evidence how this position arose, but
there can be little doubt that it fiowed naturally from the fact that
the majority of Jersey fishermen, habitually making use of the
Minquiers, came from La Rocque in the Parish of Grouvdie, and
that they would therefore report to the Constable (i.e., Mayor) of
that Parish any matters concerning the IsIets which required action
on his part. The case of the Minquiers is in this respect thus parallel
to that which has been shewn to exist in regard to the Ecréhous.
Evidenceregarding the exercise of Parochial Authority cari,as with
the Ecréhous, be classificd uiider tmo headings, namely, Police and
Rating. ,
159. (a) Police.-Matters of Police within a parish are the respon-
sibility of the Constable as head of the Honorary Police ofthe parish ;
aiid, whenever a person has died at the Minquiers in circumstances
requiring an Inquest (sec paragraph 160, below), the police investi-
gationh save ben conducted by the Honorary Police of the Parish
of Grouville.
.(ti) Rating.-The destruction or loss of some of the records of the
Parish of Grouville makes it impossible to prove when properties
at the Minquiers were first assessed for rates in that Parish. Never-
theless, it is certain that the practice originated many ycars ago,
and has been maintained u-ithout interruption, except during the
German Occupatioii of 1940-1945, to the present day. This practice
is described in the affidavits of S. England l, Constable of the
Parish of Grouvdie ; T. J. Bree Jurat of the Royal Court of
Jersey; and W. S. Le Masurier 3, former Deputy of the States
of Jersey. Rating schedules in respect of property at the Minquiers
have been issued, when necessary, by the Parish of Grouville.
One exampleQ of these' is that of 1939, recording the assessrnent
of two huts on the Minquiers (Maîtresse Ile) owned by O. P.
,
Hamon. They are described respcctively as "One Hut or Fisher-
man's House" and "One other as above known as 'L'hopitale' ",
and a remark stateç that "Minor Repairs" were "done by the
fishermen who use these huts". A second example is the rating
1 Affidavit of S. England, Constaof theParish ofGrouville, 5th May, 1951.
See Annex A 107.
Afidavitof 1'.J.Uree,Jurat of the Royal Court of Jerse2nd hIay, 1951.
See Annex A 108.
Affidavit oW. S. Le MasurierSokicitoand former Deputy of theStates of
JersSee Annex A,Iio..See Annex X 109.
SeeAnnexes h IiIand C 15. MEMORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOSI (3 111 52) 91
schedule of 1939 for a wooden hut, belonging to W. S. Le Rlasurier.
Instances l of rating in 1950 are the assessment of Vice-Admiral
Edward de Faye Renouf, C.B., C.V.O.,,in respect to "a certain
house with the land in front" at "Maîtresse IIe Les Minquiers
Dependency of this Island [i.eJ. ersey]", and of W. S. Le Masurier
for the property rated in 1939.
160. The Law of Jersey (as has been stated in paragraph 137,
above) requires that an Inquest conducted by Her Majesty's
Viscount be held in order to determine the cause of death where
a doctor is unable to issue a certificate, or where it is caused by
accident. As in the case of the Ecréhous, this Law has been
followed in that of the Minquiers, as if they formed part of the
Island of Jersey- itself 2.During this century such Inquests have
been held to inquire into the cause of death in the following cases :
(a) On the 31st August, 1938, when two skeletons, the one of a
child presiimed to be under 5 years of age and the other of an
aduIt presumed to be between 20 and 30 years of age, had
been found on Maitresse Ile on the 26th August, 1938,during
the course of excavations 3. The verdict found recorded that
it had been impossible to establish the sex, cause of death or
date of death which, however, it was stated, according to
medical opinion. took place not less than jû years earlier.
(6) On the 30th March, 1948,when F. C. Hansford, aged 55ye:trs
and one month, a native of the Parish of St. Helier, had died
suddenly on the 25th March, 1948,.at the Minquiers, whcre
he was fishing. The verdict found recordcd that death was
due to cardiac disease 4.
161. Just as Customs Authonty has been exercised over the
Ecréhous (see paragraph 138, above), so has it been exercised over
the Minquiers. On the 19th June, 1909, the Assembly of the Gover-
nor, Bailiff and Jurats as the Custorns Authority of the Island of
Jersey purchased by forma1 contract a house on Maîtresse Ile from
a Jerseyman, J. F. Le Clercq 5.The property is described 21sbcing
on the "Maîtresse Ile des Minquiers dépendant de cette Ile [i.e.,
Jersey] et du Fief de Sa Majesté", and the Island Authorities a.re
absolved from the payment of al1 dues, except '"llroits Seigneu-
riaux". This building, which stands to this day, \vas converted into
a Custom House, and a granite plaque, bearing the Arms of Jersey,
1 See AnnexesA Iz and h i13.
"RRôlesde la Cour Royale 1'IldeeJersey,3Septembre,1938.See Annex A Ir4.
Ibid.31Mars, 1946.See Annex A 115.
j RegistrePublic de 1'IleJersey,Livre 352, folio 15SeeXnnex h 116. NEMORIAL OF THE UNITED I<INGDOBI (3 111 52)
92
\vas affixed to one of the wdls l.On the same day the same authority
also purchased a plot of land adjoining the Custom House, from
another Jerseyman, E. B. Renouf which is again dcscribed as
"situé sur la Maîtresse Ile des Minquiers, dkpendant de cette Ile
[i.e.,Jersey] et du Fief de Sa Majesté ...."A conclition was that thc
purchasers "acquitterit et déchargent les droits Seigneuriaiix".
162. As is the case with the Ecréhaus Islets (see paragrriph 139,
above) the Minquiers have been included by the Jersey authorities
within the scope of their Census enumerations.
163. In Igzr the Constable of the Parish of Grouvillc sent an
enumerator to the Minquiers (Maîtresse Ile) for the purpose of taking
the Census which was then being held throughout the British Isles 3.
Contractsreluting to Real Prope~ty nt the Minqz~iers
164. Contracts of sale and of other transactions in real property
in Jersey are normally yassed bcfore tlie Royal Court, and registered
in the Public Kegistry of Deeds. That practice has not invariably
been followed in the case of huts on Maîtresse Ile, but several
transfers of property, which have been effected by sale, are duly
registercd in the Public Registry. As \vil1 be noted in the two
examples cited in paragraph 161, above, the contracts described
the Minquiers as "dépendiint" on the Island of Jersey and on the
"Fief de Sa Majesté" ; aiid provision is made for purchasers ta
continue paying existing seignorial dues. Exarnples of such contracts
may be found in 1896, 1909 (two), 1926, 1932,1936 and 1937 4.
Those of 1909 (two) have heen already mentioricd as evidence of
purchases by the States of Jersey thcmselves (see paragraph 161,
above). That of 1937 "as also a transaction to which they were a
party. By it the States acquired from F. Mallet, a Minquiers fisher-
man, a building site and the remains of an old building, in order,
as the Act of the States of the 27th Octoher, 1937 l'ad it, to build
a house for the use of shipwrecked mariners and of Jersey fishermen,
who, owjng to bad weather, rniglit find themselves short of provi-
sions, and in which to kecp materials needed' by the Piers and
Harbours Cornmittee in connexionwith the upkeep and maintenance
of the buoys and beacons at the Minquiers and in their surrounding
waters. The three purchascs by the States mentioned in this and
1 See Alinex C S.
2 RegistrePublic de1'Ile de jerseloc.'ciSe. Annex A 117.
a AffidaviotfT. J. BreeJurat ofthe Royal Courtof Jersey, 2nMay, $951. See
Annex A 108.
4 Registre Public de l'llc de Jersey. Li320,folio 55;ibid.,1-jvr352, folio
152 ;ibid.Livre 397, folio 1;5ibid.L.ivre 414, fo2z6 ; ibid., Livre 4agA, folin
165 ; ibidLivrc 432~~folio 139.SeeAnnexes A 118,A 116, A 117,A 119,A rao.
A 121,A 122.
6 Acte des Etats dI'lle dJersey,27 Octobre, 1937. SeeAnnex h 123. paragraph 161, above, were al1made by means of forma1 contracts
duly passed before the Royal Court. The States also ow~ia third
building on &laitresse Ile, traditionally known as the Bailiff's
House l.In addition, in 1946, they erectcd a wooden hut for the
use of Jersey fishermen frequenting the Reef.
Evidence of OflciaE Constrztctions &c., aqtd Visils
' 165: (a) As with the Ecréhous (see paragraph 142, above), there
is evidence of officia1constr'uctions in ancl srouncl the Minquiers bp
the Jcrsey Authorities. The States of jersey have always soughi. to
encourage the fishing of the Minquiers hy Jcrsey fishcrmen, and a
consicicrable sum has been expendecl for this purpose 3.
(b) In the year 1889 4,the Piers and Harbours Corninittee of the
States of Jersey passed an Act giving instriictionç for the erection
of a flagstaff on Maitresse Ile of the hlincluiers. These xvere not
apparently carried out, and therefore the Cornmittee passed a
second Act, on the 26th April, 1890 " ordering the Harbour Biazter
of Jersey to put the Act of 1889 into effect, so that the Jersey flag
might be hoisted. This flagstaff nTas damagecl, presumably by the
Germans, during the Occupation of the Channel Islands (1940-194j),
and was replaced by a new one in 1949.
(c) A substantial sliyway, designed to facilitate acccss to hlaitresse
Ile from the only safe anchoragc was first constructed iii1907 @, and
was lengthened to low-water mark in 1933'. It was most recently
repaired iri 1950. In 1933, a Winch was erectecl on NuraitresseIle
in order to facilitate the landing of stores and lishing-gear. It was
removed by the Germans during the Occupation. In 1933, latrines
were also built. For navigational assistance ü bartirneter and thermo-
~ncter were provided; ivhich the Harbour blaster was instructed to
i~istallin a suitable place
(d) The following Heacons and Buoys desigiicd to renclersafer
the approaches to, and navigation within, the waters of the Min-
quiers, were erected or moored during the yearç indicated in each
case Io.:
Amdavit of \iT.G. Furzer, Harbour Jfaster of Jcrs20th August, 1951,piLra-
graph (111).SeeAnnex A 99.
Ibid. Sec :\nneA 98.
Xffidavit of H. F. Ereaut, Treasurer of the StatofJersey, 4th XIay,lgjr.
Sce rinncx A 124.
'Acte du Comité des Havres etChaussées,26 Avril. 1890See Annex A 125.
Ibid. Sec Anncx A 125.
Xctc du Comitédes Havres et Chaussées, 2Mai, 1907.sce Annexes A 126 and
C 7.
Ibid.,27 Juin. 1933See Annex A 127.
Ibid .ec Annex A 127.
IliirSec Annex A 127.
grapli(V).See Arinex A98.FThe names of tiic roclts givcn in this list are taken fiom
tlie aflitlavit itself. As some of thein are only awasti or drying ttiey will not al1be
found on tlie charts in Anncxeç 2andU 3.Sec also Anncxcs C 16 and C 17 for
photographs of thcse beacoiis.-
94 RIERlQRIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOhl (3 11152)
A.-Steel Beacons, surmounted by plaques bearing the words
Etats de Jersey, on
the Maisons, in 1937,
the Pipettes, in 1937,
the Grand Vascelin, in 1937 and
the Puffin, in 1937, replacing the original wooden beacon
erected in 1931.
13.-Steel Beacons, without plaques, on
the Blanche Rocque, or Rocher Blanc or Bia~icheCrôc, in
19311
the Manche à Brioche, in 1931,
the Petite Gouillot, in 1933 eplacing the original wooden
beacon erected in 1931,
the Fontaines, or Jettée des Fontaines de Bas, or La Couste
des Fontaines, in 1937,
the Grune Tar or Grune à Tas, in 1937,
the Demie or Les Demies, in 1937,
the Coq or La Grune à Gatié,in 1938,
the Rocher du Sud Bas or Rond Rocher de Sud, in 1938 and
the Kocher du Sud or Gros Rocher du Sud, in 1938.
C.-Wooden Beacons without plaques on
the Rocher N(ord) E(st) orthe Rocher du Nord Est, in 1937
the Grand Guillot or Grune Gouillot, in ~937.
and
D.-ilil unlighted Buoy on
the Demie de Vascelin, in 1934 (this Buoy being last
re-moored in position after overhaul in 1950).
E.-In 1913 ,nunlighted Mooring Buoy at the anchorage to the
South East of the Maîtresse Ilat about one cable's length
from the foot of the slipway (seesub-paragraph (c),above).
This Buoy \vas 1st re-moored in position after overhaul
in 1950.
(e) As with the Ecréhous,it has been for many years the practice
of various Insular Authorities, the Assembly of the Governor, Bailiff
and Jurats, the Finance Committee (their successors in control of
Insular Customs), and the Piers and Harbours Committee, to pay
one or more annualofficia1visits to Maitresse Ile of the Minquierl;
and, on the occasion of every such visit,itis the invariable custom
to hoist the Union Jack at the flagstaff previously referred to (see
sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph 16j, above), and to flyit there
during the penod of the stay on the Keef. The Lieutenant-Governor
l Certificaof F. de L. Rois, Greffier Statesof Jersey, 19; Actedu
liaster oJcrsey20thAugust,1951. SeAnnexesAi128,A 129andFAgS. andalsour
C 1s. bIEbIORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III 52) 93
of Jersey from time to time has frequently accornpanied these parties
and, as the representative of the Sovereign, has taken part in the
ceremony of the hoisting of the flag In addition, visits are made
to the Maisons and Pipettes, which are important parts of the
Minquiers Reef, On the 28th May, 1945, the Co~nmander of the
Liberating Force, accompanied by the Bailiff of Jersey and the
Attorney-General together xvivito hther officials,visited Maitresse Ile,
accompanied by an armed Marine Guard, and aith appropriate
ceremony and lionours, hoisted the Union Jack 2.On that occasion,
French fishermen were seen on the Islet. They tvere questioned by
the Force Commander, informed that they had no right to be there,
and ordered to leave. On the 3rd Ayril in the following year the
Harbours and Airport Cornmittee proceeded to Maître[sse] Ile, ancl
hoisted the flag in the presence of the Lieutenant-Governor and
other distinguished visitors
Evidence of Habitable Buildings at theMinqui8rs
166. (a) In the early days of the known history of the Rlinquierç,
the position would appear to be that no habitations existed upon
Ilaitresse Ile or elselvhere on the Keef. There certainly were none
in 1748 when one Jean Hamon waç cast up on Maîtresse Ile as sole
survivor from a boat on passage to St. MaIo In the last decade
of the 18th century (circa1792) however, workmen in considerable
nurnbers were sent to Maîtresse Ile from Jersey to quarry stone
which was to be used for the erection of Fort Rcgent in the Yarish
of St. Helier, Jersey5. This quarrying was continued duriiig the
early years of the 19th century B. Formal protests by fishermen ?,
following their unsuccessful attempts to stop the quarrying b y
removing and throwing into deep water the tools of thc quarrymen,
eventually brought the quarrying operations to an end, but not
until, with the assistance of drill and blasting powder, a vt:rqr
substantial amount of stone had, over a period of some twerity
years, been quarried and removed to Jersey. Uuring that period
the original stone huts on Maîtresse Ile, of which traces still remain,
would apyear to have been built.
(b) The old quarrymen cut their initials in many places on the
Islet ;and, asa result of archæological research in 1928, a record
was made of some of them The oldest initials and date found
1 Act of tlie Harboursand Airport Committec, 3rd hpril,1946 ; afiidaviof
Urigüdier K.Al. H. Lewis, Secretary to the Governmentin the Island of Jersey,
noth August. 1951.ÇceAnnexes A 130and A ioo.
a Affidaviof C.W. Duret Aubin, former Attorney-Generalof Jcrscy. 12th Otto-
lier195 1,and photograph.See Annexes A 131 and C g.
Act oftheHarbours and AirportCommitlec, 3rd Xpril,1946- SeAnnex A 130.
SocidtéjersiaisBeulletinnnzbelpl'.193-4.
Ibid.p. 194.
Acte du Comité des Havres et Cliausséeg.aofit, 188Scc Annex rZ 129.
Ibid.See Annex A 129.
8 Affidavit oX. V. L. Rybot. F.S.A., Vicc-Prcsidenof the SocidtéJersiaise.
10th May, 1951. SeeAnnexes A 132and C 19. 96 MEMORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOhi (3 II1 52)
were "JLVC 1792'' and the latest "PLBLC 1813." The "JLVC"
would be the normal Jersey abbreviations of "J. Le Vesconte", and
the "YLBLC" that of "P. Le Blaiicq" ; and it can therefore be
assumcd that these cuttings at any rate were done by Jerseymen
engaged in the quarrying. The initials and dates are cut with such
ski11that they must clearly have been the work ofpractisedcrafts-
men who had the appropriate tools at their disposal.
(c) 'The evidencc of the occupation of Maîtresse Ile by quarrymen
from Jersey is corroborated by two .passes signed by Lieutenant-
General Sir George Don, then Lieuteriant-Governor of Jersey,
whereby on the 25th February, 1812, permission was granted to
the master of the cutter Charles to pass to and from Maltresse Ilc
to Jersey, he beirig employed on His Majesty's service l.
167. There is further evidence that the buildings which, through
the years, were erected oii Maîtresse Ile, were owned, and from
time to time occupied, bp Jersey residents.
(a) ï'he Chan~zelPilot, Part II (1870 Edition), published by
the British Admiraity, states that Maîtresse ILe had several huts
on it, in which the fishermen resided during the summer months :
" .... In 1869 there were 17 smdl houses or huts on the islet
[Rlaîtresse Ile], built of stone, belonging to the natives of
La Roque point, Jersey, who are employed during the summer
season (8 rnonths of the year) fishing al1 over the Minquiers
reef 2."
(bj The following extract also occurs in the French officia1
publicatioii, Pilote de la Manche, ï'roisièmePartie (1875) :
"La Maîtresse Ile (zrnl. O) est habitée en été par quelques
pêcheurs de Jersey qui ont deux maisons 3."
(cj Aii Act of the Comrnittee of Piers and Harbours of the States
of Jersey of the 9th August, 1888 records a visit of the Committee
to Maîtresse Ile, and states that there were 19 houses, one of which
' was without a roof and uninhabited and the other 18were inhabited
by Jersey fishermen, exceyt one which was let for several months
to two Frenchmen, employed by their Government to make
observations of the tides and currents in the Minquiers waters.
There followed,in the Act a description of the situation of the houses
and the names af the owners.
(d) On the 13thJune, 1903, the Committee of Fiers and Harbours
adopted a report by a Sub-Committee which had been appointed
on the 11th fune, 1903, when the Committee paid a visit to the
Minquiers, to ascertain the number of houses then on Maîtresse
'See Annex 22 133.
I'heChnr~?zelilot,PartII (1870)p. 33.
3Piiotede ln Jla~zchSroisiè~nePartic (1875p.504.
"qcte du Comitd desHavres et Chaussées. Août, 1888. See Annex A 129. Ile and the namcs of tlicir ownerç l. The report stated that the
number of houses was npproximately 18, the majority of ~vhich
were built iii stoiie, aiicl wcre inhabited by Jersey fishermcn. The
narnes of 20 Jersey fishcrmen mere given as the owners of the
hoiises in question. The report mentioned that by a contract
passed beforc the Royal Court oii the 30th May, 1896,C. Le Riche
had sold a hoiise to E. Alorrison, who stil1,omned it (see also piira-
graph 164, above).
(e) Besides the four buildirigs alreacly mentioned as beloiiging
to the Sfates of Jerscy (see paragraphs 161 and 164, above), tliere
are at present on Maîtresse Ile tl-iree other dwellings which are
habitable, and IO wliich, owing to the Gcrmsn Occupation, are
not in that conditioii. Al1 13 of them belong to Jersey residents
who, from time to tirnc, makc ilse of tEicrn for fishing purposes.
This total figure of 17 hnl~itnble and unhabitable buildirigs
approximates vcry closcly to the numbcr of hiits given in The
Channel Pilo (see (ci), above).
(f) The only othcr IiabitabIe building on Maîtresse Ile at the
present time is n wooclen hut erected as a shelter for French fishcr-
men in 1939 11ya Frenchrnsn, popularly known as "Marin Marie" 3.
This action on his part was the subjcct of a11 immediate prolest
by the States of Jersey, but the intervention of the Second LVorlcl
War made impossible its pursuit.
168. (a) A previous attcmpt to erect a hut on 3laitresse Ile
had been made in 1929, by a French national, a M. H. Le Rous.
who purported to hold a lease dated the 1st July, 1929, and sigiled
by three minor Frcnch,Government oficials *.A British protest "
was at oncc made, and If. Lc Roux withdrcw, presurnably on the
directio~is of his Government. The work had not proceedcd bcyond
the construction of ricoricrete foundation \val1 to a height 0.f
approximately 18 inchcs a. One accourit of his departure records
the contents of a lettcr from the Directeztv He L'Enregistrement
cancelling the lease, the letter giving as s rcason that the French
Ministry of Foreign Affairs had rulcd that the sovereignty of the
hlinquicrs was still in issue between France and England '.
(b) Some years latcr, a Jersey rcsident, with the consent of M.Ide
Roux, crccted a woodcn bungalow on the concrete foundütioiis.
Ibid.,13 Jiiii1903, SCCI~IIII11L134.
* Affidavit of WG. 17urzcrtiarbour Iilastof Jersey,20th-4ugust.iggr.para-'
graph (111).See Anncx A 98.
;\fidavitof IV. S. 1.hlasurier. Soliciand former Ueputy of the State:i of
Jersey,4th Junc. rggr. Suc Anncx rilog.
See Anncx A 135.
.5See Annex h 7j.
SeeAnnexes A I36 aticC 20.
' Affidaviof ISde Laquaine, Icdituc of LChroiiiqiide Jersey,5thMay. 195 L
Sec Annex A 137.98 JIE~IORIAI, 01: THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III 52)
That bungalow was totally destroyed, presumably by the Germans,
during the Occupation, anci has not been rebuilt l.
169. (a) In 1812 Captaiii hlartin White, R.N. (seesub-pnragraph
(a) of paragraph 144, ahove), began a sunrey of the English Chan-
nel 2. He visited Blaitresse Ile of the Minquiers in May, 1813, and
again on the 26th Julp, 1815 3. The record of this survey shems a
water-colour of Rlaitrcsse Ile, upon which appears a stone building.
In addition, this building appears on a chart drawn by Captain
White (which interna1 evidence shews to have been drawn not
later than 1823) 4,and is described by him as foliows : "....there
is a hut built on the Island for the occasional protection of the
Fishermen & Vrachers [gatherers of seaweed] who frequent the
place for the yurpose of obtaining the Conger, Ormur (Oreille de
Mer) Lobsters which here abound in great profusion".
(b) There is evidence that Captain White regarded the Rlinqiiiers
as British. Hc was in the habit of iiidicating his True North and
klagnetic North lines with the traditional devices of a knot or a
half fleur-cle-lis.But in one of his charts of Maîtresse Ile, he embel-
lished the True North linc, which is drawn through the centre of
the Islet, with a Union Jack 5.
Acts Specifically Relating to Fishing
170. There is evidence to shew :
(a) that Jerseymen have fished the Minquiers since at least the
l~eginningof the 17th century ;
(b) that the Minquiers continued to be fished by Jerseymen right
up to the year 1940 , hen, under a German Order made
during the Occupation of Jersey, such fishingwas prohibited
(seeparagraph 178, belotv) ; and
(c) that the States of Jersey have consistently acted in support
of the fishing rights of Jerseymen at the Minquiers and
Iiave aiso, by the provision of houses and stores and by
the erection and maintenance, at substantial cost, of
navigational beacons and buoys, sought to encourage and
foster the fishi~igby Jerseymen of the Riinquiers, and to
rnake safer the approaches to, and navigation within, the
waters of the Reef.
' Afiidaviof W. S. Le JIasurier, Solicitor and former Depuofthe Statesof
Jersay,4thJune, 1951;and ofii'G. Furzer, Harbour JIaster of JernothAugust,
rg:i,AnSeOromctric Survcy ofaTheC Ninquiers Rocks" ; contained in: "Rough
lteniarlts for the Siirvcy of the Islands of Jersey, Gucr~isey, Alderney. Sercq and
Coast of France;undertaken in thc I'ear 1812, by Capt AI. it'hite, lioyal;Iïavy
l'yOrdcr of tlieliight Honornblc The Lords Commissioiiers of the Admjralty".
AlS.~C+ZAp. 42 :(Hydrographie Dept., Admiralty. London.)
Ibid., pp. 10III.
"An Orometric Siirvey o?'lieJlinqiiiers lioc;sand see Annex A 138.
AIS.E 625c(i-lydrographic Dept., Admiralty, London). See Annex B g. MEMORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III 52) 99
171.The Kolls of the SeigneurialCourt of Noirmont (seeparagrayil
154, above) record that, on the 25th October, 1615, four men,
Collas and Jean Grandin, Jean Christin and Jacques Dumaresq,
and on the 3rst January, 16x6, Collas Grandin and others, brought
back wreckage to Jersey from the Minquiers 1. The fact that
Collas Grandin visited the Minquiers on both tlie dates rnentioiied
which, it is emphasized, were in late autumn and winter, would
tend to suggest that visits by Jerseymen to the Reef were, even
then, iiot infretluent ; and it is reasonable to assume that the I
primary object of these visits was to fish and also, possibly, to
collect vraic (se;ixveed). In 1692, wreck was once Inore discovereil
on the Minquiers, presumsbly by Jersey fishermen again visiting
the reef, as the question of its owncrship {vas brought before the
Jersey Royal Court
172. In 1807 the Jersey fishermen who were then fishing the
Minquiers protested tcithe States of Jersey against the quarrying
of rock which was taking place at Rlaîtresse Ile, alleging that the
effect of excessive quarrying urould be to render niore exposed the
only safe anchorage off that Islet (see sub-paragraph (a) of para-
graph 166, above). This protest shems clearly that already in the
early years of the 19th century, the fishing of the Minquiers, by
Jerseymen was so well established and important that fishermen
were concerned about the safety o'ftheir anchorage.
173 The evidence of fishermen living to-day at La Rocque in
the Parish of Grou,vilIe in the IsIand of Jersey establishes that,
certainly not less than an hundred years ago, that is to Say, about:
1850, La Rocque fishermen, in many cases the direct ancestors oi
the fisliermen upon ~hosc declarations this claim is na de, were
regularIy fishing the Minquiers as their sole occupation S. In those
early days, the primitive stone huts (see sub-paragraph (a) of para-
graph 166, above), wouId appear to have become incapable of
habitation, and the fishermen accordingly slept in their boats ; biit,
as the scale of fishirig developed, temporary shelters and later
houses were erected in substantial numbers.
174. I. the years 1369 (sec paragraph 99, above), and 1872 4,
petitions were addressed respectively to the Board of Trade and
to the States of Jersey, fisherrnen complaining that French fisher-
men had stoIen or othemise interfercd with their gear. The petition
'
of 1872 alleged the removal by French fishermen of Jersey fishi:r-
men's lobster pots at the Minquiers, and cornplained that previous
Rôles de la Cour tiuet:SeigneuridoNoirmont (penesAh. C. M. de Gruchy,
widom of G.F. 13.deGruchy, latc Seignede Noirmont). SeeAnnex h io.
See Annexes A21 and27.
"fficlavitof P. J. Le Clcrqand F. and E. Gallichan,3Iinquiersfisherrilr!n,
2nd 3Iny.1951 Sechnnex A r39.
Se8Annexes A 50 and A 140.1O0 1IEJIOKIAL OF TtIE UNITED KISGDOJI (3 III 52)
representations hsci failed to redresç their grievances l. Thcsc peti-
tions were formally cominunicated to the appropriate Department
in London.
175, On the 12th Novcniber, 1869, a protest, arising out of the
petitions referred to in the preceding paragraph (çeealso paragrnph
99, above) was addressed by the British Embassy in Paris to the
French Foreign hlinistcr protcsting against the thcft by French
fishermeri of the tackle of Jersey fishermen at the Mincltiicrs. Thc
Embaçsy's letter of protest dicl iiot refer specifically to thc matter
of sovereignty, but described the Minquiers as "this dependency of
the Channel Islands", and stated that Jersey fishcrrnen had long
had huts upon the rocks. The reyly of the French Foreign Office,
dated the 11th hlarch, 1870 (sec also paragraph 100, abovc) s,stüted
that the complaint hacl been investigated by the Minister of filarine
and the Colonies\\-ho,without admitting the theft alleged, promised
to issue a wariiiiig in ordcr to prevent future deprcdations.
176. (a) When the Piers and Harbours Committee visited Mai-
tresse Ile on the 9th hugust, 1888 (çee çub-yaragraph (c) of ilara-
graph 167, abovc), the Act of the Cornmittee recorded that, at that
time, some 16 to 18 boatç werc employed fishing the bIincluiers and
that they were inanncd by some 30 to 35 Jerseymen. Thcy were
reputed to be catchiiig fish to the value of about L650 during the
months of May, June, Julp and August.
(b) Siinilarly, when the Committee visited the Minqiiiers on the
13th June, 1903(çcc sub-paragraph (d) of paragraph 167, above),
it was recorded tliat 16 hoats manned by 32 men, al1 Jerscymen,
were fishing the Minquiers.
177. For the next 37 years, the Minquiers continued regularly to
be fished by La Rocclue fishcrmen, manp of whom are still liviiig.
They state that, in the early years of the 20th century, between
30 and 40 men were so cmployed, but that, by 1930, their number
had fallen to about 15. It \vas about this time (1930t) hat French
fishermen began seriously to fish the Minquiers 4.
178. During the period of German Occupation (1gqo-xg45),Jersey
fishermeii urere not allowed to carry out any fishing whatsoevcr at
the hlinquiers 6.No such restriction applied to Freiich fishcrmen
after the departiirc of the Germans from the Iles Chazbseyand the
adjacent mainlarici soon üfter the Allied landing in Norrnündy on
the 6th Julie, 1944. As a result, the efforts made by certain Jersey
fishermen, imrnediately after the Liberation of Jersey on the
9th May, 1945 ,o re-estabiish their former occupatiori encountered
See Aiinex A51.le I'lle de Je23eFévrier1872.See Anncx .4140.
a Ibid.ee Anncx A 52.
4 :iffidaviof J. 1.cClcrcj and F.and E. GalIichan, .\lincluiers fishermen.
2nd May. rggr.SecAnncx I\139.
5 See dnnex:\ tol. JTEhlORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III 52) IO1
such strorig French iiiterference and cornpetition that they had to
bc abandoiied l.
179. The States of Jersey have alwayç sought to encourage the
fishing of theRiirirluiers by Jersey fisherme; and, with this object
iii view, corisiderabie expenditure has been incurred (see paragraph
16j, above). In this connexion, it should be noted that al1 the
13enconsand Riioys (~articulars of which are given in sub-paragraph
(d) of paragraph 16j, ahove) erected by the States of jersey at the
hlintluicrs were designecl to facilitnte access to, and therefore the
use of, the Islets and Rocks for fishingpurposes.
PART III
SUBMISSIONSOFTHE GOVERNMENT OFTHE UNITEDKINGDOM
RELATINCTO T~E ISSUE OF SOVEREIGNTY OVER THE ISLETS
AND ROCKSOF THE ECREHOUSAND MINQUIERSGROUPS
SECTION A.-THE SCOPE OF THE DISPUTE
180. The dispute between the Governments of the United King-
dom and of the French Republic, as stüted in Article 1of the Agree-
ment of the 29th December, 1950 (see paragraph 1, above), is
whether the United Kingdom or the French Republic is entitled to
"thc sovereigiity over the islets and rocks (in so far as they are
capable of appropriation) of the Minquiers and Ecrehos groups
rcspcctively,..,"The basis on which the dispute had been submitted
to the Court is, therefore, as has been previously stated iri this
Mernorial (see paragraph 120, shove), that none of the Islets or
Rocks is to be regürded as resntcllizcs,but that sovereignty over
each of them, in so far as they are capable of appropriation, belongs
either to France or to the United Kingdom.
181. As has been shewn in Section R of Part 1of this Rlernorial,
tlie Kings of Englanci after the Norman Conquest held, as Dukes
of Normaiidy, the Channel Islands as one of their possessions, and,
apnrt from the occasions when the Kings of France temporarily
gaincd coiitrol of one or more of the Islands, the Kings of Englanci
retained possessioi~of them throughout the Middle Ages. In modem
times the sovcreignty of the English Crown over the Channel
Islands as a whole has never been in dispute. It is not, therefore,
in issue between the United Kingdom and France that the former
hns sovercignty over al1the Islands, particulars of which are given
iiiparagraph 5, above, other than the Islets and Rocks of the
Ecréhoiis and 3.lincluiersgroups, which are now in dispute, and the
Iles Chuzisey,which are acknowledged to belong to France.
'Sce r1nne.u 139.IO2 4IElIORlhL OF THE UNITED KlKGUOM (3 III 52)
SECTION B.-THE PRINCIPLES APPLICABLE TO THE DETER-
MINATION OF THE CASE
182. Article II of the Special Agreement of the 29th Dccember,
1950, provides that the agreement reached between the aunitcd
Kingdom Governmerit ancl the French Government as to the order
in which the written proceediiigs are to be submitted to thc Court
is "Withoiit prcjudice to any question of the burdeii of proof," as
bctween the two Govcmmeiits. Tlie United Kingdom Govcrnment
accordingly submit that sovereignty over the Ecréhous and the
Minquiers should be adjudged by the Court to the party which
shows tlie better title to them in international law, and that the
maxim actoriilzcl~wlbiPt roZl~lts not applicable tothe presciit case.
183. The sources of the law applicable to the case are those
referred to in paragraph iof Article 35 of the Statute of tlie Court.
The parties have not agreed to its being decidecl ex aqico et bon0
under paragraph 2 of Article 38.
184. The Government of the Uiiited Kingdom advance thcfollow-
ing submissions on the issue of sovereignty :
A. The right of a State to exercisesoverezglatyover agiverzterritory
wray be founded, itrinternational Law, on the abilityof tlznt
State toshewartorigi~ror a rootO/ tifl:onemeflzod O!shewiîzg
sitch an origin or a rool O/ title is fo firoue ils existeni?z
amiefit times.
B. Where iAerool of Iille is shewn to have existedittartcienttimes,
itzterttaéional2aw reqz~iresthe original title to be sztpported by
effectivebossession.
C. ~Lre, lîobever, Ilie original title to a givelr territory can9,otbe
proved,eflectivefiossessionwill by itself szificeto establislrtitle.
D. Evidettce of sziclipossession is, ineither case, to be fourzd in
acts manifestilrg continttotts and fieacefzlldisplO/sover-
eignty over the territor. Altholigh tkis sovereignty qnz~stbe
continuozssinprînciple, il neenotbeexercisedaleverytnonzent
atevery point of the territory, so long as thereis an interztion
and wiEEfo act as sovereip. How extensive the acls O/sover-
eignty ??eedto be dependCopzthe tzntztre O/ the territory.
E. Where it isagreedtliat sovereignty over the territorin dispute
beloptgs20one o/ the two $arties itothe case,thnt pavly is the
soeeveign, which is joztnd to have the better cLai?jzon irhe
basisof principles A 20 LI.
SECTION C.-LEGAL ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT OF THIS SUB-
MISSIONS ON THE ISSUE OF SOVEREIGNTY
185. The detailed arguments of the United Icingdoin Government
in support of the submissions on the issue of çotrereignty, set out
in the preceding paragrapli,wiJInow be developed. hIEl1ORIhL OF THE UPiITED KIKGDOM (3 III 52)
IO4
or of immemorial possession, but they would appear to have
considered only the case where the legal origin of an ancient title
to territory islost in the mists of antiquity. Westlake l appears to
be alone in rnentioning in terms the deduction of title from a root.
188. The United Kingdom Government do not dispute that,
whereas, prior to the 18th century, the view was generally held
that a State could make a successful claim to soyereig~ity over a
territory merely on the basis of an abstractright, it has now become
generally recognized that, for a State to maintain an original title
to sovereignty over a territory, it is necessary that that title
should be supported by evidence of a continuous and peacefuI
display of sovereignty, accompanied by an intention and will to
act as sovereign (see D., paragraph 184, above). On the other
hand, urhere, as in the present case, the parties to the dispute have
agreed thnt sovereignty over the territory in question belongs to
one of them, the United Kingdorn Government suhmit that sovcr-
eignty slzoiild be adjudged to that party which is able to adduce
the grenter weiglit of evidence of a continuous and peacefiil display
of sovereignty, :iccompanied by the riiill and i~itentiori to nct as
sovereigii over tlie territory in question (sec E., parab~aph 184,
above).
189. The United Kingdom Government submit tlist, in regard
to effective possession, the applicable law is most succinctly stated
in the Isla~td ofPal~lzas(or Miatzgas) case 8, and in the case on the
Legnl Sfatrls of Eastern Greettlalzd, decided by the Pcrmarient
Court of 1nternational Justice
190. In the Islalld of Pallnas case (1928) the United States of
-4merica (as çuccessor to Spain) and the Netherlands nrere disputing
the sovereignty over an Island in the Pacific. The United States
daim was based on the discovery of the Island by Spain and on
contiguity to the Philippines : the Netherlands claim u7as based
on the exercise of acts of sovereignty over the Island during a long
period. Finding in favour of the Netherlands, the arbitrator,
Dr. Max Huber, held thrit: a "continuous and peaccfal display" of
sovereignty over the Island gave a title superior to any that could
be based on original discovery or contiguity.
191. Dr, Hubcr, in considering the nature of the facts required
in order to sustain a title based on the exercise of rights of sover-
eignty over territory, observed :
"...practicc, as well as doctrine,recognizes-though under diffcrcnt
legal formulae and with certain differences as to the conditions
required-that the continuous and peaceful display of territorial
Westtake,I?rfernaIio~ialLaw. i. 90-1(Edition).
Ar,zerican JoirriO/Inleriratio~ralLa(rg28),xii. 867-912.
No.53).orts of the I'eri?zanenl Court of Inter>iational Justice (Series ~\./ll.-Fasc. JlEhlORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III 52) 1°5
sovereignty (peaceful in relation to other states) is asgood as a
title [seeC., paragraph 184, above]. The grou-ing insistence with
which international law, ever since the middle of the eighteenth
century, has demandcd that the occupation shall be effective
would be inconceivrible, if effectiveness were required only for the
act of acquisition and not equally for the maintainance of the
right. If the effectiveness has above al1 been insisted on in regard
to occupation, this is because the question rarely arises in connection
with territories in which there is alreadÿ an established order of
things l." (Sce A. and B., paragraph 184, above.)
192. Dr. Huber fiirther hrought niit the importance, in inter-
national law, of the coiitribtition which a State actually makes
to a stable and coristructive arder of affairs as against the negative
insistence on a historic right, which datesback to a period in history
when the purely proprietary coiiccption of sovereignty prevailccl,
by the following comp;trisori with the state of affairs which prevails
under ~nuiiiciyal law :
"Although municipal law, thûnks to its complete judicial system,
is able to recognize abstract rights of property as existing a1i;irt
from any material display of them, it has none the less limited
their effcct by the principles of prescription and the protection
of possession. International law, the structure of which is not
based on any super-state organization, cannot be presumetl to
reduce a right such as territorial sovereignty, with which almost
al1 international relations are bound up, to the category of an
abstract right, without concrete manifestations %'"
193. The foIlo\ving two quotations, from the award in the
Island of Ynlnzas case, have a special bearing on the nature and
extent of the administration wliich it is necessarj to shew for the
purpose of estabIishing sovereignty over a tenitory which is
accessible only froin the high seas, or is small in area :
"h.lanifestations of territorial sovereignty assume, it is tnie,
different forms, according to conditions of tirne and place. Although
continuous in principle, sovereignty cannot be exercised iri fact at
every moment on cvery point of a territory [see D., paragrnph 184,
above]. The intermittence and discontinuity compatible with the
maintainance of the right necessarily differ according as irihabited
or uninhabitcd regions are involved, or regions enclosed within
territories in which sovercignty is uncontestably displaycd or again
regions accessible frorn, for instance, the liigh seas3."
"The acts of indircct or direct disylay of NetherIands sovereignty
at Palmas (or hliangas), especially in the eighteenth and early
nineteenth centuries are not numerous, and there are considerable
gaps in the evidence of continuous display. But apart £rom the
'Ainericuir Jourrral of Intcrirafioi~al Law, xxii. 876.
Ibid.106.czf.
Ibid.. xxi877.106 h.IELfORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDORI (3 111 52)
consideration that the manifestations of sovereignty over a smaii
and distant island, inhabited only by natives, cannot be espected
to be frequent, it is not necasary that the display of sovereignty
should go back to a very far distant period [see C., paragraph 184,
above]. It may suffice that such display existed in 1898, and had
already existed as continnous and peaceful before that date long
enough to enable any Power who might have considered herself
as possessing sovereignty over the island, or having a claim to
sovereignty, to have, according to local conditions, a reasonable
possibility for ascertaining- the existence of a stntc of things
contrary to her real or alleged rights l."
194. Thc United Kingdom Government submit that the following
inferences may properly be drawn from Dr. Huber's award, namely :
(a) thüt modern international law does iiot. encourage the
rnaintenance of a title which is yiirely abstract, and has
not been accompanied witliin a reasonably recent period
of time by concrete rtcts of administration and sovereignty ;
(b) that this view is justifiecl by the iiecessity for stability in
i~itcr~iational affair;
(c) that the policy of international law encourages the vindication
of a sovereignty which is open and public, and fias been
continuous a~zdpeaceful.
It follo\vs,therefore, that the criterion of effective possession must
in eacli case turn upon the facts, the most important of wliich are
the actual nature of the territory itself andthe presence or absence
of competing claims.
195. In the case on the Legnl 'Statz~sO/ Ensterla Gireenlmld,
decided by the Permanetit Court of Tnternatioii;il Justicc in 1933,
the question turned on whether or1the 10th June, 1931 (the date
of the Norwegian Decree purportirlg to anriex the territory) the
territorJ was res nullizts lin which case the niinexntion would be
valicl), or was uiider Danish sovereignty (in which c:tse the annex-
atioii would not be valid). Finding in favour of llenmnrk the Court
"The first Danish argument isthat the Nor~veginnoccupation
of part of the East coast of Greenland is invalid because Denmark
has claimed and exercised sovereign rights over Greenland as a
whole for a long time and has obtained thereby a valid title to
sovereignty. The date at which such Danish sovereignty must
have existed in order to render the Nonvegian occupation invalid
is the date at which the occupation took place, viz., July ~o1931.
"The Danish claim is not founded upon any particular act of
occupatio~ibut aeges-to use the phrase employed in the Palmas
Island decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, April 4th.
1928-a title 'founded on the peaceful and continuous display of
State authority over the island.' It is based upon the view that
1Ait~e~icaJOU~NU~ ofInter$sational Law, x908. JIE~IORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOJI (3 III 52)
107
Denmark nowenjoys al1the rights which the King of Denmark and
Nonvay enjoyed over Greenland up till 1814. Both the existence
and the extent of these rights must therefore be considercd, as
well as the Danish claim to sovereignty since that date.
"It must be borne in mind, however, that as the critical date
is July roth, 1931, itis not necessary that sovereignty over Green-
land should have existed throughout the period cluring which the
Danish Government maintains that itwas ,in being. Even if tlie
material submitted to the Court might be thought insufficient to
establish the existence of that sovereignty during the earlier
periods. this would not exclude a finding that it is suficient to
establish a valid title in the period immediately preceding the
occupation.
"Before proceeding to consider in detail the evidence submitted
to the Court, it may be ml1 to state that a clairn to sovereigrity
based not upon some particular act or title such as a treaty of
cession but rnerely upon continued display of authority, involves
two elements each of which must be shown to exist :the intention
and will to act as sovereign, and some actual exercise or display
of such authority 1". (See C. and D., paragraph 184, above.)
196. The Court also made the followiilg observations on the
effect of the character of a territory on whcther occupatioii can be
regarded as effective :
"It is impossible to read the records of the decisions in cases
as to territorial sovereignty without observing that in many cases
the tribunal has been satisfied with very little in the way of the
actual exercise of sovereign rights, provided that the other State
could not make out a supenor claim. This is yarticularly true
in the case of claims ta sovereignty over areas in thinly populatcd
or unsettlcd countries a". (See D., parqraph 184, above.)
197. The extracts quoted in the two preceding paragraphs shcw
that in order to support title by effective possession it is not
necessary to shew continuous physical occupation but that :L
continuous display of State authority and other concrete manifesta-
tions of sovereignty are sufficient ;tkat tlie requirenieiits of effectire
possessioi~ are Iess severe in remote and sparsely populated tcrri-
tories. The reference to a critical date in the case on the Legnl
Stattis oj Eastern Greenland is, in the submission of the Unitect
Kingdom Government, irrelcvant to the present dispute, çince
no evidence hns been dis~overed of occupation of thc Ecréhous aricl
the Minquiers by France. ivZoreovcr, the French Government clid
not even make a clairn to sovercigilty over the Ecréhous until
1586 (see paragraph 92, above),'or to sovereignty over the Rlincluier~
until ISSS (see paragraph 101, above). 011 those dates, there had
been acts of administration over the Ecréhous and Minquiers
exercised by the United Kingdom Government extending over a.
penod of centuries (see Part II, abovc, of this hlernorial).
' Refiorlof the Pern~airent Couvl ItzlcrnalionJtistic[SeriesA./B.-12nsc.
No?5op.pCllp.646.108 b1EJlORIAL OF TH ENITED KINGDOll (3 III52)
19s. The United Kingdom Govcrnment will now proceed, on
the basis of siibmissions A. to 13. (scc paragraph184, above), to
examine the relevance to their clniin to sovereignty over the
Ecréhous and Minquiers of :
(a) The Facts coiltained in Part II of this Mernorial. (Sectiori
Il,helow).
(6) The Account ofthe Treaties and Diplornatic Correspondence
relating to the present Dispute during the 19th and 20th
centuries, contained in Section CofPart Iof this Nemorial.
(SectionE, below).
SECTION D.-APPLICATION OF THE LEGAL SUBMISSIONS ON
THE ISSUE OF SOVEREIGNTY TO THE FACTS COSTAINED
IN PART II OF THE MEMORIAL
199. The Governrnent of the Unitcd Kingdorn subrnit that the
evidence shews clearly that the Uiiited Kingdorn acquired an
original titlc to the Ecréhous and Minquiers groups of Islets, wliich
has been supported by effective possessioii, accompanied by an
intention and will to act as sovereigii. In the first place, it is
submitted that the original title of the United Kingdom to tlie
Channel Islands asa whole, and to thc Island of Jersey in particular,
can be traced back to 1066, when the then Uuke of Kormandy,
\Villiam (whose great-great-graridfatherhad acquired the Chüilnel
Islands in 933(see paragraph 22, ahove)), became King of Erigland
by conquest (see paragraph 14, above). In the second place, it is
subrnitted that the Ecréhous and the Rlinquiers always remailied
part of the Island of Jersey. With regard to the Ecréhous, the
evidencc derived from medieval sources, which is set out in para-
graphs 125 to 133 inclusive, abovc, indicatcs that the Ecrélious
were the11already regarded as a dcpendency of Jersey. It is to be
presumed that they continueci to be so regarded, since the carlicst
available evidcnce in modern times shews that the Jersey authorities
were exercising sovereignty over them iii a public manner on the
basis that they formed part of the parish of St. Martin in Jersey
(secparagraph 13 j,above, and Section A of PartII of this Alemorial
generaily). As regards the Miiicluiers,although nu medieval evidence
lias bcen found shewing their dependence on Jersey, the presumption
that this was in fact so, is to he inferred from more recent evidence,
such as the exercise of juriçdiction ovcr thcm by the Jersey courts
in the 17th century (see paragraphs 154 and 155, above), aiid the
continuous series of modern acts evidcncing a display of sovcreigrïty
over tliein on the basis that tkey formed part of the parish of
Grouville in Jersey (see paragraph 158, above, and Section B of
Part Il of this .Mernorial generally). Firially, as regards effective
possessioii, the public records of the Island of Jersey consisteiitly
shew that, since 1826, the Ecréhous (see paragraph 136, above), ;IIEI\IORIALOF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III 52) 109
and, sincc 1615, the Brinquiers (see paragraph 154, abovc), were
treated as dependencies of Jersey, and that the Jersey authorities
exercised jurisdiction over them in the iiame of the British Crown.
The Ecréhous
zoo. It has been shewn in Section A of Part II of this hlemorial
(paragraphs 125 to 127 inclusive, above) that in 1203 the Ecréhous
ïvere regarded as part of the Island of Jersey, because Piers des
Préaux, who had becn granted that Island in rzoo by King John
of England, made a sub-grant in 1203 of the Ecréhous Islets by
name to the Abbey of Val-Richer iii Xormandy on the basis that
his title to the Ecréhous \vas derived from the graiit of 1200 by
King John (see paragraphs 125to 127 inclusive, above), and that
in 1309thc King's Courts exercised jurisdiction over the Ecréhous,
which thus continuecl to be part of thc territory of the King of
England (sceparagraphs 128to 130 inclusive, above). Furthermore,
the King of England, immedintely befnre the outhreak of the
Hundred YenrsJ War in 1337, granted letters of protcction to the
then Prior of the Ecréhous Priory in the same rnanner in which
he issued lctters of protection to the Priors of varioiis other religious
houses in Jersey and Cuernsey (see paragraph 131,above). It is
important to note tliat the Patent Roll containing the grant of
the letters of protection to the Prior of the Ecréhousrefers in terms
to the Ecréhous as belonging to the Island of Jersey, the Prior
being described as tlie Prior of "Acrehowede I?zsfcEn de Iereseye"
("Ecréhous of the Island of Jersey"). Lastly, with reference to the
evidence of meclieïraltitle, it may be inferred from the above facts
that, under the ,tcrms.of the Treaty of Calais of the 24th October,
1360, the Ecréhous (as well as the Minquiers) lslets were included
among "al1 thc other Islands ïvhich the saicl IGng of England
[Edward III] now holds" l. The United Icingdom Government
submit that, as regards the Ecréhous, the presiim~ition to this
effect is strong, because the7 were held by the Eilglish Crown in
1203, and were still so held in 1337.
201. There appears to be little positive evidence between the
end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the 19th century of
acts manifesting sovereignty over the Ecréhous. This lack of
positive evidence may be due ta the fact that the Priory on the
Ecréhous fell into ruins and also to the smallness and reIative
unimportance of the Islets. At the beginning of the 19th century,
the increased exploitation of fishing grounds iiitlie area betwecn
Jersey and the coast of the French mainlant1 (see paragraph 72,
above) naturally resulted in Jersey fisherrncn resortiiig frequently
to the Ecréhous (as well as to the Minquiers). Tlie 11ewimportarice
which the Islets thus acquired may in part explain the considerable
1See Annex A 2.
S110 MEMORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III 52)
body of evidence relating to the past one hundred and fifty years,
which shews that the Ecréhous were regarded as dependencies of
Jersey, and that the Jersey authorities exercised jurisdiction over
them in the name of the British Crou7n.
202. The evidence in regard to modern limes in Section A of
Part II of this Memorial is set out under various-heads l.Consider-
ation of that evidence shews that, despite the small size and relative
unimportance of the Ecréhous, the Jersey authorities continually
exercised sovereignty over them in an entirely public manner.
Thus the Ecréhous have been trested for administrative purposes
as forming part of the Parish of St. Martin in the Island of Jersey.
In 1826, the police of that Parish prosecuted George Romeril
before the Royal Court of Jersey for a crime committed on the
Ecréhous. Thcre is further evidcnce of the continued exercise of
police authority over the Islets in the notice posted on Mnrmotière
in 1884 by the Connétable of St. hfartin requesting fishermen not
to leave rubhish on it. Inquests have been hcld to determine the
cause of death of perçons found dead on or near the Islets ; houses
on the Islets have been assessed for the purposes of the jersey
parochial rate ; Census er-iumerations have been made on the
Islets ; measures have been taken to enforce the lawç of Jersey
relating to Customs ;leases of hlaîtrc Ile have been granted by the
Crown, and other contracts relating to real property on the Islets
have been registered in the Public Registry of Deeds of the Island
of Jersey. Furthermore, for more than a hundred years al1 the
houses on the Ecréhous group of Nets have been owned and
occupicd by Jerseymen or other British nationals. There is evidence,
relating to at least the past sixty years, that the Jersey authorities
have visited the Islets from time to time as being a dependency
of Jersey, and hoisted the British flag on them. They have also
expended money 011the construction of various works on the Islets,
such as the construction of the slipway at Marmotière. Lastly, it
has been shewn that formore than ahundred years Jersey fishermen,
with the support and encouragement of the Jersey authorities,
have regularly carried on fishing operations from the Ecréhous on
the basis that they tvere British territory, and that there has beeri
little attempt on the part of the French fishermen to fish around
the Ecréhous. In order to carry on the business of fishing there
before the advent of motor boats, the Jersey fishermen found
it necessary, at least during the busy summer season, to stay on
the Islets for several days, returning to their homes in Jersey otily
at the week-ends. It was no doubt mainly for this reason that they
built houses on the Islets. That they did so with the approvsl of
the Jersey authorities, and that the erection and use of these liouses
In this paragrapit hasnot been considered necessary tdraw attentionto
the individiialreierenin Section ofPart IIwhere the General Acts mnnifesting
Sovereignty are themselves set out in detail. AIEaIORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III 52) III
over a period of manÿ years did not give rise to any protcst or to
any administrative action on the part of the French Government
clearly shews, in the subrnission of the United Kingdom Goverri-
ment, that the'Ecréhous were regarded as as much .British territory
as the Island of Jersey itself.
'
203. The United ~in~dok Governrnent accordingly submit that
the original title of the United Kingdom to the Ecréhous is slip-
ported by adequate evidence of effective possession, accornpanied
by an intention and will to act as sovereign, not only in medieval
times (see paragraph 200, above) but also in modern tirnes.
The Minquiers
204. The Minquiers group of Içletç, like the Ecréhous, formed
part of the Duchy of Norrnandy at the time of the conquest of the
lluchy by King Philip Augustus of France. The French conquest,
however, related only to the mainland of .France. The Unitcd King-
dom Government submit that it is reasonable to assume that, like
the other Channel Islands, the Minquiers remained in the hands of
King John of England. It is also reasonable to assume, in the
absence of contrary evidence, that they continued in the possession
of the English Crown, that the latter held them in 1360, the date
of the Treaty of Calais, and that they were accordingly among
"al1 the other Islands which the said King of England [Edward III]
now holds" l. This presumption gains support from the evidence
relating to the early 17th century, namely the Rollç of the Sei- -
gnorial Court of Noirmont in Jersey for thé years 1615 1,616and
1617 2, she~iing that the King of England was esercising in one of
his Courts jurisdiction over the Minquiers. This act of jurisdiction
was again,-ais s mentioned before, exercised in 1692 S.
205. The records referred to in the preceding paragraph form a
link with the series of modern acts evidencing a display of sover-
eignty. While the Iack of positive evidence betweeii the 17th and
19th centuries may be due tu the size and nature of the Islcts, the
incrcased exploitation, at the beginning of the 19th centtiry, of
fishing grounds between Jersey and the CO,& of the mainland of
France (see paragraph 72, above), naturally resulted in Jersey
fishermen resorting fretluently to the Blinquiers and, aswviththe
Ecréhous, there is a considerable body of evidence wvl~ichshews
that the Minquiers were regarded as dependencies of jersey and
that the Jersey authorities exerciçed jurisdiction over them in the
name of the British Crown.
206. The evidence in moclern tirnes relating to the Minquiers, in
Section B ofPart II of this Mernorial, is set out under various heads,
1 SeeAnnex A 2.
Sec Annex Ara.
3 SeeAnnexes h 21 and22.Xi2 TI~EJIOKIALOF THE UNITED KINGDOAI (3 III 52)
and is broadly similar to the evidence concerning the Ecréhous l.
It shews that the Jersey authorities continually exercised sover-
eignty over the Minquiers in an eritirely public rnanner. Thus the
Pilinquiershave been treated for administrative purposes as forming
part of the Parish of Grouville in the Island of Jersey. While there
is no evidence, as in the case of the Ecréhous, of proceedings having
beeri taken in respect of a crime committed on the Minquiers,
iiicluests have been held to determine the cause of death of persons
found dead thcre.'Houses on Rlaîtresse Ile have been assessed for
the purpose of the Jersey parochial rate ;measures have been taken
to cnforce the laws of Jersey relating to Customs ;measiires were
taken to include persons then on PrlaîtresseJle in the Census of the
British Isles taken in 1921 ;contracts relati~ig to real property on
ilIaitressc Ile have been registered in the Public Registry of Deeds
of the Island of Jersey. Evidence of the occiipation goes back to an
earlier date than in the case of the Ecréhous, as has been sl~wn in
paragraphs 166 (a), (b} and (c), above, where are described the
cluarryiiig operations which took place on Maîtresse Ile at the end
of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th centuries. Moreover,
since the begiiining of the 19th ce~itury,al1the houses have belonged
to Jerseymen or other British nationals. Furthermore, there is
evidence, relating to at least the past sixty years, shewing that the
Jersey authorities visited the Islets from time to time as beiiig a
dependency of Jersey, and hoisted the British Aag on Maîtresse lle.
Thej~ have also expended money on the construction of various
works on the Minquiers, sucli as the substantial slipway desigried
to faciiitatc access to Maîtresse Ile, and the winch on the same Islet
to facilitate the landing of stores and fishing-gear. In addition, a
very considcrable nulnber of bcacons and buoys have been erected,
designed to render safer the approaches to, and navigation within,
the waters of the Minquiers. It may also be noted that Captain
White, who carried 0ut.a survey of the area in the early part of the
19th century, regarded the Islets as British, in that he embellished
on one of his charts the True North line drawn through the centre
of Maîtresse .Ile with a Union Jack. Lastly, it has been shewn that
there is evidence that in the early 17th century Jerseymen resorted
to the Minquiers to fish and collect vraic (i.e se,weed) and that,
in the early years of the 19th century, the fishing off the Ninquicrs
by Jerseymen was so well-established and important that the fisher-
men were concemed about the safety of their anchorage. The
evidence of fishermen living to-day at La Rocque in the Parish of
Grouville in the Island of Jersey establishes that, for certainly not
less than a hundred years, Jersey fishermen have regularly fished
at the Minquiers. Their activities have been supported and encour-
aged by the Jersey authorities, wlio, as has already been mentioned
Ili thi~iaragraphithas not bee~iconsidered necessary to drawattentionto
Che individualreicrencesin Section Rof Part II,ivhese theGerieralAct$ marri-
festiiiSovereignty arcthemçelvesset outin detail. hIEhlORIAL OF THE UNITflD KINGDOJl (3 III 52) II3
in this paragraph, Iiave provided stores, and erected aiid maintaincd .
navigational beacons and buoys on the Xslets atconsiderable cosi.
The houses on Maîtresse Ile have been oïmed, for the rnost part, by
fishermen, and that they did so with the approval of the Jersey
authorities and that the erection,of these houses over a period of
rnany years did not give rise toany protest or to arly administrative
action on the part of the French Government clearly shews, in the
submission of the United Kingdorn Governmerit, tllat the Blinquiers
were rcgarded just aç much British territory as the Islaiid of Jersey
itself.
207. The United ICingdom Governmcnt accorclingly submit that
the original title ofthe United Kingdoin to the Minquiers is sup-
ported in modern times by adequate evideiice of effective possession,
~iccompanied hy an intention and will to act as sovereigii.
SECTION E.-APPLICATION OF THE 1,EGAL SUBAfISSIONS ON
THE ISSUE OF SOVEKEIGNTY TO 'THE TREATIES AND
DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE RELATTNG TO THE
PRESENT DISPUTE DURING THE 19th .4ND 20th CENTUKIES
CONTAINED IN SECTION C OF PART 1 OF THE MEhIORIAL
208. In this Scctiorl of this Part of the Mernorial, the Unired
Kingdom Government submit their contentions as to the conclu-
sions relating to the issue of sovereignty over the Ecréhous and the
hfincluiers, which may be drawn froin the terms of the treaty engage-
ments entered into between the Governmerits and from the diplo-
rnatic correspondence regarding the two groups of Islets and
Rocks, whiçh passed between them duririg the 19th and zoth
centuries.
zog. Tlie Goverilment of thesUnited Kingdom subrnit in this
part of the legal argument that, for the reasons to be found in the
immediately following paragraplis, three conclusions can properly
be drawn from consideration of the Account of the Treaties aiid
Diplornatic Correspondence relating to the present Dispute during
the 19th and 20th centuries, namely :
(a) that the Freiich Governme~it, at the time when they first
rnade, aftcr the end of the Napoleoriic wars, proposals for
dclimiting the areas within which the fishermen of cach
country would be entitled to exclasive rights of fishin;
(i) regarded tIlc IScréhousas belonging to iiobody, that is
to Say, as res nzkllizls,and continued so to regard them
(see paragraphs 212, 215, ancl 222, below), until they
first clüimed sovereignty over tfiem in 1886 (see para-
graph 223, below);
(ii) regarded the Rfinquiers as a British possessioii iind con-
tinued so to regard them (see pnragraphs 211,215, and 114 RIIS~~OR~AL01: THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III52)
228,below), uiltil they first claimed sovereigrity over them
in1888 (çeeparagraphs 229 and 230, below) ;
(b) that thcre isnolhing in the provisions of the 1839 and 1867
. Fishcry Conventioiis which lends support to the present
claims of the Frcncli Government to sovereignty over the
I5crkhous and the hiinquiers ;
(c) that on those occasions on wl-iich,in the course of the diplo-
matic corresliondence during the 19th and 20th centuries,
the French Governinent claimed sovereignty over the Ecré-
hous (sec paragraphs 223 and 224, below), and over the Nin-
quiers (see paragraphs 229 to 233 passim, below), they did
not support their claims by any evideiice of their having
cxercised effective possession ovcr either group of Islets.
The Uiiited Kingdom Government, on the other haiid, not
only consistently maiiitsined that the Ecréhous (sec para-
graphs 221, 223 and 224, below), and the Minquiers (see
paragraphs 228, 231,232 and 233, below), werc British
possessions, but continued to exercise sovcreignty in an
entirely public manner over both groups of Islets and Rocks,
as has been described iii Part II of tliis Mernorial.
(a) Negotiationsbetween 1819 and 1837
210. The United Kingdom Government, in Section C of Part 1
of this blemorial, have given an account of the inter-governrnental
iiegotiations wliich took place betwceri1819 and 1837 These nego-
tiations originated in proposais submitted by the French Ambas-
sador, Count de Caraman, to the British Foreign Secretary, Lord
Castlereagh, dated the ~ztli June, 1820 (see paragraph 74, above
and Annex A 24). An examination of these proposais shews that
the French Governrneilt based them on the conception that the
.... territory of a statebas a maritime belt ~vithin ~vhichitsnatioi-ials
arc entitled to an exclusive right of fishery (see estract from the
lettcr of the 14th Septcmber, rS~g, from the French Riiiiister of
Marine to the French Rlinister of Foreign Affairs at Arinex A 25).
Ili this lettcitis stated that the maritime powers had not hitherto
fixed precisely the extent of the maritime belt or nzer territoriale,
although the French Aiinister of Marine iinderstood that the British
Admiralty recognized a limit of only three miles. The proposa1
made by the French Government was, however, that the right of
esclusivc fishcry in the area hetween the Cliannel Islands and the
coast of the French mainland should be regarded as extending to
a distance of six miles from respectivcly the "Côtes de France" and
the "Côtes d'AngleterreJJ.In order to shew the practical effect of this
proposal in the area in clriestion, two charts were attached to the
Note of the French Ambaççador, Count de Caraman, dated the
12th June, 1820 (see paragraph 74 above, Annexes A 24, and B 4
and 5). On those chartç, blue lines were drawn to inclicate tlie MEMORIAL OP THE UNITED. KINGDON (3 111 52) 1x5
proposed limits of the French maritime belt, aild red Iines to indi-
cate the proposed limits of the British maritime belt.
211. An examination of the charts referred to in the preceding
paragraph çhews that thc lines were drawn on them so as to give
French nationals an excIusive right of fishery to a distance of six
miles from the coast of the French mainland between Cap He ln
Hagm in the iiorth and St. Ma10 in the soiith. In addition, ari arc
with a radius of six miles was drawn round the Iles Clzaztsey,so as
to include this area within the French fishery liinits. Sirnilarly, the
red lines, indicating the limits of the British maritime belt, were
shewn by arcs with radii of six miles from thc Islands of Alderney,
Sark and Jersey. In addition, just as an arc with s radiiis of six
miles was drawn from the Iles Clzaztseyso as to inclilde them witliin
the French fishery limits, so an arc was drawn round the Minquiers
to include them within the British fishcry limits. Furthermore, the
reason for so drawing the line round the Minquiers was stated by
the French Governme~it to bc that they were a British possession
(see letter of the 14th September, 1819, at Aniiex A 25).
2x2. The United Kingdom Government submit that these pro-
posais of the French Government shew that the French Govern-
ment regarded the Ecréhous as belonging to nobody, that is to Say,
as resnzdizds and, therefore, did not claim them asFrench, and that
they considered the Minquiers to be n British possession. The
reasons which point to these conclusions are as follows. The basis
of the French proposals was that a littoral state was entitled in
international law to exercise sovereignty over a beIt of territorial
waters. Whether the extent of this belt was considered to be three
or six miles did not affect the fact that the French proposals were
clearly drawn uy on the basis of territorial sovereignty. It is triie,
as regards the Ecréhous, that the French Government did not give
in their proposals any explanation for the manner in which the
blue and red lines were drawn betxveen Cap de Carteret and Jersey.
The United Kingdom Government, however, submit that the French
Government regarded the Ecréhous as res nullizcs. That the Ecré-
hous were treated as res nzclliz~sis supported by the method of
drawing the respective lines between Cap de la Hague and Alderney
and between the Iles Chaztsey and the Minquiers. In each case, the
blue lines were drawn at a distance of six miles frorn Freiich tcrri-
tory, and the red lines at the same distance from British territory,
regardless of the fact that in consequence the lines intersectedl.
The United Kingdom Government therefore submit that had the
French Government claimed the Ecréhous as French territory, as
they did in the case of Iles Clzazuey,they would necessarily harc
drawn the lines on the chart so as to indicate that the limits of the
ltwas proposcdthat thdificulty caused the overlappinof thlities shoiil<l
be overcomeby drawing a strnighline brtwcethe points of intersectoc~nake
the fishery lirnits.French maritime belt took account of their territorial sovereignty
over the Ecrélious, and proposed n special ad Izocdelimitation for
the respective fishery limits, as was done in the two cases where
blue and red lines intersccted. In fact, the liries on each chart oppo-
site Cap de Carteretdisregard the Ecréhous and are so drawn that
the Ecréhous lie outside the proposed French maritime lielt, and
withiii the proposed British maritime belt drawn round Jersey.
2x3. As has been pointed out in paragraph 211, above, the Min-
quiers are clearly shewn on the relevant chart as British territory.
III addition, they are stated in terms, in the comrnunication of the
l~rcncli Governmeiit, to be a British possession (sec lctter of the
14th Scpternber, 1819, at Annex A 25). Thc United Kingdom
Govcrnment accordingly submit that the Note of 12th Jii~ic, 1820
(see paragraph 74,abovc), is clear eviderice of the fact that in 1820
thc French Goverriment treated the Ecréhous as ues nzillius and
recognized the Minquiers as a British possessioi~.
214. 1111824, as has been stated in paragraph 76, above, the
French Government made fresh proposnls, which werc embodied
in a draft Conveiition agreed between the French Ainbassador, the
Prince de Polignac, and Nr. Hobhouse of the British Hornc Depart-
merit. The Convention was bascd on two principles set out in
Article I,r~amely :
(a) that the exclusive rjght of fishery within a distriiice of one
niarine Ieague (i.e., three nautical miles) from the respective
posscçsions in Europe of France arid the United Kingdom
was inherent in the territorial sovereignty of each state ;
(b) thnt, in the case of fishing for oysters, mussels and other
shell fish, each High Contracting Party would be entitled,
on the basis of the legislation of cither Party, which \vas in
force, of immemorial usage, or of local or persona1privilege,
to the exclusive right of fishing for shell fish in certain
üdditiolial areas.
Articles z and 3 lay down, on the basis of these principles, the limits
of the proposed French and British shell fisheries. It will be seen
that the limits were fixed at one marine leügue in respect of the
Charinel Islands and the neighbouring coast of France with the
following exceptions :
(a) as regards France, the limits wêrefixed (in so far as they are
relevant to the present case) by a liric ta be dra\vri at two .
marine leagues from the French coast between the Havre
de Carteret and the village of Liiigreville,from which point
the line turi~ed round the Iles Chaatseyat a distance of one
marine league, and then conti~iuediii a southerly direction
towards the Poin.te (Headland) clz~iMenga;
' SccAnnex A 26. MEMORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III 52) Ir7
(bj as regards the unitcd Kiiigdom, the lirnits werc fixed at two
marine leagues round the Islaiici of Jersey.
These limits are shewn by lines oii the charat Annex B 6, ~vhich
has been prepared by the British Admiralty.
215. The United ~in~dorn Governinent suhmit that theçe
~roposals shew that the French Government continued to regarcl
the Ecréliousas res ?~zillitr,s they had clonein 1820 (seepnragraph
212, above), and made no claim to sovereignty over them. 4s
regards the Miiiquiers, tlie Unitcd Kingclom Government coiitend
that it is reasonahle to hold that the French Govcrnment regarded
them as a British possession, silice they had so recognizecl theni in
1820 (see paragrapli 211, above). It is clerir, in the submission of
the United Kiiigclo~i~Government, that the French Government
did not claim sovereignty oYer thern. If they had claimed sover-
eigiity over either the Ecréhoiisor the Minquiers, the limits within
which the French Governmerit were entitled to an exclusive right
of fisliery in respectof fish other than oysters, mussels and other
shell fishwould, in accordance with the first paragraph of Article r
of the proposed Convention, have been at the lcast one marine
league (i.e., three nautical miles) froin the Ecréhoas and the
blii~qiiiers, If the French Goveriiment had considered that the
principle enunciated in the second paragraph.of the said Article I
had been apl>licrtble to the Ecréhoiis and Miiiquiers, they would
have been entitled to claim an exclusive nght of fishing for oysters,
rnuççels and other shell fish which was more extensive, e.g., two
marine leagues. It could not, however, have beeii less than that
laid down for the exclusive right of general fishery, namely, three
miles from the territory in question. In the submission of the United
Kingdom. Government it is, therefore, clear that the French
Government did not claim territorial sovereignty over either
groiip of Islets or liocks. On the other Izand, it is to be notcd that
the fles Chazcsey were regarded asa French possession. In their
case, Article 2 providecl that the limits of the French right of
escliisive fishery for oysters, rnusçels aiid shell fish were to be one
marine league (i.et. h,ree nautical miJes), that is to Say, the area,
whicli was recognizeclin ArticleI as that pertaiiiing to the territorial
sovereigri. The United. Icingdom Government submit, therefore,
that the Frcnch Governmeiit did not in 1824 clai~neither group
of Islets as a French possession, since, had they done so, they \vould
have claimed, as iiiherent in their territorial sovereignty, the
exclusive riglit of fishing witliin the distaiice of one marine league
froni both groups of Islets ;bat thxt they continued to regard the
1Ccri.housas res ?~tt/Za incltlie Minquiers as a British possession.118 JIEJIORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III52)
(b) International Agreements
216. The Govemment of the United Kingdom submit that the
1839 and 1867 Conventions (see paragraphs 79 to 82 inclusive,
above) lend no support to the claims to sovereignty over the Ecré-
houç and Minquiers Islets, which were from time to time during
the 19th century made by the French Government. In the first
place, the primary object of these Conventions was to secure an
amicable division of the oyster fishery between French ancl British
fishermen in the waters lying between Jersey alid the coast of
France. Secondly, it will be seen from the account of the diplomatic
discussions, givcn in Section C ofPart 1 of this Memorid, that it
was only subsequei~t to the signature of the1867 Convention that
the French Govemment challenged the exercisc by the United
Kingdom of sovereignty over the Ecréhous and the Rlinquiers
Islets. Indeed, as has been pointed out in paragraph 2x1, above,
the French Govemmcnt, in the Note of the 12th June, 1820,
specifically acknowlcdged that the Minquiers belonged to the
United Kingdom. Thirdly, if the sovereignty over either group of
Islets had been in dispute at the period when cither of the two
Conventio~is ii7asnegotiated, there would have beeii a specific
reference to the right of exclusive fishery in the territorial waters
of the Ecréhous and hliriquiers. ln this connexion, tlie United
Kingdorn Govemment havc caused the minutes of the Mixecl
Anglo-French Commissions of 1837 and 1866, which were respon-
sible for the negotiationsvhich precetlecl the Conventions of1839
ancl 1867, and the dispatches of the British Commissioners to be
examined. The documents in question contain no single reference
to either the Ecréhous or the Ilinquiers.
217. In the course of the subsequent diplornatic correspondence
summarized in Section C of Part 1 of this Rlemorial, the Govern-
ment of the United Kingdom from time to time contended that,
on the proper constructioii of certain Articles in the Conventions,
the United Kingdorn had the exclusive right of fishery in the terri-
tonal waters of the Ecréhous and the Minquiers. This construction
was a consequence of their claim to sovereignty over the Islets, and
the Governmeiit of the United Kingdom do tiot admit that there
is anything in the language of either Convention iiiconsistent with
this interpretation. Indeed, the definition of Britisli Islands in
Article 38 of the 1867 Convention, which referred in terrilsto the
dependencies of Jersey, clearly supported the contention of the
United Kingdom Governrneiit.
218.The United Iiingdom Government submit that the refererice
to dependencies in Article IIof the Submarine Telegraph Conven-
tion of the 2nd Janiiary,1859 (see paragraph 83,above, and Annex
A 291,is elridence that the Ecréhousand Minquiers were at the time
the Convention \vas concluded, considered by the French Govern- MEYORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III52) :19
ment to be British possessions. Under the provisions of this Con-
vention, the French Government grarited a British submarine tele-
graph Company certain concessionary rights in connexion with a
submarine cable to be established by the Company, at the request
of the French Government, between France and the Channel
Islands. The relevant passages in Article II (see paragraph 83,
above, and Annex A 29) state that :
"La Compagnieseule aura le droit de relier la France auxdites
îlesAnglaisesde Jersey, Alderney, Sark,et Guernesey, et autres
îleset îlots en dépendant,et s'engaàfairepasser parces nouvelles
Lignestoutes les dépêches Françaises qui lui seront remises";
and also that
"Le nombre de zones qui devra servir de base2~l'établissement
de la taxe, des cOtes de France aux îles Anglaises de Jersey,
Alderney, Sark, et Guernesey, et aux îles ou îlots en dépendant,
est fixcomme suit pour chaque dépêche simpld ee quinze mot:sH.
(c) DiplornaticCorrespondence
219. In the course of the diplomatic correspondence~surnmarized
in Section C of Part 1 of this Mernorial, the French Government on
severai occasions denied the right of the United Kingdom to have
sovereignty over the Ecréhous and Pulincluiersgroups of Islets. The
United Kingdom Governrnent invite the attention of the Court to
the following considerations in regard to this correspondence.
(i) Diplomatie correspondencerelating tu the Ecréhous
220. The correspondence relating to the Ecréhous began with a
Note dated 27th February, 1876, from the French Ambassador in
London, the Marquis d'Harcourt, to Lord Derby, the British
Foreign Secretary (see paragraph 85, above, and Annex A 31)) in
which the former protested against the terms of a Treasury Warrant
which included the Ecréhous within the Port of Jersey, and ter-
minated with a Note, dated 3rd February, 1888, from the British
Foreign Secretary, Lord Salisbury, to M. Waddington, French
Ambassador in London,in reply to the latter's Note of the 26th Jan-
uary, 1888 (see paragraph 97, above, and Annex A 49).
221. Consideration of this correspondence relatirig to the Ecré-
hous group shews that throughout its course the United Kingdom
Government asserted their right to sovereignty over the Ecréhous,
whereas the French Government were primarily concerned lest any
action on the part of the United Kingdom authorities should inter-
fere wit1.iwhat they consiclered to be the rights under the provisions
of the 1839 Fisliery Convention of French fishermen to fish round
the Ecréhous Islets and Rocks equally with Jersey fishermen. Thus
the French protest against the terms of the Treasury Wai~ant of120 3IElIORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III 52)
1875 w,hich included the Ecréhouswithin the limits of the Port of
Jersey, urasbased on the 1839 Fishery Convention, and did not refer
to the question of sovercignty (see paragraph 8 j,abovc and Annex
A 31).
222. The next occasion, in 1883,on tvhich the Ecréhouswere the
subject of correspondence between the two Governments was in
consequence of the French Government's having receivcd iiifornia-
tion about a resolution of the States of Jersey, which they con-
sidered would, if effect were given to it, prevent F-renclifishermen
from having access to the Ecréhous (see paragraphs SGto 91
inclusive,abovc). The French Government, in making tlieir protest
about this resolution, llad before them the 3Iemorandu1n encloscd
with the Eritisli reply of 1876 (see paragraph 85, above and Annex
33). It is to bc tioted, however, that the French Government not
only statecl thüt it nppeared unnecessary to consider the arguments
containeti in the Britisli hlemorandum of 1876, sayiiig that to do so
wrouldlic to "défilacer11-q cuestion qu'il importe de nlairttejiir sur le
terrain de la coîzveîztio~ze 1839," but proceeded or1 the hasis that
the Ecréhous were res 9~~1ilizls.
223. The British reply of the 24th October, 1883 (sec paragraphs
go and gr, above andAnnex A 40)) left the French Governrnent in
no doiibt asto the view of the United Kingdorn Government that
they regarded the Ecrbhous as heing indisputably British 2. The
French reaction to this Kote was to appoint a Committee of Specinl-
ists to consider both the sovereignty issue and the (luestion of
fishery rights. This Committee in 1886 submitted their Report to
the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the latter commiinicated
it to the British Foreign Secretary (see paragraph 92, abovc and
Anncx A 42). The United Kingdom Governrnent do not consider it
necessary to rebut in this Part of their Mernorial the contentions of
the French Committee, as a detailed answer to thesc contentions is
to be found in the Report of tlie Law Officers of the Crown in
Jersey (see Annex A 47) referred to in paragraph 95, above. The
United Kiligdom Governinent would stress the fact that the fiencli
Government, in adopting the Committee's Report, maintailied tlieir
claim to sovereignty over the Ecréhous which they then made for
the first tirne, ori the basis of abstract right, and that they çuyported
their claim to the Ecréhoiisby no evidence of any acts inanifesting
sovereignty ovcr them.
224. It will bc seen from paragraphs 93, 94 and 95, above, tliat
tlie United Kingdom Government, in replying in their Note of the
27th October, 1887, to the French Government, considered it
Dispatch ofAI.Tissot. French Ambassador,to Lord Granville, thc British
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of the 25th April. 1883. Sec A38.x
in supportciftlicir daim that l'reandiBritish nationahad,FiintIcthe1839ts
Fishery Convcntioii. cqual rioffishery round the Ecréhous. AlEbfORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III52) 121
unnecessary to answer in any detail the contentions of the Frerich
Government on the issue of sovereigrity, and rnerely communic:~ted
to the French Governinent that part of the Alemorandum of the
Jersey Law Officers, which related to fishery rights. The Frerich
Government in reply, desyite the somewhat brusqile treatment by
tlie United Kingdom Governmciit of their contentions on the issue
of sovereignty, devoted their main contentions tothe exteiit of rhe
fishcry rights accorded by thc 1839 Fishery Convention (see para-
grnph 96, above and Annex A 48). Although this Note receivecl only
:Lforinal ackriowledgement from the Unitcd Kingdom Governrnent,
the French Governmerit madc no furthcr claim to sovereignty over
the Ecréhous until after the conclusion of hostilities at thc end of
the Secorid I'orld War .
225. The attention of the Court is also drawn, in connexion witli
the United Kingdom Note of the 27th October, r8S7 (çee para-
grnphs 93, 94 and 95, above and Annex .,4 43), to the Iettcrof
31. Billot, a French officia1in the Miiiistry of Foreign Afiairs (sec
paragraph 94,above and Annex A 46).It will be seen that, while the
letter refers. to the fact that thc United Kingdom Governmciit
claiined the Ecréhous as a British dependency, it is silent oii the
clilestion of the French right to sovereignty over it. The United
Kingdom Government submit that it may be inferred from t:his
silence that thc French Government.had reached no defiriite Cori-
clusion that the Ecréhous were a French possession, which they
could hardly have failccl to do, if thcy had been administering the
Ecréhous in the maniier in which it has been shewn was done by
thc United Kingdom authoritieç.
226. In the submission of the Uiiited Icingdom Governme~it, the
course of the diplomatic corresponclencc between the French and
United Kingdom Governrnents regarding the Ecréhous, which lias
been summarized in the preccdiiig paragraphs, sheivs that the
French Government only made an ribstract claiin to sovereignty
over the Ecréhous and that their doiiig so was only incidental to
their clcsire to, protect what they conceived to be the rights of the
French fishermen under the 1839 Fishery Convention.
227. On the other harid not only did the United Kingdom Crovern-
ment deny 011 several occasions the valiclity of the French clsim to
sovereignty ovcr the Ecréhous, as hss bcen shewn in Section C of
Part 1of this Memonal but before, duriiig, and subsequently to, tlie
correspondence they continuecl to exercise sovereignty over the
Islets in an entirely public manncr, as has been shewn in SectionA
of Part II of this 3Icinorial. hloreover, so far as is known, for n
~eriod of nearly sixtp years aftcI858,the French Government dicl
not challenge the sovereignty of the United Kingdom ovcr the
Ecréhous.122 AIESIORIAI, OP THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III 52)
(ii)Diplornatic Correspondencerelnting tutlte Minq.itiers
228. The correspondencc relating to the Minquiers began with a
Note dated 12th Novernber, 1869, from Rlr. \iTest,British Chargé
d'Affairesin Paris, to Prince de la Tour d'Auvergne, French Minister
of Foreign Affairs (sec paragraph 99, above and Annex A 51),
regarding the theft by French fishermen of fishing gear belonging to
Jersey fishermen. Although this Note specifically referred to the
Minquiers as "this dependencp of thc Channel Islands", the French
Government, when they replicd in tlieir Note dated the 11th March,
1870 (see paragraph 100, above and Arinex A 52), not only did not
deny that the Minquiers were a British possession ; but made no
claim to sovereignty over them.
229. Further correspondence regarding the Minquiers took place
in 1888, when M. Waddington, the French Ambassador in London,
addressed a Note, dated the 27th August, to Lord Salisbury, the
British Foreign Minister (seeparagraph 101, above and Annex A53).
in which he made a protest on the grounds that the Committee
of Piers and Harbours of the States of Jersey had paid an officia1
visit to the Minquiers and had thcreby infringed French sovereignty
over them, to which for the first time the French Government tlien
made a claim.
230. In this Note, the French Government based their claim to
the sovereignty over the IIi~iquiers on the grounds that tliey came
under the administration of the port engineers at Granville, who
had been responsible for certain works of buoying and lighting of
the Islets. They also statedthat the French cngineer M.Beautemps-
Beaupré had made a hydrographicnl survey of the archipelago-a
reference to this Frenchman's work between 1829 and 1832. In
fact, a British naval oficer, Captain Martin White, R.N., made a
survey of the Minquiers many yesrs prior to 1829, when 31. Beau- '
temps-Beaupré began his survey of the111; and he (Captain White)
surveyed at the same timc the French coast, including the bay of
St. Nalo (see paragraphs IOI and 169, above) '. The United King-
dom Government submit, therefore, that no claim to sovereignty
can be maintained by reason of the rnsking of the French survey,
and, moreover, that the purpose of the'French survey \vas purely
in order to enable navigational facilities to be established for ships
using the port of St. Jfalo, and was unconnected with the exercise
of sovereign rights over the hlinquiers. As regards the light-ship and
buoy, which were placed in the channel southward of the hlinquiers,
their sole purpose was tu facilitate navigation of ships bound for
St. Ma10 and they, ancl the buoys, wliich subsequently replaced
them in 1891, were in fact placeci at a distance of more tlian thrcc
1 The date, as given iLord Salisbury'Xote of the~1stXovember, 1688,of
Captain Wfiitc'survey is 1831It would appciir, howeverthatthe surveywas
made during the years 1813-1(.ecparagraph iGg,above.) MEMORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III52) 123
miles from the nearest of the Minquiers rocks yermanently ahove
water (see the United Kingdom Memorandum of the 17th August,
1905 ,t Aniiex A 69).The United Kingdom Goveniment, therefore,
contend that these works of buoyiiig and lightiilg are not actsmaiii-
festing sovereignty over the Minquiers.
231. The United Kingdom Governrnent replied to the French
Note ofthe 27th August, 1888, referred to iii the preceding para-
graph, in their Note of the 21st November, 1888,in which tlicy
rebutteg the c.ontentioris iii the French Note, and set out the
groiinds on which they considered the Minquiers to be a British
possession (see paragraphs xoz and 103, above and Annex A 54).
The French Govemment, hoivever, made no reply to the United
Kingdom Note and did not again raise the question of sovereignty
over the hliiiquiers for some fourteen years. The subject then
engaged the attention of the tmo Governments between xgoz and
1905 (sec paragraphs roq to 113 inclusive, above). The Uni1:ed
Kingdom Government throughout the exchanges of corresponc1ei.ice
and discussions which took pJace during this period consistently
asserted that the British rights of ownership over the Islets were not
open to question. It would appear that the Frciich Governinent,
on the other hand, were mainly concerned with the lighting aiid
buoying of the channel to the southward of the Miiiquiers, ~vhich
was used by ships proceediiig to and from St. Malo. Thus11.Cam-
bon, the French Ambassador in London, gave it as his personal
opinion in conversation with Lord Lansdo~ne, the British Foreign
Secretary, that the Mi~iquiersbelonged to no one in particular, aiid
that lights or beacons ~nightbe erected on or near the Minquiers at
the common expense of the United Kingdom and France (see para-
graph 108, above), and was subsequently authorized by AI.Delcassé,
the French Ninister of Foreign Affairs, to propose a solution of the
dispute on these lines (see paragrapxog, above and Annex il 62).
232. The United Kingdoin Government were not prepared, in
view of the fact that tlicy regarcleclthe Minquiassa British pos-
session, to accept the French yroposals referrcd to in the preceding
paragraph (see paragraph 1x0, above and Annex A 63). Aft.er
further correspondence had taken .place between the tuToGovern-
ments (secparagraphs IIO aiid111, above), the United Kingdom
Governrneiit communicated a Memorandum to the French Goveril-
ment on the 17th August, 1905 (see paragraph 112, above aiid
Annex A Gg),in which they once more gave their reasons for being
unable to reliriquish sovereigiity over the Minquiers and mapro-
posals for an amicable arrangement in respect of fishing nghts ailcl
of the lighting and buoying in the ncighbourhoodofthe Minquiers.
Not only did the French Governmerit send no reply to the Unitecl
Kingdom Government other thari a formal acknowledgrnent of the
receipt of the Memorandum (see paragraph 113, above and Anncx
A 70)) but they subsequently offered to renounce French clairnto124 IviEhlOKIAI, OP THE UNITED KINGIIOM (3III 52)
the Crozet Islands in return for the agreemcrit of the United King-
dom Government that the Minquiet-s should be regarded as res
nullizts (sec paragraph 113above, and Arinex h 71). Although the
United Iiingdom Government refuçed to entertain the proposed
transaction (seeAnncx A 72),the French Goveriiment did iiot again
raise the question of sovereigntcver the Minquiers until 1929 (see
paragraph 114,above, and Annex A 74).
233. In July, 1929, M. de Fleuriau, the French Ambaçsador in
London, mentioned in the course of a coiiversation at the British
Foreign Office,thathe thought that the status of the Minquiers had
never been settled and thnt they were to bc regarded as "mevlibre"
(Le.,as resnullius).Subsequently to this conversation, the United
Kingdom Government sent a Note to the French Ambassador in
which they yointed out tlint, since the French Government Iiad sent
no reply to the British Mcmorandum of the 17th August, 1905 (see
paragraph 112,above and Annex A 69),other than a formal acknow-
ledgeinent, they assumed that the French Government did not
dissent from the vie~r-sthcrein expresscd (i.e., on the ,issueof
sovereigrity) (see paragraph114, above). The French Government
did not reply to this Note from the United Kiiigdom Governnient
and, moreover, as appcars from the French Note dated the
5th October, 1937 (see yxragraph 115, above and Annex A 76),
the French Govemment, altiiough they coiitinued to clairn sover-
eignty over the Minquiers, were in1937 unaware that, in thc course
of administering the blinquiers, the Jersey authorities had estab-
lished a Ciistorn House on the Minquiers in 1909 (seeparagrap161,
above). On the other hand, not only did the United Kingdom Govern-
ment deny on several occasions the validity of the French claim
to sovereignty over the Rlinqiliersashas been shewn in Scctioii C
of Part I of this hlemorial, but before, and throughout the yeriod
covered by the corresponclence, they continued to exercise sover-
eignty over the Islets iii an entirely public manner, as has been
describecl in SectioB of l'art II of this Mernorial.
234. The United Kingdorn Government submit, on tlie basis of
the consitlerations set oiit in paragrazrg to 233, above, tliat the
French Government did iiot establish any right to sovereigtrty over
the Ecréhous or the hliiiquiers in the course of the diplomatic
correspondence relating to thetwo groupç of Islets which took place
during tlie 19th and 20th centuries.
SECTION 1T.-STATEMENT OF THE CLAN OF THE COVERN-
MENT OF THE UNITED KlNGDOM
235. The Government of the United Kingdorn, referring to the
legal submissions setout in paragraph 184, above, and relying on
the arguments set out iiiparagraphs 185 to 234, above, submit : hiEMORIAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (3 III 52) 125
(1)that the United Kingdom is entitIed to exercise sovereigiity
over the Islets and Rocks of both the Ecréhous and the
Minquiers groups by reason of having established the exist-
ence of a root of title in ancient times which is supported
by effective possession in recent times to be found in acts
which manifest a continuous and peaceful display of sover-
eignty over the terri tories;
Altematively,
!2) that the United Kingdom iç entitled to exercise sovereignty
over the Içlets and Rocks of both the, Ecréhous and the
Minquiers groups by reason of having established titleby
effective possession done, such possession being found in
acts which manifest a continuous and peaceful display
of sovereignty over the territories.
The Court is accordingly asked to declare
Thatthe United Kingdom is entitled under inteniational
law to full and undivided çovereignty over the Içlets and
Rocks (in so far as they are capable of appropriation) of
the Ecréhous and the Minquiers groups,
(Signed) R. S. B. BEST,
AgejttJor the Govertintent
3rd March, 1952. of fhe U91ii.d Kingdom. Annexes to the Memorial submitted by the Government of
the United Kingdom of GreatBritainand Northern Ireland
-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
A I: Treaty of Paris, October, 12jg ............ r42-r43
A 2: Treaty of Calais, 24th October, 1360......... 144
A 3: Treaty of Troyes, -1st hIay, 1420 ......... 14-15r
A 4 : Jlonitionof Pope Sixtus IV, 27th February, 1481,
ordering certain Pirates to cease their Raids on the
Channel Islands,under pain ofExcommunication,
&C. ................................. 152
A 5: Order in Council, 8th August1689 A,bolishing the
Privilege of Neutrality in the Channel Islands.. 153
A 6 : Bull of Pope Alexander VI, 20th January, 1500,
Transferringthe Channel Islands from the Diocese
of Winchester ........................ 154-155
A 7 : Charter of Piers des Préaux, 1203, granting the
"island ofEscrehoii" to the Abbey of Val-Richer 155-156
A 8 : Charter of King John to Piers des Prbaux,
14th January, 1200,granting him the Islands of
Jersey, Guemsey and Alderney, &c. ......... r56
Confirmation by King John, zrst June, 1200, to
A g : Piers des Préauxof that part of his Charter which
concerned a Grant of Jersey, Guernsey andAlder-
ney, &c. ........................... 1.57
A IO : Confirmation by King John to Piers des Préaux,
zrst June, 1200,of that part of his Charter which
concerned a Grant in Rouen ............ 157
A Ir : Restitution by King John to Piers des Préaux of
his EngIish Lands, 29th June, 1206 .........
1.56
A 12 : QUO lYarra~ztoProceedings relating to the Pnory
of the Ecréhous Islets, 1309, before the King's
Justices in Eyre ..................... 158-159
A 13 : Complaint against the Prior of the EcréhousPslets
before the King's Jiistices, 19th October,1323,
that the Wall round Iiis Manse was Encroaching
upon the King's Highway ............... 159-160
A 14 : Yleas of tlie Crown before the King's Justices in
Eyre in Jersey, 1331 :Attack an Gorey Castle
and Theft of certain Goods of tlie Prior of the
Ecréhous,20th August, 1325 ............... 160-161
A 15 : View of the Account of Sir John de Roches
(Warden of thc Channel Islands), 1328-9, shewing
an annual Yayment made to the Priory of the
Ecréhouç ............................ 161-162 127
Page
Pleas of the' Crown before the King's Justices in
Eyre in Guernsey, 1331 : assaultby the Prior of
1331Ec..............................13th July,
Royal Letters of Protection, 18th August, 1337,
for the Prior of the Ecréhous and other Pnors in
Jersey and Giiernsey, hc. ...............
Fragment of a 15th Century Kental, shekving the
Endowments of the Priory of the Ecréhous, in
Jersey, Guernsey and France ...............
Extentes [Rentals] of Jersey, shewing Wheat-
Rents payable by certain Jersey Parishesinrespect
of the Priory of the Ecréhous in 1528, 1607, 1668
and 1749 ..: ........................
Removal of Wreck of the Sea from the Minquiers
Islets by certain Jerseymen in 1615, 1616, and
1617, in Derogation of the Rights of the Lord of
the Seigneurie of Noirmont in Jersey .........
Act of the Royal Court of Jersey, 6th August,
1692, recording the Judgement that certain IVreck
of the Sea cast upon the hlinquiers Islets belonged
to the Crown of England ..................
Order Summoning the Kespondeiits to the Appeal
of Deborah, widow of Philippe Dumaresq, 6th Ko-
vember, 1692, in behalf of her Son, against the
Judgement of the Roy-al Court of Jersey, which
gave the Crown certain Ilrreck of the Sea cast
upon the Minquiers Islets in 1692 .........
Agreeme~itbetween the ~overnment of the United
Kingdom of Great Uritain and Northern Treland
and the Government of the French Republic
regrtrding Rights of Fishery iareasof the Ecrehos
and Minquiers, 30th January, 1951 .........
Dispatch from the French Ambassador, 12th Jiine,
1820 ,o the Foreign Office, alleging Violations of
French Territorial Waters by British Fishermen
Extract fro~n a Lctter from the French Minister
of Marine, 14th September, 1819, to the French
Foreign Minister, giving Uetails of aileged Viola-
tions of French Territorial Waters by British
Fishennen, and including the Minquiers Islets as
among British Possessions in the Channel Islands
Letter from &Ir.Hobhouse, British Fishery Com-
missioner, 9th September, 1824, to hfr. Planta,
Foreign Office, enclosing a Draft Convention on
Fishing ...........................
Convention of the 2nd Augiist, 1839 ,etween the
United Kingdorn of Great Britain and Ireland
and His Majesty The King of The French, defining .
Fishery Limits on tlie Coasts of Great Britain and
France, and Ratification by King Louis Philippe,
16th August, 1839 .....................
Convention of the 11th November, 1867, between
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
and His Majesty Thc Emperor of The French,
reviçing the Convention of the 2nd August, 1839,
defining Fishery Liinits on the Coasts of Great
Britain and France, and Ratification by Napoleon
III, 18th Deccmber, 1867 .............
Submarine Telegraph Convention of the 2nd Jan-
uary, 1859, and the subsequent French Decree
Approving it, of the 12th Januaqv, 1859......
?Varrani, 9th October, 1875,constituting the
Island of Jersey a Port of the Channel Islands ...
Dispatcli from the French Ambassador, 27th Feb-
ruary, 1876, to the Foreign Office, alleging that
the Treasury \Itarrant of the 9th October, 1875,
constituting Jersey a Channel Port, wrongly
included the Ecrkhous Islets \+-ilrithits Limits ...
Dispatch from the Foreign Office to the French
Ambassador, Gtli July, 1876, in answer to the
French Protest, 27th February, 1876, against the
Tems of thc 'ïrcasilry Warrant of the 9th OC-
tober, 1875 ........................
Memorandum upon the Sovereignty of the Ecré- '
hous Islets, enclosed with the Foreign OfficeReply,
6th July, 1876, to the French Arnbassador ......
15th June, 1876, on the Sovereignty of the Ecré-
hous Islets ...........................
Letter from the Principal Customs Officer of Jer-
sey, June, 1876, enclosing Evidence of British
Sovereignty over the Ecréhous Islets .........
Letter from the Attorney-General for Jersey, 5th
June, 1876, to the Yriiicipal Customs Officerof the
Island, giving evidence of British Sovereignty
over the EcréhousIslets ..................
Petition by Jcrscy Eishermen and Landowncrs,
15th March, r883, complaining of Illegal Fishing
Activities by Frenchrnen at the Ecréhous Islets,
and praying Her hlajesty in Council to consider
the Matter ...........................
Dispatch from the French Ambassador to the
Foreign Office,25th Ayril, 1883,protesting against
an alleged "Projet de Loi" ofthe States of Jersey,
forbidding French Fishernien access to the Ecré-
houçIsletç ........................... Second Dispatch frorn the French Ambassador to
the Foreign Office, 26th May, 1883, protesting
.against an alleged "Projet de Loi" of the States of
Jersey, forbidding French Fishermen access to the
Ecréhous Islets ........................
Uispatch from the Foreign Office to the French
Arnbassador, 24th October, 1883, citing Evidence
of the British Claim to the Sovereignty of the
Ecréhous Islets ........................
Dispatch from the French Ambassador, 15th De-
cember, 1886, to the Foreign Office, Claiming for
the first time French Sovereignty over the Ecré-
hous Islets...........................
Report by a French Committcc of Experts, No-
vember 1886, on the Sovereignty and Fishing
Kights 01 the Ecréhous Islets, enclosed in the
French Ambassador's Dispatch of the 15th De-
cember, 1886 ........................
Dispatch from the Foreign Office to the French
Ambassador, 27th October, 1887, rejecting the
French Claims, contained in the French Ambas-
sador's Communication of tlie 15th December,
1886 ..............................
Dispatcli from the Foreign Office to the British
.4mbnssador in Paris, 2nd hlarch, 1886r, equesting
a copy of a Letter of the French Foreign Minister
to the Minister of Marine, prohibiting the Exercise
of French Fishing near the Ecréhous IsIets ......
Rcyly from the British Ambassador in Fans to
the Iïoreigil Office, 19th March, 1886, with enclo-
sures of Copies of French Official Documents
relating to French Fishing off the Ecréhous Islets
Copy of a Letter from the French Foreign Officeto
the Minister of Marine, 26th March, 1884,suggest-
ing that, in view of Article 9 of the Fishery Con-
vention of 1839, French hishermen should be
instructed to keep away from the Ecréhous ......
Thc Opinion of the Jersey Law Officcrs,zrst ApriI,
1887, on the Report of thc Frencli Committee of
Experts, submitted with the French Ambassador's
Ilispatch of 15th December, 1886 ............
~is~atch from the Frencli Ambassador, 26th Janu-
ary, 1888,to the Foreign Office,claiming the Ecré-
hous Islets as a Dependency of French Territory
RepIy from the Foreign Office,3rd Febmary, 1888,
to the French Ambrissador's Dispatch of the 26th
January, 1888 .........................
Petitioii of 69 Jersey Fishernicn to the President
of thc Board ofTrade, 1869,alleging Theft of theirLobster Pots. by Frcnch Fishermeil, and praying
Redress of their Grievance ...............
Dispatch from the Ihitish Embassy in Paris, 12th
November, 1869,to the French Foreign Minister,
protesting against the Theft by French Fishermen
of the Tackleof Jersey Fishermen at the Minquiers
Islets ...............................
Reply from the French Foreign fifinister,
11th hfarch, 1870, to the British EmbassylsNote
of the 12th November, 1869, alieging Theft of
Jersey Fisherrnen's Gear by French Fishermen at
the Minquiers Islets .....................
Dispatch from thc French Ambassador to the
Foreign Office,27th August, 1888, drawing atten-
tion to a Visit of the Jersey Piers and Harbours
Committee to the Minquiers Islets, which he
claimed to be French Territory ............
Dispatch from the Foreign Oflice to the Frencli
Ambassador. ~1stNovember, 1888,repudiating the
French Claim, 27th Augiist, 1885, to Sovereignty
over the Minquiers Islets. and citing Evidence of
British Sovereignty .....................
AZde-Mt+moirefrom the French Embaçsy, 26th
November, 1902, protesting against the Flying of
the British Flag an the Minquiers Islets ......
Reply of the Foreign Office, 3rd December, 1902,
to the French Aide-Mémoire of the 26th November,
1888, thatthe Minquiers Islets were British Terri-
tory ..............................
Dispatch from the British Ambassador in Paris,
28th Febmary, 1903, jnclosjng Information from
Le Temps that the French were to Erect a Light-
house on the hlinquiers Islets ............
Dispatch from the Foreign Ofice, 25th March,
1903, instructing the British Ambassador in Pans
to obtain a Denial of the Report that the French
were building a Lighthouse on the Minquiers
Islets ..............................
Dispatch from the British Arnbassador in Paris,
19th April, 1903, enclosing the French Reply of
the 17th April, 1903, which denied intention to
erect a Lighthouse on the Minquiers Islets ...
Minute of the Foreign Office, 20th April, 1903,
reporting a Conversation with the French Chargé
d'Affaires,on the Hoisting of the British Flag on
the Minquiers Islets. and a pnvate Letter, ~1st
April, 1903,to the Chargéd'Affaires onthe Sobjectto the British Ambassador in Paris, inforrning him
of a Visit of the French Ambassador ta the Foreign
Office, during which he gave Evidence of French
Activities at the Minquiers Islets ............
Dispatch from the Foreign Office,13th May, 1903,
to the British Ambassador in Paris, reporting
the unofficial Suggestion by the French Ambas-
sador that the Minquiers IsIets should be Neutra1
Aide-Mémoire €rom the Foreign Office,23rd June,
1903, handed to the French Ambassador, giving
Evidence of British Possession of the Minquiers
Islets ..............................
Aide-Méwoirefrom the French Ambassador, 15th
July, 1903, in reply to the Aide-Mémoirefrom the
Foreign Officeof the zjrd June, 1903, suggesting
a Solution to the Question of Lighting and Buoy-
ing the Minquiers Islets, without prejudice to
Sovereignty .........................
Aide-Mémoire from the French Amb~sador, 18th
December, 1903, drawing attention to the fact
that the British Flag had again been Hoisted on
the Minquiers Islets.....................
Aide-Mémoireof the Foreign Office,23rd December,
1903, replying to that of the French Ambassador,
18th December, 1903,and re-asserting British
Sovereignty over the Minquiers Islets .........
Aide-Mémoirefrom the French Ambaçsador, 18th
January, 1904 ,n the Subject of the British Claim
to Sovereigntyover the Minquiers Islets,anddraw-
ing attention to the Friction likely to result from
the continued Flying of the British Flag there ...
Further Aide-Mémoire from the French Ambas-
sador, 13th July, 1go4t, o the Foreign Office, on
the Flying of the British Flag at the Minquiers
Islets..............................
Aide-iifémoire from the Foreign Office to the
French Ambassador, 17th August, rgog,containing
Observations on the Ambassador's Aide-Mémoire
of the 18th Jariuary and 29th [? 13thJ July, 1904,
on the question of British Sovereignty over the
Minquiers Islets ........................
Dispatch from the French Embassy to the Foreign
Office,21st October, 1905, acknowledging the
Aide-Mémoire from the Foreign Officeof the 17th
Aug~St, 1905 ........................
Dispatch from the Foreign Office to the British
Ambassador in Paris, 29th Novernber, 1905,inform-
ing hirn of Proposa1 of the French Ambassador Paga
in London, that the French Government would
consider Surrendering any Clairns to the Crozet
Islands in retm for Recognition of the Neutral-
ity of the Minquiers Islands ............... 287-288
Second Dispatch from the Foreign Office to the
British Ambassador inParis, 6th December, 1905,
together with an Aide-Mémoire to the French
Ambassador in London, stating that the United
Kingdom had no Intention of makin the Crozet
Islands and the Minquiers Islets the 5ubject of a
Transaction ........................
Dispatch from the Foreign Office,5th March, 1906,
the Aide-Mémoireof the Foreign Officeof the 17th
August, 1905, upon thc Minquiers Islets, had not
been Answered ........................
Note from the French Ambassador, 11th July,
1929, inquiring about the Nationality of the Min-
quiers Islets;with a Foreign OfficeMinute, report-
ing a Conversation with the Ambassador ......
Dispatch from the Foreign Office,26th Juiy, 1929,
protesting against the Gi-anting of a Lease for
Building on Maîtresse Ileof the Minquiers to M.Le
Roux, a French National, by French Officiais ...
Dispatch from the French Ambassador, 5th Octo-
ber, 1937.to the Foreign Office,protesting against
the Erection of aCustomç Wouse,and the Hoisting
of the British Flag on the Maîtresse Ile of the
Minquiers Islets .....................
Second Dispatch from the French Ambassador,
roth January, 1938, to the Foreign Officeon the
preceding Subject .....................
Reply from the Foreign Office, 18th Ju?, 1938.
to the French Ambassador's Dispatches O the 5th ,
October, 1937and 10th January, 1938, reassuring
him that there was no intention of Jnterfering with
French Fishermen off the Minquiers Islets ......
Record of the Drowning of 24 Jerseymen, whilst
returning from the Ecréhous Islets in 1309 ......
Yroceedings against George Romeril by the Con-
stable of the Parish of St. Martin, Jersey, 27th May
and 17th june, 1826, for an aUeged Crime at the
Ecréhous Islets ........................
St. Martin, Jersey, 30th April,1951,frelating tothe
Inclusion of the Ecréhous Islets in the Parish of
St. Martin, and the Parochial Rating of Houses on
the sarne Islets........................ ANBEXES TO U.K. MEMORIAI, (CONTENTS) I33
Rating schedule of 1889 for a House belonglng to Pa&!<
the Rev. W. Lempriére, at the Ecréhous Islets,
within the Parish of St. Martin, Jersey ...... Follows 302.
J. C. Becquet, at the Ecréhous Islets, within the
Parish of St. Martin, Jersey ............... Follows 302
Inquest, z~st December, 1917, upon the Body of a
Person Unknown found at the Ecréhous Islets ... 302
Inquest, 19th July, 1948, upon Mrs. Y. RiIey,
drowned at the Ecréhotis Islets ............ 303
Contract for Sale by H. C.Bertram to the Assem-
bly of the Governor, Bailiff and Jurats of the
Island ofJersey, ~2nd October, 1884, of a House
on Marmotiére,one of the EcréhousIslets ...... 304
Fishing Boat License, 23rd April, 1872, and Can-
cellation, 27th February, 1882,of P. Pinel, Ecté-
hous Fisherman ........................ Follows 304
Census of 1901 at the Ecréhous ............ Follows 304
Contract of Le:ise by the Crown to Sir Jesse Boot,
Bart., 17th November, 1923, of the whole of
Maîtresse Ile of the Ecréhous Islets ......... 305-306
A go: Contract for Lease by the Crownto Johii Campbell,
2nd Baron Trent of Nottingham, 27th November,
1948,of the whole of Maîtresse Ile of the Ecréhous
Islets .............................. 305-307
Contract for Sale b C.Gallichan to J. Le BaiIly,
21st November, 18 g3, of a House in Jersey, with
which is included Property at the EcréhousIslets 307
Contract for Sale by L. Godfray to H. C.Bertram,
25th June, 1881, of a Building on the Ecréhous
Islets .............................. 308
Contract for Sale by C. L. Blampied to hIrs. Y.
Rilep, 9th August, 1947 o,f a HouseonIifaqotière,
one of the Ecréhous Islets ............... 308-309
Visitof the Govemor, Bailiffand Jurats, 28thJune,
1893, to Hoist the Union Jack on hlarmotière, one
of the Ecréhous Islets .................. 309
Act of the Jersey Piers and Harbours Committee,
5th February, 1910, giving Instructions for the
Erection of a Signal Post on Marmotiére, oneofthe .
Ecréhous Islets ........................ 310
Act of the Jersey Piers andHarbours Committee,
15th Apnl, 1907, for Hoisting the Union Jack
instead of the Red Ensign at the Ecréhous and
Minquiers Islets ..................... 3"
Act of Jersey Committee of Piers and Harbours,
13th October, 1906r ,elating to the repair of a Slip-
way on Marmotière of the Ecréhous Islets ..: . 311-312 Page
Affidavit of W. G. Furzer, Harbour Master of
Jersey, 20th August, 1951 r,lating to Maintenance
of Buoys, Beacons, Buildings andFlagstaffs at the
Ecréhousand MincliiiersIsLets; unofficial Visits to
the Islets;Houses (andtheir Proprietors)there ...
Records of Officia1Visits by Officers of the Island
of Jersey to the Ecréhouslslets,1885-rg38......
Affidavit of Brigadier R. M. H. Lewis, Secretary
to the Government in the Island of Jersey, 20th
August, 1951, upon the hoisting of the Union
Jack and the personal fiag of His Excellency the
Lieutenant-Governor of Jersey, after the British
re-occupation of the Channel Islands, rgqg ......
Letter from the Viscount of Jersey to the Lieute-
nant-Govcrnor ofJersey, 14th May, 1846, Giving
Details of Houses on Maitre Ile of the Ecréhous
Islets.............................
Order of the Gerrnaii Commandant of Jersey,
2nd July, 1940, l'rohibiting the Movement of
Shipping, including Fishing Boats .........
Appointment by the States of Jersey, 7th May,
1883, arising from Complaints of Jersey Fisher-
men of Illegal Fishing at the Ecréhous Islets by
French Fishermen, of a Cornmittee to Petition
H.M. in Council on the Subject ............
Ayproval by the States of Jersey of the Petition
to H.M. in Council, and the Appointment of a
Deputation, 21st May, 1883, concerning the Ecré-
hous lslets ........................
Approval of the States of Jersey, 11th July, 1883.
of the Report of the Delegation to the Privj.
CounciI, concerning the Ecréhous Islets ......
Affidavit ofJ. T. Becquet, Ecréhous Fisherman,
28th April,1951, relative to Jerseymen who have
Fished the Ecréhous since about 1840 .......
Affidavit ofS. EngIand, Constable of the Parish
of Grouville, Jersey, 5th May, 1951, upon the
Inclusion ofthe Minquiers in the Pariçh of Grou-
ville, and the Assessment of Houses there for the
purposes of the Farochial Rate ............
Affidavit ofT. 3. Brce, Jurat of the Royal Court
'of Jersey,2nd May, 1951, upon the Inclusion of
the Minquiers lslets in the Parish of Grouville,
Jersey, and the Assessment of Houscs thcrc for
the puqioses of Parochial Rate ............
Affidavit of W. S. Le hlasurier of St. Helicr,
Jersey, 4th June, 1951, relating to Building by
two French Nationalç. hl. Le Roux and "Marin
Marie", on Maîtresse Ile of the Minquiers Islets,
and to Jersey Fishermen frequenting thc Islets ANNEXES TO U.K. MEMORIAL (CONTENTS) 135
P#ge
Rating Scliedule of 1939for Buildings bclonging
to O. P. Hamon, on Maitresse Ile of the Min-
quiers Islets, within the Parish of Grouville,
Jersey ........................... Follows 324
-A III : Rating Schedule of 1939 for a Wooden Hut
belonging to W. S. Le Nasiirier, on Maîtreçse IIc
of the Minquiers Islets, within the Parish of
Grouville, Jersey ..................... Follows 324
Rating Schedule of 1950 inrespect of Property
of Jersey Residcnts in the Parish of Grouville,
Jersey, at MaitresseIle of the Rlinquiers Isle...Follows 324
Kating Schcdule of 1950 in respect of I'roperty
of Jersey Residents in the Parish of Grouville,
Jersey, at Maîtresse Ile of the Minquiers Isle...Follows 324
Inquest, 31st Atigust, 1938. upon two Skeletons
found at the Minquiers içlets ............ 324-323
Inquest, 30th hlarch, 1948u,pon F. C. Hansford,
who died at the Minquiers Isletç............
325-316
Contract for Sale by JF. 1-eClercq tothc Assem-
bly of the Governor, Bailiff and Jurats of tlic
Islarid of Jersey, 19th June1909 ,f a House on
Maîtresse Ileof the Minquiers Islets ......... 326-327
Contract for Sale hy E. B. Iienouf to the Assem-
bly of the Governor, Bailiff and Jurats of the
Island of Jersey, 19th June, 1909 ,f Land on
Maitresçe Ile of the Minquiers Islets......... 327-328
-4 118 : Contract for Sale by C. 1.e Richc to E. Morrison,
30th May,1896o ,f a House and Land on Maitre
IIe of the Minquiers Tçlets ...............
328-329
-4119 : Contract for Sale by F. hlallet toJ. B. Bolitho,
6th March, 1926, of a House on Maîtresse Tleof
the Minquiers Islets .................. 329
A x20 : Contract for Sale by 13. R. Vincent to V. R.
Richardson, 8th October, 1932, of a House on
Maîtresse Ile of the Minquiers Islets......... 329-330
X 121 : Richardson, zand August, 1936,Girof a House on
Maitresçe Ile of the Minquiers+Islets...... ,... 330-331
A raz : Contract for Sale by I;. allet to States of Jersey,
11th December, 1937 ,f a Ruined Building and
Siteol a Housc on hlaitresse Ile of tlie Minquiers
Islcts............................. 331-332
Act of Statcs of Jersey, 27th Octoher, 1937,
authorizing Purchase of a Kuincd Building and
Site of a Houseon hlaîtresse Ile of the Minquiers-
Islets, for buildina Storehousc ............ 332 ABSEXES TO U.K. JlEJIORIAt (CONTENTS)
Page
Affidavit of H. F. Ereaut, Treasurer of the States
of Jersey, 4th May, 1951, regarding Payments
made for Constrriction of a Slipway and Mainte-
nance of Biioys, Beacons and Signais, at the Min-
quiers Islets ........................
Act of Jcrsey Committee of Yicrs and Harbours,
26th April, 1890, relating to the Erection of a
Fla~staff and Hoisting of the Jersey Flag on
Alaitre Ilc of the illinquiers Isl............
Act of the Jersey Committee of Piers and Har-
bours, 25th May, 1907, aiithorizing Espenditure
upon the Construction of a SIipway on Maîtresse
Ile of the Minquiers lslets ...............
Visit of Jersey Committee of Picrs and Harbours,
27th June, 1933,to Maîtresse Ile of the Minquiers
Jslets, and theiT rnstructions for certain Works
to be Undertaken there ..................
of Jcrsey toOftheiMinquiers Islets, 1888-1946sla...
liecord of Minutes of Visit by Jersey l'iers and
Harbours Committee to Maître Ile of the Min-
quiers Islets, 9th Aiigust,1888, giving 3Svidence
of Buildings there .....................
Act of the Jersey Harbours and Airport Cornmit-
tee,3rd April, 1946,recording a Viçitof the Lieil-
tenant-Governor and Cornmittee to hoist the
Flag on Maître Ile of tlie blinqtiiers lsl......
Affidavit of C. W. Duret Aubin, 12th October,
1951, recording the Ceremonial Hoisting of the
Union Jack on blaitresse Ile of the Minquiers
Islets on 28th May, 1945 ...............
Affidavit of N. V. L. Rybot, 10th May, 1951,
concerning Initials cut by former Jersey Quarry-
rnen oii Maîtresse Ile of the Minquiers lslets ...
Two Passes, issued by the Lieutenant Governor of
Jcrsey, tgth February, iS12, for the Transport
of Workmen to Maitresse Ileof the Minquiers
Islets..............................
Act of Jersey Conmittee of Piers and Harbours,
13th June, 1903,reyorting on Buildings and
their Owners, on Naîtresse 1le of the Minquiers
Islets.............................
Report by tlie Jersey Law Officers, 10th July,
rgzg, to the Lieutenant-Governor of Jersey, that
LM. Le Roux, a French National, was Building
on Maîtresse Ile of the Minquiers Tslets ...... AXNEXES TO U.K. 31EhlORIAL (CONTEKTS)
I37
Pape
A 136 : Letter froin B. G. Falle, M.F., to the Rt. Hon.
Hugh Dalton, M.P., Under Secretary forForeigii
Affairs,29th Novembcr, 1929, enclosing Photo-
graph of the Foundation Walis of a Houseon Mai-
tresse Ile of the hlinquiers IsIets laid by hLc
Rous, a French National ............... 344-343
Afidavit of Edmond de Laquaine, Editor of Les
A 137 : Chroniques de Jersey, 5th hlay,1951 ,oncerning
the Cancellationof a Lease granted to a Frencli
National, M. Le Roux, in 1929 ............
345
A 138 : Kcproduction of a Water-Colour of Maitrc (Mai-
tresse) Ile ofthe Minquiers IsIets, about 1815,
by Captain Martin White, shewing vnrious build-
ings on the Tslet ..................... 346
A 139 : Affidavit of P. J. Le Clercq, F. Gallichan ~tiid
E. Gallichan, Minquiers Fishermen, 2nd May,
IgjT, relative to Jerseymen who have fished tiic
Minquiers since about 1850 ............... 346-348
A 140 : Act of thc StatesofJersey, zjrd February, 1872,
authorizing an Approach to the Home Secretary,
followinga Yetition by Jersey Fishermen, com-
plaining of French Interferencwith their Fishing
at the Minquiers Islets .................. 348-349 TEXTUALNOTE
I. The authorities, which have served as sources for this hlemorial
and its supporting Annexes, comprise various classes of manuscnpts
(see paragraph 2,-below) and abo printed works (see paragraph 3,
below). By far the greater part of these authorities are, it will be
observed, manuscripts, and a brief account of them is given below.
ManuscriptRecords
2. The inanuscript records fa11into the following categories :
(A) MEDIEVAL NATIOXAL MANUSCRIPT RECORDS :
(i) Trenty Rolls. These (whose title is self-explanatory) providethe
aiithority for the Treaty of Calais (1360) A.certain number
of original ratifications of medieval Treaties, however, are
to be found amongst the records of the Englisli Court of
Exchequer, which have provided the text for the Treaties
of Paris (1259) and ofTroyes (1420).
(ii)Charter Rolls. On these were enrolled the Royal Charters grant-
ing, not only liberties and privileges, etc., but also lands to
corporations as well as to private individuals. These have
provided the source for the Grant (and its Confirmation) by
King John ta Piers des Préaux in 1200.
(iii)Patent Rolls. These-by far the most important records of the
English Court of Chancery and iiideed of any cinss of medieval
records-derive their riame from the Litlem Putet~tes (Letters
Patent). The enrolments are of a highly diversified cliaracter,
and relate, for cxample, to the prerogativcs of the Crown,
the Revenue, the various branches of the Judicature, to
Letters of Protection and Safe-conduct, etc. In addition, they
also cover a great amount of private business such as grantr
and confirmation of offices or lands, etc. These Rolls have
provided the authority for the restitution to Piers des Préaux
of his English latids in 1206, aiid the Letters of Protection
for the Prior of the Ecréhous in 1337.
(iv)Assize Rolts. Rriefly, these contain the recording of pleadings
before the King's 'Justices on circuit. They have provided
the.authority for the judicial proceedings in the years 1309,
1323, 1325, 133~, cited as evidence in regard to the Ecréhous
Islets.
(v) Exchequer Accounts. 'l'hese, in getieral, deal with the revenue
of the Crown. The example cited as evidence in 1328-g is
one of the nurnerous miscellaneous Exchequer Accounts.
(vi)Papal Btdls. These contain al1the important orders and decisions
of the Papal Curia (as they do at the present day), and cover
a great vanety of ecclesiastical business. They sometimes
re-inforced Papal hlonitions.An example of this class of Papal
records is the Papal J3ull of 1500. (i) Rentals. This class of records (which is self-explanatory) has
provided the authority for a list of endou~ments of the Priory
of the Ecréhous in the 15th century.
(ii) Extewtes.These are local records covering rents (both in money
and kind) payable by Jersey Parishes in respect of various
ancient end~w~ments.
(iiiCorlrtRolls. These contain the proceedings before the Manorial
Court of the Lord (or Seigneur) of the hlanor. Those of the
Seignory of Noirmont have provided evidence relating to the
3linqi1iers Isletsin 161j, 1616 and 1617.
(iv) TheAcis ofthe Royal Court of Jersey. These record the proceed-
ings of the Royal Court (Corrr Royale) of Jersey, whose func-
tions have been descnbed in paragraph 60 of the hlemorial.
The Actç cited as evidence extend from 1692 to 1948, and
cover civil and criminal yroceedings.
(v) The Acls of the States of Jersey and of its Sub-Cornmittee, the
Piers and Warbours Cornmittee (Havres et Chaussées), now
called the Harhours and Aicport Cornmittee, have provided a
substantial body of evidence, which chiefly concems the
transaction of official business relating to the Ecréhous and
Jlinqiiiers IsIets.
(c) MODERN DIPLOMATIC hlANUSCRlPT KECORDS :
The great majority of these are Uispatches and Notes from and to
thc Foreign Off~ce,covering the 19th and 20th centuries (1619
to 193%) They have been supplementcd, where necessary, from
the records of other United Kingdom Government depart-
ments.
Printed -Sources
3. The abovc manuçcript records have been supplemented by various
~irinted records. These comprise such national archives as :
(i) Calendar of Close Rolls (Cd. Close Rolls). These are printed
abstracts (calendars) of the CloseRolls, on which were enrolled
Lettcrs Close (Litteue Clal~sce).The Close Rolls container1
mandates, letters, writs, etc. of a private natureto individunls
in the King's narne. Thc term "Close" was denved from the
fact that thesc documents were folded or "closed, as opposed
to the Patent Rolls, which wcre unfoldcd or "open".
(ii)Calendar of Fine Rolls (Cal. Fine Rolls). These are abstracts
of the Fine RoZls, on which were rccorded the "fines" (or
payments) for confirmation of liberties, franchises, grants of
wardsliips and rnarriages, etc. These Fine Rollsalso recorded
the appointment of certain officers of the Crown, such as
sheriffs, etc.
(iii)Calendarof State Papers, Domestic {Cal. State Papers, Domestic).
These are abstracts of State Pupers which, as the title implies,
cover the general interna1 as distinct fro~n foreign business
of the State arid the Sovereign's Council. The department originally responsible for their custody, later known as the
State Paper OEce, was fir5t cstablished in1578.
(iv) Calendar of Papal Letters (Cal. Papal Letters). These contain
abstracts of entries in the Papal Registers of rnatcnal con-
cerning Great Rritain, and have pravided the Papal Monition
of 1481.
(v) The above national printed works have*been supplemented by
the publications of La Société Jersiaise (an antiquarian society
devoted to research into Jersey history and arch;eology), and
the published works of various historians and antiquaries
irom the nliddle of the 17th century to the present day, tvho
have specialised in the history of the Channel Tslands.
Textual Treatment
4. The texts of the Annexes, which reproduce manuscript sources,
adhere as faithfully as possible to the originals, and editorial changes
(which are duly noted) have only been introduccd when this has been
necessary to clarifythe sense. Thus, there will be found in the texts
many variations in spelling, punctuation and the use of acc-ents and
capitals, which are due to the idiosyncrasies of the individiial writers,
aç well as to the changes in speiLing and punctuation throughout the
centuries in both the English and French laquages. These are usually
brought to the attention ofthe reader. Omissions of irrelevant matter
in the text have been indicated by the usual method of a dotted line
within square brackets, as has been done in the case of the complete
corruption or illegibility ofthe manuscript. In the case of medieval
manuscripts scribal contractions have been extended. Only abbre-
viationç which may be somewhat unusual in the more modem docu-
ments have been similarly treated, or explained. Footnotes have occa-
sianally been added to certain Annexes to elucidate various points. ASNESES TO U.K. MEMORIAL (NO. A 1)
ANNEX A I
Treaty of Paris, October, 1259 l
[Excheqirer(Trerrsury of Receipt), DiplornaticDocuments, No. IO]
[The Treaty of Paris was ratified by King Louis IX and by King
Henry III in October, 1259. The text here printed is that of the ratifi-
cation by Louis IX, preserved in the Public Record Office,London ;
but a few lacunae have bcen filled from a late 13th century copy
(Exchequer [Treasury of Keceipt], hfiscellaneous Books, No. 275,
ff, 34-5) ) ade from the sealed original. Henry III's ratification is.
preserved at Paris (Archives Nationales, J.629, No. 8). As between
the ratification by both Kings there is no substantial difference. There
exiçts also (1) an enrolled text in the Public Record Office(Treaty Roll,
43 Hen. III, m.4, printed by Rymer, FŒdera, 1,i. 383-4). dated West-
minster, 20th May, 1259 ; (2) another text of Louis IX, printed by
Rymer, op. cil.,1, i.389-90, with no other authority but "Ex Autogr. '
This has a parallel Latin text. The Articles selected are those relevant
to the case.]
Lois par la grace de deu rois de France. Nos faisons asauoir a touz
cels qui sont e qui seront que nos par la uolente de deu oucc nostre
chier cousin le noble roi Henri de Angleterre auons pais faite e affermee
e[n] cestc man[i]ere [ ................................................~.....1................................
[..............................................................................1..............................................
[Art. 41Derechief apres le deces le conte de poitiers nos ou nostre hoir
roi de france donrons au [Iioli [Dengjl' oii a ses hoirs la terre que li
cuens de Poitiers tient ores en Xant'. outre la riuiere de Charente en
fiez e en demaines qui soient outre la charente se ele eschaoit a nos.
ou a noz hoirs E s[eJlene nos eschaoit nos porchaceriens en bone maniere.
par eschange ou autrement que li rois dangl' e si hoir lauront ou nos.
li ferons auenable eschange a lesgart de prodes homes qui seront nome
dune part Etdautre. E de ce que nos au roi dangl' e a ses hoirs auons.
donc en fiez e en demaines li rois dangl' e si hoir feront homage lige
a nos e a noz hoirs rois de franc'. e ausi de Bordiaus e de Baeone e de
Gascoingne e de tote la terre que il tient deqa la mer dangl' en fiez.
e en demaines e des isles saucune en i a que li rois dangl' tiegne qui
soient del roiaume de franc' e tendra de nos comme pers de franc'
& dux de Aquitain'. E de totes ces choses deuantdites nos fera li rois.
dangl' seruises auenables iiisq' a tant qui1 fust troue quels seruises.
les choscs deuroient e lors il seroit tenuz de faire les tels corn il seroient
troue. Del homage de Ia conte de Bigorre. de Armeingnac e de fsiençac
soit ce que droiz en sera. E nos clamons quite au roi dangl' se il ou.
' As the relevant Articles, or parts thereofi, n the Treatyonlyare printed,
omissions are denoted by dois rvithin squarebrackets. Thispractice isfollowed.
throughout these Annexes. ANNEXES TO U.K. MEnlORIAL (h'o.A 1)
T42
ANNEX A x
Treaty of Paris, October, 1259
[Excheque~(Tyeasuyy of Receipt), DiplornaticDocwments, No. ro]
[Translation]
Louis, by the grace of god, king of france. 1% notify ali men present
and future that, by the will of god, we have made and confirmed pea.ce
with our dear cousin, the noble king Henry of England, in this manner.
[..................................:............ ................... ......]..........."..
[Art. 41 Again, after the decease of the count of poitiers, We ashis heir,
king of france, shall give to the King of England or to his heirs theland
which the count of Poitiers holds at present in Saintonge I beyond the
river Charente in fee and in demesne which may be beyond the charente,
ifit skould escheat to us or to our heirs. And if itshould not escheat to
US, we shall contrive in a suitable way by means of exchange or other-
wise-that the king of england and his heirs will have it, or we shdi
arrange a suitable eschange by the award of arbitrators who shal1,be
appointed by both sides. And for what we have given the king of englarid
' and his heirs in fee and in demesne, the king of england and his heirç
will do liege homage to us and to Our heirs,kings of france, and also for
Bordeaux ',and for Bayonne 3,and for Gascony 4 and a11the land which
he holds on this side of the sea of england in feeand in demesne and for
the islands, if a'ny there be, which the king of england holds which are
of the reaIm of france, and he shallhold of us as peer of france and duke
of Aquitaine 5; and for al1 these aforesaid things the king of england
willdo us suitable service until it isfound which services are due for the
l Xa?zl'.
a Bordiaclus.
a Bume.
Aquitain'.. si ancessor 110sfirent onques tort de tenir nostre fie sanz nos faire
fiornage e sanz nos rendre nostre senlise e toz arrerages.
[Art. 63 E par ceste pais faisant ziquite e quite de tot en tot li
rois dangl' & si dui fil a nos e a noz ancessors e a noz hoirs & a nor,
successors e a noz frcres e a lor hoirs e a lor successors por soi e por
ses hoirs c yor ses succes[sors] s[e icills rois dangl' o[u] si ancessor
aucune droiture ont oii orent onques en chose que nos teigniens ou
teignissieiis onques ou nostre ancessor ou nostre frerc cest a sauoir
en la duche c cn tote la terre de Normendie en la conte e cri tote la
terre da[niou] de ['Tolrainc & del Maine. e en la conte e en tote' laterre
de Poitiers ou aillors cn aucune partie del Koiaume de franc' ou es
isleç saucnnes en tenons nos oii nostre frere ou autres de par nos ou
de par els c toz arrerages.
'[Art. 71E ausi n quite c qiiite li deuantdiz rois dangl' e sidui fila tuz
cels qui dc par riosou dc par no" ancesors ou de noz freres tienent
aucune chosc par don ou par eschange oii par uente ou par achat ou
par ascenscrncnt oii en autre semblable manierc en la duche e en tote
la terre de Normcng'. eii la conte e cn tote la terre daniou de Toraine
e dei Maine. c en la conte c tote la terre de poitiers ou aillors en
aucune partie del roiaume de france ou es isles desus dites sauf au
roi dangl'. e n ses hoirs lor droiture es terres dont il nos doit faire
homagc lige par ceste pais si comme il est desus deuise. e sauf ce que
Ii rois dangl' puisse demander sa droiture si1 la cuide auoir en Agenois
e auoir la se la cort lc roide franc' le iuge e auside Caorsin.
................]Ce fu donne a paris la[n del Incarnacion nostre seignciir
Mille C C Cinquanlte noiiieme el mois cleOcto[ure]
[Sealed with Louis lx's G~eat Seul, appended on yellow andred
silken laces.]
[Endorsed :] Composicio pacis inter Lodeuicurn Regern Francie &.
Henricum Regem Anglie de Tribus dioc' S:Ciuitatibus. videlicet Lymo-
zicen'. Caturc'. et I'etragoricen' [. .. .] & per quam idem ICex Franc'
promittit quod reddet rcgi Angl' terram Agenn' a per consideracionem
curie Franc'. & quod rnultas alias [. .. .] condicioncs
1 Agenais.;Caliors; DBrigueux. :\NNlSXES T0 U.K. MEMOKIAI, (NO. B 1) I43
things, and then hc slioiild bc hound to pay that such as should be iound
existing. For the hornagc of the county of Bigorre, of Armagnac zinc1
fézensac a,let it tic thatwliicli right shall require. Ancl we quitclaim to
thc king of england nny wrong ever done by him to us or our ancestors
in holding oiir fce without liaying homagc to ilsand without performing
his service to ils, nncl :il1arrcarç.
[..............................................................................l
..............................................................
[Art. 61 And by making tliis peace, the king of england and his two
sons have relinquisticd, ancl reli~iquisli altogether, to ils and to our an-
cestors and to our heirs, and to our successors, and to our brothers and
to their heirs and ta their successors, in behalf of himself and his heirs
:ind Iiis siicccssors, and any right the kings of england and their ancestors
have or cvcr had in the things whicli we or Our ancestors or our brother
hold or ever use'd to hold, that is to say in the duchy and all'the land
of Normandy 3, in tlie county and al1thc land of anjoii 4,of Touraine "
anci Mainc, and in the county and al1 thc land of Poitiers or elsewhere
in any part of the Rcalni of france or in the islands, if any are heid by us
or by oiir brother or hy others in oiir or their behalf, and al1arrears.
[Art. 71 And also tlic abovc-namcd king of englarid and his two sons
have relinquished, and rclinquish, to al1 thosc who by our authority or
by that of oiir ancestorsor by that of our brothcrs hold ünything through
gift, exchangc or salc, ~iurcliasc, or agrecmcnt, or in other like manner
in the ducliy and in riIl tlic Inrid of Normandy " in the county and al1
the land of anjou ','l'ourniiifiaiid Alainc, and in the county and al1the
].and of poiticrs or clsewhcrc in any part of the realm of france or in the
aforesaid islands, saving to ttic king of england and to his heirs ttieir
right in tlie lancls for n,hicli they owe us liege homage according to
this peace, asit is above detcrmined, and saving thatthe king of england
map claim his right, if lie helieve that he have it,in Agenais ', and
can have it, if the court of thc king of francc so jutlgc, ancl similarly
for Quercy l.
[.........................................................................
...1....................................................................
....
[..................Dated nt paris in the year of the incarnation of our
Lord One 'I'liousand 'I'wo Hundred and Fifty-Nine, in the month of
October.
' Armeignac.
" faiençac.
Nmtnendie.
da>iiou.
Normend'.
' Agenois.
Vaovsin : of wliich the iiiudcrn loriis C'trhorsi(Le..tliedistrict of Cahors)
which was later called Qucrcy. ANNEXES TO U.K. MEàIORIAL NO^ , 2-3)
ANNEX A 2
Treaty of Calais, 24th October, 1360
[Treaty Roll l, 34 Edw. III, pt. 4, m. 23
Tractatus Edward par la grace de dieuRoiDengieterre Seigneur Dirlaunde et Daqui-
cum artiçulistaigne A touz ceux qi cestes lettres verront .salutz .Sauoir' faisons a
subtractis touz presentz et auenir que nous auons veu le .traitie daccort fait nad-
gaires parcerteins trateours et'procureurs entre.nous et nostre treschier
frerele Roi de France coiitenant la forme qe sensuyt .
vj . Item accorde est que le dit Koi Dengleterre et ses heirs auront ettendront
toutes les Isles adiacens aus terres paiiet lieux auantnomez ensamble
auec toutes autres Isles le queux le dit Roi Dengleterre tient a present
[...............].Donne a nostre ville de Caleis par tesmoipance de
nostre graunt seal .le. xxiiij.iour Doctobre Lan de grace .mille .CCC.
Ix .
ANNEX A 3
Treaty of Troyes, z~st iMay, 1420
{Exchequer(Treasuty O/ ReceiPt),DifilorncstiDoczlmer~ts,No. 4x11
[The Treaty of Troyes was ratified on tl-iez~st May, 1420.WOratified
texts of the Treaty exist :one in London (Public Record Office), the
other (by Henry V) in Paris (Archives Nationales, J.6463, No. 15 bis )
in addition, there is a cbntemporary Englisli text on the dorse of the
Close Roll (8 Hen. V, mm. 12d & II~) dated the 14th June, 1420 , hich
waç ordered to be proclaimed throughout Engiand. The text here printed
is the ratification by King Charles VI, preserved in the Public Record
Office. This document is, however, defective in a number of places :
missing words have been supplied by collation with the Archives Natio-
nales text, and are inserted between square brackets. There is no sub-
stantial difference between the two texts. 'TheTreaty has been printed
individualarticles difficult. Particular attention, Iiowever,may be drawn
toArticles (I),(2))(6), (7)7(14). (16)-(26),(28),30)()31), (331.1
The roll bears the notarial attestation, which establishes its legal validity. ANNEXES TO U.K. JfEMORIAI- (~oa. A 2-3) l44
ANNEX A 2
Treaty of Calais, 24th October, 1360
[Treaty Roll, 34 Edw. III, pl. 4, m. 21
[Translation]
Edward, by the grace of god, King of England, Lord of Ireland and Treaty.
of Aquitaine, To al1who shall see thesc letters, greeting. Let it be madewith articles
known to all, now and in the future, that we have seen the treaty of withdra~n
agreement lately made by certain negatiators and proxies between us
and our most dear brother, the King of France, in the fom which
follows[ .........................................................................
...........................................................
Also, it is agreed tliat the said King of England and his successorsshall[Art.]6
have and hold al1the Islands adjacent to the lands, the countries and
places above-named, together with al1other Islands urhichthe said King
of England now holds.
......................................................................1..
........................................................................
...............
[................].Given at our town of Cdais by the testimony of our
geat seal, the 24th day of October, in.the Year of grace one thousand
three Iiundred and sixty.
ANNEX A 3
Treaty of Troyes, z~çt May, 1420
[Exchquer (Treasury of Receipl), Diplornatic Documents, No. 4113
[Translation]I45 ANNEXES TO U.K. MEYORIAL (XO. A 3)
Charles Par la Grace De dieu Roy de France A Yerpetuelle Memoire
Combien que pour reintegrer la paix et oster les discencions des Roy-
aumes de france & dangleterre plusieurs notables & diuers traittiez qui
ou [telmps passe ont este faiz Entre noz nobles progeniteurs de bonne
memoire et ceuls de treshault prince et iiostre treschier filz Hcnry Roy
dangleterre heritier de france et aussi entre nous et nostre dit filz naient
apporte le fruit de paix pour ce desire Sauoir Faisons a tous presens &
aduenir que neantmoins nous considerans et pesans 1 en nostre cuer
quans grans et Irreparables maulx quantes enormitez et quelle doulo-
reuse playe vniuersal & Incurable la diuision des deus Royaumes dessusd'
a Jusques cy mis & apporte non p[a]s tant seulement es deux Royaumes
mais atoute leglise militant Nous auons nagaires reprins traittie de paix
auec nostre dit filz Henry ouquel a la parfin apres plusieurs collactions
& parlemens des gens de nostre conseil Icellui ottroyant & donnant
effecta noz desirs qui promet paix aux hommes de bonne voulente Entre
nou[s & nosltre dit filz a leuure de la dittc desiree paix est Conclud &
accorde en la maniere qui sensuit
[Art. 11 Premierement que pour ce [qut!]par lalliance du mariage
fait pour le bien de la ditte paix Entre nostre dit filzleRoy Henry et
nostre treschierc & tresamee fille Katherine 11est deuenu nostre filz et
de nostre treschicre Sr tresamee compaigne la Roync [ilcellui nostre
filz nous aura & tionnorera & nostre ditte compaingne comme pere
& mere et ainsi qui1 appartient honnorer telz et si grans prince & prin-
cesse et deuant toutes personnes temporelles du ~nondc
[Art. 21 Item que nostre dit fil e Roy Henry ne nous turbera Inquie-
tera ou ernpescliera que nous ne tenions & possidions tant comme nous
viurons ainsi que nous tenons B possidons de present la Couronne et
dignite royal de france et les reuenues fruis 13prouueiis diceulx a la
Soustenance de nostre estat et des charges du Royaume Et que nostre
ditte compaingne aussi ne tiengne tant quelle viura estat & dignite de
Royne selon la cousturne dudit Royaumt: Auecques partie desdictes
rentes & reuenues a elle conuenable
[Art. 31 Item est accorde quenostre dicte fille Katheriiie aura & prendra
ou Royaume dangleterre douaire Ainsi que les lioynes dangleterre ont
ou temps passe acaustume dauoir & parceuoir Cestassauoir par chascun
an la Somme de quarante mil eçcus desquelz les deus valent tousiours
vn noble Uangleterre
[Art. 41 Item est accorde que nostre dit filz le Roy Heiiry par toutes
voies moyens & manieres qui1 pourr[a] sms trarsgression ou offense
du Serement par lui fait de obseruer les lois Coustumes & drois de sondit
royaume dangleterre labourera & pouruerra que nostre dicte fille Kathe-
rine saco~npaignele plus tost que faire se pourra soit en tout euenement
pleinement asseuree de parceuoir & auoir en sond[i]t royaume dangleterre
du temps de son trespas ledouaire deuantdit de quarante mil escus
annuel desquelz les deus valent tousiours vn noble dangleterre
[Art. 53 Item est'accorde que si1aduient que nostre dicte fille suruiue
a nostre dit filz le Roy Henry eiie parceura & aura ou Royaume de france
l +esans,written over an erasure.
apres wnttenover an erasure.
aura mritten ovcr an erasure. ANNEXES -ro U.K. J~EMORIAL (xi,.A 3) 145
Charles, 13ythe Grace of god, King of France, To Perpetual Hemory.
Although to restore peace and remove dissensions bctwcen the Realms
of france and england scveral notable and divers treaties have been
made in the past Betureen Our noble progenitors of good rnemory and
thoçe of the most excellent prince and Our most dear son Henry, King
of England, heir of france, and also between us and oiir said son, which
have not borne the fruit of peace desired, LVeNotify al1 men present
and future that nevertIieless we, considering and weighing in our heart
what great and Irrcparable evils, what great enormities and what a
grievous univcrsal and incurable wourld the division of the two ReaIms
abovesaid has Heretofore brought iipon not only the two ReaIms,
but also all the chiirch inilitant, We have lately resumed a treaty of
peace evith our said son Henry, in which treaty, after several con-
ferences and disciissionsby the people of Our couiicil, He vouclisafing
and giving effect to Our desires, who promises Iieace to men of good
will, it is finally Concluded and agreed Uetwcen us and oiir said son
for the nchievement of thesaid desired peacein the manner iollowing :-
[Art. 11 First, that, as hy the bond of marriagc na defor the goorl of
the said peace Betweeii our said son, King Henry, and our most dear
and beloved daughter, Katherinc, Hc has becomc oiir son and that of
our rnost dear and beIoved consort, thc Queen, our said son shall have,
and honour us and Our said consort as father and mother, and as it is
fitting for such and so great a prince and princeçsto be honoured, and
heforeal1 tempord perçons of the world.
[Art.21 Also, that our said son, King Henry, sliall not disturb, 13s-
quiet or prevent ris from holding and possessing, so long as we shaii live,
as we hold and possess at present tlie Crown and royal dignity of france
and the revenues, fruits and profits of the samc for the Maintenance of
our estatc and charges of our Realm ; And our said consort also from
holding, so long as she shall live, the estate and dignity of Queen accord-
ing to the ciistorn of the çaid Realm, With a suitable portion of the
said revenues and profits.
[Art. 31 Also, itis agreed that our said daughtcr, Kathcriiie, shalhave
and take over in the Kealm of england, as the Queens of england in time
past were wont to take and receive, That 1s To Say, the Sum of 40,000
crowns a year, two of which shall always bc Worth one English noble.
[Art. 41 Also, it is agrecd that our said son, King Henry, by ail possible
ways, means and methods, without transgressing or violating the Oath
taken by him to keep the laws, Customs and rights of his said realiriof
england, shall labour and contrive that our said daughter, Katherine,
his consort, as soon as may be,shaII be fully assured, in any event, to
take and to havc in his said realrn of england from the timc of his death
the aforesaid dower of 40,000 crowns yearly, two whereof shall always
be worth one english noble.
[Art. 51 Also, it is agreed that, if ithappe11 that our said daughter
outlive oiirsaid son,King Henry, she shall take and havc in the Realm14~ ANNEXES TO U.K. MEMORIAL (NO. A3)
tantost apres le jrespasde nostre ditfilz douaire deIa Somme de vint .
mil frans par ande sur Ies [terres] lieux & Seigneuries que t&neust en
douaire nostre treschiere dame de bonne memoire Blanche [Iadis] femme
de phelippe de bonne memoire Iadiz Roy de france nostre treschier
seigneur& grant ayeul
[Art. 61 Item est accorde que tantost apreç nostre trespaset desIors en
auant la Couronne & Royaume de france auec tous leurs drois & apparte-
nances demourront et seront perpetuelment de nostre dit filz le Roy
Henry et de ses hoirls]
[Art. 73 Item que pour ce que nous sommes tenuz & empeschiez le plus
du temps par telle maniere que nous ne pourrons en nostre ersonne
vacquier ne entendre a la disposicion des besongnes de nostre$oyaume
La faculte & exerciss[eJ de gouuerner & ordonner la chose publique
dudit Royaume seront & demourront nostre vie durant A nostre dit
filz le Roy Henry auec le Conseil des nobles 81sages du dit royaume a
nous obeissans qui auront amc leprouffit & honneur dudit Royaume
par ainsi que desmaintenant et deslors en auant Il puisse Icelle regir
& gouue,er par lui mesmes et par autres qui1y vouldra depputer Auec
le conseil des nobles & Sacges dessusd' lesquelz faculte & excercice de
gouuerner a[i]nsi estans pardeuers nostre difilz le Roy Henry Il labou-
rera eff[e]ctuelment diligemment &loyrrument a ce qui1 puist etdoye
estre a lonneur de dieu de nous et de nostre dicte compaingne et aussi
au bien publique dudit Royaume et a deffendre trans uiller & nppaissier
& gouuemer IceIlui Royaume selon lexigence de 9ustice & d[equi]te
Auec le Conseil& ayde. des grans seigneurs barons & nobles dudit
Royaume
[Art. 81 Item que nostre dit filz fera de son pouoir que la court du
parlement de france en tous et chascun lieux subgieza nous maintenant
ou ou temps aduenir sera obseruee &-gardee esauctorite & Souuerainete
delle et a elle d[e]ues en tous & chascun Iieanous subgiez maintenant
ou ou temps auenir
[Art. g] Item que nostre dit fiizde son pouoir deffendra & conseruera
tous & chascuns pers nobles Citez villes Communitez et singulieres
personnes a nous maintenant ou ou tem~is'auenir subgectes en leurs
&ois coustumeç priuileges preeminences libertez & franchises a eulx
appartenans ou deuz en tous les lieux subgiez a nous maintenant ou ou
temps auenir
[Art.IO] Item que nostre dit filz diligemm[ent et] Ioyaument labourera
et fera son pouoir que Iustice sera administreaudit royaume de france
selonles IoisCoustumcs et drois dudit Royaume de france sans acception
de personnes et conserura & tendra les subgierz de] nostrdit Royaume
en paix transquillite et de soli pouoir les gardera & deffederviolences
& oppressions quelzconques
[Art.II] Item est accorde que nostre dit filzle Roy Henry pouruerra
etfera de son pouoir que aux offices de la Iustice de parIement des bail-
liages seneschauciees preuoçteet autres appartenans au gouuernement
de Seigneurie et aussi a tous autres offices dudit royaume seront prinses
personnes habiles& prouffitables & ydoines pour le bon Iuste & trans-
quilleregime dudit Royaume et des administracions qui leur seront a
Commettre et quilz soient telz quilz doient eçtre depputez et prins selon ASNEXES TO U.K. MEbfORIAL (SO. -43) 14~
of france imrnediately after the deatli of Oursaid son, dower to the Value
of 20,000 francs yearly out of the lands, places and Lordshiys that
Blanche, Relict of philip, of good memory, Some time King of france,
oui most dear Iord ancl great-grandfathcr, held and had.
[Art.61 Also, iis agrced that, imrncdiately after our death and thence-
fwward, the Ciown and Realm of francc witii al1 their righand appur-
tenances shail remain and he of oitr said son, King Henry, and of his
heirs, in perpetuity.
[Art. 71 Also, that, aswe arc restrained and incayacitated most of the
time so that wc cannot devote ourselves, or attend personally, to the
despatch of the affairs of our Realm, The faculty aiid exercise of the
governrnent and despatch of the public affairs of the said Realrn shall
he, and remain, during our lifetime, TO our said son, King Henry, with
the Counsel of the nobles and wise men of the said realm who are obedient
to us and who shall cherish the well-being and honour ofthe said Realm,
so that from now on and henceforward He may coiiduct and govern .
Them by himself and by such others as lieshall wiçh to appoint, ifrith
the counsel of the abovesaid nobles and Wise Men ; which faculty and .
exercise of government being thus in the hands of our said son, King
Henry, He shali labour effectively, diligently and faithfully towards
what rnay and should be owing to the Iionour of god, of ourselves and of
our said consort, and also to the common benefit of the said Realrn;
and to defend, quietcn, pacify and govern That Realm as Justice
and equity shall require, With the Counsel and assistance of the great
lords, barons and nobles of the said Realm,
{Art. 81 Also, that our said son slialldo everything in his polver to see
that the court of parliarnent of france, in al1and singular places çiibject
to us now and in the fiituce, be kept and ~naintained in the authority
and Sovereignty belonging and due to it in al1and singular places siibject
to 11snow ar in the future.
[Art. g] Also, that Our said soi1sliall (10everything in hispower to dc-
fend and preserve all and singular peers, nobles, Cities, towns, Comnion-
alties and individuals, çubject to us nonr or in time to coine, in their
rights, customs,privileges, pre-eminences, liberties and franchises belong-
ing or due to them in al1places siibject to us now or in the fiiture.
[Art. IO] Also, that our said son shall diligcritly and faithfully labour
and do his utmost to cause Justice to be administered in the said realm
of france according to the laws, Customs and rights of tlie saidRealm
of france, regardless of persons, and slinll keep and hold the suhjects
of our said Realrn in peace and quiet, and do everything in iiis power
to guard and protect them against violence and oppression of any kind.
[Art. II] Also, it is agreed that our said son, King Henry, sliall coiitrive
and do everything in his power to see that the Judicial appointmentsi
in parliament, in the bailiwicks. çencschaIsliips, provostships, and ottiers
belonging to the Seignorial government and alsoall other offices of the
said realm, shall be entrusted to Competent, profitable and suitable
persons for the good, Just and quiet overnrnent of the said Realm and
of the administration whicli shallbe 8 ommitted to them, and that they 147 ANKEXES TO U.R. JIËMORIAL (KV. 1%3)
les lois & drois dudit Koyaurne ct ])Our le proufit de nous & de nostre
Royaume
[Art. 121 Item que nostrc dit fil2 labourera de son pouoir et le plus tost
que faire se pourra prouff[it]nblement mettre en nostre obeissance toutes
et chascunes Citez villes chasteaulx lieux pays et personnes dedans
nostre Royaume desobeissans a nous& rcbelles tenans la partie ou
estans de la partie vulgaurncnt appellce du daulphin ou darmignac
[Art. 131 Item Afin que nostre dit filz piiisse faire exercer & accomplir
les choses dessusd' plus proufitablement seuremcnt et franchement Il
est accorde que les grans seigneurs Barons nobles et les estas dudit
royaume tant spirituel2 qtie temporelz Et aussi [Iles Citez nobles com-
munitez lesCitoyens & boiirgois des villes dudit Royaume a iious obeis-
sans pour le temps feront les seremens qui sensuiuent
[Art. 141 Premierement a nostre dit filz le Roy Henry ayant la faculte
& exercice clcdisposer & gouiierner ladictc chose publique et a ses Com-
mandemeris& mandemens cn toutes choses concernans lexercice du
gouuernement dudit Royaurrie et partoutes choses obeiront et entendront
hu~nblement & abeisscinrncnt
-[Art. 1.51Item et cluc les clioses qui soitt oti seront appointiees entre
nous & nostre compaignc Ia lioyiieet nostrt: dit filz le Roy [Helnry auec .
le conseil de ceulx qiie nous LOnostrc dicte compaingne et nostre dit filz
aurons a ce commis lesdiz grans Seigneiirs barons nobles & estas de nostre
Royaume tant spiritiielz Commc temporelz et aiissi les Citez nobles
Comrnuoitez le Citoyens et hourgois des villes dudit Royaume en tant
que a eulx & chascun deiils pourra tnuchicr en tout & par tout bien Br
loyaurnent garderont ct feront tfc I[e]tir pouoir garder par tous autres
quel[z]conclucs
[Art. 161 Item que coiltiniielinent des iiostre trespas et apres icellui
Tlfs] seront feauls hommes liges de nostre dit filz & de ses hoirs et Icel-
lui nostre fiiz tendront pour leur seigneur Iige R.souuerain et vray Roy
de france sans aucune opposicion ou contradicion ou difficulte receuront
et comme a tel obciront et que apres ses choses Iamais nobeiront a autre
que a nous comme a Roy ou Regcnt le Royaume de france senon a nostre
dit filz le Roy Henry L'ses hoirs
[Art. 171-Item qriilz ne seront en conseil aydc ou consentement que
iiostre dit fiIz le Roy Henrypardc vie oii membre ou soit prins de mau-
uaise prinse oii qui1 sueffre dommage ou dimin[iici]on en personne estat
honneur ou biens mais silz sc[eJuent.clue aucune telle chose soit contre
lui maschinee ou parforcee Ilr,lenipescheront de leurs pouoirs et lui
feront sauoir Ie plus tost quilz poiirront par eulx mesmea messages ou
lettres
[Art. 181 Item est accorde que toutes LOchascune conquestes qui se
feront par nostre dit filz le Roy Henry hors la duchie de normendie ou
Royaume de france sur les desobeissans seront & se feront a.nostre
proufit et que nostre dit filz a son pouoir fera que toutes & chascunes
terres et seigneuries estans es lieux qui sont ainsi a conquenr apparte-
nans aux personnes a nous presentement obeissans qui Inreront garder ANSEXES TO U.K. MEJIORIAI, (NO. A 3) 147
be perçons suc11as ought to be appointed and chosen according to the
laws and rights of the said Realm ancl for the profit of ourselves and of
our Rcalni.
[Art. 121 Also, that Our said son shall do eirerything in his power, and
as soon as profitably may bc, to place in obedience to us al1and siiigular
Cities, towns, castles, places, countries and persons within our Realm,
tlisobedient and rebellious to us, holding to the party commonly called
of the dauphin or of armagnac '.
[Art. 131 Aiso, in order that our said son may esercise and fulfil the
inatters abovesaid more profitably, surely and freely, It is agreed that the
great lords, Barons, nobles and estates of the said realrn, spiritual as
well as temporal, And a150 the Cities, noble comrnonalties and the Citi-
zens and burgesses of the totvns al thr iaid Realm, obedient to us at
preçent, sliall take the oaths following :
IArt. 141 I;irst, tlley shalhumbly aiid obediently heed and obey our
son, King Henry, who has the faculty and exercise, of the despatch and
government of the said piiblic affairs, and heed and obey his Orders
and commands in al1matters concerning tlie esercise of the government
of the said Realm and in al1 things.
[Art. 1jJ Also, and tliat the said great Lords, barons, nobles. .and
estates of Our realm, spiritual as well as temporal, and also the Cities,
noble Coqmonalties, the Citizcns and hurgesses of the towns of the said
Realin. in so far as they and each of them may be concerned in every
respect and by al1 means, shall well and faithfully keep, and do their
utmost to cause to be kept by a11others whatsoever, the rnatters which
are, or shall be, agreed between ourselves and our consort, the Queen,
and our saici son, King Henry, with the counsel of those \!,ho shalI be
appointed therefor by c~urselves,our said consort and Our said son.
[Art. 161 Also, tliat co~itinuaily from our death and after It They shall
be faithful liege meii of our said son and of his heirs, aiid shall hold This
our son for their Iiege and sovereign lord, and shall receive him as the
truc King of france without opposition, contradiction or demur, and
sh:ill obey him as such ; and that thereafterthey shall Never obey ariyone
else biit oi~rselvesas King or Regent of the Realm of france, except Our
said son, King Henry, and his heirs.
[Art. 171 Also, that tliey shall not give counsel, ait1or consent whereby
our said son, King Henry, Iose lifc or limb, or be treacherously captured,
or sufferRarm or diminution of his person, cstate, honour or possessions ;
but, if they know that any such thing be plotted or perforced, They
shall do tlieir utmost to prevent it and shall inform hirn as sooii as they
can in persori or Ilyrepresciitnti~~esor by letters.
[Art. 181 Also, it isügreed that al1 and singular conquests wliich shall
be made by our said son, King Henry, outside the duchy of normantly
in the Realm of francc, from the rebels, shalI be, and shall be made,
for our bcncfit ; and that our said son shall do his utmost to cause
a11 and singular lands and lordships, being in the places which are
thus to be conquered and belonging to perçonsnow obedient to us who14s .$SNEXES TO U.K. MICJIORIAL (NO. A 3)
ccstc presente concorde seront restituez ausd' personnes a qui elles
appartiennent
[Art. 191 Item est accorde que toutes & chascunes personnes ecclesias-
tiques beneficiees ou duchie de norrnendie ou autres lieux quelxconques
ou Royaume de france subgiez a nostre dit filz a nous obeissans Srfauo-
risant la partie de nostre treschier & treçame filzleduc de boiirgongne
qui Iureront garder ceste presentc concorde Ioyront paisiblement de
leurs bencfices ecclesiastiques estans ou dit diichie de normcndie ou
lieux deuan tdiz
[Art. SO] Item que Semblablement toutes & chascunes personnes
ecclesiastiques obeissans a nostre dit fille Roy Henry et beneficiez ou
Royaume de france Br lieux a nous subgicz qui Iureront garder ceste
presente concorde Ioyroiit paisiblement de lcurs benefices ecclesiastiques
estans es lieux deuantdiz
[Art. 211 Item que toutes t%chascuiies egliçes vniuersitez et estudes
generaulv et aussi collegcs destudians et autres colleges ecclesiastiques
estans es lieux a nous subgiez presentement ou pour le temps aduenir ou
en la duchie de norrnendie ou autres lieux du Royaume de france subgiez
A nostre dit filz le Roy Henry Ioyront de leurs drois possessions Rentes
prerogatiues Iibertez preeminences et franchises a eulx ou Royaume de
france comment que ce soit appartenans ou deues sauue les drois de la
couronne de france et de tous autres
[Art. 221 Item quant il aduendra que nostre dit fille Roy Henry vendra
a la couronne de france la Duchie de noniiendie et aussi les autres &
chascuns lieux par lui conquis ou 12oyaiime de france seront soubz
la luridicion obeissance et monarchie de la dicte couronne de france
[Art. 231 Item est accorde que nostre dit filz lRoy Henry de son pouoir
se parforcera & fera que aux personnes a nous obeissans & fauorisans lri
partie deuant dicte que on appelle dc bourgongne Auxquelles apparte-
noient Seigneuries terres reuenues ou possessionsen ladicte duchie de nor-
mendie ou autres lieux ou Royaume de fraiice par Icellui nostre fil[z] le
lioy Henry conquises Iapieca par lui doniiees sera faicte sans diminucion
de la Couronne de france Recompensacion par nous es l[ie]ux terres
acquises ou a acquerir en nostre nom sur les rebelles & desobeissans a
rious Et seen nostre vie la dicte recornpensacion nest faicte aux dessuçdiz
~iostre filz leRoy Henry la fera es dictes terres et biens quarit Tlsera
venu2 a la Couronne de france mais se [les terrles Seigneuries rentes ou
possessions qui appartenoien[t] ausd' personnes es diz duchie St lieus
nauoient este donnees par nostre dit filz les dictes personnes seront
restitueesA Icelles sans delay
[Art. zq] Item que durant nostre vie entous le[s] lieux a nous [presente]
ment ou pour le temps auenir çubgiez les lettres co[inmunes de Iustlice
de dons doffices de benefices & autres donations pardons ou remissions
ou priuileges deuront estre escriptesoubz nostre nom & seel Toutesuoies
pour ce que aucuns cas singuliers yourroient aduenir qui par humain
engin l ne peuent pa[s tolus estre preueus lesqiielz pourra estre neces-
lengin written overan erasure. ANNEXES TO U.K. MEMORIAL (NO. A 3) . 146
shall Swear to keep this present agreement to be restored to the said
persons to whom they belong.
[Art. 191 Also, it is agreed that al1 and singular ecclesiastics beneficed
in the duchy of normandy lor in any other places in the Realm of franc$
which are in the power of our said son, and obedient to us and favouring
the party of our most dear and beloved son, the duke of burgundy *,u~ho
shallSwear to keep this present agreement, shall peaceably Enjoy
their ecclesiastical benefices situated in the çaid duchy of normandy
or in the aforesaid places.
[Art. 201 Also, that SimiiarIy al1 and singular ecclesiastics obedient to
Our said son, King Henry, and beneficed in the Realm of france and in
places subject to us, who shall swear to keep this present agreement,
shall peaceably Enjoy their ecclesiastical benefices situated in the
aforesaid places.
[Art. 211 Also, that al1and singular churches, universities and places of
general study, and also colleges of students and other ecclesiastical
colleges, situated in places subject To us now or in the future, whether
in the duchy of normandy I or in other places of the Realm of france,
subject to our said son,King Henry, shall Enjoy their rights, possessio~is,
revenues, prerogatives, liberties, preeminences and franchises, to them
in the Realm of france howsoever belonging or due, saving the rights of
the crown of france and of al1others.
[Art. 221 Also, when itshallhappen that Our saidson, King Henry, come
to the crown of france, theDuchy of normandy 1and also the other places'
and each of them conquered by him in the Kingdoni of france shall'be'
under the Jurisdiction, obedience and monarchy of the said crown of
france.
[Art. 231 Also, itis agreed that Our said son, King Henry, shallcontrive
and do his utmost tosee that, to the persons who are obedient to us and
favour the aforesaid party which is called of burgundy a,and Tu Whom
beIonged Lordships, lands, revenues or possessions in the said duchy of
normandyl or in other places conquered by This our said son, King
Henry, in the Realm of france, and AIready given by him, there shallbe
made, without diminution of the Crown of france, Kecompense bg us
out of the places or lands acquired, or to be acquired, in our name from
those who are rebels and disobedient to us ; And, if during our lifetime,
the said recompense be not made to the abovesaid persons, our son,
King Henry, will pay itout of the said Iands and possessions when He:
come to the Crown of France ; but if the lands. Lordships, revenues or
possessions which belonged to the said persons in the said duchy and
places have not been given by Our said son, they shall be restored with-
out delay by Our said son to the said persons.
[Art. 241 Aiso, that, during our lifetime, in al1places subject to us now
or in the future, the cornmon letters of justice, of grants of offices and
benefices and of other donations, pardons or remissions or privileges,
shall be written in our name and under our seal. Since, however, some,
singular cases may uccur which cannot al1 humanly be foreseen, and in'
which it may be necessary and expedient for Our said son, King Henry,
l nurmendie.
bou~go1~gne.I49 ANNEXES TO U.K. JIE~IOKIAL (SU. A 3)
saire & conuenable que [nostre (lit filz]le R[oyJ He[nry] fa[ce] escripre
ses lettres en telz cas saucuns en auiengnent 11sera loisible a nostre
dit filz pour le bien et seuretc de nous et du gouuernement a luicomme
dit est appartenant et pour euiter les peril[s] & dommages qui autre-
ment ~[ourraient] vraysemblablement auenir escripre ses lettres a noz
subgiez par [lesqueIIes il co]mma[ndera] Brdeffendera & mandera de par
nous et de par lui comme regent selon la nature & qualite de la besongne
[Art. 251 Item que de toute nostre vie nostre dit filz le Roy Henry ne
se nommera ou escripra aucunement ou fera nommer ou escripre Roy
de france mais du dit nom de tout poins se absitenldra tant [comme]
nous [viu]ro[ns]
[Art. 261Item est accorde que nous durant nostre vie nommerons appel-
lerons ou escriprons nostre dit filzle Roy Henry en langue francoise
par ceste inaniere nostre trescliier filz Henry Roy dangleterre Heritier
de france Et en langue latine par ceste maniere noster precarissimus
FiliusHenricus rex anglie heres francie
[Art. 271 Item que nostrc dit filzne linposera ou fera Imposer aucunes
impositions ou exactions a noz subgiez sans cause raisonnable & neces-
saire ne autrement cluc pour le bien publique du dit Royaume de france
et selon lordonnance ou exigence des Ioys & coustumes raisonnables &
ap[pr]ouuees du dit lioyauine
{Art. 281 Item et afin quc concorde paix Sr transquilIite entre lesdiz
Royaumes de france et dangleterre soient pour le temps auenir perpe-
tuelment obseruez et que lon obuie aux occasions l& comrnancemens
par lesquelz entre lesdiz royaumes debaz discencions ou discors pour-
raient sourdre ou temps auenir que dieu ne vueille Il est accorde que
nostre dit filzlabourra par effect de son pouoir que de laduis & consen-
tement des trois estas des deus Royaumes ostez l[e]s ostascles [e]n ceste
partie soit ordonne & pourueu que du temps que nostre dit fdz sera
venu a la couronne de france ou aucuns de ses hoirs les deux couronnes
de france & dangleterre a tousiours mais perpetuelment demoureront
ensemble et seront en vne rnesme personne Cestassauoir en la personne
de nostre dit filz lRoy Henry tant comme Il viura et de la en auant
es personnes de ses hoirs qui successiuement seront les vns apres les
autres et que les deux Royaumes seront gouuernez depuis ce temps que
nostre dit filzou aucuns de ses hoirs peruendra ou peruendront ausdis
royaumes non diuiseement s[ou]bz diuers Koys pour vn mesme temps
mais soubz me mesme personne qui sera pour le temps Roy S:Souuerain
seigneur de lun et de lautre Royaume comme dit est en gardant t[out]e-
suoies en toutesautres choses alun et a lautre Royaume ses drojs libertez
ou coustumes vsages & loys non soubzniettant en quelqumanie[r]e
l[u]n desdiz royaumes a lautre ne les d[it]es lois coustumes ou vsaiges
de lun diceulx Royaumes aux drois lois coustumes ou vsages de lautre
[Art.291 Item que des maintenant et a tout temps perpetuelment se
tairont appaiseront et de tout point cesseront toutes discencions haines
Rancunes Inimitiez & guerre dentre lesdis Royaumes de france & dan-
gleterre Et les pueples diceulx Royaumes adherens a la dicte concorde
oc~asions written ovcr an crasure.
VIES deux repcated on eschsidc ofan crasure. ANNEXES TO U.K. MEMORIAL (NO.A 3)
149
to write his letters, if such cases occur, our said son shall be allowed for
the good and security of ourselves and of the government belonging
to him, as has been said, and in order to avoid the dangers and harms
which otherwise would be likely to ensue, to write his letters to Our
subjects by which he shall command, forbid and order in our behalf,
and in his own as regent, according to the nature and quality of the
business.
[Art.251 Also, that, al1our life, our said sonKing Henry, shall not cal1
or 'write himsclfKing of France, nor cause himself to be sa called ar
written, but shall abstain from using the said name so Iong as we live.
[Art.263 Also, it is agreed that, during Our lifetime, we shall name,
cal1 or write Our said son, King Henry, in french thus : .izostretreschier
fiZzHenry Roy dangleterre,heritier de france ; And in latin, thus :noster
$recarissimus filius Henricus 7ex anglieheresJrancie.
[Art.271 Also, that our said son shall not Impose any taxes or exac-
tions, or cause them to be Imposed, on our subjects without a reason-
able and necessary cause or otherwise than for the common good of the
said Realm of france and according to the ordinance or requirements
of the laws and reasonable and approved customs of the saicl Realm
[Art.281 Also, and in order that concord, peace ancl quiet betrveen
the said Realms of france and england be in the future perpetually
obseyed, and that occasions and beginnings by which debates, dissen-
sions or discords might arise in the future (which god forbidbe obviated,
it is agreed that our said son shall effectively devote his best efforts
so that, with the advice and consent of the three estates of the two
Realms, the obstacles in this connexion being removed, it shall be
ordained and provided that, from the time when Our said son or any
of his heirs shall come to the crown of france, the two crowns of france
and england shall always and perpetually remain and be united in one
and the same person, That 1s To Say, in the person of Our said son,
King Henry, so long as He live,and thenceforward irithe persons of
his heirs who shall succeed one another ; and that the two Realms shalI
be governed from that time when Our said son or any of his heirs shall
come to the said Realms, not separately under different Kings for
one and the same period, but under one and the same person who,
for the time being, shall be King and Sovereign lord of both Realms,
as is said, keeping, however, in al1 other matters the rights, liberties,
customs, usages and laws of each Kealm, without subordinating in
any way one of the said realms to the other, or the said laws, custoins
or usages of one of those Realrns tothe rights, Iaws, customs or usages
of the other.
[Art. 291 Also, that, from now on and at al1 tirnes in perpetuity, they
shall keep silent upon, pacify and altogether put an end to al1 dissen-
sions, hatreds, Rancours, Enmities and war between the said Real~ns
of france and england Arid the people of those Realms adhering to the
II I.50 ANNEXES TO U.K. bfE3IORIAL (NO. A3)
Et entre les royaumes dessusdiz sera & aura des maintenant et a tou-
siours mais perpetuelment paix transquillite concorde affection mutuelle
et amitiez fermes & estables et se ayderont Iesdis deux Royaumes de
leurs aydes [c]onseilz et [a]ssistences mutuelles contre toutespersonnes
qui a eulx on a lun deulx sefforceroient de faire donner violence Iniure
grief ou dommage et Conuerseront et marchanderont ensemble les vns
auec les autres franchement & seurement en payant les coustumes &
deuoirs acoustumez
[Art.301 Item que tous les confederez et aliez de nous et dudit IZoyaurne
de france et aussi les confederez de .nostre dit filz le Roy.Henry et dudit
royaume dangleterre qui dedens huit mois apres le temps que ceste
presente concorde leur sera signifiee Ilz auront declairie se vouloir ferme-
ment adherer a lad' concorde et estre cornprins soubzle traittieconcorde
dicele paix soient comprins soubz les amistiez confederacions seurete &
concorde dicelle paix sauue toutesuoies alune & a lautre desd' couronnes
a nous et a noz subgiez et aussi a nostre dit filz le Roy Henry et a ses
Subgiez ses accions drois & remedes quelzconques conuenables en ceste
partye et competans en q[ue]lque maniere que ce soit enuers lesd' aliez
& confederez
[Art.311Item Il est accorde que nostre dit filzle roy Henry auec le
conseil de nostre treschier filzphilipe duc de bourgongne et des autres
nobles du Royaume qui conuendra et appartendra pour ce estre appellez
pouruerra pour le gouuernement de nostre personne seurement Conuena-
blement & Honnestement selon lexigence de nostre estat 8:digriite royal
par telle maniere que ce sera lonneur de dieu & de nous et aussi du
Royaume de france et des subgiez dicellui Et que toutes personnes tant
nobles comme autres qui seront entour nous pour nostre personne &
domes[ti]que seruice non pas seulement en officesmais en autres ministres
seront telz qui auroiit este liez ou Royaume de france ou des lieux de
langaige francois bonnes personnes sages loyales et ydoines audit a
seruice
[Art. 321 Item que nous demourrons & [rlesiderons personnelment e[n]
lieu notable de [nosltre obeissance et non ailleurs
[Art. 331 Item Considerez les orribles & enormes crimes et deliz per-
petrez ou dit Royaume de france par charles soy disant daulphin de
viennois Il est accorde que nous ne nostre dit fil le Roy Henry ne aussi
nostre treschier filz philipe duc deourgongie ne traitterons aucunement
de paix ou de concorde auec led' charles ne ne ferons ou ferorit traittier
se non du conseil et assentement cle tous & chascun de nous trois et
des trois estas des deux Royaumes dessusd'
[Art. 341 Item est accorde que nous sur les choses dessusd' et chascune
dicelles oultre noz lettres patentes scellees de nostre grant scel [donrons]
& ferons donner et faire a nostre dit filz le Roy Henry lettres patentes
approbatoires & affirmatoires de nostred' compaigne de nostre dit
filz philipe duc de bourgongne et des autres de nostre sang royal des
grans Seigneurs barons citez & villes a nous obeissans desquelz nostre
dit filzle Roy Henry vouldra auoir lettres de nous
laiigaigtalteredtolangaige.
' The fourthand fifthlettcrofRuyaums writtenover an erasure.
The firstthree Ietters afirmnloireswritten over an crasure. said agreement. And, between the abovesaid realrns, there shall be
from now on, and for ever, peace, quiet, concord, mutual affection iind
a firm and stable friendship ; and the said two Realms shall help each
other with aid, advice and mutual assistance against al1 persons who
might try to cause vioIence, Injury, harm or damage to be done to
them or to one of them ; and there shall be freeand safe intercourse
and commerce between them, the usual cnstoms and duties being paid.
[Art. 301 Also, that al1 out- confederates and allies and those of the
said Realm of france and also the confederates of our said son, King
Henry, and of the said Realm of england, upho within eight months
after being notified of the present agreement shall have decIared thtim-
selves to be willing to adherc firmly to the said agreement and to be
included in the treaty and agreement of this peace, shall be inclutled .
in the friendships, confederations, surety and agreement of this peace,
saving, however, to each of the said crowns, to us and our subjects.
and also to our said son, King Henry, and his Subjects, their actions,
- rights and remedies whntsoever, suitable in this behalf and competent
in whatsoever manner, as against the said allies and confederates.
[Art. 31) Also, It is agreed that our said son, King Henry, with the
counsel of our most dear son, philip, duke of burgundy 1,and of the
other nobles of the Realm whom it shali be rightand pToper to summon
therefor, çhall provide for the government of our person safely, Stiitalîly
and Decently according to the requirements of Our estate and royal
dignity, in such a manner that it shall be to the honour of god and of
ourselves, and also of the Realm of france and of itssubjects. And
that al1 the persons, nobles and others who shall be about us forour
persona1 and domestic service, not only in offices but in other capacities,
shall be such as have been born in the Realm of france or in french-
speaking places, good, wise and faithful persons, suitable for the said
service.
[Art. 321 Also, that we shall stay and reside personally in a notable
place of our obedience and not elsewhere.
[Art, 331Also, Considering the horrible and enormous criines and
offences committed in the said Reah of france by charles, who ca.lls
himself dauphin of the viennois It,is agreed that neither we nor our
said son, King Henry, nor also our most dear son, philip, duke of
burgundy shalI negotiate, or cause to be negotiated, in any way,
peace or agreement with the said charles, save with the counsel and
assent of each and al1 of the three of us and of the three estates of
the two kingdoms abovesaid.
[Art, 34) Also, it is agreed that concerning the abovesaid matters and
each of them, we sh'allgive or cause to be given and made to Our said
son, King Henry, besides our letters patent sealed with our great seal,
the letters patent approbatory and confirmatory of our said consort,
of Our said son, philip, duke of burgundy l,and of the others of Our
blood royal, of the great Lords, barons, cities, and towns obedient to
us, whose Ietters our said son, King Henry, shall wish to obtain from ils.=SI ANNEXES TO U.K. AlEhIORIhL (NO. A 3)
[Art. 351 Item que semblablement nostre dit filz le Roy Henry pour
sa partie oultre ses lettres patentesl scellees de son grant seel nous
fera donner et faire lettres patentes aprobatoires & affirmatoires de
ses treschiers freres et des autres de son sang royal desgramseigneurs
barons et des citez& villesa lui obeissans desquelles en ceste partie
nous vouldrons auoir lettres de nostre dit filz le Roy Henry
[Art. 361 Toutes lesquelles et chascune des choses dessus' escriptes
Nous charles Roy de france dessusdit pour nous et noz hoirs en tant
que pourra toucher nous & noz diz hoirs sans do1 sans fraudc ou mal
engien auons promis & promett[ons en parole] de Roy Iure' SrIurons
zius sainctes euuangiles de dieu par nous corporelement touchiez faire
accomplir et obseruer et que Icelles ferons par noz subgiez acomplir &
obseruer Et aussi que nous ne noz heritiers ne vendrons Iamais au
contraire des choses dessusd' ou daucunes dicelles en quelque man[iere]
en Iugement ou hors Iugement directement ou par oblique ou par
quelque couleur exquise
. .
[Art. 371 Et afin Que ces choses soient fermes & estables a tousiours
perpetuelment nous auons fait mettre nostre scel a ces presentes Donne
A Troyes le xximoIour du mois de may lan de Grace mil quat[re] Cens
vint Et de nostre Regne le Qua[rantisme]
[Onthe fold:] Par le Roy en son conseil
[Sealed witlr the GreatSeaE of Charles VI in green wax, appended by
green and red sitk laces]
[Endorsed:] Confirmacio tractatus pacis amicicie et matrirnonij cle
data. 1420.
-
Followed by an erasure.
a The first thrce lettofafirinatoives written over an erasure.
Iure rvrittover an erasure.
-'ne?iozrepeated.
.:In a later hand. ANNEXES TO U.K. MEMOgIAL (NO. A 3) I5I
[Art. qj] Also, that similarly Our said son, King Henry, on his part,
shall cause to be made and given to us, besides his letters patent sealed
with his great seal, the letters patenapprobatory and confimatory of
his most dear brothers and of the others of his blood royal, and of the
great lorcls, barons, and of the cities and towns obedient to him, whose
letters we shaIl wish to obtain in this respect from our said son,Ring
Henry,
[Art. 361 Al1 and each of which matters above-written We, charles,
King of france abovesaid, for ourselves and for our heirs, in so far as
we and our said heirs may be concerned, without deceit, fraud or bad
faith, have promised and promise on Our word of King, Have S~vorn
and Swear on the holy gospels of god actually touched by us, to do,
fulfil and observe and to cause Them to be fulfilled and observed, by
our subjects ; And also that neither we nor our heirs shall Ever contra-
vene the things abovesaid, or any of them, in any way, in Court or out
of Court, directly or indiiectly, or oany far-fetched pretext.
[Art. 371 And in order That these things may be firm and stable for
ever and in perpetuity, we have caused our seal tbe set to these present
letters. Given at Troyes on the z~st day of the month of rnay in the
year of Grace One Thousand four Hundred and twenty, And of Our
Reign the Fortieth.
[On the fol:]By the King in council I52 ANSEXES TO1 U.K. 3IEMORIAL (NO. A 4)
Monition of Pope Sixtus IV, 27th February, 1481, ordering certain
Pirates to cease their Raids on the Channel Islands, underpain of
Excomrnilnication, &c.
[Cal. Papal Registers, xiii, pt.1, p.2581
I480~-11. Monition, etc., as below. The recent petition .of Edward l, king of '
3 Kal.- Mar. England, and the inhabitants ecclesiastical and secular of the islands
(z! ,laeb;) of Guernesey %,Gersey a and Annerey(sic) 4, and the islands adjacent
st. thereto, in the diocese of Coutances, contained that divers pirates, etc.
I~onie. frequently attack the said islands, the church called St. Peter's Port
If-406c.) in the said island of Guernesey, and other churches and monasteries in
tliat and the said other islands, the inhabitants of the said islands, and
the merchants who go to and from the same, carrying off booty (including
chalices and other ornaments for divine worship) and prisoners, and
wounding and slaying, etc. The pope, therefore, hereby monislies and
orders the said pirates, etc., and their abettors to abstain from such
attacks, etc., under pain of eoipso sentence of excommunication, anath-
ema, eternal malediction, confiscation, etc. ; with mandate to the
archbishop of Canterbury, the bishop of Salisbury and the nrchpriest
of the basilica of the Prince of the Apostles de Urbe, to publish these
presents, and cause them to be executed, restitution to be made, etc.,
and faculty for the said exccutors to absolve those who make satis-
faction, enjoining penance, etc. Morcover, in order that the pope's
processes may corne to the knowledge of all, he orders the papal letters
containing them to be posted on the doors of the said basilica and of
the churches of Canterbury, London, Salisbury, Nantes, St. Yol-de-
Léon, Tréguier, and Si. Peter's Port in the said island of Guernesey
Ad perp. rei mm. Ad bonorrcmtuWam.
lEdxvard IV (1461-1483).
Guernsey.
Alderney. The form, as printed above,isprobably a misreading of Aunery. ANNEXES TO U.K. MEhIORIAL (NO. A 5) I53
ANNEX A 5
Order in Council, 8th August 1689,Abolishing the Privilegeof Neutrality
in the ChannelIslands
[Privy CouncilRegister2/73f ).2091
iVhereas on the 30tk of May last his RI~~Yin Councill was pleased to Guernzey.
order that their hlat? Proclamation bearing date the 18th of the said about ;
Month for Prohibiting the Importation ofany Commoditys of the Growth priviledges
and manufacture of France should be forthwith sent to the Bayliffs Sr
Jurats of the Islands of Jerzey and Guernzey,who werc thereby required that Island,
to Cause the said Proclamation then sent unto thcm, to be there pub-
lished and strictly observed and put in Execution ; His hlaty in Councill,
upon the humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the Island of Guernzey,
1s thisday pleased to Declare That (being at this tinie strictly obliged
in His Treaties with His Allies and Confederats to Prohibit in al1 His
Dominions al1rnanner ofTrade and Commerce whatsoever ~vithFrance)
Hee does not think it fit and Expedient to Dispense with the Execution
of Hiç said Order, in t1iis present and Extraordinary Juncture of time ;
Yet, that it is not His Rlaty Intention in any Inanner whatsoever to
Revoke or Enfringe any Priviledges that may have been granted by His
Royal1 Predecessors to the Inhabitants of the said Island of Guernzey]I54 ANNEXES TO U.K. 3lE3IORIAL (NO. A6)
ANNEX A 6
Bull of Pope Alexander VI, 20th January, 1500,Transferring the Channel
Islands from the Diocese of Coutances to the Diocese of Winchester
[P.R. O. SfieciaECollectionsNo. 7 (PlzpalBzdls,1131-153 3)x~4, NO. 21
ALEXANDER Episcopus Servus Servorum Dei Ad Perpetunm Rei
Memoriam Ex iniuncto nobis desuper apostolicc seruitutis officioad ea
libenter intendimus per que quieti et tranquillitatastatus Catliolicorum
Regum et Principum oportune consulatur ac scandalis periciilis et dis-
sensionibus que ex inde euenirc possent obuietur. Cum itaque sicut
exhibita nobis iiuper pro parte Carissimi in christo Filij nostri Heiirici
Anglie Regis Illustris petitio continebat Insule de Gersey et Gernesey
Chausey Aourney Erme et Ferke [sic]Constantiensis diocesis prouincie
Rothomagensis que sub suo temporali dominio existunt Episcoiio Cons-
tantiensi pro tempore existenti in spiritiialibus subesse noscantur et
propter dissensiones que inter Anglicos aet Gallos sepenumero uigent
statui prefatiHcnrici et pro tempore Regis Anglie existentis rion modi-
cum periculum iminere posset dictarumque Insularum Tncole in uisita-
tionibus et aiijs spiritualibus maxima pati possent detrimenta nec expe-
diat quad Insule predicte a Gallis uisitentur et propterea pro securitate
quicte et tranquilIitateprefati Regis statusque sui necesse siiut insule
predicte a iurisdictionepre[fati] Episcopi dimembrentur et separentur
ac Episcopo Wintonensi pro tempore existenti cuius diocesis dicte Insule
sunt uicine perpetuo subiciantur quernadmodum alias Villa Calesie olim
Archiepiscopo Turonensi subiecta ab ipso Turonensi Archiepiscopo
exempta et Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi pro tempore existenti apostolica
auctoritate subiecta fuit Nos qui scandalis et dissensionibunc eueniant
quantum cum deo possumus iibenter obuiamushuiusmodi supplicationi-
bus inclinati Insulas predictas illarumque Tncolas et habitatores tam
eccliasticos quarn seculares a iurisdictione prefati Constantiensis Epis-
copi auctoritate apostolica tenore presentium perpetuo eximimus et
separamus ac dicto Episcopo Wintonensi subijcimus applicamus et appro-
priamus districtius inhibentes prefato Episcopo Constantie~isi ne de
cetero de Insulis predictis illarumque Incolis et habitatoribusse intro-
mittere ac ullam in eos iurisdictionem exercere quoquo modo presumat
ac decernentes ex nunc irritum et inane si secus super hijs a quoquam
quauis auctoritate scienter uel ignoranter contigerit attemptari Non
obstantibus premissis necnon subiectione per nos alias de dictis Duabus
Insulisde Gersey et Gernesey Episcopo Saresburiensi pro tempore exis-
tenti ad supplicationem prefati Regis facte quam de ipsius Ilegis con-
sensu omnino reuocamus cassamus et anniillamus ac apostolicis necnon
in prouincialibus et Sinodalibus Concilijs editis generalibus uel specialibus
Constitutionibus et ordinationibus ceterisque contrarijs quibuscunque
Nulli ergo omnino hominum liceat hanc paginarn nostre exernptionis
l Sede.
inter Anglicwritten as a single word. ANNEX A 6
Bull of Pope Alexander VI, 20th January, 1500, Tramferring the Charinel
Islands from the Diocese of Coutances to the Diocese of Winchester
[P.R. O.SfieciaECollectionsNo. 7 (PapnEBdls, 1131-1533), BOX 4, NO. 21
# [Translation]
ALEXANDER, Bishop, Servant of the Servants of God To the Perpetual
Remembrance of the &latter,
By tlie office of apostolic service laid upon us, we willingly attend to
those things tiirough which the peace and tranquillity of the estate of
Catholic Kings and Princes may in season be fiirthered, and scandals,
'
dangers and dissensions which could arise there bc prevented. Whereas,
thcrefore, as was contained in the petition shewn to us recently in the
bel-ialf of our Rlost nearly Beloved Son in clirist, Henry l,Illustrious
King of England, thc Islands of Jersey, and Guernsey, Chausey, Altler-
ney 2, Hem and Sark *'in the Diocese of Coutances 6, in the province
of Rouen 8,wliich are tinder his temporal dominion, are known to be
under the Bishop of Coutances for the tirne being in inatters spiritual,
and on account of the dissensions which often wax strongly between
the English and tlic French, no slight danger could threaten the estate
of tlie aforesaid Henry and of the King of EngIand for the time being,
and the Inhabitants of the said Islands in visitations and other matters
spiritual could suffer very great harm, and it is not expedient that the
Islands aforesaid shoulcl be visited by the French ; and, on that account,
for the security, peace and tranquillity of tlic aforesaid King and his
estate, it is necessary that the aforesaid islands should be separated
and detached from the jurisdiction of the aforesaid Bishop and should
for ever be subjcctcd to the Bishop of Winclicster 7 for the time being,
to which diocese the said Islands art: neighbouring, just as, at another
tirne, the town of CaIais, once subjected to the Archbishopof Tours 8,
was exempted from the same Archbishop of Tours and, by apostolic
authority, subjected to the Archbishoy of Canterbury for the time
being, Ive, who so far as we can with god's help Lvivillingly prevent
scandals and dissensions from arising, being inclined towards suppli-
- cations of this kind by al)ostolic authority,by the tenor of these presents
exempt and separate the aforesaid Islands and the Dwellers and
inhabitants therein, as well ecclesiastical as lay, from the jurisdiction
of the aforesaid Bishop of Coutances, and subject, appl~ and appropriate
them to'the said Bishop of Winchester ; strictly prohiblting the aforesaid
Bishop of Coutances fronl presuming in anyway in future to intermeddle
with the Islands aforesaid and the Dwellers and inhabitants therein or
exercise any jiirisdiction over thern, and decreeing hencefonvard to be
of no effect and void whatsoever shall happen to be otherwise attempted
Henry VI1 (1485-1509). a Constanficnsis.
Aourney. Rothomagtnsis.
Erme. Winlonensi.
Verke [sic]. Turuntnsi.I55 ' ANNEXES TO U.K. hIE>lORIAI. (NO.A 7)
separationis subiectionis applicationis appropriationis inhibitionis cans-
titutionis reuocationis cassationis et annullationis infringere uel ei ausu
temerario contraire. Si quis autem hoc attemptare presumserit indigna-
tionern ornnipotentis dei ac beatorum Petri et Pauli Apostolorum eius
se nouerit incursurum Data Rome apud Sanctum petrum 'Anno Incar-
nationis dominice Millesimo quadringentesirno nonagesirno nono Terti-O
decirno8 kalende Februarij Pontificatus nostri Anno Octauof
L .PODOCATHARUS.
[On thefold :]
P. TUBA ii
[Bulia ofPopeAlexander VI appended]
[On thedorse :]Kegistrata apud me +L :Podocatharum
ANNEX A 7
Charter of Piers des Préaux, 1203, granting the "island of Escrehou"
to the Abbey of Val-Richer
[Gullia Christiana, xi, col. 94, No. XXXII (Instrumenta)]
Universis sanctæ matris ecclesiae filiis ad quos præsens çcriptum
pervenerit, Petrus de Pratel in Domino salutem, Noverit universitas
vestra me divinae pietatis intuitu concessisse & dedisse,13 prasenti
charta mea confirmasse Deo & ecclesiiesanctæMariæ de Valle-Richerii,
& rnonachis ibidem Deo servientibus, pro salute anirnæ Juhannis
illustris regis Anglia, qui insulas mihi dedit, & pro salute animae i
mea, & patris& matns meae, & omnium antecessorum meorum,
insulam de Escrehoz~integre, ad ædificandam ibidem basilicam in honore i
Dei & beatze Mariz, ita ut divina ibidem celebrantur mysteria singulis
diebus, habendam & possidendam libere & quiete, plenarie & hono-
rifice, in liberam& puram & perpetuarn eleemosynam, & quidquid
in eadern insula potemnt augmentare & zdificare.Item concessi
przdictis monachis quidquid ab hominibus meis de Gersy, & de Gernesé
[sic],& de Azcrene,eis caritatiç intuitu rationabiliter datum fucrit,
salvo jure meo. Ut autem h~c mea donatio ratam futuris temporibus
obtineat firrnitatem, eam præsenti scripto & sigilli mei munimine
' Millesirn..r.. nonotwritten aansingle word.
Tcrliodecimowrittenas a single word. ANNEXES TO U.K. MEMORIAI. (NO.A7) '55
in ttiis connexion by anyone through any authority, knowingly or
unknowingly. Notwithstanding the foregoing nor the subjection by 11s
at another time of the Two Islands of Jersey and Guernsey to the
Bishop of Salisbury for the, time beiilg, made at the supplication of
the aforesaid King which, with tlie consent of the same King, wc
altogether revoke, quash and annul ; and notwithstanding apostolic,
general or special constitutions and ordinances, whether apostolic or
promulgated in provincial or Synodical Counciis, and any other things
whatsoever to the contrary. Therefore, let it be la~vful for no nian
whatsoever to infringe this pageofOurexemption,separation, subjection,
application, appropriation, prohibition, constitution, revocation, ces-
sation and annulment or, with reckless audacity, to oppose it.But,
if anyone shall presume to attempt this, let him know that he will
incur the indi nation of almighty god and of blessed Peter and Paul
the Apostles. i5iven at Rome at St. Peter's, in the One Thousantl four
hundred and ninety-ninth Year' of the Incarnation of Our lord, on
the thirteenth day of the Kalends of February [zoth January], in the
Eighth Year of Our Pontificate.
[On the fold :] L. PODOCATHARUS.
P. TUBA.
[On the dorse:] Kegistered with me. L. Podocatharus.
ANNEX A 7
Charterof Piers des Préaux, 1203, granting the "island of Escrehou"
to the Abbey of Val-Richer
[GalliaChristiana,xi, col. 94,No. XXXII (Instrumenta)]
[Translation]
To al1the sons of Woly Mother Church to whom the present writing
shall. come Piers des Préaux [sends] greeting in the Lord. Know ye al1
that 1,having regard to the mercy of God, have granted and given and
by my present charter have confirmed to God and to the church of
st. Mary of Val-Richer and to the monks there serving God, for the
salvation of the sou1 of John, illustrious king of England, who gaveme
the islands a,and for the salvation of the souls of myself and of rny
father and mother and of al1my anccstors, the island of "Escrehou" in
entirety, for the building tkere os church in honour of God and of the
blessed Mary, so that the divine mysteries be daily celebrated there,to
have and possess Lit]and whatever in the same island they shall be alde
to increase and build, freely and quietly, fully and honourably, in free
pure and perpetual alms. 1have further granted to theaforesaid monks
whatever by my men of Jersey, and of Guernsey, and of Alderney,
having regard to charity, shall be reasonably given to them, saving my
right. And in order that thimy gift may in time to come possess assured
l 1499 ithe "Lcgal Year," 15w in theHisioricaYear". For a brief discussion
of the distinction between these reckonisee Annex A 20,Note 2.
a i.e.Jersey, Guernsey and Alderne: see Annex A 8. ANNEXES 'îO U.K. JIElIORIAL (NO. A 8)
1j6
confirmavi, his testibus, Engeranno de Pratel fratre meo, Roberto de
Freschen l, Hugone Croc, Gillebert0 de OvilE, militibus, Villelmo capel-
lano, Richardo clerico, Nicolao de niara, Wiil Cornuele, Villelmo clerico
de camera, 8r pluribus aliis, anno Verbi Incarnati 1203.
ANNEX A 8
Charterof King John to Piers des Préaux, 14thJanuary, 1200, granting
him the Islands of Jersey, Guernseyand Alderney, &c.
[Charter Roll, r John, m.zB]
Carta Petri
de Fratc:Ilis Iohannes (lei gracia et cetera . Sciatis nos concessisse dilecto et fideli
nostro Petro de Pratellis. Insulas de Gerse et de Gernere et de Aurene
et sexaginta Libratas terre In Esterlingis iri Altona In Anglia et Centum
Libratas 'licdditus Andegauensium In Rothomago scilicetIn stallis
fori Rothomagi et in feria de perdon' et In feria snncte marie de prato
habendum et tenc~iclurn de nobis per seruicium feudi trium militum
doncc Cornitatus de InsuIa deueniat ad euni :Cum filia et herede Willelmi
Comitis de Insula quam eiciem petro concessimus . uel quousque in alio
maritagio ei ad grantum nostrum et suuln prouiderimus Et quicquid
contingat de il10maritando siue de eo hiimanitus contigerit .predictas
Centurn Libratas Redditus Andegauensiurn in Rothomago ei concessimus
pro uoluntate sua - Viris religiosis conferendas Si uero de nobis humani-
tus contigerita :ntequarn maritagium illud ei fuerit assignatum :Volu-
mus quod ipse et heredes sui post ipsum predictas insulas et predictam
terram habeant et teneant de heredibus nostris per predictum seruicium
Concessimus eciain ut predictus Petrus ilel illi quibus redditum illum
donauerit :habeant dominicum semientem suum ad recipiendum illas
Centum Libratas una cum maiore Rothomagi 'uel cum illis qui in-Loco
einseriint .Et siquid in deei defuerit de predictis Centum Libris annua-
tim percipiendis de Vicecornite Rothomagi ei perficietur 'Testibus Wal-
tero Rothomagensi Archiepiscopo . G. Eboracensi Arcl~iepiscopo .
Willelmo filio Raclulfi tunc Senescallo Normannie Willelmo Marescallo
Comite de Pcnbroc' et cetera - Datarn per manum S. Wellensis Archidia-
coni .apud liupem Auriuallem xiiij.die Tanuarii . Anno Regni nostri
primo
l ~rèschen: probablya misreading of Frescheu, Le., Freschuiile. ANNEXES TO U.K. JiEfiIORIAL (NO.A 8) 15~
validity, 1have confirmed it by the present writing and by the support
of my seal ; these being witnesses : Ingram des Préaux my brother,
Robert de Freschen, Rugh Croc, Gilbert de Ovill, kiiiglits ; \Villiarn the
chaplain, Richard the clerk, Nicholas de hiara, William Cornuele, IfTilliam
the clerk of the chamber, and many others ; ithe year of the Incarnate
IVord 1203,
ANNEX A 8
Charter ofKing John to Piers des Préaux,14thJanuary, 1200, granting
hirn the IsIandsof Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney, &c.
[Charter Roll,I John, m. 281
[Translation]
Charter of
John, by the grace of God etc. Know that we havegranted to our beloved Piersdes
and faithful Piers des Préaux the Islands of Jersey, and of Guemsey, Préaux
and of Alderney, and sixty Pounds' worth Sterling of land in Alton In
England 1,and One Hundred Pounds' wortli Angevin of Rent in Rouen,
To \Vit in the stalls of the market of Rouen and in the fair of "perdon' "
and in the fair of st. mary "de prato", to have and to hold of us by
service of three knights' fees until the Earldom of the Isle corne to him,
With the daughter and heir of \VilliaIn, Earl of the Isle, whom we have
granted to the same piers, or until we shall hnve provided for hirn in
another marriage to our satisfaction and his. And whatever befall abolit
the marrying hini, or if it befall hirn rifter the manner of man, we have
granted hirn the aforesaid Hundred Pouiids' worth Angevin ofKent in
Rouen to be conferred at his will upoii Men of religion.If,however, it
shall befall us after the manner of man before tliat marringe liasbeen
assigned to him, te Will that he and Iiis heirs after Iii~nniay hnve and
liold the aforesaid islands and the aforesaid land of our heirs by the
aforesaid service. We Have also Granted that the aforesaid Piers or
those to whom he shall give that rent may have their demesne servant
to receive those Hundred Pounds' worth in association with the mayor
of Rouen or with those who shall be in IiisRoom. Aiid if there shall be
anything tlierein wanting to him of the aforesaid Wundred Pounds
yearly to be taken, it shali be made good to hirnby the Vicontte of
Rouen. Witnesses : Walter, Archbishop of Rouen ; G., Archbishop of
York ; William, son of Ralph then Seneschal of Norrnandy ; Williarn
Riarshal, Earl of Yembroke ; etc. Given by the Iiand of S.,Archdeacon
of \Vells, at Orival on the 14th day of January in the first Year of
our Reign.
Vicecornile.on;
Rtrpem Atrriuallem. 157 ANNEXES TO U.K. MEMORIAL (N-. ~g-IO)
ANNEX A g
Confirmation by King John, zrst June, 1200, to Piers des Préaux of
that part of his Charter which concerned a Grant of Jersey, Cuernsey
and Alderney, &c.
[CharterRoll, 2 John, m. 291
Carta eiusdem Iohanncs dei gracia et cetera.-Sciatis nos dcdisse. et concessisse Dilecto
Petri et fideli nostro Petro de Pratetlis Insulas de Gerse et de Gernere et de
Aurene Cum Sexaginta Libratis terre in Esterlingis in Alton' in Anglia
habenda et tenenda de nobis per Seruiciurn feodi trium hlilitum donec
Comitatus de Insula . deueniat ad eurn cum filia et herede Willelmo.
Comitis de Insula *quam eidem Petro concessimus uel quousque ei in
nobis humanitus contingerit[sic]m .tantcquarn maritagium illud ei fuerit
assignatum .uolumus quod ipse et lieredes sui post ipsum predictas
Insulas et predictam terram habeant et teneant de heredibus nostris
per predictum Seruicium Tejtibus \Villelmo hlarescallo Comite de Pen-
broc Raberto Comite de Sagiensi \Villelm0 de Rupibus Senescallo Ande-
gauie et cetera Data per Manuin - S. \Vcllensis Archidiaconi apud
Andegauiam xxj .die Iunij . Anno Regni nostri Secundo .
ANNEX A IO
Confirmation by King John to Piers des Préaux, z~st June, 1200, of
that part of his Charterwhich concerned a Grant in Rouen
[CharterRoll, 2 John, m. 291
Iohannes dei gracia et cetera ' Omnibus et cetera -Sciatis nos dedisse
carta petri et concessisseDilecto et fideli nostro Petro de Pratellis centurn Libratas
de pratsllis redditus Andegauensium In Rothomago - scilicet In stallis fori
Rothomagi et in feria de Pardum' et In feria sancte marie de Prato
pro uoluntate sua Viris religiosis conferendas - Concessinius eciam
quod prediQus Petrus uel illi quibus redditum ilIum donauerit habeant
dominicum seruientem suum .ad recipiendurn . illas Centum Libratas
Vna Curn maiore Rothomagi uel cum illis qui in loco eius crunt . Et
si quid ei defuerit' de predictis Centum libris annuatim percipiendis in
supradictis Locis de Vicecornite Rothomagi perficiatur Testibus Wil-
lelmo Marescallo Comite de Penbroc .lZ[oberto] ' Comite Sagiensi
Willelmo de Kupibus . Senescallo Andcgauie et cetera Data Per
Manum .S. Wellensis Archidiaconi apud Andegauiam .xxj Die Iunij
Anno Rcgni nostri secundo .
l cf.Annex A g. ANNEXES TO U.K. àIEblORIAL (NW. A 9-10) I57
ANNEX A 9
Confirmationby King John, 21st June, xaoo, to Piers des Préauxof
that part of his Charterwhich concemed a Grant of Jersey, Guernsey
and Alderney, &c.
[Chartsr Roll, z John, m. 291
[Translation]
John, by the .grace of god, etc. Know that we have given and granted Charter of
to our Beloved and faithful Piers des Préaux tlie içlands of Jersey, the same
and of Guernsey, and of Alderney, With Sixty Pounds' worth Sterling Piers
ofland in Alton in England, to have and to hold of us by service of
three Knights' fees until the EarIdom of the Isle corne to hirn with
the daughter and heir of William, Earl of the Isle [of Lllight], whom we
have granted to the same Piers or until we shall have provided for him
in another marriage to nur satisfaction and hiç. If, howevcr, it shall
befall us after the manner of man before that marriage has been assignt:d
to Iiim, we will that he and his heirs after hirn may have and hold
the aforesaid Islands and the aforesaid land of oiir heirby the aforesaid
service. Llritnesses : William Marshat, Earl of Pemtiroke ; Robert,
Count of Sées; William des Roches, seneschal of Anjou ; etc. Givsn
by the Hand of S., Archdeacon of Wells, at Angers on the zrst day
of June in the Second Year of our Reign.
,
ANNEX A IO
Confirmationby King John to Piers des Préaux, 2rst June, 1200, of
that part of his Charterwhich concerned a Grant in Rouen
[Charter Roll,2 John, m. 291
[Translation]
John, by the grace of god, etc. To al], etc. Know that we have given Charter of
, and granted to our Beloved and faithful Piers des Préaux one hundred Piers des
poünds' worth Angevin of rent in Rouen, to wit, in the stalls of the Préaux
market of Rouen and in the fair of "Pardurnt " and in the fair of st. mars
"de Prato", to be conferred at his will upon hlen of religion. \Ve have
also granted that the aforesaid Yiers or those to whom he shall give
that rent may have their demesne servant to receive those Hundred
Pounds' worth In Association With the rnayor of Rouen or with those
who shall be in his roorn. And if there shall be anything wanting to
him of the aforesaid hundred pounds yearIy to be taken in the abovesaid
places, let it be made good by the Vicomte' of Rouen. Witnesses:
IVilliarn Marshal, Earl of Pembroke ; R[obert], Count of Sées ; William
des Roches, seneschal of Anjou ; etc. Givcn by the Hand of S., Arch-
deacon of Wells, at Angers on the 21st day of June in the secontl
Year of Our Reign.
' Vzceromite. Ij8 ANNEXES TO U.K. UE~IORIAI. (;i-. A 11-12)
ANNEX A rl
Restitution by King John to Piers des Préaux of hisEnglish Lands,
29th June, 1206
Petrus de pratellis habet litteras domini Regis patentes guod secure
ueniat ad dominum Kegem infra festurn beati petri ad vincula Anno
et cetera , viijO. et dominus Rex reddet ei terram suam in Anglia et
gratum suum faciet de Insulis secundum consilium R. Comitis Cestrie
et Ingerami de Pratellis . Teste . me ipso apud Burgum super mare
xxix . die Iunii.
ANNEX A 12
Quo I,lJnrrn;ztoProceedings relating to thc Priory of the Ecrkhous Islets,
1309, before the King's Justice in Eyre
[AssizeRoll, 2 Edw. II, m. 361
Ierseye Adhuc de placitis de quo Waranto de eodem [. . . .]1 Abbas de
vauricher summonitus fuit quod esset Iiic ad hunc diem ad respondendum
domino Rcgi de [. . . . . . . . . . . .] ei vnum molendinum
cum pertinenciis in parochia sancti Saluatoris et aduocacionem Prioratus
'qui sequitur . pro eo clamat . .]dvtinIus et pecetera Idem tle Jetiamk' Abbas
[. . . . . . . . . .1responcleridum domino Kegi de placito quo
Waranto et cetera 'clamat percipere ct liaberc per manum Rcceptoris
[. , . . . . . . .) Icrs' f viginti solidos 'de dennriis domini
Kegis qui ad dominum Regem ' pertinent precipiendijsic] et ce ter:^
[. . . . . . . . .] non venit Set Prior predicti Prioratus venit
'Et dicit se esse generalem procuratorem et attornatum [. . . . a1
ct Conuentus sui in hac Insula sub sigillis corum Et dicit quod Locus
Capclle de Esckerho [. . . . . . . . , .]ille nomeri habct et
fundum et totam sustentacionem suam ' prcter predictum molendinum
et predictum annurn [. . . . . . . .] adeo ' exilis est quod
Longe ab Insula stat in mare: in quadam rupelli pama ' vbi non
[. . . . . . . , . .] terra cultilis nec alia domus quam Capella
Et ipse qui dicitur Prior pro se et socio suo [. . . . . . . .]
et valletto eorum 'commorante in predicta Capella per totum aiinum
ad manutenendum sing [. . . . . , . . . .] focum ardentem
in Capell;~ illa ' vt marinclli mare transeuntes de nocte per focum
lOwing to decay, the first 14 lines ofthe original MS. (including thisheading)
toesuggest missing words. The dotted olineswithiri square brackets denotetheycom-sible
plete corruption of the text.
Sed. ANNEXES TO U.K. MEhIORIAL (NOS. 11-12) 15~
ANNEX A II
Restitution by King John to Piers des Préauxof his English Lands,
29th June, 1206
[Paf& Roll, 8 John, m.31
[Translation]
Piers des Préaux has the lord King's letters patent tfiat he may came
with confidence to the lord King within the feast of blessed petei in
chains l in the eighth year, etc., and the lord King will restore to liim
his land in England and do his pleasure concerning the Islands in
accordance with the counsel of R., Earl of Chester, and Ingram des
Préaux. Witness myself ai Bourg-sur-Mer on the 29th day of June.
ANNEX A 12
QuoWarrafitoProceedingsrelating to the Prioryof the EcréhousIslets,
1309, before the King'sJustices in Eyre
[Assize Roll, 2 Edzu.II, m. 361
[Translation]
Continuation of the pleas de Quo Warranto of'the same [eyre] [m- 361
The Abbot of Val-Richer4 was summoned to be here at this day to Jersey
answer to the lord the King concerning [a plea that he should give iip]
to him one mil1 with the appurtenances in the parish of St.Saviour and
the advowson of the Priory of [. .. ........ which]
the lord the King by William de ~aresk' who sues for Iiim, clairns as
his right, etc. Also the same Abbot [was summoned] to answer to the
lord the King concerning a plea by what warrant, etc., he claims to
receive and have by the hand of the Receiver lin the Islancq of Jersey
20 shillingsof the money of the lord the King which belong to the lord
the King to be received, etc. [The said Abbot] came not,but the Prior
of the aforesaid Priory cornes And says that he is the general proctor
and attorney [of the said Abbot] and Convent in this IsIand under their
seals. -And he says that the Place of the Chapel of the Ecréhoiis
........ .] has that title and the ground and al1 its
maintenance except the aforesaid mil1 and the aforesaid yearly [rent],
is so meagre, because it is a Long way Irom the Island in the sea or1 a
certain small rock where [there isjnot [any] cultivatable land nor any
house except the Chapel. And liewho iscalled Prior, for himseif and
his fellow [. .......... .] and theirservant dwelling
in the aforesaid Chapel throughout the whole year for maintaining each
l St. Peter's chai&.Thisfast is celebrated on the 1st August.
a i.e.the Channel Islands.
a Otherwise Bourg or Bourg-sur-Gironde.
Vauricher.
Esckerho. illum [. ........ .] vitare possint pericula rupellum
Capelle contiguarum ' vbi maximum periculum extat periclitand
[. ....... .] habeiit plus per annum ' pro omnibus
necessariis suis ' nisi tantum predictum molendinum et predictum
alinuum redditum viginti solidomm ' que predecessores sui tenuerunt
ab aritiquo a tempore quo non extat memoria in forma ' qua ipsi modo
illa teneiit ' et nichilorninus semper celebrant ipsi duo ' pro domino
Rege et eius progenitoribus . Et Iurati hoc Idem testantur .Et quia
Prior ille fideliter monstrat 'quod Abbas prc paupertate tenure illius
non vult Laborare pro eadeni ' Ideo permittitur ipsum I'riorem tenere
prcmissa sicut tenet ' quam diii domino Regi placuerit ,
ANNEX h 13
Cornplaint against the Prior of the Ecréhouç Islets before the Kiiig's
Justices, 19th October, 1323, that the WaU round his Manse
was Encroaching upon the King's Highway
Placita coram Henrico gpigiirnel et Willelmo de Denum Iusticiariiç
[in.11 domini .Regis -Itinerantibus iii Insula de Ierseye die Mercurij incrns-
tino sailcti Luce Ewangeliste nniio Kegrli . Regis - Bdwardi - Filij
Regis - Edwardi .septimo rlecimo ,
1........................................................................
..J..........................................................
2,dl .4dl1uc dc.Itinere predicto - - Spigurnel.
L.........................................................................
................................................................
J
Iuratores parochie sancti Martirii prescntant cluod Moriachi de Insiileto
beate Marie dc Escrenho leiiaucrunt qucmdain murum llapideum circa
inansum suum sub roqua de Ariindel in parochia predicta super viam
regiam ad nocumentum Regis et vicinorurn et cetera Ideo veniant
i\Ionachi predicti veniant[sz'c]* inde respoiisuri et cctera. Et quidam
frater Thomas le Tancour prior clornus predicte summonitus venit et
dicitcluod predictus iiiurusleuatus fuit iani xl - annis et amplius elapsis
per quemdam predecessore~n suum prioreni rlomus prerlictc ad mansum
suum defendendum et includenduni absqiie aliquo nocumento domino
Regi uel alicui alii faciendo seu aliqua piirprestura super viam regiam
uel communam aliquo modo facienda . et petit quod munis videatur
per Iuratores Regis et alios fidedigrios et cetera Ideo preceptum est quod
fiaivisus et cetera Et super hoc testatum est tam per Iuratores domini
Regis quam yer alios fidedignos qiri per preceptum Curie indc feccrunt
visiim cluod Murus predictus leuatus fuit per predecessorem predicti
prioris quadragints annis et amplius elapsis sicut prior dicit .et quod
l srruvuminterlined.
uenianl interlined. ANXEXES TO U.K. hlE31ORIAL o. A 13) I59
[. .... .] a light burning in that chape1so that mariners crossing
the seaby niglit by that light may avoid the peril of the rocks contigtious
to the Chapel, where the greatest danger exists of being wrccked,
[. ........ .] have [no] more by the year for al1 tlieir
necessities except the saicl mil1 and the said yearly rent of 20 shillings
which their predecessors Iield of old from time immcmorinl in the form
in whicfi they now tiolthcm, and nevertheless those two always celebrate
for the lord the King and his progenitors. And the Jurors testify to the
Same. And because tliat L'riorfaithfully çhews that the Abbot on account
of the poverty of that tenure does not wish to Exert himçelf for the same.
Therefore it is permitted to the said Prior to hold the prcmises as he
holds them as long as it shall please the lord theKing.
ANNEX A 13
Cornplaintagainst the Prior of the EcréhousIslets before the King's
Justices, 19th October, 1323, that the Wall roundhis Manse
was Encroaching upon the King's Highway
[Assize Roll,17 Edw. II, W. z~d]
[Translation]
Pleas before Henry Spigurnel and William de Denum, Justices of the [m. 11
lord King in Eyre in the Island of Jersey, on Wednestlay, the morrow
ofSt. Luke the Evangelist, in the seventeenth year of the reign of King
Edward 1, son of King Edward.
Yet of the Eyre aforesaid. - Spigurnel. [m.2idJ
[....-... .............................................................1...................
The Jurors of the parish of st. Martin present tliat the hlonks of the
, Islet of the blessed Mary of the Ecréhous"ave raised a certain stone
walI about their manse under Archirondel in the parish aforesaid on
the King's highway to tlie nuisance of the King and of the nciglibours,
etc. Therefore let the Monks aforesaid corne to answer thereof, etc.
And a certain brother Tliomas le Tancour, prior of the tiouse aforesaid,
having been summoned cornes and says that the aforesaid Wall was
raised 40 years and more ago by a certain predecessor of liis, prior of
the house aforesaid, to defencl and enclose his manse without causing
any nuisance to the lord King or to any other or making any encroach-
ment on the King's highway or the common [land] in any way.And he
asks that the Wall may be viewecl by the Jurats of the King and other
trustworthy men, etc. Therefore it isordered that view should be made,
etc. And hereupon it is testified, as well by the Jurors of the lord King
as by other trustworthy men, who, by order of the Court, made view
thereof that the Wall nforesaicl was raised by the preclecessor of the
19th October, 1323(St. Luke's Day isthe 18th October].
a Escrenho.
roqua de Aru~del. x60 ANNEXES TO U.K. ~IEMORIAL (NO. A 14)
idem l Murus non est in aliquo ad nocumenturn Regis seu alicuius
alterius nec viam impedit nec cornmuriam - Ideo stet et remaneat in
pace in statu quo nunc est Et predictus prior inde sine die et cetera.
ANNEX A 14
Pleaç of the Crownbefore the King's Justices in Eyre in Jersey, 1331 :
Attack on Gorey Caçtleand Theft of certain Goodsof the Prior of the
Ecréhous, 20th August, 1325
[Assize Roll, 5 Edw. III, m. 191
[ni. 151 lereseye
Placita corolie apud longam villam in Insula de Iereseye coram Roberto
dc Scardeburgllli'Roberto de Norton' et Ricardo de ivescote Iusticiariis
domini Rcgis Itinerantibus in Insulis de Gernereye . Iereseye .Serkes
et Aureneye die rnercurij +proxima post festum sancti Iacobi apostoli -
anno regni Kegis Edivardi tercij a conquestu quinto .
Scardeburgh' a
[............,...................................,............. .................1.
Cm. 191 Parochia sancti martini venit per vij . Iuratores Scardeburgh'
ijdem Iuratores presentant quod Petrus Bernard' de Pynsol' simul cum
alijs ignotis die martis proxima post festum Assumpcionis beate marie
aniio rcgni domini Edwardi . patris domini Re 's nunc xixno fugauit
iiilibern 1Vare11nadomini Rcgis apud Castrum de Furryk' et cum homines
in eodem castro existentes percepissent predictum Petrum et alios ibidem
existere predicti Petrus et alij de commitiua sua ad castrum predictum
insoltum fecerunt et predicti homines in castro predicto exiskntes se
defendeba~it .et in defendendo. quidam in Castro cuius nomen ignoratur
quendam ignotum de malefactoribus prcdictis percussit in cnpite cum
quodam lapide et statim inde obijt et statim post factum, predictus.
I'etrus et alij corpus mortui abstulerurit . -Et quod homines eiusdem
Petri Bernard' de Pynsol' quorum nomilia ignorantur de assensu et
missione predicti Petri felonice furati fuerunt gallinas et cnpones ad
valenciam .x .solidorum et asportauerunt - - Et quod idarn I'etrus et
Johnnnes Pyk' anglicus simul cum aliis igriotis circiter festum Assump-
cionis bcate marie anno regni Edwardi . patris supradicto depredati
idena interlined.
El repeated. ANNEXES TO U.K. BIEMORIAL (NO. A 14) 160
aforcsaicl prior forty years and more ago, as the prior says, and that the
same \Val1is not in any way to the nuisance of the King or ofany other,
neitherdoes it obçtruct the highway nor the common [land]. Therefore
letit stand and remain in peace, in the state in which it now is. 'And
[let] the aforesaid prior [go] thereof without a day, etc.
lea a os he Crown before the King's Justices in Eyre in Jersey, 1331 :
Aitack on Gorey Castlc, and Theft of certainGoods of the Prior of the
Ecréhous,20th August, 1325
[Assize KolE,j E~w. III, m. 191
[Translation]
Jersey [m. 151
Pleas of the Crown at longueville in the Island of Jersey before Robert
de Scardeburgh', Robert de Norton' and Richard de IVescote, Justices -
of the lorcl King in Eyre in the Islands of Giiernsey, Jersey, Sark and
Alderney, on wednesday next after the feast of St. James the apostle
in the fifth year of the reign of King Edward the Third from the
conquest 9.
Scardeburgh'.
The Parish of St. Martin cornes by 7 Jurors Scardeburgh'. cm ~11
These same Jurors present that Piers Bernard' of "Pynsol"', with
other perçons unknown, on Tuesday next after the Feast of the As-
sumption of the Rlessed Mary in the 19th year of the reign of the lord
Edward father of the present lord King s, hunted in the free Warren
of tlie lord King at the Castle of Gorey and when the men who were
in that same castle had perceived the aforesaid Piers and the others
to be in that same place, the aforesaid Piers and others of his Company
made an attack on the aforesaid castle, and the aforesaid men who
were in the aforesaid castle defended themselves ; and in the course
of defence, a certain person in the Castle whose name is not known
struck an unkiiown person among the malefactors aforesaid 011 the
head witli a stone ; and he died of it immediately, and immediateIy
after the clecclthe aforesaid Piers and others took away the body of
the dead man ; - Atid that men of.this same Piers Bernard' of
"l'yr~sol", wliose names are unknown, with the assent of, and at the
instance of, the aforesaid Piers, feloniously stole hens and capons to
Iongam villam.
31stJuly, 1331.This feast is celebrated on the25thJuIy which, in 1331. fel1
on Thursday.
20th Aug., 1325This feast is celebrated on the 15th Aug. which, in 1325, fell
on Thursday.
Gurryk'. 161 ASBEXES TO U.K. MEhIORIAL (NO. A 15)
fuerunt Priorem de Ecreho apud Rok' Arundel de lecto suo . et vesti-
cxifantur. menta capelle et quandam patellam cum tripede ad valenciam . xxxvij .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ esolid:mm . ceperunt felonice et asportauerunt Et statim port factum
marcas . v - fugerunt et malecreduntur Ideo exigantur et vtlagentur .catalfa pre-
sterlingorum1Gallard' nuper custos Insularum respondebitrlin-oEt Iohannes Pyk' nulla
habuit catalla -
ANNEX A 15
View of the Account of SirJohn de Roches (Wardenof the Channel
Islands), 1328-9, shewing an annual.Payment made to the Priory of
the Ecréhous
[ExchequerAccounts (Various), BundZe 89 No. rz,m. z]
Visus compoti Iohannis cie Roches rnilitis Custodis Insuiarum de
Gerneseye ,Iereseye , serk et Augreneye quas Otode Grandissono tenuit
penes eundemc do-datum xijOdie Iunijam,+anno regni huius Regis Edwardiens
tertij post conquestum secundo per quod idem Rex assignauit pre-
dictum Iohannem ad Insulas predictas in manum suam capiendas , et
saluo custodiri faciendas quousque aliud a Rege inde habuerit in man-
datis Ita quod de exitibus inde prouenientibus ad scaccarium - Regis
responderet . De exitibus predictam Insularum ,a supradicto . xi]'
die Iunij . anno -,secundo . vsque festum sancti bfichaelis proximo
sequens . et ab eodem festo sancti . Michaelis - anno secundo finiente
finiente per vnum annumximo -exv septimanasgno+Retiv .rdiest- tercio
[Recepta] [.......................................................................1.
........................................................................
.......
Iereseye per idem tempus
Summa receptorium Dxxviij libre
il -solidi vj [denarij] . turonensium
que valent Lxvj libras .iij.denarios .
obolum . quadrans . sterlingorum .
Expensa Castri de Gorry qui capit per anuumuta Ca.eCla-osolidos pro Caritaria sua
et -- solidos pro luminari ecclesie terminis Pasche et sancti Michaelis'
The words calalla.... slcrlingorum in the marginnote have been ~truck
through by the clerk, presumablyat the time of making an estreat of these for-
feited goods.
The relevant entry is sidehed. ANNEXES TO U.K. JIEhIORIAl, (NO. A 15) X~X
the value of IO shillings and carried them off ;- Ancl that this snme
Piers and John Pyk', an englishman, together with other perçons exacted and
unknown, about the fcast of the Assumptiori of the blessed mary in Outlawedi
the abovementioncd year of tlie reign of Edward the fvther l robbed ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ l s
the Prior of ttie Iicréhous a ai Archirondel of his bed and felonioiisly shillings
took chape1vzstmcnts and a dish witli a trivet to tlie yalueof 37 shillings ,terLing.
and carried tliem off arid immediately after the decd they fied and
are suspected. Thereforc let them be exactecl ancl outlawed. The chattels
of the aforesaid Piers are worth 12 marks [and] 5 shillings sterling,
for which Lawrence Gallard', lately keeper of the Islands, will answer.
And John Pyk' had no chattels.
ANNES A 15
View of the Account of Sir John de Roches (Warden of the Channel
Islands), 1328-9s, hewing an annual Payment made to the Priory of
the Ecréhous
[Exchequeu Accoztnts (Various), Bfrndle89, No. 12, m. z]
[Translation]
View of the account of John de Roches, kniglit, Keeper of the
Islands of Guernsey, Jersey, sark and Alderney, which Otes de Gran-
disson held of the Inheritance of the lord King for his life by writ,
remaining in the posçeçsion of the same, dated the 12th day of June
in the second year of the reign of this King Edward the Third after
the Conquest =, whereby the same King assignecl, tlie aforesaid John
to take the Islands aforesaid into his hand and to cause them to be
safely kept until he should have other orders therein from the King,
so that he should answer at the King's Excheqiier for the issues thence
proceeding, for the issues of the aforesaid Islands from the abovesaid
12th day of June in the second year until the fcast of St. hfichael
next following6 and from the samc feast of St. Micliael towards the
end of the second year6 until the same feast next following towards
the end of the third year of the reign of the aforesaid King, for one
year, fifteen weeks and five days.
[........................................................................1
....................................................................
Jersey for the same period.
[........................................................................].[Receipts]...........................
Total receipts 5281. as. j6d.l
toztr+~ois,hich are worth 661. 3@,
sterling.
Whereof he reckons in alms paid to the King's Cllaplain of the Chape1 Disbur"c'nents
Ecreho.e 3,above (p. 160). * 29th September, 1328.
"ok' Anindel. ' 29th September, 1329.
The relevant entryis sidelined. 162 ASXEXES TO U.K. ~IEMORIAL (NO. A 15)
Lx solidos dicte monete pro eodem termino sancti hlichaelis . Et in
elemosina solutn Leprosis magni Portus qui capiunt per annum
Lx solidos, Abbnthie saricte Trinitatis de Cadamo capienti per annum
vij libras . x .solidos , Prioratui sancti Clementis capienti per annum .
iiij-libras .x .solicloset Capelle beate hlarit: de ISkerho in mari capienti
per annum .xx .solidos dicte monete terminis predictis , viij.libras .
pro eodem termino saricti hlichaelis .Et in puturn vnius balliili , vnius
vicecomitis vnius Clcrici vnius Receptoris , sij . Iuratorum - x-ij+
I Curiarn domini ,v,iRegissp-nsectancium ad vnum repastum pro tenenciuternpore
huius visus et in putura eorundem balliui, vicecomitis , Clerici ,
Receptoris et xij Iuratorum . ad vnum repastum pro Curia taxanda -
et in eadem pro eisdem ad vnum repastum pro abiuracione Reginaldi
Caretot infra idem tempus ,viij, libras. xvij .solidos eiusdem monete -
Et in vadiis vnius balliui capientis per annum . ssx . libras - vnius
Clerici capientis per annum lx . libras .pro feodo a et xs . solidos .pro
pergameno , vnius Receptoris capientis per annum 1xxs libras vnius
Constabulnrij Castri cum valletto capientis per annum --.Lxxiij libras ,
vnius Ianitoris capicntis per annum xxxiiij . librns . vj solidos viij .
idenariosl turoncnses . et vn----Narratoris c1ui --rit . Jvi . solidos
eiusdem inonete per annum ' pro huius rnodi feodis et vadiis soiutis
pro tempore huius visus xtviij . libras -.iij solidos .eiusdcrn monete
.Et in bladis campipartium feodi de Morers antequam affirmarentur
colligendis., vj.solidos eiusdem monete -Et in diuersis reparacionibus
libras .ixca.solidosa-tviij [denarios] -eturonensesui,seiusdem monete - Et.
in vadiis . iij .hominum ad arma existericium in dicto Castro causa
metus guerre per tempus huius visus quolibet capiente viij . solidos .
per diem , et xxx - peditum quolibet de v . capiente per diem xij
-
[denarios] turonenses et quolibet de + xxv . capiente per diem .-xvj
[denarios] . turonenses . eiusdem mon=' CCCsxxix libras . xiiij.
solidos iiii [(lenarios] . turonenses eiusdem monete -
Summa expensorum CCCCxvj .libre . xj -
solidi .turonensium que valent Lij ,libras .
debet d."xjios . libras ..XJ..rsolidosm . yj,.
turonenses que valent .XII], libras -xvii]
solidos - xj denarios . quadrantem .
sterlingorum .
' PCV annum interlined.
firo feodo interlined.
causa metus guerre interlined.
' Bollowett by an crasure. ~ ANNEXES TO U.K. XIEMORIAL (NO. A 15) :162
.of'the Castle of Gorey l, who takes by the year IOOS.for his Chantry
and 20s. for tlie lightof the church in Easter and Michaelmas terms,
60s. of the çaid money for the same term of Michaelmas ; and in alms
paid to the Lepers of "Magnus Portus", who take by the year 60s.,
to the Abbey of Holy Trinity, Caen, which takes by the year 71. IOS.,
to the Yriory of St. Clement, which takes by the year 4E. os.,and to '
the Chape1 of the Blessed Mary of Ekerho a in the sea, which takes
by the year zos., of the said money, in the terms aforesaid, SE.for
the same term of hlichaelmas ; and in the puture of one bailiff, one
vicomte 3, one Clerk, one Receiver, twelve Jurats 4, twelve PrévGtsb, I
one Hangman and al1 the freeholders doing suit at the lord King's
Court at one repast for the period of this view and in the puture of
the same bailiff,vicomte 3,Clerk, Receiver and twelve Jurats at one
repast for appraising the Court, and in the same for the same at one
repast for the abjuration of Reynold Caretot witliin the same period
SI. 17s . fthe same money ; and in the wages of one bailiff, who takes
by the year 301. ,f one Clcrk, who takes by the year xol. for his fee
and SOS. for parchment, of one Keceiver, who takes by the year 30E.,
of one Constable of the Castle with a yeoman, who takes by the year
731.,of one Porter, who takes by the year 241. 6s. 3[d.] tozsrnoisof
one Pleader a, who takes 106s. of the same rnoney by the year, for
such fees and wages paid for the period of this view 481. 3s. of tlie
same money ; and in gathering the corii of the champarts of the fee
of "&Iorers," before they were farrned out, 6s. of the same money ;
and in divers repairs done about the roofing of the Castle buildings
for the period of this view, 81. 10s. 8[d.]tournois of the same money ;
and in the wages of three men-at-arrns who were in the said Castle
by reason of the fear of war for the period of this view, each taking
8s. by the day, and of thirty footmen, each of five taking by the day
~z[d.jtouvnoisand each of twenty-five taki11g.b~the day 16[d.] tournots
of the same money, 3391, 14s. 4[d.] tournois of the same money.
Total disbursements 4161. 11s. to~rnois,
which are worth 521. 164d. sterling.
And he owes 1111. 11s. 6[d.] totcrnois,
which are worth 131.18s. II&~. sterling.
Goq. Iuratoracnr.
the Ecréhous. Prcpositolum.
uicecomitis.
~'impossible to tell whether he was the king's narrator or simply a professional
pleader.": J. H. Le Patourel, The Medinial Administratiooftht Channel
Isla>rdslIgg-I3gg, y.94. 163 ANNEXES TO U.K. MEMORIAL (NO. A 16)
Pleas of the Crown before the King's Justices in Eyre in Guernsey,
1331 : assault by the Prior of the Ecréhous, on a Widow in Jersey,
13th July, 133~
[Assize Roll,5 Edw. III, ni. 18d]
[m. 11 : Gemereye' :
Placita Corone apud sanctum Petrum de portu coram Roberto de
scardeburgh' Roberto de Korton' et Ricardo de westcote Iusticiariis
domini Regis Itinerantibus in Insulis de Gernereye Iereseye serk et
Aureneye die sabbati proximo post festum Translacionis sancti Thoine
- Martiris snno regniRegis Edwardi tercij a conquestu quinto :
[ ...........................................................................................
..............................
[m. 184 Parochia sancte Trinitatis vcnit pcr - vj . Iuratores '.scardeburgh'
........................................................................1
........................................................................
.....
De transgressoribiis, et cetera.presentant quod frater Thomas Prior de
Escreho verberauit Iohannam Relictam Roberti Hubert percitssiendo
illam de pede et ipsam contra terram acabliauit in domo Radulphi
Hubert' cum - clamore .haro .et cetera tempore Petri Hugun nuper
balliui et cetera.Et predict~isPrior modo venit et hoc dedicit et cetera -
Et Inquisicione inde capta per Turatores parochie sancte Trinitatis super
quam se posuit et cetera . dicunt super sncramentum suum quod ipse
est culpabilis . Ideo committatur ad custodiam et cetera .Et yostea
fecit fineln prout patet alibi,Pleas of the Crown before the King's Justices in Eyre in Guernsey,
1331 : assault by the Prior of the Ecrkhous, on a Widow in Jersey,
13th July, 1331
[Assize Roll, 5 Edw. III, m. 18d]
[Translation]
Gernereye [m. 11
Pleas of the Crown at St. Peter Port beforc Robert de scardeburgh',
Robert de Norton' and Richard de westcote, Justices of the Lord King
in Eyre in the Islands of Guernsey, Jersey, sark and AIderney on satur-
day next after the feast of the Translation of st. Thomas the Martyr in
the fifth year of the reignof King Edward the third after the conquest l.
[.........................................................................
.........................................................................
........
The Parish of holy Trinity cornes by six Jurors . scardeburgh' [m. 18d]
[.........................................................................
........................................................................
.................
1
Concerning trespassers, etc. They present that brother Thomas Prior
of the Ecréhous"eat Joan, Relict of Robert Hubert, by striking her
with his foot, and dashed her against the ground in the house of Ralph
Hubert' with clanzetw de haro, etc., in the time of Peter Hugun lately
bailiff, etc. And the aforesaid Prior now comes and denies this, etc.
And Inquisition being thereof taken by Jurors of the parish of Woly
Trinity on which he placed himself, etc.,they say on their oath that he
is.guilty. Therefore let him be committed to custody, etc. And aftt:r-
wards he made fine as appears elsewhere.
l 13th July.1331.This feast iscelebrateon the 7th July which, i1331.fell (in
Escreho.. 164 ANNEXES TO U.K. JIEhIORIAL (NOS. A 17-18)
ANNEX A 17
Royal Letters of Protection, 18th August, 1337, for the Prior of the
Ecréhousand other Priors in Jersey and Guernsey, &c.
[Patent Roll, II Edw.III, fit.2, m. g]
De Prior de sancto Clemente de Insula de Iereseye habet literas Regis
protecciclne de prateccione guamdiu Regi placuerit .Teste Rege apud Westmonaste-
rium xvij . die Augusti
Per consilium
Consimiles literas Kegis de proteccione habent subscripti videlicet
Prior dc WaIe de Insula Prior de Lyo de Insuta de Priorde Leek' de Insula
dc Gernereye .Teste ut Gernereye . Teste ut de Iereseye .Teste ut
supra . 'supra . supra .
Prior de Erne de Insula F'riorde Acrehowe de Prior sancti Petri de Insula
de Gernereye -Teste ut Insula de Iereseye . de Iereseye . Teste ut
supra . l'este ut supra. supra .
Prior de Bonenuyte de Prior delIsiet de lnsula
Insula de Iereseye . de Iereseye .Teste ut
Teste ut supra . supra .
Prior de Blanca Landade
Insula de Gernereye .
Teste ut supra .
ANNEX A IS
Fragment of a 15th Century Rental, shewing the Endowments of the
Priory of the Ecréhous, in Jersey, Guernsey and France
[Carlulaire des Iles Nwmandes (Société Jersiaise), pp. 420-1N ,o. 2391
LES RENTES DE NOTRE DAME DE ESCREHO EN GIERRES Y
Guiffrey Galicen : iij quartiers de forment sus ung masnnge contenant
environ vj vergées de terre, en la parroisse de la Trinité, lequel fu acquis
par ledit Galicen des hoirs dam Ricart Fanegot, prestre.
Philippe Perchart :troys caboteaulx de fourment.
Raoul et Guillot dis les Pihans :x sols. ANNEX A 17
Royal Letters of Protection, 18th August, 1337, for the Prior of.the
Ecréhousand other Priors in Jersey and Guernsey, &c.
[Patent Roll, 11 Edw, III, pt. 2,nz, g]
[Translation]
The Prior ofst. Clement l of the Island of Jersey has the King's letters of protection
of protection for as long as it shall please the King. Witness the King nt
Westminster on the 18th day of August.
By the Council.
The persons underwrit ten have like royal lettersof protection, narnely :
The Prior of [St. Michel The Prior of Lihou 5 of The Prior of Lecq of the
du] Valle %f the the Island of Guernsey. Island of Jersey. Witness
Island of Guernsey. Witness as above. as above.
Witness as above.
The prior of Herm of The Prior ofEcrkhous The Pnor of st. Peter 'Oof
the Islandof Guernsey. of the Island of Jersey. the Island of Jersey.
Witness as above. Witness as above. Witncss as above.
The Prior of Bonne Nuit The Prior of L'Islet 'of
of the Island of Jersey. the Island of Jersey.
Witness as above. Witness as above.
The Prior of Blanche-
lande of the Island of
Guernsey. Witness as
above.
ANNEX A 18
Fragment of a 15th Century Rental, shewing the Endowments of the
Priory of the Ecréhous, in Jersey, Guernsey and France
[Cartuluire des lles Normandes (Société Jersiaise), pp. 420-1, No. 3291
[Translation]
THE RENTS OF OURLADY OF THE ECRÉHOUS IN JERSEY :
Geoffrey Galicen : 3 quarters of wheat from a holding containing about
6 vergées l1 of land, in Trinity parish, which was acquired by the said
Galicen of the heirç of dom Richard Fanegot, priest.
PhiIip Perchart : three cabotsl2 of wheat.
RaIph and William called Pihans : IO shillings.
de sancloClemente. "yo. Leek'.
Wale. Acrehowe. 10sancti Petri.
Erne. del Islet. l1 Nearly JJan acre.
Bonenuyte "c BlancaLanda. . 'a A measure of grain. etc.165 ANNEXES TO U.K. MEMORIAI. (NO. A 18)
Ricart hlorbert : ii sols iiii deniers, le toiit assis en la parroisse de la
Trinité.
Memore du moulin appel16 le moulin Saint-Michel autrement le neuf
moulin appartenant à Notre-Dame de Escrehou.
Sus lc moulin de la Haye, la diesme de la revenue d'icelui, du don de
Robert de Surville. et Colin son frére, assis en la parroisse de Saint-
Laurens de l'isle de Gierresy.
Sus le moiilin de Barneville, iiij quartiersde fourment du don Simon de
Dammartin, conte, et dc Aalis, sa femme, fille du roy Louyç de France.
Note : que c'est a Saint-Nicolas du Bosc Rogier.
Du don de Philippe de Quarteret : xv sols tournois sus iceulx qui
s'ensuivent :
Sus le fieu Pierre Ie Machon : iij sols.
Sus le fieu Raoul le Bonnier : iij sols.
Sus le fieu Baon et Morant :iij sols.
Sus le fieu Pacn :iij sols.
Guillaume Coquerel : j boissel de sel sus sa saline qui est assise sus le
moulin a Longueville et fut fait l'an mil cc xxxv.
Du don Guillaiime dlArgences :j. moulin a vent et la piece de terre
sus quoy il siet, en la terre Rogier Poutre].
Sus le moulin a bley dudit xx. boisseaulx de fourment mesure de Barne-
ville.
A Grouville en l'isle
Philippot Le Marchant pour le moulin foulereis : xiij. caboteaulx de
fourment.
Ricart le Doublierre et Guillaume Le Hurtour :iiij. caboteaulx de four-
ment.
Pierres le Veeil :demy cabot de fourment.
Guillaume Ugon et Jehan Angot : demy caboteaul.
Saint Martin
Colin le Bastart :ij. cabos et demy de fourment.
Jehan Hubert :demy cabot de fourment.
John le Riche :ij. cabos dc fourment.
Jelian de la Ville :j. cabot de fourment.
~uillaumc de Lorncy( ?) 1 por la capelle et meson une coronne d'or.
La Trinité :
Jehan Philippe :j. cabot de fourment.
hfatheii Maugier : ij.cabos.
Raoiil Bussier :demy cabot etc. etc.
Saint Sauvour :
Regnault le Lorant :vij. caboteaulx de fourment.
Jehan Lc Feuvre : j. cabot de fourment.
Inserted by the Editor of the volume from which the textistaken.Richard Morbert : 2 shillings [and] 4 pence, the whole situated in Trinity
parish.
Be it remembered the mill called St. hfichael's mill, otherwise the new
mil1belonging to Our Lacly of the Ecrkhous.
Frorn the mil1of la Hayc, one-tenth of its issues, of the gift of Robert of
Surville and Colin hi5 brother, situated in the-parish of St. Lawrence in
the island of Jersey.
From the miIl of Barneville ', 4 quarters of wheat of the gift of Simon
of Darnmartin, count, and of Alice, his uife, daughter of king.Louis of
France. Note :that this is at St-Nicolas-du-Bois-Roger.
Of the gift of Philip of Quarteret : 15 shillings tournois a from the
following :
From the fief of Pierre le Machon :3 shillings.
From the fief of Ralph Ie Bonnier : 3shillings.
From the fief of Baon and Ilorant :3 shillings.
From the fief of Paen : 3 shillings.
William Coquerel : I bushel of salt frorn his salt-pan which is situated
bencath the mil1at Longueville $,and mas made in the year 1235.
Of the gift of William of Argeiices : Iwindmill and the plot of land oii
which it stands, in the land [of) Roger Poutrel.
From the corn-mil1of the same zo bushelç of wheat [of] the mesure of
Barneville.
At GrouviIle in the island [of Jersey] :
Philip Le Marchant for the mil1"foulereis" :13cabots of wheat.
Richard le Doublierrc and William Le Hurtour : 4 cabotsof ~vheat.
Yiers Ic Veeil :half a cabotof wheat.
William Ugon and John Angot :haIf a cabot.
St. Martin :
Colin le Bastart : z cabotsand a half of wlieat. ,
John Hubert :lialf a cabotof wheat.
John Ie Riche : 2 cabots of wheat.
.rohtide la Ville : I cabotof wheat.
WiHiam de Lomey( ?) for thc chape1 [of the Priory] and [the Prior's]
Iiorise, a goldcrown.
Trinity :
Jolin Pliilippe : I cabot of wheat.
hlatthcw Maugier : 2 cabots.
Kalph Bussier : l~alfa cabot,etc., etc.
St. Saviour :
Iieynold Ic Lorant : 7 cabotsof wheat.
John Le Feuvre :r cabotof wheat.
4 Inserted by the Editor of the volume
' hlintedDataTours. of Manchs. from which the text istaken.
In Jersey.Guillaume Nouny :ij. caboteaulx.
Lescluse : iiij. sols.
Item, a Guernerey :xx. caboteaulx de fourment.
Saint Ouen, pour la porquerie :xv. sols sus quoy ilest deu a
Jehan de Saint Martin :j. quartier de fourment.
Item, la guerbe dez iiij. parroisses.William Nourry : z cabots.
Lescluse : 4 shillings.
AIso,in Guernsey : 20 cabotsof wheat.
St; Ouen, for the piggery : 15 shillings for which tliey are dueto [rest
blank].
John ofSt. Martin :r quarter of wheat.
Also, the wheat-sheaf of the 4 parishes.167 ASKEXES TO U.K. VEhlORlAL (h'o.A 19)
ANNEX A rg
Extentes [Rentds] of Jersey, shewing Whrat-Rentr pasable bycertain
Jersey Parishesin respect of the Priory of the Ecrdhous in 1528, 1607,
1668 and 1749
[société Jersinise, Gth Pubn., p. 20; 5th Pubn., pp. 6-7 ; 7th Pubna,
pp. 6, 35. 60;8th Pubna, pp. 18, 491
[15281
Miche11 tharkangell bycrdiu[er]s tenantisofathe ijisslies ensuying
that is to Say
Saint Martyn.
Clement Bastard ................ ijcab dj.
Nicholas Triguell ................ ij cab.
John Hubter .................. dj cab.
Philot de laVille ................ j cab.
Smn vj cab.
Saint Sauuo.r
Raulyn Lemp[ri]ers ................ vj cab.
Smn pz.
Escrehoo aforesaidey ca....of
mannerte& dforme as the aforesaid Ewheatsi,of the Uaughterly of
Carteret&c :
John Grey in the right of his wife for the discharge
ForEscreho of the heires of Nicollas Triguell .... ( Il .. c5b:
John Hubert fils Edmond .......... & .. câb :
Edward La Cloch for Edward Crayford in the right 2. cab
ofhismotber the Daughter ofClexnent Basterd (
Süm of the wheatsdue for the Riory of ) -, càb :
Escreho in the Parish. ...... .a /
Wheats due for the Priory of Eschreho 'payable in manner and
forme as before appeareth. 1
For Escreho. Hugh Lempner for the discharge of Rauline !
Lemprier .............. - + cab : I
Sum 16: pz':
i
[.........................................................................
........................................................................
..............
l From St. Man's Parish. Jersey.
From St. Saviour's Parish, Jersey. AKKEXES TO U.K. hIE3IORIAL (NO. A 19)
FROMENTS DEUBS POUR ECKEHO '.
Hers Jean Le Hwdy gents : occuppant la Maison '
de Jean Payn de la Hougue pour Triguel en .. 2 ,. '
St.Rlartin deux cabots ..........
i
Elizabeth Beauger Vefve de Jacques Hubert fs :Jean ....
fs :Phle trois sixtrs ............ 3
Sum : des froments deubs pour /
Ecreho .......... / ..
........................................................................
.....i.]..................................................
FROhIENTS DEUBS POUR ESCREHO payables come en
St Martin.
jean Dumaresq & Elie Dumaresq gents : homes
tenants des héritages Phle Lemprikre cn
St Sauvr sixcabots ............
Sum: ..
]........................................................................
......1...............................................
FROMENTS DEUBS POUR LA PRIOE& D'ESCREHO
payables corne est mentionne en lap6e de St. Martin.
Jeande la Cloche gents : fs:Estienne fs :Edouard
pour Crafford pour le Rastard en St. Martin
deux cab : et demy ............
Sum: ..
- --
Cr7491
John le Hardy Esq:, son of John, in
right of Charles le Hardy, Esqi,
son of Ch., son of John, in right
of Ph. Falle, five Cabotels of
Wheat (au propre) ; Item, one
Cabotel (pour forfaiture) ;Item, 2 .7 .O 34 .'O. 0
for John Payn, five Cabotels of 1
Wheat for St. Germain : Item for
Godel, for Lenipriere in St. Sa-
viour, ten Cabotels of Wheat;and
for Eschreho, two Cabotels of
Wheat ;in al1[3.5],C3.61,r3.71,
L4.11 [,.2] ..........
[ ..:...................1.......................................................f....................
....................
BEANS.
~Mathew John la Cloche Gent., son
of John, son of John, son of
Stephen, two Cabotels of Beans, 1.15.0
strike measure ;-(au racle), pour
Hcreho3. which makes heapt
measure ........ [60.8]
From St. Rfartin's Parish, Jersey.
From the Parish of Grouville, Jersey.
3 From the Parish of St. Helier, Jersey. ANNEX A 20
Removal of Wreck of the Sea from the Minquiers Isfets by certain
Jerseymen in 1615, 1616 and 1617, in Derogaüon of the Rights of the
Lord of the Seigneurie of Nairmont in Jersey
[Rdles de la Cour du Fief et Seigneurie de Noirmont, ff. 67-9, 731
[f.671 Les Chefs plets de la Cour du fieu au Prietir de Noirmont tenus sur ce
octob 25 fieu pres[sic] la Maison Brelade Roze le xxv: Jour d'Octobre l'An
1615 mi~vjcsxv
nota - Apres[sic] Record du Preüost ColIas Graiidin Jean Christin et Jaqz
Dumaresq sont dits auoir aporté quelqz hardes d'vn Nauire des Min-
qués ' Nauire Estimé de Honfleur
[............................................................................3.............................
Les chefs plets de la Cour di1fieu au Prieur de Noirmont de Sf BreIade
[f. 681
Jan< 31 dans la Maison Nicollas Grandin sur ce fieu ce denier3 jov du Moys
1615 :* de Janvier l'an de grace mfl.vjcsxv :
[.........................................................................
.1......................................................................
......
Apres[sic] Kecord du Preuost corne Collas Grandin Maistre d'vn Bateau
debns]sic] de et son Equipage auoyent aporté quelques Vieux funains d'vn certain
nauire pexfu Nauire perdu $ Marqués 4, auec quelqz pieces[sic] de bois rompu et
Marquka
vn petit Coffret quaré le tout estimé à viron xvj Reals[sic], Il est
cornandéau Sergt en auoir la garde jusques'ace[sic] qu'il ensoit autremt
pourveu
[.................................. M.......................................1..................................
..
L,eschef plaids de la Co-urdu fieu & S;i@16 du Prieur de Noimont tenus
Juin3Ile
1617 : çu'rle fieu à la comune pres[sic] de la Mare cet xjp Jour de Juin l'an
de grace miflvjcs xvij - //
[.................................................................,........
3.................................................. ........................
vne AncI.e $ Jacques Aurange en deft[sic] vers les Officiersdu S: pourauoir enIevé
mnkb 8 vneAncre a[szc] Minkés & es environs et portee[sic] a[sic] Si Malo,
i.6.the Minquiers.
".cc., 1616. The dating here used is that of the "Legal Year".which began on
the 25th March of one year and ended on the24th March of the foiiowing
year. Consequently, the days fromthe f~t January to the 24th March, inclusive,
belonged to the previous year.The Nistorical Year".however, extended
normdy from the 1stJanuary to the 3ist December ;and,until this unneces-
sarycomplication was abandoned in 1752, when Great Britain adopted the
beenthe common practice toshewboth years anoindates. not affectithad long
3 dernier.
i.6.the Minquiers.
8 Scigncuric.
a ddfartt.
Seigneur.
* i.e., the Minquiers. :lPI'NIIXES TO U.K. MEMORIAL (NO. A '20) 1~9
ANNEX A 20
~emoval of Wreck of the Sea from the Minquiers Islets by certain
Jerseymen in 1615, 1616 and 1617, in Derogation of the Rights of the
Lord of the Seigneurie of Noirrnontin Jersey
[Rôles de la Cour du Fief et SeigfieurieJe 'Noirmont, ff.67-9, 731
[Translation]
iber 25thThe Chief pleas of tlie Court of the fief.at the Prieur of Noirmont held
orithis fief near to the housc of Brelade Roze, on the 25th day of
October in the year 1615.
According to the Evidencc of the Provost, Collas Grandin, Jeaii
Grandin, Jean Christiri and Jacques Dumaresq are alleged to have
carried off from the Minquiers certain ~weckngeof a Ship, Believed
to belong to Honfleur
[...................................................................................................................................................
.....
iaryjist,The chief pleas of the Court of the fief at the Prieur of Noirmont in
St. Rrelade['s Parish] in the House of Nicollas Grandin on this fief,
on the Iast day of the Month of January in the year of grace 1616.
According to the Evidence of the Yrovost as to how Collas Grandin,
Jiaster of a Ship, and her Crew had camed some Old rigging of a
k of certain ship lost at the Minquiers, with some pieces of wreckage and
ip iost a srnall square chest, the whole being estimated at about 16 ReaIs.
ie The Serjeant is orderecl to take charge of them itntil other provision
luiers. shall have been made.
[........................................................................1..........................................................................
.....
,,th, The chief pleas of the Court of the fief and Seigneury of the Prieur of
Noirmont held on the fief in the commune near to the Marsh, on the
11th Day of June in the year of grace 1617.
at Jacques Aurange [is] in default towards the Officersof the Seigne. for
dinquiers.having taken away an Anchor from the Minquiers and their neigh-170 ANSEXES TO U.K. AIEMORIAL (XO. A 21)
Et corndé l a[sic] Renjamiii ~zles 8,Thomas Thornasse & a[sic] Th :
Le Goupil junior garder leur Jolir h la pchne a Cour, ou respondre à
la Coyrsuperieur[sic] si le cas requiert
Act of the Royal Court ofJersey, 6th August, 1692, recording theJudge-
ment that certain Wreck of the Sea cast upon the MinquiersKslets
belonged to the Crownof England
[Acfc de la Cour Royale de Z'Ilede Jersey, 6 Aoiit, rG~)z]
L'An iiiilSix cents Quatre Vingts Douze:
le Si'rl??Jour du mois d'Aoust.
Par devant Pliilippe le Geyt Gentilhoinme Lieutenant de
Messire Philippe de Carteret Baronet Sr de St Ouen &c'.
Bailly de lIsle[sic] de Jersey assisté de Francoisd[sic] de
Carteret Escr Amyce de Carteret Henry de Cartcret Jean
Dure1 et EIie le Montais Jurets. Survenus Elie Dumaresq
et Kaulin Robin. Survenu aussy David Bandinel
[...-.-..........~................ ........................,.,,......,.-.......1......
Entre Charles Dumaresq gent' Fr5 de D.1: Debora Durnnresq veuc6
de feu PFle Dumaresq Escl:r vivant Seigncr de Samarcsq[sic] &c'.
tutrice de son Enfant dvne pt Et le Procurer du Roy et de la Reyne
et le Receveur des Revenus de leurs Mate* lactionant[sic] de leur delivrer
et mettre entre mains Les pieces[sic] du debris[sic] Cablcs Ancres
Voilles grayemts Canons Src'. de certains vaiseaux qui auroyent fait
Naufrage sur les Rochers ct Coste des Miquais O, corne aptennnts a[sif]
leurs Majestés dequoy ladite tutrice se serait emposedée sans droit
quoy qu'apartés sur le fief de ladite Pupille suyvant les premisses[src)
dautre part, en presence des Sauveurs Savoir mre Elic de Carteret l0
Jean Mon Amy[sic] Fraiicois[sic] Filleul Thomas Amy et Helier Touzel
appclés en cause Apres[sic] Icç Raisons des ptiesli Ouies Il a &[sic]
Jugé que Nonobstant vn ancien pretendu[sic] titre produit et la POS-
session alleguée p la ledit I'rociirenr de ladite tutrice clepartager entre
'commandé.
aPhilifipes. -
"pvochaine.
Amyce struck througli,Francois interlined.
"YVCUY~UY.
veuve.
'ad'une.pe.
*Le., the Minquiers Islcts.
" Followed by Helier Tourcl, ii9hich isstruck through.
" parties.
" par. ANNEXES TO U.K. hlEhlORIAL (NO. A 21) I7"
bourhood, and carried it to St. Malo. It is ordered that Benjamin
Philippes, Thomas Thornasse, Th[omasJ Le Goupil, junior, kecp their
day at the next Court, or ansiver in the superior Court if the circum-
stances shall require.
AKNEX A 21
Act of the Royal Courtof Jersey, 6th August, 1692, recordingthe Judge-
ment that certain Wreck of the Sea cast upon the Minquiers Islets
belonged to the Crown of England
[Acte de In Cour Roy& de 1'Ik de Jsvsey, 6 Août, 16921
[Translation]
In the Year Sixteen Hundrcd and Ninety-
Two on the Sixth Day of the Month of
August.
Uefore Philippe le Geyt, Gentleman, Ileputy of Sir Philippe
de Carteret, Uaronet, Seigneur of St. Ouen, &c. The Bailiff
of the Island of Jersey, assisted by François de Carteret,
Esq., Amyce de Carteret, Henry de Carteret, Jean Durel and
Elie le Nontais, Jurats. In attendance later Elie Dumaresq
and Raulin Robin, and also David Bandinel.
[....... ..............................................................1.......................................................
Between Cliarles Dumaresq, Gentleman, Attorney of Mrs. Deborn
Dumaresq, widow of the late Philippc Dumaresq, Esq., fomcrly Sei-
gneur of Samarès, &c., and the Guardiün of her son of the one part,
and the Attorney General of the King and the Queen, and tlieir
3llajesties' Receiver of Revenues, of the other part, who are suing her
to deliver and place within their hands the wreck, [namely], cables,
anchors, sails, rigging, cannons,.&c,of certain vessels which have been
shipwrecked on the rocks and coast of the Minquiers, as beIonging to
their hlajesties, and of which the aforcsaid Guardian has possessed
herself illegally, although such wreck was carried on to the fief of the
aforesaid Ward, accordingly to certain evidence. In attendance there
were also the Salvors, namely, Messrs. Elie de Carteret, Jean Mon
Amy, Francois Filleul, Thomas Amy and Helier Touzel, who were also
summoned as parties to the suit. After the pleadings of the Parties I71 ANNEXES TO U.K. MESiORIAL (h'o. A 21)
le Sr1 et Ies Sauveurs P* moitiéles biens Naufragés qui sont aportés
sur les fiefs de ladite Pupille, Ledit Procurer de ladite tutrice se doit
contenter de les Partager avec les offenade leurs Majestéset les sauveurs
Tiers a[sic] tiers Conformemtrsic] a[sicJ certaines Lrz des Tres[sic]
honorables Seignoradu Conseil Privé du Roy en dapte de lanrsz'c]mil
six cents Vingt le dixseptu Jour de Septembre enterinéç[sic]aux Roles
appel [&cl de la Cour et depuis praticqués en cas semblable coiÏie il Foest
Fa Acte du 8e Jour de Novenib 1632, Dequoy le Procurer de ladite
tutrice a[sic] Appele[sic] pardevant Nos Souverains Seigneur et Dame
Le Roy et la Reyne dAngleterre[sic]&c' Et les Treshono~)!cs[sicS ]ei-
gneurs de leur Conseil prive sous la Pleuvine dHelier[sic] Dumaresq
gent' et dEdouard[sic] Dumaresq gent' tant de la poursuite dudit
Appel dans le temps permis en Loy que de lAmende[sic] Coustages
et dependances[sic] sobligeant[sic] pour et au noms de ladite Pupille
et pour ses hers Indemniser sesdits Pléges sur tous ses biens Meubles
& heritages pFts et futurs.
Seigneur. Lettres.
? par. 6 ? Cornipted form of parmsf (parafi).
3 Oficiers. +rtsents. ANNEXES TO U.K. JIEMORIAL (NO.A 21) :I~I
had been heard, it was adjudged that, notwithstanding an ancient
asserted titIe which was produced, and the alleged possession [of the
wreck] by the aforesaid Attorney of the aforesaid Guardian in justi-
fication of sharing between the Seigneurs and the Saivors one half
cach of the wreck, which \vascast upon the fief of the aforesaid Ward,
the aforesaid Attorney of the aforesaid Guardian should be content
to share itwith the Officers of their Majesties and the Salvors, each
taking a third, according to certain Letters of the Most Honourable
Lords of the King's Yrivy Council, dated. Sixteen hundred and twenty,
on the seventeenth day of September, and entered in the Rolls of the
Court, and since put into practice, as is shewn in a sirnilar case by
an Act of the 8th day of November, 1632. Against which Cjudgernent]
the Attorney of the aforesaid Guardian entered an appeal before our
Sovereign Lord and Lady, the King and Queen of England, etc., and
the Most Honourable Lords of their Pnvy Council, Helier Dumaresq,
Gentleman, and Edward Dumaresq, Gentleman, being Pledges that
the said appeal should be pursued within the time aliowed by law,
and also of the fine, costs and other penalties thereunto appertaining,
[the said Attorney] undertaking, on behalf of the aforesaid \Vard and
his hein to indemnify his said Yledges to the extent of dl the property
both personal and real of the aforesaid Ward, which he has, or io
which he may hereafter be entitled. AXNESES TO U.K. 3IEMORIAL (SO. X 22)
172
OrderSummoning the Respondents to the Appeal of Deborah, widow
of Philippe Dumaresq, 6th November, 1692, in behalf of her Son, against
the Judgement of the Royal Court of Jersey, which gave the Crown
certain Wreck of the Sea cast upon the Minquiers Islets in 1692
[The Librliry, Société Jersiaise, St. Helier, Jersey]
copy l
IVIiereas n~ratsDebor:tli Uumaresq widow of Philliye Duniaresq
Esqrc and Tutrice of hcr-child hath by her Attiirny[sic] mtrc Charles
Dumaresq apl~ealed from srsic] sentence of the Royal1 Cour; of
Jersey pronounced the 6th day of Augus! 1692 for the benefit of
-
Their mat'" atturny and-~eceuier in that IçIand toiichirig certain
Goods of a ship caçt away on the Rocks and coast of the miquais
\\,hich appeal is this day entered entred[sic] in the Registre of
Councill causes Thcse are therefore to will end[sic] retluirc you to
suInon Their ma!ys aicl atturny and Rcceuier to appcar before
this Board withi!~forty dayes next after suche summons Zcording
[sict]o the custome of the said Island to answer the appellant in
the matter of the said sentence and appeal And for so doing this
shall be your warrant.. dated at the Councill Chamber in whitehall
the sext day of KoiieTnher -1692 Signed in the original1 a
RICHAI<lI COLINGE
To tlie Viscount Dciiuiitiator of Their Matr*
Island of Jersey or ta aiiy of Their Maty's
officers therc whorn it may concerne
In obedience of the said order I heue semond Daniel Messervay gentle-
man their Ma',ydAtrirny and Elias Piyon gentleman their Mats' seceuier
to appear before the Counsel board within forty days next cnsuing to
unsuer[sic] mmts Deborati Dumaresq acording to the abolie writen
order of WC?; 1 haue Giucn to each one a copy Giuen uncler my hand
nt Jersye this 1-6ttl [day] of Auguçt -693
[Sigizaitlre illegible]
l A contemporary official copy, the wholc document, including the ivord "Copy"
and the signature "Richard C<rlingc", but excluding the illegible signaatithc
foot. being in the same hancl.
i.e., the Minquiers IsIcts.
The appeal was entcred on the 1st Xovcmber,1692: "My I~eboraliDiiniarcsquc
hath this day Entrcd an appcal, from a sentcnce of the Court of Jcrzey on y(:
GthAugust 1692, for the benefit of 'Their MatYs Pro&tRccciver in tliat Islaiid."
[Privy Council Register. 2/75f.221. On the 7th September, 1693. ho~vever, the
Receiver of Jersey), petitionthe Council, praying that hlrs. Dumaresq's appeal
might bc dismissed."iipitreasonable Costs", as "the Appellantdicnot prosccute
her appeal with duc ISffect, in tin;whereupon the matter oftheir pctition was
referred for consideratioand a report thcreon [ibid.f.2221.Rlrs. l)iiinaresin
her turn, petitionedthe Council (12th October, 1Gg3), praying that her appeat
"might be putoff tiIl Easter Ternext". which mas granted. her attorney, Charles
Dumarcsq, bcing detained in Jersey owing to his officia1 duties as "Storekeepcr"
[ibid.,.25~].Tlie I'rivy Council Registers contain no further refercncesLcasï.e ASSEXES TO U.K. ?.fElIORIAL or. A 23-24) I73
Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Frerich
Republic regarding Rights of Fishery in areas of the Ecrehos and
Minquiers
London, 30th January, 1951
Dispatch from the French Ambassador, 12th June, 1820, to the Foreign
Office, alleging Violations of French Temtorial Waters by British
Fishermen '
[Foreig~l OFce Pupers, 27/239]
Londres cc 12 Jiiirir8ao
My lord
hlrle Marquis de Latour-Maiiboiir a entretenu plusieurs fois Votre
Excellence des plaintes que formaient nos pêcheurs relativement au
droit que s'arrogeaient les hâtearix anglais de venir pêchersur les bancs
d'huitres situés au Nord dc Granville. Je prends la Iibcrté, hIÿ lorcl, de
me referer[sic] à la Note que Iifr le Marquis de Latour-Maubourg (:ut
l'honneur d'adresser à Votrc Escellcnce en date du 24 Août de l'anriée
dernière et j'y ajouterai cornnie éclaircissemens copies de pl~isieurs
pièces aaccoinpagnées de deiix Cartes sur lesquelles le Ministre de la
Marine a fait tracer les limites dans lesquelles il serait5 dcsirer[sic]
qiie les pêcheurs des dcirs nations se renfermassent[sic] pour éviter
toute discussion ultérieure.
Votre Excelleiice verra par les details contenus dans les papiers que
j'ai l'honneur de lui trans~nettrc que les violations de Territoire dont
nous avions lieu dc nous plziintre l'année dernièrese sont renouvell~cs
cette année avec plus de stiite que jamais. Le Gouvernement cie Sa
Majesté Très Chrétienne nc peut rester indifférent sur iin droit dolit la
violation pnverait de ses moyens d'existence une population intcressmte
[sic]et très considérable. Le Ministre de la Marine a fait en conséquence
des dispositions pour prot6ger et faire respecter nos limites : ila établi
ilne croisière avec ordre toutefois à l'officier qui la commandait de
n'employer que la voie des representations[sic], mais ce moyen n'a eu
aucun succès et les pêchcursanglais, au nombre de 28 bâteaux, n'en ont
pas moins continué et se sont mêmeportés sur un banc situé i la prosi-
mité de Granville et laisséen reserve[sicj par nos pêcheursqui pendant
trois ans ont employétous leurs soins à le repeupler.
Treaty Series No. 4 (1952).Presented by the Secretary of Statc for
ForcigiiAffairs to Parliarrient by Cornrnand of His .Iajesty. Janunry 195%
I..'The relevant document is printed in the followinArinexA 25.
Sec Annexes l3 4 and B 5. Je reçois, My lord, de Nr le Baron Yasquier, l'ordre d'appeler de
nouveau sur cet objet la plus serieuse[sic] attention de Votre Excellence
en la priant instamment de vouloir bien provoquer Ies ordres neces-
saires[sicj pour prévenir le retour de ces dévastationLe Gouvernement
du Roi le désire et le sollicite d'autant plus vivement qu'il sera par là
dispensé de recourir à des moyens de répression qu'autorise le droit
de Souveraineté et que commande l'interêt[sic] d'une classe de sujets
auxquels il doit et ne peut refuser son appui.
Je me permettrai, My lord, deréclamerdes bontésde Votre Excellence
la réponse la plus prompte possible à Isdemande que j'ai l'honneur de
lui faire, mon Gouvcrncriieiit attachant le plus grand prix à voir mettre
au plutôt un terme aiix violations dont il se pIaint et dont chaque jour
de retard aurait cncorc les ~~lifacheuses conséquences.
J'ai I'honiieur d'être,A.Iylord, avec la plus haute considcratioii[sic].
De Votre Excellence.
Le tres[sic] humble &
très obeissant{sic] serviteur.
G. DE CARAEIAiL'
S.E. Lord Castlereagh, &. cC&:.
Extract from a Letter from theFrench Ministerof Marine, 14th September,
1819, to the French Foreign Minister, giving Detailsof alleged Violations
of French Territorial Waters by British Fishermen, and including the
Minquiers Islets as among British Possessions in the Channel Islands
[l;oreig~zOfice Papevs, z7/239]
Extrait d'une Lettre du Jlinistre de la Marine au Miiiistre des Affaires
Etrangères en date du 14 SepilTc1819.
Des réclamations m'ayant été adresséessur le préjudice qu'occasionne
au commerce de Granville des bâteau'x[sic] anglais qui viennent faire
la péche sur les bancs d'huitres voisins de ce port, j'ai dcmandd des
renseignemens qui me missent à portée de juger si cette pratique avait
lieu avant la derniPre guerre ou seulement depuis la pais (le 1814,
et si Ies bateaus venaient des ports d'Angleterre mêmc,ou des isles
de Jersey et de Guernsey.
Il résultedes rapports qui m'ont étéfaits sur cetobjet.
1'. Qu'avant la révolution les bancs d'huitres dont il s'agit, etaieilt
exploités par les seuls p8cfieurs français.
P. Que ce n'est que vers 1809, que des pêcheurs de Jersey commen-
cèrent à faire Ia pêchedes huitres, mais seulement sur lescotes de cette
Ile.
3". Que sur la finde Ia giierre ilsfirent cette yéche au large entre les
' rochers d'Echrou et vers les Iles de Cers *et d'Aurigny.
l ft should be noted ihat both the arcandcthe modern spelling of this ivord
are used.
SaTk. ANXEXES TO U.K. ;\IE.\IORIAi.o. ~25)
I75
4'. Que depuis la pais de 1814 les mêmespScheiirs et d'autres en .and
nombre venus des ports d'Angleterre se sont portés vers la cote[szc] de
France prés les caps dc Flamanville, de Rozel, de Carteret, jusqii'à
l'anse de Pirou.
5'. Que dans les années 1816 & 1817 ils ont pêché entre les isles de
Chausey et les Minquiers et ont plusieurs fois relachi:[sic] i Chausey
6'. Enfin qu'un nombre considerable de ces pêcheurs,provenant presque
tous des ports d'Angleterre se sont portés pour la première fois, au
commencement d'avril 1819, et se.sont tenus pendant tout ce mois et
le suivant, sur les bancs d'huitres situ& le long de lCôte de BlanviUe l,
daAgon, de Rigneville 3 et de Montmartin.
Ilm'avait étéproposé d'obliger les pêcheurs anglais à se tenir à une
distance de trois lieues de la Cote[sic], et cette proposition, était motivée
sur ce que la France ayant une étendue de côtes beaucoup plus considé-
rable que celle résultante desIlesqui appartiennent à l'Angleterre, dans
la Manche, cette première puissance semblait avoir droit à l'exploitation
cxcluse d'une étendue proportionnée de Mer.
Mais j'ai considéré que jusqu'à présent, les Puissarices maritimes n'ont
point déterminé d'unc manière précise l'étendue de ce qu'on appelle
mer territoviale Toutefois il est généralement admis que la mer territo-
riale s'avance jusqu'au point où atteindrait un boulet ou une bombe
lancée du rivage et suivant une lettre de Mr le Duc de Richelieu dii
16 Juillet 1816, i l'un de Ines prédécesseurs, ce principe a étéreconnu
implicitement par Ies Lords de l'Amirauté anglaise qui défendirent aux
Officiers de la Marine d'Angleterre de poursuivre même des contre-
bandiers à une distance de moins d'une lieue de la côte de France.
Cependant, en ce qui concerne Ia police particulière exercée par nos
Douanes V.E. sait que d'après la loi d22 Aout 1791 (Titre 13 article7)
les préposésde cette adininistration peuvent faire sur les pataches, la
visite des batimens[sic] au dessous de 5oti~nfie3qui se trouvent à la
mer, jusqii'A la distancede deux lieues des Côtes, etil n'est pas inutile
de faireremarquer que nos pêcheursde Normandie quand ils se portent,
sur la Côte d'Angleterre ont l'attention de ne pas s'établir à une distance
plus rapprochée.
C'est donc cette distance de deux lieues marines que j'ai cru devoir
indiquer comme règle ; j'aifaitétablir en conséquence, stirdeux Cartes ',
des côtes de la Manche, deux tracés, l'un en couleur bleue, l'autre en
couleur rouge qui indiquent les limites que les Pêclieurs anglais ne
doivent pas dépasser sur les Côtes deFrance et réciproquement ladistance
à laquelle les Pécheurs français doivent se tenirdes Côtes d'Angleterre.
V.E. trouvera ci-joint des copies de ces tracés, la couleur bleue
indique l'étendue de la mer Territoriale pour la France et la Couleur
rouge l'étendue decette Mer pour les Iles d'Aurigny, de Cers de Jersey
et des Minquiers possédéespar l'Angleterre.
V.E. pourra remarquer que ces limites ne rentrent l'une dans l'autre
qu'entre les Iles de Chausey et les Minquiers (de deux tiers de lieue) et
entre le capde la hague et l'lle d'Aurigny (d'une lieue) mais les pecheurs
Regnéville.
Underlined in tlie origiMlS.
Annexes B 4 and 3 5.
Sark.[sic] d'huitres ne se portent pas sur ces points : partout ailleurs les
limites ne se joignent pasmême dans la partie Ia plus étroite du Canal
qui separe I'Ilede Jersey de la Cote de France.
Ainsi, par cette démarcation les droits des pêcheurs de Granville se
trouvent établis pour tous les bancs qu'ils sont dans l'usage d'exploiter,
de même que pour les qutres huitrières sur lesquelles ils pounaieiit se
porter par la suitejusqu RU Havre de St. Germain et au delà.
ANNEX A 26
Letter from Mr. Hobhouse, British Fishery Commissioner, 9th Sep-
tember, 1824,to Mr.Planta,Foreign Office, enclosing a Draft Convention
on Fishing
[Foreign O@cePapers, 27/323]
Sept. g. 1824.
My dear Planta,
It is tomy utter dismay that after having tranquilly slept for thrce
months in the Belief that MT Canning had taken to himseIf al1 the
Oysters, 1 find myself recallcd into the Character oa Plenipo[tentiary].
1 have just settled with the Pr. de Polignac the English Translation of
the Convention, [of] which the project w:istwo days ago agreed to in
French under 11: Canning's Eye. Mr C. will tell you how the matter
stands in regard to [illegible]&c &c. Ihat 1 have to ask of you içthat
supposing the Convention isreally to be made, itmay be made forlhwith.
It iç a great objcct torne to get into the Country, & nothing else will
detain me after the latter part of next Week. Polignac will attend next
Wednesday at any Hoiir ri~reeable to yoü, & 1 hope it will not be incon-
venient to you to meet him on that day. There must be at lest one
Meeting 1 suppose after that.
Polignac & 1 seem to be equaHy ignorant of the technical part of
our business. 1s the Convention to be signed on parchment or on paper?
Are bath the fair Copies to be made by the same Party, or one by each
Party? Ne asks a further question as to the mode in which the two
Languages shb be dealt with, to WC> I ventured to hazard an answer
that they shouId be arranged in two Cblurnns.
Pray give me a Line by relurrzofPost ; & having yourself (as 1 hope)
laid in an abundant Stock of Health, allow one to go and do likewise
Yrrisincerely
H. HOBWOUSE
' The ivords in italjcs are underlined inoriginaBIS.Draft Convention, settled 9th September, 1824, upon the Extent and
Limits of Britishand French Fisherieç along the French Coasts, North
and South of Granville, and also along the Coasts of each Country's
Possessions in Europe l
[Foreign Ofice Papers, 27/323]
Settled at a Conference
the gt:of September 1824 In the name of the most
at the Home Department. holy Trinity.
His Majesty The King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland and His Majesty The King of France and Navarre,
Willing to put ad end to the Differences which have arisen between
some Subjects of the two Kingdoms relative to the Extent and the
Limits of the Property of France in the Fisheries çituate along the
Coasts North and South of Granville and desirous Iikewise of seizing
this opportunity of regulating uniformly and on the footing of the most
perfect reciprocity the maritime Limits ofthe two Countnes respecting
the Fisheries situate along the Coasts of their respective Possessions
in Europe :
Have narned for this purpose for their respective.Plenipotentiaries,
nameIy
Who being supplied with the necessary full powers, have agreed on
the following'Articles :
Article. I.
'The High Contracting Parties reciprocally recognize as inherent in
tlie territorial Sovereignty of each State, the exclusive Kight of fishing
within the Distance of one Marine League or the twcntieth part of a
Degree frorn the Shore along the Coasts of their respective Possessions
in Europe.
They equally recognize beyond the Limits above expressed in respect
to the Fisheries of Oysters, Muscles and other Shell-fish of the same
Nature the special and exclusive Right to such Fisheries whether
belonging to the Crown or to the Domaines of the State, or to Individuals
or to Corporations of either Nation, in al1 cases where this Kight shall
be founded on Charters Royal Orclinances, Edicts, Grants of the Crown,
or private Grants, legislative Acts, judicial Decisions now in force, or
on immemorial Usage or on Iocal or persona1 PriviIeges, which would
be recognized as legaI by the competent Triburials in that of the two
Countries, in which the Exercise of the said Privilege should be clairried
as having existed pl-eviously to the present Convention.
Article. z.
The Limits of the French Fisheries of Oysters, Muscles and other
Shell-fish of the same Nature along the Coasts of the Departments of
1 The limits of British and French Fisheries, as laid down in Draft Con-
vention, havebeen plotted by the British Admiralty on a chart to be found at
Annex B 6.
a The rest of the page:has been left bIank forthe instheiPlenipotentiaries:
names.La Manche of L'IIe et Vilaine and of the C6tes du Nord are according
to the general Principles above laid down fixed at one MarineLeague,
151ththe following Exception, which in confomity with the Documents
communicated by the one of the high contracting Parties is equally
founded on the Principles set forth in the first Article of the present
Convention.
The Line serving as the Basis of the Maritime Limitation dong the
ville is fixed at two marine Leagues from the Point Southageo\'estof the
Havre de Carterct unto another Point West of the Villageof Lingreville ;
from this point the Line shalI tum round the Isles of Chausey at the
distance of one manne League unto the Rocks called les Sauvages,
from which point it shall take a Southerly Direction on the Headland
du Menga, approaching the Coasts to the distance of one Marine League,
fromwhence it shall take a Westerly Direction, keeping thesame Distance
along the Coasts of the nepartment of the Cdtes du Nord.
Article. 3.
The Limits of the English Fisheries of Oysters, Muscles, and other
Shell-fish of the same nature, are fixed at one Marine League round the
the Isle of Jersey.Alderney and Sark and at two Marine Leagiles round
Article. 4.
The Distances taken from the Shore dong the Coasts of the two
respective States and specified in the preceding Articles as those which
ought to form the Maritime Limits of the two Countries regarding their
respective Fiçheries shall be taken from the low water mark.
Wherever by reason of the Nearness of the two Coasts the lines
traced as the Maritime Bouiidary by virtue of the two preceding ArticIes
shall intersect each other, the Mid-channel shall be considered as the
respective Limits of the Fisheries of the two Nations.
Article. 5.
As soon as maybe after the Exchange of the Ratifications of the
present Convention, the high contracting Parties shail cause to be
marked out on the Spot, the respective Limits of the Fisheries of Oysters,
hIuscles and other Shell-fish of the same Nature designated in the
second and third Articles.
Each of the High Contracting Parties shall name a Commissioner
who shall corne to an Understanding with a Commissioner appointed
by the other Wigh Contracting Party for the Purpose of marking,out
the said Limits.
Article. 6.
Their Majesties The King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland and The King of France and Navarre reciprocally engage
to take care that their respective Subjects shd abstain from fishing
within the Limits above fixed along the Coasts of the otlier Country. XN-JEXES TO U.K. nlE3IORIAL (NO. A 27)
179
Article. 7.
This convention shall be ratifieby the two High Contracting Parties,
and the Ratifications shall be exchanged in London within one Month'
or sooner if it can be done.
'1n Faith whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the
present Convention and have placed thereto the Seal of their Anns.
Done at London this in the Year of Our Lord, one thousand.
eight hundred and twenty four.
ANNEX A 27
Conventionof the 2nd August, 1839 a,between the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland and His Majesty The King of The French,
defining Fishery Limits an the Coastsof Great Britain and France, and
Ratification by King Louis Philippe, 16th August, 1839
[ForeignOficeRatifications of Treaties franc^),No. 1031
LOUIS PHILIPPE, Roi des Français, Q tous ceux qui ces présentes
Lettres verront, Salut.
Ayant vu et examiné la Convention conclue à Paris, le deux du
présent mois d'août, entre la France et la Grande Bretagne, pour la
délimitation des pêcheries sur les cbtes respectives desdeux pays, par
Notre Plénipotentiaire muni de pleins pouvoirs spéciaux, avec le Pléni-
potentiaire également muni de pleins pouvoirs en banne forme, de la
part de Sa Majestéla Reine du Royaume Uni de la GrandeBretagne
et d'Irlande ;
De laquelle Convention la teneur suit:
Convention. CONVENTION
Sa MajestéLe Roi desFrançais IlihereasHis RIajesty the King
et feu Sa Majesté Le Roi du of the French and His late
Royaume-Uni de la GrandeBre- Majesty the King of the United
tagne et d'Irlande, ayant, en Kingdom of Great Britain and
l'année 1837, nommé une Corn- Ireland, appointed in the ycar
mission mixte, pour établir et rB37, a rnixed Commission for
déterminer les limites en dedans the purpose of ascertaining and
desquelles les sujets des pays defining the limits within which
respectifs pourront librement the subjects of the two countries
exercer lapêchedes huîtres entre respectively should be at liberty
1 A space lias been left for theinsertof theday and the inonth.
The abovetext istakcn from the French version of the Convention, deposited
with Her BritannicMajesty's Government,and now in the PubIic Record Office.
London. The Convention was also ratifiby the United Kingdom. The chark
accompanying the Convention will be found at Annex B 7.
=4 180 AXNEXES TO U.K.
l'île de Jersey et les cates avoisi- fo fish for oysters between the
nantes de France ; Island of Jersey and the neigh-
Les Membres de la dite Com- bouring caast of France.
mission étant convenus de cer- And whereas the Cornmissioners.
taines lignes (tracées sur une so appointed have agreed upon
carteà laquelle il sera référé plus certain lines, as marked in a.
loin) pour déterminer les dites Chart hereinafter referred to,as.
limites, et étant aussi tombés the limits above mentioned, and
d'accord sur certains arrange- have also agreed upon certain
ments qui leur semblent devoir arrangements, which they con-.
prévenir le renouvellement des ceive to be calculated to prevent
disputes qui se sont souvent have, at various times, arisench
élevéesentre les pêcheurs deç between the fishermen of the two.
deux nations ; countries;
Il a paru opportun i Sa It has been deemed expedient
by His Majesty the King of the
àaSa Majestéla Reine du Royau- French, and by Her hfajesty the
me-Uni de la Grande Bretagneet Queen of the UnitedKingdomof'
d'Irlande, que les limites dont Great Britain and Ireland, that
sont convenus les dits Commis- the limits agreed upon, and the.
saires, et les arrangements qu'ils arrangements proposed by the,
ont proposés, fussent reconnus said Commissioners should be.
et sanctionnés par une Conven- recorded and sanctioried by a
tion qui sera conclue entre leurs Convention to be concluded
dites Majestés ; between Their said Majesties.
Et comrne les liautes Parties And whereas the High Coli-
contractantes ont aussi considéré tracting Parties have also con-.
qu'il était à désirer que les sideredit desirable to define and.
limites, en dedans desquelles le regulate the limits within which
droit généralde pêchesur toutes the generalright of fishery on al1
les parties des côtes des deux parts of the coasts of the two.
pays, sera exclusivement réservé countries shall be exclusively-
aux sujets respectifs de la France reserved to the subjects of France.
et de la Grande Bretagne, fussent and of Great Britain respectively,.
définies et réglées, les dites the said High Contracting Parties.
Hautes Partiescontractantes ont, have, iherefore, named as Their-
à cet effet, nommé pour pléni- Plenipotentiaries for this pur-.
potentiaires, Savoir: pose, that is to Say :
Sa Majestéle Roi des Français, His Majesty the King of the.
French,
Monsieur Jean de Dieu Soult, Jean de Dieu Soult, Duke of-
Duc de Dalmatie, hlaréchal et Dalmatia, Marshall & Peer of'
Pair de France, Grand' Croix de, France, Grand Cross of, His
Son Ordre Royal de la Légion Royal Order of the Legion of'
d'honneur, &a &a &a Son Honour, &a &a &a 1-IisMinister
Ministre et Secrétaire dJEtat au and Secretary of State for the.
Département des Affaires étran- Department of foreign Affairs,
gères, Président de Son Conseil President of His council of'
des Ministres ; Miriisters;
. Et Sa MajestC la Reine du And Her Majestythe Queenof'
Royaume-Uni de la GrandeBre- the United Kingdom of Great~
tagne et d'Irlande, Britain and Ireland,' Le très honorable Granville, The Right honourable Gran-
Comte Granville, Pair du Royau- vilIe, Earl Granville, Pcer of the
me-Uni, Chevalier Grand'Croix ReaIm, Knight Grand Cross of
du très honorable Ordre du the most honourable Order of
Bain, membre du Conseil privé the Bath, a privy Counsellor,
et Ambassadeur extraordinaire and Her Britannic Majesty's
et plénipotentiaire de Sa Majesté Embassador extraordinary and
Britannique près de Sa Majestb plenipotentiary to Nis Majesty
le Roi des Français; the King of the French ;
Lesquels, après s'êtrecommu- Who, after having comrnuni-
niquéréciproquement leurs pleins cated to each other their resbec-
pouvoirs trouvésen bonne et due tive full powers found to be in
forme, ont arrêtéet concIu les due form, have agreed uyon and
articles suivants : concluded the following articles.
Art : re! Art : rs!
Il est convenu que les lignes It is agreed that the liiies
tracées entre les points indiqués drawn between the points desig-
parles lettres A B CD E F G H nated by the letters A B CD1% F
1 R, sur la Carte annexée à la G H 1 K, on the Chart annexed
présente Convention et signée to the present Convention, and
par les Plénipotentiaires respec- signed by the respective Pleni-
tifs, seront reconnues par les potentiaries, shall be acknow-
Hautes Parties contractantes ledged by the High Contracting
comme déterminant les limites Parties as defining the limits
entre Iesquelles et les côtes de between bvhich and the French
France, la pêche deshuîtres sera shore the oyster fishery shall be
exclusivement réservéeaiixsujets reserved exclusively to french
Français ;ces lignes sont comme [sic] subjects: and these lineç
suit : are as follows :
La première ligne se dirige du That is to Say ;the first line
yoint A, à trois milles de Ia laisse runs from the point A, three
de basse mer (la pointe du miles from low water mark
ilfenga restant au Sud) jusqu'au (Point Meinga bearing South)
yoint B, dont les amers sont la to the point B of which the
Tour d'Agon par la touge d'ar- landmarks are Agon Tower, on
bres sur le mont Huckon, et Ie which the CLumpoj Trees 1 upon
sommet de Gros Mont en ligne Mont Huchon, arid thes.itmmit 01
avec le sig?znlsur Grand Ile. Gros Mont, in a iine with'the
signal post on Grand Isle.
La seconde ligne court du dit The second Iine runs from the
yoint 3 vers La Tour dJAgonet said point B towards AgolaTower
la Tou86 d'arbres sur le mont and the Clump of Trees upon
Huchon, dans la direction Nord Mont Huchopt in the direction
64 dégrésEst, jusqu'à relever au north 64 degrees East, until at
point C,le wtoulinde Lingreville, the yoint C it brings the wind-
à l'Est du monde. mzll of Linpeville to bear. dile
East.
l The landmarks in italics taken as points are underlined intextsof the
original document.It will bc observed that there are some slight discrepancies
between the French and English texts in this respect.
1 Partant du point C,la troisième Tlie third line runsfrom point
ligne court, Est du monde, vers C, due East, towards Lingrevill~
le moulin de Liqreville, j usqu'à roilzdmill,until the Grand Hu-
ramener au point D le rocher guenant is brought to bear on
1'Etnt par le Grand Huguenant. the Etat Rock at point D.
La quatriérne ligne se dirige The fourth line runs from
du point Ilvers le Nord, (relevant poiiit D, northward and keeping
toujours 1'Etat par le Grand the Grund Huguena?at in one
Hugue,zalzt) jusqu'à. la section with the Etat Rock, until it
en E d'une ligne ayant pour intersects, at E, a line whose
amers la Tour d'Agon par la landmarks are Agon Tower on
calhédralede Coutances. with Coutattces Cathedrnl.
La cinquième ligne court, dans The fifth liiie runsEastward.
la direction de l'Est, du point E frorn point E to point F, ivhere
au point F, où k clocher de Pi~ozd the Steeple of Pirotc is brought
se relève par le Rocherde Senne- to hear in a line with Senequet
quet. Rock.
La sixiéme ligne partant du The sixth line runs from point,
point F, sc dirige vers Nord di1 F due North, to point G, where
monde jusqu'au point G, dont thesteepleof BEainvilL es brought
les amers sont fe clocker de in ;iline with the Se?zeqae tock.
BlainviZlepar le Set~jzeqztet.
La septième ligne court du The sevetith line runs from
point G, vers le clocher dePirou, point G, (in the direction of
jusqu'au point H, où le Phare Pirou Steeple) to point II,where
d24 Cap Carteretreste au Nord 24 the light-house on Cape Carteret
dégrésOuest. bears north 24 degrees west.
La huitiéme ligne court du The eight[szc] lineruns from
point H au point I qui est, à point H to point 1, nearly
peu près par le travers de Port- alireast of Port Bail: point 1
Bail,et qui a pour amers le fort having for landmarks the fort of
de Port-Rail en ligne avec le Port Bail in a line with the
clocher de Port-Bail. Steefileof Port Bail.
La neuvième ligne enfin court And, finally, the ninth line
du Point I aux trois Grunes, ruiis from point 1 to the Three
point K, où le cap Cartercl reste Grttnes at point K, where Cape
A l'Est IO dégrésNord, par le Carteret bears East IO degrees
clochev de Barneville. north in a line with Barneville
Churcla.
JI est en outre convenu que Itis further agreed and under-
tous les relèvements désignésau stood that al1the bearings speci-
présent article sont corrigés de fied in the present article are
la variation du compas et non to be taken according to the tme
calculés d'aprés le méridien ma- meridian, and not according ta
gnétique. the magnetic meridian.
Art : 2. Art : 2.
La pêchedes huîtres en dedans Tlie oyster fishery withia three
de trois milles (calculés de la miles of the Island of Jersey,
laisse de basse mer) de l'lle de calculated from low water mark,
Jersey l,sera exclusivement ré- shall bc rcserved exclusively to I
servée aux sujets Britanniques. british[sic] subjects.
l de Jersey is undcrtineirthe Frtmclibut not in the Eiiglisversion.
1 ANNEXES TO U.K. MEMORIAL (NO. ~27) . 1.83
Art : 3. Art : 3.
Sera commune aux sujets des The oyster fishery outside of
deux pays, la pêche deshuîtres the limits within which that
entre les limites cidessus dési- fishery is exclusively reserved to
gnées, et en dedans desquelles french and british subjects re-
cette pêche est exclusivement spectively, as stipulated in the
réservée,soit aux pêcheursfran- preceding articles, shalI be com- .
çais, soit aux sujetsbritanniques. mon to the siibjects of both
countries.
Art : 4. Art. 4.
Depuis le coucher du soleil Between sunset and the en-
jusqu'au lever du soleil suivant, suing sunrise, the subjects of
il sera défendu aux sujets des both countries respectively shall
deux pays respectivement de be prohibited from dredging for
draguer des huîtres entre les oysters betweeri the coast of
côtes de France et les côtes de France and the coast of Jersey,. .
Jersey, du Cap Cavteret & la - from Cape Carteret to point
po~nte dzc Menga l. Meinga l.
Art :5. Art : 5.
Inasmuch as the law of Fraiice
Attendu que les lois de France
exigent que tous les bateaux de requires that al1 French fishing
pêche français soient marqués boats shqll be marked and num-
et numérotés,il est convenu par bered, it is hereby agreed, that
ces présentes que tous bateaux al1 british fishing boats dredging
pêcheurs britanniques draguant for oysters between Jersey and
des huîtres entre Jersey et les the coast of France shall also be
côtes de France seront aussi marked and nurnbered.
marqués et numérotés.
Art : 6. Art : 6.
Tous bateaux pêcheursbritan- All british boats employed in
niques engagés dans la dite the said oyster fishery shall be
pêche,seront inscrits au bureau registered at the Office of t:he
de l'Inspection des pêches dans Inspector of fisheries in the island
I'Ile de Jersey, et I'enregistre- of Jersey : and the entry of, ea.ch
ment de chaque bateau sur, la boat on the register shaI1 state
matricule constatera le numéro, the number, description and tpn-
la description et le tonnage du nage of such boat, and also the
dit bateau, ainsi que le nom du name of its owner. This entry
propriétaire. Cette inscription de- must be repeated every year on
vra êtrerenouvelée annuellement or before the commencement of
avant l'ouverture de la pêche. the fishing season,
Art : 7, Art : 7. i
Le droit d'abri, dans Ies îles ' The right of shelter in the,
Chausey sera accordé aux pê- islands of Chaussey shall be.
cheurs anglais pour cause d'ava- granted to English fishermen on
Cap Carteret and du Mengs. are underlined in the French version; Cape
Carteret and point Meinga 'inthe English. . . .
'.' Chatisey isunderlincdin thcFrench version but not iii the Englisli. II84 ANNEXES TO U.K. 3ïEMORl:\L (XO. AS^)
ries011demauvais temps évident. account of damage or of evident
bad weather.
Art : 8. Art :8.
Lorsque les bateaus pêcheurs Whenever the fisliing boats of
d'uiie des deux natioiis seront either of the two nations shallbe
portés en dedans des limites de
carricd witliiii the limits estab-
pêcheétablies pour l'autre pays, lishcd for thc fishery of the other
par des vents contraires, des country, by contrary winds, by
courants violents ou par toute stro~ig tides or by any other
autrc cause indépendante de la cause iiidependeiit of the will of
volonté du patron et de I'équi- the master and crew ; or when-
page, oii qu'ils auront enfreint les ever they shall have passed with-
limites en louvoyant pour rcga- inthosc limitsin working back to
gner Ieur terrain de pêche,les regain their fishing-ground ; the
patrons seront tenus d'arborer masters shall be bound i~nme-
aiissitat un pavillon Bleu de deux . diatelp to hoist a bliie flag of two
pieds de Guindant sur trois pieds feet long and threc fcet broad,
de largeur, et de conserver ce and to keep that Aagat the mast
pavillon en tête du mât aussi head so long as they shall remain
longtemps qu'ils resteront en de- withiii the said limits.
dans des dites limites.
Les croiseurs de chaque nation Thc cruizcrs of eacli nation
apprécieront les causes de ces shail cxercise thcir judgment as to
infractions, et Lorsqu'ils auront the causes of such trespassings;
reconnu que les dits bateaux de and whcn they shall bc satisfied
pêche n'auront ni dragué ni tliat the said fishing boats have
pêcheen dedansdes limites cides- neither dredged nor fished within
sus mentionnees, les croiseurs the lirnits above-mentioned the
susdits ne devront détenir ni les aforesaid cruizers shall not detain
bateaux ni les équipages, ni either the boats or tlie creuTs,nor
exercer,A l'égardde ces derniers, use any mensures of scverity to-
aucune répression. wards the latter.
Art :g. Art : 9.
Les sujets de Sa Majesté LeRoi 'Thc siibjccts of His Majesty
des Français jouiront du droit the King. of tlie French shall
exclusif de pèche dans le rayon enjoy the exclusive right of
dc trois milleshpartir de la laisse fishery within the distance of
de basse mer, le long de toute three nil lfroin low water mark,
l'étendue des côtes de France, et dong the whole extent of the
les sujetsde Sa MajestéBritanni- coasts of France, and the subjects
que jouiront du droit exclusif de of Her Britannick Majesty shall
pêche dans un rayon de trois enjoy theexclusive right of fishery
milles dela laissede basse mer, le within the distance of three miles
long de toute l'étendue des cdtes from low water mark, along the
des îles 13ritanniques. wholc extent of the coasts of the
13ritish Islands.
Bien entendu que sur cette It being undcrstood that upon
partie des cdtes de France qui se that part of the coaçt of France
trouve entre le cap Carteretet Ia which lies betwcen Cape Cnrleret ANNEXES TO U.K.
pointe du Menga l,le droit exclu- and Point Meittgcil,French sub-
sif de toute espècede pèche n'ap- jects shall enjoy the exclusive
partiendra qu'aux sujets français right of a11kinds of fishery within
.endedans des limites mentionnées the limits assigned in first article
en l'article ~er de 1:i présente of this Convention for the french
Convention. oyster fishery.
Il est égalemeni entendu que le It is equally agrced that: the
' rayon de trois milles, fixant la distance of three miles fixed as
the general limit for the exclusive
limite générale du droit exclusif
de pêchesur les cates des deux right of fisheryupoii the coasts of
pays, sera mesuré pour les baies the two countries, çhall, with
dont l'ouverture n'excédera pas respect to bays, the moutlis of
.dix milles, à partir d'une ligne which do not esceed ten miles in
droite alIant d'un cap à l'autre. width, be measured fro~n a
straight line drawn from head-
land to headland.
Art :IO. Art : IO.
11 est convenu que les milles It is agreed and iinderstond
mentionnés en la présente Con- that tlie miles inentioned in the
vention sont des milles géogrn- present Coiivention are gcograph-
phiqiles de 60 au dégréde lati- ical miles, whereof sixty make a
degree of latitude.
tride.
Art: 11. Art : II.
Dans le but de prévenir les With a view to lirevent the
collisions qui, de temps i autre, collisions which now, from time
ont lieu sur les mers entre les to time, take place on the seas
côtes de France et de la Grande lying between the coasts of
Bretagne parmi les dragueurs, les France and of Great Rritain
pèchetirs à la ligne et au filet des between the trawlers and thé
deux pays, les Wautcs Parties line and long net fishers of the
Contractantes consentent à nom- two countries, the High Contract-
mer, dans le délai de deux mois ing Parties agree to appoint,
qui suivront l'échange des Rati- within two nionths after the
fications de la présente Conven- exchange of the Ratification of
the present Convention, ;i Com-
tion, une Commission qui sera
composée d'un nombre 6gal d'in- mission consisting of an equal
dividus de chaque nation, qui number of individuals of i:ach
prépareront une série de rCgle- nation, who shall prcpare nsct of
ments sur Ies devoirs et ohliga- regulations for theguidcinceof the
tions des pêcheurs desdetis pays fishermen of the two couritries,
dans les susdites mers. in the seas above-mentioned.
Ces réglements seront soumis The regulations so drawn up,
par Ies dits Commissaires à.leurs shall be subrnitted by the said
Gouvernements respectifs pour Commissioners tothe two Govern-
être.approuvés et confirmés, et ments respectively for approval
les Hautes Parties Contractantes and confirmation ; and the High
s'engagent à proposer ?ila Iégis- Contracting Parties engage to
lature de leurs nations les mesu- propose to the Legislatures of
lCap Carteret and Mcnga are underlincd in the Frenchversion:Cape Carteret
aiidPoint Meinga are underlincd in the English.186 ANNEXES TO U.K. MEMORIAL (NU. A 27)
res nécessairespour assurer l'exé- their respective countries such
cution des réglementsqui seront measures, as rnay be necessary
ainsi approuvés et confirmés. for the purpose of carrying into
effect the regulations which may
be thus approved and confirmed.
Art : 12. Art :12.
La préseiite Convention sera The present Convention shall
ratifiée, et la Ratification sera be ratified, and the Ratifications
échangée dans l'espace de six shall be exchanged within six
semaines. weeks from the date thereof.
En foi de quoi, les Plénipoten- In witness whereof, the respec-
tiaires respectifs l'ont signéeet y tive Plenipotentiaries have signed
ont apposé le cachet de leurs the same and have affixed thereto
armes. the seals of theirrms.
Fait à Paris, le deuxième jour Done at Paris, the second day
du mois d'Août, de l'ande grâce of August, in the year of Our
mil huit cent trente neuf. Lord one thousand eighl hundred
and thirty nine.
(L.S.)signé-hl- DUC DE DAIXATIE.
(L.S.)-GRANVILLE.
Nous, ayant agréablela susdite Convention, en toutes et cliacune des
dispositions qui y sont contenues, Déclarons,tant pour Nous, que pour
Nos Héritiers et successeurs, qu'elle est approrivée, acceptée, ratifiée
et confirmée,et, par ces présentessignéesde Notre Main, Nous l'approu-
vons, acceptons, ratifions et confirmons : Promettant, en foi et parole
de Roi, de l'observer et dela faire observer inviolablement sans jamais
y contrevenir ni permettre qu'il y soit contrevenu directement ni indi-
rectement pour qilelque c.aiise et sousquclque prétexte que ce soit.
En foi de quoi, Nous avons fait mettre Notre Sceau à ces présentes-
Donné en notre Palais de StCloud, le 16eme jour du mois d'aoùt, l'an
de grâce mil huit cent trente neuf.
LOUIS PHILIPPE
N:l-Duc DE DALMATIE. ANNEX A zS
Conventionof the 11th November, 1867 ',between the UnitedKingdom
of GreatBritainandIrelandand His Majesty The Emperorof The French,
revisingthe Conventionof the and August, 1839,definingFishery Limits
on the Coasts of Great Britain and France, and Ratification by
Napoleon III, 18th December, 1867
[ForeigirO$ce Katifzcatio?~of Treafies (France), No. 6071
Ratificationsde Sa Majestél'Empereur des Français sur la Convention
relativeaux Pêcheries conclue, le II Novembre 1867, entre la France
et la Grande-Bretagne.
NAPOLEON, Par la grâce de Dieu et la Volonté Nationale, Empereur
des Français, A tous ceux qui ces présentes Lettres verront, Salut.
Une Convention sur les Pêcheriesayant étéconclue, le II Novembre
1867, cntre la France et le Royaume-Uni de la Grande-Bretagne et
d'Irlande ;
Convention dont la teneur suit:
Sa Majesté l'Empereur des His Majestythe Emperor of the
Français et Sa Majestéla Reine French and Her Majesty the
du Royaume-Uni de la Grande Queen of the United Kingdom of
Bretagne et d'Irlande, ayant Great.Britainand Ireland, having
char{$ une Commission mixte de charged a Mixted Commission
préparer la révisionde la Conven- with preparing a revision of the
tion du 2Août 1839 et du régle- Convention of the and of August,
ment du 23 Juin 1843, sur les 1839, and of the Regulation of
pêcheries dans les mers situées .June 23, r843, relative to the
enti-e la France et la Grande Bre- fisheries in the seas situaf.ed
tagrie, et les membres de cette between Great Britain and
Commission étant tombés d'ac- France; and the Members of
cord sur certains arrangements that Commission having agreed
dont l'expérience a démontré upon certain arrangements which
l'utilité, et qui Leur ont paru experience has shown would be
pouvoir modifier et compléter useful, and u~hichappear to them
avantageusement les dispositions such as will advantageously
antérieures dans l'intérêt corn- modify andcornplete the former
mun des pécheurs des deux Pays ; arrangements iri the common
Leurs dites Majestés ont jugé interest of the fishermen of the
opportun que les arrangements two countries; Their said Majes-
proposés par la dite Commission ties have judged it espedient
mixte fussent sanctionnés parune that the arrangements proposed
nouvelle Convention, et ont, à by the said Commission should
The above textistaken from the Frencversion of the Convention, deposited
with Her Britannic Illajesty's Governmeand now inthe Public Record Office,
London. The Convention was also ratified by the United Kingdomand carried
into cffect by the Sea Fisheries Act of 1868. France, however. never put the
Convention into effect. The chart accompanying the Conventiowill be found
at Annexe B 8.1S8 AXXEXES TO U.K.
cet effet, nommé pour Leurs be sanctioned by a new Conven-
Plénipotentiaires, savoir : tion, and have for that purpose
nanied as their.Plenipotentiaries,
that is to Say :
Sa Majesté l'Empereur des His Majesty the Emperor of the
Français, Ai. Léonel Marquis de French, Leonel, Marquis de Mous-
Moustier, Grand' Crois de Son tier, Grand Cross of the Imperia1
Ordre Impérial de la Légion Oder of the Legion of Honour,
d'Honneur, etc. etc. etc., Son etc., etc., etc., His Minister and
Ministre et Secrétaire d'Etst au Secretary of State for Foreign
Département des Affaires Etran- Affairs ;
gères ;
et Sa Majesté la Reine du and Her Majesty the Queen of
Royaume-Uni de la Grande Bre- the United Kingdom of Great
tagne et d'Irlande, le trhhono- Britain and Ireland, the right
rable Richard Bickerton Pemell honoiirable Richard Rickerton
Lord Lyons, Pair du Royatime- Pemell Lord Lyons, a Peer of the
Uni, Membre du très-honorable United Kingdom, a AIember of
ConseiI privé de Sa hfajesté Uri- Her Britannic hlajesty's most
tannique, Chevalier Grand'Croix honourable Privy Council, Knight
du tr&s-honorable Ordre du Bain, Grand Cross of the most honour-
Ambassadeur extraordinaire et abh Order of the Bath, Hcr
Plénipotentiaire de Sa Majesté Britannic Majesty's Ambassador
Britannique près Sa hlajesté extraordinary and Plenipoten-
I'Empereiir des Français. . tiary to his Majesty the E~nperor
of the French.
Lesquels, après s'êtrecotnrnii- Who, after having comniuni-
catcd to each other their Full
niquéréciproquement leiirs pleins
pouvoirs, trouvés en bonne etdue Powers, found in good and .due
forme, ont arrêté et conclii Ics fonri, have agreed upon and con-
articles suivants : cluded the following Articles :
Art : IF^. Art : rer:
Les pêcheurs français jouiront ~ritiih fishermen shall enjoy
du droit exclusifde pêchedans le the exclusive right of fishery
rayon de trois milles,à partir de within the distance of three miles
la laisse de basse-mer, le longde of low-water mark, along the
toute l'étendue des côtes de whole extent of the coasts of the
France ;et les pêcheurs bntan- British Islands; and French I
niques jouiront du droit excliisif fishermen shall enjoy the exclu-
de pêchedans un rayon de trois sive right of fishery within the
milles de la laisse de basse-mer, distance of three miIes from low-
le long de toute l'étendue des water mark along the whole
côtes des Iles Britanniques. Il ne extent of the coast of France, the
sera dérogé àcette réglcque pour only exception to this rule being
lapartie des côtes de France com- that part of tlie coast of France
prise entrela pointe de Meings et which lies between Cap Carteret
le Cap Carteret. aiid Point Meinga.
Le rayon de trois milles fixant The distance of tliree miles
la limite généraledu droit exclu- fixed as the general limit for the
sif de pêchesur les côtes des deux exclusive right of fishery upon
Pays sera rnesurée[sic] pour les the coastç of tlie two countries :INNESES TO U.K.
baies dont l'ouverture n'ex[c]é- shall, with respect to bays, the
dera pas dix milles, h partir d'une mouths of which do not exceed
ligne droite allant d'un cap h ten miles in width, be measured
l'autre. from a straight line draum froni
headland to headland.
Les milles mentionnés en la pré- The miles mentioned in tlie
sente Convention sont des milles present Convention are geograph-
géographiques de soixante ari . ical miles whereof sisty mnke
degré de latitude. a degree of latitude.
Art : 2. Art :2.
11 est convenii que les ligties It is agreed that tlic lines
tracées entre les points indiqu6s drawn betwecin the points design-
par les lettresA, B, C, Il,E,F, ntcd by the letters A, 3, (:,D,
G, H, 1, K, sur la Ch-te annexée E, F; G, H, 1, K, on the cliart
à la présente Convention, et annexed to the: present Conven-
signCe par Ies Plénipotentiaires tion, and signed by the respective
respectifs, seront reconnues par Plenipotcntiaries shall be ac-
les Hautes Parties Contractantes linowledgcd 't~ythe High Con-
comme déterminant, A partir de tracting Parties, as defining from
la pointe de Rleinga jusqu'au Point Meinga to Cape Carteret,
.
Capcarteret, les limitesendcdans theli~nits betwee~iwliich and the
desquelles le droit de pêchcsera french shore the right of fishery
exclusivement réservé aux pê- shall be reserved exclusively to
cheurs français ;ces lignes sont french fishermen, and these lincs
comme suit : areas folIows, +at is to say :
La première ligne SC dirige du Thc first line runs from the
point A à trois milles delalaisse point A, three miles froin low-
de basse-mer (la.pointe de AIeinga water mark (Point Rfeinga bear-
restant au Sud), jusqu'au point ing south) to the point B, of
B dont les amers sont la Tour which the landmarks are Agon
d'Agon par la toiiffe d'arbres sur Tower, on with the Cluml) of
le mont Huchon, et le sommet de trees upon hiount Huchon, and
Gros-Mont en ligne avec le sOina- the summit of Gros hlont in a
phore de Grande Ile. line with the semaphore on
Grand Isle.
La seconde ligne court du dit The second line runs froin tlie
point B vers la Tour d'Agon ct , said point B towards Agon Tower
la touffe d'arbres sur lc Mont and the cluinli of trees upon
Huchon dans ln direction Nord, Mount Huchon, in the direction
soixante-quatre degrks' Est, jus- North sixty-four degrees east,
qu'à relever,au point C le Moulin until, at the pointC, it brings the
de Lingreville, h l'Estdu Monde. windmill of .Lingreville lo bear
due east.
Partant du point C, la troi- The third line runs from point
sième ligne court Est du Monde, C due east towards Lingreville
vers Ie Moulin de Lingreville,
windmill, until the Grand-
jusqu'à ramener au point D, le Huguenant ii; brought to bear
Rocher 1'Etat par le Grand on the Etat Rock at point D.
Huguenant.
La quatriéme ligne se dirige du The fourth lineruns from poiiit
point D, vers le Nord (relevant D northward (keeping the Grand
toiijoiirs1'Etnt par le Grand Huguenant in one with the Etat I9* assexes TO U.K. JIEAIORIAI. (SO. A28)
Huguenant) jusqii'h la section en Rock) until it intersects at E a
E d'une ligne ayant pour ainers line whose landmarks are Agon
la Tour d'Agon par la Cathédrale Tower on.with Coutances Cathe-
de Coutances. dral.
1-a cinquihme ligne court dans The fifth line runs eastward
la direction de l'Est, du point E frorn point E to point F, where
au point F, oii le clocfier de Pirou the steeple of Pirou is broughtto
se relève par lc phare de Senne- hear in a line with the Sennequet
quet. Lighthouse.
The sixth line runs from point
La sixième ligne partant du
point F se dirige vers le Nord du F due north to point G, where the
Monde jusqu'au point G, dont les steeple of Blainville is broughtin
amers sont le clocher de Rlain- a line with the Sennequet Light-
villepar le pliare de Sennetpet. house.
La septiEme ligne court du The seventh line runs from
point G vers le clocher de Pirou point G in the direction of Pirou
jusqu'au point H, où le phare du stecple to point H, where the
Cap Carteret reste au Nord, vingt- Lighthouse on Cape Carteret
quatre degrés Ouest. bears norttt twenty four degreea
west.
La huitième ligne court du The cighth line runs frompoint
point H au point 1, qui esa-peu- H to point 1 nearly abreast of
près par le travers de Port Bail, Port Bail ; point 1 having for
et qui a pour amers le fort de landmarks tlic fort of Port Bail,
Port Bail, en ligne avec lc clocher in a line witli the steeple of Port
de Port Bail. Bail.
La neuviémcligne, enfin, court And fiiially, the nintli line ruiis
du point 1, aus Trois Grimes, from point 1 to the Three Grunes
point K, où le Cap Carteret reste at point K, where Cape Carteret
à l'Est, dix degrés Nord, par le bears east ten degrecs north, in a
clocher dc Barneville. linc with Barneville steeple.
Tl est, en outre, convenu que It is further agreed that al1the
tous les relévements désignésau bearings spccifred in the present
présent Article sont corrigés de Article are to trietaken according
.la variation du compas, et non to the true meridian and not
calculés d'après le mSridien ma- according to the magiietic merid-
gnétique. ian.
Art : 3. Art : 3.
Les dispositions de la présente Tlte arrangements of the pre-
sent Convention shall apply
Convention seront applicables
au-delà des limites de pêchedes beyond the fishery limits of both
deux Pays, telles qu'elles sont countries, as defined by the pre-
définies par- les Articles précC- ceding Articles, to tlie seas sur-
dents, dans les mers qui baignent rounding and adjoining Great
les côtes de France depuis la Britnin and Ireland, and adjoin-
frontiere belge, jusqu'à la fron- ing the coasts of France betweeii
tière d'Espagne, et dans celles the frontiers of Belgium and
qui entourent la Grande Bretagne Spain.The rules respectiiig oyster-
et l'Irlande. 'Toutefois, lmesu- fishery shall, however, be ob-
res concernant la pêche des hui- servcd, only in the çeas com- AKKEXES TO U.K.
rres ne devront êtreobservéesque prised within the Iimits herein-
dans les mers comprises entre les after descril~ed :
limites indiquées ci-après..
Art : 4. Art : 4.
Tous les bateaux de pêche Al1 British and Frencli fishing
français et britanniques seront boats shall be lettered and num-
numérotéset marqués. bered.
En France, les bateaux de In the United Kingdom, there
pêche appartenant à un même shall be a series of numbers for
quartier d'inscription maritime, the fishing-boats belongingtocach
et dans le Royaume-Uni, ceux collectorship of Cristoms, and in
appartenant à une mêmedirec- France a series of numbers for
tion des douanes, devront avoir the fishing-boats belonging to
une mêmesériede numéros, pré- each district of 1,Iaritime Regis-
cédés de lettres initiales qui try ; and to these numbers shall
seront indiquées par le Ministre be prefixed a letter (or letters) to
de la Marine en Erancc et par la be designated by the board of
Direction Générale des Douanes Customs in the United Kingdom,
dans le Royaume-Uni. and by the Ministry of Marine in
France.
Art : 5. Art :5.
Les lettres et les numéros The letter (or letters) and
seront placés sur chaque côtéde number shall be placed on t:ach
l'avant du bateau, à huit ou dix bow of the boat, three or four
centimètres (troisou quatre pou- inches (eight or ten centimetres
ces anglais) au-dessous du plat french) below the gunwale, and
bord, et devront être peints en they shall be painted in white
blanc, à l'huile, sur un fond noir. oil colour on a black ground.
Les dimensions de ces lettres For boats of fifteen tons
et de ces numéros seront, pour les burthen and upwards the dinien-
bateaux de quinze tonneaux et sions of the letters and nuinbers
au-dessus, de quarante-cinq cen- shall be eighteen inches (forty-
timètres, (dix-huit pouces an- five centimetres french) in height,
glais) de hauteur, sur six centi- and two and a half inches (six
mètres (deux pouces et demi centirnetres french), in breadth.
anglais) de trait.
Pour les bateaux au dessous de For boats of less than fifteen
quinze tonneaux, ces dimensions tons burthen, the dimensions
seront de vingt-cinq centirnétres shall be ten inches (twenty-five
(dix pouces anglais) de hauteur, centimetres french) in height,
sur quatre centimètres (un pouce and one and three quarter inches
trois quarts' anglais)de trait. (four centimetres frcnch) in
breadth.
Les rnérnes lettres et numéros The same ictter (or letters)
seront également placés sur cha- and number shall also be painted
que côté de la grande voile du on each side of the mainsail of
the boat, in black oil coloui on
bateau, et peints à l'huile, en
noir sur les voiles blanches, et en white saiIs, and in white oil
blanc, aussi à l'huile, sur les colour on tanned or black siiils.
voiles tannées ou noires. Ces Such Ietter(or Ietters) and num-
lettres et numéros ainsi portés bcr an the sails shall be one thirdI92 ASNEXES TO U.K. IIEJIORIAL (30. A 28)
sur les voiles auront un tiers de larger in every- way than those
plilsde dimension en tous sens placed on the bows of the boat.
que ceux placés l'avant du
bateau.
Le nom de chaque bateau de The name of each fishing boat,
pêche, ainsi que celui du port and that of the port to which she
auque1il appartient, seront peints belongs, shaii bepainted inwhite
5 l'huile en blanc sur un fond noir, ail colour, on a black ground on
sur l'arrière de ce bateau, en the stem of the boat, in letters
caractères qui devront avoir au which shall be at least three
rnoins huit centimètres (trois inches (eight centimetres french)
pouces anglais) de hauteur et in height and half an inch
douze millimètres (lindemi-pouce (twrelve miliimetres french) in
anglais) de trait. breadth.
Il est défendu d'effacer, de The letters, numbers, and
couvrir ou de cacher p~v aucun names placed on the boats and
moyen quelconque, les lettres, on their sails shall not be effaced,
lesnuméros et Ies noms placéssur covered, or concealed in any
les bâteaux et sur les voiles. manner whatsoever.
Art : 6. Art : 6.
Les lettres et les numéros Al1 the buoys, barrels, and
affectés à chaque bateau seront principal floats of each net, and
portés sur les bouées, barils et all other implements of fishery,
flottes principales de chaque filet, shall be marked with the same
et sur tous autres in[s]truments letter (or letters) and nurnber as
de pêcheappartenant àce bâteau. t.hse of the boats to which they
belong.
Ces lettres et ces niirnéros These letters and numbers shall
seront de dimension suffisante be large enough to be easily
pour être facilement reconnus. distinguished. The owners of the
Les propriétairde es filets ou nets or other fishing implements
autres instruments de pêche, may furthcr distinguish them
pourront, en outre, les marquer by any private mark they judge
de tels signes particuliers qu'iIs proyer.
jugeront convenable.
Art : 7. Art : 7.
Les lettres et les numéros des Tlie letters and numbers of
bateaux de pêchefrançais seront British fishing boats shall, after
consignéssur les rôles d'équipage having been entered in the
de ces bateaux, après avoir été registry book kept at the col-
annotés sur la matricule des lectorship of Custom, be inserted
bâteaux, tenue au bureau de on the licences or other official .
I'inscription maritime. papers ,of those boats.
Les lettres et les numéros des The letters and numbers of
bateaux de pêche britanniques french fishing boats shdl, after
seront consignés sur les congés having been entcred in the
de ces bateaux ou autres papiers Registry book kept at the mari-
de bord, après avoir été annotés time Registry Office, be inserted
sur la matricuIe des bateaux on the muster rolls of those
tenue au bureau de la direction boats.
des douanes. Art :8. Art : 8.
Les rôles d'équipage des ba- The licences or other officia1
teaux de pêchefrançais, comme papers of British fishiiig boats,
les congés ou autres papiers de and the muster rolls of french
bord des (bateaux de pêche bri- fishing boats, shall contain the
tanniques, contiendront la des- description and tonnage of each
cription et le tonnage de chaque boat, as well asthe names of its
bateau, ainsi que les noms du owner and, of its mater.
propriétaire et dii patron.
Art : g. Art :g.
Les pécheurs de l'un ct de ï'lie fishermen of both coun-
l'autre Pays seront tenus, toutes tries, shall, whenever required,
les fois qu'ils en seront requis, exhibit their licences or otlicr
d'exhiber leurs rbles d'Gquipage, officia1 Papen, or their muster
Icurç congés ou autres papiers rolls, to the commanders of
de bord aux commandants des the fishery cruizers, and to al1
bâtiments gardes-pêches ainsi other perçons of either country
qu'Atous autres agents préposés, appointed to superintend the
dans les deux Pays à la police fisheries.
des pêches.
Art : IO. Art : IO.
Toute espèce de pêche, par Fishing of al1 kinds, by what-
quelque procédé que ce soit, ever means and at al1 seasons,
jiourra être pratiquée en toute may be carried on in the seaç
sa son, dans les mers situées en lying beyond the fishery limits
dehors des limites de pêchequi which have been fised for the
ont étéfixéespour les deux Pays. two countries, with the exception
Il n'est fait d'cxception à cette of that for oysters, as hereinafter
règle que pour la pêche des expressed.
huîtres, ainsi qu'il estdit ci-aprks.
Art : II. Art : Ir.
11 est défendu de pecIier des From the 16th of June to the
huîtres, du 16 juin au 31 août 31st of August inclusive, fishing
inclusivement, en dehors des for oystersis prohibited, outside
limites de pêche qui ont été the fishery limits which have
fixées pour les deux Pays, entre been fixed for the two countries,
les lignes joignant, d'une part, between a line drawn from the
Dunkerque au phare de North North Foreland Light to Dun-
Foreland, et, de l'autre, Ouessant kirk, and a lin'edrawn from the
au Cap Land's-End. Land's End to Ushant.
Pendant la même période et During the same period and
dans la même partie de la in the same part of the Channel,
Manche, les bateaux ne devront oyster dredge, iinless the same
avoir à bord aucune drague A be tied up and seaIed by the
huitres, a moins que cette drague Customs Authorities of one of
ne soit plombée par la douane the two countries in such a
Pays, de telle sortc qu'on nex manner as to prevent its being
~iuisse pas en faire usage. made use of.'94 AKNEXES TO U.K.
Art : 12. Art : 12.
Il cst dkfendu à tout bâtiment No boat shall anchor between
ou embarcation de mouiller entre sunset and sunrise on grounds
le coucher et le lever du soleil, where drift net fishingisactually
dans les parages où se trouvent going on.
établis des pêcheurs aux filets
dérivants.
Cette défensene s'applique pas This prohibition shallnot apply
i des mouillages qui auraient to anchorings which may take
lieu par suite d'accidents ou par place in consequence of accidents
toute autre circonstance de force or any other compulsory cir-
majeure ; mais; dans ce cas, le cumstances ; but in such case
patron du bateau qui aura été the rnaster of the boat thus
dans la nécessité de mouiller, obliged to anchor shall hoist, so
sera tenu d'arborer, pour être that they shall be seen from a
vus de loin, deux feux, placés distance, two Iights, placed liori-
horizontalement, à un mètre zontally about three feet (one
(trois pieds anglais) eriviron de metre french) apart, and sl~all
distance l'un de l'autre, et de keep those lights up al1 the time
les tenir arborés pendant tout the boat shall rernain :~tanchor.
le temps que le bateau restera
à l'ancre.
Art : 13. Art : 13.
Les bateaux qui font la pêche Boats fishing with drift nets
avec des filets dérivants seront shall carry on one of their masts
tenus d'arborer deux feux sur un two lights, one over the other
de leurs mâts, à un mètre (trois three feet (one metre french)
pieds anglais) l'un au-dessi~s de apart.
l'autre.
Ces feux resteront arborés pen- These lights shall be kept up
dant tout le temps que leurs during al1 the time their nets
filets seront A la mer, entre le shaIl be in the sea between sunset
coucher et le lever du soleil. and sunrise.
Art : 14. Art : 14.
Indépendamment des dispo- Subject to the exceptions or
sitions spéciales indiquées dans additions mentioned in the two
les deux articles précédents, les preceding Articles, the fishing
bateaux pêcheursdes deux Pays boats of the two countries shall
se conformeront aux règles géné- conform to the general rules
rales relatives ails feuxadoptées respecting lights which have been
pour les deux Pays. adopted by the two countries.
Art : 15. Art :15.
Il est défendu aux bateaux Trawl boats shall not com-
chalutiers de mettre en pêche à mence fishing at a less distance
une distance moindre que trois than three miles frorn any boat
milles de tout bateau faisant la fishing with drift nets.
pêche avec des filets dérivants.
Si les bateaux chalutiers ont If trawl boats have already
déjà leurs filets à la mer, ilne shot their nets, they must not
pourront s'approcher des bateaux corne nearer to boats fishingwith :INSEXES TO U.K.
pêchant avec des filets dénvants drift nets than the distniice
.i.une distance moindre que celle ahovementioned.
(lui vient d'êtreindiqiiée.
Art : 16. Art : 16.
II est défendu a tout bateau No boat fishing with clrift nets
faisant la pêche avec des filets shall shoot its nets so near to
any other boat which has already
dérivants de jeter ses filets assez
près d'un bateau d&jàoccupé à shot its nets in the fishing
la inêrnc pèche, pour que les ground, as to iiiterfere witli its
mouve~nents de celui-ci en soient operations.
gênés.
Art : 17. Art : 17.
-4uciin bateau ponté faisant la Xo decked boat fishing witli
pêche avec des flets dérivants drift nets shall shoot its nets at
ne dema jeter ses filets à une a less distance than a cjuarter of
distance moindre qu'un quart a mile from any undecked boat
de mille des bateaux non pontés which is alrcady ciigaged in
déjh occupés à la pêche. fishing.
Art : x8. Art : 18.
Si le point où sont établis les If the spot where fishing is
hateaux est telle~neiit rapproché going on shorild be so ncar to
the fishery limits of one of tlic
des limites de pêchede l'un des
deux Pays, que les bateaux de two coiintries tliat the boat of
l'autre Z'ays, en observant les the other coiintrp woiild, by
règles inentioniiécs ci-dessus anx obscrving the regulations lire-
Articles 15, 16 et 17; n~uissent scribed by Articles 15, 16and 17
prendre part à la pêche, ces preceding, bc preventt:d froni
derniers auront la faculté de takiiig part in the fishery, sucl~
jeter leurs filets à iine distance hoats shall be ;it liberty to slioot
moindre quc celle qui leur est tlieir nets at a lcss distance tlian
prescrite ; mais, dans ce cas, les tliatso prescrihcd : but in siich
pêcheiirsseront responsables des case the fishermeri shall be
dommages qui seraient occasion- resporisibte for ;iny damage or
nés par la dérive de leurs ha- losses which Inay bc caiised I,y
teaux. the drifting of their hoiits.
Art : 19. Art : 19.
Il est défendu de placer des Xets shall not he set or
anchored iri any place wlierc
filets fixes sur les fonds oii la
pêche aus filets dérivants est drift net fishing is actually
pratiquée. going on.
Art : 20. Art : 20
Xul ne pourra amarrer ni 90 one shall make fast or
tenir son bateau sur les filets' hold on his boat to the .nets,
bouées,flottes ou aucune partie buoys, fioats, or any part of the
dc l'attirail de pêcheappartenant fiçhing tacklc helonging to an-
h un autre bateau. other boat.
11est défendu a toute personne Ko persori shall hook or lift
de crocher ou de soillever les up the nets, 'lines, or other
'5filets, lignes, ou autres instru- fishing irnplernentç, hclonging to
ments de pêche appartenant à .anuther person.
d'autres.
Art : 21. Art : 21.
Dans le cas où des filets de When nets of different boats
différents bateaux viendraient A get fou1 of each other, the
se méler,aucun patron ne pourra master of one boat shall not
couper les filets d'un autre bateau cut. the nets of another boat,
que d'un commun accord, et except by mutual coiisent and
qu'àprès[sic] qu'il aura étérecon- unless it be found impossible
nu impossible de les séparer par to clcar theni by otlier means.
d'autres moyens.
Art : 22. Art : 22.
Tout bateau de pêche, tout Xtl fishing boats, all rigging
objet d'armement ou de gréement gear, or other appurtenances of
de bateau de pêchc, tout filet, fishing boats, all nets, buoys,
bouée, flotte ou instrument quel- floats, or other fishing irnple-
conque de pêche trouvé ou ments whatsoever found or
recueilli cn mer, devra, aussitôt picked up at sea, shall, as soon as
que possible, êtreremis au Com- possible, be delivered to the
missaire de I'inscription maritirne, Receit-er of Wreck if the article
si l'objet sauvé est amené en saved be taken into United .
France, et au Receveur des Kingdom, and to the Comrnissary
droits de bris et naufrages, si of Marine, if the article saved ,
l'objet sauvé est amené en he taken into France.
Angleterre.
Le Commissaire de l'Inscription The Keceiver of bVreçkor the
maritime ou le Receveur des Cornrnissarj~ of Marine, as the
Droits de bris-et naufrages, sui- case may be, shali' restore the
vant le cas, rendra les objets articles saved to the owners
sauvés aux propriétaires ou à thereof, or to their representa-
leurs représentants. tives.
Ces administrateurs fixeront These functionaries sliall fix
I'indemnite que les propriétaires thts amount which the owners
devront payer aux sauveteurs. shall pay to the salvors.
Art : 23. Art : 23.
T,'exéciitiondes règles concer- The esecution of the Regula-
nant les feux et signaux, le rôle tions concerninglights a~idsignals, .
d'équipage, le congé ou autres licences, muster rolls, and officia1
papiers de bord, la marque et le papers, the lettering and num- .
numérotage des bateaux et ins- bering of boats and implements
truments de pêche,est placée, 2 of fishing, is placed, with respect
l'égard dcs pêcheursde chacune to the fishermen of each of the
des deux nations, sous la sur- two nations under the exclusive
veillance excliisive des batiments superintendence of the cruizers
[sic] croiseurs et des agents de and Agents of their own nation,
leur propre nation.
Toutefois, le Commandants des Nevertheless, the cornmanclers
bâtiments croiseurs de chacune of the cruizers of one of the two '
des deux Nations se signaleront Nations shall acquaint the corn-mutuellement les infractions aux manders of the cruizers of the
dites règles commises par les other nation with any infractions
pêcheurs de l'autre Nation et of the abovenlentioned regula-
dont ils aiiront eu connaissance. tions committcd hy the fisherrnen
of such other nation which may
corne to their knowledge.
Art : 24. Art : 24.
Toutcs infractions aux règles AI1infractions of the Kegulations
prescrites pour le placement des concerning the placing of boats
bateaux sur le lieu de la pêche, on the fishirip ground, the dis-
pour les distances à observer tances to be observed between
entre eux, pour l'inierdiction them, the prohibition of oyster
(le Ia pêched'es huîtres pendant fisliing during a portion of the
iine période de l'année, enfin, year, and concerning every other
pour tout ce qui concerne, en operation conriected with the
général, les opérations de pêche, act of fishing, and more partic-
et plus particulièrement lesfaits ularly concerning circumstalices
qui seraient de naturc à occa- likely to cause damage, shall be
sionner des dommages, sont de taken cogiiizance of by the
la compétence des croiseurs des cruizers of either nation, which-
deux Nations, quelle que soit, cver may be the nation to which
d'ailleurs, la nation à laquelle the fisherrnen guilty of suc11
appartiendront les pêcheurs qui infractions rnay belong.
commettraient ces infractions.
Art : 25. Art : 25.
Les commandants des bhti- The commanders of cruizers
ments croiseurs des deux Pays of either country shall cxercise
appr+eront les .causes de toute their judgrnent as to the caiises
contravention parvenue à leur of any infractions brought to
connaissance, ou de tout dom- thcir knowledge, or as to damage
mage, quelle qu'en soit Ia cause, zirising from anÿ cause whatever,
commis par les bateaux de committcd by British or French
pêche français et britanniques fishing boats in the seas beyond .
dans les mers situées au-delà des thc fishery Iiniits which have
limites de pêche qui ont été been fixed for the two countnes ;
fixées pour les deux Pays ; ils .thep may detain the offending
:irr&teront les bateaux et pour- boats and takl: them into the
'ront les conduire dans le port port nearest the scene of tlie
le plus rapproché du lieu de occurrence in order that the
l'événement, pour que la con- infraction of damage may be
travention 011 le -dommage y there duly established, as well
soit constaté, tant par les décla- hy comparing the declarations
rations contradictoires des parties and counterdeclarations[sic] of
intéressées,quepar le témoignage the parties interested, as hy the
des personnes qui ont ni les testimony of those who wcrc
faits. present.
Art : 26. Art : 26.
1,orsque les contraventions ne Wheii the offence shall not bc
seront pas de nature à nécessiter such as to require exemplary
iine punition exemplaire, et punishment, hitt shall neverthe- 198 ANh'EXES TO U.K. hlEMOHIAI, (No. ;\28)
qu'elles auront néaiimoiiis occa- Iess have caused darnage to nny
sioiiné des tlominages 5 quelqiic fisliermari, the cornmanciers of '
pècheiir, les commandants des the cruizers shall trie at liberty,
biitirnctits croisetirs pourront con- should the circurnstrtnccs admit
cilier, h1:iiner, s'ily a lieii, les of it, to arbitrateai sea tietween
l~artics intéressées. Sur le refus the pzrtics concerned. On refusal
des délinqiiants d'obtein~iérer k of tlic offenders to dcfer to thcir
Ieiir arbitrage, lesdits Comman- arbitration, the said cornnianders
dants lcs conduiront, eux et shall take bot11 them and their
leurs bateaux, dans le port le boats, into the nearesi port, to
plus rapproché, 'pour qu'il y bc tlealt 4th ;is stated in the
soit procédé, i leur égard,comine ~rcceding Article.
il est dit dans l'Article ~~récédent.
Art : 27. Art : 27.
'Tout 1)ntcau de pec1ie qui E\rery fiçliirig boat which shall
aiira ;té conduit daiis un
port Iiave been taketi into a foreign
htranger, conformément aux deux lmrt in conforinity with the
articles qui précPdent, sera reri- two preceding Articles, shall be
voyé daiis son pays ]>our y sent back to her owri country
être jugé, aussitht que la trdns- for trial as soon as the infraction
gression pour laquelle il aiira for which sbe rnajr have been
été arrêté sera constatée. Ce detained, sliall have hecii diily
bateau ni soli éqiiiyage iic poiir- estahlished. Neither tlic boat nor
ront, d'ailleurs, êtrereteniis dans I~er crew shall, however, hc
le port étranger 111iisdc trois detained in thc foreign port
joiirs francs. more thaii ttiree clear days.
Art : 28. Art : 28.
1.es rapports, procès-verl~atis, Ihc depositioiis, ininutes of
et toutes aiitres pièces conccr- proceedings, aiid al1 other docu-
nant la contravention, après ments concerning the infraction,
aï+oir Cté visés par le Commis- after having beeii authenticated
' saire de l'lnscriptioir maritilne en by the Commissary of llarine in
France oti par le Directeur-des France or by the Collector of
douaiies dans lc I<oyaiirnc-Uni, Customs in the United Kingdom,
seront :~dressCspar cct adminis- shall be transmitted by that
trateur i l'agent consiilaire de functionary to theconsular Agent
sa riatioii établi dans le port où of his nation residing in the port
le jiigeinent devra avoir Iieu. where the trial is to take place.
Cet agent consulaire coiiimuni- Siich Consular Agent shall
qiierri ccs pièces, siiivaiit les communicate those documents to
cas, ail Commissaire de 1'lnscril)- the Commissary of Marine or to
tion maritirne oii ni1 Ilirectciir the Collector of Customs as the
des douanes ; et si, après avoir case may be; and if, after
confiiréavec cet admiriistrateur, having coiiferred with that func-
il y n lieu pour lui d'agir dans tionary, it shall be for the
l'intérêt de ses nationaus, il interest of his couritry~neri, Iic
interviendra aulirb du tribunal shall proceed with the affair before
ou des magistrats 'conipéteiits. the competent Trilitinal or magis-
trates of the Coiintry. Art : 29. Art : 29.
Ilans les dciis Pays, le trihunal In both countries, the com-
ou les magistrats compétents petent Court or magistrate shall
.seront autorisés A condamner à be empowered to condemn to a
irne amende de dix francs (hiiit fine of at least eight shillings (ten
shdlings), ail moins, ou à un francs) or to empi-isonment for
emprisonnement de deus jours at least two days, persons \\.ho
au moins, ceiis qui contrevien- may infringe the Regiilations of
the Convention, concerning :
dront ails dispositions de la
Coni~ciition, en ce qui concerne :
rO.La périodede clôtiire de Ia I. 'I'heclose season for oysters,
1)Cchedes huîtres, ct la présence and illegal possession of dredges
illicite de draguesà bord pendant on board during that season.
.cctte périoqe ;
2'. Les fettres, les nuniéros et 3. The letters, numbers, and
les noms a placer sur les bateaux, ilames to be placed on the boats,
les voiles, lesfilets et les bouées; sails, nets, and huoys ;
3'. 1,cs rîhs dJ6c1uipage oii 3. The licences or muster rolls ;
les congés;
4'. Les pavillolis et les feux qiie '4. The flags and lights to be
Ics bateatis soiit teniis d'arborer ; carried by the boats ;
50 J.es distances que les ba- 5. The distances to be observecl
tcaiis tloiï~eiit observer entre by the Ir>oats between e:icli
CIlX ; other ;
6".Le placement et le iiiouillagc 6. The placing and iinchoring
des bâtiments oii embarcations ; of vesselç and boats ;
7O.Le placen~ent ou le jet des 7. The placing and shooting
filets et leretrait des filets; of nets and the taking them up ;
So. Ide dégagement des filets ; S. The clearing of nets ;
go.1-CSbouées i placer sur les 9. The placing of buoys upon
filets. nets.
Eii cas de récidive, l'amende In ,case of repetition of the
ou l'emprisonnement pourra étre offence, the amount of fine or
doilblé. period of irnprisonment may be
doubled.
Art : 30. Art : 30.
'I'outcs les fois que des 1'6- In ail cases of assault conl-
clieiirs de l'un desdeux Pays se mitted, or of damage or loss
seront livrésen iiier à des voies de inflicted at sea by fishermen of
fait contre les pêcheursde I'autrc either country upon fishcrmen of
l'ays, ou leur aiiront occasionni: the other Country, the Courts
des do~nrnages ou des pertes, les of the Country to which the
tribiinaiis dii I'ays :~uquelnppir- offenders belong shall condemii
tiendront Ics délincluants poiir- the latter to a fine of at least
ront conclrirniier ceux-ci i une eight shillings (ten francs}, or ta
amende de dis francs (huit imprisonment for at least two
shellings) ait moins, oii à un days. They maÿ, moreover con-
emprisoiiriement de deus jours demn the offenders to pay ade-
nu moins. Ils pourront, en outre, quate compensation for the in-
condnrnricr- les délinquaiitsi des jury.200 .-\SSEXES TO U.K. 1
dominages intérêtsproportionnés
ail préjiidicc causé.
Art : 31. Art : 31.
Les bateaux de pêche de l'un 1;ishing boats of eitlier of tlic '
des deux Pays seront admis ri two Countries shall be admitted
vendrc leur ~ioisson dans les to st:ll their fish in suc11 ports
ports de l'autre Pays designés à of the other Country as may t>e
cet effet, h la condition que ces
designated for that piirpose, on
bateaiis SC conformeroi~t aus condition that the): conforni to
règlesdéterminéesdans la Décla- the Regulations mutuaIly agreed
ratio11 ci-annesée à laquelle est upon. Those regulations, togethcr
jointe la 1,iste des ports ; toute- with a list of the ports. arc
fois, dans I'iiiou l'autre Pays, anriexcd to the present Conven-
de nouveaux ports pourront être tion ; but without prejudice to
désignéspour la vente du poisson. the o~iening by either Coiintrj-
of ariy additional ports.
Art : 32. Art-: 32.
Les ixitc;ius de pêchede L'iiii The fishing-boats of the one
des deux Pays ne pourront country shall not enter within
franchir las limites de pèche qui the fishery limits fixed fot thc
ont étéfixéespour l'autre Pays, other Country, except under the
excepté dans les circonstances followirig circumstances :
suivtintcs :
rO. Quand ils y seront forcés I. ilThen driven by stress of
pour cause de mauvais temps ou weather or by evident damage.
en raison d'avaries manifestes ;
2'.Quand ils seront portésen- 2. \IJhen carried in by contrriry
dedaiis des limites par les vents winds, by strongs[sic] tidcs, or
contraircs, par de forts courants, by any other cause beyond the
or1par taiitc autre cause indépen- coritrol of the master and crcw.
dante dc la volonté du patron ct
de I1i.cluipage;
3'. Quaiid ils seront obligés 3. \\%en obliged by contrary
de louvoyer fi cause du vent winds or tide to beat III)in order
contraire ou de la marée, pour to reach tlieir fishing groiind ;
arriver ail lieu où ils vont exécuter and when from the same cause
leur pCchc, et quand, par suite ofcoiitrary wind or tide they could
de la même cause de vent ou dc not, if they remained outside, be
marc, contraires, ils ne pour- able to hold on their course to
raient, eii restant au large, their fiçhinggrourid.
continuer leur route pour se
rendre aildit lieu de pèchc;
4e. Quand, pendant la saison 4. Wlien during the herririg
de la ~iCcliedu hareng, les ha- fishirig season thc herring-hoüts
tcaux liarcnguiers de l'un des of the one country sh;~ll fiiid it
deux Pays auront besoin de necessary to anchor under slielter
mouiller 5 l'abri des côtes de of tlie coasts of the othcr
l'autre Pays, en attendant qu'ils Country, in order to await the
puissent continuer la pCche ; opportunity for procceding to
their fishing ground. ANKEXES TO U.K.
j". Quand ils feront route pour j. When proceeding to a~iy of
l'un des ports de l'autre Pays the ports of the other country
ouverts à la vente du poisson, open to them for the sale of
ainsi qu'il est dit l'article fish in accordance with the .
précédent. Dans ce cas, ils ne preceding Article ; but in such
devront jamais avoir dc dragues case, they sliall never have
huitres à bord. oyster dredges on board.
'Art: 33. Art : 33.
Lorsque les bateaux de p&che, IVhen fishing-boats, availiiig
profitant de la faculté accordéc
themselvcs of the privilege speci-
par l'articlegr, auront desjuitres fied in Article 31, shall have
i bord, ils ne devront être oysters on board, they shall not
porteurs ni de dragues ni d'aucun carry any dredges or other
engin A l'aide duquel on peut implements for taking oysters.
pêcher des huîtres.
Art : 34. Art : 34:
Les Cornmandants des bâti- Thc comrnanrlers of cruizers
inents croiseurs pourront auto- may authorizc boats belonging
riser les bateaux de leur Pays i to their own country to cross the
franchir les limites de pêche de exclusive fislier): limits ,of the
l'autre Pavs, lorsque le temps other Country, whenever the
s'annoncera de manière a rendre weather is so threatening as to
la relache nbcessaire. compel them to seek shelter.
Art : 35. Art : 35,
Toiites les fois qu'en raison de Wlienever, owing to any of the
cluelqu'une des circonstances esceptional circumstances speci-
exceptionnelles indiquées dans fied in the three preceding Arti-
les trois articles précédents, les cles, the fishing-boats of either
bateaux dc péche de l'un ou de country shall be in tlie ports or
l'autre Pays se trouveront dans withi~i the fishery limits fixed
les ports oit cn dedans des limites for the other country, the masters
de peci-iequi ont été fixéespour of such boats shall immediately
l'autre Pays, les patrons de ces hoist a blue f[l]agtwo feet (sixty
bateaiis arboreront imnikdiate- centimetres french) high, and
]nent un pavillon bleu de soisantc three feet (one metre french)
ccntirnètrcs (deux pieds anglais) long, and shall keep that flag
dc hauteur, sur un mètre (trois Aying at the masthead so long
pieds anglais) de longueur, et as they rernain in srich ports or
conserveront ce pavillon en tête within such limits.
de mât aiissi longtemps clu'ils
resteront dans les ports ou
en-dedans[sic] des ditcs limites.
Ce pavillon devra être amen4 The flag shall be hauled down
dés que les bateaux seront en as soon as the boat is outside
dehors de ces limites. the said limits.
Ces bateaux devront sortir des Such boats must return outside
limites dès que les circonstances tlie said limits as soon as the
exceptionnelles qui auront mo- exceptional circumstances which
tivé leur entrée, le leur permet- obliged thern to enter shall have
tront. ceased.202 ANNEXES TO U.K. 3tEhIORIAL ($O. :\28)
Art : 36. Art : 36.
Lcs Commandants des bâti- The cornmanders of the cruizers
ments croiseurs de chacun des of each of the two countries,
deux Pays, ainsi que tous Officiers and al1 officcrs or other agents
ou autres agents ~~réposks ii la appointed tosuperintertd fisheries
police des pêd~es,,apprécieront shall exercisc tlieir jtidgrnent as
les causes de toutes infractions to iilfriictioiis of the rcgiilations
aux règles établies pour les with regard to tlic fishérylimits ;
limites de pêche; et, lorsqu'ils and when they shall Ilisatisfied
seront coiivainciis clrifait de ces of the fnct of the infraction they
infractions, ils arrèteront ou may detaiii the boats of the
feront arréter les bateaux des offenders or catisc them to be
délinquants, et les conduiront detained, and niay take them,
ou les feront condiiire dans lin or cause theln to be taken, into
port, où, sur des preuves évi-
port, wherc, iipon clear proof of
dentes de transgression, les dits the offence, such boats may be
bateaux: poiirron t étre condam- condemned, by the competent
nés par le tribunal ou les inagis- Court or magistrate to, a. fine
trats compétents au paiement not esceeding ten pounds (two
d'une amendc qui ne dépassera liiiiidred :ind fifty francs). In
pas deiis cent cinquante francs defaiilt of paymci~t, siich boats
(dix livres sterling).A défaut de rnay be detained for a penorl
paiement dc I'arncndc, ces ]lot cxcccding three months.
bateaux pourroiit être retenus
pendant un ,lalis de temps qui
n'excédera pas trois mois.
En cas de récidive, l'amende In case of repetition of the
pourra Strc doublée. offerice. the fine may be doublecl.
Art : 37.
La procédiire et le jugeinerit 'l'he proceedirigs and trial in
des contraventions aux dispo- cases of iiifraction of the pro-
sitions de la présente Convention visions of the present Convention
auront toujours lieu par urgence shall. take place as speed[i]ly
et aussi sominairement que les niid as suinmarily as the laws
lois cn vigueur le permettront. in forcc wilt permit.
Art : 38. Art : 38.
Les termes " 1les Hritaiiriiques" Tlic tcnns "Britisl-i Islands"
et "Royaume-Uni," employés and "United Kingdom," em-
dans cette Convention, com- ployed in this Convention, shall
prennent les iles de Jersey, includc the Islands of Jersey,
Guernsey. Alderney, Sark, 1'Ile Guernsey, Alderriey, Sark, and
de Man, ct leurs dépendances. hn, with their dependencies.
Art : 39.
Art : 39.
Sa JInjesté Ijritannique S'en- Her Hritannic Jlajesty engages
gage i proposer au Parlement to recommentl to Parliament to
d'adopter un Acte Lui dormant pass an Act to enahle Her to
les pouvoirs necessaires pour Carry itito executio~i such of tlie
mettre h cx6ciitioii celles des arraiigemeiits contained in the claiises contenues dans la pré- preseiit Convention as require
sente Convention qui ont besoin legislativc sanction.
de l'approbation législative.
Après qiie cct .Acte aura été IVhen sucli an Act shall have
iidopté par le Parlement, la been passed, the Convention sh:tll
Convention ctitrerci cn vigtieiir à coine into operation from and
partir du jour qui sera fixépar after a day to be then fixed upon
les deux Hautes Parties Con- by the two I-ligh Contracting
tractantes. Il sera, dans chacun Parties. 0nc.notice shall be givcn
des deux Pays, donné officielle- in cacli Country, by the Govern-
ment avis, p3r Ie Goiivernement, ment of that Coiintr}, of the da?
rlu jour qii~ :ilira étéarrêté. ivhich ma!'be so fixed iipon.
Art : 40. Art : 40
La présentc Conivmticinrestera The Convention sliall continue
en vigueur pendant dis :innées à in force for ten years from the
partir du jour de la niise en day on which it may corne into
vigueur, et, dalis le coù aucune oj)errition ; and if iicitfier part?-
des Hautes Parties Contractantes shall, twelve months before the
n'aurait notifié,douze mois avant expiration of the said period of
l'expiration de la dite période ten years, give notice of its
de dix années, Son intention d'en intention to tcrminate its opera-
faire cesser les cffets, elle con- tion, the Con\~eiition shall con-
tinuera & rester en vigueur une tinue in forcc one year longer,
année, et ainsi cle suite d'année and so ori from year to yciar,
en année jiisqu'à l'expiration iintil the expiration of one year's
d'une année à partir du jour où notice from eitlier party for its
l'une ou l'autre des Hautes termination.
Parties Contractaiites l'aura dé-
noncée.
Les Hautes I'zirties Contrac- The Higli Loiitracting Parties,
tantes Se réservent cependant however, reserve to themselves
In faculté d'apporter à la Con- the powcr to make, by mutuzil
vention, d'un coinmuri accord, consent, any modification in the
toute modification dont l'espé- Convention wtiich experience
rience aurait démontré l'utilité, shall have shown to be desirable
et qui ne serait pas incompatible provided it is not inconsistent
avec l'esprit et Ics principes qui with the principles on which it
en sorit la I~ase. is based.
Art : 41. Art : 41,
La Convention conclue entre The Coriventiori concliided
tes deux Hautes Parties Con- between the High Contracting
tractantes, le z Aoîit 1839, et Ie
Parties on .the 2nd of ,4ugiist
Règlement di1 23 juin 15$3, 1839, and thc Regulations of Ihe
resteront en vigueitr jusqu au -3rd of Jirne 1843, shall continue
jour où, ainsi clii'il est dit ii in force iintil the day wheri, as
I'tirticle 39, le 1,résciitArrange- provided in ArticIe39, the present
ment deviendra exécutoire ; ils Convention shall corne into oper-
cesseront à cc mornent d'étre ation and shiill then altogether
appliqiiés. ccase and deterinine. Art : 42. Art : 42.
La présente Coriverition sera The Ixescnt Convention sliall
ratifiée, et les ITatifications en he ratified. and the Katificat'ions
seront échangées, niissitôt qiie
sliall hc exch;iiigcd, as soon as
fairese pourra. possible.
En foi de quoi, les PItnipoten- In witness whereof, the re-
- tiaires respectifsl'ont signée et spective Plenipotentiaries have
y ont apposi5 Ic cachet de leiirs signed the snme, and have affised
armes. thereto the senls of tlleir arms.
Fait ii Paris, le rr Novembre Donc at Paris, the 11th of
de l'an de Grâce 1867.1.
Xovernber, in the year of-our
Lord 1867.1.
(L.S.) signé: 'LIOUST1 1:I<.
(L.S.) - LYOES.
Article additionnel %Additional Article
11 est entendu qtie l'articlegr It is.agreecl tliat Article 3r of
de la Convention, signée en date the I:onventioti signed tliis daq-
dc ce jour, ne ,recevra son esé- shall not comc into operation
crition qu'aprhs un accord ultiii- irntil the two Contracting Parties
rieur des deus Hautes Parties shall have corne to a furthcr
Ccntractantes. 11sera donnécon- iindcrstanding on the subject.
naissance du jour qui poiirra ctre Diie notice shall bc given of the
iisé pour 5011 eséciition. day that inay hc fixed upon for
its corning into operation.
Le préseiit Article additionnel 'he present Additional Article
aiira la mêmeforce que s'il était shall have the same force and
inséré,mot pour inot, daris la validity as if it were irrsertcd,
Convention signbc en date de ce ~vorclfor word, in the Conventioii,
jour. 11sera ratifié, et les Katifi- signed this day. It sliall be
cationsseront i.chnngécsen méme ratified and the Ratifications
temps qiie cclles de la Con- shrtll be exc1i;iiige~lat tlie samc
vention. time as tliose of the Convention.
En foi de quoi, les Plhrliyoteii- In witness whereof, the re-
tiaires respectifs l'ont signé.ety spective Plenipotentiaries have
ont apposb Ic Cacltet de lerirs signed tliesanie, and have affised .
armes. thereto the seals of their arnis.
Fait à Paris, le II novemhre Done nt Paris, the II? of
de l'an de grâce 1867. So\~embcr iri the jtear of-oiir
Lord 1867.1.
(L.S.) signé: MOUST1 EU.
(I,.S.] - 1,YOh:S. ATSESES TO U.K. SlEJIORIAT, (go. :\2s) 20 j
Déclaration Declaration
annexée A la Co~ivention annesed to tlic Convcntioii
di1 II Xovernbre of Noveinbcr II,
I867. r867.
Les ~)êclieiirsde cliacun des The fisherrncii of cacli coiintry
deux Pvs nc pourroilt débarquer sfiaI1 not be allowcd to land or
leur ~ioiçsoii dans l'aiitre Paj-s
discharge their fis11iritlic otlier
que sur les points oii existe un country except at places whi:re
bureau dc doii;tiie et peridant les there is a Custom-Hoiise, and
heures régleinentaires. during office hoiirs.
Dés leur arrivbe et, dans tous lmmediately upoii tlieir arriv-
les cas, avant de commencer leur al, and, in al1c:tscs, I3cforcthey
déchargemeiit, ils seront tenus commence the discharge of their
de présenter lcur rble oti congé cargo, they shall presciit thcir
à l'agent dcs Douanes, et de niuster-roll, or licence, or officia1
déclarer ail biireaii In quantité paper, to the proper Office[r] of
approximative de poisson clir'ils Lustoms, arid shall pass an cntry
ont à bord. at the Custorn-housc, stating as
nearly as possible the qiiantity
of fish which they have on board.
Lorsque le patron nc saura pas Ifthe master of a fishing bont
&ire, 1'.4gentdes Douanes libcl- cannot write, the officer of
lera lui-mêmela déclaration sur Custo~ns shall fiIl up for hirn the
lacluclle lc patron apposera sa form required, and the rnaster
croix. shall affix his innrk thereto.
Les eiiipluyés clcs douanes The Ciistom-house Officcrs
aiiront la faculté d'effectuer i shall have yower to board rtncl
bord des l~ateaiis les visites search the fishing-boats of tlic
prescrites Iiar les Iièglements de other Country in the maiiner
doiiaiic. directed by the Custoins-1;iws.
Pendant lcur s&joiir dans les During their stay in the p0r.t~
ports de l'autre Pays, les pêcheurs of the other country, the fishcr-
dc I'rin des deus Pays devront, men of either Country shall, if
s'ilsen sont requis pitr I;i Dounne, required to do so by the Custorns
dCposer :L I'Entrcpôt oii au Authorities, deposit iiin tvare-
biireaii, jusilii'A leur ciél)art, les .house or in the Custorn-liouse,
provisions de I~orclsiijettes àde; until their departrire, nll stores
droits d'eiitréc, equi ric seraierit subject to dtity which sliall not
pas rii.cessaires5 1;~ consomrna- be necessary for their daily
tioii journalière. Ce dépôt aura consurnption. No charge shall bc
lieu sans frais. made for such Warehousing.
La nomenclature des bureaux The ports enilmerateci in thc
de douaiie oiiverts dans chacun subjoined list, where therc is :I
des deus Pays aiis pécheurs de Custom-hoiiçe establishment, arc
l'autre Pays est contenue dans those. that shall l~coperi in eacli
les Tatileaiis ci-aniiesés. Colintr~. to the tishcnnen of the
other Country.
Dans le cas oiic.liiclcliie13~ireau In case the Liistoiiis est:~lilish-
serait sripprimh, avis eii serait ment at any of those ports
donné nii Goiivernement dc should be abolislii:d, notice therc-
l'aiitre Isayç. of shall he given to the Govcrn-
ment of the other Coiiritry. Liste des ports de I'lCinliire1;raiiçais oiii.erts à 1'iml)ortation dii l'c~i~i;ibateaiis pêctieiirs:\iigl:iis.
Listofthe I'urtsof tlicl;reiicfEriipire open foi the import:iti(~ricifFisti hy British Fisliing-bonts.
Directions Uireclio>zs Directioirs
- - - - - - - - -- - --
Quiinperlé ' Xantcs
~:)lln~~cr~~ilÿ /Dunkerquees a Douélati Cliantcoay >
Pontavcn La ~Ijasse-I~~~lr~:. X
SturValEry sirr-Soiia9~ir: Concarneau Sarites (Suite), Port Sichct FI
Crotoy Quimper Iiouligucn X
I,,,ville I~ont-l'~lbl~& 1Lc Croisic SI
I3uulognc Rercl; (.l>liiirririlitiicJ -4udicrne \Le Rosais.e O3
Etaplcs Morgateiici! La 'I'reinhlarlc
IBoulogne Hrest \ Camaret c
:Calais Port Launay - llornac 7
: Warfleur Le Faon L'Eguillc -4
Le Wbvrc Landerneau Le Gua z
\FCcarnp Brest Sieitllc (portsur cirriul)E
iSI. VaIéry-cn-Catis te Coiiqiiet Lusac (idem} z
Lc I.iivre Dieppe Labrcvracli Marennes (idetil) >
(Idport Morlaix. Le Chapus -r
'Eu Redon Le Cliateau(Île d0l~:roit)?.
Roiien La Roche I3crtinrrl Ida Li«clielle ire (ident)
Croisset Trdhiguier Sc Georges (iderii) N
iioiieri Duclair Billiers S! Denis (iderit) -W
1Caudcbcç PBnerf Brouage (port .~v crriiol)
lsigny i Ambon Iioëze
Port-cil-lkssiii ir;~tln~s Vannes Cliarentc
\-c.lle. Bcllc Crois
Caeii Ouistreiiaiii Suscinio Fouranort
Trouvillc Saint hrniel Ile d'Aix (île)
Honfleur 1 Koyalo La Rochelle
Pont-Auderner .Quattc-Verits Lauziéres Graiiville 1Ilcd'Ars (;le du hIararis
Port-Bail (Hiiurc. Port Sovaliil,Iorbi!tou) St Martin ((idem)é)
Dielette Larinorbadon Loix (idem)
Saint-1 .fi Carentan Locrnariaquer 1 (idetn) g
Cherbour~ Auray [.a i<iic~ic~~I,u~on (pors~tvctriiril)
Barfleur Rochdu X
ISaint Vaast La Trinité L'Aiguillon 3
1-nnnionlc Vaiines ' Porthalignen 1 Les Sables
Perros Palais(fie) St Martin de Brerii. Ol
'TrCguicr Etel La Teste C
T.czardric~is Port Louis Gujaii 71
Pontrirus Henneùon Certes Y
t'aimpol Lorient T.eVertloii n
Portrieux Iicrnevel La. Fosse(/~ovsitcrriinlé
1Le L6gii6 ,Siiirmoiitiers /Bordeausac 2
Saiiit I3rieiic Dahonet S! Gilles Ijordez~~x Libournc -
Erqtiy Ticrl'Yeu PIaigne
Le Guitdo 1.cHarrc de Mont Boiirg 'A
I'loucr (port sucn?zrrl) Blaye ?
Dinan Nantes Beauvoir (idem) Afontngne +
Saint Servan BougiieiiI'd)z) Royanscliers -0
lSaint MaIo Pornir: !.
La Houle IPaimbŒuf !St Jean de l,iiz
r,cVivier saint Srizairc Hayon''e (~iiayotinc
û.j
-.tListe cles ports tliiI<oyauine Uni ouverts A l'importation di1 Priissor-i
par hateaiis pêcheiirs Francais.
List of tlie IJorts in the United Kingdom open for the Irnprirtation of
I:isliby 17rencli Fishing-hoats.
IJii Angleterre. III England.
Bristol I4arwicli Seivhaven C Southamptori C
Cardiff Newport Sunderland
Ilriver C Liverpool Portsmouth C Swansea
1:olkestone C 1,ondoii Plymouth C ileyrno~ith C
17almoutli C Lowestoft Ramsgate Whitby
Cirimsby \'armoutti
Ilartlepool Newcastle
1-n Ecosse. IIIScotlaiid.1 ISnIrlande. In Ireland. 1 ilesclcln RIanchc
Glasgow ) IVick . / Corlc \t7aterford/ Jersey C
Ides portstlc la hlaiichstiiit The ports in tlie Clianricl rnarkcd
tnarqu6s C. witb a C.
En foi de quoi, les Plénipoten- In witness whereof, the re-
tiaires respectifs ont signé ces spective Plenipotentja liiscs
:\nnexes à la Convention coiiclue signed these Anneses to the
en (tate rie ce jour, et les ont . Convention concluded this clay,
rc\-étiicsdu cachet <leleurs armes. and have affised thereto theseals
of their arms.
(L.S.) sigrzé: MOUSTIER.
(rd.s .) I~YOSS.
Nous, ayant vii ct cs;tminé ladite Convention et l'Article additionncl
y annesél, es avons ;tpprouvéset approuvons en chriciine des tlispositions
clniy sont contcnties ; DCclaronsqu'ils sont acceptés, ratifiés etcoiifir-
iiiéset Promettons qu'ils seront inviolablemeilt 0bservi.s. En foide quoi,
Noiis :tvons donné les présentes signées de notre inain et scellces dc
nntre sceaii Inipkrial,
-4 Paris, le18 Iléccmhre dc l'an de grâce 1867.1. Submarine Telegraph Convention of the and January, 1859, and the
subsequent French Decree Approving it, of the 12th January, 1859
[E: Hertslet, A Cornfilete Collection of the. Treaties and Conventions
(Gc.), 1871, xii. 449-53 '1
DECREI: Inipérial Fralzcais[sic], qui,a$$rotcve la .Conve?~tiottflasse'e,
le 2 Ja~zvier, 1859, ~OZLY IJexÊcutiorzet 1'ex~Eoitatio~t'zcneligne Télé-
.graphiqueet Sous-mrzriwe entre la France et l'Angleterre.-Paris, le
rr Janvier, 1859.
NAPOT,EON, par la grâce de Dieu et la volonte nationale, Empereur
des Français à tous présents et B venir, saliit :
Sur le rapport de notre Ministre Secrétaire dJEtat aii Département de
l'Intérieur;
T'illa convention passée, le a3 Octobre, 1851, entrc l'administrateur
cn chef des lignes tklégraphiques et l'Honorable William Francis Spencer
Ponsonby Lord tie Nauley, l'Honorable Frederick William Cadogan,
- Sir James Rol-iert Carmichael, Baronet, John Watkins Erett, Esquire,
approuvL+epar le Ministre de 1'Intéricur ;
Vu le décret du 24 Octobre, 1851 ;
Notre Conseil d'Etat entendu ;
Avons décrétéet décrétonsce qui suit ;
ART. 1. Est approiivéeIa Convention ci-annexée, iiltervenue le 2 de
ce mois, entrc le Ministre de l'Intérieur, au nom de I'Etat, et Sir James
Kobcrt Carmichael, et ..M .ohn Watkins Hrett, polir l'exécution et
'l'exploitation de lignes télégraphiques sous-marines entre la Franct: et
I'AngIeterre.
II. Notre 3Iinistre Secrétaire d'Etat au Département de 1'Interieur
[sic] est chargé de l'exécution du présent décret.
Fait au Palais des Tuileries, le12 Janvier, 18jg.
' Par l'Empereur : NAPOLEON.
Le Ministre Secrétaired' Etat as I;>é$nrteme?zt
de I'inférzeuv,DELANGLE.
(ilKBEXE.) CONVENTION entre le Ministre dc l'liiténeur, agissant
au nom de l'Etat, d'une part, et Sir Jamcs Robert Car~nichael,Baronct,
et M. John Watkins Brett, agissant air nom et pour le compte de la
Compagnie du Télégraphe soris-marin entre la France et l'Angleterre, en
vertu d'une autorisation donnée le 7 .4vril,1858, par le Conseil d'admi-
nistration de iadite Comp;ignie, et faisant Slection de domicile à Paris,
rue de Richelieu, 30. S3, d'autre part : il a étéconirenii et arrêtécc
qiii suit :
ART. 1. La Compagnie Concessiorinaire de la ligne tSlégraphiclue
sous-marine entre la Frarice et l'Angleterre, représentéepar Sir James
lThe siibjoincdtextIixs bsen collated\vit11 tliin Le rl30iaiteu31 janvier,
1S5q Except for rninor differenccs in spelling and arrangement, two versions
arcthe sarnc.Xrticlc11 (z),ivhichisrelevantto the issue, is identical except for
a rare differcncein the use of capitals.C;lrtnichael et 11. J. IV. Krett, cst autorisée et s'ohlige fi btaldir, dans
un délai de 6 mois i partir de ce jour, iirie ligne sous-inarinc i Gfils
entre Boulogne et Folkestone. .
Cette nouvelle ligne fonctionnera concurremment avec In ligna actuelle.
La présente autorjsation est accordée pour un laps de temps dc
30années, àdatcr du jour de I'homoIogatiori de'la prése~iteConvention,
tant pour la ligne déjà existrinte entrc Calais et Doiivrcs que Iioirr celle
de Roulogne à Folkesto~ic.
II. Pendant la durée de cette concessioii, In Compagnie s'oblige :t
établir, sur la demande du Gouvernement Français, et datis le délai
d'une année, à partir du jour de la notificatioii minist6rielle:
r. ljne ligne dont le ~iombre de fils serd fixé par le Gouvernernerit
Frnnqais, partant du Havre et se dirigeant sur un pint quelconque de
la côte d'Angleterre à déterminer ultérieurement ;
2. Une ligne dont le nombre de Filssera &galement fisépar le Goilver-
neinent Français, entre les îles Anglaises de .Jersey, Aldcriiey, Sark, et
Guernesey, et la côte de France.
Le Gouveniement Français se réserve Ic droitdc déterminer le point
de la c6te de France où devra aboutir cette dernière ligne. Ce poiiit devra
se trouver entre Saint-Malo et Cherbourg.
1,a Compagnie seule aiira le droit de relier ln Fraiicc auxdites îles
Anglaises de Jersey, Aldemey, Sark, et Guernesey, et aiitrcs îles et
îlots en dépendant, et s'engage à faire passer par ces noiivellcs lignes
toutes les tiépêchesFrançaises qui lui seront remises.
Le nonibre de zones qui devra servir de base i l'étal~lissenientdc la
taxe, des côtes de France aux îles Anglaises de Jersey, Aldcrney, Sark,
et Guernesey, et aux îles ou îlots cii dEpetidilnt, cst fixé comrne suit
pour chaque dépêcIie simple de quinze inots :
1. .4 deils zones, pour transmission de la correspond;tncc localc ciitre
la cbte dc France et ces ilcs et réciproqueinent.
2. A 3 zories, pour transmission de 1acorrés~~andarice 2 ticstiiiation du
Koyriunie-Uni de la Grande-Bretagne ct diIrlande ct transitant par ces
ilcs et réciproquement.
11est bien entendu que, dans aucun cas, la tasc polir la tr;iiisiiiissioi~
d'une dépCche simpIe de la côte de la grailce par cette ligne et A desti-
natiori d'un bureau télégraphique quelcoi~que du Koyliuiiie-Uni de la
Grande-Bretagne et d'lrlande, ne pourra êtresiiliérieurc celle IinrIn
voie de Calais à Doiivres.
Ill. Le Gou\:ernement Fraiiqais se réserve lc droit :
I. D'autoriser, comme il avisera, I'étahlisseiiient d'une ligiic télC
graphique partant d'un point quelconque des cotes de 17riincc, et
ahoiitissant directement aux côtes d'Irlande, et destinée csclrisi~.ement
5 la. transmission dc ou pour I'A~nériqucpar lc càble transatlantique.
2. Il'autoriser également I'établissenient d'unc ligne télégraphique
partant d'un point quelconque des côtes de Francc, et aboutissa~it aus
côtes d'4ngleterre et aux iles de la Manclie, eri dehors des points d'attcr-
risseinent ci-dessus désignés.
Toutefois, Ia Compagnie Canccssioi~~iaircdi1 TélCgralihc Sous-Alarin
entre la France et l'Angleterre arira tirdroit de préférence,tlans le cas
où elle désirerait construire et esploiter elle-méme cette nouvellc ligne
5 conditions égales. ANNEXES TO U.K. iIIEAiORlAL o. :\29) 21I
Pour user de son droit de préférence,la Compagnie Concessioniiaire
devra faire connaître sa décisiondans le dClai d'un mois, à partir de Ia
mise en demeure du Gouvernement Français.
IV. La correspondance télégraphique par les lignes de la Compagnie
pourra toujours ttre suspendue par le Gouvernement Fran~ais, et ces
suspensions ne pourront donner lieu à aucune indemnité. .Les traiis-
missions seront toujours soumises aux règles prescrites par l'Articl111
de la Loi du 29 Décembre, 18-50,sur Ia correspondance télégraphique
privée.
V. La ligne que la Compagnie établira entre Boulogne et Folkestoiie,
ainsi que celles qu'elle pourra êtreautorisée à établir, devront aboutir
dans un local occupé par une direction télégraphiqiiede I'Etat, comrne
celle de Douvres à Calais.
Dans les viIles OU aboutira une ligne de la Compagnie, les :~ppareils
seront exclusivement m~nauvrés par des employés de 1'Etat nommés
par l'administration Frarrçaise et payés parIn Compagnie.
Leur traitement sera celui de leur grade.
Le service de nuit restera de même entièrement h la charge de la
Compagnie.
VI. Le nombre des agents e~nployés pur le compte de la Compg~iie
dans les bureaux Français, sera fixé par 1'administr;ltion des lignes
télégraphiqiics.
VIT. .4ux termes de l'Article VI de la Loi du 29 Novembre, 1850,
l'administratioii télégraphiqi-ieFrançaise ne peut, dans aucun cas, cncou-
rir de responsabilité, à raison du service de sa correspondance privhe.
VIII. Les dépêchesdu Gouvernement Français, ou de ses agents 2
l'étranger, seront transnlises gratuitement par toutes les lignes de la
Compagnic et par priorité sur les dépêcheprivées.
La transmission et la remise aux' destinataires des autres dépêches
devront se faire dans l'ordrc de leur dépot oii de leur réception dans les
bureaux télégraphiques, sans acception de personne ou de nationalité.
IX. Le nombre de zones qui devra servir de hase .i l'iitablissernent de
la taxe est fixi.quant A présent, pour toutes les ligtics construitou
à construire par la Compagnie Concessionnaire, à j zones de r franc
jû ccntimes l'une, ou 7.francs j0 centimes pour une dépêchesimple de
15mots, des côtes de France à un bureau télégraphique quelconque (lu
Royaume-Uni de la Grande-Bretagne et d'Irlande.
II est néanmoins formellement convenu que, dans aucun (:as,'ilne
dkpêchetransmise par laCompagnie des chtes dc France en Arigleterre
rie pourra êtreassujettie i rine taxe supérieure ë celle d'une dépêche
d'égale longueur transmise dans le Royaume-Uni par les lignes de
Belgique et de Hanovre, et par toutes celles qui pourraient appartenir
dans la suite Ala Compagnie.
X. La Conipagnie s'engage a suivre, porir les correspondances éclian-
gées sur les lignes, tous Ies Traités conclus àiconcliire entre lFrance
et les Etats limitrophcs, notamnient en ce qui concerne le prix de la
zone et la .longueur des dépêches,la gradation des taxes, la manière de
compter les mots, l'ordre de Ia transmission et le règlement des comptes.
XI. Si la communication du point d'attache sur les cates de France
des lignes de la Compagnie avec les directions de 1'Etat se faisait au
moyen de lignes sur poteaux, l'administration des Lignestélégraphiques
aurait le droide placer deux ou plusieur filsur ces poteaux, et le tout
sans indemnité.
16 Dans toiis les cas, il est entendu que les commu~iications entreslles
différents points d'attache de IaCompagnie, situés sur la côte dc France,
ne pourroiit avoir lieu qiic par les lignes de I'Etat et I'iiitermédiaides
fonctionnaires Fr;uipiis.
XI 1. La Comliagiiie cst autorisée à preridre tels agents qti'elle voudra
pour la représenter dans les villes où alioutira iiicable [sic]électriquc.
Si lin dérangement est signalé, tes agents de la Compagnie pourront
rlcmander ilus dirccteiirs des stations de 1'Etat cluc des expériences
soient fxites en leiir pri.sciice poiir constater l'état des ligiiesde ln
Compagnie.
?(III. I.es soinnies diiesi 1'Etat par la Comyagiiie pour lcs dépenses
mises h sa charge, en irertii de l'Article V de la présente Coiiverition,
seront verséesanniiellement à la caissc du receveur central dii Dkpartc-
-ment de la Seinc.
SI\'. A moins de cas de force majeurc dUment coiistaté, la Compagnie
scrait d6chue dc plein droit si elle nc reniplisSait p~u toiites les claiises
clc la présentc Coiivention.
II est bien entendu qtie, dalis cc cas clc rli-cliCancc, ct jiisqii'aii
rcr Juillet,1S6z.la concession actuelle de Doiivres à Calais coiitiritierait
B Ctre régie conformément AlaLoiiveiition intervenue entrc le Gouvcr-
ncment 17rançaiset la Compagnic, le zg,Octobre, 1851.
.Y\'. I,a ~xéscnteConveiition sera mise en vigueur à dater clii jour dc
son homologation, et :ipartir de la rnêmedate la Convention intervenue
le 23 Octobre, 1551 ,ntrt: l';idministra[tion] des lignes télégraphiques
et aiai.de >Iaulep. Frederick Cadogan, J. R. Carmichael et J.W. Rrett.
sera abrogée ilinsique leDécretdi124 Octobre, ~Sjr, saiif lc cas prér-ri
B l'Article j~récédent.
SI']. [.es contestations qui s'élèveraieiitcntre laCompagnie Corices-
sioniiaire ct l'administration au siijet de l'exécution ou de l'interpré-
tation des claiises de la présente Con\~eiition, seront jugées adminis-
tr:itivernentpar le Conseil de préfecture du Département tlc la Seine,
saiif recours aii Conseil d'Etat.
SVII. La présente Convention dcvrn ètre approuvée par u~i Dccret
de Sa Majesté 1'Empcreur.
Fait à Paris, le 2 Janvier, ~Sjg.
Le Ministre rie 1'1~itérialir,IIELAWGI,IT. ANSEXES TO U.K. JIE>IORIAI, os. A 30-31)
213
. .
Warrant, 9th October, 1875, constituting the Island of Jersey a Pori ,of
the Channel Idands
[The Lib~ury, H.M. Cztstoms and Excise, London :
14j/187O/ Treas~ry Refe~enceBrartch]
PORT OF JEKSEY
Channel ~slands
\VE the undersignecl Lords Commissioners of Her >lajesty's Treasiiry
of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and lreland do hereby undcr
the, authority of "The Ciistoms Consolidation Act 1853" appoint the
Island of Jersey to be a Port of the Channel Islands and WC do herehy
declare that the limits of the said Port çhall include the whole of the
çaid Island together with the rocks called the Ecrehoii Rocks and shall
extend seaward to ridistance of three miles from low water mark of the
coastof the said Island and three miles from low water mark of the saicl
Ecrehou Rocks and shall include aII Islands together with al1 Rays
Harbours Rivers and Creeks within the aforesaid limits
\ZrhitehalI, Treasury Chambers, Dated this ninth
day of October 1875
KOWD WiNN
D H ELPHINSTONE
ANNEX A 31
Dispatch from the French Ambassador, 27th February, 1876, to the
Foreign Office, alleging that the Treasury Warrant of the 9th October,
1875 constituting Jersey a Channel Port, wrongly included the Ecréhous
Islets within its Limits
[I;oreig~~O@ce Papers, 27/36511
Londres-le 27 Février 1876.
Duplicata-
Monsieur le Comte,
J'ai l'honneur, conformément aux instructions (lue j'ai reçues de
mon Gouvernement, d'appeler toute l'attention de Votre Excellence ..
sur une erreur qui s'est glissée dans le texte d'un Ordre des Lords ., .
Commissaires de la Trésorerie portant la date dii 4 octobre dernier
ct ayant pour objet de faire reconnaître 1'Ile de Jersey comme port
de la Maiiche et d'en fixer les limites. Il y est dit que-lés limites da
dit port comfirendrojztles rochers appelésles Ecrehous, s'étendronta[sic]
3 milles deZ(ligne dc la basse medesdits rochers Ecrehoz~et com~rcndront
lottleles Ues, baies, hâvres[sic], rivièreset criqzresen dednfzsdes lz-ites
SeeAnncx .A 30.
The ivordsin italicare underlinedin the originaIlS. 214 ANSFXES TO U.K. 3IEJIORIAI. (SU. A 32)
Ur 1article ci-dessus impiiquerair aaDora une aerogarioii rormerie aux
dispositions de la Convention 'des pêcheries, du 2 Août 1839, qui fixe
a[sic] 3 milles autour de l'île de Jersey Ia limite de la mer territoriale
Anglaise, puisque les rochers Ecrehous sont tous sans esception à
plus de 3 milles dc l'île deJersey. les[sic] rocliers, coinme le sait Votre
Esccllcncc n'ont été séparésde lacôte de France par l'invasion de la
mer qu'en 1203, et le fond de ce côté n'estpas .i pltisde 30 pieds de
profondciir tandis. quc dans le Chenal qui les sépare de Jcrsey, la sonde
atteint jusqu'à 124 pieds. Puis, si nous revenons à la convention précitée,
et envisageons la questiori au point de vue de droit international, nous
apercevons que la première conséquence de cette mesure serait, en
vertu dc la délimitation des trois zones, française, iicutr<: et anglaise
iriciirliiéessur les cartes niürines, de déplacer cornylétcrnerit les limites
dc la mer territoriale Anglaise qui, si i:lle commençait ails rochers
Ecrehoiis, arriverait pour ainsi dire sur la côtc dc France.
Jc crois inutile d'insisterdavantage, mais je.dois kiirc connaître à
Votre Excellence tout le prix qu'attaclierait rnon Gouvernement à
obtenir l'assurance que la question dont il s'agit n'a étésoulevée
accidentellement que par une erreur doiit il serait extrêinemeiit heiireus
d'obtenir la rectification aussitôt que fairese pourrait.
Veuillez agréer les assurances de la liaiite considération avec laquelle
j'ai l'horiiieur d'être
Jlorisieur de Con\tc
de Votrc Escelleiice
Letrés hiimblc et trés
obéissant serviteur.
1, iiHAKCOUKT
Dit
Sm Annex A 27.
2 This dispatcli acknolvlcdgethat of thc French Arnbassador atid informcd
him that tlie subje\vasbeing put before the ixirds Commissioof I.i.hfajcsty's
Treasury (Foreign Office Papers. 27/365i).
"ce Annex A 30. ASSEXES TO U.K. >IEbIOKI:\14 (SO. A 33) 2L5
Ecrehou Kocks as a depcndency of Jersey, 1 have received froni that
Department n Report which they had called for from the 'Board of
Customs, which Department has ohtaincd from the principal Officcr
of Customs at Jersey a further report accompanied by an opinion
from thc -4ttorney General of the Island containing a very full state-
mcnt bof the circumstances connected with the past and prcsi:iit
History of the Ecrehou Rocks-
1 inclosc for Y[our]. E[xceHencyJ.'s information, and for that of
Your Govt, a summary of the Reports above referred to, and I do
not doiibt that the French Govt will not only readily acknowledge
the desire shown hy the Board of Treasury to obtain the fullest infor-
mation on the question at issue, but that they \vilQs readily admit
that the facts quoted bp the Attorney General constitute undeniable
evidence that the Ecrehou Rocks are British property as an iindoubted
de~wndency of the Island of Jersey.
D[EKHY]
Memorandum upon the Sovereignty of the Ecréhous Islets, enclosed
with the Foreign OfficeRepiy, 6th July, 1876, to the French Ambassador
[Fowign O@ce F'npers, 27/3651f
-rhe Lords Cornrni~sioners of H[er] M[ajesty]ll's l'reasury liaving ~Iernoraiiduin
rcferred to the Commissioners of W[er] ai[ajestyl's Customs the question resyecting the
raised by the hiarquis d'Harcourt in regard to a supposed error in the natiomlity Of
Tent of a +I.rc;isury Order of the 21'of October last which inclildes
the Ecrefioii Rocks among the depe~idcricies of the Island of Jerst:~~,
the Commissioners have called for a Reportn upon this subject from
the Principal Officer of Customs at Jersey, who in sending in his Report
has accompanied it with an opinion * obtained from the ,itto~-ncy
General of tlie Island, which, with the facts stated by him, prove
conclusively, as the -0fficer of Customs considers, that the rocks in
question are bon5 fide British Property, and show that the Authorities
of Jersey Iiave exercised Jurisdiction over the Inhabitants for soiiie
Centuries pst-
The report of tlie Lustoms' Officcr is accomyanied by a tracing of
the Fishery liinits with- their several bearings as described in the
Schedule of thc Act 6 Sr 7. Vic : cap :79 consequent upon the Con-
vention 10concliided at Paris on the -(!of Aiigust ~839,& whicli demon-
See Annex :\ 31.
? Sec hnnex A 34.
See hnnex 2135.
See Annex .A 36.
.' "report" tleleted, "statemeninterlinedin the original MS.
ïhe followingword. "admit", has been deleted in the original AiS.
' See Annex t\30.
* See Annex A 35.
See Annex A 36.
l* Sce Annexes A 27 and B 7.cncroach on the liinits \rithin which by tlie Conveiitioti concluded
between England & France oii the 2? of Aupst 1839 relative to the
right of fishing in the waters between the British Islands and the Coast
of France, the inclusive right of fishing is reserved to the Freiich, and
which lirnits are descrihed in the Schedule to the Act of 6 & 7 Vict :
cap :79.
It only rernüinç to bc çtatcd tl.iathe Comrniss~ of Fi[&). M[ajesty'].s
Custorns have expressed tlicir opinion on a consideration of tlie facts
of which the foregoing is a hrief summary, that the Ecrehoi~ .IZocks
have been properly included in the Warrant of the Treasury defiliing
the limits of the Port of Jersey, which has formed tlit: siibject of the
Freiich Ambassador's representation ; and the Lords of the Treasury
are unable themselves tci take any other vie\v of the casc in qucstioii.
Opinion of the Commissioners of H.M. Customs, 15th June, 1876, on the
Sovereignty of the Ecrkhous Islets
[ï'rerisury Banrd I'ripers, Hz~nrllc7j23Ai File rooTi71
No. 223.
To the Lords Çoirimissioncrs
of Her Jlajesty's Trcasury.-
Your Lordships liairing rcferred to Us the annesed letter clated the
Ijfi ultimo, from MI Lister, Under Secretary of Statc for Forcigii
Affairs, transmitting, hjr desire of the Earl of Derby, copy of a letter
from the French Ambassador at this Court, calling attentioii to :III
error whicli the French Goveriiment affirm has crept into the text
of an Order of yoiir Lorddiips dated October last, the ohjcct of
which is to establis11the recognition of the Island of Jersey asa Channel
Port, and to determine the limits thereof, thc allegecl error in your
Lordships' Order consisting, as it is explained, in thc "JCcrehou Rocks"
heing cornprised within thosc limits, together with al1 islarids,Iiays.
h:irhoürs, rivers, and crecks compriscd within a distance of three rnileç
froni the low-water mark of those islarids :
Ive report,-
'fhat yoiir Lordships werc pleased, 1157your Order of gcliOctober
last ', to transmit to Us, diily signed, Wai-rants defining the lirnits
of tlie Ports of Jersey and G~teriisey, the said IVarrants having been
prepared in tliis Departmerit and submitted to yoitr 1,ordships in Our
Secretary's letter of the zliiprcceding.-
IiTith reference to the corninunication frorn the Frencli Government
as to. the nationality of thc Ecrchou Rocks, nie take leave to submit
for the consideration of your Lordships copy of a Report upn the
siibject which \Ye have obtained from the Principal Officer of Ciistoms
at Jersey, together with coly of a letter from the -4ttorney General
' See Annex A 30.
See dnnex A 35.
See Annex A gG. of the Islaiid, iiiwhich he contends that the Rocks in question are
bonâ fide British property, giving his reasons for such opinion, and
states that the authorities of Jerscy have excrciscd jurisdiction over
the inhabitants of the Ecrehou Rocks for centuries past.- We also
enclose a tracing showirig tlie Fishery lirnits, with their several bearings
as described in the Act 6 & 7 Vic. cap. 79, cotisequent upon the Con-
vention concliided in Paris on the ztliAttgust, r839 '.
We have only to add that in Our opinion the Ecrchou Rocks have
been properly inclucled in yoiir Lordships' Warrant setting out the
limits of thc Port of Jersey.-
Ciistorn Moiisc, FKEDF ROMI1,Ll'
.lune, rS76. GKEXVlI,LE C 1, BERKELEY
Letter from the Principal Customs Office;'oi~erse~,June,.x876, enclosing
Evidence of British Sovereignty' over the Ecréhous Islets
[The Libvnry, H.M. Czrstams & Excise]
Assistant Sccrctary's 15'1
Custoni Hoiise Jersey
Jiine 1876-
30 18.
Honorablc Sirs-
In retlirning the enclosed correspondence relative to thc Ecréhou
Rocks on thc east co=ut of Jersey, 1beg to cal1 your Honors' attention
tothe annexed letter from the Attorney General in this Island ; which
conclusively proves that the Rocks in question are bon2 fide British
proyerty :and also that the auth.orities of Jersey have csercised juris-
diction over Vhc Inhabitants for centuries pst.
The Rocks arc distant about 4 miles from S! Catherine's Light ;
and are visited occasionally by the Sen! Hoatman nt Gorey for the
purpose of making the iisiial endorsernent on the certificate of a fishing
boat, owned I,JPhilippe I'inel, which jsregistered in fhis office&.,
In order to place before your Honorable Board the exact position
of thc Ecréhou IXocks, 1 have set out on the annexed trac~ng the
Fishery limits with their several hearings as described in the Schedule
? of the Act6 c97 Vic Cap 79,consequent iippn the convention concluded
in Paris znllAuguçt 1839 b.The Iines rnarked A %td K define the limits
between which and the French shore the right of fishery is reserved
exclusively to French fishermen. It will Ile seen by line I.K. that the
lSee Xnnex A 27.
"over" written3over an erasure.
' Seetinnex A 87.
"c Annen X 27. ANNEXES TO E.K. 31EJIORIAT- (h'0..436) 219
3 mile 1imit.on the East side of the Ecréhou does not reach the French
limit by nearly two miles ; consequently the statement made by the
French Ambassador ' that the recent Treasury IVarrant would displace
the English teretorial[sic] limits, and alter the dispositions of the 1:islii:ry
Con\*entioii Act. cannot he maintained
Kcspectfuliy '
GEO. CT,AYTON, Y1 Officcr ,
Letter from the Attorney General for Jersey, 5th June, 1876, to the
Principal Custams Officer of the Island, giving evidence of British
Sovereignty over the Ecréhous Islets
[ï'hc Lihrrrry, H.M. Ctrstoms 6. Excise]
t'l
Sir, June a1S7li.-
-4 beg to ackiiowledge the rcceipt of your Ietter of .tiie.q$ May1876 j,
in which you state that a question has been raised by the French Amh.2ç-
-sador in London, in a letter to Lord Derby with respect.to thc.Ecrehoii
Rocks, and reqiiesting to know for the information-of the I-ione the-
Board of Customs whether the authorities of Jersey,esercise any juris-
diction on the inhabitnnts therein.-
In reply I beg to point out :-
I?.That according to l'AbbéLe Canu, "Histoire des Evéques de Cou-
tances,'' page 70, Ecrehou was separated from the mainland[sicj Anno
Domini 860, [and] consequentlÿ had become an Island long hefore the
cession of Normandy and its dcpendencies by King Charles thc Simple
in gr1-12.-
z!!That froni thc latter date tothe present ti~nethe Isle of Ecrcliou has
ncver belonged to Fra~ice, that there is no yroof of the Kings of that
country having cvercised any authority therein, during al1that interval,
but that there isclcar historical evidence that the Kings of England have
done so.
1111200 as appears by a charter dated on the rqg of Jaiiuary whicli
is printcd in the Volume edited by Sir Thomas Duffus Hardy, and
puhlished by the Record commission entitled "Rotuli Chartarum iii
Turri Londinicnsi asservati" King John of England gave to Pierre des
Préaux (Petrus dc i'ratcllis) the Islands of "Gerse" of "Cernere" and
of "AureneV-
In TZ03, as appears by acharter which-is printed in the Xl-;! Volunic
of the "Gallia Christiana", The said Peter des Préauxgave to God ancl
to-the.Ch~rch.~of- the Rlessed Mary of Val-Richer, and to. the monks
serving God thcre for the saIl-ation of the soi11'of John the illustrioiis
!5ee Annex A 31.
i.c."Principal".
a i.c.from the l-'riiicipnl Custonis OfiofeJersey (cf.iliinesri35).
See Annex A 31.
Se Annex A S.
9ee Annex A 7.King of England. wlio had givcn hini the Islands (iiisulas), the island
of Ecrehou entirely (insulam de Escrehou integre) for the purpose of
building a church therc in honour of God and the Hlessed Mary.-
These charters in my judgment, establisli two things, tliat Ecrehou
was ail Island before 1203 at al1events, and that even at that time it was
considered a dependency of the more important Islands, and conse-
quently of the one nearcst to it, Jersey, since Peter des Préitiis claims
to be proprietor of it hy virtuc of the grant of King John, whicli gant
only mentions the three largest Islands jersey, Giieriisey niid Alderncy.
hmong the records of thc Pleas of Qiio Warranto held in Jersey hefore
tiie Royal Commissioners Joliri de Fressingfield and William Lioussel
in the 2- 5-earofKing Edward zy (1309) 1,there is one wliicli shows that
the Abbot of Valricher (Vauricher) waç summoned to appear beforc thcrn
to show by what warrant he he1d.a rnill etc., and the ad\.owson of the
l'rio-; of Esckrelio, and received' an annual sum of SX sotis from tlic
licceiver in Jersey, out of the Kiiigs revenues there ; in :lriswcr to which
sunimons the I'rior of that Priory, alleging hirnself to be tlie Procurator
and -4ttorney of the said Abbot and his convent in the saicl Island,
nppears, and states that tlie site ofthe chape] ofEsckreho stands inthe
sea at a distance from jersey (ah Insula) on a slnall rock whert: there is
little or no cultivable land nor any 0th building tliari the chripcl ; and
that he and his cornlianion and their servant.reside iii the clialiel duririg
the whole year for the piirposc of tnaintaining a lighted fire or liglit
(ardentem foeum[sic] 2, in that chapel, so that mariners jiassirig bj7
night be cnabled to avoir1 tlic dangers of the rocks contigiioiis to the
cliapel wfor al1 tlieir wants t1i:iii the aforeçaid mil1 and tlic nforesaid
aiinum
yearly rent of XX sols which thcir predecessors had held froin of old,
from tiine immemorial, in the same mannei. (fonnâ) in which they now
held it, alid that nevertheless they two always celehrate (a service or
mass) for tfie King and his progenitorç.-And the Jury having testifid
to the tnitli of this statement the Commissioners decided to :tllow the
Prior to coiitinue to hold the premises on the çame footiiig oii ahich,lic
tlien held thern, dlinng the King's pleasure.-1 quote from a rnanuscri~it
copy iii iny possession whicli 1have every reason to regard ascorrect.-
The original is1helieve at the .Record Officein tlie custody of the Master
of the Ro1ls.-
This document provcç conci~isivel~~ that nt that early date the lsiancl
of Ecrehou was already reduccd to ver57small dimensions, and that tlie
Kings of England excrcised jiirisdictiori over its inhabitants long aftcr
tlie cession of Normandy.
It may also be noticed that IIJ.tlie 'Treaty of Uretigny ", Edward III,
wliile yielding iip Normaridy, cxpressly (Art VI.) reserIrcs to liimself
the Isles adjacent and al1 Islaiids which hc then he1d.--
3° In thc Exterit of the Crown Revenues; drawn iip in 1607 "y tlic
Royal Cornmissioners Gardincr and Hussey, and again in that cotnp1r:tcd .
in 1668 by virtue of an Order of His Najesty in Coiincil of the2~13~of
See Annex A 12.
Rcde '~OEUPII".
Followed bp "iriiglit"whicii is striithrough. in the originalJfS.
i.e.. ofCalais.Scc Annex A 2.
See Anncx -4 19.
See Annex A 19.Marc111660-1 mention is made of several sums of wheat rents as due on
account of the Priory of Escreho :some of those rents urere paid as latc
- 1735 ',and are probably still -ceived.-
e» The Isle of Ecreliou has fronl timc immemorial been occupied by thc
~nhabitants of .Jersey, as a place for ciitting and dryiiig sea weed and
for fishing.-TheI-e are now upon it severàl houses, al1 of which l>elong
to Islanders, aInong others one beloiiging to hl!Lerrier Godfray 2,1:wo
to M~James Godfray aiid 1find by a Contract or Deed dated Novcni-
ber 212 1863 and registered in the Public Register of this Island that
some property in Ecrehou was sold by Mf Clement Gallichan to M_JPoshiia
Le Bailly, which property now belongs to MfThomas Simon in right of
his father tenant after décret to the said MrLe Bailly. Ecrehou is at
present -inhabited by a Jerseyman nimed Pinel ', who has lived there
with his wife for some years.-
50 The RoyaI Court of Jersey liasexcrcised jurisdiction with respect to
criminal acts committed at Ecrehou. Tfind in the Rolls of theCriminal
Court that inr826 a man of the name of Romeril was prosecuted before
the Royal Court of Jersey, at the suit of the Attorney General, on a
charge of having attempted to take the life of John McGras, by shooting
him with a yistol.or otherkind of fircarm loaded with powder and bail,
the said criminal act Iiaving been committed at the Ecreho Rocks.-
60 Not on157is.Ecrehou ncarer to Jersey than to France, but the three-
mile limit from low water mark around it, does not in any part encroach
on the limits, within which, bÿ the Convention concluded hetween En-
gland and France on the z& of Aupst 1839 6,relative to the right of
fisliingin the waters bet ween the British &Islandsand th<:coast of Francc,
the exclusive right of fishing is reserved to the French, and which'-.
limits are described in the ScheduIe to the Act of the 6 and 7 Vict :
chapter 79 : - 0ii the other hand were Ecrehou acknowledged to
belong to France 1 believe it wiil bc found that the tliree-mile lirnit
urould trench on the limits rironnd the latter Island within whicli the
cxclusive right of fishing is by the same Convention secured to British
subjects.-
in coilclusion it appears to me that wliatever concessions the British
Government may be disposed to make as regards the reduction of the
fishing limits around Ecrehou, that there can be no doubt that it is a
British possession, and as a Jerseyman 1 sincerely wish for the safoty
and intcrest of Jersey that itmay ever remain so.-
I am,
Sir,
Your very obedient Servant.
.ROBE :PIPON i1IARETF -
deorge Clayton Esqri: Attorney General
Principal Officer ofH.M.'s Customs
Jersey.
.' Acttially, as lasei749,wlieiitiier\rasailotlieExlei~le. SAnnex 11ig.
Sec Annex A 92.
See biinex A 91.
See Jiernorinl. paragraprjS (c)and rjo.
SceAnnex A 80.
See Annex A 27.222 ANITEXES TO U.K. 3IE>IORl~\l- (SO.:\37)
AKNEX -4' 37
Petition by Jersey Fishermen and Landowners, 15th March, 1883, corn-
plaining of Illegd Fishing Activities by Frenchmen at the Ecréhous
Islets, and praying Her Majesty in Council to consider the Matter
[I'ititiolt d'un grn~zdnonabrede Pêcheicrs etAtttres(6c.) (Jmsey, 1883)~
PI).3-41
-4 sciriExcellence le Liet~tertaîzt-Généru 1 Oï'HIAN NICHOLSON,
C.JI.,R. E., Lieutenant-Gouverneur de 1'Ile de Jersey;
ri Messirs ROBERT-PIPOX MARET'T, Chevalier, Bailli, Présidetzt,
et ri Messietirs les Membres des Etats de ladite Ile.
$1IiSSiEURS,
Nous, les soussignés,Pêclieurset autres Propriétaires,demeurant dans
Ics Paroisses de l'Est de ladite Ile, et possesseurs de maisons aux îles
dites les "Ecréhos," très humblement reprbsentent :
Qiie, depuisassez !ongte-mps, un nombre desujets Franqais SC rerideiit,
sans drGit, souvent aux dites-îlespour se livrer à la Pêche,contrairement
A l'acte de Parlement (6 et 7 Victoria 1843). et aux conventions établies
entre le Goiivernement de Sa MajestéBritannique ct le Roi cles17rariçais,
siir les dcvoirs ct obligations des Pêcheurs des deux Nations, et iiotam-
ment en opposition directe à l'article V de ladite convention l, qui
défend à tout pêcheur, soit Anglais ou Français, de se livrer à aucune
péche quelconque dans les Limites respectives de chaque n at'on ;
Que, non satisfaits de prendre le poissori, iin nombre de Français se
livrent aussi à la coupe du gouément oii varech, ail détriment des sujets
13ritanniqucs qui sont dans l'habitude, pendant Insaison \~oiiluepar la
1-oide Jersey, de se livrer à cette coupe ;
Qu'une représentation dans le sens ci-dessus ayant été faite par
Monsieur. K. C. Bertran, Sous-Agent des Imli6ts, au Conlmandant
Ansoii du Garde-pêche [sltationné au Hâvre de Mont Orgueil, qui par
l'articles 8 [etg de ladite convention doit veiller i la protection des
pccheries de l'lle, afin qu'il interviennt: poln faircrespecter ;
Ce dernier, le15Août 1881, référale sujet aus Seigneurs dcl'A~nirauté,
qui Ic z9c Janvier 1882 l'informèrent que le Secrétaire d'lctat pour
'l'intérieiirleur avait intiméque ledit Commandant ne devait pas s'immis-
cer dans l'affaire"has intirnated that the cvisting statc of things shall
"be left undisturbed apart from any steps which it may be necessary
"to take to protect the Revenue of the Channel Islands."
Que ce fait liant ainsi les mains du Commandant, laisse le champ
lihrcaux Français de pêchernon seulement ails "Ecréhos," 1n;~istout
:russi bien sur le littorade Jersey même, cn rtn mot dans toutes ICS
limites Anglaises ;
Qu'en conséquence de ces faits et. du tort que causela noii-exécution
de ladite Convention à vos Pétitionnaires, .ilsprient très humblement
votre Assemblée de vouloir bien prendre telles mesures qu'clic jugera
convenable[sic] envers le Gouvernement tie Sn Majesté, pour assurer
See Annex d 27. The Artide is incomctly nunibered : it.should be
Article9.la mise à exéciitionde la Loi, et pour protége res pêcheriesde notre
pays contre les incursions étrangères ;
Et vos P&ti[ti]onnaires selnii qiie très-obligésprieront &a., Brca. ;
(Suicetli les siggtnlures.)
See Annex I\ 37.
Sec Annex A 27.
"ce 111inexA 30.
''Clic words in italics arc underlined inthe originalBIS.
Sec Annex A 31.22-1 .ANNEXES TO U.K. 3lE~IOKIAI- (SC*.h 38)
Eii rél~onsc cctte conimunication, 31.le Mi* cl'Harcourt a fait parvenir
h AI. Ic Diic Dec:ues le 12 Scptemhre 1876 un mémorandiim l qui lui
avait Ctéremis par Lord Derby ctqui contenait iincanalyse d'ri11rapport
dii directei~r des Douanes ct d'un avis dii prociireur général dc lersey
tendant itjiistifier Ic d~it,i.fe propriétéde I'Anglcterrc siir les Ecrehous
(les considérations histciriyues et géologiqiies.
I,e Goii\;crnement français n'a pas jugé oliliortiin h cette époque
d'entamer uiie discussion siir cc 1)ointavec le gouverncmeiit britannique
et il s'est niaintcnu dans cettc rCserve jiisqu'à présent d'autant plus
volontiers qii'en fait nos pCclieurs ont continué à esercer leur industrie
lc long des Ecrehous sans rcricontrer d'opprisition de la part de l'autorité
t>ritni.iniqiie, crliii~>ermetde si~~)~~os& (pic 1r.i nrgi;rneiitç j)i.ci.scritCs
tlaris lét~iiiiiioi-;tiidde 1876 poiir revcndioiici la propriétéexclusive
tle ce groiipede rochers ne liii~prlfaissaienpas absolument péremptoires 5.
11résulte, d'ailleurs, de ln pétition inéme qiii n étéadressée récemment
niix Etats de Jersey par les jiêcheurs de St Martin qu'à. la date du
39 ,Janvier 1882 .le Secrét:lircd'Etat pour I'iiitérieriravait, malgré les
"riic1arnations des phcheiirs jersiais contre la préscrice des pêcheurs
"françiiis aiix Ecrehous, intimé aux lords de l'Amirauté que le comman-
"dant di1 garde-pêche, chargéde ia surveiIIance des pecheries de l'île
"de Jersey, ne devait poirit s'immiscer dans l'affaire des Ecrehous."
Quoiqu'il en soit, en préscrice du projet de loi pris en consicibraiion
par les Etats de Jersey, le gouvernement de la République ne saurait
laisser contester à nos liéclieurs l'ricceç des rochers dont il s'agit et je
rne conforme ii ses instructions en soumettarit 5 Votre Esccllence les
considérations sur lesquelles se fondent nos réclamations.
Ilans l'état actuel des choscs, il paraît s~ip~rfliide discuter les points
Iiistoriques ct géologiques conteiiiis dans le mémorandiim anglais de
1876. Cc serait dhlilacer la cluestiori qii'il importe de maintenir sur le
terrai11de la convcntion de 1839.
Or, cettc conveiition stipule espressémcnt aux articles I,2 et 3,comme
31.le duc Decazes I'n rappelé dans sa lettre précitéedu 17 Février1876,
ail;\IId'Harcourt, la formation de trois zônes[sic] absolument distinctes :
unc ziine française escl~isivement réservée ails pScheurs français ;
iine zone anglaise esclusivement réservéeailx pécheurs anglais ; enfin,
tinc zône neutre, commune ails pécheursdes deus pays.
Idadélimitation esacte des zôncs française et aiiglaise ~irésented'auta~it
plus cl'importance qii'elle a pour objet de fixer l'étendiie rion seulement
des. eaus territoriales reslicctives, mais aussi de la mer corninune ;
tolite estensiori abusive de l'une ou l'autre des deus premières zônes
aurait pour résultat d'interdire iiiissujets dc l'iin ciesdeus pays le droit
de pkhe dansles localitks oiiils étaient Iétr,dementadmis i exercer leur
industrie concurremment avec les sujets de I'aiitce pays. Aussi, le
mémoraridum anglais de 1876 déplace-it-il la question, lorsqu'il insiste,
5 deux reprises, sur ce que la nouvelle délimitation d'u.port &.Jersey
n'affcctc cn rien les limites de la zône fr:inçaise, en dedans desquelles
l Sec Anncx A 33.
Sc :Innex .A 35.
Sec Aiinex A 36. .
4 'Theivords "Lc .,..britniriiiqite" Iaa~icncilled liset against tlicni itlic
rnargin in the original AIS.
5 'The wortls"liri .... pércinptoires" arc iiriclerlined in pcncil in tlAIS.riginal le. droit de ])êcIieest exclusi~~cment réser1.Caux pêcheurs franqais ;
nos réclamations étaient dirigées contre les e~npiétements commis,
non pas sur la mer territoriale frrinçaisc, mais bien sur la mer cornmirne,
Quant aux limites de la zone anglaise, elles ne sauraient êtremodifiées
par la revendication d'un droit de prupriétk sur tel ou tel îlot, clroit
.toujoiirs plus ou moins contestable lorsqu'on prktcnd le baser iini-
qucment sur des donntics géologiques oii historiques. Ces limites ont
étédéterminkes par une clause formelle, c'est-A-dire par l'article 2 de
la convention de 1839 qui les fixe i une distance de i'uoi'stna'llesde l'$le
ileJersey ' et nori pas, comme le dit le mémorandum anglais, de irois
milles lil'estdes Ecrehozrs ;ce qui supprimerait entièrement dans ces
11aragcstoute mer commune entre les Caux aiiglaises et françaises, rilors
que l'article 3 de la mêmeconvention parle d'une mer commune située
entre les [imites des deux zônes anglaise et française *, limites en declans
dcsqiielles la pêche aux huîtres est exclusiveinent réservke soit ails
pêcheurs français, soit aux sujets britanniques.
Le gouvernement anglais objectera peut-être : I"que si la délimitatioii
dc la zône britannique a étédéterminéedans la convention de 1839 par
l'article2 qui fise Eette limitc à trois milles de jersey t,la convention de
1867" se borne A stipuler en termes généraux, à l'article IC~,que "les
"pêcheurs I~ritanniques jouiront du droit exclusif de péche dans irn
"rayon de trois milles de la laisse de basse mer le long de toute l'étendue
"cles ciites des Ilcs Rritanniques" ;
1" que l'article 38, de la convention de 1867 complète, ainsi qu'il
suit,' cette dernière disposition : "Les termes "Ilcs Britanniques" et
" '"Royaume-Uni" e~nployés dans ccttc convention comprennent les
"îles de .Jersey, Guernscy, Alderney et Sercq, l'ile de Man et 1t:urs
"dépendances". .
11 rious parait inadmissible, toutefois, que le caliinet de Londres
songe -àse prévaloir de cette différbnce de rédaction pour modifier les
limites de la mer commune, telles clu'elles ont étédéterminées, d'uii
commun accord, entre les deirx gouvcriiements, lors de la conclusion cle
ln convention de 1839.
Sur le premier point, cn effet. il siiffit de se réfërer au procès-verbal
de la seconde séance de la commission anglo-franyaise réunie à Pitris
au mois dc Décembre 1866, pour la révision de la convention de 1839.
11 y est dit que les article2 et 3de la convention de 1839ont part1 intitiles
eii. présence du principe gcnéral posé par l'article -~l!rde la iiouvclle
convention.
Quant au second point, les commissaires anglais et français ont déclaré
dans cette même séance qu'il n'y avait pas lieu de faire le moindre
changement à la carte signée en 1839 par les parties contractantes. Or,
cette carte reproduit, d'une manière aussi précise que possible, les
limites de chaciine des zônes et notamment de la zônc neutre. 11 en
résiilte doiic que les Ecrehous qui figurent sur la carte de 1839 comme
étant compris dans la rner commune, doivent, encore aujourd'hui,
être considéréscomme situés dans cette mer : par suite, nos pêcheurs
ont le droit de pratiquer la pêchele long de ces rochers et d'y récolter
les varechs et aiitresherbes marines.
' 'Thc words in italicç arc underlinetin tlie originaAIS.
Tlie words "cc ...aô~zeai~glaa'et fruizçnbsehave a pencilled lineset agsinst
theni in tlie margin.
Sec -1nncx A iS.226 ANSEXES TO U.K. MERIORI.AL (KO. A 39)
Les considérations que je viens d'avoir l'honneur de vous soumettre,
Monsieur le Comte, sont trop fondées, au point de vue di1droit conven-
tionnel, pour que le gouver~iement de Sa Majesté la Reine ne les prenne .
pas en consid&ration et je me plais à espérer que Votre Excellence,
reconnaissant la légitimité denos réclamations, voudra bien provoquer
Ies mesures nécessaires pour le maintien de l'état de choses auquel la
rksoliition prisepar 1'Assemhléede Jersey est de nature à porter une
grave atteinte.
Je saisis cette occasion, Alonsieur le Comte, pour 17011s renouveler
les assurances de la haute consid6ration avec laquelle j'ai l'honneur
d'être
de ,Votre Excellence
le très humble et très
obélissant serviteur.
CH. TISSOT
Son Excellence
Monsieur le Comte Granville
etc. etc. etc.
ANNEX A 39 -
Second Dispatch from the French Ambassador to the Foreign Office,
26th May, 1883, protesting against an alleged "Projet de Loi" of the
States of Jersey, forbidding French Rshermen access to the Ecréhous
Içlets
[Foreign Ogice Prspers, 27/3652]
Atizbilssade de France
e71AngJetei.re Londres Le 26 Mei 18673.
Noiisieur le Comte,
Par une note l cildate du 25 Avril dernier, j'ai eu l'honneur de
signalerL Votre Excellence la prise en considération, par les Etats
de Jersey, d'un projet de loi tendant à interdire aux pêcheursfrançais
l'accès des Ecrehous. J'insistais en mêmetemps sur le caractère illégal
d'une mesiire qui ne tendait5.rien moins qu'à méconnaître la neutralité
dc ces îlots, implicitement consacrée par les conventions conclues
entre la France et I'Angleterre.
En m'accusant réception de cette note, le 28 du même mois,Votre
Excellence a bien voulu Tne dire que la question serait l'objet d'un
sérieux examen de la part du gouvernement de la Reine.
11résulte de nouvelles informations parvenues au gouvernement de
la KCpiiblique française que le projet de loi auquel je viens de faire
allusiona Ctévoté le 7 de ce mois par les Etats de Jersey et que le
Comitéde ces Etats a étéchargé d'en demander la sanction ail Conseil
Privh.
Au moment où le gouvernement anglais va être saisi de l'i~ljustifiable
décision prise par les Etats de l'île, je. crois inutile de revenir auprès
Sec Annex 2%38. AKKEYEÇ TO U.K. JIE~IORIAL-(x Ao.0) 227
de Votre Excellence sur 'la question dc droit, suffisamment établie
dans ma précédente communication. Je me borne à exprimer la convic-
tion que Ie gouïlernement de Sa Majesté Britannique se refusera à
sanctionner une mesure qui porterait une grave atteinte à l'état de
choses consacré par les traités existant entre les deux pays. L'entière
confiance qui nous anime, à cet égard, ne nous est pas seulement
inspirée par le sentiment de notre droit ; nous la puisons aussi dans
l'esprit de justice dont s'est montré animé le gouvernement de la
Reine lorsqo'il s'est refusé à plusieurs reprises; dans .le cours dc ces
dernières années, et notamment en 1881, à prêter son appui aux tenta-
tives faites par les habitants de Jersey depuis 1857, pour modifier à
leur profit le statu quo sanctionné par le droit conventionnel.
Veuillez agréer, hlonsieur le Comte, les assurances de la haute corisi-
dération avec laquelle j'ai l'horiiieur d'être,
de Votre Excellerice, .
le tr&s humble et très
obéissant serviteur.
CH. TISSOI'
Son Excellence
Monsieur le Comte Grai~ville
etc. ctc. etc.
Dispatch from theForeign Officeto the French Ambassador,24th October,
1883, citing Evidence of the British Claim to the Sovereignty of the
Ecréhous Islets
nrnft O/ Despirtch frm Eurl Granville Ici
M. Waddi?zgtou
Foreigiz Ofice,
M l'Ambassadeur, Oct 24, 1883.
SINCE 1 had the honour to acknowledge the receipi of M. Tissot's
notes "of the 25th Ayril and 26th May last on the subject of tlie claim
of French fishermen, iinder the Convention of 1839 4, to fish witkiiii
3 miles of the Islets called the Ecréhos near Jersey, Her Majesty's
Govemment have very fully considered the representations of tlie
French Goverriment therein contained, and I haye now the honour to
coinmunicate to yoiir Excellency the conclusions at which they have
arrived.
The words in itaiics areuriderlinedinthe originalMS.
' The text is based on tlie finaprinted draft.ivhich embtrdicsa numbcr of
eiiicndations shewnin the,onginal in rcd ink. TlieDispatch is alsoprintetl in
Po~eig?~OfficeConfidentialPrint. h'o. 5090 (1883-4)N.ci. 30pp. 3s-qo.
See Annexes A 38 and R 39.
See Annex A 27.
17328 ASSENES TO U.K. ~IEJIOHIAI. (SU.A 40)
In the first of Il. Tissot's commu~iications above referred to, corn-
plaint was made that the States of Jersey were about to pas an Act
prohibiting to French fisl~errnen access to the Ecréhos, in violation
of the existing usage, ancl of the Fishery Convention of 1839 ; and
the hopc was exprcssed that Her li.TajestyfsGovernment would recognize
the justice of the protest of the French Government, and takc steps
to prevent any disturba~icc of the existiiig statc of things.
Refore procccding further, 1 desire to correct a misapprehension
which appears to havc arisen as to this supposcd lcgislative measure
of the States of Jersey. It was not a "Projet de Loi" in the sense under-
stood' by M. Tissot, but only a Petition presentcd to the Statcs hy
the Jersey fisherrnen, praying that steps might be taken to yrotcct
the esclusive right of fishery wliich they daim within 3 miles of the
Ecréhos iinder the Co~ivention of 1839.
In his second Ictter of the 26th May 31. Tissot, \$,hile complaining
that the supposed "Projet de Loi" had hcen since voted by the States
of Jersey, reiterates the hope that Her IIajesty's Governmeiit mil1
not permit a dq~arture from the stalus qztoof 1881 ,liichHer ùiajesty's
Government had then decided conditionally to leave iindistiirbed.
Hiç Exccllcncy iiisisted on the character of nciitralitywhich lie
hcld to he impliedly imposed on the EcrChos by the Conventions
betwcen the two countries, thus suggesting for the first timc the fact
that thosc islcts arc neutral territory, :iproposition which 1 may be
permitted to observe has no foundation in any Convention or corrc-
spondcncc between the two Governmcnts.
T can iiardly believe, M. l'Ambassadeur, that M. Tissot intendcd
seriously to cal1 in question the right of the 13ritish Crown to the
sovereigrity of thc Ecréhos. Those islets have always been treated as
a dependency of Jersey ; the soi1 belongs cntircly to Jerseymen-
chiefly fisherrnen who have dwellings aiid own small tracts of land
there-and the islets for administrative Iiurposes form part of the
Parish of St. Martin's, in the Island of Jersey.
hloreover, when, in October 187j, as statcd hy 31. 'Tissot, the Lords
Commissioners of Her hiajesty's Treasury issued an Order *constituting
the Isla~id of Jersey a Channel port, and mentioning the Ecréhos as
being included in the limits of that port, the Earl of Derby, then
Secretary of State for this Department, in reply to a representation
from the French Ambassador on this, subject, and after consultation
witli the Law Advisers of the Crown, furnished his Excellency witk
a staterneiit of facts which, in the view of Her Majcsty's Government,
presented conclusive evideiice of the titlc of the 13ritish Crown to the
Ecréhos aç dc~icndencies of Jersey, and those statements the French
Government did not attempt to controvcrt.
Her Najesty's Government, therefore, do not consider it necessary
to discuss the question of the sovereignty of Great I3ritain over thosc
islets; and the oiily question mhich arises is whether, the Ecréhos
being British territory, French fishennen arc entitled, under the terms
of the Convcntion of 1839, to participate either in the oyster fishery
or in the general fisherp within 3 miles of those islcts.
l See Annes A 37.
SceAnnex A 30.
See Annexes A 32 and A 33. ANNEXES TO U.K. JIEMORIAI, (SO. -4 30)
229
31. Tissot, .in his letter of the 25th April, argues that the question
must be governed solely by the terms of the Convention of 1839;
that three distinct "zones" were established by Articles 1, II, and III
of that Convention,' the first being reserved exclùsively to French
fishermen, the second to British fishermen, and the third, or iriter-
mediate zone, to the fishermen of both coiintries ; that, a1iar.t irorn
any territorial question, the fisl~eryin the intermediate zone was, by
Article III of the Convention, declared to be common to the subjccts
of both.countries; that the limits of the British zone are fixed by
ArticleIl at 3 miles from the island of Jersey, and not at 3 miles from
the Ecréhos ; and that, the latter islets being more than 3 rniles from
Jersey, they are within the intermediate zone, and ttierefore within
the common fishery.
Al. Tissot further argues that if the limit of the Britisli zone were
taken at 3 miles from the Ecréhos, instead of 3 miles from Jersey, it
would entirely absorb in that locality the intermediate zone provided
for in Article l1I of the Convention.
It is manifest that the abovc argumeilts caniiot apply to the general
fishery,. but only to the oyster fishery, the limits of lvhich are, as
stated by M. Tissot, regulated by Articles 1, II,and III of the (:on-
vention ; and that even if the French claim were admitted as regards
the oyster fishery, it would be clearly untenable as regards the general
fishery, for the limits of the generalfisheryare regulated hy Article 1X
of the Convention, and the British limit within which British fishenlien
have the exclusive right of fisliery is fixed by that Article at 3 miles
from low-water mark, not "from the Island of Jersey," but "along
the whole extent of the coasts of the British Islands."
1may observe also that Article 65 of the Fishery Regulations agreed
to by the British and French Governrnents in May 1843 (and ~vliich
are carried into effect, sofar as British cruizers are concerned, by the
Act 6 & 7 Vict., cap. 79, sec. 18) provides that "tlii: Cornmanders of
cruizers of both coiintries sliall cxercise tkeir judgmerit as to the caiises
of any transgressions commiited by British or French fishing-boats
in the seas where tlie said honts had the right to fish iil conzmo?~,"
and that Article 85 of those liegulations enacts that "the fishiiig-
.boats of the one country shalI not approach nearer to any part of
the coasts of the other country than the limit of 3 miles specified in
Article TX" of the Convention of 1839.
Thcse very positive and unambiguous declarritiails could not ix
affected by the circumstance that the British and French zones describecl
in M. Tissot's letter happened, at one particular point, to overlap one
another. But his Excellency would seem to be in error as to the bict,
as the Ecréhos are situated about 52 miles from the coast of Jersey,
and 83 miles from thc coast of France ; consequently the zones cotild
not overlay.
In the same letter M. Tissot refers to the Fishery Convention of
1867 l,which has not yet corne into operation, and the terms of which
are ~endered still more precise and conclusive by the definition given in
Article XXXVIII of the words "British lslands" as including the
Islands of jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, teilttkeidrefier~ii-
encies. Wis Encellency deprecates any argument being drawn from that
l See Anncx .A 28.provision adverse to thc French claim ; but it would be imyossible, in
the discussion of this qiicstioii. to leave out of consideration the tcrms
of the Convention of 1867, which did not purport to makc ans cliange
in the fishery lirnits. and must hc considered, therefore, as containing a
more precise expositiori of the meaning of the Conventiori of 1839 as
regards the limits of the gcrieral riglit of fisliery reserved to eacli nation.
Indeed, asobserved by M. Tisçot, the Britishand French Commissioners
in 1866 declared that the was no occasion to make aiiy a1tijr:ltion in
tlie Cliart iittached to tlie Converition of 1839. With refercnce to this
Lhart, liowever, his Escdlcticy çtates that it reprodiices as precisely as
possible the limits of tlic British and French "zones," and notaldy those
of the intermediate zone ;hiit a reference to the Chart will show that the
only limits deliiicated on it are those of the French oyster fisliery, that
is toSay, the French zone. Neither the British zone nor the intcrmediatc
zone are dclineated on the Chart, and therefore the cliiestion whether
the Ecréhos are in the "mer commune," or within the exclusive 13ritish
fisliery limits, cannot bc solved by reference to the Chart, biit depends
entirelp on the co~istriiction of the Conven'tion.
As regards the oystcr fisliery, Her Blajesty's Governmcnt consider the
words in Article II of the Conveiition of 1339, "within 3 miles of the
Island of Jersey," stiould I)econstrued asindicated in Articlc XXXVIII
of the Convention of 1867, that isto Say, as including the Ecréhos, wfiicli
arc "dependencies" of Jersey. It appears to them that notivithstanding
the Ianguage used in Articles 11and III of the Conventiori of r839, as
comyared with that of Article IX, tlie intention ofthe Higli Contracting
Parties ori this ])ointw;ts ~'ireciselythe same in 1839 as it was in 1867.
-4sregards the riglit of ge~ieralfishery within 3 miles of the Ecrkhos,
Her Najesty's Governinent consider that the terms of Articlc IX of the
Convention of 1839 and of the Fisliery Kegulations allove .referred to,
admit of nodoubt as toits heiiig reserved exclusively to Britisli suhjccts.
The clairn of Frencli tisliermeii to participate iii it appears to put in
question the sovereignty of Great Rritain over those isletç, aiid I trust,
therefore, M. l'Ambassadeur, that )FourGovernment \vil1apprccinte tlic
difficulty feltby Her hiajesty's Governmeiit in making any concessioii
on this point coiisistentiy ~4th tlie territorial rights of this country.
1 have, &c.
[GKANVI l,l,E].Dispatch from the French Ambassador, 15th December, 1886, to the
Foreign Office, Claiming for the first time French Sovereignty over the
Ecréhous Islets
[Foreign OjTceP~lfiers, 27/3653]
Lo~rdresle 15 décembre 1886
Monsiciir le Coiiitc,
Par unc lettre en date du 2j avril 1583 '. inon prédeccsseur[sic]
M. 'Fissot exposait à Votre Seigneurie pour clilelinotif le Gouvernement
Français n'avait pas encore répondu ati memorandum[sic] remis en
septembre 1876 par Lord Derby au Marquis d'Harcourt et qui tenilait
à justifier le droit de propriétédc la Grande-Rretagne sur 1t:srocIlers
des Ecréhous situés près de l'ile[sicJ de Jersey par des considér t'ions
d'ordre historiqiic et géologique.
Mon Goiivernernent, en ajournant ainsi saréponse, voulait en oiitre se
ménager le temps d'examiner avec l'attention rtu'ils méritaient, les argu-
ments qui Iiii étaient opposés et de relever dans les archives iiationnles
de In Fraiice les pièceset les chartede nature 5 dissiper, s'ilétait possible,
les incertitudes qui planent depiiis si longtenips sur la situation de
droit des Ecréhous.
Un coiiiitéde spécialistes avait éténomméB cet effet ;aprés de loiigs
et conscicncieiis travaux, il est arrivé A poiivoir saisir le Ministère des
Affaires Etrangéres d'un rapport dont Votrc Seigneurie troiivera ci-joint
copie. II est répondu point par point aiix~tssertionsdu rnernor;indiim de
1S76 et, à ln lumière des nouvellcs doniiées historiques et géologiqiies
recueilliesdciiisce rapport, la France semhlc justifiée i récIan-ierpotir
elle le droit de souveraineté sur les Ecrého~is.
Le rapport se termine par une étude approfondie de la questioii dcs
Ecréhous au point de vue de la pêche.Mon Goiivernernent, s'appropriant
les conclusions du comité, considére qu'en vertii di1 texte et de l'esprit
des différentes conventions sur la matiére, ses nationaus ne sauraient
ètre en aucun cas évincésdu droit d'exercer la péche autoiir de ces
iIôts[sic]. Cette partie du rapport ajoiite de noitveaus arguments i ci:ux
que hl. Tissot avait fait valoir le 23[i.e., 251 avril, 1883 6, et elle est
destinée h rkliondre plus particiiliérement i la 'ommunication de Lord
Granville du 24 octobre de la rnêrncaiinée.
Ainsi, et lors inkrne que les titres les pliis légitimes dc la Fraiice i
posséder les Ecréhous ne seraient pas désormais établis, les rochers eii
question se trouvant, de par le droit conventionnel, dans la zBne coni-
miirie ;trideus pays, les pécheurs fr:inçais, aiix yeux du Gouvernement
See Annca A 38.
Z 'Rede July. See Annexes A 32 and A 33.
a Underlincd in the original 11s.
Set: Annex A 42.
Sec Annex -4 33.
' See Anncx A 33.
' Sec :\nnex :\ 40.232 ANNEXES TO U.K. àIEJIORIAL (NO. A 42)
de la République, devraient êtreadmis h exercer librement leur industrie
dalis ces eaux.
.Mais mon Goiivcrncnicnt aime à espérer qu'après mlrr examen le
Gouvernement de la Reine reconnaitra[sic] loyalement lebien fondé de
l'ensemble des concliisions di]rapport que j'ai l'honneur de lui soumettre.
L'administration française en exposant ainsi les titres qui lui permet-
traient d'établir son autorité sur les Ecréhous ne nourrit aucune visée
de nature à inquiéter le Gouvernement de la Reine. Pour le prouver,
je suis autorisé à déclarer que nous ne ferions pas d'opposition à ce que
ces ili>ts[sic]fussent iieutraliséç au point dvue militaire, et nous pren-
drioiis volontiers 2 cet égard tous les engagements les plus propres à
écarter les malentendus.
Ilen serait de m&me nu sujet du droit de pèche. Le libre exercice de ce
droit en faveur des sujets anglais ne saurait en tout état de cause être
contesté, en présence de l'interprétation que le Gouvernement français
croit devoir donner aux conventions existantes sur la pi.che dans ces
parages, et particulièrement à la convention de 1839 '.
Je serai reconnaissant i Votre Seigneurie de vouloir bien m'infornier
ultérieurement de l'accueil qui aura été[sic]fait A ma démarche par le
Gouvernement~de la Reine. .I.
Veuillez agréer Ies assiiraiicede la haute considération avec laquelle
j'ai l'honneur d'être,
3lonsieur le Comte,
dc Votrc Seigneurie,
le trés-humble et
très-obéissa~itserviteur
Sa Seigneurie, \VAllDING'ïON
le Comte d'Iddcslcigli
& & &
Report by a French Cornmittee of Experts, November 1886, on the
Sovereignty and Fishing Rights of the Ecréhous Islets,enclosed in the
French Ambassador's Dispatch of the 15th December, 7886
[Foreign Ofice Pupers, 27136533
Rapport sur la situation des Ecréhous au point de vue dc In dépendance
territoriale.
Paris, Novembre 1886.
Four établir sasouveraineté sur les Ecrehoiis, IcGouvernement Anglais
invoque deux ordres de considérations. Ilprétend d'abord que ce plateau
rocheux est une dependance géoIogiquede Jersey, qu'il a toujours s~iivi
le sort de cette île;et ilcite à l'appui de cette thèse l'Histoire des Evê-
ques de Coutances, de l'abbéLecancersicj-Suivant luicet auteur aurait
établi quJEcrehou aurait étédétachédu Continent cill'an 860.
Ilsoutient ensuite que, depuis 1203, la Couronne Anglaise a toujours
exercéla souveraincté au plateau des Ecrehous.
See Annex A 27. - ANNEXES TO U.K. 3IElIORlslL (NO. A 42) 233
Il est incontestriblc. eii ce qui concerne le premier point, que les
Ecrehous, comme les Chausey, les Minquiers, etc., faisaient primitive-
ment partie dii Continent ;mais l'abbéLecance, dans son ouvrage prEcité,
ne dit pas à quelle époqiie se serait produite leur séparation. Certains
historiens de Jersey ont voulu fixer à 709 la date d'un cataclysme, aincné
par une grande maréed'éqiiinoxe, qui aurait submergé une vaste plaine
s'étendant des rivages de la France à ceux de 1'-4ngleterre. (AI. Pégot
Ogier, Histoire d'Aurigny, Serk, etc....)
D'autres auteurs, tout en admettant que la séparation de Jersey du
Continent ait eu lieu en 709, ont reporté à 1203 l'isolation des .Ecréhous.
Elle aurait Ctécausée par l'invasion de la mer, qui tendait se frayer
une issue à l'endroit appelé plus tard le passage de la Déroute. Jean
Sans Terre donna l'île, alors trés peuplée, au Seigneur du Pratel l,qui à
son tour en fit don i l'Abbaye du Val Richer "pour bâtir une égliseen
l'honneur de Ilieii et de 1;~ Sainte Vierge". Et la charte de fondation
ajoute quc les hal~itants nc pciivetit plus venir entendre la messe à Part
Bail en Cotentin.
Jlais il parait prouvé clliel'île clesEcrehous n'a Stéisoléedu Continent
que par l'action lerite de In nieri:tnon par un cataclysme violent tel que
celui qui s~ibrnergca la forêtde Scissy autour du Mont Saint-Michet.
C'est ce que démontre unc carte comparative, publiée par M. Ernest
Desjardins, dc l'état de labaie du Mont Saint Michel avant et après la
submersion de la foret de Scissy. Ce phénomène n'a pu avoir aucune
influence sur Jersey ou siir les Ecrehous.
11faut renoncer à fiser avec précision l'époque de l'isolation de (:es
îles. Mais il est certain: IO. que Jersey a étCséparéedu Continent bien
avant les Ecrehoiis ; 2".que cette derniére île n'a jamais été une dépen-
dance de Jersey, soit ail poiiit dc vile géographique, soit au point de vue
géologique.
En effet, les cartes iiidiquciit iine profondeur de 124 et de 147 pieds
entrc Jersey et les Ecrchoiis, tandis que ceux-ci ne sont séparés dri
Continent que par riri chenal de 30 pieds au plus de profondeur. Ils
font géographiquement parti (lu Continent, et il suffirait d'un léger
abaisse~nent de la mer pour qu'ils s'y rattachâssent de nouveau -De
plus, une rivière, I'Ay, qui a actuellement son embouchure au Hâvre[s~c]
de Saint-Germain, creiisait autrefois un estuaire entre Jersey et les
Ecrehous ;et la falaise de Jersey tourne le dos aux Ecrehous. Enfiii,la
nature du sol diffiirc absolument entre jersey, Guernesey et Aurigny,
et la cote du Cotentin, qui appiirtieiit avec les Ecrehous au terrain de
transition di1svstèii~eSilrrricn.
En se plaçant nu poilit dc vue Iiistoriclue, on constate, daris I'itinérairc
maritime d'Antonin (IV#: :siècle),l'existence des îles de Jersey, Aurigny
et Guernsey. Quant aux Ecrehous, ils faisaient partie du Continent à une
époque très postérieure à l'&tablissement du Christianisme en Gaule ;
et ils constituaient une fraction di1 village d'Ecrehou, dont la fraction
restante est encore aiijourd'liiii la section la plus importante et la plus
peiipléede la Cominiine de Cartci-ct- .
l See Annex A 8.
See Annex :\ 7.
' "IVf!" is strttck tliroiigand ..qriritriè~ne"interlinin pencil,in theorig-
inal MS. 31. Pégot Ogier, dans son Histoire des Iles de la Manche, (Livre II,
Chapitre IF, p. 58) .onne une liste des Chapelles, prieurés et Couvents,
payant rentes ecclésiastiques aux grandes fondations Continentales, qui
ont étéenglouties par lesflots. Du reste, il existe une tradition constante
d'après laquelle I'Evéque oii l'Archidiacre de Coutances, j>our faire ses
tournées jiastorales, passait par les Ecrehous et de là par une ~i;~sserelle
de bois pour dler AJersey. Ceci indique que, à une épotlue très reculée,
Jersey était stparte dcs Ecrehous par un petit bras de rner formk par
l'estuairede 1'Ay.
Le Gouverneinerit I<ritaniiiquc, après avoir mis en avant des considé-
rations géologiqueset géographiques, s'appuie sur l'Histoire polir démon-
trer que les Rois d'Angleterre ont exercé des droits de souveraineté sur
les Ecrehous, tandis que les Rois de France n'y ont pas fiiit sentir leur
autorité. -
IIfaut remonter Iloiir celaA 1Go3,&poqueà laquelle le baiHi de Jersey,
Hélier de Carteret, fit briller les parchemins qui étaient entassés dans
les greffes de ['île. II attribuait, parait il[àlces documeiits une peste
qui désolait le pays.
11faut donc recoiirir a divers recueils pour connaître l'histoire des
Ecrehous.
Le premier titre qui s'j-rapporte est conservé dans un ouvrage Fraii-
çais, la Gallia Chrisliarru,(findi1Volume TX ',Collection desI?istrzlme~rtri.
colonne 94, NY.XXXII).
C'est un acte cle tloniition cle1203 a, par lequel Pierre Desprkaus,
bailli du Cotentin ct dcliiiis rzoo gardien des trois îles de Jersey, Guerne-
sey et Aurigny 5 fait présent de I'ile desEcrehoiis i~l'Abbaye du Val
Ricber, à.Ia condition qii'il y soit élevéune égliseoii il sera 1iri"linur
I'illustre Roi d'Angleterrew, qui l'avait ~iorniiiéSeignciir clesIlcs.
pierre Despréailx &tait dii reste Français et il ne soutint que inorneii-
tanément lacausc de Jean Sans Terre ; etM. Pégot Ogier racoiite com-
ment il fit sa soumissioii à Philippe Augriste, qui assiégeait Rouen. II
en obtint la confirmation de toiisses fiefs et qiialitks ; maiiloiihlia-de
faire meiition des Iles de la Rlanche-
Jean Saiis Terre se saisit alors des biens des ISarons Xorrn;u~ds qui
s'étaient soumis ailRoi (le France, et il dressa le rbldc ces domaiiles
situés en Ariglcterrc. Il liassa soiis silence les Iles de la hlaiiclie.
Ainsi, deus fois oubli6 par Ia France et par l'Angleterre, I'arciiipel
était par la force mêmedes choses considéré comme indépendant. Il
ne devait pas tarder :Ltlcvenir le champ de bataille dcs revendicatioiiç
des deux Rois.
En 1204, Pliilil~lieAugiiste entama une négociation avec les lirtl->itants
des Iles, en vue d':mener leur rt:tour pacifique au DiichédcNormandie.
Mais ceux ci [sicréclamèrent la reconnaissance de leurs priviléges, ct les
Francais, en I205, furent rnaitres des Iles. Ils en furent chassés par les
Anglais en 1206 ,t ils les reconrluirent e1212 ; mais en 1213, ils perdi-
rent Jersey et Giicrnesey, tout en conservant Serk et lc restde l'archipel.
Ces faits sont attestés par les procès verbaux des plaids "de quo
warranto" tenus dans les Iles en 1308'. (Londres, rSr8, I volume in
Hecie XI.
= See .$unex A 7.
a See Annex X 8.
Recte 130r). folio, éditépar W. Illingworth, Depiity Keeper of the records of the
Tower, et prthlié,par la Commission des liecords). H
Les traitCs de r259 et de 1360 l attribuent aux Rois de Francr: et
d'i\nglcterre les îles clni,au moment de la cessation des hostilités, se
trouvaient en Icur possession. C'est donc de cette question du fait que
dkpencl la cjiiestion de droit. Or. depiiis l'acte de donation de 1303, ricri
n'a pu fairc sortir les Ecrehotis du domaine de la France.
L'acte dc 1203est un pur démembrement du fief de Pierre Uespréaus ;
et cc dernier n'agissait pas au nom du Roi d'Angleterre, lequel au riiçte
revendiqiiait alors sa qualité de feudataire du Roi de France. Cc n'cst
qu'5 la fin de la guerre que les Soiiverains Anglais réclarnérentle droit
de ne pas rendre hommage aus Rois de France pour celles des îles du
Cotentin qiie les hasards de la Iiitte avaient laisséescri leur yossession-
C'est ce à cluois'opposaient le traité d'Abbeville de 12j9 et les exemples
d'Edounrd II 1 en 1360 et de ses ~irédéccsseiirse ,xemples cités dans iitie
apologie r8digéep:ir les ordres de Charles V.
La doiintioii de I'ierre Despréaux a eii pour effet de faire yasscr les
' Ecrehoiis cle son domaine dans celui dc l'Abbaye de Vat Kicher ; elle :i
rompu tout lien antérieur à cette date, (lui aurait existé entre cette Îtc
et .Jersey.
Herinant; (Histoire du Diocèse de I3ayeris, manuscrit eii 3 ~+oliimcs(le '
la .Bibliothéque de Caen, zç volume, p. 204.) donne des excmples de
doiiations faites en 1209 et en 1235 à 1'Ahbaye de Val Richer au profit
de Notrc Dame des Ecrehous. Une de cap doqations est faite par Sinion
de Dammarti~i, Comte, et par sa feinnic, Aalis, fille du Roi Louvs clc
France.
Loiijs 19, suivant Hennant, coiifinna I'Ahl~ayede Val Richer daris
In possession de Notre Dame des Ecrehous.
En 1309, le prieur de cette commuiiaut6 ftit appelé i justifier tlcvaiit
des jugcs Aiiglais de ses titres sur les possessions de l'Abbaye daris les
iles de la Jlanchc soumises au Roi d'Angleterre 3.C'était ilne mesiirc
généralequi fut appliquée à tous les établissements ecclésiastiques qrii
se trouvaient dans lasituation de l'Abbaye de Val Richer - Et il n'eiit
i s'ex~lirluer que sur la donation d'un mou1in à Jerse~., faite en 120.3
par Pierre Despréaiis ;tant il était reconnii que les Ecrehous ne di! ,en-
daient, ni dc la Coiironne d'Angleterre, iii de I'ile de Jersey.
En 1337, Gabriel, Abbé de Val Kicher, envoya deus moines poils
garder la Chapelle de Xotre Dame des Ecrehoiis4 ; et ce, pendant qiie
tous les prêtresct religieux du Continent dans les mo os ses sioglsises
étaient poiirsuivis et emprisonnés. II est donc infiniment probable qiie
l'île des Ecrelioiis n'était pas soumise :L1';iutoritédu Roi d'Angleterre ;
car on nc ~icut guère supposer ijuc 1'AI)bé Gabriel ait voulu augmenter
le nombre des prisonniers du Souverain Anglais.
Toutes les enquêtes "de quo warranto", conservées et publiées, soiit
muettes sur les Ecrehous, tandis qu'elles se poursuivaient avcc la cler-
nière rigueur A l'égarddes biens p0ssédi.spar une maison religieuse du
Continent sur une tcrre Anglaise.
' Hespctively, of l'ans and Calais. Sec ;\iinexe-4 I and A .2.
? The draft of the Trcaty of Paris \vasprepared at -4bbevilte.
See Annex A 12.
See paragraph 47. ASSEXES TO U.K. 1\IEltOKIAI, (SO. A 42)
~36
L'Attorney General cite cependant un fait qui seinble concl~ire eri
faveur de la thèse du Goiiver~lement Rritaririique."En 1668 ',les Cotn-
missaires de la Couronne font mention d'arrikés dc rcdcvances dues pour
le compte du prieiiré dtEcrehou. Quelques-unes de ces redevances ont
été payées aussi réceinment qu'cn 175. 25 et prohnhlement se paient
encore de nos jours."
Il est vrai quecette mention existe,'et non seulement en 16SS, mais
encore en 160 et cn 152s &lais ces redevances étaient payées aii
prieuré d'Ecre iou en vertu d'une clause de l'acte de donation de Pierrc
Despréaux, et Ies habitants de Jersey avaient uséde la faculté qui leur
était ouverte dc profiter dit seul lieu de ciriteB proximité pTr suite
du séquestre de toiis les hiens ecclésiastiques dépendant des maisons
continentales. '
En r411, la confiscation de ces biens, dits "nlierics "riories,"devierit
ctéfiiiitive,ct en1451 elle est réalisé; et c'est par application de cette
niesure que la Couronne d'Angleterre s'est approprib Ics redevances dues
5 Xotre Dame dlEcrehou par les Jersiais. Toutes les confiscations dcs
hieris des abbayes Catholiques Anglaises sont ~~ostérleures2 x528.
Hermant dit que les réformés Anglais s'emparèrent du prieur6
d'Ecrehou; mais Mariettc de la Pagerie, dans sa carte di1 diocèse dc
Coutances, dressée en rGSg, reprbsente la chapelle comme existante.
L'Abbaye de Va[ Richcr posséda encore jusqu'à laRévolution l'île
d'Ecrehou, qui avait, suivant Hermant, une lieue dc Iong sur une demi
lieue de large à la fin du 17: siècle. Après 1789, l'ile passa dans le
domaine public Français, imprescriptible et inalienabie.
Iln'y a donc, dans 1fi faits cités par l'Angleterre pour prouver ses
droits sur les Ecrehous, rien qui puisse prouver, rnêmeentre pnrticiiliers,
ilne j~ossessioiiprescriptivc "aiiimo doinini."
Examen de la question subsidiaire relative à la fixation, pour l'exercice
di1 droit de pèche fr;inç:iisde In &ne cornrniineet dc la zône anglaise.
Ide2 .Août 1839 est intervenue entre la France et la Grande Bretagiie
une Convention pour la délimitation des pêciieriessur lescôtes respec-
tives des deux pays.
Le ré am b de cet acte diplomatique prkcise le double but qu'ont
poursuivi lesHautes Parties Contractantes. La Convention contient deux
ordres de dispositions :les premières sont sliécinlcsA lapêchedes huitres
dans la baie du Cotentin ; les autres sont générales; elles ont pour effct
dc déterminer les limites en dedans desquelles le droit gknéralde pêche
sur toutes Ies cdtes des deux pays sera exclusivcinent réservéaux sujcts
respecti dfsla France et de la Grande Bretagne.
La fixation dc ces limites résiiltedes articl1,2 et 3 de la Conventiori,
pour la péche spécialedes huitres, et de l'Article g, pour la peche
générale.
l Recte 1668. '1'Lieeris inthe (Jersey) Attorney-C;eneral's re:see i\riiiex
A 30.
?'The Attorney-Gcncralgivcs tliis dataç 1735 :scc Anriex :l 36. hctually,
it should li174~4:sec i2iinexA ig.
See paragrabii49.
Recte alien.
jSse Annes A 27. Coinine le point de départ de ln zône réservéeexclusivement aus
marins Anglais tant pour la péchcgénéraleque pour la pêche deshuîtres
entre Jersey et le Continent est l'objet de la contestation actuellenient
peiidante entre le Gouvernement de Iü Fr;irice et celiii de la Grandc
I3retngne, il importe de rappeler le tt:stc de ces articles et d'en préciser
le sens.
L'.Article IF s'occupe dc déteriniiicr lipoiiit de départ de la fraction
tlc iner attribuée esclusivement ii 1üpéche française. 11a ceci (le parti-
culier que pour fixer ce point cle tlépart, il ne s'attache lias, corntrie
l'usage est de le faire dans les Conventions de la nature de celle qiii
nous occupe, à suivre les bornes de In.Soiiverriineté territoriale.
Les négociateurs ont considéréquc surcette cOtede teinps imméiriorial
rongéepar l'océan,iI y n un nombre infini de baies, d'anses et clecriqucs,
d'îles!d'îlots,de bancs, de rochers et d'écueils,et que, parmi ces rocliers.
il en est un sur lequel il peut êtredificile d'établirles droits des piiissances
contractantes, et où ces droits peuvent rester litigieux.
Ils ont pensé que si, daris cettc baie du Cotentin, on se bornait A
dtclarcr que le point.de départ des z6nes serait la laisse de basse mer à
partir des possessions françaises et anglaises, on ne inettrait pas un terme
ails contestations esistantes, on ouvrirait la voie à une sitride nouvelles
difficultés. Idebut de la Convention serait manqué. Pour échapper .i.
ce danger. ils ont marqué sur la cartc lin certain nombre de poiiitç
fises et iinmuables qu'ils ont désignépar les lettres de I'alphabet dc
A iiK, ils ont, par les lignes idPales tracees sur les cartes, rejoint ces
diffkrents points, et c'est h partir de cc5 lignes qu'ils ont compté 1;i
distance de trois milles - De cette fziçoiiils ont penséque toute contes-
tation deviendrait irnpossihle, et (lut lc hiit de la Convention serait
atteint.
Xyant A déterminer le point de départ de la ziine de trois milles réservé
aus pêcheursAnglais, ilsont procéd6 de la mêmefaçon. Ils ne se sont
pas préoccupés de borner la souverainetir Sritannique ou de circonscrire
les dépendances de Jersey. Ils ont cherché un point indiscutable et pris
la laisse de basse mer de l'ile de Jersey. Par là ils ont prévenu tout
litige. Pei1 importe donc, au point de vue de la péche cles huîtres, qiie
les Jersiais établissent que tous les rochers jusqu'à la côte du Cotentiri
soiit une dépendance de leur ile. T-e point de départ de la zône resti:
inirnuablc ; c'est la zônede la laisse clcbassc mcr de l'ile mêmede Jersey.
Icnfin, dans l'article 3, il est stipiilé que-Ia péche des huîtres sera
corriiriuiie nus sujets des deus pays entre les limites désignées:tus
Articles r et 2.
Ainsi, pour la pêichedes Iiiiîtrrs, 1;i préteiition clil Gou\;ernemeiit
Aiiglais de faire partir la limite dc la zône réservéeaux pêcheurs Anglais,
iiori pliis de l'ide Jersey, rnais rle l'ile dlEcrehou, est condamnée pi'
lc texte comme par l'esprit de la Coiiverition rie1839.
Au point de vue de la pêchegénérale,la question est régléepar I'articli:
g de la Convention. Cet article édicte iine mesure d'ordre génCra1,noii
seulement parce qu'elle s'applique :itoutc cspècerle pêctie,mais encore
parce qu'elle n'est pas restreinte clans solieffet A ccrtaines côtes, mais
clu'elle s'étend à tous les rivages de la 1:rance et des iles Britariniques.
Ayant 5 régler la question porir iine étendue aussi considérable, les
ntgociateurç n'ont pas persisté dans le mode de détermination de points
et de ligiies qu'ils avaient adopté Iorsclii'ilrie s'agissait que du Cotentin ;
ils n'ont pas fait de carte, ils se sont liorn6s5 poser un principe : "1~:s238 ASSEXES 'TCiU.K. .\IE3IORlAL (SO. A 42)
"sujets de Sa Majesté le Roi des Français jouiront du droit esclusif de
"pêchedans le rayon dc trois milles à partir de la laisse de basse mer, le
"long de toute I'étcndiiedes ciites cleFrance, et les sujets de Sa ?dajesté
"Britannique jouiront du droit exclusif de pèche le long des cotes des
" lles Britanniques."
Toutefois 1'ArticLc 9 ajoute : "Il est entendu que lc rayon de trois
"milles fixant la limite génér:il eu droit esclusif de pêclicsur les cotes
"des deus Pays, sera niesuré,pour les baies dont l'oiivertiire ii'escédcra
"pas dix milles, i partir d'une ligne droite allant d'uii cap 1~l'riiitre".
Si l'Articlq ne contenait que les lignes précitées,aucune zOne n'aurait
étc rhservée par la Coiivcntion pour l'exercice (le la pêclicgéiiér;ile,à
titre exclusif, en fa\-cur des pêcheursjersiais ni des pêchciirsdes autres
iles que les Français appellent ics îles Anglo-Xormandes et i~iiis'appellent
en Angleterre les îles du Canal ou les iles de la Manclie-
1,'hrticle g ne parle en cffet que des Iles Britaiiniqiies, et les îles
Anglo-Normandes ne font IYaset ii'ont jamais fait partie des Iles Britan-
niques. 11est invraisemblable que, dansune Convention écrite la carte
sous les yeus ct où les clésignations géographiques sont pesées avec
lin soi11 méticiileux, les mots Iles Britanniques aient été employés
pour désigner les Tlcs Ariglo-Xorrnandes-
Ari surpliis, si le Gouvernement .Anglais éieivaitcluclrlriecoritcstatioi~
siIr ce point, on pourrait lui opposer:
- les propositions présentéesen son nom par ses représentants tlaris
la Commission Anglo-française pour la revision de la Con~~entioiide
1839 sur les pêcheries,Commission qui s'est tenue h Paris en Di.cetnhre
1866-Janvier 1867; 2% le language tenu par ses commissaires.
Dans la séance (lu 28 Septembre 1866, les représentants du Ciouver-
nement Britannicluc formulent leurs propositions. Ida troisi&mc propo-
sition estai~isiconçue :"'l'lie more precise definition of tlie geographical
limit over whicli tlie regiilations shall extend."
Dans une séance tiltérieurc, celle du 4 Janvier 1867, XI.Crivc,iiictiibre
dii Parlement, Vice Président du I3oard of Trade, esyliqiie qtie les
expressions "Tles 13ritanniclues" de l'article 9 de la Convention de 1839
ne comprennent pas lesîlesde la Manche. Il demande que ces iles soient
mentionnées expressément. ],es pêcheurs Anglo-Sorrn:i~lds avaient
effectivement saisi le Parlement de pétitions tendant h ce but. Dans la
séance du 24 Janvier, 31. Cave revient encore sur cette question, qui
parait tenir beaucoup i cleiirau Gouvernement Anglais. Pour satis-
faire A ces vŒux rgitérés,les coniinissaires français consentent ii I'inser-
tion dans la Conventiori projetée d'un article qui devait étre ainsi
conçu : "les termes Iies Britanniques et Royaume-Uni employés dans
cette Convention comyrcnnent les "îles de Jersey, Guernesey[sic],
Alderney, (sic) ',Sark," (sic) [ces noms propres écrits en Anglais prou-
vent bien que le rédiicteur (le l'article était .Angliis] ', "l'île de Man,
et leurs dépendances".
L'auteur de l'article additioi~nel avait méme d'abord, pour plus de
précaution, ajouté quc "la désignation de pêcheursbritanniclues s'appli-
que aux habitants de ces îles." A cette époque,on le voit, les commis-
saires Anglais se gardaient bien de parler de l'ile d'Ecreliou. Il n'était
pas question des préteiidus droits de souveraineté que les Rois (l'Angle-
' "(sic)" in theorigiiirAIS.
? The squarebrackets are in tlieoriginaAIS. :\NNIISES TO U.K. JIEMORI.4L (SO. A 42) 239
terre :i\rnie~it toujours escrcés siir elle. Tout au contraire. les repri:seri-
tants chi Gouvernement lSritannique protestaient que cet article addi-
tionnel ne changerait rien aus limites de la mer territoriale assignées
tichacune (les deus parties contractantes par les Articles I, 2 et 3 de
la Conj7ention cle 1539.
Il serait dificilc de coiicilier les déclarationes faites pour ohteriir
l'insertion de I'articlc :tdditionnel précitc avec les prktentions nctuelles
cfu C;ou\.ernement 13ritannique. Le projet de Convention Elahort en
1867 ' ri's jamais été rendu es-cutoire, et les procés-1-erbaus de la
Comnlission qui l'a préparéii'ont qu'un intérêtIiistorique. Ils n'ont ét6
citCsque pour établir que les deux Gouvernements étaient d'accord sur
cc poiiit. c'est que Ieç iiiots "lles 13ritiiiiniqiies" nc s'appliquent pas
RUS Ilesde la Alanclic.
Les limites de la iner territoriale ne seraient pas établies pour les
pêclieurs Jersiais vis 5 vis des pêclieursfrançais, si l'article 9 ne conte;
liait cliie les dis~iositions 1irCcitées.Mais il renferme en outre, pour les
côres coiii~irises entre Ic Cap Carteret et la pointe du Alanga 2. une
réfcreiice 5 l'Article 1':'de la Lonventiori. Il stipule que. sur ces côtes,
les trois inilles seront conlptés, non de la laisse de basse mer du rivage
français. inais des lignes icléalestraci.es sur les cartes dresséesen esécution
de l'.Articler4:r(le la Convention. Or la référenceà l'Article I!?entraînepar
\?oie(le conséiluetice la réfërence ails -4rticles 2 et 3. qui eri sont le
corollaire. I:iieffet, les Articles 1, 2 et 3 forment un tout indivisible,
un ensernhle apl,lic:iblc aus calculs (le fa iner territoriale dans la haie
du Cotcntiii, dorit on ne peiit distraire urie partie sans détruire I'écononiie
Equitablc et ratioiiildle dit système entier.
Ce systéiiic est, oiise le rappelle. un système de compensation qui a
pour hiit de placer siir iiiipied d'égaliti: absolue les pécheurs des deux
nations, tlc pr&\,eriit-toute contestation sur les limites respectives de
leur sou\~ci.:~iiietdans ce coin de l'océan.Ilans tous les traités qui sont
interveiius entre I;L France et I'Aiigleterre, on s'est toujours refiisé il
faire sur cc point litigieux des ctites Normandes lebornage des yossessioiis
i-éciprotlucs des deux pays, i dresser l'in\-entaire des revendicatioris
qu'ils pou\:aient exerces. On s'en est toujours référi: 2 l'état de fait.
Si, plusiciirs sihcles :il>r&sI;Lguerrc de Cent ans, les négociateurs de la
Convention de rSj9 ;liraient voulu refaire l'ceiivre devant laquelle on
avait scculé lors des Traités d'Abbeville et de Picquigtiy ', ils auraient
ré\willEtciuti:s les ctuerelles rlu'ils avaient pour mission d'éteindre. S'ils
s'ktaieiit coiiteiitCsdc dire que cfiacune des deux nations rechercherait
les liinites extrétnt:~ de sa souveraineté et co~npterait trois milles à
pxrtir de ce point pour fixer les tcrrnes de 1;~zone réservéeà ses nationaux, ,
ils n'aiireient rieri fait que donner ouverture A mille litiges. Ils otil: eu
11ourhiit, ni1contraire, coilformérnent Ia mission qui leur était iiiiposée
par les deus Gouvcriictnents et qiiiest rappelée dans la préambulc de
la Convciitioii clc 1839, de inettre lin terne définitif à toutes les contes-
t:itions. ..\cet effet, ils ont tlécidk (.lue,pour la pêchegénéraleconime
pour la péchedes Iiiiitrcs, sui-ce poiiit de la chte dc France. il n'y aurait
' Sec rlnnex A 28.
~Ilettgor ~Ifeitrgci.
3 ffect elic'Treaty oi Itaris : scc abovc.
Hetwcen I<dwnrd Ilrof Englaiitland 1,ouis XI of I:rance,iiiI47j: see para-
grap11 2[. ASSESES 1'0 U.K. JIEJiOKIAL (Y',.343)
2.40
pas i recllcrcher les limites de la souveraineté cet endroit ;le point de
départ de la zône des trois inilles serait déterminé arbitrairement et
transactionnellement, il serait fixe et invariableCe serait pour l'Angle-
terre la laisse de basse-merde l'île de Jersey et les lignes idkales tracées
siir la carte jointe A la Caii\*ention polir la France. Peu importe donc,
cn ce qui concerne les droits des pêcheursAnglais ou Franqais, quc la
17r:~nccétablisse sa souvcriiirieté sur le plateau des Ecrchous oii que
l'Angleterre 11maintieniic ses prétentions. Quand même les Ecreliouç
seraient terre Frariçaise, la France ne pourrait pas placer le point de
départ des trois milles réservés i partir de la laisse de basse mer de ce
banc de rochers. Quand inerne les revendications de l'Angleterre sur
cette ancienne île seraient fondées, elle ne pourrait compter sa zihe
réservée, des Ecrehous, au lieu de la conipter [le Jersey. Pas plus que
la France. elle ne peut supprimer ni entamer la Iner corniniine que réserve
l'Article 3 de la Convention. Autrement, ce serait co~itrairement à
L'espritde cet acte diptoniatique, dire qu'il n'a.pas placélcs cleii.itloris
sur iin pied d'égalité; et qu'après avoir clos L'èredes litiges perpétuels
1x)iirla yéche deshuîtres, les négociateiirs ont voulu les i.nu\.rir pour'la
p'ciiegénérale.
Ce n'est pas niilsi que la Convention a étécomprise et yratiqiiée
tlepuis 1839. Les marins fraiiçais ont continué 5 esercer la pêcheaux
t<crehous, comme ils le faisaient antérieurement depuis un temps immé-
morial ; comme ils lc font dans toiis les autres bancs situés à plus de
trois milles de la laisse de basse Iner de Jersey, sans que, jusqu'à ces
derniers temps, les stationnaires Anglais aient mis aucun obstacle à
l'exercice de ce droit ; sans que le Gouvernement Anglais nit lait aucune
obserx-ation-Or, l'interprétation qui a prévalu pendant une longue
période d'années nepeut êtremodifiée au gr6 de l'une des dcux nations
par un simple acte cI'auturit6 riesa part. Dans I'esecution d'un pacte
trritis:lctionnel l'un des coiitractaiits ne peut s'érigercri juge des termes
du pacte, et leseul fait parliiid'avoir ücceptc sans protestation l'exécu-
tion du contrat par l'autre partie dans un sens, le rend non-recevable a
imposer h son CO-contract;iiit iine interprétation contraire-.
Dispatch from the Foreign Officeto the French Ambassador,27th October,
1887, rejectingthe French Claims, contained in the FrenchAmbassador's
Communication of the 15th December, 1886
[Forcig~zOpce Pafiers, 27/36533
&,ft hl. le ChargédJdfkaires, F.O. Oct. 27 1887
-
H.M.'s Govt have give~itheir careful attention to the letter ' which
Count Il. Waddington did me the honour to address to me on the 15thof Dec.
d1AUbiFny Iat, as well asto the Dociiment ivhich accompanied it, namely a voh-
minous report by a Committee of Specialists appointed hy tlie French
'Set: AnnexA X 42. "l'aper" struck thmugh, "Docuinent" interlinedin the
ori~inal 31s. Gov? to esarnine the titlc of Great Britain to the sovereignty of the
Ecrehos Rocks and the extent and limitsof British Fisher37Rights under
the Convention between the two countries of the 2nd of Aug. 1839.
As regards the first point, 1 would begin by observing that H.hi.'s
Govt.were unprepared to learn, especialIy after the correspondence wliich
has taken place upon tlie subject, that the French Govt seriously dispute
at the present day the Sovereigii Riglits of Great Britain over the
Ecréhos.
'The question was rnooted in 1876 in connectioii witli a Treasury
Order relating to Jersey and its 13epeiideiicics, and in rcply to a Sot"
of the 27t!lof Feb. of that ycar from the SIarqiiis d'i-Iarcoiirt,at that
time French Ambassador at this Cotirt, a Aïcm : w;ts communicated
to H.E. establishing beyond any possibility of douht the title of Great
Rritain to the Ecréhos. No atteinpt was then made by the French Gov'
to controvert the facts stritedirthe >rem : nor indeed was any rejoinder
made to it.
In 1883 a corrcsj~ondence arosc betwccii tlie two Govf?as tothe respec-
tive Fishery Kiglits of the two countries iinder tiie Corivention of 1839,
in the coiIrse of which it was arguedby the I'rench Goui that the Ecréhos
were in the "intermediate zone" dcfincd hy that Convention, and th.
therefore the right of fishery therewas common to the subjects of both
countrics ;but no attcmpt was made to reopen the territorial question.
That correspoiidence was n~il~nrentlyclose(2by a Note addressed to
31.Waddington by Earl Granville on the 24' of Oct. 1883, which in the
opinion of H.31.'~Govt:entirely disposcd of the French clnims to n right
of common Fishery at the Ecréhos.
At the close of that Note, to whicti rio iinswcr was returned, Earl
.Granville-expressed himself as follows :-
"As regards the right of gciieral fisherj. within three miles of the
"Ecréhos, H.hI.'s Gov: consider that tfie tcms of Art : IX of the Con-
"vention of 1839 and of the Fisliery Kegiilations above referred to, adrnit
"of no doubt as to its being rcserired excliisi\~elyto British subjects. The
"claim of French Fishermen to participate in iappears toput in question
"the Sorereignty of Great Britain over those Islets, and I trust therefore,
"M. l'Ambassadeur, that your Gov! will apprcciate the difficulty felt by
"H.M.'s Govt in making any concession on this point consistently with
"the territorial rights of this country."
But it would appear from the 'Piiblic Press that on the 26th of
'Ilarch 1884" the French Minister for Foreign Affairs addresseda Despatch'
to the French Minister of Marine on the Fisher), Question, in which the
followvingpassage occtirred : "Quant à 1:i 1'C.chegénérale, les limites en
"sont réglées par l'Art :IX de la mêmeConvention, d'aprés laquelle les
"Pecheurs[sic] Britannirlues ont un droit exclusif, dans lerayonde 3milles
"de la laisse de basse mer, le long de toute l'étendue des côtes des Iles
"Anglaises, et vous savez cllile Gotivt:.\nglais n'a ccssCde revendiquer
"les Ecréhos comme iine dépendance de ces Iles. Ilans l'état de la qiii:s-
l See Annex A 27.
Sce .4nnex :\ 30.
Sec Xnnex A 31.
Sec Annexes A 32 ancl X .33.
jSee Annex A 4u.
"See Arincx A 46.1 Folloaed by "the". crased.relative à 1a.fixation pour l'exercice du droit de pêchefrançais, de la
zone commune et de la zone anglaise."
Iiireply to the arguments of the cornmittee on that question, 1 have
the honour to enclose a memorandum by the Law Officersof the Crown
in Jersey and I have to state that H.M.G. entirely concur in the views
expressed in that memorandum, and can only express their regret that
after the correspondence that took place in 1876 and rBS3, and the issue
of the circular of the French Govt. of March 26, 1884, quoted above, this
question shoiildhave heen reopened.
[SALISBURY]
ANNEX A 44
Dispatch from the Foreign Office to the British Arnbassadorin Paris,
2nd March, 1886, requesting a copy.oa f Letter of the French,Foreign
Minister 'to the Minister of Marine, prohibiting the Exercise of French
Fishing near the Ecréhous Islets
[Foreign O6cs Papevs, 27/36 533 Draft.
Viscount
F,O. Lyon0
-
biy Lord, Mach z 1886 No. 1x8
With rcfereiice "0 Earl Granville's despatch Nt! 933 of the1.:Novenr-
ber, 1884, 1 transmit, herewith, to Y. Exc? copy of a letter from the
Lieut Governor of Jersey to the Home Office requesting that he may
he furnished with copy of a certain letter, said to have been addressed
by the French Min: for For :Aff :to the llIinr of Marine011the 2gliiMarch
1884 ; conveying the decision of the French Govt to prohibit the exercise
of the French fishing industry near the Ecréhos Islets.
The substance of the Ietterin question is given in ariarticle contained
in the "Chronique de Jersey" of the 30.1 .]an? last, of which a copy
accompanies the Gov+ communication
In "La Gazette Géographique" of the 4'!! of thismonth-xopy of which
is inclosed-Y Ex- will find (page 94) aletter from the French Min! of
Marine to the French Vice Admiral (whose name is not given), wliich
bears date 28. March 1884, and which is to the effect aliove described. .
It would however, appear by this letter tliat the oystcr fishery was
declared to be excepted from the prohibition B, as being authorized by
the Convention of Aug z, 1839.
The date of the letter is subsequent to that of Earl Granritle's Note
to the French AmhassT of Oct 24.183,terminating the discussion whicli
took place in 1883-, on the subject of the Ecréhos fishery, and this
fact is a çtrong presumption in favour of itsauthenticity.
See Annex A $7.
"'FebrT."'struck Ihrough and "AIarch 2" iiiscrtedin the originalAlS. The
otlier emcndationsin tliis draarc toc)nurnerous tobe notediridividually.
"rlbbrcviated "refc?".
Abbreviated "requestp".
j .Abbreviated"coinmunn".
" Xbbrcviated "prohibn-',
rY244 ASSESES TO 6.K. MEIIORIAL (SO. A 45)
It would be useful if an authentic copy of it could be obtained for this
Depf. & 1 have accordg'r to request that Y.E. \\-il1endeaï-our to procure
one for H.X. Goï?!, using y: discretion as to the stcps which you may
takc in the matter.
J[Ui,IAX] P[AUNCEFO'I'E] l
Reply from the British Arnbassadorin Paris to the Foreign Office,
19th Marcb, 1886, with enclosures of Copies of French OfiïcialDocu-
ments relating to French Fishing off the Ecréhous Islets
[Forelgga O@ce Papers, 37/3(i53]
. .
I'aris,
31yLord, 3lrrrch19, 1886.
1 have the honoiir to acknowledgc the rcccipt of Your Lordship's
despatches S? ;rS of the znd instaiit, and SI! r52 of the 16111instant,
respecting the Ecrehos[sic] Islets.
In the first of these despatches Your Lordship directs rne to erideavour
to procure for the Foreign Office an aiithentic copy of a Despatch
which is stated to have been wntten, on the 28'11.March, 1864, by the
French Minister of Marine, ta a French jTice Admira1 (narne not giwn),
and which is mentioned in copies which Your Lordship has been so good
as to send me of the "Chronique de Jersey" of the 30t"of Janiiary last,
and of the "Cazettc Géographique" published nt Pnrison tlie4tllFcbniary
last.
The Despatch in question, and two other officia1 docuincnts, were
liuhlished in the Paris neurspaper "La Jiistice" of the 27tlJanuary last.
In fact, in consequence of reports wliicli Iiad been spread at Paris
that the British Government was crecting zi Fort on the ficrehos, the
"Justice" appears to have despatchcd a corrcspondent, Monsieur Sutter
l,aumann, to thc spot to ascertain the statc of the case. 'I'hree Ietters
from this correspondent have been successively published in the I'aper.
'The first. which was written before Monsieur Laumanri tiad actually
heen on the Ecrehos, gives an account of the indifference with whicli
the matter appeared to be looked upon at Llierhourg.
'Thesecond,written after a visit to thc Islets, states tliat there ;ire no
fortificationswliateï7er upon them ; but asserts that it would be a matter
of great interest toEngland to gct hold of them.
To the third letter are annesed what purport to be copies of three
official documents. Respecting these dociiments iilonsieur Laumann
makes the following observation :-"Ces maladroites Circulaires sont
"presgu'une reconnaissance formelle du gouvernement français des
"prétendiiç droits de l'Angleterresur les Ecrehuils. " The general coii-.
clusions which the writer draws from Iiis visit to the Islets are that
they are of real importance ; that it is indispensable that they should
"remain" neutral territory, not Jersey territory ; and that, if England.
' In tichnlf oLord Salisbury. renews her pretentions[sic] to them, she muçt be met with an obstinate
,refusal. , J.
The three o,fficialdocuments are :
1.. A despatch from the French Foreign Office to the hlinistcr 'of
'Marine, dated the 26t!t hlarch, 1884.The Ninister for Foreign Affairs.irt
the time was Monsieur Jules Ferry, and the Minister of Marine, Vice
Admiral Peyron. [t is to be rernarked that this despatch differs a good
deal from the version of it given from memory by the aiithor of the letter ,
in the "Chronique de Jersey." < , . .
2.. A desliatch from the Minister ofMarine to the Vice Admiral, Prirfet
Maritime at Krest. This is the document quoted in the "Gazette Géogra-
phique." It is dated in the "Justice" the 26'!' March, 1884, but it is
probable that the.zSt;h March, 1884, may be the correct date.
341: . dcspatch from the Minister of Marine, probably to the same Vice
tldmiral, which is dated the 7':~April, 1884. It does not appear to relate
specially to the ficrehos.
.;,.. !,. . .
'I'hc lettcrs of Monsieur Sutter Laumann are not witliout a certain
interest, and consequently 1 do myse1f the honour to inclose copies of
them herewith to Your Lordship.
In a fourtli lnclosure I transmit the three oficial documents as they
qpear in the "Justice."
Aionsieur Laumann States in his third letter that he obtained them at
'2 liftle village from one of the inhabitants, but that he.is.not nt liberty
!to @ve the name either of the village or of the inhabitant. . .
.me letter in the "Chronique de Jersey" says that the secret was tlis-
covered at Jersey from a Frenchman who-isin possession of very intercist-
' ing papers.
1 have very little hope of being able to obtain inore autheiitic CO ies.
Indecd authentic coliies could hardly be obtained othcnvise than t!om
the French Government, and an application for them to'that Govern-
ment would he iiiexpedient and would'be almost certainly iins~iccessiul.
'The prescrit state of the qiiestion hetween the two Governmciits siierns
to be as foiiows :-
. On tlie25tJl October, 1883 1, a note \vas addressed to thi: French
r\~nbassador in Loridon, 'placing.the question of the British Sovereigrity
over the ficrehos beyond discussion, and stating that, as the clailn of
French fishermen to participate in the fisherp within three miles of the
lslets woiild appcar to put in question the sovereignty of Great IJritziin
over them, Lord Granville trusted that the Frencli Government woiild
appreciate the difficulty felt by Her Majesty's Govemment in niaking
any concessiori on this point consistently with the territorial rights of
Great Britain.
To this note iio answcr appars to have been hitherto made hy the
French Government, and, this being the case, they must be presurned to
rict~uiescein its concliisions.
It is truc tlinit isstatcd in the "Gazette Géographique" that important
iiegotiations are about to be entered into with England, ancl that tlie
suhject is to hc referred to a Commission of Jurisconsults : but it cer-
tainly does iiot, asmatters stand, seem right or politic for the 13ritisti
Governmcnt to rüjsc the rlueçtiori.
l Scc tiincx :\ 40. 'Theredo not appear to have been any very recent yroceedirigs on the
spot which render itnecessary to do so ;and 1 should doilbt its being
expedient that the documents herein inclosed should, in the present state
of affairs, be referred to eitheby the localgovcrnmeiit of Jersey, or by
fier Majesty's Naval Oficers, if theyshould Iiaveoccasioii toconimunicate
with French officials about the Écrehos.
1 have the hotiour to return the copies of the "Chronique de Jersey"
and the "Gazette Géographique" whicl~wcre incloscd for mj7 perusal in
your Lordship's Ilespatcli Nt! I18.
1 have the honour to be. with the highcst respect,
My Lord.
Yoiir Lordship's
most ohedient
liiimhle servant.
The 1-YONS
Earl of Kosebery
&c &c arc
Copy of a Letter from the French Ministryfor Foreign Affairs to the
Minister of Marine,26th March,1884, suggesting that,in view of Article9
of the Fishery Convéntion of 1839,FrenchPishermenshould beinstructed
to keep away from the Ecréhous
[Foreign Ofict! Pn#wy.:rs,7/:3653]
-tlonsieiir l'amiral et cher collègue, Paris.le 24 mars 1884.
Vous avez bien voulu me commiinicluei-[in .télégrammepar lequel le
préfet maritime de Brest, nous avise que les Iiahitaiits de Portbail et
Carteret, ont l'intention de se rendre deniain et les jours suivants aux
Ecrehous, pour jr pècher, et demande s'il nc doit pas s'y opposer, en
raison des mesures récemment prises, par le gouvernemelit anglais, pour
occuper ces îles.
Non dép;irtemeilt, étudie en ce nioment la question internationale
soulevée par I'iritcrvention de 1'Arigletcrre aux Ecrelious, et je me
réservedc vous faire connaître incessamment le résultat de.cet examen.;
mais il est certain, dans tous les casque la prise de l>ossessioneffectuée
par les atitorités britanriiques, laisse subsister la convention du 2 aoîit
1839 l,d'après laqiiellc la pêcheails huîtres est conimune aux sujets
des deux pays dans les parages où se trouvent Ics rocliers des Ecrehous.
Rien ne s'oppose d&slors, à ce que les habitants de Port-Eail et Carteret,
s'y rendent pour s'y livrer exclusivement à ce genre de péche.
Qiiant 5 la pèche générale,les limites en sont régléespar l'article g
de la inêiiicconverition, d'après laquelle les pêclieursbritanniques ont
u~i droit exclusif, dalis le rayon de trois milles de la laise[sic]de basse
mer, le long de toute l'étendue des ciitesdes îles anglaises, et vous savez,
que le gauvcrncment anglais n'a cesséde revendiquer les Ecrchous cornme
iine dépendancc de ces îles. Dans I'étatde la (luestion, ct pour prevenir
&-
' Sec Annex A 27. ANNEXES TO U.K. 3IEJiORlA1, (NO. A 46) z4/
tout conflit, vous jugerez sans doute utiled'interdire I'accésdes Ecrehous
à nos pêcheurs,en les prévenant des risques aiixquels ils s'exposeraient .
s'il.n. tenaient lias compte de cette déj.ns..
. .
Pour le ministre, et par autorisation, le
conseiller d'Etat directeur. '
Signé: RILLO'T.
Letter from the Minister of Marine to the Préfet Maritime of Brest,
26th March 1884, instructing him, in view of the Fishery Convenlionof
1839, and the British Clairn to the Sovereigntyof the Islets, that French
Fishermen should be warned about fishing the EcréhousIslets
[Foreign O@ce Pufiers, z7/3653]
r.,:.>: ; Dépêchm einistérielle
. . .. . . + ' I
Paris, lc 26 mars 1884.
Monsieur le vice-amiral, j'ail'honneur de voris remettre ci-joint copie
d'une lettre que M. lc ~irésidcntdu conseil, ministre des affaires étrnn-
gères, m'a adressée le 26 de ce mois, relativement ill'exercice de la
pêche autour des Ecrehous.
.M. le président di1conseil pense que la convention du z août 1833 l,
autorise nos nationaux iipratiquer la pêche des hiiitres, près des Ecre-
hous, mais que la revendication de propriétéde ces roches, formée par
l'Angleterre, ne permet pas à nos marins d'y exercer d'autre genre de
pêche, a moins qu'ils ne se tiennent à la distance de trois milles desdits
rochers. .r
II convieiit par suite, conformément au désir exprimé par le ministre
des affaires étrangéres, de prévenir nos nationaux, cles risques auxquels
ils s'exposent en pêcliant du poisson ou des criistncés, présdes Ecrehoiis.
Recevez, etc.,
Le mijristvc d~'lnwuviize,
Signi: : PEYRON.
Second Letter from the Minister of Marine to the PréfetMaritime of
Brest, 7th April, 1884, on the same Subject
[Foreign Ofice Pnpers, 27136531
Monsieur le vice-amiral, Paris, le7 avril 1864.
J'ai l'honneur de vous informer qu'il a étédécidé,de concert avec le
gouvernement anglais, que la pêche deshuîtres dans la mer commune
sera continiiée, cette année, comme les années pr&cédentes, jusqu'ari
15 juin.
. Dans lacrainte que cette faculté ne donne lieuàl'exploitation clandes-
tine, par les bateaux de Granville et de Cancale, des bancs situés dans
la mer territoriale, la dite faculté ne sera pas applicable à ces bateaux,
pour lesquels la pêchedes huîtres reste interdite à partir du xer mai:
' Sec -4nncx :\ 27. Il conGieridra, par suite, de prévenir les pêcheurs de Carteret, ati~i.
qu'ils 's'abstiennent d'aller draguer dans les environs de ces ports.
Je vous prie de donner à qui de droit des instructions en.consEquence
et de notifier la mesure dont il s'agit d 31.le commandant de la station
de la Manche et de la mer du Nord.
Recevez, etc.
Le ministre de la iiiariiic,
. . .. . . , Signé :> aI'EYKO .N..
The Opinion of the Jersey Law Officen, 21çt April, 1887, on the Report
of the French Committeeof Experts,submittedwith the French Ambas-
. ,. sador's Dispatch of the 15th December, 1886
[ForéignO&ce Confidenlia1 Plirit No, 51 72 (r888), pl), 20-71 ','..
a . ..
Jersey, Ajbril'z~, 1887:' '
Sir,
,W~'ha~e .the honour to returii 1iGrewithaconfidential lettcr from tiie
Home Office with its inclosures from the Iioreigii Office on the subjëct
of the soGereignty of the EcrBfios Islets, and the riglits of the oyster.
and general fishcries around them ; also other pririted corresponderice,
furnished confidentially by the Secretary of State, and in cornpliance!
with your Excellency's request, we liave the honour to report :-
,That we have attentiveiy studied the entire correspoiidence submitted
to us by your EscelIcnc~i togcthcr with the Report inclosed in M. Wad-:
dington's Ietter to the Earl of iddcsleigh, and we now place hefore'pour
Excellency the results at tvhich ive have arrived.
The Conimittee of Specialists mentioned in M. Waddington's letter to
Lord Iddesieigh have taken riconsiderable time to prepare tlieir report ',
and their conclusions have been the resiilt, to use 31. Watldington's
words, of long and conscientious work ; but ye cannot discoyr that this
Cornmittee have .succeeded in,establishing any fact bearidg direct19 0x1
the question under discussioii, which has not been already dealt with
in some part of the previoiis correspondence relative to the Ecréhoiis ;
nor have they siiccessfully controverted the arguments advanced in
Lord Granville's despatch of Augiist 1883 2.The lieport of the Frcnch
Committee contains indeed some entirely new assertions, sevcrltl of which.
do not appear to have any logical connection with the two main points
of the Co~nmittee's contention, which are :-
2:. The Sovereignf9 of France ~ver the Ecréhos. :
2. The rights of French Fishermen in the waters immddiately siiiroiiiid-
ing .those islets.
Other assertions are contajned in the French 'Report whicli ~ni~ht.h&'ve
an important bearing on'these questions, if they were bascd on documen-
tarj-'or otlier c.n. lusive evidence ; but beirig'in sorne cases oppose?, .to,
'See Annex A 42.
= Re& October, 1883. Sec Annex A qo. existing historical proofs. such assertions cannot he regarded as carrj-iiig
any weisht.
The statemeiit contained in the 17rencliReport that the Ecrétioshave
belonged to Fraiicc since 1203 is, we helieve, now made for the Iirst
time sincc the Norman Conqiiest, and wc notice .that 31. Waddirigtciri
anticipates an irnfavourablc decision on ttiis point, tiy suggesting tliût
even if this claim of sovereignty were not establislied, the French fislier-
men ought to be allowed to euercisc their indiistry in the waters round
the Ecréhos. .
IVemust here take exception to the suggestion, incidentaj introduced .
in thelatter part of the French Repoit, that in the opinion of.the franiers
of the Convention of 1839 ',among the islarids and rocks in this part of
the Channel, there was one-and that presiimably the Ecréhos-"siir
lequel il peiit êtredifficile d'établir les droits des Puissances Contrac-
tantes, et où ces droits peuvent rester litigieux."
In presence of al1thesc facts connected witli tlic Ecréhos, whicli have
been laid lieforc tlie British and Frencli Govcriiments, it would seem rilso
indispcnsalile, 3s.a starting point, to cltiote tlic following passage from
Lord I;r;irivillc's despatch to M. \.1'addiiigtoii dzitcd the aqth October;
1883 :-
"Her Majesty's Ciovernment thercfore cloiiot consider it necessary to
discuss the clucstion of the sovereignty of Great Britain over these islets ;
and the only question which anses is whetlicr-the Ecrbhos being British
territory-French fishermen are cntitled, under the tenns of the Coli-
vention of 1839, to participate either iii thc oyster fishery or in the general
fishery, within 3 niiles of thosc islets ?"
The Iletter to review the subject now hefore us, \i7epropose to follow
the lieport of the French Committee point t~ypoint. :
le fail to sec tliat any practical abject wotild I?egaiiicd.by cntering
into tlie diçciission ns to when the EcrChos were separated from the
* Continent ; whcther hy violent convulsion or I-iya gradua1 lirocess ;
absolutcly no historical proof evists for eitlier speculation. The state-
melit that a slight diffcrence in the depth of water between the Ecréhos
and Fraricc, ~ould cause those islets to hc iiiiited to tlic mainland, hardly
seems coiiclusivc as against the British contention that, since the Coli-
quest, the Ecréhoshave rernained in tlic possession of England. Asregards
tlie fact, alleged by the French Committee of Specialists, that the Jersey
Cliff line ttirns its hack on the Ecréhos ("la falaise de Jersey tourne le
dos aux Ecrélios"), we can only observc that howcver undeniatile this
fact may bc, it is difficiilt ta see Iiow the argument for the continuity of
Rritisli possession ovcr the Ecréhos is weakencd by it.
.The t;rencli lieport goes on iminediately to Say that iri'the four1:h
century..lerscy, Guernsey, and Alderncy are mentioned ; and that thc
Ecréhos wcrc attached to tlie Contirieiit; at n period much subseclueiit
to the estahlisliincnt of Christianity in (.;aiil. ?'liese two statements do
not seem to tiear closely on the question of British or French.sovereignty
over the islets since the Norman Concluet, and at the present time. It
is difficult to estiniate the histoncal value of tije tradition, reproduced
by the Frencli Committee of Specialists,'to the effect that some unknown
ecclesizistical dignitary, in making his .liastoral visits, came .to.Ecréhos,
and passed froiii these by a ivooden hridgc to Jersey .;allfhesc allegations,
3 Printed iiicrrcir as"1389".250 ANNEXES TO G.K. hlEhlORIA1. (SO. A 47)
concerning a çemi-legendary period, seem to have no bearing on the
reai questions at issue :Whether, since the Conquest, the Ecrelios have
been British temtory, and a dependency of Jersey ; and whether the
cvidence proves that the Kings of England have exercised jurisdiction
in the Ecréhos, while the Kings of France have never done so ?
We now corne to the statement made in the French Report, that the
firstavailable document concerning the liistory of the Ecréhos is the
grant hy which Pierre de Préaux-Bailli du Cotentin-gave, in 1203,
the Ecréhos Tslets to the Abbey of Val Kïcher l,on certain conditions
mentioned in the deed of gift. This statement is incomplete and mis-
leading on an important point. The docriment referred to may he the
first which mentions the Ecréhos by name, but in order to ascertain
how those islets came into the possession of Pierre de Préaiix and by
what title he held them, wc must refer to the Charter hy which King
John of England, in 1200, had given to the said Pierre de l'réaux the
islands of "Gerse, Gernese, and Aurene," and a grant of 60 librates of
land, in sterlings, in England ;*which grant was confirmed by a Charter
given at Angers on the alst .lune of the same year *.The dependency of
the Ecréhos on Jersey is clearly shown hy the fact that although King
John in his deed of gift to Pierre de Préaux only mentions the three
largest of the Cotentin or Channel Islands, Pierre de Préaux, in the
grani by which he bestoived the Ecréhos on the Abbey of 1;al Richer,
recites that King John gave him the islands ("insulas mihi dedit").
So entircly were these adjacent rocks considered as necessarily included
in the grant of the larger Island of Jersey that Pierre de Préaux's title
to the Ecréhos, and the only titlc he could confer by subinfeudation, in
1203, was dcrived frorn this grant of King John's, but the Charter of
1200 contains the following words, which, when the date of the trans-
action is considered, are vcry significant : "Volumus quod ipse (Pierre
de Préaux) et heredes sui post ipsum prcdictas insulas et predictam
terram habeant et tenearit de heredihus nostris per predictumservitium, "
the thrce last words referririg to the service of a fief of three Knights.
The islaiids therefore, incltiding tacitly the Ecréhos, were to bc held by
a Norman Knight, of King John and his successors, by a stated feuda1
service ; and no portions of these islands were held by Pierre de Préaux
or could 1)eheld by anyone deriving title through him, except subject
to these conditions. The islands, moreover, were held bjr Pierre de
Préaux 011 precisely the same terms as the 60 librates of land, in ster-
ling~, in England, granted to hirn by King John rit the same time, and
by the same Charter. M. Dupont, the French antiquarian and author
of the well-known "Histoire du Cotentin et de ses Iles," designatcs this
Charter of King John as a "Donation des Iles du Cotentin par Jean-
Sans-Terre à Pierre de Preaux" (piécesjustificatives, "Hist. du Cotentin,"
p. 489). and recognizes that the Ecréhos islets were included in King
John's Charter of noo.
M. de Gerville, the well-kiiown French antiquarian, sbeaking of a
* Rot. Lliart in Turré[sicj. Lotidon, DuffHardy, T. 1, Part 1, p.33 ;also
in Appendix to vol. i, "Cotentiet ses Iles: Dupont. [See Annex A 81.
* "Documents inédits du moyen âge relatifs aux Ilesdu Cotentin:Valognes,
1848. Recherches sur lesIles du Cotentin: Iralognes,1846,par C. de Gcrville,
Correspondant de l'Institut."
See Annex A 7.
See Annex A 9. .I?iNEXES TO G.K. >IIS~fOKI..II. (Y".47) 2jI
grint of one-half of the Island of.Giiernsey made bl- Duke Robert to
the Abhey of Mont-Saint-Alichcl. and a gift by William the Conqueror
to the Abbcy of Mamontier[sic] of the other half of the samc island
and other sirnilar grants to ecclesiastical foundations with regard to
i,ehoufsic], Jethou, Hem, .4lderney, and Serk. lays stress on the fact
that such grants only conveyed eccleçiastical, as contrasted with temporal,
rights ("que ces donations nc regarclerit que la partie ecclésiastiqut: de
l'île;la seigneurie temporelle oiises diverses branches, appartiennent i
iiiiarttre ordre de choses)."
Moreover, M. de Gerville, writing in1346, ;ifter studying tlie history of
thc Cotentin for forty years and living nenr Portbail within sight of
.Jersey, is clearly of opinion that the Ecrétios form a part of the British
Channel Islands.
The next sentence in the Report is inarkedly inaccurate : "Pierri:de
Préaux était du reste Français." It içquitc true that this claim is a
neceçsary link in the French argiiment, but the elidence is wholly
iigainst i.t
31.Dupont says ("Histoire du Cotenliii et de ses Iles," vol. p. 424) :
"La famille de Préaux était une des plus considérables de la Haute-
Normandie ; elle remontait à l'olgine même de l'établissement des
Yormands." RI. Dupont goes on to citc various services rendered hy the
dc Préaux farnily to the Anglo-Norman Kings from the time of the a
Conquest to the date of King John's donation in 1200, and it must be
remembered that it was John who liad nominated Pierre de
l'réaux "Bailli du Cotentin
Thesc facts show how entirely inaccurate it is frotn an historical point
of view to apply the tcrm French, as opposed to Norman, to Pierrr: de
I'rkaus or to his family. The graiit h King John in1200 was made
tlie "de jure" and "de facto" Rulcr ori\lormandy to his Nornian subject,
who was to hold the lands so granted by feudal service to the Kings of
England and his successors. The stateinent, made in the Report, tlint.
later on, Pierre de Préaux renounccd hisallegiance to the English Kiiig
and became the subject of Philip Augustris, after the cessiof Nonnandy.
cari in no way change the feuda1 or ecliiitable aspect of what took place
between King John in 1200 while John was Ruier of Normandy.
In the same sentence where they allege that Pierre de Préaux was ;i
Frenchrnan, the French Cornmittee üffirm, "rlii'il ne soutint que momen-
tanément la cause de Jean-Sans-Terre."
We quote this passage, not 1,)ecausewe attach much importance to
tlie argument, but as affording an exarnple of the historical inacciiracjl
wliich appears to pervade the ent ire Report.
In 1204 this Norman Baron, "Baillidu Cotentin et Gardien des Iles,!'
hy the iiomination of theEnglish King, signed a thirty days' triice witli
Philip.Augustus, who was,besieging-Roiien.
Eventually, .Pierre de Prhaux acknowledged the suzerainty. of tlie
King of FranEe~8ver:Kis~cont 'issessonaI by delivering "un-aveu
de sesfiefs,"butin this "aveu" were not included the "Iles du Cotentin." f
In 1206 we find Pierre de Préaux returning to his allegiance to King
John from whom he had receivcd letters patent promising to reinstate
him in his English hands [sic: reclt! landsand to grant him certain
yrivileges in the islands.+
f "Histoire du Cotentin": 13upont. voli.p. 456.
+ "Stapleton",p. 231. T. 2. The converse of the proyiosition made tiy the French Specialists
would, therefore, he the correct one, nati~dy. that Pierre de Préaiis "rie
soutint que motnentanément la cause de Philippe Auguste."
The Report tlieii goes on to infer that, after variously beloiiging to
the English and Frencli during the years froni 1205 to 1213, the Ecréhos.
at the latter date, became finally French, together with Serk and the
rest of the -4rchipe1, Jersey and Guernsey only being left in the handç
of the Eriglish ; but this assertion, apart from al1historical proof to the
contrary, must appear fncredible to anjr one acquainted with the relative
positions of Jersey and the Ecréhos, as thcse outlying islets, from their
close proximity to Jersey, forrn a grou~i necessarily dependent on thc
larger island. It may; therefore, safely bc stated that the Ecréhos coulcl
not havc rcrnained in the possession of France, Jersey, admittedly,
being at that date English territory.
le shall hereafter refer to suhsequent vicissit\ides in the owncrsiii~i
of these islands.'
The French Coinmittee admit that by the 'Treaty of 13rCtigny 1360
(Article VI) ' tlic Kings of England and Frarice were to retain possession
of al1 the islands they then held ; but, the Committee argue, since the
donation of the Ecréhos to the Abbcy of Val Richer, in rzoj, tticsc
isletç have aIways foriiied part of the terirtory of France, eugo, the!.
were French in 1360.
The Committee Iiasc their entire arguinc~it or] this donation of r203,
the effect of which, they say, was not only to alienate these islets froin
the possession of Pierre de Préaux, but also, and this is iniportant,
to sever finally any linli which may have previously existed between
the Ecréhos and Jersey.
\Ve ïvill not dweH on the remarkahlc fact that if the sovereigiitj. of
France over Ecrélios haç been so clear sincc 1203, the claim iiru nevcr,
so far as we know, been advanced till Novemher 1886, and that iri riIl
tlie corrcspondeiice oii tlie subject of the Ecréhos iri1883 no sucli clairn
!vasmade hjr the French Government. FVc desire to caii yoiir Escellency's
attention to wliat took place in 1309, when the Justices in Eyrc carne to
Jersey for tlie holding of the "placita de quo warranto," and wedesire
to examine whctlier the facts prove or disprovc the assertion which
the Frencli Corninittee admit to I)e so essential to their yositiori, viz. :
that from 1203 al1 previous connectioii betwceii Jersey and the TScrélios
was severed.
In stating what took place bet\veeii tlie English Justices Itineraiit,
wc find a serioiis error iii the Report of tlie French SpecialistsThey say.
tliat the Prior of the Ecréhos only appeared before the Justices to
answer for tfic ~iosscssionof a mil1 in Jersey (in St. Sariour's parish)
given by Pierre de Préaux. Consequently, say the Committee, it isclear
the Ecréhos were not a dependency of eithcr the English Crown or of
Jcrsey. Roth the pre~niseç and the conclusion arc singularly inaccurate.
After inspection of the origirial document containing the pleadirig
of the Pnor hefore the Justices (ofwhicli document we posscss a vcrified
copy from the Record Office) we find that the Prior was calletl ori .to
ariswer not only for the mill,but also for the advowson of the Priory,
aiid also to show hy what warrant he received an annual sum of IO sols
* 1360, 34 Ild. iiiliymer's "Fredera."[sic].
1 Sec Annex 2.
t 1309.2 I?d. ii. "3lisToxver Rolls,"So. 41. ._.[rici& 201 from the Keceiver in Jersey 'out of tlic liiiig's revenue. [ko
allusion ta this occurs in the Report.]
'I'heI'rior, who appears as Procurator and Attorney of the Abbot cif
Val Richcr, plcads the isolated and'dangcrotis position of the Ecrélios,
and the fact that he, his cornpanion, and their servant inhabit the
chqpel there al1 ttie year round, in order to keep a light ever burning
to warn the passing sailors of the dangers of the rocks which lie near ;
that he has no means of support except the mil1 and the pearly ri:iit
of 20 sols which liis predecessors have held from time immemorinl in
the same manner as hc tlien held it.
'Two facts are here clearly shown which are incompatil>le witli any
tlicory Ilut that of English sovcreignty over the Ecréhos at this date
('3r. That the .4bbot was called on to answer for tlic advowsi-iiiof tlie
Priorv of Ecréhos, as well as forthe mil1 in Tersev.
2:That the Prior and liis predecessors had al&.r.aysrcceived a grant
of 20 sols from the English King's revenue, to enahle them to maintain
thc light on the Ecréhos.
We are quite unable to reconcile thesc two factç with the two stiitc-
ments contained in the French Report, viz. : -
I. That the Prior had onlp to answer for the possession of tlie niill
to tlie Justices in Eyre.
2. That al1 connection betwcen Jersey and tlic Ecréhos was sevescd
aftir, and in consequence of, the grant of the Ecrkhos by Pierre di: PrCaiis,
in 1203, to the Abbey of Val Riches.
We are therefore equally unable, in presencc of such a document,,
to admit the conclusion of the French Committee, that thc Ecrélios
werénot a dependency of the English Crown, or of jersey. after 1203.
Fu'rther proof Fan easily fie adduced to refute the assertion of the
French Cornmittee that thc Ecréhos never again were British territory
after 1203. and that the French (having, it is alleged, captured the
Channel Islands in TZOj, lost them in 1206, aiid reconquered thein in
12 12)011lylost Jersey rtnd Giieriisey in 1213, bitt still retained Serk
and the rest of the archipel.
'Thus we find in the Kolls of the Public Record Officc (priiited iii a
publication of the "Soci6té Jersiaise" of 1879) that by Letters Patent
dated the 16th Maich, 1214, King John orders the prisoners taken iri
tlic Island of Serk to be set freefrom Yorchester Castle.
Tliat by Letters Patent of the 8th December of the same year, rzq,
Kjng John commai~ds Peter, Biçhop of Winchester, to Iiand over forth-
with to the King's belovcd and faithful d'Aiibigny the Island of'Serk
("Insuiam de Serk"), rvitli al1 its appurtenances, "which \rrehave
committed.to his custody."
That by Letters Patent dated the 13th Febriiary, 1218, Henry 'III
anriounces to his faithful subjects of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, and
Scrk that' "itis his intention that his beloved Philil, d'tliibigiiy should,
cause to be observed ainong theni the .Assizes whicti hndbeen observed
in the reigns of Henry, the King's grandfatlicr, IZichard, his uiicle,
and John, his fathcr." .. .
Letters Patent of tlic fifth ycar of Henry III, -1st June, reciting
that the custody of Jersey, Guernsey, Serk, Aldcrney, and Hem had
been committed to Philili dlAubign!r, son of Raoiil, by the King of
England. .,.2.j4 AXXEXES TO U.K. .\LE.\IOKII~I(NO. A 47)
We would briefly refer to a Charter of King John (9th hlarch, 1216)
restoring, undcr certain contingencies, to Guillaume de Préaux the
Islands of Jersey ("Insulas de Jeresye"), on condition that lie should
perform the service apl~ertaining unto the said islands ("predictas
insulas").
These various documents prove coiiclusively that Serk, Aldcrney,
Hem, and the minor islets did not remain in the possession of the
French aftcr 1213, but were as much British dominions as Jersey and
Gueriiscy.
Severai otlier Charters exist to the saine cffect, but we thiiik the above
quotations arnpiy suffice to estahlish the point in discussion.
With regard to the sums of wheat rent mentioned in the "Extentes"
of 1607 and 1668 ' as due for the Priory of the Ecréhos, some of which
were paid as late as 1785, and are prcsumably still paid, we note that
the French Cornmittee endeavour to ininimize the importance of this
fact by saying that these rents were paid in virtue of Pierre de Préaux's
donation. ,
There arc rio words in the deed of -gift itself to warrant 'aiiy siicti
interpretation. I
The supliresion of the alien priories is adduced as a reason why the
surns of "Rentes" due for the Priory of the Ecréhos carne into the
possession of the Crown.
This may bc correct, but it does not affect in any way the opiriiori
wveIiave formed, after carefulIy studying this whole question, that the
Ecréhos have remained, since the loss of the Duchy of Normnndy, a.
Rritish possession.
The statement, at the.closeof the historical part of the French Report,
that the Abbey of Val Kicher possessed the Ecréhos iintil the French
Kevolutio~i of 1789, and that these islets then becarne French State
property, is opposed to the whole of the historicaI and documentary
evidence no less than to the well-known fact that they were, and have
heen since, exclusively occupied by Jerseymen.
The facts with regard to this occupancy are sufficiently stntcd in
the previous correspondence.
We thereforc trust that your Exceilericy will consider the foregoing
observations as a sufficient review of the various arguments advanced
in the Report of the French Cornmittee, and which seem to cal1 for
special notice.
The second part of the Report of the French Committec, entitled
"Examen de la question subsidiaire relative à la fixation, pour l'exercice
du droit de pêcheFrançais, de la zone Commune et de la zone Anglaise,"
entirely fails, in our opinion, to refute the arguments contained in
Lord GranvilIe's despatch of the 24th October, 1883.
Referring to thc Chart attached to the Conventioii of 183g5,
M. Tissot* has stated that it reproduced, as precisely as possible, the
limits of the Britiih'a"ndF'rench 'zones,and notably those of the inter-
mediate zone ; but Lord Granville pointed out that the only limits
delineated ori the Chart are those of the French oyster fishery,and that,
l SeeAnnex A ig.
' Sec Annex A 27.
*To Earl Granville, -4prrj, 1383. [Sec Annex A 381. :\SSIC?(EEI TO Ü.K. .\IEBIORIAI. (si#.X47)
Zjj
therefore, the questioii whether the Ecréhos are in the "mer co~nrnune"
or neutral zonc, or within the exclusive British fishery limits, cannot
be solved by reference to theChart, but depends entirely on the constriic-
tion of the Conveiitiori, and further, that as regards the right of general
fishery within 3 miles of the Ecrétios, Hcr Majesty's Governmcnt
considered that the tertns of Article IX of thc Convention of 1839, and
of the Fishery Rcgulations, admit of rio doubt as to its being rescrved
exclusively to British subjects, and that the clairii of French fisherrnen
to participate in it appcars to piit in qiiestioti the sovereignty of Great
Britain over these islands.
In Our opinion, it is clear that the admission of French fishermeri tu
esercise their industry within the 3-mile limit from low water around
the Ecréhos is entirely incompatible witli the assertion of British sol-er-
eignty over thosc islets, and with the fact that ArticleIX of the Cotiven-
tion of 1539 has fixed the limit of British territorial waters,as regards
thc right of genernl fishery, at 3 miles from low-water mark, not "froni
the Island of Jersey," dong the whole extent of tlie coasts of tlie Brit.ish
Tslands."
The Frencli Committce, in reply to Lord Granville's nrgume~its,
assert that the framcrs of the Convention of 1839 fo~indit inexpedient to
adopt low-water mark as the starting point of thc exclusive fisheryzone
for both nations, that, with regard to the Bay of Cotentin, to obviate
further difficulties certain idcal lines were deliiieated on the Chart, and
that the 3-mile lirnit was to be reckoned froin thcse lines. From the
contest of their I<cport it is evident that this caii only refer to ,the
French zone, no. otlier limits appearing on tlie Cliart, biit it is witti
considerable suriirisc that Ivenote thisassertion of the Frcnch Committec,
amounting, in effect, to a claim by France to cxcIusive fishery riglits
over an area extcnding 3 miles from the ideal lines in question.
Whereas it is iiii~nistakable from the wording of Article 1 of the
Convention of 1839 that these lines form the cxternal limits of the French
territorial waters in the Bay of Cotentin.
We can only regard tliis assertion as indirectly rcviving, in effect, the
old claim advnnccd Ily the French, but surrendered in 1839, to an
cxcl~isiveright of tishcry within 2leagucs of their own coast, aloiig that
portion of the shore.
This ncw coritentioii, namely, that for the 1;rcncli exclusive zone, Llie
3-mile limit is to fie rcckoned from the ideal lines rnarked A to K on
the Chart ("a partir de ces lignes"), is in direct oplwsition, not only
to the terins of the Coiivention itself, but also to Artic4eof the Fishery
Rcgtilations ngreed tn Ily the British and French Governments in
May 1843.
The Report of tlic l'rerich Cornmittee goes on to allege that, on the
other hand, with regard to the British exclusive zone, iiorder to prevent
disputes, low-wnter mark at Jersey had to be adopted as the startirig
point of the 3-itiilc limitTIicCornmittee argile tliat Article IIIhavirig,
in effect, stipiilated tliat the oyster fistiery would be cornmon to the
subjects of the two countries outside the exdusive liinits so formed-
it matters not whether the Ecréhos, or other rocks, lying betweeri
Jersey and the Cotentin coast, beIong to Jersey or not, for that these
islets, or rocks (bcing outside the respective exclusive territorial limits).
the said islets must be considered as fonning part of the intermediate,
or neutral zoric, cornmon to the oyster fisherfnen of the two countries. \f7hile adrnitting that the text of the Convention of 1839, literaily
interpreted, may, to some estent, seem.to favour the claim of the French
fishermen to participate in the oyster fishery within 3 miles of the Ecréhos
as lying in the interrnediate waters, yet this claim does not appear
consistent -;th the spirit of the Convention, especially wheri interpreted
in the light of ArticlXXXVIII of the Convention of 1867.
No reason is anywhere zidduced to explain why such an escc tional
and one-sided concession shoiild have been made to the Frenc e as is
implied in the privilege clninicd by them of fishing foroysters within
Hritish territorialwaters rit the Ecréhos ; nor is it explained why a
privilege should liave hceri grarited to the French with regard to the
oyster fishery off the Ecréhos, which was denied to them, by Article
IV [recte Article 1x1 of the Convention, with regard to the gencral
fishery in the same Iocality,and for which no reciprocal advantage was
anywhere grantetl to the British fishennen.
The French Cornmittce next proceed to argue tIiat Article IV [recte
Article IX] ofthe Convention, which limits the exclusive right of general
fishery to the distance of 3 miles from low-water mark along the whole
cxtent of the coasts ofthe I3ritish Islands, does not apply to the Channel
1slands.
Their contention is that tlie term "British Islands" cannot include
ivhat they term "les lles Anglo-Normandes" ; they even base it on
the ground that these isles are k~lownin England as "les Iles du Canai
uu les lles de la Manche," and further endeavoiir to establish tlieir
point by a reference to the iiegotiationsof 1867.
In substance, tlie French case is as fotlows :
As regards the general fishery, the question iç settled by ~rticle' IV
[recte Article1x1 of the Convention.
This -4rticle lays down thc general principle. It fixes the limits within
which the right of general fishery is exclusively reserved to the subjects
of each nation resyectj~~clyat a radjus of 3 miles from Iow-ivater mark.
This Rule applies dong the whole extent of the coasts of tlic British
Islands, but does not estcnd to the Channel Islands.
Had ArticleIV [recte Article 1x1 only enacted this gciieral provision,
no exclusive zone wolild have Iieen reserved by the Convention for the
esercise of general fishery rights in favour of the fishermen of Jcrsey
and of the othcr Channel Islands, or, in other words, the lirnits of the
territorial waters N-oulnot be defiried for the Jersey fisher~ricnrelatively
to the French.
But Article IV [recte Article 1x1 (argue the French Cornmittee)
contains, in addition, as to the Coast between Cape Cnrterct and Manga
Head, a reference to Article 1 of the Convention, this implying, as n
iiecessary corollary, a further reference to Articles II and 111.
These three Articles forin an indivisible whole, defining thc liniits of
territorial watersfor thc ciltirRay of Cotentin.
Consecliientlj,, asregards .lei-scj.the general fishery Iiinitç arc nut.
based on the gcneral ruie, affirrned in ArticleII7 [recle Articl1x1 ,ut
rest mainly on .Articles 1.II,and III, and are therefore coestensive[sic]
xith the special iqster fishcrj. limits between Jersey and 1.ance.
It therefore folloivs, the French Commit tee conclude, that, for general
fishery as ive11as for oyster dredging, the whole of the intermediate
space, betweeri the esclusi\~elimits defined by Article 1 forrning a neutral
zone coinmon to the fishermen of both countrics, the Ecréhos are ASSESES TO U.K. ME.\IOKI;ZI, (SU. :\47) . ,
257
iiecessarily incltided in it, and, consecluently, areopen to French fishermen.
Now, ifthe premises ndvanced hl the French Committee were accelited,
namely, that the term "British Islands" tised in Articlc IV [recteArticle
1x1 does not apply to the Channel Islands, and that as regards the
Channel Islands, their exclusive limits of generai fishery are to bc sought
iii the provisions of Articles 1, II,and 1IT (which three Articles only
define the limits hctween the one Island of jersey and the French coast),
Ive shoiild ineï.itably be drawn to the absurd conclusion that, iinder the
Convention, tlic other- Channel Islands (Guernsey, Alderncy, Serk, and
their dependencies) do not possess any exclu5ivc fishery rights around
their own shorcs, that the waters imrncdiately siirrounding them are
therefore neutral ancl open to the French fisliermen, and that the only
privilegc thcir inhabitants could claim in the waters adjacent to the
Channel lslands urould be that of fishing witliin thc :!-mile area, exclri-
sively reserved to British fisherme~iaround Jersey.
It scems iinnecessnry seriously to discusç a contentioii ivhichdoes not
i~ipear to iis to rcst on any serious argument.
Wc cannot refrain from stating that we are unahlc iiiatiy degrec to
acquiesce in the vicm ~)ropounded by the French Report that the whoIe
system is "rin systéine de compensation qui a pour biit dc ~ilaccrsur un
pied d'égalitéabsoliie les~-iêcheurdçes deus nations."
We fail to see any principie of reciprocity in risyste~n which, on the
one hand, for ail fishing purposes, excludes British fishermcn from the
Chausey Iles, while, if the claims of the French were conceded, would
admit French fishermcn to dredge oysters at the Ecréhos ; and whicli,
secondly, whilst rcstricting the British zone witliin 3 iniles from IOW-
water marb, adopts along this portion of the French coast an artifici;ll
boiindary, .wiiich inclildes in rnany places a more extendcd area 'than
the iisiial 3-mile limit, thus reserving to the French a larger portion of
the niost valiiable fishing-grounds.
Tlie French Committec allege that since 1839 the Frencli Iiave con-
tinued to fish nt the Ecréhos as they had previously done from tirne
immemorial.
From the context, this statement evidently rcfers, not orily tu tlie
oyster but to the gencral fishery.
We are unable to admit the accuracy of this statement, tliough, eveii
iftrue, it goes to support the cornplaints of the Jersey fishermen to ttie
cffect that the French, in open and coiistrtnt violation of the terms of
the Convention, have of late years, not only dredged for oysters, but
also exercised the rights of gcneral fishery at the Ecrélios.
WC have endeavoured to place al1the documentary cvidencc to wliich
ure could obtain access before your Escellency, but we believc that it
might be possible to ohtain further historical proofs of the British rights
of.sovercignty ovcr the Ecréhos if search were made in the Archives of
paris and Nomandy for dociirnents bearing on the subject.
Ure would suggest that this task should be intrusted to a Special
Coinmittce, whose work it would be to collect, from evcry available
source, al1 information concerni~ig the Ecréhos and their history, if it
be thoiiglit neccssary to further pursue these investigations.
From vnrious natiiral causes, fish has never been very abundant arounci
the shores of .Jersey itself. F'rom time irnmemoriril, Jersey fishermen
have obtained an abundant supply of fiçh from the Ecréhos and Alin-
quiers, and Ii:ive rnade these localities their home during tlic fishingscason ; and it is an undeniabie fact that the French h:iveiievcr possessed
an!.Settlement on either group of islets.
.Ihere is inuch reason to apprehend that the coticession to the French
of a right of frshery at the Ecréhos would alrnost inevitably lead to a
demand for a similar privilege at the .ilinqriierç, where sorne years rtgo
the French Government ineffcctually atternpted tr)estahlish a Settle-
ment.
IVc fccl hound, moreover, to express otir convictioii th:it to conccde
to the French fishery rights at the Ecrélios or at thc Alincluierswould
not only deprive the island fishermen of thcir lirescriptive rights over
thcse fishing?grounds, but wo~ld inevitably lead to a state of feeling
whicli woiild result in senous conflicts betwecn the fishermen of the two
nations-a contingencv specially to be dt:precated, as, owing to the
dangcrous nature of these localitics and thi:ir isofation, ordinary meanç
of su~)crvisionwoiild scarcely be practicablc:..
From local knowledgc, ive have niuch reasori tu I~clic\lctliat the desire
to cstablish a claim over the Ecréhos does not originate so miich with
the Frcitcli fishermen as with tlie French authorities, and syriiigs from
political ratherthan from merely administrative motives.
In concluding our Report, we feel no hesitatipn in expressing our
view that unless the increasing pretensions of the French round these
islaiids are resisted and Treaty nghts finiily paintained, a soitrce of
constant conflict will be left open for the future.
\Vc have, &c.
(Çigned) WAl. HY. VENAHLES VEKNOH, Her ~Majesf~'s
Atfwttey- Ge?zeralfor Jersey.
A. HILGROVE TURNER ', Her iWnjesty's Solicitw-
Gctreralfor Jersey. ANNEXES TO U.K. MERIORIAL (NO; A 48)
259
ANNEX A 48
Dispatch from the French Ambassador, 26th January, 1888, to the
Foreign Officeclaiming the EcréhousIslets as a Dèpendencyof French
Temtory
[Forcign O@cePapers, 27136541
Ambassade de France
en Angleterre. Londres le26janvier 1888
l SeeAnnex A 43.
SeeAnnex A 33.
SeeAnnex A 46. 260 ANSEXES TO U.K. hIE3IORIAL (NO. A 48)
Indépendamment de la question de souveraineté, Votre Seigneurie.
répondant aux remarques contenues dans ma lettre du 15 décembre
1886, envisageait la question du droit de pêche dans les parages des
Ecrehous, et Elle me faisait savoir que le Gouvernement de la Reine
adoptait purement et simplement les conclusions formulées à ce sujet
par Ies conseillers légauxde la Couronne dans l'île de Jersey 3.1-edocu-
ment dans lequel ces conclusions etaient formulées a étéexaminé à
Paris avec toute l'attention qu'il comporte ; mais mon Gouvernement
a dû reconnaitre que les prdtentions qui y sont exposées sont absolu-
ment inconciliables avec les dispositions du traité s du 2 août 1839-
Pour ce qui concerne, en premier lieu, la pêchedes huitres, les eaux
comprises entre l'île de Jersey et les rivages de la baie du Cotentin sont.
diviséespar cet acte international en trois parties:
IF Une zône comprise entre la côte française et une ligne déterminée.
par un certain nombre de points indiqués sur les cartes annexées au
traité, ligne qui part du point A. au feu du cap hlenga, pour aboutir
au point K à l'ouest du cap Carteret. Cette zône est réservée exclusive-
ment aux pêcheursfrançais[sic] (Article 1).
257 Une zône comprise entre "la Iaisse de basse mer de l'île tle jersey"
et une ligne tracéeà trois milles de la dite laisse. Les sujets Britanniques.
ont seuls le droitde pêcher leshuitres danscette secondezône(Article II).
basse mer de Jersey d'une part et laigligne A......K d'autre part, laquelle.
est actuellement rendue visible par une sériede bouées.Dans cetespace
la pêchedes huîtres est "commune aux sujets des deux pays" (Article
III). Les Ecrehous s'y trouvant situés,aucun doute ne saurait s'élever
.sur le droit des Français de s'y livrerà la péchedes huitres, quelle que.
soit d'ailleurs la solution donnée au différend relatif à la souveraineté.
sur ces ilôts.
La convention de 1839 s'occupe également, dans son article IX, de.
la pêchegénéralesur toutes les côtes de France et d'Angleterre '. Cet
article pose en principe que, dans une zone large de 3 milles le long
desdites cbtes, la pêchesera exclusivement réservéeaux ressortissants.
des deux pays. Toutefois, pour l'espace compris.entre les caps Menga.
et Carteret, il est stipulé que la zône réservéeaux pêcheursfrancais.
sera limitée par la ligne A......K déterminéepour la pêche spéciale des.
huitres. Cette disposition ne permet de garder aucun doute sur les inten--
tions des négociateurs de la convention de 1839 : ils n'ont pas voulu
que, dans la baie du Cotentin, il y eût une différenceentre la zône fran-,
çaise de la pêcheordinaire et la zône franqaise de Ia pêcheaux huitres.
On ne s'expliquerait pas que ce qui est vrai pour les eaux françaises de
labaie ne le fût pas également pour les eaux anglaises voisines. Il en
faut donc conclure que, dans l'esprit du traité, la pêche générale est
permise dans les mêmesconditions que la pêchedes huitres et que, par,
conséquent, nos pêcheursdoivent êtreadmis, de mêmeque les pêcheurs.
anglais,à exercer leur industrie aux Ecrehous.
l.SecAnnex A 47.,
3See Annex A 27.
The words "sur ...d'Angleterrew are underiined in the origihIS.,and a
mark of interrogatiois set against them in the margin. ANNEXES TO U.K. aIE3lORIAL (NO. A 49) 261
Pour me résumer, mon Gouvernement croit, devoir maintenir ses pré-
cédentes conclusions en ce qui concerne l'oblet principal des prést:nts
pourparlers c'est-à-dire la nationalité des Ecrehous ; il considère ces
ilôts comme une dépendance du territoire français. Quant à la pkche
générale, ilnous semble que, mêmeen considérant les Ecrehous conime
appartenant à la Couronne d'Angleterre, nos pécheursd'aprés les consi-
dérationsqui précèdent, tirées desdispositions de laconvention de 1839,
ont le droit de s'y livrer concurremment avec les pêcheursanglais.
Enfin, pour ce qui concerne plus s~iécialement la pêche-deshuitres, les
termes de la convention étant explicites, il ne semble pas qu'il puisse
y avoir sur ce dernier point matikre Acontestation.
En communiquant ces observations (LVotre Seigneurie je crois devoir
La prier de vouloir bien soumettre toute l'affaire des Ecrehous i un
nouvel examen et je Lui serais obligéde m'adresser une réponse dés
qu'il Lui sera possible, principalement en ce qui concerne la question
des pêcheriesdont le règlement présente un intérêtplus immédiat./.
Veuillez agréer les assurances de la haute considération avec laquelfe
j'ai l'honneur d'être
Monsieur le Marquis,
de Votre Seigneurie,
le très-humble et trés-
obeissant serviteur.
WADDINGTON
Sa Seigneurie,
le Marquis de Salisbury & & &
ANNEX A 49
Reply from theForeignOffice,3rdFebruary, 1888, to the FrenchAmbas-.
sador's Dispatch of the 26th January, 1888
[ForeigtzOfice Pupers, 27136541
F.O.
Mons: l'Ambassadeur, Feb 3. 1888. Draft.
1 have the honour to acknowl :the receipt of Y E. Note of the ~~~~i,gton
26.1 ult? relative to the nationality ofthe Ecréhas a, & to the right of
fishing in the waters immediateiy surrounding those islets 4, & 1 beg
leavc to acquaint you that the staternents therein contained shall receive
the attentive consideration of H.M. Govt.
I shall have the honour of addressing a further communication to
Y E. upon this subject witli as little delay as possible.
' Abbreviated "rec" in the original MS.
a Followed by "Islets; which isstruck through.
Abbreviated "irnmedcl~".
Abbreviated "commun$"'"those islets" interlined.
a In behalf of Lord Salisbury.262 ANNEXES TO U.K. MEMORIAL (SO.A 50)
ANNEX A 50
Petition of 69Jersey Fishermento the President ofthe Board of Trade,
1869, alleging Theft of their Lobster Pots by French Fishermen, and
prayingRedress of their Grievance
[Foreign O@cePapars, 27/373S]
To the Right Honourable John Bright,
President of the Board of Tradc.
The humble pctition of the Undersigned Fishermen of tlic Parishes
of Grouville & St Clements in the Island of Jersey,
Sheweth -
That your Petitioners repairduring the summer ~nontlis, to the
hlinquiers, a ridge of small island rocks belonging to the British Govern-
ment and Situated about half wiay between Jersey and the coast of
France for the purpose of Lobster Fishing.
That at Low tide your Petitioners place their Lobster pots, to wliich
are attached corks[sic] buoys, floating at the surface of the water, at
a certain distance froni the Shore ;
That at high water fishing boats [frorn] Granville9rCancale freyucnt
the neighbourhood of the Minquiers ;
That after they have disaypeared Your Petitioners ofteii miss many
of theirLabster Pots u~hichthey have no doubt are t,aken away by the
French Fishermen ;
That the lossof their Lobster Pots and contents so oftei? repeated is
extremely prejudicial and entails a severe Iossto Your Petitioiierwho
gain their livelihood and that of their families by thmode of Fishing ;
That if a representation were made to the French Government st:iting
these facts which your Petitioners can easily prove, there 1sno doubt
that Some steps would be taken to prevent a recurrericc ofthe Snme ;
That Your Petitioners wlio are but poor Fishermen claiin your support
and hope that through your iiifluencethey will obtain redrcss of a wrong
frornwhich they have ço long suffered ;
And your petitioners &c
Signed by 69 Fishermen.
Transmitted to Board ofTrade through
Mr Abraham Mourant
Solicitor
5 Royal Square
St. Heliers
Jersey. -4SXEXES IO U.K. hIEbIORIAL (NO. A 51) 263
ANNEX A 51
Dispatch from the British Embassy in Paris, 12th November, 1869, fo
the French Foreign Minister, protesting against the Theft by French
Fishermen of the Tackle of Jersey Fishermen at the Minquiers1sIet.s
[Foueign Ofice Papers, 2713738 l]
Copy. Paris
M. Le Ministre Novr 12.1869. ,
From information which has been rcccived from the Govr of the
Channel Islands H.M. Govt have reason to suppose that some causcof
complaint on the part of the Jersey. fisherman[sic] has been given by
the fisherrnen from the French Coast who are accused of stealing tïieir
Gear. Itappears that the Jersey fisliermen are in the habit of resorting
toa range of Rocks and shalIows, called the Rocks and Islands of Min-
quieres[sic], for the purposc of Lobster fishing, and that after setting
theirGear, French fishing Boats corne across from the ports ofGranville
and Cancale and steal ilTlie inhospitable and Barren Nature of this
dependency of the Channel Islands renders it almost uninhabitable, but
notwithstanding this, thcse poor fishermen have long had huts built
upon it for purposes of sheltcr when unable to retum home, and they
now comylain that their hard earned livelihood is senously affected by
theçe deprcdations on tlic part of the French Fishermen, who thiis
profitby the labour of their Ncighhours.
Under these circumstances H.11. Govt have instructed me to hring
the circumstances of the Case to the Notice of the French Govt, and to
express the hope that they will caiise such directions to be issued as
may appear best calculated to remove the gricvance complained of by
these Iioor fishermen.
I have &-
(Sa.)L. S. WEST
P[nnce], [de] La T[our]. d'Auvergne
&c-&c-&c-
priatcd above,the6rstsentence ("From....Gear")and the concluding paragraph
("Under ...fisherrnen")are struck through in pencil, while the mords "dependency
of the Channel Islands" have been underlined and have the wo"stet"written
against them in the margin,264 ANNEXES TO U.K. MEMORIAL (NO.A 52)
ANNEX A 52
Reply from the French Foreign Minister, 11th March, 1870, to the
British Embassy'sNote of the 12th November, 1869, alleging Theft of
Jersey Fishermen's Geai by French Fishermen at the MinquiersIslets
[Foreign OgcePupers, 14611496
Paris leII Mars 1870.
Monsieur l'Ambassadeur,
Votre Excellence a bien voulu, le 13a Novembre dernier, entretenir
mon prédécesseur desplaintes élevéespar des pechcurs de Jersey contre
des pêcheursde Granville ou de Cancale, qu'ils accusaient de se livrer
à des déprédationssur les îles des Minquiers.
Cette affaire avait été immédiatement signalée iil'attention de
M. le Ministre de la Marine et des Colonies, qui vient de me faire
connaître le résultat de l'enquêtequ'il avait prescrite à M. le Chef de
la Division navale des côtes des ~er et2émc arrondissemens filaritiines.
hlalgrCle soin avec lequel cette enquêtea étépoursuivie et les moyens
d'investigations aussi complets que possible qui ont étéemployésaucune
information de nature à. démontrer l'exactitude des déclarations des
pécheurs de Jersey n'a pu êtrerecueillie. M.l'Amiral Rigault de Genouilly
fait, d'ailleurs, observque cesderniers ne se sont pas eus mêmestrouvés
en mesure de fournir des rcnseignemens propres i faire reconnaitre que
les délinquants seraient des marins de Cancale ou de Granville. Or, il
n'a étépossible de découvrirchez nos nationaux aucun indice de culpa-
bilité,ni de trouver en leur possession aucun engin de pêcheétranger.
11est, en outre, difficile d'admettre que si nos pêcheursavaicnt réelle-
ment commis les déprédations qu'on leur impute, ils eûssent pu les
laisser ignorer à nos patrons d'embarcations garde pêche, qui sont
constamment en contact avec eux.
M le Ministre de la Marine et des Colonies ajoute que, bien que ce
manque ahsoIu de preuves tende à établir que l'accusation fortnulCe
contre nos pêcheurs n'estpas fondée, iln'en a pas moins cru devoir
leur faire adresserdes avertissements qui préviendraient, au besoin, le
renouvellement des déprédationsdont se sont plaints les pêcheursde
Jersey.
Je ne puis, Monsieur l'Ambassadeur, que communiquer à Votre Excel-
lence cette réponsede M l'Amiral Rigault de Genouilly.
Agréezles assurances de latrès haute considération avec laqiielle j'ai
l'honneur d'être,
Monsieur l'Ambassadeur
de Votre Excellence
Le très humble et très
obéissantserviteur.
CT DARU
Son Excellence Lord Lyons,
Ambassadeur de Sa MajestéBritannique à Paris.
A copy of this note is in Foreign Ofice Papcrs, 2713738.
Le., the date on which the Embassy'sNowas rcceive: it had been written
the previouday. Sec Annex A $1. ANNEXES TO U.K. MEMORIAL (NO. A 53)
ANNEX A 53
Dispatchfromthe FrenchAmbassadorto the ForeignOffice,27th August,
1888, drawing attention to a Visitof the Jersey Piers and Harbours
Committee to the Minquiers Islets, which he claimed to be French
Temtory
Ambassadede France Londres le 27 Aoîit 188s
enAngleterre
DIKECTlON POLITIQUE
Monsieur le hlarquis,
Je suis chargé par moii Gouvernement d'appeler votre attention sur
une visite faite récemment aus iles Minquiers dans le voisinage de la
côte française par le Comité des Ponts et Chaussées de l'ile [sic] de
Jersey. Cette visite ayanteu, d'après le rapport de nos autorités locales,
un certain caractère officiel, le Gouvernement de la République estime
qu'il aurait du être averti préalablement de cette exploration d'un
groupe d'ilôts qui fait incontestablement partie de notre domaine
maritime '.
Sans entrer dans le détail des raisons montrant Ic bien fondéde cette
observation, qui d'ailleurs n'a jamais été contesté1ima connaissance 9,
il me suffira de rappeler à Votre Seigneurie que le Gouvernement de
la Reine ne peut certainement pas ignorer les travaux exécutéspar nous
depuis trente ans sur ces récifs. Les Minquiers sont le prolongement du
plateau des Chausey et, comme ces dernières iles [sic],relève adminis-
trative~nent du service de l'ingénieur du port de Granville. Sans doute
nous avons laissé aux: pécheurs de toutes nationalités pleine liberté
pour y exercer leur industrie, mais nous n'y avons pas moins fait en
tout temps acte de souveraineté dans la limite que comporte la situation
de ces rochers stériles.
Ainsi, l'hydrographie de l'archipel a été exécutée par l'ingénieur
français Beautemps Beaupré et le balisage et l'éclairage de ces îles est
également notre Œuvre. Le Gouvernement français a placé dès 1861
un feu flottant près de la pointe sub-ouest du plateau et depuis lors,
nous avons pourvu CL l'entretien, au personnel et au matériel de ce
bateau feu. Plus récemment, en 1883, nous avons mouil16 au côté Est
une bouéequi a toujours appartenu, comme le feu, au Ministère français
des Travaux publics. J'ai A peine besoin d'ajouter que ces actes de
souveraineté n'ont provoqué et ne pouvaient provoquer aucune obser-
vation de la part du Gouvernement de la Reine ; ils n'ont d'ailleurs
point étéignorés de lui car le feu dont il s'agit est porté sur les cartes
de l'amirauté anglaise avec indication de sa hauteur et de sa limite de
protection.
l Recte"Havres et Chaussées."
The words"d'un ...maritime" are underlined in the original hl$. by another
hand.
a The mords "qui ....connaissance" are undertined in the originhIS.by
another hand. 266 ANSEXES TO U.K. x~a1o~1.4~ (NO. A 54)
En envoyant cette année aux Minquiers, avec l'avisa "la Chimére"
la mission hydrograpliique chargée de réviser les cartes du littoral
Nord de la France et qui a visitéen mêmetemps les Roches Douvres,
la baie du Mont S! Miche1 etc ...nous n'avons fait que compléter les
travaux commencés ilji a trente ans. Cependant, s'ilen faut croire
les indications publiées par certains journaux anglais, ces opérations
auraient occasionné l'envoi aux Minquiers de la délégationà laquelle
je faisais toutà l'heure allusion.
Je suis convaincu qu'il n'a yu entrer (la~is la pensée de la Reine
d'infirmer par ce moyen les droits immémoriaux et fréquemment exercés
de la France sur ces ilats [sic]; de telles contestations nse compren-
draient pas alors que, non seulement les Minquiers font géographique-
ment partie de notre domaine maritime mais que la France, en prenant
charge, d'ancienne date et sans provoquer d'observations, de l'hydro-
graphie, de l'éclairage et du balisage des Minquiers, c'est à dire [sic]
,de tous les moyens qui assurent la sécurité de la navigation, a exercé,
au yu et au su de tous, dans ces parages des attributions dévolues ail
pouvoir souverain. Je crois devoir appeler la plus sérieuse attention
de Votre Seigneurie sur ces considérations et je suis persuadé qu'Elle
Voudra bien en reconnaitre [sic]avec moi le bien fondé.1.
Veuillez agréer les assurances de lahaute considération aiTeclaquelle
j'ail'honneur d'être,
Jlonçieur le Marquis,
Sa Seigneurie de Votre Seigneurie
le Marquis de Salisbury le très-humble ct très-
gic Src &c obeissant serviteur,
WADDINGTON
Dispatch from the ForeignOfficeto the FrenchAmbassador, z~stNovem-
ber1888,;epudiatingthe FrenchClaim,27thAugust 1888t ,o Sovereignty
over the Minquiers Islets, and citing Evidence of British Sovereignty
[Forcigrz O@cePupers, 2713738 '1
Foreign Office
~ ~ ~ f t Monsieur l'Ambassadeur Novernber 21 1888
M. Her Majestys Government have attentively considered the note2
Waddington- which Your Excellency did me the honour to address to me on the
27th of August last, and in which a claim was put forward oii the part
of your Government to the right of sovereignty over the Minquiers rocks
That claim was stated to be founded oii the followin facts:-
i$ That the Minquiers are a continuation of the &haussey [si4
"plateau" ;
z?(lThat a hydrographica 1 survey of these Rocks was made by
French officers about 30 years ago ;
The emendations'in the origi>fi;are too numerous to be noted individually.
SeeAnnex A 53. AXNEXES TO U.K. JIEMORIAL (KU. A 54) 267
3"j!Uhat, in 1861 the French Government placed a floating Lightçhip
(whicli they have çince maintained) ai a point south-west of the Min-
quiers "plateau" ; and
4tl!l~that, in1883, they placed a Ruoy (which they have also since
maintained) offthe south-east coast of these Rocks. ~
Your Excellency then proceeds to inform me that the French Govern-
inent consider that these proceedingç on their part constitute acts of
sovereignty, and that the circumstance that they have never called
forth any remonstrance on the part of Her Majesty's Government,
whilst the position of the french [sic] floating ligtttship is laid down
on the English Admiralty Charts, tends to strengthen their claim.
\\?th regard to the I+ point, 1 would beg permission to cal1 Your
Excellency's attention to the Fishery Conventions lconcluded between
tlie two countries on the 2. August 1839 and tlic II~!'November 1867,
and especially to the Maps which were annexed to each of them, and .
upon which a red line was drawn, defining tlic liniits between certain
fised points and the French shore within whicli the oyster fishery was
to be reserved exclusively to french[sic] çubjects.
On reference to theçe >laps it will be seen that the Ninquiers group,
so far from having been niarked thereupon as a continuation of the
Chaussey[sic] group, which unquestionably belongs to France, was
distinctly çevered from the latter group by a red line whicli separated
tlie two groups of Islands, and left the Minquiers outside the waters
wliich were reserved exclusively for the use of French Fishermen.
13yArt IX of the Convention ofdugust z, 1339, the subjects of fIer
13ritanriic hlajesty were declared to have a right to enjoy the exclusive
right of fishery within the distance of 3 miles froin low-water mark,
:dong the whole extent of the coasts of the "British Islands", the same
right being reserved to the French fishermen to exclusive fishery
withiri 3 mileç along the whole extent of the coast of France ;and by
article 37 of the Convention of the II!~ November 1867 the same exclu-
sive privileges were granted to British and 1;reiich fisherrnen respectively ;
ancl it was explained, in the 38tharticle, that the tems "British Islands"
cmployecl in the Convention should include tlie Islands of Jersey,
Giiernsey, Alderney, Sark and Man, "with their dependencies", which
expression could only have had reference to the dependencies of those
Channel Islands, which were expressly mentioned by name in the Treaty,
such as the Minquiers.
\Vith regard to the 2l!dpoint, namely the surïrey of these Islets by a
French Naval officer some 30 years ago, I may be permitted to remind
Your Excellency that these rocks were first surveyed by a British Naval
Officer,Captain Martin IVhite, in IS~I jrecte ISI~] wrho on the saine
occasion made a survey of the French coast in the neighbourhood,
including the Bay of Saint Malo, so that manifestly iioclaim to sover-
eignty could be based merely on this ground.
As regards the gr? point, namely the placing of ri floating Lightçliip
by the French authorities at a point South-West of the Minquii:rs
rocks, and of a Buoy off the South-East Coast, for the security of navi-
gation, such proceedingç cannot, in the opinion ofHer Majesty's Govein-
' See Annexes A 27 and A 28.
* See Annexes B 7 and R S.
Sce paragraph 16g(a) of theAleriiorial.268 ANNEXES TO U.K. MEMORIAL (NO. A 54)
ment, be cited as proofs of sovereignty over the rocks themselves, for
it is not denied that 13ritish fishermen, and more particuIarly Fishemen
from the Eastern and Southern coasts of the Island of Jersey, have
from time immernorial resorted to the Minquiers Rocks to pursue their
avocations, and that they have erected huts on those rocks, in which
they have been in the habit of residing during the summer months,
without any remonstrance either on the part of the French Government
or on that of the French fishennen.
These facts would appear to Her Majesty's Government to bc a tacit
admission on the part of the French Government that the right of
sovereignty over these roclcs was clearly British and not French.
R.hl. Govt have been informed that this Light-ship lias recently
drifted from its ~noorings, but that it is the intention of tlie French
Gov! to replace it in its original position. To such a step Hhl's Govt have
no objection to offer, considering the humane object for which the light-
ship is placed at that particular spot, namely for the protection of
Vessels navigating to and from ScMa10 & other neighbouring Ports
of France ; but they cannot admit thnt the placing of such a light-siiip
a long distance off the hliiiquiers Rocks can give to the Iirench Govt
any right of Sovereignty over the Rocks themselves.
I rnay now be allowed to quote a few historical facts in support of
the British Claim to sovereignty over these Islets.
The Treaty of Bretigny A.D. 1360, stipulates (ArticleVI) that the
King of England, Edward III,and his heirs, shall have and shaU hold
al1 the islands adjacent to the countries and localities recently named
in the Treaty-i.e., the iVestern Coast of France, "together with al1
other iles[sic] wiiich he then held ("curn insulas[sic] "uaç tenet in
prlesenti"). This VIth article, which it is believed has never been repealed
or modified by any subsequent Treaty between England and France,
would naturally include the Minquiers, as is evidenced by the fact of
Ml Pigotogier[sic] in his "Histoire des îles de la Manche" saying
(p. 324) w,hen speaking of the Treaty of Bretigny, "En enseignant cet
acte la France détachait les îles duDuché de Xormandie".
Le Geyt, also an autliority on local questions, in his work on the laws
and constitutions OF Jersey-written some time between 1692 and
1707-speaking of the fish tithe due by al1 Jersey fishermen to the
rectors of their respective parishes, gives s listof the dependencies
("enclavcs") of Jersey, among which he names the Minquiers, the tithe
being due on al1 fish caught there.
Again in the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Royal Comrnis-
sioners of 1859 , r Hugh Godfrey, one of the oldest practitioners in the
Royal Court of Jersey, who had attended tlie Court for forty years,
states that the Jurisdiction of the Royal Court beyond low-water
mark is grounded upon immemorial usage. He also says, "It is generally
understood that the Islands called the Minquais, the Ecreho's[sic], the
Derouilles[sic] Paternosters, are dependencies of Jersey, and therefore
l LordASalisbury rightly noted this error, in the ma:"surely 'insulis; "
but the quotation does noagreewith the parallel Latin text in RyniFadera
(Revised Ed.), iii, pt. I,488.
a ReciePégot-Ogier.
' See Annex A 6g.
See Annex A 69. ANNEXES TO U.K. MEAfORIAL (SO. A 54) 269
that the jurisdiction of the Court eutends to these limits" ; and he ridds,
.*'Ihave known cases arising at places within the limits I have described,
brought before the Court as Admiralty cases" ; and in answer to a
question put to fiirn, as to whether arly of those islands were inhabited,
or whethcr the cases cited arose from a merely accidental landing tliere
by fishermen and other persons, MT Godfrey replied : "Upon the Min-
quiers and Ecréhos there are several houses which belong to some of
the inhabitants of the Island, where they resort to fish and for vraic."
In entire accord with thisevidence given by Mr Godfrey is tliat given
by Mr Thomas le Breton before the Royal Commissioners appointed
to enquire into the Criminal Law in the Channel Islands in 1846.
31:le Bretoii was asked-"In matters of crime, what isthe extent of it ?"
(the jurisdiction of the Royal Court), aiid lie replied :-"shoiild think
it extends no further tlian within the usual juris$iction of the Islands ?"
Being asked, "What do you consider to be the usual jurisdiction of the
IsIand ?" he replied :-"1 should think if a crime were committed in
the bays or creeks of the island, or upon any srnall rock or island wliich
had alwnys been considered as forming part of this island, suc11as the
Ecréhos."
Your Excellency çtates that, so far as you are aware, thc French
riglit of sovereignty over these Islets has never before been called in
question ; but apart fromwhat has been stated above, 1may be permitted
to remind Your Exceliency that, on the 13 l Norember 1569 ÀIr\Vest,
who was then in charge of H.hI's Embassy in Paris addressecl a Note
to the French Ninister for Foreign Affairs in which he called attention
to the depredations which had been committed by French Fishermen
from Granville and Cancale on the Gear of Jersey Fisbermen at tlie
Minquiers, and described these Kocks and Islands as being a "depend-
ency of the Channel Islands," and 1 would further cal1 attention to the
fact that the French Minister for Foreign Affairs, in his reply dated
14 March 1870, stated that steps would be taken to prerent the reciir-
rence of sucii proceedings but did not deny that these Rocks and 1sli:ts
were British.
Considering, therefore, Ri.l'Ambassadeur, that these Islets have for
the historical & other reasons alluded to above always been consiclered
by H.M's Govb aç well as by the Inhabitants of Jersey, as belonging
to the British Crown ; that the Fathers and Grandfathers of the present
Inhabitants of Jersey have actually owned and occupied Houses or
Huts on some of the Islets, whilst French Fishermen have never owned
or occupied any ; Srthat this Group of Islands was first surveyed by
a British Naval Officerlabout 75 years ago ; H.M3s Govt have every
confidence that your Government, having the above stated facts broright
to their remembrance, will at once admit thst the right ofSavereignty
of the British Crown over the Illinquicrs Group of Islets can no longer
be considercd as open to doubt.
S[ALISBUKY]
XVritten on the 12th h'overnbeSee Anncx A 51.
2 Rccic 11thMarch. Çee Annex A 52.
Captain Martin White, R.S. 270 ASSEXES TO U.K. ?iIEFIIORIAL(NO. A 55) '
Aide-Mémoirefrom the French Embassy, 26th November, 1902, pro-
. testing against the Flying of the British Flag on the MinquiersIslets
Au mois d'Aotit 1897, le Commandant de la Station de Granville avait
constaté qiie le pavillon bntanniqiic flottait, de temps à autre, sur une
des îles Minquiers.
Aux observations qu'il avait cri1 devoir adresser, à cc sujetau Com-
mandant du Stationnaire .4nglnis, ce dernier avait répondu qu'il ne se
trouvait p;is en mesure d'interdire aux pêcheursde Jersey de hisser leur
pai~illon,lesMinquiers faisant partie de la province de Grouville Jersey.
Au point de vue français, ces îles,au contraire, ont toujours étéconsi-
déréescomme dépendant des Chausey, et par suitc, du territoire français.
Le lieutenant de Vaisseau deSaint Clair, alors commandant du station-
naire, requt donc l'ordre de protester contre l'assertion de son collègue
britnniiiclue.
Toiitefoiç le Gouvernemciit dc la liépublique décidade iic faire aucune
autre démarche 5 ce sujet, l'incident dont il s'agit ne semblant êtrele
fait que de cluelques pécheurs[sic] isolés.
Or, le 13 novembre dernier, le pavillon britannique n été de nouveau
arboré sur Ia maîtresse[sic] île clans des conditions qui tendraient à
témoigner d'une mesure priçt. sur ordres officiels.
Le lieutenant de Vaisseau, Péan de Ponfilly, se trouvant en tournée,
dans ces parages, n remarqué en effet qu'un grand mat était installé a
demeiire, avec haubans, sur lcsonlrnet nord est de l'île, et qu'il paraissait
entreteiiii avec soin.
De plus, au moment où cct officicr commençait ses préparatifs pour
réappareiller, uii paviIIon de conimerce anglais (enseigne rouge) futhissé '
et un saliit fut exécuté. L'officierfrançaisn'pas réponduAcette démons-
trationet a regagnéChausey.
L'Ambassadeur de France croit devoir appeler l'attention du Secré-
taire d'Etat pour les Affaires Etrangéres sur cette nouvcllc manifestation
et sur la question que soulévcrait une sorte de prise de ~mssessiond'un
groupe d'ilots[sic] dont la souveraineté n'a jamais été reconniie au Goii-
vernement Britannique par le Coiivernement Français./.
Londres, ce 26 Novembre rgoz
l "île"interlined. ANKEX A 56
Reply of the Foreign Office, 3rd December, 1902, to the Frerich
Aide-mémoireof the 26th November, 1902, repeatingthe Clairnof the
21st November, 1888, that the MinquiersIslets were British Territory
[Foreign O@ce Pupers, 27137391
F.0 Decernber 3, 1902,
'.E. Dralt
In the Aide Mémoire lwhich Y E was good enough to leave with me M. Cambon
on the 26tliulto with regard to thc flyiiig ofthe British flagon one of
the Minquiers Group, it is stated tliat from the French point of view
these islands have alwavç been considered asdependencies of the Chari-
sey group & consequently of French territory. It is added that the estüb-
lishment of a flagstaff, which has been observed on these rocks, would
imply possession, and that British sovereignty to this group has never
been recognised by the French Government:
Inreply, 1 have the honour to point out that a note dealing witli the
case in question was addressed by the illarquess of Salisbury to
M. Waddington on the s16tof November 1888. To that notes no
answer haç up to thepresent timc been @ received,R 1 beg leave to state
that on the grounds therein set forth, H.hi. Govt consider these islets
to be unquestionably British.
L[ANSDOWNE]
See Annex A 55.
9 "point....ivas" substituted for "to cal1 T.Eas attention to the which
the". in the original MS. For this Sote. see AnnAx 54.
"by the Xfarquess of Salisbury" interlincd.
Followed by "on this question", whicis stmck through.
"To that note" substituted for "to ivhich".
"has ...been"substituted for"was ever". 272 ASNEXES TO U.K, MEUORIAL (XUE. A 57-58)
ANNEX A 57
- -
Dispatch from the British Ambassador in Paris, 28th February, 1903,
inclosing Information from Le Temps that the French were to Erect a
Lighthouse on the Minquiers Islets
Paris,
No. 113 February 28,1903.
My Lord,
With reference to Your Lordship's Despatch No. 510 of the 24th of
December last, 1 enclose a copy ofaNotice which has appeared in the
"Temps" newspaper, stating that the French authorities have decided
to erecta lighthouse on the Minquiers Rocks.
1 have the honour to be ~viththe highest respect,
Mv Lord.
YOU; ~ordihi~'s most obedient humble Servant,
EDMUND MONSON
The Marcluess ofLansdowne K.G.
&c, &c, &c,
MARINE
UN PHARE AUX MINQUIERS.-Onannonce que l'administration des
ponts et chaussées vient de décider la construction d'uphare sur les
Minquiers, ces dangereux récifs coupant la ligne Saint-Malo-Jersey,
contre lesquels tant de navires sont venus se heurter. L'année dernière
encore ils ontté le théâtre du naufrage de la Gabrielle.
La construction de ce phare sera entreprise en 1904.
ANNEX A 58
Dispatch from the Foreign Office, 25th March, 1903 nstructing the
British Ambassador in Paris to obtain a Denial of the Report that the
French were building a Lighthouse on the Minquiers Islets
[Foreign.OFcePupers, 27/3740]
F. O.
March 25 1903
Draft Sir,
SjrE.nIiinson With reference to Your Excy's despatch N? II3 of the 280 ult0
N"23 fonvarding an extract from tlie 'Temps' totheeffect that the French
Authorities have decided to erect a lighthouse on the Minquiers Rocks,
1 enclose for your confidentialinformation copy of a letter from the
Admiralty on thesubject.
1 SeeAnnex A 57.
Abbreviated " conf! " in the original MS. ANNEXES TO U.K. I\IE&fORIAL (XO. A 59) 273
In accordance with the suggestion made by the Lords Cornrnssr~1
request that Your Excy w$ inform the French Covt that the attention
of H.M.G.has been called to the report, & that while they do not attach
credence to it they would be glad to receive an authoritative assurance
that no such intention exists'on the part of the French Govt.
L[ANSDOWNE]
ANKEX A 59
Dispatch frorntheBritish Ambassador in Paris,19thApril, 1903e ,nclosing
the French Reply of the 17th April, 1903, which denied intention to
erect a Lighthouçe on the Minquiers Islets
[Foreign O@cePafiers,' z7/3740 .]
Paris,
My Lord, April 19, 1903. NO. 200
On the receipt of Your Lordship's Despatch No. 123% of the
25th ultimo, 1addreçsed a Note to the French Minister of Foreign Affairs
in the terrns of Your Lordship's instructions, stating that His hlajesty's
Government would be glad to receive an authoritative assurance tliat
no intention existed on the partof the French Government of erecting a
lighthouse on the Minquiers Rocks ;and 1have now the honour to trans-
mit a copy of a Note which I have received from Monsieur Delcassé
informing me that no project ofthis nature exists and thatthe incorrect
rumours to that effect can only have originated froni the alterations
made in the Cliaussey [sic] Islands light.
1 have the honour to be with the highest respect,
My Lord,
E'our Lordship's most obedient humble Servant,
EDMUND MONSON
Tha[sic] Marquess of Lansdowne K.G.
&c, c, &c,
Paris, . COPY
. M. l'Ambassadeur, Ie 17 avril, 1903.
Par une communication en date du 26 mars dernier, V.E. a appelé
mon attention sur la nouvelle publiée par le journal "Le TempsJ' et
d'après laquelle le Gouvernement français aurait l'intention d'éleverun
phare sur les îles Minquiers. Elle me demandait en outre si cette infor-
mation reposait sur quelque fondement.
De l'enquêteque j'ai poursuivie auprès des administrations cornpé-
tentes, il résulte qu'il n'existe aucun projet de cette nature et que seille
la modification du feu des îles Chaussey[sic] a pu donner naissance à
cette fausse nouvelle.
Agréez&c,
(Sd) Cogorday
Son Excellence
Sir E. hlonson G. C.B.
1 See AnnexiA 58.ined. ANNEX A 60
Minute of the Foreign Office,20th April, 1903 reporting a Conversation
with the French Chargéd'Affaires,on the Hoisting ofthe BritishFlag
on the MinquiersIslets, and a private Letter, 21st April, 1903, to the
Chargéd'Affaireson the Subject
[FoveigitOficePupers, z7/3740 l]
Foreign Office
SirT.Sand(:rson hl.Geoffray called here this afternoon and said that considerable
Minuta: excitement \vas being raised in the French press by reports that the
APnl 1903. Rritish flaghad been hoisted on the Minquiers Islands.
The French Goy4 wouId be glad to be in a position to state that no
steps had been or were being taken by us to alter the existing situation.
1 said 1 believed that the Uritisli flag had recently been re-hoisted
there-This was not however :inew departure-we regardeci tlie islets as
incontestably British.
He said that M Cambon ~night possibly have ta speak to you on that
point-but that what was desirable was to enable the French Gov! to
Say that nothing had been done in the way of a novel assertion of right.
1 promiseci to speak to you.
1think the annexed tetter might do.
T. H. S[ANDEKSON[.
ApriE 20.1903
F. O. April 21 1903.
Draft. My dear Minister
M. Geofira~ With referencc to wliut you svid to me on the subjcct of the Minquiers
Privai.e IsIands Lord Lansdowne desires me toexplain that it ispart cfthe duty
of the Britishz gunboat on service in the Channel Islands to pay
frequent visits to "hese Rocks and hoist the Britishflagon the signal
staff which is erected there.
Lord Lansdowne understands that in the discharge of this duty
H.M.S. Albacore, the gunboat now on service in those waters, visited
the Rocks on the 2- instant, hoisted the Britisflagon thestaff and left
it flying there. This act is however nofreshassertion of clairbut rnerely
a repetition of what is conçtantly done from time to time.
[Inii;alled] L[ASSUOWNE]
The substance of the two documents printed above was later embodied in a
dis~atch irom the Foreign Ofice to the British Ambassador in Pans (Sir E. Monson).
as 'NO. 168 of the22.2 April. 1903.
"H.M.S Albacore the" stnick thro-gh, "the British" interlined, in the on~inal
nrs.
a "to pav" intertined.
~lteied from "frequently".
6"to" inserted. - ANNEXES TO U.K. MEMORIAL (SO. A 61) 275
ANNEX A 61
Dispatch from the ForeignOffice,27th April, 1903, to the BritishAmbas-
sador in Paris,informing him of a Visit of the French Ambassador to
the Foreign Office,duringwhich he gave Evidence of French Activities
at the Minquiers Islits
[ForeignO@cePapers, 2713740
F. O. Draft.
Sir, April 27. 1903. SirE. hlonson.
The French Ambf referred today to hl. Geoffray's conversation * No- IS7
with Sir T. Sanderson on the 20% instant as to the Minquiers Rocks,
recorded in my Despatch N? 168 of April22.
H.E. told me tliat he understood that a party lrom a British Man of
\Var had lately landed oii one of thesePI:ad fiown the Britiçh Aagthere.
He was instructed to tell me that the French Govt. did nct admit that
the Minquiers were a British possession. He told me that he had çtudied
the history of the case, & Iie comrnunicated to me a statement to tlie
following effect as the result of his persona1 investigati-ns
An examination of tlie submarine chart and of the geological fcrma-
tion of the Minquiers seemed to prove that these rocks were at some
time or other geographically connected with the French coast, though
it \vas impossible to fix the date otheir separaticn froin'the mainland.
Moreover though it might be true that the French fishermen had never,
like those from Jersey,put up any buildings on the principal island, they
nevertheless came, especially those from Cancale, and fixed their Iines
during the lowest tides on the edge of the plateau, and nobody had ever
thought of prevent ing them.
The French Govt had repeatedly performed acts of proprietorship
on these islands. On the 25- of Dec 1865 tliey establishedon the Min-
quiers a floating light rnoored to the south-west of the plateau, latitude
48" 35'38" north & longitude 4" 37' 38" west. In 1888 a French Corn-
mission for the Hydrographical Survey of these islands,erected on seve~al
of them temporary works to facilitate the surveying. These marks were
reçpected & gave riçe to no protests. In 1891 the floating light put up
in 1865 was replaced,-again through the instrumentdity of the Ponts
et Chaussées Administrat ion,-by four light-buoys, one moored close
to the reef "Le Four", two close to the southern reefs and the fourtli
about one mile west of the reefs on the North-West.
Finally, it should be remembered that the waters round the Min-
quiers plateau, with the exceptionof the north coast, were buoyed by the
French. During the operation of placing the buoys the officers of the
French "Ponts et ChausséesAdministration" had from tirne to time to
erect works on one or other of the islands & these works had always
been respected.
On the rzZ1of October 1838 a mixed anglo-French Commissiori assem- .
bled uiththe object of delimitating[sic] the territorial waters in those
regions.
1 The ernendations in the original MS. are too numerous to bc notedindividually.
+ Sec Annex A 60.
20276 SNES ES ESTO U.K. &!EMORI.~L (XO. A 61)
In accordance with the proposals of this Commission a Convention 1
was drawn up on the 2nb of Aupst 1839 between France and Great
Britain. This Convention expressly reservecl tiie right of French natioiials
in the waters outside the territorial zone of Jersey. The rocks which
fom the plateau of the Minquiers were riot. therefore considererl as a
possession of either nation which could give rise to the establishment af
territorial zone of protection.
Article 7 of the Convention stipulatcd that the right of shelteriiig
in the Chausey Islands be granted tu English fishermen in case of
accidents or under stress of weather.
There was no analogous provision as regards the anchoragcs of the
Minquiers either in favour of English or of French fishermen, because
the I'owers evidently considered the islands as situated in the Common .
Sea.
In consequence of several ship-wrecks about the year 1860, it was
considered necessary to light both the Minquiers and tfie Douvres Rocks
situated about 20 miles South of Guernsey, 22 miles west of Jersey, and
16NNE of the French Islands of Bréhat.
A light-ship was anchored there on tht:25 Dec : 1865, as mentioned
above, and remained till the II Nov. 1891 when it was replaced by a
light-buoy. The light-house service had in the last few years considerably
increased the number of floating buoys marking the plateau of the M'i 111-
quiers, for this plateau was surrounded on the west & South Side by
a beIt of nine buoys of whicfi four were Iight-buoys and one provided
with a whistlé.
Up tili now this buoying had been esclusively carried out by means
of floating apparatus, but the construction of a light-house on the Rock
"Le Four" had on several occasions beeii under consideration and the
light-house administration began in the year 1901-190 to make experi-
ments with the object of ascectaining the possibilityof erecting a tower
with its foundations belo~vthe level of the low tides on the siibmerged
rocks of the Soutliern Reef. Therc was rIo reason why the erection of
this tower should arouse any more opposition than did the erection of
the lighthouse built in 1869 on tfie Douvres rocks, or than the establish-
ment of the fixed buoy constructed between 1880 & 1883on the Bceufs.
Plateau situated outside the boundary of the Convention of 1839 and
connected with the SE point of Jersey by acontinuous chain of reefs.-
H.E. summed up by saying that in his personal view the Minquiers
realIy'belonged to no one in particular, and fie did not see why it shd :
not be agrw that they should be so regarded by Gt. Britain iP 1:rance.
If so there might be an understanding that any lights or beacons to be
erected on or near the Minquiers should be at the common expense of
both Powers.
1 promised H.E. that 1 wd : consider his statement, but added that,
as he was aware, we claimed the Minquiers for Great Britain,
l Sec Annex A 27. ANSESES TO U.K. 3IE31ORIAL (h.os.A 62-63) 277
ANNEX A 62
Diçpaich from the ForeignOfice, 13thMay, 1903, to theBritishAmbaç-
sador in Pans, reportingthe unofficialSuggestionby the FrenchAmbas-
sador that the MinquiersIslets should be Neutra1
[Foreign Ofice Pnpers, z7/3740]
F.O.
Sir, May 13. 03. Draft.
The French Ambr to-day recurred to his conversation wiih me on Sir E.Monson.
the 27P ultimo in regard to the ownership of the Minquiers Rocks, 214
recorded in my Despatch K? 187of that date. 2He told me that he liad
had an opportunity of discussing the subject with RI. Delcassé & that
he was now authorised tomake to me unofficially tlie suggestion which
fie had offered as his owri namely that Great Britain & France sIiould
agree that the Miricluiersshould .be regarded as belonging neither to
Gt. Britain nor to France, but that these two l'owers should assume
responsibility [orany expeiise whc it migtit be riecessary to inciir in
buoying or beaconiiig the Minquiers.
1told H.E. that 1 had already mentioned hiç iriforn~alsuggestion to
the Home Office R:the Admiralty, & th& I would now make those
departs3 aware that the French Govt were prepared to discuss it
wvithus officially.
L[ANSDO\lrNE]
ANNEX A 63
'Aide-Mémoire from the Foreign Office,23rd June, rgo3, handedto the
French Ambassador giving Evidence of British Possession of the
Minquiers Xslets ,
[Foreig~zOfice Pupers, z7/3740]
His hIajestyls Goverriment have carefully considered the unofficial hlemorandiirn.
suggestion made by the French Ambassador on the 13th of May last
that Great Britain and France should agree to regard the Minquiers
as belonging neither to the one country nor to tlie other, but that the
two countries should assume responsibility for any espense which it
might be necessary to incur in buoying or beaconing those Islands.
The proposa1 does not commend itself to His hlajesty's Goverment
who are unable to admit that the British rightsofownership ove1 these
islets are open to question.The grounds on whicli the Britishclaim is
founded are stated at length in the Marquess of Salisbury'ç note to
Ifonsieur Waddington of h'ovember z~st, 1888 6,and the investigations
made by the Jersey Harbours Cornmittee in that year aproduced further
See Annex A Gr.
2 "recorded...date" interlined in the original MS.
a "them" struckthrough, "those departswrittenin the margin.
See Annex A 62.
See Annex A 54.
See Annex A 129. 278 ANNEXES TO U.K. ME3IORIAL o. A 63)
evidence of continuous and undisputed British possession. There were
found to be on the islands nineteen huts, one of which was uninhabited,
but the remaining eighteen were inhabited by Jersey fishermen, with the
exception of one which had been let by the I3ritish proprietor to two
Frenchmen ernployed by their Government intnking observations on the
tides and currents in the neighbourhood..
The Cornmittee iiad learnt that at the commenccment of the century
the British Government had quarried on the west side of the "Rfaitresse
Ile" for stone, whicli was ernployecl for purposes of constiuctian at
St. Helier.
There were froni sixteen to eighteen boast ernployed in fishing and
manned by about thirty or thirty fiiremen al1 from Jersey. The fislierjr
produced about i5650in lobsters alone during tlie months of May, June,
5 July and August, without counting congers and otlier fish.
It was moreover statetlby old fishermen on the Rocks that it was then
(in 1888) about sixty years since several I'reiich fishermen had coine to
the islands to comyete with the Jersey inen, but that in consequence of
explanations they had gone away and had iiot reappeared a.
Itis understaod that the Lieutenant Governor and also a deputation
from the States of Jersey pay periodical visits of inspection tthe group.
It has been recently ascertained that tlie lobster fishery on the Min-
quiers is at present cxc~usively carried on by about sixteen Jersey
families, who earn a living frointhe fishing as their yredecessors Iiave
done in the past.
On the "Maitresse Ile" there are still some twenty huts of which about
twelve are habitable. Some of these huts are more than forty years
old-the Jersey period of prescription for real propcrty. Tt is reported
that they are from time to time sold from one fisherman to nnother, and
treated as individual property and repairett by their owners.
Itwill thus be seen that there are proprietary difficulties in the wy
of neutralizing the Minquiers, and on these and other grounds His
Majesty's Government must maintain their claim to sovereignty. They
are however prepared to itieet the views of tlie French Government so
far aspossible in the matterof navigational marks and safeguards.
Foreign Oflice,
June 23rd, 1903.
1 SeeAnnexes A 129 andA 132.
* SeeAnnex A 129. ANNEX A 64
Aide-Mémoire from the French Ambassador, 15th July, 1903 n Reply
to the Aide-Mémoire from the Foreign Ofice of the 23rd June, 1903,
suggesting a Solution to the Question of Lighîing and Buoying the
Minquiers Islets, withoutprejudice to Sovereignty
AMBASSADE IIE FRANCE Projet
A LONDRES. Memorandum.
Dans un projet de memorandum qui aété remis àS. Ex. M. Cambon
par S.S.le Marquis de Lansdow~ie, le Gouvernement Britannique reven-
dique la souveraineté de l'archipel des Minquiers, en se fondant sur le
fait qu'il se trouve dansla maitresse-ile une vingtaine de Iiuttes apparte-
nant à des pêcheursde Jersey.
D'après les rapports des autorités maritimes françaises, ces huttes ne
seraient habitées que temporairement pendant la belle saison etuivant
les besoins de la pC.clieyIla lieii cl'obscrver du reste que l'existdece
propriétés privées nesaurait préjuger la question de la souverainetdu
territoire en litige.
Le Gouveriiemeiit Français pourrait de son côté opposer à cet argu-
ment les titres que lui donnent les travaux d'éclairage et de balisage
clu'il a fait exécuter aus Minquiers à sesfrais sans que le Cabinet de
Londres ait protesté jusqu'ici contre une Œuvre dont l'entreprise et
l'entretien pendant nombre d'années ne pouvaient être ignorés tles
autorités britanniques. 11résulte de ces travaux en faveur de la souve-
raineté de la I~raiice une prescription bien autrement sérieuse que celle
qui pourrait résulter des lois locales de Jersey dont il ne sempas que
les dispositions puissentêtre.valablement opposées aiiGouvernement
Français.
D'ailleurs, ainsi que. Cambon l'a préciidemment indiqué au Marquis
de Lansdowne, ce n'est pas par une attributionde la souveraineté des
Minquiers que le Gouvernement Français cherche à résoudreles questions
actuellement soulevées.Ildésirerait seulement, et Lord Lansdowne avait
paru précédemment dans les mêmes dispositions, arriver à un arrange-
ment pratique qui permît, sans trancher en faveur de l'un ou l'autre
des deux pays la question de souveraineté, de régler amicalement une
question qui, malgré le peu d'importance qui s'y attache, pourrait
devenir une cause de froissement et d'irritation parmi les populations
intéressées./.
15 Juillet1903.
'See Annex A 63. 280 rlNNEXES TO U.K. ME?,fORihL (NOB.A 65-66)
ANNEX A 65
Aide-Mémoirefrom the French Ambassador, 18th December, 1903,
drawing attention to the fact that the British Flag had again been
Hoisted on the MinquiersIslets
[Foreigr~O@ce Papers, z7/3740]
L'Ambassadeur de France a eu l'occasion, en dernier lieu par un rnemo-
randum l en date du 13 Juillet dernier d'exposer Sa Seigneurie le
Marquis de Lansdowne les vues du Gouvernement de la République
en ce qui concerne la questiodes iles[sic]Riinquiers.
Il ressort des informations parvenues à Pans que le pavillon britan:
nique adepuis quelque temps été de nouveau arborésurla principale de
ces jles[sic].
M.Camboii est chargéde signaler ce fait A Sa Seigneuriele Rfarquisde
Lansdowne en se référant aus diverses communications qu'il a eu l'hon-
neur de lui adresser précédemment siircette question./.
Albert Gate house,
le 18 Dkembre 1go3
AXNES A 66
Aide-Mémoireof the Foreign Office,23rd December, 1903, replying to
that of the French Ambassador,18th December, 1903 ,nd re-asserting
British Sovereignty over the MinquiersIsIets
[Foreign O@cePupers, 2713740 8]
Foreign Office
Ilecember 23 1903.
With refeience to the communication made by the French Ambassador
~~~f~ on the 18th. instant calling attention to the fact that for some time i
- past the British Flag has been flying on the principal [idand] of the
Memo for Minquiers Islands, the same explnnation applies on the present occasio~l l
M. as was given in April last to Monsieur Geoffray in reply to a similnr I
enquiry.
The hoisting of the British flag is nothing more than the repetitioof
a practice which has been always cuçtomary, and which His Majesty's
Government consider to be justified by their title to the sovereignty
of theIslands.
The warks oflighting and buoying by theFrenchAuthonties, towhich
the French Ambassador alluded in his Riemorandum of the 15th. July .
lSee Annex A 64.
2The ernendations inthe -~igiMS. aretoonumerousto bcnoted individually.
a See Annex A Gd. ANNEXES TO U.K. ~IEMORIAL (NO. A 67) 281
last, Iiavc al1 been outside the three mile -1imof the Minquiers. They
do not therefore in any way invalidate tfie British claim tthe groiip,
but on the contrary the fact that they have been placed beyond the
territorial limit may fairly be cited as tending to confirm tliat claim.
L[ABSDO\17NE]
Aide-Mémoire from the French Ambassador, 18th January, 1904, on
the Subject of the British Claim to Sovereigntyover the Minquiers Islets,
and drawing attention tothe Friction iikely to result from the continued
Flying of the British Flag there
[Foreign Ofice Pufiers, z7/3740]
Aa1~i.4~~~131:VE FRANCE Comm..
Albert Gate Jan.20.
LONDRES
La Note 'du Marquis de Lansdowne en date du 23 Décembredernier
relative aux Iles Minquiers ne fait que renouveler l'affirmation de la
souverainetébritannique sur ces iles[sic] contre laquelle leGouvernenient
frayais n'a cesséde protester, et qui est formellement contredite par le
texte de la convention de 1839 2.L'allégation que les travaux d'éclai-
rage et de balisage exéciitks aux Minquiers par les soinsdu Gouverne-
ment de la République auraient été effectuésen dehors de Ialimite cle
trois milles semble erronée, ainsi qu'il résultede la Kote remise au
Foreign Officele 27 Avril 1903. Seraitelle[sicjexacte, qu'elle ne sauriiit
infirmer la valeur de l'argument résultant de ces travaux en faveur des
droitsde la France sur ces rochers. 11est évident, en effet, que les travaux
d'éclairage et de balisage ont étéfaitsaux points où ils ont paru le plus
utiles pour la navigation, et le fait important à retenir c'est que les
seuls travaux exécutés aux Minquiers pour l'usage des navigateurs
aient étéeffectuésaux frais du Gouvernement français.
L'ambassadeur de France ne peut, dans ces conditions, que rappeler
ses Notes précédentespar lesquelles il aaffirmé les droits de l1-rance
sur les Minquiers et protester contre la présence du drapeau anglais
sur l'un de ces rochers, qui a grave inconvénient de donner un aliment
fâcheux aux polémiques des journauxet d'entretenir unecause d'irritation
parmi les populations de la côte voisine.
11exprime de nouveau l'espoir que le Gouvernement britannique sera
disposé,en laissant de côté la questionde souveraiiieté, à examiner avec
le Gouvernement français les suggestions en vue d'un arrangement des
difficultés actuellement soulevéesqui étaient contenues dans sa Kote fi
du 15 Juillet 1903.1.
18 Janvier I904,
1 See Anriex A 66.
a Sec Annex A 27.
a Sec Annex A 61.
"ee Annexes A 55, A O4 and A 65.
See Annex A 64. 282 ANNEXES TO U.K. ME3IORIAI. (NOS.A 68-69)
ANNEX A 68
Further Aide-Mémoire from the French Ambasador, 13th July, 1904,
to theForeign Office, on the Flying ofthe BritishFlag at the Minquiers
Islets
El. Cambon
hlemo. [Fo~eign @Tee Pupers, 27/3740]
julyrj,1904. D'après une communication émanant des Autorités Rlantimes frai]-
çaises, le pavillon Britannique a été hisle4 Juillet sur la maîtressîle
des Alinquiers et amenéle mêmejour à 8 heures du soir.
L'Ambassadeur de France est chargé de signaler cefait au Secrétaire
dlEtat pour les Affaires Etrangères et de lui rappelerles protestatioiiç
et les considérations qu'il lui a exposéAsplusieurs reprises tant ence
qui concerne la question des Iles Minquiers que la répétitiondes incidents
de pavillon qui produisent une impression si pénible sur les populations
françaises.
La conciusion des Arrangements du 8 Avril, les :tendances favorables
qui se sont mani lestées et développéesdepuis cette époque, paraissent
à M. Delcassé fournir un moment opportun pour règler laquestion des
Minquiers et éviter leretour de difficultés irritanteM. Cambon croit
donc devoir rappeler les considérations contenues dans sa note1 du
18 Janvier dernier à laquelle jusqu'h présent aucune réponse n'a Cté
faite./.
Albert Gate House
13 Juillet 1904
ANNEX A 69
Aide-Mémoire from the Foreign Office to the French Ambassador,
17th August, rgog, containing Observations on the Ambasador's Aide-
Mémoire of the 18th January and 29th [? 13th] July, 1904, on the
question of BritishSovereignty over the Minquiers Islets
[F.O. CorzfidentialPrinl 9484 (~gog),NO.27, pp. 14-17]
Memovandum communicatedto the FrenchAmbassrcdorA , ugusf17,1905.
THE communications made by the French Ambassador on the
18th January and on the 29th [( ?) 13thj July,'904 2,on the subject of
the Minquiers Islands, have received the attentive consideration ofHis
Majesty's Government, who desire to offer some observations on the
arguments advanced in the former of those communications.
It is stated in. Cambon's Memorandum of tlie 18th Janiiaq-, 1904,
that the British claim to sovereignty over the Minquiers is formally
See Annex A 67.
SeeAnnexes A 67 and A 68. ANNEXES TO U.K. MEMORIAL (NO, A 69) 233
controverted by the text of the Convention of 1839 '. His Majesty's
Government are unable to acquiesce in this contention. The object of
this Convention was to define and regulate the limits of the exclusive
rights of oyster and other fishery on the coasts of Great Britain and ,
France. A map was attached to the Convention, and it was provided
by Article 1 [i.e .1that the lines, drawn from certain fixed points shown
on that rnap, should be acknowledged as defining the limits between
which, andthe French shore, the oyster fishery should be reserved esclu-
sively to French subjects. On this rnap the Minquiers group is left .
outside the red Iine, whiIst the Chaiisseyjsic] group, which 1)elongsto
France, is includetl within it. By Article II [i.e.z]of the Convention
it is stipulated tliat the oyster fishery within3 niiles of the islantl of
Jersey, calculated from low-water mark, shaU be reserved esclusively to
British subjects. Article III [z.c.,33 of the Convention provides that
the oyster fishery, outside the limits, within which that fishery is exclu-
sively reservect to British and French subjects respectively, shouid be
common to tlie subjects of both countries. These and the next three
Articles of the Convention relate entirely to the oyster fishery, which,
so far as His hlajesty's Governnient are aware, has never bcen practised
in the waters of the Minquiers group. But in regard to general fiçhing
rights, ArticleIS [i.e.31of the Convention declares that Ijritish subjects
sliall enjoy the escIusive right of fishery within the distance of 3 miles
from low-water mark "along the whole evtent of the coast of the British
Islands."
Xo line was drawn on the map attached to the Conventiori defining
the lirnits of the British Islands,nd there is nothing to show that the
Minquiers were iiot included in those liniits, while the fact that group
is outside the line marking the 1:reiich boundaries off the neighbouring.
coast, serves to prove beyond doubt that France laid rio claim to them.
For the purpose of examinirig the extent of the British rights of sover-
eignty, the Convention of 1839andthe Supplementary Fisheries Conven-
tion concluded between England and France on the 11th Novem-
ber, 1S67 a,must be read together. The preamble of this latterCon-
vention states espressly that it has been concluded after revision of tlie
Convention of 1839 by a hlixed Comniission.
Article SSXVIII [i.e3. 8'provides that the terms "British Islands"
and "United Kingdom" employed in this Convention, shall include the
Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Man, "with their
dependencies". 'I'liequestion is thus narrowed down tothe point whether
the Minquiers are a dependency of Jersey, and were so coiisidered atthe
time of the conclusion of the Corivention. Upon this point His Majesty's
Governrnent do not think that tliere is any reasonable ground for doubt.
Le Geyt, an aiithority of great repute on local questions, who was
Lieutenant Railiff of Jersey, in his work on the laws and constitutions
of Jersey,written between 1692 and 1707 ,peaking of the fish tithes due
by Jersey fishermen to the rectors of their respective parishes, gives a
list othe dependencies ("enclaves") ofJersey, among wllich he iiames the
Minquiers, thetithe being due on a11fish caught there.
Evidence of the Minquiers being a dependency of Jersey was also
given before the Royal Commissioners in 1859 by Mr. Hugh Godfray,
one of the oldest practitioners in the Royal Court of Jersey.
l See Annex A 27.
a See Annex A 28. 284 ANNEXES TO U.K. MEbIORIAL (NO. A 69)
Extracts from tliis evidence and from the work of Le Gept above
referred to,are annexed to this Memorandurn.
On the other hand, the French Government raised no objection to
. the claim asserted iri the communication addressed to theni on the
13th November, 1S6g lby Alr.\Vest, who was then in charge of the British
Embassy in Paris, tliat these islets were a dependency of the Channel
Islands. When in a note dated the 27th August, 188s 2,M. Waddington,
then French Ambassador in London, advnnced for the first time a clairn
, on the part of France to sovereignty over the group, the arguments
urged in support of the I3ritish claim in the late Rlarquess of Salisbury's
replyJ of the z~st November following were accepted without reply.
BI.Cambon, in his Blernorandum of the 28th January last', above
referred to, demurs to the statement in tlie Foreign Office Memorandum
of the 23rd Decernber, 1903 5 that the works of lighting and buoying,
aiiuded to in His Escellency's Memoranduni of the rgth of July, 1903 B,
have a11been outside the 3-mile limit of the Minquiers, and His Excellency
lays stress on the fact thnt tlie only works esecuted atthe Minquiers for
the use of navigators have been carried out at the expense of the French
Government. 1-Iis E'rcellency would appear, however, to be under a
misapprehensioii, as, according to the information of His hIajesty's
Government, no works of any kind have been executed by the French
Government at the Minquiers, nor even iii the immediate vicinity of
the islnncls. It is linown that in order to assist the navigatioii of vessels to
the neighbouring Frencli ports, the Frencli Government, in 1865, placed
a floatinglight, which was replaced in IS~I by light buoys, iii tlie channel
to the soüth-west of the Minquiers, at a distance of somewhat niore than
3 miles from the low-ivatcr mark of the main rocks, though within a
distance of 3 miles from certain appurtenant rocks and shoals visible
only at low water. His hIajesty's Government have not objected to the
establishment of these buoys. being unwilling, unless in case of absolute
necessity and in rebuttal of a direct claim of right, to assert British
sovereignty in opposition to a work of public utility which fier se preju-
diced in no way Britisli interests. They cannot, however, admit that
the placing of sucli lights. to facilitate the navigation of ships bound
to St. Malo, in the deep channel to the southward of the hlinquiers, can
be held to establish a claim ofany sort to the sovereignty of those islets.
There are fifteen huts bujlt on the Maitresse Ile of the Miiiquiers by
Jersey fishermen and inhabiteil by tliem. The authorities of Jersey,
who have always regarded the group as a dependency of that Island,
ha\-e frorn time to time applied small sums out of public fundsto improve
the accommodation on the Maitresse Ile for the benefit of these Jersey
fishermen. No dtvelling-liouse there, in the memory of the oldest living
inhabitant, has ever been occupied by a French fisherrnan, although
during the progress of tlie French Hydrographie Survey of adjacent
waters twenty years ago, it is believed that one member of the survey
party lived. fora tinic with the Jersey fisliermen. The rocks are much
frequented by British fishermen, who find them a valuable fishing
lSee Annex A gr.
See Annex A 53.
See Annex A 54.
Sec A~inex A 66.
'See Anncx A 64.ground and locality for cutting seaïveed, and under those conditions any
uncertainty or contention as to tlie Britisli claim of soï7ereigiity would
entail great risk of serious disputes and collisions occurring between the
fishermen of tlie two countries. His Majesty's Governmt:nt are, thercfore,
unable to nccept tlie solution proposed in h2. Cambon's cominunicafion
of the 15th July, 1903.
?-\nirnated, fiowever, with tlsame earnest wiçh as the French Goïwrn-
ment to arrive at some satisfactory settlernent of the question, His
3Iajesty's Government, while unable to relinquish their claim to sovcr-
reignty over tlie Minquiers, ancl while they feel bound to maintain tfie
proprietary and fishing rights of the Jersey fishermen on those islets,
are prepared to ivaive the claim which would naturaUy flow from the
provisions of Article XXXVIII [i.e., 381 of the Convention of rSGj to
exclusive fishery rights within the 3-mile limit of the group. Tliey would
propose, tlierefore as the most satisfactory arrangement, tliat the islands
should be recognized as British territory, and that British subjects alone
should have the right of landing and residing upon tIiem and of fishing
witliin the waters surrounding the outlying rocks, which are u~icovered
aispririg tide, and comprised within the line marked on the accoriipatiying
chart, but that the waters outside that line should be open to the fisher-
men of both countries, in so faras they do not corne within the territorial
or fishing limits of some otheradjacent line of coast.
His hlajest y's Government are assured that any lighthouse placecl on
the rocks themselves wouId constitirte a danger rather than an assistance
to navigation. Tf, howerer, it should at any time be shown to tlieir
satisfaction that such works were necded in the general interest, they
lvould be prepared to undertake thein. On the other hand, itseems to
them only eqtiitable tliat floating lights placed in the' neighbourhood
of the rocks forthe purpose of marking the approaches to the French port
of St. Malo should be maintained at thc espense of the Frencli Covei-n-
ment. His hlajesty's Governrnent trust tlint an arrangement on this
basis, which is, in fact, no more than the maintenance of the actiial
statzisqziomay prove acceptable tothe Government of the Republic.
Extracts from "Les Manuscrits de PhilippeLe Geyt, Ecuyer, Lieutenant-
Bailli de I'Ile deJersey, sur la Constitution, les Lois, et les Usages de
cette Ile,"(1846-7), cited in the above Aide-Mémoire ,
POUR LES I~ÉNÉFIcI:~.
"La dixme du poisson est deüe au b6néficede la paroisse où le Pasteur
faitsa résidence,en quelque place et avec sorte d'applets, coinrne on dit,
que le poisson soit pris à la coste de l'îie, et aux enclaves, sçavoir :
Roques Doe, Minquais, Chausé, Ecrého,Erme, Serc, soit par lc peschcur
ou par gens de sa familie." (i. 86.)
"La dixme du poisson est deüe au bénéficede la paroisse où Ie pescht:ur
faitsa résidence, en quelque place CU avec quelque sorte de filets que lepoisson soit pris, la coste de l'isle ou aux E~iclaves, Koquedo, Miquais,
Chausé,Ecreho, Serc, Erme, &c.,soit parle pescheur,soit par des dcmesti-
ques, et se paye au 15e, et il est défendu de faire aucune lotde poisson,
avant que de lesignifier en temps au bénéficier,ou à ses commis, à peine
de soixante sols d'amende." (iii.15.)
Extractfromthe Evidencegiven by Mr.Hugh Godfray,on the 18thJuly,
r859, before the Royal Commissioners appointedto inquire into the
Civil, Municipal, and Ecclesiastical Laws of the Island of Jersey. (Com-
mand No. 2761, p. 66.), also citedin the above Aide-Mémoire
1604. (Sir J. Awdry.1-\Ire have been told also that a jurisdiction is
esercised herc beyond low-lvater mark ; are you prepared to Say whether
that esercise of jurisdiction is groundedupon the express words of any
Charter or upon immemorial usage ?-The jurisdiction beyond low-
watcr mark is grounded upon immemorial usage. Formerly you could
not impress men within G miles of the roads of the island. French cowç
are seiznble by the law if broiight with6nmiles of the roads.
rGo5.On any side of tlie island?-On aiiy side of the Island ; any
ofthe roads ofthe island, 1should Say.
1606. Upon the north as well as upon tlie south ?-.4nywhere-a11
round. It isgenerally understood that the islands called the Minquais,
the Ecréhos, the Dirouilles, and the Paternosters are dependencies of
Jersey, and, therefore, that tlie jurisdiction of the Court extends to
those limits. 1 have known cases arising at places within the lirnits 1
have clescribcd brouglit before the CourtsasAdmiralty cases.
1tio7. Are any of tiiose islancls inhabited,or clid those cases nrise
from amerely accidental landing there by fisliermen or other persons ?-
Upon the Minquais and Ecréhos there are several Iiouses which belong
to some of the inhabitants of this island, where they resort to fish and
for vraic [sealveed].
1608. 1s any jurisdiction esercised beyond tliat limit of G miles ?-
They extend further ; the Ecréhosare more thaii 6 rniles.
1609. Do you reckon the 6 miles from those islands ?-1 should sup-
pose the jurisdiction would extend exactly within the limits fised bythe
Convention between the two Governments for the oyster fishery ANNEXES TO U.K. MEMORIAL (BOB. A 70-71) ~~7
Dispatch from the French Embassy to the Foreign Office,~1st October,
1905, acknowledging the Aide-Mémoirefrom the Foreign Officeof the
17th August, 1905
Ambassade de France
en Angleterre. Lot~dresCe 21 Octobre, 1905
L'Ambassadeur de France a l'honneur d'accuser réception au Secré-
taired'Etat pour les Affaires Etrang6res de Sa Noten date du 17Août
dernier relative aux Iles Minquiers. Cambon s'est empresséde traiis-
mettre à son Gouvernement qui l'étudiera avec soin, ce document sur
lecontenu duquel il réserveson appréciation.
11 saisit cette occasion pour renouveleà Lord Lansdowne les assu-
rances de sahaute considération./.
Sa Seigneurie
Le Marquis de Lansdowne,
etc. etc. etc.
ANNES A 7r
Dispatch from the Foreign Office tothe British Ambassador in Paris, -
29th November, 1905, informing him of Proposa1of the French Ambas-
sador in London, that the French Government would consider Surren-
dering any Claims to the Crozet Islands in-return for Recognition of the
Neutrality of the Minquiers Islands
[Colottial Ofice Pupers,32315071
COPY
No. 768 FOREIGN OFFICE.
November 29 Igoj.
Sir,
The French Ambassador told me to-day that Your Excellency 1-iad
ment laid claim to the sovereignty of the Crozet Islands, which are
situated between South Africa and Ausiralia, in about 4@ 30' soiith
laIlis Excellency stated that the French Government would not be
unwilling to renounce al1claim to these islands. They would, however,
seem to be eniitIed to demand as compensation for their compliaiice
some concession, alsoof a secondary order, in anotherparofthe wvorld.
See AnnexA 63. His Excellency suggested for evample that this miglit form an oppor-
tunity for the recognition by His Majesty's Covernment of the neutrality
of the Blinquiers Islands.
1 am &c
(Signcd) LANSDOiVNE
His Excellency
The Right Hon-
Sir1;.Rertie-G.C.M.G.
Second Dispatchfrom the Foreign Officeto the British Ambassador in
Paris, 6thDecernber,Igoj, together withan Aide-Mémoire to the French
Ambassadorin London, stating that theUnited Kingdornhad no Inten-
tion of making the CrozetIslands and the MinquiersIslets the Subject
of a Transaction
[ColoniO al@ce Yapers, 323/507]
COPY
Sir, Decernber 6 1905
1 gave tlic French Ambassador today a nicrnorandum, a copy ofu-hich
is attached to this despatch, upon the subject of the Crozet Islands.
1told His Excellency that as we had no designs upon these islands it was
impossible for us to make them the subject of n transaction as part of
which we should agree to the neutralization of the Minquiers Islands.
We had made certain proposals ~vititregard to thelatter which 1thought
should now be csamined oii their merits.
I am &c
(Signed) LANSDOM7NE. i
1-IisExcellency I
The Kight Hon. I
Sir F Uertie. G.C.M.G. 1
Draft rnemorandum for communication to hlonsicur Cambon.
The steps taken by H.M. Ambassador at Paris to ascertain the views
of the French Govemment with regard to the sovereignty of the Crozet
Islands appear, from the communication made by the French hmbassa-
dor on the 2gth uItimo, to have given rise to some misunderstanding.
Sir F. Bertie did not mean to convey the idea that, if the Freiich Govt
claimed possession of the islands, HiMajesty's Government were desir-
ousthat those claims should be \mived in their favour.
The reason for W.E.'senquiry was the following:-
In the carly part of the current year an application was received from
a private individual fora concession, or mining rights, on one of the
islands of the group, This dreiv the attention of W.M.Govt to the fact ANSEXES TO U.K. JlEJIOKlAL (SO.A 73)
2Sg
that some uncertainty esisted as to the sovereign rights over the islands,
and it was then decided to address an enquiry to the French Government
with the object of ascertaining their views in regard to the ownership
of the group which isremotely attached and is described as uninhabited
and unexpfored.
H.M. Govt had no intention of asking for the abandonment of any
French rights or for any arrangements whicli could be considered as
requiring thesurrender of an equivalent ontheir part.
FOREICX OFFICE.
December 6 1005[sic]
Dispatchfromthe Foreign Office5th March,1906, to the FrenchAmbas-
sadar, reminding him that the Aide_Mémoiro ef the Foreign Officeof
the 17th August, 1905 u,ponthe MinquiersIslets, had not beenAnswizred
[Foreign Ogice Papers, 3711711
hlarch 5. 1906. ~it.
My dear Ambassador 11.Cambon
Y.E. mentioned to me last week that you werc still waiting for a
reply from this officeto a proposa1made last auturnn for an arrangement
which would take the form ofa transaction in connection with the hfin-
quiers & Crozet Islands.
On looking up the papers connected with this case 1 find that
Lord Landsdo~vne gave to Y.E. on the 6tUec. an explanatory
Memorandum in which it \vas stated that H.M.G.Iiadno designs on the
Crozet Islands and did not ask for any arrangements which could be
considered as requiring the surrenderf an equivalent on their part.
Y.E. has no doubt tliimemm in your possession, but 1 venture to
point out that we are as yet unaware if theFrench Govt are willing to
accept the proposal made by H.M.G. in their IiTernmof Aug. 17.1905.
C.K.
Minutes of the ForeignOffice,of the25th April, 1906, 26th April, 1906,
16th August, 1906, and Letter to the Home Officeof the ~2ndAugust,
1906, regardingthe Failure of the French Governmentto reply to the
Aide-Mémoireof the 17th August, 1905
Minquiers Rocks
Enquiry as to progress in the matter.
(Minutes).
\STesternDept.
The questio~iof the sovereignty over the Minquiers Rocks has been
complicated by a side-issue& is now a two-fold one. AXNEXES TO U.K. MEMORIAL (NO. A 73)
290
1. H.M. Govt :claim the soverejgnty, biit in Aug :last submitted to
the French Govt :,in a mernorandum coinmunicated to M. Cambon,
certain proposals involving the retention of British sovereign rightç,
but according the French certain fishing rights witliin the territorial
waters of the islands.
z. The French have proposed that we should agree to the neutraliza-
tion ot the Minquiers in return for which they would renouncc al1claims
to sovereignty aver the Crozet Islands, a small qoup in the S. Pacifrc
Ocean, which they were under the misapprehension that H.M. Govt :
desired to possess.To this proposa1we replied, in Dec: last, that H.M.G.
had no designs on the Crozet Islands, & could not therefore make them
the subject of such a transaction ashad been suggested.
The French Govt :have not yet replied to either of these communi-
cations. Some weeks ago M. Cambon observed to Sir C. Hardinge that
the French Govt : were still awaiting a reply to their proposaiiregard
to the Crozet Islands. SirC. Wardinge pointed out to H.E. that it was,
on the contrary, we who were awaiting the reply ofthe French Govt :
to our proposalç, made last August, in regard to the sovereignty of the
Minquiers Rocks.
E.G.L. 2j April, 1906.
Qu :Ask RI. Cambon whether we niay expect shortly to Iiear what
view his govt take of our last proposal.
AC
Ap 26
1 will do so pri;ately.
E.G.
EB
Alinquiers Rocks.
Foreign Office
The French Ambassador was asked on March 5th 1906 whether the
French Govt : agree to the views expressed in H.M.G1s Merno. of
Aug :17 1905 cornmunicated in London.
1have written to remind bl.Geoffraythat we have had no answer.
EB Aug. 16.
F.O.
Draft. 22 August, 1906.
Home Office.Sir :-
In reply to your letter of the 10th instant (122,4431 enquiring
whether any further correspondence has passed in the matter of the
Minquiers Rocks, which have fomed the subject of negotiations between
H.M.G. and the French Govt. 1 am directed by'secretary Sir E. Grey
to inform you that no reply haç as yet been returned to the hlemo. on
this subject which was communicated to tlie French Ambassador on the
17th of Aug. 1905.
GRS .ANSEXES TO U.K. MEMORIAL m. A 74-75) 29x
ANNEX A 74
Note from the French Ambassador,11th July, 1929, inquiringabout
the Nationalityof the MinquiersIslets ; with a Foreign Office Minute,
repqting a Conversation with the Ambassador
[Foreigtt 08ce Regisiry File, No. W 6799/6799/17]
Plateau des Minquiers
Queue est sa nationalité ? lie ne pFait[si;] pas avoir été régléeet le
plateau était en généralconsidéré; g9rnme mer libre.Le Foreign Ofiice
a-t-il un avis ?
The French Anibr left this note about the Minquiers. He had written itin
pencil tomark its very unofficial nature.
I said 1 could only speak from a very vague recoltectionof sornething
which hsppened 30 years ago, but Ihad an impression that the British
character of the Minquiers was established beyond dispute by a dot:u-
ment of the II!?Centuryl.
K. C. ELINDSAY]
July 11
Dispatch from the Foreign Office, 26th July, 1929, protesting against
the Grantingof a Lease for Building on MaitresseIIe of the Minquiers
to M. Le Roux, a French National, by French Officials
.
[Foreiga OFcr! Registry File, 50. W 6967/67gg/17]
No. W 6967/67ggjr7. FOREIGNOFFICI:,S.Glr.r.
July 26tli,1920.
Your ExceIlency :-
1 am informed by the Secretary of State for the Wonie Department a
that a French citizen named Leroux has commenced building operations
on one of the Minquiers Rocks, in virtue, apparently, of alease stated
to have been issued by some French authority 3.It was no doubt in
connexion with this inciderit that Your Excellency recently enquired
informally of Sir Konald Lindsay what His Majesty's Government
considered to be the status of thisgroup.
2.I have the honour to remind you that a memorandum dated
August 17th, Igûj ", was addressed to Monsieur Geoffrayby the late
.i There is evident confusion here ~vith the EcréhouMets. The reference.
presurnably, is to Piers des Préaux'Charttathe Abbey ofVal-Richer, which.
in any case, belongs to the 13th centur(1203).See Annex A 7.
' "forHome Afiairs" in the original typewritten draft.
a See Annexes A 135and A 137.
See Annex A 74.
8 "Your ExceIlency" in the original type~vritten draft.
See Annex A Gg.292 ANNEXES TO U.K. MEMORIAZ. (NO. A 76) .
Marquess of Lansdowne, in which it was stated that His Majesty's
Government were unable to relinquish their claim to sovereignty over
the Minquiers, but would be yrepared to arrive at a settlement with
regard to the fishing in the adjacent waters on the lines indicated in the
penultirnate paragraph ofthe document. No reply was received to this
communication beyond a formal acknowledgement ' from Monsieur
Geoffray to the effect that he was referring it to the French Government.
His Majesty's Government have accordingly always assumed that the
French Government had no desire to dissent from the view expressed
in the memorandum, and they think that there must be some misunder-
standing if a lease has actually been granted to hlonsieur Leroux by a
French authority, as alleged.
3. If the French Government desire to enter into further tliscussions
with regard to the Minquiers, His Majesty's Governrnent arc prepared
to renew their offerto endeavour to arrive aa friendly settlement of the
practical questions involved. In the meantime, they have no doubt
that the French Governrnent, in order to obviate al1risk of the occur-
rence of some untowarcl incident on the spot, will restrain Monsieiir
Leroux from proceeding furtlier with his building operations pending
such discussion.
1have the honour to be, with the highest consideration,
Your Excellency's obedient Servant,
(For the Secretary of State)
(Sd.) R. H. CAMPBELL.
His Excellency
hlonsieur A. de Fleuriau, G.C.V.O.,
etc., etc., etc.
ANNEX A 76
Dispatchfromthe FrenchAmbassador,5th October,1937,to the Foreigrt
Office, protesthg against the Erection of a Customs House, and the
Hoisting of the British Flag on the MaitresseIle of the MinquiersIslets
[Foreign Ogce Registry Fr'le,No. C 6gzo/zzz3/17)
Ambassade de Francs Londres, le 5 Octobre, 1937
enAfagleterre.
Monsieur le Secrétaired'Etat,
Depuis quelque temps déjA,les pêcheursfrançais exerçant leur indus-
trie dans les parages des iles Minquiers se sont émusde certaines mesures.
prises par les autorités de Jersey et pouvant faire croire que lesdites
autoritéstranchent à leur profit la question, non résoluejusqu'à ce jour,
de la souveraineté sur les iles[sic]précitt5es.
a Sze Annex A 70. ANNEXES TO U.K. hIE31ORIAL (SO. A 76) 743
Cette question de souveraineté n'a en effet jamis encore étérégléeA. u
moment où fut négociée la Convention du 2 Août 1839 l,qui avait pour
objet de délimiter lespêclieriessur les côtes respectives de la France et
de l'Angleterre, aucun des deux Gouvernements intéressés ii'émit de
prétention sur les Iles Minquiers qui derneurérent livrées, suivant. la
tradition,à la libre exploitation des pécheursdes deuxnations. En vertu
d'une sorte d'accord tacite, les pêcheurs françaiset anglais n'ont jarriais
cesséde disposer, en droit comme en fait,d'avantages identiques.
Soucieux de ne pas porter atteinte au régimeexistant, le Gouverne-
ment français, malgréla faible distance qui sépareles îles Minquiers des
îles Chausey, n'adtail1eurspas hésité,il y a quelques annéesà empkher
des ressortissants français d'acquérir des terrainsur les îles Minquiers.
Or, d'après certains renseignements communiqués à mon Gouverne-
ment, lesautorités de Jersey auraient édifiérécemment sur la maîtresse
île une maison douanière munie d'un panonceau aux armes de Jersey.
Des pêcheursauraient remarqué, d'autre part, que chaque fois qu'un
bateau français s'approchait de cette île lescouleurs britanniques étaient
hissées àun mât de pavillon. En outre, des bouéeset des balises auraient
étéinstalléespar les services compétents de l'îlede Jersey.
A tort ouà raison, ces diversesmesures ont suscitéunecertaineinquié-
tude parmi les pCcheurs français. Ils redoutent que les autorités de
Jersey n'invoquent cette prise de possession de facto pour leur interdire
l'accès desîles Minquiers ou tout au moins pour leur en limiter llacc&s.
Dans ces conditions, le Gouvernement de la République, sans vouloir
préjugerdesintentions des autoritésde l'îlede Jersey, m'a priéde signaler
a Votre Excellence que, n'ayant jamais renoncéet n'ayant pas le dessein
de renoncer à ses droits souverains sur les îles Minquiers, il se voyait
contraint de formuler des réserves en ce qui concerne l'initiative prise
par les autorités de Jersey en installant un poste douanier dans cet
archipel.
Ne doutant pas que le Gouvernement de Sa Majesté ne soitdisposé à
maintenir un régime dont ont bénéficié jusqu'à présent les pêcheurs
anglais et français, mais désireux de mettre finle plus tBt possible à
d'inutiles appréhensions, mon Gouvernement serait reconnaissant à
Votre Excellence de vouloir bien le mettre en mesure d'assurer les
pêcheurs français que, comme par Ie passé, aucune entrave ne sera
apportée à l'exercicede Icurindustrie dans lesparages desîlesMinquiers./.
Veuillez agréerles assurances de .lhaute considération avec laqiielle
j'ai l'honneur d'ètre,
Monsieur.le Secrétaired'Etat,
de Votre Excellence,
Le trPs humble et très
obdissant Serviteur
CH CORBIN
Son Excellence
Le Très Honorable 31.Anthony Eden,
Principal Secrétaire d'Etat de Sa
Majestébritannique pour les Affaires
Etrangères,
Foreign Office,S.\V. I,
See Annex A 27.
a See paragraph 161of the Memouial.294 ANNEXES TO U.K. MEMORIAL (NO.A 77)
ANNEX A 77
SecondDispatch from the French Ambassador, 10th January , 1938,to
the Foreign Office on the preceding Subject
[Foreign O@ce KegistryFile, NO. C 166/166/17]
Ambassade de France Lolzdres,lero Janvier 1938
en Angleterre.
hlonsieur le Secrétaird'Elat,
J'avais signal àéVotre Excellence,par nia lettrNoj37, du 4 'Octobre
dernier, l'émotion que certaines niesures prises par les Autorités de
Jersey avaient suscitée pamli les pecheitrs français exerçant leur indris-
trie dans les parages des Iles Minquiers.
Le Gouvernement de la République m'avait prié de préciser cette
occasion que, n'ayant pas Icdessein tlc renoncer L ses droits souverains
sur les lles Minquiers, il sevoyait contrdcnformuler des réserveseii ce
qui concerne ces initiatives.
Un certain nombre de personnalités politiques ayant insisté à nouveau
auprés de mon Gouvernement sur l'inquiétude qu'éprouvent les pêcheurs
français, il serait très reconnaissahtVotre'Escellence de bien vouloir
le mettre en mesure, leplus tôt qu'il Luisera possible, d'-surerque,
comme par le passé, aucuiie entrave ile sera apportéej.l'exercicede
la pècliedans les parages des Iles Minquiers./.
Veiiillez agréer les assurances de Iiauteconsidération avec laquelle
j'ail'honneur d'être
Monsieur le Secrétaire d'Etat
deVotre Excellence
Le tr&sliünible et très
obéissarit serviteur.
CH COKISIN
Son Excellence
Le Trés Honorable M. Anthony Eden,
Principal Secrétaire d'Etat deSa Majesté
britannique pour les AilairesEtrangères,
Foreign Office
Reclc 5th October. SeAnncx A TG. ANNEX A 75
Reply from the Foreign Office, 18thJuly, 1938, to the French Ambas- ' .
sador's Dispatches of the 5th October, 1937 and 10th January, 1938,
reassuring him that there was no intention of Interferingwith French
Fishermen off the MinquiersIslets
IForeign Ofice Kegistry File ,o. C 6370/166/17]
No. C 63701166117 FOREIGN OFFICE ,.W. I
18th July, 1938.
Your Excellency, _
Your notes No. j37 ' of5th October, 1937,and Nc 9 aof 10th January,.
1938, on the subject of developments which were believed to be taking
place on the Minquiers Islands, have been carefully considered in consul-
tation with the competent department of His Majesty's Governinent and
in the light of the results of the enquiries which have been made localiy.
2. In your note No. 537of5th October, 1937 , our Excellency inform-
ed my predecessor that French fishermen exercising their profession
in the neighbourhood of the Minquiers 'Islands'had becn disturbed by
certain measures taken by the Jersey authorities which gave grourids
for thinking thatthe latter were endenvouring to settle to their advantage
the question of sovereignty ovei- these Islands which, you stated, had
hitherto remained unresolved. l'ou explained the views of the French .
Govemment on this subject and clairned that, by virtue of a kind of
tacit understanding, French and I'lritish fishermen had always enjoyed
identical advantages both in law and in fact. After refemng to certain
activitieson the part of the Jersey authorities, notablyin the matter
of the erection oa customs house on the Maîtresse Ile, which had cauçed
some anxiety to the local French fishermen, you stated that the French
Government, without wvishingto prejudice the intentions of the Jersey
authorities, had requested you to inform me that, having never renounced
and having no intention of renouncing their sovereign rights over the
Minquiers Islands, they found themselves obliged toniake reserves with
regard to the actionaken by the Jersey authorities in instalaicustoms
post on the islands. In conclusion, you stated that while yourGovern-
ment did not doubt that His Majesty's Government were prepared to
maintain a system by wliich both British and French fisherinen had
hitherto benefited, they were desirous of putting an end as soon as
possibleto unnecessary anxieties and would accordingly be grateful to be
enabled to assurethe French fishermen that, as in the past, no obstacle
would be placed in the way of the exercise of their professioin the
waters surrounding the Minquiers Islands.
3. In reply,1 would draw your attention to the arguments contained
in the memorandurn communicated to the French Ambassador in
London on August 17th. 1905, which,'in the opinion of His Majesty's
Government afford conclusive proof of British sovereignty over the
Minquiers Islands.While, however, they are unable to admit that British
sovereignty over these Islands, and therefore over the territorial waters
'Sec Annex A 76.
aSee Annex -4 77.
lSee Annex A 69.~9~ ANNEXES TO U.K. hfEAIORIAL (NU. A 78)
surrounding them, can be called in question, 1 am able to assure Your
Excellency that there is no intention at present to prevent French
fishemen from fishing in the waters outside the line of low water mark
which is drawn be,tween the outermost rocks uncovered at low water nt
equinoctiaI çpring tides.
4. Any anxieties which'the activities of the Jersey authonties, to
which you have drawn attention, rnay have caused to the French fisher-
men seem moreover to be unfounded. In so far as concerns the erection
of a customs house on the Maîtresse Jle, it would appear that the French
Governmenthave been misiiiformed, since 1understand thatthe customs
house in question is no innovation but was established in tlie year
1909 'with a view to check smuggling. As regards the hoisting of the
British flag on this Island,1understand that the flagstaff has been main-
tained there by the States of Jersey froni time imrnemoriai and that
it has been the custom to flythe British flag on suitable occasions. During
the summers of the years 1936 and 1937the States of Jersey employed
a number ofworkrnen,who resided on the island, inextending thelanding-
stage and in work connected with buoys and beacons ¶. These worknien
were in tIie habit of sigriaIIing tIleir inessages to passing stea~ners for
transmission to Jersey and this may perhaps explain the increase in the
showing of flags which has been reported by French fishermen. 1 under-
stand further, that the Jersey authorities have been engaged for sorne
yearspast in measures to remedy the insufficiencyofthe lighting, buoyage
and beacon system in these waters by the provisions of improved or
additional lights, buoys and beacons. It appears thatthe Jersey author-
ities are still engaged in the work of installing buoys and additional
beacons to make [rectemark] the dangers or channels of the reef of the
Minquiers Islands, including the channel east of the Maîtresse Ile which
is used by passenger steamers.
5. The matters referred to in the preceding paragraph therefore are
not, as suggested, inny way innovations and thereis in any case nothing
in them to indicate that the liberty of fisliing referred to at the end of
paragraph 3 above is being disturbed.
1have tIie honour to be with the higliest consideration,
Your Exceiiency's obedient Servant,
(For the Secretary of State)
His ~xcehency
Monsieur Charles Corbin,
etc., etc., etc.
See paragraph r61 ofthe Illenzorial.
* See paragraph 165(cJ and (dl of the Afcinorial.~98 ANNEXES TO U.K, MEMORIAL (NO.A 79)
ANKEX A 79
Record of the Drowning of 24 Jerseymen, whilst returning from the
EcrébousIslets in 1309
[AssireRoll,2 Edw. II, m. 48 dl
Adhuc de placitis dCorona de parochia saiicti Martini
Presentant etiam quod Colinuç Troptoçtney Petrus Fouket:tJohannes
de Elemosina simul [cum] alis circiter numerum viginti quatuor trans-
sierunt in quodam batello apud Eskerho ad querendum Wreccum et
ceteraredeuntes submersi fuerunt. Et nullus inde malecreditur. Iudicium
Infortunum. Et quia predictus batellus mouens et cetera fuit causa
mortis et cetera. Ideo remaneat deodandum. Et conceditur Thome Roger
Johanni Valletet Ricardo leHome per plegiurn adinuicempro xlsolidis ANNEX A 79
Record of the Drowning of 24 Jerseymen, whilst returning from the
Ecréhous Islets in 1309
[Assize Roll,2 Edw. II, m. 48 IIJ
pranslat ion]
Continuation of the pleas of the Crown of the parish of St. Martin
They present alço that Colin Troptostney, Yiers Fouket and John "de
Elemosina", with others, to about the number of twenty-four, crossed
in a certain boat to the Ecréhous to seek Wreck of the sea, etc., and -
coming back were drowned. And no one is suspected in that connexion.
Verdict : misadventure. And because the said boat while moving, etc.,
was the cause of death, etc., therefore letit remain as a deodand. And
it [the boat] is granted to Thomas Roger, John Vnllet and Richard le
Honie by pledges for each other of 405. Proceedingsagaiast GeorgeRomeril by the Constableof the Parish of
St. Martin,Jersey, 27th May and 17th June, 1826, foran alleged Crime
at theEcréhousIslets
i826 [Rôles de La Cour Royale de Jersey, 27Mai, 18261
-- - Le Procureur Générad l u Roia donnélecture à la Cour d'un rapport du
Mai 27. Connétable de la paroisse de StMartin exposant que dans la soiréedu
26 du Courant George Komenl de la paroisse de St Helier vint chez
lui l'informer que dans lecourant du jour il avait étéaux Rochershre-
110saccompagnéde John Morgan S:de Philippe Le Breton..pour chercher
des marchandises qui y avaient étéportéespar John Mc Gras R:autres;
qu'une dispute s'étant élevéeentr'eux ledit hl%Gras lui avait làchéun
coup de pistolet, que lui ledit George Romeril lui avait retourné un autre
coup de pistolet& que la balle l'avait atteint au corps dc sorte qu'il
ne croyait pas qu'il put s'en rétabli& qu'en conséquenceil venait se
rendre prisonnier, M. Philippe Billot qui l'avait accompagné chez lui,
délivraaudit Connétablele pistolet dudit McGras &le pistolet &un bâton
a épéedudit Romeril comme aussi un autre pistolet et un autre bâton
à épéequ'il avait pris audit John Morgan ; le tout selon que plus au
long est contenu audit rapport qui est demeurélogéau Greffe. Et ledit
Connétable ayant eii co~iséquenceprésenté ledit George Homeril en
Justice, après qu'il a été entenduil a étéenvoyéen prison instance du
Procureur Généralciu Roi pour etre reproduit & qu'il soit procedé[sic]
vers lui selon que l'effet oules circonstanceladblessure dudihl! Gras
pourraient par la suite exiger. Etant trois pistol&tdeux bitons pro-
duits en Cour pour ledit Connétable demeuréslogésau Greffe.-
[Rolesde La Cour Royalede Jersey, 17 Juia, 18261
--26 George Romeril convenu à l'Instance du Procureur Généraldu Roi
Juin 17 pour voir ordonner par Justice sur Icrapport du Connétablede la paroisse
deS4 Martin exposant que dans la soiréedu 26du courant GeorgeRomeril
du jourailavaitétéauxelRochers Echréhosaccompagnéde Jolin Morgancourant
étéportéespar JohnreRI%Grasr&cautresr;qu'unedisputes'étant clevée[sic]
George Romeril lui avait retourné un autre coup de pistolet et que lat
balle l'avait atteint au corps, de sorte qu'il ne croyait pas qu'il put s'en
rétablir& qu'en conséquence il venait se rendre prisonnier, McPhilippe
Billot qui l'avait accompagne chez lui délivra audit Connétable le
pistolet dudit MnGras & le pistolet& un bâton à épéedudit Romeril
comme aussi un autre pistolet & un autre bâton à épéequ'il avait pris
audit John Morgan ;le tout selon que plus au long est contenu audit
rapport & en 1'acte.en'date de l'an.1826, l27e jour de'Mai. Edouard
Nicolle Escc Chirurgien ?ila cause iiinformer. Aprés que ledit Sieur
Nicolle a déclarépar Serment que ledit John hiGras est présentement
hors de danger ledit George Romeril étéaccusépar ledit Sieur Procureur
Généraldu Roi d'avoir Vendredi 26%jour de Mai 1826attenté i la vie ANNEXES TO U.K. MEhlORIAL (NO. A SI) 30r
dudit jol111RI&Gras en lui tirant un coup de pistolet ou- autre arme à
feu chargé ?poudre & rlballe, Ledit George Romeril a sur ce pIaider &
fait sa déclaration qui a étérédigéepar écrit & logéenu Greffe & il n
été constitué prisonnier sous ladite accusation instance dudit Sieiir
Prociireur Général du Roi sauf à lui à donner caution dese représenter
répondre à la poursuite toutes fois Lkquantes siir la pénaIitéde mitle
livres d'ordre auquel effet ila produit hi: Jean Coutanche qui y est
demeuré, et il a été permis atidit Sieur Procureur Généraldu Roi
d'informer.
ANNEX A 81
Afidavit of H. Ahier, Constableof the Parish of St. Martin, Jersey,
30th April, 1951, relating tthe Inclusion of the EcréhousIslets in ihe
Parish of St. Martin,and the Parochial Rating of Houses on the same
Islets
1, Henry Ahier, of Seymour Farm, in the Parish of St. Martin, in tlie
TslaridofJersey, hereby make oath and Say as follows :- -
1. 1amthe Constable ofthe said Parish of St. Martin and have beea
mcmber of the Honorary Police of that Parish since the yea1916.
2. 1 have always understood thnt the Ecrélios Islarids forrn yart of
tlie Parish of St. Martin for administrative purposcs.
3. Records of the Parish of St. hlartin relating to parochial rate have
been kept since the year 1889 to the present day. They shew that,
during the whole of that period, properties situatritthe Ecréhoshave
been included iii tlie Parisli St.hlartin for the purposes of parochial
rate.
In the year 18S9, for exainple, Sir James Godfray, the Rev. William
Lemprière and Bfr. Jean Becquet paid rate in respect of houses belonging
to them situate at the Ecrélios.
In the year 1950, the followiiig perçons paid rate in respect of houses
belonging to them situate rit the Ecréhos-Baron Treril ofNottinglia~n,
Major R. J. B. Bolitho, the heirs of the laieMrs. Yvonne Riley (riiie
Lempriére) and Messrs. J. C.Becquet, J. T. Becquet and E. P. Billot.
Al1 ofwhich 1declare to be true tothe bestof my knowledge, infornia-
tion and belief.
[Signed] H AHIER.
Sworn by the above-nanied
Henry Ahier in the Island
of Jersey this30thday
of April in the year one
thousand nine hundred ancl
fifty-one,before me 1
[Signed]
HEDLEV G.LUCE
Notary Public
Jersey Inguest, 21st December, 1917, upon the Body of a Person Unknown
found at the Ecréhous Islets
[Hblesde La Cour Royale de Jersey,22 Décembre, 19 171
Lecture ayant été donnCc de certain Rapport du Vicomte contenant
le Procès verbal de l'Enquête de Levée de Corps qu'il a tenu en vertu
d'un Ordre du Bailli en date du II Novembre 1917 sur le cadavreD'UN
INCONNU, la Cour, conformément aux conclusions du Procureur Géné-
ral du Roi a ordonné l'enregistrement dudit Rapport ailx Rôles de la
Cour Royale.
DUQUEL RAPPORT LA TENEUR SUI?'. '
Ce 12Novembre 1917 Eii vertude l'Ordre d'autrecdté je me suisrendu
sur les lieux oùgît ledit cadavre où j'ai appelé douze hommes, savoir,
hlessrj Edwin John Luce, Edward Clarence Boielle, John Clarence Woods-
ford, Walter Filleul Romerii, George Thomas Blampied George Francis
i917 Vardoii, IVilliam Albert Blampied, Walter John Ennis Isaac Alexandre
Décembre 22 Oldridge, Jean Elie Renault, Edwin George Ilotton andrsic] Walter
George Le Sueur, auxquels cilprésence du Procureur Gériérttl du Roi
j'ai administré serment, Aprbs cluclesdits hommes ont vu ledit cadavre
et entendu le Centenier Jolin George Pallot de SfMartin, MF Joseph
Clement Becquet, hl: Walter Becquet et Mf John George Nollet par
serment sur le sujet j'ai remis la Continuation de l'enquêteà Mardi le
20 Yoi~emhre 1917 afin de donner occasion d'établir si possible l'identité
dudit cadavre ; quel jour lesdits Iiommes ont derechef comparu devant
moi et j'ai encore remis la Continuation(') de l'enquétc à un autre jour
Et aujourd'hui le 21Decemhre 1917 lesdits hommes ont Comparu devant
croient en leurs
moi. Et ils ont déclaré d'opinion uniforme qu'ils
consciericesque ledit Cadavre est celui d'un inconnti, trouvédans Ia
jouriiée de Dimanche le II Novembre 19x7,aux Ecréhonsjsic], paroisse
de Sf. Martin en cette Tlemais qu'en préselicedel'état de décompositiori
dudit cadavre et du peu d'indications qui auraient pu servir à le faire
reconnaître, il a étéimpossible d'établir son identité, malgrle fait que
L'enquêteavait été ajournée dans l'espoir d'obtenir quelque renseigne-
ments à ce sujet De quoi je faice présent Rapport.
(Sd) E T NICOLLE
Vicomte.
l The original AIS. haernis lContralion-anobvious clericaerror.
Thc originaMS. has duraient-anotlieclerical error. Rating Schedule of r88g for a House, belonging to the Rev. W. Lempriére, at the EcréhousIsletç,
within the Parish of St. Martin, Jersey.
No. z
EVALUATION DES EXPERTS
(Nom du Propriétaire). (Domicile).
Année 1889.-Paroisse de ST. MARTIN.-Maisons, Edificeset Terres, appartenant à Rd. William Ltmprilre A.I.A. (HOPCIMnnor)
- -
Description indiquant les Tenants et aboutissants Vingtaine et la ruelle Mesure y compris Loyer. A quelle charge sont les
d'uncôté au moins, et lc nom particuiier, s'il y en ou chemin surlequel la les fossésct reliefs Nom du Locataire. Rkparations, et autres
a, de ctiaque maison, fdifice ct pike de terre. propriété borde. Ver. Per. Pds. £ s. d. Remarques.
Rozei Faum. John D. Richardson 190 O O
Old Furm. P. G. Noël, Sexr. 98 O .O
Clos de la Ville et Clos de Malet 1. Germuin 47 0 0
Ln Pallotterie H. NicolIe 34 0 0
La Puudylterie 6 Cottage. P. Noel P~tourel 6. 50 rgo O o
R. R. Lenipridre
La Fosse 144 0 0
1. C. Pallot. rg O O
Blacksmitii's& cavrnans. Vaviorts 18 O O
La Croix Cottages 152 Lodges. Various rq O O
Clos Maclion. Seelleur 5 0 0
Signal Cottage W. Gray 6 8 O O
Moitliw de la Perrelle Ferdi~artd rg O O
Clos de la Pièce H. Nicolle 9 0 0
Gerinére Cottage IO
Maison appartenant à 1'Ecole
Maison aux Echréos 4
4 5 10
Hozel Barracks 121 ( 5 IO 690 O o 811 5 IO II
Déductions. IYO.1
Je, soztssigné,dkiare que la liste ci-dessus des Maisons, Edifices et Terres, dont je suis le propriktaire. dans lu Paroisse de St. illavlin. dresséesur la réquisitiondu Connétable,qui
ni'a c'lreigrisele jour d 18 , snvertu deZ'Arf.IX de la Loi sur la Ta$ation, passk par les Etats le a7e jour d'Aotîl 1888 est juste et fidèle. No. 2
Pour lesRentes.
Date. Le jour d 18 Sigtzafure J. L. T. Mollet Agsi pour Red. Lemfiriire
Follows page ANNEX A Sg
Rating Schedule of rg50 .for a House belonging to J. C. Becquet, at the EcréiiousIslets,
within the Parish of St. Martin, Jersey.
In the year 1950 Parish of St. Martin Joseph Clemenl Becquet Cross Cottagc ' British For usc of S'a~ochial Assessrnent Cornmittee only.
(Name of Owner in full) (Residencc) (Nationality)
"Foncier." "Occupiers."
Assessed Assessecl1
rcntal I ren tsl
hleasuremnts Name and Address Assesscd val,,c of Lands rissesxd 1 Assessed of Lands Asscssed )
Description, stating the boundaries, on Vingtaine and including the Annual ,f occupier. 'enta1 13uildings assessed rèntal Total, xo, of rcntal ildi di^^, assessed rental Total. Xo. of
one ide at le&. and the name. if any, of road or on hedges and Rentat. (~fproperty Remarks, value 01 incJuding @ IlCr vatue of value of including @ per value of
each house, building and plot of land. which property set-offs. occupied facts Houses. g~ass- Vergee. Lands Hoiises. glass- Vergee Lands.
borders. should bc stated. liouses. houses.
-- -- -- -- ----
V. P. P. £ S. £ 5. £ S. £ E S. £ s. Qrs. E S. E S. £ £ S. £ S. Qrs.
---- --- -- -- -- ----
I La maison (La Vallke) Rozel. 2 40 Par1 Gourdon. 34 3-0-0 6 40 34 3-0-0 6 40 -18
Bordeyang an ihe road, La Vallée,
2 Une maison à Fiicguet bordant le
chemirspublic Sea Biew II 20 MY. C Ailauger. 20 20 20 20 --
3 Une maison nux Ecrehos. I) 20 Mr. Paul Lamy.
Les C~ves. 20 20 2O 20 --
I
I I I I -- I
1,th<:undersigned, declare that the above is n complete list oithe Houses, Buildings andLands ofwhich 1 am the 74 6 f 80
owner (within the meaning of Articlei the Parish Rate (Administration) (Jersey) Law.rg46), in the Parish of St. Martin, -43
and that the foregoing particulars are fully and truly stated to the best of rny judgment and belief. 74 Lcss 50% 37
Date Tlie 30th day of Januavy '1950. Signature J. N. C. pro J. C. Becquet.
Fallows page 301 ANNEXES TO U.K. AIEMORIAL (NO. A 85) 3O3
Inquest, 19thJuly, 1948, upon Mrs. Y. Riley, drowned at the Ecréhous
Islets
[RGlesde lu Cour Koy~rlede JEYSEY,19 Jlrlllet, 19481
Lecture ayant Ctk donnCe dc certain Rapport de 1ierbel.t V-yiriari 1948.
Benest Ecr, Sergent de Justice, stipiilant l'Officede iTicomte, contenant Juillet 19.
le Procès Verbal de 1'Eiiquêtede Levéede Corps, qu'il a tciiue cn vertu
d'un Ordre du Baill en-date clu 18 JuiUet 1948, sur le cada~~re de
YVONNE LEMPRIÈRE, femme de Christopher Joliri Molesworth
Riley Ec:, laCour, confonncment aux conclusions du Procureur Général
du Roi a ordonné l'enregistrement dudit Rapport aux ROles de la Cour
Royale.
Duquel Rapport la teneur suit :-
Ce 19 Juillet1948. En vertu clel'Ordre d'autre côté, je nie suis rendu
sur leslieux où gîtledit cadavre où j'ai appelédouze hommes, savoir :-
Aleçsrs. Edmond de Laqi!aiiie, Charles Edward Perry, Lysle Martin
Bourke, Sainthill Percy 'Ièmplemrin Lindsey, Reginald Stanley 'tlurner,
William Herbert Osment, Peter Louis Nolaiç,John George Lidstcine,
Walter Auguste William Lcnoir, Louis Vnraillon, John Williürii Laurens
et James Walter Tibot auxquels, en pr6sence di1 Procurc~ir Géniiral
du Roi, j'ai administré serment. Aprèsque lesdits hotrimes ont vu ledit
cadavre et entendu Mons! Doiiglas Lipscombe Sinnatt, Alonsr Charles
Yhilip 13illot, Connétable de S4 Martin, le Docteur Alortiriier William
Hamilton Evans, Di!e Loveday Roselle Bolitho, Di!c Roselle 1-empriére,
femme de Richard John I3ruce Kolitho Err, etRaoul Charles Robiii Ec:,
par serment sur le sujet, ils ont cl'opinion uniforme, d6claréqu'ils croient
en leurs consciences que ledit cadavre est celui de Yvonne Lemprière, .
veuve en premières noces de Charles Harold Robin E?r, et fern~rie en
secondes noces de Christoplier John EtIolestvorthRiley ECP5 , géede cin-
quante-six ans et quatre mois, native de Cannes, département des
Alpes Maritimes, en France, ctqu'elle fut noyée accidentelleirientprès
des Ecréhos, Lundi le cinq Juillet, 1ni1neuf cent quarante-liiiit, lorsque
le canot, dont elle se servait potir regagner son yacht "Iaritlic", moiiillé
à quelques encablures, coula et disparut avec elIcsous lcs flots.
De quoi jc faisce présent Rapport.
Signé). H. V. KENEST.
Sergent de Justice.
stipulant l'Officede Vicomte. 3O4 ANNEXES TO U.K. 31EJIORIAL (KO. A 86)
Contract for Sale by H. C. Bertram to the Asembly of the Governor,
Bailiffand Jurats of the Islandof Jersey, zznd October, 1884,of a House
on Marmotière, one of the Ecréhous Islets
[RegistrePublicde 1'11de Jersey, Livre 287, Foli o I]
LETTRE passée pardevant Edouard Mourant Ecuier, Lieutenant
de Messire Robert Pipon Marett, Chevalier, Bailli de l'He de Jersey,
présens John Picot et \t:illiam Laurence de Gruchy, Ecuiers, Jurés,
datée l'an mil huit cent quatre-vingt-quatre, le vingt-deusiéme jour
d'octobre ; COMRlE Alfred Charles Godfray Ecf et Philippe Mourant
H~~~~ charlesRichardson Gent :Procui.eurs dîiment fondésde Henry Charles Bertram
Bertram ~cr Ec: fils Charles sans lescluels il ne peut aàises affaires héréditaireni
Et - mobilières selon qu'il parait par Procuration datée de l'an mil huit cent
Les Adminis- quatre-vingt-quatre letrentihme jour de Septembre, d'une part ; Et
trateurs {lesGeorge Clément Rertram ECL Procureur Généralde la Reine, William
Impôts. des Henry Veiiables Vernon Ecr Avocat Général de la Reine et Walter
Bertram Godfray Ecr Greffier de la Cour Royale et des Etats, Autorisés
des Administrateurs des Revenus des Imliôts de cette He et agissant
en vertu de certain Acte de 1'Açsemblée des Gouverneur, Bailli et jurés
Administrateurs des Impôts en date de l'an mil huit cent quatre-vingt-
quatre le dix-septième jour d'Octobre, d'autre part ; Lesquels Alfred
Charles Godfray ECT. et Philippe Mourant Richards011Gent : Procureurs
comme dit est en vertu du pouvoir à eux donné par ladite Procuration,
de leur libre volonté Vendirent à fin d'héritage pour et au nom dudit
Henry Charles Bectram Ec: leurdit Constituant et pour ses hoirs (et ce
sans garantie aucune de la part dudit Henry Charles Bertram ECL ni
de ses hoirs) auxdits Sieurs Procureur Généralde la Reiiie, Avocat
Général de la Reine, et Greffier de la Cour Royale et des Etats Autorisés
comme dit est pour et au nom desdits Administrateurs des Revenus des
Impôts certain édificeou maison que ledit Henry Charles Bertram Ecf
acquit de Lerrier Godfray Ec: par Contrat en date de l'an milhuit cent
quatre-vingt-un le vingt-cinquième jour de Juin, lequel édifice ou Maison
est sis surla Marmottière [sic] un des Ilôts dits "Ecrehos" dépendant de
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ f b ~ é ~roisse de Si Martin en cette îlelet du fief deSa Majesté ou autre
aux .Etats fief, et généralementtoutet tel droit comme ledit Henry CharlesBertram
partir du Ec: peut avoir audit ténémentprésentement vendu sans en rien réserver
rCrJanvier ni retenir ; le touttelqu'ilest avec les corps-morts et amarrages (moor-
IgZ2en vertuings) placées par ledit Henry Charles Bertram Ecr au lieu accoûtumé
la Loir(197.1)e mouillage proche ledit édifice ou Maison et tous et tels autres droits
transferaiit comme peuvent appartenir auxdites prémisses, à la charge auxdits
aux Etats Autorisés pour et au nom desdits Administrateurs des Revenus des
pouvoirs et Impôts de se conformer aux conditions et restrictions auxquelles ledit
devoirs biens Henry Charles Bertram Ec: pouvait êtresujet pour et A cause desdites
meubles let prémisses. Ladite Vente héréditairefaite en considération de la somme
immeubks de Cinquante-devx livres Sterling Monnaie de la Grand Bretagne que
0bli6ati0ns lesdits Autorisés pour et au nom desdits Administrateurs des Revenus
etc de des Impôts paieront auxdits Procureurs pour et au nom de leurdit
I'Assemblte
neur Baillet li.e.Jersey.
Jurés. Vn the original11s. ANNEX A 87
30 Fishing Boat Licence, zgrd April, 1872, and Cancellation,27th February, 1882, ofP. Pinel, EcréhousFisherman. 30
[Regisderof Fislzing Boatsfor the Port of Jersey.]
TableA SEA FISHERIES' ACT,1868, 31 and 32 Vict., cap.45.
Port of jersey
Description. Registered Xo. Sjze. No. of Crew
usually ctnployed.
Date of Registry. Name of Vessel. Port or Place Name of Onner. Name of Master. - Remarks.
to which belonging. Of Vesse1or Boat. howOrdinary
Rigged, -ha.Sails mode of 1 1 Tonnage. CI' Men. BOYS.
2872 . used. &c. Fishing. 1 Keel. 1 l
. ,
Apil a3 *John Rozel Philipee Pinel P. Piftel Cutter Lobstev 164
-882 Ecvehos Rocks
Cancelled. Nol used fou Fishing
27/2/82.
-
I cerlify this to be a true copy from the Register of Fishing Boats for the Pori ofJersey.
I aIscertafylhal theandwords whic1have urtderlinedininkare writfinvedan
origirial entry ilself being wrilten in black énk.ved inkin the Register, the
H.M.CUSTOMSAND EXCISE,JERSEY. 11/9/51.
A. F. CUMIMING, * In the original ihis line hm bsen,erased.
Registrar of Fishing Boats. t Here underlined black.
Followç page 304 Census of 1901 at the Ecréhous Islets ANNEX A 88
The undermentioned Houses arc situatc within the boundariof the fige 13
1 I I I
Island or Islof Civil Parish of Town of Village of I
Jersey Sf. ~Vlarliii Lower Hozel llisfricl
I
Follou?spage 304
No~~.-firaw youvpen fh~oughslrcwordsof the headinas avoinapplicable. Constituant en espécestoutes fois et quantes. AU reste le tout franc et
quitte de toutes redevances sauf les Droits Seigneuriaux Possession du
contenu des prémisses du neuviéme jour d'octobre mil huit cent
quatre-vingt-quatre et après à fin d'héritage. Et Jurèrent lesdites parties
&o. ,
Contract of Lease by the Crownto SirJesse Boot, Bart., 17th November,
1923, of the whole of Maîtresse Ile ofthe Ecréhous Islets
[RegistrePublic de E'Ilede Jersey, Livre 391, I;oEio1611
LETTRE passée pardevant Philippe Aubin, Ecuier, Lieutenant (LeSa Majestk
Messire\jrilliarn Henry Venables Vernon, Chevalier et Chevalier Comman- ' Et
deur de l'ordre de l'Empire Britannique, Bailli de l'lle de Jersey, présefiressire Jesse
Alfred Philip Le Rossignol et Samuel James Le Marqiiand. Ecuiers, F$;ner
Jurés, datée l'an mil neuf cent vingt-trois, le dix-septi&me jour de
Novembre ;COMME Charles Edward Malet de Carteret Ec.!, Avocat
Général du Roi (Stipulant l'Officede Procureur-Général) et Yercy
Adrian Aubin Ec-f, Receveur Général des Revenus de Sa Majesté en
cette Ile, agissant pour et aux noms des Lords Commissaires de la TrtSso-
rerie deSa Majestéen vertu de certaine autorisation Spécialeen date du
troisibme jour de Novembre mil neuf cent vingt-trois, d'une part ;
.
Et Messire Jesse Boot, Baronnet, d'autre part ; Sur ce que par contrat
héréditaire endate du Septième jour d'octobre mil neuf cent vingt-deux
ledithlessire Jesse Boot prit et acquit de Walter Falla Ecr une certaine
petite Maison que feu John Adolphus Emily Ecf avait fait érigersur la
Maitresse Ile des Ecréhous avec ses appartenances et dépendances.
Que par autre contrat en date dudit jour Sept Octobre mil neuf cent
vingt-deux ledit Messire Jesse 13oot.prit et acquit de Harry Edward
Howard, James MCAusIanMackenzie et Neivman Taylor Ec? au droit
de Charles Maingay Robin Ec: lequel était au droit de Mons: Tom Naylor
Holdaway, fils aînéet principal héritier de feu Rlonsf Frederick William
I-Iolda~vaycertaine Maison alors connue sous le nom de "\Vinchester
Wouse" (aujourd'hui "Les Dauchets") avec Edifices, terrain et dépen-
dances ;Que ledit Messire Jesse Doot aSolIicitédes Lords Conimisçaires
de laTrésorerie de Sa Majestéun bail à termage de la dite Ile et que sa
priérea étèfavorablement accueillie-Or aujourd'hui lesdits Avocat-
Généralet Receveur Généralont par ces présentes pour et au nom desdits
Lords Commissaires de la Trésorerie de Sa Majestéet pour leurs Succes-
seurs Baillé a Termage audit hlessire Jesse Boot, pour luiet ses hoirs
l'entierde la dite Maîtresse Ile des Ecréhousjusqu'au Plein de Mars avec
les dits édificeset ce pour l'espace de vingt-cinq annéesa partir du pre-
mier Janvier mil neuf cent vingt-quatre jusqu'au trente-uniéme[sic]
jour de Décembre mil neuf cent quarante-huit, et ce à un loyer annuel
de vingt-cinq livres Sterling payable annuellement le trente-et-unikme
jour de Décembre de chaque année, le premier paiement devant Ctre
effectué le trente-et-unième jour de Décembre niil neuf cent vingt-
quatre. Etant stipulé et accordé que ledit Messire J'esse Boot et ses
hoirs préserveront les ruines de l'ancien Prieuré qui se trouve dans 306 ANNEXES TO U.K. I\IE&fORIAL (NO. A 90)
ladite Ile et respecteront les droits du Public en dessous du Plein de
Mars, et que les Bailleurs ne seront pas responsables du maintien et
entretien des dits édifices.Et Jurérent lesdites partie&z.
AWNEX A go
Contract for Lease by the Crown to John Campbell, and Baron Trent af
Nottingham, 27th November, 1948, of the whole of Maîtresse Ile of the
BcréhousIslets
.
[RegistreI'tiblidel'lle de Jersey, Livre#gA, Folios 1~~471
Les Lords LETTRE pnsske pardevant Edwin Pliilip Le hlasurier, Ecuicr, O.B.E.,
Commiss:iiresLieutenant de Messire Alexander Monçrieff Coutanche, Cllevalier,
de la Tre~oreBailli de 1'Ilede Jersey, yrésens, Stanley Hocquard et Percy Chambers
rie [sic] iieCabot, Ecuiers, Jurés, datée l'an mil neuf cent quarante-huit, le
Sa Majesté
Et vingt-septikne jour de Novembre. Comme :-Cecil Stanley Harrison, Ec:,
Le TrPs Procureur-Général du Roi, et Ralph Edward Rishop Voisin, Ec!, Rece-
Honorable veur-Général des Revenus de Sa h,lajestéen cette Ile, agissant pour et
John aux noms desLords Commissaires de la Tréçoreriede Sa Majestéen vertu
Baron Trent de certaine autorisation spéciale en date du onzième jour d'Août inil
of neuf cent quarantc-huit, d'i~ncpart ; Et Mons; Wiiliam Thomas Scar-
Nottingham. borough, l'rocureur dûment fondé du Très Honorable John Campbell
Baron Trent of Nottingham, comme parait par Procuratiori Spéciale
passée dans la Cité de Nottingham, en Angleterre, l'an mil neuf cent ,
quarante-huit le quinzième jour d'Octobre, et insinuée au Registre
Public de cette Ile, d'autre part. D'Autant que par contrat héréditaire
en datc du selitié~nejour d'octobre mil neuf cent vingt-deux Messire
Jesse'Root Baronnet prit et acquit de W:ilter Falla, Ec:, une certaine
petite maison que feu John Adolphus Emily, Ecf, avait fait ériger sur
la Maîtresse Ile des Ecréhous avec ses appartenances et dépendances ;
Que par autre contrat en date dudit jour sept Octobre mil neuf cent
vingt-deux ledit Messire Jesse Boot Baroiinet prit et acquit de Harry
Edward Howard, James hl? Anslan l Mackenzie et Newman Taylor,
Ecz, au droit de Charles Maingay Robin, Ecf, lequel était au droit de
Mons: Tom Naylor Holdaway, fils aînéet principal héritier de feu Mons!
Fredérick William Noldaway, certaine maison alors connue sous le nom
de "Miinchester House" (aujourd'hui "Les Dauchets") avec édifices,
terrain et dépendances ; Que par le Partage des Héritages de feu le
TrPs Honorable 13aron Trent of Nottingham (autrefois ledit Messire
Jesse Uoot, Baronnet) passédevant Justice le onzième jour de Juin mil
neuf cent trente-deux ledit Très Honorable John Campbell, Baron Trent
of Nottingham, eut comme partie de sa part desdits héritages toutet tel
droit cornnie pouvait avoir ledit défuntenvertu des deuxsusdits contrats
en date du septihrne jour d'octobre mil neuf cent vingt-deux qu'en vertu
de certain autre contrat en date du dix-septiéme jour de Novembre
mil neuf cent vingt-trois entre ledit défunt et les Autorisés de
Sadjte Majesté h laditeMaîtresse Ile des Ecr6hous ainsi qu'aux maisons
1 But see Annex ti89, where, ho~vever, the original hiS. clearly spells tlie name
"i\IcAuslan."
See Annex A 89. ANNEXES TO U.K. MEMORIAL (NU. A 91) 3O7
y érigées; Que ledit Très Honorable John Campbell, Baron Trent of
Nottingham, a sollicité des Lords Commissaires de la Trésorerie de Sa
Majestéun bail à terrnage de ladite Ile et que sa priérea étéfiivorable-
ment accueillie. Or, aujourd'hui, lesdits Procureur-Généralet Receveur-
Généralont par ces présentes pour et aux noms desdits Lords Commis-
saires de la Trésorerie deSa Majesté et pour leurs successeurs.Bailli. a
Termage audit Procureur pour et au nom dudit Trés Honorable Jofin
Campbell, Baron Trent of Nottingham et pour ses hoirs, l'entier deladite
Maîtresse Ile des Ecréhous jusqu'au Plein de Mars avec lesdits édifices
et ce pour l'espace de vingt-cinq annéesà partirdu premier jour de Jan-
vier mil neuf cent quarante-neuf jusqu'au trent-uniéme jour dDécembre
mil neuf cent septante-trois et ce à un Ioyer annuel de Cinquante livres
Sterling payable annuellement le trent e-uni&mejour de Décembre de
chaque année, le premier paiement devant êtreeffectué letrente-uniéme
jour de Décembre mil neuf cent quarante-neuf. Etant stipulé et accordé
que ledit Très Honorable John Campbell, Baron Trent of Nottingham,
et ses hoirs préserveront les ruines de l'ancien Prieuré qui se trouve dans
ladite Ile et respecteront les droits du Public en dessous du Plein de
Mars, et que les Bailleurs ne seront pas responsables du maintien et
entretien desdits édifices.Et Jurèrent lesdites parties, Krca,
ANNEX A gr
Contract for'Sale by C. Gallichanto J. Le Bailly, 21st November,1863,
of a House in Jersey, with which isincluded Propertyat the Ecréhous
Islets
[RegistrePwblic de E'IEede Jersey, Livre 231, Folio 811
LETTRE passée pardevant Jean Hamrnond Ecuier Eiailli de l'île de &Ciernent
Jersey, présens John Le Couteur & Jean Aubin Ecuiers Jurés datée Gaiiichan
l'an mil huit-cent soixante-trois, levingt-unième jour de Novembre, &
COMME Mr Clement Gallichan fils Clernent d'une part. Et Josu4 Le
Bailly Ec! fils Josué d'autre part, LequelMS Clement Gallichan, de sa Ect
libre volonté Bailla & Vendit à fin d'héritage pour lui et ses hoirs autlit
Josué Le Bailly Ecf pour lui et ses hoirs, une certaine Maison, Offices,
belle hogard & issues, ainsi que les terres suivantes ;,savoiLe Jarclin
à Potage en devant de ladite Maison, La Valette et la pièce à l'Est de
ladite Valette, [...] letout tel qu'il est, avec autant de droits, chemins,
issues, appartenances Prdépendances comme en peut appartenir, situé en
la paroisse de la Trinité, sur le fief de Dielamentet contenant Vingt-
six-vergéessept perches, dix-neuf pieds, mesure, agrééeet accordéeentre
les dites parties et généralementtout et autant comme audit Bailleur &
Vendeur en appartient en ces lieux làainsi qu'aux Ecréos[sic]sans aucune
réserve ni retenue quelconque. [. . . . . . . . ., . . . . . . . . . .1.
l Onlythe relevant portionof this very longdeed is printed.
22 ANNEXES TO U.K. MEMORIAL (h'os. A 92-93)
308
ANNEX A 92
Contractfor Saleby L. Godfrayto H. C. Bertram,25thJune, 1881, of
a Building on the EcréhousIslets
[Regist Puebli ce1'IEedeJersey, Livre 276, Foli o011
ïerrier LETTRE passéepar devant Messire Robert Pipon Marett Chevalier,
Godiray Ec: Bailli de 1'Ilede Jersey. présensCharles Gruchy et John Picot Ecuiers,
Et Jurés, datée l'an mil huit cent quatre-vingt-un, le vingt-cinquiéme
Henry Cflarljour de Juin ; COMMELerrier Godfray Ecr, fils Hugh, d'une part ;
Ecr ET Henry Charles Bertram Ecr, fils Charles, d'autre part; Lequel
Lerner Godfray Ecr, de sa libre volontéVENDIT à fin d'héritage pour
lui et ses hoirs, (et ce sans garantie aucune de leur part; audit Henry
Charles Bertram Ecr, pour lui et ses hoirs, certain édificequ'il a fait
érigersur les rochers dit "Ecréos"[sic] attenanà et dépendant de la
paroisse de Saint Martin en cette île, sur le Fief de Sa Majestéou autre
Fief et généralementtout et tel droit coirime ledit Vendeur peut avoir
auxdits rochers sans en rien réserver ni retenir, le tout tel qu'il est avec
tous et tels droits comme peuvent en appartenir, à la charge audit
AcquCreur et ses hoirs de se conformer aux conditions et restrictions
auxquellesledit Vendeur pouvait êtresujetpour etàcause des prémisses.
Ladite Vente héréditairefaiteen Considérationde la somme de Vingt-.
cinq Livres Sterling, Monnaie dela Grande Brétagne que ledit Acquéreur
paieraaudit Vendeur en espècestoutes foiset quantes.-ET JURÈRENT
lesdites partie&ca
ANNEX A 93
Contractfor Sale by C. L.Blampied to Mrs.Y. Riley, 9th August, 1947,
of a House on Marmotière, one of the EcréhousIslets
[RegzstrePubli ce E'IldeJersey, Livre4460, Foli5 o71
311Charles LETTRE passée pardevant Edwin Philip Le Masurier, Ecuier MBE,
Lindsay Lieutenant de Messire Alexander Moncrieff Coutanche, Chevalier,
Elampied Bailli de 1'Ile de Jersey, prCsenJames Messervy Norman et Neviile
.prin' heretcGodfray Hind, CS.I., MC.Ecuiers, Jurés datée l'an mil neuf cent qua-
rante-sept, leneuvihme jour d'Août. COMME:-Mr Charles Lindsay.
Lempné:e,ne Blampied, filaîné de feu hlr. Charles Clement Blampied, lequel était
filsaînCde feu Mr. CharlesBlampied, et en cette qualitéledit Mr. Charles.
Chnstopher Lindsay Blampied à la représentation de sondit feu péreprincipalhéritier
John la succession collatérale de feu MI George Richardson Blampied, son.
. Molesworth oncle, lequel était fils puisné dudit M: Charles Blampied, d'une pa;.
Riley ET Mons: Hedley George Luce, un des Procureurs dûment fondésde.
Dlle. Yvonne Lempnére,fillede Reginald Kaoui et femme de Christopher.
John Molesworth Riley Eer,comme parait par procuration passéedevant
Justicel'an mil neuf cent quarante-sept, le trente-uniéme jour dMai,
d'autre part. LEQUEL hlr. Cliarles Lindsay Blampied, principal hbritier.
comme ditest, de sa Iibre volontéBAILLA et VENDIT à find'héritage,
pour lui et ses hoirs (mais sans fourniture ni garantie quelconque de sa ANNEXES TO U.K. 3IEMORIAL (KU.A 94) 3O9
part ni de ses hoirs) audit Monsr Hedley George Luce, Procureur conirne
dit est, pour et au nom de ladite Dlle. Yvonne Lemprière, femme mariée
comme dit est, sa Constituante, et pour ses hoirs: la maison principale
qui fut à M! Charles Blampied établie sur la partie Nord (bordant sur
le passage au Nord de la Maison des Impôts) du Marmotier[séc]des
Ecréhos.ITEM, un édificeétablisur un terrain à l'Est dudit Marmotier
et en face (àl'Est) de ladite Maisondes Impôts. ITEM, tout et tel droit
auquel ledit Mf Charles Blampied pouvait prétendre sur la têteSud
dudit hlarmotier où autrefois se trouvait un mât de pavillon établi par
ledit Mr. Charles Blarnpied. LE TOUT tel qu'il est situé aux Iles des
Ecréhosen la Paroisse de St. Martin, sur le Fief du Roi ou autre Fief.
Lesdites Iles des Ecréhosétantdépendancede cette fle let dece Bailliage.
A LA CHARGE à ladite Dlle. Yvonne Lempriére, femme mariéecon-rme
dit est, et ses hoirs de se conformer à toutes les clauses, conditions et
restrictions auxquelles ledit Bailleur et Vendeur, principal héritier '
comme dit est, pouvant étre assujetti pour et à cause desdites préinis-
ses auxquelles.ledit feu Mr. George Richardson Blampied avait droit
comme légataire au Codicille au Testament de meubles et d'immeubles
dudit feu MP Charles Blampied, son père, la copie authentique des-
quels Testament et Codicille fut enregistrée au Registre Public de cette
Ile par Acte de la Cour Royale en date du vingt-deux Février mil
neuf cent dix-neuf. LEDIT BAIL ET VENTE héréditairefait pour
et ccnsidération de la somme de Deux cent cinquante livres Sterling
payable en espècestoutes fois et quantes après la passation du présent
contrat. AU RESTE ladite propriété francheet uitte de toutes rentes
et redevances sauf les droits Seigneuriaux. POÇ%ESSION du contenu
des prémissesprésentement et aprés à fin d'héritage. ET JUREREXT
lesdites parties etc.
ANNEX A 94
Visit of the Governor, Bailiff andJurats, 28th June, 1893, to Eoist the
Union Jack on Marmotiére, one of the EcréhousIslets
[Acte deL'Assemblée du Gouverneilr, Bailli et Jurés,28 Juin, 18931
L'Assemblée,s'étant rendue aux Ecréhos, Son Excellence le Lieiite- Visitedes
nant-Gouverneur a hisséle Drapeau Britannique ("British Ensign") Ecrehos-
sur la Marmotiére. L,'Assembléea fait l'inspection de la maison et des
dépendances situées sur la Marinotière, acquises par l'Assembléedes
Procureurs Générauxde Henry Charles Bertram, Ecr 3,et a constatéque
lesdites maison et dépendancessont dans un étatd'entretien convenable ;
L'Assembléea aussi visité le "Maître IIe", formant partie du groupe
des Ecréhos.
l i.e.Jersey.
In theoriginalMS.
See Annex X 86. 3IO ANNEXES TO U.K. 31EhIORIAL (SO. A 95)
Act of the Jersey Piers and Harbours Conimittee, 5th February,1910,
giving Instructions for the Erection of a Signal Post on' Marmotière,
one of the EcréhousIslets
Hcréiios [Actc dwComité des Havres et Chaussées , Février,1~101
Monsieiir le Président a donné lecture d'une lettre de Monsieur le
cession de Bailli, en date du 31 Janvier dernier, transmettant copie d'une lettre
plateau y y du Sous Secrétaired'Etat pour leDépartement de l'Intérieur, en date du
28 dudit mois, qu'ila reque par l'entremise de Son Excellence le Lieute-
de signaux nant Gouverneur, au sujetde la demande contenue dans l'Acte du Comité
du 14Août 1909 ,écidant de s'adresser à la Trésorerie de Sa Majesté,
pour la cession de la pointe Sud du plateaue l'llode laMarmotièreaux
Ecréhous
Le Comitéa chargé le Greffier d'accuser réception desdites lettresà
Monsieur le Bailli et les a référés son Sous Comité Général, lequee lst
chargé de prendre les mesures nécessaires pour donner effet à l'Acte
1910. du ComitéptécitSdu 14 Août 1909-
Février5. Et le Comité adecidéque la lettre du Départemeiit de l'Intérieur sera
enrdléedans le livre dses cfélibérations.
De laquelle lettre la teneur su:-
COPY - Home Office,
183,24614- iVliitehnl1,
28th January, 1910.
Sir,
With reference to your letter of the 7thSeptember last, lonarding
a copy of an Act of the Piers and Harbours Committee of the States of
Jersey in regard to the establishment of a signal poston the southern-
most part of the Marmotiére islet, 1 am directed hy the Secretary of
State to say tliat the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury
seeno objection to the proposa1of the Committee.
The Secretary of State lias also consulted the Admiralty and the
Board of Trade, who agree to the establishment of the signal post to
which you refer.
1 am,Sir,
Your oSgti \V. P. RYRNE.
The Lieutenant Governor
of Jersey. ANNEXES TO U.K. >lE3lORIAL (NOS. A 96-97) 311
ANNEX A 96
Act of the Jersey Piers and Harbours Cornmittee,15th April, 1907, for
Hoisting the Union Jack instead of the Red Ensign at the Ecrdhous
and Minquiers Islets
[Acte d21Comitédes Havrcs et Chaussées,Jersey, 15Avril, 19071
Avril 15.
L'An mil neuf cent sept, le quinzième jour d'Avril.
Présents : Philip John Falle Ecr, Juré, Président.
Thomas Blampied Ec:, Juré.
Le Rév? Edouard Luce, Recteur de St Sauveur.
Le Rév!l John Pepin , de Sf Ouen.
Mons?Charles Perchard, Connétable de S!.Afartiii.
Mons: Josué Alexandre, de St Brelade
Mon: John Edward Ide ~outiilicr, Députéde SI Urelade,
Monsr Edward Binet Renouf, Député deSr Hélier.
Mons: Herbert Augustus Bertram Député de Grouville.
Présents aussi ;-Mons! Edmund Berteau, Ingénieur des Etats.
Monsr FrancisJohn Kenouf, Maitre de Port de St.Hélier.
Le Comité s'est rendu aux .Iles des Minquiers dans le remorqueur Visite aux
"Duke of Normandy" >linquiers
Le Comité &[sic] décidéqu'à l'avenir le drapeau dit "Union Jack" "Union jacw*
sera arboréaux mats de signaux, tant sur la Maîtresse Ile des Minquit:rs, arboré aux
que sur le Maître Ile deEcréhos, au lieu de l'enseignerouge de commerce, IIots
et a donné des directions au Maître de Port de S! Hélier de fcurnir les
drapeaux nécessaires à cet effet aux pêcheursfréquentarit ces Iles.
Act of Jersey Cornmitteeof Piers and Harbours, 13th October, 1906,
relating to the repairof a Slipwayon Marrnotière of the Ecréhous Islets
[Actes dztComitédes Havres et Chatissées,13Ocfobre,1g06)
Le Comité n pris en considération un Rapport de l'Ingénieur clesRapport de
Etats, en date du 12 courant, informant le Comité que Mardi dernier, IJIng&nieur
ils'est rendu aux Ecréhos et a fait l'exa~ne~iciela petitJetée construite des EtatsTe1
pour l'usage des pêcheursà la Marmotière, formant partie du groupe (lestravaux
Ecréhos, et qu'il a constaté qu'elle est en mauvais état et qu'il serait n4cess"res
nécessaire d'y faire exécuter des réparations le plus t6t possible afin
d'empêchersa démolition et en mêmetemps d'effectuer certains travaux
de protection à la base de quelques unes des plus hautes têtes de rocher
en dessous de la plateforme du mât de pavillon, lesquelles menacent de
tomber par suite de l'action de la mer, lesdites réparations et travaux
de protection étant estimés par ledit Ingénieur à la somme de Trente
cinq livres Sterling (£35)
1 underlinid in the originAïS. 3I2 ANNEXES TO U.K. hIEhIORIAL (NO. A 98)
Lesdits Le Comité a cliargéledit Ingénieur de faire exécuter lesdits travaux
travaux ?I aux conditions les plus avantageuses pour le Comité, pourvu que leur
en&~~ter- . coût n'escède pas le montant de son estimation.
ANNEX A 96
Affidavit ofW. G. Furzer, Harbour Master of Jersey, 20th August, 1951,
relating to Maintenance of Buoys, Beacons, Buildings and Flagstaffs
at the Ecréhous and Minquiers Islets ; unofficialVisits tothe Isfets;
Houses (and theu Propnetors) there
I I illiam ~arel.$urzer, Harbour hlaster of the Island of Jersey, make
oath and Say as follows :-
(1) I have occupied the position of Harbour hlaster of Jersey since
the year 1948 and have been an officer employed by the Piers and Har-
bours Cornmittee of the States of Jersey sincethe year 1930-
(II)The following arethe only buildings situate at the Ecréhos:-
A. On Maitre 118.One house, which isthe property of Baron Trent
of Nottingham.
B. On BlancIle. One house, wliich is the property of hlajR. J. B.
Bolitho of Jersey.
C. On IleMarmotier.
(1) A building, with the words "St. Martin's, Jersey", cut in tlie
granite of the door frame.
(2) A smaller isolated building, west of(I),and separate from it.
(3) A small building, south of(2).
(4) A building to the south of tTmpats house, (see(12)below) and
separated from it by a foot-path.
(5) A building east of (4) and separated from it by a foot-patli.
(6) An isolated building on the northern extremity of the Island.
(7) A building south of(6).
(8) An isolated building east of(7).
(9) An isolated building lying to the north of tlie building of
Mr. D. P. Richardson (see (13) below).
Al1the buildings above described, numbered (1) to (9)inclusive, are
the property ofLt. Col. R. C.Robin, of Kozel hianor, Jersey.
(IO) A building, northof(r), belonging to Mrs. BilloofLongueville,
Jersey.
(II) A building, adjoining the south-east corneof (1), belonging to
Mr. Stark, of La Hougue Bie, Jersey.
(12) A building, to the east of (I), owbydthe States ofJersey, and
under the control of the Impôts Department.
(13) A roofless building to the east o(ra), belonging to Mr. D. 1'.
Richardson of Rozel, Jersey.
(14) An isolated building, north of (IZ), belonging to hir. J. C.
Becquet, of St. Martin, Jersey.
(15) An isolated building, nortli of (14) ~elonging to Mr. J. T.
Becquet.
(16) An isolated building, west of(3),owned by Mr. P. ~uiton, of
Gorey. ANNEXES TO U.K. MEMOKIAL (NO, A 98) SI3
(17) An isolated building, west of (16), owned by Mr. W. Sarre, of
Mont Felard.
{III) The following are the only buildings situate at the Minquiers :
(1) At the north end of the island is a wooden building erected in .
1939 by French nationals.
(2) South of (1) are the foundations of a bungalow owned by
Mr. IV. S. Le Masurier, of St. Helier, Jersey. This bungalow was
destroyed during the period 1940-45.
(3) South of (2) are the ruins ofa building owned by the heirs of
T. Gallichan, deceased, formerly of La Rocque, Jersey.
(4) South of (3) isa wooden three-roomed building, built in 1946
by order of the Harbours and Airport Cornmittee, tri provide shelter
for fishermen.
(5) South of and adjoining (4)are two buildings, formerly togetlier
known as "the Hospital", owned by Mr. Coorn of St. Helier, Jersey.
(6) South of (5),and separated from it by a foot-path, are two
isolated roofless buildings owned by Mr. P. Guiton, of Gorey, Jersey.
(7) South of (6)is a granite building owned by the States of Jersey
and under the control of the Harbour Authority.
(8) South of (7) are two buildings erected in a walled square, the
whole being the property of the States of jersey and under the control
of the Impôts Department. The building in the south east corner of
the square has for many years been known as "the Bailiff's house".
(9) To the west of (B),and having a party wall with the Impôts
Iiouse, is a property owned by Mr. V. Richardson, of Gorey, Jersey.
(IO) South of and adjoining (8)is a property,in disrepair, owned by
Vice-Admira1 E. de F. Renouf, of Jersey.
(II) South of (IO),and adjoining its northern gable, ia ruin owned
by Mrs. Grayson, néePirouet, of IO,Sand Street, St. Helier, Jersey.
(12) South andeast of (II)are the ruins of two buildings belonging
to Mr. D. P. Richardson.
(13) South of'(~z )nd near the southern end of the island,is an
isolated building owned by Major R. J. B. Bolitho, of Rozel, Jerst:y.
(14) North-east of(13) a~deast of (IZ) ,rethe ruins of two buildings
belonging to Mr. P. H. Le Clercq, of La Rocque, Jersey.
(15) North of and adjoining (14) is a ruined building owned by
Mr. C. Marie, of St, Helier, Jersey.
(16) North of and adjoining (15) is a building owned by
Mr. C. Hamon, of Grouville, Jersey.
(IV) In 1939, a mooring buoy was placed in position to the south of
Marmotihre at the Ecréhos, some half cable's length £rom the landing
rocks. It was replaced in the same position in 1947. .
(V) The following Beacons and Buoys were erected ormoored at the
Minquiers during the years indicated in each case:
A. Steel beacons surmounted by plaques bearing the words "Etats
de Jersey" on-
the "Maisons", in 1937,
the "Pipettes", in 1937,
the "Grand Vascelin in 1937 and
the "Puffin" in 1931 (the original wooden beacon being replaced
by a steel beacon in 1937)3I4 ANNEXES TO U.K. 3IE~fORIAL (NO.A 98)
B. Steel beacons without plaques on
the "Blanche Rocque", in 193r,
the "Manche à Brioche", in 1931,
the "Petit Gouillot", (the original wooden beacon ercctecl in
1931being replaced by a steel beacon in 1933).
the "Fontaines",in 1937,
the "Grune Tar", in 1937,
the "Demie", in 1937,
the "Coq", in 1938,
the "Rocher du Sud de Bas", in 1938,and
the "Rocher du Sud, in 1938.
C. IVooden beacons without plaques on
the "Rocher du Nord Est", in 1937a,nd
the "Grune Gouillot", i1937.
D. An unlighted Buoy on
the "Demie de Vascelin", in 1934, (this buoy being last re-
moored in position after overhaul in 1950).
E. In 1913an unlighted mooring buoy at the anchorage to the S.E.
ofthe Maîtresse Ile at aboItcable's lenght from the foot of
the slipway to which previous referenhas been made, (this
buoy being last re-moored in position after overhaul in 1950).
(VI) The buoys and beacons within the Minquiers reef have always,
so far as I am aware, been maintained by the Piers and Harbours
Committee. Flagstaffs at the Minquiers and at the Ecréhos are also
maintained by the Piers and Harbours Committee. Many visits are
made to the Islands, particularly tthe Minquiers,by officersemployed
by the Committee, in addition to the visits made by the Committee
itçelf.
Al1of which 1declare to be true to the best of my knowledge, informa-
tion and belief.
[Signed] W. G. FURZEK
Sworn by the above-named
William Gare1 Furzer in the
Island of Jersey th20thday
of August in the year one
thousand nine hundred and
fifty-one before me,
[Signed]HEDLEY G. LUCE
Notary Public
Jersey. ANNEXES TO U.K. MEA108IAL (NOS. A 99-100) .Y5
ANNEX A 99
Records of Official Visits by Oûïcers of the Island ofJersey to the
Ecréhous Islets, 1885-1938 '
1, Francis de Lisle Bois, Greffier of the States of the Island of Jersey,
hereby certify that Officia1visits made to the Ecrehos on the dates
hereinafter specified are mentionedin the official records of tlic author-
ities concerned :-
By the Assembly O/ Governor, Bailie and J~drnb s
1885, qtli June.
1893, 28th June,
1896, 15th June.
By Ike Piers and Harbours Committee :
1910, 1st. Jüne.
1921, 21st July.
1927, 5th September.
1934, 17th August.
1939, 11th August.
1947, 1st. Au~us~.
By the Finance Committee :
1936, zznd September.
1938, 31st August.
[Signed] F. DE L. BOIS,
Gre@îerof the Stdes.
ANNEX A IOO
Affidavit of Brigadier R. M. H. Lewis, Secretary to the Government in
the Island of Jersey, 20th August, 1951, upon the hoisting of the Union
Jack and the personal flagof WisExcellency the Lieutenant Governor
of Jersey, after the British re-occupationof the Channel Islands, 1945
Affidavit of Brigadier R. M. H. Lewis, C.E.E., M.C., Secretary to the
Government in the Island of Jersey.
1, the undersigned, Richard Maurice HuHLewis, C.B.E., M.C.,hercby
make oath and Say as follows :-
I. Since the year 1946 1 have been Secretary to the Government
in the Island of Jersey.
1 Other officia1 visits have taken place, which are not recorded, as,for example,
that ofthe LieutenantGovernor, Bailiff and Jurats on the 31st July, 1893. See
Annex C 13.316 ANNEXES TO U.K. JlEhIORIAL (h'o.A 101)
2. 1 am-informed by His Excellency, Lieutenant General Sir Edward
Grasett, K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., M.C., Lieutenant Governor of Jersey,
who açsumed this office in1945,on the re-establishment of the normal
ConstitutiorialGovernment in Jersey after the German Occupation,
that he, in pursuance of what he deemed to be his officiduty, paid
oficial visits to the Ecrehos and tothe Minquiers accompanied by a
military guard,and was present at a ceremonial hoisting of tlie Union
Jack on each group of Islands.
3.. 1 amalso informed by His Excellency, and it is to my knowledge,
that he has subsequently made frequent officia1 visits, bot11 to the
Minquiers and to the Ecrehos, sometimes inH.M. Ships and sometimes
in other officia1transport, anthat on the occasion of each visit, HIS
Excellency's persona1 flag was hoisted on the permanent flagstaffs
constructed on each group of Islands.
Al1of which I declare to be true to the best my knowledge, infor-
mation and belief.
[Signed] K hlH LEWIS
Sworn by the above-named
Richard Maurice Hull Lewis
in the Island of Jersey this
20th day of August in the ;
year one thousand nine
hundred and fifty one, before
me :
[Signed] HEDLEEG ' . LUCE Notary Public,
Jersey.
ANNEX A IOI
Letter from theViscount of Jersey to thLieutenant Governor of Jersey,
14thMay, 1846, Giving Detailsof Houses on MaitreIle ofthe Ecréhous
Islets
[Foreign O@ce Pupers, 27/3651]
Viscount's Office 14 May 1846
My dear Sir Edward
1 have made enquiries yesterday respecting the houçes on hlaitre
Isle[sic] on the Ecreho Rocks, but a1 could get no satisfactory infor-
mation, 1 drove to StMartins this morning & found out the person who
o~mç one of the houses. One Elizabeth Renen [?] married to John de
Grudry l.She was a poor widow with one son & a Mr JanrinC?] built
the house for her & made her apresent of it about zo years since. She
had a small garden, attachedto it ; she has nobeen to it thes2 years
past, &'would seil the property.
? deGruchy. ANNEXES TO U.K. >fERlORIAI. (~"8. A 1027103) 3x7
There is a fountain close'by which supplies water for boiling vege-
tables but is not clear enough to make tea, but she consider[sic] itwould
be clean if sunk deeper & properly walled up.
Tlie Simons of Si Jolins, a Mr Carcaud from Dolbel have houses
there. Jersey people liad huts there before she was born S constantly .
dry sea weed there in summer.
1 have &C
IV LE COUTEUR
His Escs-
The Lt Governor
Order of the German Commandant of Jersey, andJuly, 1940, Prohibiting
the Movement of Shipping, including Fishing Boats
[Orders O# the Comntalidanl of the German Forces ijrOccttfialion of
the Island O/ Jersey]
8. No Boat or Vesse1of any description, including any lTishingBoat,
shall leave The Harbours or any otlier place wherc the same is
moored, without an Order from the Military Authority, to be
obtained ai Tlie Commandaiit's Office, Town Hall. Al1 Boats
arriving in Jersey, must remain in Harbour until perniitted by
the Military to Ieave.
The creurs \vil1remain on board. The Master will report to the
Harbourmaster, St. Helier, and will obey his instructions.
......................,.....................................................1..........
(Signed)
THE GERMAN COh,IMANDANT OF THIS ISLAND OF
JISKSEY July znd, 1940
Appointment by the States of Jersey, 7th May, 1883, arising from Com-
plaints of Jersey Fishermen of Illegal Fishing at the Ecréhous Islets
by French Fisbermen, of a Cornmittee to Petition H.M. in Council on
the Subject
[Acte des Etals de 1'Ilede Jersey, 7 Mai, 18831 i88j
hlai 7.
Considérant que l'Acte de Parlement 6. et 71:eVictoria, C.79, inti-
tulé, "Un Acte pour assurer l'exécution d'une Convention entre Sa
A MS. note at the foot of the document reads asfollo\vs : "CIOJuillet, 1940.
la susdite Proclamationeau lieuCordinaire. De quoi j'aidonnéce record'ai pul~lié
C SYDNEY LE GROS
Vicomte." 318 ANNEXES 'ï0 U.K. MEllORtAL (NO. A 104)
Majesté et le Roi des Fran~ais, touchant les Pêcheries dans les 'mers
entre les Iles Britanniques et la France", daté le 22mc jour d'Aoùt
1843, a été,depuis quelques années, constamment enfreint par des
Pêcheurs Franqais qui se livrent à la Pêcheaux Iles dites "les Ecré-
hos" appartenant et dépendant de laParoisse de S4Martin en la dite
Ile de Jersey.-
Et considérant que cette conduite illégale des dits Pêcheurs Fran-
çais cause un tort consicl6rable aux pêclieursde cette Ile et que sila
dite Convention n'est pas mise à exécution il est fort 2 craindre que
des querelles ne s'élévent entre les I'echeurs[sic] des deux Nations,
soinination qui pourraient conduire 2i(les résultats fàclieux pour les deux pays :
d'unComité les Etats ont résolu de prier Sa Très Excellente Majesté en Conseil, de
charse de vouloir bien prendre le sujet en considération, afin que des mesures
l)rCparcune soient prises pour protéger les droits des Pécheurs de cette Ile et
Repr'scnta- empêcher les dits pêcheursFranqais de s'ingerer à l'avenir (l'aller pêcher
tion j.Sa
.\lajeSten dans les limites des Eaux Britanniqiies, c'est-à-dire, dans l'espèce, à
conscil au trois milles de la laisse de basse-mer des dites Iles "Ecrelios".-
sujet des Iles Et les Etats ont nommé un Comité composé de William Laurence
dites Oies de Gruchy et John Vaudin Ec?, Jurés ; des Rév+ Abraham Le Sueur,
Ecréhos." Recteur de Grouville et Kévb Edouard Luce, Kecteur de St? Marie ;
de Philippe Baudains Ecr, Connétable de St Hélier et Keginald Raoul
Lcmpri6re Ecr, Coi~nirtablede St Martin, et de Adolplius Hilgrove Turner
Ec'., Député de Grouville et Henry Edounrd Le Vavasseur dit Durell
Ecr, Député de S' Hélier;-avec prière i Monsieur le Prbsident des
Etats et h Alessieurs les Officiers de la Couronne d'y assister ; lequel
Comité est chargé de préparer une Représentation à Sa Majesté en
Conseil 5 ce sujet et d'en faire rapport aux Etats dans le plus bref
délai possible.-
ASXES A 104
Approval by the States of Jersey of the Petition to H.M. in Council,
and the Appointment of a Deputation, a~st May, 1883, concerning the
i883 Ecréhous Islets
Mai 21. [Acte des Ellrls riEJIlede Jersr:y,21 Mai, 18831
Sornination
d'iinc Lecture ayant étécloniiéed'un acte, en date du 12 Mai courant, du
Députation Comiténomméle. 7 Mai dcniier l,par les Etats, avec mission de préparer
charg&e.de seune Représentation h Sa Majesté en Conseil, dans la vue que les droits
rendre a des pêcheursde cette Ile soient protégés, en ce qui a r:ipport aux Iles
apiiuycrpour des Ecrélios,-les Etats ont adopté ledit Acte et ont décidéde nommer
auprès des une Députation composédc Josué George Falle, Ecuier, Juré-Justicier,
seigneurs du du RévérendEdouard Luce, Kecteur dc StcMarie, de Reginald Raoul
Conscil PrivéLemprière, Ecuier, Connétable de S! Martin, de Adolphus Hilgrove
de S. Ar., leTurner, Ecuier, Député de Grouvilie et (le George Clément Bertram,
revendica- Ecuier, I'rocureur-Géndral de la Reine, lescluels sont priésde se rendre à
tiensdes Londres pour appuyer, auprès des Seigneurs du Conseil Privé de Sa
"tats à Majesté,la prière consignéedans l'Acte, i ce sujet, adopté par les Etats
l'égarddes
"Hcréhos." sCc A~~~~ A roJ. le7 Mai 1883 ; ladite Députation étant autorisée à prendre toutes Ics
mesures qu'elle jugerait nécessairespour la réussitde sa mission : Et les
Etats ont, en m&me temps, prié Son Excellence le Lieuteiiant-Gouver-
neur de cette Ile, d'appuyer, de la rnanikre qu'il jugera convenable Les -
démarches que la Députation trouverait utile de prendre dans les cir-
constances.-
ANNEX A 105
Approval of the States of Jersey, 11thJuly, 1883, of the Report of the
Delegation to the Privy Councii, concerning the Ecréhous Islets
[Acte des Et~ts de 1'IZde Jersey, 11 Jzrillet,18831
Josué George Falle,Ecuier, Juré-Justicier. Président de la Députation II,,de,
nommée par les Etats le21 hlai1883 l,pour appuyer auprès des Sei- EcrPhos.
gneurs du Conseil Privéde Sa MajestC, les droitsde cette Ile, en ce quia Rapport du
rapport à la possession cles Iles des Ecrbhos,a aujourd'hui fait rapport l'résident dc
aux Etats des mesures que la dite Députation a prise à ce sujet : Les laDtputation.
Etats ont expriméleur satisfaction de la niarclie suivie par la dite Dépu-
tation.-
ANNEX A I~G
AffidavitofJ. T. Becquet, Ecréhous Fisherman, 28th April, 1951,relative
to Jerseymen who have Fished the Ecréhous since about 1840
Affidavit of Mr. Joe Thomas Becquet, EcrélioçFishertnan.
1, Joe Thomas Becquet, of The Barracks, Rozel, in the Island of
Jersey, hereby make oath and Say as follows :--
I. hly grandfather; John Becquet, my father, Joseph Clernent Becquet
(who is still livinand ~nyselfhave a11spent our lives as fisliermen at the
Ecréhos.
My grandfather died 55years ago as an old man andmust havestarted
fishing before 1840. 1 have always undcrstood that there were Ecréhos
fishermen before him.
2. There have always been a number of men whose wholetime occupation
was fishingat the Ecréhos. 1 personally rernember the following-
Philip Le Huquet, Fred Amy, Lias Mrhitley, Tom Blampied, Joc
Blampied, Charles Blampied, Ptiilipn Pinel, Jack Mollet and l31iilip
Marett.
At the present time, the men fully employed in fishing at the Ecréhos
are Frank BIampied and his son, Frank, Ronald Blampied and myself.
3. In addition to full-time Ecréhos fishenpen there has,ofcourse, always
been and still is a certain amountof fishing done at the Ecréhos by per-
sons from Gorey and other parts of the Island who could not properly
be called full-time Ecréhos fishermen.
See Annex A 104. 320 ANNEXES TO U.K. IIH~IORIAL (h'o.A 106)
4, The attached photograph l marked "A" is a photograph which has
long been in the possession of my family, and shows a group of fishermen,
with a Customs officia1and friends, at the Ecréhos.I have always been
told that the persons numbered 1, 2,3, 4, 5 and 6, are the followin:-
I and 2. IVhitley, father and son.
. 3- My grandfather, then aged 53.
4. Mr.Lc Huquet from Fliquet.
5. Mr. Fred Amy.
6. hlr. Bertram, of the Customs.
5. The oldest houses belonged to rny grandfather, Ton1 Blampied,
Charles Blampied, Lias IVhitley, Philip Le Huquet and Pliilip Pinel
("King of the Ecréhos"). Formerly the fisherrnen used to stay at the
Ecréhos for many days or a week at a time. Philip Pinel used to live
- there permanently and other fishermen used to take his fis11and sea-
weed to market for him and retum with his provisions. He uscd to corne
to Jersey only for a fortnight or so each year.
I myself sleep at the Ecréhosat present at least twice a week and the
other fishermen do the same.
6. During my time the main catch has always been lobster and conger,
caught in pots. During August 1 do a lot of fishing with nets and tram-
mels.
7. I have never knourn much interference from the French. 1111926or
about that time the French tried to fishwith pots aswe did. Wedumped
their gearand reported the matter to the States. The French went off
and have not, to my knowledge, tried againto fishwith pots. About two
years before the war they began to do a certain amount of !ow water
fishing (notusingpots),and they have continued to do a certain amount
of tliis kind of fishing since war.
S. During the war neither the French noi-ourselves were allowed to do
any fishing at the Ecréhos.
Al1of which 1 declare to be true to the best of my knowledge, infor-
mation and belief.
[Signed] J. T. BECQUET.
Sworn by the above-named
Joe Thomas Becquet in the
Island of Jersey tliis 28th day
of April in the year one
thousand nine hundred and
fifty-one, before me
[Signed] HEDLEY G. LUCE
Noiary I'ublic
Jersey.
SeeAnnex C 14. ANNEX A 107
A5davit of S. England, Constable of the Parish of Grouviiie,Jersey,
5th May, 1951 , pon the Inclusion of the Minquiersin the Parish of
Grouville, andthe Assessrnentof Houses thete for the pkposes of the
Parochiai Rate
1,Stanley England, of Glenroyd, La Rocque, in the Parish of Grouville,
in the Island of Jersey, make oath and Sayas foiiows:-
I. 1 am the Constable of the said Parish of Grouville and have been a
member of the Honorary Police of that Parish since the year 1933.
z. 1was a rnember of the Cornmittee responsible for the assessment
of rates in the said Parish frorn the year 1to 1946.
3. 1 have always understood that the Minquiers form part of the
Parish of Grouville for administrative purposes and that parochial rate
has been paid to the Parish of Grouville in respect of certain of the
houses situate on the Minquiers.
4.The old records of the Parish specifying the properties on which
rates were assessed were destroyed in 1941 when a new Parish Hall \vas
occupied.
The records relating to the years 1939to ïgjû, which are the only
records now existing, shew that ratewas paid in respecof certain houses
on the Minquiers during that period.
In the year 1939, for example, assessments were made in respect of
buildings situate at the Rlinquiers owned by Messrs. O. P. Hamon and
IV. S. Le Masurier, and in the year 1950, assessments were made in
respect of buildings owned bjr Vice-Admira1 E. de F. Renouf and
Mr. W. S. Le Masurier.
5. As Centenier of the Pariçh of Grouviile, 1was the responsible Police
Officerin connection with the inquest held on the 27th March, 1948,on
the body of Iïrederick Clarence Hansford who had died at the Minquiers.
6. Although 1understand thatthe Minquiets were previously included
in the Parish of Grouvilie for the purposes of the Census, no visit, for
the purpose of the Census, was made to the Minquiers this year, asit is
known that no one is residing there at the present time.
Al1of which 1declare to be true to the best of my knowledge,informa-
tion and belief.
[Signed] S.ENGLANI)
Sworn by the above-named
Stanley England in the Island
of Jersey this5thday of May
in the year one thousand
iiine hundred and fifty-one,
before me,
[Signed[ HEDLEY G. LUCE
Notary Public
Jersey322 ASNEXES TO U.K. MEBIORIAL (NO. A 108)
Affidavitof T. J.Bree, Jurat of the Royal Court ofjersey, 2nd May, 1951,
upon the Inclusion of the Minquiers Islets in the Parish of Grou-
ville, Jersey, and the Assessment of Houses there for the purposes of
Parochial Rate
1,Touzel John Bree, O.B.E., of Sunnyholme, Fauvic, in the Parish of
GrouviIIe in the Island of Jersey, make oath and say as foliows :-
1. 1 am ai the present time a Jurat of the Royal Court of Jersey.
2. 1 was a "Centenier" (Honorary Police Officer) of the Parish of
Grouville aforesaid from 1910 to 1929.
3. 1was also an "Expert", for the purposes of assessrnent of the Paro-
chia1 Rate of the said Parish, from 1930 to 1939.
4. 1 have always understood that the Minquiers Islets were iiicluded,
for administrative purposes, in the "Vingtaine" of La Rocrluc, in the
said Parish of Grouville.
5. In the year 1921 1 was required by the Constable of the Parish to
visit the Minquiers as an enurnerator for the purposes of the Census
which was taken througliout the British Isles in that year.
6. I remember that, during my period of office as an "Expert",
owners of certain buildings situate on the Maîtresse Ile of the Minquiers
were assessed to, and paid, Grouville parish rate in respect of those
buildings '. Bona fide fishermen who occiipied buildings on the Islet
were not so assessed.
Al1of which I declare to be truetotlie best of rny knowledge, informa-
tiori and belief.
[Signed] T. J. UREE.
Sworn by the above-named
Touzel John Bree, in the
Islandof Jersey, this2- day
of May in tlie year one thou-
sand nine hundred and fifty-
one, before me
[Signed] HEDLEY G. LUCE
Notary Public
Jersey.
1See Annexes A 110,A 111 and A 112. ANNEX A 109
Affidavitof W. S. Le Masurier of St. Hilier, Jersey,4th June, 1951,
relating to Building by two French Nationals,M. Le Roux and ''Marin
Marie", on Maîtresse Ileof the Minquiers Isletç, andtoJersey Fishemen
frequenting the Islets
1, WilIiam Smythe Le Masurier, Solicitor, of number twenty-three
HillStreet, St. Helier, Jersey, make oathand Say as follows :-
1am a Solicitor of the Royal Court of Jersey and havebeen inpractice
in the Island for upu7ards of forty-nine years.
1 have always been a keen amateur sailor and fisherman and have
been the owner of yachts since about 1926. 1 first started visiting the
Minquiers in xgr7 and continued to visit the reefregularly up to the
outbreak of war in September 1939 ,taying there for sometirnes up to
two weeks and morewith friends and rnembers of my fainily.
In 1929, a French Banker by the name of Le Roux started building
on the Maîtresse Ile but was stopped as a result I Iiave always uncler-
stood of representations made to the French Government. The buiIding
had progressed only .to the construction of a low stone wall 'which
was to have been on coinpletion a protective wall for a hut to be built
within its Iimits.
Having always wished to accluire a hut on Maîtresse Ile and there
being none of the Jersey Fishermens' huis for salernypartner, Advocate
Harold \Valter Giffardwho was a keen amateur fisherman and 1decided
in1931 to approach Moiisr. Le Roux with a view to acquiring from him
the wall which he had begun. Monsr. Le Rous informed us that as the
waiis could beof no further useto him we could have tliem for whatever
purpose we wished. We therefore instructed a local boat builder to erect
a hut on the walIs lefl byMonsr. Le Rous. This hut, which is shown on
the attached three photographs and marked by iiie was completed in
the Summer of 1932.
After the completion of the hut,1 acquired my partner's share therein
.and 1 visited the reef several times every yearofteii stayinga week or
two. Members of my fa1ni1yand their friends stayed for longer periods.
The hut was rated in the Parish of Grouville and 1paid the annual rate
levied upon it.
Up to the outbreak of war, we very seldornsaw any Frericli fishennen
within the outer limits of the reef, and the first as f1ram aware ufho
. regularly fished there and this for the purpose of line fishing whiting
only was a Monsr. Viot from Cancale who began in 1937 or1938.
In 1939I went to the Rlaîtresse ILefor the weekend and on Ourarriva1
we found a large number of French Yachts brouglit up in the anchorage
and a party of some twenty individuals ashore busily engaged in erecting
a hut adjacent to my own. 1 endeavoured then to ascertain who was the
leader of the party but this information was refuseclI now know tliat
it was a French Marine Artist wellknown in Yachting circles under the
1 SeeAnnex C 20 ;al;*lcttcr of the late Sir BerFnllc, hl.P., wtook the
photogaph : Annex ri 136..
*One of.these has been selected. Çee AnnCxr5.
23pseudonym of "Marin Marie". On rny return to Jersey, I immcdiately
reported the matter to the Bailiff and the Lieutenant Governor.
During the Geman occupation of the Island visits to the reef were
prohibited except for occasional escorted trips during spring tides but
my son who was the first Xllied Officer to visit the Islands of Chausey
in August 1944 ascertained that the fisherriien there had been permittecl
to fish the Minquiers for a considerable period during the war.
After the Liberation of Jersey, it was found that a nurnber of the hutç
belonging to local fishermen had been damaged and my own had com-
pletely disappeared with its contents which included a qiiantity of
fishing gear and a dinghy.The French hut was undamaged.
During tlie whole of the tirne that 1have known the reef aiid up to the
occupation in 1940 it has been regularly fished by fishermen from
Jersey many of whom owned huis on the Maîtresse Ile and livecl there
for long periods, returningto Jersey only for the purpose of obtaining
provisions and landing their catches usually at weekends.
1 would add that for very many years I was a Deputy of the States of
Jersey and served for much of that time as a member of the Z'iersand
Harbours Committee (now the Harbours and Airport Cornmittee). The
Cornmittee maintained a small granite house on the Maîtresse Ile and
also tlie beacons erected within the limits of the reef. It was not until
the incident in 1939 to which 1 have referced that I \vas aware that
the French authorities claimed any rights whatsoever in the reef.
[Signed] IV. S.LE MASURIER
S~+OH Ny the said \Villiam Smytlie Le '
Bfasurier this fourth
tlay of June one thousand
nine hiindred and fifty-one
before me
[Signed] 1-YNUON RIVE.
Notary Public
Inpuest, pst August, 1938,upon two Skeletons found at the Minquiers
IsIets
[KGlesde La Cotcr Royale de jerscy, 3 Septembre,19381
Lecture ayant étédoniiéede certain Rapport du Vicomte contenant le
I'rocès Verbal de l'Enquête de Levée de Corps qu'il atenue en vertu
d'un Ordre du Bailli en datedu 30Août, 1938,sur des ossements humains
trouvés aux Minquiers, la Cour conformément aux conclusions de 1'Avo-
cat Généraldu Roi, a ordonné l'enregistrement dudit Rapport aux
Rôles de la Cour Royale.
DUQUEL RAPPORT LA TENEUR SUIT :-
Ce 31 Août, 1938. En vertu de l'ordre d'autre &té, je me suis rendu sur
leslieuxoù gisent lesdits ossements humains oj'aiappelédouze hommes, Rating Scheduleof 1939for Buildingsbelonging to O. P. Hamon, on Maîtresse lie of the Minquierslslets,
within the Parish of Grouville,Jersey
(NOM DU PROPRIII.TAIHE) (DEMEURE) (NATIONALITE) POUR L'USAGE DES EXPIIRTS SEULEMENT.
(Name of Proprietor in full) (Residence) (Nationality) For the 'Appraisers' usc onIy.
Année 193 . PAROISSE DE GROUVILLE,-Maisons, Edifices et Terres appartenant?aOsmmd PhiJi9 Hamon
In the year 193 . PARISI; OF GROUVILLIF. Houses, Buildings and Lands belonging to "Glenroyd" ~ritish'
Description, indiquant les tenants et aboutissants d'un Vingtaine, ct la Rue oii Y corn- A quelle charge sont
cdtk au moins, et le nom particulier, s'il y en a, de Chemin sur lequcl la PrlS les fossés lesreparations et aulres
d'Ordre. chaque Maison, Edificc et PiPce de terre. propriCtéborde. et reliefs. Locataires. remarques.
\ Rleasurement,
Description, stating the boundaries on one sidc at ieastVingtaine. and the Rond inciuding the Namc and addresç of Who is charged with
and the name, if any, of each housc, building anci or Strcet on which thc hedges and Rental. Tenants or Occupicrs. , the repairs, and othcr
plot of land. property borders. sets-off. remarks.
1 £ S. d.
La Rocqrce Proprielor
Vingtaine
Bordering. Coast Road Coast Rorsd
Seashove.
Wooden Ouibuilding used as Gavage.
I - "
Area
One Nul 07 Fishevmun's House at Minquiers Approx. aq sq. feef Occupied by
Bordeving North. MY. G. Afarie's Hut. Minor Repairs
South. New IwtpS6 Building. Brothers Gallichan.
East. Slipway dons by the
One othar as abovc hnown as L'hopilale" as above. fPshermcnwho
Borderifig. North. MY. T. E. Gallichan's iiui
South passage way. No Rcnial Charged use these huts
Window. fuWng East
Door ,, West.
Je, soussignd, déclare quelaliste ci-dessus des Maisons, Edifices ct Tcrrcs, dont je suis le propriétaire, dans la paroisse de Grouvillesurrla rkquisition du
1 thc undersigncd, declare that thabve list of Houses, I3uildings and Landof which 1 am the proprietor, in the parish of Grouville, preparat the request of
the Constable, is faithful andtruc.
Date. Le ram jour de Janvier 1939. (Names and Addresses to bc written in full). Signature O. P. Hamm.
Follows page 324 ANNEX A Iir
Rating Scheduleof 1939 for a ~ooden Hut beiongingto W.S. Le hlasurier,on Mattresse lie of the MinquiersIslets,
within the Parish of Grouville,Jersey.
POUR L'USAGEDES EXPERTS SEULEMKNT.
(NOM DU PROPRIETAIRE} NATIONALITE Forthc Appraiseruse only.
(Namc ot Proprietin full) (Nationality) 1'- I l
Année 1939. PAROISSE DE GROUVILLE.-Maisons, Edifices ct Terres appartà filonsWW. Stnj~iLe hlastrriev
In theyearrgg . PARISH OP CROUVILLE. Houses, Buildings and Lands helontnng 23Hill Street, StijRritatt~ziquc EVALUATIO DES EXPERTS
Follows page 324 AKNEX AIIZ
Rating Schedule of 1950 in respect of Property of Jersey Residents in the Parish of GrouvilIe,Jersey, at Maîtresse Ile of the Minquiers Islets
Inthe year 1950 Parish of Grouvilic ViceAdmirai Edward da Faye "Manltys" St. Peters. For ttse of I'arochial Assessrnent Committee only.
(Name of Oivner in full) [Residence) (Xationality)
Rsnouf C,.B.,C.V.O. "Foncier." "Occupiers."
Mcasurcmentç Assessed rcntal
rcntal valut of asscssed rcntnl
Buildirigs Tutal. 'l'ntnl. Ko. of
liousa. ~iauses. --
--- ----
V. ( P. 1. 5,1 S. E 1 S. i: S. f: f. 1 S. E (S. Qrç.
A certain house wilh flrelai?rJroirt. Jlaflressc Ile The Propriclor 5 3 I
Les :tlinqtbiflrs
Dspettdeilcof
tlris Island.
llresaid Vice-Ad~iriralRcnouf is I i
I E
1. thc undersigncd, declare that tlie abovc is a complete list of the Houscs. Buildings and Lands of which (1"am)thc owner
tlie forcgoing particulars are fully and truly stated, to the best of my judgment and belief.uville, and that Less50% --
Datc. The 16th day of Febvunry 1950. Signature Renouf Er8aut & Gibout £
acting
(NAAIES ASD ADDRESSES SO BE WRITTEN IN FULL). Follows page 324 ANNEX A 113
Rating Schedule of 1950 in respect of Property of Jersey Residents in the Parish of Grouville,Jersey, at Maîtresse Ue of the MinquiersIslets
For use of Parochial hssessrncnt Cornrnittec only.
In theyear 1950 Parish of Grouville 3ion(Samc of Omner in full)suriev 23,(Residence) Jersey (Nationality)
Il "Foncier." "Occupicrs."
ilssessed $ Xssesscd
rental
&feasurements Name and Rdd~css Assesse' valiieoi Lands Asçessed lands hrscsscd
Description, stating the boundaricon one Vingtaine and the includingthe Annual of ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ i ~ ~ . rentnl Buildings assccçsed rental Total. Kt).of asscsscd rcntal Total. Xo. of
No. side at least. and the name, if ariy. of or on hcdgcs and Kental. (~fproperty un- value of including @ per value of valut2 of
cacli liousc, building and plot of laiid.hich set-offs. occupied facts Houses. glass- Vergee. 1,ands. $r$y vcl:f
borders. I should bc statcd.) liouscs. 110uscs.
-- -- -
V 1 P. F. £ ( S. £15. £ 1 ~ . £ E 1 S. 1 £ 1 S. f i: 1 5. 2 1 S. Qrs.
I
Cerfaiiic*raisofinetta bois biitie srrr la 4
AfaftresseIle du Plaieaztdes 1Miitquicrs -+- --- Desivoycd
. .
I
1, thetinùersigned. declare ththe above isa coinplete Iisofthe Houscs. Buildingsand Lands of rvhich1 ariitheamer £
(ivithithe meaning of ArticleIthc Parish Ratc (Administration) (JcrscyLaw, 1g4G) ,n the I'arish of Grouville, and that Lcss 50%
the foregoing particulars arc fully and truly stated to the best of my judgment and belicf. --
E
Date. The fifleentlday of Jnntrary ïgjo. Signature P. A. Pock,Ag1
(XAAIES ASD ADDRESSES TO HE XZ'RI'STEN Ii:IWLL).
Follows page 324savoir : Messrs. Edmontl de Laclunine, Charles Edward Perry, William
Cliarles Hambly, George Elliott, Walter Philip Perrce, Henry Boorn
'Tliomas, Cecil Ernest Simon, Philip Henry De La Perrelle, Walter
De Ste Croix, William Albert Blampied, Erederick Charles Clement
Cudlipp et IVilliam Albert Jeandron, auxquels, en présencede l'Avocat
Généraldu Roi stipulant l'Office de Procureur Généraldu Roi, j'ai
administré serment. Après que lesdits hommes ont vu lesdits ossements
humains et entendu le Centenier Charles Le Huquet, de Grouville, le
Docteur Brendan Rartholomew Kennedy, et Mr. Joseph Marie Le
1-euvre par serment sur le sujet, ils ont, d'opinion uniforme, déclaré
clu'ilscroient en leurs consciences que lesdits ossements liumains provien-
nent de deux squelettes, l'und'un enfant en dessous de cinq ans, l'autre
d'un adulte de vingt à trente ans, et qu'ils furerit trouvés Vendredi le
vingt-six Août, mil neuf cent trente-husur la Maître [laux Minquiers,
iiicours de travaux d'excavation et apportés dans 1'Ile Mardi le Trente
.4oiit, sur les Ordrede Monsieur le Bailli, mais qu'il a étéimpossible
d'établir ni le sexe, ni la cauni ladate de la mort qui, dans l'opinion
du médecin,remontait certainement P plus de cinquaiite ans, ni comment
ces ossements furent enterrésàl'endroit où ils ont ététrouvés.
De quoi je fais ce présent rapport.
(signé) C. SYDBEY LE GROS,
Vicomte.
ANNEX A Ïi5
lnquest, 30th March, 1948, upon F. C. Wansford, who died at the
Minquiers Isiets
[Rôles de En Cot~rRoyale de Jersey, 31 Mars, 19481
Lecture ayant Ctédonnt5.e de certain Rapport cfe Herbert Vyvian
13enest ECF ,ergent de Justice, stipulanl'Officede Vicomte, contenant
le Procès Verbal de l'En<juêtede Levéede Corps, qu'il a tenue en vertu
d'un Ordre du Bailli en date d25 Mars 1948,sur le cadavre dFRERE-
KICK CLARENCE HANSI:ORD, la Cour, conformément aux conclu-
sio~isde l'Avocat Généraldu Roi, stipulant I'Onice de Procureur Général
du Roi, a ordonnC l'enregistrement dudit Rapport ails R61esde la Cour
Koyrile.
Duquel Rapport la teiieur suit:-
Ce27 Mars, 194s .n vertu de l'Ordre d'autre côtéjeme suis rendu sur
les lieux ou gît ledit cadavre où j'ai appelé douze hommes savoi:- hiarsjr.
Messrs. Edmond de Lacluaine, Walter Le Brocq, Lysle Martin Bourke,
Sainthil1 Percy Templemnn Liiidsey, Keginald Stanley Turner, UraIter
I'liilip Perrée, Peter Louis Nolais, John George Lidstone, Walter Auguste
\\'illiam Lenoir, Louis Varaillon, john Wiiiiam 1,aureet William Her-
bert Osment auxquels, en présence du Procureur Gdnéral du Roi, j'ai
administré serment. Après que lesdits hommes ont vti ledit cadavre et
entendu les Docteurs Francis Gordon niaitlanetArthur Ernest Mourant,
les Centeniers john de Gruchy Le Brun de S! Nélieret Stanley EngIancl
de Groiiville, le Docteur I?aymontl 1-eonard Osmont, et Messrs. Léon François Duhamel, Clarence Teague, John Joseph de la Noë, Keginald
Harry Quéréeet hlrRoy Frederick Hansford par serment sur le sujet,
j'ai remis lacontinuation de l'Enquêteà un autre jour afin de donner
occasion àun médecindefaireuneautopsie dudit cadavre. Et aujourd'hui,
Mardi le 30 Mars, 1948, lesdits hommes ont derechef comparu devant
moi et aprèsentendu ledit Docteur Osmont, lequel a fait ladite autopsie,
ils ont, d'opinion uniforme, déclaré qu'ils croienten leurs consciences
que ledit cadavre est celui de Frederick Clarence Hansford, âgéde cin-
quante-cinq ans et un mois, natif de la paroisse de 54Hélier,en cette Ile,
et qu'il est mort subitement Jeudi le vingt-cinq Mars, mil neuf cent
quarante-huit, aux Minquiers, dépendances de la paroisse de Grouville,
où il s'étaitrenduà la pêche ;la mort étant due àune affection cardiaque.
De quoi je fais ce présent Rapport.
Signé).H. V. BENEST.
Ser eiit de Justice.
stipulant 1'8 ftice de Vicomte.
ANNEX A 116
Contractfor Sale by J. F. Le Clercqto the Assembly of the Governor,
Bailiff.andJurats of the Island of Jersey, 19th June, 1909,of a House
on MaîtresseIle of the Minquiers Islets
[RegistrePublic de I'Iiede Jersey, Livre 352, Fdio 1521
Mr John LETTRE passée pardevant Messire \I1iliiam Henry I'enables Vernon,
Francis Chevalier, Bailli de 1'Ile de Jersey, présens Edouard Charles Malet de
Clercq Carteret et Charles Jean Benest, Ecuiers, Jurés, datée l'an mil neuf
Et cent neuf, le dix-neuvième jour de Juin ; CORIMEMI John Francis Le
Les AdminiSm Clercq, fils John, d'une part ; Et Henry Edward Le Vaïasçeur dit
trateurs des Dureli Ecuier Avocat Généraldu Roi, Stipulant l'Officede Procureur
Impats dees Générad lu Roi et Ernest LeSueur Ecuier Greffiercle IaCour Royale et des
cette rie, Etats, Autorisés desAdministrateurs des Revenus des Impots de cette
Ileet agissant en vertu de certain Acte de l'Assembl4edes Gouverneur,
Bailli et Jurés, Administrateurs des Impôts en date de l'an mil neuf
cent neuf le dix-septième jour de Juin d'autre part ; LequeI ML John
Transfér'e Francis LeClercq de sa libre volonté Vendit à find'héritagepour lui etses
aux Etats à hoirs auxdits SieursAvocatGénéralcluRoiStipulant l'Officede Procureur
partir du Généraldu Roi et Greffier de la Cour Royale et des Etats, Autorisés
1922jen vertu comme dit est pour et au nom desdits Administrateurs des Revenus des
de l'Ar: I.de Impôts certain édifice ouMaison connu sous le nom de "Polka" avec le
par le Sud-Est partie la pro-
transférant1) petit bel ou terrain en devant, au restede ce côté àun certain
priétéde Mons:. Edward Binet
pouvoirs etes terrain appartenant auxdits Administrateurs des Reyenus des Impôts
de\,oirs biensayant droit dudit Monsf Edward Binet Renouf par contrat de ce jour
meubles et [et] an,par leNord-Ouest Li la propriétéde Mr Philippe Mourant ou qui a
jm,,,bjes droit et bordant par le Nord Est sur le chemin conduisant à la Charrière
obtigations à I'Ane sur la Maîtresse Ile des Minquiers dépendant de cette Ile l et du
lLe.,Jersey. ANNEXES TO U.K. 31EJIORIAL (NO. A 117) 97
Fief de Sa Majesté ou autre Fief et généralementtout et autant de etc.de
propriétécomme il en appartient audit Vendeur en ces lieux-là s;inç 1'Assembléc
aucune réserve niretenue quelcorique. A lacharge niixdits Autoriséspourdes Gouver-
et au nom desdits Administrateurs des Revenus des Impôts de se confor- KB et
mer à toutes et telies conditions et restrictions auxquelles ledit Vendeur
était sujet pour et& cause de ladite propriétéà laquelle il avait droit ,
de hlonst. Ernest Alorrison par contrat en date de l'an mil neuf cent
cinq le premier jour de Juiliet, lequel y avait droit de %IrCharles Le
Riche par contrat en date de l'an mil huit cent nonante-six le trente
Mai, lequel Sieur Le Riche y avait droit par simple contrades héritiers
de feu MrFrederick Pirouet. Ladite Vente héréditairefaite par le prix
et somme de Vingt-cinq livres Sterling pour une fois payer que lesdits
Autorisés pour et au iiom desdits Administrateurs des Revenus des
Impdts paieront audit Vendeur en espècestoutes foiset quantes. Aureste
le tout franc et quitte de toutes rentes et redevances sauf les Droits
Seigneuriaux. Possession du contenu des prémisses présentement et
ensuite à fin d'héritage. Partant s'obligérent lesdites parties savoi:
ledit Vendeur pour lui etses hoirs et lesdits Autorisés pour et au nom .
des Administrateurs des Revenus des Impôts à la fourniture et garantie
réciproque du contenu des prémisses selon droit. Et Jurèrent lesdites
parties&Y.
ANNEX A 117
Contract for Sale by E. B. Renouf to the Assembly of the Governor,
Bailiffand Jurats ofthe Island of Jersey, 19thJune,rgog, of Land on
Maitresse Ile of the MinquierçIslets
[RegistrePtiblicdel'Ilede Jersey, Livre3j2,Folio Ij2]
LE'rTKE passéepardevant Messire \iTilliam Henry Venables Vernon, hion-
Chevalier, Baillide I'IIede Jersey, présens Edouard Charles Malet de Edward Binet
Casteret et Charles Jean Benest, Ecuiers, Jurés, datéel'an mil neuf cenRenouf
neuf, le dix-neuviéme jour de Juin ; COMME Mons! Edward Biiiet Et
Renouf, fils Thomas, d'une part ;Et Henry Edward L,eVavasseur dit Admini'-
Durell Ecuier Avocat Généraldu Roi stipulant l'Office de Procureur ~~~~8 ded,
Généraldu Roi et Ernest Le Sueur, Ecuier, Greffier dela Cour Royale ~ ~ ~ bde
et des Etats Autorisésdes Administrateurs des Revenus des Impôts de cetteIle.
cette Ile, et agissant en vertu de certain Acte de IiAsseinbIéedes Gouver-
neur Bailli et Jurés, Administrateurs des Impats eit date de l'an mil neuf
cent neuf le dix-septième jour de Juin d'autre part ; Lequel Mons!
Edward Binet Renouf de sa libre volontéVendit, quitta, Céda etTrans-
porta à find'héritage pourlui et ses hoirs, auxdits Sieurs .4vocat GénéTransféréeaux
du Roi Stipulant 1'Onice de Procureur Généraldu Roi et Greffier de la Etats Apartir
Cour Royale et des Etats Autoriséscommedit est pour et au nom desdits du 1 Janvier
Administrateurs des Revenus des Impôts un certainterrainjoignant par IgZ2 envertu
le Sud Est à la propriétéde MI Philippe John Gallichaii, par le Sud 2
Ouest, partie à la propriétéde Mr David Patten Vincent, au droit,
de My Charles Hamon, et au reste de ce côté àcelle dudit Vendeur, par ,,, =&ts les
le Nord Ouest à ceUe desdits Administrateurs des Revenus des Impdts pouvoirs et
ayant droit de MI John Francis Le Clercq par contrat de ce jour et an, devoirsbiens 32s .4KSITXES TO U.K. 31EJIORI.4L (SU. .% 118)
meubles et et bordant par le Nord-Est sur le chemin qui conduit i la Charrière
itnmeubIes à 1'Ane; le tout qu'il est avec autant de droits appartenaiices etdépen-
obligations dances comme en peut appartenir situé sur la Maîtresse Ile des Min-
etc de quiers dépendant de cette Ile l et du Fief de Sa Majesté ou autre Fief.
l'Assemblée A la charge auxdits Autorisés pour et au nom desdits Administrateurs
neUr ~~i~jietdes Revenus des Impôts de se conformer à toutes et telles conditions et
Jurés. terrain, auquel il avait droit deMFuPhilippesJohn pGallichan par contrat
en date de l'an mil neuf cent huit levingt-un[sic] Mars, lequel était au
droit de Mf George Bisson Ladite Vente Cession et Transport héréditaire
faite pour et à condition que lesdits Administrateurs des Revenus des
Impbts acquittent et déchargent les droits Seigneuriaux. Au reste ledit
terrain franc et quitte de toutes rentes et redevances. Possession du
contenu des prémisses présentement et ensuite à find'héritage. Partant
s'obligérent lesdites parties savoir ledit Vendeur pur lui et ses hoirs
et lesdits Autorisés pour et au nom desdits Administrateurs des Revenues
des Imp6ts à la fourniture et garantie réciproque du contenu des prémis-
ses selon droit. Et Jurèrent lesdites partie&E.
Contract for Sale by C. Le Riche to E. Morrison, 30th May, 1896, of
a House and Land on Maître Ileof the MinquiersIslets
[RegistrePttblic deI'Ile de Jersey, Livre 320, Folio 551
MF Charles LETTRE passée pardel-ant Messire George Clément Bertram, Chevalier,
Le Riche Bailli de I'Ile de Jersey, présens Clément Augtiste de Quettel-ille et
Et Gervaise le Gros Ecuiers, Jurés, datée l'an mil huit cent nonante-sis
hrons! Ernestle trentième jour de Mai ; COBlJIEMI Charles Le Riche fils Philippe.
Morrison. d'une part ;Et Monsr Ernest Morrison fils George d'autre part ; Lequel
hl! Charles Le Riche de sa libre volonté BAILLA et VENDIT 5 fin
d'héritage pour lui et ses hoirs audit Moiis: Ernest Morrison pour lui
et ses hoirs certain édificeou Maison coniiu sous le nom de "Polka,"
ai.ec le petit bel ou terrain en devant, situé entre les édificesou Maisons
appartenant, respectivement, du côté Sud à h3fElie Sisson et du côté
Nord à 3lr Philippe Mourant, lesdits édificesou Maisons se trouiTant ail
Sud de la Charrière à L'Ane sur le Maître Ile des Minquiers dépendant
de cette Ile et dri fiede Sa Majesté ou autre fief. A la charge audit
Preneur et Acquéreur de se conformer a toutes et telles conditioris et
restrictions auxqiielles ledit Railleur et Vendeur était sujet, pour et I
cause de ladite propriété, à laquelle il aïrait droit par acquêt, par simple
contrat, des héritiersde feuMr FrédéricPirouet. LEDIT I3AIL etVENTE
héréditairefait par le prix et somme dTrois livres quinze chelins Sterling
pour une fois payer ;laquelle somme ledit Bailleur et Vendeur a reconnu
avoir reçue dudit Preneur et Acquéreur. Au reste le tout franc et quitte
de toutes rentes ou redevances sauf les droits SeigneuriauxPOSSESSION
de ladite propriété présentement et ensuite à fin cl'liéritage. Partant
s'obligèrent lesdites parties pour elles et leurs fioirs I la Fourniture et ANXEXES TO U.K. MERIORIAL (xo9.A 119-120) 329
garantie rPciproque du contenu des prémisses selon droit. ET JURÈ-
RENT lesdites parties &i.
ANNEX A 119
Contract for Sale by F. Mallet to J. B. Bolitho,6th March, 1926, of a
House on Maîtresse Ile of the Minquiers .islets
[Hegisfre Public de I'Ile de JerseLivr 3e97,Folio 1851
LETTRE passée pardevant Philippe Aubin, Ecuier, Lieutenant de >Ir Francois[s'r]
Messire William Henry Venables Vernon, ChevaLier et Chevalier Corn-
mandeur de l'Ordre de lJlmpir& Britannique, Bailli de l'lle de Jersey ,hn
présens, Reginald Raoul Lemprière et George James Pepin, Ecuit:rs,
Jurès, .datéel'an mil neuf cent vingt-six, le sixième jour de MaCOM-
hlE :-Ml; François Mallet, fils Charles, d'une part ;Et John Bruce
Bolitho Ecr, fils Edward Alverne, d'autre part ;Lequel Mr Franqois
Mallet de salibre volontéVENDIT à fin d'héritage, pour lui et ses hoirs,
audit John Bruce Bolitho. Ec~. pour lui et ses hoirs, une certaine Maison
connue sous le nom de "La Pointe", situéeà l'extremité[sicj Sud de la
Maitresse[sic]Ile des Minquiers, dépendance de cette Ile ',le tout tel
qu'il est avec autant de droits appartenanceset dépendances comme en
peuvent appartenir. A laquelle propriété ledit Vendeur avait droit
ar acquét (par accord particulier) en mil neuf cents ou environ. Ladite
bente faite parle prixet somme de Vingt-cinq Livres Sterling, pour iine
fois payer, laquelle somme ledit Vendeur a reconnu ai~oirreçu. Possession
de laquelle propriété présentement et ensuite a find'héritage. Partant
s'obligèrent les dites partiesur elles et Ieurs hoirs à la fourniture et
garantie réciproque du contenu des prémisses selon droit. Et Jurèrent
lesditesparties, BC
ANNEX A 120
Contract for Sale by B. R. Vincent to V. R. Richardson, 8th October,
1932, of a House on Maîtresse Ile of the Minquiers IsIets
[RegistrePublic delrIZe(leJersey, Livre 414, Folio2263
LETTRE passée pardevant Charles Edwird Malet de Carteret, Ecuier, Mons;
Seigneur du Fief et Seigneurie deSaint Germain, Handois, les quatorze Barkley Ross
quartiers ou Garis, Bailli de l'lle de Jersey, présens, Reginald Malet de ViEtent
Carteret et James Horman Le Boutillier, Ecuiers, Jurés, datée l'an 1ni1Vivian Ralph
neuf cent trente-deux, le huitième jour d'Octobre. Comme :-Morlsc:
Carlyle Le Gallais, Procureur dûment fondé de Mons: Barkley Ross G~~~.
Vincent, fils David Patton, comme parait par Procuration passée a
Londres en Angleterre l'an mil neuf cent trente-deux, le vingt-huitihe
i.e.,Jersey. 330 -4ifNEXES TO U.K. lIE5IORI.4L (NO.A 121)
jour deSeptembre et insinuéeau Registre Public de cette Ile *d'une part.
Et Vivian Ralph Richardson Ge!)&,fils Philip Norman, d'autre part-
Lequel Procureur dudit Nons! BarkIey Ross Vincent de sa libre volonté
Bailla et Vendit à fin d'héritage, pouret au nom de sondit Constituant
et pour ses hoirç,audit Viviaii Ralph RichardsonGep, pourlui et seshoirs,
une certaine maison que fit ériger ;MyCharles Hamon, filThomas avec
le terrain en devant, joignant par le Sud et par l'Est àla propriété des
hoirs de feu Edward Binet Renouf, Ecf. par le Nord à certain chemin ou
passage et faisant face parl'Ouest au Rocher àla Bête,-le tout tel qu'il
est avec tout et autant de droits comme en peut appartenir situésur la
Maîtresse Ile des Minquiers, dépendance de cette Ile l. h la charge
audit Preneur et Acquéreur et ses hoirs de se conformer i toutes les
clauses, conditions et restrictions auxquelles Iedit Bailleur et Vendeur
pouvait êtreassujetti pour et à cause de ladite propriété :i laquelle il
avait droit comme seul héritier de feu Mons; David Patteri * Vincent,
son père, lequel y avait droit par prise et acquêt héréditairedudit
Mf Charles Hamon par contrat datéde l'an mil neuf cent huit, le vingt-
huit Novembre :Ledit Bail et Vente héréditairefaitpour et en considéra-
tion de la somme de vingt-cinq livres Sterling pour une fois payer de
laquelle somme ledit Procureur, pour et au nom de sondit Constituant
setint content et satisfaitAu reste le tout franc et quitte de toutes rentes.
et redevances sauf les Droits Seigneuriaux. Possession du contenu des
prémissesprésentement et ensuit le tout à fin d'héritage. Partant s'obli-
gèrent lesdites parties pour elleset leurshoirs, Bla fourniture et garantie
réciproquedu contenu du [sicprkmisses selon droit. Et Jurerèiit lesdites
parties&F
Contractfor SalebyG. F. F. Girard to D. P. Richardson, zznd August,
1936, of a House on Maîtresse Ile of the Minquiers Islets
[RegistrePtrblicdel'lle de Jersey, Livre429d, Folio16 j]
George LETTRE passéepardevant Philip de Carteret Le Cornu, Ecuiei-,Lieute-
Francis nant de Alexander MoncrieffCoutanche, Ecuier, Bailli de 1'Ilede Jersey,
Flowen présens,Philip Melmoth Baudains et Edwin Philip Le Masurier, Ecuiers,
Girard Jurés, datée l'anmil neuf cent trente-six,levingt-deuxième jourd'Août.
Et Comme :-MT George I:raricis Flowers Girard, fils ivilliarn James,
Denys Philip d'une part. Et Denys Philip Richardson Ecuier, filsPhilip Norman,
Ecr d'autre part. Lequel Mf GeorgeFrancis Flowers Girard de sa libre voloiit8
Vendit Afin d'héritagepour lui et ses hoirsaudit Denys Philip Richard-
son, Ec., pour lui et ses hoirs :-certaine maisonette à pêcheursavec
l'édificeen masure y attenant joignant par le Nord à la propriétédes
hoirs de feu Mi:Philippe Hamon, en partie par l'Est à la maisonette que
se reserve ledit Vendeur et bordant au surplusde ce dernier c8técertaine
ruelle, joignant en partie par l'Ouest iun petit jardin et au reste de ce
côtébordant le rivage de la mer,et bordant par le Sud certain passage
1 Le.. Jersey.
* Spelled "Patton"above.(à l'autre cBtéduquel se trouve la maisonette appartenant à Richard
John Bruce Bolitho Ecf) ;le tout avec autant de droits, appartenances
et dépendances comme en peuvent appartenir situé sur la Maîtresse Ile
des Minquiers, dépendance de cette Ile '; A laquelle propriété ledit
Vendeur avait droit par prise et acquét héréditaire,par contrat en date
de l'an mil neuf cent trente, le douzièmejour d'Avril deMF Elie Charles
Narie, lequel y avait droit par acquêt (par accord particulier) des
héritiers de feu MFGeorge Mourant, suivant quittance en date de l'an
mil neuf cent un, le quatrième jour de Septembre. Ladite Vente Iiérédi-
taire faite par le prix et somme de quarante livres sterli~ig, que ledit
Vendeur a reconnu avoir reçue, Possession de ladite proprikté présente-
ment et find'héritage. Partant s'obligérent lesditesparties pour elles
et leurs hoirs h la fourniture et garantie réciproque du contenu des
prémisses selon droit. Et Jurèrent lesdites parties, &a.
Contractfor Sale by F. Malletto States of Jersey, 11th December,1937,
of a RuinedBuilding and Site of a House on MaitresseIle of the
MinquiersIslets
[Registre PztbEide Lillede Jersey,Livre43zA1 Folio 1391
LI~TTRp Eassée pardevant Alexander aloncrieff Coutanche, Ecuier, M! François
Bailli de 1'Ile de Jersey, présens, Philip Ernest Brre et Ernest George Mallet
Labey Ecuiers Jurés, datée l'an mil neuf cent trente-sept, le onzihme ~t
jour de Décembre. Comme :->Ir François Mallet, fils Charles, d'une Le de
part. Et Charles Walter Duret Aubin EX, Procureur Généraldu Roi Ile
et Hedley Le Riche Edwards Ei, Greffierdes Etats de cette Ile, autorisés
pour et au nom du Public de cette Ile,etagissant tant en vertu de certain
Acte des Etats en date du vingt sept Octobre mil neuf cent trente-
sept, que de certain Acte du Comité desHavres et Chaussées en date du
onze Septembre milneuf centtrente-selit, d'autre part. LequeJlrFrançois
Nallet de sa libre volonté Vendit à fin d'héritage pour lui et ses hoirs
ausdits Charles \Valter Duret Aubin ET, Procureur Général du Roi et
Hedley Le Riche Edwards E-, Grefier des Etats, Autoriséç comme
dit est, pour etau nom du Public de cette Ile, et pour ses successeurs,
une certaine masure et le site d'une maison et géniralement tout et
autant de propriétécomme en peut appartenir audit Sieur Alallet à
la 3laitresse Ile des Minquierle toutbordant par le Nord Est ou environ
sur le chemin conduisant à la Charrihre à l'Ane, à ladite Ile des Min-
quiers, dépendance de cette Ile ',et situéesur le Fief de Sa iCIajestou
autre Fief avec tout et autant de droits, appartenances et dépendances
comme en peut appartenir. Alaquelle propriétéledit Vendeur avait droit
par acquêt (par accord particulier) de MI Charles de Ste Croix, lequel y
avait droit par donation de MTPhilippe Mourant soli beau-frère. Ladite
Veiite faitepar le prix et somme de Vingt livres Sterlin;laquelle somme
le Trésorierdes Etats, paiera en esmes, pour et au iiorn du Publid e
cette Ile, audit Vendeur toutes fois et quantes aprks la passation du
Le.,Jersey.332 ANNESES TO U.K. BIEMORIAL (N~~. A 123-124)
présent contrat. Au reste le tout franc et quitte de toutes rentes et
redevances sauf tels Droits Seigneuriaux qui pourraient par la suite
être réclamés. Possessionde ladite propriété présentement et ensuite
à fin d'héritage. Partant sJobIigérent lesdites parties savoir :-ledit
Vendeur pour lui et ses hoirs et lesdits Aiitorisés pour et au nom du
Public de cette Ile et ses successeurs à la fourniture et garantie réci-
proque du contenu des prémisses selon droit. Et Jurérent lesdites par-
ties&?!.
Act of States ofJersey, 27th October, 1937, authorizing Purchase of a
Ruined Building and Site of a Bouse on Maîtresse Ife of the Minquiers
Islets, for. building a Storehouse
[Actedes Etats de L'Ile(le .Jersey27 Octobre, 19371
Les ETATS, accueillant la recommandation contenue dans un Acte du
Comité des Havres et Chaussées, en date du II Septembre 1937, ont
autorisé ledit Comité L acquérir à fin d'héritage de MT Francis Mallet,
pour la somme de fzo Stg., et en outre le montant nécessaire pour
l'extinction des Droits Seigneuriaux, s'il y a lieu, une certaine masure
et le site d'une Maison et généralement tout et autant de propriété
comme il peut en appartenir audit Sieur Mallet à la Maîtresse IIe des
Minquiers, le tout bordant par le Nord Est, ou environ, sur Irchemin
conduisant a la Charrière à l'AneA ladite Iledes Minquiers, dépendance
de cette Ilel,et situé sur le Fief de Sa Majesté, ou autre Fief.Ledit
emplacement étant requis afin d'y construire un magasin pour y garder
des vivres pour l'usage des marins naufragés et des pêcheurs qui pour-
raient s'ytrouver sans comestibles par mauvais temps, et aussi afin d'y
emmagasiner les matériaux nécessaires pour l'usage dudit Comité afin
de maintenir et entretenir les baIises et bouees établies età établiraux
Minquiers et dans les environs.
Et les Etats ont autorisé Messieurs le Procureur Généraldu Roi,
l'Avocat Généraldu Roi et le Greffier des Etats, ou deux d'entre eux,
àpasser comme Autorisés du Public de cette Ile lle Contrat A inter\-enir
dans l'espèce avec ledit Sieur hfallet.
Affidavitof H. F. Ereaut, Treasurer of the States of Jersey, 4th May,
1951, regarding Payments made for Construction of a Slipway and
Maintenance of Buoys, Beacons and Signals, at the Minquiers Islets
1, Herbert Frank Ereaut, Treasurer of the States of the Islanci of
Jersey, make oath and sap as follows :-
The Books of the Treasury stiew :-
ILe.,Jersey. ASNEXES TO U.K. MENORIAI. (si,A 125) 333
(a) that the sum of .C15,6 6as spent by the States of Jersey during
the period 1920-195 0n work at the Minquiers, narnely, the construc-
tion of a slipway, the erection of a building and the establishment of
buoys and beacons ; and
(b)that the sum ofSrSz,gg3, was spent by the States of Jersey during
the said period 1920-195 on the maintenance of buoys, beacons and
signals established for the purposes of navigation aroiind the coasts
of the Island, ofwhich, in mp opinion, on a conser\~ative estimatenot
less than ten per cent of that surn, that is to Say, not less than ~~S,zgg,.
was applied on the maintenance of buoys and beacons at the Minquiers.
AUof which 1declare tobe true tothe best ofiny knourledge, informa-
tion and belief.
[SigrieclHERBERT F EKEAUT
Swor~iby the above-named .
Herbert Frank Ereaut, in
the Island of Jersey,thir /
4t.t)day ofMay in
the year one thousand nine
hundred and fifty-one, before 1
me
[Sigiied]H1:ur.r:~G. Lucr:
Notary l'ublic
Jt:rsey
ANNES A 12j
Act of Jersey Cornmitteeof Piers and Harbours,26th April, 1890 ,elating
to the Erection ofa Flagstaff and Hoisting of the Jersey Flag on Maître
Ile of the Minquiers Islets
[Actesdu Cornitedes Havres et Cha?cssée s, Avril, ~Sgo]
Référant àl'Acte du Cornit6 di20 Juillet,1889 ,u sujet de la répara-
tion de la "Charrière" conduisant au mât dont le Comitéavait ordonné
l'érection sur le hlaître Ile des Minquiers .
Et le Comitéayant pris en considératiori une lettre de Alons'PhilipprSgo.-
Jacques Gibaut, (Députi:dans les Etats pour la paroisse de Grouville), Avril 26..
adresséele TI Avril,1890 ,u Comitéde laDéfensede l'lie, et référépar
ledit Comitéau Comité des Navres et Chaussées, d'après laquelle lettre
ilparait que les pêcheurs desenvirons de La Rocque, qui fdquentent Décisions
les Minquiers, se plaignent depuis longtemps que des pêcheurs franqais sujetdes
se permettent d'exercer leur métier dans le voisinage desdites Ileç, et''inquiers.-
au préjudice des pêcheursJersiais ;
Le Comitéa décidéde rappeler au hlaître de Port de Sc Hélier, qu'il
lui fut donnédes instructions, l'annéederiiière, de faire placemâtnsur
le Maître Iledes Minquiers, avec l'intentioii d'y faire hisser le drapeau
Jersiais ;
Et est ledit Maître de Port c1i:~rgde prendre les mesures nécessaires
pour la mise à exécution, sans autre delni,des décisions antérieures du
Comitéà cet égard.- 334 'ANNEXES TO U.K. MEMORIAL (N~, A 126-127)
ANNEX A 126
Act of the Jersey Committee of Piers and Harbours,25th May,1907,
authorizing Expenditure uponthe Construction ofa Slipwayon Maitresse
Ile of the Minquiers Islets
[Acte decComitédes Havres d Chnirssées ,5 Mai, 19071
L'Ingénieur des Etats ayant présentéail Comité, eil exécution de
son acte y relatif dI j,Avrildernier, un plan, avec estimation, relative-
jetée ment à la construction d'une petite jetée d'atterrage h la Cliarrièreà
d'atterra& lJAne endroit où l'on aborde la Maîtresse Ile des Minquiers et pour
au* l'élargissement de cette Charriéreen carrialit le rocher et en y plaçant
'ilinquiers du béton afin d'en rendre l'accès plus facile et moins dangereux qu'il
ne l'est actuellementlecoût de la construction de la jetéeétant estiméà
Deux cent quarante livres Sterling et de l'élargissementde la Charriére
à Cinquante livres Sterling (Ijo),-leComité,aprésexamen dudit plan,
l'a approuvé le Greffier étant chargéde le mercher-et a décidéde faire
exécuter l'ouvrage indiquésur ledit plan comme devant étreeffectué à
la partie supérieure de ladite Charrière,à un coût de Cinquaiite livres
Sterling(f50)
ANNEX A 127
Visit ofJersey Committee of Piers and Harbours, 27th June, 1933, to
Maîtresse Ile of the Minquiers Islets, and their Instructionfor certain
Works to be Undertaken there
[Acte du ConaitéES HLZVY~ eSChaussées, 27 Juin, 19331
Juin 27. L'Anmil neuf cent trente-trois, le vingt-septième jour de Juin.
Présents: Guy Fortescue BurrelI de Gruchy Ecr., Juré, I'résident.
Francis Albert Edward Voisin Ecr., Juré.
Le RévdJohn Pepin, Recteur de St. Ouen.
Le RévdJohn Arthur Balleine, ,, deSt.13relade.
Monsr. John Tliomas Ferguson, Connétablede St. Hélier.
Leslie Thomas Anthoine Ecr., ,, de St. Sauveur.
Monsr. Walter Benest, ,, de St. Brelade.
Monsr. John Herbert Orange, Député de St. Brelade.
Monsr. William Smythe Le blasurier, Déyutri:de St. Hélier.
Thomas Richard Blampied Gent,, Député deSt. Clément.
Présents aussi: Son Excellence le Major GénéralEdwrd Henry
WiUis, C.B., C.&f[.G.,) Lieutenant Gou\.erneur.
Charles Edward Malet de Carteret Ecr., Bailli.
Philip de Carteret Le Cornu Ecr,, Juré, Président
du CornitCdes TravauxYiiblicç.
Philip Ernest Brée Ecr., Juré, Membre du Comité
des Finances. Alexander PiIoncrieff Coutanche Ecr., Yrociireur
Généraldu Roi.
Monsr. Francis George Allix, hIaitriede Port.
Francis IdeSueur Ecr., Ingénieur Assistant des Etats.
Le Comité s'est rendu à la Rlaîtresse Ile des Mincluierç,au bord du
vapeur "Duke of Normandy", et ayant fait l'inspection du lieu d'atter- Minquiers.
rag- a chargél'Ingénieur des Etats :-
xo de continuer le mur ou jetéed'atterrage existant, àsa partie infërieureTravaux
sur une longueur d'environ cent cinquante pieds à un coût estimé d'améliora-
par l'Ingénieur-Assistant des Etats, à ce présent, à une somme tion &
approximative de Quatre cents livres Sterling (2400) et ce dans le ~~",","?~rS,aux
but d'améliorer les Irioyens d'atterrage des pécheurs à cet endroit.
2: de placer une inaniyelle ("winch") munie de la longueur nécessaire
de fil métallique sur la chaussée au haut dudit lieu d'atterrage afin
de faciliter le halage des bateaux de pêcheen lieu sûr ;et
30 de faire construire des latrines pour l'usage des pêcheurset autres
personnes séjournant sur la Maitresse Ile derrière le roclier connu
çouçle nom de "Pi1 :LU Planche".
Le Maître de Port est chargéde se procurer un baromètre conveniible, Inçtaiiation
avec thermomètre, et de lefaire installeràun lieu convenable et en vue, d'un
à la Maîtresse Ile des Minquiers, pour l'utilité des pêcheurset autres baromêtre
personnes fréquentant ladite Ile. Minquiers.
Recordsof Official Visits by Officersof the Islandof Jersey to the
MinquiersIdets, 1888-rg46
1,Francis de Lisle Bois, Greffierof the States of the Island of Jersey,
hereby certify that Official Visits made to the Minquiers on the dates
hereinafter çpecifiedare mentioned in the officia1records ofthe huthorities
concerned :-
By theAssémbly O/ Goverttor,Urriiiffand Jurats :
'908, 16th July.
- --
By the Piers and Harboz~rsCo~nmittee:
2888, 4th August.
18gj. 4th September.
1.903,11th June.
1906, 10th Ayril.
1907 ,5th Aprif.
~goS, 3rd February.
1909 2,0th April.
xgro, rrth April.
l Otherofficiavisithave taken place, wiuch are not recorded, as, for example,'
that of the LieutenantGovernor, Bailiff and Jurats on t4th Septembcr, 1895.
Sec Annex C rS. 1913 ,znd March.
1914 , 3th April.
1927, jth September.
1933, 27th June.
1937, 7th -4~gll~t.
1939 , nd August.
1945, 19th July.
1946, 3rd April.
By tlteFi?zujiceCommittec:
1937, 12th Augiist.
[Signed] 1:. DE L 1301s
Greffier of the States.
ANNES A 129
Record of Minutes of Visit by Jersey Piers and Harbours Cornmittee
to MaîtreIle of the Minquiers Islets, 9th August, 1888, giving Evidence
of Buildings there
[Acttrdn ,Corittlédes Fimires et Chulissées,9Autilt,I~SS]
Aoiit9. L'An mil huit cent quatre-vingt-huit, le neuvième jour d'AoUt.-
l'réserits, Peter Briard, Ec:, Juré, Président,
C.A. de Quette~ille, Ecr.,Jurk,
Rév: D. M. Lemprière, Kecteui- de SI.,Clément,
RévtEdouard Luce, ,, ,, 5:; Marie,
Mons;, Tho>, W!!1 Messervy, Députéde St Martin,
Mons:,John Collas, ,, ,, S!: Marie,
Present[sic] aussi, Philippe Baudairis, Ec!;, Stipulant Avocat Général
de la Reine.-
Le Comités'est réuni sur le Maître Ile des Minquiers en conséquence
de la Correspondance transniise par Son Excellence le Lieutenant-
Gouverneur, à laquelle il est réfërédans un acte du Comité en date du
Aoiitsg. 7 JuilletISSS ;de laquelle Correspondance la teneur suit :
Goveriirnent Wouçe. Jersey
30th June 1888.
Sir,
1 beg to transmit to you, herewith, a letter from the Hydrographer to the
Adiniralty,with its enclosure (to be returned), stathat, thesailing directions
for the Channel Islands being under revision, he wishes to obtain certain infor-
mation concerning the Alaitresse $le. ancl 1 shall be obliged by your cathisg
to be furnishedto me.
Inspection 1have tlie liorSir,eo
des - your ohzclient servant.
Minquiers
(Sil)C. B. EWAKT
Major Général [sic]
Lieut. Governor. .&SSEXlSS TO U.K. MEJIORIAI. (SCP. ;\ 129)
Sir George C. Bertram
Bailiff
jersey.
W ydrograpl~ic Depiirtment
Admiralty, S.W.
28 June 1888.
Sir,
The Sailing Directions for the Cliannel Islands being now under revision, 1
should be much obliged if you would inform me wliether the Maîtresse lieis
correctly described in the enclosed sheet from the sailing Directions, and. if not.
cause the necessary arlditions or corrections to be forwarded to this Departrne~it.
1have the honour to be His
Sir Excellency
your obedient servant The
(Signed), W. J. L. WHARTOS. Governor
Hydrographer. Jersey.
Alaitrcsse ile, is situatenear the South East sidc of the elevated or Middle 1888
part nf the reef beiore referrcd to. It isthe largest islct of the group, althougli .hof9.
barely a cable long and half a cable vide; it is also the highest although elevabd
only 25 feet above high water. There is a little soi1 on this islet and some faint
traces of vegetation, but like hlaitrc île of Ecrehos it is quite destitutof fuel
or substance of any kind, neither is there any fresh irater, excepting what the
railn1869 there were ii7small houses or liuts on the islct, built of stone, belonging
to the natives of La Rocque point (Jersey), who arc ernployed during the summer
seasnn (S months of the year) fishing al1 over the Minquiers rcef.
Tliere are usually 20 to 25 boats engaged in the fishing. each boat containing
2 men ;the boats lie on the South-Eastside of the islet. whcre they rcceive partial
shelter froni the surrounding rocks.
Vast numbers of.lobsters are cauyht Iiere, and sent to the London market:
there are besides congers and a variety of other hsh. al1 of which hncla.ready
market at Jersey.
Le Comité a coiistaté l'existence sur le Maître Ilede dix-neuf maiso~is,
dont une est sans toiture et non habitée';les dis-huit autres sont habitées
par des pêcheursJersiais, sauf une qui a été louéepour quelque mois à
deus Français qui sont employSs par leur Gouvernement A faire des
ob~cr\~ationssur les iiiaréeset courants dans les enï7irons.-
Le Comitéa également constaté qu'on avait carrié une quantité assez
considérable de pierre dans la partie Ouest du hlaître Ile, et d'après des
informations prises sur les lieux (informations que le Comité a tout lieu
de croire exactes), il paraitrait qu'au commencement de ce siècle, le
Gouvernement Anglais aurait carrié cette pierre, qui fut employée à 1s
construction du Fort Régent à S' Hélier; et que, sur les représentations
des pécheurs Jersiais, surtout grâces A l'active intervention d'un nomnié
Wamon, le délégukdes pêcheurs,le Gouvernement Anglais,reconiiaissant
que l'enlèvement (le pierres dans cet endroit aurait eu pur effet d'espo-
ser l'ancrage au Sud-Est de I'Ile, ainsi que les cabanes de pêcheurs érigées
oir iiériger, fit droit à la requête des pêcheurs et cessa le carriage.-
Les maisons sont en deux rangées. et les persorines suivantes en
réclament la propriété:
Mess:? 'l'l-iomasGallichan
Philippe Gallichan
Elias Gallichan
EIias Gallichan Jun: ANNEXES TO U.K. MEMORIAL (NO. A 130)
338
Philippe hfourant
Charles Le Riche
Elie Bisson
Jean Vicq
Charles Le Vesconte
John Marie
Charles Hamon
Philippe Labey
ClémentGallichan
George Mourant
Jean Journeaux
ClémentWamon fils Philippe
Charles Filleul
James Cornish
James et Edouard Filleul
11 y a de seizeà dis-huit bateaux employés a la péche,ilssont montés
par environ Trente h Treiite cinq hommes, tous jersiais ; cette péche
produit, d'aprèsles chiffrequi nous ont été fournis et que nous croyons
exacts, environ Sis cent cinquante livres Sterlingenhomards seulement
dans les mois de Mai, Juin, Juillet et Août, sans y comprendre la pêche
rS88 Minquiers, il y a environ soixante années plusieurs pêcheursFrançaiss
iloii9.
se rendirent aux Mincluiers pour faire coIicurrence aux Jersiais, maisà
la suite d'explications assez vives, lFrançais abandonnérent leterrain
et n'y oiit pius reparu.-
Au surplus, les "Sailing Directions for the Channel Islands" touchant
le Maître Ile, qui ontététransmises au Comité,sont correctes.-
Act of the Jersey Harbours and Airport Committee, 3rd April, 1946,
recording a Visit of the Lieutenant Governor and Committee to hoist
the Flag on Maître Jle of the hlinquiers Islets
[Ad ofthe Harliauvsand Air;hoe Committee, 3rdApril, 1946)
1946. April 3.
Preseiit: Philip NicolleGaUichan,Esg. Jurst, Yresident.
Nclrille Godfray Hind, Esq., Jurat.
John du Val, Constable of St, Peter.
Francis Le Boutillier Esq., Constableof Si. Ouen.
\Vilfred Harold Krichefski, Esq., Deputy of St. Helier.
Also Present : W.E. Lt. General Sir A.E. Grassett, K.B.E., C.B.,D.S.O.
Lieut. Governor.
SirAlesander RloncrieffCoutanchc, Kt. Bailiff.
Lt. Col. A. B. Rodgers, Officer Commanding 'hops.
Vice Admira1 E. de TS. Kenouf. ANKEXES TO U.K. MEJIORIAL o. -4 131) 339
The Cornmittee proceeded to the Minquiers in the Tug, and after
landing, hoisted the flag on the Maître Ile, in the presence H.E. the
Lieutenant Governor and the other distinguished visitors.
It was noted tliat three Frenchmen were on the Island, their names
'being Jean Tej~enin, Gustave Le Boutiilier and Eugène Grandin, these
Frenchmen stated that they had just larided on theIslandfrom Chausey
and were fisherinen.
ANNEX A 131
Affidavitof C. W. Duret Aubh, 12th Octaber, 1951 ,ecordingtheCere-
monial Hoisting of the Union Jack on Maîtresse Ile of the Minquiers,
Islets on28th May, 1945
1,Charles Walter Duret Aubiri, Commander of the Order of the British
Empire, of "Relfontaine", T-aRocque, in the parislof Grouville inthe
Idand of Jersey, make oatli and Say ;rfollows :-
r. 1was, from the 14th .4pril1936, to the 4th June,.zg48, His Majesty's
Attorney GeneraI for the Island of Jersey.
2. On the 28th May, 1945, in the course ofmy officia1duties,1accorn-
panied Brigadier Alfred Ernest Snow, O.B.E., Commander of the 1-orces
of His Majesty which liberated the Island on the 9th May, 1945,
Mr. (now Sir) Alexander MoncrieffCoutaiiche, Bailiff of Jersey, andother
officiais oa visit to the Maîtresse Ile of the Minquiers Ree?, to which
we were carried in two shipsof the Royal Navy.
3. I was present when, with full honours, rendered by a party of the
Royal Marines, Brigadier Snow, as the representative of His Majesty,
caused the Union Flag to be hoisted on the flagstaff on tlie said Mai-
tresse Ile.
4. Tidentify the photograph attached hereto and marked "A" as one
taken on the occasion referred to in paragraph three hereof. It was taken
with a carnera belonging to me by a member of the visiting party and
the three persons standing at the foot of the flagstafi are (from left to
right)Brigadier Snow, the Uailiff of Jersey and myself.
Al1of which is true to the best of my knowledge, information and belief.
[Signed]C. W. DURET AUKIN.
SWORK by tlie witliin-nairied
Charles Walter Duret Aubin
ai St. Helier, in tlie Island
of Jersey, this 12th day of
October, Igjr, beforeme- ,
HEDI.I.:YG. LUCE
Notary Public,
Jersey.
See Annex C q.34O ANNEXES TO U.K. MEMORIAL NO^ A. 132-133)
ANNEX -4 132
Affidavit of N. V. L. Rybot, 10th May, 1951, concerning Initials cut
by former Jersey Quarrymen on Maîtresse Zleof the Minquiers Islets
1, Norman Victor Lacey Rybot, of iiranvick House, First Tower, in
the Island ofJersey, make oath and Say asfollows :-
. I. Iam a FeHow ofthe Society of Antiquaries of London, and Vice-
President of the Société Jersiaise.
2. On the 7th July,1928, whileengaged in archeological[sic] researches
at the Minquiers, 1 noted and sketched two sets of initials cut in the
rock. The attached photograph marked NVLR is a photographic repro-
duction of the sketch 1 made on that occasion.
Al1of which 1declare to be tme to the best of my knowledge, informa-
tionand belief. -
[Signed] N. V. L. RYBOT
Sworn by the above-named
Xorman Victor Lacey Rybot
inthe Island of Jersey
this10th day of May
inthe year one thousand
nine hundred and fifty-one,
beforeme,
[Signed] HEDLEY G. LUCE
Botary Public ,
Jersey
Two Passes,issued bythe LieutenantGovernorofJersey, 25thFebruary,
1822, for the Transportof Workmen to MaitresseIle of the Minquiers
Mets
Copies
[Foreigrt Ofice Pupers, 27/3654]
.
Permission is herehy granted to MT John Norman, Master of the
"Charles" Cutter, with a crew of fourmen, to pass to and from theMaître
Ile to this Island, he being ernployedon 1-IisMajesty's Service.
This cutter willoccasionally convey workmen to the RlaitrcIle.
Given at Government House
Island of Jersey
this25- February 1812.
(signed) -ORGE DON
Lieu tGenerai.
SeeAnnex C iy.
Sow commonly called hlaîtressIee ANNEXES TO U.K. ~IEYORIAI, (h'o:A 134) 34I
Permission is hereby granted to Mr John Beauquand to employa party
of 30 men .on the Maître Ile, in quarrying stone for His Majesty's Scrv-
ice- Given at Goveniment House,
Island of Jersey
this 25- February ISIZ
(signed) GEORGEDON
Lieu t General
ANNEX A 134
Act ofJersey Cornmitteeof PiersandHarbours,13thJune, 1903, report-
ing on Buildings and their Owners,on MaîtresseIle of the Minquiers
Islets
[Actedzr Comité des Havreset Charusées13 Jzrin, 1931
I,e Comité Subdélégué nommé le II courant lors de la visite faiteliapport du
par le Comité aux Iles des Minquiers, ayant aujourd'hui présentéau Subdélégué vr
Comitéle Rapport suivant, le Comité l'aadopté : Ilesdes
Le Comitéa constaté l'existence sur le Maître Ile des Minquiers d'en- Alinquiers.
viron dix-huit maisons, dont la plupart sont bâties en pierre, et sont
habitbes par des pêcheurs Jersiaiset une est en ruine.
Les maisons sont en deux rangéeset Ie Comité a étbinformé que les
personnes dont suivent les noms en réclament la propriété, savoir :-
mess.^ Thomas Gallichan John Marie
Philippe Gallichan CharIes Hamon
Elias GaIlichan Philippe Labey
Elias Gallichan Jun: ClémentGalIichaii
Philippe Mourant George Mourant
Ernest Morrison George Marie
Elie Bisson ClémentHamon, fils Philippe
Jean Vicq Charles Filleul
Charles Le Vesconte James Cornish
James et Edouard filleul.
LeComité a cru qu'ilestutile de constaterquepar contrat passédev:iiit
Justice le 30 Mai 1596, ML CharIes Le Riche, fils Philippe, Bailla et
Vendit à fin d'héritagea Mons: Ernest Morrison, filsGeorge, (Icproprié-
taire rictiicll'édificou maison qui lui appartenait connu çous le nom
de iPolka* l,avec le petit bel ou terrain en devant, situé entre les
édificesou maisons appartenant respectivement, du côtéSud à. M: Elie
Bisson, et du côtéNord à Al;Philippe Mourant, lesdits édificesoumaisons
se trouvant au Sud de la Charrièreà 1'Anesur le Maître IIedes hlintluiers
dépendant de cette Ile a et du fief de Sa Majestéou autre fief. Juin r3.
II y a environ seize bateaux a Ia pêche lesquelssont montés par 'à
peu prèstrente-deux hommes, tous Jersiais.
Sec Annex A 118.
i.e.Jersey. ANNEXES TO U.K. B[EMORIAL (NO. A 135)
342
ANNEX A 135
Report by the Jersey Law Officers,10thJuly, 1929, to the Lieutenant
Govemor of Jersey, that M. Le Roux, a FrenchNational, was Building
on MaîtresseIle of the MinquiersIslets
[Foreign Ofice Registry, File No. 6799/6799/173
8 Royal Square,
Jersey.
July 10th1929.
Sir,
We have the honour to report to Your Excellency the foilowing facts
which inOur opinion constitute a Chalienge by a French subject to the ,
Sovereigm rights of His Majesty over the Minquiers Islets ; which, so
far as we are aware have always been considered to be a British posses-
sion and a dependency of this Bailiwick.
On Saturday JuIy6th Capt. C.M. Robin, Priiicipal Agent of the Impôt
and Mr. E. B. Renouf, Deputy in the States for the Parish of St. Helier,
aida visittothese Islets, landing on the MaîtressIlewhere the Finance
eommittee of the States of Jersey own and have for many years main-
tained a hut for the use of their Impôt officials.
The latter gentleman is still there, but Capt. Robinreturned the same
evening, and reported that a French subject, a Monsieur H. le Roux,
had landed men and materials on the MaîtresseIle, had occupied a certain
areaand was building himself a stone house, stating in reply to questions
that he had a perfect riglit to do so, as the said Island was French terri-
tory. On Tuesday July 9th another local boat visited that Island and
Deputy Renouf, who was still staying tht:re, took the opportunity to
forward to the Bailiff of Jersey a letter addressed to him by Alonsieur
Le Roux, which had been delivered at the Minquiers on July ?th, as
explained in the note at the foot thereof. From the copy attached hereto
it will be seen that Monsieur Le Roux distinctly claims to have occupied
a portion of the Maîtresse Ile by virtue of a lease granted him by the
French Government dated July 1st 1929 signed by the sous-prefêt de
I'arrondissemen t, theengineer of the maritime service, andtheDirecteur
des Domaines, three Government officials.
Assuming as we always have done, that these Islets are a British
possession and a dependency of Jersey, the above facts and the state-
ments contained in Monsr. Le Roux's letter, appear to us to constitute
a distinct Challenge of Wis Majesty's Sovereign rights thereover ;and
we therefore ask Your Excellency to be so good as to transmit this
report to the proper quarter.
When saying that we assume these Islets to be a British possessiwe
regret that we are not in possession of ailthe most recent officia1docu-
ments bearing upon this point, a point which we believe has been more
than once discussed between the two Governments concerneil, and which
was certainly under discussion about forty years ago. The latest docu-
ments we have hitherto been able to trace are:(1)an opinion furnished
by the Law Officers of the Crown to the Lieutenant Governor dated
Irth August 1888 which begn as follows : ANNEXES 10 U.K. MEMORIAL (SO. A 135)
"22 June. 1888.
Foreign Office Nemorandum.
12th June 1888.
Map
jth July 1888.
13th July 1888.
B.
51st Julp1888."
"Sir"
"WE: have the honour to return herewith a letter frorn the Honie
Office, with its enclosures, relating to the right of Soi.ereignty over
the Minquiers Islets."
"A letter from the Foreigm Office,and its enclosures, relating to
the French claims of Sovereignty over the Minquiers."
-. . "A further Memorandum from the Foreign Office on the siibject
of the Minquiers Islets, also a letter from the Home Officeenclosing
copies of Reports from the Admiralty and Foreign Office on qiies-
tions reIating to the Minquiers, and in compliance with Yoiir
Escellency's request we have the honour to report."
"77iat, after a very careful examination of ail the sourceof infonna-
tioii at our disposal, we are entirely of opinion that the MinquieIslets
are, andhave always been considered as being, British Territory, and a
dependency of Jersey, we have arrived at this conclusion on the folliiw-
ing grounds", etc. etc. etc."
We are not aware what the papers referred to are, mir have we in ortr'
possessionany document to show what, if any, decisionwas arrived at
between the two G'overnments at that date, but we art: wellaware that
ever since then Jersey has considered and treatcd the Minquiers as a
Rritish possessionand a dependency .
(2)Your Excellency has also permitted us to peruse a confidential copy
of a draft Memorandum for the French Ambassador, Foreign Office
hfarch 1905 ; 122443/1 2hich contains the tollo~vingphrase : "Tliey
would propose, therefore, as to the most satisfactory arrangement, that
the Islands should be recognised as British territory, and that British
siibjects alone shouId have the right of resorting to and residing upn'
them for the purposes of fishing and cuttingseaweed, but that the sur-
rounding waters should beopen to the fishermen of both countries, in so
fiiras they do not corne within the temtorial or fishing limits of some other
adjacent lineof coast ".
Again, we are unable to Say whether this despatch was sent, in this
forrn, or as appears possible from pencilled marginal notein anamentled
form, or whether if sent it was agreed to by the Frencli Governrnent.
For these reasonsand in order not to embarrass His 11Iajesty'sGovern-
ment by any rash action on our part we have not. thought fit to adopt
either of the courses suggested in lilonsieur Le Roux's letter, to send
him a written order to cease building or to send an official to ordehis
workmen away. A copy of ihat letter has been supplied to the I7rerich
See.%nnex A 69. Consul, who informs us that he has communicated with his Government
aswell as with the French Ambassador in London ; and we venture
ta hope that this action of his may result in the work stopping. But
Your Excellency is doubtless aware that this matter is causing great
commotion in the Island, and might possibly lead to unpleasant incidents
at the Minquiers itself. So that if the ConsuI'saction does not .produce
the hoped for result, we venture to submit that any instructions which
WisMajesty's Government may desire to send to Your Excellency,should
be forwarded with as little delay as possible.
We must also point out to Your Excellency that tliis rnatter may give
rise to important questions from a purely local point of view, administra-
tive and otherwise, and that the States of the Island may eventualiy
feel called upon to take action, But at presentwe report these facts to
Your ExceUencysolely from the point of vieivofthe Imperia1Sovereignty.
At the last moment the French Consul informs us tliat he proposes
to proceed to Paris on Friday morning, 12th Inst., to interview his
Government in the hope of adjuçting this matter, and that he expects
to be back by Monday the 15th.
ive have the honour to he,
Sir,
Your obedient Servants,
(Sgd.) C. E. RIALET DE CARTERET.
Attorney General.
A. M. COUTANCHE
Solicitor General.
His Excellency,
The Lieutenant Governor,
Jersey.
ANNEX A 136
LetterfromB. G.Falle,M.P. to theRt.Hon. HughDalton,M.P., Under-
Secretary for Foreign Affairs, 29th November, 1929, enclosing Photo-
graph of the FoundationWalls of a House on MaîtresseIle of the Min-
quiers Islets laid by M.Le Roux, a French National
[Foreig~tOgce Registry,FileNo. 7.1'7664/6799/17]
I-iouse of Commons 2rj.SI.29
W766416799117.
. Dear Dalton
1 enclose a Kodak 1 took of the principal Islet ,of the ;\linquiers
Group-70 to 80square miles of fishing ground.
The foundations, in the foreground, represent tlie house the french-
man[sic] tried to build.
l Sec Anncx C 20. ANKEXES TO U.K. MEYORIAL (NO. A 137) 345
The better house in the centre of 'picture' is the "Impot"[sic] or
Jersey Customs House.
Yours very truly
BERTICAM G FALLE
ANNEX A 137
Affidavit ofEdmondde Laquaine,Editor of Les Chvotaigrtede Jersey,
5th May, 1951, concerning the Canceiiationof a Lease granted to a-
French National, M. Le Roux, in 1929
.. 1,Edmond de Laquaine, of 5 St. Clements Koad in the Parish of
St.Helier in the Island ofJersey, hereby make oatand say as foilow:-
I. 1 have been editor of the Newspaper "Les Croniques de Jersey.".
which ispublished in this Island, from the year rgoz until the present day.
z. The followingisan extract from an article pubIished in "Les.Chroni-
ques de Jersey" of the 31st July, 1929,under tlie heading "L'Enignie
des Minquiers" :-
"Sous ce titre, nous lisons dans le 'Réve:l'
M.Leroux vient de recevoirb lettresuivantedu directeur de 1'Enre-
gisirement :
'hlonsieur,
Il résultede renseignements transmis par le rninisthre des Affairi:~
Etrangères, que la souverainetC des Iledes Minquiers, n'a pas cessé
d'êtrecontestéeentre la t'rance et l'Angleterre.
Dansces conditions, j'ai l'honneur de vous prier de considérer
comme suspendus leseffets du bail qui, par acte passédevant M. le
sous-préfetde Coutances le 3Juillet courant, vous a étéconsenti d'un
emplacement dans 1'IleMaîtresse de l'Archipeldont il s'agit.
irous voudrez bien, notamment, interrompre lesconstructions dont
voiis auriez commencé l'édification.
Veuillez égréer[sic],etc.,
Signé : ILLISIRLE."'
3. The "Réveil" referred to is the newspaper known as "Le Réveilde
Clierbourg" and the letter quoted was copied from that paper.
Al1of which 1declare to be true to the best of my knowledge, inforrna-
tion and belief.
[Signedj E I?ELAQUAINE
Sworiiby the above-named
Edmond de Laquaine in the
Island of Jersey thi5.1 1
day of May in tl!e year
one thousand nine hundred
and fifty-one, beforee
[Signed] HEDLEY G. LUCE,
Notary Public, Jerçey.
1See Annex C S. ANNEX A 136
Reproductionof a Water-Colourof Maître(Maitresse) Ile of the Min-
quiers Islets, about 1815, by Captain Martin White, shewing various
Buildings on the Islet
[Vieu)Volume, H.ydrografihiDepartment, Admiralty, Lori.don]
12faktreIsle[sic],Minquiers, /rom the Cove
Afhdavit of P. J. Le Clercq,F. Gallichanand E. Gallichan,Minquiers
Fishermen, 2nd May, 1951, relative to Jerseymen who,have fished the
Minquiers since about 1850
We, Yhilip John Le Clercq of Westcot, La Rocque, in the Island of
Jersey, Frank Gallichan ofz Beachside, La Rocque, aforesaid and Ernest
Gallichan of Glenhalren, La Rocque, aforesaid, hereby make oath and
Say asfollows :-
I. Our families have, for so long as we can remember, been entirely
dependent on' the Minquiers fisheries. We ourselves began to fish the
Minquiers with our fathers when we left school and have continued to
do so until recent yearsWe are al1between 60 and 65 years of age.
2. The fatherof myself, Philip John Le Clercq, started fisliing about
eighty yearsago. Fishing at the Minquiers was his sole occupation during
both winter and summer. He lived permanently at the Minquiers, except
during week-ends when he came to Jersey to obtain food and market
his catch, and excepl for a fortnight at Christmas timeHe aas drowned
returning from the Minquiers.
3. We, Frank and Ernest Gallichan, are brotliers. Our father, Tom, had
four brothers,ail of whom were Minquiers fishermen. Our grandfather,
Elias Gallichan, and our great-grandfather, alsoElias,as well as al1his
sons, were Minquiers fisherrnen by sole occupation. Three of our first
cousins were Minquiers fishermen until recent years.
.4. When we started fishing with our fathers, about forty-five tofifty
years ago, there were between thirty and farty men fishing the Min-
quiers as their sole occupation. The men iised to work inairs, two men
in each boat.
5. We can remember that some of their boats were callecl "Baron",
"Pelican", "Loyal", "GloryJ', "Fear Not", "Camelia", "London",
"Circassien", "Dauntless", of La Rocque, "Dauntless" of Le Hocq,
"Willing", "Lily", "Carrier", "Obey", "Try Me", "\'5relcome", "Love"
and "First". ANNEXES TO U.K. >IE&IORIBI, (~ii.A 139) 347
6. Some of the Minquiers fishermen we can remember were Ji~nCorriisIi,
the Risson brothers, Mr. Buesnel, MT. Le Vesconte, Tom Venement,
Tom Watton, the two Mallet brothers, Mr. Marie and five sons (two of
them were drowned at the Minquiers), Philip Labey and Tom Labey,
George Mourant and his two sons, George and Sydney (Sydney was
drowned at the same time as Rlr, Le Clercq), Charlie Le Riche, who
used to live there permanently in the same way as the late Mr. Le
Clerccl, Tommy Hamon, Frank Pirouet, Charlie Hamon and his brothcr
and nephew from Le Hocq (authe other fishermen being from La Rocque)
Bienaimé Boulanger, Mr. Filleul, who died at the Minquiers, and Charlie
de Sie. Croix.
Some of these men we can only just remember. 1701-example, Jirn
Cornish, the Bisson brothersand Tom Venement died almost fifty years
ago and were very old men when they died. It seems certain that they
must have been fishing at the Minquiers well overonehundred years ago.
7. From what we have been told by Ourfathers andthe other fishermen,
there were 110 houses on the Minquiers in the early days. Most of the
fishermen used to sleep in their boats. Some used to deep on the Maîtresse
Ile and erect temporary shelters for the purpose. We understand .that
the Bisson brothers were the first to build and they built what was
known as 'the hospital'. Many others built later.
S. ,4t al1times the whole of the Minquiers reef wafished,fro~nthe west
buoy to the east buoy.
9. In our time, lobster has always bee~ithe main catch.One boat would
catch on an average sixteen dozen lobsters a week. In the early days,
English firms used to buy the fish every Monday at La Rocque. The
names of some of these fims were Wimble, Grant and May, Swanger
and Joel. Conger and prawns were caught in quantity. The Minquiers
reef undoubtedly offers the best fishing in the waters surrounding Jersey.
IO. We have never been told by our fathers orany of the previous fisher-
men that theyhad been troubIed by interference from the French.
\I"e ourselves had never seen any serious fishing by the French at the
Minquiers until approximately the year 1930. Before that time the only
1;rench bats we were accustomed to see were two-rnasted "bisquines"
which were concerned with Iine fishing in deep water. These useil to
pass the Minquiers travelling between France and the Korth-west.
In those days the gun-boats "Dasher", "Mistletoe", "Raven", and
"Albacore" were stationed at Gorey and were regularly patrolling the
Island waters including the Minquiers. These boats kept the Union
Jack flying on theMinquiers.
In our view, French interference at the Minquieçr began with the
introduction of motor engines irito French fishing boats. As stated above
this serious interference began aboutI930.
II. In 1930, the following Jerseymen were whole-time Minquiers fisher-
men :-
Clem Gallichan, working witti his son, Arthur, Jack Le Clercq and his
son, Philip Gallichan and his son, Winter, PhilipLe Clercq and Ernest
Gallichan, 11-ommyHamon and Reg. Gallichan, Tom Gallichan, Senr.,
Tom and Frank Gallichan. Practicaliy all of these men continued to
fish the Minquiers until the \Var.
12. Dunng the war the German authoritieç prohibited Minquiers fishing
by Jerseymen, but during the latter part of that period it w;is possible 348 A?:NEXES TO U.K. hIEJIORIAL (NO. A 140)
for French fishermen to do soand it was particularly during this period
that intensive French fishidg de\-eloped. -
13. During the first year after the Occupation we, Frank and Ernest
Gallichan, started to fish the Minquiers again but there was so mucli
French fishing-about fourteen French boats, some with a big crew-
that wecould not make it pay. Wherever we placed a lobster pot a French
pot was placed too. We had to give up this occupation and take jobs
on shore.
14. In 1948,George Hairon, who used to fis11the Minquiers up to about
!gz5, started again but found that, like the Callichans,he Iiad togive
it up because of French interference. He made another attempt in 1949
witli the same result.
15. We would undoubtedly fishthe Minquiers again, and webelieve tliat
others would do so, if there were no Frencli interference. It is a great
sorrow to us not to be abIe to fishthe islanas we and our fathers have
always done. At thepresent time,however, it isimpossible fous to do 50.
Gear is sa expensive that unless the catch iç good thejob cannot pay,
and the catch cannot be good for so long as this interference by the
French continues.
Al1of which we declare to be true to the best of our knowledge, infor-
mation and belief.
[Çigned] P. J. LE. CLERCQ
1;.GALLICHAN
E. GALLKHAN
Sworn by the above-named
Philip John Le Clercq, Frank
Gaiiichnn and Ernest Gallichan }
in the Island of Jersey this
2- day of May in the
and fifty-one, before meundred I
[Signed] HEDLEY G, LUCE
Notary Public
Jersey
Act of the StatesofJersey,23rdFebruary,1872, authorizinganApproacb
to the Home Secretary,foilowing a Petition by Jersey Fishermen, com-
plaining of French Interference with their .Fishing.at the Minquiers
Islets
[ActedesEtatsde l'i leJersey, 23 Février,18721
Paraissant que les pêcheurs desParoisses de Grouvifleet de S. CLement
Pêcheurs. qui se rendent chaqueannée aux "Minquiers", pour selivreràla péchedes
homards ont étédepuis plusieurs années victimes des déprédations des
bateaux pêcheursfrançais,qui'la nuit leur enlEvent lcurs agrède pèche ANNEXES TO U.K. hlEMORIAL (NU. A 140) 349
"lobster Pots" ; Que malgré Ies plaintes adressées talit au Gouverne-
ment de Sa Majesté,qu'au Capitaine de Garde Pêchede Gorey, ils n'ont
pu obteniraucune satisfactionde leurs grief;Qu'a laveillede renouvelle-Enlévernent
ment de pêche,il esturgent que des mesures soient prises pour la protecd'agrésde
tion desdits pêcheurs,dont un grand nombre vivent du produit de cette pêche.
industrie.-
Les Etats ont chargé leur Président d'écrireau Secrétaire d'Etat Président
sur le sujet, dans le plus bref délai afin que Ie'Gouvernement de Sa chargé
Majesté prenne des mesures pour faire cesser cet état de chases.- CBARTS : ANNEXES B I TO B 9'
B I : British Adniiralty Chart No.2669, shewing the General Position
of the Channel Islands, and ofthe Ecréhous and the Minquiers'
Groups of Islets.
B 2: British Admiralty Chart 30. 3367, shewing Rocks '\vhich are
above water in the Ecréhous Group of Islets.
B 3: British Admiralty Chart No. 2100, shewing Rocks which are
above water in the Minquiers Group of TsleS.
B 4 : Chart attached to the Extract of the Letter from the French
hlinistry of Marine, 14th Septernber,1819, tracing the proposed
Limits of English and French Fisheries in the Area of the Channel
Isles and Adjacent French Coasts.
B 5 : Second Chart attached to the Extract of the Letter from the
French Ministry of Narine, 14th September, 1819, tracing the
proposed Limits of English and French Fishenes in the Area
of the Channel Islands and Adjacent French Coasts.
B 6 : British Adrniralty Chari, on which is plotted the LirofEnglish
and French Fiçhenes agreed on in the Draft Convention of
9th September, 1824,
H 7: Chart accornpanying tlie fislieryConvention of 2nd August,
1839, between the United Kingdom and France.
B S :Chart accornpanying the Fishery Convention of 11th Novernber,
1867, between the United Kingdom and France.
B 9 : Chart ofthe lai tresIsle of the Minquiers, drawn by Captain
Martin White, R.N., and shewing the True North Line through
the Isle, emhellisliedwith a Union Jack.
l These chartare not reproduced. ANNEXESC I TO C 20
of the Mernorial subrnitted by the Govemment ofthe United Kingdom of
Great Britainand Northem Ireland l
TABLE OF ASSEXES
C I : General View of Marmotiére (Centre) with Buildings and Flag-
staff ; to the Rightis Maître Ile,on which is seen Lord Trent's
House.
C 2 : Ruins of the Ancient Priory on Maître Ileat the EcrGhoiis.
C 3: Custorn HO& owned by the States of Jersey on Marmotiére
at the Ecréhous.
C 4 : SIipway builtby the States of Jersey on Mnrmotiére at tfie
Ecréhous.
C 5 : Flagstaff erected by the States of Jersey ori Marmotiére at
the Ecréhous witli granite hilts, owned by Jersey Authoritieç
and Residents.
C 6 : Two-storied House at Blanc Ile,owned by Major R. J. B. Eolitho,
a je-se!, Resident. with onofthe Ruined Huts (Philippe Pinel's)
on the right.
C 7 :Slipway built by the States of Jersey on Alaitresse Ile oftttc
Minquiers with buildings owned hy Jersey Authonties iirid
Kesidents in the background.
C 8 : Custorn House owned by the States of- Jersey and a Hoiisc
for tlieEailiffof Jerseyon Maîtresse Ile of the Minquiers.
C g : Flagstaff erected on Maîtresse Iof the Minqtiiershy the States ,
of Jersey.
C IO :Huts on Maîtresse Ile of the Minquiers, erected and owned
by Jersey Residents.
C II :Detail of an old "stone hut" of Philippe Pinel on Blanc Ile
of the Ecréhous, bearing the date 1820.
C 12: Buildings on Marmotiére at the Ecréhous, one of which tias
a Granite Lintel, inscribed ''1882ST MARTIN . .JERSEY."
C 13 : Visit of the Governor, Bailiff and Jurats of the States of Jersey
to the Ecréhous on pst July, 1893.
C 14 : Photograph mentioned in the Affidavit oJ. T. Becquet, shewiiig
Jersey Fishermen, who have fished the Ecréhous since aroiirid
1840.
C 15 : Hut erected by MT. S.Le Jfasurier, a Jersey Resident, oii the
foiindations laid down by hf. Le Rous.
C 16 : Steelj Beacon erected bp the States of Jersey at the Biaisoiis
in 1937..
'These anriesesare not reproduced.C 17 :Steel Beacon erected by the States of Jersey at the Pipettes
in 1937.
C 18 :Visit of the Governor, Bailiff and Jurats of the States of Jersey
to the Minquiers on 4th September, 1895.
C 19 :Initialçcut in stone on the Maîtresse Tle of the inq quier sy
Jersey Quarrymen In 1792and 1813.
C 20 :The Foundations of a Hut on Maîtresse Ile of the Minquiers,
laid down and abandoned by M. I,e Roux, a French National,
in 1929.
I herebycevtifythatthe photogra#hs containedin thisvolume are correcffy
described 21ythe titks theveto.
(Signed) F. DE L. BOIS,
. Gre@er of theStates.
Memorial submitted by the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland