The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-07-13
MTELLIGENsE 81 rae MAILS,
Our Washington Correspondence.


prenty-Eap@ts and Imports to and from the
BritiSh North american Coicxies-tMr Mvrin's
Mason, &c. &c.
The subject of Canadian annexation and Cana
dian reel procity occupies at Tins time much attcn-
ton. We alluded, few days SINCE TO the cond-
ton of those provinces, and stated our rea.s IS for
believing that the annexation feeling there, though
apparently al present confined 10 persons of one
class of politics, would inevitably spread TO all
classes and all parties. Looking it In that view
and we think no person AT all acquainted with
Canadian affairs, and who looks at the matter with
an unbiased eye, can regard 1t IN any oher--we
are OF opinion that The passage OF reciprocity bill
would rather hasten Than postpone the crisis. We
know that tins view is not the one now generally
taken of 1t IN this country, but stl 1t Is the correct
one. Inc Canadian people are ldborng under a
state OF great commercial depres iOn they find
themselves encountered with heavy debt, and
bereit OF trade, IN consequence OF the commercial
policy which England has seen tit 10 parsue. And
yet all this has but little to do with the present
annexation movement. IL has been caused
wholly by political contest, which has
shifted in the. election of the reform party,
with their allies, the French Canadians, and
the consequent displacement from office of the
torres CT ultra loyallst party. The cry, so far as
we have seen, has not been for demo ratio
institutions but for the suppression of the Rebel
bP'-not for universal suffrage, but to put down
the 'French." These are NOT feellags likely
to make converts of their political opponents and
/ without Sucn an accession 10 tnetr = numbers
would plainly give them large, a universal ma
orty of the people there II not, to say the least
probable they could succeed IN either inducing
England to agree 10 a peaceable separation, in
enforcing their demands, IN opposition 10 IN no.
rIy OF the people, backed up by the constituted
authorizes.
| We stated the other day that we believed il was
| manifest destiny that the British colonies on
our Northern frontier should be annexed TO our
Union, and we believe 1t now just strongly
But the desire Tor annexation, mark our words,
wili proceed from admiration Of our institutions,
! and not from private party quarrel That quarrel
perpetuates British connect on in Canada by
arouslng the passions of each party and rende ring
the reformers deaf TO all considerations but one
| defeating their opponents. II this is not the case
why Is II that nothing has yet been done Surely
II talking is any evidence of determination, the
annexation party should, ere this, have made some
| demonstration. And they would have done So
| had their cause been as strong represented by
| them.
But we hear only one reason given by the annex
alon party tor this sudden change from loyalty to
| Its antipodes-the passage of a measure which, at
worst, even IT 1t did all they assert it does would
only pay the losses Of men whose only offence was
that OF rebelling against the very power the an
| nexatlonlss desire now to be disconnected from
| themselves Let this bill be but vetoed and all
their loyalty returns with tenfoli' vigor Can much
reliance be placed, them in the republican decla-
| ratlons they are making
We feel no desire to take sides in the present
controversy, but there Is certainly something
glaringly inconsistent IN the ground taken by the
annexation annex party II Is not the proper feeling
which should prompt country to apply for adj
mission into this republic and unless they seek a
union with us from a cordial detestation of an
nointed kings and State religion, they had better
stay away-we might as well annex Mexico, with
all her ignorance and superstition.
But how is reciprocity gong To affect the matter J
Briefly, by promoting an intercourse between the
two countries, which, more than anything else,
VIII dissipate the preIudices which unques-
tionably exst;s by bringing them into daily com
munion with our citizens, and forcing them to
draw the contrast between their condition as colo
nists and ours as ssoveregns. The passage Of
reciprocity bill would not make thar "civll list"
Uhe saaries they have 10 pay their governor, and
expenses oil the government generality a dollar
lighter It would not relieve them from their debt
OF several millions nor would |, induce capitalists
to send their money there. 1t might possbly be of
some advantage TO them in other points of view
but we have yet to learn that sound policy requires
we should make no arrangements with foreign
countries, no matter how much IL may be to our
advantage, unless we overreach them.
How lar reciprocity measure may be advan-
,ageous 10 us, cannot at present be decided. As
limited measure, merely apply ing to Canada, and
restricted 10 certain articles, il could be of no ser
vice TO Ms at all, beyond the mere carrying trade
which New York would secure. But AZ a broad
s n eapanslve measure, looking to all the North
American colonies, and admitting all articles it
assumes much more important character
"A. correspondent OF the Boston Courier of the
Ith instant, writing from here, ssys:-
The proposition Of MIR. Merritt has been considered
In the most cordial and fcn dly spirit by the admins
taton, and an earnest desire expressed to meet
the commercial wants Of canada TO IN. fall extent
that just regard to the paramount interests Of our
own country will permit But think Mr. Merritt
has returned home with the that not
standing the friesdly disposition Of
towards the British provinces will not consent to
propose to Congress any such sch.mes Of r,cprosaI
free trade with them il was Mr. MERITS d..ir. to
promote Law establishing free trade between us
ana them would confer upon those colonies very im-
p"tsst benefits, but would bring little advantage
20 the United States. And in this light believe the
prysent administration views the subject
This paragraph speaks pretty authorltativelv and
yet we have reason, and good reason, 10 believe IL
IL full of mistakes. In the first place, Mr. Merritt
| although President OF the Canadian cabinet came
here merely IN private character, armed with no
powers whatever TO enter into any negotiation. IL
n, therefore, highly improbable any Z" proposition
he might have made was considered nj all. II Mr..
| Merritt made any proposition, which we doubt
very much. II would have been some VIII At of the
character of the one made by n Yankee, who ac-
costed gentleman mounted on a very fine horse
u cay, Mister, suppose had horse, how would
yon trader Of course, under these circum stances,
At Mr. Merritt made any proposition, II could not
/ be listened To, az the government would have had
| TO "suppose" him invested with authority, where
he had none. As to what the administration will
consent to propose To Congress, IL il another mat
ter, and II ~ not altogether improbable thai a
scheme TO admit upon terms Of Reciprocity all our
productions, aud threw open to US the fisheries of
NewIoundland, would not be unacceptable either
TO the administration or 10 Congress We differ
IN opinion with the correspondent we have alluded
10, also. as 10 the trade of the provinces being Of
little advantage TO US. Daring the fiscal year end
ing June 10, lSfs, we exported to the British North
American colonies
pomseue produce .........s.. ....... ss3eo,o $50
Foreign produce ..................I ssl 500
-, Total ...................... IS $50 esS
whilst our imports for the ~ rod amounted TO
but 5000, no., showing balance IA our favor of
STb,lSS. The trade il, therefore iu,,or,ant.
and II 20 much to our advantage under a restricted
commerce, very serious and important question
arises, as TO whether 1t would not be- greatly b.pe
neral TO us TO extend that trade. 1his, however,
must necessarily depend upon the result of careful
ana enlarged investigation, and we have not the
slightest doubt that It will receive both from the,
eminent gentleman whose duty II is to look into IT,
u such a measure should be recommended and
carried out, the provinces would virtually be n
portion OF this Union, and but few months would
,iaps. psiorc they would be entirely so. The CO.
lonial tystem OF government Cannot stand aonp-
aide oil a ...k. D.