The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1850-05-11

:
FREE NAVIGATION OF TIE ST. LAW
RENEE. We copy from the New York
Express the following important letter OF
the British Minister to the Secretary OF
the United States, discloslngsthe policy of
the Government OF Great Britain with
reference to the Canadas, which we re-
gard as highly important document,
touching as it Does the free navigation of
the river St. Lawrence
British Legation, March 81, 1850.
Sir: have received the favor o. ayour
communication of yesterdays date, en-
closing me one to yourself from the CHAIR
man OF the Committee OF Commerce of
the House of Representatives, respecting
the navigation of the River st Lawrence
and the feelings which her Majesty's Gov
eminent might entertain towards granting
TO the shipping and citizens of the United
States the free transit on that river, in the
event OF the Canada Reciprocity Bill, now
before Congress, being passed by the Amer
lean Legislature, and the general CONNER
cial relations between the United States
and the Canadas being placed on 10 ting
more satisfactory to all parties.
| feel myself authorized to state, in re-
ply to you, that her Majesty's Govern
ment, entertaining cordial desire to pro-
mote good understanding with this coun.
try, and to facilitate every measure which
can tend to establish the amicable inter-
course between it and the various portions
OF her Majesty's empire, takes sincere
interest in the success OF that measure,
which has already been conditionallv APP
proved of by the Legislature of the Cana
'ias, and which, | may respectfully remark,
seems to me the natural consequence OF
those measures by which the markets OF
Great Britain have already been opened
to the agricultural produce of this coun-
try
The desire thus described would, as you
may imagine, b. still further increased IN
finding it responded to here; whilst the
Committee on Commerce has suggested,
and which you have complied with by
addressing yourself to her Najesty's rep
resenative on subject which cannot but
be Of Imperial as well as of Coz ial inter-
est, which also, feel certain; pe consid-
cred as proof of friendly feel
ing towards the Government OF England,
and which exists throughout her Majes,y's
domnions toward the people and Govern
ment OF this country.
feel no hesitation, therefore, IN stating
that the instructions with which Came
to the United States, warrant me, under
such circumstances, in assuring you that,
should bill correspond to that which has
received the sanction OF the Legislature in
Canada, be passed by the Legislature OF
the United States, and receive the sanction
Of the President of the United States,
her Majesty's Government will be ready
to respond to any application which the
United States Government may then adj
dress to 1t. on the subject concerning
which you have now applied to me, by at
once conserving TO open the Navigation OF
the river St. Lawrence and the canals
thereto adjoining land which would be
duly specifed) to the shipping and citizens
OF the United States.
Ineed not observe to you that her Mai
rsty's Government would, of course, in
such case. reserve to itself the fnl right of
withdrawing the aforesaid concession,
upon giving due notice OF such intention,
whenever it might deem proper SO 10 do
as, in fact, the Government and Leglsla-
ture of the United States can likewise al
Ter, whenever it may so deem proper,
whatever regulations or laws they may
now sanction:
1t gives me great pleasure to have it
thus in my power to satisfy yourself and
the committee of the House OF Represen-
tatives with respect to the question con-
tanned in your note and its enclosure, and
l avail myself OF this opportunity to renew
TO you the assurance OF my highest consid-
Grafton. H. L. BULwER.
Hon. ]. M. Clayton, &C., &c.