The New York herald., 1850-11-16
The Navigation Interests or England and
the United states.

4 j.
BY the treaty OF peace between England and the
United Staes, in the year l7s3 the tree navigation
OF The Mississippi was guaranteed TO both nations
forever. This stipulation was insisted on by Eng
land, because at that time it believed that the
rlver Mississippi took its rise in the territories Of
| Great Britain, and continued for some portion OF
| its early course within them. This belief subse-
quent and more accurate exploration has proved to
be incorrect The great father Of waters takes its
rise south Of the English frontier, and now runs
during its whole gigantic course though the terri
| tories of the United States This subsequent dis
covery, however, IN no way affects the prRciple
then asserted by England, though it completely
destroy ed the value OF the stipulation in support OF
which II was invoked.
There was, however, another great natural high
wey-a nyer IN some respects even more gigantic
than the Mississippi itselt-which did really run
for hundreds of miles through the territories Of
both the contracting parties, and which formed the
sole outlet TO the Atlantic for an immense por-
tion Of the continent of North America, but re-
| spectipg which no such stipulation was allow
ed We allude to the st. Lawrence, which is, in
fact the outlet Of the vast system of lakes which
lie like great Mediterranean seas in the i'm
mense valley that extends from the Atlantic
to the Rocky Mountains. England possesses both
sides OF the St Lawrence during its whole course
from latitude forty-iive TO the sea. But from that
point, up the nyer, the territories OF the United
States form the southern bank-one half of the wa
ters Of lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron and Superior.
together with the whole OF lake Michigan, belong
TO the United States. Yet England, because she
possesses the mouth of the rUr, chooses TO preue the
United States from niaiag use of IT'S caers os ths
of carrying the produce Of The rast aud ferttLe
Territories which border these great lakes TO the At
tantic. England insisted upon her rieAt TO Hoat
dou~ the Uhoe length Of the Mississippi, because she
uas supposed 10 possess sw'W tract Of territory IN
tchich tha stream took its rise-ond she denred the
same privilege TO The Uaiied States regards the
So. Ldicrene 6ecaNse she happened TO possess botA
| banks Of the rirer rhtre IL enters the atlantic. a
more FdgaM instance Of tso measures, and t,co sets
ttelghfs for me same transactions, ioas ~erer sr-
In our yesterdays impression, we published an
act OF Congres relating to the trade of colonies
with the United States, and also most interesting
and important communication from citizen of the
State of Michigan, touching the extraordinary pro-
hbiiion upon which England insists with respect to
the navigation OF the ST. Lawrence. The United
States legislature has followed the lead of England
in her late liberal commercial policy. The exam
pie we Sc; in the repeal of restrictions tho
importation of corn, and also Of our famous Navi-
CATION Act, necessarily produced an immense effect
upon the intelligent people of the United States;
and IN the act which We published, one ofthe i'm
mediate consequences of that example may be seen.
But the legislature of America seeks real and fair
reciprocity, and asks of US 10 advance in new
course one step further, and expects that we shall
allow the vast products OF The great lake valley to
ind their way TO the sea by means of the waters Of
the ~. Lawrence.
What are the reasons which can by possibility
be urged against this proposal There is only
some vague fear. some inoistinct notion OF pos
slble danger II a war should unhappily arise be-
tween the two countries. And yet, if we look at
this fsncied danger ste adily shall find that the
PERMISSION to use this highway, so far from being
a means Of diminishing strength, will give US q
great advantage, and prove, in fact, most impor-
tant surety for keeping the peace. IL we suppose
establishments OF commerce formed all along the
river ST. Lawrence and the shores of Ontario.
Erie, and Huron-ii the whole produce OF the fer
tile regions which communicate with this great
artery by means of their numerous rivers, roads.
and canals, should be every year transmitted by
the So. Lawrence TO the sea-if the waters Of the
river and these vast inland seas be covered with
the busy vessels which carry oil this enormous
produce, can any one be so blind not 10 that
flank 10 attack should she be unwse as TO court
a quarrel with EDglandi Commerce here. as
everywhere, would, IN fact, be bond of peace
TO both belligerents. The population on both
shores Of this magnificent inland navigation would
to man oppose every inctement to d sagreement,
for ruin TO millions would be the consequence Of
wRr.
Possessing, as we should still, the mouth of the
river, we should in fact be safe against any en-
croachment, against ell attack. In the meantime
our provinces would derive incalculable advantage
from the trade, and Montreal would quickly prove
q formidable rival both 10 New YORK and New
Orleans. The valley of the 81. Lawrence is, we
believe, in almost every article OF produce more
than the rival Of the great valley through which
the Mississippi flows The climate IL indeed
severe but IL is healthy; the agricultural produce
which IL will be able supply will be found 10 ex-
eeed that Of the ryal territory. In part OF the
American Union has there been eeen n more rapid
advance than in the towns and districts which lie
along the borders OF Ontario, Erie, Huron, and
Michigan. a new source Of wealth has been dis
covered Of late years in the mineral products OF
Lake Superior; and some may see reason to prefer.
on many accounts, the route which the st. Law
renee Oers for her products TO the sea- 10 that cir
cuiious path which she may possess by the rivers
falling into the Mississippi. In short, il we look at
this nati,r, treating IL simply as commercial ques-
ton, is impossible TO sugges reason for not grant,
ing what The American Legislature desires; hui five
look at " ae politicians, weighing the consequences
Ct the proposed concession upon the power and In
huence OF both nations, the advantage is wholly
our side, always suPposing that we desire peace,
justice, nnd The real hap1iness OF mankind. Our
only difficulty is 10 irEsgine argument against
the adoption of so rational proceeding.
Locking back TO the past history Of the humin
race, we see that its earliest advances in science,
in art, end in civilization generally, made upon
the shores 81 an inland sea, which, except in eli
ma {, cannot compete IN any one advantage with
The wonderful territories 10 which our present oh
seTystions refer. The shores Of the Mediterranean
DO not equal IN fertility those Of Ontaro and Enc,
Huron and Michigan. In the mos, pamy days Of
Athenian, Carthagenan, Venetian commerce, it
could have exhibited nothing that could have been
compared with the wonderful life, energy, skill,
and almost miraculous advance which these
American inland seas already manifest. There is
tull room for millions q human beings 10 live with
ease and ia comfort and opulence. All that is now
required TO spread and excite new life and fresh
vigor throughout this fertile land, is to give imme-
diate and cesy communication with the Atlantic
and yet England sulhiy shuts the door, stands like
suTy masnli N ihe way o. the eager traveller
ell she does being 20 keep waste tracts fitted for
The happy homes a countless people, and TO retard
the advance OF her own provinces, while she places
herself as an obstacle ia the path of her American
ncirhbors.
Already we have expended vast sums 10 freeing
The navigation Of the 81. Lawrence from physical
Cur canals, formed by English capital
connect the Atlantic win Ontario direct, and even
with the waters above Niagara. IL we wish this
capital 10 be productive, we have only to free the
navigation from legal shackles TO allow the citizens
n eha he nun ofc
locks and canals, and thus 20 arouse the lanpuid
energies Of Canadians by exhibiting at their very
doors the spectacle Of active and enterprisinSr
race, turning 70 advantage ell the wonderful capa-
biitiCs OF thei country they inhabit The foolish
doctrines OF an old and efete system ought net to
siend in the way Of proposal which good sense
and good feeling alike sanction. Diplomauc fclly
ought not TO be allowed to thwart the suggestions