The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-03-14
RECIPROCITY WITH GREAT BRITAIN.

N NC" uhy oinCt, tue Executive lalu before the
Senate correspondence between the British
Minister and the American Secretary of State
concerning the commercial relations of the two
countries. The Minister, in a letter dated Janu
airy lst acknowledges with great pleasure the de-
cree of the President conceding to British vessels
in American ports, the same privileges which are
granted to American vessels in British ports.
Assuming that the design of our standing repula-
tions is to confer on the vessels of foreign Powers
such advantages as may be conferred on Ameri.
can vessels by those Powers, he asks not that
British vessels may be admitted to our coasting
trade, but to the trade between the east and west
coasts Of the United States, which resembles in
its character the trade carried on between the
United Kingdom and the transmarine possessions
Of the British Crown, into which trade the new
act authorizes the admission Of the vessels of all
countries which may be disposed to establish
fair reciprocity.
AS American vessels, becoming British proper
ty, are now admissible to the advantages of q
British register, he also asks that British vessels
becoming American property, may be admitted to
the benefit of an American register. In a note,
datei January 81, he writes
Z" 1t having been represented to her Maesty's
Government that there is some idea on the part
of the Government Of the United States to in
crease the duties upon British iron imported into
the United States have been instructed by her
Majesty's Government to express TO the United
States Government the hope Of her Maiesty's
Government that no addition will be made to the
duties imposed by the present tariff of the United
States, which already weigh heavily on British
productions and | cannot but observe, for my
own part, that an augmentation of the ddties on
British produce or manufactures made at mo-
ment when the British Government has, by Sc
ries of measures, been facilitating the commerce
between the two countries, would rsVS,aee very
dsagreeable effect on public opinion in England
This correspondence having been laid before
the Senate, some discussion arose at the proper
disposition of it, which was cut short by motion
to adjourn. The next day, Wednesday, 9th, the
subject again came up, aud Mr.. Cooper of Penn
sylvania took occasion to denounce the conduct Of
the British Minister as intermeddling, oficous
mpertinent, offensive For such vituperaton, he
was properly rebuked by the leading Senator'S,
who could not agree with him that the British
Minister had violated any of the proprieties of his
position.
The correspondence was at last referred TO the
Committee on Commerce.
The indignation of MIR. Cooper was entirely
uncaled for The British Government, under
the pressure of healthful public opinion, is now
engaged in the work of removing restrictions
upon her commerce, and the more liberal her pol.
icy, the better for this country. Mr.. Bulwer I'M
Outstanding that it is in contemplation to rasethe
duties in this country on certain articles of Brit
ish production, apprises our Government of the
liberal commercial policy of Great Britain, and
takes the liberty of suggesting that an antago-
nstic policy on our part may affect very unfa-
vorably public opinion in Britain, and thereby
restrain the efforts of the Government to remove
restrictions from her commerce. This is fair and
honorable. Countries trading together so largely
as England and the United States, should under
stand the policy of each others Government, and
have reasonable reference to the public opinion
in each country.
CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION IN MASSACHUSETTS.
The Boston Tfauellsr copies from the AtlaS the
complete returns from the several towns, which
show the following result:
March All, Is5O.-Palfrey, ABS; Robinson,
2266; Thompson, 1924.
January 2la, 1s50-Palfrey, 1927 Robinson,
l,9O2 Thompson, 4,52s.
And then adds:
"This result shows an increase of s5l votes
over the number given at the trial in January
This increase is divided among the candidates, as
follows: Palfrey 39l, Robinson 36l, and Thomp-
son SO. Mr.. Thompson now leads Mr.. Palfrey
3O6 votes At the last trial he led him 6Ol
Thompsons loss, in that respect, 3O5 The ma
jority against MIR Thompson at the last trial was
,3Ol Now it is including the 20 scattered
votes, 2,030-making his net loss 729.'