Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-05-08
From the Baltimore Patriot
OF THE RIVER ST LAW
RENEE.

OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE
Betpeen the British Minister and the Secretary of
State.
The following official communication, disclosing as
it does in part the policy OF the Imperial Government OF
Grea Britain with reference TO the Canadas, is most
important document
Should legislation on the part OF this Government
follow, it is hoped that the whole question of our po
hey with reference to the Canadas will be fully and
fairly discussed, the highest consequences invol
we'd.
Mr. BuI,Der to Mr.. Clayton.
BRITISH LEGATION, March 9th, 1850.
SIR: have received the favor Of your communca-
ton OF Yesterdays date, enclosing to yourself
from the chairman of the committee on Commerce of
the House OF Representatives, respecting the navigation
OF the river st. Lawrence and the feeingI which Her
Majestys Government might entertain towards grant,
ing the citizens and shipping Of the United States the
free transit that river in the of the Reciprocity
bill before Congress being passed by the American
Legislature; and the general commercial relations be-
tween the United States and the Canadas being placed
on footing satisfactory to both parties.
feel authorised to state in reply to you, that Her
Maestys Government, entertaining cordial desire to
promote good understanding with this country, and
facilitate every measure which tend establish the
most ancable intercourse between it and the various
portions OF Her Majestys Empire take sincere inte-
rest In the success OF that measure which has already
been condhonaly approved of by the Legislature Of
the Canadas; and which, | may respectfully remark
seems to me to be the natural consequence of those
measures by which the markets OF Great Britain have
already been opened to the agricultural produce of this
country.
The desire thus described would, as you may imagine
be still further increased on finding that it was respond
ed to here, whilst the course which the committee on
commerce has suggested and which you have complied
with by addressing yourself to Her Maestys Represen
tatlves on subject which cannot but be of mpe
rial well as colonial interest, will also feel certain
be considered as proof OF the friendly spirit to-
ward the government of England which exists through
out Her Malestys dominions towards the people and
government of this country.
feel no hesitation, therefore, in stating that the in
structons with which came to the United States
rant me, under such circumstances in assuring you,
that should bill corresponding to that which has re-
ceived the sanction of the Legislature in Canada be
passed by the Legislature of the United States and re-
ceve the sanction OF the President of the United States
Her MaeSty's Government will be ready to respond to
the application which the United States Government
you have now applied to me, by at consentng
open the navigation of the river ST. Lawrence and Of
the canals thereto adjoining, land which would be duly
speched0 to the shipping and citizens OF the United
States.
need not observe TO you that Her Majesty's Govern
men would OF course in such reserve itself the
full right OF withdrawing the aforesaid concessions, up
on giving due notice OF such intention, whenever it
might deem proper to do so as fact, the Government
and Legislature OF the United States likewise alter
whenever it may deem proper, whatever regulations
laws may now sanction.
1t gives great pleasure to have it thus in my pow
er to satisfy yourself and the committee OF the House
OF Representatives, with respect to the question
tanned IN your note and the Enclosure, and avail myself
OF this opportunity to to you the assurancesOt my
highest consideration.
[Sgnedl H. l.. BULWER.
Hon. j. NJ CLAYTON &C. &c.