The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-02


government may give the British minister to un-
derstand that instead of receiving favor you con-
fer favor, and something more, by using our pub
lie works on the St. Lawrence You may rely
implicitly my statements.
Very respectfully. your most obedient.
Reasons tvsy the Canadian scheme of Rseiproeity''
should not De entertained by The Congress Of the
United States.
First Because Canada contains but a million
and half of inhabitants, and the United States
nearly twenty four millions and all bargains OF
| reciprocity with weaker States to be avoided
since, having much to receive and little to give,
the advantages must be on their side.
Second. Because there can in this case be no real
/" reciprocity" inasmuch as Canada has no equiva
lent to offer.
As regards agricultural produce, breadstuffs and
provisions, the products identical both sides
Of the lines. Eighty per cent. of the population of
Canada being employed in agriculture, she must
be always exporter, and never importer except
for small quantity Of mess pork at a low duty.
Since colonial privileges were abolished in Great
Britain, Canada has no market that is not common
to the United States and being the consum-
ing States of New England and southern New
York, must always find there the best outlet for the
surplus agricultural produce that she must always
have.
The high price Of agricultural produce in this
district grows out Of the manufacturing interest
that creates valuable " home Market" for the
growth and maintenance Of which the agricultural
interest has paid and does pay, indirectly, through
a thirty per cent tariff; and it would appear I'M
just that the Canadian, who will not himself to
establish home Market" and who enjoys all
his customs revenues, should, without cost,
enjoy all the benefits. Michigan might say "Let
me off, that l. too, like Canada, may enjoy the free
trade of State, and at the same time impose my
own tariff and collect my own revenues. II is bet
ter for an agricultural State to be out of the Union
than in it."
The price of food would not be lowered to the
New England consumer, because the Canadian
plus would always be too small, compared to the
producer of the whole Union, to influence prices.
The Canadian would have full price and all that he
now pays on duties, on passing the lines would go
into his pocket.
With the movement all in one direction, the term
reciprocity is deusion. The idea conveyed is
as preposterous. would be reciprocity on
wheat between Massachusetts and Michigan, or on
Goals between London and Newcastle.
Third. Because free trade in numerous articles
along frontier extended would lead to laxity
in custom house regulations, whereby system of
smuggling would shortly be established that no
enforcement of law could afterwards arrest.
AS regards articles not grown in Canada--cotton,
rice, tobacco and sugar. The two first not,
and will never be, imported to any amount. To-
bacco must be, and at a duty never SO high as to
check consumption. If American sugar be admit
ted free, the sugar of British possessions and Of
every nation must, by an imperial regulation of
trade, be admitted free also AS a consequence
American grown sugar, having protection in the
"home Market would neDer be taken to Canada;
but if Canadians bought in the States it would be
foreign sugar on bond subject to dcbenture.
As regards products of the forest-lumber and
wood of every description. The nearness of Great
Britain to the Baltic and removal of differcn-
tial duties will leave Canada mar ket but the
United States. The immense supplies she can fur
nsh will ofcourse control prices and if cheap lum-
Der be desirable for the American people, the policy
would be either to make it free by an amendment of
the tariff consequent to the free navigation of
the st. Lawrence.
Fourth. Because the .'free navigation of the st.
Lawrence" as proposed by the Canadian govern
ment is not equivalent" for the privileges de-
manded, inasmuch this navigation is not free by
nature from the lakes to the ocean for sea- goin q
vessels, nor made so by the Canadian public works.
From Montreal to Ogdensburg, one hundred and
thirty miles, the river can only be depended on for
feet Of water and the various locks construct
ed for passing the rapids, though two hundred feet
) long and forty five feet wide only nine feet
deep on the sills that vessel can pass up or
down unless drawing less than nine feet, which is
too light draft for ocean craft Two United States
revenue cutters, and the Eureka, for California,
did come through, but without cargo and dis
mantled.
By common treaty stipulations, foreign vessels
do come to Quebec, and any vessel clearing from
an American port on the lakes may GO to Mon
treal. During the suspension of the British navi-
cation laws, in ls47, foreign vessels were allowed
TO GO up TO Montreal, Zone hundred and eighty
miles above Quebec,) which permission will pro-
baby be continued hereafter, and, consequently,
some sea- going vessels cannot ascend beyond this
point, and small lake vessels unfit for naviga-
ton below. the navigation of the river will be as
free it be without any action the part of
Congress. The transhipment Of a cargo from one
vessel TO another in the port Of Montreal, where
the two laid alongside, is business of insg-
nifcant trouble or expense
FIFTH. Because Canada, instead of granting a
boon, conceding the navigation Of the river 10
American vessels, is asking a favor. The Rideau
canal, constructed by the British government more
than twenty years ago, is more than sufficient for
all the trade of Canada. The provincial works
upon the St. Lawrence are on a scale fitted for all
the trade Of the western States, and pauesss unless
used by them Their construction has involved
the province in debt the annual interest on which
is $500, 000 and the highest nett revenue produced
by them is 10000, little more than one per
cent. the cost, which embarrasses the Cana
dian exchequer that il now pays current expenses
on relief notes, debcntures of 8 10 aud $40 de-
nomination, at twelve months date, bearing in
terest, of which over 100000 afoat Many
public meetings held in Canada previous to
the repeal Of the British navigation laws TO petition
the imperial authorities to permit the free use Of
the river, that the province might be benefited by
canal tolls paid by Americans Canada and New
York, as great proprietors Of public works, are
competitors for the great transport traffic Of the
West; and should Congress wisely decline inter
ference, this trade will be sought by the Cana
dams with most urgent solicitations, and every
facility. will be offered
Qua MINISTER THE CoURT ST. JAMES
The London correspondent of the Philadelphia
North american, under date Of the sth instant,
says:
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