The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-12-12


SIR-l have already expressed TO you, q different
periods, and especially in my note Of I'D March
last, the disappointment which was experienced IN
Canada when, at the close Of the last session Of Con-
gress, it vas known that DO progress whatever had
been made in the bills which had been brought for
ward for three years successfully for recproeGtng
to the measures which passed the Canadian Legls,
lature in lS47, and which granted TO the natu 'ai
produce Of this country an entry free of duty into
Canada whenever the Federal Legislature o. me
United States should pass q measure similarly adj
hitting into the United States the natural produce
Of the Cansdas. This Disappointment was the
greater, inasmuch az the Canadian government has
always adopted the most liberal commercial policy
with respect to the United States ss well in regard
to the transit through Its canals as in regard to the
admission ofmanufactured goods coming rom TINS
Ihaye now the honor to incloss to you the copy
Of an official communication. which have received
from the Governor General, Lord Elgin, by Shich
you will perceive that unless can hold out some
hopes that policy will be adopted in the U. States
similar to that which has been adopted in Canada,
and which the Canadian authorities would be vii.
Ling me. in corresponding spirit to carry out
lature, are likely forthwith to take certain mea-
sures, which, both in themselves and their conse'
quence, will effect q considerable change in the
commercial intercourse between the Canadas and
the United States should zee with great regret
the adoption of such measures, and am induced
to hope, from the conversations which have re.
Gently had with you, that they viii be unnecessary
ne Wlsu Oh I1et MAJesty government, Iueeu,
would be rather to improve than impair all rela
tiors Of friendship and good neighborhood between
Her Msjesty' 9 American possessions and the United
states; and feel myself authorized to repeat to
you now, what have ct different times already
stated to Mr.. Clayton and yourself, viz: That Her
Msjesy's government would see, with pleasure,
any arrsngt ments, either by treaty or by egisla,
tion, esta olishing free interchange of all natural
ted States, but between the United States and all
Her Msjesty's North American Provinces; and
furthermore, am willing to say, that in the event
Of such an a., siran cement, Her Msjestys govern.
the waters Of the River st. Lawrence, with the
canals adjoining, according to the terms of letter
which | addressed to Mr.. Clayton, on the 9th
March, 1850, for the inform ation Of the Committee
on Commerce in the House Of Represen lives, and
to which ! take the liberty Of referring you.
may add that Her Msjestys government would,
in this case, be likewise willing to open to American
fishermen the fisheries along the coast Of Nova
Scotia and New Brunswick, according to the con-
ditons specified in the inclosed extract, from in
structions with which am furnished.
The Willingness to grant to American citizens, on
such reasonable conditions, two important priyi-
eges, 90 long enjoyed exclusively by the subjects Of
Great Britain, will testify clearly to the spirit by
which the British government Is, on this OCCASION,
animated and rs affairs have now arrived at that
crisis in which frank explanation OF the views OF
either party is necessary for the interests and right
understanding Of both, ! take the liberty OF beg.
giDg you to inform me whether you are disposed,
the part Of the United States to enter into such
convention as will place the commercial relations
between the United States and Her Majesty's
North American colonies on the footing which have
here proposed; or whether, in the events of there
appearing TO you any objections to proceed by con-
vention IN this matter you can assure me that the
United States government will take the earlies. OPP
portunity Of urgently recommending Congress 70
carry out the object aforesaid, BY the means Of
legislation.
avail myself of this opportunity to renew 10 you
the assurance nay highest consideration.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
TORONTO, June z. 1851.
SIR have the homer to transmit, foe your tx
cellency's Information, the copy Of q memorandum
and accom- fanying documents, which has been sub
miited to me BY the Hon. Mr.. Hircks, Inspector
General Of Public Accounts in this Province, on
the subject Of the closing Of the Canadian canals
to foreign vessels. You are, believe, aware tina.
measure, sueh as that recommended by Mr.
Hincks, has been for some time contemplated by
the Canadian government.g
have been most unwilling to have recourse to
il, more particularly after the representations laado
BY the gentlemen from Oswego, who visited this
city some time ago.
The discussion which toos place in the Legislative
embly last evenr to which Mr. Hincks refers in
his memorandum, indicates, however, very clearly
the direction which public opinion is taking on
these que tions, and | cannot conceal from your
Exeellency my belief that, unless you are enabled
u :
the government Of the United States are 10 Fro
aiess, which are likely to result in placing the
comm ercial relations between the Provinces and
the United states on more satisfactory footing IL
viii not be 10 my power any longer 70 refrain from
adopting the steps which the Inspector General
nuggets, ans which may, i think. very probably
be followed up by others calculated to check the
trade between British North America and the
United States.
Under these circumstances, / deem 1. my duty
TO invite your Exellency's attention to the do:u-
nents which herewith enclose, and to request you
VIII, ct your earliest convenience, furnish me- for
my guidance, with sach informant respecting the
views Of the government Of the Unitei STATES %
noy be in your power to give.
have, &c , &e,
ELeIS AND kIScARpIsr
Right Hon. Sir II. L. BuLwER, X. e. b.
The papers alluded to in this despatch are
LIST. Memorandum from Mr.. Hincks to The Cover
pals should be closed TO foreign shipping in regard
to which no immediate steps were taken, in conse-
quence Of the expected arrival Of dsputstion from
Oswego, to confer with the Governor General on
this subject
I'd. Memorandum subsequ<nt TO the arrival of
said deputstion, recommending that the canals
should be closed unless the British Minister at
Washington could give some assurance that the
trade between Canada and the United States Is
likely TO be placed on a more satisfactory footing
Sd. Resolutions about to be propoted by the
Honorable Mr.. Robinson, to the effect that duty
of twenty per cent should be levied on American
goods, and that . system Of diferentih duties
should be returned to, encouraging importers 10
bring their goods into Canada via the st. Lawrence
instead Of through the United States.
5th. Resolutions about 70 be proposed BY the
Hon. MIR. Merritt, that her Majesty be prayed to
recommend TO her Imperial Parliament to enact
that similar duties should be imposed on foreign
produce las enumerated in Schedule a, herewith
spycnded) imported into Great Britain and her
dependencies, - are levied on British produce In
those foreign countries.
SCHEDULE a.
Grin, and breadstuffs Of all Kinds, vegetables,
fruits seeds, animals, hides, WOOL cheese, tallsw,
horns, sailed and fresh Ats, Of Gil kinds Of
metals, plaster Of Paris in stone or ground, ashes
timber slaves, wood, and lumber Of all kinds.
ENTRACT.
Her Msjestys government are prepared, on
certain conditions and with certain reservations,
TO mahc the concession 10 which much iupor-
lance seems to have been attached BY MIR. Clayton,
bsmely, 10 throw open to the fishermen Of the
United states the fisheries In the waters Of the