The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-02-06

tunstey assumed by the opponents Of ths
American Congress- Canada win maintsn her present
commercial policy and continue to foster the import
1t 10 very desirable that you sheud be fully aware
Of the state OF public opinion in Canada this ques
ton Hsying myself been strong advooate for free
commercial intercourse with the United States, and
having had in my position Finance Minister to
sist in srms ueHt the advocates OF restrictive policy,
am thoroughly acquain.a WIN Che visws 81 al nar
ties. have hesitation in stating that the adyo
oates OF retaliatory policy rapidly gaining ground
Whether al or any of the plans suggested Si be car
red out is Of course impossible FOR to say; but
it Is certainly highly desirable that in arriving at
very important decision you should be fully aware OF
the probable consequences The 70 imposition OF the
should be most acceptable to the commsroisi iats-
severely injured by their repeal. At the close
of the last session Of Parliament, an influential
former administration, the office which have now
the honor to ILL., notice Of his intention to intro
duce 6i during sne mex: session 70 re- I'M these
advocated such measure, and no doubt can be enter
tanned that 1t will engage the Of our Par
lament 1t early day. Should 1t be adopted, the
United States would have just Of complaint
They never invited Canade 10 repeal the derentia
duties and their rejection Of the Reciprocity bill would
Of be looked upon deliberate rejection Of
the Canada trade In England the REIN position Of dit
ferential duties by Canada would be viewed most avo
rsby and there can be no doubt that the effect would
be to stimulate the efforts OF those who are seeking to
| obtain ZONE modification OF the present Corn law
Another measure ofrstaation which Is beginning to
engage attention In Canada is the closing OF all the
| canals to American vessels. Should this policy be
adopted, me st serious injury would be inflicted on
the trade OF Chicago Cleveland and other lake ports
oswess, Osdsnsburgh and the New England railroad
Northern canal. The Canadian revenue derived
| from tolls would OF course, suffer; but as tina
the province the loss would cause no Inconvenience
1t If contended by the advocates for this policy, tina
the Western products which now find their way b
Oswego and 0gtensburgh to New York aud Boston
carried in American bottoms, would be diverted to tn
St. Lawrence, and that the entire inland trade would
be in British bottoms 1t is affirmed that the tonnage
OF Cansda with what could be spared frcm Nova SEQ
tia and New Brunswick would very soon be sum cent
for the increased trade have stated the views which
tertsn.d very extensively by influential parties
in Canada to her future commsrci policy, IN he
event Of the rejection Of the Reciprocity bill by Con-
gress; am, however, unauthorized to announce the
views OF the Canadian government indeed its policy
has not yet been determined on. Since the accession
OF the present administration to oice III lS4S they
have been watching With anxiety the proceedings in
Congress ding the Reciprocity bill and my OBJ
ject in visiting Washington at this time was to ascer
tain IL possible the probable fate of tnat measure
the government must be prepared at the approaching
session, to meet Parliament with dehoed policy
| garding our commercial relations with the United
states.
Among the most notable features of this letter,
is the change which has taken place IN the opinion
OF the people OF Canada as we'll as OF the ministry,
on the subec, of free trade. On every hand our
| expeiimentaets met by restrictions and mono
| poly-thcy are eiiectually thwatted wherever they
attempt 10 give effect TO their poiicy-and II is only
natural that they should adopt different plan,
when their theory cannot be carried out. Mr..
Hincks is correct in saying that the supporters Of
| a retaliat0ry system are increasing. Even our
nighbor of the Journal, inveterate free trader,
| nov talks complacently of a different policy being
! forced upon the government. We feel convinced
that at the present moment five sixths OF the ia
hsban.s Of this province advocate the adoption OF
ditferenal duties. In fac. there is other course
open TO us. The st. Cathe rines Joarnai the organ
OF Mr.. Merritt, may talk Of" a free trade policy
| generally approved OF by the people," bat how, in
| the name OF common sense, can free tdrdc be
carried cut, when nobody will meet us! The
visionary notions Of the late Commissioner OF Pub
lie orks, will find few supporters in the country,
and his resignation of Off &c affords pretty good
guarantee that his colleagues are not prepared 10
| coincide with hs peculiar fancies
| We presume that little time will now be lost IN
calling Parliament together, for the revision OF
| the tariff. OF course Mr.. Hacks has no. re-
| turned without perfect knowledge OF the inten-
tons of the United States Congress and govern
ment; and as I'll our approaches have been met
| with contempt, we can only give the Americans
| the benefit of their selfshness, by meeting them
with their own weapons. The figures compiled
| in one Of their departments, which we have quot
| ed above, will give them idea OF the injury
they iniiict upon themselves by inconvenencing
| The Canadians.