The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-05
Our Halifax Correspondence.

Brit,h Colonial 1Isrcnents-- Threat 10 Shut the
Gut Of Cawso agairst the Amerieaws- Railroad
and Ttiesraphic Movements, &c.
movement Is on foot in the Legislature of this
province, TO pass law which shall exclude Ame-
rican fishing vessels from passing through the Gut
of Canso-a narrow strait which separates the for
mer province oflCape Breton from Nova Scotia, and
leads from the Atlantic to the Gulf of st. Law
renee. Cape Breton having been re-annexed to
the province Of Nova Scotia, few years since, af-
ter brief separation, il now commended that this
strait has ceased to be, il, indeed, it ever was,
strictly speaking, public highway for all nations,
and that the local government has absolute control
over it. This opinion would seem to have been
entertained by the English government so late as
1872, when the Colonial Secretary, in commune
cation TO the Lieutenant Governor, unequivocally
admitted that the control Of this inland strait was
| in the Legislature OF the province, and that no
ioreign county has the night 10 use or navigate
that passage"
This 10 question Of vast importance to the Ame-
rcen mackerel fishing interests, inasmuch as many
hundred Ian estimate gives the number at LOO
vessels pass through Canso TO and from their fish-
ing ground in the Gulf, every season; and il is sup
posed that the time they thus gain is equal TO one
third Of the fishing season, besides essening very
materially the hazards of shipwreck, the outside
route around Cape Breton being, especially in the
fall, extremely dangerous.
This movement appears to have been intended as
means towards coercing the American govern
me nj into concession of reciprocal free trade with
this province; and the movers appear TO imagine
that they have quite az much TO offer the Yankees
for this boon, as the Canadians have for a similar
object.
understand that project is also on foot, and is
likely 10 be carried out the ensuing season, 10 sta
ton government vessel in the waters around Cape
Breton, for the purpose OF preventing the encroach-
ments OF the American fishermen upon forbidden
ground and also to pat an end 10 the Illicit trade
4 a
that island.
The result Of Mr. Howe's mission to England,
for the purpose Of enlisng the aid OF the British
government towards binding the Nova Scotia
portion Of the Portland and Halifax railway, is yet
10 be learned. The friends Of the government here
are generally rather hoping for than expecting that
Mr.. Howe will succeed in his mission, and all par
ties are awaiting the arrival Of the Europa with
intense anxiety, as it IL not doubted but that she
will bring decisive reply from Earl Grey, as 10
the views Of the home government. Such is the
state of feeling in this province, that the ultimate
decision Of the English government upon this cub.
ject will 60 very far towards shaping the destiny
Of Nova Scotia, and probably other Of the British
North American provinces.
In the event Of failure TO raise funds in Eng.
land, on pledge Of the public lands and provincial
revenue, there is no doubt but that very favorable
charter to private company viii Be promptly
grentt by the Legislature. In fact, bill having
this oh iect in view has already been presented in
The popular branch, under ths auspices OF one Of
the delegates to the Portland convention, and
elected, IL IL considered nearly cer'ain that should
Mr. Howe fail in his mission (upon which the sue
cess OF the government measure wholly depends)
the charter TO the private company will be granted
by a unanimous vote. IL is said that American
Capitalists stand ready 10 build the il~ay pro-
uoed The government will retire from the field and
grant them proper charter.
proposition IL now under discussion in the
Legislature, for connec citing Sydney and Yarmouth
(the two extreme points Of the province, from east
to wesi) with Halifax and the United States, by
telegraph the condition being that when these
lines shall have been completed, the company shall
he entitled 10 purchase the present government
line, hence TO Amherst, at its first cost This en-
terprise, which is 90 manfestly for the general
good Of the whole people, meets with the most
violent opposition by large portion of the govern
ment party, who are more eager than wise in wish
ing TO retain all the patronage Of every public enter
prise, however contemplate in itself, within their
own grasp. Doubtless, the government party have
the power Of defeating the present scheme, by
coming down with a measure calculated TO attain |
the same ends, but, think, in other way II lie,
therefore, nearly certain that another season will
see the wires strung some two hundred miles nearer
to the eastern dumping off place" than they are
now, when, IL may be, you will get the European
news some twenty hours earlier than you now do.