Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-12-11
LAST ANNUAL MESSAGE
OF
MILLARD FILLMORE f..
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
Read in Congress, Dec. 9th, 1862.
Fello,c-Citi.ens Of The Senate

Fellow- Ciii.ens Of The Senate
and Of the House Of Representatives.
The brief space which has elapsed since
the close Of your last session has been maIk-
ed by no extraordinary political event. The
quadrennal election of Chief Magistrate has
passed of with less than the usual excite
ment. However individuals and parties may
have been disappointed in the result, it is
nevertheless subject Of national congratu-
ton that The choice has been effected by the
independent suffrages of free people, un.
disturbed BY those influences " hich in other
Countries have too often affected the purity
Of popular elections.
Our grateful thanks are due TO an All-mer-
ciful Providence, not only for staying the
pesilence which in different forms has des-
olaied some of our cities, but for crowning
the labors of the hnsbandman with an ahun
dant harvest, and the nation generally with
the blessings OF peace and prosperity.
Within few weeks the public mind has
been deeply affected by the death Of Daniel
Webster, filling al his decease the office OF
Secretary OF State. His associates in the eX-
ecu,ive government have sincerely sympa-
thlsed with his family and the public gener-
ally on this mournful occasion. His com.
manding talents, his great political and pro-
fessional eminence, his well tried patriotism,
and his long and faithful services, in the
most important public trusts, have caused his
death TO be lamented throughout the conn.
try, and have canned for him lasting place
in our history.
In the course Of the last summer consider
able anxiety was caused for n short time by
an official lnimaton from the government Of
Great Britain thai orders had been given for
~ ,l IL. g ,l.
of the British provinces in North America
against the alleged encroachmenls Of the fish
ing vessels Of the United States and france
The shortness OF this notice and the season
of the year seemed TO make it a matter OF
urgent Importance. ii was at first appre-
hended that an increased naval force had
been ordered 10 The fishing grounds 10 carry
into effect tie British Interpretation OF those
provisions in the convention of 1918, in ref
erence 10 the tue intent of which the two
governments differ. Il was soon discovered
that such was not the design of Great Bri.
tain; aud satisfactory explanations of The real
objects OF the measure have been given both
here and in London.
The nnadjusled difference however, be-
tween the two governments as to the inter
pletaion Of the first article OF The convention
OF 1918 is still a matter OF importance
American fishing vessels within nine or ten
years have been excluded from waters 10
which they had free access for twenty-five
years after the negotiation Of The treaty In
1915 this exclusion was relaxed so far as con-
Germs the Bay Of Fundy, but the just and lib
eral intention Of the Home government, in
compliance with what we think the true con.
sruclion of the convention, TO open all the
outer bays 10 our fisherman, was abandoned,
in consequence of the opposition Of the colo
MES. Notwiih>landing this, the United
States have since the Bay of Fundy was re-
opened 10 our fishermen in 1915, pursued the
most liberal course toward the colonial fish
ing interests. By the revenue law of 1885,
the duties on colonial fish entering our ports
we're very greatly reduced, and by The ware
housing act it is allowed 10 be entered in
bond without payment Of duty. In this way
colonial fish has acquired the monopoly OF
the export trade in our market, and is enter
ing 10 some extent into the home consnmp-
lion These facts were among those which
increased the sensIbiliy Of our fishing inter-
est, al the movement in question.
These circumstances and the incidents
above alluded TO have led me to think the
moment favorable for a reconsideration Of
the entire subject OF the fisheries on the coasts
OF the British provinces, with view 10 place
them upon more liberal footing of recipro-
cal privileges. A willingness 10 meet us in
some arrangement of this kind is understood
TO exist, on the part Of Great Britain, with a
desire on her part 10 include in one compre-
hensiye settlement, as well this sui iect as
the commercial Intercourse between the Uni
ted States and the British provinces. ] have
thought that Whatever arrangements may be
made on these two subjects, ii is expedienl
that they should be- embraced in separate
conventions. The lluess and death Of the
late Secretary of State prevented The COM
mencemeni of the contemplated negotiation
Pains have been taken TO collect the irlorma-
lion required for The details OF such an ar
rangement. The subject is attended with
considerable difficulty. II il is found pracI.
cable 10 come TO an agreement mutually ac-
ceptable 10 the two parties; conventions may
be concluded in the course of the present
winter. The control Of Congress over all
the provisions of such an arrangement, af.
fecting The revenue, will OF course be re-
served.
The affairs of Cuba formed a prominent
topic in my last annual message, They re-
main in an uneasy condition, aud feeling Of
alarm and irritation on the part OF the Cuban
authorities appears 10 exist. This feeling
has lnierfeIed with the regular commercial
intercourse between the United States aud
me island, and led 10 some acts of which we
nave night 10 complain. But the Captain
GENERAL OF Cuba is clothed with no power to
'reat WIN foreign governments nor is he in
any degree under the control of the Spanish
Minister at Washington. Any communica-
non which he may hold with an agent of a
ioreign power is informal and matter of cour-
!esy' Anxious 10 put an end to the existing
inconVeniences, (which seemed 10 rest ON a
misconceplion, directed The newly-appoint-
ed Minister TO Mexico 10 visit Havana, on his
way 10 Vera Cruz. He was respectfully re-
ceiVed by the Captain General, who confer.
red with him freely on the recent occurren.