Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-12-10
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
FelSow citizens Of tie Senate

extraordinary political event. The quadrennlal
election of Chief Magistrate has passed off with
less than the usual excitement. However indi-
,duals and parties may have been disappointed
in the result, it is nevertheless subject of ma
tional congratulaton that the choice has been ef-
fected by the independent suffragcs of freepeo
pie, undisturbed by those influences which in
other countries have too often affected the purity
of popular elections.
> Our grateful thanks are due to an All-merciful
Providence, not only for staying the pestilcnce
which in different forms has desolated some of
our Cities but for crowning the labors of the hus-
bandman with an abundant harvest, and the ma
ton generally with the blessings Of peace and
prosperity. 81,
Within few weeks the public mind has been
deeply affected by the death of Daniel Webster,
filing at his decease the Office OF Secretary Of State
His associates in the Executive government have
sincerely sympathzed with his family and the
public generally on this lnournful occasion. His
commanding talents, his great political and pro-
fessional eminence, his well tried patriotism, aud
his long and faithful services, in the most impor-
tant public trusts, have caused his death to be Ia
mepted throughout the country, and have earned
for him lasting place in our history.
anxiety was caused for short time by an official
intimation from the government of Great Britain
that orders had been given for the protection of
the fisheries upon the coasts of the British pro-
yinces in North America against the alleged en-
croachmeuts of the fishing vessels of the United
States and France. The shortness Of this notice
and the season of the year seemed to make it
matter Of urgent importance. 1t vas at tirstap-
pretended that an increased naval force had been
ordered to the fishing grounds to carry into ef-
feet the British Interpretation of those provisions
in the convention of 1918, in reference to the
true intent of which the two governments differ.
1t was soon discovered that such was not the de-
sign Of Great Britain, and satisfactory expana.
tions of the real objects of the measure have been
given both here and in London.
The unadjusted difference, however between
the two governments as to the Interpretation of
the first article of the convention of 1918 is still
matter Of Importance. American fishing ves-
seb within nine or ten years have been excluded
from waters to which they had free access for
twenty five years after the negotiation Of the
treaty. In 1915 this exclusion relaxed so
far as concerns the Bay of Fundy, but the just
and liberal intention of the Home government,
III compliance with what we think the true con
struction of the convention, to open all the other
outer bays to our fishermen, was abandoned, in
consequence of the opposition of the colonies
Notwithstanding this, the United States have,
since the Bay of Fundy was reopened to our fish
ermen in 1915, pursued the most liberal cour
toward the colonial fishing interests. BY the
revenue law of 1916, the duties on colonial fish
entering our ports were very greatly reduced, and
by the warehousing act it is allowed to be enter
ed in bond without payment of duty. In this
way colonial fish has acquired the monopoly Of
the export trade in our market, and is entering
to some extent into the home consumption
These facts were among those which increased
the sensibity of our fishing interest, at the move
ment in qestion
These circumstances and the incidents above
alluded to have led me to think the moment ia
vorabe for reconsideration of the entire subject
of the fisheries on the coasts of the British pro-
vinces, with view to place them upon a-more
liberal footing of reciprocal privilege. willing
ness to meet us in some arrangement of this kind
is understood to exist, on the part of Great Bri-
tain, with desire on her part to include in one
comprehensive settlement, as well this subject as
the commercial intercourse between the United
States and the British provinces. have thought
that whatever arrangements may be mace on
these two Subjects tits expedient that they should
be embraced in separate conventions. The i'll
ness ard death of the late Secretary of State
prevented the commencement of the contempla-
ted negotiation. Pains have been taken to col
lect the information required for the details of
such an arrangement. The subject is attended
with considerable difficulty. If it is found prac-
ticable to come to an agreement mutually accep-
table to the two parties, conventions may be con-
cluded in the course Of the present winter. The
control of Congress over all the provisions of
such an arrangement, affecting the revenue, will
of course be reserved.
The affairs of Cuba formed prominent topic
in my last annual message. They remain in an
uneasy condition, and a feeling Of alarm and IT.
ritation on the part of the Cuban authorities ap-
pears 10 exist. This feeling has interfered with
the regular commercial intercourse between the
United States and the island, and led to some
acts of which we have right to complain. But
the Captain General of Cuba is clothed with no
power to treat with foreign governments, nor is
. he in any degree under the control of the Span
ish Minister at Washington. Any communica-
tion which he may hold with an agent of a
. e,;.,, ,,ovar is informal and matter of courtesy