Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1852-12-18
VOLUME II.
Presidents Message.
EeImr-citizenS of the Nennte

The brief space which has elapsed since the close
of your last session has been marked by extraodi-
nary political event. The quadrennial election OF
Chief Magistrate has passed off with less than the
usual excitement. However individuals and parties
may have been disappointed in the result it is never
theesS subject of national congratulaton that the
choice has been effected by the Independent sutrages
of free people, undsturbed by those influences which
in other countries have too often affected the purity OF
popular elections.
Our grateful thanks are due to All-merciful Pro-
violence not only for staying the pestence which in
different forms has desoated some of cities, but
for crowning the labors of the husbandman with an
abundant harvest, and the nation generally with the
blessings of peace and prosperity.
Within few weeks the public mind has been deep
y affected by the death of Daniel Webster, filling at
his decease the Office of Secretary of State His as
socates in the Executive government have sincerely
sympathized with his family and the public generally
on this mournfu occasion. His commanding talents
his great political and professional emnence his we'll
tried patriotism, and his long and faithful services in
the most important public trusts have caused his death
to be lamented throughout the country and have earn
ed for him lasting place in history.
In the course OF the last summer considerable anx-
lety was caused for Il short time by an official ntma-
ton from the government of Great Britain that orders
had been given for the protection of the fisheries upon
the coasts of the British provinces in North America
against the alleged encrOachments Of the fishing YES
sells OF the United States and France. The shortness
OF this notice and the season of the year seemed to
make 1t matter OF urgent Importance. 1t was at first
apprehended that increased naval force had been
ordered to the fishing grounds to carry into effect the
British Interpretation of those provisions in the con-
VenOn OF 1915 IN reference to the true intent of which
the two governments differ. 1t was soon discovered
that such not the design of Great Britain and sat-
lslactory explanations Of the real objects of the
ure have been given both here and in London
The unadlusted 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 vessels within nine or
ten years have been excluded from waters to which
they had Tree access for twenty-five years after the
negotiation OF the treaty. In 1915 this exclusion was
relaxed so far the Bay of Fundy but the
just and liberal intention of the Home government in
compliance with what we think the true construction
OF the conventions 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 re-
opened to our fishermen in 1845, pursued the most lib
era course toward the colonial fishing interests. By
the revenue law of 1916, the duties on colonial fish
entering our ports very greatly reduced, and by
the warchOusng act it is allowed to 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 in entering to extent into the home
consumption. These facts were among those which
increased the sensiby Of fishing interest, at the
movement in question.
These circumstances and the incidents above alluded
to have led me to think the moment favorable for re-
consideration OF the entire subject of the fisheries
NOdcIS vi TIC DllIlSl PROVINCES Win view 10
place them upon a liberal footing of reciprocal
privilege willingness to meet us in some arrange
mcnt Of this kind is understood to exist the part
Great Britain with desire 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 what
arrangements may be made these two subjects
it is CXpcdcnt that they should be embraced in sopa
rate conventions. TheSillness and death of the late
Secretary OF State prevented the commencement o
tn Of
to collect the information required for the details o
such an arrangement. The subject is attended will
considerable difficulty II it is found practicable t.
come to agreement mutually acceptable to the two
parties, conventions may be concluded in the course
Of the present winter The control Of Congress ove
all the provisions of such 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 con
diton, and feeling of alarm and irritation on the par
the Cuban authorities appears to exist This een!
has nterlcred with the regular commercial intercourse
between the United States and the island, and led t.
some acts Of which we have right to complain. Blu
the Captain General of Cuba is clothed with no pow
er to treat with foreign governments is he in
degree under the control of the Spanish Minister a
Washington. Any communication which he may ho
with agent of foreign power is informal and mat
ter of courtesy. Anxious to put end to the exist
ing inconvenience, (Which seemed to rest on mis-
cOnception0 directed the newly appointed Ministe
to Mexico to visit Havana, on his way to Vera Cruz
He respectfully received by the Captain General
who conferred with him freely the recent occurren
cess but no permanent arrangement was effected.
In the mean time, the refusal of the Captain Gen
eral to allow passengers and the mail to be landed il
certain cases. for reason which does not furnish il
the opinion of this Government even good presump
tive ground for such prohibition, has been made tn
subject of serious remonstrance at Madrid; and
have reason doubt that due respect will be pal
by the government of Her Catholic Majesty to tn
representations which our Minister has been nstruc
ted to make on the subject
1t is but Justice to the Captain General to add tina
his conduct towards the steamers employed to carr
the mails of the United States to Havana has, wit
the exceptions above alluded to, been marked wit
kindness and lberality, and indicates general pun
pose of interfering with the commercial correspoT
dence and intercourse between the island and thi
country.
Early IN the present year official notes were receiV
ed from the Ministers of France and England nvitin
the Government of the United States to become
party with Great Britain and France to a trpartit
Convention, in virtue of which the three powers shout
severally and collectively disclam, now and for tn
future all intention to obtain possession of the Islam
of Cuba, and should bind themselves to discountenanC
all attempts to that effect the part of any powt
or individual whatever. This invitation has been n
spectully declined, for which it would occuF
too much space in this communication to state in
tall but which led me to think that the proposed mea
ure would be of doubtful consttutionaity, impoliti
and unavailing I have, however, in common vii
several of nv predecessors, directed the Ministers
France and England to be assured that the Unite
States entertain no designs against Cuba; but tina
on the corary, should regard its incorporation IN
the Union at the present time as fraught with serlo
peril