Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-07-31

There has been for considerable time past pretty
and determined effort made to open between these
colonial Governments and the Government Of the Uned
States what they call reciprocity in trade. Certain pro-
positions known by that have been brought for
ward in Congress, and one is pending in the other
House There have been bills called bills of reciprocity
reported each Of the Houses in former SESSIONS which
failed TO become laws. may say that whenever see-a
bill that has any claim upon its face to its title, bill
that is actually reciprocal in its character shah give
very careful consideration Hitherto have
have pretty strong and urgent effort made by
these colonies open what they call reciprocal trade
with this country but that reciprocal trade if you
anime the bills brought forward will be found to contain
conditions in favor of their people, while the recpro
city is not extended to Whenever thats extended to
shall be disposed to treat it with great respect But
of this description must look to interests
well that Of neighbors it cen have claim
to be called reciprocal.
feel sensitive perhaps any gentleman upon this
oor and desire to give the most ampeaad the most COM
pete protection TO the fishing interest which is mixed
with this question of reciprocity ard declare with ths
greatest sincerity that do believe that in all of the
gi interests OF this country there IS thnt deserves
merits prstecton more. know of no interest where
tl0 lila which earned easFsed with lasor,
TOLL Pc rl or ufe acrifce of personal fort
and enjoyment. Sir, The fsbermaF his employment
uPun the opa temFestueus Atlasc ocean, enduring all
the hardshps which belong to thai laborious pursuit all
the prvatiens and all the sufer;ngs which separation
from home and continuous isolated condition the
implies, and after oil obtains nothing but moderate
humble irving Uhat is their Choice, however, dor the
world is open to them as to Others.
But there is national point Of view in this matter
which 5s deeply interesting to These who 20
upon the Grand Banks and upon the Labrador coast
fish are generally native citizens There is scarcely
excepton they native-born citizens, and from that
nursery springs the great body of naygaors and of
enterprise whc adorn and eRbelish the country say
1T here sir fearless of contradiction, that if you take
away this protecting of the Government you take
that which is essenal you in the deonce of the
country than any thing which can be named Why,
sir the enterprise the Skill and the courage Of these
men are manifest as far as name and fame extend
They your every where and they give
it the high character which it has attained Without them
and their maritime skill should sink down into the
condition of France and other countries which have not
folnd themselves capable of carrying successfully
great and extended with other nations This
is the nursery of the skill and strength which ndis
pensable to success on the ocean, As money-making
business may say to you, what will be found to be true
on anayzng the subject that the profits Of fishing
incapable of alluring any into the pursuit but
maritime subject it is clothed with interest in every
point of view
Hence it is would give to them heartily and cordially
under all circumstances, the protection which they de-
But, while desire this it is fitting and proper
that should repeat what has been declared by the Sena
tor from Maine, that these fisheries have been
less attended with controversy and difficulty at all times
There are, as the Senator from Virginia justly OBJ
served, fishing grounds lying within the exclusive iuris
dcon of the colonies that valuable and they desire
to participate in them Through accident through in
tney sometimes get those grounds;
times teir vessels have been sezed-and it may be law
fully but sometimes it is said unlawfully condemned.
But that seizures have taken place from time to time We
all know.
At what time Great Britain put the construction the
treaty which raises the difficulties which said to
exist am not at this moment informed; though do
know that the controversies have been grave to
cause remonstrance which followed by negotiation
believe do not claim, have claimed, the
right fish within the limits Of her jurisdiction without
her corsent-that is within three miles OF the coasts
but have understood she sets up claim Of this kind
There being the coast OF her colonies large bays and
nles of the that very extensive in their char
acer in giving Interpretation to the treaty that
when the headlands of such bays within six miles of
each other, she claiming jurisdiction three miles from
each coast cannot enter to fish. That is probably
the chief matter of controversy This is not the time to
discuss that point to vndicate the ground which we
maintain. 1t is said, however, that unusual force
and believe it is unusual one of UNUSUAL numbers
Of unusual Strengthens been ordered to protect this
right. / see nothing avowed than the purpose of
protecting their lawful right to what the treaty Of 1878
comedies. This may may not the motive can
lind some solution of what least unusual in the
suggestion Of the Senator from Maine. have the
rights of navigation upon the St. Lawrence more strn-
gently asserted than formerly There time when
courtesy would pass vessel Of the United States through
the canals of the Province but such privileges are now
denied or reluctantly conceded have been told of late
that 1t cannot been passed upon any terms. You hear
the matter of the free navigation of the ST. Lawrence
muck discussed and that Of the St Johns also The lat
ter perhaps is to some extent important than the
former.
BIT still there conference.-the Senator from Illinois
for exampewho esteem the free navigation of the St.
Lawrence Of very high Importance That may be- though
believe the effect of the internal improvements Of the
United States has been divert very large portion Of
the trade of the St. Lawrence through New York That
has be the result but still that is a great highway,
and is desirable that should be opened though If the
Canadians desert it for highways of il remains TO be
whether have genius enough make it available
TO great practical uses.
These colonial gentlemen earnest for permission to
bring their products free of duty into markets. and
they wish TO barter the navigation of these rivers and the
fisheries for this privilege; and what natural than
in this earnestness they should il advisable TO
srghten the ne and to refuse the courtesy that has
heretofore been extended and f the fishery laws have
been little laxly administered to hold up the full
letter Of the law, and perhaps little beyond iY
find solution Of that sort that satisfies my mind
very we'll yet profess knowledge upon this subject
but what is open every body II is gathered in fact
from the circumstances which surround usnothng else
Now, do not believe, any than the Senator from
Virginia. that any thing very serious is TO grow Of ii
but still il is certainly matter TO which the attention of
the Government ought be directed. They ought at
least to take pains investigate the subject and whe
ther there is any thing that deserves consideration the
part of this country and if there is trust they will
make the appropriate movement.
hardly know what better guarantee we can have than
that which suggested in the outset Of my remarks IL
the Secretary Of State and the British Minister are toge
ther in consultation the subject dare say, before
they part shall know and understand the length and
the BREADTH the depth and the height Of this whole sub
ect Nevertheless far from having any objection TO
the passage Of the resolution under consideration,
most heartily and cordially approve Of it, and shall be
grafed to the information for which it calls, and
gratfed look little subject: and, If