Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-12-16
P @ L [ T I G. A L .
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
FellolU citizens of the Senate
and of The H,,,.o of ReDresenf1f

The brief space which has elapsed since the
close of your last session has been marked by
no extraordinary political event. The quad
rennial election of Chief Magistrate has passed
off with less than the usual excitement. How
ever individuals and parties may have been dis
appointed in the result, 1t is nevertheless sub
lject of national congratulation that the choice
has been effected BY the independent suffrages
of free people, undisturbed by those influences
which in other countries have too often effected
the purity of popular elections.
Our grateful thanks are due to an All-mer-
cifnl Providence, not only for staying the pes
ulence which in different forms has desolated
some Of our cities, 5ut 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 deeply affected by the death of Daniel
Webster, filling at his decease thea office of
Secretary of State. His associates in the Ex-
ecutive government hae sincerely sympathized
with his family and the public generally on this
mournful occasion. His commanding talents,
his great political and professional emnence,
his well-tried patriotism, and his long and faith
ful services, in the most important public trusts,
have caused his death to be lamented through
out the country, and have earned for him a
lasting place in our history.
In the course of the last summer considerable
anxiety was caused for short time by an Off
cial intimaton from the government of Great
Britain, that orders had been given for the pro-
lection of the fisheries upon the coasts of the
British provinces in North America against the
alleged encroachments Of the fishing vessels of
the United States and France The shortness
OF this notice and the season of the year seemed
to make II matter OF urgent importance. 1t
was at first apprehended that an increased ma
val force had been ordered to the fishing grounds
to carry into OBJECT the British Interpretation of
those provisions in the convention of 1918, in
reference 10 the true intent of which the two
governments differ. 1t was soon discovered
that such was not the design of Great Britain,
and satisfactory explanations of the real objects
of the measure have been given both here and
in London
The unadiusted difference, however, between
the Two governments as to the Interpretation of
the first article Of the convention of 1878 is still
matter of importance. American fishing YES
sells within nine len years have been excluded
from waters 10 which they had free access for
twenty-five years after the negotiation of the
treaty. In l645 this exclusion was relaxed SO
far as concerns The Bay of Fundy, but the just
and liberal intention of the Home government,
In compliance with what we think the true con-
struction of The convention, to open all the other
outer bays to cur fishermen. was abandoned, in
consequence of The opposition of the colonies.
Notwithstanding this, the United States have
since the Bay of Fundy was reopened 10 our
fishermen in le45, pursued the most liberal
course toward The colonial fishing interests
BY the revenue law of 1916, the duties on col
onial fish entering our ports we're very greatly
reduced, and BY the warehouslng act it is al
lowed to be entered in bond without. payment
of duty. In this way coiona al fish has acquired
she monopoly of the export trade in our mar
ket, and is entering To some extent into the
home consumption. These facts we're among
those which increased the sensiblity of
fishing interest, at the movement in ques-
tion.
These circumstances and the incidents above
alluded TO have led me to think the moment IA
vorable for a reconsideration of the entire sub
iect of the fisheries on the COASTS of the British
provinces, with view to place them upon a
more liberal footing of reciprocal privilege
A Willingness to meet us in some arrangement
of this kiad is understood to exist, on the part
of Great Britain, 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 ar
rangements may be made on these two subjects
il is expedient that they should be embraced in
separate conventions. The illness and death
of the late Secretary of Stale prevented the
commencement of the contemplated negotiation.
Pains have been taken To collect the nforma-
tion required for the details of such an arrange
ment. The subjec, is attended with considera-
BILE difficulty. If it is found practicable come
to an agreement mutually acceptable to 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, affecting the revenue, will OF
course be reserved.
The affairs of Cuba formed prominent top
ic in my last annual message. They remain
in an uneasy condition, and feeling of alarm
and irritation the part of the Cuban authori-
ties appears 10 exist. This feeling has inter
fered with the regular commercial intercourse
between the United States and the island, ano
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 Spanish Minister at Washington
Any communication which he may hold with
an agent of a foreign power is informal ant
matter of courtesy. Anxious to put an end I,
the existing inconveneuces, (Which seemed tC
rest on a miscunceptlon,) | directed the newly
appointed Minister To Mexico TO visit Havana
on his way to Vera Cruz. He was respectful
ly received by the Captain General, who con
ferred with him freely ON the recent occur.
rences but no permanent arrangement was
effected.
In the mean time, the refusal of the Captain
Ueneral To allow passengers and the mali tu be
landed In certain cases, for a reason which does
mol furnish In the opinion of this Government
even a good presuInptve ground for such
prohibition, has been made the s.biect of a Sc
rious remonstrance at Madrid; aud have n.
reason to doubt that due respect will be paid b,
the government of Her Catholic Majesty to The
representations which our Minister has beer
instructed to make the subject.
1t is bu: Justice TO the Captain General te
add, that his conduct toward the steamers en-,
ployed to carry the mails of the United State
to Havana has, with the exceptions above al
luded to, been marked with kindness and hber
ality, and indicates no general purpose ot In
terfering with the commercial correspondence
and intercourse between the island and I'M
country.
Early in the present year official notes wer
received from the Ministers of France and Eng
land, inviting the government of the Unie
States to become party with Great Britai
and France TO iripartite Convention, in virtn
of which the three powers should severally an
collectively dlsclaim, now and for the future
ali intention TO obtain possession of the Islam
of Cuba, and should bind themselves IN di.