Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-12-15
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE,
Fsllo,c-eiii=ens Of he Senate.

and Of The House Of Representatives.
The brief space which has elapsed since
the close of your last session has been
marked by no extraordinary political event.
The uuadrennal election of Chief Magls-
trate has passed off with less than the usu-
al excitement. However individuals and
parties may have been disappointed in the
result, it Is nevertheless subject OF ma
tional congratulation that the choice has
been effected by the Independent suffrages
of free people, undisturbed by those in-
fluences which in other countries have too
often affected the purity of popular elec-
tions.
Our greatful thanks are due to an All
mercifu! Providence, not only for staying
the pestilence which in different forms has
desolated some of our cities, but for crown
ing the labors of the huSbandmen with an
abundant harvest, and the nation general
ly with the blessings of peace and prosperi-
ty.
Within few weeks the public mind has
been deeply affected by the death Of Dam
iel Webster, filling at his decease the Of
fee of Secretary of State. His associates
in the Executive government have sincere
lv svmpathzed with his family and the
public generally on this mournful occasion.
His commanding talents, his great political
and professional eminence, his well-tred
patriotism, and his long and faithful service
es,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 conSid-
cradle anxiety was caused for short time
by an official lntimation from the gorern-
ment of Great Britain that orders had been
gwen for the protection of the fisheries up
on the coast of the British provinces III
North America against the alleged en-
croachmen.s 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 a matter Of urgent i'm
portance Il was at first apprehended that
an increased naval force had been ordered
TO the fishing grounds to carry into effect
the British interpretation of those proviS-
ions in the convention of 1SlS,ln reference
TO the true intent OF which the two Govern
ments 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, be-
tween the two governments as to the in
terpretation Of the first article Of the con.
vention of 1913, Is still matter of impor-
tance. American fishing vessels within
nine or ten wears have been excluded from
-. ho1 f.aa f,,
twenty-five years after the negotiation OF
the treaty. In 1915 this exclusion was re-
laxed so far "a concerns the Bay of Fundy
but the lust and liberal Intention of the
Home government, IN compliance with
what we think the true construction OF the
convention to open all the other outer bay:
to our fishermen, was abandoned, IN con-
sequeace of the opposition of the colonies
Notwithstanding this, the United States
have, since the Bay of Fundy was reopen
ed to our fishermen in 1845. pursued ths
the NEST liberal course toward the colonid
fishing interests. By the revenue law o
1915, the duties on colonial fish tnterins
our ports were very greatly reduced ant
by the wacehousn;g act it is allowed to bt
entered in bond without payment Of duty
In this way colonial fish has acquired tht
monopoly of the KIP trade in our market
and is entering to some extent into the hom'
consumption. These facts were anon.
those which increased the sensibity OF ou
fishing interest, at the moment III ques
zion.
These circumstances and the iacident
above alluded to have led me to think tn
moment favorable for reconsideration o
3the entire subject Of the fisheries on the
coast of the British PROVINCES, with view
to place them upon more liberal footin!
of reciprocal privilege. A willingness t
meet us in some arrangement of this kint
Is understood to exist, on the part of Grea
Britain, with desire on her part to include
IA Que comprehensive settlement as vel
this subject as the commercial intercours,
between the United States and the Britisl
provinces. have thought that whatevc
arrangements may be made on these tw
subjects, it IS expedient that they shoult
be embraced ia separate conventions TIL,
illness and death of the late Secretary o
State prevented the commencement of IT,,
contemplated negotiation. Pains have beer
taken to collect the information required TO
lUc ucldiS VI suCl dl arrangement. Int
subject is attended with considerable diff
Guilty. iii is found practicable to com,
10 ap agreement mutually acceptable to tn
two parties, conventions may be concludes
AN the course ct the present winter. Tht
Control Of Congress over all the provision
Of such an arrangement, affecting the reve
Due, will of course be reserved.
The affairs Of Cuba formed promineu
topic ~ my last annual message. They re
main in an uneasy condition, and teeln
of alarm and irritation on the part of tn
Cuban authorities appears 10 exist. Thi
feeling mas iRterfered with the regua
commercial intercourse betweeen the Uni
ed States and the island, and led to som
acts of which we have right TO complain
But the Captain general of Cuba is clothe
with no power to treat with foreign govern
meats. nor is he in any degree under tn
control OF the Spanish Minister at Wasl
ipgtop. ANY communication which he ma
bold with an agent OF foreign power
informal and matter Of courtesy. Anxiou
to put an end to the existing inconvenier
ceS, (Which seemed to rest Oh mrsconcer
tion,) | directed the newly-apponted Mir
lster to Mexico to visit Havana, on his wa
to Vera Cruz. He was respectfully receiy