The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1852-12-10
Presidents Message.
FsIlOD Citisen. Of dc Senate ~.

1Itc OIktl cpoCC NAtNh iAeso NN-f' SsAiSS -
close Of the last session has been marked by no
extraordinary political event The quadrennial
election of Chief Magistrate has passed of with
less than the usual excitement. However in
dividuais and parties may have been disap-
pointed in the result, 1t is nevertheless a sub
iect of national coAgratulation that the choice
has been effected by the independent suffrages
Of freepeople, 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-merci-
| full Providence, not only for staying the pesti-
lence which in different forms has desolated
some of our 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 deeply affected by the death of Daniel
Webster, filling at his decease the effice Of Sec
retary Of State. His associates IN the Executive
Government have sincerely sympathized with
his family and the public generly on this mourn
ful occasion. His commanding talents, his
great political and professional eminence, his
well-tried patriotism, and his long and faithful
services, in the most important public trusts,
have caused his death to be lsmented through
cut the country, and have earned for him last
| lIk plhCC III Jul
| In the course of last summer, considerable
anxiety was caused for short time by an Off
cial intimation 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
alledged encroachments OF the fishing vessels OF
1.-THE United States and France. The shortness
of this notice and the season OF the year seemed
to make 1t matter OF great Importance. IL twas
first apprehended that an increased naval force
had been ordered to the fishing grounds to car
ry INTO effect the British interpretation OF those
provisions in the Convention OF 4eio, In refer
ence to the true intent OF which the two Gov
ernments differ. 1t was soon discovered that
such was not the design otgreat Britain, and
satisfactory explanations ofthe real objects oil
the measure have been given both here and in
Londen. 5i
The unadjused difference, however, between
the two governments as to the Interpretation OF
the first article of the convention OF 1878 is still
a matter Of Importance. American hshlng YES
sells within nine or ten years have been exclud-
ed from the waters to which they had Tree ac-
cess for twenty-five years after the negotiation
OF the treaty In le4o this exclusion was re-
laxed so far as the Bay OF Fundy, but the just
and liberal intention the Home government,
in compliance with what we think the true con-
struction OF the convention, to open all the 9th.
er 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 l845, pursued the most liberal
course towards the colonial fishing interests
By the revenue law Of ls46, the duties on colo
nial fish entering our ports were very greatly
duced, and by the warehousing actit is allowed
to beentered in bond without payment Of duty. In
this way colonial fish has acquired the monopo-
ly OF the export trade in our market, and is en-
tering to some extent into the home consump'
tion, These facts were among those which in
creased the sensibility ofour fishing interest, at
the movement in question.
These circumstances and the incidents above
alluded to have led me to think the moment ia
vorable for reconsideration OF the entire sub
ject 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 kind is understood to exist, on the part Of
Great Britain with desire on her part TO in
clude in one comprehensive settlement, as well
this subject as the commercial intercourse be-
tween the Unitec States and the British prov
lnces. have thought that whatever arrange
ments may be made on these two subjects, 1t is
exped!ent that they should be embraced IN yep,
arate conventions. The illness and death OF
lie late Secretary oil State prevented the com
mencement OF the contemplated hegol;Mion.-
rams nave oeen taken 10 coiiect the ihiofhid'
alton required Tor me details oil such an ar
rangement.. :, Inc suolect is aetenGed WIN con
siderable dinicui'y' IL IL ls ionhu Prac'icaoie
to come 10 an agreement mutually accepta1ie 10
ihe TWO parties, conventions may oe concluueu m
IN the course Oh lhe present wihiei. Inc con
trol oil Congress over All 'he provisions oil M SSch
an arrangement ahectlng ihe revenue VIII ol
course oe reserved.
The ahaifs oi Cuba formed prominent topic
In my last message Ihey remain IN an uneasy
condltlon, and teellng OF alarm and Irritation
on the part OF the Cuoan authorities, appears 10
exist. Ihis ieeling mas lnteriered with the reg,
ular commercial intercourse between the United
Siaes ana the lsland, ana leo 10 some ac's Oh
which we nave rignt 10 complain but the
captain General of ouoa Is clothed WIN nc
power to treat with foreign governments nor l.
ne IN any degree under the control OF me span
ism Minister at washington; ANY communlca
ton whlcn ne may hold win an agent OF ior
Sgn power, is INFORMAL and matter oil courtesy
Anxious TO put an end to existing lnconvenlen-
ces, (Which seemed to rest on mlsconception,
directed the newly appointed Minister to Mex
leo to visit HAVANA, on his way to Vera Cruz
He was respectfully received by the Captain
General, who conferred with him freely on the
recent occurrences; but no permanent arrange
ment was effected.
In the meantime the refusal Of the Captain
General to allow passengersand the mail to bC
landed in certain cases, for a reason which does
not furnish in the opinion OF this Government
even good Presumptive ground for such pro