Washington telegraph., 1852-12-22
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fello,o-citizens Of the Senate and
House of Representatives:

Falo,c-caiSens of the Senate and
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 quadrennial election of Chief Magis-
trate has passed off with less than the usual
excitement, and however individuals and
parties may have been disappointed in the
result. it is nevertheless subject of nation
al congratulation that the choice has been
effected by the independent suffrages of a
free people, undisturbed by those influences
which, in other countries, have too often eff
fected the purity of popular elections
Our grateful thanks are due to an all
merciful 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 husbandman with. an
abundant harvest and 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 Office
of Secretary of State, his associates in the
Executive Government have sincerely SYM
pathized with his family, and the public gen.
orally, on this mournful occasion. His
commanding ta!ent-his great political and
professional eminence-his well-tried patri-
otism, and his long and faithful services il
the most important public trusts. have caus-
ed his death to be lamented throughout the
country, and have earned for him lasting
place in our history.
In the course Of last summer considera-
ble anxiety was caused for short time by
an official intimation from the Court 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 vessels of the United States
and France. The shortness of this notice
and the season of the year, seemed to make
it matter of urgent importance. 1t was
at first apprehended that an increased naval
force had been ordered to the fishing ground
to carry into effect the British interpreta-
ton of those provisions in the Convention
or 1913, in reference to the true inten: of
which the two Governments differ 1t was
soon discovered that such was not the design
of Great Britain, and satisfactory explana-
tions of the real objects OF the measures
have been given both here and in London
The unadjusted difference, however. be-
tween the two Governments as to the inter
probation of the lst article of the Conven-
tion of 1S4S, is still a matter of importance
Our fishing vessels, within nine or ten
years, have been excluded from waters to
which they had free access for twenty five
years after the negotiation Of the treaty.
In 1915, the exclusion was relaxed SO far
as concerned the Bay of Fundy, but the
just and liberal attention of the Home Gov
ernment, in compliance with what we think
the true construction of the Convention, to
open all other outer bays to onr fishermen,
was abandoned in consequence of the oppo-
sition of the colonies, notwithstanding the
U. States has, since the Bay of Fundy was
re-opened to our fishermen in 1915, pursued
the most liberal course towards the colonial
fishing interest BY the Revenue Law of
1856, the duties on colonial fish, entering
our ports, was very greatly reduced, and by
the Warehousing Act it is allowed to been
tered with bond without payment of duty
In this way colonial fish has acquired the
monopoly of the export trade in our market,
and is entering, to some extent, into the
home consumption. These facts we're among
those which increased the sensibilitv of our
fishing interests at the movement in oues-
tion.
These circumstances, and the incidents
above alluded to, have led me to think the
movement favorable for reconsideration
of the entire subject of the Fisheries on the
coasts of the British Provinces with view
to place them on more liberal footing of
reciprocal privilege. A willingness to meet
US In some arrangement of this kind is an
derstood to exist on the part of Great Bri-
tain, with desire on her part to include in
one comprehensive settlement, as we'll this
subject as the commercial intercourse be-
tween the United States and the British
Provinces [ have thought that whatever
arrangement may be made on these subjects,
1t is expedient that they should be embraced
In separate Conventions. The illness and
death of the late Secretary of State prevent
ed the commencement Of the contemplated
negotiation. Pains have been taken to col.
lect the information required for the details
OF such an arrangement. The subject is at
tended with considerable difficulty. If it is
found practicable to come to an agreement
mutually acceptable to the two parties Con-
Ventlon may be concluded in the course of
the present winter. The control of Con-
gress over all the provisions of such an ar
rangement affecting the revenue will of
course be reserved.
The affairs of Cuba formed prominent
topic In my last animal message. They
remain in an uneasy condition, and feel
ing OF alarm and irritation on the part of
.ne Cuban authorities appear to exist. This
feellnn has inforeo,el 81 Al