Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-08-21

Sandwich Islands to put themselves under the protection
or subject themselves to the jurisdiction Of the Unite
States submit to honorable Senator'S that they beg
at the wrong end settled by the last prece
that the function Of annexing belonged not TO the Ere
siden but to Congress Congress have power "to AL
mt pew states. Let Senators who desire annexation
Introduce the BILL ready entertain the question
for examination and to act prudence wisdom and the
great interests Of the country shall be found to require
But cannot PREJUDICE question so great so momen-
| tous.
These alleged and mistaken trumphs of England then
form no cumulative evidence to support the censures
upon the Administration in regard to the
action in question.
And now what the real question before Congress in
rega 60 these fisheries? That question is simply this
The British Colonies insist upon the rigorous construction
OF the convention Of 1873 so as to exclude us from
Ing the large British bays and distract and annoy
and the people of the United States resist that
construction anda they never will yield it. The British
Government approve in words and yet 50 far as their
acts are concerned refuse to support it, The conro-
yersy IS thirty years old, and endless one
While that question is kept up the American fisheries
which were once In most prosperous condition,
paratyey stationary or declining although supported by
large bounes AT the time the Provincial fisheries
are gaming IN the quantity Of fish exported this
Try ana largely gaining in their expectations abroad.
In those colonies us products Of the fishery valued
at $2f4 IN 1851 the value Of their fish which we
received was SSl 600 In 1874 they exported through
our ports to other countries fish valued at $1,000 in
Our fishermen want all that our own construction Of
the convention gives them and want and must have more
they want and must have the privileges of fishing within
the three inhibited miles, and of curing fish the shore
Consider Tor moment the magnitude Of the interest Of
the fsheriesthat it employs fleet of twelve hundred
sail, managed by twelve thousand men, and capital Of
$4,000 and that together with the whale fishery
1t contributes the basis of our naval power.
Shall we not try to quiet and end this long and nju-
rious dispute and to procure for the fishermen not only
peace and security, also Of the fishing
ground and its privileges That is the question: and
amfor it.
Sir there ought to be decision on this matter some
time or other AT all events delay is injurious and dan
gerous We think the right is with US, and so am
lit is. But, nevertheless it is question The British
Government areour equals and they hold open
ton They quote American authorities especially that of
Chancellor Kent against u.s. This shows that they
are as confident in maintaining their position
in maintaining ours We dictate terms to Great
Britain We will not allow her dictate terms to us.
Now, sir can we in any event. yield right to navi-
gate the Gut of Canso and with it the fisheries of the
Straits of Northumberland? No! Can enjoy fish
cries as we ought while these disputes exist No! Are
we to leave then open and if SO, shall fisheries be
carried hereafter under the surveillance of an armed
British s1uadror and the guardianship of naval feet
| of our own?
Senate that the Executive should upon this sub
ject, and think wisely agree on that point with my
honorable and distinguished friend from Massachusetts,
(Alr DAVIS. What the Colonies require is modif-
venue. That il subject proper to be acted upon by Con-
gress, not by the President if is to be acted upon
all 1t must moth done by treaty. Weseem have
ed the responsibility and it rests upon Let
longer excite ourselves and agate the country with
avaing debates but let address ourselves the
lief of the fishermen, and to the Improvement of
merce.
Now, sir there is only way that Congress act
and that is by reciprocal legislation with the British Par
lament or the British Colonies of Sort com
init myself to particular scheme project Of recipro-
cal legislation and certainly to injurious any agr
cultural manufacturing interest l. for one, will give
my poor opinion upon the subject and il is this: That
long hereafter any British force shall be maintained in
those northeastern waters equal naval force be
maintained there by ourselves When Great Britain shall
diminish or withdraw her armed force, ought d.
mnish or withdraw own and that in the time
commission ought 10 be raised that appropriate
committee of this body-the Committee Foreign Rea-
tons, the Committee Finance, the Committee on
be charged ascertain whether there
cannot be some measure adopted by reciprocal Legislation
to adjust these difficulties and enlarge the rights Of
fishermen, consistently with all tho axisins ntsrasss n
tho United STATES.