Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1852-12-16
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Ftiiow-cifisenS Of The Senute
ard of The House of Representatives..

lection of CHEZ Magistrate has passed of with ,
ess than the usual excitement. However individ- !
lab end parties may have been disappointed in the I
-esuit, is nevertheless subject of national con-
,ratulaoa that the choice has been effected by the
independent sufirages of free people. undisturbed
~ taose influences which in other countries have
100 often affected the purity Of popular elections.
Our grateful thanks are due 10 an Ali-merciful /
not only for staying the pestilence
which in different forms has dcsclated some Of our
cities and for browning the labors Of the husband
zen with an abundant harvest, and the nation gem
orally with the blessings of peace and prosperity.
Within few weeks the public mind has been
deeply affected by the death OF Daniel Webster
filing at his decease Che Office OF Secretary Of State
Ills associates IN THE Executive Government have
sincerely sympathsed with his family, and the
public generally on This mouruiui occasion. His ,
commanding talents, his great political and pro-
tessiona eminence, his well-t.ied patriotism, and
bis long and faithful services in the most important
public trusts, have caused his death 10 be lameEted !
throughout the country, and have earned FOR him /
lasting place in our history.
In the course of the last summer considerable /
anxiety was caused for short time by an official /
i1timation from the government Of Great Britain |
that orders had been given for the protection OF
the fisheries upon the coasts of the British provn-
Gee in North America against The alledged encroach
nents OF the fishing vessels of the United States
and France. The shortness Of this notice, and the
season of the year seemed 10 make it matter OF
urgent Importance. II 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 provisions in the convention
Of 1878, in reference to the true intent Of which
the two governments differ. Ii was soon dscov-
cred that such was not the design OF Great Brit
ain, and satisfactory explanations Of the real OBJ
jecss OF the measure have been given both here and
In London.
The unad usted difference, however. between TIE
two governments 10 the Interpretation OF the first
article OF the convention Of 1878, is still matter
of importance. American fishing vessels within
niue or ten years have been excluded from waters
70 which they had free for twenty-five years
after the negotiation Of the treaty. in 1915 this
exclusion relaxed so far as concerns the Bay of
Fundy, but the Just and liberal intention of the
Home government, in compliance with what we
thnk the true construction Of the convention, to
open all the outer bays 10 our fisherman was aban-
doned IN consequence OF the opposition OK the colo
MES. Notwithstanding this, the United States
heYe, since the Bay of Fundy was re-opened to
our fishermen in 1875, pursued the most liberal
course towards the colonial fishing interests. By
the revenue law Of 1876, the duties on colonial fish
sntering our ports were greatly redRced, and by
the warehoGsiIg ACT il is allowed 10 be entered in
bond without payment Il duty. Ii this way colo
hal fish has acquired the monopoly Of the export
trade in our market, and is entering 10 some extent
In the home consumption. These facts were among
those which increased the sensibi,ty Of our fishing
z
The circumstances and the incidents above al
iuded 10, have led me TO think the moment farora-
bic for q reconsideration of the entire subject OF
the fisheries on the coasts OF the British provinces,
with view 10 place them upon more liberal
footing of reciprocal privilege. 4 willingness 70
meet us in some arrangement OF this KIM IS under
stood TO exist on the part Of Great Britain, with a
desire on her part TO include in one comprehensive
settlement, well this subject rs The commercial
intercourse Between the United States and the Brit
ish provinces. nave thought that whatever al
rangements may be made on ,aese tWo subjects, il
is eXpcdient that they should be en- raced in sepa-
rate conventions The illness anh death Of the
Secretary of State prevented The commencement OF
the contemplated negotiation. Pains have been Ia
ken to collect the information required for the de-
tails OF such an arrangement. The subject is at
tended with considerable difficulty. If It is found
practicable to come 10 an agreement mutually &C
ceptable to the two parties, conventions may be
concluded in the course of the present winter
The cordrol of Congress over ali the provisions OF
such an arrangement, affecting the revenue, viii Of
course be reserved.
The affairs of Cuba formed prominent topic IN
nay last ohnuai message. They remain in an unea-
sy condition, and feeling ct alarm and irritation
on the part Of The Cuban authorities appears 10
exist. The feeling has interfered with the regular
commercial intercourse between the United states
and the Island, and led 10 some acts OF which we
have right 10 complain But the Captain Cen
cral Of Cuba is clothed viii! power to treat with
foreign governments, nor is he in any dc gree under
the control Of the Spanish Minister at Washington.
Any communication which he may hold with al
agent of foreign power is informal and matter
OF courtesy. Anxious 70 put an end 70 the existing
Inconvenience, (Which seemed 10 rest upon q
misconception,) | directed the newly appointed
Minister 10 Mexico 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 az
rangement was affected.
In the meantime, the refusal OF the Captain Gen
erai to allow passengers and The mail 10 be landed
in certain cases, for reason which does not fur
nish, in the opinion of this Government, even a
good Presumptiye ground FOR such prohibition
has been made the subject Of a serious remon-
STRANGE at Madrid; and have no reason 10 doubt
that due respect will be paid by the government Of
Her Catholic Majesty 10 The representations which
our Minister has been instructed 10 make on the
subject.
1t is but Justice 10 the Captain General 10 add
that his conduct towards the steamers employed
10 carry the mails OF the United States 20 Havana
has, " III the exceptions above alluded to. beer
marked vita kindness and l.berGEy, ard indicate,
90 general purpose OF interfering with the commei'
ciai correspondence ald Intercourse between the
island and this country.
Early in the present year, official notes were re-
ceiysd from the Ministers OF France and England
iaYiting the government Of the United States 10 be
come party with Great Britain and France, 10
trpartite Convention, in virtue OF which the tire,
powers should severay and collectively disclaim
now and for the future, all intention to obtain th'
Island of Cuba; and shonld bind themselves TO dis
countenance all attempts to that eject on the par
OF any power or individual Whatever TINS in
vitation has been respectfully declined, for reason
which it would occupy too much space in thi
communication to state in detail, but which led IN,
70 think that the proposed measure would be o
doubtful constitutionality, inpoiitic and unavall
ing. have, however, in common with several O
my predecessors, directed the Ministers of Franc
and England 10 be assured that the United State
entertain no designs against Cuba; but that. on h
contrary. should regard its incorporation into TN
Union at the present time as fraught with seriou
peril
Were this island comparatively destitute Of in
habitants, or occupied by kindred race, | shouic
regard it, if voluntarily ceded by Spain, a most de
siFable acquisition. But, under exis ing circum
stances, should look upon its incorporation mt
the Ugion as a very hazardous measure. Itwoulc
bring into the confederaey population Of differ
ent national stock, speaking different language
gnd not likely to herInonse with the other mem
b.rs. It would probably affect in prejudicia
;rJ irtor - -