Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-07-31
Debate In THE SENATE.
THE xoRTK AMERICAN FISHERIES.


of Mr. MASON Of virginis calling the President for
oil correspondence that has taken place since laIeor the
suprerr ~ The Gsherie the orsts OF s British ro
snee~ IN North America * 8s.isEFasf ~ shs
=, ssa some remarks o1 w 5abee vssah wess eah-
ishsd in our paper of ofsaturuay,) the debass
tnusd as fcllows: aaJh
Mr. HAKLIN As pqe of the representatives of State
most deeply interested in the enbraced r the
solution desire to express my qualification chat the
chairman of the Committee Foreign Relations has
ft ca The attention of the Senate and coue Try to 1T
and desire to yield most hearty ead cordial approval
of and sestment which have been expressed
by thatfenator. Wo not permitted to know at this
time precisely what the state of affairs between this
country and Great Brtan and it IS for the purpose Of
knowing, far as may be compatible witA the public
interes what is the precise state of affairs that this
solution has been offered 1t is indeed wonderful that
after treaty had been acquiesoed in and after
structon had beeaven by for long period
Of time, without notice an armament from that Govern
should be sent into those waters. What its Pc
culiar objects impossible for to tell That there
Interior purpose beyond that which is borne upon
the face Of the natter in judgmen is quite certain
Indeed it has been whisperedrumors hSye to my
earshat it is taken in conpexion with the question of
reciprocity of trade with the British colonies surrounding
Whether it be so, whether negotigon is to be de-
manded, legislation to be asked under duress, am
not permitted TO know. But if that be the
case it well said by the Senator from Virginia, that
in this age aye at this hour it is wonderful indeed if
either negotiation or legislation should be attempted by
such a course We could neither legisiae negotiate
under such ste of thingswthout dshenor disgrace
would we
This is very important question, however, to the
States that the Northern section of this Union
Their interests are extensive The individuals who
engaged in these fisheries numerous, and their life
time of danger and disaster and while the treaty
has been acquiesced and construction given to it by
acquiescence for long period of time it is nevertheless
true and is well known to all of who reside in the Inn
mediate vicinity, that there have been many occasions
when its plain principles have been violated and fish
hava and
seized and conscated upon thah OCCASION when
it justly believed they had not fallen within the proy
sions of the treaty stipuatons They have never been
free of annoyance What TO result from this movement
remains to be seen.
1t is my purpose at this time to 60 into
re Of the extent of that interest," of the
who directly connected with it. As class of
population, however, there who have more
just calls upon for protection an their just rights
Wherever naval battle has been fought the ocean
the lakes he interested in those fisheries have
the individuals who have added ustre flag in
every such engagement and they are indeed entitled to
all the protection which the treaty stpuatons of the
Government can give them That flag which they have
patriotcay sustained on all occasions they may well
look to for protection now, and reoced that the
chairman Of the appropriate committee proposes to make
the appropriate call upon the Department When we
shall learn definitely what is the precise state of affairs
shall cheerfuly with the Senator in carrying
out the demand which he has made This is not the
time in my opinion, when discussion should be had
upon the general question The resolution itself shows
do not possess. When that shall arise, will endea
show the extent and magnitude of this great branch
of industry and its connexion with the and
prosperity Of the country; and believe satisfy all
that fishermen may call upon for protection in all
their rights do doubt that they and the
Of the country will receive that protection from our Gov
ernment.
Mr. CAss. Mr. President, / desire also to express my
full with the remarks that have fallen from
the Senator from Virginia. (Mr MAsoS,) and my gratf
cation at the character of those remarks equally states
manlike and patriotic 1t seems to that the course
Of the British Government in this matter, far we
understand it is of the most extraordinary pro-
ceedngs that has occurred between nations in modern
times What the object is cannot precisely determine
to my satisfaction. Whether it is to try us, to
provoke us or with some Interior object do not under
take to say but In any event. trust that this Congress-
as sure the American people, will stand up to their
rights whatever they may be, and maintain them. But
there is question: independent of any doubt that may
arise on the construction of the treaty to right to
fish within given distance from the British Colonial
coasts. Here is treaty which has been in force
than thirty years. and practical construction has been
put upon from the day IL made to this day. without
contradiction Now in this state Of things what do the
British Government do They do not enter into nego
tiaton to remove the difficulty They draw the sword
and the Gordan knot Instead of amcable negota-
tons with view to terminate the difficulty between us,
they resort 70 force in the face of the world But trust
this Government viii meet the British Government face to
face.
But may be allowed here 70 express the regret feel
that word has been published in the papers the
subject by way Of warning To- the fishermen for
dersand by the remarks Of the respectable papers
here that that the view with which publication
made. This is mistake. II is in fact saying to the
sshermep There is great doubt in regard to this ques
ton. Take how you 60 there until that doubt is
removed That is not the way TO meet such question
as this Il Is not proper 10 meet il by throwing out
doubts TO the country and to the world We should stand
upon our position until the question is by fair nego
aon and not say at once to the world There is great
doubt upon this subject-reat doubt whether win
support our h0hemen and therefore tell them take
care how they go there We should stand upon the po
ston we occupy upon the construction put upon the
treaty Tor ar1osc half century and have right to
say 10 the BrtSh Government II there is any doubt
upon this subject let negotiate and do not draw the
sword and cut tive knot" fully concur with every word
that has been saidby the Senator from Virginia
Mr.. DAVIS. Mr.. President, have beard II rumored--
and speak only from runorthat this matter is now
under the consideration of gentlemen clothed with power
TO negotiate The newspapers inform ss that the British
Minister has gone Boston and the
and suppose they tell TIE trutbthat he there meets
the Secretary Of State TO consider this If there
is really any difficulty hope they will fnd some mode
of adjusting IL; but confess that, though may
be wanting in the earnestncss patriotism which belongs
to gentlemen In this chamber have really felt no alarm
apprehension for the safety the peace Of the
try-none whatever | feel no anxiety, because no
thing which menaces our tranquility or promises TO dis
turb repose and / think | apbrehend, TO my own
satisfaction what lies the bottom Of the matter the
British side Of the question. think my friend from
Maine Mr HAmLIS) has got hold Of the key which un-
locks and exposes all that may mysterious IN what
has occurred in the Provinces.