The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-02-17
NEGOTIATIONS WITH ENGLAND-RECIPROQlT
AND THE FISHERIES

A few days since the President transmitted
to the Senate the following communication
from Mr. Everett, Secretary of State, showing
the present state of the negotiation between
England and the United States, in relation to
the fisheries and reciprocal trade with Canada
The present position is certainly cheering The
only thing to be regretted ia that the time is
now so short before the close Of the present
Administration, that it is hardly possible to
complete the work so happily begun. With
the settlement of the fishery question, and the
establishment of Free Trade with Canada, the
two nations would be allied still more intimate
ly by the ties of interest and sympathy, and
few questions would then arise to disturb their
harmonious relations.
We are glad that the short-sighted policy of
antiquated Presidents has not been suffered to
control the action Of the Administration.
Report of the Secretary Of State
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, february 7, 1888.
To the President of the United States:
The Secretary of State has the honor TO sub
NIT to the President the following report rela-
tive to the negotiation pending between this
Government and that Of Great Britain on the
subject of the fisheries, of reciprocal intercourse
with the British North American Provinces
and the navigation of the St. Lawrence and
the canals connected with it.
The prospects of the negotiation at the COM
mencement Of the session were alluded to in
general way in the Presidents message. The
attention of this Department was given to the
subject at the earliest day possible, and IT has
been pursued with diligence. 1t has been per-
ceived with satisfaction that the Government
of her Britannia Majesty is prepared to enter
into an arrangement for the admission Of the
fishing vessels Of the United States to full
| participation in the public fisheries on the
coasts and shores Of the Provinces, with the
exception, perhaps at present, Of Newfound-
land and 10 the right Of drying and curing
| fish on shore, ON condition Of the admission,
duty free, into the markets of the United States
| OF the products of the colonial fisheries; simi-
| lar privileged on the like condition, to be re-
ciprocally enjoyed by British subjects, on the
coasts and shores of the United States.
Such an arrangement the Secretary has
reason to believe would be acceptable TO the
fishing interests Of the United States.
Il is also understood that the British Govern
ment 10 DESTROYS in concert with the Provinces,
to come TO an agreement with the United States
for reciprocal free trade with the Provinces in
certain natural productions and that the free
navigation of the St. Lawrence, and OF the
Weliand and Rideau canals would be conceded
as part Of the arrangement.
An agreement of this kind has for several
years received the attention of Congress, and
bill providing for reciprocal free trade, 10 GER
tain articles, on one occasion passed the House
of Representatives. The present negotiations
have been conducted by the Department under
the impression that, II the details Of the ar
rangement could be satisfactorily settled, and
in such q way as 10 afford prospect OF mutual
benefit Congress would be disposed 10 perform
its part TO carry it into effect.
Even If the United States, a. the party to
the compact which furnishes by far the largest
market 10 the other, should think It necessary
in some respects to limit and 10 others 10 en-
largo the number Of articles subject 10 the ar
rAnyement, beyond what the British Govern
ment or the Provinces would prefer, the Score
tary has been Of opinion that the main provis-
ions, above alluded "a, promised 10 much bene-
it on both sider, that it would DO felt 70 DO ex-
pedient 10 enter into tho arrangement Tor .
definite time, leaving ~ future Legislation and
negotiation, guided by experience, " render It
still more satisfactory BY further limitation or
enlargement
The number and variety Of the details which
have presented themselves 10 the progress OF
the negotiation, and the important Interests IN