Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1853-02-14
Rcyon ol'Hc Secretary n Statc.
DEPARTMENT or STATE,
V,g,U1,TnN Fpb 4 lSJ

The Secretary Of State has the honor 10 sub
= nit 10 the President the following report reld-
i've to the negotiation pending between ms
= Government and that oil Great Britain on he
: subject ofihc fisheries, Of reciprocal intercourse
with the British North American Provinces,
and the navigation Of the ST Lawrence aud the
canns connected with II.
The prospects Of the negotiation at the com
mcncement Of the session were alluded Ia III il
general way IN the Presidents message. 1ho
attention Of this Department was given TO the
subject a, the earliest day possible, and II has
been pursued with diligence. 1t has been per
ceivcd with satisfaction TINT the Government
other Britannia Majesty IS prepared To enter
INTO an arrangement for the admission OF the
fishing vessels ofthe United States to full
| participation in the public fisheries on the COASTS
and shores Of the Provinces with the excep-
ton, perhaps at present of Nnwfoandland,)
and in the right Of drying and curing fish ON
shore on condition of the admission, duty free,
into the markets of the Quilted States, Of the
products of the colonial fisheries; similar priv
lcgos, on the like condition, to be reciprocolly
enjoyed by British subjects ON the coasts and
shores Of the United States.
Such an arrangement, the Secretary has rcn.
son to believe, would be acceptable 10 the fish
mo interests OF the United States
1t is also understood thatlhc British Govern
mcnt is desirous,i in concert with the Provinces,
TO come TO an agreement Within United States
! for reciprocal free trade with the Provinces IN
certain natural productions; and that the free
vigation of the ST. Lawrence, and of the
Wcand and Rideau Canals, " oud be conce.
dcd as part Of the arrangement
An agreement of this kind has for several
years received the attention of Congress, anda
bill providing for reciprocal free trade, IN Ger
tain articles, on one occasion passed the House
of Representatives. The present negotiations
have been conducted by the Department un-
der the impression that, if the details Of the
rangement could be satisfactorily settled, and
in such way "a 10 afford prospect of mutual
benefit, Congress would be disposed toperlorm
its part to carry into effect
Even, if the United States, as 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 in others 10 en-.
large the number of articles Subject to the ar
rangement beyond what the British Govern
mcnt or the Provinces would prefer, the Secre-
tary has been oil opinion that the main provl
sions above alluded to promised so much bene e.
fit on both sides that it would be felt to be ox-
, pcdien to enter into the arrangement for de.
collation., guided by experience, to render it
e still more satisfactory by further limitation or
=, enlargement.
The number and variety ofthe details which
have presented themselves in the progress of
the negotiuion, and the important interests in
different parts both of the United Statcs and the
British Provinces requiring to be carefully con.
sldered, taken In conneXion with the necessity
of a reference to London for instructions rs to
all questions of moment that arise unexpected
:, ~, have thus far prevented, and will probably
render impossible, the conclusion ola comprc-
. hcnslYe arrangement Ct the kind contcmp lated
IN season to be submitted to the Senate and to
become tho subject oflegislativo action during
! the present short session. 1t is beloved, how
ever, from the progress made and tho present
. state OF negotiations that time only is wanted
l for satisfactory agreement between the two
n Governments on all the subjects above alluded
f to. The only part of the proposed arrange
ment which may be considered as of an urgent
nature Is such adjustment of the fisheries
question would remove all danger oftroubo
on the fishing grounds during the approaching
session. This is an object OF great Importance
and worthy the immediate attention Of Congress
AS belonging to general settlement, the Brit
ish Governments willing to dispose oft sep
drdlely' Out the secretary Oh ctdtc Is VI opiU-
ion that under the circumstances Of the case,if
Congress should pass an act admitting provin
cal fish free of duty into the United States, on
condition that the fishermen of the u. ). are
admitted to full participation in the province
al fisheries, the Government of Great britain
would give effect to the measure by the requis-
i'o legislation on her part,in the expectation on
= both sides that the question of reciprocity, and
! OIL The use ofthe ST. Lawrence and the canals
U ;,n with it, will be taken up hereafter,
'e au,, favorable disposition to come to mutu-
IL the a,iis;onageous agreement on that part of
desired re suIH an act should to produce,,ho
would relieve the United y" ~. epPashended'y 1t
nc sbihty of the consequences "''S VI the respon'
ia All which is respectfully submi,o,
or, EDWARD EVERETT