Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-02-11
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7. 1853,
WILLARD FILLMORE.
Report ofhe Secretary Of State.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, Feb, 7. 1875

WASHINGTON, FEB. z, 1858.
To the President Of The United States:
The Secretary of State has the honor to sub
NIT to the President the following report relative
to the negotiation pending between this govern
ment and that of Great Britain on the subiect of
the fisheries, of reciprocal intercourse with the
British North American Pro vinces, and the
navigation of the st. Lawrence and the canals
connected with it.
Inc prospects OF the negotiation at the COM
mencement OF the session were alluded to in
| general way in the Presidents message. The
| attention this Department was given to the
SUBJECT at the earliest day possihle and it has been
| pursued with diligence. 1t has been per-
ceived with satisfaction that the Government
OF Their Britannia Majesty is prepared to enter into
| an arrangement for the admission of the fishing
vessels of the United States to full participa-
ton in the public fisheries on the coasts aud shores
| OF the Provinces. with the exception, perhaps,
at present,of Newfoundand,) and in the right of
drying and curing fish shore. on condition of
the admission, duty free, into the markets of the
United States, of the products of the colonial fish
cries; similar privileges, the like condition, to
oe reciprocally enjoyed by British subjects, on
the coasts and shores of the United States
Such an arrangement, the Secretary has rea-
son to believe, would be acceptable to the fishing
interests of the United States.
1t Is also understood that the British Govern
ment Is deslrous, in concert with the Provinces
to come to an agreement with the United States
Tor reciprocal free trade with the Provinces in
certain natural productions; and that the free nav
1gation OF the St. Lawrence, and of the Welland
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 pro-
ylding for reciprocal free trade, in certain arti-
cles on one occasion passed the House of Rep
fesentatives. The present negotiations have been
conducted by the Department under the impress
sion that, If the details of the arrangement could
be satisfactorily settled, and in such way as to
afford prospect of mutual benefit, Congress
would be disposed to perform its part to carry it
into effect.
Even if the United States as the party to the
compact which furnishes by far the largest mar
ketto the other, should think it necessary in some
respects to limit and in others to enlarge the num-
Der OF articles subject to the arrangement, beyond
what the British Government or the Provinces
would prefer, the Secretary has been of opinion
that the main provisions above alluded to promised
80 much benefit on both sides that it would be
felt to be expedient to enter into the arrange
mont for definite time, leaving to future egisla-
ton and negotiation. guided by experience, to
render it still more satisfactory by further limta-
The number and variety of tho details wu,cu
negotiation, and the important interests in differ
ent parts both of the United States and the Bri-
fish Provinces requiring to be carefully consider
ed taken In connection with the necessity of a
reference to London for instructions as to all
questions of moment that arise unexpectedy
have thus far prevented and will probably re nder
impossible, the conclusion of a comprehensive
arrangement of the kind contemplated in season
to be submitted to the Senate, and to become the
anhi nf la c1utiuo IL.
short session. 1t is believed, however, fror, the
progress made and the present state of neeotia-
tions that time only is want ed for satisfactory
agreement between the two Governments on all
the subjects above alluded to. The only part of
the proposed arrangement which may be consid-
cred as of an urgent nature is such an adjust
ment of the fisheries question as would remove
all danger OF trouble on the fishing grou nds during
theapproaching session. This is an object of great
importance and worthy the immediate attention
of Congress. AS belonging to general settle
ment, the British Government is not willing to
dispose of 1t separately but the Secretary of State
is OF opinion that, under the circumstances OF
the if Congress should pass an act admitting
provincial fish free of duty into the United
States, on condition that the fishermen of the
United States are admitted to full participation
in the provincial fisheries, the Government of
Great Britain would i've effect to the measure
by the requisite legislation on her part, in the ex-
pectation on both sides that the question of rec-
proclty, and OF the use of the st. Lawrence aud
the canals connected with it, will be taken up
hereafter, with favorable disposition to come to
mutually advantageous agreement Oh that part
of the subject also.
Even if such an act should fail to produce the
desired result which lis not unprecedented, it would
relieve the United States of the responsibility of
the consequences.
All which is resnec tfullv suhn,ittad
EDWARD EVERETT.