Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-02-14

3 Hc EIcSlueill Vi Tue Chitcu otdtfS
to Congress, on Tuesday, a message, covering the
following important report of the Secretary of
State, TO the latter portion of which he invites the
attention Of the two Houses.
Department Of State, I
Washington, Feb. Z, 1858.
| To the President of the United States:
The Secretary of State has the honor TO submit
to the President the following report relative to the
negotiation pending between this Government and
that of Great Britain the subject of the fisheries,
of reciprocal intercourse with the British North
American Provinces, and the navigation of the S..
Lawrence and the canals connected with it.
The prospects of the negotiation at the COM
mencement of the session were alluded to in gen.
eral way in the residents message. The atten-
ton of this Department given to the subject al
the earliest day possible, and il has been pursued
with diligence. 1t has been perceived with salts
faction that the Government of her Branic Ma
leSty is prepared to enter into arrangement for
the admission of the fishing vessels of the United
States to full participation in the public fisheries
oil the coasts and shores of the Provinces with the
exception, perhaps; at present, of Newfoundland,)
and in the right of drying and curing fish shore,
on condition of the admission, duty Free into the
markets of the u States Of the products of the col
onial fisheries; similar privileges, on the like
dition, 10 be rcciprocally enjoyed by British sub
jects on the coasts and shores ofthe U. States.
Such arrangement, the Secretary has reason
TO believe, would be acceptable TO the fishing in
terests of the United States.
1t is also understood that the British Govern
ment is DESTROYS, i'll concert with the Provinces,
to come to agreement with the United States for
reciprocal free trade with the Province in certain
natural productions; and that the free navigation
of the ST. Lawrence, and of the Welland and Ri
deau Canals, would be conceded as part of the
rangement.
An agreement of this kind has for several years
received the attention of Congress, and bill pro-
vdng for reciprocal free trade, in certain articles
on one occasion passed the House of Representa-
tives. The present negotiations have been con-
Quoted by the Department under the impression
that if the details of the arrangement could be sat-
sfacioriy settled, and in such way as 20 afford
prospect OF mutual benefit, Congress would be dis
posed to perform its part to carry il into effect
Even il the United States, as pnrty TO the COM
pact which furnishes by far the largest market TO
The other, should think it necessary in some re-
spects 10 limit and in Others to enlarge the num-
Der oil articles subject to the arrangement, beyond
what the British Governmentol the Provinces wo'd
prefer, the Secretary has been of opinion that the
main provisions above alluded to promised SO much
benefit on both sides that it would be felt be ex-
pedlent 10 enter mo the arrangement for def
mite time, leaving 10 future legislation and nego-
tation, guided by experience, to render il still
mere satisfactory by further limitation or enlarge
ment.
The number and variety of the details which
have presented themselves in the progress of the
negotiation, and the mporan interest in different
parts both ofthe United States and the British Pro-
vlnces requiring 10 be carefully considered, taken
IN connection with the necessity of reference to
London Tor instructions as to all questions of mo-
nent that arise unexpectedly, have thus far pre-
vented, and will probably render impossible the
conclusion OF comprehensive arrangement of the
kind contemplated in to be submitted to
the Senate, and to become the subject of leg
IslatIye acton during the present shortsession.-
II IS believed, however, from the progress made
and the present state of negotiations, that time
only Is wanted for satisfactory a reement be-
tween the two Governments on all the subjects
above alluded to. The only part of the proposed
arrangement which may be considered as of an ur-
gent nature is such adjustment of the fisheries
question as would remove all danger of tIouble on
the fishing grounds during the approaching SEES
sion. This is an object of great importance and
worthy the immediate attention of Congress AS
belonging 10 general settlement the British Gov
eminent is willing to dispose of it separately; hut
the Secretary OF State is of opinion that under the
circumstances of the case, if Congress should pass
an act admitting provincial fish free of duty into
the United Suits. on condition that the fishermen
OF the United States are admitted to full partic-
patton IN the provincial fisheries, the Government
OF Great Britain would give effect TO the measure
by the requisite legislation her part, i'll the ex-
pectatlon on both sides that the question of reri-
pTocity, and of the Of the ST. Lawrence aud the
canals connected with it, will be taken up hereaf-
ter, with a favorable disposition 10 come 10 a mu-
tuall! advantageous agreement on that part of the
subject also.
Even if such act should fail to produce the
desired result, which is not apprehended, it would
relieve the United States of the responsibility of
the consequences
| All which is respectfully submitted.
| EDWARD EVERETT.