Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-02-19
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House proceeded to consider the bill establishing
reciprocal trade with the British North American Colonies
upon certain conditions upon which pending motion
to recommit il to the Committee Commerce, and
ton to commit it to the Committee Of the Whole the
state Of the Unien.
Mr. SEYMOUR, Of New York addressed the House in
favor Of the BILL He referred to the Of the Br
fish North American Provinces in 1875, 1872 and 1888
to show that they had always maintained their loyalty
the British Crown and had invariably refused to affiliate
with the United States in against the Government
of Great Britain Notwithstanding this, and notwth-
standing these provinces less able to break down
those barriers which necessary for the protection of
the industrial interests Of any country Notwithstanding
they contained comparatively sparse population, and,
far capital concerned poor in comparison
with this country yet they had taken the initiative in
this business and desired to relax though they could not
entirely abolish these commercial restrictions He
had been assured by gentlemen the other side that if
il possible they would have free trade with but
the mother country, in giving them the power OF control
ling the revenue prescribed the mode in which that reve
should be raised and that by duties imposed up
importation; and, in his opinion, this the only
practicable way in which revenue could be raised.
He begged leave to call the attention Of the House to
the articles that embraced in the bill. Ii
broader and more comprehensive bill than had be-
fore been presented for the action Of Congress- and not
only contained articles that embraced in former
measure but others Of great importance TO agrcu
tural interest. We approaching a new order Of
things which legislation could control and which
out Of the progress of country Those who had
heretofore been looking to high protective duties mode
Of sustaining the manufacturing interests Of this
try-or which he had always felt strong attachment
look he satisfied, to another quarter We
must extend the market for manufactures by such
liberal legislation should invite here the trade Of the
world No strong nation should be afraid of free-rade
1t the weaker nations whose interests not yet
firmly rooted that should be afraid Of that system We
needed protective duties when manufactures were in
their infancy. We might need them 10 certain
tent but must look also to other quarters for their
protection.
Mr. s. then called the attention Of the House to that
part Of the subject which related to the making
power which made precedent to any operation Of
the bill First, there the fishery question; and it
certain from the events Of last year. that something
be done put this Government upon terms Of
derstandng least for temporary period, IL not per-
mauently, with the Government Of Great Britain; and
this must be done by this Congress- must the
hazard Of collision. Next the free navigation Of
the River St. Lawrence, which need and must have
Eight sovereign States Of this Union intimately
neeed with this question: and needed this river out
let Tor their surplus products Then came the free nay
CATION Of the River St. john which Of great import
ance 70 the numbering interest And another condition
was the abolition Of the export duty which, since
the Ashburton treaty had been levied by the British Co.
ones upon all lumber cut on American soil and Aoaed
down the River St John by As he commended an unjust
construction Of that treaty.
These Tour important prerequisites devoved upon
tne ueaty-mahng power, and to be settled before
THIS oil could 90 into effect All Of them would be
cessohs oy the British Government Of rights which she
claimed now to exercise ~ herself alone and without any
participation Of American citizens lie believed that that
government would be willing grant these concessions
We Noud only meet them upon the question Of recipro
city, upon fair and just grounds
sr' oLlN1MAN moved 70 amend the FIRST section by
adding thereto the following proviso
Provided That before any the provisions Of this bill shall
take erect he government 81 Great Britain shall agree with
the Government Of the United that all the ports Of the
British dominons and u the United States respectively shall
DC open 70 All the vessels d both countless whether
in the coastng or other trade same manner and under
IKE regulations a. they arc now authorized to do with refer
enee 70 the foreign trade Of the twJ countries
hr. WASHBURN also moved 10 amend the first section
50 rs to substitute the following in lieu Of the articles
proposed to be admitted free Of duty on certain
conditions