The weekly Placer herald., 1853-01-15
Presidents Me Messagea
Felloac Citizens of the Senate,
and Of the House of Representatives.

been marked by no extraordinary political
event. The quadrennal election of chief
magistrate has passed off with less than
the usual excitement. However individ-
uals and parties may have been dlsap-
pointed in the result, 1t is nevertheless
subject of National congratulation, that
the choice has been effected by the indie
pendent suffrage of free people, undis-
turbed by those influences which in other
countries have too often affected the pu-
rity of popular elections.
Our grateful thanks are due to an All
merciful Providence, not only for staying
the pestience which in different forms,
has desolated some of our cities, but for
crowning the labors of the husbandmen
with an abundant harvest, and the nation
generally with the blessings Of peace and
prosperity
Within few weeks the public mind
has boen deeply affected bv the death Of
Daniel Webster, ing at his decease the
office of Secretary of State. His asso-
clates in the Executive government have
sincerely sympathized with his family,
and the public generally, on this mournful
occasion. His commanding talents, his
well tried patriotism, and his long and
public trusts, have caused his death to be
lamented throughout the country, and
have earned for him lasting place in our
history
In the course of the last summer con-
siderable anxiety was caused for a short
time, by an official intiInation from the
government of Great Britain, that orders
had been given for the protection Of the
fisheries upon the coasts of the British
provinces in North America, against the
alleged encroachments Of the fishing yes
sells of the United States and France. -
l he shortness of this notice, and the sea-
son OF the year, seemed to make it a mat
ter OF urgent Importance. 1t was first
apprehended that an increased naval force
had been ordered to the fishing grounds to
carry into effect the British Interpretation
of those provisions in the convention of
lo4S, in reference to the true intent of
which the two governments differ. 1t was
soon discovered that such was not the de-
sign of Great Britain, and satisfactory
explanations of the real objects of the
measures have been given both here and
in London.
The unadjnsted difference, however,
between the two governments, as to the
Interpretation of the first article of the
convention of I545, is stlII a matter of I'M
portance. American fishing vessels, with
in nine or ten years, have been excluded
from waters to which they had free access
for twenty five years after the negotiation
of the treaty In l945 this exclusion was
relaxed SO far as concerns the Bay of
Fundy, but the just and liberal intention
of the Home Government, in compiance
with what we think the true construction
of the convention, to open all the other
outer bays to our fishermen, was aban-
doned, in consequence of the opposition
of the colonies. Notwithstanding this,
the United States have, since the Bay Of
F'undy was re-opened to our fishermen in
1S45, pursued the most liberal course to-
ward the colonial fishing interests. BY
the revenue laws of 1916, the duties on
colonial fish were very much reduced, and
by the warehousing act it is allowed to be
entered in bond, without payment ofduty.
In this way colonial fish has acquired the
monopoly of the export trade in our mar
ket, and is entering to some extent into
the home consumption. These facts are
among those which increased the sensi-
bility of our fishing interest, at the move
These circumstances and the incident
above alluded to, have led me to think the
moment favorable for reconsideration
of the entire subjects of the fisheries on
the coasts of the British provinces, with
a view to place them upon more liberal
footing of reciprocal privilege. A will
| Iingness to meet us in some arrangement
of this kind is understood to exist, on the
part of Great Britain, with the desire on
her part to include in one comprehensive
settlement, as well this subject as the
commercial intercourse between the Uni
ted States and the British provinces
have thought that whatever arrangements
may be made on these two Subjects. it is
expedient that they should be embraced
in separate conventions. The illness and
death of the late Secretary of State pre-
vented the commencement of the contem-
plated negotiation. Pains have been
taken to collect the information required
for the details of such an arrangement
The subject is attended with considerable
difficulty. If it is found practicable to
come to an agreement mutually accept
able to the two parties, conventions may
be concludedsin the course of the present
winter. The control of Congress over all
the provisions of such an arrangement,
affecting the revenue, will of course be
reserved.
The affairs of Cuba formed prom