New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-04-20
COLONIAL AND LAKE TRADE.


sgnazed its career by its treatment of the questions
arising between this country and the British North
American Provinces or growing out of those colonial
interests In the early part of Gen Taylor's Admins
traon the question Of the annexation of these prOyn-
ces was seriously agtated. The lower provinces espe
caly considered themselves damaged by the repeal Of
the English Navigation Laws, by the neglect of the
Home Government to aid them in necessary works of
internal Improvement, and by Indifference to their
fishing interests. For these and other reasons grow
ing mainly of the depression of trade and the failure
of the potato crop, there extensive feeling of
restessness among the colonial population which often
found expression in desires for annexation. Canada
East fancied the British yoke, and Canada West
was not SO entirely loyal in her lal sentiments she
had usually been Ii was under these circumstances
that President Taylor appointed agent to procure
information in relation to the political aud material
condition of these provinces. This gentleman reported
privately in regard the question of annexation, and
publicly in respect their trade, commerce. fisheries
and general condition. One report was made to the
State Department and one to the Treasury in 1850.
Both were subsequently published aud the information
thus procured was laid before the public
The agency so established was continued by Mr..
Flmore's Administration and during the past season
the materials for report collected under the
direction of the Secretary Of the Treasury and n has
recently been published in volume of nine hundred
pages in obedience a resolution of the Senate calling
upon the Treasury Department for information IN re-
spect 10 the subjects it embraces The Report Is made
by Israel d. Andrews Esq, American Consul at the
port of ST John N b. aud eyinces much research and
ability Connected with the matter relating to the
Colonies is also furnished tabular statements of aud
comments upon the trade OF the Great Lakes and upon
the cotton trade of the South
Since the original appointment of Mr. Andrews for
the objects referred TO- the general aspects of the SER
vice with which he was charged, have changed The
CRY for annexation has ceased. The Home Govern
ment has been stimulated TO turn its Afternoon
more particularly to the wants OF the Colonies
and il has in considerable measure removed
the grievances complained Of IL first looked
fnyoraby upon system of railroads for the provinces
the leading feature of which was the connecting OF
Quebec and Halifax; and really encouraged IL and
promised aid to such extent that though ultimately
declining to afford direct pecunary assistance TO the
project it pioneered the way for capitalists 10 sep n
who have contracted 70 furnish the requisite means 10
secure the construction of very important links IN THIS
chain of connection and who promise ga early conPe-
ton Of the entire system The Government has Ike
wise made itself active in the fishery question as the
proceedings of last season amply attest, conforming
fully to the wishes of the Lower Provinces to exclude
our vessels from their fishing grounds and 1t has IKE
wiselet its earnest aid to establish reciprocal Tree trade
mostly on one side between the United states anu
the Colonies. These acts in connection with tne re-
vya of trade generally under the stimulus nov anec'
ing the whole world have placed these provinces III
quite different relation to from that held by them
at the advent of Gen Taylors Administration aud the
appointment of the agent in question.
The particular and urgent aim of the British Coo
MES DOW, is TO obtain reciprocal trade with the Oheu
States and modification or repeal OF our Navigation
laws TO an extent that will enable them 10 parucP''
IN our coasting trade, and build ships for tAe Ane
market. The interests Of trade are hoarisninS "N
them, and their works Of internal Improvement OF
progressing satisfactorily. Hence they Aa'e N'''
nothing to say about annexation, and 'he! CO
tain the commercial regulations they seem 'no' -
likely 70 postpone the consideration O. the queS'O"''
annexation indefinitely.
Mr.. Andrews's elaborate report has been supposed
TO have some decided bearing in favor oil TINS que'."
of reciprocal free trade. Such was not INC VI
design of either Mr. Meredith or Mr.. Cos"hi, IL
appointing him to this agency as have shown and 50
far as We have been able TO discover from an eAaOn'
ton of its pages, no opinion on the subject one way
or another, is expressed therein The report 30 lai
it relates to the British Colonies confines itse
exposition of their trade, commerce, geosrapnlcAiu
lures and general condition and capacities. opo~ ~
these points the tables copious and sutnenus'
ing drawn from official sources and the genera ~.
Of the whole subject bears marks Of being -"
authoritative character But Mr. Andrews hsa "'PRS~