The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1854-12-14

4
with one Of The secondary naval powers
lrhe naval disparity would be less, the great
er rexlent, and more exposed condition oi
our widespread Commerce, would give. an,
Of them like advantage over us
The proposition to enter into engagements
10 forego resort TO privateers, in case thil
country shoaid be forced into war with !
great naval power, is not entitled TO more
favorable consideration than would be q
proposition TO agree not 10 accept the servi,
ces of volunteers for operations on land =
When the honor of the rights of our coun-
try require il 10 assume a hostile attitude, i
condfenfly relies upon the patriotism Of lis
|etizens, not ordinary devoted TO the militia
ry profession, to augment the army and the
Inavy,so as TO mako ihana fully sztaqsts 40
the emergency which calls them into action
The proposal to snrenderth The rishtto employ
privalsers is piofessedly founded upen the
principle, that private property of unofeud-
ing non-oombatanis, through enemies, should
be exempt from the ravages of war; but
The proposed surrender goes bnt little way
in carrying outthat principle, which equally
requires that such private property should
not be seized or molesled by national ships
of war. Should the leading powers of Eu-
rope concur in proposing, as rule of inter-
national law, 10 exempt private property
upon the ocean, from seizure by public arm
ed cruisers, as well as by prisateers, the U.
nitsd States will readily meet them upon
that ground.
Since the adjournment of congress, the rat.
i6caiions Of the treaty between the United
States aud Great Britain, relative 10 coast
fisheries, and 10 reciprocal trade with the
British North American provinces have been
exchanged, and some of its anticipated ad-
sanlages are already enjoyed by us, al
though its full execution was 10 abide Ger
tain acts of legislation not yet fully psisorm-
ed. So soon asit was ratified, Great Bri-
tain opened 10 or commerce the free navi-
cation of the river St. Lawrence, and our
fishermen unmolested access 10 this shores
aud bays, from which they had been previ.
ously excluded, on the coasts of her North
American provinces, in return for which,
she asked for The introduction, free OF duty,
into the parts. of the United States, of the
fish caught on The same coast by British fish
ermen. This being The compensation, slip
ula,sd in the treaty, for privileges Of The
highest Importance and value 10 the United
States, which were thus yalunIarilt = yielded
before it BECAME effective, !ha request seem
ed to me to be reasonable one; but il
could not be acceded to, from want of au-
thoriiy TO suspend our laws imposing duties
upon ell foreign fish. 10 the meantime, tue
treasury department issued regu alton, for
ascerlaining the duties paid or secured by
bonds on fish caught on The coasts Of the
British provinces, and brought 10 our mar
kes by Bri.ish subjects, after the fishing
grounds had been made fully accessible TO
10 the citizens OF The United States. rec
ommend to your favorable consideration a
proposition, which will be submiuedio 10 you,
for authority 10 refund tue duties and cancel
the bonds thus received. The provinces of
Canada and New Brunswick have also anti
cipa,ed the full operation of The treaty, by
legislative arrangements, respectively, TO ad-
mil, free Of duly, The products-oi the Uni
led States mentioned in the free list OF the
treaty and an arrangement, similar 10 that
regarding British fish, has been made for du.
ties now changeable on the products otlhose
provinces enumerated in the same free list
and introduced therelrom in,o tho United
States, proposition for reinnding which
will, in nv jpdsem en,, be in like manner
entitled 10 your favorable consideration.
There is difference of opinion between
The United States ard Great Britain, as 10 the
boundary line of the territory of Washing-
ton adjoining the British possessions on the
Pacific, which has already led 70 difficulties
on the part Of the citizens and local author.
ities Of the two governments. recommend
that provision 10 be made for commission
to be joined by one on the pari of her Bri.
tanic Majesty, for the purpose of running
and establishing the hne in controversy
Certain stipulatlons of the third and fourth
articles of the treaty concluded by the Uni-
ted States and Great Britain in 1886, regard
ing possessory rights Of the IIudson's Bay
company, and property OF the, ,Pnget's Sound
Agricultural company, have given rise to Sc
rious disputes, and ii is importantio 10 all con.
earned, that summary means of settling
them anicably shouli be devised. i have
reason 10 believe, that an arrangement can
be made on just llerms, for the exlinguish-
ment Of The rights in question, embracing
also, the right of the Hudson's Bay compa-
ny TO ,he navigation Of The river Columbia
and | therefore suggest 10 your consideration,
the expediency of making contingent APP
preparation for that purpose.
France was The early and efficient ally Of
The United States in their struggle for inde-
pendeuce. From tha. iinle 10 the present,
with occasional slight Interruptions, cordial
relations Of friendship have existed between
The governments and people of The two
counties. The kindly sentiments, cherish.
alike BY both ratious, have led 10 extensive
social and commercial intercourse, which, !
trust, will not be interrupted or checked by
any casual event oran apparently uusaiisIac-
.tory character. The French consul al San