The daily union., 1854-07-18
NORTH AMERICAN FISHERIES.
House Of Lord,, Tuesday, June n, 1854.

m had given him notice Their lordships were, doubt
ware that there were rumors that treaty either
der pegotaton or had signed between this country
and the United States relative 10 the fisheries on the coasts
If the British colonies There also rePort-and II
MAS on that point he deSirous of having answer
rom his noble friend-that this treaty would contain
provision by which American traders would be allowed to
stabsh factories for the purpose Of curing their fish on
The coasts of the British colonies He considered this a
matter importance, and he therefore wished TO
ask whether the treaty in of negotiation, or per-
haps actually concluded contained any provision 10 the
effect he had described for he should think that very
serious injury would be done TO the colonial interests, and
TO the interests OF this empire in general any such per-
mission was granted. Hear
The Earl of Clarendon. | happy TO say that the
treaty TO which my noble friend has alluded has been
cuded between this country and the United States That
treaty only reached my hands yesterday afternoon having
been forwarded by Lord Elgn from Quebec and therefore,
have had lime to give it all the attention which It's
importance deserves; and If had should not think
proper the present time to enter into any discussion of
the provisions OF treaty that has not yet received the ap
prova Of the Senate and has not been ratified My lords
appeared her Maesys government that the return of
Lord Egin TO Canada afforded an opportunity which
should not be neglected of endeayoring to settle those
numerous questions which for years past have been
barrassng the of the two countries and the
one especially relating the fisheries which gave rise TO
annually increasing for contention and collisions
.yered by the mness and moderation of Sir George Sey
nour and the British and American commanders, and by
hat spirit of friendship and orbearanee that always ami
mates the officers Of both navies. Hear, hear Your
pdshps also Of the other questions which have
ven rss to these embarrassing discussions between the
NO countries and which involve the commercial relations
our North American possessions with the United States
nd that those questions which involve very important IN
rest have become complicated as to render their sou
ion matter Of extreme difficulty bat her Majesys gov
rnment thought that no man was more entitled to the
confidence of those colonies than Lord Elgin in conse-
of his untirng energy and exerons for the pro-
notion of their interests and the which has hh-
ro attended those efforts. Hear hear. 1t is therefore
probable that any arrangement that he would make would
viewed with favor by the colonies And here let me
,a,f,nr md 10 hnf rt 1f nst tb. i'm
tonfdng this important trust to Lord Egin, want of
confidence was either exhibited intended towards Mr..
rampon whose conduct has merited entire approba-
but Lord Elgin the goyernor-gencra OF Canada
nd the British possessions in North America possessed
qualifications for negotiating this treaty that Mr. Champion
Fould not have Hear, hear] Lord Elgin was met BY
spirit OF the most friendly candor and indeed he had
been would have been impossible for him to have
gone through the preliminary discussions which
essary for the treaty That treaty has been concluded
and inform my noble friend, with reference to the
particular question that he has asked that it contains
provisions whatever for permitting American citizens
establish factories in the British possessions SO far
am able to institute comparison the terms nearly
the same and the principle is quite the same with the
treaty of 1878; and though concessions may have
been made the part Of the colonies and though they
may not have obtained all the privileges to which they
laid claim, nevertheless believe-and my opinion is
strengthe by that Of Lord Elgn-tha this treaty will
prove signal benefit to the colonies and tend in great
measure TO promote and advance their prosperity. Hear
hear believe that the principle of reciprocity will be
entitled to do the advantages the colonies and
equal development of the internal of the
try therefore hope That nothing will occur to the
completion of this great work. which verify believe
than any event of recent times will contribute remove
all of difference between the countries whose
similarity Of language whose affinity of race and whose
enterprise aud industry mark them out the natural al
lies the one Of the other. Hear
The Earl OF Harrowby put question which under
stood to relate to the American coasting trade being
tended to ships.
The Earl of Clarendon could only say that steps had
been taken but lie not able TO report much progress
them The American government denied that there
parity of circumstances between their eastern
and the coasing trade of thS country Though they nd
mtted that we had granted them certain advantages with
regard to coastng trade they not yet ready
admit that these sufficiently important to the
concessions desired from them.
The Earl of Elenborough asked whether the premin-
es of the treaty had been concluded subject the apro-
val Of the legislatures Of the provinces interested in the
fisheries?
The Earl of Clarendon said was necessary that every
colony interested should confirm the provisions of the
treaty.
The Earl of Derby said it they could conclude
treaty affecting trade with foreign country without the
consent of the colonies the effect would be- that such
Though he agreed that it most important that, with
regard to the fisheries question: the of the colonies
should be obtained yet he did not see nt il
y they should confirm the provisions of the treaty
The Duke OF Newcastle said, the question carefully
considered whether the treaty would require to be confirm
Cd by the local legislatures The opinion of the legal Off
GERS taken and that opinion that the Of
the legislatures of the colonies necessary.
The Earl Of Derby. If that was so, then the colonial
legislatures were put in superior position to that of the
Imperial Parliament for the consent of Parliament
necessary to u treaty entered into by the Crown.
The Duke of Newcastle said the legal opinion was
taken the point whether il necessary that the colo
NAL legislature should give effect those parts the rea
y in which they would be concerned He did not say they
had any right that did not attach to the imperial Parl
men but that the consent Of the colonial legislatures
necessary TO give eject 10 certain portions OF the treaty