Georgetown weekly news., 1854-11-09
The Reciprocity Treaty

" Ahu ohO AOiloWlnS editorial IN the
Dem. State journal, and, as it is subject
OF considerable interest, we give the article
entire:
On the fifth day of June last. a reciproci-
ty treaty was concluded and signed at
Washington between the United States and
Great Britain and Ireland, by which both
countries will realize large commercial ad-
vantages. 1t avows that both countries are
equally desirous to avoid further misunder-
standing regarding the extent of the right
of fishing on the coasts of British North
America, and are also desirous to regulate
commerce and navigation between their re-
spective territories and people, and ''espe-
cially between Her Majesty's possessions in
North America and the United States"
By this treaty the right of taking, curing
and drying fish Of every. kind, except shell
fish, on the sea-coastS and shores, and in the
bays, harbOrs, and creeks of Canada, New
Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward
Island, and Of the several islands thereunto
adjacent, without being restricted to any
distance from the shore, with permission to
land for the purpose of drying their nets
and curing their fish, is secured to the in
habitants of the United States, in common
with the subjects OF Her Majesty But this
privilege applies solely to the sea-fshing;
the salmon and shad fishing, and all fisheries
in rivers, or in the mouths Of rivers, are re-
served exclusively for British fishermen
On the other hand, it is agreed by the Uni
ted States that British subjects shall have
an equal right, with our own fishermen, to
take all kinds Of fish, except shell fish, on
the eastern sea-cOast and shores Of the Uni
ted States, north Of the Both parallel of
North latitude. The same exceptions how
ever, in regard to the salmon and shad fish
cries and fishing in the rivers, are made
against British fishermen in our waters, as
are made against us in those of the colonies.
But the most important stipulation of
this treaty, is that which permits certain
articles of commerce, being the growth and
produce of the British North American col
onies, or of the United States, to be impor-
ted into each country, respectively, free of
duty. Among these articles, we may men
ton grain, -four, animals of all kinds, fruits,
fish, furs, butter, cheese, coal, timber, and
lumber of all kinds, as having direct bear
ing on the interests of California.
The best coal found on this coast, and in
greatest quantity, is at Vancouver's Island.
Much of it is used here, and high tariff.
now dispensed with, had to be paid by the
consumer, which materially enhanced its
price.
The people of this State, and those of the
British Territory on the North Pacific, will
reap mutual and lasting benefits from this
free trade system.
1t is true, there may be doubts raised re-
garding the extent of this treaty inasmuch
as Article 3 declares that certain articles.
among which are those above enumerated,
the produce and growth of the aforesaid
British colonies or of the United States.
shall be admitted into each country free of
duty. What is meant by the aforesaid
British colonies may become a question
The colonies specifically referred to in this
treaty, are referred to in connection with
the fishing interests only; and we do not
think it was the intention Of the high con-
tracing parties to circumscribe the recipro-
city Of commerce and navigation to them
alone. If it were so intended, the treaty
would not be reciprocal. Besides, the de
claration of intention should, and does, gov
ern the Interpretation Of the treaty. And
in that declaration it is distinctly stated
that both governments are desirous to regu-
late commerce and navigation between their
respective territories and people, and more
especially between Her MaieSty's possessions
an North america and the United States, in
such manner as to render the same recipro-
cally beneficial and satisfactory This in
cludes all those possessions if, as is the case,
none are afterwards specifically excluded
from its operations. The term aforesaid
British colonies" refers, then, to the entire
British possessions in North America, and
not to the colonies mentioned in connection
with the fishing privilege.
If this treaty shall be so interpreted, as
we cannot doubt that it will, its beneficial
influence will be felt in this State before
many years. The British possessions on
this coast increase rapidly in population,
and many of the products of this State will
be required to supply its wants. An inter
change of commodities, free from govern
mental taxation, will increase our commerce
and open market to the surplus produce
of each country, necessary to meet the de
mands Of the other.
The treaty is not to take full effect until
the necessary laws required to carry it into
operation, shall have been passed by the
British Parliament, and by the Provincial
Parliaments of the British North American
colonies which are affected by it, on the one
hand, and by the United States on the other.
Lord Clarendon, on the part of the British
Government, has issued orders, however,
that the American fishermen may not be
molested in any of the privileges guaranteed
them by this treaty.