Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-10-18
The ResIproslty Treaty.
ITS ADVANTAGES TO ENGLAND AND AMERICA

ITS ADVANTAGES TO ENGLAND AND AMERICA
From the London Times, Sept. %.
Few events Of this year, though the list should
include brilliant victory, will leave greater occasion for
true and permanent satisfaction than the completion Of
what is termed the Reciprocity Treaty between this
try and the United States copy OF this document no
Yesterday published and though its aud provsous
may have appeared embarrassing enough the general
reader II scarcely possible the promise
SO wise aud polite convention In place Of source o.
discord and collision obtain a source Of smity aud
good WILL in place Of temptations to strife we acquire
additional securities for peace; aud questions have
length been adusngeousy settled which have for years
engendered uneasiness and might any moment have
occasioned war.
Before the American Revolution, when tho whole sea.
board Of these countries pertsred to Great Britain
inhabitants Of what the United States enoyed OF
course equal rights with the population of New Bruins
wick and Canada respected the fisheries in these parts
As all British subjects all possessed privi-
eges in British domuions; did il signify in what
ter of what coasts the fishermen Of this that port
exercised their calling But when the resistance the
New Engsuders the legislation of the Imperial Para,
ment consummacd by the recognition OF the United
States Of America as independent communities, dstnc
ton OF rights Immediately The Americans as
they began exclusively to be termed being longer Brit
sh subjecs had longer any title fish in British wa
ters WHILE the other hand, the Inhabitants OF those
northern colonies which still remained in allegiance
to the British crown bad no privileges within the tcrto
rice which had Just been declared independent seve-
rance, in Short Of possessions and advantages had taken
place, and the rights Of the British colouists in North
America became completely ASSOCIATED from those Of the
citizens Of the United States.
| Ii happened however. that while the superiority in
respects resides with the citizens Of the Union the
otherwise as regarded the fisheries Tho best
fisheries those off the OF the British colonies
and the United States fishermen experienced n consdc-
rsble deprv son in the loss Of these well stocked waters
Accordingly, from the earliest times succeeding the Re
voluon the desire OF recovering these advantages dis
played ITSELF and squabbles adjustments cncroachmeus
srl bargains ncessauily followed upon each other Lat
terly a serious difference OF opinion existed between
British and American statesmen the iutcrpre ton
which should be put upon clause of certain instrument
defining the rights of American fishermen The article
stated that they not TO approach within three miles
OF bay. This provision understood in this country
to mean that the American should within dis
lance Of three miles from the line joining headand to
hcsdland whereas the Americans claimed reckon the
said distance from the shores of the bay itself any
point Of its circumference. Certain spots
existed where the American fishermen conceived them
selves entitled to fish, but where coouists regarded
them as ntruders and the views of both these parties
supported by their respective governments there
was evidently risk OF collision. In the matter
OF argument and in point OF law could hesitate
mauti ain that the Btiish government in the light
but the temptation the New England fishermen was SO
strong and antly operative and the interests
so large class involved in the dispute that the
American government compelled persist in its con
| test for the privileges desired. Meantime too, while
diPomatisis were wrangng and statesmen protesting
the question was being pcrpetually pushed practices,
issue by fishermen themselves The Americans
passed, the British resisted armed vessels Of both Cos
vernmen;s commissioned support the rights the
tg ,tng powers and uoousiicrato word or a prccip
tate resolution might day have caused exchange Of
cannon shot II is barely two years since serious COLI
sion between Great Britain and America on this question
was believed 10 be actually imminent.
The reader will understand the liabilities from which
both Governments have been relieved The "Reciproci-
~ Treaty i convention admitting British subjects the
part snd American citizens the other TO the enoy
nen Of advantage: thereby recprocaly conceded The
tha -
British waters, while the coCnsts parake of the
like privilege in Amerman Here the gain is evil
IDENTIFY on the American side inasmuch they have little
10 give IN proportion TO what they take but other import
ant articles follow great number OF commodities in
GLIDING gTan -four and breadsuis of all kinds fresh and
cured meats h,h OF all kinds cotton wool and vegetables
are TO be admitted from each country into the
pecvey free Of duty that British colonies obtain
most vanab!. market Tor their produce In addition
this the river s. Lawrence and the Canadian canals
communications between the great lakes and the Allan.
tic are TO DO ocnei To the navigation of the Americans
while Lake Michigan be opened in like manner to
British subj ets-a right, however, being reserved Of
pending hereafter the operation these conc upop
due notice GiyeI.
We shsll ao attempt to strike a critical balance OF the
gwen and received by the parties 20 this
ty Its well known result ct such arrangements that
both sdc' find themselves gamers points where
they had expected TO LOSE and ia the present
evc the losses will be imaginary, while the anticipated
Saus VII De doubled. We do presume colo.
iss will find their fisheries any the for the adns-
sion OF the Americans to share in them, that the
Americans will suffer from the competition of the Canad
Ii is far probable that the fisher
men OF the one county and the Agrcuurss OF the 9th
er, will be alike benefited by the change; which will pre-
vide both with new markets, while il will supply whole
some stimulus TO eXertou The advantages both sides
will be marked, decisive and immediate-the sacrifices
which each may conceive itself be making will ia all
likelihood never be felt.
But while the prospects opened by this treaty are so
promising abroad, they si satisfactory home.
1t something 10 have put the commercial intercourse
Canadians aud Americans on desirable footing but it is
far more to have strengthened the ties Of amty between
Two such countries Great Britain aud United States
and to have removed what any time
a cause of alienation aud collision An American Journal
now before observes that effect this treaty will
indeed be to "snueI the British provinces to the United
Safes far the principal branches of traffic are con.
cerned but that the L. States will the process 'ue
annexed 10 the British proviuccs Ia TACT strong addi-
onal reasons will exist for the cultivation OF good
feeling between Americans and Canadians while at the
same time the two supreme Governments will be relieved
rom the emblrrassments of question which was always
threatening catastrophe. Among the minor
OF the treaty, will be the fact that disengages certain
OF our vessels of from duty and makes
both ships aud available d orjuuclue when bet
ter employment may he found them. The only per
son. indeed who will have epne at the arrange
msnts now established, will be the Emperor of Russia
10 the return Of vessels from these waters he will
see, not only al accession TO our naval force but a
pledge OF confirmed cordially between Great Britain and
America That such cOrda!ity may long continue must
be the wish OF all those who desire the peace aud pro
gress OF the world could any step be taken more
Judlciousy with view to such end han that exem
pilhed in the treaty just concluded