The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-11
The Reciprocity Treaty Signed--1hc Cans .
dim View cf the Doc uuacnt.

[fron the Montreal Herald June 81
1t appears that this treaty, which has been so
long talked OF, and so often pressed by the British
and Canadian governments upon the government of
the United states, has at last become the interna-
ti0nal law of the two countries, far the sigma
tuIt OF the high contracting parties without any
collateral action of the United States govern
ment, can make il so. We learn that the news
reached town yesterday, that IL was signed ut
Washington on Monday, by the American Secre-
tary OF State, ON the part of his government,
and by Lord Elgin, on the part oil the British
government Lord Elgin leaving the federal
capital the following day for Portland. It il now
about six years since that indeiatigable, though
not always cear-mindcd, pu lie servant, Mr.. w. ii.
Merritt, first brought this subject beoco our Legs-
lature, the circumstances OF the markets being them
as now, calculated to lead producers, whether Of
produce or lumber to send their to the South
ern markets. Mr.. Merrit's scheme was not met ut
the time with any great warmth by those ministers
OF the crown who have since pressed IL energeti-
cally to conclusion. However, it was popular
measure, especially in Upper Canada, and one
cordingy, in the following session, that Of IS49,
the first reciprocity act was passed In Canada.
The act was very short and simple. 1t enacted =
That whenever under any law Of the United States the
articles enumernt in the annexed schedule being the
growth production Of this province, shall bo admitted
FREQ Of duty in the United States of America, then SINH
lar articles being tho growth or production OF the said
United States shall be admitted into this province free
Of duty when imported direct from the United States
And the schedule enumerated the following arti-
cles:-
Grain, and breadstuis of all kinds, vegetables fruit
Seeds nnmsls hides wool butter, cheese tallow hams
ssed ana ich meats of all kinds OF metals ashes
timber slaves, wood, and lumber Of all kinds.
II was OF rst believed that this legislation our
part would be met by corresponding legislation at
Washington, and measure was in fact brought in,
and strenuously urged onwards by several members
of Congress, especially by Mr.. Dix. Some Of the
accidents pertaining to legislative proceedings, es
pecialy to American legislative proceedings, how
M nd and tha lA1f la QtIIn
qrent sessions, partly from opposition that had
in tic meantime grown up, and partly from the ex-
ctement caused by the slavery question overriding
all other subjects, reciprocity made no progress IN
Congress. Pending these discussions, however, tne
question had been taken possession OF by the dlpio
matists--wc don't mean Malcolm Cameron, nor Mr.
Tnany-but sucb gentlemen az Daniel webster,
Abbott Lawrence, Lord Aberdeen, Sir. EuWard bhi-
wer and Mr. CHAMPION and the exertions OF our
negotators were stimulated by repeated addresses
moved by Mr. Merritt in the Provincial Parliament,
calling upon the British government either TO
obtain for Ms reciprocity, or to retaliato IL
seema 10 have been due to representations OF
this kind, added 10 the specific demand made by
the Eastern Provinces for the protection Of their
| fisheries, which led Lord Stanieys goyernmen. 70
| send Admiral Seymour, as kind OF Deus er ma
china 10 aid the solution of the dilemma. This was
in 1882 but the possibility OF connecting tie fishery
and the reciprocity treaties had been early forescen
by the American government. and had been debated
with Mr.. Iaiontaine when he was at Washington in
ls50 Its influence upon the general negotiation,
nevertheless, now assumed very different COLOR
The Americans had desired more privileges Tor
their fishermen the price OF granting agricultural
reciprocity. Lord Stanley's movement, whether dc.
sgnedly or not, meDaced them with the withdrawal
Of the freedom which, SO far, they had practically
though Illegally, exercised, unless tney dld grant
reciprocity The nervous anxiety OF the British gov
eminent IN taking Ibis step Is wc fshown in the
correspondence between Lord Malmesoury and Mr..
Lawrence, arising out OF Admiral Seymours move
ments Even the unQuestionable rights Of the col
obists were as II appears from the following letter,
only 10 be claimed in the most delicate possible
| manner
LORD MALMEsBUBy TO uR. LAWRENCE.
4 IoRusS 0frIcR, Aug. ID, 1852
Nv DEAR s-The orders that ars " 20 out 70 our Ad