The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-12-13

mics, should be exempt from the ravages]
of war; but the psoposed surrender goes
but little way in carrying out that princi-
pie, which equally requires that suchprivate
property should not be seized or molested
by national ships-ofwar Should the lead
ing powers of Europe concur in proposing,
as rule of international law, to exempt
private property, upon the ocean, from sci
zure by public armed cruisers, as well as by
privateers, the United States will readily
meet them upon that broad ground.
Since the adjournment of Congress, the rat
ifications of the treaty between the United
States and Great Britain, relative to coast
fisheries and to reciprocal trade with the Brit
ish North American Provinces, have been ex-
changed and some Gifts anticipated advantages
are already enjoyed by us, although its full ex-
ecution was to abide certain acts of legislation
not yet performed. So soon as it was ratified
Great Britain opened to our commerce the
free navigation of the river St. Lawrence, and
to our fishermen unmolcsted access to the shores
and bays, from which they had been previous
~ excluded on the coasts of her North Amer
lean Provinces in return for which she asked
for the introduction free of duty, into the ports
of the United States, of the fish caught on the
same coast by British fishermen.
This being the compensation stipulated in the trea-
y for privileges Of the highest importance and 7ale
to the United States, which were thus voluntarily
yielded before it became effective the request seemed
to a reasonable one; but it could not lie acceded
to from want of authority 10 suspend Our laws impOs-
ing duties upon all foreign fish. In the meantime,
the Treasury Department issued regulation, for
certainiag the duties paid secured by bonds on fish
caught on the Coasts Of The British Proainces, and
brought to our markets by British subjects, after the
fishing grounds had been made fully accessible to the
citizens of the United States.
recommend to you favorable considera-
ton proposition, which will be submitted
to YOU, for authority to refund the duties
and cancel the bonds thus received. The
Provinces of Canada and New Brunswick
have also anticipated the full operation OF
the trcaty,by legislative arrangements, re.
spcctivcly to limit, free of duty, the pro-
duets of the United States mentioned in the
free list of the treaty, and an arrangement
similar to that regarding British fish, has
been made for duties now chargeable on the
products of those provinces enumerated in
the same free list, and introduced therefrom
into the United States; a proposition for
refunding which will, in my Judgment, be
in like manner entitled to your favorable
consideration.
There is difference of opinion between
the United States and Great Britain, as to
the boundary line Of the Territory of
Washington adjoining the British possess
ions on the Pacific, which has already led
to diff in llti on the part of the citizens
and local authorities Of tie two govern
mcnts. l recommend that provision be
made for commission, to be joined by one
on the part of her Britanc Majesty for the
purpose of running and establishing the
line in question.
Certain stipulations Of the third and
fourth articles of the treaty concluded by
the United States and Great Britain in
1916, regarding posseSsary rights Of the
Hudson Bay Company, and property of the
Puget's Sound Agricultural Company has
given rise to serious disputes, and it is i'm
portant to all concerned, that summary
means Of settling them amicably should be
devised. l have reason to believe that an
arrangement can be made On Just terms for
the eXtinguishment Of the rights in question,
embracing, also, the right of the Hudson
Bay Company to the navi gation Of the
river Columbia; and l therefore suggest to
your consideration, the expedicncy of ma
king a contingent appropriation for that
purpose.
France was the early and efficient ally
of the United States in their struggle for
independence. From that time to the pre-
sent, with occasional slight Interruptions,
cordial relations of friendship have existed
between the governments and the people OF
the two countries. The kindly sentiments
cherished alike by both nations have led to
extensive social and commercial intercourse
which, l trust, will not be interrupted OF
checked by any casual event of an appa
rently unsatisfactory character The French
consul at San Francisco was not long
since, brought into the United States Dis
trict Court at that place, by compulsory
process, as witness in favor of another
foreign counsel, in violation, as the Frcncl
government conceives, of his privileges un
der our consular convention with France
There being nothing in the transa ctior
which could imply any disrespect tc
France or its consul, such explanation
has been made, as hope will be salts.
factory. Subsequently, misunderstood
ing arose on the subject of the French
Government having, as it appeared, alb.
ruptly excluded the American Minister
to Spain from passing through France
on his way from London to Madrid. But
that government has unequivocally dis.
avowed any design to deny the right Of
transit to the Minister of the United
States; and, after explanations to this
effect, he has resumed his journey ano