The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-09-13
THE FISHERY AND RECIPROCITY TREATY.

lHSltuuous, uhu thc ioAy VI eHuaiiy
from the house-tops and street-corners
THE FISHERY AND RECIPROCITY TREATY.
We have the satisfaction to announce that Admiral
Fanshawe has received orders to withdraw the British
fleet which has been stationed in the Gulf of ST. Lawrence
resist the encroachments of American fishermen Thus,
before the action of the colonial legislatures the late
ly-prohibied fishing grounds are opened to American
vessels We have acquired by the late treaty, so ably
negotiated, and promptly ratified and confirmed, the
full and undsputed enjoyment of the finest hinggrounds
in the world. The acquisition is strip no less than
three miles in width and nearly four thousand miles in
length The of fathers who fought to secure the
right fishery for the American colonies in the old French
wars appcased No one can properly conceive
of the importance of this treaty who does not consider how
important part the question Of the North American fish
cries occupied in early colonial history and in our
diplomatic correspondence with Great Britain ever since
the formation of government Some idea OF the
commercial value of this acquisition may be formed from
the fact that admission to the waters within three miles OF
the shores of the Gulf of ST Lawrence is absolutely neces
sary the successful prosecution of the mackere fishery
The enforcing of the restriction in 1852 is stated to have
caused loss to the fishermen of Massachusetts, alone of
million of dollars.
The political consequences of this portion of the treaty
relating the fisheries in estimation of far higher
moment We almost tremble at the fearful risks which
were involved in this dispute We assured that last
year the of dozen fishing vessels completely
armed and it resolved Of the seizure of vessel
that these should attack and destroy of the colo
NAL cruisers single drop of blood shed upon Ameri-
can or British deck would have been the signal for
which all the prudence Of statesmen could not have
aycrtcd Fortunately the sober second thought of the
New England fishermen led them to trust their interests to
the wisdom of democratic administration sd the patri-
otism of a President nurtured on their own soil.
more important portion Of this treaty. inasmuch as it
marks epoch in the progress of liberal principles is that
establishing reciprocal free trade in the most important
natural products between the United States and the Brit
ish North American provinces. democratic admnsra-
ton has accomplished that which thus far has been only
an aspiration of democratic policy 1t has made the frst
practical experiment of free trade in this country All the
important products of the colonies come to us free OF duty
moderate duty averaging about IL per cent remains
upon our manufactures entering the colonies This any
is Just sufficient pay the expenses of these governments
and as they impose the duty upon British manutac-
lures and have but few manufactures Of their own they
are relatively free The coonsts will now seek their mar
kcts in American Cities instead of crossing the ocean They
will buy where they sell Thus outlets will be given
to our manufactures and legitimate protection furnished
which no high tariffs could afor&,
To New England and New York, especially, the advan-
tage of this treaty almost incacuabe No event has
occurred the peace of 1915 vitality affecting their
interests We already hear from the canals and railroads
of the North the busy note Of preparation Tor the new tide
of commerce which is to pour along them.
The provdenal events of the present year VIII furnish
remarkable Illustration of the benefits of this treaty We
have been suffering from the most fearful and wide-extend-
ed drought that has ever scourged the country and now
in the first year of scarcity of provisions from such Ca
amty Canada blessed with abundant harvess and re-
eyed from heavy restrictive duty, will pour in her sup
plies and will furnish as it said three million bushels
of wheat for consumption.
We boldly claim for the administration of President
Pierce the sole credit of concentrating this great measure
For four years the preceding administration had been
nibbng this question: alurcd by the hope OF ac-
qung the fisheries and then frightened away by the bug
bear of free trade. No administration imbued with the
aacous philosophy of protection, which, in negota-
ton demanding the recognition Of great general principles
seeking to petty advantages by limiting the free
list could have effected this treaty The philosophical
idea which lies at the basis of the reciprocity treaty at
once commended itself TO all the members Of the admins
raon The President always earnest advocate of free
trade and cognizant by personal observation of the ad
vantage which would to New England from these
measures suggested in his inaugural his future policy
relation the colonies He assisted by the profound
knowledge of the Attorney General in relation to colonial
policy well illustrated in his report to Congress which
completely exhausted the history of the subject The
Secretary Of State upon whom devoved the immediate
and difficult task of negotiation lost time in diplomatic
fencing lie sci himself to his work with characteristic
ygor and will need to leave TO postery higher evil
dence of his craftsmanship than the achievement of this
great result Measures like this will enable future histo-
rians TO apply to the administration of General Pierce
what Mr. Benton so well said Of General Jackson, "No
part of his administration successful beneficial and hon
orabe as it at home, successful, beneficial
and honorable than that of his foreign diplomacy