The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1856-01-09


British government, in order to secure
not only cessation of the wrong. but
its reparation. The subject is still un-
der discussion, the result of which will
be communicated to you in due timo.
repeat the recommendation sub
mitted to the last Congress, that provi-
sion be made for the appointment of a
Commissioner, in connection with Great
Britain. to survey and establish the
boundary line which divides the territory
of Washington from the contiguous Brit
ish possession BY reason of the extent
and Importance Of the country in dispute,
there has been imminent danger Of COLI
SION between the subjects Of Great Brit
ain and the citizens of the United States,
including respective authorities in that
quarter. The prospect Of snccdy ar.
rahgcmen. has contributed hitherto to
induce on both sides forbcarance to ms.
SORT BY force what each claim MS a right
Continuance of delay on the part Of the
two governments to act in the matter
will increase the danger and difficulty OF
the controversy.
Misunderstanding exists as to the ox.
tent character and value Of the posses
sorv rights # the Hudson BAY Company,
and the property of the Puget's Sound
Agricultural COMPANY. reserved in our
treaty with Great Britain relative to the
territory of Oregon. have reason to
believe that a cessation of the rights of
both Companies to the United States.
which would be the re7dest means of ter
minating all questions. cnn be obtained
on reasonable terms. and with view to
this snd 7 nrcsent the subject to the at
tention Of Congress-.
The colony of Newfoundland having
enacted the laws required by the treaty
of the 9Th june. 1854 is now placed on
the same footing in rcsncct to CONNER.
cial interests with the United States as
the other British North American prov-
inces. The commission which that trea-
ty contemplated for determining the
rights of fishery in rivers and mouths of
rivers on the coast Of the United States
and the British North American prov.
inces, has been organized, and has COM
menced its labors. to complete which
there is need Of further appropriation
for the service of another season.
SOUND DUES.
In pursuance of the authority confer
red bv a resolution of the Senate of the
United States. passed on the Sd Of
March last. notice was given to Den.
mark on the l4th day ofApril of the in
tention of this government to avail itself
of the stipulation of the subsisting con-
vention Of friendship, commerce and nav
igation between that kingdom aud the
United States. whereby either party
might, after ten years. terminate the
same at the expiration Of one year from
the date Of notice for that purpose. The
consideration which led me to call the
attention Of Congress TO that Conven-
ton. and induced the Senate to adopt
the resolution referred to, still continue
in full force The Convention contains
an article which, although it does not di-
rectly engage the United States to sub
nit to the imposition of tolls on the YES
sells and cargocs Of Americans passing
into or from the Baltic Sea during the
Continuance Of the treaty, yet. may, by
pOssihility.be construed as implying such
submissions. The exaction of those tolls
not being justified by any principle of
international law, it became tHe right
and the duty of the United States to re-
iievc themselves from the implication of
the engagement of the subject, So as to
be perfectly free to act in the premises
in such way rs their public interest and
honor shall demand remain of the
opinion that the United States ought not
to submt to the payment Of the Sound
dues. not 50 much because of their a.
mount. which is 4 secondary matter, bat
because it i. in effect, tho recognition Of
the right Of Denmark To treat one of the
great maritime highways Of nations as a
close sea, and tho navigation Of it as
privilege for which tribute may be i'm.
posed upon those who have occasion to
use IT,
This government on a firm, occa.
sion. not unlike. the present. sIgnaized
its determination to maintain the free
dom of The Seas and of tho great natural
channels of navigation. The Barbary
states had for long time coerced the
payment of tribute from all nations
whose ships frcquented the Medierra-
mean To the last demand of such paw
ment, made by them, the United States
although suffering less by their dcpreda
tous than many other natious, returned.
the explicit answer, that We preferred
war 10 tribute, and thus opened the way
to the relief Of the commerce Of the
world from an isuominious tax 80 long
submitted to by the more powerful ma
tons Of Europe If the manner Of pay
ment Of Sound Dues d fTlr from that of
the tribute formerly conceded q the Bar
barry states, still their exaciioa by Den.
mark has no better foundation in right.
Each was in its origin nothing but tax
on a common natural right, cxtorted by
those who were at that time enabled to
ohstruct the free and secure enjoyment
of it, but who 10 longer possessed that
power
Denmark. whilo resisting our asscr.
tlon OF the freedom of the Baltic Sound
and Bolts, has indicated readiness to
make some new arrangement on the sub.
jet, and has invited the Governments