Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1865-02-24
ope,ing of the British Parliament.


The British Parliament opened on the th
inst. The Queens message Wss longer than
usual The only ref--ence in It to the al
fairs this s,ds oi the Atlantic, is remark
or ,p2robation of the Canadian projec; for
closer union of the provinces undera central
government. and the following curt reference
to the United States
"The civil war in North America riill anhap-
pily continues. Her Majesty remains steadily
neutral between the contending parties, sns
would rejcice at a friendly reconciliation between
them
\ discussica 7-s ,ro-:sd.ately opened IN
the H-e1se s. lords, on the subject Of the
Ts4a'.uns between the United States and
Canada. some extracts IRON the speeches
Of Earl Derby and Earl Russell, will be read
with interest. Earl Derby said
Il is impossible that every o., should not ear
nestly desire that eve-y step that is possible
should he taken = bring about reconciliation
| am not o-e Of those who are .iiopocei 70 think
that Ter Majesty's government have departed
from that neutrality Ehi-h :hey express them
selves anxious TO maintain. But I confess
LOOK witt great anxiety at the appearance Of
sc-re symptoms which seem % show thai that
neutrality has not been accepted by that party
10 which We have been most favorable, vita that
goodwill and gratitude 10 which think IL was
fairly entitled. don't refer to articles in ieder-
al newspapers, nor TO the expressions ofiriivid-
IL
official dispatches which under other circurl-
stances might be regarded a. expressions o. hos
tility. | refer 20 two measures which am told
have received the sanction Of tie Senate-I
mean, the notice 10 terminate the treaty Of recip-
rocI;y with Calada, and more important still,
to .he ter-r.nation Of the treaty by which the
uav1 force IN the lakes Is restricted and regu-
la.ed. (llear, hear.) OF thee two measure il Is
Impossible not % see that they are both OF them
framed in . spirit Of hostility to this country
One Of them lays open questions Of a most DELI
cafe and difficult character.
The American people are themselves s4cri6c-
ing great commercial advantages by absudonfrr
the reciprocity treaty, and the only C-oand Of
their doing 50 j. that Canada -e-eives equal adj
yantaees The only re-r,t will be. that the
whole complicated question Of the fisheries Of
North America, in which no doubt the United
states are materially interested, will be again
tirown open.
Ny lords, am ola enough 10 remember the
serious complications and difficulties which were
on the point Of arising between this country
and the United States in connection with these
fisheries. AMI yet, without the slightest reason or
pro'ocarou, that question Is nov reoueuei, with
sil the risks and dangers OF q war with this
country, than which no war could De more de-
piorahle. lIear. hear
IL Is not q little significant that the time when
the abroEst0n Of this treaty Was resolved uron.
another treaty notice lays open AL those points
% danger and difficulty corrected with the
lake. For long period tlrese lakes have .erv-
ei as the means % peaceful and profitable COM
merce between the countries lying ou either side
II them. can recoi.ect the late American war,
nhen there vas race iu shipbuiliIug ou those
hsee. and the party which obtained temuors-
ny superiority gliHei with jt the complete con-
ITO. 90 the lake.. That was put an end 90 by
an agreement which lei 10 o state OF Isrfe5t
neutrality; and now the American government.
without the slightest provpc8tion, proposes 90
break through the treaty, and talks Ut seuiinra
force upon the lakes, which must make u nec,-,-
sarD Tor this country 90 make corresponding pre-
partitions u the face of imme'ia,e danger #
hostlues.
don't ask her maies.y's government what I
steps they have taken, but ! DO say ihi-. that
they VIII hc deeply responsible 4 they are not
fully awake O. the position In which this c0un-
try is placed 10y these two acts 0f the govern [
msnt 81 the In Ted States. lf the prer0uder- I
ing ar-e should De- Ia the hands ui the Uuit-i
States. tcalld only De used Tor the purpose OF .
-re,-iou. Hear IN attack on the part OF .
tanada zoo the United states o. physical i'm /
possibility. lHear,l The long frontier o.; Can I
'ia IL peculiarly open 90 ACCESSION. and assal- I
.hIe AS % i- hy land unless there be- a prepou- ]
ieratus force upon these lakes you must be I
'reparei Co plsoe the provinces 70 CanaIa Al 4
be disposal % the T. nitei States