Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1865-12-22
The Champaign and st. Lawrence ship
Canal.
BURLIxGroy, Dec. Il, le63.
lf,s,ys Editors of the Free Pres


.,fss,Ts Editors of the Free Pre-"
Our citizens, with those OF New
England generally, as also those Of the States
west of US, bordering upon tie British Provinces
seem to be giving some renewed thought to the
question Of reciprocal free trade, between those
r-oviDces and the States. The former treaty,
regulating our commercial intercourse, (profes-
ssdly upon reciprocal terms. yet hardly so in
fact) having been abroga,ed, and shortly to ex-
nire. our provincial neighbOrs are also earnest
" discussing this subject, and are not without
hone Of success in securing renewal ot It's
proyisions and if need be, are willing appa-
reutlv. to assent to terms more reciprOcally just
and equal, than those Of the former treaty.
This. on their part, is not only politically WISE
but necessary in any efforts at negotiation for
its renewal. In the former treaty, our govern
uent gave more than an equivalent for the be-
uefts received. The privilege Of navigating the
St. Lawrence and other provincial waters
among other things. vas yielded to our great
people, and made an effect to positive benefits
/ granted BY us in return But emitting here
particuar reference 10 IT, various provisions, the
sentiment seems universal that the benefits con-
/ ferrel on our rart, have proved to be far more
valuable to our provincial neighbors than those
conferred upon Us IN retuTn-they were far from
being reciprocal.
III, .....,.; A., e tls;. .,,oI- slanr the st
Lawrence, and the Welland aud other canals, by
paying the ordinary tolls, as did their own
citizens, has been privilege Of much value to
our commercial interests. but the navigation oi
the St. Lawrence and the neighboring waters,
while of little if any value. could not properly
be denied us by the terms of natural law. At
the time Of the formation of that treaty, it was
supposed by some Of our western merchants and
produce dealers, that foreign export and i'm
uort trade, by way of the Lakes and the st.
Lawrence river, might be bene6cially carried on,
using our own lake vessels for that purpose,
thus avoiding the necessity Of trans-shipmeni,
and the expense and delay, consequent upon
finding their way through our inlaad channels
10 New York and other Atlantic markets, and
saving moreover both the export and import
profts Of the trade to themselves.
A few experiments of this kind however, dis
PEELED the hope of anticipated success-the fogs
and other dangers Of the lower St. Lawrence
with lis ice-bound condition for large par
of the year, render it an unsafe and otherwise
ob;ectionable channel of communication, and
I will be avoided as a commercial channel, excep
by the residents upon its borders, and those haV
ing no other or better means Of transit.
Had our provincial neighbOrs secured to us
4 uavigable communication from the st. Lawrenc
river at Beauharnois, to Lake Champlain or tn
navigable outlet Of the latter, near St. John:
T and placed US On an equal footing with their Ow
citizens in respect to It's use,they would have cor
ferred upon cur people, both Of the east and I'll
vest, an important benefit. This, together wit
the use Of the other canals now existing, wit
n those hereafter to be constructed, and all
. them. especially on the western thoroughfare,
II be adapted to an enlarged water craft, DRAWN
z at least ten fee, deep Of water, would probab
S have secured to them the continued enioymel
=, Of the treaty, and not unlikely have prevents
,e its abregation. at least for many years.
Ifnegceiatons are to be renewed, in respe