The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-19
WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON. Oct. IS, 1868.
The Proposed Reciprocity Treaty with the
British Provinces-Present Status of the
Subject.
so many contradictory statements have appeared
regarding the position OF the question OF trade with
the provinces OF British North America and settle
ment OF the fisheries disputes and the free navigation
OF the river St. Lawrence that 1t was considered
proper to obtain correct information upon the SUBJ
1ect The matter stands thus:-Mr Thornton, the
British Minister here addressed note to Mr. Seward
In July last calling hts attention to the distressed
condition OF the people OF Nova Scotia in conse-
quence OF their exclusion from our markets
consequent upon the termination Of the reel
procity treaty, and asking him to enter
into negotiations. Mr.. Seward referred Mr..
Thornton's communication TO Mr.. McCulloch
the Secretary OF the Treasury. Mr.. McCulloch re-
piled that the treaty having been abrogated by the
legislative branch OF the government he considered
1t would not be advisable to resume negotiations
until Congress should give some intimation Of its
desire that they should be reopened and at the
time expressing his McCu0ch'sl opinion that 1t was
for the interest OF the United States that the ques
ton OF trade with the British Provinces should be
adjusted in some definite manner. This correspond
ence was sent by Mr.. Seward to the Committee OF
Ways and Means just before the July adjournment
Of Ways and Means Mr.. Seward informed them
that he was ready to open negotiations for q
new reciprocity treaty whenever the committee
should refer the subject to him. Messrs.
Hooper, Allison, Logan, Maynard, Brooks and
Niblack, Of the committee, agreed to make such
report and General Schenck was willing 1t should
be made. Mr.. Grswold was absent. The adjourn
ment, however, took place 30 early that there was
no opportunity Of putting the report before the
House. and hence the matter goes over till the
semblng Of Congress- with the knowledge that the
Committee of Ways and Means are nearly unanimous
upon the subject and that Mr. Seward will open me-
gotations as soon as the committee are enabled to
report.
In the Senate the question has also been referred
the Committee on Foreign Relations, ana 1t Is known
that the chairman, Mr.. Sumner, is strongly in favor
Of negotiations. Mr.. Sumner has frequently stated
that he reported in favor Of terminating the old
procity treaty not because he desired cessation Of
trade with the British Provinces and reopening OF
the fisheries difficulties but because he did not con-
slider the treaty as sufficiently comprehensive
or beneficial To the United States and that he believed
TIC proper course was to abrogate that treaty in
stead oil attempting to patch 1t up, ana thei Regulate
new treaty Of a comprehensive character, which
should include manufactures and should be made In
the interest Of this country and not the former
treaty more for political object than as CON-
mercial necessity.
The New York City National Banks.
Abstract OF the quarterly reports showing the
condition Of the national banks Of New York city on
the morning Of the first Monday Of october, 1865