The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-02
TIE TREATY OF WASHINGTON.
Probable Effect of the Treaty or Washinstsn
Our Commerce.


ON Our Commerce.
WASHINGTON June l, 1871.
Numerous letters are constantly being received at
the Treasury Department inqutrng as to the prob
able enects OF the Treaty OF Washington on Amert-
can commerce In Canadian ports, and as to how It
Will affect our carrying trade the lakes as well
as the commercial ports along the Canadian from.
tier To all these letters Secretary Boutwell, mas
but one reply, and that is that the treaty has
not yet reached that stage where it becomes
tho law of the. land. Any opinion, based
upon the construction of the treaty emanating
from an oficial source he considers now premature
and impotic, as it would tend to embarrass final
action 30 far as Great Britain Is concerned. Secrc
tary Boutwell, concludes with the hope that II will
ultimately be found that there Is no need OF mis8p
prehension that the treaty will injuriously AFFECT
our Northern coastlng trade; but well Informed
persons who profess to understand the bear
ing Of the treaty decidedly dissent from his
opinion These letters seem to be based ON the fol-
lowing state Of racts:-During the sessions OF the
JOINT High Commission Sir John Macdonald was
very much opposed to our customs laws, which dis
eliminated invldiously in favor OF American bot
toms trading on the lakes and contiguous Canadian
ports and insisted that the treaty should repeal those
laws, SO far, at least, as lake commerce was con-
cerned. General Schenck was instructed
by the American Commissioners. after this
point had been fully discussed, to confer
with the Secretary of the Treasury and get his
opinion In the matter. In response to General
Schenck's request compilation OF all the laws
bearing upon the subject In question was submitted
to the Commissioners. Upon this compilation
extended discussion arose. Sir John Macdonald
took the ground that these laws levied q tom
mage tax which absolutely prohibited Canadian
sells from engaging in lake commerce. and that they
needed great modification before Canada coud
honorably consent to sanction any negotiations rela
tive to the fisheries. This discussion led to the
adoption In the treaty Of articles relating to
procity features Affecting this country, and Ameri
can shippers have now become alarmed for fear that
Canadian bottoms will be allowed to compete with
out restriction for the carrying trade Of the lakes
The Course Of Sir John A. Macdonald Sus-
taiacd by lhe Canadian Government Or
gans.
OTTAWA, June l, 1871.
The government papers seem to foreshadow the
fnte1ded policy OF Sir John A. Macdonald and the
Cabinet with reference to the Washington treaty.
The Times says that neither the government OF
Canada as whole NOR Sir John A. Macdonald as
FIRST Minister are committed to the treaty. They
have taken care to reserve to themselves the right
OF most complete freedom or action in the matter
The CUtze0 says Sir John A. Macdonald displayed
sound judgment In avoiding the extreme and taking
the more moderate course, as 1t is understood the
servatton.
Excitement In British Columbia-PrOposed
Forcible Seizure OF the Island of San
Juan.
SAN FRANCISCO. May 81. 1871.
The British Columbia papers are greatly excited
over the prospect or the loss OF the Island OF San
Juan, going far to advise the British govern.
ment to seize 1t and hold 1t by force.
Opinions of the Nova Scotia Press tho
Treaty.
HALIFAX, June l. 1871.
The washington treaty continues to be discussed
by the newspapers here. The COioaist and Express
approve Of the treaty. The Chronicle and Recorder
treat the subject from party views. The Reporter
partly approves ana disapproves OF the treaty. ex-
pressing a desire to see more favorable conditions
to the portion relating to fisheries In the latter
paper last evening the following telegram from one
OF the Ottawa Cabinet appears.
II the treaty ratified by the Queen the portion respecting
the fisheries will be accepted rejected by the Canadian
Parliament next session. The and Parliament
quite free to deal with the interests of Canada
require
The Citizen has an editorial this morning which
proceeds on the presumption that the functions OF
Parliament have been assumed by the Canadian
government, by whom, 1t aiilrms, the treaty has
been ratified.