Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-02-27
Message From the President in Re
ference TO the Fisheries.
WAsHINGTON, Feb.

" AS1A-aNA|2's Nbs ~
The President sent the following mes
sage, to-day, to the Senate and House
of Representative
In my annual message to Congress, at
the opening of the second session of the
present Congress, in December, 1871.
recommended the legislation necessary
on the part of the United States, to
bring into operation the article Of the
treaty of Washington, May g, 1871,
relative to the fisheries, and to other
matters touching the relations of the
United States towards the British North
American possessions, 10 become opera
tive as soon as the proper legislation
should be had on the part of Great
Britain and its possessions. The legis-
lation on the part of Great Britain and
It's possessions had not been had. Hav-
ing, prior to the meeting of Congress in
December last, received official informa-
ton of the consideration by Great
Britain and its possessions OF the legis-
lation, necessary on their part, TO bring
these articles into operation, communi-
Gated the facts 10 Congress in my annual
message at the opening of the present
session, and renewed the recommends
ton for your early adoption Of legisla-
ton in the same direction, necessary on
the part of this government. The near
approach Of the end of the session in
duces me, again, 10 urgently call your
attention to the importance of this legis-
lation on the part Of Congress. It must
be remembered that the treaty of Wash
ington resulted from an overture on the
part of Great Britain, with reference 10
the fisheries on the coast of her Majesty's
possessions in North America, and other
questions between them, affecting the
relations of the United States towards
these possessions. To this overture,
reply was made on the part of this gov
ernment, that while approaching the
importance of friendly and complete
understanding between the two govern
ments, with reference TO the subjects
specially suggested by The British gov
eminent, it was thought that the removal
of differences, growing out Of what
were known as the Alabama claims, was
essential to the restoration of cordial
and amicable relations between the two
governments, and the assent Of this
government to treat on the subject of
the fisheries was made dependent on the
assent of Great Britain to allow the
Joint Commission which il had pro-
posed on the questions suggested by
that government, 10 treat also and settle
the differences growing out of the Ala
bama claims. Great Britain assented 10
this, and the treaty of Washington pro-
posed a settlement of both classes of
questions. Those relating TO the Ala
bama claims and to the Northwestern
water boundary, commonly known as
the San Juan question, have been dis
posed of, in pursuance of the terms of
the treaty. Those relating to the fisher
les were made, by the terms Of the
treaty, to depend upon the legislation
which the constitutions of the respective
governments made necessary. Great
Britain and her possessions have, on
their part, enacted the necessary legis-
lation This government is now enjoy
ing the advantages of those provisions
of the treaty, which were the result OF
the conditions of its assent to treat upon
the questions which Great Britain have
submitted. The tribunal of Geneva has
made an award in favor of the United
States on the Alabama claims, and His
Majesty the Emperor of Germany has
decided in favor of the claim of the
United States on the Northwestern
boundary line. cannot urge too strong
ly the importance of your early consid-
eratioz of tho. legislation that may be
necessary on the part Of this govern.
ment. In addition TO the claim that
Great Britain may have upon the good
faith of this government to consider the
legislation necessary In connection with
the question which that government
presented as the subject of anegoiaiion,
and which has resulted so favorably TO
this government upon other questions
in which the United States felt so much
interest, II is of importance that the
rights of American fishermen, as pro-
vided for under the treaty, should be
determined before the now approaching
fishing season opens, and that serious
difficulty TO the fishing interest and the
grave questions between tho two gov
ernmsnts that may arise thersfrom be
avoided. Z. 5. GRABT.
washington hhssi.i Fob sa'i n, iis7s.