Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-03-12
THE BRITISH NORTH.AMERICAN
FISHERIES.
Message from President Grant on tn
.

| Subject.
Lie President sent the following
message to the Senate and House of
Representatives on Monday:
In my annual message to Congress at the
| opening OF the second session OF the present
/ Congress, IN December, 1871, I recommended
/ legislation necessary on the part of the United
States to bring in operation the articles of the
| treaty of Washing Ton, of May 8th 1874, rela-
| tive to the fisheries and other matters touch
| ing the relations of the United States towards
the British North-American possessions, to
| become operative as soon as the proper legis-
latiorg should be had on the part of Great
| Britain and its possessions. The Legislation on
| the part of Great Britain and its possessions
had not then been had. Having, prior to the
meeting of Congress in December last,
received official information of the con-
| s1deration by Great Britain and its
possessions of the legislation neces-
| articles into operation, | communicated the
facts to Congress in my annual message at the
! opening of the present session. and renewed
| The recommendation for an early adoption of
| legislation IN the same direction necessary on
| the part OF this government. The near ap-
proach Of the end of the session induces me
| again to urgently call your attention to the
| Importance OF this legislation on the part OF
congress. 1t must be remembered that the
! treaty OF Washington resulted from an over
|
reference to the fisheries on the coast of Her
| MaJestys pos sessions in North America, and
| oIner questions between them affecting
| the relations of the United States to-
wards these possessions. To this overture
reply was made on the part of this Govern
meht tnat While approaching the Importance
OF friendly and complete understanding be-
tween the two Governments with reference to
the subjects specially suggested by the British
Government, 1t is thought that the removal of
| the differences growing out of what were gen.
orally known as the Alabama claims was essen
| tIal 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 were made dependent
/ on the assent of Great Britain to allow the
! Joint Commission, which it had proposed on
the questions suggested by that Government,
to treat also, and settle the differences grow
ing cut OF the Alabama claims. Great Britain
| asSen ed to this, and the Treaty OF
Washington proposed q settlement of both
classes OF questions. Those relating to the
Alabama claims and to the Northwestern wa
ter boundary, commonly known as the San
Juan question, have been disposed of in pur-
suance OF the terms of the treaty. Those re-
/ latlng to the fisheries were made, by the
terms of tho treaty, to depend upon legisla-
| ton which the constltutionsiof the respective
/ governments made necessary to carry those
provisions into effect Great Britain and her
possessions have, on Their part, enacted the
necessary legislation. This government is
now enjoying the advantages Of those provis-
ions OF the treaty, which were the result of a
condition Of its assent to treat upon the
questions which Great Britain had 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 Ger
many has decidedin favor of the contention
of the United States on the Northwestern
boundary-ine. l cannot urge too strongly the
Importance of your early consideration of the
legislation thar may be necessary on the part
OF this Government. 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
a subject of negotiation which has resulted so
favorably to this Government upon other
questions in which the United States felt some
degree of int crest it is of Importance that the
rights of American fishermen, as provided for
under the treaty, should be determined be-
/ fore the now approaching fishing season opens,
and that the serious difficulties to the fishing
interest and the grave questions between the
two Governments that may arise therefrom be
| averted. iSigned.) u S. GRANT
Executive Mansion, Washington Feb. "a.