The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-02-25
Message from the President Relative TO
the Fisheries.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24-The President sent
the following message to-day to the Senate and
House OF Representatives:
In my annual message to Congress at the
opening of the second session of the present
Congress- in December, 1871, I recommended
the legislation necessary on the part of the
United States to bring into operation the arti-
Gle of Treaty of Washington, of Nav 8, 1871.
relative to the fisheries and other matters touch
ing the relations of the United States towards
the British North American Possessions, to be-
come operative as soon as the proper legislation
should be had on the part of Great Britain and
its possessions. The legislation on the part of
Great Britain ami its possessions had not been
had. Having, prior to the meeting of Congress
in December last, received official information
OF the consideration by Great Britain and its
possessions of the legislation necessary on their
part to bring these articles into operation, l
communicated the facts to Congress in my an
nual message to Congress at the opening Of the
present session, and renewed the recommends
ton for your early adoption of legislation in
the same direction necessary on the part of this
government. The near approach of the end of
the session induces me again to urgently call
your attention to the Importance os this legis-
lation on the part of Congress. 1t must be re-
membered that the Treaty OF Washington re-
Sulted from an overture on the part of Great
Britain with reference to the fisheries on the
coast of Her Majesty's possession in North
America and other questions between them af
fecting the relations of the United States to-
wards these. possessions To this overture a
reply was made on the part of this government,
that while approaching the importance of a
friendly and complete understanding between
| the two governments with reference to the sub
jects specially suggested by the British govern
ment, 1t was thought the removal of the differ
ences growing out of what were generally
known as the Alabama claims, was essential
to the restoration of cordial and amicable rela-
tons between the two governments, and the as
sent OF this government to treat on the subject
of the fisheries was made dependent on the as
sent of Great Britain to allow the joint COM
mission which it had proposed ON the questions
suggested by that government, to treat also and
settle the differences growing out of the Ala
bama claims. Great Britain assented to this,
and the Treaty of Washington proposed set
tlemenn of both classes of questions. Those
relating to the Alabama claims and to the
Northwestern water boundary, commonly
known as the San Juan question, have been
disposed of in pursuance with the terms of the
treaty. Those relating to the fisheries 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 legislation. This gov
eminent is now enjoying the advantages of
those provisions of the treaty, which We're the
result of conditions of its assent to treat upon
the questions which Great Britain had submit
ted. The tribunal of Geneva has made an
award in favor of the United States on the AL
ALBANIA claims, and His Majesty, the Emperor
of Germany, has decided in favor of the con-
tention of the United States on the Northwest
ern boundary line. cannot urge too strongly
the Importance of your early consideration of
the legislation that may be necessary on the
part of this government. In addition to the
claim Great Britain may have to the good faith
OF this government to consider the legislation
the legislation necessary in connection with the
question WHICH that government presented as
nf ffaft
so favorably to this government upon the other
questions in which the United States felt so
much interest, it is of Importance that the
rights of American fishermen, as provided for
the now approaching fishing season opens and
that serious difficulties to the fishing interests
and the grave questions between the two gov
ernments that may arise therefrom be avoided.
(Signed) U. S. GRANT,
Executive Mansion, Washington, February 81
1873