The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-04
Renewal of the Commercial
Treaty of 1854.
NEGOTIATIONS AT WASHINGTON.
The Fishery Question To Be
Finally Settled.
TERMS OF THE COMPACT.
A Question Of High Ma
tiOnal Importance.


The negotiations which have been for some time
in progress at Washington for reciprocity with
Canada have progressed so far that rough draft
of treaty has been made for the consideration OF
the Senate and the government OF the Dominion.
Few more important subjects could engage atten-
ton than that OF increasing our commercial rela-
tons with our Northern neighbors, which, under
the provisions or the Reciprocity Treaty Of 1854
Terminated by notice from the United States in
1866, had sweled to the enormous amount OF
$40. 600 per annun. 1t Will be remembered
thar, by the Treaty OF Washington OF May, 1871.
certain fishing privileges were granted the United
States In Canadian waters, to continue ten years;
but inasmuch as Great Britain claimed that these
privileges were OF greater value than those ac-
corded by the United States. and the assertion not
being admitted by our government, 1T was pro-
vided that commissioners should be appointed to
determine what amount II any, was to be paid
the Dominion authorities. lew months since q
com missioner was sent out from London TO act
with an American commissioner in the settlement
OF this question The former took Canada en- route,
and while there, 1t appears, 1t was suggested to
him how much better 1t would be II the fishery and
all other differences were merged in new reel
procity treaty, similar to the former one, under
which Canada derived vast benefits. and which,
owing to the unfriendy conduct or the Provinces
during the civil war and other causes we were
obliged to abrogate. This led to the opening OF
negotiations. Secretary Fish acts for the United
States and Sir Edward Thornton, with whom is as
ISOLATED Hon. George Brown Ia Dominion Sena-
tory, for England and Canada.
THE CANADIAN ENVOY.
The selection OF MIR. Brown seems to have caused
dissatisfaction among the opposition party In his
own country. 1t is alleged that the interests or
the maritime Provinces will be sacrificed by him
for the benefit OF Ontario. 1t IS true that since the
gentleman entered into the political arena he has
been the champion or the rights OF that Province
as against Quebec, and during stormy career has
contended Tor representation by population, while
the aid Of his influential Journal the TORONTO Globe,
has added considerably to his power. Mr.. Brown
was member OF the Provincial Cabinet just as the
Reciprocity Treaty OF 1854 was about terminating,
and resigned in consequence OF difference be-
tween his colleagues ana himself on the mode OF
procuring q continuance OF 1t. In order to secure
the colonies, the Cabinet were in favor oil making
a good many concessions to the United States. and
OF accepting legislative reciprocity II treaty reel
proclty could not be procured. Mr. Brown would
not agree to accept legislative reciprocity which
and was.opposed to the making what ne deemed
unnecessary concessions. The result was, as
stated, that he resigned.
THE JOINT HIGH COMMISSION
The opinion at this time very generally obtained
In Canada tDat the United States, In terminating
reciprocity supposed th,r the cOlOnists could not
possibly survive Its loss and that its abrOgatiOn
must hasten annexation. Subsequently, as VIII
lear tnat the end OF the treaty was intended to be
preliminary to an INVASION and conquest OF the
Provinces. Mr.. Seward, however dspeled this
illusion. All efforts to induce the American gov
eminent to renewal OF the treaty In any shape
were unavailing. At the conferences OF the Joint
High Commission in 1871 the BRUSH Com mission
ers proposed that the Treaty or 1854 should be re-
stored IN principle, ana that If any notifications
IN "a al m anf W. mad IA
ing trade Of the United States and the Dominion
should be reciprocally thrown open, and that the
Canadian canals should be also thrown open on
terms Of equality. The American commissioners
The DOMINION ARGUMENT
This refusal It might be considered would be
looked upon as final. but the DOMINION govern
ment seems TO have oeen resolved to make one
more effort. The recent arrival OF the Fishery
Commissioner afforded the opportunity. In the
meantime the new Canadian Ministry collected
large amount OF information respecting the fish,
cries. They caused tables to be drawn up to prove
that the United States had been the gamer BY Tree
trade IN times past ana that they would profit by
reciprocity III the luture. They showed also that
Canada can prosper though the productions OF her
SOIL and her fisheries excluded from American
markets. The DOMINION authorizes, 1t appears took
great pains TO impress on our government that they
aid not send Mr.. Brown to beg lavUrs but to treat
on equal terms WITH Nj. Fsa concerning matter
OF mutual benefit to both countries and that In re-
ately greater progress than she did with 1t. Some
Canadian writers declare That its loss scarcely
raised an adverse ripple on the current OF their
prosperity. Its operations swept away all surplus
farm stock and placed tue country IN an admirable
position TO start forward on It's own account The
loss OF reciprocity, they nod, greatly tended to
stimulate confederation and rendered the prospect
OF annexation Infinitely more remote than 1t was
RESULTS OF FREE TRADE.
1t Is clear, however. that Mr. Brown and the
present Canadian Ministry appreciate the great
but there is reason believe that they estl-
mate considerably the value OF their fisheries In
1871 the American commissioners were only Wiling
to offer one million dollars suitable sum for the
privilege OF iishng on the coasts OF the Provinces.
The ADVANTAGES to the Dominion OF new treaty
are apparent enough. the demand or timber and
lumber was very large from 1856 to 1866. Trade
otherwise between Canada and the United states
greatly increased While the Reciprocity Treaty
remained IN operation. The imports ron the
United states, when in 1851 was $s,305 900. had
risen In 1856 to S22 7Oo0 00, and notwithstanding
the disastrous financial reverses OF ls57-'60 and
the war In 1861, they amounted In the latter year
TO over ST.. 00O.0Oo. The exports from CANADA in
1851 were s40l,00o: five years later they increased
to $4,000, 900; III 1860 they were 1000, and
amid all the disturbing influences OF 1861 they
ward and inward on the st. Lawrence, trailic
which har been greatly increased ny the aboll-
ton ofos and transit duties on that RIVER IN 1883
showed even more rapid progress. In 1859 the
exports via the ST. Lawrence were SSS2l. 900 while
IN 1861 they reached S22.5U0 600 The imports by
same route were in 1859 Sll, $4,000, and IN 1861
they had risen to $780, 900. The tonnage in 1859
was GAL G62 tons. aud that OF 1861 l,O50,O0O TONS
OF the exports IN 1861 less than 49, 900
grain sent from the western states to Europe
by that river.
THE TREATY OF 1854.
by the stpuiatlon5 OF the Reciprocity treaty or
1854 the Inhabitants OF the United states were TO
have in common with British subjects, the liberty
to take FISH OF every KIND except smell isn on the
Canadian coasts, without being restricted TO any
distance RON the shore, with permission to land
Tor the purpose OF drying their nets and curing
their fish provided that, III so doing they ala not
interfere with the rights oil private property. Ger
tain grounds We're reserved Tor the exclusive fish
ing OF British subjects, and provision was made
Tor the appointment OF JOINT commission TO
prevent Or settle any disputes on this point.
British subjects were 10 enjoy like privileges In
American waters. TIE following articles-the
growth and produce OF the Colonies or the United
Statcs-were TO be admitted INTO each country
respectively free OF duty Grain, Hour ana bread
stuffs; ANNALS OF ali kinds; fresh, smoked and
sailed meats; cotton, seeds and vegetables; fruits
anu fish poultry, eggs hides and lurs stone mar
BILE or slate; butter, cheese and taow; ard horns
and manures; ores, coal, PITCH tar, turpentlne
and ashes; timber and lumber Of all kinds plants,