Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-08-24
TEXT OF The PRESIDENTS LETTER
To COngrsss---A Manly, Brave and Fearless
Resolution to Support the Rights of
American Citizens With the
Only Means Left.
he ASKS FOR The LEGISLATION
Necessary to Enable Him to Garry Out the
Rstalatory Measures Against Great
Britain 10 Protect American
Fishermen in British
Waters.

WASHINGTON, August 23.-The Presl-
dent sent the following message to Con
grsss this afternoon:
To tie Congress:
The rejection by the Senate of the treaty
lately negotiated for the settlement and
adjustment Of the differences existing be-
tween the United States and Great Britain
concerning the rights and privileges Of
American fishermen in the ports and wa
tsrs of British North America, seems to
Justify survey OF the condition of the
pending question.
The treaty upon this subject concluded
in lslS, through disagreements a. to the
meaning Of its terms has bsen fruitful
source of irritation aud trouble. Oar eiti-
zsns engaged in fishing enterprises in
waters adjacent to Canada have been sub
iected TO numerous yexatiouS interferenees
and alnOyauce4, their vessels have been
seized upon pIetexts which appeared to be
entirely iUadmisSable, and they have been
otherwise treated by the Canadian author
ities and officials in q manuer inexcussble,
harsh and oppressive
While keeuly senSi'ivs t. all that was
exasperating IN the coalition aud by no
mrRns ibdlspOsed tosupport the Just com
plaiut8 OF our ioinred citizens l still
d-em-d 4, nv du,y tor tha preservation Of
important Aur.ILan interests, which were
directly involved, aud la view of all the
details OF the situation TO attemOt by ne
gOtarInn to remsdy ex sting wrongs and
to tioaliy terminate by
AFFAIR AND JUST TREATY
these ever rycdtTiug causes Ot difficulty.
fully hUlI-ve tlaJ the treaty Just ~
lectet bS the Senate WAS we'll sulted To the
exig-nCrts. and that ia provisions wer'
adequate Tor nnr security in the future
from yeXttInus Incidents and for the pro
mo'inn uf friendly n"ighhOrhOOd and init
macy, without sacrificing IN the least our
nsuOHal pri T. or d'gnIty the co-Opsra-
tiOn necessary for the adjustment of the
long At 'ndlng n4uoaal differences with
which We have to deal by methods Of con-
ference and agreem-nt, having thus beeD
d-ciusd, an bg no means disposed 10
abandon the rfIrtS and the rights of our
peNpie m the premises or to neglect their
grievances; and therefore turn TO the con-
temptation of
A PLAN or RETALIATION
the situation. am not unmIndful Of the
gravity Of the responsibility assumed in
adopting this llns Of conduct, nor do | fail
in the least 70 appreciate its serious conse
quences. II will he impossible to ipiure
Canadian neighhOIs by retaliatory meas
ures without IUajcuug some damage upon
our own citizens This results from our prox-
Unity, our community interests aud the en-
evitable eOmminglng of the huiness enter-
prjssJ winch have bseu developed By mu-
tual activity. Plainly stated, the policy
of natlO0sl retaliation manifestly embraces
the infection of the greatest harm upon
those who have Injured us, with the least
possible damage to ourselves There ia
also an evident prOpriety, "a well a. an in
vitstiOn To moral support, found in visit
ing upon the offending party the same
measure or kind of treatment OF which we
complain, and IS far - possible within the
same lines Aud, above all things, the
plan of retaliation, ifentered upon, should
be
THOROUGH AND VIGOROUS.
The Congress has already passed . law,
which received executive consent, on the
third dsy Of March, 'S7, providing that in
case American fishing vessels being or Wis
iting in the waters, or at any of the ports
Of the British dominions of North Amer,-
ca, should be, or lately have been, deprived
Of the rights to which they were entitled