Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1892-09-02
RETALIATION BEGINS.
The Presidents Proclamation
Against Cana dian Tolls.
Free Navigation of St. Mary's
Falls Canal Suspended.

The State Department, by authority of
President Harrison made public the i'm
portant action taken by the President un-
der the Canadian retaliation act of last ses-
sion in partially suspending by proclamation
the free navigation of the ST. Mary's Falls
Canal and imposing a toll of twenty cents
ton upon all freight passing through
that canal from Canadian ports. The Pres-
dents proclamation, though constructively
executed in Washington City, was signed by
hun at Loon Lake, Y. Y, and forwarded to
Washington for PRONUNCIATION. This action
has been taken on account of the discrimina-
lions made by the Canadian Government
against American commerce.
The proclamation recltes that by an act
OF Congress approved July 26. 1892, it is
provided that ION and after the first day of
August, eighteen hundred and ninety-two,
whenever and so often as the President
shall be satisfied that the passage through
any canal or lock connected with
the navigation of the st. Lawrence River,
the great Lakes. or the waterways connecting
the same, of any vessels of the United
States, or of cargoes or passengers in transit
to any port OF the United States is pro-
hibited or is made difficult or burdensome
by the imposition of tolls or otherwise,
which, in view of the free passage
through the ST. Mary's Falls Canal now per
mitted to vessels of all Nations he shall
deem to be reciprocally I'm just and unrea-
sonable, he shall have the power. and it
shall be his duty. to suspend, by proclama-
ton to that effect, for such time and to
such extent Including absolute prohibitionl,
as he shall deem just, the right Of free
passage through the st. Marys Falls
Canal, SO far as it relates to yes
sells owned by the subjects of the Govern
ment SO discriminating against the citizens,
ports or vessels OF the United States or to
any cargoes, portions of cargoes, or
passengers in transit to the ports of the
government making sucl discrimination,
whether carried in vessels Of the United
States or of other Nations"
The proclamation recites further provi-
sion of the act of Congress, and continues:
'Whereas, The Government Of the Do
minion of Canada imposes toll amounting
to about twenty cents per ton on all freight
passing through the Welland, and also a
further toll on all vessels of the United
States and on all passengers in transit to a
port of the United States, all of which tolls
are without rebate, ana
whereas, The Government of the Do
mlnlon Of Canada, in accordance with an
order in council Of April 4, 1892 refunds
eighteen cents per ton, of the twenty-cent
toll at the Welland Canal, on wheat, Indian
corn, peas, barley, rye, OATS fax-seed and
buckwheat, upon condition that they are
originally shipped for and carried to Montreal
or some port east of Montreal for export.
and that, If transhipped at an intermedi-
ate point, such transshipment is made within
the Dominion of Canada, but allows no such
nor any other rebate OH said products when
shipped to part Of the United States or
when carried to Montreal for export if
transhipped within the United States, and
Whereas, The Government of the Do
minion of Canada by said system of rebate
and otherwise diScriminateS against the cit
liens of the nited States in the of said
Welland Canal in violation of the provisions
of article 81 of the treaty of Washington
concluded May S, 1871; AMI
Whereas, said Wel!anl Canal is con-
pected with the navigation of the Great
Lakes, and am satisfied that the passage
through it of cargoeS in transit to ports of
the United States is made difficult and bur-
densome by said discriminating system Of
rebate and otherwise, and is reciprocally
unjust and unreasonable
Now, therefore, /, Benjamin Harrison,
President of the United States of America,
by virtue of the power to that end con-
ferred upon me by said act of Congress,
approved July %, 1892, do hereby direct
that from and after September l. 1892, I'M
til further notice, a toll Of twenty cents per
ton be levied, collected and paid on all
freight of whatever kind Or description
passing through the st. Marys Falls Canal
In transit to any port of the Dominion of
United States or of other Nations; AMI to
that extent do hereby suspend from and
after said date the right of free passage
through said st. Mary's Falls Canal of any
and all cargoeS or portions Of cargOeS il
transit to Canadian ports"
A batch Of correspondence accompanied
the proclamation. 1t shows that Canada
was willing to abolish the rebate on tolls at
the end of the present season, but that this
was not satisfactory to the United States
Government
The Secretary of State however, in
formed Mr.. Herbert charge of the British
Legation, that should the Canadian Gov
eminent give notice of its decision to
abolish the determinations now complained
of, the proclamation would be suspended
concurrently with such abolition.