Year: 1868

On the joint resolution. relating to


navigation and transportation be-


tween the Dominion of Canada and


the United States, to be regulated


by treaty or otherwise; also urging


upon the general government to Sc


cure the construction, if possible,


of a ship canal connecting Lake


Champlain with the St. Lawrence,


and to offer Canada in exchange


therefor to enlarge the Champlain


canal, and make the use of the two


reciprocal.


Mr.. SPEAKER The subject of bet
ter facilities for the transportation
east of the constantly and rapidly in
creasing commerce of the West, to
which the governor called our atten-
ton in his late able message, is one,
which, because of its Importance, mer-
it's our careful consideration and if
we say or do anything which will tend
to bring about the desired result, we
shall have performed a valuable ser
vice, not only to Vermont, but to all
the Eastern and Northwestern states.
The work which the resolution will
perform, if any, if it is adopted, will
be that of calling attention to the sub
iect in those states which manifestly
have an interest in the enterprise, in
the hope that such au agitation and
discussion of the matter will follow as
to secure the result aimed at Init
mately connected with this question,
ana III fact, constituting part OF it, IS
that of intercOmmunication generally
with Canada, and the right to a safe
transit by land of the merchandise
eff each country across the territory
of the other; also the reciprocal right
to free navigation of the waters,
and a reciprocal use of the canals of
the two countries. At a glance it will
be seen that this subject is broad
one, involving a great variety of In
terests important to the people of
both Canada and the United States.


All the merchandise which comes
from Chicago and points west to Yer
mont and other New England states,
and all which passes through the Os-
wego canal to Albany, has on its way
to Lake Ontariu to pass through the
Welland canal, a public work of Can
ada, connecting Lake Erie and Lake
Ontario. As | understand it, Ameri-
can bottoms have had no right to pass
through that canal since the termina
ton of the late reciprocity treaty
but they have done SO constantly since
that time, the Canadians being glad |
suppose to receive the tolls for such
use; besides they desire the privilege
of navigating the waters of Lake Mich
igan which lie wholly within the ter.
ritory of the United States.


Ever since the construction of the
Grand Trunk railroad to Portland
merchandise from New Brunswick No.
va Scotia, Newfoundland, Prince Ed
wards Island and England, has been
allowed to pass over our territory
from Portland and other seaports tC
Canada under certain Treasury regu
latiOns in accordance with certain acts
of congress. And the same courtesy
has been extended by Canada to oul
commerce from the west over the
Grand Trunk railway from Port Hu
ron to Portland, and over the Great
Western from Detroit to Buffalo.


There is also some question con.
cerning the rights of our lumbermen
in Maine to the use of the St. Johns
river in passing through New Bruins
wick, which by the late reciprocity
treaty was guaranteed. But since the
abrOgation Of the treaty in 1854, the
exercise of these mutual privileges Is
not, as | can learn, of right, but is III
dulged because of mutual necessity
and rests solely for its continuance
upon the pleasant but uncertain and
tickle law of mutual good will and in,
ternational comfy.


Now all these matters are the prop.
er subject of convention between
the two powers and of treaty arrange
ment; and it seems to me, sir, unwiSe
to longer leave privileges so import
ant to both countries to the mere
whim or varying caprice of changing
administrations and governments.


AS the matter now stands Canada
can any day say to Uncle Sam, not
another spoonful of grain shall pass
eastward over our territory; not an
other American vessel shall pass thro
the Welland canal thus placing a
practical embargo upon the immense
shipment of breadstuffs which now
come by the way of Lake Ontario fol
the supply of all New England, and
which we could not be deprived of, if
for only one mouth, without a perfect
panic in our markets, and great dis
tress among our people. You and l
sir, would be made to understand the
full meaning of this embargo when we
bought our next barrel Of -four after
it. And we should understand its
fuller meaning when we could no lon
ger find any -four to buy.


But says one, Canada will never dc
this. Granted, if you please, that il
is not probable she will; that the in
ducement of tolls through her canals
and of freights over her railroads, will
tend to make her willing to serve Us
while she serves herself 1t is never
theless possible. 1t is clearly hel
right to do it; and that is slfficien
reason for giving attention to tht
matter.


| Our government shOnld either Sacur.