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1 2 3

SPEECH

HON. AMOS TUCK, OP NEW HAMPSHIRE,

ON THE

NEW ENGLAND FISHERIES,

RECIFSOCAL

TRADE WITH THE BRITISH NORTH AMERICAN PROVINCES,

AND THE

FREE NAVIGATION OF THE ST. LAWRENCE,

DEUTERED

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

AUGUST 27. 1852.

WASHINGTON:

I>RINTED BY LEMUEL TOWERS.
1852.

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Mr. Ghaibman: I propose to discusR the topics of the fisher-
ies, and of reciprocal free trade with the British Provinces in
North America. Were it my purpose to engage in the con-
troversies wrhich parties are now waging against each other,
I should have many misgivings as to the propriety of occupy-
ing any portion of the brief period of the session now remain-
ing. The time for action on the matters of interest before
Congress is short, and none but important subjects should in-
tervene, even for the space of an hour. But I feel that the
magnitude of the topics of my remarks, considered in connec-
tion with the fact that not a single hour has been devoted to
the latter branch ol my subject, during this session, is suffi-
cient an apology for occupying the time necessary to present
the matter to the consideration of this House and the public.
The United States have, in my belief^ the opportunity, by
early and judicious action, by legislation, or by treaty, of se-
curing such an extension of our fisheries, and such a monopoly
of trade and intercourse with the British Provinces at the north
of us, as will secure, without any of the evils of annexation,
all the benefits which we could realize from the closest union.
These benefits may, and are likely to be lost, by neglect and
delay in availing ourselves of the benefits that circumstances

V have induced the Provinces and Great Britain to ofier to us.

■ The way is open, not only to esca^pQ from any perplexities
that may have arisen in respect to the fisheries, but to enlarge
our privileges in that regard, to an extent of great and lasting
importance. Besides this, we can obtain the free navigation
of the St. Lawrence, the natural outlet of a vast extent of our
country, and probably the free use of the St. John's and other
important streams of the Provinces. This opportunity of ac-
quiring all the benefits, without any of the evils of annexation,

.and in a manner which, if examined, can furnish no ground
of jealousy or complaint in any part of the country, is an oc-
cnrrence second in magnitude to but few measures that ever
have been considered by Congress. A coincidence of events have

led to propositions for commerce, and consequent emolument
therefrom, which a few years ago we could not have obtained
at any price. Let me briefly allude to the events which have
brought about this result.

Within a few years a great change has taken place in the
colonial policy of Great Britain. Formerly the colonies were
compelled, by heavy differential duties, to purchase their sup-
plies exclusively of the mother country. The manufactures
of Great Britain were admitted into the Proviiices with a
lower tariff than was imposed upon the same articles from
other countries; while the exports of the Provinces were ad-
mitted into the ports of Great Britain with corresponding ad-
Vantages over all competitors. The consequence was, that
with all our advantages of proximity, v^e had almost no busi-
ness or other intercourse with our neighbors in the Provinces.
But Great Britain found it expedient to change her commer-
cial policy at home ; to admit breadstuffs and lumber, the most
important products of the colonies, into ^[11 of her markets free
of duty, in order to secure customers from the Baltic and the
Black sea, whom 6he most needed. The Provinc^es, ho longer
having advantages over others in the matter of their chief ex-
ports to the British markets, would have been too ihtolerabiy
burdened if they had been compelled to maintain di'fferential
duties at home in favor of the mother country. In 1846, the
Canadian Legiislature having been authorized by the Imperial
Parliament to regulate their own tariff, and being anxious to
cultivate a free intercourse with the United States, abolished
difieretitial duties And admitted American manufactures and
foreign goods purcllased in the American markets, on the
Same ternis as thoije frtym Great Britain. The duty on British
goods was raised, a^d that on American was diminished, so
that they Were made eqdal. There is no doubt that interest dic-
tated this itapoHktkt enActrtieilt. Yet it was a measure, if
beneficial to the people of CAriada, 'e^tially beneficial to those
of tlte United States; and being ^ spontaneous offering on
their patt, of what %Vas certain to secure to us an extensive
and lucrative trade, they bad a right to ex^et that this gene-
lr6sity should, at least, attract our atteiiti6n. Yet it failed to
do fett. When, in 1840, Gen. Dix, of New York, stated in the
Senate the fact of die abolitrota of differential duties, he was
a&lied upon to giVe his authority. PriVke interest, however,

ilumenfi
btained
;h have

e in the

es were

leir sup-

factures
with a

les from

vere ad-
ding ad-

vas, that
no busi-

rovinces.

commer-
the most

rkets free

c and the

ho longer
chief ex-

itolerabty
ffcrential
1846, the

) Imperial

.nxions to
abolished
tures and
ts, on the
on British
inished, so
iterest dic-
leasare, if
al to those
iffering on
extensive
this gene-
it failed to
ited in the
es, he was
t, howcvdr,

h ad already availed itself of the benefits of the measure, and
an extensive trade, notwithstanding our heavy tariff on Cana-
dian products, had. grown up with the States. The amount
of duties on goods from the United States, increased many
fold in three or four years, and the duties on goods from Great
Britain experienced a corresponding decrease. The port of
Toronto will serve as index of the increase of trade secured
to us, where the amount of duties paid on imports rose within
the short period mentioned, from $30,000 to about $400,000,
per annum. .i-if* nl m>*.S\ ,m! hr.^: .'.'

'. But if the .people of Canada buy our productions, they
must pay for them with what they have to sell. They
cannot get money by selling their products abroad, and bring
it here to buy what we have to sell. That would impoverish
them and be an unnatural course of business which could not
continue. Yet when the Canadian proposes to pay for his
purchases of us, by bringing what he has to sell, he is met by
a heavy duty, which repels him from us as inevitably as dif-
ferential duties formerly debarred us from Canada. Under
this state of things, the Canadian Government made applica-
tion to Congress, five years ago, for exemption from this bar
to trade, by establishing reciprocal free trade in national pro-
ducts with tbo United States, having first passed a law on
its part, abolishing similar duties against us, to take effect
when the United States should have passed a corresponding
statute admitting certain articles specified, without duty.
This proposition was submitted to Congress in the last part of
the Administration of Mr. Polk^ -rd received his favorable con-
sideration, also, that of Mr. Buchi nan. Secretary of State, and
Mr. Walker, Secretary of the Treasury. The following bill
was reported from the Committee of Commerce, by Hon.
Joseph Grinnell, the chairman, and subsequently received the
sanction of the House, and passed without opposition : jiu/r/'

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representativee of the United Statei
of America in Congress aaiembkd. That when tife President of the United States
shall issue his proclamation that the articles hereinafter enumerated, being of the
growth or production of the United States, are adniitted into the province of Can-
ada by law free of duty, that on and after that day, the like articles, being the growth
or production of said province of Canada, shall be admitted into the United States
free of duty, when imported direict from said province, so long as the said enume-
rated articles are admitted into said province of Canada from the United States free
of duty, unless otherwise directed by Congress, to wit: Grain and breadstuQs of all

kinds, vegelablM, fruitf, raimal*, hidM, wool, Ullow, bornt, •tited rad fretb mealar
orcf of «11 kinds of metaif, timbers, staves, wood and lumber of ill kinds.

- This bill went to the Senate, where Gen. Dix made an able
8|>eech in its favor; but it failed to become a law for want of
time. Since 1848, our domestic difficulties have absorbed
attention, so that no action has been had by this House, though
the Committee of Commerce of the last House, through their
chairman, Hon. R. M. McLane, on the 16th of May, 1850, in^
troduced a bill in the identical language of that which had
passed the House in 1848.

In the meantime the progress of events in the Provinces
has presented the subject of reciprocity to us in a new form,
and as a much more important matter. The proposition made
to us in 1848, and which passed this House, related only to
the Province of Canada. But differential duties having been
abolished in all the provinces, and everything tending to show,
not only the mutual advantage, but the necessity on the part
of the Provinces, of enlarged intercourse with the United
States, we have now the general proposition of establish-
ing an extensive commerce with all the British possessions at
the North, and of opening to the enterprise of our fishermen,
invaluable privileges, and putting an end to the annoyances
and disputes heretofore existing in regard to our rights.

The people of the Provinces are exceedingly impatient of
what they believe to be our injurious restrictions upon their
productions, by which, failing, as they say, to respond to their
liberal legislation in odr behalf, we are driving their trade
into foreign channels, as much to the detriment of ourselves
as to them. No man who has given the subject his attention
can fail to see the mutual advantages which must result from
adopting some liberal arrangements to secure the trade of the
Provinces. It is known that Mr. Clay and Mr. Webster have
favored some arrangements not materially unlike that propo-
sed, while the people of the Provinces are annoyed at the
neglect which their liberal propositions for their own and our
benefit, have experienced in Congress.

The British Government at home, taking the same view of
the question, with a large portion of the colonists, and proba-
bly judging that reciprocal trade with us will put off, to an
indefinite future, all difficulties that may ever arise about an-
nexation, have, through the British Minister, taken active

steps La promote the wishes of the friends of reciprocity.
Things are now approaching a crisis, inasmuch as the peoplo
of the Provinces having become convinced that they can obtain
no satisfactory response from the Government of the United
States, are seriously meditating a return to differential dutiei
in favor of England, ' • "

With these remarks I will cause to be read the following
letter from the British Minister to our Secretary of State,
which, although, only one of several communications on the
subject, will convey authentic information as to the nature of
the propositions made, and the hazards represented to be at-
tendant upon delay.

*'BRiTira LioATiov, June 24, 1851.

fim: I have already exprenwd to you at different periods, and especially in my
note of 22d March last, the disappointment which waa experienced in Canada^
when at the close of last session of Congress it waa known that no progress what-
ever had been made in the bill which had been brought forward for three years bu(^
cesaively for reciprocating to the measure which passed the Canadian Legislature ill
1847, and which granted to the natural produce of this country an entry free of
duty, into Canada whensoever the Federal Legislature of the United States should
pass a measure similarly admitting into the United States the natural produce of
the Canadas. This disappointment was the greater, inasmuch as the Canadiaa
Government has always adopted the most liberal commercial policy with respect ta
the United States, as well in regard to the transit through its canals, as in regard
to the admission of manufactured goods coming from this countiy.

I have now the honor to enclose to you the copy of an official communication from
which you will perceive, that unless I can hold out some hopes that a policy will
be adopted in the United States similar to that which has been adopted in Canada,
and which the Canadian authorities would be willing, if met in a correspondftic
spirit, to carry out still farther, the Canadian Government and legislatures are likelj
forthwith to take certain measures, which, both in themselves and their eonsa-
quences, will eflect a considerable change in the commercial intercourse betweaa
the Canadas and the United States.

I should see with great regret the adoption of such measures, and I am induced
to hope, from the conversations I have recently had with you, that they will be un-
necessary.

The wish of her Majesty's government indeed would be rather to improve thaa
impair all relations of friendship and good neighborhood between her Majesty'*
American possessions and the United States ; and I feel myself authorized to repeat
to you now, what I have at different times already stated to Mr. Clayton and your-
self, viz: that her Majesty's Government could see with pleasure any arrangement^
either by treaty or by legislation, establishing a free interchange of all natural pro*
ductions not only between Canada and the United States, but between the United
States and all her Majesty's North American provinces; and furthermore, I am
willing to say that in the event of such an arrangement, her Majesty's Government
would be ready to open to American shipping, the waters of the river St. Law-
aencc^ with the canab adjoining, according to the terms of a letter which I addreai-

ed to Mr. CUyion, on S7lb Marcb* 1860, for the information of the Committee on
Commerco in tlio Houie of KcpreMntetiveH, and to whicti I talio the lil)erly of re«
fering you, whilit I may add that her Majeity'a Government would in thia caae be
likewiao willing to open to American flihermen, the flaherira along the coaat of
Nova Scotia and New Bruniwick, according to the conuttiona apecified in the en-
olowd extract from biitructiona with which I am furniahed.

The willingneaa to grant to American citizens on auch reasonaliio oonditiona two
important privili'ges ao long enjoyed excluaively by the subjects of Great Britain,
will teatify clearly to the apirit by which the Britiah Government ia on tbia occaaion
animated! and as aiTaira have now arrived at that criaia in which a frank explana-
tion of the viewa of either party ia necessary for the interests and right understand-
ing of both, I take the liberty of begging you to inform me whether you are die-
poaad, on the part of the United States, to enter into such a convention as will
place the commercial relatione between the United Statea and her Miyesty's North
American colonies on the footing which ( have here proposed; or whether, in the
event of there appearing to you any objection to proceed by convention in thia
nwtter, you can aasure me that the United Statea Government will take the earliest
opportunity of urgently Recommending Congreaa to carry out the object aforesaid
by the meana of legislation.

I avail myself of thia opportunity to renew to you the assurance of my highest
consideration.

v.* .is

Hon. Damiil WxatTXR, &c., &c., &c. H. L. BULWER.

It is not necessary to read Lord Elgin's despatch, referred to
in this letter, nor the " extract" in regard to the fisheries. I
have not the letter of Mr. Webster in reply, but it is under-
stood that he is favorably disposed to a commercial arrange^
ment, by the treaty making power, or by Congress, for ac-
oomplishiiig the general objects set forth in the above letter.
1 will read the following schedule, specifying the articles
which are proposed by the British Minister to be reciprocally
admitted duty free :

"Grain, and breadstuffs of all kinds, vegetables, fruits, birds,
animals, hides, wool, cheese, tallow, horns, salted and fresh
meats, ores of all kinds of metals, plaster of paris, in stone or
ground, ashes, timber, staves, wood, and lumber of all kipds,
and all Rsh, either cured or fresh." "• •

The Bill which passed this house in 1848, as before stated,
m well as that reported by Mr. McLane in the last Congress,
gave the schedule of free articles in the following words:

"Grain and breadstuffs of all kinds, vegitables, fruits, ani-
mals, hides, wool, tallow, horns, salted and fresh meats, ores
of all kinds of metals, timber, ste^ves, wood and lumber of all
kinds."

I do not presume to suggest, in what language, or manner,
nor with what qualifications and conditions, the propositions

♦

of the Provinces should be met and aooepted. But I believe
the opportunity is now singularly favorable, to achieve a
great deal for the fisheries, for the commerce of New Eng-
land, and the States upon the lakes, and for the general in-
dustry and prosperity of the whole country. Whether this
object is within the range of the treaty-making power, or is
the appropriate business of the national Legislature, I will not
now discuss. I believe, however, that if the present Secretary
of State should apply to the subject the powers of his wonder-
ful mind, and grasping, as none but he can do, the whole sub-
juct of our Northern relations, the fisheries, the free naviga-
tion of the St. Lawrence, and reciprocal trade ; should enter
into a treaty, settling and defining the whole matter, in a
liberal and just manner, the country would experience relief,
and willingly acquiesce in what he should do ; and that the
whole subject would be settled more justly and prudently,
than it could be by any other means. With the liberal spirit
manifested by the Provinces and Greai Britain, I cannot doubt
that the details, as well as the general principle, of an ar-
rangement can be satisfactorily agreed upon ; should the ne-
gotiators sit down in earnest to the business. The three
great objects to be aimed at are, the extension of our fisher-
ies, increase of trade with the Provinces, and the free naviga-
tion of their rivers.

It is evident that on certain terms, and if those proposed are
not right, then without doubt on others, that would be sattsfao-
tory, the British Government are ready to grant a privilege
to the shore fisheries, with the right of landing and occupy-
ing such stations on shore as may be necessary for curing
and packing fish, and pursuing the business gradually, in a
manner most likely to be successful. If this should be ac-
quired for our fishermen, I have reason to believe that some
of those most deeply interested would regard the loss of the
small protection they now enjoy not as an unreasonable con-
sideration. But I propose not the details. My object is to
call attention to the general subject, and lay before Congress
some reasons for believing the opportunity now enjoyed^ for
advantageous negotiation or legislation, extremely favorable
for good results, and deserving the earliest and most carefUl
attention of our Government.

.!»

V t; .K< Vi"vil '^.M v-;>"-n or<'

U '!

\' T

V]}i^ ::

First let me speak of tbe fisheries. I know the importance
of this interest, living in one of the oldest fishing districts of
the country, and having many constituents constantly en-
gaged in the business. I wrould be exceedingly rejoiced to
see their privileges enlarged, and their laborious industry
more adequately rewarded ; and I believe that a more favor-
able moment now exists for the accomplishment of this ob-
ject, than has ever before occurred. Our fishermen need less
restriction and more privileges, and now is the time to secure
these to them. •

The recent excitement in regard to supposed trespasses by
the British upon our fishing rights, has happened at an unfor-
tunate period ; and if it have any unfavorable effect upon any
pending negotiations, or upon any action of Congress neces-
sary in the premises, it will operate more disasterously to our-
selves than to any opposing interests. I think the public
mind should be disabused of all erroneous impressions in re-
gard to the purpose of other nations to encroach upon us ^
and that, for our own welfare, we should conduct the negotia-
tions under consideration with the utmost calmness and con-
sideration. It is under this conviction, and without any in-
tention of justifying any wrongful act of the British or Colo-
nial forces, that I call attention to a few important facts,
which I have obtained from perfectly reliable sources.

The British Government have sent out no stronger forces to
protect their fishing privileges, the present year, than heretofore.
They have promulgated no new construction of the convention
of 1818 ; they have given no orders for the seizing of vessels^
unless they were trespassing within the" three miles," where we
admit that our vessels have no right to take fish ; and, finally,
no more seizures have been made the present year than have
been made each year since 1835. It is not improbable that the
orders given may have been carried out by some over-zealous
colonial officers, irritated, perhaps, by a sense of wrong
on our part, in an unjustifiable manner. But that the British
Government have intended to encroach upon American rights,
or to vindicate their own by extraordinrry means, or, least of
all, to frighten us into the acceptance of terms, which we
would not receive unless overawed by an application of force,
is a supposition without foundation, and to be forthwith dis-
carded. I think it an act of justice to avow the facts on this

■«

subject, because it is right that the truth should be known,
and because miapprehension will have a tendency to prevent
that mutually beneficial arrangement in respect to the fish-
eries and commerce with the Provinces, which is now happily
within reasonable hope of accomplishment.

The treaty of 1818, so far as relates to taking fish, reads as
follows:

** Whereas differences have arisen respecting the Uberty claimed by the United
States for the inhabitants thereof to take, dry, and cure fish on certain coasts, bays,
harbors, and creeks of His Britannic Majesty's dominions in America, it is agreed
between the high contracting parties that the inhabitants of the said United States
shall have, forever, in common with the subjects of His Britannic Majesty, the lib-
erty to take fish of every kind on that part of the southern coast of Newfoundland
which extends from Cape Ray to the Rameau Islands, on the western and northern
coast of said Newfounland, from the said Cape Ray to the Quirpon Islands, on the
shores of the Magdalen Islands; and also on the coasts, bays, harbors, and creeks
from Mount Joly, on the southern coouit of Labrador, to and through the Straits of
Belle Isle, and thence northwardly indefinitely along the coast, without prejudice,
however, to any of the exclusive rights of the Hudson's Bay Company. And the
United Stala hereby renounce forever any liberty heretofore enjoyed or claimed
by the inhabitants thereof to take, dry, or cure Jiah on or within three marine
miles of any of the coasts, bays, creeks, or harbors of His Britannic Majesty's do-
minions in America, not included within the above mentioned limits t Provided,
however. That the American fishermen shall be admitted to enter such bays or har-
bors for the purpose of shelter, and of repairing damages therein, of purchanng
wood, and of obtaining water, and for no other purpose whatever. But they shall
be under such restrictions as may be necessary to prevent their taking, drying, or
coring fish therein, or in any other manner whatever abusing the privileges hereby
reserved to them."

Th^t portion of the above claim which I shall print in ital-
ics, contains the source of the whole difficulty. Our Commis-
sioners in 1818, specially renounced the shore fishery, three
miles in width, over a vast extent of coast. This renunciation
began at the boundary of the State of Maine, continued in
and around the Bay of Fundy, (but in this bay we now have
larger privileges,) along the coast of New Brunswick, all
around Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, Prince Edward's Island,
the remaining coast of New Brunswick, and so along to Mt.
Joly, in Labrador. This coast where we lay no claim to take
fish within three miles of the shore, is at least 2,500 miles in
extent. This shore fishery which we hav» renounced, is
of great value, and extremely important to American fisher-
men. It is important to us in this respect. The cod fishery
which is pursued for a portion of every year, by a large fleet

from New England, is carried on at considerable distances,
sometimes hundreds of miles from the shore. Large qaanti-
ties are taken ; but as a general thing, to make the business of
fishing profitable, it is necessary that our fishermen 6nish out
the season, by employment for a time after the cod fishery has
ended, in the fall, in the mackerel fishery, or in some uncer-
tain jobs in the coasting trade. Without something of this
kind, the expenses of well built vessels and costly outfits, is so
poorly remunerated, as to make fishing a losing business.
From the first of September to the close of the season, the
mackerel run near the shore, and it is next to impossible for
our vessels to obtain fares, without taking fish within the pro-
hibited limits. We differ with England in regard to the
measurement of these ** limits f they claiming to run from
''headland to headland,'^ and we to follow the indentations of
the coast. But the real difiiculty is not here. The British
have never taken a vessel as a trespasser, when not within
the limits which we acknowledge we have renounced. They
have given particular directions to the ofiicers of their vessels
not to do so, and the reason is plain. They know that if they
exact a strict observance of our renunciation, on our own con-
struction, they break up our mackerel fishery. Hence it would
be folly in either to raise an issue on the "headland" dec-
line on which most people, I think, would hold our con-
struction to be the true one. I do not think it generally known
that the whole difficulty about the fisheries is about our right
to take mackerel. The cod fishing privileges are adequate
already ; and no vessel in that business has ever been seized
or interfered with. I think it is proper to go still further and
to state frankly, what, after a patient investigation of every
source of authentic information within my reach, I believe to
be the real difficulty. i sx.

The truth is, our fishermen need absolutely, and must have,
the thousands of miles of sjiore fishery which have been re-
nounced, or they must always do an uncertain business. If
our mackerel men are prohibited from going within three
miles of the shore, ftnd are forcibly kept away, (and nothing
but force will do it,) then they may as well give up their
business first as last. It was always uncertain, and generally
unsuccessful, however well pursued. v.-iAi -u i\ .xv^tm.

Perhaps I shall be thought to charge the commissioners of

1 1

i;^

1818, with overloc^ing our interests. They did so, in the im-
portant renunciation which I have quoted ; but tiiey are ob-
noxious to no complaints for so doing. In 1818, we took no
mackerel on the coasts of the British possessions, and there
was no reason to anticipate that we should ever have occa-
sion to do so. Mackerel were then found as abundantly on
the coast of New England, as any where in the world, and
it was not till years after that this beautiful Ush, in a great
degree, left our waters. The mackerel fishery on the Pro-
vincial coasts has principally grown up since 1838, and no
vessel was ever licensed for that business in the United
States till 1828. The commissioners in 1818 had no other
business but to protect the cod fishery, and this they did in a
maner generally satisfactory to those most interested.

I have thus stated the real difficulty in regard to the fish-
eries, because it needs to be understood, in order to draw forth
an expression of public opinion in favor of availing ourselves
of the opportuny presented of extending our privileges, and
obtaining what we want. No method is now offered, nor in
my belief will ever occur, whereby we can satisfy the claims
of our fishermen, except by entering into commercial arrange-
ments with the Provinces, on some national basis of recipro-
cal free trade, as we are now solicited to do. They cannot
well do without reciprocity, (equally beneficial, though not
equally indispensable to us,) and we cannot well do without
better fishing privileges. Both may be, and ought to be, im-
mediately adjusted. The amount of the fishing interests
which demands th6 attention of Government, is as follows :

The average tonnage in the mackerel fishery, for five years,

preceding 1861, was 51,503 tons.

Average number of men employed 8,879

Average annual product. 283,266 barrels.

Average aggregate annual value $1,657,963

Average tonnage employed in the cod fishery for ten years

prior to 1851 vras 79,251 tons.

Tonnage in 1851 95,616

Average number of men employed 11,331

Average product 713,256 quintals.

Average annual value $1,554,473

I wi'1 not specify the claims of this interest to the fostering
care of Government, as nurseries of American seamen ; that
subject, as well as others, having been ably attended to, in
the excellent speech of my friend from* Massachusetts, (Mr.
ScuDDBR.) The amount of mon^y invested, and the number

of men employed, vindicate the right to attention from the
Government. With all the discussion that has taken place
and with the liberal proposition made at the outset by the
British Minister, our fishermen will not be satisfied without
progress. They believe, and truly, that their privileges can
be extended. They want the shore fisheries, they want a
right to erect and maintain structures on shore to cure cod
fish, as soon as taken, thus saving cost and making better
fish for market ; and believing their wishes to be easy of ac-
complishment, they will not consent to the endurance of
former restrictions, the annoyances and troubles of which
they have so long felt.

Ih this connection, I must refer to the views of our late
brother on this floor, whose sudden death has so recently cast
a gloom over this House. Mr. Rantoul was a faithful rep-
resentative of a district deeply interested in the fisheries.
On account of the alleged encroachments of the British upon
our rights, he undertook an examination of the subject, in
connection with the proposed commercial arrangements be-
tween the Provinces and the United States, and devoted to
it the last days of his health and life. In common with all,
I deplore his loss to this House and the country ; and I will
add that I particularly regret that he did not live to deliver
the speech he was preparing on the subjects I am now under-
taking to discuss. I have the more confidence in the views
, I present, because I know, that in the main, they were sanc-
tioned by his superior judgment.

But I come to the remaining topic of my remarks, which,
if it had not been by the circumstances inseparably connected
with the fisheries, I might have discussed alone, as being of
«qual if not greater importance. The proposition for the
closest commercial relations with the North American Pro-
vinces of Great Britain, embracing the fair use of their rivers
and canals, is a subject of very great magnitude. It involves
all the commercial, political, and moral benefits arising from
intimate relations with a great nation. The Provinces now
contain a population of more than two-third^ that of the
United States at the time of the Revolution. Having gene-
rally a good soil, an invigorating climate, and a population
with habits which pfomise great good, there can be no doubt
that there is a future of prosperity and greatness before them,

♦?

second to no nation on the Continent except the United States,
They border upon as, on a line of many thousand miles in
extent, and thus have all the advantages of situation to bene*
fit us, and be benefitted by us, which they could have if they
were integral parts of the Union. We now treat with them
in their weakness ; we shall hereafter know them in their
greatness. They come to us in a liberal spirit, and entertain-
ing no jealousy of the more rapid advancement of our coun-
try, provided they can follow, even at an humble distance, in
the path of progress and improvement, they make explicit and
earnest appeals for an honorable and mutually beneficial re-
ciprocity. Their appeals have been unheeded for a long
time, and it is both becoming and necessary that we should
make our decision at an early period. They have not made
any proposition of the measure of reciprocal free trade which
they request us to consider as their ultimatum ; and, of course,
I do not undertake to define any. But they have come with
liberal propositions, as a basis, and my earnest appeal is in
favor of meeting them in the same spirit. ■'''

Commerce is the great pioneer of human progress and im-
provement. Two civilized nations cannot have trade with
one another without mutual advantage to both. They can'
not refrain from trade and intercourse, especially if contermi-
nous, without disadvantage to both. The mutual accumula-
tion of wealth, and means of improvement and happiness, is
the natural result of abundant commerce. A fair exchange
of such products as each can provide for the other, with less
labor than that other can provide for himself, lessens the
amount of human labor necessary, and leaves more time and
means for improvement and happiness. Men invent engines,
steamboats, railroads, and telegraphs, for the purposes of com-
merce, in the hope of gain. They are used to enlighten the
dark places of the earth, to spread information and religion
throughout the world, to equalize prices, transport commodi-
ties, prevent panics, and annihilate the evil of local deaths
and famines. We live in a wonderful age of commercial
activity and improvement. We are continually seeking for
new fields of enterprise, and stretching our efibrts to the end
of the earth to find new customers for our products and our
wares. Shall we overlook the best customers we can any-
where find, (because they are our neighbors, and the cost of

II !

transportation is thereby chiefly saved,) and go to China and
Japan, with cannon and gun powder, to open by force of arms
the distant nations who repeal all our advances ? No man
is unaw^are of the benefits of unrestricted commerce between
the States of this Union. It has contributed more than any-
thing else to our growth and our forces as a nation ; in fact
all else would have been insufHcient without it. It is the
great bond of our Union at the present time, and does more
to hold us together than ten standing armies. It is our invisi-
ble, omnipresent, and all but omnipotent resisting force against
dissolution. By its noiseless power it vindicates Republican
institutions, promotes the general prosperity, and will hold us
together, when physical force would only produce anarchy or
tyranny. Let us extend this bond of interest with proper
limitations, or none at all, as may be thought best, to the
Provinces of Great Britain laying upoii our borders. It may
be done with general benefit to the whole country. It is no
scheme which may not be safely carried ou*. in a Southern as
well as a Northern direction. Reciprocity may be assumed
as the basis of our relations with all adjoining nations. If
adopted, it will open the way for the abolition of tonnage
duty on Spanish vessels engaged in trade between Cuba and
Porto Rico and the United States, now so earnestly sought
by a portion of the Soutb. I would vo^e for such abolition
at any time. We can adopt reciprocity for this Continent
and the adjoining islands as an American system, desei'ving
the name it would bear. Annexation and "filibustering" expe-
ditions would then be little talked of, because there would be
no commercial restrictions, whose removal makes conquests
and closer combinations necessary for human progress.

But let me confine myself to some specific benefits to be
derived from making the colonial propositions for trade in
the liberal spirit in which they are made. The proposition >
of Sir Henry L. Bulwer particularly mentions the free navi-
gation of the St. Lawrence. It is well known that by the
Weliand Canal, which connects Lake Erie and Lake Ontario,
the Canadians can now transport all their shipping at plea-
sure from the Lakes to the river St. Lawrence, and thence
into the Atlantic ocean. In connexion with their proposi-
tions of reciprocity, and settlement of the fisheries, they now
offer to our western commerce this great privilege. Let us

■^

•)

look at its value. The river St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario
at the Northern border of New York ; Western New York,
Northern Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan, are con-
tiguous to Lake Erie ; Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and
Illinois, are aOjacent to Lakes Huron, Michigan, and Superior.
The St. Lawrence is the natural outlet to all this immense
country, and with the exception of Lake SupeVior, (and that
will not be an exception many years longer,) large as well as
small vessels, may lie, and of tea are taken from all these
Lakes through the Canadian canals and the St. Lawrence to
the ocean. We know how to prize the free navigation of the
Mississippi, and we shall not cease to extol the foresight of the
statesman who was mainly instrumental in the purchase of
Louisiana, by which this was obtained. The St. Lawrence,
with the Lakes, is the natural outlet of an extent of country
nearly equal to that drained by the Mississippi^ and the course
of that river is more favorably directed towards good markets,
than the Mississippi. It is not far from the line of a great
circle on the earth's surface, from the lake country to Eng-
land, and is, therefore, on the line of the shortest distance, al-
though such does not appear to be the case, on the common
maps of Mercator's projection, h is on the line of the great-
est wheat producing region in the world. There is now cal-
culated to be Hot less than $8,000,000 worth of shipping upon
our Lakes, owned by citizens of the United States. Our citi-
zens have often felt the advantage of transporting their ves-
sels, and have been frequently asking the Canadian Gevern-
ment for leave to do so. Permission has generally been re-
fused, though granted in some instances. Within two years
one of our vessels laden with copper ore, bound to Swamsea,
in Wales, and another with emigrants for California, were
allowed to pass out of the Lakes through the St. Lawrence
to the ocean. Two war steamers of the United States were
not long ago allowed the same privilege. For five months of
the year all shipping on the Lakes lies idle, on account of ice.
It is estimated that one fourth part of it, say two millions of
dollars worth, is adapted to ocean navigation, and might be
profitably employed, if it could be got out, in foreign commerce,
or in the coasting trade of the Atlantic States, at timefe so un-
necessarily expensive. The free navigation of the St. Law-
rence is only necessary to show us in the fall of every year,

long lines of vessels seeking the Atlantic, through Can-
ada, laden with western produce, and in the spring, making
their way back with foreign wares, and with the avails of
profitable labor for nearly half a year. Let no one imagine
that freights of breadstuflfs may not, in this manner, be trans-
ported by our own vessels to foreign markets. Our wheat
competes in British markets with wheat from the Black Sea;
yet Odessa, the chief place of export on that sea, is a thou-
sand miles more distant, by water communication, from Liver-
pool, than is Cleveland in our State of Ohio. The St. Law-
rence is important to the great west now, but when we at-
tempt to calculate what the west is destined to be, in wealth,
population, varied interest, and varied necessity, we can ap-
prehend something of the importance of securing its great
outlet now when we have the opportunity. If I could be
permitted to make one suggestion to the representatives of
the watchful of her interests, and faithfully laboring to promote
them, it would be to take care that the present golden op-
portunity of securing the free navigation of the St. Lawrence
be not lost.

I have heard it suggested, that we might accept of limited
reciprocal trade with the Provinces in such a manner, as that
the commercial transactions between them and us, would be
injurious to our manufactures. If I believed that any prac-
ticable arrangement with our neighbors, would involve such
a result, there is no one who would be more anxious to pre-
vent it than myself. But I believe arrangements that prevent
trade, are alone injurious to the parties ; not those which fa-
cilitate it. If a basis is agreed upon, which shall open the
way for the people of the Provinces to come and trade with
us, I have no fears that it will not be profitable to both parties.
To keep them away, by tariffs on their products, so that they
cannot be brought here, to pay for our fabrics, will thereby in-
jure our manufacturers, who desire to sell to them their goods.

It is now universally admitted, by sound economists and
statesmen, says an able writer in the North American Review,
" that no commercial arrangement can be permanently advan-
tageous to one party without being so to both ; that the basis
of virtual, when not of literal reciprocity, is the only solid
ground of international relations, and that the increased pros-
perity of one of the family of nations, only offers an enlarged

♦';

market for the industry, and an expanded field for the com-
merce of every other. The recognition of these principles is
fast girdling the earth with a zone of comn^on interest, mutu-
al good will, and reciprocal helpfulness." /

The author of these sentiments is not an advocate of gene-
ral free trade, without regard to circumstances. On the con-
trary, he believes a tariff to be indispensable to develope
American manufactures, in competition with the productions
of Europe, where labor is cheaper, and money is cheaper than
we ever hope they will be here. It is with similar sentiments
that I have quoted his remarks just given.

Let us now look to the extent of country and the estimated
population, with whom we are now seeking better commer-
cial arrangements. The Provinces are five in number, with
distinct, independent governments, of the following popula-
tion and extent : H! ;i:

Population. Area — acres.

Canada (East and West) contains a population of. 1.500,000 163,500,000

New Brunswick 200,000 19,000,000

Nova Scotia (including Cape Breton) 280.000 11,500.000

Newfoundland : 102,000 23,000,000

Prince Edward's Island 63,000 1,360,000

Total 2.155.000 218,360,000

The tables of commerce and navigation, published annually
by Congress, show that the commerce Latween the United
States and these colonies is by no means' of the same char-
acter with all. The principal exports from Canada to the
United States, are lumber, grain, flour, ashes, and wool, and
amount to about seven million of dollars. The principal
articles exported from New Brunswick, are lumber, coal, gyp-
sum, and fish, fish oil and grind-stones ; from Nova Scotia,
sawed lumber, fish, gypsum, grind-stones, lime, coal, potatoes,
and cord-wood. Prince Edward's is a small colony, chiefly
engaged in the fisheries, and agricultural employments, and
building annually a large number of small vessels for sale.
The exports of Newfoundland consist of dry and pickled fish,
fish oil, seal skins, seal oil, &c., and amounted in 1845, to
$3,519,000. The out- fit for the seal-fishery in 1847, consisted
of 321 vessels, with a tonnage of 29,800 tons, and employing
9,750 men. A large number of vessels for sale, are annually
built in each of the Provinces, which business gives employ-
ment to a large number c f people.

so.

It will be seen from the above, that no one of tlie colonies,
except Canada, exports grain or flour. This fact shoulcj
be noticed, because of the suggestion sometimes made that
the admission of flour and grain, duty free, would intro-
duce competition injurious to Western farmers. The other
colonies are large consumers of foreign breadstuff's, and have
received their supplies for some years past from the United
States, notwithstanding there is imposed a duty of from 25 to
75 cents per barrel on our flour. Nova Scotia and New
Brunswick have been among our best customers for flour, and
have, also, with the other eastern Provinces, bought their chief
supplies of all foreign articles in our markets. To show what
amount of trade with her own colonies, we have been gradu-
ally taking from England, I will state that the whole amount
of exports from the United States to all the Provinces, twenty
years ago, was a little over 03,000,000. It is now consider-
ably over four times that sum. The total exports from Great
Britain to the colonies in 1840, was about $15,400,000; in
1849, it was not much above $11,000,000, showing a com-
parative loss of 30 per cent, in nine years, / i ^: ;, ■

I know the discouragements which manufacturers have had
to encounter ; the actual loss which they have experienced, of
more than half their limited capital ; the long years of depres-
sions, during which they have been without dividends or other
returns. I know, too, that when they have made profits, it
has been by rising early, sitting up late, and eating the bread
of carefulness. Since I have been in Congress, it has been
one of my chief anxieties to be serviceable in procuring a na-
tional modification of the tariff", by which, at least, the evils
of ad valorem duties might be removed. But we have had so
much of politics always uppermost, so many topics of excite-
ment ever on hand, so much jealousy of the effect of a change
in the tariff*, upon the prospect of parties, and individual aspi-
rations for the Presidency, that though I have seen a Whig
majority as well as a Democratic majority here, and though
the general conviction of fair men of all parties has sanctioned
a modification, nothing has been done, and I expect nothing
to be done during this Congress. The question of the tariff'
has become hopelessly involved with party, and I advise
manufacturers hereafter to expect no protection from Govern-
ment, and never to invest a dollar on the presumption that

♦

x*^

Congress will do any thing to render it profitable. It must be
acknowledged, too, that we have needed customers as well as
protection. The market has been overstocked. We must
now try to hunt up other markets. Protection under our
Government may last long enough to put a vast amount of
capital at hazard, but is sure to be abrogated before it can be
safely dispensed with. " A fluctuating tariff is more to be
dreaded than one which defies every law of political economy."
The energy of our people can surmount any obstacles that
can be calculated and provided against, but will be broken
when their industry is made the dice by which political tac-
ticians seek to rob each other of power.

The subject of reciprocity is not a party question ; it is not
a Canadian question ; it is an American question. It has re*
ceived the sanction, though not the efRcient attention of the
most prominent men of both the great parties of the country ;
and I believe it not only will not injure the manufacturers,
but is of great consequence to their future prosperity. It will
provide new markets for their fabrics, of a value and extent
of which few now have any conception. By opening the way
for our neighbors to bring to our markets what they have, and
we want, we shall be able to sell them what we have, and
they want. It is much rtiore for the interest and convenience
of the people of the Provinces to trade with us than with any
other country, and nothing can prevent their doing this, ex-
cept a narrow-minded, short-sighted policy of restriction, un-
worthy of us in our dealings with a neighboring nation, where
the price of labor is as high as it is here, and whose situation
renders our trade with them as natural as it is between the
States. They are yearly opening new communications to our
seacoast and large cities, and are yearly visiting us in quad-
rupled numbers. They have no manufactures, and they want,
provided we let them bring their produce to our markets, our
cotton, iron, and other manufactures. They have the same
wants which our manufactures were established to supply ;
they have the same tastes, fashions, and customs. As they ad-
mit our manufactures on the same terms as those of Great
Britain, we can manufacture for them every thing which we
can profitably manufacture for ourselves. The proposition
before us is that of adding more than two millions of people,
soon to become double that number, to the consumers of cur

fabrics. They are at our doors, asking the privilege to bene-
fit thi-mNelves by benefitting us. Let us attend to so import-
ant a mHtter without delay. Let gentlemen judgn of the
magnitude of the trad" under consideration, and of its rapid
increase the abolition of dillerential duties in 1843, by the
fact that in 1840, our whole export of manufactured articles
to Ciinuda amounted to only $100,000. In 1845 it reached
the amount of $1,700,000. In the last fii^cal year the total
amount of manufactured articles exported to all foreign coun-
tries WHS less than $20,000,000, while the amount sent to the
British Provinces was over $5,500,000. One-fourlh part of
our exported domestic cotton manufactures, and nearly one-
fuurth part of our iron, and manufactures of iron, Hnd their
consumrrs in the British Provinces. I believe the country is
not aware of the value of these markets to us. If the people
were awake to the matter, I should have no fears that the lu-
crative trade we now enjoy, and that which we may easily
obtain, will be turned needlessly away to find other channels
and other markets. •

Again, the advantage of bringing the Provincial trade to
our markets, by making it for their profit to buy and sell,
like our own citizens, in our large cities, is seen in the im-
portant benefit which it would be certain to confer upon our
railroads, steamboats, and canals. How important a matter
it would be to monopolise the carrying trade of two millions
of people is readily seen. The profit arising from the em-
ployment of men and capital, and the impulse it would give
to all other interests in a country, should not be overlooked
by any. But inasmuch as the most populous portion of the
Provinces are separated from our maritime cities, where they
desire and propose to transact most of their business, by a
wide strip of our own country, we must transport their ex-
ports and imports, mainly, over our railroads, on our steam-
boats, and through our canals. The travel and the trade
would be immense, and I could readily mention several rail-
roads in my own State, as well as elsewhere, to which the
enactment of this measure is of very great importance.

I have already alluded to the objection that the admission
of Canadian wheat, would open an injurious competition
with the wheat ground of the West. This country annually
r^peives a foreign emigration of 300,000 people, a larger

to bene-
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portion of whom immediately become producers of wheat,
than Hi NufHcient to raise all the supplies that the British
Provinces ever export. Yet our farmers are not sensibly
injured. Competition fairly exercised only developes the en-
ergies of the people. But those who raise this objection do
not pl')inly considor the whole case. The growth of our
cities, the inceased business of the population engaged on
our internal channels of communication, would divert a por-
tion of the people from the business of production, and would
increase consumption, more than enough, it is believed, to
counterbalance this increase in quantity of flour. It must be
remembered too that we have latterly exported nearly as
much fluur and other bread-stuflT to the eastern Provinces,
as had been imported from Canada.

In the year 1850 the amount of imports of flour and wheat
from Canada into the United States is reckoned at a little
more than 82,000,000. During the same year we exported
bread-stuff to the lower Provinces valued at over $180,000.
Thus it appears that the whole surplus of the British Pro-
vinces might be absorbed in our commerce without lessening
the prices of our products at all. Take off the duty on
their natural products, and a stimulus will soon be given
to their business, which will increase their population, and
make them much larger consumers of our (articles than they
now are, as well as greatly promote the prosperity of both
countries.

There is one other article of Western commerce that would
be enhanced in value by opening the Canada markets, and
that is pork. A multitude of men are engaged in the lum-
ber business of Canaia whose most important article of food
is pork. This staple product of the West, where corn is
raised so easily, and in such abundance, can nowhere else be
afforded so cheap, and therefore our Western farmers w^ill as-
suredly provide supplies for the lumber men. Great advantage
will also accrue from an increased supply of all kinds of
lumber at somewhat lower prices than is now paid. Lumber
is a necessity of life in every civilized society. Measures
should be as readily taken to facilitate its acquisition as that
of bread-stufis and clothing. It is well known that the supply
is rapidly decreasing in New England, and any scheme that
shall be adopted to give us free access to the boundless

pineries of Canada and New Brunswick, will greatly promote
the general good, '•'•-k; ■■v"^ "- " -' =i'- u»'».-.;ii:'.' • -t'; .:«!,;

This measure of reciprocal trade, connected with the pro-
tection and extension of our fishing privileges and the free
navigation of the St. Lawrence, has received the favorable
consideration of many of our distinguished statesmen, and all
whom I have known ever to have considered the subject. I
believe it to be in accordance with the general sentiments
of the American people, and I hope it will no longer be ne-
glected. •'- '

A few words more and I will close. The history of the
world shows that those nations which first arrived to a high
stage of Improvement, and from which has proceeded the
civilization that now covers so large a portion of the globe,
have all inhabited coasts and tracts of country indented by
bays, gulfs, friths, and other bodies of water, favoring exten-
sive commercial intercourse. The situation of Arabia, Pales-
tine, Greece and Italy, and the history of their influence in
colonizing, civilizing, and christianizing the world, are illus-
trations of the truth of my remark in ancient history ; while
the situation of England, France, Germanj', and the nations
about the Baltic, illustrate its truth in modern times. On the
other hand, the condition of the people of Asia and Africa,
proves how slow is the march of improvement in countries
not favored by natural channels of internal communication.
Our own continent was wonderfully provided by the Creator
with every means of greatness. There is no element in the
heavens above, nor in the earth beneath, nor in the waters
of the earth, necessary for man's prosperity, which he
does not find here in abundance. Every needed necessity in
the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdom is here, ready
for the subjecting hand of man ; while an exuburant fruitful-
ness of soil, and a wonderful healthfulness of climate, indicate
the great multitude of people whom God has destined to in-
habit this land. His finger has traced the channels of our
rivers, located our broad and mighty lakes, and opened navi-
gation half way across the continent. Let us not fail of doing
every thing on our part to keep forever open and free, these
gre?^. natural channels of commerce, fellowship, and good
will.