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that there was a gallows outside the club-house , and of the satisfaction with which the speaker , standing with his back to the iire , would see all tho Peelites strung up upon it . Lord Mahon , we have heard , interposed some remark , which produced the rejoinder that the first interlocutor intended to include the noble lord in his sweeping extrajudicial sentence . After denouncing this suspension of the Peelite Thirty in the Carlton from all future public action , the Derbyite party withdrew , and sent the waiter to summon a lingerer out of such evil company . " - Is the conduct here described to be taken as a specimen of the chivalry of gentlemen of England ?
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MESSAGE OF THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT . TnE America brought the President ' s message on Monday . She left Boston on the 8 th , and Halifax on the 10 th , of December . The message embraces a great variety of topics , of unusual interest to the British reader ; and although its importance is lessened by its being the last message of President Fillmore , it may be fairly taken as embodying the views and mode of conducting of the late great Whig party , which died with Webster , whom , in his message , the President so honourably mentions ; saying truly , that " his commanding talents , Ins great political and professional eminence , his well-tried patriotism , and his long and faithful services , in the most important public trusts , have caused his death to bo lamented throughout the country , and have earned for him a lasting place in our history . " The next topics are the Fisheries , and Cuba : — THE FISHERIES DISPUTE . " In the course of the last summer , considerable anxiety was caused for a short time by an official intimation from the Government of Great Britain that orders had been given for the protection of the fisheries upon the coast of the British provinces in North America against the alleged encroachments of the fishing vessels of the United States and France . The shortness of this notice and the season of the year seemSd to make it a matter of urgent importance . It was at first ajiprehended that an increased naval force had been ordered to the fishing grounds to carry into effect the British interpretation of those provisions in the convention of 1818 , in reference to the true intent of which the two Governments differ . It was soon discovered
that such was no I : the design of Great Britain , and satisfactory explanations of the real objects of the measure have boon given both here and in London . The unadjusted difference , however , between the two Governments as to the interpolation of tho first article of ( ho convention of 1818 , is still a matter of importance . American fishingvessels within nine or ten years have been excluded from waters to which 1 hoy had free access for twenty-five years after the negotiation of tho treaty . In 1815 , this exclusion was relaxed so far as concerns the Bay of Fundy , but the just and liberal intention of the Home Government , in compliance with what wo think tho true construction of the convention , to open all the other outer bays to our iishermen , was abandoned , in consequence of the opposition of tho colonies . Notwithstanding this , the United States have , since the Bav of Fundy was re-opened to our
fishermen in 181 ;") , pursued the most liberal course towards the colonial fishing interests . By the revenue Jaw ot 18 K ) , the duties on colonial fish entering our ports were ViU'y greatly reduced , and by the Warehousing Act it is allowed to bo entered in bond without payment of duty . In this way colonial lish has acquired ( Ik ; monopoly of the export t rade in our market , and is entering in some extent into ( he home consumpt ion . These facts worn among those which increased the sensibility of our fishing interest at the movement in question . These circumstances and the incidents above alluded Jo , have led me to Ihinlc the moment favourable ; for a re-considerat ion of tin ; entire subject of tin ; fisheries on the coast , of the Uritish provinces , wilh a view f <> place ( hem upon a moru liberal footing of reciprocal privilege . A willingness to incut us in smne nrrnnfcnienf of ( bis kind is understood to exist ,
on ( hipart of ( Jreal Hritain , with a desire on her par ! , to include in one comprehensive settlement as well this subject , us the commercial intcrcour . su between the United Stilt en and the British provinces . I have thought Unit , whatever arrangements maybe made on these two subjects , it , is expedient that they should be embraced in Hcpunifo conventions . The illness and deatli of the late Secretary of Slnt . e prevented the commencement of the contemplated negotiation . I'ains have been taken to collect t be information required lor the details of such an arrangement . The subject in attended with considerable difficult v . If it , is found pruct . icable to come lo an agreement , mutually acceptable lo the two parlies , conventions may be concluded in the eour . ie of Hie present winter . The control of ( 'ongress overall the provisions of such mi arrangement affecting the revenue , will of course be reserved . "
il'IIA . "The idfair . i of (' ub : i formed a . prominent , topic in my last annual message . They remain in an uneasv condition , anil a feeling of alarm anil irritation on the part ol the (! uhuii milliorit ics appears to exist Thin feeling Ims interfered wilh I he regular commercial intercourse between tho Uniled Stales and ( he island , anil led to some acts of which we bine a right to complain . Itut . Mm Captain General of (' uba in clot bed wit b no power to treat with foreign governments , nor is lie in any degree under the control of ( lie Spanish minister at Washington . Any communication which be may hold with an agent of a foreign power is informal and mat I it of courtesy . Anxious to ] in I , an end to the exist ing iiicon leniences ( which seemed to rest , on it misconception ) , 1 directed tho newly-appointed uiijuinLur to Mexico to nil , Havana , on hiw way to Veru
Cruz . He was respectfully received by the Captain General , who conferred with him freely on the recent occurrences ; but no permanent arrangement was effected . In the meantime , the refusal of the Captain General to allow passengers and the mail to bo landed in certain cases , for a reason which does not furnish in the opinion of this Government even a good presumptive ground for such a prohibition , has been made the subject of a serious remonstrance at Madrid ; and I have no reason to doubt that due respect will be paid , by the Government of her Catholic Majesty to the representations which our minister has been instructed to make'on the . subject . It is but justice to the Captain General to add , that his conduct towards the steamers employed to carry the mails
of the United States to Havana has , with the exceptions above alluded to , been marked with kindness and liberality , and indicates no general purpose of interfering with the commercial correspondence and intercourse between tho island and this country . Early in the present year , official notes were received from the ministers of France and England , inviting the Government of the United States to become a party with Great Britain and France to a tripartite convention , in virtue of which the three powers should severally and collectively disclaim , now and for the future , all intention to obtain possession of the Island of Cuba , and should bind themselves to discountenance all attempts to that effect on the part of any power or individual whatever . This invitation has been
respectfully declined , for reasons which it would occupy too much space in this communication to state in detail , but which led me to think that the proposed measure would be of doubtful constitutionality , impolitic , and unavailing . I have , however , in common with several of my predecessors , directed the Ministers of France and England to be assured that the United States entertain no designs against Cuba , but that , on the contrary , I should regard its incorporation into the Union at the present time as fraught with serious peril . Were this island comparatively destitute of inhabitants , or occupied by a kindred race , I should
regard it , if voluntarily ceded by Spain , as a most desirable acquisition , but , under existing circumstances , I should look upon its incorporation into our Union as a very hazardous measure . It would bring into the confederacy a population of a different national stock , speaking a different language , and not likely to harmonize with the other members . It would probably affect in a prejudicial manner the industrial interests of the south , and it might revive those conflicts of opinion between the different sections of the country which lately shook the Union to its centre , and which have been so happily compromised . "
PANAMA TRANSIT . The President notices the rejection by the Mexican Congress of the convention which had been concluded between that Republic and the United States for the protection of a transit way across the Isthmus of Tehcrantepec , has thrown obstacles in the way of a desirable object , which he still hopes to see removed . It appears , also , that certain differences in regard to their boundaries between Nicaragua and Costa llica have not yet been smoothed down ; and that it is considered indispensable , before commencing the ship canal between the two oceans , these differences should be ended . But Nicaragua has objected to placing San Juan de Nicaragua under the government of a civilized power . England and the United States have been jointly operating to effect this , but ineffectually hitherto .
TTfK I . OUOS ISLANDS . "The correspondence of the late Secretary of State with the Peruvian charge d ' affaires relative to I he Lobos Islands was communicated to Congress towards the close of the last session . Since that time , on furlher investigation of the subject , the doubts which hud been entertained of the title of L ' em to those islands have been removed ; and I have deemed it just , that the temporary wrong which had been unintentionally done her , from want of information , should be repaired by an unreserved acknowledgment of her
sovereignty . I have tho mit . iHiactioii to lnlorm you that the course pursued by . Peru has boon creditable to the liberality of her Government . . Uofore it was known b y her that her title would be acknowledged at Washington , her Minister of Foreign Affairs had authorized our charge d'affaires at Lima to announce to tho American vessels which bad gone to the Lobos for guano , that the Peruvian Government was willing to freight thorn on it . s own account . This intention has been carried into effect by the Permian minister hero , by an arrangement , which is believed to be advantageous lo the parties in interest . "
'in io japan i : \ rioDirioN . "Our settlements on the shores of the Pacific have iilrcndy given a great extension , and in . some respects a new direction , lo our commerce in that ocean . A direct , mid rapidly increasing intercourse has . sprung up wilh Kaslom Asia . The waters of the Northern Pacific , even info tbo Arctic Sea , have of Inle years been frequented b y our whalemen . The application of steam to the general purposes of navigation is becoming daily more common , and inukos it desirable to obtain fuel and utlllH' necessary supplies ut convenient , points on tho routes between Asia and our I ' acilic shores . Our unfortunate count rymen who
from lime to lifte suffer shipwreck on tho coasts of the eastern seas are entitled to protection . MesidcH these specific objects , the general prosperity of our stales on the I ' acilic requires thai , an attempt , should be made lo open I ho opposite regions of Asia to a mutually benelieiul intercourse . II in obvioiiH Unit , this attempt could be made by no power to ho great advantage as by tbo United Minion , whose constitutional system excludes every idea of distant , colonial dependencies . I have accordingly been hill to order an appropriate naval foivo to Japan , under tho command of a discreet and intelligent ollieer of the highest , ruiikluiowu to our muvice . lie in instructed to endeavour to
obtain from the Government of that country some relaxation of the inhospitable and anti-social system which it has pursued for about two centuries . He has been directed particularly to remonstrate in the strongest language against the cruel treatment to which our shipwrecked mariners have often been subjected , and to insist that they shall be treated with humanity . He is instructed however , at the same time , to give that Government the amplest assurances that the objects of the United States are such , and such only , as I have indicated , and that the expedition is friendly and peaceful . Notwithstanding the
jealousy with which the Government of Eastern Asia regard all overtures from foreigners , I am not without hopes of a beneficial result of the expedition . Should it be crowned with success , the advantages will not be confined to the United States , but , as in the case of China , will be equally enjoyed by all the other maritime powers . I have much satisfaction in stating that in all the steps preparatory to this expedition the Government of the United States has been materially aided by the good offices of the King of the Netherlands , the only European power having any commercial relations with Japan . "
DOMESTIC AFFAIRS . Under this head is comprised the statement of the revenue , the Tariff , Indian Affairs , Surveys , Coast Defences , Naval Reform , the Post-Office , and matters connected with the efficiency of the offices of the executive . The revenue is in a highly prosperous state . There had been received on the 30 th of June last , 49 , 728 , 386 dollars ; expended , 46 , 007 , 896 dollars , including upwards of nine millions employed to liquidation of the
public debt . The balance at the Treasury on the 1 st of July was 14 , 632 , 136 dollars ; and since then upwards of two millions had been expended on the debt . The value of foreign merchandize imported during the last fiscal year was 207 , 240 , 101 dollars , and the value of domestic productions exported was 149 , 861 , 911 dollars , besides 17 , 204 , 026 dollars of foreign merchandize exported , mating the aggregate of the entire exports 167 , 065 , 937 dollars ; exclusive of the above , there was exported 42 , 507 , 285 dollars in specie , and imported from foreign ports , 5 , 262 , 643 dollars .
The President puts on record that on the subject of protection " nothing has . occurred to change his views . " He is still a protectionist , and repeats exactly the same arguments lately used by a great party in this country . But be recommends a mode of taxation worthy attention : — " Another question , wholly independent of protection , presents itself , and that is , whether the duties levied should be upon the value of the article at the place of shipment , or , where it is practicable , a specific duty , graduated according to quantity , as ascertained by weight or measure . All our duties are at present ad valorem . A certain per centage is levied on the price of the goods at the port of
shipment in a foreign country . Most commercial nations have found it indispensable , for the purpose of preventing fraud and perjury , to make the duty specific whenever tho article is of such a uniform value in weight or measures as to justify such a duty . Legislation should never encourage dishonesty- or crime . It is impossible that the revenue ofliccrs at the port -where the goods are entered and the duties paid should know with certainty what they cost in the foreign country . Yet the law requires that they should levy the duty according to such cost . They are therefore compelled to resort to very unsatisfactory evidence to ascertain what that cost was . They take tho invoice of the importer , attested by his oath , as the best evidence of
which the nature of the ease admits . But every one must see that tho invoice may be fabricated , and the oath by which it is supported false , by reason of which the dishonest importer pays a part only of the duties which arc paid by tho honest oiio , and thus indirectly receivos from tho Treasury of tho United States a reward for his fraud and perjury . The reports of tho Secretary of tho _ Treasury heretofore made on this subject show conclusively that these frauds have boon practised to a great extent . Tho tendency is to destroy that high moral character for which our merchants have long been distinguished ; to defraud the Government of its revenue ; to break clown tho honest
importer by a dishonest competition : and , finally , to transfer the business of importation to foreign and irresponsible agents , to tho great detriment of our own citizens . I therefore again most earnestly recommend tho adoption of specific duties , wherever it is practicable , or a home valuation , to prevent these frauds . I would also again call your attention to tho fact that tho present , tanll in some cases imposes a higher duty upon tho raw mtitcrial imported than upon tho article manufactured from it , the consequence of which is , that tho duty operates to ( ho encouragement of I , ho foreigner und tho discouragement ol our own citizens . "
Indian ulliiir . s are Hutisfiietory , except on the Mexican frontier , whore , out of an uriny of 11 , 000 men , 8000 are engaged in repressing Indian inroads ; and i » Oregon , Texas , und California , where the Indian !»»« ll ° stutiiH , no exclusive territory . The last remnant ol the bnive tribe M' Scminole Indians are , about to emigrates from Florida . A gnat ninny surveyn have been effected ; but tho survey of tho Rio Grande Iiiih been Hfopped on account of the vagueness of the act appropriating tho funds m payment thereof . ' There huvo been no less than « ,. 'M 2 ,: J 72 acres Hold , located , under warrants , and reserved for i mprovement * more than in the previous yeiir . From the Navy depurlinont there is a Huggestion for
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1224 THE LEADER , ¦ [ Saturday ,
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Leader (1850-1860), Dec. 25, 1852, page 1224, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1966/page/4/
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