"In 1861 The Chamber Of Commerce Of New York Moved Congress On The
Whole Subject.
Their object was the extension of the area and purposes
of the treaty:
In no sense its termination. Congress, hereupon,
referred the matter to the 'Committee on Commerce,' Mr. Ward being
chairman. That committee reported in February, 1862, in a most able
document, usually known as Mr. Ward's report. This report also
recommended a more extended area, and more extended purposes;
but in no sense the abrogation of the treaty.
In March, 1864, Mr. Ward proposed a resolution in Congress for the
appointment of commissioners to negociate an extended and improved
treaty with Great Britain. That resolution was laid over by Congress
till December, 1864. In the summer and autumn of 1864 a correspondence
sprang up between Earl Russell, Mr. Seward, Mr. Adams and others in
reference to the dangers of the invasion of the territory of the United
States by Confederate agents asylumed in Canada. Mr. Seward and Mr.
Adams strongly urged that preventive measures should be taken by Great
Britain, but Earl Russell could not see it - did nothing, and the
burning of United States steamers engaged in peaceful commerce, and the
robbery and murders at St. Albans and Vermont followed. Correspondence
in reference to the 'St. Albans' raids' was laid before Parliament last
year. The following is an extract, bearing, too, indirectly upon the
Reciprocity Treaty, from one of the letters of Mr. Adams, United States
Ambassador in London, to Earl Russell, echoing a despatch of Mr.
Seward's and dated November 23rd, 1864: -
'In the use of the word exigency, the full sense of its effect is
perfectly understood. The welfare and prosperity of the neighbouring
British Provinces are as sincerely desired on our part as they can be
by Great Britain. In a practical sense they are sources of wealth and
influence for the one country only in a less degree than for the other,
though the jurisdiction appertain only to the latter. That this is the
sincere conviction of my Government has been proved by its consent to
enter into relations of reciprocal free commerce with them almost as
intimate as those which prevail between the several States of the Union
themselves. Thus far the disposition has been to remain content with
those relations under any and all circumstances, and that disposition
will doubtless continue, provided always that the amity be
reciprocated, and that the peace and harmony on the border,
indispensable to its existence, be firmly secured. The fulfilment of
that obligation must be, however, as your Lordship cannot fail to
perceive at a glance, the essential and paramount condition of the
preservation of the compact. Even were my Government to profess its
satisfaction with less, it must be apparent that by the very force of
circumstances peace could scarcely be expected to continue long in a
region where no adequate security should be afforded to the inhabitants
against mutual aggression and reprisal.
'Political agitation, terminating at times in civil strife, is shown by
experience to be incident to the lot of mankind, however combined in
society.
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