Or should the whole state of our
relations with the United States be remitted to a plenipotentiary?
"What ought we to seek now to secure, in the interests of peace and
civilization?
"1. A neutralization of the 3,000 miles of frontier, rendering
fortifications needless.
"2. A continuance of the neutrality of the lakes and rivers bordering
upon the two territories.
"3. Common navigation of the lakes and the outlets of the sea.
"4. An enlargement of canals and locks, to enable the food of the west
to flow unimpeded and at the smallest cost direct in the same bottom to
Europe, or any other part of the world.
"5. Neutrality of telegraphs and post routes between the Atlantic and
Pacific, no matter on which territory they may traverse.
"6. A free interchange of untaxed, and an exchange, at internal revenue
duty rate only, of taxed, commodities.
"7. The passage of goods in bond through the respective territories as
heretofore.
"8. A common use of ports on both sides of the Continent."
It seems to me, now, in 1887, that this paper sums up a question of the
past, now re-appearing in full prominence. It also sums up what ought
to be done if civilization and friendship between English-speaking
nations still exist.
[Endnote 1]
The Government of the United States being equally desirous with Her
Majesty the Queen of Great Britain to avoid further misunderstanding
between their respective citizens and subjects in regard to the extent
of the right of fishing on the coasts of British North America secured
to each by Article I of a Convention between the United States and
Great Britain, signed at London on the 20th day of October, 1818; and
being also desirous to regulate the commerce and navigation between
their respective territories and people, and more especially between
Her Majesty's possessions in North America and the United States, in
such manner as to render the same reciprocally beneficial and
satisfactory, have respectively named Plenipotentiaries to confer and
agree thereupon - that is to say, the President of the United States of
America, William L. Marcy, Secretary of State of the United States; and
Her Majesty, the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, James, Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, Lord Bruce and Elgin, a
peer of the United Kingdom, knight of the most ancient and most noble
Order of the Thistle, and Governor General in and over all Her
Britannic Majesty's provinces on the continent of North America and in
and over the island of Prince Edward - who, after having communicated to
each other their respective full powers, found in good and due form,
have agreed upon the following articles:
