The New York Herald Newspaper, February 20, 1871, Page 6

‘i : THE JOLVT HGH CONWESION, Questions for Adjustment Between Ame- | rica and England. CLAIMS. The United States and the British North American Possessions—Free Naviga- tion of the St, Lawrence—Cana- dian Claims for Fenian Raids. Political and Commercial Re: lations With Canada. The Northwestern Boundary and the Island of San Juan. RESUME OF ALL THE SUBJECTS, Removal of the British Flag from the American Continent. Perpetual Peace and Friendship Between the English-Speaking Nations, WASHINGTON, Feb. 17, 1871. The approaching meeting at Washington of the Joint High Commission to endeavor to agree upon a convention determining the principles which shall govern the adjustment of the various questions between the United States and Great Britain is an era in the history of the country, and has natu- Tally enlisted the attention of the public, both in America and in Lurope. To the United States it is @n acknowledgment on the part of England that it 18 no loager safe to permit an enstrangement between us and herself, if differences can be honorably removed; aud it is atso a matter of graiulation { the dignifed and firm atutade we have assumed towards England has compelled that haughty Power to make the first overtures for a setuem the Commission is even more s cant, With a clouded horizon in Europ ppy resuit of the labors of the Comuissione: tue frieudship to her of the only I aking nation in the world besides he! & people who have been turned agaist her by her selfish and crue) policy towards us in our hour of need, and who have ielt and stili feel that it is no fault of Britain iat we are not today an humbled and broken people Public opinion 1s Civided as to the probabie results of this High Commission. Some regard itas the harbinger of an era of good feeling and harmony. They believe that tue couvention, which will be the result of deliberations so wuspiciously commenced, will concede to us ail our just demands, and that to Auiericans, Great Britain shall no longer be a fynonym of aggravated wrongs and ill-concertea hatwed. On the other hand, there are those whose feelings partake of no such roseate hues, They | believe iat Sugland has connived at all the bluster | About the fisheries merely as so mach capital to trade wpon in the genenal settiement with us; and trai frightened at the lmminence of the danger of a collision between our fishermen and the armed cruisers arresting tiem, the Britisn gevernment has hastily asked for a joint commission to patch up that matter, and beat a graceful retreat; but tat so far as our general claims against England for depredations committed by the Alavama and kindred English pirates are con- cerned, is no nore intention of adjusting those claims now to our satisfaction than there wasa yeurago. General Butler’s belligerent utterances, and We knowledge that one Gloucester dsherman, kilied by a Briusb iser, Would inflame the Amert- can mind, which would sweep liké a cyclone, rend- Jog to ‘atters ia au Instant all consideration but to avenge the blood (uns spilled, they believe have had more io Go with the gushing overtures with which Sir Edward ‘ihorntop has overwhelmed Mr. considerations of justice or sense of ired. it 18 seen that in England tant matter. The vision of the possible American Gsherman, carried ba to his Gloucester home, iene to death by some overzealous Canadian ed the Foreign Office and har- ‘The apprebension ef the Briush Ministr 4p the Queen’s epeech, where ner Maje ty 1s made | to sa, that the adjustment of the fisheries question | calls for particular atteution lest the possivie indis- eretions of individuals should impair our neigh- | borly understanding. Those who are disposed to | View the matter in an unfavorable light allege that { it was no part of Eng’ programme to doany- | thing fartuer than to Butler's dead constituent. If we 2d rumor Js correct, Sir Eaward Thornton ha 0 far as to repeat- | edly assure Mr. Fish t we qut coure, Canada wou @ be directed to restore tne license system to | our fishermen in ume for the approaching season. | The doubters point that the Ala question was dr: im by our governme! adon Tunes speaks crop eut t, ec to the tac phecy that no very great r part of the vould be stion le at length to ns. For nearly imag ten year it hus nner ib 2 High Con uction h the question will be pre- owed forth y took with him the rejection of | e been “in the tion of a more ip between the two s declared he hoped when the considered 1¢ will be broad ts conclusions. He de- eflue clearly | neutrals, in case rented to he inst mn of peace and i arendo. t and cordial fri countries,” and ue | m should again ope and thorough im sires that the treaty wh the respective rights and dut the other government becomes unfortunately he holds thar “the absence of come | agreement or det + sudject Was among | ding to the causes | ion of had it been of the gr ve recent | adopted py | » questions Sonvention, under which none we two countri Which have aris ea passed upon by a tribuval w ther party, much Jess other nations, would regard as authonty, so as fo prevent repetition or retuljat desired | that the two great Jeading e decision en a0 d as binding by the civilized world. These principles he beyond and are of far greater import- guce than the mere question of details as to our losses; for they seek to avert, 1n We future, a recur. rence of Wrougs and @ revival of injustice because of the absence of defined puolic law. With regard to the particular mode of adjusting the question the President desired that the ground snould be taken that “the cause of grievance against Great Britain was not so much upon the issu her recognition of (he Insurgents’ state of war as upon her condact under and subsequent to such re- cognition.” This is undoubtediy the clearest way of going at the real iesue—the absolute acts of injury infiicted upon our commerce and citizens—and will fave much discussion as to whether the mere recog- in Heel Considercd, participated ta as 1L Was J every olver Buropean Power, is a really operiant corisiaerat unless such Teeoguition War followed by seyueut unfriendly, injurious apd vostile acts ‘Ihe question 1s thus narrowed Gown to an investigation of the absoluie wrongfal gud overt acu, Wich, syecticuly presemied, Wil | ermen were e | he appears t sof the | World should establish such rules as would be con- | NEW YOR be susceptible or spectfic treatment, and, after that part of the subject Is adjusted, then the deciaration of such rules and requirements governing neutrals and defipiog their rights as will form a guarantee of security im the future and a valuable addition to that somewhat nevalous system known as “the law of nation ‘That such an adjustment can be had With perioet honor to the one side and full satisfac. lon to the otver can scarcely be doubted if each party Approaches the Work in a fair and iriendly spirit. ‘The other questions between the United States ana Groat Britalu affect our reiations with the Britsh colonia) po-sessions on our noruern frontier, how kuown as the *Domimion by the name of Canada,” lhe Province of Prince Kuward Isiaad, the Province o! Newfoundland and the Province of British Colum- My ‘, aud may be generally classified under these nedds:— ‘The coast and gulf fisheries of the British North American possesstons. Fa ahs ation of the St. Lawrence and the canals ereok. ‘The subject of commercial intercourse, embracing @ consideration of the bonding system and the tans | sit trade, fhe political relations of the provinces and their aluivude toward the United States. ‘The clans of Canada tor alleged damages and expenses caused by Fenian raids trom the United States. ‘he northwestern boundary question, affecting the ownership of the island of San Juan. ‘The Alabama claims question. To properly unuerstand these questions it 1s ad- visable that each shouid be at least brieily reviewed, and the history of the case examined. The public Will taus be enabled to ascertatu, with some degree of exactitade, the gravity of the sudjects which will occupy the attention of the Joint High Commission, THE FISHERY QUESTION. The question of the fisheries on the coasts of the British possessions in North America has been a iruitrul subject of disagreement between the United States and Great Britwin ever since the peace of 1783, with the exception of the period covered by the convention of 1854—the Reciprocity ‘Treaty, so called—and the continuance of the system of licens+ ing American fishing vessels, adopied by Canada alter the abrogation of that convention, but re- pealed by the Dominion on the 12th of May, 1870. The “loyalists” or “tories’’ of Nova Scolla—those adherents of British rule who, opposing our revolu- lon, found refuge in twat province—gave vent to their feelings by violently insisting that no stipula- Uons or agreements whatever shoula be entered inuo by which American fishermen should have any privileges on their coasts, and the lishery difficulties, which became chronic, until 1854, Were mainiy due to the active hostility and pressure of that province ane of New Brunswick. dn 1806 the inhabitants of Plymouth and Barnstable, in Massachusetts, engaged in fishing, memorialized Congress, complaining of grievances almost iden- Ucai with those complained of in 1852. They alleged that they were fired upon and brought to by British cruisers; that they were compelied to pay light money if they passed through the Strait of Canso; Vhat their men were imprisoned, and thatif they anchored in the colonial harbors they were com- peiled to pay anchorage money. On the ether hand complaints were made by the colonists to the British government of the “aggressions” of our fishermen, Toe war of 1812, it was held, put an end to the treaty of 1783 and the stipulations regarding our Tights of fishing in British America. The colonists determined to exclude our fisnermen from the colonial fishing grounds on the return of peace, lt is not necessary to enter at any length into the discussions at this period. ‘The result, however, was the negotiation of tne ‘Treaty of London of the 20th October, 1818, and un- aer the provisions of which treaty England claims We posvess the only rights we have in tne fishing grounds of the coasts of the provinces of British North Americu. Under the operations of this treaty and the legislative acts of Nova Scotia and New Bruns- Wick tue dificul tes existing previous to its negotia- ton, 80 far frem being abated, gathered greater in- teusity aud importance, and in ibe Interval up to 1sé4 formed te subject or frequent complaint and almost incessant negotiation and correspondence, dn 1841 Mr, Stevenson, our Minister near the Court of St. James, Was directed to bring these complaints to the atient.on of the British government. in the course of lis letter to Lord Palmersion Mr. Steven- son lays down the stipulations of the Treaty of 1818, and Imstances the recent seizure of American vessels for supposed Violations, and recites the evils of the “headiand to headland’ measurement of the Nsaing limits of three marine miles from the shore aud the refusal to shelter Americab vessels in thelr ports, ‘The seizure without due nouce and the navigation Of the Staits of \anso, which was forbidden to our ships, Were aiso censured:— ‘The undersigned has accordingly been instructed to bring the whole subject under the consideration of her Majesiy’s vernment, to remonstrate against the illegal and veratious Proceedings of ihe authorities of Nova Scotia aguinst tbe citizens o: the United States engayed in the iisheries, aud re- quest that measures may ve forthwith adopted by Ler Majes- ty’s government to remedy the evils arising out of the mis- construction on the part of its provineal authorities of tueir conventional obligations and prevent the possibility of the re- currence of similur acts. The law of Nova Scotia, against which this letter is directed, has been subdstuntaily re-enacted by the Dominion of Canada, although, as will be seen here- after, the present law of Canada is even more ovjec- Honabie than the Nova Scotia stacute, unjust as that ‘Was shown Lo be. Lord Palmerston submitted Mr. Stevenson's letter to Lord Falkiaud, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, in order “to make immediate inquiries imto the allegations contained init." Lord Palkland, in reply, Sent certain questions waich haa been passed vy the Legislature of Nova scotia, based upon Mr. Svevenson’s letter, and requesting they uught be submitted to the law 3 of the crown. These questions were, in fact, a recital of the Nova scotia statates as pre- sented by Mr. Stevenson. On the suth of August following, these questions having In the meantime been submitted tu the crown law ofticers by Lord Palmerston, the emimert gentlemen rendered an “opinion,” fully endorsing the _ pretensions of the Nova Scouans as against our cluzens, ese “law officers of the crown”—J. Dodson 4 Thomas Wilde, the one the Queen’s Advocate <i the other her Majesty’s Attorney General—a pear to have supposed they must make out a case for their side, per fus et nevas. ‘They accordingly staied, im categorically answering the questions propounded, “that che treaty Of 1783 was annuiled by tne War of 1slz,? aga “that the rizuts of tshery o! the ciuzens Of the United States must now be considered as defined by the convention of 1818; and they ten go on to declare:— Except within certain detined limits, to which the query Put Lo us does not appiy, we are of opinion tuat by the terms of the treaty eitizes are excluded from the right coast of Britisk America, vance of three miles is to be reme puints of Jand next ot the bays, and not hob. or inlets’ of the tly that go right exists on the wens to euier the bass of Nova Scotin, jon that the term headland 18 (1. ¢ Of 1818) Lo express the part of the efore mentioned. The value of this Liga legal ‘opinion’ may be jnaged by the fact that the term “headland” go con- Splcuousiy quoted by the crown lawyers nowhere occurs In the treaty in .uestion, and ts simply an in- terpolation of these functionaries, learned in the used in we ba law. Jt seems scarcely creditable thac auy respect- able counsel couid have been induced to lead them. selves T WOFK as Lo interject words into a th gravely proceed to pase an “option” upon such a simulated state of tacts. there is the record, and upon lt rests the r nary pretension known as the “headland”? ote These otlicers also, of course, de- that the Bay of Fundy was a bay within the meaning of the » and as such American fish. Q from ishing within turee ques of its mouth. Strong as were Lord Palmer- ston’s feelings of antagonism to ule United States, © he-itated xt giving publicity to Us “op.nion, "and the Licutenant Governor of Nova Scotia did nol reecive it for fifteen months alter its date. The result ia Scotia was the entorce- ment of sull more offensive measures iowards our t nen. i been seized for id the suvject of a . Liveretit, who had suc- venson us American Minister, to Lord of August, 1543, Lord Aber- @ by that comvention prolipited from within three marme miles of any bay of Nova scotia, &. To tlus Mir. Everett replied at leagin, aad as tae gene- ral questions as to our riguts under the treaty are as much dispuied now as they Were then, the republi- on of some of Mr, Everetv’s abie arguments will ¢ the matter in qispute clearly before tae pub- ic. Mr. Everett wrot —the right of ed Him unue ary, for @ ciear he F is treaty it was provided that the citizeos of the United Siates shoull be al jowed “to take lish of every Ictad on such part of tue coast of Newroundiaad #s British ishermen shad use (but not to dry or curetbe Same on that istand), and iso on the bays and creeks of ali other of bis Britan dominivis 1a America, wad that ermen sba'l have n ib apy of the unsettled tu for the sald sher- men to ory or eure Leb # Buc selemenc without a previous agreement for that parpose wish the inbabiants, proprietors OF possessors of the ground. dhese privieges and condi country uf whieh a considera jedi with ait were in reference to a tion Was then nase vw e pr merican fisheray y the yeur Isl t that bis Majes: im negotiating ly to except number of ra convention of year, provnee of Nova Scotia’ from places which might be frequent jie He". und to prov i should not ely the the by Americans as being that the Gehormen of the ne their occupatien witpin pur reeks and barbore of that fops similarly situ- fishermen» y the se and drying them yea PORRCKE LION 1ered as fol | ty of 1783, of taking feb in all che wat on ail the unsettied portions of the const of rdiagly by the Convention ot 18i “The Uniiea Siates hereby renounce forever iv liverty heretofore onjoyed or claimed by the inbabitauts Viereof, to take, dry or cure fish on or within three marine mities of any coasts, bays, creeks or harbors of bis Brive pinione ip Aus | wihia E | the An } or hai | Gamage s there " and for no ower purpose whateve: Mr. Hverett goes on to combat the arbitrary British-Cavadiau iwterpretation of this clause on geograplucal aud rational grounds, and conciudes thus:— its and this consideration seems to put the matter beyond douut—the construction set ap by her Majeaty's cou bia) autboritics Would aiogetber nulliiy wnotwer, and that j the there fs ne controversy. viz. the privilege to dtunages ia the Gaye within which ey are forbidden to tet There ie, of ouree no shel 5 ter nor means of repairin, a a'for a vessel catering the Bay of Fundy, tn itvelf necessary before relief or succor of any kind cnn be bud to traverse that broad arm of the sea and reach the bays and barbora, properly o called, which indent the coast, and which are, no dou! the bays and harbors re- to in the Convention of 1818. The privilege of enter- wer in extremity of weather, reserved by the treaty, oat importance, It enables the fisherman, whose equipage is always very sle nder (that of the Washington was four men, all told), to pursue bis laborious occupation with comparative safety, in tne assurance that in one of the and- den aud dangerous chang es of weather, no frequent and 80 terrioie on this iron-bound coast, he can take shelter in a Reighboring and friendly post. To forbid im to approach within thirty miles of that port, except for shelter in extrem- ity of weather, 18 to forbid him ‘to resort there tor that. pur- pose. Itis keeping him at such @ distance at soa as wholly to destroy the value of the privilegs expressly reserved, In fact it would follow, 1f the construction contended for by the British colonial alithorities were sustained, that two enurely diferent lim{tations would exist in reterenoe to the right of shelfer reserved to American veasels on the shores ot her Majesty's colouial sessions. They would be allowed to fish witnia three miics of the place of shelter along the greater part of the const, while in reverence to the entire extent of shore within the Bay of Fundy they would be wholly pronibited from fishing along the coast, and would be kept at a distance of twenty or thirty mlies from any place 01 recuge in case of extremity, ‘the unversigned Qatters himself that there will go far to satisfy Lord Aberdeen of th American understanding of the words “Hay of Fundy,” arguing on the terms of the treaties of 1/83 and 1818, Lord Aberdeen replied, conceding, as an act of friendship and good feellug, the privilege of tish- ing in the Bay of Fundy, but still claiming the Tight to exclude American fishermen under the ‘Treaty of 1818, ‘The American government, in ac- ceptng the concession regarding the Bay of Fundy, formaily provested against the assumption set up by Lord Aberdeen, and again reiterated the doctrine that the three mile jine must follow the curvature of the coast, except in the case of ordinary bays, less than ten miles wide, and aitogether dissent- ing from the “headland” doctrine of the British government. Thus matters went on until 1853, when the as- sumptions of the colonists abated upon the nego- tiation of the Reciprocity treaty. which gave them \ae freedom of our markets for tneir products; they giving our fishermen the freedom of the fisheries Without let or hindrance, The terminativn of the treaty, and, as they allege, their disappointment at not «ifecting a renewal of that convention, induced the Canadian authorities, last April, to pass a law doing away with the license system, which had been instituted in 1368, and re- Viving in @ more objectionable form than ever their laws against American fishermen, Much as we nad to complain of in former years as to the unjust and oppressive conduct of Nova Scotia to our fishermen, it was left for the Dominion oj Canada to surpass ail lormer acts of unfriendiiness, Always hitherto, in the most exciting phases of the fishery question, the provincial laws provided for giving our fishermen nouce that they were within the waters prescribed by the Treaty of 1818 before seizing them. Three notices, or warnings, were given, and the seiure only took place after these warn- Upon a mere pretence that warnings were unnecessary, and that the treaty did not absolutely require them, the present Doininion government have enacted and enforced a law, seizing our fisher- men without previous notice or warning and ruth lesely dragging them into port and thrusting them invo prison. in this, as in other matters, the au- thorities of the Dominion justify themseives b 4 de- claring that they have not acted ilegally. Good feeling, ordinary comity, 9 decent regara for even @ sembiance of international couriesy, all nave given place to an extreme and hostile ciamor for such Inaecent and harsh,treatment o1 our fishermen as they think they can induige in, because it 18 not “nomi. nated in the boud’’ that notice shall be given, or that feelings of humanity are to be observed In enforcing their alleged rights. Aud to make the brutality of the conduet pursued towards our fishermen still more undeniable, their own courts have already de- Ciared that some of the seizures Were not warranted by the circumstances of the case, by the stipulations of the treaty or even by a forced construction of the Dominion law itself. The President, in his message to Congress at the opening of the session, characterized the conduct of Canada in the course pursued towards our fisher- mea as being unfriendly, and that this unfriendiy and vexatious treatment was designed to bear harshly upon the hardy fishermen of the United States wiui a view to political efect upon this gov- ernment. To the Joint High Commission is entrust- ed the task of endeavoring to reconctle the differ- ences which have existed since the formation of the government as to the rignts of American fishermen on the one hand, and the pretensions of the colonists on the other, 1t 1s by no means an easy task. Ai- ter seventy years’ controversy whe differences were adjuste lin 185: by a convention which waived all the peop in dispute, The matter blazes forth again in all 1ts prestine vigor; and considering the posi- ton we now hold as & Power in the world, we strength we have developed—and nations, like indi- viduais, are somewhat swayed by a bountiful dispiay oO: brawn and iuscle—it will be weil for the youth- Tu? Dominion not to press us to the wall. THE NAVIGATION OF THE 8ST. LAWRENCE. An adjustment of the quesilon of the iree uaviga- tion of the river St. Lawrence is also one of the mnaiters referred to tne High Commission, The question will probably be presented in its twofold aspect. First, as to the right of the United states to use that river as the only natural outiet to the greatlakes. Ana, secondly, the commercial tuapor- tance of that route to the United State . Upon the tirst oranch of the subject it is very likely @ vast amount of erudiuon will be brought to bear. The Canadiaos have already disposed o1 ts part of the case very cavalierly. In tue orochure, printed at Ottawa, Canada, and believed w have been written by @ member of the Dominion Cabi- net—if the whole “Privy Councii? were not em- ployed im the incuvatioun—waich professes to review the President’s message very much to tie satisfaction evidentiy of tle reviewers, the question of the right of the United States to the St. Lawrence is conveded. But, say the wily “Privy Councillors,” how are you going to use the river, When tue canals, without wiuch the navigation is impossible, oelung to Canada’ The question 1s, however, a much deeper one than the pamphicteers suppose, If they give up the natural clalin to the w Or the river as the outlet to the lukes. It becomes a matter, then, ior grave ingulry, whether, i the United States have tue right to use the river, they have not aiso the right to use, upon the same terms as the people of Canada, the oniy meaus by which Uiat navigation is possibie—uainely, the canals, ‘hat Cauada constructed those canals is undoubred; bat belug constructed, it becomes a quesuon oi a very linportaut Character, Whether the United States can de nightiully excluded from their use upon the sume Lerins Identically, as to reguiauions and charges, as the Canadians themselves. Otherwise we are debarred from the exercise of the right which ve- longs to us of baving free Ingress and egress to the the second largest Oi Which Is exciusively in teterriory of the Luited States, while haif of each Of the otiers belengs to us. From the puysi nature of the digiulues in tie Davigation of the st. Lawrence itis impozsibie that auy amount of ex penditures could succeed in making ihe river navi- gabie fcr ingress to tne lakes from the sea in the channei of tue river itself. ‘the rapids can only be overcome by canals on the banks of the river. If the United States cannot of right use tne canals already constructed, because wey are cut through the soil of Canada, we have equaiy no right to buud is Ourseives through Canad soil. Hence the uestion arises, if We have the right to use the St. Lawrence as the natural outlet to our imand seas liave we not the right to do so in tie ouly way pos- er : by using tae canals considerations Lawrence, as an outlet and a comPetiuve route for cheapeuing tranusportauon, has be grea‘ly exaggerated 1 the importat Rivea ‘do say uotuing of t ct that the St. route is ouly comparac: r less | portion it is de, wade year, while lor the o locked up 0 inat vuuet 2 under any between t reau | aur) ukes and Hurope, as so many We enthusiasts suppose. In ihe first p! cheaper class of vessels Which are suitable fo: navigation, but shelis oceun yoyag a sniiciently potent reason in itseil to foroy Even us it 43, the ¢l expensive H highly manned’ lake ves do hot now go down the St. Lawrence to Monireal witn ther cargoes. Itis found more economical to discharge them with ordinary canal voats at Kingsion, at the uinlo, and the savlug by tie tran schooners i the short is Touna to og the cost of shitung the » the much luke port In caval bo tauce between Ki ven if the question of difference in ex- pense between cheap fresh water crait and large ocean Vessels did not deter busivers men from gong into tue Venture, as 1b Wouid—for cheapness 18 alone the consideration—the faci is that there 18 not water enough covering tke Various rapius of we St. Lawrence to Sout large ocean vessels, and to build a double set ef new canal’ locks would cost fur more than Canada €X+ present canais have Cost her $17,009,000, 4 trade adued to her own, ¢ Works has never yet rest on Une aevy mcutred ia p St. Lawrence canais have a depih of nine feet, and the lucks are two hun- dred feet iouy by sorty-lve feet wide, sutilvieut tor huwdrea tons. The total engin of tie caudls 18 forty-three miles, and in that @ six Tormidavie rapids, Wile @ total O: Lwenty-mue locks. ‘The water in the channel of the St. through most of these rapids does not giv depth than about twi mer and wucuna is 1 light draught st Lawrence & greater ve feet, and tilts in ihe sum- uced so Iwuch that even the mers between Montreal and head” of Lake Ontario, — and = draw- ing bub SIX feet Water, ‘are computed to 20 down as well ss up through the canals. The St Lawrence is a valuable outlet now, and may be Lunproved 10 be still more Useful. Bul as to making ian unluterrupted communication for slips trom the great lakes to tue Hea, le cannot be done, much as We muy regret 16 There is still another view of this St. Lawrence quesiion, Until the Canada are united wiih those of the U States it may well be doubted I it is to our interest to tee] so desirous of seclug that route divert auy large and tinporiagt portion of the trade of tuis county away frum our | Own ciaanels of come in. Uc ports Enough has been said to demonstrate that, tf the Mugh Comm rould determine thas Uhe St. Lawreuee route is not vars by right as much fs it is Canada’s, we heed mae yo great sacrifices tovbtain the booa for any reai Commercial necessity, as none such @xI8ts. VOLITICAL AND COMMERCIAL CONSIDERATIONS. A retrospect of events in Cunada tor tie past twen- ty years, or since the negotiations of whe so-calicd Keciprocity Treaty, must inevitably lead to the con- clusion not only that that convention tailed wholly ton wud ont OWn Atlan- in creating a beneiictat political feciing towards us on the part of the Canadian peopie, but uat the conduct of the Canadian autioriles bas been un ‘the most tmportant stipulation of the treaty, aboot which | just tewards our citizens and unfriendly towards our fostitutions and government, It 1s beyond dis- pute that while the Reciprocity Treaty was mude as @ iriendly concession to Canada, as & Weak and impoverished neighbor, yet that it whol'> failed te draw that people towards us. Wher wtvil war threatened our national existence, In no quarter of the world did we meet more bitter enmity, or the rebels more active friendship, than in Canada. This was the conduct of the Canadian peopie. But the governmental authorities went stil further. Acting Under instructions from England, at the time Louis Napoleon attempted to sa up & monarchy in Mexico, the plan of a consolidated em- pire was started in Canada, for the object, scarcely attempted to be concealed, stroying the spread of this republic. It fault of the promoters and abettors of these schemes Mf they fatied ignominiously upon our Southern border, and if, in the case of Canada, the refusal of two provinces to jomm the Dominion, and the un- willing and lukewarm assent of two of the others, has made the attempted creation a mere skeleton of what was tutenaed. The animus is the same. The “Dominion” exists to-day as a monument of the effort to do us a deadly injury; and its only present hope of success lies in bog Syl to effect trade ar- rangements with us; and the belief that by con- structing a line of ratlroad through Manitoba and 80 on, through What 1s practicaliy calied in Canada “the fertile pelt,’ to Britisn Columbia, they wiil be enabled to suceessfully compete with the United States for the Eastern trade, While Canada 1s Jouking with longing eyes and bated breath to our markets for the sale of her vegetables, her coal, ner horses, cattle and dairy produce, she 18 at the same moment straining every nerve to compere with us and to injure our commerce. No ene can blame her for her ambitious longings; but it is equally true that we are not called upon to help her at the ex- pense of our own citizens and trade. For some yea, previous to the negotiation of the Reciprocity Treaty political discontent was wide- spread in the British provinces, With bountiful harvests the colonial farmers founda scarcely any market for their products, and, while the farmers of the United States were prosperous in proportion to their industry, the Canadians found themselves ae- penaent upon & Market three thousand miles dis- lant amd @ season of dangerous navigation em- bracing less than hall the year. The discoatemt was general, and several of the lead! colonists openly advocated either severance from England and inde- pendence or annexation to the United States. Inde- pendence, was the more popular cry, because, slavery then existing In the Southern States, many Cana- dians, who would otherwise have desired annexa- on, hesitated at \aking the step. ‘The quesiion which new arises Is, is 1t advisable to enter into any new arrangements of trade ana intercourse with Canada at thig time? And if 80 what should be the character of the agreement? It cannot be imagined that the United States witl ever again enter into such an arrangement as was pre- sented by the Treaty of 1854. What sort of an arrangement, then, can we consent to? The hostile feeling of the Canadians has been re- ferred to. But this should be quaiifled by saying that it is the official ciass and not the masses th Canada who are enemies of the United States. During the continuance of the Keciprocity Treaty the spirit of that convention was outraged by Canada in this, that their tariff was se changed as to bear unduly against the United States whenever it could be made to affect our imterests, This “nauonal peer pan a duty of fifty cents aten on coal, in the hope of excluding the coal of the United States trom Western Canada; it placed a duty on corn, althongh Canada is compelied to purchase Americal corn as a eheap breadstaff for er own consumption, to take the place of Cana- dian wheat, which 1s sent to Europe. ltaiso imposed @ duty on barley, although no American bariey is purchased by Canada. The Western Canadians will ot purchase the coal of Nova Scotia. Iney clamor for the repeal of the tax on our coal, which 1s fifty cents @ ton, and it is found, notwithstanding, cheaper to Duy irom us, to say nothing of the beiter quailty they eptain. No commercial arrangement can be agreed to by this country which does not include a free inter- change not only of natural productions, bat of manutactures, Canada says that England will not permit them to admit American manulactures and tax those of ‘the mother country,” aud that as their revenue is derived from duties on imports, they can enter into no treaty of a really reciprocal nature while they are a british colony, i 18 possible that in arranging the fishery and St. Lawrence questions an atiempt may be made to in- duce the government of the United States vo consent vo an enlargement of commercial intercourse by way of an equivalent. But Canada aiready nas full eqal- vaients for ail she can give us. Yhe freedom of the St. Lawrence we claim asa right. The freedom of the fisheries may well be considered as an equiva- lent for the very great advantages whica Canaua de- rives from the bonding system and the transit trade; and which enable ber two lines of railroads, the Great Western and the Grand Trunk, to exist as commercial enterprises, Of the ten miliion dollars which represent the gross yearly earnings of the Grand Trunk, more than two-thirds are on American account; tiatis to say, for trade which only exists dn consequence of the bonding system and ‘the fact ‘that our fake ports are ports of entry from Canada, ‘The Great Western Railroad is even more dependent upon the United States, THE QUESTION OF THE FENIAN RAIDS, It is supposed that the Canadian claims for losses and expenses incurred by Fenian raids from tre United states will be presented by the British commis- sioners a8 a set-off against the claims tor the depre- dations committed by the Alabama and other Anglo- Confederate vessels upon our commerce, It is known that the Canadian authorities, whether by the direction of Englan4 or not is unknown, have made up an official account of the damages by Fenian raids in Canada, and that tne bill, looting up a formidable array of figures, has vecn on file in England for some time, ‘Inese include the »-Ridge- way” and “st. Albans” campaigns, and ail the ex- penses incurred by Canada in prepariag for the an- Ucrpated attacks. How, precisely, these claims are tove dragged in itis not easy to say; for, so iar as the British government is concerned, it 18 be- ond doubt that alter both the Fenian forays the Briush Minister at Washington Was directed) by nis government io thank the Presidcat of the United States for the loyal wud eifective manner in wich he bad enforced te n trulity laws, and as soon as any overt acts were committed within the jurisdicuon of the United Staies, the prompt manuer ia whicn he had caused the disarmiag oi the bands and the imprisonment of tue leaders. And it is also beyond question thet butior the President’s action the Canadians would have found the raids anything but cntid’s play. With all ouriunate sympatny for Irshuen and their wrougs the conduct of the United States is unimpeachable and uniiupeached as to the faithiul performance of their duties and imternationat obli- gations. The Fenins at Niagara and Si. Alpans were disarmed aad ie leaders imprisoned; ey Were not feted and given a fresh start, as Engiand acted towards the Alabama; and if tue imprison- | | Iaent was brief ithas not been the usage of the American government to punish political vitences, even ated at tae lite of the repubitc, wiih severity. ‘The presentation of the Canadian claims will be a singular proceeding, and there can be little doubt of the reception they wili mect Wita at the hauas of tue American Commissioners, THE NORTHWESTERN BOUNDARY—THE QUESTION. ‘This subject comes before the Joint High Commis- sien for adjustinent. ‘he question has been an an- noying one for many years, and op to this time all eijorts to arrive al a sutistactory agreement aa to tha true boundary line between the United States and Vancouver's Isiand pave jailed. The Untied staves claim that the true line, according to the Treaty of June 15, 1546, gives Lo them the Muro archipelago, of Which San Juau island forms a part; While Great Bniain, with equal pertinactty, holds ‘that the San Juan tsiand and the islands of the Hare archipelage SAN JUAN are part of the British domuions, lu We Variens negotiations Which took place be- tween ihe United States and Gr Britain jor the settfement of tue Oregon controversy, the United States made whe proposition that the line should rua along the forty-nmth parallel. This line Was proposed as a compromse of their confictmg claims to the territery west of the Rocky Mountains, between the latitudes of lorty-two degrees and tlity-four degrees forty min- utes. For a jony period the Britush government per- sisted in asserting a claim to the territory lying to the westward of the Covumbia river. Tnis preten- Sion Was adnered to until a short time previous to the conclusion of the Treaty oi 1848, when they 60 far receded from their position that they were will- lag to adopt the proposed compromise, a ence that Vancouver's Isiand were left to the nudiviied jurisdiction oi Great Britain. The United States Tuaily consented to this cencession, and a voundary Was adopted faving in view this object. Lhe boun- dary 1s aefined in the first article of the treaty of Junie 15, 1846, as follows:— ARtioLe 1. From the paint on the forty-ninth parallel of north latitude, where te boundary Jaid down in existing teaties and conven:ious betwee the United States and Grent Britain termantes, the ine of boundary between the terriories of the United States and those of her Britanoie Majesty pall be coutinued westward along the sald forty- ninth paralle! of worth latitude to the middle of the channel which separates the Continent from Vancouver's Irland; and thence svutherly through the middle of the said chanael, and from Fuca’s Straits to the Pasitic Ocean. Provided, how- ever, that the navigation of the whole of the said channerwnd straits south of the forty-ninth parallel of north latitude re- main free and open to both parties. Every oittcer of the Unitea States government who liad uny part in the negotiation or ratification of the treaty asseuted to it with the full underscand- ing that the deflection of the boundary from the forty-ninth parallel was consented to for the sole purpose of giving the whole of Vancouver's Island to Great Brivain, and that vo effect this purpose the lune was to be carried through the Canal de Haro to the Straits of Fuca, on its way to the Pacific Ocean, ‘This Ine gives to the United States the Haro Archi- pelago, of which the San Juan Island forms a part. ‘Yhe dispute on the line really inteuded by the clause has been taken up at various times, but without any uefiniie result. Reverdy Johnsoa was the last of our Ministers abroad to move on the matter, The subject Was brought up in the Senate, and through a strong speech of Senator Howard, denunciatory of England, it passed over the day's business and bas never since come up. LABORS OF THE JOINT HIGH COMMISSION. The labors of the Jomt High Commission wiil, of course, be confined to an arrangement of the general principles which shail govern the adjustment of the several questions presented to them; and the results Will probably be embodied treaties tor the seitie- ment of eacn case, Thus th€ Alabama question will be disposed of, if atall, by @ declaration of princi- » Which shall hereafter have the force public law, while the claims portion will be provided for by the appolutinent of another joint commission to adjudicate them according to ceriain ruies agreed upon. The matter of tbe fsheries will require an agreement as to the rights of American citizens in the future, and such a revision of the ‘Treaty of 1818 as will render 1c a ping with the changed conditien of facts as re- gards the fisheries of the coast of Canada, and thus whule carrying out tie Intentions of that treaty— K HERALD, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1871—W1TH SUPPLEMENT. which was made to secure certain rights to our fishermen, derived from joint eccu| vefore the Revolutionary war, and beyond mere natural Tightg—the necessary changes will r collisions less imminent. ‘Tne ‘Treaty of 1818 Was made with Seca reference te the cod fisheries, and the right nd at certain points was a Beceaeary Brevislai, as regards curing and drying that fish, Until recent years the mackerel was caught on our coasts, and ‘Was not found to any great extent in the waters of the provinces. For certain unknown reasons the mackerel appears to have deserted ‘he waters ofour coast, and is now found in abundance on the coasts of Canada. The mackerel 1s now se areas roduc- as tive industry, whue the cod fishing ome secondary to it, And, while the character of tne fish has thus chan, the mode of fishing 18 also affected. To fish for cod the vessels lle at enchor, and, as that fisn does not run very close to the shore, it t3 an easy matter to Keep outside of we three mile mit of the treaty. In the case of mackerel, however, the fishing is entirely and essentially dierent. ‘tne fishing vessels are kept in motion and follow the fish; and as the mackerel swim in at times close to the shore it is almost beyond human endurance— certainly that of fishermen engaged in the pursuit— Rot to Keep up the chase, heedless of the imaginary Une, The Commission will have to decide whether, recognizing all the circumstances under which the treaties of 1783 and 1818 were made, a revision to Meet the changed condition of the iishery is not de- Tanded, as weil by the spirit of those conventious as by nelghborly feeling. The Northwestern water boundary may possibly be submitted to arvitration, as hat course Nas already been twice agreed to by Uhe two governments, and failea to get the censide- ration of the Senate from causes not touching the merits of the convention. ‘The question ef the navigation of the St. Lawrence Will probably lead to a long aud warm discussion, ‘There 18 no reagon to Suppose that our Commission- ers will adinit the Canadian clatms for Fenian ratds, nor is it at all prebable the question of commercial intercourse with Ganada will be permitted to enter nto consideration, As for trade matters between the United states and Canaila, it is believed the American Commissioners will take the ground that these do not come under the head of questions aifecting the relations of the two countries in the Sense Of the agreement or our government to the High Commission. jut the labors of this Joint High Commission will greatly depend for success upon the manner in Which the British government approaches the sub- ject, which, in reality, underlies the whole matter. ‘There is @ universal feeling among puolic men in Washington, and which is but the reiiex of the popular feeliag throughout the United States, having no party lines of demarcation, but coextensive with ‘the country itself, that we can never have cerdial and friendly relations with England so long as her —_ over any portion of tnts Continent, as an emblem of her power here. America for Americans 1s a watchword which rallies the whole people of the United States. We want no European monarchies here exercising control and menacing republican institutions. The United States desire no acquisi- Uon of an unwilling people. The question of annexation, it 1s believed, must come up _here- aiter; it will be one between the people of Canada and of the United States, and at the soli- citation of the former. But what we do want, what We require, what we may be compelied to insist on, is that England shall no longer meddie with the peopie of this Continent; that she shall take her Jag from olf American territory, And why shouid sne not do so? Has not the colonial system of land ceased to have apy real interest to Eng- lishmen? Under the system of free trade which England has estaolished and the right she has con- ferred on her colonial governments to enact their own tariffs, taxing Engush productions equally with those of other countries, her colonies are nv longer anything to her but sources of expense and trouble. Is England now prepared to take this step? If she is then this joint commisston will be a grand suc- cess and Great Britain will find an aliy in the United States of far more real value to her than ali her colo- nies combined. If, however, she 1s not prepared to act—if this high commission comes here with no broad and compremensive policy, but merely to paricy over claims of private citizens, boundary questions and fishery squabbies—if, in a word, Eng- land is not determined voluntarily to remove her flag forever from America, then is the appointment of this Joint High Commission useless and its labors will be as mere dust and ashes, THE COAL MINERS’ STRIKE, Proceedings to be Lnstituted Against the Car- rying Companies. Tamaqua, Pa., Feb. 19, 1871. It{s rumored that the Workingmen’s Benevolent Association and the general coal operators, who have renounced their allegiance to the Anthracite Board of Trade, are about to institute proceedings against the several carrying companies, under what 1s known as the Conspiracy law of the State of Pennsyivania. The rumor cannvt be traced to any definite source, but seems to be very generally accepted as correct. Manifesto by the Miners’ Benevolent As- seciation—Rapacity of Operators—Frauds Upon the Miners—Miners’ Wages and Dangers—94,000,000 Realized by Ope- rators in Consequence of the Strike. JEDDO, Pa., Fev. 16, 1871, To Taz Eprror or THE HERALD:— At a special meeting of the Miners and Laborers! Benevolent Association of Jeddo, Luzerne county, Pa., held on the 13th inst, It was unanimously adopted that the undersigned commitiee should, through your wide circulating journal, make known to the public at large the real cause of suspension in these anthracite coal feids. There are some period- icais which take the part of capital against labor, never thinking chat the working class is the bone and sinew of the land—such as the Poctsville Mimers’ Journal, better known as the Coal Operators’ Journal; the Scran- ton Repubdlican, the Philaaeiphia Inquirer, &e. We doubt the veracity of these journals for truth and honesty in the garb of public printers, They try to make the public believe that suspension 1s brought on solely for the welfare and beneiitt of the miners, Such is not the case. Suspension 1s caused by the tyrannical oppression and combina- ton of ratiroad companies and coai operators, who are, almost to a man, stockholders in said compa- nies. They try all meaus in their power to make the public believe that the mmer wishes to earn enor- mous wages. The miner would feel quite satisfied if he could get three dollars per Gay, which would be oniy considered a fair day’s wages when taking into account the perils and dangers which he has to encounter by descending and asvending those dark and dangerous shafts or slopes, witk no guarantee of life save an tadiierent cham, or, as is too often the case, a worthless wire rope, which may at any moment taunch him into etermty. He has also to contend, when m the mines, with foul and damp gases and powder smoke, and is Hable at ayy moment to be crushed or mutilated by a fall of coal or rock. When coal is sold at five dollars per ton at the seaboard the miver gets gfty-five cents per ton, and does not average over eight tons per day whilé working. From this is deducted his lavorer's wages, amounting to $13 20 per week, for loading his cars, besides paying for powéer, blasting paper, cotton and oll, &¢. He has also to pay moutily for tue sharpening of his picks and drils, and must procure his own shovels, the balavce of the five dollars going te tae railroad com- panies and ceal operators. The miner will always fecl satisfied that coal should remain at five dollars per ton at the seaboard, but when it gets below tis price he canriot live or keep his family. it is alleged that the miners are the cause or are 1o blame lor the nigh prices of coal in the market. When suspensiou was ordered it was estimated that not less than 2,000,000 tons had been at tide water, which had been soid at an advance of two dollars per von, making 4 total profit of $4,000,000. Did the miner or miners receive any of the profit? We answer no. Besides, these 2,000,000 tons were mined when we ‘were paid at the rate of five dollars per ton in the market, and compare this with the real prices m the market for the three months endmg December, 1871. We have given above an overrated statement of the miner’s wages; for, instead of being paid by the ton, he 1s only paid by measurement. For instance, @ car measuring 126 cubic feet, and allowing tnirty- six cubic feet to constitute a ton of coal, said car Would exactiy contain three and a half tons, for which the miner is paid $124. Thus you see how the miner is misrepresented to the public, as also the enormous wages he earns; for, instead of getting Hity-flve cents per ton, he actually gets a little over thirty-five cents per ton. Now, where does the bal- auce of the exorbitant prices paia by the consumers go to? As we have said before, the miner does not getit, and, asa natural consequence, it must go to the opergtors and railroad companies, or, as they might be termed, one company. The miners, without an exception, are ready to re- sume work, but the operators are not, owing, a3 they say, to the market being overstocked, tneir chief object being to jessen the supply and advance the prices still higher, and afterwards attach the blame to the miners for all this outrage as practised by themselves, and tuereby denounce them before the Dubie for the sole purpose of strengthening their compbibations with a view to eradicate forever the Miners and. Laborers’ Benevolent Association. Seeing we have trespassed on your space too much we shall stop, hoping, at some subsequent pe- riod, to renew our communication. I the state- ments herein made are disputed by any of the read- Ing public, we, the committee, are willing to prove te above facts, JOHNSON, Pres‘dent, N. P. ENOCH '. EVANS, PATRICK MoLAUGHLIN, WILLIAM O'GARA, Committee. Strike Among the Dliinois Mixers. Sr. Lours, Feb, 17, 1871. The coal miners of St. Clair and Madison coun- ties, Illinois, opposite this city, have suspended work, in consequence of the reduction of wages by the owners of the mine. Coa: is becoming scarce, but the operators declare that they will bring coal from other mines and sell at the present prices before they ul accede to the demands of we miicre oe LITERATURE, Criticisms of New Books. ANTI-JANUS : A @istorico-Theological Criticism of: the Work entitled “The Pope and the Council,” by Janus. By Dr. Hergenriither, Professor of on Law and of Ecclesiastical “Amnime the University fe led of Wurzburg, author of the ‘4 and ‘times of the Patriarch Phottus.” Translated from the Ger- man by J. B. Rol Esq., Professor of Modern. History and Euglsh Literature at the Catholic University of Dublin, &c,, &c., &c.; with an Intro~ duction by him, giving @ history of Gallicantsm from the reign of Leuis XIV. down to the present tune. Dublin: W. B. Kelly, No. 8 Graiton street. London: Barns, Oates & Co.; and simpkin, Mar- shall & Co. New York: The Catholic Publishing Society, No. 9 Warren street. 1870. The pelemics of the recent grand Ecumenical’ Council are likely to agitate the theological world for a long time tocome. The dogma of infallibility 1s not the sport of an hour, but a tremendous decia- ration, which, in directly influencing the opinions and conduct of 200,000,000 Catholics, must press, immediately and importantly, upon the destinies of civilization, The work before us 1s an able and in-~ genious defence of that dogma by one of the most erudite aud eminent Gatholic divines of Germany, im reply to the attacks of ‘Janus’? (also supposed to be @ distinguished German prelate), which made such noise in Europe about eighteen months ago, Pro- fessor Robertson, tie translator, has well performed his part, and in dedicating his share of the werk to the Very Rev, Dr. Russell, President of St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth, has invoked high sanction for its success, The volume will prove intensely at- tractive, a3 well as strikingly opportune in time, to theologica! readers, and 1ts appreciation by the pub- Me will not be unassisted by its neat dress and clear tppography. History or Louis XIV. By John 8.C. Abbott author of “Ihe History of Napoleon Bonaparte,” &c., &c., Harper & Brothers, New York. Mr. Abbott’s ‘History of Louis XIV.” is written in. 4 very plain and simple style, and while tt is far from being intended exclusively for the young tt 1s nevertheless, like his other works, peculiarly adapted for their Instruction. His style is graphic, though by no means fluent. One of its greavest merits is that he never goes into wearisome and unnecessary details, which tire the attention without instructing the mind. As a work of interest this volume can in. no respect be compared to Miss Pardoe’s “Louis. XIV. and the Court of France,” which 1s, perhaps, the most complete account we have of that corrupt, yet splendid reign. Miss Pardoe’s book 1s, how- ever, entirely unsuited for school libraries or the general perusal of the young, while Mr. Abbott, on the contrary, although fatthful to fact, has fully succeeded in the design expressed in nis preface—so to describe the events of the times that any father may safely read the narrative aloud to his family. The volume contains some twenty-eight illus- trations, including one of the Tuileries, the Palais Royal, the Palace of Versailles (built at such enor- mous expense by Louts XIV. himself) and many other points of historical interest. Lirrincort’s BIOGRAPHICAL DrcTioNaRy. A Unie versal Pronouncing Leet € ae Biograph, ane Mythology. J. Thomas, 1.) Me De delphia: J. B. Lippincett & Co, 1870, We ackuowledge the recetpt of Nos. 22 to 36in clusive of this invaluable new biographical com- pendium. The numbers before us bring the reader from letter K to Y, and leave but nine more parts wanting to complete the work, which is to embrace forty-five in all. In this day of hasty and defective encyclopedias and biographical dictionartes, the ex- cellent arrangement, great research, and handsome as well as convenient form of the Lippincott work, render ita noteworthy exception greatly appreciated by the public. AMERICAN TURF REGISTER. A oorrect synopsis of turf events in the United States, embracing run- ning, trotting and pacing. Published at the office of the Zur/, Feld and Farm, ‘This ts a work of 391 pages, and ts donbtless very interesting to these who desire information on the horse. “READING LESSONS IN STENOPHONOGRAPHY” is the ttle of a little work specially dedicated to School classes and to all who may have to depend upon self-instruction for the acquirement of this useful art. The Magazines. The Catholic World.—The March number of this sertal has peen issued by the Catholic Publica- tion House tn this city. It closes the twelfth vol- uine of the work and gives promise of the opening ol the thirteenth on the 1st of April, The enterprise appears hopeful, consolatory of the past and evi- dently encouraging of the future. Harper's New Monthly for March 1s one of the very brightest and pleasantest of the series of bril- liant numbers which, for some months past, has seemed to redouble the interest and vivacity of this popular periodical. The beautifully illustrated papers on “Ireland and Her Scenery,” the “Florida Reef,” “Castle Garden,” and “Frederick the Great,” vie with the rich selection of essays, novelettes and sketches in grace and interest, The editortal de- partments are, as usual, inimitably original, piquant. and racy. The Galaxy retains its hold upon a large army ot readers, although there is getting to be a certain faded look about it, and a premature weakness in its literary knees that are not redeemed even by the taking announcement that “Mark Twain, the great humorist,’’ writes for it every month. It has much of the variety, but not enough of the snap and fire that are expected from a leading American maga- zine. Sortbner’s Magazine for March fully bears out the: dashing promise of its commeucement. Profuse in illustration and abundant in varied and attractive contents, it reflects the greatest credit upon une: house that publishes and the able literary champion, Dr. Holland, who edits 1. The Phrenological Journal for March bears every outward indication of prosperity, and offers a table of contents stocked with good things. In tis pecu- Mar walk of literature and science the Prrenologtcat is one of the most vaiuabie publications of the day. Old and New, winch, as its name implies, does not confine itself to topics of the hour alone, but takes. @retrospective ag well as a progressive range, is rapidly improving for the year 1871, As a national periodical, it claims contributions from some ef the best writers in all parts of the country, and enu- merates in its prospectus for the twelvemonth 4 formidable array of experlenced critics, Mr, War- ner’s “Sorrento Papers’? are umong the fresh attrac- tions of February, and a series of historical articles. entitled “Across the War Gulf,” by Mr. Robert Owen, is announced. Messrs. Roberts Brothers, of Boston, the publishers, are assured of a complet success in their spirited venture, ’ Lippincot’s Magazine 1s the literary messenger whick Philadelphia sends us every month, and it 1a always welcome, for taste and ability are happily combiiled in its management. The March number is one of the most substantiaily good that its record can boast. The first of a deligh:ful set of papers on “Student Rambles in Prossia;” an article on “The Origin and Lesson of the Franco-Prussian War,” by Mr. Amasa Walker, and “Au Account of a Mission to St. Domingo” are but specimens of a long and opulent list of new and important articles for the Month, with the pledge of still more novelty to come. Good Words for the Young is another contribution’ of value from the Lippincoti press. 1t 1s presented in vhe English style, with a world of woodcuts ana charming tales and sketches for the little folks, The XLXth Century, published by Livingston & Erckmann, of Charleston, S.0., has become the great montily of the South. its circulation now extends through 250 of the Southern cities, and the list of contributors embraces a host of brilliant Iterary names, among them that of Henry Cleve. land, so long and favorably known in this meriqian. The De La Salle Monthly, % Catholic magazine, published by the De La Salle Association of New York, is a neat, well arranged and outspoken little periodical, Jt is bold on all matters ot faith and commands tie respect of the general reader by its discriminating criticisms on public measures as they are in the United States, and on the social evils of our time. The Foung Ptot, an original monthly magazine for childven I their teens, is the title of a new ven- ure among the juvenile population, published at Chicago,