To certain proposed modifications of the navigation laws of the United States, allowances of bounty to fishing vessels, and reciprocal trade with the British North American colonies. MAY 22, 1854.-Ordered to lie on the table and be printed. RESOLVES in relation to certain proposed modifications of the navigation laws of the United States, allowances of bounty to fishing vessels, and reciprocal trade with the British North American colonies. Resolved, That the repeal of the laws granting allowances to vessels employed in the codfisheries-laws established by the wisdom of the founders of the republic, and by the beneficial operation of which a large amount of capital and labor has been enlisted, and an invaluable nursery for our armed marine has been created, especially in view of the liberal encouragement of the government of France to the French fisheries, and the greater facilities of the English fishermen—would be unjust and highly inexpedient, and would operate to the great injury, if not to the absolute destruction, of the fishing interest of this State and the country. Resolved, That the money expended in these bounties to the fishermen accomplishes more in raising up and sustaining an invaluable body of skilful seamen, upon whom the nation can depend to maintain our flag and honor in the hour of peril, than the same amount expended by the government in any other way; and we regard it, therefore, as a measure of wise national economy to preserve and foster this indispensable nursery for seamen. That Resolved, That the provisions of our navigation laws, confining our internal and coastwise commerce to American bottoms, had their origin in a wise and sound policy, adopted in the light of the experience of all commercial nations, and now confirmed by our own. the abandonment of this policy, under the claim of reciprocity, would be an abandonment without any adequate equivalent, as that which we should receive would be insignificant in comparison with that which we should give, in yielding to other sections the internal and coasting trade of half a continent. Resolved, That the granting of American registers and enrolments to foreign-built vessels, by which said vessels shall become entitled to the benefits and privileges now exclusively appertaining to vessels deemed and denominated "ships and vessels of the United States," would be a policy emphatically adverse to American labor; degrade the character of American ships by the introduction of the cheap built vessels of the colonies, and expose us to so ruinous a competition, from the sudden Americanizing of the whole unemployed mercantile marine of a commercial rival when engaged in a war, that should render it expedient, that we feel that we may safely rely upon American statesmen to protect the great interests that are involved in maintaining the well established and wise policy under which we have prospered. Resolved, That the great lumbering interests of this State are entitled to the equal protection of the government, and by no arrangement for reciprocity of trade between the United States and the British North American colonies should colonial lumber be suddenly admitted into the United States free of duty, thus introducing at once, and without an opportunity to prepare for the change, a disturbing element that would jeopard this important business of our citizens. Resolved, That the governor be requested to forward copies of the foregoing resolutions to each of our senators and representatives in Congress. In the House of Representatives, April 19, 1854. Read and passed: NOAH SMITH, Jr., Speaker. In Senate, April 19, 1854. Read and passed: LUTHER S. MOORE, President. April 19, 1854. Approved: A true copy. Attest: WM. G. CROSBY. ALDEN JACKSON, Secretary of State. 1st Session No. 62. RESOLUTIONS OF THE LEGISLATURE OF CONNECTICUT, INSTRUCTING Their senators and requesting their representatives to oppose, by all lawful means, and to the last extremity, the bill to organize the Territories of Nebraska and Kansas, with the clause abrogating the prohibition of slavery, known as the Missouri compromise. MAY 22, 1854.-Ordered to lie on the table and be printed. STATE OF CONNECTICUT, GENERAL ASSEMBLY-MAY SESSION, 1854. Whereas, a bill is now pending in the Congress of the United States for the organization of the Territories of Kansas and Nebraska, by which the eighth section of the act preparatory to the admission of Missouri, approved March 6, 1820, is declared inoperative and void : 1. Resolved by this general assembly, That the form of the prohibition of slavery, in the act of 1820, as well as its incorporation in an act designed to be irrepealable, pledged the public faith, to the whole extent of the power of Congress so to do, against any repeal of the prohibition so enacted, and that the people of Connecticut have therefore relied upon the perpetuity of that enactment, with full confidence in the integrity and honor, both of the national government, and of those States which sustain the institution of slavery within their own jurisdiction. 2. Resolved, That in the name, and in behalf of the people of this State, we protest against the proposed repeal of the prohibition of slavery in the act preparatory to the admission of Missouri, as a violation of the national faith, as destructive of mutual confidence between the States of this Union, as exposing the Union itself to imminent peril, and as inconsistent with the fundamental principles of natural justice. 3. Resolved, That we declare our fixed purpose never to consent to the legal or actual admission of slavery into the territory from which it was excluded by the act of 1820, or to the admission of slaveholding States from any portion of the same. 4. Resolved, That the attempt to extend slavery over a vast region, from which it has been by law excluded with the consent of the slaveholding States, ought to awaken the people of Connecticut to the aggressive character of slavery as a political power, and to unite them in determined hostility to its extension, and to its existence wherever it comes constitutionally within the reach of federal legislation. 5. Resolved, That this general assembly hereby declares itself ready to co-operate with other States, in any legal and constitutional measures, which the existing crisis or its consequences shall demand, for the preservation of our rights, and in defence of liberty. 6. Resolved, That our senators in Congress be instructed, and that our representatives be earnestly requested, to oppose, by all lawful means, and to the last extremity, the bill under consideration, with the clause abrogating the prohibition of slavery, known as the Missouri compromise. 7. Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted to the senators and representatives of this State in the Congress of the United States, to be by them laid before that body, and to the executives of the several States of this Union. STATE OF CONNECTICUT, SS., Office of Secretary of State. I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of record in this office. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the [SEAL.] seal of said State, at New Haven, this 18th day of May, A. D. 1854. O. H. PERRY, |