Reciprocity

   Efforts were made from time to time by Canada, between the years 1847 and 1854, to secure the free admission of goods between Canada and the United States, but without success until the latter year, when Lord Elgin negotiated a treaty. It came into force in 1855, and was abrogated in 1866, at the instance of the United States. The renewal of the treaty was urged by Canada in 1866, 1869, 1871, 1874, 1879, 1887, 1892, and 1896, but in every instance the American authorities failed to respond.

   Index: B Advocated by Elgin, 37; the treaty and its abrogation, 148; George Brown's interest in, 192; Lincoln believed to be favourable to, 192; Brown urges action, but nothing done, 192-193; confederate council on, authorized, 192; Galt and Howland at Washington, 193; reciprocal legislation suggested by Seward, 193; Galt outlines scheme, 193; Brown objects to terms and plan of reciprocal legislation as against interests of Canada, 194; Brown's resentment at being set aside in the formation of the confederate council, and his objection to reciprocal legislation, lead to his resignation, 195; his attitude towards proposed renewal of treaty of 1854, 223-224; failure of negotiations of 1866, 224; changing attitude in Canada on subject, 224-225; Canadian offers of 1869 and 1871 rejected, 225; the Brown treaty of 1874--history of the negotiations, 225-233; a treaty suggested by Mr. Rothery as compensation for fisheries, 226; Brown sent on mission to Washington, 226; joint plenipotentiary with Sir Edward Thornton for negotiation of treaty, 226; terms of the proposed treaty, 227-228; Brown corrects American ignorance as to balance of trade under old treaty, 228-230; and carries on active propaganda in American newspapers, 230; treaty rejected by the United States Senate, 231; objections urged against treaty in Canada, 231-232. BL Advocated by Hincks, 1849, 302; movement for, with United States and Maritime Provinces, 338. H Halifax Convention, 1849, affirms principle of reciprocity with United States, 115-116. E Treaty urged by Elgin, 82; supported by La Fontaine-Baldwin government, 101; Elgin negotiates treaty, 124; ratified by MacNab-Morin government, 142; history of the treaty, 196-202. Md Treaty negotiated by Elgin in 1854, 45, 98; speech by Howe in 1865, favouring renewal of, 99; ended in 1866, 166, 215-216. T Discussed in New Brunswick Assembly, 28; treaty arranged, 29; ratified in New Brunswick, 30; bill passed, 33. See also Elgin; Unrestricted Reciprocity; Commercial Union; Zollverein.

   Bib.: Derby, Report upon the Treaty of Reciprocity; Griffin, The Provinces and the States; Howe, The Reciprocity Treaty; Haliburton, American Protection and Canadian Reciprocity.