Mr. Seward to Mr.
Adams
No. 1241.]
Department of State. Washington,
January 18, 1865.
Sir: I transmit herewith, authenticated under
the seal of this department, a copy of a joint resolution of the
Congress of the United States approved on this date, in regard to the
termination of the treaty concluded between the United States and her
Britannic Majesty on the 5th of June, 1854, commonly known as the
reciprocity treaty. The President directs me, in compliance with the 5th
article of that instrument, and with the requirement of the aforenamed
resolution, to instruct you to communicate to her Majesty’s government a
certified copy of the enclosed papers, and formally to notify her
Majesty’s government, on the 17th of March next, or as soon thereafter
as possible, that as it is considered to be no longer for the interest
of the United States to continue the said treaty in force, it will
terminate and be of no further effect at the expiration of twelve months
from the date upon which the notice shall be given.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams. Esq., &c., &c., &c.
[Untitled]
THIRTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION.
JOINT RESOLUTION providing for the termination of the reciprocity
treaty of fifth of June, eighteen hundred and fifty-four, between
the United States and Great Britain.
Whereas it is provided in the reciprocity treaty concluded at
Washington, the fifth of June, eighteen hundred and fifty four,
between the United States of the one part, and the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland of the other part, that this treaty “shall
remain in force for ten years from the date at which it may come
into operation, and further, until the expiration of twelve months
after either of the high contracting parties shall give notice to
the other of its wish to terminate the same;” and whereas it
appears, by a proclamation of the President of the United States,
bearing date sixteenth of March, eighteen hundred and fifty-five,
that the treaty came into operation on that day; and whereas,
further, it is no longer for the interests of the United States to
continue the same in force: Therefore,
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That
notice be given of the termination of the reciprocity treaty,
according to the provision therein contained for the termination of
the same; and the President of the United States is hereby charged
with the communication of such notice to the government of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
Approved January 18,
1865.
