y, our community of
interests, and the inevitable commingling of the business enterprises
which have been developed by mutual activity.

Plainly stated, the policy of national retaliation manifestly embraces
the infliction of the greatest harm upon those who have injured us,
with the least possible damage to ourselves. There is also an evident
propriety, as well as an invitation to moral support, found in visiting
upon the offending party the same measure or kind of treatment of which
we complain, and as far as possible within the same lines. And above all
things, the plan of retaliation, if entered upon, should be thorough and
vigorous.

These considerations lead me at this time to invoke the aid and counsel
of the Congress and its support in such a further grant of power as
seems to me necessary and desirable to render effective the policy I
have indicated.

The Congress has already passed a law, which received Executive assent
on the 3d day of March, 1887, providing that in case American fishing
vessels, being or visiting in the waters or at any of the ports of
the British dominions of North America, should be or lately had been
deprived of the rights to which they were entitled by treaty or law, or
if they were denied certain other privileges therein specified or vexed
and harassed in the enjoyment of the same, the President might deny to
vessels and their masters and crews of the British dominions of North
America any entrance into the waters, ports, or harbors of the United
States, and also deny entry into any port or place of the United States
of any product of said dominions or other goods coming from said
dominions to the United States.

While I shall not hesitate upon proper occasion to enforce this act,
it would seem to be unnecessary to suggest that if such enforcement is
limited in such a manner as shall result in the least possible injury to
our own people the effect would probably be entirely inadequate to the
accomplishment of the purpose desired.

I deem it my duty, therefore, to call the attention of the Congress to
certain particulars in the action of the authorities of the Dominion
of Canada, in addition to the general allegations already made, which
appear to be in such marked contrast to the liberal and friendly
disposition of our country as in my opinion to call for such legislation
as will, upon the principles already stated, properly supplement the
power to inaugurate retaliation already v