US Presidency
1833

Congress were informed at the opening of the last session that owing, as was alleged, to embarrassments in the finances of Portugal, consequent upon the civil war in which that nation was engaged , payment had been made of only one installment of the amount which the Portuguese Government had stipulated to pay for indemnifying our citizens for property illegally captured in the blockade of Terceira. Since that time a postponement for two years, with interest, of the 2 remaining installments was requested by the Portuguese Government, and as a consideration it offered to stipulate that rice of the United States should be admitted into Portugal at the same duties as Brazilian rice. Being satisfied that no better arrangement could be made, my consent was given, and a royal order of the King of Portugal was accordingly issued on 1833 - 02 - 04 for the reduction of the duty on rice of the United States.