The Sun.
London, England, 1851-12-16 00:00:00

THE SUN,

LONDON,

latter, on the same subject. These papers will acquaint you i that island, that the United States cannot fail to feel a strong
with the grounds of this interposition of the two leading interest in its tranquillity.
commercial powers of Europe, and with the apprehen. The office of Commissioner to China remains unfilled ;
clone, which this Government could not fail to entertain, several persons have been appointed, and the place has been
that such interposition, if carried into effect, might lead to i offered to ethers, all of whom have declined its acceptance,
States in derogation of the maritime rights of the United ,on the allows of the inadequacy of the compensation. The
States. The maritime rights of the United States are i annualnce by law is 6,000 dolls., and there is no pro-
founded on a firm, secure, and well-defined basis; they i vision for any outfit. I earnestly recommend the considera-
stand upon the ground of national independence and public I tion of this subject to Congress. Our commerce with China
law, and will be maintained in all their full and just I is highly important, and is becoming more and more so, in
consequence of the increasing intercourse between our ports
extent.
The principle which this Government has heretofore on the Pacific Coast and Eastern Asia. China is understood
solemnly announced it still adheres to, and will maintain to be a country in which living is very expensive, and I
under all circuinstances and at all hazards, That principle know no reason why the American Commissioner sent thither
is, that in every regularly documented merchant vessel, the should not be placed, in regard to compensation, on an equal
crew who navigate in and those on board of it will find footing with Ministers who represent this country at the
their protection in the flag which is over them. No Courts of Europe.
American ship can be allowed to be visited or searched for By reference to the report of the Secretary of the Trea-
the purpose of ascertaining the character of individual: on sury, it will be seen that the aggregate receipts for the last
board, nor can there be allowed any watch by the vessels of fiscal year amounted to 52,312,979 dolls. 87c. • which, with
any foreign nation over American vessels on the coasts of the the balance in the treasury on the Ist July,
1850, gave, as
United States, or the seas adjacent thereto. It will be seen the available means for the year, the sum of 58,917,524
by the last communication from the British Charge d'Af- dolls. 36c.
fairer to the Department of State, that he is authorised to The total expenditure for the same period were
assure the Secretary of State that every care will be taken 48,003,878 dolls. 68c.
that, in executing the preventive measures against the ex- The total imports for the year ending 30th
peditions, which the United States' Government itself has June, 1851, were ... 215,725,995 dolls.
denounced as not being entitled to the protection of any Of which there were in specie
Government, no interference shall take place with the lawful The exports for the same period were 217,517,130 dolls
commerce of any nation. Of which there were of
In addition to the correspondence on this subject, here- domestic products 178,546,555 dolls.
with submitted, official information has been received at the Foreign goods re-ex-
department of state, of assurances by the French Govern- ported 9,738,695 dolls.
ment that, in the orders given to the French naval forces, Specie
they were expressly instructed, in any operations they might --,217,517,130 dolls.
engage in, to respect the flag of the United States wherever Since the let of December last the payments in cash on
it might appear, and to commit no act of hostility upon any account of
to 7,501,4 the public
du 56c debt, exclusive of interest, have
vessel or armament under its protection. amounted 56 lls. which, however, includes
Ministers and Consuls of foreign nations are the means the sum of 3,242,000 dolls. paid under the 12th article of
and agents of communication between us and those na- the treaty with Mexico, and the further sum of 2,591,213
tions, and it is of the utmost importance that, while residing dolls 45c., being the amount of awards to American citizens
in the country, they should feel a perfect security so under the late treaty with Mexico, for which the issue of
long as they faithfully discharge their respective duties stock was authorised, but which was paid in cash from the
and guilty of no violation of our laws. This is the ad- Treasury.
mated law of nations, and no country has a dee; er interest The public debt
on the 20th ultimo, exclusive of the
in maintaining it than the United States. Our com- stock authorised to be issued to Texas by the Act of 9th
merce spreads over every sea and visits every clime, and our September, 1850, was 62,560,305 dolls. 26c.
Ministers and Consuls are appointed to protect the interests The receipts for the next iscal year are estimated at
of that commerce, as well as to guard the peace of the coon- 51,800,000 dolls., which, with the probable unappropriated
try and maintain the honour of its flag. But how can they balance in the Treasury, on the 30th June next, will give as
discharge those duties unless they be themselves protected ; the probable available means for that year the suns of
and, if protected, it must be by the laws of the country in 63,258,473 dolls. 9c.
which they reside. And what is due to our own public It has been deemed proner, in view of the large expendi-
functionaries residing in foreign nations is exactly the mea- tures consequent upon the acquisition of territory from
sure of what is due to the functionaries of other Govern- Mexico, that the estimates for the next fiscal year should be
ments residing here. As in war, the bearers of flags of laid before Congress in such manner as to distinguish the ex-
truce are sacred, or else wars would be interminable, so in p inditures so required from the otherwise ordinary demands
peace, Ambassadors, public Ministers, and Consuls, charged upon the Treasury.
with friendly national intercourse, are objects of especial The total expenditures for the next fiscal year are esti-
respect and protection, each according to the rights be- mated at 42,892,299 dolls. 19c., of which there is required
longing to his rank and station. In view of these impor- for the ordinary purposes of the Government, other than
tent principles, it is with deep mortification and regret I an- those consequent upon the acquisition of our new territories,
nounce to you that, during the excitement growing out of and deducting the payments on account of the public debt,
the executions at Havannah, the office of her Catholic the sum of 33,343,158 dells. Bc. ; and for the purposes con-
Majesty's Consul at New Orleans was assailed by a mob, his fleeted directly or indirectly with those territories, and in the
property destroyed, the Spanish flag found in the office car- fulfilment of the obligations of the Government, contracted
vied off and torn in pieces, and he himself induced to flee for in consequence of their acquisition, the sum of 9,519,101
his personal safety, which he supposed to be in danger. dolls. 11c.
On receiving intelligence of these events, I forthwith If the views of the Secretary of the Treasury in reference
directed the attorney of the United States residing at New to the expenditure required for these territories shall be met
Orleans to inquire into the facts and the extent of the pecu- by corresponding action on the part of Congress, and appro-
niary loss sustained by the consul, with the intention of lay- priations made in accordance therewith, there will be an
ing them before you, that you might make provision for such estimated unappropriated balance on the 30th of June, 1853,
indemnity to him as a just regard for the honour of the na- of 20,366,443 dolls. 90c., wherewith to meet that portion of
tion and the respect which is due to a friendly power might, the public debt due on the first July following, amounting to
in your judgment, seem to require. The correspondence 6,237,931 dolls. 85c., as well as any appropriations which
upon this subject between the Secretary of State and her may he made beyond the estimates.
Catholic Majesty's Minister Plenipotentiary is herewith In thus referring to the estimated expenditures on account
transmitted. of our newly-acquired territories, I may express the hope that
The occurrence at New Orleans has led me to give my Congress will concur with me in the .desire that a liberal
attention to the state of our laws in regard to foreign am- course of policy may he pursued toward them, and that every
bassadors, ministers, and consuls. I think the legislation of obligation, express or implied, entered into in consequence of
the country is deficient in not providing sufficiently either for their acquisition, shall be fulfilled by the most liberal appro-
the protection or .he punishment of consuls. I, therefore, priations for that purpose.
recommend the subject to the consideration of Congress. The value of our domestic exports for the last fiscal year,
Yi ur attention is again invited to the question of recipro- as compared with those of the previous year, exhibit an
cal trade between the United States and Car ada and other increase of 43.646,322 dolls. At first view this condition of
British possessions near our frontier. Overtures for a con- our trade with foreign nations would seem to present the
vention upon this subject have been received from her most flattering hopes of its future prosperity. An examine-
Britannic Majesty's Minister Plenipotentiary, but it seems tion of the details of our exports, however, will show that
to be in many respects preferable that the matter should be the increased value of our exports for the last fiscal year is
regul ted by reciprocal legislation. Documents are laid be- to be found in the high price of cotton which prevailed
fore you showing the terms which the British Government during the first half of that year, which price has since de-
is willing to offer, and the measures which it may adopt, if dined about one-half.
some arrangement up n this subject shall not be made. The value of our expotss of breadstuffs and provisions,
From the (accompanying copy of a note from the British which it was supposed the incentive of a low tariff and large
Legation at Washing on, and the reply of the Department of importations from abroad would have greatly augmented,
State thereto, it will appear that her Britannic Majesty's has fallen from 68,701,921 dolls., in 1847, to 26,051,373 dolls ,
Government is desirous that a part of the boundary line be- in leso, and to 21,948,653 dolls., in 1851, with a strong pro-
tween Oregon and the British possessions should be authori- bability, amounting almost to a certainty, of a still further
tatively marked out, and that an intention was expressed to reduction in the current year.
apply to Congress for an appropriation to defray the expenses The aggregate values of rice exported during the last
thereof on the part of the United States. Your attention to fiscal year, as compared with the previous year, also ex-
this subject is accordingly invited, and a proper appropria- hibit a decrease amounting to 460,917 dolls., which, with a
tion recommended. decline in the values of the exports of tobacco for the same
A convention for the adjustment of claims of citizens of the period, make as aggregate decrease in these two articles of
United States against Portugal has been concluded, and the 1,156,751 dolls.
ratifications have been exchanged. The first instalment of The policy which dictated a low rate of duties on foreign
the amount to be paid by Portugal fell due on the 30th of merchandise, it was thought by those who promoted and
September last, and has been paid. established it, would tend to benefit the farming population
The President of the French Republic, according to the of this country, by increasing the demand and raising the
provisions of the Convention, has been selected arbiter in price of agricultural products in foreign markets.
the case of the General Armstrong, and has signified that he The foregoing facts, however, seem to show incontestably
accepts the trust, and the high satisfaction he feels in acting that no such result has followed the adoption of this policy.
as the common friend of two nations with which France is On the contrary, notwithstanding the repeal of the restrie-
united by sentiments of sincere and lasting amity. tive corn-laws of England, the foreign demand for the pro-
The Turkish Government has expressed its thanks for the ducts of the American farmer has steadily declined, since
kind reception given to the Sultan's agent, Amin Bey, on the the short crops and consequent famine in a portion of Europe
occasion of his recent visit to the United States. On the have been happily replaced by full crops and comparative
28th of February last a dispatch was addressed by the Secre- abundance of food.
tary of State to Mr. Marsh, the American Minister at Con- It will be seen by recurring to the commercial statistics for
stantinople, instructing him to ask of the Turkish Govern- the past year that the value of our domestic exports has been
ment permission for the Hungarians, then imprisoned within increased in the single item of raw cotton by 40,000,000
the domains of the Sublime Porte, to remove to this coun- dollars over the value of that export for the year preceding.
try. On the 3d of March last, both Houses of Congress This is not due to any increased general demand for that
passed a resolution requesting the President to authorise the article, but to the short crop of the preceding year. Should
employment of a public vessel to convey to this country Louis the cotton crop now going forward to market be only equal
Kossuth and his associates in captivity. in quantity to that of the year preceding, and be sold at the
The instruction above referred to was complied with, and present prices, then there would be a falling off in the value
the Turkish Government having released Governor Kossuth of our exports for the present fiscal year of at least 40,000,000
and his companions from prison on the 10th of September dolls., compared with the amount exported for the year
last, they embarked on board of the United States steam- ending 30th June, 1851.
frigate Mississippi, which was se'ected to carry into effect The production of gold in California for the past year seems
the resolution of Congress. Governor Kossuth left the to promise a large supply of that metal from that quarter for
aiississippi at Gibraltar, for the purpose of making a visit soma time to come. This large annual increase of the cur-
to England, and may shortly be expected at New York. By rency of the world must be attended with its usual results.
communications to the Department of State he has expressed These have already been partially disclosed in the enhance-
his grateful acknowledgments for the interposition of this ment of prices and a rising spirit of speculation and adven-
Government in behalf of himself and his associates. This tare, tending to overtrading as well at home as abroad.
country has been justly regarded as a safe asylum for those Unless some salutary check shall be given to these tendencies
whom political events have exiled from their own homes in it is to be feared that importations of foreign goods beyond a
Europe ; and it is recommended to Congress to consider in healthy demand in this country will lead to a sudden drain
what manner Governor Kossuth and his companions, brought of the precious metals from us, bringing with it, as lit has
hither by its authority, shall be received and treated. ' done in former times, the most disastrous consequences to the
a It is earnestly to be hoped that the differences which have business and capital of the American people.
for some time past been pending between the Government of The exports of specie to liquidate our foreign debt
the French Republic and that of the Sandwich Islanes may during the past fiscal year have been e 4,263,979 dolls. over
be peaceably and durably adjusted, so as to secure the inde- the amount of specie imported. The exports of specie
pendence of those islands. Long before the events which during the first quarter of the present fiscal year have been
have of late imparted so much importance to the possessions 14,e51,827 dolls. Should specie continue to-be exported at
of the United States in the Pacific, we acknowledged the in- this rote for the remaining three qnarters of this year, it will
dependence of the Hawaiian Government. This Government drain from our metallic currency during the year ending 30th
was the first in taking that step, and several of the leading June, 1852, the enormous amount of 58,607,808 dolls.
powers of Europe immediately followed. We were influenced In the present prosperous condition of the national finances,
in this measure by the existing and prospective importance it will become the duty of Congress to consider the best mode
of the islands as a place of refuge and refreshment for our of paying off the public debt. If the present and anticipated
vessels engaged in the whale fishery, and by the considera- surplus in the Treasury should not be absorbed by appropria-
tion that they lie in the course of the great trade which must tions of an extraordinary character, this surplus should be
at no distant day be carried or between the western coast of employed in such way, and under such restrictions, as Con-
North America and Asia. gress may enact, in extinguishing the outstanding debts of
We were also influenced by a desire that those islands the nation.
should not pass un !er the control of any other great maxi- By reference to the Act of Congress approved 9th Septem-
time state, but should remain in an indepent condition, and ber, 1850, it will be seen that, in consideration of certain
so be accessible and useful to the commerce of all nations. I concessions by the State of Texas, it is provided that the
need not say that the importance of these considerations has " United States shall pay to the State of Texas the sum of
been greatly enhance I by the sudden and vast development ten millions of dollars, in a stock bearing five per cent.
which the interests of the United States have attained in interest, and redeemable at the end of fourteen years, the
California and Oregon; and the policy heretofore adopted in interest payable half-yearly at the Treasury of the United
regard to those islands will be steadily pursued. States."
It is gratifying not only to those who consider the com- In the same section of the law it is further provided " that
mercial interests of nations, but also to all who favour the no more than five millions of the said stock shall be issued
progress of knowledge and the diffusion of religion, to see a until the creditors of the state holding bonds and other cer-
community emerge from a savage state and attain such a tificates of stock of Texas, for which duties on imports were
degree of civilization in those distant seas. specially pledged, shall first file at the Treasury of the United
It is much to be deplored that the internal tranquillity of States releases of all claims against the United States, for
the Mexican Republic should again be seriously disturbed; or on account of said bonds or certificates, in such form as
for, since the peace between that Republic and the United shall be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury, and ap-
States, it had enjoyed such comparative repose that the most Proved by the President of the United States."
favourable anticipations for the future might, with a degree The form 4:release thus provided for has been prescribed
of confidence, have been indulged. These, however, have by the Secretary of the Treasury and approved. It has been
been thwarted by the recent outbreak in the State of Ta- published in all the leading newspapers in the commercial
maulipas, on the right bank of the Rio Bravo. Having re- cities of the United States, and all persons holding claims of
delved information that persons from the United States had the kind specified in the foregoing proviso were required to
taken part in the insurrection, and apprehending that their file their releases (in the form thus prescribed) in the Trea-
example might be followed by otheis, I caused orders to be sury of the United States, on or before the Ist day of Oc-
issued for the purpose of preventing any hostile expeditions tober, 1851. Although this publication has been continued
against Mexico from being set on foot in violation of the laws from the 25th day of March, 1831, yet up to the Ist of Oc-
of the United States. I likewise issued a proclamation upon tober last comparatively few releases had been filed by the
the subject, a copy of which is herewith laid before you. creditors of Texas.
This appeared to be rendered imperative by the obligations The authorities of the state of Texas, at the request of the
of treaties and the general duties of good neighbourhood. Secretary of the Treasury, have furnished a schedule of the
In my last annual message I informed Congress that tits-
public debt of that State created prior to her admission into
zens of the United States had undertaken the connexion of
the Union, with a copy of the lasts under which each class
the two oceans by means of a railway across the Isthmus of was contracted.
Tehuantepec, under a grant of the Mexican (sovernment to I have, from documents furnished by the State of Texas,
a citizen of that republic; and that this enterprise would determined the classes of claims which in my judgment fall
probably be prosecuted with energy whenever Mexico should within the provisions of the Act of Congress of the 9th of
consent to such stipulations with the Government of the September, 1850.
United States as should impart a feeling of security to those On being officially informed of the acceptance by Texas of
who should invest their property in the enterprise. the propositions contained in the Act referred to, I caused
A convention between the two Governments for the ac- the stock to be prepared, and the five millions which are to
complishment of that end has been ratified by this Govern- be issued unconditionally, bearing an interest of five per cent.
meat, and only awaits the decision of the Congress and the from the Ist day of January, 1851, have been for some time
executive of that republic. ready to be delivered to the State of Texas. The authorities
Some unexpected difficulties and delays have arisen in the of Texas, up to the present time, have not authorieed any
ratification of that convention by Mexico, but it is to be one to receive this stock, and it remains in the Treasury de-
presumed that her decision will be governed by just and en-
pertinent, subject to the order of Texas.
lightened views, as well of the general importance of the ob-
The releases required by law to be deposited in the Trea-
ject as of her own interests and obligations. sury, not having been filed there, the remaining five
In negetiating upon this important subject, this Govern- millions have not been issued. This last amount of the
ment has had in view one, and only one object. That object stock will be withheld from Texas until the conditions
has been, and is, the construction and attainment of a passage upon which it is to be delivered shall he complied with by the
from ocean to ocean, the shortest and the best for travellers creditors of that State, unless Congress shall otherwise direct
piishment ofMaenxby a modification of the law.
and merchandise, and equally open to all the world. It has
sought to obtain no territorial acquisition, nor an advan- In my last annual message, to which I respectfully refer,
cages peculiar to itself; and it would see, with the greatest I stated briefly the reasons which induced me to recommend
regret, that •
enter
ontesrhporuisled owpbpiocsbe an obstacle to
muchthe acco
conve-m a modification of the present tariff, by converting the ad va-
vantageslorem into a specfic duty, wherever the article imported was
nience to theto whole commercial world, and such eminent ad-
ments and these convictions,
herself. Impressed with these senti- of such a character as to permit it, and that such a discri-
ctions, the Government will continue urination should be made in favour of the industrial pursuits
exert all propecroV
bring about the necessary ar- of our own country as to encourage home production with-
toout excluding foreign competition.
ton with the R°ertpsubtl?c of Mexico for the speedy com. The numerous frauds which continue to be practised upon
past the Republic of Nicaragua has been
those civil convulsions, from which the
pie
Forsoo fmteh ew
monthso rk . the revenue, by false invoices and undervaluations, consti-
the theatre of one of
Central Americas_ll have so often lute an unanswerable reason for adopting specific instead of
cause of free institutions and ad valodr.exa
doesduties in all cases were the nature of the
social progress of the States of g prosperity and
fraudstcommo commodity not forbid it.. A striking illustration of
and so severely suffered. Until quiet will be exhibited in the report of the Seers-
ha have been re- tary of the Treasury, showing the Custom-house valuation
stored, and a Government apparently stable shall have been of articles imported under a former law subject to specific
organized, no advance can prudently be made in disposing of duties, when there was no inducement to under-valuation,
between the two. countries.
John to the
to announce that an inter-oceanic co and the Custom-house valuation of the same articles, under
namuni. the present system of ad valorem duties, so greatly reduced
thel qaumesitliaoinpsypending
Pacific has as to leave no doubtofthe existence
St. John
have actually abuses under the existing law. This practical evasion of
of the most flagrant
thahStas been transported over it; the present law, combined with the languishing condition
traversed
raeuet
vinoenrs
so
ef rdfoai
rni t , the mouth
accomplished
merchandise
the
of omisluree of the
inobtaingiraegatainfoterereigs of
foreign market
matrhke coetfuonrtoryu,r causedincrea by
aeu'err_
accordingillbe fur-
to
importations and consequent depressed prices, and failure
wiyi over
the
m completedunic a t ion
w
athnedowrihgeint
natpelacanrltbsehamlleahnasvoef beencom
ther improved. he railroadplus
It is understood that a considerable part of t of breadstuffs and provisions, has induced me again to
across the Isthmus of Panama has been completed, and recommend a modification of the •'. -
existing
will in future be conveyed The report of the Secretary
that the mail and paasengers
panies this communication, •
thereon. ion, will present a condensed state-
ment of the o era •
Whichever of the several routes between the two oceans p tons of that important department of the
Government.
may ultimately prove most eligible for the travellers to and
It will be seen that the cash sal(

from the different states on— the Atlantic and Gulf of
Mexico, and our coast on the Pacific, there is little reason
to doubt that all of them will be useful to the public, and
will liberally reward that individual enterprise, by which
alone they have been or are expected to be carried into
effect.
Peace has been concluded between contending parties in
the island of SL Domingo, and it is hoped upon a durable
bam. Such u the eztoat of our colarciorciAl relation,' With

of the public lands ex-
ceed those of the preceding year, and that there is reason to
anticipate a still further increase, notwithstanding the large
donations which have been made to many of the States, and
the liberal grants to individuals as a reward for military ser-
vices. This fact furnishes very gratifying evidence of the
prosperity of our country.
have been zdopted for commencing the
y taQbfl we
ifiguitt and Otegou. bur.
growingwsyueitehmaelet pashzarinie d:
d ija c