Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-12-04

system. Grst proclaimed 20 the worth IA Tic Grs,l
commercial Treaty ever concluded by the United
States. that Of 9th February, l778, with France |
has been invariably the cherished policy of our
Union. 1t is by treaties Of commerce alone that |
!. can De made ultimately to prevail as tho estab-
hshed system OF all civilized nations. With this |
principle, fathers extended the hand Of friend
ship to every nation OF the globe, and to this poll
cy our country has ever since adhered-wha tever
OF regulation in our laws has ever been adopted
unfavorabie to the interest Of any forei nation,
has been essentially defensive and counter acting
to similar regulations Of theirs operating against
u.s.
Immediately after the close OF the war Of Inde-
Congress Of the Confederation, authorized to con-
clude treaties with every nation OF Europe dis
posed to adopt them. Before the wars of the
French revolution, such treaties had heen corsum-
mated Win the United Netherlands, Sweden, and
Prussia. During those wars, treaties with Great
Britain and Spain had beep effected, and those
with Prussia and France renewed. In ali these
some concessions to the liberal principles OF inter-
course proposed by the United States had been
obtained; but as, in all the negotiations thew came
occasionally in collision with previous internal re-
guiauons, or exclusive and excluding compacts of
monopoly, with which the oher parties had been
trammeiied, the advances made in them towards
the freedom Of trade were partial add irnperfect-
Colonial establishments chartered companies and
snip building influence, pervaded add encumbes.
ed the Legislation of all the great commercial
States; and the United States in Offering free trade
and equal privilege 10 all, were compelled to ac-
9"iesce I'm many exceptions with each OF the par
lies 10 their treaties, accommodated to their exist
ing laws apd anterior engagements.
The colonial system, by which. this whole he
misphere was bound, has fallen into ruins. To.
tay abolished by revolutions, converting colonies
into independent nations, throughout the two A.
snencan Continents. excepting portion Of terrific
ry Chiefly at the northern extremity Of our own
anu eonanea TO tho remnants Of dominion retained
oy treat Britain over the insular Archipelago,
geographically the appendages of our part of the
g'ooe. With all the rest we have free trade-e-
ven with the insular colonies Of all the Europea an
nations, except Great Britain. Her Government
nae also manifested approaches to the adoption Of
Tree and liberal intercourse between her colonies
and other nations, though, bya sudden and scarce
explained revulsion. the spirit of exclusion has
oeen revived Tor operation upon the United States
alone.
The conclusion Of our last Treaty Of Peace
with Great Britain was shortly afterw ards follow
ed by Commercial Convention, placing the di.
rect intercourse between the two countries upon a
iooSng oil more equal reciprocity than had ever
before been admitted. The same principle has
since been much farther extended, by Treaties
win France, Sweden, Denmark, the Hanseaiic
Cities, Prussia in Europe, and with the REPUBLICS
OF Colo mbia. md of Central America, in this he
misphere. The mutual abolition of discriminating
duties and charges, upon the navigation and COM
Inercia intercourse betN the parties is the ge-
neral maxim which char acterizes them all. There
Is reasoa TO expect that il will, at no distant Pc
r'oa be adopted by other nations, both OF Europe
ana america, and TO hope that, by its universal
prevalence, one of the fruitful sources of wars
Oh commercial competition will be eKtinguished
Among ths Nations upon whose Governments
many OF our fellow citizens have had long PEN
ulhs Claims oil indemnity, for depredations upon
their property during period when the rights of
neutral commerce were disregarded, was that OF
Denmark They were, soon after the events &C.
CURED the subject of special mission from the
Cnoea STATES at the close of which the assurance
was gwen, by his Danish Majesty, that at reri-
90 OF more tranquility, and of less distress, they
would be considered, examined, and decided upon
.n spirit OF determined purpose for the dispensa-
non OF JUSTICE L have much pleasure ia inform
ing congress that the fulfilment of this honorable
promise is now in progress; that small portion of
the Claims has already been settled, to the salts
iacion OF the claimants; and that we have reason
10 hope that the remainder will shortly he placed
In "a train Of equitable adjustment This result
has always been confidently expected, from the
character OF personal integrity and of benevo-
ience which the Sovereign OF the Danish Don,in-
IONS has, through every vicssitude of fortune,
maintained.
The general aspect of the affairs of our neigh
boring American nations of the South, has been
ra'her OF approaching than of settled tranauiIity
internal disturbances have been more frequent
among them than their common friends would
nave desired. Our intercourse with all has con-
tnued TO be that of friendship. and Of mutual
good Will Treaties OF Commerce and of Bounda-
ries with the United Mexican States have been
negotiated, but, from various successive obstacles.
not YET Drought TO a final conclusion. The civil
war which unfortunately still prev aiIs in the Re-
pub'ic OF Central America, has been unprouitious
10 the cultivation OF our Commercial relations with
meIn; ana The dissentions and revolutionary chan
ges III the Republics of Colombia g. OF Peru. have
Deen seen with cordial regret by us, who would
giadiy contribute to the happiness Vi both. Ii is
with great satisfaction, however. that we have
Witnessed TIE recent conclusion OF a peace be-
tween the Governments Of Bneuos A yres and Bra.
I'll and IL IS equally gratifying to observe that in
deHnity has been obtaiped Tor some of the in;u
rles which our fellow citizens had sustained in
.iie later OF those counties: The rest are in
Tram OF negotiation, which we hope NAV terrn;
nate TO mutual satisfaction, aud that il NAV he
succeeded by Treaty Of Commerce and Navi
gdtion upon liberal principles, propious to great
ana growing commerce, already mportan, TO the
interests OF our country.
The condition and prospects of the Revenue are
more favorable than our most sanguine expecta-
tons had anticipated. The balance in the re,
sury on the first OF January last exclusive of the
moneys received under the Convention Of I2,h
November, 1926, with Great Britain, was i've
millions eight hundred and sixty-one thousand
nine hundred and seventy two dollars and eighty
three cents. The receipts into the Treasury from
the first OF January TO the 3Oth OF Sept.mbey last
so Tar as they have been ascertaned TO form, the
basis oil an estimate. cunt to eighteen millions
SIX hundred and thrty-three thousand nine hun
dred and eighty Collars and twenty seven cents
WHICH, with the receipts Of the present quarter
estimated at five millions four hundred and si,tv
one thousand two hundred and eighty-tbre do,- |
ars ana iory cents, form aggregate of REGENTS
during the year OF twenty four millions and nine
ty.iour thousand eight hundred and sxty-three
collars ana sixty-seven cents. The expenditures
Of me year may probably amount to twenty FIVE
millions six hundred and thrty-seven tbousaod
i've hundred and eleven dollars and siy,,, ,hror