Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-12-09

( has transmitted answer TO his demand, by which
the captures declared 10 have been legal and
arc justified, because Tie independence of the States
| OF America never having been acknowledged by
Spain, she had right 10 prohibit trade with thom
under her old colonial laws. This ground of de-
fence contradictory, not only TO those which had
been formerly alleged but to the uniform practice
and established laws of nations; and had been aban-
doncd by Spain herself i'll the convention which
granted indemnity to British subj c:s for captures,
made al tho same time under the same circumstep-
ccs, and for hc same allegations with those of hch
complain.
| however indulge The hope that further reflection
will lead TO other views, and feel confident that
when His Catholic Majesty shall be convinced OF
the justice of the claim, his desire preserve friend
~ relations between the countries, which it is
my earnest cndeavor 10 maintan will induce him to
occedc 10 our demand. ] have therefore despatched
special messenger with instructions to our Minis
ter to bring the case more to his considers ton
TO the end that il, which cannot bring myself to
believe tho same decision, that cannot but be deem
ed uniriendly denial of justice should be persist
Cd in tho matter may before your adjournment, be
laid before you, the constitutional judges of what is
proper 60 DO done when negotiation for redress of
| injury fails.
| The conclusion of a Treaty for indemnity with
France seemed to present favorable opportunity TO
| renew our cls!me o! similar nature other Pow
ers: and particularly in the of those upon Ma
pies, more especially in tho of former ne
got!ations with that Power, failure TO induce
France TO render w justice used aIgunent
the principal sufferers have therefore been acccded
to, and mission has been instituted for the special
purpose of obtaining fer them a repara alton already
| too long delayed. This measure having been re-
solved on. it was put in execution without waiting
for tho meeting o: Congress, because the state Of
Europe created an apprehension of events that
might have rendered our application Intellectual.
! Our demands upon the Government of the Two
SIcilies OF peculiar nature: The INJURIES on
which they are founded are no, denied nor arc the
| strocIty and porfidy under which those injuries
| wele Perpetrated attempted to be extenuatcd. The
sole ground on which indemnity has been refused
is the alleged illegsy of The tenure by which tho
monarch who made the seizures held his crown
This defence, always unfounded in any principle of
| the law of Dations-now universally abandoned
even by those Powers upon whom the responsibility
! tor ccts of past rulers bore the most heavily, will
unquestionably be given up by His Sican Majesty
whose counses will receive impulse from that
nigh sense of honor and regard to justice which are
SAID u characterize him; and feel tho fullest conf
dehce that the talents of the citizen commissioned
tor that purpose sill place before him tho Just
claims of our injured citizens in such a light will
enaose me- before your Adjournment to announce
that they have boon adjusted 1ad secured. Precise
Instructions, 10 the effect o. bringing the ncgotia-
ton TO speedy issue, have been given and will be
! ohcycd.
| In the lno blockade OF Torcera some of tho Por-
'ugroso feet captured several Of vessels and
committed other excuses Tor which rcparation was
demanded; and was tho point of despatchinr
nm armed force, 10 prevent recurrence OF Il SIM
liar violence, and protect citizens in the prose
cuIion OF their wfu commerce. when official ASST
RANGES, on which relied. made the sailing of the
ships unnecessary. Since that period frequent pro-
misses have been made that full indemnity shall be
given for tho injuries inflicted and the losses sus-
| tanned. In tho performance; there has been some
perhaps unavoidable delay; but have the fullest
confidence that my earnest desire that this businsss
may At once be closed which our Minister has been
instructed strongly TO express, will very soon be
| grated. / have tho better ground for this hope
rom the evidence OF friendly disposition which
ltat Government has shown BY ali sctual reduction
| IN mo duty on rice, the produce of our Southern
'tatea authorizing the anticipation that this i,npor-
tsnt article of our export will soon be admitted on
the same footing with that produced by the most IA
vorcd ma ton.
With the other Powers of Europr. we have fortu-
natcly had of discussions for tho 1cdros. oC
| injuries With the Empire of the Rusrias our DO
HAcai connection If of the most friendly and our
! commercial. of the most liberal kind we eniov
inc advantages OF navigation and trade. ovcn to
tne most favored nation; but il has not vet suited
their policy, or perhaps has not beon found conye-
nient from other considerations to give stability and
reciprocity TO those privileges BY commercial
| Treaty. The i'll health of the Minister last wear
charged with making proposition for that arrange.
inent, did not permit him to remain ut ST. Peters
burgh; and the attention of that Government dur
ing tho whole Of the period since his de,artrre
! having been occupied by the war in which il was
i engaged, we have been assured thet nothing ccrid
nave been effected by his presence. A Minister will
soon be nominated, we'll 20 effect this important
object, as TO keep mp The relations of amv and rood
understanding Of which have received SO many
assurances and proofs from Ills Imperial Majesty
and the Emperor his predecessor.
The Treaty with Austria is opening TO us an i'm
portant trade with !ho hereditary dominions of the
I-mperor, the value of which has been hitherto Ill
Tic known, and of course not sufficiently apprcCiat-
ca. While our commerce finds an entrance into
ITO south Of Germany by means of this Tro.tv,
tho;o VIC have formed with the Hanseatic Towns
! and Prussia, and others now in NEGOTIATION. win
open that vnst country 10 tho ontcrpTizng sp- OF
our merchants on the North country aboundiur
IN oil tho materials fo5 mutually beneficial com.
Tnerce, hIed with enlightened and Industrious in.
haDitaHls holding TN important place in the politics
OF Europe and 10 which owe so many valuable
! citizoi!s. The ratification Of the Treaty with the
| Forte was sent 70 ho exchanged by the gentleman
! appointed our Charge dAffaircs TO that Court
some difficulties occurred on his arrival; but al the
date OF his last official despatch. lie supposed thew
had been obviated, and that there was every pros.
Pect of the exchange being speedily effected
his finishes the connected view have thought
~ pro?er 10 give OF political ard commercial re-
iatIons IN Europe. Every effort in my power will
be continued TO strengthen and extend them by
treaties founded principles Of the most perfect
reciprocity OF interest neither asking nor concedng
any exclusive advantage, but berating as far as il
| lics IN my power the activity aud industry of our
ielow-cilIzcns from the shacklcs which foreign re-
strlctions may impose.
/ 10 China and the East Indies. onr commerce
continues IN IT'S usual extent and with increased ia
c,Ihcs,whch the credit and capital Of our merchants
AFFORD by substituting bills for payments in specie
daring outrage having been committed in those
seas by The plumber Of Of our merchantmen en-.
Eageo III the pepper trade at port in Sumatra and
"e pITa'Ica perpetrators belonging to tribes in such
nj Frf al