Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1833-12-12

did not embrace the Islands Of Cuba and POf-
To Rico, discriminating duties, tO the preju-
dice Of American shipping. continue to be
levied there. From the extent of the COM
noerce carried on between the United States
and those Islands, particularly the former, this
Discrimination causes serious injury to one OF
those great national interests which it has
been considered an essential part of our poll
cy to cherish. and has given rise To- complaints
on the mart of our merchants. Under instruc-
tiOns given to our ministerial Madrid, earnest
representations have been made by him To the
Spanish Government upon this subject, and
there is reason to expect, from the friendly
disposition which is entertained towards this
country, that beneficial change will be pro-
duced. The disadv Antage, however, to which
our shipping is subjected by the operation of
these discriminating duties, requires that they
be met by suitable countervailing duties DUR
ing ydIr present session; power being at the
same time vested in the President 90 modify
or discontinue them as the discriminating du-
ties on American vessels or their cargoes may
he modified or discontinued at those Islands.
limitations have been given to the Spanish
Government, that the United States may be
obliged to resort to- such measures as are of
necessary self-defence; and there is no rea-
son TO apprehend that it would be unfavorably
received. The proposed proceeding, ifadopt-
ed. would not be permitted. however. in any
degree to induce relaxation in the efforts OF
our ministers to effect repeal of this irregn-
larity by friendly negotiation, and it might
serve to give force to his representations by
shelving the dangers to which that valuable
trade is sxpOsed by the distractions and bur-
thens which a system Of discriminating and
countervailing duties necessarily produces.
The selection and preparation of the Flori-
da archives for the purpose Of being delivered
over to the United States, ia conformity with
the Royal order as mentioned IN my last an
nual message, though in progress, has not yet
been completed. This delay has been pro-
'duced, partly by causes which were nnavoid
able, particularly the prevalence Of the chole-
ra at Havana; but measures have been taken
which it is belle, ed will expedite the delivery
Of those important records.
Congress were informed at the opening of
the last session, that sowing. as was alleged,
to embarrassments in the finances Of Portugal
consequent upon the civil war in which that
nation was engaged" pay ment had been made
of only one instalnent OF the amount which
the Portuguese Go, ernment had stipulated to
pay for indemniiying our citizens for property
illegally captured in the blockade Of ,Terceira.
Since that time, postponement for two
wears, with interest Of the two remaining in
stalmcnts, was requested by the Portuguese
Government; and as a consideration, it Of
fered to stpulate that rice of the United States
should he admitted into Portugal at tho same
duties as Brazilian rice. Being satisfied that
no better arrang ement could be made, my
coosent was given, and Royal order Of the
King of Portugal was accordingly issued on
the 9TH of February last for the reduction Of
the duty on rice Of the United States. 1t
would give me great pleasure, IL, in speaking
of that country, in whose prosperity the u.
States are SO much interested. and with whom
long subsisting, extensive and mutually
advantageous commercial intercourse has
strengthened the relations of friendship. !
could announce to you the restoration Of its
internal tranquility.
Subsequently to the commemorate of the
last session of Congress, the fnal instalment
payabIe by Denmark under the convention of
The 98th day of March, 1880, was received
The commissioners for examining the claims
have since terminated their labors and their
awards have been paid at the Treasury as
they have been called for. The justice rem.
dered to our citizens by that Government is
thus completed, and pledge 10 thereby af-
forded for the maintenance Of that friendly in-
tercourse becoming the relations that the two |
nations mutually bear to each other.
It is satisfactory to inform you that the Da-
nish Government have recently issued an or
dinance by which the commerce with the Isl.
land Of ST. Croix is placed on more liberal
footing than heretofore. This change cannot
fail to prove beneficial to the trade between
the United States and that colony, and the add
vantages likely to flow from it may lead to
greater reaxations in the colonial systems Of
other nations.
The ratiications Of the convention with the
King of the two Sicilies have been duly ex
changed, and the Commissioners appointed
for examining the claims under it. have en-
tered upon the duties assigned to them by law.
The friendship that the interests Of the two
nations require Of them being now established.
Il may be hoped that each will enjoy the ben
ehts which a liberal commerce should yield
to both.
A Treaty Of Amity and commerce between
the United States and Belgium was cOnclud-
ed during the last winter, and received the
sanction of the Senate but the exchange oil
the Publications has been hitherto delayed in
consequence, 10 the Rrst instance Of some de-
lay ia the reception ofthe Treaty at Brussels,
and subsequently the absence Of the Belgian
Minister Of Foreign Affairs at the important
conference.-the which his government is enga-
ged at London.
The treaty does bot embody those enlarged
principles Of friendly policy, which It is ain
II. IA. ~