Daily Richmond Whig & public advertiser. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1833-1840, 1833-12-07


Of afEairs, and indulge he hope that, with the
Representations he Is instructed 10 make. and
from the dispositions unaffected BY the King |
aud his Ministers, IN their recent assurances |
10 our Minister At Paris, the subject will be rar
ly considered and satisfactorily disposed Of
at the next meeting Of the Chamber.
As this subject involves important interests,
public attention, have deemed Il properto make
this explicit statement Of its actual condition
aud should be disappointed In the hone now
entertained, the subject will he again brought
TO the notice of Congress in such manner ~
the occasion may require.
The friendly relations which have always
been maintained between the United States and
Russia, have been further extended and
strengthened BIZ the treaty Of navigation and
commerce, concluded on the 9th OF December
last, and sanctioned by the Senate before the
close of its last session. The notifications hav-
ing been since exchanged, the LIBERAL provi-
sions of the treaty are now in full force; and,
under the encouragement which they have re-
ceivcd, hourishing aud increasing commerce,
yielding its benefits to the enterprise Of both
nations, affords to each the just recompeuse 81
wise measures, AMI adds new motives for that
mutual friendship which the two countries huP@|
hitherto cherished towards each othes. X<&
II affords me a peculiar satisfaction tu>61 3,
that the Government OF Spain has At lenRtlx
yielded to the justice Of the claims which I've
been so long urged in behalf Of our citzlss
and has expressed willingness 10 provide -
Naturalization, as soon ~ the proper nnnQ)ant|
can be agreed upon. Upon this latter poiu>s il.
is probable an understanding had taken piece
between the Ministers Of the United Stale
and the Spanish Government before the de-
cease OF the late King Of Spain; and, unlcsB'
that event may have declared It's complepoo,
there is reason To hope that il may be in my
=
sent session, the conclusion Of Convensi&4
upon terms not less favorable than those entes@
ed into for similar objects with other ua-'
lions. That act Of justice would well accord
with the character Of Spain, aud is due TO the
United States from their ancient friend. IL
could not fail TO strengthen the sentiments Of
amity and good will between the two nations,
which il is 50 much the wish OF the u. States
10 cherish, aud SO truly the interest Of both 70
maintain.
BY the first section of an act oil Cougf(b
passed on the 18th July, 1882, the tonnage da-
ty on Spanish ships arriving from the ports OF
Spain, was limited to the duty payable on Anne
rican vessels in the ports Of Spain, previous TO
the 20ih October, 1917. being five cents per ton.
That act was intended 20 give effect, on our
side, 10 an arrangement made with the Spanish
Government, by which discriminating duties OF
tonnage were 10 be abolished in the ports OF The
United States aud Spain, on the vessels Of the
two nations. Pursuant TO that arrangement,
which was carried into effect on the part Of
Spain, on the 20ih of May, 1892, by a royal
order, dated the 10Th April, 1882, American
vessels in the ports Of Spain have paid Eve
cents per ton, which rate OF duty is also paid in
those ports by Spanish ships but as American
vessels pay no tonnage duty in the ports OF the
United States, the duty Of Eve cents payable in
our ports by Spanish vessels, under the act a.
aforementioned, is really discriminating duty.
operating TO the disadvantage of Spain.-
Though no complaint has vet been made on
the part OF Spain, we are not the less bound by
the obligations Of good faith, TO remove the
discrimination: and | recommend that the act
be amended accordingly. As the royal order
above alluded 10, includes the ports OF the Ba.
learic and Canary Islands, as well ns those Of
Spain. IL would seem that the provisions Of the
act OF Congress should be equally extensive;
AMI that for the repayment Of such duties A.
may have been improperly received. an addition
should be made TO the sum appropriated ntth<
last session Of Congress for rciuuding discrini..
mating duties. 80
not embrace the Islands Of Cuba and Porto Hi-4
co, discriminating duties. 10 the prrjudi<1 &C
American shipping, continued 10 b
there. From the extent uf the commcrc1 1< q
ried on between the United States ADD I6o&.
Islands, particularly the former, this discr ain
alton causes serious injury to one Of those great
ss o y oss as s Is
has given rise 10 complaints ON the part OF
our MERCHANTS. Under Instructions given TO
our Minister nj Madrid, earnest representations
have been made by bim iothe Spanish Govern
ment upon this subject, and there is reason to
expect, from the friendly disposition entertain
ed towards this country, that a beneficial change
will be produced. The disadvantage, howe
yer, to which our shipping is subjected by the
operation of these discriminstingd duties, requirers
that they be met by suitable countervailing
duties during your present session-power be-
ing al the same time vested in the President to
modify or discontinue them as the discrirDina-
ting duties on American vessels or their car
goes may be modified or discontinued at those
Islands. limitations have been given TO the
Spanish Government that the United States
may be obliged 10 resort TO such measures as
are OF necessary selidefence and there is no
reason 10 apprebend that il would be unlavour-
ably received. The proposed proceeding, IL a
dopted, would not be permitted, however, in
any degree TO induce relaxation III the efforts
Of our Minister TO effect repeal Of this irregu-
arity, by frienllly negotiation; & il might serve
10 give force to his representations, by show
ing the dangers TO which that valuable trade is
exposed by the distractions and burthens which
system OF discriminating and countcrvailiDg
duties necessarily produce.
The selection aud preparation Of the Flori-
da archives, for the purpose Of being delivered
over TO the United States, in conformity with
the Royal order. as mentioned in my last annual
message, though in progress. has not yet been
completed. This delay has been produced,
partly by causes which were unavoidable, par
ticularly the prevalence of the Cholera nj la.
vsna; but measures have been taken, which tits
believed will expedite the delivery OF these
important records.
Congress were Informed, at the opening Of
the last session, that, lowing, as was alleged,
10 embarrassments in the finances Of Portugal.
consequent upon the civil war in which that
nation was engaged" payment bad been made