The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-12-23
BLOOMsBURG, COLUMBIA COUNTY, PA. SATURDAY, DE

lations at present existing between the two coun-
tries are susceptible Of great and recprocally bene
fetal improvements, is obviously gaining ground in
France; and assured Of the disposition of that
Government to favor the accomplishment of such
an object. This disposition shall be met in a pro-
per spirit on our part. The few and comparatively
unimportant questions that remains to be adjusted
between us, can, have doubt, be settled with
entire satisfaction and without difficulty
Between Russia and the United States, sent-
mens of good will continue to be mutually cher
ished. Our Minister recently accredited to that
Court, has been received with frankness and cor.
daily, and with evidences of respect for his coun-
try, which leave us room TO doubt the prcserva-
ton in future of those amicable and liberal relations
which have SO long and so uninteruptedly existed
between the two countries. On the few subjects
under discussion between us, early and lust de-
cision is confidently anticipated
A correspondence has been opened with the Gov
ernment of Austria, for the establishment of diplo-
matte relations, in conformity with the wishes of
Congress, as indicated by appropriation act Of
the session of lS37 and arrangements made for th,
purpose, which will be duly carried into effect.
With Austria and Prussia and with the States
of the German empire, now composing with the
latter the Commercial League, our political rela-
tons are Of the most friendly character, whilst our
commercial intercourse is gradually extending, with
benefit to all who are engaged in it.
Civil war yet RACES in SPAN, producing intense
suffering to IFS own people, and to other nationsin-
convenience and regret. Our citizens who have
claims upon that country will be preludiced for a
time by the condition of its Treasury, the inevitable
consequence of long continued and exhausting in
ernal wars. The last instalment ofthe interest of
the debt due under the convention with the Queen
OF Spain has not been pad and similar failures may
be expected TO happen until portion Of the re-
sources OF her Kingdom can be devoted to the
tingushment Of its foreign debt
Having received satisfactory evidence that dis
eliminating tonnage duties were charged upon the
vessels ofthe United States in the ports of Portu-
gal, proclamation issued on the llth day of
October last, in compliance with the act of May
%, 1882, declaring that fact and the duties on
foreign tonnage which were levied upon Portu-
guese vessels in the United States, previously to
the passage of that act, are accordingly revived.
The act of July 4, 1886 suspending the discrim-
mating duties upon the produce of Portugal i'm
ported into this country in Portuguese vessels, was
passed upon the application Of that Government,
through its representative here, under the belief
that no similar discrimination existed in Portugal
to the prejudice of the United States. l regret to
state that such duties are exaced in that coun-
try upon the cargoes of American vessels; and as
the referred to vests discretion in the Exec
| utive it is for Congress to determine upon the ex-
pediency Of future legislation on the subject A.
ganst these Determinations, affecting the vessels
of this country and their cargoes, seasonabe rem
| onstrance was made, and notice was given to the
Portuguese Government that unless they should be
discontinued, the adoption Of counervailing meas
ures on the part of the United States would become
necessary but the reply of that Government re-
ceived at the department of State through our
Charge dAfares a Lisbon in the month Of Sep
tember last afforded no ground to hope for the a.
abandonment ola system so little in harmony with
the treatment shown to the vessels of Portugal and
their cargoes in the ports of this country, and
contrary to the expectations we had right TO en-
tertain.
With Holland Sweden, Denmark, Naples, and
! Belgium, friendly intercourse has been uninter-
ruptedly maintained.
| With the Government of the Ottoman Porte and
its dependencies on the coast of the Mediterranean,
peace and good will are carefully cultivated, and
have been fostered by such good offices the rea-
tive distance and the condition Of those countries
would permit
Our commerce with Greece is carried on under
the laws of the two Governments, rcciprocaly ben
eiical to the navigating interests OF both; and
have reason to look forward to the adoption Of 9TH
er measures which will be more extensively and
permanently advantageous.
! Copies of the treatise concluded with the Gov
ernment of Siam and Muscat are transmitted for
the information of Congress- the ratications hav-
ing been received and the treaties made public since
the close of the last annual session. Already have
I've reason to congratulate ourselves on the pros
pect of considerable commercial benefit; and we
have, besides, received from the Sultan Of Muscai
prompt evidence of his desires to cultivate the most
friendly feelings, by liberal acts toward one of oul
vessels, bestowed in a manner striking as to re-
uuire on cur part a grateful acknowledgement,
Our commerce with the Islands of Cuba anc
Porto Rico still labor under heavy restrictions, the
continuance Of which is a subject of regret. The
only effect of an adherence to them will be to ben
eft the navigation ofother countries at the expense
, both of the United States and Spain.
: The Independent nations of this continent have
ever since they ged from the colonial state, ex
perenced severe trials in their progress to the per
manent establishment of liberal political institutions
e Their unsettled condition not only interrupts thel
own advances to prosperity but has often serious,
I injured the other powers of the world. The claim
of our citizens upon Peru Chill, BTPzil, the Al
. gentine Republic, the Governments formed out Q
c the Republics of Columbia, and Mexico, are stI
. bending, although many of them have been pre-
nj sented for examination more than twenty years
a New Granada, Venezuela, and Ecuador have re
, Gently formed a convention for the purpose OF as
certaining and adjusting claims upon the Republl
! of Columbia, from which it is earnestly hoped ou
citizens will, ere long, receive full compensation ic
10 the injuries originally inflicted upon them, and io
D. the delay in ailording It,