The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-07

mating dulles upon the produce of Portugal import
ed into this country In Portuguese vessels was pass
ed upon the application OF that Government, throug
us Representative here, under the belief that no SIM
lar discrimination existed in Portugal 10 the preu
dice OF the United States Iregret to state that sue
dulles are now exaeied ia that country upon the car
goes OF American vessels and the ACT referred d
vests no discretion in the Executive IL is for Con
Bfess 10 determine upon the expediency OF turtle
Legislation on the subject Against these discrmina
uons affecting the vessels OF this country and thei
cafgoes, seasonable IemonsraDce was made, an,
notice was given TO the Portuguese Government
that unless they should be discontinued, the adoption
Oh counieTyaling measures ON the part Of the Unit
ed States would become necessary but the reply o
that Government, received at the Department o
Slate through our Charge dAffairs al Lisbon in tn
month Of September last, afforded no ground 10 hop
Ior the abandonment OF system SO little in harmo
ny With The treatment shown 10 vessels Of Portuga
and their cargoes in the ports of this country ant
so contrary TO the expectations we had right 10
terrain.
With Holland, Sweden, Denmark, Naples and Bel
gum, friendly intercourse has been uninterrupted,
maintained
With the Government Of the Ottoman Porte and il
dependencies the OF the Mediterranean, peac,
and good will carefully cultivated and have beer
fostered by such good offices the relative distance
and the condition Of those countries would permit.
Our commerce with Greece is carried on under the
isws OF the two Governments, recprocally beneficial
The navigating interests Of both and have reason Il
look forward TO the adoption Of other measures which
Will be more extensively and permanently adyan
tageous.
Copies Of the treaties concluded with the Govern
ments OF Siam and Muscat are transmitted for the in
formation OF Congress, the rsthcaions having been re
ceived and the treaties made public since the close d
the last annual session. Already have we reason Ia
congratulate ourselves the prospect Of considerable
commercial benefit and we have, besides received
from the Sultan Of Muscat prompt evidence Of his de-
sire to cultivate the most friendly feelings by liberal
acts toward one OF our vessels, bestowed in manner
striking as to require on our part grateful aeknow
edgement.
Our commerce with the Islands Of Cuba and Porto
Rico still abors under heavy restrictions the continu
ance Of which is subject Of regret The only effec,
OF an adherence to them will be to benefit the navigation
Of other countries, at the expense both OF the United
States and Spain.
The independent nations of this continent have ever
since they emerged from the colonial state experienced
severe trials IN their progress TO the permanent estab
lishment of liberal political institutions Their unset
tied condition not only interrupts their own advances to
prosperity, but has often seriously injured the other
powers OF the world The claims Of citizens upon
Peru, Chill, Brazil the Argentine Republic the Gov
ernments formed out Of the Republics of Colombia and
Mexico, are still pending, although many Of them have
been presented for examination than twenty years
New Granada, Venezuela aud Ecuador have recently
formed convention for the purpose Of ascertaning and
which It is earnestly hoped citizens will ere long
receive full compensation for the injuries originally
flcted upon them, and for the delay in afordng it,
An advantageous treaty Of commerce has been con-
cuded by the United States with the Peru. Bolivian
Confederation. which wants only the ratification Of that
Government The progress Of subsequent negota-
ton for the settlement Of claims upon Peru has beeu
unfavouraby affected by the war between that power
and Chill, and the Argentine Republic and the same
event Is also likely to produce delays in the settlement
Of our demands on those powers.
The aggravating circumstances connected with our
claims upon Mexico, and variety Of events touching
the honor and integrity Of Government led my pre-
decessor to make, the second session Of the last Con-
gress special recommendation Of the to be pur
sued to obtain speedy and final satisfaction Of the mju-
res complained Of by this Government and by cit-
zens. He recommended final demand OF redress,
with contingent authority to the Executive to make
reprsas, If that demand should be made vain From
the proceedings Of Congress that recommendation,
appeared that the opinion Of both branches of the Le
gslaure conceded with that Of the Executive that any
mode Of redress known to the law Of nations might JUS
tlaby be used II was obvious too, that Congress be-
heved, with the President that another demand should
be made, IN order TO give ,indenabe and satisfactory
proof Of our desire TO avoid cxtremes with neghbor
ing power but that there indsposon to vest
discretionary authority in the Executive take redress
should it unfortunately be either denied unreasonaby
delayed by the Mexican Government So soon as the
entering upon
the duties Of my Office special messenger sent to
Mexico, 20 make final demand of redress, with the
documents required by the provisions Of treaty.
The demand made the Goth Of July last. The
reply, which bears date the 29th Of the same month";
contains Of desire, the part Of that Gov
eminent, to give prompt and explicit answer respect
ing each of the complaints, but that the examination OF
them would necessarily be deliberate that in this
animation it would be guided by the principles Of pub
lie law and the obligation Of treaties that nothing
should be left undone that might lead the speedy
and equitable adjustment Of demands and that its
determination, in respect to each case, should be COM
municated through the Mexican Minister here
Since that time, an Envoy Extraordinary and Minis
ter Plenpoentiary has been accredited to this Govern
ment by that of the Mexican Republic. He brought
with him of sincere desire that the pending
differences between the two Governments should be
terminated in manner satisfactory to both. He was
received with reciprocal assurances; and hope
entertained that his mission would lead to speedy
tisaciory and final adjustment Of all existing subjects
Of complaint. A sincere believer in the wisdom Of the
pacific policy by which the United States have alw avs
been governed in their intercourse with foreign nations
was my particular DESIRE from the proximity of the
Mexican Republic, and well known occurrences on our
frontier be instrumental in obvating all existing diff
fculties with that Government, and in restoring to the
intercourse between the two Republics that liberal and
friendly character by which they should always be dis
tinguished | regret, therefore, the deeply to
have found in the recent communications OF that Co.
vernment so little to hope that any future efforts
Of mine for the accomplishment Of those desirable OBJ
iects would be successful.
Although the larger number, and many of them ag-
gravated Of personal wrongs have been for
years before the Mexican Government, and Of the
causes OF national complaint and those Of the most Of
fcnsive character admitted Of immediate, simple and
satisfactory replies only within few days past that
any specific communication in to our last de-
mand, made five months ago, has been received from
the Mexican Minister BY the report Of the Secretary
OF State herewith presented, and the accompanying
documents it will be seen, that for not one of our pub
lie complaints has satisfaction been given or offered
that but Of the Of personal wrong has been
favoraby considered and that but four cases Of both
descriptions, out Of all those formally presented and
earnestly pressed, have as yet been decided upon by
the Mexican Government.
II, hat nv 0f the