Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-12-14

! through our charge dAffairs al Lisbon, in the
I month of September Inst. afforded no ground
10 hope f;,r the abandonment of n system so
( little in harmony with the treatment shown
! TO the vessels Of Portugal and their cargoes
! in the ports of this country, and so contrary
! to The expectations we had right to enter,
tain.
/ With Holland. Sweden, Denmark. Naples.
and Belgium. friendly intercourse has been
/ unntcrruptedy maintained.
\ With the Government of the Ottoman Porte
! and lis dependencies on the coast OF the Mo-
| 'diterranean. peace and good will arc careful
/ ly cultivated. and have been fos'eredby such
| good Offices as the relative distance and the
condition of those countries would permit
! Our commerce with Greece is carried on
! under the laws of the two Governments, re-
reciprocaly beneficial to the navigating IN
terests of both and have reason to look
forward to the adoption Of other measures
which will be- more extensively and perina-
ncntly advantageous
n Copies Of the treaties concluded with tie
! Governments of Siam and Muscat are trans
| mittcd for the information of Congress, the
ratifcations having been received. aud the
treaties made public, since the close of the
last annual session. Already have we reason
considerable commercial benefit and we
have. besides, received from the Sultan Of
Muscnt prompt evidence of his desire to cul
tivate the most friendly feelings, by liberal
acts toward one Of our vessels, bestowed in
manner so striking as TO require on our
part grateful acknowledgment.
II Our commerce with the islands of Cuba
and Porto Rico still abors under heavy re-
strictions, the continuance OF which is a sub
ject of regret. The only effect of all adher-
ence to them will be to benefit the nnviga-
ton of other countries, at the expense both
Of the United States and Spain.
II The independent nations of this continent
have, ever since they emerged from the CO.
lonal state, experienced severe trials in their
progress to the permanent establishment OF
liberal political institutions. Their unsettled
condition not only interrupts their own ad-
vances to prosperity, but has often seriously
injured the other powers OF the world. Ihe
claims OF our citizens upon Peru, Chill, Bra
all, the Argentine Republic, the governments
formed out of the republics of Colombia, and
Mexico, are still pending, although many of
them have been resented for examination
more than twon,y years. Now Ernnada,,
VeneZuca and Ecuador, have recently form
ed convention for the purpose ot ascertain
| ing and adjusting the claims upon the repuo-
lie of Colombia. from which 1t Is earnestly
hoped our citizens will, ere long, receive 'nli
compensation for the injuries originally IN
hcted upon them, and tor the delay IN az
fording il.
/ An advantageous treaty of commerce has
been concluded by the United States with
the Peru Bolivian Confederation, which wants
only the ratification of that Government II
The progress of subsequent negotiation for
the settlement Of claims upon Peru, has been
unfavorably affected by the war between that
power and Chill, and the Argentine Repub-
hc; and the same event is likely to produce
DELAYS in The settlement of our demands on
those powers.
The aygravating circumstances connected
with our claims upon Mexico, and a variety
Of events touching the honor and integrity or
our Government,Ie my predecessor to make,
at the second session OF the last Congress, a
special recomme ndaton Of the course to be
pursued to obtain speedy and final sat,stac-
tion of the injuries complained fby this Go-
! vernment and by our citizens. lie recon-
mended a final demand of redress, with a
contingent authority to the Executive to make
rcprisals. if that demand should be made IN
vain. From the proceedings Of Congress on
that recommendation, 1t appeared, that the
opinion of both branches OF the Legislature
cojncided with that of the Executive, that any
mode of redress known to the law Of nations
might justifiably be used. 1t was obvious,
too, that Congress believed, with the Prcsi.
dent, that another demand should be made,ln
order to give undeniable and satisfactory
proof of our desire to avoid extremities with
a neighboring power; but that there was an
ndispositon to vest II discretionary authority
in the Executive to take redress, should II
unfortunately be either denied or unreasona-
bly, delayed by the Mexican Government.
| So soon as the necessary documents were
prepared after entering upon the duties OF
my office, n special messenger was sent to
Mexico, to make a final demand OF redress,
with the documents required by the provIs-
ions of our treaty. The demand was made
on the Goth of July last. The reply, which
bears date the Goth of the same month, CON
tains assurances Of a desire, on the part o'
that government, to give a prompt ana ex-
plct answer respecting each OF 'ne co"'
plants, but that the examination of them
would necessarily be deliberate that III TINS
examination, it would be guided by the Prln-
ciples of public law and the obligation OF
treaties that nothing should be LETT undone
that might lead 10 the most speedy and equl-
table adjustment oi our oeWanus' on" "'"'
its determination, in respect to each case,
should be communicated through the Mexican
minister here. i
Since that time, an envoy extraordinary
and minister plenipotcnliary has been ac-
credited to this government by that OF the
Mexican Republic. lie brought with hun
assurances Of a sincere desire that the pend
ing differences between the two governments
should DO terminated in manner sntisiacto.
ry to both. lie was received with rcciprocal
assurances; and q hope was entertained that
his mission would lead to n speedy, sat'sfac-
torv and final adiustnpnt nj all existing sub