Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1837-12-15

preservation in future Of those amcabe and liber
| al operations which have so long and so unintor.
! ruptedly existed between the two countries. On
the few subjects under discussion between us, an
early and just decision is confidently anticipated.
A orrespondcnce has been opened with the
government Of Austria, for the establishment of
diplomatic relations, in conformity with the wish.
es OF Congress, as indicated by an appropriations
act OF the session of 1897, and arrangements
made for the purpose, which will duly be carried
into effect
With Austria and Prussia. and with the States
OF the German empire, now composing with the
latter .. commercial intercourse is gradually
eXrcu 'jrg, with benef to all who are engaged
in it.
Civil war yet RACES in Spain, producing in
tense suffering to its own people, and to other
nations Inconvenience and regret Our citizens
who have claims upon that country will be pre-
JUDGED for time for the condition of its Treasu.
ny, the inevitable consequence OF long continued
and exhausng internal wars. The last install
ment of the interest of The debt due under the
convention with the Queen of Spain has not been
paid, and similar failures may be expected to
happen, until portion of the resources of her
kingdom can be devoted to the extinguishment
Gifts foreign debt.
Having received satisfactory evidence that
discriminating tonnage duties were charged up
on the vessels of the United States in the ports
of Portugal, proclamation was issued on the
| lth day of October last, in compliance with the
act OF May 25, 1892 declaring that fact and
the duties on foreign tonnage which were levied
upon Portuguese vessels in the United States,
previously 10 the passage of that act, are accord
ingly revived.
The act Of July A, 1886, suspending the dis.
eliminating duties upon the produce of Poriu.
gal imported into this country in Portuguese YES
sells, was passed upon the application of that
government, through its representative here, I'M
der the hellefthat no similar discrimination ex.
listed in Portugal to the prejudice of the United
States. | regret to state that such duties are
now eXacted in that countryupon the cargoes of
AMERICAN vessels e. as the act referred to
vests no discretion in the Executive, it is for
Congress to determine upon the expediency of
further legislation on the subject. Against these
determinations, affecting the vessels of this
country and their cargoes, seasonable remon-
STRANGE was made, and notice was gwen to the
Portuguese Government that unless they should
be discontinued, the adoption Of countervang
measures on the part of the United States would
become necessary; but the reply of that Gov
eminent received at the Department OF State
torough our Charge d"A1ars at Lisbon, in the
hope for the abandonment of Il system so little in
harmony with the treatment shown to the vessels
ofPortugal and their cargoes in the ports of this
country, and SO contrary to the expectations we
had right to entertain.
With Holland, Sweden, Denmark, Naples,
and Belgium, friendly intercourse has been un.
interruptly maintained.
With the Government of the Ottoman Porte
and its dependencies 90 the coast of the Medi-
terranean peace and good will are carefully cul
tvated, and have been fostered by such good
officers as the relative distance and the condi-
ton fthose countries would permit.
Our commerce with Greece is carried on un.
der the laws of the two Governments, recipro.
cally beneficial to the navigating interests of
both and have reason to look forward to the
adoption of other measures which will be
more extensively and permanently advanta-
geOus.
Copies Of the treaties concluded with the
Governments of Siam and Muscat are transmit.
ted for the information OF congress, the ratlfca-
lions having been received, and the treaties
made public since the close of the last annual
session. Already haue we reason to congratu-
late ourselves on the prospect of considerable
commercial benefit & we have, besides, receiv-
ed from the Sntan of Muscat prompt evi.
dence of his desire to cultivate the mos,
friendly feelings, by liberal acts toward one
of four vessels, bestowed in a manner as to
| require on our part Il grateful acknowledge
ment.
Our commerce with the islands of Cuba and
Porto Rico still labors under heavy restrictions,
the only effect 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 colo
NAL state, experienced we're trials in the pro-
gress to the permanent establishment of liberal
political institutions. Their unsettled condition
not only interrupts their own advances to pros.
perlty, but has often seriously injured the other
powers OF the world. The claims of our CHI.
citizens upon Peru, Chill, BAIL, the Argentine
Republic, the Governments formed ont OF the re-
publics OF Columbia, and Mexico are still pend.
ing, although many oil them have been present
ed for examination more than twenty years New
Grenada, Venezuela, and Ecuador, have recent.
! ly formed convention for the purpose of ascer-
tainlng and adjusting claims upon the Republic
OF Cu!3..ib'a, from win oh 1t is earnestly hoped
our cltze.is will, ere long, receive full compen.
saon for the Injuries originally inflicted upon
them, and for tho delay in atiordng it.
An advantageous treaty commerce has been
concluded by the United States with the Peru
Bolivian Confederation, which wants only the
ratification OF that Government. The progress
of subsequent negotiation for the settlement of
likely to produce delays IN the settlement of our
demands on these powers
| The aggravating circumstances connected
with our claims upon Mexico, and Aarety of
events touching the honor and integrity of our
Government, led my predecessor to make, at the
second session Of the last Congress, a special re.
commentator of the course to be pursued to OBJ
tain speedy and final satisfaction ofhe injuries
complained fly this Government and by our