The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-12-14
He is instructed to renew his representa-

f He is instructed to renew his representa-
tons upon it.
Some years since claim was preferred
against the British government on the
part of certain American merchants, fol
the return of export duties paid by them
on shipments of wooden goods to the U.
States, after the duty on similar articles
exported to other countries has been re-
pealed, and consequently in conlravention
of the commercial convention between the
two nations, securing to US equality in
such cases. The princi pie on which the
claim rests has long since been virtually
admitted by Great Britain, but obstacles
to settlement have from time 10 time
been interposed, so that large portion oil
the amount claimed has not yet been re-
funded. Our Minister is now engaged
in The prosecution of the claim, and can
not but persuade myself that the British
government will no longer delay its adj
Justment.
l am happy to be able to say that moth
ing has occurred TO disturb in any degree
the relations of amity which exist between
the United States and France, Austria and
Russia, as well as with the other powers
of Europe, since the adjournment of Con
gress. Spain has been agitated with in
ternal convulsions for many years, from
the effects of which it is to be hoped she
is destined speedily to recover - when,
under more liberal system of CONNER
cal policy on her part, our trade with her
may again fill its old and, so far as her
Continental possessions are concerned, its
almost forsaken channels, thereby adding
to the mutual prosperity of the two coun.
tries.
The Germanic Association of Customs
and Commerce, which, since its establish
ment in 1888. has been steadily growing
in power and importance, and consists a.
this time OF more than twenty German
States, and embraces population of 81
O0OO 600 of people united for all the pur-
poses of commercial intercourse with each
other and with foreign States, offers 10 the
latter the most valuable exchanges on
principles more liberal than are offered
in the fiscal system of any other Europe
an power. From its origin, the import
ance of the German Union has never
been lost sight OF by the United States.
The industry, morality and other valua.
Bile qualities of the German nation, have
always been well known and appreciated
On this subject invite the attention of
Congress to the report of the Secretary of
Stale, from which it will be seen that while
our cotton is admitted free Of duty, and The
duty on rice has been much reduced which
has already led TO greatly increased con
sumption, a strong disposition has been
recently evinced by that great body 10 re-
dUce, upon certain conditions, their present
duty upon tobacco. This being the first
intimallon of a concession on this interest
ing subject ever made by any European
power can not but regard il as we'll cal
cula,ed 10 remove The only impeachment
which has so far existed to The most liberal
commercial intercourse between US and
them. In this view, our Minister al Berlin,
who has heretofore industrously pursued
the subject, has been instructed 10 enter
upon the negotiations Of Commercial! treaty,
which, while it will open new advantages
10 the agricultural interests Of the United
States, and more free and expanded field
for commercial operations, will affect inju-
riously no existing interest Of the Union.
Should the negotiation be crowned With
success, its results will be communicated
TO both Houses of Congress.
| communicate herewith certain despatch
es received from our Minister at Mexico,
and also correspondence which has re-
Gently occurred between the Envoy from
that Republic and the Secretary OF State.
1t must be regarded as moi lillle eXtraor,
binary that the government of Mexico, in
anticipation of public discussion, which
it has been pleased 10 infer from newspaper
publications, as likely to take place in Con-
gress, relating TO the annexation Of Texas
| 10 the United States, should have so far
anticipated the result of such discussion as
10 have announced its determination TO Wis it
any such anticipated decision by a formal
declaration of war against the U. States. If
designed 10 prevent Congress from intro.
duciRg that question, as fit subject for its
calm elaboration and final judgment, the
Executive has no reason 10 doubt that it
will entirely fail Of its object. The Rep
resentatives of a brave and patriotic people
will suffer no apprehension Of future conse-
quences TO embarrass them in the course Of
their proposed deliberations. Nor will the
Executive Department Of the Government
fail, for any such cause, to discharge its
whole duty to the country.
The war which has existed for so long a
time between Mexico and Texas has, since
the battle of San Jacinto, consisted for the
most part of predatory incursions, which,
while they have been attended with much
of suffering TO individuals, and have kept
the borders of the two countries in state
of constant alarm, have failed TO approach
to any definite result. Mexico has fiued out
no formidable armament by land or by sea
for the subjugation of Texas. Eight years
have now elapsed since Texas declared her
independence of Mexico, and during that
time she has been recognized as sovereign
power by several of the principal civilized
States. Mexico, nevertheless, perseveres