Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-12-08

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The occasional interruption experienced
by our fellow citizens engaged in the fish
cries on the neighboring coast of Nova
Scotia, has not failed to claim the attention
of the Executive. Representations upon
this subject has been made, but as yet no
definite answer to those representations has
been received from the British Government
Two other subjects OF comparatively mi
nor Importance, but nevertheless of too
much consequence to be neglected, remain
still to be adjusted between the two coun-
tries. BY the Treaty between the United
States and Great Britain, of July 1915, it is
provided that no higher duties shall be levied
in either country on articles imported from
any other place. In 1886, rough rice, by
act of Parliament, was admitted from the
coast Of Africa into Great Britain on the
payment of duty of one penny quarter,
while the same article from all other coun-
tries, including the United States, was sub
jected to the payment of duty of twenty
snn;iiings quarter, Our Minister at Lon
don has from time to time brought this sub
ject to the consideration of the British Gov.
ernment but so far without success He is
instructed to renew his representations upon
it,
Some years since a claim was preferred
against the British Government on the part
of certain American merchants, for the re-
turn of export duties paid by them on ship
ments of woolen goods to the United States
after the duty on similar articles exported TO
other countries had been repealed, and con-
sequently in controyention of the CONNER
cial convention between the two nations Sc
curing TO us equality in such cases. The
principle on which the claim rests has long
since been virtually admitted by Great
Britain, but obstacles to a settlement have
from time to time been interposed so that a
large portion of the amount claimed has not
yet been refunded. Our Minister is now
engaged in the prosecution Of the claim, and
| cannot but persuade myself that the British
Government will no longer delay its adjust
ment.
| am happy to be able to say that nothing
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 Congress.
Spain has been agita,ed with internal con-
WILSON'S for many years, from the effects OF
which it is TO be hoped she is destined speed
lily to recover-when, under more liberal
system of commercial policy on her part,
our trade with her may again fill its old and
so far as her continental possessions are con-
cerned, its almost forsaken channels, there
by adding to the mutual prosperity Of the
two countries.
The Germanic Association of Customs
and Commerce, which, since the establish
ment in 1888, has been steadily growing in
power and importance, and consists at this
time of more than twenty German States
and embraces population of 81 600 900 Of
people united for all the purposes of CON-
mercial intercourse with each other and
with foreign states, offers TO the latter the
valuable exchanges on principles more liber-
al than are offered in the fiscal system oil
any other European power. From its origin
the importance of the German Union has
never been lost sight of'by the United States
! The industry, morality and other vaIua.
BILE qualities of the German nation, have al.
ways been well known and appreciated. On
! this subject invite the attention of Con.
gress to the report of the Secretary of State
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 consump-
ton, strong disposition has been recently
evinced by that great body to reduce, upon
certain conditions, their present duty upon
tobacco This being the first ntmation oil
a concession on this interesting subject ever
made by any European power, | cannot but
regard it as well calculated to remove the
only impeachment which has so far existed TO
the liberal commercial intercourse between
us aud them. In this view, our Minister at
Berlin, who has heretofore industriously
pursued the subject, has been instructed 10
enter upon the negotiation of commercial
treaty, which, while it will open new adj
vantages to the agricultural interests of the
United States, and IA more free and expand
ed field for commercial operations, will aE
feet injuriously no existing interest of the
Union, Should the negotiation be crowned
with success, its results will be commune
Gated 10 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 not little extraor-
binary that the Government of Mexico, in
anticipation of public discussion, which il
had been pleased to infer from newspaper
publications, as likely to take place in Con-
grcss, relating 10 the annexation of Texas to
the United States, should have so far anti
cipated the result Of such discussion as to
have announced its determination to visit
any such anticipated decision by formal
declaration of war against the United States
If designed TO prevent Congress from intro