Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-12-13
VOL. xxx, NO. 5.--wHOLE NO. 1891

ne labors ot the Joint committee appointed by
the two Governments to run the dividing line, es
tabshed by the Treaty of Washington, we're, I'M
much delayed in the commencement Of
the season, by the failure of Congress, at the last
session, to make timely appropriation of funds to
meet the expenses Of the American party, and by
other causes. The United States Commissioner
however, expresses his expectation that by ncreas
ed diligence and energy, the party will be able to
make up for the lost time
We continue to receive assurances of the most
friendly feelings on the part of all the other Euro.
pean powers; with each, and all of whom, it is SO
obviously our interest to cultivate the most AMIGA
Bile relations. Nor can | anticipate the occurrence
Of any evil which would be likely, in any degree
to disturb those relations. Russia, the great nor
thern power, under the judicious sway OF her En-.
peror, is constantly advancing IN the road of sci
ence and improvement; while France, guided by
the councils other wise sovereign pursues course
calculated to consolidate the general peace. Spain
has obtained breathing spell of some duration
from the internal commissions which have through
so many years. marred her prosperity; while Aus
tria, the Netherlands, Prussia, Belgium, and the
other powers Of Europe reap rich harvest ofbles-
sings FROM the prevailing peace.
! informed the two Houses of Congress in my
message of December last, that instruction, had
been given 10 Mr.. Wheaton, our Minister at Bcr-
lin, to negotiate treaty with the Germanc States
composing the Zoll Veren, if it could be dome
It, for a reduction of the heavy and onerous duties
,evied on tobacco, and other leading articles of
agricultural production and yielding in return on
our part a reduction of duties on such articles the
production of their industry, as should not come in
competition or but limited one, with articles the
product of our manufacturing industry The Exec
utive in giving such instructions, considered itself
rs acting in strict conformity with the wishes Of
Congress as made known through several measures
which it had adopted, all directed to the accom-
plishment OF this important result. The treaty
was, therefore, negotiated by which essential re
auctions were secured in the duties levied by the
Zoll Vereln, on tobacco, rice and lard, accompani
ed by stipulation for the admission of raw cot
ton free of duty. In exchange for which highly
important concessions, reduction oil duties, i'm
posed by the laws of the United States OH varie
ty of articles most of, which were admitted free Of
all duty under the act of Congress commonly known
rs the Compromise Law, and but few Of which
were produced in the United States, was stipula-
ted for on our part This treaty was comnunica
ted to The Senate at early day of its last session
but not acted upon until near its close; when, 70,
the want, as am bound to presume, of full time
to consider it, it was laid upon the table. This
procedure had the effect of virtually rejecting it, it
consequence Of a stipulation, contained in thu
treaty, that its Publications should be exchanged
on or before day which has already passed. Tht
Executive acting upon the fair inference that tn
Senate did not intend its absolute rejection, gav
instructions to our Minister at Berlin to re-ope
the negotiation, far as 10 obtain an extension o
time for the exchange of Publications. | regret
however, to say that his efforts in this respect hav
been unsuccessful. | am nevertheless not wthou
hope that the great advantages which were nten
ded TO be secured by the treaty. may yet be real
lied.
am happy to inform you that Belgium has, b.
an arrete royale" issued in July last, assimilate
the flag Of the United States to her own, SO far a
the direct trade of the two countries is concerned
This measure will prove of great service to on
shipping interest; the trade having heretofore bee
carried on chiefly in foreign bottoms, | flatter nv
self that she will speedily resort TO a nodifcatio
of her system relating 10 the tobacco trade, whic
would decidedly benefit the agriculture OF the Uni
ted States, and operate to the mutual advantage c
both countries.
No de6nitive intelligence has yet been receive
from our Minister, of the conclusion of a treat
with the Chinese Empire; but enough is known {
induce the strongest hopes that the mission will b
crowned with success
, With Brazil our relations continue on the MOI
friendly footing. The commercial intercourse bt
tween that growing Empire and the United State
is becoming daily of greater Importance to both
and it is the interest Of both that the frmest rel;
tons of amity and good will should continue to
cultivated between them.
The Republic of New Granada still withhold
Notwithstanding the most persevering efforts ha,
been employed by our Charge d Affaires, NJ
, Backford to produce different result, indemnit
in the case of the brig Morris And the Congre
5 of Venezuela, although an arrangement has bee
: effected between our Minister and the Minister
f Foreign Affairs of that Government, for the pa
ment of $4,000, in discharge of its liabilities
g the case, has altogether neglected to NAL
provision for its payment. 1t is to be hoped that
n sense of Justice will soon induce settlement
n these claims.
J., Our late Minister to Chill, Mr. Pendeton, h
= returned to the United States, without having c
] fected an adjustment in the second claim of Il
!, Macedonian, which is delayed on grounds atogell
2 err frivolous and untenable. Mr.. Pcndeton's su
d cessor has been directed to urge the claim in Il
f strongest terms; and, in the event of failure
obtain permanent adjust to report the fact to Il
, Executive at early day possible, SO that Il
y whole matter may be communicated to Congress.
I At your last session, submitted to the attentt
n of Congress, the Convention with the Republic
n Peru, of the 18th of March, 1871, providing for d
e adjustment of the claims of citizens Of the Unit
n States against that Republic but definite a
If ton was taken upon the subject. | again invite
j. to your attention and prompt action.
n In my last Annual Message, | felt il to be n
o duty to make known to Congress, IN terms bo
Il plain and emphatic, my opinion in regard TO 4
Y war which has SO long existed between Mexico al
/. Texas which, since the battle of San Jacnto h
:; consisted altogether of predatory ncusions, atten
l. eddy circumstances revolving to humanity. repe
now, what then said, that after eight years
n, feeble and Intellectual efforts to recover Texas
$, was time that the war should have ceased. u
e United States had direct interest in the questit
20 The contiguity of two nations to our territory
Of but too well calculated to involve our peace.
just suspicious we're engendered in the mind of O
of or the other of the belllgerents against U.S. and
e necessa consequence, American interests we
4. made to suffer, and peace became daily enda
i'd gered. In addition to which, 1t must have been
it vlous ~ all, that the exhaustion produced by
n wal, subietedc both Mexico and Texas to the
g. reference of other powers, which, without the
t. terposton Of this Government, might eventuate
Il. the most serious injury TO the United States. ~
Of government, from time to time excrted its friend
r offices to bring about termination of hostilit
q upon terms honorable alike to both the bellgeren
st Its efforts in this behalf proved unayang. Me
I'd leo seemed, almost without an object to persev'