The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-12-11

II =
or but limited one, with articles Of our in-
dus,ry. The Executive, in giving such IN
s,ruc,iops. considered itself as acting III strict
conformity with the wishes Of Congress as
made known tIirsush several measures which
| il had adopted: all directed 10 the accomplish
meut of this important result. The treaty
was, therefore, negotiated; by which essential
reductions were secured 10 the duties levied
/ by the Zoll Verein, on tobacco, rice and lard,
/ accompanied by a stipulation for the admis-
! sion of raw cotton, free ofduty. In exchange
| for which highly important concessions, re-
duction of duties imposed by the laws of the
| United States on variety of articles most
! Of which were admitted free of all duty I'M
| der the act of Congress, commonly known as
| the compromise law. and but few Of which
were produced in the United States was stip-
| ulated for on our part. The treaty was COM
/ municated to the Senate al early day of ITS
last session, but not acted upon till its close :;
when for the want. as am bound to presume
/ Of full time to consider ii, it was laid upon
the table. This procedure had the effect Of
virtually rejecting it, in consequence Of a slip
ulation contained in the treaty, that its ratifi-
cations should be exchanged on or before a
day which has already passed. The Execu-
1
ate did not intend its absolute rejection, gave
instructions to our minister at Berlin TO re-
open the negotiation, so far as TO obtain an
extension of time for notifications. | regret
however, to say that his efforts in this respect
have been unsuccessful. | am nevertheless,
not without hope that the great advantages
which we're intended 10 be secured by the trea-
ty, may yet be realized.
r al ID 4
by an "arrete royale," issued in July last, as
simulated the flag Of the United States to her
own, so far as the direct trade between the
two countries is concerned. This measure
will prove ofgreat service to our shipping in
terests; the trade having heretofore been car
ried on chiefly in foreign bottoms. l flatter
myself that she will speedily resort to a modi-
fcation of her system relating to the tobacco
trade. which would decidedly benefit the ag-
riculture of the United States, and operate TO
the mutual advantage of both countries.
No definite intelligence has yet been receiv-
ed from our Minister of the conclusion of a
Treaty with the Chinese Empire; but enough
is known to induce the strongest hopes that
the mission will be crowned with success.
With Brazil our relations continue on the
most friendly footing. The commercial in
tercourse between that growing empire and
, The United States, is becoming daily of great
er importance to both; and it is the interest
Of both that the frmest relations OF amity and
good will should continue to be cultivated be-
tween them.
The Republic of New- Grenada still with
holds, Notwithstanding the most persevering
efforts have been employed by our Charge
d'Affaires, Mr.. Blackford, to produce a differ
ent result, in the case Of the brig morris"
And the Congress of Venzuela, although an
arrangement has been effected between our
Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs
of that government for the payment of SIS,-
600 in discharge ofits liabilities in the same
case, has altogether neglected to make pro-
vision for its payment. tits to be hoped that
sense of Justice will soon induce settlement
of these claims.
| Our late Minister to Chill, Mr.. Pcndleion,
has returned to the United States, without
having effected an adjustment in the second
claim of the Macedonian, which is delayed on
| grounds altogether frivolous and untenable
| Mr.. Pendleion's successor has been directed
TO urge the claim in The strongest terms; and
in the event OF a failure 10 obtain permanent
| adjustment TO report the fact 10 the Executive
at as early day as possible, so that the whole
matter may be communicated TO Congress.
AT your last session, | submitted to the at
tention of Congress. the Convention with The
public Of Perm, Of the 18th Of March. 1871,
| providing for tie adjustment of the claims Of
citizens Of the United States against that Re
public; but no definite action was taken up
on the subject. | again invite to it your at
tention and prompt action.
In my last Annual Message, l felt it to
be my duty 10 make known to Congress, in
terms both plain and emphatic, my opin-
ion in regard to the war which has so long
existed between Mexico and Texas !;
which, since the battle of San Jacinto, has
consisted altogether of predatory incur
sions, attended by circumstances revolving
to humanity. Irepeat now, what / then
said, that after eight years Of feeble and
Intellectual efforts to recover Texas, it
was time that the war should have ceased
The United States had direct interest
in the question. The contiguity Of the
two nations to our territory was but too
well calculated to involve cur peace.
Unjust suspici' ms were engendered in the
mind of one or the other of the belIiger-
ents against us and, as necessary con.
sequence, American interests were made
to suffer, and our peace became daily en-
dangered In addition to which it must
have been obvious TO all, that the exhaus-
ton produced by the war. subject both
Mexico and Texas to the interference of
other powers; which, without the nterpo-
sition of this government, might eyentuate
in the most serious injury TO the United
States. This Government, from time to
time, exerted its friendly offices to bring
about a termination of hostiiIies upon
terms honorable alike TO both the billiger-
ents. Its efforts in this behalf proved un-
availing. Mexico seemed almost with
out an object, to persevere in the war, and
no other alternative was left the Executive
but to take advantage of the well-known
dispositions ofTexas, and to invite her TO
enter into treaty for apnexing her terri
tory to that ofthe United States.
Since your last session, Mexico has
threatened to renew the war, and has