Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-12-13

councils of her wise sovereign, pursues course
calculated to consolidate the general peact.-
Spain has obtained breathing spell of some
duration from the internal commissions which
have through so many years, married her rOs-
perty while Austria, the Netherlands, Rus
STA, Belgium, and the other powers of Eurbpe,
reap rich harvest of blessings from the pre-
yalling peace.
informed the two houses of congress, in my
message of December last, that instructions had
been given to Mr. W heaton, our minister at Be-
lin, to negotiate a treaty with the Germdnc
States composing the Zol Veren, if it could e
done-stipulating as far as was practicabtT@s
accomplish it, for a reduction of the heavy AMI
onerons duties levied on our tobacco; and other
leading articles of agricultural production, and
yielding in return, on our part, Il reduction of
duties on such articles, the production of their
| industry, as should not come into competition,
or but limited one, with articles the product
of our manufacturing industry. The executive,
in giving such instructions, considers itself as
acting in strict conformity with the wishes of
congress, as made known through several meas
ureS which it had adopted; all directed to the
accomplishment Of this important result, The
treaty was, therefore, negotiated; by which es-
senta reductions were secured in the duties
levied by the Zol Veren, on tobacco, rice and
| lard accompanied by a stipulation for the ad-
mission of raw cotton free of duty. In exchange
| for which highly important concessions, a re-
duction of the duties, imposed by the laws
of the United States on variety of artl-
cIes, most of which were admitted free of all
duty under the act of congress commonly known
as the compromise law, and but few OF which
were produced IN the United States, was stipu
lated for on our part. This treaty was COM
municated to the senate at an early day of its
last session, but not acted upon until near its
close; when, for the want, as am bound to pre-
sume of full time to consider it, it was laid up
pom the table. This procedure had the effect OF
virtually rejecting it, in consequence OF stlp-
ulaton contained in that treaty, that Its ratfi
cation should he exchanged on or before day
which has already passed. The executive, ac-
ting upon the fair inference that the Senate did
not intend its absolute rejection, gave instruct
ions to our Minister at Berlin to reopen the ne
gotiaton so far as to obtain an extension of
time for the exchange of notifications. | regret
however, to say that his efforts, in this respect,
have been unsuccessful. | am, nevertheless,
not without hope that the great advantages
which were intended to be secured by the treaty
may yet be realized.
am happy to inform you, that Belgium has,
by an "arrete royale," issued in July last, assim-
lated the flag Of the United States to her own,
so far as the direct trade between the two coun-
tries is concerned This measure will prove of
great service to our shipping interest; the trade
having heretofore been carried on chiefly in
foreign bottoms. fatter myself that she will
speedily resort to modification of her system
relating to the tobacco trade, which would de-
cidedly benefit the agriculture OF the U. States,
and operate to the mutual advantage of both
countries.
No definite intelligence has yet been received
from our minister, of the conclusion of 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 inter-
course between that growing empire and the,
United States is becoming daily of greater i'm
portance to both; and it is the interest of both
that the firmest relations of amity and good will
should continue to be cultivated between them.
The republic of New Grenada still witholds
Notwithstanding the most persevering efforts
have been employed by our charge d'aflares,
Mr. Blacktord, to produce a different result
idemnity in case of the brig Morris. And the
congress of Venezula, although an arrangement
has been effected between our Minister and the
minister of foreign affairs of that government,
for the payment of $4,000 in the discharge of
Its Liabilities in the same case, has altogether
neglected to make provision for its payment 1t
IS to be hoped that a sense of Justice will soon
"NuSO q oCIllGtIlcUL OI lU6SG CldIlllS.
Our late Minister to Chill Mr. Pendelton, 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. Pen
dletons successor has been directed to urge the
claim IN the strongest terms and in the event of
failure to obtain permanent adjustment, to
report the fact to the Executive at as early a
aay as possible, so that the whole matter may
be communicated to congress.
At your last session submitted to the atten
ton of congress the convention with the repub-
nc OF Peru, of the 18th March, 184l, providing
tor the adjustment of the claims of citizens Of
the United States "gainst that republics but no
defnitve action was taken upon the subject I
again invite your attention to 1t. -
In my last annual message | felt it to be my
duty to make known to congress, in terms both
plain and emphatic, my opinion in regard to the
war which has so long existed between Mexico
aud Texas, which, since the battle of San Jacin-
to, has consisted altogether of predatory incurs-
ions, attended by circumstances revolving to hu-
mainly. repeat now what then said, that, af-
ter eight years of feeble and Intellectual efforts
to recover Texas, it was time that the war
should have ceased. The United States had a
direct interest in the question. The contiguity oil
the two nations to our territory was but too well
calculated to involve our peace. Unjust sus,
pclons were engendered in the mind OF one OIL
the other of the belligerents against us; and as
necessary consequence, American interest:
were made to suffer, and our peace became dai
y endangered. In addition to which, it mus
have been obvious to all that the exhaustion
produced by the war subjected both Mexico ant
Texas TO the interference of other powers; which
without the inerposition of this government
might eventuate in the most serious injury tt
the United States This government, from time
to time, exerted its friendly Offices to bring a
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