, 1844-12-21

sidered itself as acting in strict conformity with the wishes
Of congress, as made known through several measures
which it had adopted, all directed to the accomplishment Of
this important result. The treaty was, therefore, negotia-
ted, by which essential reductions were secured in the du-
ties levied by the Zoll Vercin, on tobacco, rice and lard,
accompanied by a stipulation for the admission Of raw cot
ton, free of duty.
In exchange for which highly important concessions, a
reduction OF duties imposed by the laws Of the u. States
on a variety Of articles, 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 stipulated for on our part. This
treaty was communicated to the senate at an early day Of
its last session, but not acted upon until near its close;
when, for the want, as l AIN bound to presume, of full time
to consider it, it was laid on the table. This procedure
had the effect Of virtually rejecting it, in consequence of
a stipulation contained in the treaty, that IFS ratification
should be exchanged on or before a day which has already
passed. The executive, acting upon the fair inference that
the senate did not intend its absolute rejection, gave instruc-
tons to our minister at Berlin to reopen the negotiation 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. l am, nevertheless,
not without hope that the great advantages which were in
tended to be secured by the treaty may yet be realized.
l am happy TO inform you that Belgium has. by an "ar-
rete ~royale,' issued in July last, assimilated the flag Of
the United States to her own, so far as the direct trade be-
tween the two countries is concerned. This measure will
prove OF great service to our shipping interest; the trade
having heretofore been carried on chiefly in foreign bot
toms. l flatter myself that she will speedily resort TO a
modification Of her system relating 10 the tobacco trade,
which would decidedly benefit the agriculture of the Uni
ted States and operate to the mutual advantage Of both
countries.
No definite intelligence has yet been received from our
Minister ofthe conclusion Of the treaty with the Chinese
Empire; but enough is known to induce the strongest
hopes that the mission has been crowned with success.
With Brazil our relations continue on the most friendly
footing. The commercial intercourse between that grow
ing empire and the United States, is becoming daily Of
greater importance to both; and it is the interest of both
that the frmest relations of amity and good will should con-
tinuc 10 be cultivated between them.
The Republic Of New Granada still ~wileholds, notwith-
standing the most persevering efforts have been employed
by our Charge d'Afairs, Mr.. Blackford, 10 produce a differ
ent result indemnify in the case ofthe brig Morris" And
the Congress of Venezuela, 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 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 induce a set
Element OF those claims.
Our late Minister TO Chill, Mr.. Pendleton, 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. MIR. Pendle-
tons successor has been directed TO urge the claim in the
strongest terms; and in the event Of a failure 10 obtain a
permanent adjustment, to report the fact TO the Executive,
at as carly a day as possible, So that the whole matter may
be communicated to congress.
At our last session, ! submitted TO the attention Of Con-
gress, the convention with the Republic of Peru, Of the 9TH
March, 1871 providing for the adjustme I of the claims OF
citizens of the United States against that Republic; but no
definite action was taken upon the subject. l again invite
" IL Nou u o"o Hohp uSho'
In my last annual message, | felt 1t to be my duty L
make known to congress in terms both plain and emphat
ic, my opinion in regard 10 the wal which has so long eX
ieted between Mexico and Texas; which, since the batti
of San Jacinto, has consisted altogether OF predatory IN
cursions, attended by circumstances revolving TO humanity
l repeat now, what | then said, that after eight years 0
feeble and Intellectual efforts TO recover Texas, 1t was tm
that the war should have ceased. The United States had
direct interest in the question. The contigulty oil the Nv
nations to our territory was but too well calculated 10 In
volve our peace. Unjust suspicious were engendered 1
the minds Of one or the other Of the belligerents against Us
and as a necessary consequence, American interests %er
made to suffer, and our peace became daily endangered.
In addition TO which, IT must have been obvious to al
that the exhaustion produced by the war, subjected bot
Mexico and Texas to the interference Of other power:
without the interposition Of this government, which, froI
time 10 time, exerted its friendly offices to bring about a TEL
mination of hostilities upon terms alike honorable to bot
ibelligerents. Its efforts in this behalf proved unavailine
Mexico seemed, almost without an object, to persevcre
f war, and no other alternative was left the executive but. I
take advantage of the well-known disposition of Texas
and TO invite her to enter into a treaty for annexiug he
| territory to that OF the United States.
Since YOUR last session, Mexico has threatened TO rene'
y the war, and has either made, or proposes TO make, iormid
I; able preparations for invading Texas. She has issued dc
t lcrees and proclamations preparatory to the commencement
t of hostilities, full Of threats revolving TO humanity, an
;. which, if carried into effect, would arouse the attention
: all christendom. This new demonstration OF feeling, theI
r is too much reason to believe, has been produced in col
sequence of the negotiation OF the late treaty Of annexatio
Il with Texas. The executive, therefore, could not be indlf
erent to such proceedings; and it felt it to be due, as we
= to itself as to the honor OF the country, that a strong rel
resentation should be made to the Mexican governne
upon the subject. This was accordingly done; as will
seen by the copy of the accompanying despatch IRON u
# secretary of state TO the U. S. envoy at Mexico.
Mexico has no right to leopard the peace OF the world
h urging any longer, a useless and fruitless contest. Such
d condition Of things would not be tolerated on the Europe;