The Columbian fountain., 1845-12-04

gress has been several times invoked TO the sub
ject by my predecessors. | recommend as an act
of justice to Spain, that this inequality be removed
by Congress, and that the discriminating, duties
which have been levied under the act of the thr-
teenth of July 1882, on Spanish vessels coming TO
the United States from any other foreign country be
refunded This Recommendation does not em-
brace Spanish vessels arriving in the United
States from Cuba and Porto Rico which will still
remain subject to the provisions of the act of June
thirtieth, 1884, concerning tonnage-duty on such
vessels.
BY the act of the fourteenth of July, 1892 cof-
fee was exempted from duty altogether. This
exemption was universal, without reference to
the country where il was produced, or the nation
al character Of the vessel in which it was impor-
ted. BY the tariff act of the thirteenth of August
1912, this exemption from duty was restricted to
coffee imported in American vessels from the
place of its production; whilst coffee imported un-
der all other circumstances was subjected to a
duty OF twenty per cent, ad valorem. Under this
act, and our EXISTING treaty with the King Of the
Netherlands, Java coffee imported from the Eu-
ropean ports of that kingdom into the United
States, whether in Dutch or American vessels,
now pays this rate Of duty. The government of
the Netherlands complains that such dlscrimina-
ting duty should have been imposed on coffee, the
production Of one of its colonies, and which is
chiefly brought from Java TO the ports of that
kingdom, and exported from thence to foreign
countries. Our trade with the Netherlands is
highly beneficial TO both countries, and our rela-
tions with them have ever been Of the most friend
ly character. Under all the circumstances of the
case, recommend that this discrimination should
be abolished, and that the coffee Of Java imported
from the Netherlands be placed upon the same
footing with that imported directly from Brazil and
other countries where it is produced.
Under the eighth section of the tariff of the
thirteenth of August, 1742 duty of fifteen cents
per gallon was imposed on Port wine in casks:
while, the red wines of several other countries
when imported in casks, a duty Of only six cents
per gallon was imposed. This discrimination, so
far as regarded the Port wine of Portugal, was
deemed violation of our treaty with that Power
which provides, that" "No higher othel duties
shallbe imposed on the importation into the United
States OF America Of any article the growth,
produce, or manufacture of the kingdom and pos
sessions of Portugal than such as are or shall be
payable on the like article being the growth, pro-
duce, or manufacture of any other foreign coun-
try" Accordingly, to give effect to the treaty,
as well as to the intention Of Congress- expressed
in proyiso to the tariff act itself, that nothing
therein contained should be SO construed as to in
teffere with slbssting treaties with foreign ma
tions, a treasury circular was issued on the
sixteenth of July, 1874, which among other things,
declared the duty on the Port wine of Portugal,
in casks under the existing laws and treaty, to be
six cents per gallon and directed that the excess
of duties which had been collected on such wine
should berefunded. BY virtue of another clause
in the same section of the act, it is provided that
allimitations of Port, or any other wines ''shall
be subject to the duty provided for the genuine
article.o limitations of Port wine, the produc-
tion of France, are imported to some extent in
to The United States; and the government of that
country now claims that under correct construction
of the act, these limitations ought not to pay
hi.rha d,tfxt thop that
Port wine of Portugal. 1t appears to me to be un-
equal and unjust that French limitations of Port
wine should be subjected to duty of fifteen cents,
while the more valuable article from Portugal
should pay duty of six cents only per gallon. /
therefore recommend to Congress such legislation
as may be necessary to correct the inequality
The late President, in his annual message Of
December last, recommended an appropriation to
satisfy the claims of the Texian Government
against the United States, which had been prev-
ously adjusted, SO far as the powers of the execu-
tive extend. These claims arose out of the act of
dsarming body of Texan troops under the COM
mand Of Major Snively, by an officer in the SER
viceaof the United States, acting under the orders
of our Government; and the forcible entry into
the custom-house at Bryarly's landing, on Red RI
yer, by certain citizens of the United States, and
taking away therefrom the goods seized by the
collector of the customs as forfeited under the
laws of Texas This was a liqudated debt ascer-
tanned to be due to Texas when an independent
state Her acceptance of the terms of annexa-
tion proposed by the United States does not dis
charge or invalidate the claim recommend that
provision be made for its payment
The commissioner appointed to China during the
special session Of the Senate in March las short
ly afterwards set out on his mission in the United
States ship Columbus. On arriving at Rio de Ja-
nero on his passage, the state Of his health had
become SO critical, that by the advice of his med
ical attendants, he returned TO the United States
early in the month of October last. Commodore
Bidde, commanding the East India squadron, pro-
ceeded on his voyage in the Columbus, and was
charged by the commissioner with the duty of ex-
changing with the proper authorities the ratifca-
tion Of the treaty lately concluded with the En-
peror of China. Since the return of the commits
sioner to the United States, his health has been
much improved, and he entertans the confident
belief that he will soon be able to proceed on his
mission.
Unfortunately, difference continues to exist
among some of the nations of South America
their independence, while in others, internal dis
sensions prevail. Ii is natural that our sympa-
thies should be warmly enlisted for their welfare;
that we should desire that all controversies be-
tween them should be amicably adjusted, and
their governments administered in manner to
protect the rights and promote the prosperity Of
their people. 1t is contrary however, to our set
tied policy, to interfere in their controversies, |
whether external or internal.
have thus adyertedto to all the subjects connected
with our foreign relations, TO which deem il ne
cessary to call your attention Our policy is not
a