The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-12-13

genuine article" limitations of Port wine, the pro-
duction Of France. imported to some extent into
the United States; and the government ofthat coun-
try now claims that, under correct construction OF
the act, these limitations ought not to pay higher
duty than that imposed upon the original Port wine
Of Portugal. II appears to me TO be unequal 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 a
duty ofsix cents only per gallon. therefore rec
ommend to Congress such legislation as may be
necessary to correct the inequality.
The late President in his annual message OF De-
cember last, recommended an appropriation to sat
isfy the claims Of the Texan Government against
the United States, which had been previously ad-
justed so far as the powers the executive extend.
These claims arose out Of the act Of disarming a
body Of Texan troops under the command Of Ma
jos Snively, by officer in the service of the Uni
ted States, acting under the orders afour Govern
ment and the forcible entry into the custom-house
atBryarly's landing on Red river, by certain citi-
zens Of the United States, and taking away there
from the goods seized by the collector OF the Gus
toms as forfeited under the laws of Texas. This
was quidated debt, ,ascertained to be due TO Tex
~ when an independent state Her acceptance
OF the terms Of annexation proposed by the United
States does not discharge or invahdate the claim.
recommend that provision be made ior Its pay
ment
special session Of the Senate in March last, short
" afterwards set out on his mission in the United
States ship Columbus. On arriving at Rio de ia
neiro on his passage the state of his health had be-
come so critical that by the advice of his medical
attendants he returned to the United States early
10 the month of October last. Commodore Biddle,
commanding the East India squadron, proceeded
On his voyage in the Columbus, and was charged
by the commissioner with the duty of exchanging
MI tha NTH nj q
treaty lately concluded with the Emperor OF Chi
"a. Since thereturn al the commissioner TO the
United Statos, 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 Ia exist
among some of the nations OF South America.
which, following our example, have established
their Independence, while in others, internal dis
sentions prevail. 1t is natural that our sympathies
should be warmly enlisted for their welfare; that
we should desire that oil controversies between
them should be amicably adjusted, and their gov
ernments administered in manner 10 protect the
rights, and promote the prosperity OF their people.
Its contrary, however to settled policy, to in
terfere in their controversies, whether external
internal.
Ihave thus adverted to all the subjects connect
ed with our foreign relations, 10 which deem il
necessary to call your attention Our policy Is not
only peace with all, but good will towards all the
Powers of the earth While We are just to all, we
require that all shall be just to US. Excepting the
differences with Mexico and Great Britain, our
relations with all civilized nations Of the most
satisfactory character 1t is hoped that this
lighteued age, these differences may be amicably
adjusted.
The Secretary Of the Treasury, in his annual
report to Congress, will communicate full state
ment of the condition of our finances. The i'm
ports for the fiscal year ending the thrtieth of
June last, were oil the value of one hundred and
seventeen millions two hundred and hfty-four
thousand FIVE hundred and sxty-iour dollars, of
which the amount exported was fifteen millions
three hundred and forty-sx thousand eight hundred
and thirty dollars-leavng balance Of one hun
drod and one millions Lime hundred and seven thou
sand seven hundred and thirty -four dollars for do
msstic consumption. The exports for the same
year were Of the value of one hundred and four
teen millions six hundred and forty-six thousand
six hundred and six dollars; of which, the amount
of domestic articles was ninety-nine millions tv O
hundred and ninety nine thousand seven hundred
and seventy-six dollars. The receipts into the
treasury during the same year were twenty ,Aine
millions seven hundred and sixty-nine thousand
one hundred and tiirty-three dollars and hfty-six
cents; of which, there were derived from customs,
twenty seven millions five hundred and twenty
eight thousand one hundred and twelve dollars and
lions sevsnty-seven thousand and twenty-five dol
lars and thirty cents; and from incidental AM mis-
cellaneous sources, one hundred aud sixIy-three
thousand nine hundred and ninety-e ght dollars aud
fifty-six cents. The expenditures tor the same
period were twenty pine millions nine hundred and
sixty eight thousand two hundred and six dollars
and ninety-eght cents ofwhich eight millions five
hundred and eighty thousand one hundred and flf-
ty seven dollars and sxty-two cents were applied
kas q sInn of y. ,,th1 liz Iphf IN
in the treasury on the first Of July last, was seven
millions six hundred and fifty eight thousand three
hundred and six dollars and twenty two cents.
The amount of the public debt remaining un-
paid on the first of October last, was seventeen
millions seventy-fve thousand four hundred and
forty five dollars and fty-two cents. Further
payments of the public debt would have been
made, in anticipation of the period of its reimburse
Inent under the authority conferred upon the Sec.
retary of the Treasury by the acts ofJuly twenty
first, 1871 and of April fifteenth 1872, and March
third, 1913, had not the unsettled state OF our re-
lations with Mexico menaced hostile collision, !
with that power. In view of such contingency |
II was deemed prudent to retain in the treasury |
an amount unusually large for ordinary purposes.
A few years ago, our whole national debt grow
ing out of the Revolution and the war Of 1912 with |
Great Britain was extinguished, and we presented
TO the world the rare and noble spectacle of great
and growing people who had fully discharged eve-
ry obligation. Since that time, the existing debt
has been contractod and small il is, IN COMPARE
son with the similar burdens of most other nations,
it should be extnguished at the earlies practicable
period Should the state of the country permit,
and, especially, il our foreign relations interpose
no obstacle, it is contemplated to apply all the mon
eys in the treasury as they accrue beyond what is
required for the appropriations by Congress, to its
liquidation. cherish the hope of soon being able
to congratulate the country on its recovering once
more the lofty position which it SO recently occu-
pied. Our country, which exhibits to the world
the benefits Of selfgovernment, in developing all
the sources Of national prosperity, owes to mankind
the PORN anent example of a nation free from the
biight'ng influence Of public debt
The attention Of Congress is invited to the i'm
PotIance of making suitable notifications and re-
s'"eiions the rates Of duty imposed by our pres