The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-12-18

'AO SCuu'ue oIttCie. lIuikdtiOuS Oh l-Oi
9 wine, the production of France, are i'm
ported to some extent in the United States
and the Government Of that country now
claims that, under a correct construction
: Of the act, these limitations ought not ia
pay higher duty than that imposed u pom
the original Port wine OF Portugal. II
appears to me 10 be unequal and unjust,
} that French limitations Of Port wine should
be subjected to duty OF fifteen cents
while the more valuable article from Por-
tugai should pay duty of six cents only
per gallon. | therefore recommend to
Congress such Legislation as may be nee,
cessary to correct the inequality.
The late Presiden', in his annual mes
sage Of December last, recommended an
appropriation to satisfy the claims of the
Texas government against the United
States, which had been previously adjust
ed, so far as the powers of the Executive
extend. These claims arose out OF the
act disarming body of Texan troops I'M
der the command of Major Sniverly, by
an officer in the service of The United
States, acting under the orders OF our gov
ernment; and the forcible entry into The
Custom house at Bryarly's landing, on
Red river, by certain citizens of the Uni
nited States. and taking away therefron
the goods seized by the collector of the
customs as forfeited under the laws Of
Texas. This was liquidaled debt, as
certained 10 be due 10 Texas when an. in
dependent State. Her acceptance of The
terms Of annexation proposed by the Unit
ed States does not discharge or invalidale
the claim. recommend that provision
be made for its payment.
The commissioner appointed 10 China
during the special session OF the Senate in
March last shortly afterwards set out on
his mission in the United States ship Co.
lumbus. On arriving at Rio de Janero
on his passage, the state of his health had
become so critical that by the advice Of
his medical attendants, he returned to the
United Safes early in October last. Com
modore Biddle, commanding the East In
ola squadron, proceeded on his voyage in
the Columbus, and was charged by the
commissioner with the duty of exchanging
with the proper authorities the notifications
ofthe treaty lately concluded with the En-
peror of China. Since the return Of the
commissioner 10 the United States, his
health has much improved and he
enertains the confident belief that he
will soon be able 10 proceed en- his mis-
sion.
Unfortunately, differences continue to
exist among some OF the nations of South
America, which, following our example,
have established their inde pendence, while
in others internal dissensions prevail. 1t
is natural that our sympalbies should be
warmly enlisted for their welfare that
we should desire tina, all controversies be-
tween them should be amicably adjusted,
and their Governments administered in
manner to protect the rights and promote
he prosperity of their people. 1t is con-
trary however, 10 our settled policy, to in
terfere in their controversies, whether ex>
ternal or Internal.
| l have thus adverted to all the subjects
connected with our foreign relations, to
which deem it necessary 10 call your al
lention. Our policy is no! only peace with
all, but good will towards all the Powers
of the earth. While we are just 10 all,
we require that all shall be just TO U.S.
|Excepting the difference with Mexico and
Great Britain, our relations with all civ>
ilized nations are of the most satisfactory
character. tits hoped that in this enighl-
,ened age. these differences may be AMIGA
bly, adjusted.
The Secretary Of the Treasury, in his
annual report to Congress, will communi-
cate full statement of the condition OF
our finances. The imports for the fiscal
year ending on the lhirtieth of June last,
were of the value of one hundred and sew
enteen millions two hundred and fifty four
thousand f We hundred and sixly-four dol.
lars, Of which the amount exported was
fifteen millions three hundred and forty
six thousand eight hundred and thirty dol
lars leaving a balance of one hnndfed
and one millions niue hundred and seven
Thousand seven hundred and thfty-lour
dollars for domestic consumption The
exports for the same year were OF the val
ue of one hundred and fourteen millions
six hundred and torty-six thousand six
hundred and six dollars; OF which the
amount Of domestic articles was ninety>
! nine millions two hundred and ninety nine
thousand seven hundred and seventy six
dollars,
The receipts into the treasury during
the same year were twen'y.nine millions
seven hundred aud sixty.niue thousand
one hundred and thiry.lhree dollars and
: fihy-six cents; of which, there were de-
rived from customs, twenty-seVen millions
five hundred twenty eight thousand one
hundred and twelve dollars and seventy
cents; from sales Of public lands, two mil.
lions sevenly-seven thousand and twenty
i, two dollars and thirty cents; and from in