Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-12-11

whom we have similar treaty stipulations, requires
that these should be faithfully observed. / have
deemed it proper, therefore, to lay the subject be.
fore Congress, and to recommend such legislation
may be necessary TO give effect 10 these treaty
obligations.
BY virtue Of an arrangement made betW the
Spanish government and that Of the United States,
in December, 1881, American vessels, since tbs
twenty-nnth of April, 1882, have been admitted
TO entry in the ports of Spain, including those Of
the Baleatic and Canary Islands, on payment Of
the same ionnage duty Of five cents per ton, as
though they had been Spanish vessels and this,
whether vessels arrived in Spain directly from
the United States, or indi ectly from any other
country. When Congress, by the act of the tbir-
tcenth of July, 1912, gave effect to this arrangement
between the two governments, they confined the
reduction of tonnage duty merely to Spanish
sells 4" coming from port i'll SPAIN leaving the
former discriminating duty to remain against such
vessels coming from poIl in any other country
1t IS manitesly unjust that, whilst American ves-
sells arriving in the ports of Spain from other coun-
tries, pay more duty than Spanish vessels arrir-
ing in the ports Of the United States from other
countries should be subjected to heavy dscrmina-
ting tonnage duties This is neither equality nor
reciprocity, and is in violation of the arrangement
concluded in December, 1881, between the two
countries. The Spanish government have made
repeated and earnest remonsrances against this
inequality, and the favorable attention of Congress
my predecessors. | recommend as an act of just
ice TO Spain, that this inequality be removed by
Congress, and that the discriminating duties which
have been levied under the act Of the thirteenth of
july 1882, on Spanish vessels coming to the Uni
ted States, from any other foreign country, be re-
funded. The recommendation does not embrace
Spanish vessels arriving in the United States from
Cuba and Porto Rico, which will still remain sub
iect the provisions Of tie act Of June thirtieth.
1884, concerning tonnage duty on such vessels.
By the act Of the fourteenth of July, 1882, cof-
fee was exempted from duty altogether. This ex-
empton was universal, without reference to tho
country where il wos produced, or the national
character Of the vessel in " hich it was imported
BY The tariff act of the thirlieth Of August, 1912,
this exemption from duty was restricted TO coffee
imported in American yesscis from tie place of its
production whilst coffee imported under all other
circumstances subjected TO duty OF twenty
per cent. ad va20rem. Under this act, and our ex-
ising treaty with the King Of the Netherlands,
Java coffee imported from the European ports Of
that kingdom into tho United States, whether 10
duiv PThaee goyernment Of the Netherlands COM
plains that such discriminating duty should have
been imposed coffee, the production ofone OF its
colonies and which is chiefly brought from Java
to the ports of that kingdom, and exported from
thence 10 foreign countries. Our trade with the
Netherlands is highly beneficial TO both countries,
and our relations with them have ever been Of the
most friendly character. Under all the crcum-
stances oftho case, recommend that this d!scrim-
nalion should be abolished, and that The coffee OF
Java imported from the Netherlands be placed up
the footing with that imported directly
from Brazil and other countries where it is produ'
ced
Under the eighth section Of the tariff act OF the
thirteth of August, 1912, duty of fifteen cents
per gallon WIS imposed port wine in casks; while
the red wines OF several other countries, when
imported in casks, duty OF only SIX cents per gat-
lon was imposed This discrimination, so far as rec
garded the Port wine of Portugal, was deemed
yiolO,n of our treaty with thai power, which pro-
,ides that mo higher or other duties shall be i'm.
posed on the importation into the United States OF
America Of any article the growth, produce or man
ufacure of the kingdom and possessions of Ports
gal, than such shall be payable on the
like article being the growth, produce, or manuiat"
ture of any other foreign country" Accordingly,
to give effect 10 the treaty, as well as to the Inten-
ton ofCongress, expressed in proviso TO The tat
dact itself that nothing therein contained should
be so construed as to interfere with subs!sng tEeH-
ties with foreign nations, 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 law and iiea-
w. to be six cents per gallon and directed that the
excess of duties which had been collected on such
wine should be refunded BY virtue Of another
clause IN the same section of the act, 1t Is provided
that all limitations Of Port or any other wines,
"sha be subject to the duty provided for the gen
uine article" limitations ofPort wine, the Prodpc-
ton of France are imported to some extent into
the United States and the government OF that
country now GLAZING that, under correct construc-
ton Of the act these limitations ought not to pays
higher duty than that imposed upon the original
Port wine of Portugal. 1t appears to me TO be
unequal and unjust, that French mutations of Port
wine should be subjected to duty OF fifteen cents,
while the more valuable article from Portugal
should pay a 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 Decemher
last recommended AN appropriation to satisfy the clams
of Texas government against the United States, which had
been iousy adjusted, far the powers of the EX
ccnliye extend These chms out Of the act OF dis
armng body of exan troops under The command Major
Snvey by officer in the service Of the United states,
acting under the orders o government and the iorc-
bile entry nto the custom house Bryaly'S landing,
Red river, by certain citizens Of the United States, and
taking awag hcrepn the goods seized by the collector Of
the customs as forfeited unGrr the laws oil Texas THIS
was oulaed debt celanGd to lie due to Texas when
nm nlependent State Her acceptance Of the terms OF an
nexMon proposed by the Unitc States docs not discharge
or invaidae the claim. recommend that provisions be
made lor its payment.
The commissioner appointed China during the special
session Of the Senate in March hast shortly afterwards set
out ON his mission in The United States ship Columbus
on arriving Rio Jancro on his passage the state Of his
health had become critical that by the advice of his
medical attendants he returned 10 the United States early
in the month Of Dc ober last. Commodore Bddie, com
undng the East India squah. proceeded on his NoA
in the Columbus, and charged by the commlssiO'
with the duty Of exchanging with the proEer authorities e
raGcations Of the treaty lately concluded with the Emper-
oro China. Since the Of the commissioner TO the
United States his health has been much improved, andhs
enerains the confident tec that he VIII soon he auie 10
proceed ON his mission
Unfortunately, differences continue To exist among some
ofhc nations d Souh America, which, aiowin your en-
II. i, Il, 20, n,k