The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-03-12

OUR COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH
VENEZUELA

We have received the az Liberal /" published at
oafacas, containing communication from Mr., Ell
lis, our Charge dAhaires TO that Government on the
SUBJECT oil The exorhtant duties charged the pro-
duets oil the United Stales an that country and the
comments OF the editor thereon. We insert 10 day
The letter Of Mr. Ellis, and portion OF The editorial
comments, showing that the grounds assumed by Mr.
filis, are admitted 10 be correct The "El Liberal"
Is The oopernmem organ, at Caracas, and the opn-
ions oil lis editor may e regarded TO great extent
as the opinions OF the Administration Of Venezuela.
Mr. Ellis presents too questions for the consdei aiion
oil the Venezuela Government.
lhe afa question has relation 10 the unjust and UNI
equal duties exacted by Venezuela upon North Anne
rican products, and which Mr. FL is insists are not
only unequal, but violate the spiri of the existing
treaty, between this country and Venezuela and
the second question refers To the yexatious and
harassins laws and regulations of the Custom House
In regard TO the first question presented the editor
OF the "El Liberal" holds the following lear and
explicit language, To wit
We insert, in continuation, the official note
which the u. 5. Charge d'Afaires has addressed to
our government soliciting the ufment of the prn-
clples Of reciprocity established IN the Treaty of
Amity, Commerce and Navigation which exists be-
tween the two countries and in contrayention TO
which, the principal productions imported from that
country, such as -four soap lard candies and other
nrueles, are burdensd with exorbitan duty Of not
less Than % per cent more, upon their first eost
whilst our principal article pf expectation, coffee, Is
admitted free OF duty in the United States, and the
rest oil our productions do not pay over per cent
import duty there"
"The reasons given by the United States Charge
d'Ataires, are so just, aud harmonic much with
the true principles Of hoance commerce, and social
harmony, that we do not doubt they will meet with
the assent and support Of the Executive, to recon-
mend them seriouly TO Congress- 10 order that they
may be kept 10 mind on the occasion Of the amend
ment of the Tariff"
The editor Of the Fl Liberal" after making the
above observations proceeds al considerable length
to argue this question, presented ia MIR Els's com
muncation, aud makes strong appeal 10 the Vene-
zuela Congress 20 encourage the trade with the Uni
ted States, by removing the obstacles referred to in
| Mr.. Ellis's note.
10 regard to the second question presented by Mr.
Ellis, The editor uses the following unequyoea Ian
guage. He says:
"The other request Of the United States charge
| d'Ahaires relative TO the amendment Of the law
which refuses TO captains Of vessels the right 10
rect an error, or omission in their manfests or car
goes within spec fed time Is equally Just and found
| ed in principles with which we have always been
Identified"
After adverting TO the practice of other nations in
| TINS respect, the editor proceeds thus
1.-THE law of Venezuela relative to this subject
gives rise to yexalious acts OF injustice which
prsJudIcal to the character of the nation while II
does not augment, in any manner, whatsoever, the
| custom house duuesn
And the imposing of fines upon Captains of YES
sells for pity and involuntary errors for the suloIu
eni Of the eltsiom-hOuse officers, constitutes those Off
judges and party to the proceeding, and at the
same time converts them into enemies and opponents
| OF commercial prosperity, under the guIse of zeal
| for the faithful observance of the law"
We have not space for the very extensive COM
| ments of the editor of the " I'll Liberal ;" on the
questions presented by Mr., Ellis but the foregoing
show the spirit with which that paper advocates and
supports the views, which Mr.. Ellis presents in his
letter to Mr. Manrique, and infer from this fact
| that Mr. Ellis will be successful in his efforts
LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,
| Caracas, Jan. 10, 1915,