The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-16
From the Philadelphia American.
VENEZUELA.

American
tation will be understood by the following extract
from the Caracas "El Liberal" hastily translated
Our readers will find the official letters, which,
on the 18th inst, Vespasan Ellis esq, United States
charge daaires, sent to our Minister of State again
urging the reduction OF import duties on -four and
other produce OF North America, heavily burdened
by the tariff of Venezuela,
1--WE have already given our weak support TO this
very just claim and hesitate not TO rauy II, as we
not only consider founded in principle, but It's CON
cession most beneficial TO Venezuela II is OF ,he
utmost Importance for many reasons 10 increase ~
all possible means our commercial intercourse WIN
the United States Ii will be enough to mention
one--namely: that that country is one OF the prin-
cipal markets for the importation ana consumption
of our Coffee and should this great consumption d.
minish stop entirely, we must greatly suffer IN
the cultivation of this produce, and consequently de-
crease the revenue Of the custom houses. The cof
fee Of the Brazils enters now into competition so
successfully with in all parts of the Union, that
il the government does not apply itself with wisdom
and frmness obviate this evil we shall irrevoca-
bly, lose the market of the United States where
coffee realizes with difficulty from 81 ST. the quin-
tai, in consequence Of that Of the Brazs being sold
at much less This difference in prices is producing
the effect OF so accustoming the Americans TO the
consumption of the Brazilian coffee, that already
they think 1t superior to the high duties in articles
imported from the United States although it is in
conestably inferior to Thus situated 1t IS cal
culated to aggravate matters, and to contract the
commerce of that country and ours.
"lf to this were some day added the imposition
of duties our coffee in the United States 1t can
not be denied that our agriculture would suffer
much, also the entire of the population of
Venezuela, in the consumption of the necessary ar
ticles from North Amerca-such as flour, butter,
soap, and other produce with which we are provl-
ded from that country--exclusvely the two first,
and others at less cost, like the third, DC II Is
extraordinary therefore, that the executive power
did not warmly urge upon Congress the reform OF
the tariff, the most eficacious means to improve
the condition of the country; and IT is affecting to
see the two houses miseraby lose their time in the
discussion of private interests, forgetful of all the
public good imperously calls for
"Mr. Amanda must have been convinced of these
truths, when, as Minister Of State and Foreign AT
fairs he proposed to Mr. Hall mn arrangement by
which, reducing in Venezuela the duties on -four,
the United States should be bound to impose
duty on coffee Of our production. Notwlthsand-
ing, no step was taken with the view of reforming
the tariff by the reduction of these duties, which,
had it been done, would deprive the American Con-
gress of all motive for fixing duty coffee,
which has fallen off much for some time past;
and in thus fomenting the trade with the United
States, we should give an increased value to our
coffee there.
1--WE do not extend ourselves to-day on this i'm
portant subject; to which, however, we shall give,
with preference, attention the meeting of the
legislative body"
The great length of Mr.. Ellis's communication,
and the remarks of 'El Liberal" preclude, if not
render unnecessary, any further explanation is,
however, our pleasing duty 10 award to MIR. Ellis
all credit for his exertions TO benefit our commerce,
and his course has been highly lauded by all the
American merchants resident at Caracas. We may
at an early day again refer to this subject; and,
the mean tirne invite attention to the following
respondence:
LEGATION UNITED STATES,
Caracas, July IA, 1S45.
SIR: The undersigned, charge daffaires OF the
United States near this government, had the honor
to communicate to your excelency, on the 10Th Of
January last, the views of his government in rela-
ton to the extraordinary and unequal duties imposed
by the government of Venezuela upon the most I'M
portant productions of the United States imported
into this country; and also, in relation to the ycxe
tious and oppressive cusom-house regulations,
under which the most trivial errors of captains of
vessels in their manifests of cargoes, are punished
az crimes.
The answer Of your excellency to that commune
cation, dated February l5h was duly received; in
which, amongst other things you were pleased to
state that " ii Congress should, at its (hen) prest mt
session. be occupied with revising the tariff Of duties,
the government would present its views on the sub
jeci; for which purpose, il would bear in mind the
observations of Mr.. Ellis"
Your exceency also stated that, /" in consequence
OF the observations of Mr.. Ellis in regard to the law
of confscaton, (under which the penalties on cap
tains of vessels imposed for trivial errors) the
by order of the Executive; and it was hoped that the
changes indicated would be made"
The National Congress of Venezuela has, how
ever, adjourned without revising the tariff of duties,
or amending the custom-house regulations COM
planned OF; and it becomes the duty of the under
signed once more, and earnestly, to address your
excelency on these questions.
The undersigned need not assure Mr.. Maurique
Of the strong and general desire of the government
and people of the United States to cherish the rela
a - II.
this republic. Tha, desire, were it not otherwise
demonstrated, is sufficiently shown in their hitherto
patient submission to the existing tariff exactions OF
Venezuela. But the undersigned regrets to say
that there is not discoverable in the action Of this
government on this subject, corresponding dispo-
sition of amity and goodwill towards the people Of
the United States.
Two years ago last May, Se1or F. Amanda, then
Minister of Foreign Affairs, addressed commune
cation to my predecessor, the Hon. Allen A. Hall,
proposing and earnestly advocating commercial ar
rangement between the United States and Venezuela,
the basis Of which, he proposed, should be the con-
tinued admission of coffee into the United States
Stree of duty" and considerable reduction in the
duty laid by Venezuela on the important article of
-four Has that proposition been forgotten Or,
does Venezuela, now that by the continued uncon
dtonal exemption of coffee from duty by the United
States, she enjoys all the advantages she then
proposed to recprocate, feel disincned TO initiate
our liberal policy, and indsposed to cherish that
In l643, she advocated with much power and
eoquencei Does Mr.. Maurique doubt that, in
1S43, his predecessor would have willingly agreed
TO the free admission of -four, condition OF the
continued exemption of coffee from duty He can
not doubt it, for then, nor, the true interests of
this country demanded this mutual free exchange of
these two staples.
But the Executive of the United States could not
properly authorize this commercial arrangement,
and bind the Congress Of that nation neuer to i'm
IL, .l,rntao a. fnr Tho
dlton Of the treasury and the circumstances Of the
country, might imperiously demand reasonable
impost upon this article; nor was il important TO
Venezuela that this arrangement should be made
counses Of that government, that nothing less than
absolute necessity for increased revenue would
produce the taxation of this article of comfort to any
important extent. Hence the exemption of coffee
from duty in the United States still continues; and
Venezuela has the benefit Of that exemption, in the
IncreaseI and increas cnnanmnlinn of II hv