Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-12-17


who shall take commissions of letters of marque to
act as privateers against the other "shal be pun
ished as pirates"
II affords me pleasure TO inform you that have
assurances received from the Spanish government
that this article of the Treaty shall be faithfully
observed on its part Orders for this purpose were
Immediately transmitted from that government to
the authorities of Cuba and Porto Rico, to exert
their utmost vigilance in preventing any attempts
to fit out privateers in those islands against the
United States. From the good faith of Spain am
fully satisfied that this treaty will be executed in
in its spirit as well as its letters whilst the United
States will on their part, faithfully perform all the
obligations which it imposes on them.
Information has been recently received at the
Department of State that the Mexican Government
has sent to Havana blank commissions to prvoteers
and blank certificates of naturalization, signed by
General Salas, the present head of the Mexican
Government There is, also, reason to apprehend
7 that similar documents have been transmitted to
other parts OF the world. Copies of these papers,
in translation, are herewith transmitted
: AS the preliminares required by the practice of
civilized nations for commissioning prvateers and
regulating their conduct appear not to have been
observed-and as these commissions are in blank,
to be filled up with the citizens and subjects of all
nations who may be willing to purchase thcm--tho
whole proceeding can only be construed in
vation to all the lreebooters upon EARTH who are
willing to pay for the privilege, to cruise against
American commerce. 1t will be for our courts of
justice to decide whether under such crcumstan-
ces, these Mexican letters Of nIarque and reprisal
shall protect those who accept them, and commit
robberios upon the high seas under their authority,
from the pains and penalties of piracy.
If the certificates of naturalization thus granted
be intended by Mexico to shield Spanish subjects
from the guilt and punishment Of pirates, under
our treaty with Spain, they will certainly prove
unavang Such subterfuge would be but
weak device TO defeat the provisions of u solemn
treaty.
] recommend that Congress should Immediately
provide by law for the trial and punishment pi
rates OF Spanish subjects who, escaping the vigil
{ lance OF their government, should be found guilty
of privateerng against the United States. | do
not apprchend danger from these prvateers.
Orr navy will be constantly the alert to protect
!, our commerce. Besides, in case prizes should be
made OF American vessels, the utmost vigilance
will be eXerted by our blockadng squadron to pre-
vent the captors from taking them into Mexican
pors and it is not apprehended that any nation
will violate its neutrality by suffering such plies
! to be condemned and sold within its jurisdiction.
f recommend that Congress should Immediately
r provide by law for granting letters OF marquc
and reprisal against vessels under the Mexican
flag. Iii true that there but few, if any. com
t mercia vessels upon the high seas and it is,
t therefore, not probable that many American prva-
teers would be fitted ont, in case law should pass
= authorizing this mode of warfare. 1t is, notwith-
y standing, certain that such prvateers may render
country, by rccapturing erchant ships, should
= any be taken by armed vessels under the Mexican
flag, as well as by capturing these vessels them
d selves. Every means within our power should be
It rendered available for the protection of our COM
II merce.
If The annual report of the Secretary of the Trea-
i sury will exhibit detailed statement of the condi-
}, ton of the finances. The imports for the fiscal
t. year ending the thirteenth of June last, of
the value otone hundred and twenty one millions
l. six hundred and ninety one thousand seven hum
bred and ninety dollars of which the amount
o exported eleven million three hundred and
l. forty-sx thousand six hundred and twenty. three
dollars, leaving the amount retained in the country
II for domestic consumption one hundred and ten
millions three hundred and forty-fve thousand one
i hundred and seventy-four dollars. The value of
II the exports for the same period one hundred
and thirteen million four hundred and lightweight
h thousand five hundred and sixteen dollars of which
is one hundred and two millions one hundred and
orty-one thousand eight hundred and ninety three
dollars consisted of domestic productions and elev-
If en- millions three hundred and forty-sx thousand
IF six hundred and twenty three dollars of foreign
n articles.
The receipts into the Treasury for the same year
v, twenty million four hundred and ninety.
N nine thousand, two hundred and forty dol
a lars and six cents; of which there derived
/ from customs twenty six million seven hundred
and twelve thousand six hundred and siXty-seven
dollars and eighty cents, from sales OF public
it lands two millions six hundred and ninety five
II thousand four hundred and fiity-two dollars and
j. forty eight cents. and from incidental and miscea
lie neous sources, ninety-two thousand one hundred
Is and twentysx dollars and seventy-one cents The
J. expenditures for The period were twenty EIGHT
million thirty-one thousand one hundred aud four
is teen dollars and twenty-cents, and the balance in
is the Treasury the first day of July last was nine
l. million one hundred and twenty-six thousand four
N hundred and ninety nine dollars and eight cents.
l. The amount of public debt, including Treasury
Or notes, the first day of the present month, was
l. twenty four millions two hundred and ty-six thou
j. sand four hundred and ninety -four dollars and sixty
l. cents of which the sum Of seventeen million sew
en- hundred and eighty Eight thousand seven hun
Is dred and ninety do lars and sXty-two cents
5. was outstanding the fourth OF March, IS45
A. eaving the amount incurred since that time six
OF million four hundred and siXtyseven thousand six
a. hundred and ninety-four dollars and ninety eight
n cents.
'e In order to prosecute the with Mexico with
lg vgor and energy, the best of bringing it
,e to speedy ana honorable termination, further
t. loan will be necessary, TO meet the expenditures
IN for the present and the next fiscal years. If the
G. war should be continued until the trteh OF June
&c Sl0-b being the enc of the next fiscal year it Is
er estimated that additional loan Of twenty three
millions Of dollars will be required. This estimate
rs made upon the assumption that 1t will he RACES
IT, sary to retain constantly IN the Treasury four mil
III lion OF dollars, 10 guard against contingencies II
a. such surplus were not required to be retained
IL then loan OF nineteen million OF dollars would be
c. sufficient If, however, Congress should. at the
# present session. impose revenue duty on the arti
cles now embraced in the free list it is estimated
On that adduonal annual revenue OF about two mil
at ions and halt, amounting, it is estimated, on tue
I'll thlreth Of June lSlS to tour millions of dollars
TO would be derived from that source; and the LOAF
d. required would be reduced by that amount. 1t IL
On is estimated, ALSO that should Congress graduate
IT. and reduce the price of such of the public lands
in as have been long in the market, the additional
IT. revenue derived from that source would be annual
o. y, for several years to come, between half mil
nd lion and million of dollars and the loan required
sI he rnlncph nv that nsn Shnn ihnc