The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-23
INTERESTING CIRCULAR.

I'M thE4ol lNo IiftIOl-hn'
Our commerce with the ports of Mexico necessa-
rily assumes new relations from the existence OF
war between the two republics. Our occupation Of
the port of Matamoras the independence of Yucca
| tan--the trade from our own ports to those OF
Mexico not bloeladed by our vessels, and not IN
oar possession, required commercial regulations
from the Treasury Department of the United States
and, accordingly, we now lay before our readers
the following interesting circular, which has been
issued on these various classes of cases. by the Sec
rotary of the Treasury The attention of the officers
of customs is also particularly called to any private
armament or equipment of vessels in their respective
ports
CIRCULART TO COLLECTORS AND OTHER OFFICERS
| OF THE CUSTOMS
TREAsURY DEPARTMENT,
June IL, 1886.
It is deemed important in the present juneture Of
affairs, growing out Of the existing state Of be-
tween the United States and Mexico, TO furnish the
officers of the customs with proper directions for
their government TIE department has accordingly
prepared the following instructions TO which their
especial attention is called, and a strict conformity
| thereto enjoined.
BY the law Of nations, as recognised by repeated
decisions Of Judicial tribunals, the existence Of
state Of war intordets all trade or commerce be-
the citizens Of the two nations engaged in the
war. Il consequently follows, that neither vessels
nor merchandise Of any description can be allowed
to proceed from ports places in the United States
TO ports places in the territories Of Mexico, with
the exception Of such ports or places in the latter
country, as may be at the time in the actual pos
session Of the United States forces.
The introduction referred to, applies equally to
neutral vessels and their cargoes, proceeding d.
rectly from any Of our ports to ports or places in
the territories Of Mexico In all such cases, there
fore, IL becomes your duty, and you are accordingly
directed refuse clearances to all vessels and their
cargoes departing from our ports, to ports or aces
in the country mentioned, with the exception before
stated.
The 26th article Of the treaty concluded between
| the United States Of America and the United Mex-
can States bearing date the Stu Of April, 1881,
tains the following stpulatons, which are in full
force, and binding on the contracting parties, and
are to be strictly observed and respected by the Uni
| ted States and their officers, TO wit:
"For the greater security Of the intercourse be-
tween the citizens Of the United States of America,
and of the United Mexican States, it is agreed now
for then, that If there should he at any time hereaf
ter an interruption of the friendly relations which
now exist, or war unhapply break out between
the two contracting parties, there shall be allowed
the term OF six months TO the merchants residing
the coast and year those residing in the inte
rior Of the States and Territories of each other re-
spectvely, TO arrange their business dispose Of their
effects, transport them wheresoeyer they may
please giving them safe conduct to protect them to
| the port they may designate. Those citizens who
may be established in the States and Territories
aforesaid, exercising any other occupation trade
shall be permitted to remain in the uninterrupted
| oyment of their liberty and property, long
they conduct themselves peaceably, and do not COM
nit any offence against the laws and their goods
and effects Of whatever class and condition they may
be- shall not be subject to any embargo or seques-
traton whatever, nor to any charge tax other
than may he established upon similar goods and eff
fects belonging to the citizens Of the State in which
they reside respectively, shall the debts between
| individuals nor moneys in the public funds, or in
public private banks, shares in companies, be
confscated, enlarged, or detained"
| II is to be specially noted, that the privileges
mentioned in the article Of the treaty quoted apply
exclusively to citizen merchants actually residing
in the countries respectively at the breaking out Of
| the war. Hence the removal from this country of
any property effects belonging to merchants not
residing therein is not authorized by the treaty. and
is consequently prohibited by the rules of interna-
| tonal law.
1t is deemed proper to call the attention of the re-
spective officers of the customs to any private arm
ing and equipment of vessels that may take place in
| their ports, with view to ascertain far as may
| be practicable the true object and destination of all
| such vessels, in order that due measures may be
taken to Illustrate any design attempt to afford
aid or assistance of any kind to the enemy
| should any case arse occaslonDg DOUBT IN your
mind to the proper course to be pursued you
will advise with the United States district Attorney
and if found necessary, will submit the matter to the
department for instructions.
! The latest intelligence received at the department.
leads to the conclusion that the state of Yucatan
would at least remain neutral during the present
war, and probably assume the attitude of sepa-
rate and independent sovereignty, desiring TO main
tain the most friendly relations with the United
States. That being the case, the ports of Yucatan
would be subject to the Introduction of commerce
applicable to Mexico generally.
| K. J. WALKER,
Secretary of the Treasury.