Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1846-01-03

IpociaIy to the United States. We must
ever maintain the principle, that the peo-
pie Of this continent alone have the right
to decide their own destiny. Should any
portion OF them, constituting an indie
pendent state, propose TO unite them,
selves with our conlederacy, this will be
question for them and us 10 determine,
without any foreign interposition.
We can never consent that European
powers shall interfere 10 prevent such
union, because it might disturb the
balance power" which they may desire
to maintain upon this continent, Pear a
quarter Of century ago, the principle
was distinctly announced to the world in
the annual message Of one of my prede.
cessors, that "lhe American continents,
by the free ana independent condition
which they have assumed and maintain
are henceiorth not 10 be considered as
subjects for future colonization by any
European Power This principle will ap-
/ ply with greatly increased force, should
any European power attempt to establish
any new colony in North America. In
the existing circumstances Of the world,
the present is deemed a proper occasion
to relterate and re affirm the principle
avowed by Mr.. Monroe, and to state my
cordial concurrence in its wisdom and
sound policy. The re-assertion of this
principle, especially in reference to North
America, is at this day but the promo ga
ton OF policy which no European
power should cherish the disposition to
resist. Existing rights Of every Euro
pean nation should be respected; but it is
alike to our safety and cur interests that
the efficient protection Of our laws should
be extended over our whole territorial
limits, and that i; should be Distinctly an
nounced to the world as our settled policy,
that no future European colony or domin-
ion shall with our consent, be planted or
established on any part of the North
American continent.
4 question has recently arisen under
the tenth article Of the subsisting treaty
between the United States and Prussia,
BY this article the Cousuls of the two
countries have the right to sit as judges
and arbitrators sin such differences as
may arise between the captains and crews
OF he vessels. belonging TO the nation
whose interest are committed to their
charge, without the interference of the
local authorities, unless the conduct of
the crews or captain should disturb the
order or tranquility of the country; orI
the said ConsuIs should require their as
sistance 10 cause their decisions to be car
rled into effect or supportedn
The PrusSian consul at New Bedford, !
in June, 1914, applied to Mr.. Justice Sto.
ny TO carry into effect decision made by
by him between the captain and crew of
the Prussian ship Borussa; but the re-
quest was refused on the ground that
without previous legislation by Congress,
the judlclary(did not possess the power to
give the effect to this article of the treaty. |
The Prussian government through their
minister here, have complained Of this
of the treaty, and have asked
the government Of the United States to
adopt the necessary measures to prevent
similar violations hereafter. Good faith
to Prussia, as we'll as other nations with
whom we have similar treaty stpulatons,
requires that these should be faithfully |
observed. | have deemed it proper,
therefore, TO lay the subject before Con
gress and to recommend such legislation
as may be necessary to give effect to
these treaty obligations.
, By virtue Of an arrangement made be.
tween the Spanish government and that
Of the United States, in December, 1881,
American vessels, since the 29th Of April,
1882, have been admitted to entry into
the ports of Spain, including those Of the
Baearc and Canary islands, on payment
Of the same tonnage duty of five cents {
per ton, as though they had been Span
Ssh vessels and this whether our vessels
arrive in Spain directly from the United
States or indirectly from any other coun-
ry. When Congress by the act of the
18Th Of July, 1882, giving to this ar
'angement between the two governments,
hoy confined the reduction Of tonnage
luty to Spanish vessels "coming from a S
bort in Spain," leaving the former dis &
duty to remain against such
'essels coming from port in any coun s
ry. |! is manlteslly unjust that, whilst I
american vessels, arriving in the ports Of {
spain from other countries, pay no more /
uty than Spanish vessels arriving in the d
orts of the United States from other a
ountries should be subject to heavy dis 4
tonnage duties. This is nei. /
her equality nor reciprocity, and is in
ioIaton Of the arrangements concluded S
n December, 1881, between the two coun- 9
ries The Spanish government have t
made repeated aud earnest remonstran- !
es against this inequality, and the ia b
orabIe attention Of Congress has been S
eyeral times invoked to the subject of n
ny predecessors, ! recommend as an act d