New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-02-08

rot port OF entry TOT any iofcsSn 'ccecie, noi j"
Peruvian vessels coming from foreign ports. a
treaty concluded between the United States and
Perm In 1851. however, now makes it port OF
ent,y to all United States whaling or fishing yes
sells These hardy fishermen used 10 come IN
pretending they were IN distress: the au-
thorities winked at the pretense; and they
anchored. slung their casks together and towed
them four or FIVE miles up the river until they found
rveet water and filed them. Other boats crews
would 20 on shore and cut down the mangroVe
trees which crowd the banks, and boat them OF
for frewood; and with their drygoods and mo
tions they paid fer the edmotes or sweet potatoes
souashes. lines and lemons, oranges fresh peer,
uigs ard the ike which they required tor 1000
and as anti-seOrbutics ip their long cruises ooo-
bling for whale" In 1851, however, a treaty was
concluded between the United States ana feru, "
which these visits are recognized as egltmate, sna
certain privileges extended 10 them which are NOT
sIInwed 10 merchant vessels Now, the people OF
the town cut wood and pile it on the point LOT saie
70 vhslemen, and the season Of whalers 10 looked
forward TO by Tumbes people with the same
anxiety as the Spring and Fall trade Is expected
among our dealers at home. These seasons are
MAY and June, and September and October. In
1854 about seventy whalers visited this port; IN
1S!5 the number will probably be considerably
Greater. In the months Of August and September
Alone there were upward of thirty, and more than
usual continued to arrive IN October.
Here might mention an item OF Peruvian stu
pidity which is hard to beat" which came 10
nv knowledge while on q visit at Tumbes few
months since.
1t seems that by the treaty referred to above
Whslers are allowed the privilege not only OF an
chorng free Of all barbor and light dues whatever
but also Of introducing such goods as they barter
for supplies or in the words of the treaty, mer-
chspdife. including oil and candles, 10 the amount
of 5000 cd raIo,em for each vessel free of all duties
whatsoever" aud fthe vessel requires TO sell more
than $500 worth. they may introduce, In addition,
81 Geo worth more, without becoming subject 70
lartOr dues by paying only such duties a. cltlzens
of the most favored nation would pay upon INTRO
ducipg the same or similar goods into any Peruvian
port Of entry. After this treaty had been in ex.
istence some three and half years. and observed
bv the authorities OF Tumbes, without question,
when, in answer, believe, to some questions from
the Deputy COllectOrOf the port Instructions came
down from the central Custom House, to the effect
that whaers must not introduce any merchandise
whatever free of duties except the actual produce
Of the fishery, which they declared 10 be oil and
candles; and that they ought not to consider any
vessel whaler which had anything on board ex-
cept the outfit Of provisions for men and the lmpe-
ments of whaling. This instruction, II strictly OBJ
served, would cut off all whalers from entering
Tumbes, because they all carry more or less mer-
chandise as cheaper medium than cash for pay
ing for supplies, and Tumbes is not port OF entry
for ANY merchant vessel. The authorities, how
ever Ignored this part Of the instructions, but put
on the screws by way Of duties on everything ex-
cept oil and candles. Our Minister and our Gov
eminent were Immediately notified OF this abr0ga-
ton of the treaty, but up TO October last the
instructions remained in force, which called forth
protest from the whaling captains in port on the
Goth Of that month, a copy of which was kindly
allowed TO take by the excellent United States
I IA
incose 1t was drawn up on the Goth September,
and in ten days it had received seventeen sigma
tures-a sufficient comment on the number resort
ing to the port.
do not believe that any civilized Government,
except that of the United States, would have al
lowed such an infractiOn OF treaty to pass so
quietly for so long time even though 1t proceeded,
as doubtless this did from the stupidity OF some
under officer and not from the Government itself,
which Lad something else TO think OF just then.
And here must be allowed to have my fling, in
common with all United States travellers, at the
miserable, contemplate foreign policy of our
"ger.reat and gel-lOrious kedntry," as the Bun
kun Flag staff hath it. The longer tarry abroad
and the more opportunities have for observing the
amount of protection which our citizens ENJOY from
their own Government, as compared with that e1-
ert1d by the French and British Governments IN
favor of their subjects, the more sick and ashamed
/ become of our foreign policy. 1t is useless to
give new instances after the volumes that nave
been published, but / will just say that though
whalers have been in the habit OF making rendez-
vous of Tumbes for many years, yet United States
nanofwar was never seen anchored there; and
Tow there are $4,000, 600 or 81, 600 000 at least,
of the property Of United States tax payers floating
at anchor at the mouth of that river every year.
4, b. a.
the Hon RANDOLPH CLAY Minister Plenipotenary and
Envoy Extraordinary Of the United States, near the su
preme Government Of Peru, at Lima
"SlR: The undersigned, masters Of American whal-
ing vessels at anchori the bay of Tumbes dorespect
fully represent TO you that trusting to the provisions
especially of the 18th article OF the treaty ratified ls
of December, 1851, between the governments OF the
United States Of America and of Peru, have come
10 the port of TuDbes for the purpose Of procuring
wood water aud fresh provisions, intending to barter
therefor our supplies and merchandise, including OIL
sush and candies, which might prot;ably do were
we allowed the privileges stipulated in the above
mentioned treaty. But, without any previous notice,
these privileges denied to by the authorities of
the port of Tumbes, and not allowed to land
ony amount Ehatecer Of merchandise slush, ex-
Ceptng only oil and candles, without paying duties
The non, contrary TO the provisions OF said treaty
And We feel that we should be wanting IN our duty TO
Ourselves and all concerned, should neglect to
advise you, the representative Of our Government
in this country, of this violation Of sacred treaty.
and 10 protest against the same, We do now hereby
soemnly protect: That the United States whaling feet
now living at this port, and likely to touch thereat
during the present season has suffered, and will
tuue TO suffer, serious pecunialy damages 40 long
this unsnuounced sbrogation Of the said treaty shall
continue; because, as is well known TO you, Sir all
whale-shps are fitted out from home with a limited
portion of miscellaneous merchandise and surplus
stores such as bread, dry goods -four, &C., by the
sale OF which part OF the fresh supplies are expected
to be procured in foreign ports. And In consequence
Of the present action Of the authorities OF Iumbes
those who have oil to sell obliged to part with it
at very low and uurcmunerating prices; while those