The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-12-16

Granada and Mexico, in addition to tn
considerations applicable to the Nicara
qua route, seem to require legislation 70
the purpose of carrying them into etfec,
The injuries which have been inficte,
upon our citizensin Costa RIGA and Nj
caragua during the last two or three year
have received the prompt attention ofthi
government Some of these injuries wer
of the NEST aggravated character. TIL,
transaction at,,Virgin Bay, in April, 1856
when company Of unarmed Americas
who were in no way connected with an
belligerant conduct or party, were fire
upon by the troops of Costa Rica. an
numbers of them killed and wounded
was brought to the knowledge of Con
gress by my predecessor soon after it
occurrence, and was alse presented t.
the government Of Costa Rica, for tina
immediate investigation and redress
which the nature of the case demanded
A similar course was pursued with refer
ence to other outIases in these countries
some of which were hardly less aggrava
4
tons at Virgin Bay. At the time. how
ever, when onr present Minister to Nj
caragua was appointed, in December
1857, no redress had been obtained 70,
any of these wrongs, and no reply even
I had been received to the demands which
had been made by this government upon
that Of Costa RIGA, more than year be
fore. Our Minister was instructed, there
fore to loose no time in expressing tc
these governments the deep regret with
which the President had witnessed this
inattention to the just claims of the U
ted States, and in demanding their promp
and satisfactory adjustment. Unless this
demand shall be complied with at an ear
ly day it will only remain for this gov
eminent to adopt such other measures as
may be necessary, in orderto obtain fo1
itself that justice which it has in vain
attempted to secure by peaceful IN ans
from the governments of Nicaragua ane
Costa Rica. While it has shown anc
will continue TO show, the most SINGERS
regard for the rights and honor Of these
republics, ii cannot permit this regarc
to be met by an utter neglect, on Their
part, of what is due to the government,
and citizens Of the United States.
Against New Granada we have long
standing causes ofcomplaint, arising ou
of the unsatisfed claims of our citizens
upon that republic; and to these have
been more recently added the outrages
committed upon our citizens at Panama
in April, 1856. A treaty for the adjust
ment of these difficulties, was concluded
by the Secretary of State and the Minis
ter of New Granada in September, 1857
which contained just and acceptable
provisions for that purpose. This treaty
was transmitted to Bogota, and was rati
fed by the government of New Granada
but with certain amendment. 1t was
not however, returned to this city unit
after the close of the last session of the
Senate. 1t will be Immediately trans
mitte9 to that body for their advice anG
consent; and should this be obtained, il
will remove all our existing causes oil
complaint against New Granada on tn,
subject of claims.
Questions have arisen between the two
governments as to the right Of New
Granada to levy tonnage duty upor
the vessels of the United States in it,
ports Of the Isthmus, and to levy pas
senger tax upon our citizens arriving il
that country, whether with design tt
remain there or to pass from ocean tt
ocean by the transit route, and also I
tax upon the mails of the United States
transported over the Panama Railroad
The government of New Granada hal
been informed tina the United State,
would consider the collection of sithel
Of these taxes az an act Of violation O
the treaty between the two countries
and as such would be resisted by thu
United States. At the same time we ar,
prepared to discuss these questions in
spirit Of amity and justice, and with
SIM ere desire to adjust them in salts
factory manner. A negotiation for tina
purpose has already been commenced
No effort has recently been made to col
lect these taxes, nor is any anticipated
under present circumstances.
With the empire of Brazil our rala
tons are of the most friendly character
The productions of the two countries
and especially those of an agriculture
nature, are such as to invite EXTENSIVE
mutual exchanges. A large quantity 0
American -four is consumed in Brazil
whilst more than treble the amount il
value Of Brazilian coffee is consumed il
the United States. Whilst this is tn
case, heavy duty has been levied, unit
very recently, upon the importations O
American flour inc Brazil. l an
gratifed, hewever, to be able to inform
you that in September last this has bee
reduced from 81 80 to about forty min
cents per barrel. and the duties on othe
articles of our production has been di
minished in nearly the same proportion
regret to state that the government
of Brazil still continues to levy an expor
duty Of about IL per cent. on coffee
Notwithstanding this article is admitte
free from duty IN the United States
This is heavy charge upon the con
sumers of coffee in our country, as W
purchase half of the entire surplus Gro