M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1858-12-23

was Drought 10 the knowledge OF Con-
Igress by my predecessor soon after its
occurrence, and was also presented to
the government of Costa Rica for that
immediate investigation and redress
which the nature of the case demand
ed. A similar course was pursued
with reference to other outrages in
these countries, some Of which were
hardly less aggravated in their charac-
ter than the transaction at Virgin Bay
At the time, however, wheE our pres
ent minister was appointed, in Dec,
1857, no redress had been obtained
for any of these wrongs, and no reply
had been received 20 the demands
which had been made by this govern.
ment upon that OF Costa Rica, more
than a year before. Our minister
was instructed, therefore, to lose no
time in expressing to those govern
ments the deep regret with which the
President had witnessed this inatten-
ton to the just claims OF the U. States,
and in demanding their prompt and
satisfactory adjustment. Unless this
demand shall be complied with at an
early day, it will only remain for this
government to adopt such other mea-
sures as may be necessary to obtain
for itself that justice which il has in
vain attempted to secure by peaceful
means from the governments of Costa
Rica and Nicaragua. While it has
shown and will continue 70 show the
most sincere regard for the rights and
honor of these republics, it cannot
permit this regard to be met by. an ut.
ter neglect on their part, of what is
due to the government and citizens Of
the U. States
Against New Granada we have
long standing causes of complaint,
arising out of the unsatisfed claims
of our citizens upon that republic; and
to these have been more recently ad-
ded the outrages committed upon our
citizens at Panama, in April, 1866
A treaty for the adjustment of these
difficulties was concluded by the Secre,
tary of State and the Minister Of New
Granada, in September, 1857, which
contained just and acceptable provis
ions for that purpose. This treaty
was transmitted to Bogota, and was
ratified by the Government of New
Grenada, but with certain amend
ments. It was not, however, returned
to this city until after the close of tht
last session of the Senate. 1t will b.
immediatly transmitted to that body
for their advice and consent; an(
should this be obtained, it will remove
all our existing causes Of complain
against New Granada on the subject
of claims.
Questions have arisen between the
two governments as to the right o.
New Granada to levy a tonnage duty
upon the vessels of the U. States in
its ports Of the isthnlus, and to levy
passenger tax upon our citizens ar
irving in that country, whether with
a design to remain there or pass from
ocean to ocean by the transit route;-
and also tax upon the mails of the
U. States transported over the Pana-
ma Railroad. The government o!
New Granada has been informed that
the U. States would consider the col.
lection of either of these taxes as an
act in violation of the treaty between
the two countries, and as such would
be resisted by the U. States. AT the
same time we are prepared to discuss
these questions in a spirit of amity
and justice, and with a sincere desire
to adjust them in a satisfactory man,
ner. A negotiation for that purpose
has already been commenced. No eff.
fort has recently been made to collect
these taxes, nor is any anticipated ur-
der present circumstances.
With the empire of Brazil our re-
llations are of the most friendly char.
acter. The productions of the two
countries, and especially those of an
agricultural nature, are such as to in
vite extensive mutual exchanges. A
large quantity of American flour is
consumed in Brazil; whilst more than
treble the amount of Brazilian coffee
| is consumed in the U. States. Whilst
this is the case, a heavy duty has been
levied, until very recently, upon the
importation of American -four into
Brazil. | am gratifed, however, to
be able to inform you that, in Sept.
last, this has been reduced from 81, 80
to about 40 cents per barrel, and the
duties on other articles of our pro-
duction have been diminished in near
ly the same proportion. y
regret to state that the govern
ment Of Brazil still continues to levy
an export duty Of about II per cent.
on coffee Notwithstanding this article
is admitted free of duty in the U. S.
This is a heavy chafge upon the con-
sumers of coffee in our country, as
we purchase half of the entire sur
plus crop Of that article raised in Bra