The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-12-16

the Minister Of New Granada, in September,
1857, which contained just and acceptable
provisions for that purpose This treaty was
transmitted to Bogota, and was ratified BY
the government Of New Granada, but with
certain amendments. 1t was not, however,
returned TO this city until after the close OF
the last session of the Senate. 1t will be i'm
uediately transmitted to that body for their
advice and consent; and should this be OBJ
tanned, il will remove oil our existing causes
of complaint against New Granada on the
subject Of claims.
Questions have arisen between the two
governments, as to the right OF Ne" Grana-
da TO levy a tonnage duty upon the vessels
Of the United States In its ports OF the 18TH
mus, and to levy passenger tax upon our
citizens arriving in that country, whether
with design to remain there or to pass from
ocean to ocean by the transit route; and also
a tax upon the mail OF the United StaI esr
transported over the Panama railroad. The
government of New Granada has been in
formed that the United States would con-
slider the collection oil either OF these taxes,
as or act in violation of the treaty between
the two countries, and as such would be re-
sisted by the United States. At the same
time, we are prepared to discuss these ques-
tions in a spirit of amity and justice, and
with since desire to adjust them in sat.
isfactory manner. A negotiation Tor thot
purpose has already been commenced. No
effort has recently been made to collect these
taxes, nor is any anticipated under present
circumstances.
With the empire OF Brazil our relations
are of the most friendly character. The pro-
ductons of the two countries, and especially
those of an agricultural nature, are such as
to invite extensive mutual exchanges. A
large quantity of American flour is consum-
ed in Brazil whilst more than treble the
amount in value of Brazilian coffee is con-
sumed in the United States. Whilst this is
the case, heavy duty has been levied, un-
til very recently, upon the importation oil
American flour into Brazil. | am gratified,
however, to be able to inform you that in
September last this has been reduced from
81 80 to about 49 cents per barrel, and the
duties on other articles Of our production
have been diminished in nearly the same
proportion.
Iregret to state that the government of
Brazil still continues to levy en- export duty
Of about ii per cent. on coffee, notwiih-
standing this article is admitted free from
duty in the United States. This is heavy
charge upon the consumers of coffee in our
country, as we purchase half of the entire
surplus crop of that article raised in Brazil.
Our minister, under instructions, will rete-
rate his efforts to have this export duty re-
moved /; and it is hoped that the enlightened
government of the emperor will adopt this
wise, just, lnd equal policy. In that event,
there is good reason to believe that the com.
meree between the two countries will great
ly increase, much to the advantage of both.
The claims of our citizens against the
government of Brazil are not, in the agere-
gate, OF very large amounti but some of these
rest upon plain principles of justice, and
their settlement ought not to be longer de-
layed. A renewed and earnest, and, trust,
a successful effort, will be made by our min
lister to procure their fnal adjustment.
On the I'd OF June last, Congress passed
q joint resolution authorizing tAe Preside Mt
"to adopt such measures and use such for &C
as, in his judgment, may be necessary and
advisable" "for the purpose of adjusting the
differences between the United States and
the republic of Paraguay, in connection with
the attack on the United States steamer
Water Wich, and with oth.r measures re-
ferred to" in bis annual message. And on
the 18th July following, they made IN up-
preparation to defray the expenses and con-
pensation Of commissioner to that republic,
should the President deem it proper to make
such an appointment.
In compliance with these enaCtments. !
have appointed commissioner, wh5 has pro.
ceeded to Paraguay, with full powers and in
structions to settle these differences in an
amicable and peaceful manner, if this be
practicable. His experience and discretion
justify the hope, that he may prove success
ful in convincing the Paraguayan govern
ment, that it is due both to honor and Justice.
that they should voluntarily and promptly
make atonement for the wrongs which thev
have committed against the United States,
aud indemnify our injured citizens whom
they have forciby despoiled Of their proper.
ty.
Should our commissioner prove unsuc-
cessful, after sincere and earnest effort, to
accomplish the object of his mission, then
no alternative will remain, but the employ.
ment Of force to obtain 'just satisfaction"
from Paraguay. In view OF this contingency,
the Secretary of the Navy, under my direc-
tion, has fitted out, and despatched naval
force, to rendezvous near Buenos Ayres,
which, it is believed. will prove sufficient for
the occasion. 1t is my earnest desire, how
ever, that it may not be found necessary 10
resort to this last alternative.
When Congress met in December last,
the business of the country had Just been
crushed, by one Of those periodical revul-
sions, which are the inevitable consequen.
ces of ur unsound and extravagant system
of bank credits and inflated currency. With
all the elements Of national wealth in abun-
dance, our manufactures were suspended,
our useful public and private enterprises
were arrested, and thousands of laborers
were deprived of employment and reduced
to want. Universal distress prevailed among
the commercial, manufacturing, and mecha-
nica classes.
This revulsioH was felt the more severely
in the United States, because similar causes
had produced the like deplorable effect
throughout the commercial nations of Eu.
rope. All were experiencing sad reverses
at the same moment. Our manufacturers
everywhere suffered severely, not because of
the recent reduction in the tariff of duties on
imports, but because there was no demand
at any price for their productions. The peo.
pie were obliged 10 restrict themselves, in
their purchases, to articles OF prime necessi.
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