The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1858-12-17


ted over the Panama railroad. The govern.
ment Of New Granada has been informed.
thntthe United States would consider the
collection Of either Of these taxes, as an net
in violation, Of the treaty between the two
cvun tries, and Ms such would be resisted BY the
united States. At the same time, we are
prepared ~ discuss these questions In spirit
OF amity Ind justice, and with sincere do
sire To adjust them in n satisfactory manner.
A negotiation for that 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 oour relntions
are of the most friendly character. The pro.
dnctions OF The two countries, ande specially
those Of an agricultural nature, are such ns
to invite extensive mutual exchanges. A
lnrge quantity of American -four IL consumed
in Brazil; whilst mora than trebls the amount
in value Of BRAZILIAN coffee is consumed In
the United States. Whilstt this 10 the case,
heavy dniy has been levied, until very re-
gently, upon the Importation of American
Hour into Brnzi. am gratifiyd, jloweyer, TO
he able to Inform you lhst ii Seltembershst
this has been reduced frpnfBl So foaabout
forty.nine cents per barrelsnnd the duties on
other articles Of our production have bsendi.
minished 10 n"nrly the same proportion.
regret to state that the government of
Brazil still continues to levy mn export duty
Of about l ] per cent. on coffee, notwithstnnd
ing 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 reiterate his
efforts to have this export duty removed; and
II is hoped that the enlightened government
Of the Emperor will adopt this wise, just, and
equal policy. In that event. there is good
reason to believe that the commerce between
the two countries will greatly increase, much
TO the edvnntnge OF both. ~vsss
The claims Of our citizens against the gov.
eminent OF Brazil are not, in the aggregate,
OF very large amount; but some of these
rest upon plain principles OF justice, and their
settlement ought not to be longer Delayed
renewed and earnest, and trust n success
fnl effort, will be made by our minister to
procure their final adjustment
On the I'd OF June last, Congress pissed a
joint resolution authorizing the President "to
adopt such measures and use such force rs,
In his Judgment, may he necessary and nd
vlsabls" "for the purpose of adjusting the
differences between the United STATES and
the republic OF Paraguay, In connexion with
the attack on the United States steamer Wa,
ter Witch and with other measures referred
t" in his annual message. And on the l2tr
July following, they made nns appropriation
to defray the expenses and compensation of
commissioner to that republic, should the
President deem il proper to make such an
appointment. -
In compliance, with these enactments, |
have appointed commissioner, who has pro-
ceeded to Paraguay, withfnIl 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 government,
that II is duo both to honor and Justice, that
they should voluntarily and promptly make
atonement for the wrongs which they have
committed againstthe United States, and in.
demnify our injured citizens whom they have
forcibly despOiled of their property.
Should our commissioner prove unsuccess
full, after sincere and earnest effort, to nc
complish the object OF his mission, then no
alternative will remain, but the employment
of forge to obtain "just satisfaction" from
Paraguay. In view of this contingency, the
Secretary OF the Navy, under my direction,
has lifted out and despatched n naval force,
to rendezvous nenr Bnenos Ayres, which, it is
believed, will prove sufficient for the occa-
sion. 1t is my earnest desire, however, that
It may not be found necessary to resort to
this last alternative.
When Congress met in December last, the
business OF the country had Just been crush
ed' oy one OF those periodical 'evuislons,
"h'cn are tne 'neV'ao'e consequence or our
"hsonhu ana rN'raV"Rhn' system OF bank
c,eu"s una 'hnn'ed currency. WIN all the
e'ehrhts o. ha''oha' wealth. IN abundance,
"", manufactures were s"sPehueu' our ns"'n'
P"9.e ana private enterprises were arrested,
anu '"ouS"n"s OF lnnofets were deprived OF
enip'oy"ent ana reduced 10 want universal
u's'ress preVai'eu among the c"mmrrclal,
''ah"'hctnr'he' ana mechhh'ea' classes: ms
, ,g waste 'he more severely IN inc
on,,eu S'a.es; oeS"nse s,'n''ar causes had
Pr"auceu .ne l'ke ueP,orhole eHrc's through,
our Tue commercial nnuohs OF Europe. Al
we're eape'le"c'ng sau reVerses ~ me sam"
'n"shen,. O"r m"nniaelurers every where
sunereo severely, no, because OF 'he recent
,eu"c.on w ,ne 'n'hi OF an"es on imports
o"' oecause mere was no uem"hn NJ any price
,or tne'r promotions. 'he people were ob
"geu 10 restrict themselves, N their pnrchas'
es' 10 "ruc'es OF prime necessity. In the
general prostitution OF business, the iron man
"iac'nrers IN different States probably suffer
cd more than any other class, and much des-
ttu'ion was the inevitable consequence,
among the great number of wOrkmen who