Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1858-12-22


communication also the effects of the United |
States Government and its citizens which |
may be intended for transit and not for dis |
trlbution on the lsthmus, free of custom !
house or other charges by the Mexican gov
ernment"
These treaty stipulatlons with New Grana-
Ga and Mexico. in addition to the considera-
tions applicable to the Nicaragua route, seem
to require legislation for the purpose of carry
ing them into effect
The injuries which have been inflicted
upon our citizens in Costa Rica and Nicara-
qua, during the last two or three years have
received the prompt attention of this Gov
ernment. Some of these injuries were of the
most aggravated character. The transaction
at Virgin Bay in April, 1856, when a COM
pany of unarmed Americans, who were in
no way connected with any belligerent con-
duct or party, were fred upon by the
troops of Costa Rica, and Numbers of them
were killed and wounded, were brought to
the knowledge of Congress by my predeces-
sor soon after its occurrence, and was also
presented to the government OF Costa Rca,
for that immediate investigation and redress
which the nature of the case demanded.
y similar course was pursued with refer
ence to other outrages in these countries,
some of which were hardly less aggravated
in their character than the transaction at
Virgin Bay. At the time, however, when
our minister to Nicaragua was appointed. in
December, 1857. no redress had been obtain
ed for any of these wrongs, and no reply
even had been received to the demands
which had been made by this government
upon that OF Costa Rica, more than year
before. Onr minister was instructed, there
fore, to lose no time in expressing to those
Governments the deep regret with which
the President had witnessed this inattention
to the just claims of the United States, and in
demanding their prompt and satisfactory ad--
justment Unless this demand shall be
complied with at an early day, it will only
remain for this government to adopt such
measures may be necessary, in order TO
obtain for itself that justice which it has in
vain attempted to aecure by peaceful means
from the Governments of Nicaragua and
Costa Rica. While it has shown, and will
continue to show. the most sincere regard
for the rights and honor of these Republics,
it cannot permit this regard to be met by an
utter neglect, on their part, of what is due
J to the Government and citizens of the United
! States.
! Against New Grenada, we have long STAN
ding causes of complaint, arisin out of the
| unsatiSfed claims of our citizens upon that
republic; and to these have been more re-
| Gently added the outrages committed upon
our citizens at Panama, in April, 1886. A
treaty for the adjustment of these difficulties,
was concluded by the Secretary of State and
the minister of New Grenada, in September,
which contained just and acceptable provis-
ION e.. e.. - LAT This treaty was trans
mitted TO Bogato, and was ratified by &c
government of New Granada, but With Ger
tain amendments. 1t was not however,
returned to this city until after the close of
the last session Of the Senate. Il will be i'm
mediately transmitted to that body for their
advice and consent; aid should this be OBJ
tanned, it will remove all 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 New Grana-
ia to levy tonnage duty npon the vessels oi
the United States in its ports of the Isthmus,
aud to levy passenger tax upon our citizens
arriving in that country, whether with de
sign to remain there to pass from ocean tc
ocean by the transit route; and also tax
upon the mail of the United States transpor-
ted over the Panama Railroad. The gov
. errment Of New Granada has been informed
that the United States would consider tht
4 collection of either of these taxes as all ac
[ in violation of the trsaty between the tWt
counties, and as such would be resisted b.
the United States At the same time, VIZ
S are prepared to discuss these questions in
spirit of amity and justice, and with a SINGER
desire to adjust them in satisfactory man
J ncr \ negotiation for that purpose ha
0 already been commenced. No effort has re
c Gently been made to collect these taxes, no
is any anticipated under present circumstan
Y ces.
2 With the empire of Brazil, our relation
4 are Of the most friendly character. Tn
: productions of the two countries, and espe
d cially those of an agricultural nature, ar
g such as to invite extensive mutual exchange
d A large quantity of American -four is consu
: med in Brazil; whilst more than treble tn
g amount in value of Brazilian coffee is consu
b med in the United States. Whilst :his is tn
e case, a heavy duty has been levied until yer
!, recently, upon the importation of America
flour into Brazil l am grati6ed, however
S to be able to inform you that in Septembe
last this has been reduced from 81 81 t
c about forty-nine cents per barrel, and th
: duties on other articles of our productio
have been diminished in nearly the sam
e proportion
h | regret to state that the government
/ Brazil still continues 20 levy an export out
1t of about IL per cent. On coffee, notwithstan(
a ing this article is admitted free from duty
n the United States. This is heavy charg
upon the consumers of coffee in our countr,
!, as we purchase half Of the entire snrpll
e crop of that article raised in Brazil o,
b minister, under instructions, will reitera
IS his efforts to have this export duty removes
If and it is hoped thst the enlightened govern
&c n Al.
1t just and equal policy. In that event, the
1t is good reason to believe that the CONNER
1t between the two countries will greatly i
u | ,rnaaa much 70 the aduantano nf hath