The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1858-12-17


subject OF claims.
Questions have arisen between the two gov
ernments, as 10 The right OF New Granata 10
levy tonnage duty upon the vessels OF the u
n:ted States in lis ports OF the Isthmus, and TO
levy passenger tax upon our citizens arriving
in that country, whether with a design to re-
main there or 10 pass from ocean to ocean. bv
the transit route; and also tax upon the mail
of the United States, transported over the Pa
mama railroad. The government of New Gra-
NADIA has been informed, that the United States
would consider the collection OF either Of these
taxes as an act in violation OF the treaty be-
tween the two countries, and as such would bp
resisted by the United States. At the same
time we are prepared 10 discuss these qurslions
in spirit OF amty and jnslice, and with a sim
cere desire to adjust them in a satisfactory man
ner A negotiation foI that purpose has already
been commenced No effort has recently been
made to collect these taxes, nor is any an;icipa
Ted under present circumstances.
With the empire of Brazil, our relations are
of the most friendly character. The produc-
tions of the two countries, and especially those
OF an agricultural nature, are such as TO invite
extensive mutual exchanges. A large quantity
Of A merican -four is consumed IN Brazil; whilst
more than treble the amount in value OF Brazil
ian coffee IS c0nsum ed in the United States
Whilst this is The case, heavy duty has been
levied, until very recently, upon the importa-
ton OF American -four into Brazil. ] am gratI
fed, however, TO be able TO inform you that IN
September last this has been reduced from 81,
80 to about fory-nine cents per barrel, and the
duties on other articles OF onr production have
been diminished in nearly the same proportion.
regret to state that the government OF Bra
zil still continues 10 levy an export duty OF a
bout / per cent. on cof'e, Notwithstanding
this article is admitted free from duty in the
United Slltcs. This is heavy charge upon
the consumers of coffee in our country, as we
I purchase half Of the entire surplus crop Of that
article raised ia Brazil. Our minister, under
! instruction, viii reterate his eG)rs 10 have
this export duty removed; and 1t 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 counties, will
! greatly increase, much TO the advantage of
/ both.
The claims of our citizens against the govern
ment oil Brazil are not, in the aggregate, OF a
very large amount; but some Of these rest upon
/ PLAN principles of Justice, and thrIr settlement
ought not to be longer DELAYED. A renewed
and earnest, and | trust successful effort, Will
! be made By our minister, 10 procure their final
| adjustment.
On the 81 of June last, Congress passed Joint
resolution authorizing the President ''o adopt
such measures and use such force as, in his
Judgment, may be necessary and advisable"
/ s.fer the purpose of adjusting the difference be-
/ tween the United States and the republic of
! Paraguay, in conneXion with the attack on the
| United States sea ner Water Witch, and with
other measures referred to' in his annual mes
sage And on the 18th July following, they
made an appropriation to delray the expenses
/ and compensation of a commissioner to that re-
/ public, should the President deem it proper to
make such an appointment.
In compliance with these enactments, | have
! 4anpqinted a commissioner, who has proceeded
/ to Paraguay WIN nun Po'vcrs Instructions
/ to settle these differences in an ameable and
peaceful manner, If this be practicable HIS
experience and discretion justify the hope, that
/ he may prove successful in convincing the Para
/ guayan government, that it is due both TO hon
or aad justice, that they should voluntarily and
/ promptly make a:onement for the wrong which
| they had committed against the United States,
and indemnify our injured citizens whom they
have torclbly desPolled OF their property.
/
after a sincere and earnest effort, 10 accomplish
the object of his mission, then no alternative
will remain, bat the employment of force to
/ obtain '.ust satisfaction" from Paraguay. Ia
view of this contingency, the Secretary OF the
/ Navy, under my direction, has fitted out and
/ despatched naval force, 5to rendezvous near
BnPnos Ayres, which, it is believed will Prove
sufficient for the occasion. 1t Is my earnest de-
! SIR fau hat : h.
Sary to resort 10 this last alternative.
/ When Congress met in December last the
business of the country had Just been crushed
by one OF those periodical revulSions, which are
the inevitable consequence OF our unsound and
extravagant system of bank credits and inflated
currency With all the elements OF national
wealth in abundance, our manufactures were
suspended, our useful public and private enter
prises were arrested, and thousands of laborers
were deprived OF employment and reduced to
want. Universal distress prevailed among the
commercial, manufacturing, and mechanical
classes. Tins revulson was felt the more Sc
yerely in the United States, because similar
causes had produced the like deplorable effects
throughout the commercial nations Of Europe.
All We're experiencing sad reverses al the same
moment Our manufacturers everywhere sui
Tered severely, not because OF the recent reduc-
t!on IN the tari1 of duties on imports, but be-
cause there was no demand at any price for
their productions. The people were obliged 10
restrict themselves, in their purchases, to ar,i-
cles Of prime necessity. In the general pros
tration OF business, the iron manufacturers in
different States probably suffered more than any
other class, and much destitulion was the inevi-
table consequences, among the great number of
workmen who had been employed in this useful