White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1858-12-30

ter. The transaction Of Virgin Bay, Il
April, 1856. when a company Of unarm
ed Americans, who were in no way con
nscted with any belligerent conduct o
party, were fred upon by the troops o
Costa Rica, and numbers Of them killsC
and wounded, was brought to the know
ledge Of Congress by my predecessor
soon after its occurrence, and was also
presented to the government of Costa Ri
ca, for that immediate investigation and
redress which the nature of the case de-
manded. A similar course was pursued
with reference to other outrages in thes'
countries, some of which were hardly lssi
aggravated in their character than the
transaction at Virgin Bay.
At the time, however, when our pres
ent minister to Nicaragua was appoint
ed, in December, 1857, no redress had
been obtained for any Of these wrongs,
and no reply had even been received to
the Just and equitable demands which
had been made by this government upon
that of Costa RIGA, more than a year be-
fore. Our 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 Uni
ted 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 measures
as may be necessary, in order to obtain
that Justice which it has in vain attemp-
ted to secure by peaceful means, from the
governments of Nicaragua and Costa Ri
ca. While it has shown, and will con-
tinue to show, the most sincere regard
for the rights and honor Of these repub-
lies, it cannot permit this regard to be
met by an utter neglect, on their part, of
what is due to the government and citi-
zens Of the United States.
Against New Granada we have long
standing causes Of complaint, arising out
OF the unsatisfsd claims of our citizens
upon that Republic and to those have
been more recently added the outrages
committed upon our citizens at Panama
in April, 1856. A treaty for the adjust
ment of these difficulties. was concluded
by the Secretary of State and the minis
ter of New Granada, in September, 1857
which contained Just and acceptable pro-
visions 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 Immediately transmitted to
that body for advice and consent and
should this be obtained, it will remove
all our existing causes Of complaint against
New Granada on the subject of claims.
Questions have arisen between tn two
governments, as to the right of New Ora
NADIA to levy tonnage duty upon the veS-
sells of the United States in its ports of
the Isthmus, and to levy a passenger tax
upon our citizens arriving in that coun-
try, whether with design to remain there
or to pass from ocean to ocean by the
transit route; and also tax upon the mail
of the United States transported over the
Panama Railroad. The government Of
New Granada has been informed, that
the United 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 United States. At the same time,
we are prepared to discuss these questions
in spirit Of amity and justice, and with
a sincere desire to adjust them i'm salts
factory manner. A negotiation for that
purpose has already been commenced.
No effort has recently been made to col
lect these taxes. nor is any anticipated IN
der present circumstances.
With the empire of Brazil our relations
are of the most friendly character. The
productions of the two countries, and
those of an agricultural nature.
are such az to invite extensive mutual
exchanges. A large quantity of Amer
lean -four is consumed in Brazil, whilst
more than treble the amount in value of
Brazilian coffee is consumed in the Uni
ted States. Whilst this is the case, a
heavy duty has been levied, until very
upon the importation of Amer
lean -four into Brazil. l am gratifed,
however. to be able to inform you that in |
last this has been reduced from |
81 80 to about forty nine cents per bar
rel, and the duties on other articles Of
our production have been diminished in
nearly the same proportion.
regret to state that the government
Of Brazil still continues to levy an export
duty Of about IL per cent. on coffee. not
withstanding this article is admitted free
from duty in the United States. This is
a 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
will reiterate his efforts to |
have this export duty removed and it 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 in
crease. much to the advantage of both.
The claims Of our citizens against the
government of Brazil are not, in the ag-
gregate, Of very large amount; but some
Of these rest upon plain principles Of JUS
tice. and their settlement ought not to be
longer delayed. A renewed and earnest, |
and l trust a successful effort, viii be
made by our minister to procure their e. !
nal adjustment.