The New York herald., 1870-09-13
WASHING on.
Tostal Convention with Brazil-Positi0n
OF the United States Towards the
European Belligerents- and
the South American Republics.

European Belligerents-Spain and
the South American Republics.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 1870
The Position Of the United States in Regard
to the Franco-Prussinn War Misunder-
-ptood.
1t seems, according to kilograms from Europe,
that the position OF the United States government is
not understood otherwise 1t would not be believed
IN Prague that our government "has sent de-
spatcn to the American Minister at Berlin express
ing the hope that there would be cessation OF
the war, in view OF the fact that It's mlsson-
namely, the dethronement of Napoleon-had been
accomplished" Nor would IL also be believed III
and reported from London that "three energetic de-
spatcnes have passed through tnat city from wash
ington to Berlin protesting against the further con-
tinuat,on OF the war; IL is known that the only
Oficial despatch recently sent abroad relating to
the war was Friday. when President Grant
was in washington, addressed 10 Minis
ter Bancroft but copies OF which were
also transmitted to Ministers Washburne
and Motley to the effect, as was ascertaned ut the
time from an altogether reliable source, that
while we cannot act in connection with other ma
tiOns, yet If our good ohices should Do
requested by both the beligerents we should be
about peace between two great Powers with
which we have traditional friendship. Our govern
ment will scrupulously abstain from interfering
with the affairs Of foreign nations If for no other
reason than because it would set bad example
ana AFFORD pretext for foreign governments here
after to interfere with own. Hence it expresses
opinion to the merits OF the war. The telegram
to Minister Bancroft was courteously worded, so as
not to give any ground for doubt as to our actual
position OF carefully abstaining from foreign alli-
ances as to the belgerents while always ready TO
exercise the onlces Of friendship when they shall be
specifically desired by the nations at war.
Postal Convention Concluded with Brazil.
The superintendent Of Foreign Nails, Joseph II.
Blackfan has, by order of the Postmaster Generol
given notice that postal convention has been con-
cuded between the United States and the empire OF
Brazil, establishing and regulating the exchange
OF international correspondence between the two
countries This convention, which goes into opera
ton Immediately, establishes O combined interna-
tonal letter postage follows:-
For letters, each half ounce-afteen grames-or
fraction thereof fifteen cents the United States ana
800 refs In Brazll the prepayment OF which is COM
pulsOry and the letters so paid In our country are
TO be delivered free OF all charges whatsoever In the
other But for all correspondence other than letters
II is provided that there shall be charged and col
postage as are now may hereafter be established
Tor domestic correspondence OF the same class, and
in addition thereto q sea rate OF one cent on each
newspaper, and Tor each 0unce-thlrty grammes-Or
fraction thereof On other printed matter the inland
and sea postage shall be combined into one rate
The rates OF postage hereafter to be levied and col
lected the United States all correspondence
Cept letters posted therein and addressed 10 Brazil
by this route are therefore as follows viz.-News-
papers, cents per each four ounces or fraction
thereof and In addition thereto sea rate of one
cent for each newspaper. On other printed mat.
ter, except books and circulars. comprising sheets
Of music, engrav1ngs, Autographs drawings, maps
ana plans two cents per each four ounces or frac-
tOn thereof, with the additional charge OF one cent
per each ounce or under for postage. For books
four cents per each four ounces fraction OF tour
ounces, In addition to the postage OF cent for
each ounce or fraction thereof For each three or
hess number OF unsealed circulars two CENTS and in
addition thereto one cent per eacn ounce or under
Tor sea postage.
II is particularly to be observed that the above
postage charges on correspondence OF all Kinds
must he fully prepaid at the oice OF mailing II
30 prepaid tney cannot be forwarded. Newspapers,
printed matter and all other mailaDe matter emu
merated herein, except letters. VIII be charged at
the ONCE OF destination In Brazil with ,he rates
OF inland postage established by the laws OF
that country for domestic correspondence Of
the same class. In ike manner news
papers, prints or all kinds and other articles
OF mailabe matter. except letters, received in
the United States from Brazil by this route there
Will be charged and collected at the Office of delivery
the regular domestic rates Of the United States on
collected by the despatchlng country. New York is
the only ONCE Of exchange on the side OF the United
Janelro are the offices OF exchange on the side of
Brazil. Postmasters will levy and collect postage
accordingly from and after this date.
spain and the Republics Of Chile and Peru.
Several years have passed since Spain and the
allied republics of Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia
were engaged in actual hostilities; but there
has been no formal negotiation OF peace this
administration has encouraged the recommends
tion OF ex-Secretary Seward-Lhat the represent
.atives Of these countries should meet in Washing
ton with view to such action on their part. Now
that Chilean Minister has recently been fully accred
tted and was lately received in his diplomatic ca
pacity by the President those Ministers Will meet for
the purpose stated. Some OF them are now out OF
town, but are expected to return at an early day.
No doubt Is entertained. from the feelings which
have been privately expressed, that the conference
In its results will be entirely satisfactory to all par
lies concerned.
Injurious Effects Of the New Consting Trade
LRws-InstrnctiOns to Collectors.
Congress at its last session passed an act regua-
ting the foreign and coasiing trade on the frontiers
which, among other things, allows the master Of
every vessel enrolled or licensed to clear from the
port of one collection district to that OF another,
and in case they load or unload at any intermediate
port are not required to report to the collector OF
Bucn port but must enter on the manifest what has
been discharged or taken The result Of this II
to deprive many Of the lake ports Of importan,
statistical information, and numerous complaints
have been received at the Treasury Department o.
the. workings Of the law For example, il a yes
sci clears from Chicago for Cleveland and stop
at Detroit Toledo or Sandusky so far as the records
are concerned there is nothing to show what
freight was landed or taken on board. The Cham
Der Of Commerce at Milwaukee addressed q letter tt
the Secretary of the Treasury asking If something
could not be done to remedy the defect. The Col
lector Of that port has also addressed him letter
bearing upon the same subject, In which he says
that the inspectors might be instructed In fulfilling
their duties, 20 ascertain the names Of the vessels
their tonnage and cargoes in order to keep up the
records or the port. Although the department has
no authority TO require this, Acting Secretary
Richardson, in reply to the address of the
Chamber OF Commerce and the letter of the Collector
at Milwaukee, says 1t appears to the department de-