The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-01-23
PRICE-F[VE CENTS.
THE UNITED STATES AND
MEXICO.
Cyrus Bussey, Esq, to Hon. Ran
dali l.. Gibson.

10 the communication of Hon Randall L.
Gibson, inclosing the resolutions introduced
by him into the House of Representatives. of
the United States, in regard to the commercial
relations between the United States and
Mexico, Cyrus 3ussey, Esq, President of the
Chamber of Commerce, has replied as fol-
lows:
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, !
- New Orleans, January 81, 1876 {
hon; Randall L. Gibson, United States House of
Representatives
Ny Dedr Sri an in receipt of your letter
lncioelnS the resolutions introduced by YOU in
| the House OF Representatives,, in regard to the
adjustment Vi m nercial relations between the
| Uuited states aud the Republic of Mexico upon
the basis Of a reciprocal free list and rate of
duties to ce adopted by both countries.
| You also do me the honor to ask nv opinion
as ~ the practical benefits to be derived from
such a treaty." to DO communicated in open let :.
tsr, If without objection" 1t is in compliance
| VITA this request that now address you
The President OF the United States recon-
mended some years since revision of these
commercial relations, and under instructions
from the State Department. Ministers aud Con-
suis have been engaged III an effort to bring
| about an abatement of foreign duties upon
American products, while the total repeal of
duty by the American Government upon the
ooAco Inp)t lou luIO inc Oulteu states, displays
Tie disposition OF that government to enter upon
the adjustment on terms of mutual advantage,
While 1t ID we'll known that the American Minis
ter at Mexico favors such q modlti alton of the
tariff OF each country, his ne EQUATIONS hive been
Father addressed to preventing the imminent
danger Of a military collision on the frontier OF
the two countries than to the adj ustment Of their
tariffs.
Tothose who regard the immense and unsafe
able surplus OF agricultural and manufactured
limited Stataa ga ba no
doubt that the country has reached stage of
progress ut which a more extended open market
Tor these products ID required. Thus far the
United States has purchased the great part Of
Its manufactures III q market with whose fabrics
1t has not been able to compete, while it has paid
for these importations by an export of raw mate
rial and food for the European operatives en-
gagged in the produ ,tion OF those fabrics The
Tune has, however, arrived when the United
Stu tes, like all other nations producing surplus
beyond the the wants of its own population, de-
mands an additional market abroad.
When you review he trade and treaty relations
OF the United States with the foreign and domes-
tic States who hold jurisdiction upon the Ameri-
can continent it will be found that the rate of
duties upon American, in common with other
products, established by States adj accnt to the
United States amounts almost to prohibition
OF American export OF such articles to such
states. 1t Is not Inappropriate to state here that
the phrase occurring in all our treaties with such
States, that " the products OF each shall be ad-
mltted into the ports Of the other the same
terms with the most favored ma ion," operates az
l have stated, because while the Spanish or
Mexican duty OF 81 per barrel on -four or
three cents On lard, imposes rate common to
all natiocs, IL falls only upon those nations
which, III Ike the United States export flour and
lard to the Spanish colonies and Mexican States.
This practical prohibition of trade compels the
United States, though oppressed with n surplus
of the provisions which these friendly nations
may require, to pay ia specie for the imports
hat lat VI no unit fhn
balance thus exported annually from the United
States, after deduciing the food and manufac-
lures exported to other States and colonies OF.
this continent has been estimated at s175 600, 900
Your resolutions will tend to show the Amer-
can Government is willing to take the initiative
in this conference. ]ts adoption will be regarded
IN Mexico AZ measure looking to the continued
maintenance Of amicable relations between the
two countries, and it will do much to dsabuse the
Mexican mind of the belief that we VI nd go to
war with neighbOr for the depreds ions OF a
few cattle thieves, or because we wirhe despo
her OF territory. The United States viii undoubt-
eddy protect every citizen and every incl. Of her
sOii from any infringement of rights or invasion,
but from no hostility TO a nation weaker than
herself, and OF whose pacific wishes there can be
no doubt Ii Mexico can not restrain the incur
sions OF her border thieves, the United States
may be required to do 30 for her, but with no dis
position to trespass or Cypress.
Your proposition for a commission to present
projet OF such a commercial convention between
the two republics as may secure All enlarged
trade deserves consideration. 1t will tend to
especially prt mote the commerce OF this port, and
it will encourage the construction OF railroad
traversIg and connecting the territory of both
countries. This, with ample steam facilities be-
tween the ports, will tead to establish perma-
nenty the same amicable relations which have
alwa avs existed between our government and that
OF the British American posses ions our
northern boundary.
Indeed reciprocal rate OF duties with liberal
list of articles, the product of our own and other
countries admit ed free Of all duties, should bo
applied to all the States and colonies Of this con-
tnent with tho governments Of which we have
treaty relations.
You can not expect from this communication
more than an approval of your resolutions a.
measure leading to important commercial ain
dig lOmatic consequences. To submit ilst
articles to be admi ted into each country ff.I.
the other free, or at an agreed rate of du'
would be premature, and more proper fJr
consideration Of the international commits
which you propose. 1t is sufficient to say tl.s
in my opinion ample necessity for such a cor
mercial arrangement exists both in the CONNER
cial and diplomatic interests of each country.
mater. al may be found from which to
create an extended demand for the surplus pro-
auctions of the United States as well as to draw
still closer the bonds OF friendship and fraternity
between the two great republics OF the contilent
and The world.
With the hope that this judicious and patriotic
proposition which you have presented will meet
the approval OF Congress, as l do not doubt it
will that of your commercial constituents, l re-
main very respectfully, etc.,
CYRUS BUssEY,
President Chamber Of Commerce.
tifhfy do tula ~ Cn, H.,