Decatur Eagle, Volume 2, Number 46, Decatur, Adams County, 24 December 1858 — Page 1

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VOL. 2.

THE EAGLE. PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY MORNING, BY PHILLIPS & SPEXCER, Office, on Main Strset, in the old School House, ' Ona Sqtiarz North of .T. <k P Crabs’ Store. Terms of Subscription : for one year. $1 50, in advance; $1 75, within the year, and $2 00 after the year has expited. trNd paper will be discontinued until all' grreraqes are paid, except at the option of the ; Publishers. Term* of Advertising; One square, (ten lines) three insertions, $1 03 Each subsequent insertion, 25 tLTXo advertisement will be considered less I than one square: over or.e square will be conn- i i d and charged as two; over two, as three, etc. . JOB PRINTING: We are prepared to do all kinds of job work, n a neat and workmanlike manner, on the most reasonable terms. Our material for the completion of Job-Work, bein ' new and of the latest s’.vles, and we feel confident that satisfaction caa be jjiven. President’s Message* Fcllcno citizens of the Senate and Haase of Representatives. (concluded ) CUBA MUST DE ACQUIRED IN ORDER TO PUT A STOP TO THE SLAVE TRADE. The truth is that Cuba, in its existing ’ colonial condition, is a constant source of, injury and annoyance to the American people. It is the only one spot ia the , civilized, world when.' the African slave 1 trade is tolerated; and we are bound by ■ treaty with Great Brit-.n to maintain a j naval force ol the ccrt-it of Africa, at much expense both of life and treasure, solely (or the purpose of arr.s ’tip; slavers bound to that island. The late serious diffie.ul- i ties between the Unite 1 States and Great Britain respecting the right of search, ' now so happtiy terminated, could never: have arisen if Cuba b A not afforded a ' market for slaves. As long as this mar- j ket shall remain open, there can be no hope for the civilization of benighted As- 1 rica. Whilst the demand for slaves continues in Cubs, wars will be waged among 1 the petty and borons chiefs in Africa for the purpose of seizing subjects to sup-

ply this trade, Jo such a condition of affairs, it is impossible that the light of civilizati- n and religion can ever penetrate the dark abodes. ft has been m ide known to the world by my predecessors, that the United States have on several occasions, endeavored to acquire Cuba from spain by honorable negotiation. If this io re accomplished, tiie last, relic of the African slave trade would -instantly disappear. We would not, ii wc could, acquire Cuba in any other manner. This is due to on” national character. All the tei^O’i which we have acquirvl since iac origin ot the government,has been c . v ‘ a * r P ur chase Irons France, Sp-i>"' cr by the tree and vy’'“‘ ,!U J ac ’'*‘ le 'ode- ■ pendent State ' 2 ;S > '? binding her j destinies •'•"•b our own. f b'l>is course we I aha)) ..ver pursue, unless circumstances! ..itiuld occur, wl.i-.’h v. v do not now antic- ; ipate, rendering n departure from it clear-1 ly jus:ifitable, undet .he imperative and ! overruling law of self preservation'. The Island of Cuba, from its geogrnpineal position, commands the mouth of i the Mississippi, and the immense and an- ; nuallv increasing trade, foreign and coast ! wise, from the valley of that noble river, now embracing Io If the sovereign States •' of the Union. With that Island under j '.be dominion of a distant foreign power. • his trade, of vital importance to these States, is exposed to the danger of being! destroyed in time ol war, ami it has hitherto been subject, to perpetual injury find Annoyance in time of peace. Our relations with Spain, which ought to be of the most friendly character, must always be placed in jeopardy, whilst the < xisting Colonial government over the Island shall ■remain in its present condition. Whilst the possession of the Island wouid be ot vast importance to the United fetates, its value to Spain is comparatively unimpuf tant. Such was the relative situation of the parties, when the great Napoleon transferred Louisiana to I '■he United States. Jealous, as he evei’i wa s, of the national honor and interests of France, no person throughput the world has imputed blame to him tor accepting a pecuniary equivalent for this cession. The publicity which has been given to our former negotiations upon this subject md the large appropriation which may be required to effect this purpose, render it. expedient, before making another attempt to renew the negotiations, that I should !sy the whole subject before Congress. — Ibis is especially necessary, as it may become indispennsible to success,.that I should be intrusted with the means of making an advance to the Spanish government immediately after the signing of •he treaty, without waiting the ratification °f it by the Senate, I am incouraged to make this suggestion bv the example of ■r Jefferson previous tc the purchase of

Louisiana from France, and by that of ; Mr, I’olk in view of the acquisition of territory from Mexico. 1 refer the whole j subject to Congress, and commend it to I their careful consideration. I I repeat the recommendation made in my message ol December last, in favor of I an appropriation ‘to be paid to the Spanish government for the purpose of distribution among the claimants in (he Armi istad case.' President Polk first made a similar recommendation in December, ! 1847, and it was repeated by my iminej diate predecessor in December 1853 I entertain nd doubt that indemnity is fair i ly due to these claimants under our trea- ; ty with Spain of the 27th October, 1795; i and whilst demanding justice, we ought to do justice. An appropriation promptly | made for this purpose, could not fail to exert a favorable influence on our negotiations with Spain. MEXICO. Our position and relation to th.e independent Slates south of us on this continent, and especially those within the limits of North America, is of a peculiar character. The northern boundary of Mexico is coincident with our own southern boundary from ocean to ocean; and we must necessarily feel a deep interest in ail that concerns the well being and the fate of so near a neighbor. We have always cherished the kindest wishes for the i success of that republic, and have mduljged the hope that it might at last, after i all its trials, enjoy peace and prosperity . tin ler a free and stable government, j We have never hitherto interfered, dijrectly or indirectly, with its interna! affairs, and it is a duty we owe ourselves to protect the integrity of its territory, against the hostile interference of any oilier power. Our geographical position, j our direct interest in all that concerns . Mexico, and our well settled policy in rejgard to the North American continent j render this an indispensable duty. I M’-xico has been in a state of constant | revolution, almost ever since it. achieved ’its independence. One military lender , after another has usurp 1 4 the government :in rapid succession; and the various conI stitutions from lime to time adopted, have i iie< n set al naught as soon as I hey were i 'M od limed.

f The successsive governments have asI fordi dno adequate protection, either to ■ Mexican citizens or foreign residents, lagainst lawless violence. Heretofore a I ! seizure of the capital by a military chiefI tain, has been, generally followed by at • I least the nominal submission of the ecu" ■ try to his rub: for a brief period, b'” not so at the present crises of Mexic-“> afc-ius. > 1 A civil w— /lds been ra.-g-ig for some : 1 tj roe throughout the republic, between the . i C( ~cral government at the city of Mexico, •i which has endeavored to subvert the constitution last framed, by military power i and those who maintain the authority of that constitution. The antagonist parties I each hold possession of different States! !of the republic, and the fortunes of the war are constantly changing. Meanwhile ■ i lie most reprehensible means have been employed by both parties to extort money j I from foreigners as well as natives, to car- ; !ry on this ruinous contest. The truth is, , that this fine country blessd with a productive soil and a benign climate, lias ■ been reduced by civil dissension to a con-1 | dilion of almost boneless anarchy and im- ‘ 1 becility. It would be vain for this govern-. i ment to attempt to enforce payment in j i money of the claims of American citizens 1 now amounting to more than ten millions dollars, against Mexico, because she is | j destitute of all pecuniary means to satisfy these demands. Our late minister was furnished with 1 ample powers and instructions for the ad-; jnstment of all pending questions with 1 the cential government of Mexico, and be ! performed bis duty with zeal and ability. The claims of our citizens, some of them arising out of violation of an express pro- ; vision of the trea'y of Gaudalope Hidalgo! and others, from gross injuries to persons I as well as property, have remained unredressed and even unnoticed. Remonstrances against these grievances, have been addressed without effect to that government. Meantime, in various parts of ; the republic, instances have been nucner- i I ous ol the murder, imprisonment, and plunder of our citizens, by different parties claiming and exercising a lucid jurisdiction; but the central government, ali though repeatedly urged thereto, made no effort either to punish the authors of these’ outrages or to prevent their recurrence. No American citizen can now visit Mexico on lawful business, without imineut dangerto his person and propertv. There is no adequate protection to either; and in this respeetto our treaty with that republic il is almost a dead letter. This state of affairs was brought to a I crisses in May last, by the promulgation i of a decree levying a contribution pro < rate upon all the capital in the republic, between certain specified amounts, wheth- I er held bv Mexicans or foreigners. Mr. * Foreytb, regarding this decree in a light of i a ‘forced loan,’ formally protested against '

“Our Country’s Good shall ever to our Aim-Willing to Fraiso and not afraid to Ela~o.”

DECATUR. ADAMS COUNTY, INDIANA. DEC. 24. 1858.

t its application to his countrymen, and ’ • advised them not to pay the contribution; i. but to suffer it to be forcibly ex teted — I > Acting upon this advice, tin American i citizen refused to pay the contribution, ■ I and his property was seized by armed • I men to satisfy the amount. Not content I ■ with this, the government proceeded still ! ■. further and issued a decree banishing hirrfl ■ ( from the country. Our minister imme- 1 ! udiately notified them that if this decree | should be carried injo execution he would j ■ feel it to be his duty to adopt ‘the most. 1 ! decided measures tiiat belong to thepow- j ers an 1 obligations to their representative ! office.’ Notwithstanding this ■ warnin.-J ; the banishment was enforcrtl, and M>. ’ i Forsyth promptly anriminceil To'tlie’gov- ■ eminent the suspension es the politics] ’ I relations of his legation with them, until • ! the pleasure of his own government should : be ascertained. i This government did not regard the j I contribution interposed by the dedree of! ' the 15th ol Maj’ last, to be in strictness a ! j‘forced loan,’ and as such prohibited by I ■: the 10th article of the treaty of 1326 be- ! ■ ( tw <-n Great Biiti .n and Mexico, io the . benefits of which Arm rican citiz ns ate * I entitled by treaty; yet the imposition of! i! the contribution upon foreigners was eon- i ■ ’ sidered an unjust and oppressive measure. ‘ ■ j Resides internal factions in other parts of 1 ■the Republic were at the same time levy-’ : ing similar exactions upon the property ■ of our citizens, and interrupting their I commerce. There had been an entire ; : failure on the part of our minister to se- , cure redress for-the wrongs which our ci- ’ tiz'-ns had endured, notwithstanding his ‘ - persevering’efforts. And from the tern- ,! per manifested by the Mexican governmem he had repeatedly assured us that ,I no favorable change could be expected, ■ j until the United States should ‘give stri- ■ , king evidence of their will and power to : protect their citizens,’And that ‘severe 'chastening is-the only earthly remedy for ' : I our grievances.’ From this statement of! I - facts, it would have been worse than idle! j to direct Mr. Forsyth to retrace his steps II and resume diplomatic relations with that I ■! government; and it was, therefore, de. m- ■ led proper to sanction his withdrawal of : ] the L' gation from the city of Mexico. I ABUNDANT CAUSE Fin A WAR WITH MEXICO AND WHEW IT HOULDBE COMMENCED. ; | Abundant cause now undoubtedly tx- . lists, for resort to hostilities against the i governin'stiH hul ling possession of the • capital- Shoul.l they succeed in subdu- ; irg the constitutional forces, all reasona‘blchope will then have expired'of peaceful settlement of our dtllicnliies. SEIZURE OF THE MEXICAN TEuRITCRY. ! On the other hand, should the consti- ! tutional party prevail, and their authority I ibe established over the republic, there' ! is reason to hope that they will be animat- i l ed by a less unfriendly spirit, and may ; (grant tl-.at redress to American citizens

which justice requires, so for as they may possess the means. But for this expectation, I should at once have recommended to Congress to grant the necessarrv i power to the President, to take possession of a sufficient portion of the remote and unsettled Territory of Mexico, to be held in pledge until our injuries shall be redressed and our just demands ;be satisfied. Wc have already exhaust■very milder means of obtaining justice. ■ In such a case, this remedy ot reprisals is recognized by the law of nations, not only as just in itself, but as a means of preventing actual war. RECOMMENDS A IROTECTORATE OVER TEE NORTHERN PROVINCES. But there is ano'her view of our relations with Mexico, arising from theun- ' happy condition of affairs along our southi western frontiers which, demands immediate action. In that remote region, I ! where there are but few white inhabitants large bands of hostile and predatory Indians roam promiscuously over the Mexican States Chihuahua and Sonora ami our adjoining Territories. The local governments of these States are perfectly helpless, and are kept in a state of constant alarm by the Indians. They have not the power, if they possessed the will, even <o restrain lawless Mexicans from passing the border and committing depre- ■ dations on our remote settlers. A state of anarchy aud violeuce prevails throughout that distant frontier. The laws are a dead letter, and life and property are’ wholly insecure. For this reason the set'dement of Arizona is arrested, whilst it •is of great importance that a chain of inhabitants should extend all along its southern border, sufficient for their own protection and that of the United States mail passing to and from California.— Well founded apprehensions are now entertained that the Indians and wandering Mexicans, equally lawless, may break up the the important stage and postal communication recently established between our Atlantic and Pacific possessions. This passes very near to the Mixican boundary throughout the whole length of Arizona lean imagine no possible remedy for these evils, and no means of , restoring law and order on that remote

? 11 " "Jl** 1 ■■■*—* l I — n--|-| —~n -rl ■■■ 11 and unsettled frontier, but for the g. Vein- , meat ot the United Stales to assume a ' temporary protectorate over the northern portions of Chihuahua and t-onora, and to establish military posts within the same >m l tlii.s I earnestly recommend to Congiess. This protection may be withdrawn as soon as local governments shall be esI tnbli :,ed in those Mexican States, capaj ble of performing their duties to the Uni- , U‘<: -■rates, restraining the lawless, and preserving peace along the border. f' si do not doubt that this measure will be viewed in a friendly spirit by the govern micu.t and the people ot Cliiiiuahua and ;oiA.t*r.i. as it will pro\ o equally remote and lawless frontier, as for citizens of i.'.e Ut«i‘‘-d States. A TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT FOT ARTZONIA. And in ibis connecrtio®, permit me to recall your attention lo the condition ol , Aiizonia. The population of that terri--1 numbering, m is alleged, more than { 1 Oj-000 and witliom any regular administration of justice. Murder and other j '■rimes are committed with impunity. This | stile of things calls loudly‘lor redress; and I, therefore, repeat my recommi-nda-’ j tion for the establishment o; a Territorial ’ Government over Arizonia. THE I6TMU3. , Ihe political condition of the narrow i tniDUs ol Central America through. >vnich transit routes pass between the At lantic and Pacific Oceans, presents a subject of deep interest to ail commercial naj ffons. It is over these transits that a large P> opur.ion ol the trade and travel between l.e European mid Asiatic continents, is !destined to pass. To the United States I these routes are oi incalculable importance as a means of communication between their Atlantic and Pacific possessions. 'The latter now extend throughout seventeen degrees of latitude oq the Pacific ■ coast, embracing the impmtant State of I California and the flourishing territories !of Oregon and Washington. All com- ; mercia] nations, therefore, have a deep and direct interest, that these communications shall be secqre from inter; uptiori. llt an arm of the sea, connecting the two 1 oceans, penetratred through Nicaragua mid Costa Rica, it could not be prel-r.ded that these States would have the right to arrest or retard its navigation i to tbt injury of other nations. The transit 1 by land over the tins narrow isthmus, occupies tie.mly tlie same position. It is a . highway in which rhemrelves have little interest, when compared with the vast interests of the rest ol the world. Whilst : their rigtits of sovereignty ought to be J respected, it is the duty of other nations Go inquire that this important passage shall not be interrupted, by the civil wars, jand revolutionary outbreaks, which have so frequently occurred in this region. ! The stake is too important, to be left at ! the mere} 7 of rival companies, claimin'' to hold conflicting contracts with Nicara-

gua The commerce of other nations is not to stand still and wait the adjustment of such party controversies. The government of the United States expects no i more than this, and they will not be satisfied with less. They wouid not, if they could, derive any advantages from the Nicaragua transit, not common to the rest ol the world. Its neutrality and pro- ; tection for the common use of all nations :is their only object. They have no objections that Nicaragua shall demand and receive a fair compensation from the companies and individuals who may travese , the route; but they insist that it shall never hereafter be closed by an nrbitarv ; decree of that government. If disputes! arise between it and those with whom they have entered into contracts, these must be adjusted by some' fair tribunal provided for purpose, and the route mu«t not be closed pending the controversy.— This is our whole policy, and it cannot fail to he acceptable to other nations. Al! these difficulties might be avoided, I if consistantly with the good faith of Nicaragua, the use or th's transit could be thrown open to the general competition; . providing at the same time fur the pay- I ment of a reasonable rate to the Nicarai gua government, on passengers and ! freight. In August, 1852 the Accessory Transit Company made its first interocea..ic tiip over the Nicaraguan route, and continued in successful operation, with great ativan- ■ luge to the public, until the 18th February, 1856. when it was closed, and the grant to this company as well as its charier, were summarily and arbitar.lv revoked by the Government of President Kivas. Previous to this date, however, in 1851 serious disputes concerning the settlement of their accounts had arisen between the company and the government threatening the interruption of the route a l , auy moment. These the United States in vein endeavored to compose. It would be useless to narrate the various proceedings which took place bet ween the parties, up tiil the time when the transit was discontinued. Suffice it to say from time February, 1956 it has remained closed, greatly to the prejudice of the citizens of the L nited States. Since that time the 1

22*?'*' 1 !'.' r egwaar^A~>sac:Dk«w T—ww competition has ceased b'-twer-n the rival : routes ol Pane ma and N'icarm. ua mid in i consequence thereof, an uijest and un- 1 i reasonable amount lu s been ex icled from ' ? our citizens for their passage to and Irum -•Califon.ia. i A treaty was signed on the 16th day •j of November, 1867, by the C cretarv ot -1 State and Minister to Nicaragua, under ■ ’ the stipulations of which the use and pro1 lection of the tiar.sii route would l avel !l» en secured, not only to ti e Unjted I i j States, but consequently to al] other na-! • ; lions. How on what pretexts tl is treaty ' 1 pins billed to receive the ratification of the ‘ 3. iefiraguan government, will appear by t j the papers herewith communicated from 1 Ge stnie Di par'mi-r.t Ti e principal ob- ' ejection seems to have been, io the provi- ! Ojston authorizing the United States toem-j i : plot’ force to keep the route open, in case i - j Nicargua should fail to perform her dutv ; i; in this respect. From the ft ebh-ness of ’ - i that Ri public, its frequent clo n,-es of gov• r 'ernment, and its constant internal dis ! > sensions, this had become a most impor- ;> tar,t stipulation, and one essentially nec-, • I essary not only tor the security of the I i route, but for die safety of American cit- J | iZ'-ns passing to and from our Pacific | | possessions. Were such a stipulation em ! < , braced in a treaty between the United i . j States and Nicaragau, the knowledge ol I I this fact would of itself most probably ; -1 prevent hostile parlies from committing • | 'sgn-ssions on the route, and render our e ; actual interference for its protection rn , ijnec ssary. s! The executive government of this coun- < try in ;ts intercourse with foreign na ions, s is limited to the employment of diploma- ; i cy alone. When thia tails, it can proceed -j no further. It would have no authority ■ of Congress, except in resisting and re- ; j pelling hostile attacks. Is, would have no f; authority to enter the territories of Nic-, i aragcu, even to prevent the destruction ol ■ the transit, and protect the lives and pro’- >. perty of our own citizens on thia passage. ■jII is true, that on a sudden emergency .j of their character, the President would i > | direct any armed force in the vicinity to i march to their relief; but in doing this, he •; would act upon his own responsibility, ; • i Union these circumstances. I earnesti ly recommend lo Congress, the passage t;ol an act authorizing the President, tin- ■ der such restrictions as they may deem II proper, to employ the land and naval fors j ces oi the I. niteri States in preventing the transit from being obstructed or closed t by lawless voilence, and in protecting the t j i.ves property of American citizens trav- >: eling thereupon, requiring at the same time that tnese, forces shall be withdrawn . the moment the danger shall have passed ■ away. Without such a provision citizens . will be constantly exposed to interruption in their progress, and to lawless violence. A similar necessity exists for the pas- < sage of such an act! for the protection of the Panama and Tehuantepec routs. Iu reference to the Panama route. The , United States, by tin ir existing treaty ! with New Granda,■ expressly guarantee the neutrality of the Isthmus; 'with the view that the free transit from the one to the other sea may not be interrupted or 1 embarrassed in any future time while this treaty exist.’ In regard to the Tehuantepec route,! which has been recently opened under the most favorable auspicious, our treaty with ' Mexico of the 30th of December, 1853, : \ secures to the citizens of the United States 1 < a right of transit over it for their persons 1 and merchandise, and stipulates that nei-’ I , ther government shall “interpose any ob- i strcal thereto. It also concedes to the ! United States the “right to transport 1 across the Isthmus, in close bags, the t mails of the United States not intended ’ i for distribution along the line of the com- t munication: also, the effects of the United 1 ( States Government and its citizens which t may be intended for transit, and not for < i distribution on the Isthmus, free of cus- ■ I tom - House or other charges by the Mexi- i can Government.’ I 'liiese treaty stipulations with New , Grenada and Mexico, in addition to the , considerations applicable to the Nicaragua . (seem to require legislation for the purpose i ! of carrying them into effect. The injuries which have been inflicted ;, upon our citizens in Co.-ta Rica and Nic-', aragua during the last two or three ; years, have received the prompt alien- j lion of this government, Some of these ) injuries were of the, most rmgravated ; characfer. The transaction at Virgin Bay ( in April, 1856, when a company of un- , armed Americans, who were in no wav , connected with any belligerent conduct or j party, were fired upon by the troops of ( . Costa Rica, and numbers of them killed and wounded, was brought to the know]- , edge of Congress by my predecessor soon ' after its occurence, and wa- 1.-izpresenteJ r , to the government of Costa Rica for that . immediate investigation and redress which ] the nature of the ease demanded. A sim ilar course was pursued with reference to t other outrages in these countries, some of r which are hardly less aggravated in their cLarac'<r 'han tin trnnmetton nt Virci:.

Bay. At i!ie time, however, when our 1 ores nt mu isler to N icaragua was appointed in D cember, 1857. No redres. had bet ;i obtained for any of these wrongs, and no reply lad evt r bet:: .■» eeived to the n< mands wine!, Lad been made bv this govirr nei.t up On that of Costa’ Rica, i.ioie ii;ai. e. ycarbs ure. Cur minister i. siructed, li'erefere, to lose no limo :n expressing to ii ose governments the deep regret with which the President had vi';.e-sid his inatten :.-:i to the last t c.s ii sof.' ; United Statet:, and in deu.ar.iling their prompt and satisfactory ! adjustment. Un ess this demand shall 1 be complied with at aa early day, it will (•nly remain fur this government to adopt ti»ch other measures as may be necessary, .n order to obtain fi>r itself that justice : which it, has in vain attempted to secure i>y peaceful means, from the governments ;of Nici lagu.i and Costa Rica. While ;t 'has shown, and will continue to show, 'lie most sincere regard far the rights and honor of these republics, it cannot permit this regard to be met by an utter neg- ; led. on their part, of what is due to the government and citizens of the United , Slates NEW GRENADA. Against New Grenada we have long Islanding causes of complaint, arising ! out of the unsatisfied claims of our citizens upon that Republic; and to those that have been more recently added the outrages committed upon our citizens at j Panama in April, 1856. A treaty for the adjustment of these difficulties was ■ Conduced by the Secretary of State and ! the minister of New Granada, in September, 1857, which contained just and acceptible provisions lor that purpose. This treaty whs transmitted to Bogota, and was ratified by the government of New Grenada, but with certain amendments, it was not however, returned to this city until after the close of the last session of the Senate. I’ will be immediately transmitted to that body for advice and consent; and should this be obtained, it will remove al! our < x sting causes of complaint against New Gr. nada on the subject of claims. Questionshave arisen between the two i governments, as to the right of New i Granada to levy a tonnage duty upon the vessels of the United States in its ports of the Isthmus, and to levy a passenger tax upon our cit izens arriving in that country, whether with a design to remain there or ; pass from ocean to ocean by the transit routs; and also a tax upon the mail of tho United States transported over th.e Panama Railroad. The government of New Granada has been informed, that the United States would consider the collection of either of these taxes, as an act in violation of the treaty between the two countries, and as such would be rested by i the United States. At the same time wo are prepared to discuss these questions in a spirit of amity and justice, and with a sincere desire to adjust them in a sstislactory manner. A negotiation for that purpose has already been commenced. Nuefloit has recently been made to collect these taxes, nor is any anticipated under present circumstances. brazil. With the empire ot Bazil our relat’ons ' are of the most friendly character. The productions of the two countries and especial!}’ those of an agricui'ural nature are such as to invite extensive mutual exchanges. A huge quantity of American flour is consumed in Brazil, whilst more than treble the amount in Brazilian coffee is consumed in the United States — Whilst this is the case, t. heavy duty lias been levied, until very recent.lv, upon the importation of American flour in Brazil. lam gratified, however, to be able to inform you that in September last this I.as been reduced from Si 32 to about forty-nine cents per barrel, and the duties on other articles of our production have been diminished in nearly the same proportion. I regret to state that the government of Brazil continues to levy an < Xpert duty ol about 11 per cent on coffee, notwithstanding , this article is admitted free from dutv in t! e United States. This is a heavy charge upon the consumer- of coffee in pur country, as we purchase half of the entire surplus crop of that article raised in Brazil. Our minister, under instructions, 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 increase, much to the a*! vantage of both The claimsuf our citizens against the gov< rnment of Brazil, are not, in the aggregate, of very I .rye amoun’; but. some ol these rest upon plain prie.ciples of justice. and their settlement ought not to be long< r delayed. A renewed and earnest and I trust successful efl..rt, vill be made by our minister to procure their final adjustment. PARAGUAY. On ‘t.e 2d of June ini', Congress pass

NO. 48.