Indiana American, Volume 1, Number 50, Brookville, Franklin County, 13 December 1833 — Page 2

ritESIDET'S MESSAGE.

Felhtc-citi:e?i of Smatc, and Ihuse 0 Representative: O.v your assembling to perform the high trusts which the people of the United States have contended to you, of legislating for their common welfare, it gives me pleasure to congratulate you upon the happy condition of our beloved country. By the favor of Divine Providence, health is again restored to us: peace reigns within our borders: abundance crowns the labors of our fields: commerce and domestic industry flourish and increase: and individual happiness rewards the private virtue and enterprise of our citizens. Our condition abroad is no less honorable than it is prosperous at home. Seeking nothing that is not right, & determined to submit to nothing that is wrong, but desiring honest friendship and liberal intercourse with all nations, the United States have gained throughout the. world, the confidence and respect which are due to a poli

cy so just and so congenial to the character of the American people and to the spirit of their

institutions. In bringing to vour notice the particular state of our Foreign affairs, it affords ine high gratification to inform you, that they are in a condition which promises the continuance of friendship with all nations. With Great Britain the interesting question of our North Eastern boundary remains still undecided. A negotiation, however, upon that subject has been renewed since the close of last Congress; and a proposition has been submitted to the British Government with the view of establishing, in conformity with resolution of the Senate, the line designated by the Treaty of 17S3.

Though no definitive answer has been received,

it may be daily looked for, and 1 entertain a hope that the overture may ultitmately lead to a satisfactory adjustment of this important matter.

I have the satisfaction to inform you that a negotiation which, by desire of the House of Representatives, was opened, some vears ago, with

the British Government, for the erection of

Light-houses on the Bahamas has been successful. Those works when completed, together

with those which the United States have con

atructcd on the western side of the Gulf of Flor

ida will contribute esscntianllv to the safety of

navigation in the sea. This joint participation

m establishments interesting to humanity and

benehcial to commerce, is worthy of two enlightened nations, and indicate, feelings which can

not fail to have a happy influence upon their political relations. It is gratifying to the friends of both to perceive that the intercourse between the two people is becoming daily more extensive, and that sentiments of mutual cood will

have grown up, beuttns their common origin

and justifying the hope, that by wise counsels

on each side, not only unsettled questions mav

be satisfactorily terminated, but new causes of

misunderstanding prevented.

Notwithstanding thnt I contmune to receive the most amicable assurances from the Government of France, and that in all other respects

the most friendly relations exist between the United States and that Government, it is to bo regretted that the stipulations of the Convention concluded on the 4th Julv, 1831, remain, in

. 1 e k? 11 j

some important pans, uniuiuueu.

By the second Article of that Convention, it

was stipulated that the sum payble to the United

States, should be paid at l'aris, m six annual instalments, into the hands of such person or pe

sons as should be authorized by the Government

of the United States, to receive it: and by the

same article the hrst instalment M as payable on

the second dav of February, 1S33. By the act

of Congress of the I3th Julv, 1S32, it was made

the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury, to cause the several instalments, with the interest thereon, to be received from the French Government, and transferred to the United States

in such manner as he may deem best; and

by the same act of Congress, the stiplalions

oil the part of the United States, in the Convention, were in all respects, fulfilled. Not doubting that a treaty thus made, and ratified by the two Governments, and faithfully executed by the United States, would be promptly complied with by the other party, and desiring to avoid the risk and expense of intermediate agencies, the Secretary of the Treasury deemed it advisable to receieve and transfer the first instalment be

moans of a draft upon the French Minister of

I inance. A draft tor this purpose was accordingly drawn in favor of the Cashier of the Bank of the United States, for the amount according to the United States out of the first instalment, and the interest payable with it. This bill was not drawn at Washington until five days after instalment was payable at Paris, and was accompained by a special authority from the President, authorizing the Cashier or his assigns, to receive the amount. The mode thus adopted of receiving the instalment, was officially made known to the French Government, by the American Charge d' Affairs at Paris, pursuant to instructions from the Department of State. The bill, however, though not presented for payment until the twenty-third day of March, was not paid, and for the reason assigned by the French Minister of Finance, that no appropriation had been made by the French Chambers. It is not konwn to me that, up to that period, any appropriation had been required of the Chambers:, and although a communication was subsequently made to the Chambers.!))' direction of the King, recommending that the necessary provision should be made for carrying the Convcntiou into effect, it was at an advanced period of the session, and the subject was finally postponed until the next meeting of the Chambers. Notwithstanding it has been supposed by the French Ministry, that the financial stipulations of the treaty cannot be carried into effect without an appropriation by the Chembcrs, it appears to me to be not only consistent with the character of France, but due to the character of both Governments, as well as to the rights of our citizens, to treat the Convention made and ratified, in proper form, as pledging the good faith of the French Government for its execution, and

:ia imposing u;cm each department an obligation to fullij it: and have received assurances through our Coarse d'Affairs at Paris, and the French Minister Plenipotentiary at Washington, and more recently through the Minister of the United States, at Paris, that the delay has not proceeded from any indisposition on the part of , the King and his Ministers, to fulfil the treaty, and that measures will be presented at the next meeting of the Chambers, and with a reasonable hope of success, to obtain the necessary appropriation. It is necessary to state, however, that the documents, except certain lists of vessels captured, condemned or burnt at sea, proper to facilitate the examination and liquidation of the reclamations comprised in the stipulations of the convention, and which, by the 6th Article, Fiance engaged to communicate to the United States, by the intermediary of the Legation, though repeatedly applied for by the American Charge d" Affaires, under instructions from this Govern

ment, have not yet been communicated ; and this delay, it is apprehended, will necessarily prevent

the completion cf the duties assigned to the Commissioners within the time at present prescribed by law.

lhe reasons for delavinjj to communicate

these documents have not been explicitly stated, and and this is the more to be regretted as it is

not understood that the interposition of the

Chambers is in any manner required for the de

livery of these papers.

Under these circumstances, in a case so im

portant to the interests of our citizens and to the

characterof our country, and under disappoint

ments so unexpected, I deemed it my duty, how

ever I might respect the general assurances to which I have adverted, no longer to delay the appointment of a Minister Plenipotentiary to

Paris, but to despatch him in season to communicate the result of his application to the French

Government at an early period of your session. I accordingly appointed a distinguished citizen for this purpose, who proceeded on his mission in August last, and was presented to the King early in the month of October. He is particu

larly instructed as to all matters connected with the present pcslure of affairs, and I indulge the hope that, with the representations he is instructed to make, and from the dispositions manifested by the King and his Ministers, in their recent assurances to our Minister at Paris, the subject

will be early considered and satisfactoily dispo

sed of the next meeting of the Chambers.

A.s this subject involves important internets

and has attracted a considerable share of the

public attention, I have deemed it proper to make this explicit statement of its actual condition; and should I be disappointed in the hope now entertained, the subject will be again brought to

the notice of Congress in such manner as the oc

casion may require. The friendly relations which have always been maintained between the United States and

Russia have been further extended and strength

ened by the treaty of navigation and commerce,

conciuuca on the bth ot December last, and sanctioned by the Senate before the close of its last session. The ratifications having been since exchanged, the liberal provisions of the treaty

are now in full force; and, under the encourage

ment winch they have received, a flourishing and increasing commerce, yielding its benefits to the enterprise of both nations affords to each the

just recompense of wise measures, and adds

new motives for that mutual friendship which

ttie two countries have hitherto cherished towards each ether.

it aitords me peculiar satisfaction to state that the Government of Spain has at length yielded to the justice of the claims which have

oeen so long urged in behalf of our citizens, and

. : expressed a willingness to provide an indem

nification, as the proper amount can be agreed upon. Upon this latter point, it is probable an understanding had taken place between the Minister of the United Slates and the Soanish

Government before the decease of the late King of Spain; and unless that event may have delayed its completion, there is reason to hope that

11 may oem my power toannour.ee to you, earl in your present session, the conclusion of a Con

vention upon terms not less favorable than those

entered into for similar objects with other na

tions. I hat act of justice would well accord with the character of Spain, and is due to the

United States from their ancient friend. It

could not fail to strengthen the sentiments of

amity and good will between the two nations

which it is so much the wish of the United States to cherish, and so truly the interest of both to

mainiain. By the first section of an act of Congress passed on the 13th July, 1832, the tonnage duty 011 Spanish ships arriving from the ports of Spain, was limited to the duty payable on American vessels in the ports of Spain, previous to the 20th October; 1817, being five cents per ton. That act was intended to give effect, to an arrangement made with the Spanish Government, by which discriminating duties of tonnage were to be abolished in the ports of the United States

and Spain, on the vessels of the two nations.

Pursuant to that arrangement, which was

carried into effect on the part of Spain, on the

-win ol 31 ay, 1SJJ, by a royal order, dated the 2'Jth April 1S32, American vessels in the ports of Spain have paid five cents Der ton. which rate

of duty is also paid in those ports by Spanish

snips: out, as American vessels pay no tonnage duty in the United States, the duty of five cents

pajaoic 111 the ports by Spanish vessels, under the act abovementioned, is really a discrimina

ting uuty operating to the disadvantage of Spain. Though no complaint has yet been made on the part of Spain, we are not the less bound by the obligations of good faith, to remove the discriminating: and 1 recommend that the act be amended accordingly. As the royal order above alluded to, includes the ports of the Balearic and Canary Islands, as well as those of Spain, it would seem that the provisions of the act of Congress should be equally extensive; and that for the repayment of such duties as may have been improperly received,

ann ldttion should bo made to thasunn appropriated at the last session of Congress for refunding discriminating duties. As the arrangement referred to, however, did not embrace the Islands of Cuba and Porto Rico, discriminating duties, the prejudice of Amrican shipping, continue to be levied there.

From the extent of the commerce carried on be

tween the United States and those Islands, parti-

eularjy the former, this discrimination causes serious injury to one of those great national interests which it has been considered an essential part ef our policy to cherish , and has given rise to complaints on the part of our merchants. Under instruction given to our Ministers at Madrid, earnest representations have been made by him to the Spanish Government upon this subject, and there is reason to expect, from the friendly disposition which is entertained towards this country,' hat a beneficial change will be produced. The disadvantage, however, to which our shipping is subjected by the operation of these discriminating duties, requires that they be met by suitable countervailing duties during your present session power being at the same time vested in the Presdicnt to modify or discontinue them as the discriminating duties on American vessels or their cargcos may be modified at those Islands. Intimations have been given to the Spanish Government, that the United States may be obliged to resort to such measures as are of necessary self-defence; and there is no reason to apprehend that it would be unfavorably received. The proposed proceeding, if adopted, would not be permitted, however, in any degree to induce a relaxation in the efforts of our Minister to effect a repeal of this irregularity, by friendly negotiation; and it might serve to give force to his representations, by showing the dangers to which that valuable trade is'exposed by obstructions and burthens which a system of discrim

inating and countervailing duties necessarily produces. The selection and preparation of the Florida archieves, for the purpose of being delivered over to the United States, in conformity with the Royal order, as mentioned in my last annual message, though in progress has not yet been completed. This delay has been produced, partly by causes which were unavoidable, porticularly the prevalence of the Cholera at Havana; but measures have been taken, which it is believed will expedite the delivery of those important records. Congress were informed, at the opening of the last session, that, "owing, as was alledged, to embarrassments in the finances of Portugal, consequent upon the civil war in which that nation was engaged," payment had been made of only onc instalment of the amount which the Portuguese Government had stipulated to pay for indemdifying our citizens, for property illegally captured in the blockade of Terccira. Since that lime, a postponement for two years, with interest, of the two remaining instalments, was requested by the Portuguese Government; and as a consideration, it offered to stipulate that rice of the United States should be admitted into Portugal, at the same duties as Brazilian rice. Being satisfied that no betterjarrangement could be made, my consent was given; and a Royal order of the King of Portugal was accordingly issued on the 4th of February last, for the reduction of the duty on rice of the United States. It would give me great pleasure if, in speaking of that country in whose prosperity the United States are so much interested, and with

whom a long subsisting, extensive, and mutual

ly advantageous commercial intercourse has strengthened the relations of friendship, I could announce to tbe restoration of its internal tranquillity. Subsequently to the commencement of the last session of Congress the final instalment payable by Denmark, under the Convention of the 28th day of March, 1830, was received. The Commissioners for examining the claims, have since terminated their labors, and their awards have been paid to the Treasury as they have been called for. The justice rendered to our citizens, by that Government, is thus completed, and a pledge is thereby afforded for the maintenance of that friendly intercourse becoming the relations that the two nations mutnally bear to each other. It is satisfactory to inform you that the Danish Government have recently issued an ordinance by which the commerce with the Island of St. Croix is placed on a more liberal footing than heretofore. This change cannot fail to prove beneficial to the trade between the United States and that Colony; and the advantages likely to flow from it may lead to greater relaxations in the colonial systems of other nations. The ratifications of the Convention with the King of the two Sicilies, have been duly exchanged, and the Commissioners appointed for examining the claims under it, have entered upon the duties assigned to them by law. The friendship that the interests of the two nations require of them, being now established, it may be hoped that each will enjoy the benefits which a liberal commerce should yield to both. A treaty of amity and commerce between the United States and Belgium, was concluded du

ring the last winter, and received the sanction of

the Senate; but the exchange of the ratifications has been hitherto delayed, in consequence, in the first instance, of some delay in the reception of the treaty at Brussels, and subsequently, of the absence of the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the important conferences in which his Government is engaged at London. That Treaty does but embody those enlarged

principles ol friendly policy, which, it is sincerely hoped, will always regulate the conduct of the two nations, have such motives to maintain amicable relation's towards each other and so sincerely desirous to cherish them.

AVith all the other European powers with

whom the United States have formed diplomatic relations, and with the Sublime Porte, the best understanding prevails. From all I continue to

receive assurances of good will towards the United States, assurances which it gives me no less pleasure to reciprocate than to re

ceive. With all. tbi iff;)r,.mi.. , .

. . .' h,i".JU Wlifc-f. I

beenentcrea into, are fulfilled with 71 on both sides. Measures have nUn l

10 cniarre nur inenmv re it o

. """"a, emu extern commercial intercourse with other States r system we have pursued of aiming nVI "

v.. z z: : 6 , :u,. ten

pulously to all engagements, is well catf. to give scccccss to efforts intended to bp r ' beneficial.

The wars of which the soulhcrn'part off continent was, so long, the theatre," and wfc -

was carnea on, cuncr by llie mother ecuagaiust the States which had formerly lec'l

colonies, or by the tales against each mi.

having terminated, and their civil dissent having so far subsided, as, with &wexcepttoJ no longer to disturb the public tranquility it -u .i n cj. :u i i Jti

1 1 til i x .

piujr uitiiisuncs wnnoui inierupuon ia pert ing their institutions, cultivating the nrt

peace, and promoting, by wise councils an? J

exertions,the public and private prosperity win

mt.li jirtiuuiu. suuggics mi wen entitled them enjoy. IVUl, 4l. CUJ. i

?ii.u uiuou oidits uur reiaiions navfnn,L

gone but little change during the present yea No re-union having yet taken place between tha

states wnicn composed the Kepublic of Color bia, our Charge d' Affairs at Bogota bna

accredited to the Government of New Granada and we bnvo thorpfnrp nn 1Irlrmj: 1 ,.

:., W : j" , relations with enezuela and Equator ,except as they may be included in those heretofore formed with the

vyoiumuiaii ivepuDiic. it is understood that Representatives from the three States were a. bout to assembfe at Bogota to confer on (bo a,v

ject of their mutual interests, porticularly that

ui uicji uuiunj aim n me result should render it necessary, measures will be taken on our part to preserve with each that friendship and those

liberal commercial connections which it has been the constant desire of the United States to cultivate with their sister republics cf this hemisphere. Until the important question of re-union shall be settled, however, the different net. ters which have been under discussion betwep-

the United States and the Republic of Col.

bia, or either of the States which composed it,

arc noi liKeiy 10 oe brought to a satisfactory W sue.

In consequence of the illness of the Charge d' Affairs appointed to Central America at the last session of Congress, he was prevented from

proceeding on his mission until the month of October. It is hoped, however, that he is by this time at his post, and that the official intercourse.

unfortunately so long interrupted, has been thui

renewed on the part of the two nations so ami

cably and advantageously connected by encase

ments founded on the most enlarged principles of

commercial reciprocity. 1 j. . a:iv; i

" " liiiiuiy iijr io siaie mat, since mv last an

nual message, some of the most innortai t claims

oi our leuow-ciuzens upon the eovernmerit 01

lirazu nave been satisfactorily adjured, and

reliance is placed on the friendly dii-f ositiow

mannestea by it that justice will also be done;

others. No new causes of complaint have ari

en, ana ine iraue between tnc two coumnt

flourishes under the encouragement secured to

by the liberal provisions of the treaty.

It is cause of regret, that, ow ing probably to

the civil dissensions which have occupied the at

tention of the Mexican goverument.the lime fl

ed by the treaty of limits with the United State

for the meeting of the Commissioners to define

the boundaries between the two nations hai been suffered tocxpire without the appointment

oi any Commissioners on the part of that govern

ment. While the true boundary remains in

doubt by either party, it is difficult to give effect

to those measures which are necessary to the

protection and quiet of our numerous citizens

residing near that frontier. The subject is one of great solicitude to the United States, and will not fail to receive my earnest attention. The treaty concluded with Chili, and approved by the Senate at its last session, was also ratified by the Chilian government, but with certain additional and explanatory articles of a nature to have required it to be again submitted to the Senate. The time limited for the exchange of the ratifications, however, having since expired, the action of both governments cn the treaty will again become necessary. The negotiations commenced with the Argentine Republic, relative to the outrages committed on our vessels engaged in the fisheries at the Falkland Island by persons acting under the color of its authority, as well as the othej matters in controversy between the two governments have been suspended by the departure of tbe Charge d'Affairs of the United States from Buenos Ayres. It is understood, however, that a Minister was subsequently appointed by that government to renew the negotiation in the United States, but, though daily expected, he ha not yet arrived in this country. , With Peru no treaty has yet been formed, and with Bolivia no diplomatic intercourse has yet been established. It will be my endeavor to encourage those sentiments of amity and that liberal commerce which belong to the relation in which all the independent Slates of this continent stand towards each other. I deem it proper to recommend to your notice the revision of our consular system. This has become an important branch of the public service, inasmuch as it is intimately connected with the preservation of our national character abroad with the interest of our citizens in foreign countries, with the regulation and care of our con

merce, and with the protection of our seamen At the close of the last session of Congrersl communicated a report from the Secretary c Sfnfp unnn 4ho enhWt. 4n whlVb I nOW refer, "

containing information which may be usej l any inquiries that Congress may fee fit to insti.ut

with a vipw tn n salutary reform of the system

It gives me great pleasure to congratulate

upon the pros

the Secretary of the Treasury will, in due time, lay before you. Tho receipts into the trefuwrj