Vincennes Gazette, Volume 3, Number 28, Vincennes, Knox County, 16 December 1833 — Page 2

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GAZETTE. V INCE N NES. Monday, m:c. 10, is:) 3 Till: P;ii:sii)LNT1s .Mi:ss;i:. At present we have neither time nor room for comment, but submit it to oui readers trutini that they will, without hi;?, attentively perue lite document. Our correspondent at Indianapoits ha politely favored us with the following letter ; I.VDIANArOL!?, Dkc 10, 1033 Dear .Sir--The convention compose.! of about 70 very respectable looking, in most caes, self constituted Delegates, held iheir meeting veterday in the Hall of the Houe of Representatives, which had ad journed to accommodate llifH; anil af ter organitng by the appointment of Gen Iamud MUrov as President, Mr Mclntvre am' Senator Culley of Dearborn munty, as Vice Presidents, Senator Mor rison and Win J Brown a? Secretarie?, pioreeiled in their vain attempt to control the Intuie political destiny of the free and iniep-ndt-iit state of Indiana After a (peat deal of management, logrolling and conlusiou, an adjournment was agreed to in order that the contending interests fnttfht each ascertain their respective ttrength an J to form such combinations and coalitions out of doors as would infine a majority on the first ballot for some me of the many aspirants far the nomina tion to the office of Governor and Lieut Governor, by a committee styling itell Democratic Republican; but in reality it was an assemblage of office seeker?, peni jners of the Treasury, office holders and men who held their politics in their hand for sale to the highest and best bidder. A small portion of the members were no doubt god honest men, animated bv a Sincere desire to sustain the principle? which the popular name adopted by the wire works or" the state convev s There bu't of ihe management was the selection amc G Read to succeed our present enlightened, liberal anil gentlemanly inoioibenr Noah Noble, and David B Culley lor Lu ut . Governor. It is well known here that the objects for which the assemblage was got up, ha entirely (ailed in its object, an i the chief plotters have been Patirely disappointed in their expectations. It ix believed that a r;ilW was intended to have been made on R. M. Johnson, but a the Van Buren men made a pretty con fiderab'e show .if strength and determination, it was roncluded to be doubtful which side would eventually be the strongest; it was therefore determined t av ii! of that "rascally virtue called pin dene ,v ntul not commit themselves at present Three delegates at attend a national con Tention wherever and whenever one tnignt he held , from each congressional distiict in the State, and two from the most densely populated parts of the state rvere appointed on this principle, and will no doui't be cautions and keep dark as to who they will vote for, until well assured that their votes will count. It is said Mr J;rcob Low of Monroe County, is very much disappointed that he was nt nominated, and is determined to lua on bis own hook. MESSAGES Of ttie Presub-nt of the United States to both Houses of Concrees. Pdh:v Citizens vf the Senate and House of Representatives: On your assembling to perform the high trusts which the people of the United States have confided to you, of legislating for their common welfare, it gives me pleasure to congratulate you upon the ha pv condition of our beloved country By the favor of Divine Providence, health is again restored to us: peace reigns with in our border: abundance crowns the la borsof our fields; commerce and domes tic industry flourish and increase; and in dividual happiness rewards the private Virtue and enterprise of our citizens Our condition abroad is no less honor able than it is prosperous at home Seek trig nothing that is not right and deter fni.ied to submit to nothing that is wrong, but deriring honest friendships, and liberal intercom se with all nation, the United Suttts have gained throughout the world the confidence and respect which nre due to a policy so just and so congenial to the character of the American people, and to the spirit of their institutions Jo bringing to our notice the particular s'ale of our foreign affiirs, it a if rds mv? high gratihV.fttho to inform you, that they are io a condition which promises the Continuance of friendship with all nations VVi h gret Britain, the interesting qiestin .four northeastern boundary re main slili undecided A negotiation, how. ever, upon that subject, hns been renewed since the close of the last Congress; and a proposition has been submitted to the British Government with the view of esta blishing, in conformity with the resolution of the Senate, the line designated by the treaty of 178J. Though no definite an ewer ha been received, it ny be dail) looked tor, and I entertain a hope thai the overture miv ultimately lead to a ea tisfartory a j j-lmeut of this important matter. ( have the satisfaction to inform you that a nego'iation which, by desue o! ihe Ii ue ol llepie.-cutatne, was opened, B'tiue years go, with the l'.iitisti GoteroC.ent l'r the erection of light houses on t.c Bahamas, has been successful. Those H,rk8t uLcq ccopleted, together with

tho& which tlic Unitcl Slates hare cr.n-

strurted on the western side of the GuU of Florida, will contiitute essentially to the safety of navigation in that sea This joint" participation in establishments interesting to humanity and beneficial to commerce, i worthy of two enlightened nations, and indicates feelings which can not fail to have a happv influence, upon their political relations It is giatilying to the ffi'-n'fs of both, to perceive that the intercourse between the two people is be coming daily morr extensive, and that sentiments of mutual good-will have grown up, befitting their common origin, ami ju9 tif'ying the hope that, by wise counsels on each side, not only unsettled questions may he satisfactorily terminated, but new causes of misunderstanding prevented Notwithstanding that I continue to re ceive the most amicable assurances from the Government of France, and that, in all other respects, the most fr iendly rela lions exist between the United States and that Government, it is to be regretted that the stipulati ms of the convention conclu. de l on the 4th July, 1831, remain in some important parts uutulfilled By the second article of that convention, it was stipulated that the sum payable to the United States should be paid at Paris, in six annual instalments, into the hands of such person or persons as should he authorised by the Government of the Unite. 1 States to receive it; and, by the same article, the first instalment was payable on the second day of February, 1833 Bv the act of Congress of the 13th July, 1632, it was made the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury to cause the several instalments.- with the interest ihereon, to be received Iro n the French Government, and transfer led to the United States, in such manner as he may" deem bes; and by the same act of Congrep, the stimulations on the part of the United State in the convention were, in all respects, fulfilled Not douhti"g that a treaty thus made an t ratified by the two Governments, and faithfully, es ecuted by the United States would be promptly complied with bv the other party, and desiring to avoid the rik and -x iienge of mterme iafe agencies, the Secittary of the Treasury deemed it advinble to receive and transfer the fit st instalment by means ofa draft upon the French Minister of Finance. A draft br this pur pose was accordingly drawn in favor of the Cahier of the Bank of the United States, for the amount accruing to the United States out of the first instalment, and the interest payable with it This bill wa not drawn at Washington until five days after the instalment was payable at Pan-, and was accompanied by a special authority from the President, authorising 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 Ameiian Charge tPAtlaiies at Paris, pur-uant to instructions from the Department of State. The bill, however, though not pie-enied tor payment until the twenty-ttcrd day of Mairn, was not paid, anil tor the reason assigned by the French Minister of Finance, that no ap propriation had been made by the r tench Chambers It is not known some that, up to that period, any appropriation had been requited ot the ( hambeis; and al though a communication was subsequent ly ma le to the Chambers, b dueciion ot the King, recommending that the nects sarv provision should be made for carry ing the convention into etl'ect, it was at an advanced period ot the tession, and the subject vvas 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 earn td mtoelVect without an appropriation b) the Chambers, it appears to me t be not only consistent with the charter ol France, but due to the character of both Governments, as well as to the rights of our citizens, to treat the convention ma ie and ratified, in proper form, as pledging the j;ood faith of the Fiem h Government tor its execution, and as imposing upon each department an obligation to mlfil ii; and I have received assurances thiougb our Charge d'Alfaire at Paris, and the French Minister Plenipotentiary at Washington, and more recently through ihe. Minister of the United States at Paris, that the delay has not proceeded tiom any indisposition on the part of the lviug uod his miu inters to fulfil the IteaU, and that measures will be presented at the next meet i.ig of the Charnbeis, and with a reason able 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 Glh Article, France engaged to communicate to the United States by the intermediary of the Legation, though repeatedly applied for by the American Charge d 'Affaires, under instrurtioiis from this Government, have nol yet been communicated ; and this delay, it is apprehended, w ill necessarily prevent the completion of the duties assign ed to the Commissioners within the lime it present pi escribed by law. The reasons for delaying to communicate these documents have not been ex phrity slated; ami 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 deli very of those paper? . Under these circumtances, in a case so important to the interests of our ritizus anil to the character of our country, and

under disappointments so unexpected,

deemed it my duty, however 1 might re..cral assurances to which I have adverted, no longer to delay the ap pmntment of a Minister Plenipotentiary to Paris, but to despatch him in season to communicate the result of his applicatiou to the French Government at an early period of your session. I accordingly appointed a distinguish citizen for this pur pose, who proceeded on his mission in Aii2Ut last, and was presented to the King early in the month of October . He is particularly instructed as to all matters connected with the present posture of affairs, and I indulge the hope that, with the repiesentations 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 satisfactorily disposedof, at the uext meeting of the Chambers. As this subject involves important in teresls, and has attracted a considerable shaie of the publicattention, 1 have deem ed it proper to make this explicit statement of its actual condition; and should I be disappointed in the hope now entertained, the subject vvill be again brought to the notice of Congress in such maimer as the occasion may require. The friendly relations which have always been maintained between the United States and Russia have been further extended and strengthened by the treaty of navigation ami commerce concluded on the Gth of December last, and sanctioned by the Senate before the close of its last session Tae r itifications having been since exchanged, the liberal provisions of the treat are now in full force; and, un-1 der the encouragement which they have received, a flourishing and increasing commerce, yielding its benefit? to the enterprise of both nations, affords to each the ju-t recompense of wise measures, and adds new motives for that mutual friendship which the two countries have hitherto cherished towards each other. It affords me peculiar satisfaction to state that the Government ol Spain has at length yielded to the justice of the claims which have been so long urged in behalf of our citizens, an 1 has expressed a willingness to provide an indemnification as soon as the proper amount can tie agieed upon. Upon this latter point, it i probable an understanding had taken place between the minister of the United States ami the Spanish Government, before the decease of the late King of Spain, and, un less that event may have delayed its completion, thep' is reason to hope that it may be in my power to announce to you, early in your piesent session, tbe conclusion ot a convention upon term cot less favorable thrn those entered int hi similar objects w ith other nations That act of justice would well accord with the character ol Spain, and is due to the United Slates from their anient friend. It could not fail to strengthen the sentiments of amitv and good will between the two nations which it is so much the wish of the Uni ted States to cherish, and so truly the in terest of both to maintain. liy the first section of an act of Con greso passed on the I3(h of July, 1832. the tonnage duty on Spanish ships arnv mg f rom the poris of Spam vvas limited to the duty pnvablc on American vessels in the ports of Spain, previous to the 20th October. 1817, beinj; five rents per ton That art was intended to give effect, on our side, to an arrangemnnt made with the Spanish Government, by which dis criminating duties of tonnage were to be abolished in the ports of the United States and Spain, on ihe vessels of the two tia lions. Pursuant to that arrangement, which was cairied into effect on the part of Spain, on the 20th of May, 1832, by a royal order dated the 29th April, 1832, American vessels in the ports of Spam have paid five cents per ton, which rate of fluty is also paid in those ports by Span ish ships : but, as American vessels pay no tonnage duty in the ports of the United States, the duty of five cents payable in our por ts by Spanish vessels, under the act abovementioned, is really u discriminating duty, 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 discrimination; and I recommend that the art 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 lie equally extensive ; and that, for the repayment of such duties as may have been improperly received, an addition should be made to the sum appropriated at the last session of Congress for refunding discriminating duties. As the arrangement referred to, how ever, did not embrace the islands of Cuba and Puerto Poco, discriminating duties, to the prejudice of American shipping, continue to be levied there. From the extent of the commerce carried on between the. United States and those islands, particularly the former, this discrimination caues serious injury to oue of those great national interests which it has been considered an essential part of our policy to cherish, and has given rise to complaints on the part of our merchants Under instructions given to our minister at Madrid, earnest representations have been made by him to the Spanish Government upon this -object, and there is reason to expect, from tbe friendly disposition which is entertaineJ towards this country, that a beneficial change w ill he produced. The dis advantage, however, to which our shipping is sui jecied by the operation ofthese discriminating duties, . requires that they be tuci by euitable countervailing duties

louring your present aeseion-poer oe-

ing at the same ume vesica m dent to modify or discontinue them as the discriminating oimes on Ainniu.. r or their cargoes may be modified or dis continued at those Islands Intimations have been given to the Spanish Govern ment, that the United states may be obliged to resort to such measures as are ol necessary selfdefence, and there is no reason to apprehend that it would be un. favorably received. The proposed pro ceeding, 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 irregulai ity, by friendly negotiation ; and it might serve to give force to his representations, byshowing the dangers to which that valua ble trade is exposed by the obstructions and burdens which a system ot discrimin ating and countervailing duties necessarily produces. The selection and preparation of the Florida archives,forthe purpose of being delivered over to the United States in conformity with the royal order, is men tinned in my last annual message, though in progress, has not yet been completed This delay has been produced, partly by causes which were unavoidable, particu larly 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 Ibat, "owing, as was n Wed tn Pmba rrmaments in the finance of Portugal , consequent upon the civil war ... B,- , in which that nation was engaged, pay ment had been made of only one mstalment of the amount w hich the Portuguese Government had stipulated to pay for indemnitying our citizens for property ille gaily captured in the blockade ot Tercei -

ra. Since that time, a postponement tori Inconsequence ot the illness oi rue two years, with ioterest, of the two re- 'Charge ii 'Affaires appointed to Centra! uiaining instalments, was requested by the j America at the last session of Congre?, Portuguese Government: and. as a con9i-,he was prevented from proceeding on bis

deration, it offered to stipulate that rice of the United Slates should be admitted into Portugal at the same duties as Brazi - lian rice. Being satisfied that no better arrangement could be made, my consent wa given, and a royal order of the King of Portugal was accordingly issued, on the 4th of February last, tor the reduction of the duty on lice 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 mutually advantageous commercial intercourse has strengthened the relations of friendship, I could announce to you the restoration of its internal tranquillity. Subsequently to the commencement of the last session of Congress the final instal ment payable by Denmark, under the convention of the 23th day of March, 1830, whs received. The commissioners for examining the claims, have since terminated therr labors, and their awards have been paid at the Tieasury as they l.ave been called tor. The justice rendered to our citizens by that Government is thus completed, and a pledge is therefore afforded lor the maintenance of that friendly intercourse becoming the relations that the two nations mutually bear to each other It is featifactory to inform ycu that the Danish Government have recently issued an ordinance by which the commerce with the island of St. Cruix is placed on a mure liberal footing than heretofore This change cannot fail to prove beneficial to the irade 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 ot 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 during the last winter, and ceived the sanction of ihe Senate; but the eschnnge of the ratifications has been hi therto 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 con teitnces in which his Government is engaged at London. That treaty dots but embody those en larged principles oi Irieuuly policy w hich, it is sincerely hoped, will always regulate the conduct of the two nations having such strong motives fo maintain amicable relations towards each other, and so sincerely desirous to cherish them. With all the other European powers with whom the United Stales 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 Statesassurances which it gives me no less pleasure to reciprocate than toreceive. With all, the engagements which have been en tered into are fulfilled with good faith on both sides. Measures have also been ta ken to enlarge our friendly relations, and exteud our commercial intercourse with other States. The system we have pursued of aiming at no exclusive advanta ges, of dealing with all on terms of fair and equal reciprocity, and of adherinscrupulously to all our engagement?, is well calculated to give success to efforts intended to bo mntuallj beneficial.

The wars of which the southern part tf this continent was, so long, the theatre, and which were carried on, either by the mother country against the States which

had formly been her colonies, or by the States agaiust each other, having termina ted. and their civil dissension havingso far subsided as, with few exceptions, no longer to disturb the public tranquility, it is earnestly hoped those States will be able eraploy themselves without interruption io perfecting their institutions, cultivating tbe arts of peace, and promoting, by wise councils and able exertions, the public and private prosperity which their patriotic struggles so well entitle them to enjoy. With those States our relations have undergone but little change during the present year. No re union having yet taken place between the States which composed the Piepublic of Colombia, our Charge d1Affaires at Bogota has been accredited to the Government of New Grenada, and we have therefore no diplomatic relations with Venezuela and Equator, except as they may tie included in those heretofore formed with the Columbian Republic It is understood that representatives from the three Stales were about to assemble at Bogota to confer on the subject of their mutual interests, particularly that of their union; and if the result should render it necessary, measures will be taken on our part to preserve with each that friendship ami those liberal commercial connexions, Which it has been the constant desiie of the United States to cultivate with their SISter republics Ol tniS nemiSpIiere UQ , . til the important question of re union shall be settled, however, the different matter which have been under discussion belweea 'the United States and the Republic of Co. Jlombia, or either of the States which composed it, are not likely to be brought to a jsatislactory issue. (mission until the month of October. It la .hoped, however, that he is by this time at ihis post, and that the official intercourse, Junfortunately 6o long interrupted, has jbeeu thus renewed on the part of the two nations so amicably and advantageously connected by engagements founded on the most enlarged piinciplcs of commercial reciprocity It is gratifying to state that, since my laEt annual message, some of the most imi poitant claims of our fellow-citizens upon the Government of Brazil have been sat isfactorily adjusted, and a reliance is pla ced oo the fi lendly depositions manifested by it that justice will also be .lone io others No uew causes of complaint have arisen; and the trade between the two countries Boutishes uuder the encouragement secured to it by the liberal provie ions of the the treaty. It is cause of regret, (hat, owing probably to tbe civil dissensions which have occupied the attention of the Mexican Government, the time fixed by the treaty ot limits with tbe tinted States tor the meeting of the commissioners to define the boundaries between the two nations, has been suffered to expire without the appointment of any commissioners on the part of that Government. While the true bondary remains iD doubt by either paity, it is difficult to give effect to those measures which are necessary to the protection and qniet 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 Seriate at its last session, was al-o 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 on the treaty, will again become necessary. The negotiations commenced with tho Argentine Republic, relative to the outrages committed on our vessels engaged irj t tie fisheries at the Falkland island br I persons acting under the color of i:s au thority, as well as the other matters io controversy netween the two governments, ha; e been suspended by the depar-

re-,tuie of the Charge dAffaires of the U.

States from Buenos Ayres. It is understood, however, that a minister was sub sequently appointed by that Government to renew tbe negotiation in the U. States, but, Ihongh daily expected, he has not yet arrived in this country. With Peru no treaty has yet been formed; and with Bolivia no diplomatic intercourse ha? yet been established. It will be my endeavor to encourage those sentiments of amity, and that liberal commerce, which belong to the relations io which all the independent States of this continent stand towards each other. Idcem it proper to recommend to your notice, the revision of our consular system. This las become an important branch of thf public service, inasmuch as it is intimately connected with the preservation of our national character abroad, with tbe interest of our citizens in for eign ceu'-tiies, with the regulation arid care of our commerce, and with the protection of our seamen. At the close of the last seBion of Congress, I communicated a report from the Secretary of Stale upon the subject, to which 1 now refer, at containing information which may be useful in any inquiries that Congress may see fit to institute with a view to a salutary reform of the sytetn. Il gives me great pleasure to congratulate you upon the prosperous condition of the finances of the country, as will appear from the report which the Secretary of the Treasury will, ia due time, lay be fur