debt contracted by the government of Colombia. It would be most ho. nourable to the country, and to the le. gislative body, that means were taken immediately to show that we are really anxious to make good our promises. Fortunately there are now in this capital representatives of our creditors, duly authorized to make propositions for having the interest of the debt secured, and for definitively arranging the whole business. I therefore intreat you to bestow the utmost attention on this delicate subject; and that you will, as soon as possible, appoint a committee to confer with the representatives of our creditors, and regulate the affair with due regard to prudence, and to the honour of our country.

I must recommend a similar course with regard to the arrangement of the domestic debt, contracted likewise by the republic of Colombia; this, however, could not be easily effected, until after the meeting of the commissioners of the three states, on account of the difference in the origin of the several debts composing it, the difference in the rates of interest, and the fact, that among the creditors are subjects of all the three sections now independent. The honour of the nation, however, requires that we should postpone the arrangement of this debt until we have settled that of our foreign obligations.

The army has acted up to the principles proclaimed when it lent its powerful aid to the people, and thus hastened the dowfall of a government founded on a usurpation of their rights. It has done good service in restoring the integrity of our territory and whenever called upon to preserve the public peace, by its discipline and forbearance, it has merited the confidence of the go

vernment, and conciliated the feelings of all. The army is aware that it forms only a part of the people, and that arms are confided to it exclusively for the purpose of defence against foreign invasion, and against attempts to overthrow our constitutional laws. I recommend to your favour this branch of the public service, observing that some reform is necessary in the laws respecting its organization and discipline.

The organization of the national guard is also defective; every care should be taken to secure the preservation and efficiency of a force which offers so strong a guaranty to our political system. While the national guard is so organized as to be employed usefully when called upon, and our little navy duly fostered, the state will not only be able to dispense with a large portion of the standing force, but will have on hand a body capable of repressing all internal disturbances, and of defending the country against foreign invasion, at least until a regular army could be raised.

I have directed your attention only to those subjects which were most worthy of immediate examination: it would be impossible in one session to provide for all the wants, and to supply all deficiencies in our system. The evils consequent upon our former colonial existence cannot, at once, be remedied; we are as yet but in the infancy of political life, and time is required for every reform, either in the habits or modes of thinking of a peo. ple. It is our sacred duty to maintain the political system adopted by New-Grenada, and to improve it when an opportunity offers. The evils which the nation has already experienced have been produced almost entirely by the instability of

the former governments; we want repose for the re-establishment of the public morals, for the acquisition of wealth, and for the purpose of gaining confidence abroad. The people are wearied with commotions, and anxious to rest under the safeguard of institutions which derive their origin from the only legitimate source the will of the nation.

For my own part, I am not only bound by solemn oath, to support the constitution and laws, but I am

likewise from principle ready to lay down my life in their defence; nothing shall induce me to swerve from the cause of duty, or to abandon the sacred cause of my country. I place my trust in Providence, and the patriotism of the representatives of the nation; with those aids, our institutions must flourish, and the sacrifices of a virtuous people will not have been made in vain.

FRANCISCO DE Santander. Bogota, March 1, 1833.

Augustin Gamara, Grand Marshal, President of the Peruvian Republic, &c.

Whereas, on the 12th day of July, 1832, a treaty of commerce was concluded and signed at Lima, between the republic of Peru and the state of Equator, through the medium of plenipotentiaries, duly au thorized by both parties to that ef fect, which treaty is, word for word, as follows:

IN THE NAME OF ALMIGHTY GOD The republic of Peru, and the state of Equator, being convinced of the necessity of establishing upon a solid basis, the friendship and alliance formed by means of the treaty bearing date this day, and animated by a sincere desire of contributing to the prosperity of each other, have determined to regulate their commercial intercourse in a manner calculated to prove advantageous to both countries; with which intent they have appointed their respective plenipotentiaries, to wit:

The republic of Peru-Jose Ma

of the remainder, specifying the number, marks, and contents of the packages, as by the manifest shall be made at the custom-house, and delivered sealed to the captain, which list he must present before he can be allowed to unload at any port of entry in the other country.

ARTICLE XII.

As Equatorian vessels are to be considered Peruvian in Peru, and Peruvian vessels Equatorian in Equator, neither shall in the ports of the other pay any higher duties, of tonnage, anchorage, or any description whatever, than are paid by the vessels of the country in which the port is situated.

ARTICLE XIII.

Vessels of either nation may be repaired and equipped in the ports of the other, in perfect security, receiving the same protection, and subject to no other duties or liabilities than those of the country. This arrangement extends to ships of war, whose commanders, however, are to agree with the local authorities as to the period of their stay.

ARTICLE XIV.

No vessel can load or unload, unless she arrives and departs furnished with the proper documents from the respective custom-houses. The custom-houses of each state shall correspond with those of the other, in order to communicate information as to the documents thus furnished; and they shall require from the captains of vessels certificates of their having complied with the proper forms in the ports from which they came.

ARTICLE XV.

guilty of having furnished false papers to vessels, shall, on complaint being made by the government which suffered injury therefrom, be punished according to the law of their own nation, in the same manner as if the crime had been committed against itself.

ARTICLE XVI.

All productions of either country, entering the other by land, shall be entirely exempt from all duty whatsoever.

ARTICLE XVII.

Foreign goods introduced from the province of Piura (Peru) into that of Loja (Equator) shall pay a duty of four per cent. upon their value.

ARTICLE XVIII.

The governments of the contracting parties may establish consuls wherever they may think necessary, for the reciprocal protection of commerce, who shall enjoy all the immunities customary among European nations.

ARTICLE XIX.

The regulations of the post between the two countries, shall remain as at present established.

ARTICLE XX.

The present treaty shall be ratified, and the ratifications exchanged, within sixty days after the date thereof, or sooner if possible, and submitted for the constitutional approval of the respective congresses at their next sitting.

ARTICLE XXI.

continue in full force for ten years after the day on which it shall have received the approbation of both congresses; it may, however, be renewed or ratified again, by both governments, before or after the expiration of that term.

ADDITIONAL ARTICLES.

It being stipulated that the citi zens of Peru shall pay in Equator the same duties as if they were Equatorians, and that citizens of Equator shall pay the same duties in Peru as if they were Peruvians: We, the undersigned ministers, have agreed upon the following ar ticles :

ARTICLE I.

Peruvians in Equator, and Equatorians in Peru, shall pay only two dollars for the seal placed on their passports for any place to which they may be going.

ARTICLE II.

The preceding shall be considered an additional article of the trea

ty of commerce concluded this day.

In faith whereof, we, the undersigned ministers, have affixed our signatures to this present treaty of commerce, and sealed it with the seals of our respective re

publics, in the city of Lima, on this 12th day of July, in the year of our Lord 1832, and of the independence of Peru the thirteenth.

RATIFICATION.

Therefore, having seen and examined the above treaty of com. merce, and it having been approved by the congress of the republic, ac. cording to the 5th section of the 45th article of the constitution, I have, in virtue of the powers conferred on me by the 13th section of the 90th article of said constitution, accepted, confirmed and ratified it, and do hereby accept, confirm and ratify each and all of its articles and clauses, solemnly pledging the national honour for the entire and exact fulfilment of the same. In faith whereof, I have caused to be issued these presents, signed by my hand, sealed with the great seal of the republic, and countersigned by the secretary of state for foreign relations.

Done at Lima this 27th of December, in the year of our Lord Peru the 13th. 1832, and of the independence of

AUGUSTIN GAMARRA.

By the President:

MANUEL DEL RIO,

Secretary of State for Foreign Relations.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

The period being now arrived at which the business of the parlia. ment is usually resumed, I have called you together for the discharge of the important duties with which

you are intrusted. Never at any time did subjects of greater interest and magnitude call for your attention.

I have still to lament the continu. ance of the civil war in Portugal,