The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-04-06 00:00:00

BOGOTA.-CONGRESS.

MESSAGE Or TILE VICE-PRESIDENT OF COLOMBIA. IN
FiRAROE OF THE GOVERNMENT, TO THE CONGRESS OF

Fellow-Citizens of the Senate and Chamber of Represen.
tatives,
This is the precise day appointed by our Constitution fur the
asse-nbly of the Representatives of the Republic, In order that
they mai exert themselves for the happiness and prosperity of
their constituents. If, in the two former Sessions, Congress as.
trembled at s later period than is provided for by the Constitution,
owing to causes which are inherent in infant societies (although the
enemies of the Republic have affected to overlook them), the
present Assembly will convince them, that with the progress of
time, we approach nearer to the exact observance of Constitutional
principles.. -I must congratulate Colombia and yourselves on an
event which gives stability to the political system, and hopes of the
most happy results from the present Session. It is with the
greatest pleasure that the Executive is about to fulfil its duty, and
contribute to this favourable issue, by giving you an accuratz idea
of the state of tire affairs of the Republic, in the various branches
of its administration.

The Government of his Catholic .Majesty, far from abandoning
its former pretensions to the sovereignty of these countries, as
justice, experience, and the ruin of the Spanish nation would
counsel, still labours to advance its hostile views, without afford-
ing the slightest hope of reconciliation. The Executive has reason
to think that the Cabinet of Madrid is well aware of a con-
ciliatory disposition on our part, and of our desire to terminate a
war, which, during fifteen years, has involved both nations in so
many evils. The earnestness, however, with which the Executive
has sought pence with Spain, on the basis of imlependence, has
not caused its vigilance to slumber. Congress may be assured that
cur means of defence are at the present moment abundant, and that
any enterprise on the part of Spain against the Republic will only
serve to add lustre to our arms, and tre increase the humiliations of
Spain.
Our relations with the American Governments subsist on a foot-
ing of friendship and good understanding, becoming States sus-
taining a common cause. The services and supplies which we have
rendered to Peru, have so materially altered the situation of that
country, that no doubt can exist of its acquiring liberty and inde-
pendence. The Liberator and President of Colombia has displayed
on this occasion, even more than on former ones, those virtnts
which are peculiar to illustrious men, and to which the Colombian
Republic owes its existence. Surrounded with difficulties almost
insurmountable; obliged to contend with enemies who, to numeri-
, cal superiority, united the confidence inspired by victory; fettered
by disasters brought on by rashness, weakness, and perfidy ; doubt-
ful of receiving in time the fresh succours which the Congress had
so promptly decreed ; the Liberator has triumphed over all these
obstacles, and, aided by the patriotism of those Peruvians who re.
mained faithful to their duty, and by the valour of the united army,
Issas liberated an important part of the vast territory previously pos.
sowed by the Spanish troops, after inflicting on them a severe hum).
!iation in Junin. The Executive has every hope that the auxi-
liaries which left Panama for Peru in Ottober, have arrived at an
opportune moment, and that, by extending the scene of operations,
they will consolidate the advantages already gained, accelerate the
day of Peruvian liberty, and irrevocably fix the destiny of South
I America. This new glee), was reserved for Colombia. and for you
the satisfaction of having contributed thereto Sy all the means in
your power, and more especially, by having permitted the Liberator
to leave the territories of the Republic. In conformity with the re-
solution of the Legislature, I have not ratified the Convention re-
specting territorial limits entered into between Colombia and Peru.
Notwithstanding the importance of this measure, the Executive has
abstained from renewing the negotiations, under an impression that
we ought to give an example of good faith and generosity, by sus-
pending all discussion thereon, whilst the Peruvian Republic be
occupied by the troops of Colombia.
The Republic of lilexico has just given a terrible lesson to usur-
pers of the rights of the peonle. Owing lturbide violated the
law which banished him, and landed on the Mexican territory
under circumstances which alarmed the Government. He was de.
dared a traitor deserving death by act of Congress, and the
penalty was inflicted without opposition. It seems evident that
the Mexican Government has, by this measure, made an import.
ant stride towards statility and prosperity. Recent intelligence
from that part of America states, that the most energetic and ec.
traordinary measures are taken to defend its independence against
the views of Spain, and to compel those towns that disregard the
pact of union, to return to their duty.
The provinces of Guatemala continue to pteeerve unmolested I
the sovereignty into which they spontaneously elected themselves.
An accredited Minister from that Government to the Republic, is
now residing in our capital. A favourable opportunity, therefore,
presents itself of settling points of great interest. The establish-
ment of limits between Colombia and Guatemala is imperiously
called for, in consequence of certain foreigners pretending to a
right to the coast of Mosquito, and inasmuch as the interior boon.
dary line between the countries is not ascertained. The Eireeu.
tire, in strict compliance with the law of the 12th of July, of the
year 1821, has declared that that part of the Atlantic coast which
extends horn Cape Gracios a Dim to the river Chaves, belongs to
the Republic, and that all colonization made therein without the
sanction of the Government and laws of Colombia, is null and
void. I submit this decree to your judgment, as well as the ar. .
guments I have adduced in defence of the integrity of the territory
of the Republic and its rights, and in order to frustrrte the views
of our enemies._

The agitated state of the Brazilian empire has not yet enabled
us to form relations of friendship and good understanding with
that Government, with which we have likewise to arrange questions
regarding territorial limit.. Ire are muted of the good dispo.
ninon of the Emperor towards Colombia • and, on our part, we
have avoided all cause of complaint and dissension. When the
moment shall arrive for negotiating with the Brazilian Goveniment,
the Executive will not fail to observe that frankness and good faith
which form the basis of its principles, by conforming to the
list territorial treaty made between Spain and Portugal, in Madrid,
in 1777•

'ti'i;h the United States we maintain the most friendly and
cordial relations. The treaty of peace, friendship. navigation, and
commerce, celebrated by the Executive with those States, through
the medium of duly authorised Plenipotentiaries, will be forthwith
laid before you. The principles we have therein adopted are so
commendable in their nature as to render all eulogium superfluous.
Never has the Government of Colombia appeared more attached
to that spirit of civilization and humanity which ought to din-
tinguish the Governments of free people, than in this treaty. Co-
lombia will have the laudable pride of having been the first among
the States of ancient Spanish America, to appear before the world
united by public treati, a with the most favoured nation of liberty.
You will also examine the convention entered into with these
States, for the purpose of putting an end to the horrible traffic in
negroes of Africa. Our laws have already forbidden this execrable
traffic, and the Executive has formed its conduct on their basis.
The law of the 21st of July, of the year 11, has forbidden the
introduction of slaves; and the provisional cruising ordinances
condemn as lawful prizes all vessels trading in African negroes,
that may be captured in the waters within the jurisdiction of the
' Republic. But no penalty being awarded for the violation of this
law, and it being a justice due to the human race to modify our
cruising laws. the Executive thinks that these objects have been
obtained by our convention with the United States.
To convey a c rrect idea of our relations with Europe, I deem
it incumbent on me to deal frankly, by entering on a detail which
will give you this information, and at the same time demonstrate
to the world the political principles of the Government of Co-
lombia. The Commissioners of his Britannic Alajesty, in this
capital, requested that the Executive would issue the e.requatur
necessary for the recognition of the Consult" sent by the King to
some of our ports. As no commissions accompanied this appli-
cation, as is usual and customary, the Executive was under the
painful necessity of deferring the (repeats,, until these commis-
Rion' should be duly presented by the several parties, relying on
their being framed in the terms usual among nations. As soon as
the person on whom the title of Consul-General had been confer-
red arrived in this capital, lie presented his commission, assuring
the Executive at the same time that the commissions of the Consuls
of La Gusyra, Maracaibo, Carthagena, and Panama, were coo-
calved in the same terms. The commission makes mention of the
Province: of Colombia. Instead of the Republic of Colombia, by
which latter title it was determined by our thralamenuil law that
this country should be known since the year IC19; and the Consuls
are therein accredited to the Authorities that might happen to be et-,
lablirhed, instead of being accredited to the Lxetutive Power, or
President of the Republic. as they ought to have been, agreeably
to the principles of public right. to oar Constitution, and to the
conduct observed by the United States. The Executive corm-
dered these errors as a necessary consequence of that state of
ambiguity and practical difficultly' in which the English Go.
ver:tment found itself placed in treating of the recognition of the
Independence of Colombia. as was stated to Parliament by the
Miniver!' of his Britannic Majesty's Government ; for, in reality,
it would have been a manifest contradiction, to have accredited
Consuls to the ports of Colombia in the usual terms, and as the
rights of rations demand, without recognizing the independence
and existence of the Government from which it sought the
admission of these racers. The Executive d'M not hesitate
in adopting the line of conduct most comfortable with the dignity
of the Republic, and serviceable to the interests of the British
nation. Pk:cetl in the painthl situation of deceiving the Republic,
by illegally recognising, as daly accredited Consuls, 'lemma who
did not conic recommended to the Government of Colombia. and
who did not appear destined fur the ports of the Republic. I did
not hesitate to refuse the mequotar to their nominations, and
caused to be explained to the Commissioners of his Britannic Ma-
jesty the pouarful motives I had for adopting this resolution.
assuring them. at the same time; that in order to give fresh proot
of friendship and good rill towards the British Government and
people, 1 would }ninth the persons appointed to these Consul.
ships to protect the commerce and interest* of English subjects in
the capacity of Agents for the protection of sailor* end commerce.
The Commissioners accepted these term, with pleasure, without
refuting the strong arguments on which my of the e.requotar
was grounded. if the Congress will call to mied, that in my
former Message, I pledged myself that, in the cecrae cf the rte.
gotiation about to be opened with the Commissioners of his
Britannic Majesty, I would not lose sight of the dignity of the
Government, and the Lnterests of the Colombian people; it will
perceive by the present statement, that I have strictly redeemed
my pledge. Public' right. does not recognise the admission of
Omuta as a bounden duty front one nation to another. The
obligation so to admit them, arises solely from treaties or con -
Ten:lons celebrated between the parties, or from a state of peace
and 'friendship between nations, whom Independence it recirtrer-
eaLl; admitted. This priviple, wageb the English °unitising