Star.
London, England, 1830-01-16 00:00:00

COLUMBIA.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR.
LETTER xvin.

Be:lama, Ocr. 8, 1829.
Columbia has made treaties with all the States formed
out of the dismemberment of the Spanish possessions, in
virtue of which, she is obliged to support the independence
of each, if menaced by the mother, or any other country.
Happily, the principles which dictated the Holy Alliance,
are entombed with the Emperor ALEXANDER, and as
the nations at the head of the civilized world have recog-
nised American independence, no cm:7lb is to be
feared, and she is only exposed to the hostility of Spain.
We know, by late advices, that FERDIN AN:), encouraged
by the unhappy domestic feuds of Mc.? ice, has made a
new effort; and is about to invade New Spain with a con-
siavrable force. The direct projects of the Spanish Govern-,
anent are vet involved in mystery. It is still unknown
v hether it is proposed to reduce Mexico to a colony on
the ancitot footing, or, profiting by such monarchical ele-
nkiits as may be found in the country, and the discontent
produced by late disputes, between her principal Chief-
tains, to erect her into an independent State, under the
rule of the Infante Don FRANCISCO DE PAULA.
In the first case, I unhesitatingly venture to pre-
dict that should the Spanish troops obtain any success
in the outset, from the division amongst the people, that
victory will eventually declare itself in favour of the
noble cause of Independence ! This is the decree of
Nature—but if FERDINAND should propose only to
form close political, and commercial relations with
Medico, under the government of some member of his
dynasty, I am not equally prepared to affirm the result.
The Mexicans will adopt the course which is most con-
sonant with their feelings and interests. In either case,
the well-understood interests of Columbia —the duty she
owes herself to attend to her own self-preservation—
combined with the impossibility, from want of marine, to
carry assistance to Mexico, imposes on her the obliga-
tion to be prepared for every event. We shall deplore
the fate of Mexico, if it be destined to pine under the au-
thority of the Moitimms, the MORALES, and the BAR-
RADA& But, Columbiana! what a lesson should we
have to lean from her misfortunes ! May we in time
avoid the calamities which result from faction and dis-
union ! Let us henceforth present ourselves to Spain,
and the whole world, in the attitude which commands
respect, and at the same time dedicate ourselves to those
acts of peace which form the happiness and riches of
States.

The invasion of Mexico, and our inability to assist her,
proves the inutility of a federative league similar to that
which was projected at Panama.
Federative Conventions, to be permanent, must repose
on common and durable interests ; and the contracting
parties should also enter into them with good faith, and
all their means. If we examine what occurred at the
epoch of the re-union of the Panama Congress, and with
what we are since become acquainted, it will be found
that the advantages which the new States flattered them-
selves to derive from this Congress, were more imagina-
tive than real—that under some aspects, the proposed
stipulations were useless, or impracticable, and under
others, highly prejudicial to the co-belligerents.
I am a friend to the welfare and happiness of every
people, but I do not propose here to inquire into their
wants or expedient policy. My intention is strictly to
confine myself to that mutter which concerns the country
that naturally most engages my attention, and commands
all my affections.
It is an error to suppose that Columbia has any in-
terest in common with the other new States, except as
to a joint defence against Spain, and even for that object,
the world has been witness that the country of Bouvwit
does not want allies, or foreign succour.
Having then no community of interests, but only those
rivalities existing between these two nations which di-
vided the inhabitants when they belonged to Provinces
of the same Empire, and which the war for independ-
ence has extended and increased, every State having ex-
hibited so much jealousy of Columbia, and her Luiz-
RA TOR, as well as of all foreign influence, so many ob-
stacles, physical and moral, opposing the co-operating
exertions of the Great American family, in case of
danger to any branch, the true caws fcederis being so
difficult to determine, it appears to me, that a general
defensive alliance is all but impracticable.
Another of the objects of the confederation, was the
establishment of an Amphiction Council, to arbitrate and
reconcile the differences which might arise between the
:,übAcribing parties. This idea, however, was but fan-
ciful, for as was justly observed in the instructions given
to the Minister of the United States of America, when
proceeding to this Congress, " The complicated and
vast interests which belong to this immense continent,
cannot safely be trusted to the superintendence of a
legislative authority." The Cabinet of Washington,
protesting against the decision of an Amphytrion Coun-
cil, in controversies, and transactions affecting herself,
how was it possible for the other States of America to
give validity to any resolutions of the Congress ?
I have said that consequences, disagreeable or preju-
dicial, might arise from the conduct of the co-belli-
gerents: and the aforecited instructions authorise that
opinion. The United States Government proposed le
submit to Congress measures of navigation and commerce,
questions of maritime, neutral, and belligerent rights ; ob-
jects in which the United States had much,but all the other
States nothing to gain. How could there be anyreciprocity
of interests in these matters, between a nation eminently
mercantile, enterprising, and maritime ? and Columbia,
and the other American States, destitute of their own
commercial establishments, naturally indolent, and al-
most without any coasting vessels ? How could we mix
country, for many years to come, with those op-
maritime pretensions, which have occasioned Great
lnd North America so much controversy, so
negociation, and so much blood ? Is it not evident
Columbia adopted the ideas of the United States,
render them no service, and would only involve
disputes with England? But there was not
point in the before-mentioned instructions in

under the colours of liberty, and apparent
v, North America did not require great ad-
ior herself, at the expense of the other States
the Congress. The most northern nation of our
Ire, raised by the emancipation of the whole, to
of a power of the first order, feels those as
and belong to her force resources.
afore, desires to place herself at the head of a now
treericus system; but Columbia, in my opinion, whilst
lug a friendship and good understanding not
compatible with her interests, but the gratituio we
_ Republic, which was the first power to recognise
independence, should abstain from all other political
save those commercial conventions to which she

entitled by ber wealth sad spirit of enterprise.

•

GARCIA DEL RIO.

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