Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-10-24
NEJV PA.UPHLET

We have just received hy mail from Wash
inStun small pamphlet entitled :" .South 4n.e-
rica-1 letter on the Present State Of tadt CouR-
try, 10 James Nom oe, President Of me JJnite,l
States. by an American" We understand IL
Is from the pen OF MIR. III. nj. breckenridge
author OF Views on LouSiana"-who Vas
said To bave embarked in tie Ontario as one of
the Commissioners TO south America; but who
we conjecture, is still at Washington Mr. g.
writes with aDllity, IN chaste aud perspicu-
Gus style. We are proud to see such pens
array ed on The SIDE of the Patriots. HIS views
of the course which tile United States ought TO
take, are the same which have been sketched
~ hi, paper-bs reasons are nearly the same
We extract the following paragraphs near the
close OF Tie pamphlet, DIS developing those
views:
'it does not follow, however, that we should
make common cause with them and 20 to
war with SPAN, on their account: tins might
injurc us both. Although should not fear Inc
result, ~ might be more prudent to leave the
colonies 10 contend villa Spain, without iuter-
ference, and am convinced no European uatI-
on w,li interfere III her favor. THIS country
has TAO reason TO be afraid OF d war, but at the
same time none to desire II. Peace is oar tue
policy, though not carried so far as TO render
our steps timid and cowardiy. We ought nor
to be prevented from doing what NAV DE a.
greeabie TO US, and TO our interest, BY apple-
tension OF unjust and unlawful violence from
the universe; we are now strong enough To-
pursue any Just and reasonable department, as
respects ourselves and others without dread
of consequences. What then Ought we to do ?
say at once. to establish o6iciaI relations lcjth
the republics Of In PlGta ana Chill No nation
Will have any Just rig.it to he offended win
this. Our own practice, as well as tile prac-
tice of every other country, considers the ex
istence Ofa government de (actO, as sufficient
Tor all purposes OF official communications
We never heSitated to establish relations with
the revolutionary governments of France, nei
Their did any of the European powers In tl,e
great commonwealth OF HatOns, each one has
a rigbt to choose tile government Of govern
ments, with which 10 establish Snch re!ati-
OnS-Other nations have no more right TO take
offence 81 this, than one citizen has with ano
Their for Tie cboice of his associate. The re-.
cognition OF the repn5i. Of la Plata, does
not imply that we must make war against
SPAN, OF aid tile republic in case it should be
invaded. tits not inconsistent with the strict
est neutrality most certainly il is no act OF
nOstiIliy. lnere IS not the least daugeT that
Spain will seriously consider it a cause of ,eor
she may blu'iey--bat she held, too deep a s.alse.
20 thtHS 81 striking tie Brst bi0iC as long as
she POSSESSES colonies ~ America If there IA
ever a war between US, it must Commence on
orr side"
/" Are there any Of tlie American re- gnblirs
with which We can with safety enter into oei.
Cial relations. or form treaties of amity and
commerce The United Provinces ct la Plata
arc undoubtedly such. Fer seven Years fhsy
have had complete and undisiurbed possesslon
OF their rCuntTy--nO ATTEMPT las Lern t,sfe
or is Likely 10 be made, to .ubdue them. and ~
ter tbs lapse Of time it Spain were 10 atte,uDt
She cspld be- considered III 10 other iislff than
as an invader We in0t oniy 10 Tie govern.
meni DC Jlclo the maxim OF Spain once "a co.
leny always colony, u one which must
settle with her colonies as we'll as she can. f,,
us il is enough that there IS iu La Plata a com.
| plefe expulsion o. the spanish authorities and
| au existing government. II will not he pre-
tended by the most cNrdvsgaut advocates OF
| Spain. thai because she has revOlted colonies
| elsewhere. which she is trying 10 snbdne. md
those tesich SEE Is toJ Us0t TO ufteai,t omght to
| be regarded IS connected with the rest Ac.
| cording to lliis reasoning, waile spain conf.
| nhes 10 hold single incl n America. lie COZ
4 volt.
Consistently therefore with the s,rictest
| neutrality, we may Acknowledge "a Plata. al
east, as an Independent state, BY this simpi.
| act We WIZ ensure 70 cursetyes the LASTING
! friendship Of ali the Patrols Of South Amcg.