Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1817-10-24

government TO proceed on secret nls-
sion to South America. We have fur
Their been informed that in this work, the
author endcavours 10 show the necessity
of recognition Of the independence oil
| the Sautl. American colonies Were the
sentiments imputed to this pamphlet,
maintained by common pamphleteer'
rheY would derive all their importance
from the merits Of the work alone, from
the ability with which question of such
nomsntnus importance WAS argued and
discussed. But the question before US
assumes deeper character from the re
lati0n which the author stands to the ca.
binet of Washington 1t is fair to pre-
sumo that our administration hare MT ap-
pointed man to proceed to Sou.h .4meri-
ca as an agent, whoSe pot tica! ideas on
he subject Of South american indeper-
dence are at uGriance pith their orn.-
Here the ideas expressed by this writer
are avowed, before he sails upon the mis-.
sion, and our administration, with full
knoSledge of this fact, continue him in
their service. He sails on the subject Of
secret mission, the object of which must
be left to Conjecture alone a mission
that, if our suspicious are well founded,
will not be considered by the allied pow
ers as matte, of Indifference We do
not think then, from such evidence. that
we press the point foo far, when we state
that the cabinet entertain a design of ne-
kno,cledsing The independence Of Spanish
South .4merica. This question, if decid.
ed with the advice aud concurrence Of
the European powers, does not present an
alarming iront il is decided at once,
and frsm that hour the Spanish Patriots
will be independent of the mother cour-
try. Spain would hardly deem it pru-
dent herself to contend at such fearful
odds; she would without a struggle.
surrender the question at once. In lie
present exhausted state of the Spanish
finances, it is almost incredible that this
power would, in defiance Of 50 many OBJ
stacles, contend the point for a moment,
IN opposition to the whole effective force
Of the civilized world. But very differ.
ent indeed is the state of the question
presented, if our government inte iere
without the assent ard concurrence of
con edera'ed Europe. This Interference
VII, in all human probability rouse the
Jealousy Of those allies, who may even
themselves secretly wish the indepen
dcnce of the South American colonies.
rhey will consider our interference AZ
alarming to them in various points of
view, and unless these points are previ-
ously adjusted, explained and understood
b. the allies. is it too much to say tina,
We are doing the greatest injury to The
patriotic cause, by adopting 50 rash and
hasfy course of proceeding. DO W.
arye tbs point too strongly when we in.
..t that cur s"le and exl lu;iye acknow-
lrd, cement Of South American indepen.
hcnce would be at once decisive Of the
question, and end 10 the prostration Of
all he hopes of the Patriots Will net
a,r government themselves be charged.
Gle with doing to the revolted colonies
the greatest possible injury, when they
are intending them a benefit? If peo-
pie are disposed to contend for such grave
nonsense as this, that eur administration
are bound to act in this business withcut
even consulting the dispositions of the
European monsrchs; if they deem it
beneath the dignity of the nation to con,
suit other independent powers on ques.
ton of such extent, and Of such iuagn-
tude, we have only to reply, that we do
not wish to contest the point with those
Quixottes OF diplomacy who are equally
ready TO hght windmill or man. That
it can be believed for moment, that the
powers If EaroFe look upon one of the
most productive quarters of the globe.
Astounding with all the blessings oil Di-
vine Providence, with Indifference, is
question 50 fraught with absurdity, that
we disdain its discussion. What renders
our government more inexcusablc, is this,
that we have ministers at foreign courts,
who, by only receiving instructions,
would sound the disposition of all the
European sovereigns on this interesting
subject. Our cabinet have only to die
tate. and the same thing may be done
withost auy risque, which will now in all
probability be incurred with the greatest.
We sincerely hope that our fears on this
subject are nnfounded /; but we do sin
cerely and conscientiously believe, that
we are on the eve of great troubles.
From the Boston Centinel, Sept. IS.
Correspondence between the Ma,sschu-
sets Peace Society and the Emperor
Of Russia and Prince Galltzin.