Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-09-12
RICHMOND, SEPTEMBER ~.
~ FOR THE ENQUIRER.
10 HENRY CLAY, ESQ.

No. 2.
HoGtd the United States mast promote the cause
81 freedom by indirectly count eRancine the Pat
riots, or by openly recognizing and aiding the
prorRces ~ he Southern CoRtiseHt az Indepsa-
dent Nations!
After casting an eye over the present state of
the civilized nations OF the old world and owe
our own situation in relation to Sonth .Ameri-
ca, and then sitting down 10 reflect on the
course the United States shonld pursue in re-
gard TO the present struggle i'll the South of
our Continent-ihere could not ii would seem.
be single dissenting voice among the real
friends OF this country, in declaring for the
Patriot cause, We're we to take a side at all
therefore, the whole enquiry as have already
observed, Is embraced by the above question
Every principle of generosity, policy and jlIs-
tice, tends TO unite tae peope of Independent
\. America to the cause of those of the South,
who wish to he free--as Republicans, we are
hoand to tiem.hy every sentiment of generosi-
~, and manly feeling; as new aud growing
nations, nhabiting some of the fairest portions
OF the globe, whose power ere long may serve
as connterp0lse to the nations OF Europe and
whose commerce promises TO be more safe and
lucrative TO us than that of all the world be-
sides, we are impressively directed by the
soundest policy, To cultivate their alliance
friendship and Partially; and as an infant ma
ton, contendng for freedom, we are bound to
remember the days of our youth, and to render
unto them jHstice; tor il is IL Justice that es-
tabllsheth nation.
fine reasons that may he assigned why the
United States should wish 10 see the cause of
the Southern Patriots succeed, SO hume
Tous, Selt-evident and cogcnt-aTe so well I'M
derstood, and have already excited SO warm
and general a sympathy in the breasts of the
people of this country, that the government
wonid not, am sure, hazard the loss of sim
gle Patriotic voice in its favor, by at once a.
doping the alternative fan open aud avcwed
recognition of the Independence OF the Spa-
nisir Proeinces.-1he people of these states
nave always cherished the most lively good
fnr flla ~
nation or reign il may have been asserted, and
al no time more so than the present.
But II has been, often, and with some degree
plalsibility, said, that IN consulting the wishes
OF the people, the government should not be
altogether unmindiui of the admontions of
prudence; and that III tire present case pru-
dence evinces 1T 10 be best, not only for the
people OF the United States, hut also for those
OF South America, that the former should not
make an open declaration III favor of the lat
ter. To enable us 10 judge of the merits
OF these pretended suggestions of prudence,
III VIII be necessary to cast glance over
the provinces OF the South, to reflect upon
their situation, and TO endeayOr to ascertain
tile consequences likely to ensue from our o.
penny recognising the Independence of all
or any of them.
The prodgious extent of the regions which
are AT present the theatre of the operations of
TIE Southern Patriots, and the vast continent
over which the population consisting OF Euro
pean Americans Is dispersed, has a tendency
tCbe"Ider the mind in contemplating their
ahdiTs; aud 10 prevent the formation or clear
Oplhlons concerning them. To be relieved
from this embarrassment, we must obtain
some knowledge of the local situation and ge-
oSraphlcal relations of the several provinces
ana Oear them constantly in mind.-By thus
means the subject will be Invested of that con-
hSiOh, produced by the immensity OF the space
over wMchitls spread-aud we Shalt DE con-
Vihced that TO unite and hold these provinces
toeetner by one common government of any
hniu Whatever, must be utterly impossible
anu therefore that the SuTeSt means of brInp-
ing about the independence and eStablisbis,
the liberties Of all, will be- by treating with,
sion.
tend along the Gulf of Mexico. between the
river Colorado and Louisiana, aud thence west.
ward 10 the Rocky n! Ountains and the Pacific
ocean, on the north, by the two seas on the
Under the name OF Mexico or New Spain
may be comprehended all that delightful aud
iertIle country, separated from the United
states by-kbose boundiess praiTles which OK.
East and the West, aud by the Lake Nicara
qua ON the South. Tie great mass OF the mo-
pnlatOn OF tins extensive territory is situated
on the elevated table lands in the ueighbor.
hood of the city of Mexico, which Itself CON
tdlnS about one hundred and forty thousand IN
habltants. The borders of New Spain are t,rt
thinly and teebly settled. The coast OF The
Gun IS IN places very fertile. every where
sckly, AVID IS wholly destitute OF what may he
aedaconmOdiouS or even safe harbOr BHton
the Pacific there many fine ports q perhaus
not one IN the wsrld superior to Acapulco f,r
safety, capacity, or ease Of acceSs.--i'his great
port on the Pacific is dbont tire same distance
from Mexico as from Vera Cruz-the access
from the Gulf to the Plain of Mexico. lies
over high mountains and narrow passes-fhe
Pic DOrizaba, seen many leagues at sea, indi.
Gates at once the route to Mexico, and the rup-
gedness Of the way-SoOn after leaving Var,
Cruz the traveller begins TO ascend the monn-
tain, and at xdlapa, about midway the ascent
reaches more temperate climate, whence he
beholhs below, the region Of Vaponrs, disc se
and pestilence; thence continuing his ascent
TO the environs Of Mexico, he passes through
the territoryo of Jlascaia, that ancient Ameri-
can Republic which, after having withstood
for many generations the collected force Of
the Aztec monarchy, was finally subdued by
Cortez who entered itas a friend, and wits
whom ii formed an alliance 10 avenge itself OF
lis ancient enemy, and TO lay tie Palace ofihe
great MoufezHas in ashes-'tbis Territory.
once the seat Of that Republic. suow The chief
strong hold Of the American Patriots, and ms
ny Tlascaan Chiefs, who, preseryiag the un-
ddunted spirit OF iiieir forefathers aud arous-
ed by the recollection and tradition Of their
wrongs are still found ready, when occasion
serves, to sifise fer freedom aod udepeu-
dence.