Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-12-23
RICHMOND, DECEMBER "a.
SOUTH AMERICAN AFFAIRS.
To The EDITCR-FrOm a Member of Con-


gresS--dated Washington, 18th Dec.
have seen with much satisfaction.
that the view yoG have taken i'm the En-
qulrer OF the course of policy which il
becomes tins country to adopt, in relation
TO Spanish America accords with my own.
do not think IL necessary or eXpedient.
that tins country should take part i'm the
struggle; but 1t IS, IN my opinion, our iu-
ierest ana our duty TO give every cOunte-
nance TO our southern brethren, consist
ent with real neutrality, an;l with the
preservation of tile peace of the nation.
would therefore throw open our ports
fairly To both parties, admitting the pub
lac and private armed ships of both with
their prizes. would abstain from Judi
clal prosecution of vessels or persons sail
ing under The flag Of either. And would
receive minister from neither party, or
from both; at least, in al instances where
both had manifested an ability 10 main-
tam Tie relations apperaIning In soye-
reign power. Above all, | wouid caiiti-
ousiy avoid the exhibition of the unkind
spectacle, not simply OF Withholding aid
ourselves, but of interpoSing to prevent
the succors of u third power reaching the
weaker party. Happily grand jury, Chat
independent repository of the public jus
tice and of the public feelng) has disdain-
ed even 10 ind true bin against the Bri-
tisll officers SO outrageously imprisoned
III Philadelphia
On the question of recognition of any
OF the Patriot governments, it seems TO
be agreed even here, that recognition
without aid is no cause of war, not 10
Spain, much less TO any other power
The principle being settled the facts ONLY
remain 10 De known. These facts are
known, by the only testimony which be-
longs TO the nature Of the subject, the
testimony of cotempOraneOus history
that the united provinces Of Rio la Plata,
lave for upwards of seven years past, been
~ truth, III The enjoyment Of self govern
ment; that during all that time their ca
piial and the greater part of The provinces
have been constantly in the possession of
that government; that there has been no
opposing royal force for some time past !;
that the government has been so free from
lie pressure of any such force that il has
been able to assemble, organize and dis
cipIine two large armies for military one
rationS beyond its urisdiction that one
oftbese armies, penetrating tie Andes I'M
der San Martin, has subdued lie ROYAL
forces III Chill, and contaminated lis in
dependence, and the other is mcnacinp. If
II has not conquered, lie royal forces in the
vice royalty OF Peru; that the population
Ofthe provinces of La Plata, is about What
ours was at the commencement Of our
revolutions; that IFS limits are sufficient.
IN point Of extent, 10 make it IL powerful
state; and that the finances of the gov
eminent are on the most respectable foot
ing. Such is the outline Of facts capable
of complete establishment by the only
proof applicable to the subject Ii is in
vain to oppose 10 it, that there have been
factions. in Buenos AyTes. What free
government is without them? How long
have we been free from them Did Ger
tam H1anifesioes Gas they have been
called by sensible writer in Il late Bue-
nos Ayrean paper duriag tic late war,
promulgated by lie states of AIassachu-
sets and Connecticut: or The deportation
OF certain individuals in New Orleans,
during Mr.. Jeliersons administration. less
prove our uniiiness for seIf-governmcnt,
than analogous proceedings, perhaps not
90 violent, at 3uenOs Ayres, have exhi-
biied lis unfitness?
The principle fhen being settled that
recognition, without aid, gives no just
cause OF war and The facts being ascer-
tanned that there IS at least one csta.IisheF
government Of Sufficient responsibility 10
enter the family of nations, what it is to
prevent our acknowledging it?
You will be told here that you must not.
That war will be The consequence. With
whom How Wllv gentlemen are not
sure. as We should give no cause of war
to any body, with whom war would arise
that's whether with Spainor with England,
or with Russia, or will tic Allies bnt OF
ore hing they are quite sure, that some