Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-01-01

ject Of siupendous ma gnitude and the events
connected with II are Ola nature the most in-
tercstirg that can possibly be conceived. IL
tue Spanish Colonies become free and indie
pendent states, the effects VIII he felt by the
whole of the civilized world but more tspe-
cialiy 10y England and by these United States
OF America. You have only 10 cast yonr eye
over those immense regions upon this CONT
hent, which are now under the dominion of
Spain you have only 10 consider that those
regions are Inhabited by neaIly twenty milf
ons OF people, and to reflect that in point OF !
the products of nature, on the surface of the
earth, thoy yield to no countries in any part
OF the world. while they are the understandable
Repositories of those precious :,etals, which
serve as Tie standard OF vl..r ~ every civiliz-
ed naiinn: You have only 10 take this general
view of The cOnutiiVs spoken OF, aud to consi-
der low Vast would be the increase of the
products OF the earth and ct the consumption
of oil Miicies of commerce in those countries,
III Tie event of a destruction OF the restrictions
now there imposed by Spain: You have only
thus 10 take Il general view of the matter in
order TO he convinced, mat a complete revo-
luton In Spanish America would DC ie most
important event that the world has vet wit
messed. But besides tliess consequences, anoih-
Grand Stiil mote important consequence would
be, that Of The Triumph of free. principles Of
government triumph so remarkable, So
powerful IN point OF example, aud 80 important
III every point of view, that one can hardly
contemplate it without feeling TIE nuthinguesS
| OF ones own mind.
| Truly, therefore, does ilat able and wise
man. aud faithful servant OF his country the
PreSiden; OF the United States observe that
twas natural that the citizens of the United
States Should sympailsr in events which at
| fecied their ueighbGFs Indeed, they have so
sympattISpd aud they do so sVmpatlisc: but
| say il with very deep regret that il does not
| appear To me, that similar sympathy has, in
| every CASE pcrvadcd in The guiding OF the 20
hcyof the government Fthc United States,
win regard TO the colonies ahd countries in
| que, ton.
| The President states, that through every
| stage OF the conflict the United States have
maintained am iapqrtidi ReUtrGiiy; that they
hare eiren aid TO neither O. tire parties in men
money, ships or munitions Of tcGr. He adds,
that the ports of the United States have been
open to both, and that every article, being the
fruit OF the soil, or of the industry OF America,
which either UGs ptrRtitted to take, has been
equally free 10 tie other.
must beg to be permitted to say here, that,
surprising all this to he perfectly trHe in the
spirit as well as in the letter cannot discover
! herein the smallest mark of sy1npatks i'm the
| cause of the Spanish Colonies. II any man i'm
England were to say that he strongly sympa-
| thised with us, the Rcformers, in eur endeay.
| Gfs to Obtain our rights, what sort OF sympathy
could YOU attribute to this gentleman il he al
| the same time, declared most soiemnly, that
| his conduct has been throughout the whole
struggle, full as friendly to The B0ronyhmougers
as 10 us. Such maus conduct mi CHIT be poti-
ttc-such mans conduct might tend 10 secure
qualification of his desire to profit from
struggle which was occasionally involving his
nelPhhors IN ruin such man might be deem
| cd IN the common parlance Of the Gay a very
| prudent man, and he would deserve all the Gre
| DIT due TO the possession of that Quality but
| Imagine that long before We got TO the end
| al true description of his conduct, We should
! leave his sympathy wholly ont ct The question
| Wish, however, most sincerely wish, that
| could confine myselito this negative sort of
| representation with regard to the conduct of
| the United States. But, what are my iriSkes
| compared To the demands of truth and the in
| tercSts of treedom1 / have read with great
| care, not the publications in the demi- official
| newspaper OF this country but AN act passed
| ny the Congress itself; aud Sir, if | do not
greatly misunderstood that act, the ccnduct of
| The government OF The United States, during
| the present conflict in South America, has not
been that of" impartial neutraiity."
You are well aware of the great respect
entertain towards the Congress of America
| AT the close of the last war between this coHn-
| try and England or rather between this coum-
| try and the BoroughmongorS of England
you remember what satisfaction expressed,
III letter addressed 10 you, at the glorious
and exemplary stand which the Congress had
made. Since 1 have been in this country, I
have been an eye witness of the manifold hap.
py effects, of this Just, mild and excellent go
yernmcnt. But, am not for these reasons 10
be restrained from making known Ia my coun.
tryhen any acts of even this government,
whl"h appear to me to lie hostile to the cause
oftTeedom in any other part of the world.
proceed, Therefore, though | proceed with
pam, to prove to y0n that the conduct of the
american government with regard to the South
America struggle, has not bssn that Of" impar
tidi Heutr0lity."
1t the American government had passed no
act u IL hadIn no manner altered the laws OF
the country, so as to make them apply TO the
circumstances of this struggle, then indeed
there could have been no ground for the posi-
uon which am about to maintain but an act
OF Congress having been passed, and passed
win clear application to this struggle, and
to this struggle ouly, that act of Congress is
submitted TO the examination of the world, and
according to its fair meaning we are to judge
whe'her IL does or does not breathe tile spirit
OF impartial neutrality.
Before proceed further, therefore, / will
here insert an act of the Congress, which was
passed on the Sd day of March last. have
sent you copy of this act within this month
lave also recited the words of the act in the
Petition which have thought il my duty to
forward TO the Secretary of State, to be laid
before the Prince Regent; bnt this is so i'm
poriant matter, that no circumstance belong
ing to il ought to be kept from the ewes of tlie
people OF England, and therefore, | insert the
act here.
an Act mere eeetually to PfeSerVe the neufrGIrela.
f0ns Of the United States.
Sec 1. BE II enacted by the Senate and House Of Pc.
prrsentatvcs nfthe United states oAneTca IN Congress
assembled, Ihst any person shall within the limits Of
the United States, Ut out aud arm attempt H ont
ano arm, OF procure TO be htted ont and armed,
ths knowingly be concerned IN the furnishing, sitting
ont or aiming Of any ship vessel, Uhintentat such
ship shall be employ cd ~ The service ofany foreign prince
or state or Of any c0foy, district people, 10 cruise
81 To- commit hostlltes, OF 10 aid cooperate In any
Wake measure whatever, against tile subjects citizens
or property OfaBy prince state any cGtOuy dis
fricf or peFte, With whom the United States are at
pe0cs, ever such person offending shall upon con
cuon be adindged guilty. OF high inisdemeanoT and
shall he punished aud imprisoned 1T the discretion ofbe
court ~ which the conviction shah be had be fine
TO beiinposcd shall IN case be kan Ten tior.
III md lac 4rff
cees ter gedrS aud every such ship vessel with her
'ache apparel ana furniture, together with ell Materials
arms, ammunition aud stores, which may have been JrO
cured for the building equipment thereof shaif Jg
JoJcfed, one bali to the use OF any person wEO shall