Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-02-25


Ii ms of thee colcnies ta'establs their
independence; but that he is, neverthe-
les, drsircus Of pursuing a cautious
course relative 10 them, and which While
it accnrds with their views sssii not en-
danger the great interests IF the United
States
With a firm conviction that the irde-
pendence of these colonies must materi-
a'lv promote tire welfare and prosperity
of the United States, and that so long as
the war; confined to Spair and the CO.
lonies, tfcre is little prubabilitv that the
Former wi be able 10 re-establish her do
mnion over them, our policy can hardly
b. mistaken. 80
If no other foreign power interfere, we
shall best promote the views Of these CO.
lonies, and best consult our nwn welfare,
BY also a5.tainins from all direct interfe-
renee in the war, and from every mea-
sure which NAV not be rrtracte'l with hO.
nor, or satisfactorily explained. =
It's scarcely to be doubted that the
foreign governments have been sounded,
and Their policy as resuects he war be-
tween Spain and the Colonies, seems to
be impartial and neutral. If the United
States pursue different course, may not
the powers which have charged them
selves with the high polio Of Europe,
instead If combining their cares to the
old world, be disposed TO take into con-
sideration the Affairs of the new Al
though in a question affecting the honor
OF essential rights OF the nation, we
ought not to be deferred BY this consi
leration-yet, in concern Or ca'cula-
ton, of an interest merely eventual, and
in which the main interest is that of a
third party, the same should not be alto
gether disregardcd.
The know ledge which is possessed by
those who are best informed concerning
the condition Of the Spanish colonies. is
surprisingly detective, and little sac'iac.
tory-the'r situation may be better, and
it may be verse than il is supposed to be;
and the object of the commissioners sent
out by the President, is 10 obtain 'ul!
and more precise intelligence on this
subject To adopt any decisive or ire.
vocable measure, respecting the colonies
in the present scanty and ambiguous state
of the Information concerning them, and
when more authentic Information may
at no distant day he expected, would
seem to be evidence of restlessncss and
rashncss, rather than of moderation and
prudence.
l. must net, however, be imagined that
the most decided friends Of the Spanish
colonies are DESTROYS that the United
States should take part with them IN
the war with Spain-on the contrary,
they admit the correctness Of the policy
that euioins upon the United States to
remain neutral but they allege, that
without acknowledging the independence
of these colonies, and thereby establish
ING between US 4 them, the full relations
existing between US and Spain the mutabi-
lily is only nominal ; and they illustrate
this allegation By facts and Ob;eryaisns,
which it not conclusive, are very plau-
sibIe. Their counsel therefore is, and
such, we are told, will be the advice that
they will urge on Congress TO give TO the
President. that the U. s. should immG-
diately acknowledge the independence
Of one or more of the Spanish colonies,
which il is said are now in the actual
possession Of independence-and they
assert that such acknowledgement is a
measure which eau afford no. just cause
OF offence to Spain and that it is not
ONLY consistent with. hut absolutely ne.
cessary to, an impartial system Of neu.
trality.
That i. is competent for the nation
to follow this advice no body will doubt
but all mus, also agree that, in doing
so, we subject ourselves to all its hazards
and uncertainties.
In the actual posture Of affairs, IT may
be expedicnt to suffer this complicated
subject to remain with the president
little longer, undisturbed BY the interior
ence of congress. He ought but to un-
derstand the temper and the policy OF
foreign governments his station ens-
bes him to obtain information and his
duty requires Vt bin carefully to weigh
the contradictory representations con-
corning the condition Of these colonies -
His opinions are believed 70 be friendly
to their Independence, and the RESPONSE
blity Of his efTice is favorable to the pru-
dence Of his decisions.
If the President be pressed by con-
gress to acknowledge the Independence
Of any OF the Spanish colonies. and TO
exchange ministers with them. however
innocent this nav be deemed by US to be,
and "hatever quotations we may make
fom the writer's in public law, to prove
40. ,;.ht M ma, ,,;lI nriiayr fhaf SDain