Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-01-08

eminent have, on the occasion, thought
proper to pursue, it is satisfactory to
know that they have not been countenan-
ced by any other European power
On the contrary, the opinion and wishes,
both of France and Great Britain, have
not been withheld, either from the Uni
ted States or from Spain; and have been
unequivocal in favor of the ratification.
| There is also reason to believe that the
sentiments of the imperial government
OF Russia have been the same, and that
they have also been made known to the
cabinet of Madrid.
lnthe civil war existing between Spain
and the Spanish provinces in this hemis-
phere the greatest care has been taken
to enforce the laws intended to preserve
an impartial neutrality, OuYports have
continued to be equally open to both
parties, and on the same conditions and
our citizens have been equally restrained
from interfering in favor of either, to
the prejudice Of the other. The pro-
gress of the war, however, has operated
manifestly in favor of the colonies. Bue-
nos Ayres still maintains mistaken the
independence which it declared in 1916,
and has enjoyed since 1910. Like success
has also lately attended Chill, and the
provinces north of the La Plata, border
ing on on it, and likewise Venezuela.
This contest has, from its commence
ment, been very interesting to other
powers, and to none more so than to the
United States. A vlrtuous people may,
and will, confine themselves within the
limit of a strict neutrality but it is not
in their power to behold conflict so vi
tally important to their neghbors, with
out the sensibility and sympathy which
naturally belong to such case: 1t has
been the steady purpose Of this govern
ment, to prevent that feeling leading to
excess, and it is very gratifying to have it
in my power to state that so strong has
been the sense, throughout the whole
community, ofwhat was due to the char
acter and obligations of the nation, that
few examples of contrary kind have
occurred.
The distance of the colonies from the
parent country, and the great extent of
their population and resources, gave
them advantages which it was antici-
pated at very early period, it would be
difficult for Spain to surmount. The
steadiness, consistency, and success, with
which they have pursued their object, as
evinced more particularly by the undis-
turbed sovereignty which Buenos Ayrcs
has so long enjoyed, evidently give them
strong claim to the favorable consider
alton OF other nations. These senti-
ments, on the part of the United States,
have not been withheld from other pow
ers, with whom it is desirable to act in
concert. Should it become manifest to
the world that the efforts of Spain to sub
due these provinces will be fruitless, it
may be presumed that the Spanish gov
eminent itself will give up the contest. In
producing such a determination, it cam
not be doubted that the opinion of friend
ly powers, who have taken no part in the
controversy, will have their merited in
fluence.
1t is of the highest importance to our
national character, and indispensable to
the morality ofour citizens, that all vio-
lations of our neutrality should be pre-
vented. No door should he left open
for the evasion of our laws; no oppor-
tunity afforded to any who may be dis
posed to take advantage of it, to compro-
nit the interest or honor of the nation.
It is submitted, therefore, to the consid-
Grafton of congress, whether it may not
be advisable to revise the laws, with
view to this desirable result.
1t is submitted, also, whether it may
not be proper to designate, by law, the
several ports or places along the coast,
at which, only, foreign ships of war and
privateers may be admitted. The diff
Guilty of sustaining the regulations of our
commerce, and of other important in
terests from abuse, without such desig-
nation, furnishes strong motive for this
measure.
AT the time Of the negotiation for the
renewal of the commercial convention,
between the United States and Great
Britain, a hope had been entertained
that an article might have been a, eed
upon, mutually satisfactory to both coun-
tries, regulating, upon principles Of JUS
tice and reciprocity, the commercial in
tercourse between the United States and
the British possessions, as well in the
West Indies as upon the continent of
North America. The plenipotentiaries
ofthe two governments, not having been
able to come to an agreement on this