Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-06-15
The Secretary Of State TO the Ministe,
from Shain.
Secretary Of State.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, 9Th AhriL, 1929.

was, Immediately after had the honor of
receiving ii, laid before the President of
the United States, by whom it has been
deliberately considered, and by whose
direction, | am, in replying to it, to as
sure you of the earnestness and sincerity
with which this government desires TO
entertain and to cultivate the most friend
| ly relations with that of Spain.
| This disposition has been manifested,
not only by the Uniform course of the
United STATES, in their direct political and
commercial intercourse with Spain, but
by the friendly interest which they have
felt in the welfare OF the Spanish nation,
and by the cordial sympathy with which
they have witnessed their spirit and ener-
gy, exerted in maintaining their indepen-
dence of all foreign control, and their
right of self government.
In every question relating to the indie
pendence OF nation, two principles are
involved; one Of right, and the other of
fact. The former exclusively depending
upon the determination OF tie nation it.
self, and the latter resulting from the
successful execution of that determine
ton. This right has been recently ex-
ercised, as we'll by the Spanish nation in
Europe, as by several of those countries
in the American hemisphere, which had
Tor two or three centuries been connect
ed as colonies with Spain. In the con-
| tlicts which have attended these revolu-
tons, the United States have carefully
abs,ained from taking any part, respect
ing the right of the nations concerned in
them, to maintain or new organize their
own political constitutions, and observ-
ing wherever it was a contest by arms,
the most impartial neutrality. But the
civil war, in which Spain was for some
years involved with the inhabitants of her
colonies III America, has, in substance,
ceased to list. Treaties equivalent to
have been concluded by the commanders
and vice-rovs OF Spain herself, with the
Republic OF Colombia, with Mexico, and
with Peru while in the Provinces of La
Plata, and in Chill, no Spanish force has
for several years existed to dispute the
independence which the inhabitants Of
those countries had declared.
Under these circumstances, the 60
vernmert of the United States, far from
consulting the dictates of policy ques-
tlonabie in its morality, has yielded to an
obligation OF duty OF the highest order,
by recognizing, as independent states,
nations, which, after deliberately assert
ing their right to that character, have
maintained and established i, against all
the resistance which mad been, or could
be brought to oppose it. This recogni-
ton is neither intended to invalidate any
right of Spain, nor to affect the employ
ment of any means which she may yet be
disposed, or enabled to use, with the view
Of re-uniting those Provinces to the res,
of her dominions. 1t is the mere &C
acknowledgement of existing facts, with the
view to The regular establishment, with
The nations newly formed, of those reia-
tons, political and commercial, which it
is the moral obligation of civilized and
christian nations to entertain reciprocal
ly with one another.
1t will not be necessary to discuss with
you detail of facts, upon which your in
formation appears to be materially diff
ferent from that which has been commu-
nicaled to this government, and is OF
public notoriely; nor the propriety of the
denominations which you have attributed
to the inhabitants Of the South American
provinces. 1t is not doubted that other
and more correct views of the whole sub
loGi will very shortly be taken by your
government, and tina, it, as well as the
other European governments, will shew
that Difference to the example of the
United States, which you urge as the
duty or the policy Of the United States
to shew to theirs. The effect of the ex-
ample of one independent nation upon
the councils and measures of another,
can be just only so far as it is voluntary;
and as the UnIed States desire that their
example should be followed, SO it is their
intention to follow that Of others upon no
other principle. They confidently rely
that the time is at hand when all the 60
vernments oil Europe, friendly to Spain,
and Spain herself, will not only concur
in the acknowledgment of the indepen-
dence OF the American nations, but in
the sentiment that nothing will tend more
effectually to the welfare and happiness
Of Spain, than the universal concurrence
IT that recognition.
l pray you, sir, to accept the assu-
rance OF my distinguished consideration.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
Don Joaquin DE ANDUAGA,
ENJOY Extraordinary, sc. &c.