Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-07-08
TRANSLATED for The National Gazetle.l
MESSAGE


MESSAGE
From the Executive Of Coiombiu, on The opening
% the first Constitutional Congress Of ihe
Republic
Fellow Citizens Of the Senate and of the
House OF Representatives-The solemn in
| sialatiun of the second Congress of Colon
bia, Is one ofthe happest events of my poll
ticai HE. It's re uniUn in the manner pre-
scrlbed by our fundamental laws, while it
offers AN irrelrdgable testimony OF the submits
sion of the government To the will of the ia
ton, Is at the same time a motive of consoa
lion TO the Republic, and of extreme regret
to rs enemies. The most profound talents,
tried patriotism, and the most mature ex-
perlepce, being united in this august body, its
deliberations must necessarily he the fruit of
The most ardent desire of public prosperity
your meditaiions, trust, will result in the es-
Enlistment OF wise laws, saluiary reforms
and acts, which throughout the country will
spread happiness and benetirencr, consolidate
the noble work of twelve years sacrifices,
and he received by the people with Joy and
Biadness. Great as were the labours and
anxeties of the last general Congress, and
iaudabio the motives by which il was animat-
ed, the Republic still feels void which you
are called TO fill-that Congress was scarcely
able To trace the path in which the future
legislatures were To tread with security. The
executive will present To Congress, through its
respective organs, the information and mate
rails which tune and circumstances have per
mitted 1t to collect, and you, gentlemen,
selecting what is the best calculated to advance
the happiness Of the nation, will have vast
field foI the fuliilment of your oaths and the
exercise of your duties.
The Government of Colombia has omitted
no step towards the termination of our strug-
Tla a. a In D II
nations, and mutually advantageous. The
government has not been guided by any APP
prehenson as to the uncertain termination of
the war, but by. the sentiments of sparing TO
humanity the fruitless sacrifice OF new victims.
Ii awaited itself of the first opportunity of
sending commission tn Madrid, which,
iavoured by the progress ofour cause, and by
the change OF principles in the political system
OF Spain, might obtain by reason, what we
were determined 10 procure by arms. Our
agents were not listened To they were charged
with false invitations; sent from the court
under indecorous preteXts, and we were treat
cd In such "a manner, that "A reconciliation on
the basis of our Independence, was impossible.
I'his was no surprise 10 the Republic for
II never entertained the idea that II G.. NJ. was
capable OF renouncing thelameutable delirium
oil his being able To subdue us hut ii was
necessary To yield To the intimaions of the
spanish commissioners and manifest To
me world that our perseverance in the pre-
sent struggle, was moi the effect of hatred or
revenge but compliance with the most sacred
duty imposed upon people aspiring 10 a
meiioraiion of IFS condition. The Subsequent
conduct OF III. Z. MS government, reinforcing
the armament which invades our territory, and
that ut the general ofthe expedilionary army
declaring the treaty of Trujlllo uDtenable, in
violation of the rights of nations, have con
'lhced us that our enemies will carry on this
DISCRIMINATING war against the Independence
oi Colombia. The executive is FIRMLY re-
solved not TO listen 10, or admit any negocia-
lions on The part of Spain, so long as they he
not founded on the explicit owledg mcnt
of our national sovereignty.
81 great was the conviction entertained by
The government ofColombia, of the determi
nation OF the Court of Madrid to prolong the
war against America, that we fastened To
tabiish solid relations with the independent
States "i the new World, fixing sure basis,
on winch the progress of the contest, or -
negotiation with the neutral powers and Spain
Itself, ought To he conducted
Inc government Of Colombia has been
the first To lay the foundation of an American
conIederacy, which uniting the political in
tertsls OF the vast territory separated from The
spanish metropolis, and mutually guarantee.
ing and respecting themselves, may receive a
physical and moral power capable of opposing
and defeating the enterprises and connexions
OF the enemy. The treaties hitherto entered
| INTO WIZ be laid before the Congress and
take the liberty of anticipating my congra.
!"'d'ohs on The pleasure It will experience,
III seeing the solidity and consistency " hich
mas been gwen TO the independence of the new
world.
Substantial changes have taken place in
Mexico, since the treaty 10 Cordoya, between
the chief of The Independents and the Spauisi
general O'DOnohuc. Don Augustine Yrlrb,d,
has been placed Oh the Imperial throne. i'm.
stead of The family called 10 il by the plan ot
lguala and treaty of Cordova, in CONSEQUENCE
oil The Court of Madrid declaring that treaty
nun. The government of Colombia Is moi
thoroughly acquainted with the nature or the
events that led to the coronation of Don
liurbIde, but has endeavOured 10 obtain all
'ne necessary Information on that point "a
enable US to set ON foot and strengthen the
'ela"Ons between the Republic and the empire
with fixed determination not to interC.re IL
hrr domestic concerns, and TO recognize the free
viii of the Mexican nation, so long AZ She !.
animated by the sentiment of rem.inine, in.
dependent of Spain.
government IF the u. S. has given q
sublime example of Justice in the solemn ac.
acknowledgement of the independence and
sovereignty Of the States of South America
That nation, the cradle of liberty, has seen
WITH satisfaction this act toiuslly acquired by
pohcy and sound Reason, aud the enlightened
members OF ITS government, by this noble con.
duct, have added a new lustre 10 the glory Of
y Tree people and To themselves. An agent
rom the U. States at present resides in tbi.
capital who has communicated To me the
Ir'endIy sentiments of his go, eminent and a
desire to commence apd consolidate an inter