Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-02-03
Mr. adams 10 Mr. Rash.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, 1871 august, 1928.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, 1871 august, 1928.
SIR: | have the honor oil ept losing,
here~ ith, an answer to the leuer ilgm
Mr.. Luriotlls, the agent OF The Gree ks,
addressed TO ne, and copy OF which
was transmitted with your despatch, No.
295.
II, upon the receipt OF this letter, Mr..
Lorioitls should sill be III Lonoon, il
will be desirable that you Should deliver
1t to him In person, accompanied win
such remarks and explanations as may
satisfy him, and those whom he repre-
seots, that, nsdeclining the proposal OF
giving active aid TO the cause Of GrecIan
mancipalan, the executive government
OF the United States has been governed,
moi by lis inclina,ions, Or sense OF in-
diff renee 10 the cause, but, by It's con-
stitutIonal duties, clear and unequlvocal.
The United States could give asss.
lance to the Greeks only by the appIi az
ton OF some portion OF their public force,
or Of their public revenue, IN their favor,
and it would constitute them in state
of war with the Ottoman Porte, and per-
hsps with all The Barb~ry powers. TO
make this disposal eiber oi force or Of
treasure,you are aware, Is, by oNl Consli-
l. ton, 20, within the competency OF t;e
Executive. |, could be determined on
Iy by an act OF Congress, which would
assuredly not be adopted, should ii even
be recommended by the Executive.
The policy of the Uniled S ates, with
reference to foreign nations, has always
been founded upon the moral principle
of natural laa -Peace with all mankind.
From whatever cause ar between otner
nations, whether toreign or domestic,
has arisen, the unvarylng law OF the
! United States has been, heace with boIh
belligeren,s. From the first war ot tho
French Revolution, to the rccen' iva.
sion of SPAN, there has been success
sion OF wars, national and civil, in almost
every one OF which, one oil the parties
vas contendine for liberty, or irdepen-
deuce. To tne first Reyoiufis7i,ary wat,
strong impulse of feeling urged the
people OF the United States TO take side
with the party which, at its commences
ment, was contending, apparently, at
least, for both. Had the policy OF the
United States not been essentially paci-
| tic, stronger case to claim their inter-
ference could scarcely have been pre-
sented. They nevertheless declared
| themselves neutral, and the principle
then deliberately settled, has been inva-
riabv adhered TO ever since.
With regard to the recognition OF
| sovereign states, and the establishment
with them OF a diplop attic intercourse,
the experience of the last thirty years
has served also to ascertain the limls
proper for the application OF principle,
| in which every nation must exercise
some latitude of discretion. Preciuded
~ their neural position, from lnerie-
ring in the ques ion of right, the Unied
5 stes have recognized the fact OF To-
reign sovereignty, only wheh II was IN
disputed, or disputed without aoy ration
al prospect OF success. In this manner
the Successive changes OF government
inmany Of The European states, and tho
revolutionary governments OF South
America, have been acknow lodged. The
ond,tion Of he Greeks is not yet such
vii! admit of the recognition upon
these principles.
Yet, as we cherish the most friendly
| feelings toward, tbem, and are sincere
" disposed TO render them any service,
which may be compatible y i,h our neu-
,rality, it will give us pleasure to learn,
from time 10 time, the actual state OF
heir cause, political and military.
Should Mr. Luriottis be enabled and dis
posed to furnish this Information, it may
always be communicated through you,
and will be received with satisfaction
here. The public accounts from that
quarter have been, OF late, very scspty,
and we shall be glad to obtain any au-
,henlic particulars which may come to
your knowledge, from this, or through
any other channel.
am, with great respect, sir, your
very humble and obedient servant,
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
RIcHARn RUSH,
Eavoy, sc. at London.
Mr.. adams TO Mr.. Luriottis.