Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-03-11
COLOMBIA.

COLOMBIA.
We have, by the politeness Of the Minister
of Colombia, received a copy of the Message of
the Acting President of that Republic, to
the Congress Of 1925, at the opening of its SEES
sion, in the beginning of January; from which,
the Message being too long for publication en-
tire, we have translated several of the passages
which appear to US to be most important.
The document Is full of Republican senti-
ments, and its suggestions are marked by prac
tical good sense. The most interesting part of
the Message, to US, is that which relates to the
General Convention between the United States
and that Republic. was coincidence some
what singular that this official annunciation of
the formation of such Convention reached our
hands, on the day, and about the hour when
that Convention was ratified by the Senate of
the United States. An additional Convention
has been framed, it will be seen; of the contents
and even of the existence, of which, our rea-
ders will derive the first information from the
passage of the Message now referred to.
The information respecting Hay Is new to
u.s. and prepares US, to hear that correspond
ing propositions either have been, will be,
addressed to this Government If they receive
the same answer as they did from the Govern
ment of Colombia it will not, presume, be
prompted by exactly the same considerations.
The suggestions respecting education, and
the establishment of public credit, by funding
the debt, sc. evince political wisdom; and, in
the naval schools, we see in operation principle
which is 10 advance ofmuch older governments
than the Republic Of Colombia
We take great concern in every thing which
relates to the governments, OF the South, and
therefore eceive with plea ,ure thcsc.testimonia
of their successful progress in the science and
practice of good governent.-[.Ndt Int
Extracts from The Message Of the Pice P,,e,,-
dent Of the Republic Of Coionrbia acting as
president to the Congress Of 1895.
Translated for the National Inteligencer.
From The Supplement 10 the Gazette Of Colombia.
"His Catholic Majesty, so far from relinquishng
his old professions to the sovereignty of these coun
tries, warned he has been bv Justice, eype- fence
and the ruin OF the Spanish nation still retains his
hostile views, is there the least prospect
Citation
ong ess may remain satisfied that our means
Of defence most abundant. and whate yer.enter-
prize nay he attempted by Spain. will only end il,
her disgrace and add 10 the lust,e ot our arms
"Our relations with the Anne. lean governments
are the footing of ndshp and good intelligence
that ought ever exist between states maintaining
the same cause. Tie assistance we have afforded
Peru has Produced such important change in
that country, that her independence 10 longer
be matter of doubt.
"The Government of Mexico has just presented
a terrible example to the usurpers of the mower OF
the people. The General Iturbide condemned TN,
law which ba nshed him, and entered the Mexican
Territory in a manner which alarmed tile govern
rneut. An act of Congress declared him a traitor
and condemned him 10 die, which sentence was at.
complishcd without the least disturbance. Bv Ihj.
conduct, it appears certain, that the Mexican go
vernment has advanced step towards stahiiit,
and ha ppincss Recent information, from tina ma r
of America has acquainted US with the energetic
and extraordinary measures which have been rem
dered necessary To be employed for the defence o
independence against the views of Spain, nd to re
call those a of duty who have treated tn.
compact of union with contempt
"The Provinces OF Guatimala preserve, without
any opposition, the state of sovereignty for which
they declared by their sponta neous will. An ac
credited minister the patt that government Il
this Republic resides III the Capital. This ford.
favorable opportunity fof to understand eacl
other points deeply interesting 10 both partes-
The fixing the boundaries between Colombia an,
Guatnala is point of the utmost necessity at TN,
present moment, for some strangers have pretended
speculate the Mosquito Shore, and the int 10
boundary is entirely uncertain. The Executive
according TO the fundamental law of the 18th OF J
ly, 1921, has claine;E belonging to the ReDubIic
the whole of the Atlantic between Cape Ora.
clos Dios, and the River Chaeres deeminr all
Colonies unlawful, that have not been planted with
the permission of the government and in virtue of
laws of Colombia"
'The agitated state in which Brazil has hitherto
remained, has prevented entering into relations
of amty and good will with that government, with
whom ought also TO settle the important question
of boundaries"
friendly and cordial relations. You will have be
fore you in short time, for your examina ton aud
APPROPRIATION, the treaty of peace, friendship ma viga
ton and commerce. that the Executive has conclud-
cd with the gov of those States"
Columbia will be proud of having been the first
Of the old Spanish American that has present.
ed itself to the world, united by means of public
treaties with nation -enineutly favored bv the
genius of Liberty. You will Likewise. receive for
examination Convention whiah has be ei, So tted
with the States, put cIl to the her, Si.,
slave trade; laws have declared against tina 4
execrabe commerce, and on this basis the Execu-
tive regulated its conduct. The law of the Dist of
July Of the lth year prohibits the introduction of
slaves; The law regulating cruizeTs declares all
vessels found traficking slaves in the waters
within the jurisdiction of the Republic to be Ia full
prizes but there no punishncnts for the in
fraction Of the law and it being for the benefit of
the human race, that the authority of the law recu-
lating cruzers should be extended it appears to
the Executive that this convention with the United
States supplies this deficiency"
The document then proceeds to notice tue regu-
lations of the Government of Great Britain and
states that the Executive had deferred the eregua-
tur TO the commissions Of the British Copstils, on,
account OF the ambiguous manner in which they
worded, but allowed them to remain on the
footing Of agents for commerce and seamen. The
Rrita