Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-02-08

1t is high time that assassination cease TO be con-
sldereda VCniai crime.
OUR RELATIONS WITH SPAIN.
Continuation of the abstract of the documents and
correspondence touching our relations with Spain
continued from the Washington Journal.
| No. Is, is a short extract of Il letter from Mr..
Appleton TO MIR. Adams, giving the substance
OF conversation with the Spanish Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs, MIR. San Miguel, in
which the latter informed Mr.. Appleton that he
had resisted the demand made by England TO be
| permitted TO land III Cuba III pursuit of pirates,
as well as that made by our government.
No II, is a letter from Don Joaquin dc An
duaga, to the Secretary of State, solemnIy Dro-
| testing against the recognition by the United
States, of the independence 'of the mSurgent
SpaniM procinces Of .4ntcricG" AS a sort of
colour TO this protest, the Spanish Minister takes
occasion to assure the Secretary of State that
the view taken by the President in his Message
of the actual state ofSpanish America, is found
ed upOn false inturmaton-that not one of the
states which had declared themselves free, was
! in situation 20 enttle ii to recogniton-that
BUcno$ .4yrcs was sunk in the most complete
anarchy; Peru al the mercy Ui Spanish army;
| Chatt Ill the hands OF an unprincipled despot
Mexico without government aud the sscoast
OF Firna" actually under the dominion of the
'sSpanish banners" After this expose of what
the Minister is pleased 10 consider the present
state of Spanish America" he endeavours TO win
belief in his sincerity by pretty broad intima-
ton, That If the facts stated in the Presidents
Message had been true, II was not probable that
1.-The powers of Europe, Interested IN gaining the
friendship of countries important for their
commerce" would have left to the United States
the advantages Of first recognition He ends
with expressing his conviction that the sssolld
reasons" he has given, will induce Congress to
suspend the measure" recommended by the
President.
No. l8, IS the reply of Mr.. Adams TO the fore
going letter. He begins, of course, by assuring,
the Minister, that the recognition, by the Uni.
ted states, of the governments of Spanish Amer
lea, ought not TO be considered rs an evidence
OF any unirendly disposition, on their paot, to-
wards Spain herself more particularly when
their whole course OF conduct in their inter
course with her lad CYiuCcd a cordial desire to
maintain thc most friendly relations MIR. Adams
then touches, brichy, but in a manner which
shows how profoundly he has made himself ac-
quainted with the subject, upon the principles
OF revolution in government. Gin every oucs-
uon," says he, ''relating TO the Independence of
nation, two principles are involved, one of
right, and the other of fact; the fo,0,e, erriu-
sicciy depending upon the dcte57nination of fhe
ndtt0n 'tSeD, and the latter resulting from the
successful execution of that determination
This right has been recently exercised, as well
by Inc Spanish nntjon IN Europe, as bv several
OF those countries IN the American hcmisnherc
which had for two or three centuries been con-
nccted as colonies with Spain. In the conflicts
which have attended these revolutions, the uni
ted States have carefully abstained from taking
any part respecting the right of the nations con
/ o. In -,
their own political constitutions, and observing.
whenever it was a contest bv arms. the most
impartial neutrality. But the civil war i'm which
SPAN was for some years involved. with the in
habitans of the colonies in America. has. in
substance, ceased To- exist. Treaties eguivo-
lent To an acknowledgment Of independence.
have been concluded by the commanders and
vice-rOys of Spain herself with the Republic inf
Columbia, with Mexico, and with Peru: while
in the Province of La Plata. and i'm Chill no
Spanish force has, for several wears, existed. TO
dispute he independence which the inhabitants
OF those countries had deCiarcd.D
In this short extract the judicious reader will
perceive not only the most COusummate skill in
diplomatic controversy, but complete refuta
ton OF the charge which has been so often
brought against Mr.. Adams. that lis sentiments
were hostile to the rights Of nun, and inncal fo
The principles of our Revolution. 1t would he
impossible, III fewer words, more decidedly to
express the very spirit of repubIicanisrn-Hte
r'ght IF II milton 10 be independent dcge,ds or
cIuy'Cc/y upon me determination of ihe ,,,fioo
uscJ This Is the essence of all philantbropv.
1t IS saying III a dozen words what many others
have labourcd through whole volumes to say.
without leading to 50 clear an inference. Every
nation has right 10 bc independent. if if has
the nil to be so. We want no stronger evi-
dencc Of the pure republicanisrn of our Secreta-
~ Of state, than this sentiment, flowing as we
know It does, from the convictions of his iudr-
mcut.
Entertaining such principles the government
OF Tie United States could do no less than re.
cogulle ''as Independent states, nations Which
after deliberately asserting their right TO that
character, have maintained and established il
against all tie resistance which had been. or
could be, brought TO oppose it.n MIR. Adams
goes on to say, that "this recognition is neither
intended TO inUaiidGte any right of Spain, nor TO
affect the employment Of any means which she