Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-12-01
THE CONGRESS OF PANAMA
Translated for the National Journal, from
the Constitutional of HE nh uf.

the Constitutions, Of The nh uh.
The Congress Of Panama, in the New
World, which we have announced from
the English jq1Irnals, as about to be
held, will be an important event.. 1t
will fix the destinies Of the American
continent, and determine the great
question Of the existence, and the mode
the reof, Of he new States, which but
lately were colonies. Such subject
properly belonged to NJ. the Able dc
Pradt, 10 whom we are already indebt-
ed for important works on other Con-
crosses of different nature. ga Con-
gress in America" he exclaims; "a
Congress of people! each in his turn!
A Congress intended to terminate the
war Of Europe against America, and
TO settle the rights of one portion Of
the globe in reference to the others!
Gracious Heaven! in what time do
we live? In view of SO many novelties
and grand objects, what-will become OF
other history, even of that Of antiquity!
What period Of the world ever wit
messed an assembly brought together
from the bosom of a territory so vast in
extent, and destined to decide upon III
terests so great?"
"Ah!' continues NJ. de Pradt, "were
it not for envious old age, which con-
fines me to my native soil, | would not
sneak of the great council which Ame-
RIGA is about to hold, while Oh the Eu-
roDean shore; but would go to the We
nv place, which is to be honored by the
presence of this new Senate, and, far
happier than the Envoy of the rash
Pyrrhas, l would there contemplate,
and then pourlray to the world, men
equal in majesty to those Romans
whose aspect impressed reverence, and
would describe interests whose supe-
riority is equal to that Of America over
La,ium and Epirus."
After acknowledging the genius of
Bolivar in convoking this angus, as
sembly, NJ. de Pradt coniesses that our
distance from the Americas deprives
us of the means Of passing Judgment
Oh what may occur therein, and that
our only guide is the nature of things
and the probabilities furnished by all
human evidence. If the Congress Of
Panama were not to take place, the
truths announced by NJ de Pradt would
lose nothing of their usefulness. He
can reflect with just pride, that twenty
seven years ago, even before they had
a beginning, he considered American
affairs; thai he has followed them thro'
all their successive phases; and that he
predicted the ultimate triumph OF these
ci-devant colonies, even at the most pc.
riIous crisis Of their contest with the
metropolis. His predictions have been
fulfilled; America is triumphant. Is it
no, Just, therefore, that he should assist
at the ovation
VI. dc Pradt thinks that the Congress
Of Panama has two objects: lst, The
necessary to oblige Spain to
terminate the war with America. Cd,
The establishment and the declaration
Of the principles Of the public law, re-
ative to the continental right, both 20
onial and maritime, in peace and war.
The Congress has therefore special
object; to conclude the war with Spain,
and settle principles ofpublic law, and
% establish relations with the world.
This last is not the least that interests
as, if we contemplate the commercial
advantages that will result from the e.
Of America NJ de H.
eic confessed, in the session of the 10th
Of May last, that since 1903, England
,as monopo!ised the commerce with
merican States; that she has not on
y millions, but thousands OF millions
embarked in this country; and that
France, which has traded with them
out very lately, exported, in 1924, thir-
y millions, whilst her imports amount
I'd 10 but sixteen millions. II we re-
Acct that we maintained no relations
with these countries before the revolu-
ion, what may we not expect from
he future? When NJ de Pradt pre-
licted that the American revolution
would cause the sea to be inhabited, as
well as the land, and that Europe would
need America more than America Eu-
,ope, he did not in the least exaggeTate
This pamphlet, like all the works OF
N. de Pradt, is remarkable TO- live
v vein, an original and animated style,
~ native eloquence, which displays
he fitness Of the thought and the live
mess of the impression. Fhe ques-
ions therein agitated are discussed
With luminous reasoning The recog
,ition of fIayti, for instance, is consi-
lered in its true relations In regard
o the diplomatic talents generally ex-
,ibi,ed in the New World, which we,
With naughty contempt, suppose to be
buried in ignorance, he Justly remarks,
hat since the reign of Petition, all the
political publications, and especially
hose of the present President, are not
A, all inferior even TO those Of England,