Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-04-14

presumed that this government (the u. States Of
Amefica) possesses more light upon the subject
man the other states OF our hemisphere, both from
ITS experience during the wars that succeeded the
French rev olution, and from its negotiations, now
on too; with Great Britain and other nations, rela-
tive to- these principles. Il belongs to each OF the
concurring parties TO propose their views; but the
voice OF the United States will be heard with the
respect and Difference which its early labors in a
work ofsu importance will merit The senti-
meats here expressed by the Minister of Colombia
are IN accordance with those of the Ministers of
Mexico and of Central America, as contained in
their respective letters to the Secretary of State
on the subject OF the invitation 10 attend the Con-
gross.
The objects OF this body, therefore, as far az the
United States are concerned, are all the subjects
which the u. States may deem il for their interest
10 propose Tor discussion. They embrace, conse-
quentiy In general terms, our political and COM
merclal relations with the new American republics
lhe Committee ofForeign Affairs has, accord
inSy been led to Inquire what the principle of our
diplomatic Intercourse with other governments has
been! The answer to this inquiry is, that it has
ever been the policy o! the United Sta.es TO main
tam diplomatic relations with those powers and
those only, with which have important political
and commercial relations. We have not formed
diplomatic connections with very powerful states,
such as Austria and the Porte, where no crea; no
!ica!, no extensive commercial relations required
such connections; while with powers, not OF the
irst class, such as Holland and Spain, important
/ political and commercial relations have led the
United States 10 the establishment of permanen,
missions.
This being The principle OF our diplomatic inter-
course, the committee conceive it 10 apply, with
great torce, III the present instance, and to require
| the attendance OF our agents at the Congress- of
| Panama. In that body, questions directly inyoly-
Ing our most important political and commercial
I N tpr - - ka
republics there represented are so many separate
governments, our relations with them are no,
merely those which we hold towards each indvid-
nally they form whole family, in language re-
3on, law, historical fortunes, and present politi-
cal alliance. brom this family as far as the emu
meraied circumstances go, we arc necessarily ex-
cluded out OF this exclusion springs an entire
class OF political and commercial relations between
us on the one side, and large family of new re-
pubiics on the other. This fansily Of republics has
Thought 1t eSpelient 10 convene an assembly of
! Pienipotentiares a, Panama. AS an important
! part OF their public relations are those in which
they stand 10 u, they have invited US to send our
ministers TO this assembly. The law of nations
warrants them, IN thus designating the place and
mode OF treating with friendly powers; and, if we
refuse 10 accept the invitation takes from US the
right OF complaining OF any result, however inccn
sistent with our interests.
Under the circumstances in which this subject i,
before the House, the committee deem il their ,yu
! ty 10 consider some of the objections which NAV
DC urged against the acceptance, by the &. STATES
OF this invitation. These may be- amonp others.
That such acceptance is unconstitutional: that all
the objects OF the Congress, as far as we are con-
cerned, may be attained by negotiations with the
separate states. that the subjects of discussion the
powers OF the ministers, the mode of ORGANIZING
the Congress, and the mode of deciding questions
are not sufficiently settled to authorize our accept
ing the invitation: that our attendance would en-
danger our neutrality toward Spain; that il mich,
involve US IN an en;angling alliance with the new
states; that our attendance would be a novel and
unprecedented measure; that there is, in a Con-
Sress OF states, something essentially pernicious
as proved by the example Of Europe, in its recent
history.
/ The first objection may be, that the attendance
OF me United States at the Congress OF Panama
would be unconstitutional. To this objection the
committee would reply, that they are not acouan,
cd with any restriction in the constitution on the
Fl appointment OF foreign ministers BY the pron.r
authority. II may not, however, be superhuous
to add, that this objection proceeds on the ass,mn
ron that the Congress of Panama is either a GOV
ernment, branch of a government, or a confede-
racy o! governments, and that the U. States bv
, attending this assembly, unite themselves to The
SAID government, or confederacy. Neither part of
this assumption is true. The Congress is a meet
ing OF Diplomatic Agents from independent gov
ernmen,s; and granting for moment that the Com
Sress al Panama were government, or n confele-
raey, our attendance at it by Diplomatic ministers,
would be no entrance into such confederacy-no
union with such government. II need scarcely be
urged, that the United States do not enter into a
confederacy, Do not form an union with foreisn
power, or any number of powers, by sendine =
minister TO treat with such power or powers.
! 1t may, in the next place, be objected to our
attendance at this meeting, that all its objects may
be attained By separate negotiations with the seve-
"a! s!atcs. II may Admit a doubt whether tbi.
could, by possibility, be the case It's ouestiona
bic whether separate and dsconnec, ed neociat;ons
between states geographically so remote, and in
various respects politically SO different from each
| other, could be brought TO the same harmonious
and systematic result, discussion in an assem-
! Oily by diplomatic Agents, promptly communicai
! ing with each other information, counsel and ar
gument. At all events it may safely be afirma,
that the same result may be far more expedtiousv
and conveniently attained, by a conference with
TIE assembled ministers Of states so remote from
each other, than an interchange of intelligence
with their respective capitals could not take pIace
more than twice in twelve month. This obiec-
! ZION, gong only TO the convenience of the mea
sure. need not be more particularly weighed
Inc third objection may be, that the subjects OF
| discussion, the powers OF the minister's the mole
OF organizing the Congress, and mode of deciding
questions, not yet sufficiently settled to ius,ifS
our attendance. From the papers submitted n ,bs
committee, itappesrs that this consideration en-
gagged the attention of the executive when the in
VitatIon was made to this government last sprino
| Dy the ministers OF Mexico and Colombia II was
then required by the Persistent, that previous satis
faction should be given on these points The re-
plies OF those minister's after having consulted ,be
governments, do not enter into minute detail on all