Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-04-01

considered lrreTntulaOle, SatlSneQ That We were
excluded as we'll as themselves. If, therefore,
this state of things constituted their only mo-
tive for agreeing to it,, and they had so declar-
ed to their Government, had right to sup.
pose, as the principle was not sanctioned by
Colombia, that the treaty, with that condition,
would not be ratified in London: and knew
that the Charge d'AAaires Of II. B. NJ. had
sent in note to explain the only reasons why
the British Plenipotentiaries had agreed to that
provision in the treaty, and to declare that, as
the treaty between Mexico and Colombia had
not been ratified by the latter, those reasons no
longer existed, and the exception ought to be
expunged If the Cabinet of London took the
same view Of it, the alteration would be insist
ed upon but, on the contrary, if it should APP
pear to them more important in political than
in commercial view, they might not object
as an European Power to the establishment OF
such distinctions as those proposed, because
these must necessarily separate the interests Of
the American Republics, and that nothing but
the policy Great Britain might be disposed to
adopt towards America, as one Of the Euro
pean Powers, could induce them to make SO
unnecessary sacrifice Of their commercial in
terests.
"The Plenipotentiaries of this Government
then asked what would be their situation it
their treaty with Great Britain should arrive
ratified, after they had signed ole with us with
out inserting this exception Aware that this
was the real difficulty, as we'll as the source Of
this obstinacy on their part, replied, that, in
my opinion, as the Plenipotentiaries Of Great
Britain had been induced to consent to :his ex-
ception from the mistaken belief that the trea.
ty with Colombia, in which the principle was
established, would be ratified by both parties,
and that, therefore, they must admit IL, howe
yer objectionable, or make no treaty at all with
Mexico: and as these motives had fallen TO the
ground with the rejection of the treaty by Co.
lombia, it would be not only decorous but ho-
norable in the Mexican Government TO agree,
at once, to expunge that exceptionabe provi-
sion Of their treaty with Great Britain. One
of the Pleni2otentiaries who had assisted al
the conferences with those Of Great Britain,
protested that the motive alledged by the Bri-
fish Plenipotentiaries had not been the only one.
/ could only repeat, that one of the British Pie
nipotentiaries had assured me it was entered
on the protocol Of the conferences, tina, the
previous treaty of Mexico with Colombia was
the only motive which induced them to accede
| to this exception in favor of the Spanish Ame-
rican States.
"Thev continued to insist that they were
bound by fraternal ties to the Spanish Ameri-
can States, and that it was natural they should
unite themselves more intimately with States
| in their infancy, whose interests were identified
with theirs from the peculiar circumstances in
which they mutually stood towards Spain,
than with nation already in adolescence, and
which had to pursue different policy towards
| p r Al I,oI l.
the other Powers of Europe. To these obser-
vations replied, that against the power OF
| Spain they had given sufficient proof that they
! required no assistance, and the United States
had pledged themselves not TO permit any o.
Their Power to interfere either with their indie
pendence or form Of government and that, as
in the event OF such an attempt being made by
the Powers of Europe, we would be compelled
to take the most active and efficient part and
to bear the brunt of the contest, it was not just
footing than the other Republics Of America,
whose existence we were ready to support at
such hazards. They interrupted me by stating
that we had no right to insist upon being pac-
ed on the same footing with the Spanish Anne
rican States, unless we were willing 10 take
part with them in their contest with Spain. /
highest degree impolitic towards all parties; it
was true that the power of the United States
was sufficient not only at once to put an end to
this contest, but, if the nations Of Europe did
not interfere, to crush and annihilate that Of
Spain. This measure, however, which they
now proposed, would infallibly produce what
it was so much our interest 10 avoid, the ALI
ance of the great Powers of Europe against
the liberties of America. then recapitulated
the course of policy pursued towards the Spa
nish Colonies by our Government, which had
so largely contributed to secure their indepen-
dence and to enable them to take their station
among the nations Of the earth; and declared
what further we were ready to do in order 10
defend their rights and liberties; but that this
could only be expected from US, and could only
be accomplished, by strict union of all the
American Republics, on terms Of perfect equal
ity and reciprocity; and repeated, that it was
the obvious policy Of Europe to divide us into
small confederacies, with separate and distinct
interests, and as manifestly ours to form sim
gle great confederacy, which might oppose one
united front to the attacks of our enemies.
GAS this conference had already lasted some
hours, for Spanish eloquence is diffuse, and as
understood their motives for insisting on this
provision in the treaty,I broke it up, with
positive declaration, that, putting out OF view
my duty as representative of the United States.
regarded the proposed exception, in favor OF