Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-03-31
HENRY MIDDLETON.
(a.)
Count Nesselrode 10 Mr.. lfiddh ton.


Translation of paper with Mr. Mddleton's No. 40.
The undersigned, Secretary Of State, direct
ing the Imperial Administration of Foreign AT:
fairs, FASTENED TO submit to the Emperor the
note with which Mr.. Middleton, Envoy Extra
ordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary Of the u
nited States Of America, did the honor to adj
dress him, OH the I'd July last, accompanying a
copy of the despatch from Mr.. Clay, in which
that Minister, in the name Of the Cabinet at
Washington, urges the necessity OF confirming
the general peace, by terminating the contest oil
the Spanish Colonies against the Government
of hi Catholic Majesty of securing to Spain
the peaceful possession of the islands OF Cuba
and Porto Rico and of effecting these objects
by the impartial Intervention Of Russia.
The principles Of the Emperor were sufficient
ly known to the government Of the U States, to
Justify the perfect confidence that in expressing
wish for the continuance and confirmation oil
the peace enjoyed by the world, it did but repre-
sent the most sincere desire Of his Imperial Ma
jesty, that, in protesting a generous sollcltude
for the rights of Spain, over her Islands in the
West Indies, it avowed principles that had
long since been adopted by Russia, as the ba-
ses Of her political system; and that, in antlci-
patng perfect mpar,iality and true disinter-
estedness from her intervention, il was not de-
! ceived as 10 the sentiments ofthe Emperor, In
relation to all arrangements in which foreign
Powers might be pleased to claim or admit his
good Offices.
His Imperial Majesty felicitates himself
with having inspired this confidence in the Z
States Of America, s the undersigned is charg
ed to invite Mr.. Middleton TO convey to his
government the assurance Of the high value a
which the Emperor estimates those sentiments
Of which new evidence is furnished by its pre-
sent propositions.
The opinions of his Imperial Majesty as to
the question discussed by Mr.. Clay in his des
patch, cannot be concealed from the Cabinet o
Washington. His Imperial Majesty has eve
thought that justice, the law of nations, and tht
general interests in having the indisputable Ii
ties of sovereignty respected, could not allow
the determinations Of the mother country in thi
important case, to be prejudged or anticipated
On the other side, whenever Spain has wishet
10 discuss the future condition Of South Amer
lea. she has addressed overtures to all the Al
lied Powers Of Europe 1t will not be possible
therefore, for his Imperial Majesty to chang
principles in this gotiation, nor to institute
separately (isolement;) and until positive in
formation has been received of the ulterio
views OIL spain, III regard 10 'iei Hn'eii|a" Po'
sessions, of her decision upon the proposlto
of the United States, and of the opinions OF he
Allies in relation to the Same subject, Russl
cannot give deinitve answer.
She is, however, in the mean while, please
to hope, that the United States, becoming ever
day more convinced Of the evils and danger
that would result to Cuba and Porto Rico iron
a change of government, being satisfied, as MI
Clay has said, in his despatch, with the presen
commercial legislation Of these two Islands, am