Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-04-08

purposes, but that, before 1t assembled, ii APP
peared to him expedient to adjust between the
Powers to be represented, several preliminary
points, such as .he subjects to be discussed, the
nature of the powers TO be given to the agents
who were 10 compose it., and the mode of its
organization and action. And if these prelimi-
nary points could be arranged, in manner sa-
tisfactory to the United States, the Ministers
to whom this communication was made, were
informed that the President thought the Unit
ed States ought to be represented at the con-
templated Congress. Each Minister undertook
to transmit 10 his Government tilis answer thus
given.
The affair remaining in this posture as to the
United States, the negotiations previously en-
tered into between the new States were brought
to close, and conventions providing for the
objects of the proposed Congress, were actual
ly concluded, some Of them so far back as the
9th day of July, S22.
After the conclusion of all these conventions,
and only few weeks since, during the month
Of November last separate formal communica-
tons were made to The United States, by the
Ministers of Mexico, Colombia, and Guatema-
la respectively, disclosing some Of the objects
intended to be discussed at the proposed Con-
gress, in the manner already stated by the Com
mittee, and giving the invitation to the United
States 10 be there represented In some OF these
communications, the United States were inform
ed that instructions, and ample powers for the
attainment Of the proposed objects, would be
given by al least one Of The new Republics, and
wish was expressed that the agents of all the
others might bear the same. In no one, how
ever, is any mention made, either of the mode
r e 49, r.,
i, any where stated who would be the parties, or
what representatives were either invited, ex-
pected, or would be received. But, in the very
communication which conveys the information
already stated, the United States are told, that,
at the date Of that communication, NOV sd
the Repre- seIhatves from Colombia, Peru, Qua
temala, and Mexico, would have arrived at Pa
mama, the agreed place Of assembling, and
would be engaged in settling the preliminary
rules Of the assembly, and in discussing the
questions, which should be supposed by them
to belong exclusively to the belIigeren,s.
1t thus appears, that, after every thing rela-
tive to the meeting of the proposed Congress
has been settled, by formal negotiations and
treaties between themselves, the United States
have been thus loosely invited by the other A
merican States, as if in mere courtesy, to attend
its deliberations Should the United States &C
cept such an invitation, the deputies whom they
NAV send TO Panama will there be associated,
with they knew not whom, or for what purpos-
es, or in what mode. When these deputies
shall enquire Of the Congress as to any OF these
important particulars, they will receive the in
formation they ask, in resolutions and compacts
adjusted and concluded before their arrival
And, if waving all these things, which none
ought TO consider as mere ceremonlals, the j.
gents Of the United States shall take the places
previously assigned them, and propose to take
part in the discussions, they will find all the
leading principal topics Tor dellberatIon alrea-
dy passed upon and concluded.
The Committee are well aware that the in
terest and character of free states should never
be permitted to rest upon matters OF mere las
tdious etiquette and ceremonious observance;
but even in the intercourse between individuals
and much more in that between soycreignties,
there is a point at which form becomes sub
stance, and when scrupulouS attention to the
most minute ceremonias that comfy and res.
pect exact, is due TO the sacred character and
dignity of the Republic. Al that point, the
Committee believe the United States should G.
yer make stand, and resting there, should al
WAYS exact, even from the most ancient & puts
SAINT sovereign Of the earth, every thing required
by their own self respect. Nor should any thing
be :hen waived even to manifest their scnslbiiity
to whatever concerns the prosperity of the A
merican Hemisphere, or the sincere friendship
which they feel for these new Republics.
AS the most ancient State in the New World;
the first acknowledged, sincere friend Of those
more recently existing: as State from whose
greater experience more light is said to be ex-
pected to be shed upon the subjects to be dis
cussed, and the principles to be established, at
the contemplated Congress, than from the other
States; the United States had right TO expect,
that, when this project of a Congress of Ameri-
can Nations was conceived, it should have been
communicated to them as early as TO any others
whose pre- ,encc, by their representatives, was
deemed desirable. That they too should have
been asked, whether such measure would be
acceptable. That they too should have been
consulted as to the time, the place, and the
manner of assembling such Congress. That
they too should have been permitted to assist
in the enumeration Of the subjects to which its
attention might properly be directly; in the ad
iustment Of the nature and form OF the powers
to be given to the diplomatic agents who were
to compose it; in the mode of its organization
and action; and, above all others, in the settle
ment ofthe great question, who should be in
vited to take part in its deliberations. The
United States had also right TO expect, that
the result Of all such consultations should be