Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1826-03-23

| tatIOn upon .7meTtcdn interests. IL was
not considered conclusive reason for
declining this invitation, that the pro.
posal for assembling such a Congress
had not first been made by ourselves.
1t had sprung from the urgent, imme-
date, and momentous common interests
of the great communities struggling for
independence, and, as it were, quicken
ing into life. From them the PROPOSE
ton to us appeared respectful and
friendly; from us to it could
scarcely have been madcMlkithout ex-
posing ourselves TO suspicious of purpo.
ses of ambition, if not of domination,
more suited to rouse resistance and ex-
cite distrust, than to conciliate favor
and friendship The first and para
mount principle, upon which it was
deemed wise and just to lay the corner
stone Of all our future relations with
them, was disiateresfedaess; the rext,
was cordial good will to them; the third
was claim of fair and equal recipro-
city. Under these Impressions, when
the invitation was formally and earnest
ly given, had it even been doubtful,
whether any OF the objects proposed for
consideration and discussion at the Con-
gress were such as that immediate and
important interests of the United States
would be affected by the issue, should
nevertheless have determined, so far as
it depended upon me to have accepted
the invitation, and to have appointed
ministers to attend the meeting. The
proposal itself implied that the Repub,
lies by whom it was made, 5elieUsd, that
important interests Of ours or of theirs,
rendered our attendance there desirable.
They had given us notice, that, in the
novelty OF their situation. and in the spi-
rit of difference to our experience, they
would be pleased to have the benefit of
our friendly counsel. To meet the
temper with which this proposal was
made, with cold repuIse, was not
Thought congenial to that warm interest
in their welfare, with which the Pesple
and Government of the Union had hi
therto gone hand in hand, through the
whole progress of their Revolution. To
insultthem by refusal oftheir overture
and then iavite them TO q similar assem-
bly,, TO be called by ourselves, was an
expedient which never presented itself
to the mind. | would have sent minis
ters to the meeting, had it been merely
to give them such advice AZ they might
have desired, even with reference to
Their interests, not involving ours. l
= hnl n.
ly 10 explain and set forth to them our
reasons for declining any proposal of
specific measures to which they might
desire our concurrence, but which we
might deem incompatible with our in
terests or our duties. In the intercourse
between nations, temper is missiona-
ny, perhaps more powerful than talent
Nothing was ever lost by kind treat
ment Nothing can be gained by sullen
repulses and aspiring pretensions.
But objects OF the highest importance,
lot only to the future welfare of the
whole human race, but bearing directly
upon the special interests oc this Union,
wtH engage the deliberations of the Con-
gress of Panama, whether we are re-
presented there or not. Others, If we
are represented, may be offered by our
PienipotenIiar;es, for consideration, hav-
ing in view both these great results, our
own interests, and the Improvement of
the condition of man upon earth. 1t
may be, that, in the lapse oil many CEN
turtles. 40 other opportunity. so favora-
bic, De presented to the Govern
memS Ne Y. states, to subserye the
beaeyoIsnt purpose. of Divine sayi-
dence, to dispense the promised Bn.ss-.
ings of the Redeemer of mankind; to.
promote the prevalence in future ages
of Peace on earth and good will to man,
as will now be placed in their power, by
participating in the deliberations of this
Congress.
Among the topics enumerated in Official pa
pers published by the Republic of Colombia,
and adverted to in tbs correspondence now
communicated to the House. as intended TO be
presented for discussion at Panama, there is
scarcely one in which the result of the meeting
will not deeply affect the interests Of the q.
States. Even those in which the Belligerent
States alone will take an active part, viii have
a powerful effect upon the state of our relations
with the American, and probably with the prin-
cipal European States. Were it merely that
we might be correctly and speedily informed
of the proceedings of the Congress, and the
progress and ssue of their negotiations, should
| huld Il advisable that we should have an ac-
| credited agency with them, placed in such con.
| hdentiai relations with the other members as