Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1826-04-13

OF the United States, to the House Of Repre-
sentstlyes, of the 18th inst with the Docu-
nents accompanying 1t, have bad the same
under ons:aeration, and beg leave TO he
port:
That IL appears, from the above named mes.
sage and papers, that an invitation has been
received by the United States, from the Re
puhilcs OF Colombia, Central America and
Mexico, TO attend the Congress about 10 be
held at Panama. 1t appears that this invitation
was accepted by the President, on The cond.
ton that the nomination OF Commissioners for
the mission should receive the advice and con
sent having been constt,utionally expressed, IN
the confirmation of the ministers nominated BY
the President the concurrence of the fIuuse
OF Representatives is requested, as necessary
to carry the mission into effect, by an aPpro.
pria.on to defrsy the expense OF IT. This con-
acurrence being "sublect to the tree determine
ton" of the House, the Committee have re-
garded it as their duty to the House, to inquire
into the expedeRcy of accepting this invita-
ton The ordinary courtesy OF nations IN
friendship with each other, and the peculiar m
terest which, for the strongest reasons, the
People of the United States have ever feit, and
must ever feel, IN the new American Republics
would seem to dictate the proprlety OF accept
ing this invitation, unless there were sufficient
reasons for declining it, M such reasons are
believed by the Committee c: Foreign Affairs
60 exist
In order to present the subject in its true
light to the House, the Committee would hfst
make remark on the general nature ot the
Assembly, designated by the name OF the Con
press of Panama. The term Congress, IL need
scarcely be observed, is by no means to be here
understood in the sense IN watch IT . apphed
to some orher political assemblies. Inc ooh
press at Panama is not a representative deiegs
ton. forming branch OF Government, IKE
the present Congress of the United States II
"a not BODY in which the government ot Sc
yeral confedersted sovereign States IS dePosiA
ted. like the Old American Congress Neither
ia II personal meeting OF Sovereighs, Ike the
recent Congresses of Europe II is an assem-
bIy Of diplomatic sgents clothed with no pow
ers except to discuss and 10 negotiate deputed
Nv Governments whose constitutions require
that all engagements with foreign Powers shaii
be subject TO the ratification OF some organic
bod, at home; and more etfectuaily to guard
against mistake, even OF the design In winch
this Congress has been proposed. II IS s''puia-
ted. in the several treaties formed by Colon
hia with the other new Republics. tina, this
meeting at Panama 'shall not affect in any
manner. the exercise of the national sovereign
ty of the contracting parties, in regard to tner
laws and the establishment and form OF their
respective Government
such is the general nature of the proposed
Congress, as appears from the papers referred
to this committee. of its objects. the Commit
tee will in the course of this report. more par
tcularly speak They are, in general, all sub
jects interesting to the powers represented AZ
the Congress, and susceptible OF discussion a
such meeting. The minister OF the Coio'l'D IAN
Republic, with the liberal design, as it would
e he that hIa
own Government or those which joined IL, on
inviting us to the Congress. had any wish It
exercise dlctation as TO what subjects should
exclusively be DISCUSSED. has observed. IN his
letter TO the Secretary of State. OF I'd Novem-
Der, 1895, that the topics OF discussion tsefe'n
enumerated are designed merely vas suSgeS
tons by way of examples" while III IS iei, 10
the wisdom of the Governments and the Judg-
ment of their representatives, 10 propose whst
eyerma be esteemed OF common good 10 the
new hemisphere" In the same letter OF tue
Colombian Minister TO the Secretary OF STATE,
the following remarks also occur: AT Panama,
the best and most opportune occasion IS oher-
ed to the United States TO fix some principles
If international law. the unsettled state OF
which has caus ed much evil to humanity TITS
ITO be presumed that this government, tine UNI
ted States of Americs,) possesses more iiSt
upon the subjec; than the other States OF our
hemisphere. both from its experience during
the wars that succeeded the French Hevolu-
ton. and from lis negotiations now ON 1901 WIN
Great Britain, and other nations, relative To
these principles. 1t belongs to each OF the con-
curing parties to propose their views; but inc
voice Of the United States will be heard with
the espect and Difference which It's early labors
in work of such importance will merit, The
sentiments here expressed by the minister OF
Colombia, are IN accordance with those OF the
ministers Of Mexico and Central America, as
contained in their respective letters to the Sc
cretary of State. on the subject OF the INVITA-
ton to attend the Congress
The objects of this body, therefore, as tar as
the United States are concerned, are all such
subjects which the United States may deem 1t
for their interest to propose for discuss'on'-
They embrace, consequently, in general terms
our political and commercial relations WIN the
new American Republics
The Committee Of FureignAfairs mas, accord.
incly. been led TO inquire what me principe Oh
our diplomatic intercourse with otnef no'erh'
nents has been9 Tha answer 10 tins inquiry
!. thar il has ever been the policy OF the um-
,ed Sta,es. TO msintdn diplomatic relations
,g,'b hos Powers. anil those only. with whom
v,bsye important political and commercial re-
lt,on, we have rot not formed diplomatic
cam eetoas With very powerful States, such as