Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-06-23

made, have passed away they not likely again
recur; but, l should wish all Europe to understand
that IL they should, conduct would redeem the
pledge Executive then made How our neutral
relations TO be affected by this subject, / cannot
conceive. As far applies 10 the lslanof Cuba il
has been repeated and enforced, and most frankly |
avowed 10 the only parties il could affect: and, far
from producing any hostile feeling in them or any
expression OF dissatisfaction, its proprety was
acknow lodged and acguiesced in. The only two DOW
ers 10 either of which Cuba could be transferred TO our
detriInen are France and Great Britain; ard both OF
these nations have hsad declaration that subject
with the express acknowledgement that 1t proper
Does any gentleman doubt this, let him refer to Mr.
Browns note 10 the Baron Danas, of the Sd of Jauu.
airy last. In repeating 10 that minister Tie conversa-
ton lac had held with him, lie says "ln the conference
with which your ENceilency houOred this dav,
repeated the assurances that the United States
could not with indifference Porto Rico aud Cuba
with view of guarding beforehand against anv posi-
BILE difficulties ihat might arise, that my Government
co"fd mol consent 10 the occupation of those Islands by
any other European Power than Spain under ann cor>
tin%eRcy 'chGtCcCr."
come now, sir, TO the subject which consider as
OF tue most vital Importance Of ali those that con
tempated by this mission--lhe condition of Cuba
Any Change must be one that we cannuQt regard with
out the veiies interest Its transfer 10 Il foreign. Eu
ropean Power has been already in measure con
siered our right Interfere 80 prevent tins has been
hoan to have been acknoN lodged and acquicsccd in
IL Is right arising not only from the danger OF VICINITY
but from the command which the Power holding that
Island would have over The commercial intercourse of
all the Western States, with country, and the
rest of the world New Orleans, as port of export j.,
nor the second III he Union, and will he the first:
IT employs shipping belonging other States than
any other port does. 1t cannot be suffered, then that
any foreign Power should be placed in situation which
would enable ii 10 interrupt this commerce. the fist OF
all laws, tiat of seprccrvation, uscs our inerfcr-
ence, and no dccorous language be too strong 10
express determination not To suffer it, Hui this is not
The worst state of things that may grow of evens
1atIT i,;e,
tnde threatens US from this quarter, anu immed-
atey bangs over,my constituents aud the Peoplc OF
other States wi like them, have number OF slaves:
and 1t Is this danger which hope may be avoided by
negotiation: that my principal inducement foI iavor-
ing This mcasure All ;he other objects are Of sufficient
magnitude 10 Justify, but this renders it, in my judg-
nent, ImperatYeiy necessary All Tins made me look
with anxiety To the objections drawn from the nature of
The assembly, which, il said, ought prevent our
being represented at it, From close attention TO al!
Tie documents, could see III il nothing but deihcra.
tive diplomatic meeting, in the consultations of which,
the part which to take would be determined by
the powers and instructions Of ministers; and
as could not but believe the solemn official declara-
ton oil lho President, as TO the nature OF the power and
instructions he intended TO give, tits objection. and
others OF minor nature, with the refutation ofwhich
VIII not detaIn The committee yielded To of
duty IN giving effect to that may avert from
The state represent, of the most dreadful sUourgcs
which Divine Providence has permitted to fall on
nation 1t is Known sir, that ihe invasion of Cuba
has been projected for time past by the united
Powers of Colonrbia and Mexico That invasion, il
made with force insufficient 10 repress the slayes-ii
II Should depend for lis their insurTection-
or If Their emancipation should be proclaimed as con
sequence OF the conquest iii either oil these events the
result would be such cannot be regarded without ap-
prehension In the Northern and Middle States they
arc not considered as they ought To be- from any
disregard to the fate Of their Southern neighborsI do
not npute Ia them such criminal indiefCnce-but not
being themselves exposed TO IL they have consi-
dereI, calculated tue danger. They know Cuba
Bf m nnfi Ia No.,
for their northumberland IFS vicinity 10 US has only
been thought OF in rotation TO the length of the voyage
and te rate OF insurance. But they have had &C.
caslon to reflect, that few hours III open boat NAV
bring its inhabitants TO Florida and VOYAGE of little
more difficulty, 10 Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia. and
Carolina. Nor have they considered the consequences
OF suca neighborhood to the citizens of those States
consequences which shall not endeavor TO depict
certain consequences TO the miserable masters of the
Island itself which must be the scene of the operations
scarcely less certain TO the States have named. A
/ temporary absence alone prevented my beng an eve
witness 10 the devastation of insugent slaves my
own State, TO the shocking but necessary severity which
attended MS suppression, and 10 the increased rigor
which the aborve attempt Of the guilty brought on tbs
un0endng. My dearest connections we're aIneng The
few survivors who escaped from the smoking and blood,
ruins OF that fair Island, The seat OF commerce
wealth, case, hospitality, and appitu.s where The in
duiEent master ruled with paeTnaI hand the content
cd slave until fatal revolution such is now Ccrhars
preparing for Cuba, suddenly covered with carnage
and desoatlon, aUd, IN the struggle, severity and re
venge produced atrocities al which human nature shuJ
defs' and which no good promised by false rhilan
thTopy can ever compensate Every who lives in
country where slavery has been established must pom
der seriously on those scenes, and the recital Of what
has happened; the danger Of It's recurrence and the
means OF avoiding IT, must naturally make ser-
Gus impression on his mind, than on that OF one more
| remote from The dangers. To me, from the circum.
stances have named, they come home with rcdoubled
force and when reflect that, in voting for the measure
proposed, may possibly avert these evils from my con
] txl.a l.,..t. H.
JndgEent III matter of this moment feel the respon.
s'bIhy OF my station TO my conscience, my country
and my God. discard, should ever have felt ali
party considerations and state the conclusion to which
| an brought on this point.
1t Is, that the Congress at Panama affords the most
proper aud favorable opportunity that could possibly Of
Ter Tor the Executive Of this country 10 avert the evils
at must threaten rs from such occupation Of { aha
as have Described in the hope and belief tha The mi
nsers VII be instructed 10 use, successfully the Ian
guage OF persuasion and Femousrauce and II tey prove
inefficient, tie assertion OF firm dcterminat ton that
Tie United States would not permit measure so
ifaug with danger to their dearest interests 1t IS