Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1826-04-15

the safe and early transmission of its re.
ports.
OF the same enumerated topics, are
the preparation of Manifesto, setting
lor'h to the world the Justice OF their
cause, and the relations they desire to
hold with other Christian Powers; and
to form a Convention of Navigation and
Commerce, applicable both to the Con-
federated States and their A lilies.
1t will be within the recollection of
the House, that, Immediately after the
close of the War OF our independence, a
measure, closely analogous TO this Con-
greSs OF Panama, was adopted by the
Congress OF our Confederation, aud for
purposes OF precisely the same charac-
ter. Three Commissioners, with Pleni-
poientiary powers, were appointed to ne
gotiate Treaties of Amity, Navigation
and Commerce, with all the principal
powers OF Europe. They met, and re-
sided Tor that purpose about one year at
Paris and the only result OF their nego-
tiations al that time, was the first Treaty
between the United States and Prussia,
memorable in the diplomatic annals of
the world, and precious as a monume nt
OF The principles, in relation to Com
merce and Maritime Warfare, with
which our country entered upon her ca
reer, as member OF the great family Of
independent nations. This Treaty, pre-
pared IN conformity with the Instructions
Oh the American Plenipotenliarles, conse.
Grated three fundamental principles Of
the foreign intercourse which the Con-
gress oil thai period were deslrous of es-
labIishing. First, equal reciprocity and
the mutual stipulation OF the privileges
OF the most favored nation, in the COM
mercial exchanges of Peace. Secondly,
the abolition of private war upon the
ocean; and, thirdly, restrictions favora-
BILE to Neutral Commerce, upon Belli-
serent practices, with regard TO contra
band OF war, and blockades. A painful
1t may be SAID calami'ous experience,
OF more than forty years, has demonslrat.
ed the deep importance of these same
principles to the peace aud prosperity OF
this nation, and to the welfare OF all Ma.
ralime States, and has illustrated the
profound wisdom with which they were
assumed as cardinal points of the policy
OF the Union.
At that time, in the infancy of their
political existence, under the influence
OF those primo pies Of liberty and Of right,
SO congenial to the cause in which they
had just fought and triumphed, they
were able but to obtain the sanction OF
but one great and philosophical, though
absolute sovereign OF Europe, to their IL
beral and enlightened principles. They
could obtain no more. Since then, po-
liicsl hurricane has gone over three
iourhs of The civilized portions OF the
Garth; the desola,ion of which, ii may
with confidence be expected, is passing
away, leaving at least the American al.
mosphere purified and refreshed. And
now, at this propilious moment, the new.
born nations of this hemisphere, assem-
bling, by their Representatives, at the
lsthmus, between its two Continents, 10
settle the principles Of their future inter-
national intercourse with other nations,
and with US ask, in this great exigen-
cy, for our advice, upon those very fun.
damental maxims, which We, from our
cradle, had first proclaimed, and partially
succeeded 10 introduce into the code OF
National Law.
Without recurring TO that total pros.
tration of all neutral and commercial
rights, which marked the progress of
the late European Wars, and which final.
ly involved the United States in them !;
and adver'ing only TO our political rela-
tons with these American nations, it is
observable, that, while, in all other re-
spects, those relations have been uni
tormly, aud without exception, OF the
most friendly and mutually satisfactory
character; the only causes Of difference
and dissension between US and them,
which ever have arisen, originated in
those never-iailing fountains of discord
and irritation, DETERMINATIONS OF CONNER
cial favor towards other nations, licen.
tious privateers, and paper blockades.
! cannot, without doing injustice to the
Republics Of Buenos Ayres and Of Co.
lombia, forbear to acknowledge the can.
did and conciliatory spirit, with which
they have repeatedly yielded to our
friendly representations and remons,ran-
ces Oh these subjects. In repeating dis
criminstive laws, which operated 10 our
disadvantage, and in revoking the COM
missions Of their prvateers-to which
Colombia has added the magnanimi,y OF
making reparation for unlawful captures
by some of her cruisers, and OF assent