Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-04-14

none. do not ask gentlemen TOR the suggestions
or opinions of ;hose either within or without doors
appeal to the documents by which we ale TO
Judge now, and by which we shall be judged here |,
after If no other is pointed out, shall assume
that none exists. We are then invited TO become |
a member of the proposed Congies and of TINS !
ceRfeierdcy Of american States. Ii the views
vi the Executive are not such rs the documents
import, why, in the communications made TO us,
are not specially advised upon this point. bG'
we are not without evidence OF the most explicit
character. We have called upon The Executive Tor
information. Among other things sent US, are eX-
tracts from the correspondence between Mr. Clay
and Mr. Poinsett, our Minister at Mexico. when
the declarations OF one OF our ministers, bearing
distinctly upon question before Inc senate, Haoe
directly and officially 10 foreign Government, Is
sent 20 Us by the Executive, without explanation
or Cisavowal, know not how we are to AVOID
the Conclusion, that the Minister has spoken Ian
suase authorized by his Government. More es-
pecaliy must that be the when the declaration
of the Minister, instead OF being disavowed by Ills
Government, is substantially III accordance with
The declarations OF its official organ, the Secretary
OF State. Ii this assumption be correct, much
light, as 20 the views OF our Government, may be
derived from the correspondence before referred TO-
between Mr.. Poinse,, and Mr.. Clay. III the letter
o! the former the latter, OF the 2Sth September
1925, we find the following sentiments; hfst
otecie ed 10 the exception in favor OF the A'neii-
eau Ns'ions, formerly Spanish possessions, on
the ground that no distinctions ought 10 be made
between any of the members OF the Great Aineri-
can Family. Tha, Great Britain having consented
10 such provision, ought not TO miiueMce the
American ) ates, because the Republics OF Amerl-
ca were united by one and The same interest,
and that II the interest oil the European row.
ers To cause such distinctions 10 Ire made, as
would divide it into small contedcraci-s, and, II
possible, TO prevent from uniting, so asto pre-
,,.,sx nj
upon our Republican Institutions" And alter
wards still more explicitly, follows: then re-
capitria,ei the ot policy pursued towards,
the Snansh colonies, by our Government, which
had solarsely contributed to their indepen
dence hend declared what further we were will
ling to do TO defend their rights and liberties,
but tina, this could only be expected from Us, and
could only be accomplished by strict lini0h OF
all the iD,eyicqli RtPubiics, on terms OF perfect
equality and reciprocity and repeated that II was
the obvious policy OF Errope 10 divide Us into
small coniedelaces, with separate and distinct
interests; as ,nanilestly 10 form II single
great c0nfca,rucY, tchich nHSh oppose one
t:uiFed front 10 the ttdchS of oar eaeines.'
So tao from dsapprov.ns the sentiments mus
avoved bv Mr.. Ponsetl, in his letter OF the 2Sih
September, MI Clay in his despatch TO Mr.. Poin-
..e,, OF the 9th November, holds the following
language: Again the United Mexican Govern
ment has i.vl;cd that OF the United States 10 he
represented at the Congress of Panama, and the
Presden, mas determined 10 accept the invitation
SHch an inriiation has been g!1en to no Euro-
pe7,i tiOccrament, and ought not hare been
giuen ~ this, If it IS not Ia be considered as
one OF .Ae i,DcricQn .autioaS' Ii j., therefore,
lair to conclude that the language OF MIR. Ponsei
30 the Mexican q ov ernment was authorized by his
own: and If this be conceded, the views OF tire
Executive must be such as have coniended.-
With these views, ought we 10 JON Congress
thus constituted! / contend we ought not II we
could and that the power TO do SO Is not conferred
by the Constitutions l will not dcain the Senate
by the discussion OF either OF those points The
frs, is 100 plain 10 require eucida'ion- and in
noticing the second, (the constitutional obJecton,)
only repeat an objection, first made on this moor
by my friend from Virginia, Mr.. Randolph y
'phe distinct and impressive view lie has taken o
il, and the know ledge that the point has been fully
consiLeied and will lie thoroughly discussed, by a,
least two other gentlemen (Me=srs. Benton and
Dcrr:cn, induces NE TO desist from doing 80 my
self.
Such, in my Judgment, is correct view OF the
fist great question arising on the subject OF the
Panama Mission l will now ask the attention OF
the Senate TO the next branch OF the subject, VIZ:
TIE BUSINESS TO DE TRANSACTED al the Com
sresS, aud particularly that portion OF j, in which
we have been invited to participate. Unless
greatly deceive myself the difficulties will be found
- multiply as we proceed in the discussion OF the
matters proposed TO be acted upon, so far as the
United States are concerned. There are those
which in The view OF the Spanish American States,
well a. Of our own Government, are OF primary
importance; and others of secondary character,
which, although they would not have furnished
adequate induCement for The invitation or accept
aace, are still deemed worthy Of consideration if
ministers attend. OfMc former, SGPUiati0ns
on our pert to make common cause Uiih the
SpGnish american States, ia the ccent of any
European Po,cer assisting Spain TO re-estaJHsh
her dominion in Spanish AHericu, and resist
HHce 10 European COiOHi=aiiOH on this continent,
-iand in the front ground. But for these, the
Dni'ed.Sta,cs would reyer have heen invited 10
"a a representative TO tie Congress of Panama.
ilIt for these, the presence OF our deputies would
cause embarrassment, instead of offording facilities
the confederate States. Never in the ofihe
lille experiences which it has been my good or
II fortune 10 have had in public affairs, have
been more thoroughly disappointed, as to the pro-
babe course Of discussion upon any point than !
nave been upon this. That Ministers, or
Commissioners, or Deputies, or whatever else
.hey may be called, shall be fully empowered to
enter into an agreement in whatever form gentle
men may please)- first, that the United States
upon the happening Of the cGsus JPderis, the in
reference oil any of the Powers OF Europe, in the
struggle between Spain and her rsvoted Colonies,
shall make common with the latter in repe-
ling such interference; and, secondly that we shall
resist, either jointly or separately, all attempts on
tle part Of any European Power to establish new
Colonies in this hemisphere, matters so precise
y enumerated, and so clearly coucurred in by all
parties, that did not imagine either that the views
oi our Government, or those Of the Spanish a /
merican States, in regard to them could be misun-
dersiood by any honorable gentleman. Judge then f!
~ my surprize, TO hear it denied from all quarters