Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-04-08

them by none more willingly than by the new
born States ofthis Contin cnt; and, if it be not
now made, the time will go by when the posi.
ton may ever hereafter be properly assumed.
The Committee would not be understood &c
suggesting the expediency of any such meas.
ure 1t this time. In their opinion, there ex-
lists no adequate motive to induce its adoption.
Every spot known or habitant in America. i,
already appropriated by different nations, whose
rights OF territory all recognize; and, if, tri-
hing differences may exist between any, upon
the subject of mere common boundary, these
differences constitute fit matter of friendly dis.
cussion between them alone The idea of col.
onization in America, therefore, no longer ex.
lists; and IN the present posture of Nations,
there Is little reason to apprehend the wilful
encroaehment OF any, upon the American pos
sessions OF another. Each passing hour
strengthens the just claims which the new
States OF America have preferred to be re.
cognized as sovereign and independent, by all
other Nations; and The quiet efhux Of time,
if it has not already done so, must very soon
place their sovereignty upon the same basis
on which rests that OF the most ancient Ma
tions of the Earth Spain possesses not the
ability to give any OF them cause of serious con-
SSiu, iIlSUuSlllD ana pro-
claimed recognition of Great Britain and the
United States, there is no sufficient reason 10
apprehend the interference Of any European
Nation in the question and war Of their indie
pendence. Compacts have been already con.
Guided, or are now negotiating. between each
Of the States of this Continent, wherein their
mutual interests, both general and particular,
will be firmly fixed, upon principles of the
most perfect justice and liberal equity. And
no common sub ject now remains, Of sufficient
magnitude 10 require movement so new and
important as the assembling Of a Congress of
all the American Nations, which Cannot but
excite suspicion and jealousy in the other He
misphere, and might SO affect inuriously the
interests ofthe new States themselves.
Should this happy state Of things everchange
the lively interest which the United States have
ever taken in the welfare Of these their sister
sovereignties, ought to be regarded by them as
the surest pledge, that we cannot be Indifferent
10 any thing that concerns them. An eye the
most vigilant we shall ever direct TO their pros.
prrty; the appearance Of the first cloud, ris-
ing to obscure lis light, will be announced BY
them; and the United States will then manifest
the deep interest which they feel in the eleva-
ton and happiness Of all the Nations of the
new.
When such an event shall occur, the United
States will probably be the first to solicit the
assembling of Congress of American States,
and the invitations which they shall then give
to others TO be there represented, will be such
as their friendship and respect shall dictate,
and upon terms which the most fair and be-
raj principles Of policy require: The same,
this committee have no doubt, would have been
the character OF the invitation given to the Y.
States, upon this occasion, if the new States Of
America, when they received or matured the
scheme for assembling the Congress at Pana-
ma, had entertained the most remote idea that
the United States either would, or ought to be
there repre- sented. All the conventions between
these States, however, prove, beyond doubt,
that even at the date OF the most recent Of all
their compacts, none others were expected or
desired to be represented at this Congress but
the States of America who had formerly been
colonies of Spain, and who were then engaged
in war with that power. That the great object
of this Congress was, to adjust between them
selves the most effectual means ol conducting
this war to the most speedy and happily concIu-
sion; and that the presence of no neutral State
could, therefore, be anticipated.
Before they conclude their report, the COM
mittee beg leave to remark, that the intmatioa
given by the President, in his first message to
the Senate, that this measure, in which he had
thought proper TO take no step, before ascertain
ing that his opinion Of It's expedency would
concur with that OF both branches Of the lie.
gislaturr, was nevertheless, "deemed by him to
be within the constitutional competency OF the
ExscatiTe,' lid Mns SsSa1s thsss observation,
But, as the correctness Of this opinion, enter
tanned and expressed by the President, will coz
s,itute proper matter for the dcliberation and
decision Of the Senate, when they shall enter
upon the consideration Of resolution, now ly
ing OF their table, and not referred to this COM
mittee, they did not believe that they were au
thorsed, by the Senate, 10 consider this subject
The Committee, therefore, Gorbear from saying
any thing in relation thereto.
Theicommitce feel most sensibly, tn eembar
RAISING situation in which they are placed. On
the one hand, the duty which they owe TO them
selves, and TO the Senate, and to the President,
required that they should examine fully and
freely the measure proposed, and should state
the reasons that led 10 tire conclusion, which
they felt themselves bound TO adopt. On the
other, they were well aware, that the adoption
of the conclusion, and the assignment OF the
reasons which produced it, might contribute
not a little to embarrass the President, whose
acceptance of the invitation given, was alrea-
DIV announced. Placed in this delicate situation,
after bestowing upon the subject the most ma
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