Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-03-28

piesen, hour! BY the principles of this polio, in
culcated by our wisest statesmen, in former days,
and approved b, The experience of all subsequen,
time. the true interest of the United States was
supposed to be promoted, BY avoiding all en,ang-
ling connexions with any other nation whatsoever.
Steadily pursuing this course, while they have 5een
DESTROYS to manifest the most cordial good viii TO
all nations, and 10 maintain with each relations of
perfect amiy, and OF commerce regulated and ad-
Justed by the rules OF the most fair, equal, and
just reciprocity, the United States have hitherto
sedulously abs'ained from associating themselves
in any other way, with those nations for whose
welfare the most lively sensibity has been, AZ all
times fell. and otherwise manifested.
During the conflict FOR freedom and ndepen-
dence, in which these new States OF America were
so long engaged with their former Sovereign,
although every heart IN the United State. bea; high
In sympathy with them and fervent aspirations
were hourly put up for Their success; and although
the relations then existing with Spain were well
calculated to excite strong irritation and resent
ment on our part; yet the Government of the Iii
ted States, convinced of the proprety of strict
adherence to the principles it had ever proclaimed
as the rule OF its conduct in relation TO other ma
TONS forebore 10 take any part in this struggle,
and maintained the most exact neutrality between
these belligerents. Eor would i, ever recognise
the independence of these new Republics, until
ton OF their ancient Sovereign, in reaiionto them,
was such as TO maniies thar he ought no longer
TO be held responsible for their acts. So soon as
this occurred, the United States mo st gladly en-
braced the opportunity, and in being the hrst To
proclaim the sovereignty and independence Of these
States, gave to them the strongest plegeof respect,
and cordial friendship, and sincere anxiety for -her
prosperity.
Since that event, Ministers have been despatch
ed TO each of these Republics, instructed to
declare the sentiments sincerely and warmly felt
Tor them by the United States, and empow cred 10
| conclude treaties with them, the objects Of which
should be, to establish, upon principles of the most
perfect justice and equity, all the ordinary relations
that exist between nations Thus much was due
NOT less to them than 10 ourselves; and in going so
lar, we did all that our feelings Dictated and the
Interests OF either seemed then TO require. Whit
necessity has since arisen 10 do more: What cause
exists now, to prompt the United States to estab-
ilsh new and stronger relations with them, and so
TO abondon that rule Of conduct which has hitherto
been here SO steadily and happily pursued,
these inquiries necessarily called the attention
| oil the committee 10 minute examination OF all
the documents TO them referred in order that they
might therein discover the reasons assigned by the
new States OF America for desiring the Uuited
States 10 be represented at the Congress about to
be Assem- b!ed at Panama, and the motives of the
Presden, fer ntmaung his willingness to accept
this invitation. And in making such an examina-
lion, many reflections presented themselves, as con-
r cied with TIC proposed measure, all of which the
conmNtee will now state 10 the Senate
Ia government, constituted as is that Of the
Y. StSes, IN which the sentiment so natural to
ireemei prompts them 10 scruiiniZe most eyactIy
Inc extcnS OF all ;hc powers they grant, and TO
limit this extent by the objects desired 10 be accom-
pishedby tier exercise, the strongest anxiety is
land, il is to be hoped, always Will be) fell, 10
learn distinctly what is the precise object desired
TO be attained, and what the precise NJ cans pro
posed Tor It's attainment Ev the confidence re-
posed In the 'ong-tried patriotism and well proved
wisdom OF our own best citizens, does not. and
ought not 10 suffice quiet his anxiety, OF 10 re-
move this jealousy, inspired by an ardent sttach-
ment TO our rights and privileges. 1t was, there
FORE much 10 be desired, and cesiany to have been
expected, that, before the des,inies OF the United
States should be committed to The elaboration and
decision OF a-tonsress, composed not of our own
citizens, but OF the representatives of many differ
EN- nations, that he objects of such deliberations
should be most accurately stated and defined, and
the manner Of their accomplishment clearly and
! distinctly marked out.
In this opinion, the President himself seems to
have concurred at the commencement of This ne
collation.: for, in the report made to him on he
Z0'h OF December last, by the Secretary of State
he had informed the Ministers, 10y wien the in
vltaiion to the proposed Congress at Panama was
gwen, that, " before such Congress assembled il
appeared to the Presideni 10 be expedient 10 adj
- just, between The differe mt Powers to be renre
sented, several preliminary points, such as he
subjects 10 which the attention of the Con-
gTess was to be directed Tie nature and the
form OF the powers to be given TO The diplomatic
agents who were to compose il, and Inc mode
% OF MS organization and action And il was
made an express and previous condition to the sc-
cepiance OF the invitation proposed TO be given.
that : these preliminary points should be arrang-
" ed In manner satisfactory 10 the u. States''
4, was, therefore, not without much surprise and
great regret that the committee discovered, that.
ahhouSh IN lone OF the communications subse-
quen'ly made to this Government, by either of the
MINISTERS OF the several States by whom this Iny-
iation was given, are these preliminary points even
stated; and, although the want of Sc compliance
with these conditions" 10 expressly noticed in the
reply made 20 them by the Secretary of Stale, vet
they were therein told, that the President had de-
termned " at once" 10 send Commissioners TO
thiS congress AT Panama, provided. the Senate
would advise and consent 10 such measure
III, then, the Senate should now demand of this
committee to inform them what are the objects TO
be accomplished at this Congress- and what are the
means by which their accomplishment is to be
effected although, as TO objects, the documents
referred TO them will enable the committee 10 name
lew yet, as to all others, they must answer in
Tie language OF the communication made by the
Mexican Minister that they are those TO which
the existence Of the new States may give rise, and
when i is not easy TO point out or enumerate i"
AS to the means, however, the committee can ONLY
reply, that, while it TO be expected tina, tie
United States are 10 cothe theirrepreseDtatives
with " ample powers to accomplish all the emu
meraled, and these other underlined objects also,
YET Inc mode IN which these powers, if granted are
TO be used snd exercised, is no where even bin,
ed at.
Oae great question, therefore, upon which the
decision OF the Senate is called for, will be, wbe
theI, in The exs.ing slate Of tllinrs II IL .i.. o.