Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-03-21

at Panama to take into consideration the
of making effectua the assertion of that princi
pie, well the means of resisting interference from
abroad, with the domestic concerns of the American
Governments.
In .liuding to these means, it would obviously be
premature at this time. TO anticipate that which is OF
tered merely matter for consultations pronounce
upon those measures which have been, may be sug
gesed. The purpose of this Goverh is to concur
ia none which would import hostility TO Europe or
Justly excite resentment in any of her States. Should
1T be deemed advisable to contract nrcntona en-
gagemcnt this topic, views would extend 10 fur
thcr than TO amutual pledge of the parties the
pact, maintain the principle i'll application its OWE
territory, and to permit colonial Judgments cstab-
llshment of European jurisdiction upon It's own soil ;
and, with respect to the obusivc interference from
abroad il its future character NAV be inferred from that
which has been, and perhaps still is, exercised in
than one OF the new States, joint declaration OF lis
character and exposure OF ii to the world may be pro-
badly all that the occasion would require. Whether
the United States should or should not be parties to
such declaration may justly form part of the deli
bcraon. That there is an evil to be remedcd, needs
little insight into the secret history of late wears TO
know, and that this remedy may best be concertcda
the Panama meeting, deserves ut least the experiment
ct consideration. concert OF measures h;1ing re-
ference the ctlectual abolition OF tic African
slave trade and the consideration OF the light in which
the political condition of the Island OF layii is be re-
sardcd, also among the subjects mentioned bv the
Minister from the Republic of Colombia rs believed TO
be suitable for debclgton at the Congress The fail
urc ofthc negotiations with that Republic, undertaken
during the late Administrations for the suppression of
that trade, i'll compliance with resolution OF the House
Representatives. indicates the cXDcuiencv
ing with respectful attention the propositions which
may contribute 10 the accomplishment of the great end
winch WAS The purpose of that resolution Willie the re-
suit of those ncgo, will serve rs admopi,ion IN
abstain from plcdgln this Government ANY arrange
nent winch might be expected fail of obtaining the
advice and consent Of the Senate, by constitutional
majority TO its ratification
Whether the political condition of the Island of IIay-
eha be brought all into discussion at the mccn,r
may be 4 question for preliminary aCviscncnt There
are lii the political constitution of Government of that
the acknowledgment of them by the Government of the
Cmed States as sovereign aud independent. Addi-
onal reasons for Withholding that acknowledgment
have recently been seen i'll their acceptance oc nomi-
nal sovereignty by the grant of foreign prince; under
conditions equivalent to the by them of en-
elusive commercial advantages to one nation adantcd
ing little of Independence but the name. Our Pleni-
potcnares will be instructed to present these views
TO the Assembly ut Panama: and should they no. be
concurrcd in, to decline accedns to any arrangement
which may be proposed upon different principles
The condition of the Islands Of Cuba and Porto Rico
is OF deeper import and more immediate bearing uDon
the present int and future prospects of our unon
The correspondence herewith transmitted will show
how earnestly 1t has engaged the attention of this Go
Ncrnmcnt The invasion of both those Islands by tho
United forces of Mexico and Colombia is avowcdlv a.
mong the objects TO be maturcd by the bcllgcrent
States ut Panama. The commissions to which, from the
peculiar composition of their population they would be
liable, in the of such INVASION and the dancer
thereirom resulting of their falling ultimately into the
hals OF some European power, other than Spain, will
the Congress nj Panama MAJ lead with utliifercnce
1t is unnecessary TO enlarge uponthis TOPIC or to saw
more than that al our efforts in reference this
Will be to preserve the existing state ofthngs the tran
quily of the Islands, and the peace and sccurt, of
their inhabitants
And, lastly the Congress of Panama is believed to pre-
sent TAR occasion for urging upon all the nations
OF the South, the just and liberal principles OF religious
liberty Not by any Interference whatever in their inter
nal concerns but by claiming for citizens,
equations interests may call occasional resi-
dencr in their territories, the mestimablc privilege of wor
shipping their Creator according dictates of their
own consciences. This privilege, sanctioned by the
unary law of nations, and secured treaty
IN numerous national compacts even to our own
citizens III the treaties with Colombia and will, the Fede
ration at CentIal America, is yet Obtained in the
other South American States and Mexico Existing pre-
JUDGES are still struggling against which may perhaps
be more successfully combatted this general meeting
man at the separate seats of Government of each Repu
lie.
can scarcely deem it otherwise than supcrGuous, to
observe that The Assembly will be in its diplomatic
ana not legislative That nothing transacted
obligatory upon of the States represented
The meeting unless with the express lis own
Representatives, then, subject to the ratifca
ton OF its constitutional authorities home. The
faith of the United States Foreign Powers cannot other
wise he pledged SHALL indeed, the first instance
consider the Assembly merely consultative: and
the Plenipotemtiaries of the United States will be enpow
cred to receive and refer the consideration ofse Co.
Vernent any proposition from the parties TO the
meeting THEY will be authorized conclude moth ~
less sn9ec''o the dehnitive sanction of this
IN all its constitutional forms has, therefore seemed
10 me unnecessary to insist that object discuss
%" ii" e meeting, should be specified with the precision o.
Judicial sentence enumerated with the cxacncss of a
mathematical demonsaiion. The purpose the meeting
'se Is to deliberate upon the great and Interests
OF several new and neiebong ations. Il the nea sure
ne" and without precedent is the situation of the par
yes 10 ~ that the purposes of the meeting nat
Indefinite lar from being objection it, among the
ooge' reasons ioI ITS adoption 1t is not the establishment
OF principles OF intercourse with one, but with seven or
eight nations at That, before they have had the
means of exchanging IDEAS and communicating with enc
N fIcye should
dehnIiv3y settled and arranged them in concert is to re-
quire that the effect should peccc the cause. 1t is to ex
act as preliminary to the meeting, that for the
pIisiIment Of which the meeting itself is DESIGNED
Among the inquiries which thought entitled to con-
deraton before the determine was taken to accent the
invitation, that whether the measure mirbt not have
tendency TO change the policy hitherto invariably pur
sued by 'c United States, of avoiding all enanGmg ALI
ancts' and all unnecessary foreign connexions.
Mindful OF the advice given by the father Of our coun-
Try III hsFarewel Address that the great rule nf conduct
ior us IN regard to Foreign Nations is in extending our