Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-02-07

pregnant with evil TO US! Can they not represent,
with force, that this would be offensive, not de-
tensive, war, and that powers hitherto neutral,
night not with indifference schemes of aggran-
dizement and conquest? Nigh, no, other cogen,
reasons be urged, Ii may, sir, be already late,
and while we debI,ing, worse consequences
than those we have heard predicted from the ME
sion. may be caused by lis failure delay.
l think it also probable that the independence Of
Hayt may be discussed in this Congress, but be-
cause it will be discussed wish our enyoys TO be
there. The reasons so ably urged by the member
from Massachusetts, against the recognition Of that
power, may there be urged, and must have its eff
feet, however independent i, might have been be
tore the advantages given 10 France. In the con-
Ven'ion, reduced IT 10 colonial state.
These, Sir, have struck me topics which might
be contided 10 the mission 10 Panama. / may, and
probably am mistaken in many OF them, but they
have been detailed To show that innocent and useful
purposes may be answered by the mission. This
detail Is confined TO direct advantages advantages
which could not be secured some of them not at
all Others not III the same degree, by ordinary
separate missions; aud have endeavored 10 i'm
press on the House the prudence of awaiting our
| selves OF the advantage of assemblage of all the
parties with whom we are 10 treat, and of treating
with them as members of the same body.
But there indirect advantages 10 be .eaped
from this mission, which we ought not TO neglect.
Ihe invitation appears 10 have been kindly and
| cordially given. A refusal, in whatever terms il
may oe couched, must appear uncourteous. and
must lessen that feeling OF aIny and good will that
now prevails 10 ~ ards Us; wherea, frank accepts
snce will fortify and increase it, even if it Were
.or no other purpose than to AID them with our ad-
wee when 1t was applied for; TO give them, in
doubtful cases, the aid OF our experience; extend
TO them our useful institutions; 10 strengthen them
| In the love OF liberty, and 10 assume in fne the
| honorable station which, by common consent, they
1 hStra
career they have begun, and the prototype from
which they copy their constitutional and legal
| forms.
Those who deny the existence of this national
| 'eeiinS, or undervalue its effect, must shut their
| eyes TO the lights OF experience. To deny its ex-
'stence In nations, Is to deny it in individuals, OF
which nations are composed. Let such if any
Such 'here are, consider how long that gratitude
ana national feeling in favor of France continues:
and perhaps in some minds still continues in spite
oil the insults aud injuries which were offered us
ny heT rules Feelings OF enmity are equally pow
| erini. The FIRST should be cultivated by all fair
means, and 1t may be by accepting this invitation
,he last should be equally avoided, but the seeds OF
| IL may be planted by an ungracious refusal
here, sir, are an end of my coniectures in oppo-
sltion to those fsrmed by other members. The
House will judge which are best founded Bat I
| can"ot conclude without joining earnestly in the
eNhortation OF the gentleman from MARYLAND, that
1t is 10 be done, should be done quickly The
gentleman from Virginis has, by the course of his
reasoning not, It is true, in direct words restored
| the true reading OF the quotation If il were
zone when 1t were done, then itwere well If it were
done quickly" The gentleman from Virginia
thinks 1t viii not be done when it is done; he thinks
me tram OF evils he apprehendds will be but begun.
thinking thus, he is right to oppose The mission :;
thinking differently, approveit
! After MIR. Livingston had closed his remarks.
me mar declared the time allotted by rule, for the
discussion of Resolutions. had elansed and ~
House passed to the Orders Of the Dav.
The Speaker laid before the House the two fol-
| lowing communications