Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-03-28

Extracts o. letter from Nh. Adams, Secretary of
State, TO r .4nderSon Minister PienipoIentia,y 10
| Colombia, dated eth May, 1928.
1.-The revolution which has severed the colonies of
Spanish America from European hradom and left them
to form sedependent governments as members of the
society OF civilized nations, is among the most mpor-
tant events In modern history. AS a general movement
OF human affairs, it is perhaps more than develop
ment of principles first brought action by the sepa-
ration of these States from Great Britain and by the
practical in the formation and estab.
lIohmen of our Union, to the doctrine that voluntary
agreement is the only legitimate source of authority
among men, and that all just government a compact
IL was impossible that such system Spain had esa
blised over her colonies should stand before the pro-
gressive improvement of the understanding i'm this age
or that the light shed upon the whole earth by the results
OF our Revolution, should leave in darkness the
regions immediately adjoining upon ourselves. The in
dependence of the Spanish colonies however, has pro-
ceeded from other causes. and has been achieved upon
principles in many respects different from ours In our
Revolution the principle of the social compact was from
the beginning. In immediate issue. 1t originated in
question of right between the government in Europe
and the subject in America. Our Independence was de-
cared in defence of hJerties and the attempt to
make The yoke yoke of oppression the cause and
the justification for casting it off.
The revolution of the Spanish colonies not caused
by the oppression under which they had been held how
ever great it had been.-Ther independence was first
forced upon them by the temporary subugation of Spain
herself to foreign power. They by that event
cast upon themselves, and compelled TO establish roy
ernmens of their SPAIN through all the vciss.
tudes OF her own revolutions has chung the desperate
hope of retaining, of retaining them, to her own
controls and has waged, TO the of her power
disastrous war TO that intent. In the mind IF every ra
tlonal man, 1t has been for years apparent that Spain
can never succeed 10 her dominion where it has
been abIured, nor is il probable that she long retain
the small remnant OF her authority yet acknowledged in
some spots OF the South American continent.
The political course of the United States from the
first dawnng of South American Independence has
been such prescribed by their relative duties 10
all the parties. Being terms of peace and amty
with Spain through all The changes of her govern
ment they have considered the struggles of the colo
MES for independence a case of civil war TO which
their national obligations prescribed TO them TO remain
neutral Their policy, their interest and their feelings
all concurred to favor the of the colonies; and
the principles upon which the right Independence has
been maintained by the South American Patriots have
been approved, not only Identical with those upon
which our independence asserted and achieved but
involving the whole theory of government en- the en-
phatically American foundation of the sovereignty of
the people, and the unalienable rights of man. To a
Cause reposlng upon this basis the people of this
try never could be Indifferent, and their synpaes hay
accordingly been, with great unanimy and constancv
enlisted in its favor The sentiments of the Govern
nen OF the United States, have been in perfect harmo
ny with those of their people, and while oIbearng as
their dnes of neutrality prescribed from every mea-
sure which could justly be construed hostile TO SDain
they have exercised all the moral influence which thew
possessed to counenance and promote the cause of in
dependence. SO long as contest Of was main
tanned by Spain, the United States could not recognize
the Independence of the colonies. existing de aco
without espassing their duties SPAIN by assurn.
ing as decided that which precisely the question of
war In the history of South American Independence
there are two periods clearly dstingusbabe from each
other The lrst that of its orig when it was rather
"a war OF independence against France than against
Spain, and the second, from the restoration of Ferd-
nand the Seventh IN 1911 Since that PERIOD the ter
ritoHes now constituting the Republic of Colombia,
have been the only theatre upon which Spain has been
able to maintain the conflict Extensively with even a
probable color of ultimate But when in 10 s.
she made her greatest effort in the expedition from Ca
! diz, commanded by Moro, Mexico Peru, and Chill
yet under her authority and had she succeeded in
reducing the coast of Terra Firina at New Grenada
the provinces of La Plata divided among themselves
and weakened by the Portuguese occupation of Monte
Vdeo could probably not have held gainst her long
This at least the calculation of her policy and from
the geographical position Of these countries which NAV
be termed the henr of South America the conclusion
might be drawn that if the power of Spain could NOT be
firmly reseated there it must be on her part frutess
struggle to maintain her supremacy any part of the
American continent The expedition of Morillo on IFS
first arrival, was attended with signal success-Cartba-
gena taken. The whole coast of Terra Firma was
occupied, and new Grenada entirely subdued. A
remnant of Patriots in Venezuela, with their leader Bo-
Tar, returning from expulsion revived the cause of in
dependence, and after the campaign of 1919 in which
they reconquered the whole of New Grenada the de.
monsraon became complete, that every effort of Spain
to recover the South American continent must thence
forward be desperate waste of her own resources md
that the tues friendship of other nations TO her would
consist in making her sensible that her own interest
would be best consulted, by the acknowledgment Of
that independence which she could no longer efectua
ly dispute
To this conclusion the Government of the United
States had at an early period arrved.-But from that
emergency the President has considered the question
recognition both in moral and political view as mere
~ a question of the proper time While Spain could
entertain reasonable hope OF maintaining the war and
of recovering her authority, acknowledgment of the
4 Colonies as Independent States would have been
wrong to her. but she bad right upon the strength Of
this principle 10 maintain the preeDsion after she vas
maoeslIy disabled from maintaining the contest and
by unreasonably Withholding her acknowledgement TO
deprive the Independents of their right to demand the
acknowledgment Of others To fix upon the precise
EDie,-when the duty to respect the prior sovereign
right of Spain should cease and that of yielding to The
claim acknowledgment would commence was sub.
Jet of great decacy, and 10 the President of constant
and anxious solctude. 1t naturally became in the first
instance proper subject Of consultation, with other
Powers having relations ofiDeress to themselves, with
ne newly opened Countries, well influence in the