The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-03-29

would be affected by the issue, should nevertheless
have determined, far as it depended upon me, to
have accepted the invitation, and to have appointed
Ministers to attend the meeting. The proposal itself
implied that the Republics by whom it made, be-
ered that important interests Of ours of THEIRS
dered our attendance there desirable. They had Civ
en- us notice that in the novelty Of their suaton and
in the spirit of Difference experience they would
be pleased TO have the benefit of friendly counsel
To meet the temper with which this proposal was
made with cold repulse, not thought congenial
to that warm interest in their welfare, with which the
People and Governments of the Union had hitherto
gone hand in hand through the whole progress of their
revolution To insult them by refusal of their
ture, and then inviting them to similar assembly. to
be called by ourselves, expedient which never
presented itself TO the mind. | would have sent Min
isters TO the meeting, had been merely give them
such advice they might have desired even with ref
erence to hesr oaCg interests, not involving ours
would have sent them, had it been merely TO explain
and set forth to them reasons for declining any
proposal of specific measures to which they might de-
sire our concurrence, but which we might deem in
compatible with our interests duties. In the
intercourse between nations, Temper is missionary
perhaps more powerful than talent. Nothing was ev-
er lost by kind misunderstanding be gained by
sullen repulses and aspiring pretensions.
But OBJECTS OF the highest Importance, not only to
the future welfare of the whole human race but bear
ing directly upon the special interests of this Union
actu engage the deliberations of the Congress uf Pana
ma, whether we are represented there not. Others
1t we are represented, may be offered by our Penipo-
tentanes for consideration, having in view both those
great results our interests and the improve men
OF The condition of man upon earth. 1t may be, that
IN the lapse of many centuries, other opportunity
so favourable will be presented to the Government of
the United States to ubserve the benevolent purposes
OF Divine Providence-to dispense the promised bes-
sings of the Redeemer of manknd--to promote the
prevalence, in future ages, of Peace Earth, and
Good VIII to Man, will be placed in their
power, by participating in the deliberations of this
Congress.
Among the topics enumerated in official papers,
published by the Republic of Colombia, and adverted
TO IN the correspondence now communicated to the
House, as intended to be presented for discussion at
Panama, there is scarcely in which the resu of
the meeting will not deeply affect the interests of the
United States. Even those in which the Belligerent
States alone will take an active pat, will have a
powerful effect upon the state of our relations with
the American, and probably with the principal Euro
pean States. Were it merely that we might be cor
rectly and speedily informed oil the proceedings of
the Congress- and of the progress and issue OF their
negotiations should hold it advisable that we should
have an accredited agency with them, placed in such
confidential relations with the other members as would
ensure the authenticity and the safe and early trans
mission of its Reports.
Ofthe same enumerated topics, are the preparation
OF Manifesto, setting forth to the world the Justice
OF their cause, and the relations they desire to hold
with other Christian Powers and to form Conven-
ton of Navigation and Commerce, applicable both to
the Confederated States and their Allies.
1t will be within the recollection of the House.
that Immediately after the close of the War of our In
dependence measure, closely analogous this Con-
gress OF Panama, adopted by the Congress of our
Confederation, and for purposes of precisely the same
character. Three Commissioners, with Plenpotenary
powers were appointed to negotiate Treaties of Ami
ty, Navigation and Commerce, with all the principal
powers of Europe. They met, and resided for that
purpose about year at Paris and the only result
iafi fl,tt,
between the United States and Prussia memorable ia
the diplomatic annals of the world, ard precious as
monument of the principles in relation to Commerce
and Maritime Warfare, with which our country enter
ed npon her career as member of the great family
OF independent nations. This Treaty, prepared in
conformity with the instructions of the American
Penipotentiaes consecIated three fundamental prin
cIples OF the foreign intercourse which the Congress
OF that period DESTROYS of establishing. First,
equal reciprocity and the mutual stipulation Of the
privileges OF the most tavoured nation, in the COM
mercal exchanges of Peace Secondly, the abolition
OF private upon the ocean and thirdly, restrc-
tions favourable to Neutral Commerce, upon Bellg-
erent PRACTICES with regard to conraband war, and
blockades. painful-it may be said calamtous
experience, of than4orty years has demonstrate
ed the deep Importance of these same principles to
the peace and prosperity of this nation, and to the
welfare Of all Maritime States and has illustrated the
profound wisdom with which they were assumed as
cardinal points of the policy Of the Union.
At thattme, In The infancy of their political exist
ence, under the influence of those principles of ber
ty and of right, congenial to the cause in which
They had just fought and triumphed, they were able
but to obtain the sanction of great and philosoph-
cal, though absolute sovereign Of Europe to their
liberal and enlightened principles They could OBJ
tain no MORE Since then, political hurricane has
gone threeourths of the civilized portions of the
earth; the desolation Of which, if may With conf
dence be expected, passing away, leaving at least
the American atmosphere purified and refreshed.
And now, at this proptous moment, the newborn
nations of this hemisphere, assembling, by their Rep
resentatives at the sthmus, between its two CONT
nents to settle the principles Of their future interna
tional intercourse with other nations and with -
ask, in this great exgency for advice upon those
very fundamental maxims, which we from our cradle,
had first proclaimed and partially succeeded to intro
duce into the code of National Law.
Without recurring to that total prostration of all
neutral and commercial rights, which marked the
progress of the late European wars and which final
jy involved the United States in them and advertng
only to political relations with these American ma
tions, it observable, that, while in all other re-
spects those relations have been uniformly and with
out exception, of the most friendly and mutually
satisfactory character; the only of difference
and dissension between and them which ever have
arisen originated in those neverfaling fountains of
discord and irritation, determinations Of commercial
favour towards other nations licentious privateers
and paper bockades / cannot, without doing inius-
II IN he nc A ~