Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-03-23

merican independence. Civil, political COM
mercial and religious liberty, are but various
notifications, of one great principle, founded
in the unalienable rights Of human nature, and
before the universal application of which, the
Colonial Domination OF Europe, over the Anne
rican hemisphere, has fallen, and is crumbling
into dust CiUil liberty can be established on
no other foundation ofhuman reason, which will
not at the same time demonstrate the rtgM to
religious freedom. The tendency Of the spirit
of the age is so strong towards religious iloer-
ty, that we cannot doubt it will soon Danish from
the Constitutions Of the Southern Republics OF
this hemisphere. all those intolerant religious
establishments, with which they have hitherto
been trammelled. Religious and military coer-
cion will be alke'discarded from all the lhstltu-
tons framed for the protection ofhuman rights,
in civil society of independent nations; ana the
freedom of opinion and OF faith, VIII De guar
antied by the same sanction as the rights 10
personal liberty and security. 10 promote
this event by ali the moral influence which we
can exercise, whether of example, OF friendly
counsel. or of persuasion, is among the duties
which Gevolve upon US in the formation oil our
future relations with our Southern neighhors;
and in the intercourse which is hereafter to SUBJ
sist between us, as their citizens, who may visit,
or transien,y reside with US, will enjoy the be-
ne6t of religious freedom in its utmost latitude;
we are bound TO claim for our countrymen, who
NAV occasionally dwell for time with them,
the reciprocal exercise OF the same natural
rights
In the present imperfect state Of our informa-
ton with regard 10 the existing commerce be-
tween the two countries, and the uncertainty
what its future and permanent relations may
be, it would be useless to enter into any further
detail of articles, which it may be proper 10
propose for the intended treaty OF commerce.
The Republic of Colombia, if permanently or
ganised, 10 embrace the whole territory which
il now claims, and blessed with a government,
effectually protective of the rights Of is people,
is undoubted destined to become hereafter one
Of the mightiest nations of the earth. It's CEN
trail position upon The surface of the globe, di-
rectly communicating at once with the Pacific
and Atlantic Oceans, north and south, with the
Caribbean sea, and the Gulf of Mexico, brings it
into relations of proximity with every other part
of the world, while the number and variety OF
its ports, on every sea by which it is SURF ound-
ed; the magnitude and extent Of its navigable
rivers, three Of which, the Amazon, the Orino-
in the world, inrersecting with numberless til
bu,ary streams, and in every direction the con-.
tinenl Of South America, and furnishing the
means Of water-communications from every
point of its circumference, to every spot upon
its surface: the fertility Of its soil, hegeneral
healthiness and beauty Of its climate; the pro-
fusionwith which it breeds and bears the pre-
cious, and the useful metals, present comhl-
nation OF elements, unparalleled in the. location
Of the human race: and relieve at least from all
charge Of enthusiasm, the sentiment expressed
by the late Mr.. Torres, that this republic APP
peared TO have been destined by the author OF
nature, Gas the centre and the Empt,t OF the hui
man family"
But it is to man, placed in Paradise like this,
that nature with her loudest voice eXclalms:-
"God to hes has done his part-do thine, and
the part of man so gifted, and so endowed, Is to
enjoy, and to communicate the bountles OF Pro-
violence, so largely lavished upon him; and not
to fancy himself destined to the Empire OF the
human family. IF the natural advantages be-
slowed upon the Colombian territory, were to
be improvedby inhabitants, only Tor purposes OF
empire, that, which nature has bestowed as
blessing upon them, would, in lis consequences,
pro-. t curse inflicted upon the rest OF man
kind. The territory Of Colombia contains at
this moment, little more than three millions
and half of souls. Were it only as populouS
as It's late parent country, Spain, it would bear
one hundred millions, and if as populous as
France, nearly three times that number. AT
the most rapid rate of increase, which human
population has ever attained, even doubling
every quarter of century, the Republic OF Co.
ombia, for two hundred years to come, may de-
vote all her exertions to the improvement of
her internal means Of subsistence, for the null
tiplying myriads of her people, without seeking
support from tke extension Of her empire be-
yond her own borders. Let her look to COM
merce and navigation, and not TO empire, as her
means of communication with the rest OF the
human family These are the principles upon
which our confederated Republic is founded,
and they are those upon which we hope our
sisters of the southern continent will ultimately
perceive it TO be for their own welfare no less
than for that OF the world, that they should found
themselves.
The materials of commercial intercourse, be-
tween the United States ana the Colombian
Republic, are al present not many. Our eX-
ports to it hitherto, have been confined to flour,
rice, sailed provisions, lumber, few manufac-
tured articles, warlike stores, and arms, and
some East India productions, for which we
have received cocoa, coffee, indigo, hides, cop
per and specie. Much of this trade has orgi-
mated and has continued, only by the war in