Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-03-24

France, at the close of their respective revolutions.
We should deceive ourselves. Amidst all the pni-
cal chang of which the States destined
theatre whatever party power may be upperoS, one
spirit will animate them ALL and that il, invincibe aver
sion from all political connexion with Spain, and un-
conquerablc desire of Independence. II could not be
Other wise. They already tasted the fruits OF indie
pcndeucc And the between what THEN condition
is, the possession of fee commerce, liberal insu-
lions, aud all the faculties OF their country, and popu-
a;i"n allowed fall physical and moral development, and
what it was, under Spain crampe debascL, egrad
ed must be fatal to- the chimerical hope OF h; monarchy
il be cherished, by any whatever re-estahlis
her power The chord which binds COLONY its parent
country, being broken, is repaired rccolec
ton OF what wns inflicted aud what was borne, during the
existence OF that relation. the pride of the former govern
power and tie sacrifices OF the the cuiouy
those Of the parent, widen aud render the breach be-
tween them, whenever ~ccurs, perpetual. Aud ii.
may justly suppose, the cmbered feelings excited by
experience of that unequal proportion. Il,
the severity OF tine pareal rule they operate with
irresistible force on the rupture which has taken place be-
tween Spain and her colonies SINCE in instances
has it been cSerted with such unmitgatet rigor.
Viewing the practically Terminated, 50 fur. at
least relates to Spanish cxertion the continent, in
considering he tr! branch OF the inquiry Nlich pro-
posed, let us cndoavour anticipate he expect
cd to happen, Spain obnately pc, in the refusal
Ia conclude peace. If the War has only nominal
'nuance the republics disban their
armies without cupab,e neglect Of all of rti-
dcnce amd precaution. And the observation that
is, that his protractcd totally cauge
character and its objects. Instead of being
fenStc operations, in which Spain has been carving on
one To her of defensive nature, in which all her future
cXcriionS must be directed the protection defence
her remaining nsu.ar possessions And thus the Peninsula
instead o! deriving the and the aid necessary
the revival of its prosperity, from Cuba and Porto Rico
must he further drained those islands For
cannot be doubted that the will direct their
combined and unemployed forces she reduction of those
valuable islands They will naturally strike their cociy
wherever they reach him. And they will slimu-
lated to the attack by the double motive arising from the
richness of the prize, and from the that those islands
yl
ed and from which issue all the Annoying them
which :eman To The OF the enterprise 10y
no means Improbable. Theirproximy islands, and
,her armies biting perfectly acclmated,w give
ted efforts of the Republics great advantages. And, if
with these be taken into the estimate, the important and
weliknovn fact, that large portion of inhabitants
the Islands, predisposed sepnra ton Spain,
would, therefore, firm powerful auxiliary Rcpub-
icau their hcco Gas certain But even
if they should prove incompetent reduction of the
islands there be but little doubt that the shattered
mains Of Spanish would b. swept from the ocean
TIE advantages @: the positions OF Colombia aud Mexcu
Tor annoying that commerce, in the Gulf Of Mexco and
the Caribbean Sea, be evident slightest OBJ
serva ti0n.-In fact Cuba in the mouth of ii sack which
held by Colombia AND the United Mexican States. Aud
il, umhappy for the eposc Of the world war should
be continued, the coasts of the Peninsula itself may
peced soon TO with the pryatecys OF The republics
H. on the contrary Spain should put end
the war, she might preserve what remains her former
American possessions. And surely lie retention of such
islands Cuba and Porto Rico enineutly worthy OF
rioUs consideration, and should satisfy reasonable amb
tlo he POSSESSIONS OF spain w tudicS would
be sill more valuable than those Of ally other power. The
war ended her would revive; and
reason to anticipate from the habits, Dreliccs tastes
OF the republics, that she would h1!, in the cOsulnD-
ton OF their population, constantly augnenng teuan
for the produce OF her industry, excluded from best
markets And her experience, like that oi Great Britain
with the United States would demonstrate that the value
OF the commercial intercourse would than indemnify
the loss, while it is unburene with the expense, Incident
/ 10 poliiica. connection.
subordinate consideration, slc!. should no, he over
resident i'll Spain, which may possibly be conhscatca if
the war be wantonly continued. J! ilat rso
shall be adopted, their mist be gea,ly !im:n
iShed during state OF These incomes upon the
toGuon % peace the proceeds Ote ofhe estates
themselves, might be drawn to SPAIN and would greatly
contribute towards raising lie. from her present condition of
embarrassment and anguishmcut. II peace should be
longer eicred and the should take the pobabe d
recton which has been supposed during further progress
other powers not now parties, may be coa'eraly drawn
INTO IT, From much less considerable the peace of
the world has been often disturbed. From the vicinity of
Cuba to the United States, its valuable commerce. and the
nature OF its populations ;hcir Government. cannot he in
different 20 any political change which that island NAV
be destined Great Britain and France also deep III
teests in its fortunes, which keep them wide awake
all those changes. In short, European State has
not mach at stake direct indirect, in The destiny
what it may of that valuable OF III the West India
'slamds: The reflections and experience the Emperor,
the vcissiiurs of war, have impressed him viii,
the solemn duty o! all governments guard against
the distant approach OF that terrible of all scourges
by every pfecauon with which human prudence and fore
SiSH' can SURROUND TIE repoSe ana safety
Such is the view nj the between Spain and the new
Republics, which the President desires you earnestly
but respectfully, To present to his Imperial Majesty
From this view, it evident that not so much for the
new States themselves for SPAIN that peace has
absolutely necessary Their Independence of her,
intestine divisions may if intestine divisions shall vet
unhappiy await them, is fixed and rrcvocable She nav
indeed by blind and fatal protracon of tie war, yet
lose more gain. for her, is impossible In becoming Inc
advocate for peace, is the advocate Of Spain
the Emperor SHALL by his wisdom engen the councils of
SPAIN and bring home TO them conviction Of her real
interests there can be fears of the succes Of his power
i interpretation }ou authorised, in that spirit OF the
most perfect franknPss and friendship which have ever cha
ractersed all the relations between Russia and the United
States 10 disclose without reserve, the feelings and the
wishes o. the United States, in respect Cuba and Porto
Rico. They are satisfied with the present condition of
tosc islands, open the commerce and enterprise OF
their citizens They desire, for themselves, no pnca
change iii them. II Cuba declare itself udcnc
demt, the amount aud the character population rem
der II improbable that II could maintain its independence
Such premature declaration might bring about a re-
newa of those shocking OF which neghhorn5 Is
land was the affecting theatre. There could be no eec
ual preventive Of those bu, the guaranty and
in large resident force Of foreign Powers. Tie terms of