Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-03-24
FRIDAY, MARCH "a, 1896.
Documents accompanying the Presidents Message
on the Panama Question.
9.
Mr.. Salazar to Mr.. Clay.
LEGATION OF COLOMBIA

Near the United States of North america.
The undersigned has the honor to communl-
cate to the Hon Henry Clay, for the informa.
ton Of his Government, and the attainment oil
the objects proposed, that the Assembly OF A
merican Plenipotentiaries, in relation TO which
the Minister from Mexico and the undersigned
have held some verbal conferences with the Sc
cretary of State, at their previous request, will
shortly be organised; as the PlenipQtentiaries OF
Peru are already at the Isthmns OF Panama, the
place appointed for the Congress, and those
from Colombia and other American Republics
are on their way to this Assembly, which they
have provided for by public treaties.
The Hon. Secretary having intimated; in the
name of his Government, that the. United States,
if formally invited by Mexico and Colombia,
and apprized Of the subjects to be discussed,
would, on their part, appoint person to repre-
sent them, if these subjects should be approved
BY the United States, the undersigned is accor-
dinghy authorised by his Government TO address
this invitation, which he now makes, by this
note. in all due form. He is also assured that
the Minister from Mexico will present the same
invitation on the part Of his Government, and
the Minister from Guatemala has just received
similar instructions from his Government.
Ofthe points which will be under discussion
by the Assembly of Panama, the undersigned IS
unable to give minute enumeration, as they
will evidently arise out of the deliberations OF
the Congress. He is, however, authorised by
his Government to assure the United States
that these points have no tendency to violate
their protested principles OF neutrality. The
undersigned has also been instructed to sug-
gsst some subjects, that will form useful matter
of discussion IN the Congress.-These subjects
constitute tive classes:
L. Matters peculiarly and exclusively con-
corning the belligerents.
2. Matters between the belligerents and neu-
trails.
AS the United States will not take part in the
discussion Of subjects of the first description,
we will confne ourselves to the latter.
At Panama, the best and most opPortune &C.
casion is offered TO the United States, to Tx some
principles of international law, the unsettled
state Of which has caused much evil to humanl-
ty II is to be presumed that this Government
possesses more light upon the subject than the
other States of our hemisphere, both from Its
experience during the wars that succeeded the
French Revolution, and from its negotiations
now on foot with Great Britain and other ma
tons, relative to these principles 1t belongs
to each of the concurring parties to propose
their views, but the voice of the United States
will be heard with the respect and difference
which its early labors in work OF such impor-
tance will merit.
The manner in which al! colonization OF Eu-
ropean Powers on the American continent shall
be resisted and their interference in the present
contest between Spain and her former colonies
prevented, are other points of great Interest,"
Were it proper, an eventual alliance, In case
these events should occur, which is within the
range OF possibilities, and the treaty, OF which
no use should be made until the casuS tederes
should happen, to remain secret; or, 1t this
should seem premature, convention so antlci-
pated would be different means to secure the
Same end, of preventing foreign influence. This
is matter of immediate utility to the American
States that are at war with Spain, and is In &C
cordance with the repeated declarations and
protests of the Cabinet at Washington he
Conferences held on this subject being conhden-
rial. would increase mutual friendship, and pro-
mote the respective interests OF the parties
The consideration. of the means to be adopted
for the entire abolition of the African slave trade,
is a subject sacred to humanity, and interesting
TO the policy Of the American States. loci
feet it, their energetic, general, and UNIFORM
cooperation is desirable. AT the proposition
of the United States, Colombia made eonven-
tion with them on this subject, which has not
been ratified by the Government OF the United
States. Would that America, which does not
ahink polite what is unjust, would contribute,
in union, and with common consent, to the good
Of Africa
The descendants of this portion of the globe
have succeeded in founding an independent Re-
public, whose Government is now recognised
by its ancient metropolis. On what bases the
relations of Hayti, and Of other parts of our he
misphere that shall hereafter be in like circpm-
stances, are to be placed, is question simple
At FIRST view, but attended with serious difficult
mes when closely examined. These arise from
the different manner of regarding Africans, and
from their different rights in Hayti, the United
States. and in other American States This
Question will be determined at the Isthmus,
and, if possible, an uniform rule of conduct a
dou,ed in regard to it, or those notifications
that may be demanded by circumstances
The undersigned merely makes these sugses-