Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-03-21


ereign and independent nations, whose territory
covered their whole surface. BY this, their inde-
pendent condition, the United Stetes enjoyed the
right of commercial intercourse with every part of
their pcss essions. To attempt the establishment
of colony in those possessions would be TO u
surp, TO the exclusion of others, commercial in
tercourse, which was the common possession Of
all. II could no, be done without encroachins
upon existing rights OF the United States. The
Government of Russia has never disputed these
positions, nor manifested the slightest dlssaiisfac
ton at their having been taken. Most of the new
American Republics have declared their entire
assent to them; and they now propose, among the
subjects OF consultation at Panama, take into
sideraon the means OF making etfectual the as
sertion OF that principle, well the means OF
| resisting interference from abroad, with the do
nestle concerns of the American Governments.
In alluding to these means, il would obviously
be premature, at this tme to anticipate that which
Is offered merely as matter for consultation, or TO
pronounce upon those measures which have been,
or may be suggested. The purpose of this Gov
eminent is, to concur in none which would import
hostility to Europe justly excite resentment, in
| any OF her States. Should il be deemed advisa-
Die TO contract any conventional engagement on
this topic, our views would extend further than
TO mutual pledge of the parties to the compact,
10 maintain the principle in application to its own
territory, and to permit colonial Judgments or
own soil; and, with respect 10 the obtrusive in
reference from abroad if its future character may
be inferred from that which has BEEN and perhaps
still is exercised in more than OF tie new
States, joint declaration of its character and
posure OF it to the world may be probably all that
| the occasion would require. Whether the United
safes should should not be parties TO such de-
clara,ion, may justly form part ofthe deberation.
That there is evil 10 be remedied, needs little
insight into the secret history of late years to
know, and that this remedy may best be concerted
at the Panama meetng deserves at least the eX
pertinent of consideration. a concer; OF measures
| having reference to the more efecual abolition of
the African slave trade, and the consideration OF
the light in which the political condition of the
Island OF Hayti is to be regarded, are also among
the subjects mentioned by the Minister from the
| Republic of Columbia, as believed TO be suitable
for deliberatioa at the Congress. The failures of
the negotiations with that Republic, undertaken
during the late Administration, for the sup
preston OF that trade, in compliance with a reso-
luton OF the House of Representatives, indicates
the expediency OF listening with respectful a,ten-
ton 10 propositions which may contribute 10 the
| accomplishment OF the great end which was the
purpose OF that resolution, while the result of those
negotiations will serve admonition to abstain
| from pedging this Government to any arrange
ment which might be expected TO fail of obtaining
the advice and consent OF the Senate, by consti-
| tu'ional majority 10 its ratification.
Whether the political condition of the Island OF
Hayti shall be brought at all into discussion at the
| meeting, may be question for preliminary advise
ment. There are in the political constitution of
Government of that People, circumstances which
! have hitherto forbidden the acknowledgment of
them by the Government Of the United States, as
sovereign and independent. Additional reasons
tor Withholding that acknowledgment have recent
ly been seen in their acceptance of nominal SOW
| Of u,Je
conditions equivalent TO the concession by Them
OF exclusive commercial advantages to one nation
adapted altogether TO the state OF colonial yassa
lage, snd retaining little OF independence but the
| name. Our Plenipotentiaries will be instructed to
present these views to the Assembly at Panama.
and should they not be concurred in, to decline
acceeding to any arrangement which may be pro-
posed different principles.
! The condition of the Islands Of Cuba and Porto
RICO Is OF deeper import and more immediate bear
ing upon the present Interests and future prospects
! OF our union. The correspondence herewith trans
United viii show how earnestly il has engaged the
attention of this Government The invasion of
both those Islands by the United forces of Next
co and Colombia, is avowedly among the objects
| 10 be maured by the belligerant States at Panama
The commissions TO which, from the peculiar COM
position of their population, they would be liable
IN the event of such invasion, and the danger
therefrom resulting of their falling Ultimately into
the hands OF some European Power, other than
Span will not admit of our looking at the conse-
quences to which the Congress at Panama NAV
lead, with Indifference. Il is unnecessary 10 en-
large upon this topic, or 10 say than that all
our efforts IN reference TO this interest will be TO
preserve the existing state of things the tranquility
OF the Islands, and the peace and security of their
| inhabitants.
And, lastly, the Congress OF Panama isbelieved
TO present fair occasion for urging upon all The
Of he he i,,s. Il
| ciples of religious liberty. Not by any interfer-
ence whatever in their internal concerns, but by
Claiming for our citizens, whose occupations or in
terests may call them TO occasional residence in
their territories, the inestimable privilege of yor
shipping their Creator according the dictates of
their own conscences. This privilege, sanction ed
| by the customary law of nations and secured BIZ
treaty stipulations in numerous national compacts;
secured even to our citizens in the treaties with
| Colombia and with the Federation OF Central A
merlca, IS yet to be obtained in the other South
American States and Mexico. Existing preiudices
are still struggling against it, which may perhaps,
be more successfully combatted at this general
meeting than at the separate seats of Government.
of each Republic.
| lean scarcely deem it otherwise than superhuous
to observe, that the Assembly will be in itsnature
diplomatic, and not legislative. That nothing can
be transacted there obligatory upon any one OF the
States to be represented at the meeting unless with
the express concurrence ofits own Representatives
nor even then, but subjcc, to the ratification of its
constitutional authorities at home. The faith of
| the United States to foreign Powers cannot other
wise be pledged. I SHALL indeed, in the first in
stance, consider the Assembly as merely CONSUL
tative; and although the Plenipotentares of the
United States will be empowered to receive and
refer to the consideration Of their Government, any
proposition from the other parties to the meeting =,
they will be authorized to conclude nothing, unless
4 al. 1.C- q =.