Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-03-21

Piempotenliaries, Tor considerations, having IN we"
both these great results, interests, and the I'M.
provement OF the condition Of man upon earth. IL
may be- that III the lapse of many centuries no DINER
opportunity, SO favorable, will be presented 10 the Go
ye'nment of the United States, 10 subserve the benc'o
lent purposes of Divine Providence TO dispense the
promised blessings of the Redeemer OF maniSiud to
promote the prevalence in future ages OF Peace on earth
and good Will TO man, will now be placed In their
power by participating in the deliberations OF THIS
Congress.
Among the topics enumerated in official papers, pub
lshed by the Republic of Colombia, and advered to IN
the correspondence communicated 10 the House, as
intended 10 be presented for discussion, at Panama
there scarcely in which the result of the meeting
Will not deeply affect tue interests of the United States
Even those in which the bellgerent states alone will
take an active part will have powerful effect upon
the state of relations with Tie American, and pro-
badly with the principal European States. Were il
merely that we might be correctly and speedily inform
ed OF the proceedings OF the Congress, and of the pro
gress and issue oil their negotiations, should hold II adj
visablc, that should have accredited agency with
them placed in such confidential relations with the
other members, would ensure tie authenticity ana
the safe and early transmission OF its reports. OF the
same enumerated topics the preparation OF a mani
feso, setting iot TO the world the Justice OF their
and the relations they desire to hold with other Chris
tian powers; and 10 form convention Of Navigation
and Commerce, applicable both 10 the Coniedera,cd
States and to their allies.
Ii will be within tho recollection of tho House, tina
Immediately after the close of the Of ndepcn
dcnce, closely analogous 10 this Congress o.
Panama, adopted by the Congress of our Confcdcr
aon, and for purposes OF precisely the character
Three Commissioners, with PIcnpotcnary powers
were appointed 10 negotiate Treaties of Amy, Navi-
CATION and Commerce, with MI the principal powers
Europe. They met and resided for that purpose about
year ut Paris and the only result Of their negoa
tions at TINT time, the first Treaty between the Uni
ted States and Prussia memorable in the diplomatic
nails of tue world, and precious monument of the
principles, in relation TO Commerce and Maritime war
fare, with which country entered upon her
member of the great family of Independent nations
This Treaty, prepared in conformity with the instruc
tons of the American Plcnipotcnares, consecIated
three fundamental principles of the foreign intercourse
which the Congress of that period were DESTROYS Of es
tablishing. First equal reciprocity. and the mutual
stipulation Of the privileges of the favored nation
IN the commercial exchanges Of Peace Secondly, The
abolition of private war upon the ocean; and, thirdly
restrictions favorable 10 neutral commerce, upon bcli
gerent pracices with regard 10 cOnrahand of and
blockades. painful, ii may be said calantous ex-
pertence, OF more than forty years, has demonstrated
the deep Importance Of these principles, to the
peace and prosperity Of this nation and the welfare
of all thine States, and has Illustrated the profound
wisdom with which they assumed cardinal points
of the policy of the L mon.
At that time, the infancy their politcal cXis
tcnce, under the influence of those principles of liberty
and OF right, SO congenial to the cause in which they
had Just fought and trumpcd, they were able but to
obtain the sanction of one great and philosophical
though absolute Soy creign in Europe, to their liberal
and enlightened principles. They could obtain no nor
Since then political hurricane has gone over Three
ourths of the civilized portions of the EARTH the desc
ation of which, it may with confidence be expected is
passing away, leaving at least the American atmosphere
purified and refrcshed.-And now, al this propous mo-
ment, the newborn nations of this hemisphere assem-
bling by their Representatives, at the sthus between
It's two continents TO settle the principles OF their future
International intercourse with other nations and with
us, ask, in tins great exigency for our advice upon
those very fundamental maXims, hich from era
die had first proclaimed and partially succeeded 10 in
trOduce into the code of y atona Law
TO That ota troti,,n nc
trial and commercial rights which marked the progress
OF The late European wars, and which finally involved
the United States in them and adverting only our
political relations with these American Nations il is OBJ
eryabe that while all other respects those relation,
have been uniformly, and without exception of the most
friendly and mutually satfactory character the only
causes OK difference and discussion between and them
"ich ever have arisen, originated in those failing
fountains Of discord and irritation, determinations o.
commercial favor to other nations centious prvateers
and paper blackades. / cannot, without doing inius
uce TO the Republics OF Duenos Ayres and Colombia
ioroear TO acknowledge the candid and conciliatory
SPIRIT with which they have repeatedly welded TO OH
friendly representations and remonsrances on these
SUBJECTS In repeating dscrminatiye laws which ope
rated 10 our disadvantage and in revokng the commits
SONS OF Their prYatcers. To which Colombia has ad
ded the magnaninity Of making PREPARATION for unav
ul captures by of her cruisers and of asscntinp
IN The midst OF War, to treaty sPulations favorable tc
nehtTal navigation. But the recurrence Of the occa
SONS of complaint has rendered the renewal of the dis
GUS ons which result in the removal of them necessary
while IN the mean time injuries are sustained by mer
chants, and other individuals of the United States
which cannot be repaired, and the remedy fingers il
oyertakig the pernicOus operation of the mischief
The settlement of general principles, pervadng Will
equal efficacy all the American States, can alone pu
an end TO these evils, and can alone be accommodated
the proposed Assembly.
IT 1T be true that the nobcst treaty of peace cve1
mentioned III history, is that by which the Carthagen
ans were bound to abolish the practice of sacrificing
thelr own chlldrcn' because HWns stipulated IN faror
H1,iHnn nature, tb
ding glory with which these United States will rc
forth in the memory of future ages it. by their friendi,
counsel by their moral Influence by the power of ar.
gumeht and persuasion alone, they lcan prevail upor
the American nations at Panama to stipuate by gene
rat agreement among themselves, and far as any Of
them may be concerned, the perpetual abolition OF
private war upon the ocean And if we cannot vet
natter ourselves that this may be accomplished as adj
Yanccs towards IT. the establishment of the principle
that the friendly flag shall the cargo the crrail-
ncnt OF contraband of war, and the prescription OF
h'ttious paper blockadcs; engagements which we may
reasonably hope VIII not prove impracticable, will il
successfully nculcatcd, redound proportionalv to our