Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-04-07
DrrARrMrN.r OF SrATE.


binary and Minister Penpotcntiary of the United States,
10 Mexico, dated
DErARTaIENr OF STATE,
HGSbin%tOn, 25th .HaTch, 1890
The mission, which tire President wishes you,
with all practicable despatC 20 depart, would, at any
fine, be highly important, but possesses at this moment
peculiar interest. Every where, this continent but
the side of the United Mexican States. the United
States touched by the Colonial Territories of
Sovereign authority fixed in Europe. You the first
Minister, actually leaving the United States to reside
rear Sovereign Power established and exerted on this
Continent whose Territories conteTmnous with our
own You will probably be the first Minister received
by that Power from foreign State except from those
which have recently sprung ont OF Spanish America
The United Mexican States, whether we regard their
present fortune bring 10 recollection their ancient
history and fortunes entitled 10 high consideration.
In point populations position, and resources, they must
be allowed 10 rank amongst the first Powers of America
In contemplating the progress in them, towards cviiza
ton, which the Aborisues had made at the epoch of
the Spanish inYasiOn, and the incidents connected with
the Spanish conquest whch ensucd, irresistible inter
est IS excited, which not surpassed be cquaed by
that which Is awakened iii perusing the early history
any other part 0! America. But what gives. with the
PRESIDENT 10 your mission peculiar Importance al this
time that II has for its principal object TO lay, for the
first time the foundations of an intercourse Of amy,
commerce, navigation ana nes"5ourhood which may
exert powerful iulueucc for long period, upon the
prosperity OF buih States.
"In more particularly ting your attention 10 the
objects which should engage H. your mission, will,
In the FIRST place, refer YOU 10 the general Instructions
N'lca were by predecessor, tie 2T;h MAY
1923, to MIR. Andcrson tie Minister Of the u. States
at Colombia, OF wtich COPY is annexed and which are
to be considered Incorporated in these. SO far they
are applicable alike 10 The condition OF Colombia and OF
exlco, and shall net be varied in this subsequent let
fers you will view them forming guide for your
duct In that letter Of the eth of May, the principles
winch have regulated the of this Government, in
respect To the contest between Spanish America and
Spain, from lis origin, clearly stated explained and
indicated, and the bases OF those upon which il dcsra-
BILE To place the future intercourse between the United
States ard The several governments hch have been
tabiished IN Spanish America, laid down. So that,
although that letter intended to furnish Instructions
for the American Minister epued to one of these Go
Hetrmcnis only II Should be contemplated unfolding
system Of relations which il is expelen 10 establish
with ali Of them.
From that letter, well as from notorious public
facts, II clearly appears that The People and the Gov
eminent OF the United States have alike tbrouciuu all
tie stages of the struggle between Spain and tie form
er Colonies, cherished the warnest feelings and the
strongest sympathies towards the latter that the estab
ishncnt of their independence and freedom has been
anxousiy desired; that the recognition Of that ndepen-
dence was made early ii POSSIBLE consistently
with those just considerations of policy and duty Which
this Government felt itself bound entertain towards
h0 parties; and that, in point OF fact, with tie excep-
ton OF the act of the Portuguese Brazilian Government
10 which 1t was prompted by sc-irterest, and which
preceded that of the United States only few months
this Government las been the first the respOn
sibity and encounter the hazard, of recognising the
Governments which have been formed out OF Spanish
America. III there were ever any ground for imputng
10
toi as respects other parts OF what formerly
Spanish America there is the slightci preext for
such suggestion in relation to Mexico For within
httc more than year after It's independence pro-
claimed, the United States FASTENED Acknowledged, it,
lcy have claimed, and do not now claim any ne
cnaT favor or concession to their naviga
ton, as the consideration of the liberal policy Which
they have observed towards those Governments. But
TIE President does confidently expect that the priority
al movement part which has disconceI ted plans
W"ch the IufoPean Allies were contemplating against
the independent Governments, and which has no doubt
tended to accelerate similar acts OF recognition b tbe
European Powers and especially that of Great Britain
Will form powerful motive with our Southern neirh
nors- and particularly with Mexico for DENYING 10 the
commerce and navigation o. those European States any
favor or privileges which shall not be equally extended
10 US"
You viii bring 10 The notice of the Mexican Gov
er'in'nt the message of the dte President of the Uni
feG states TO their Congress the % December t8l3
asserting certain important principles Of Ber-contincn
TAI law, IN tic relations Of Europe and America The
inst principle asserted IN that message, is that the
American Continents arc not hcnceorlh to be cons-
dered as uJieCts or future colonization hv any Euro
rcan Powers. In the maintenance Of hat principlc
ali the independent Governments Of America have an
INTEREST," but that Of tho United States has probably the
least. Whatever foundation may have existed ihrec
centuries ago, even at later period, when all this
Continent under European sublectiOn for tle c,ta
bishmcnt of rule, founded priority Of discovery
and occupations for appoliouing among the Powers o.
Europe parts OF this Continent uouc can DC now admit
tel applicable 10 is prc5eD. condition. There is no
disposition to disturb The colonial possessions, tcy
may now exist Of any of thc European Powers but il
IS against tie establishment of European colonies
UPoa this continent that thc prucipc is directed The
countries 10 which any siob establishments rnirnt
h. attempted, open 10 he enterprise and com
ueTce Of all Americans. And the justice or propriety
Canno. be recognized, OF arbitrarily limiting and cir
culnscriong that cnerprizc and commerce. by the act
~ voluntarily planting colony, without tie con
s'ut Of America under tho ar,picos Of foreign Poy
belonging to another and distant continent. Europe
would be indignant at any American atempf 10 plant
colony any part Of shores and her Justice must
perceive IL The rule coatcndo for only perfect reel
proyhy.
81 nc oheT principle asserted in lie message IS that.
Whilst we do not desire 10 interfere in ErrO;c witt, the
political system ltc Allied Powers we should regard
as 6anEerors :" oHrPcaoc aud safety, any attempt on
tbeir part; ~ ezgeud Scr system any portion Of this