Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-03-20

stone Of all our future relations with them, was
disinerestedaess; the next, was col dial good will
to them; the third was claim OF fair and equal
reciprocity. Under these impressions, when
the invitation was formally and earnestly given,
had it even. been doubtful, whether any OF the
objects proposed for consideration and discus
sion at the Congress, were such as that imme-
diate and important interests of the U. States
would be affected by the issue, should never
theIess have determined, SO far as it depended
upon me, 10 have accepted the invitation, ana
to have appointed ministers to attend the meet
ing. The proposal itself implied that the ke-
publics by whom it was made, beAeced, that I'M
portant interests of ours or of theirs, rendered
our attendance there desirable. ihey had CIV
en- us notice. that, in the novelty OF their situa-
ton, and in the spirit of Difference to our eNPe-
rience, they would be pleased TO have the Gene
fit of our friendly counsel. To meet the tenn
per with which this proposal was made, win
cold renulse. was no. thought congenial to that
warm interest in their welfare, with which the
PeonIe and Government of the Union had HI
therto gone hand in hand, through the whole
progress of their Revolution. 10 insult them
nv g refn.aI of their overture, and then invite
them 10 a similar assembly, TO be called by our
itself 10 the mind. | would have sent ministers
to the meeting, had it been merely TO give them
such advice as they might nave desired, even
with reference to their ocn interests, not lnvoV-
ing ours. would have sent them had II been
merely to explain and set forth to them our rea-
sons for declining any proposal ofspeclnc mea-
sures 10 which they might desire our concur
renee, but which we might deem incompatible
with our interests or our duties. In the inter-
course between nations, temper is missionary.
perhaps more powerful than talent, Nothing
was ever lost by kind treatment Nothing can
be gained by sullen repuises and aspiring pre-
tensions.
But objects ofthe highest importance, not on
ly 10 the futare welfare Of the whole human
race, but bearing directly upon the special in
teres;s of this Union, ,cW engage the delibera
tions Of the Congress Of Panama, whether we
are represented there or not Others, if we are
represented, may be offered by our. plenipolen-
tiaries, for consideration, having in view both
these great results, our own interests, and the
improvement Of the condition of man upon
earth. 1t may be, that, In the lapse OF many
centuries, no other opportunity 20 favorable,
will be presented to the Government OF the u
nited States, 10 subserve the benevolent purpos-
es of Divine Providence, TO dispense the pro-
missed blessings Of the Redeemer Of mankind; to
promote the prevalence in future ages of Peace
on earth and good will. to man, as will now be
placed in their power, by participating in the
deliberations of this Congress.
Among the topics enumerated in official pa
pers, published by the Republic Of Colombia,
and adverted TO in the correspondence now
oil Nv into pJ tn, ha
presented for discussion, al Panama, there is
scarcely one in which the result of the meeting
will not deeply affect the interests of the United
States. Even those in which the belligerent
states alone will take an active part, will have
powerful effect upon the state Of our relations
with the American, and probably with the prin
might be correctly and speedily informed of the
proceedings of the Congress, and of the pro-
gress and issue Of their negotiations, should
hold il advisable, that we should have an accre-
dited agency with them, placed in such conf
dental relations with the other members, as
would ensure the authenticity and the safe and
early transmission Gifts reports. of the same
enumerated topics, are the preparation OF ma
nifesto, setting forth to the world the justice OF
their cause, and the relations they desire to hold
with other Christian powers and to form con-
vention Of Navigation and Commerce, applica-
bic both TO the Confederated States and to their
allies
twill be within the recollection Of the House,
that immediately after the close of the war OF
our independence, measure closely analogous
to this Congress of Panama, was adopted by
the Congress of our Confederation, and for pur-
poses of precisely the same character. Three
Commissioners, with Plenipotentiary powers,
were appointed to negotiate Treaties OF Amlty,
Navigation and Commerce, with all the prin-
cipal powers Of Europe. They met and resi-
ded for tina, purpose about one year at Paris ;
and the only result of their negotiations at that
time, was the first Treaty between the United
States and Prussia, memor able in the diploma
tic annals Of the world, and precious as mo-
nument of the principles, in relation to Com
merce and Maritime warfare, with which our
country entered upon her career as member
Of. the great family of Independent nations
This Treaty, prepared in conformity with the
instructions Of the American Plenipotentiaries,
consecrated three fundamental principles OF the
foreign intercourse, which the Congress OF that
period were DESTROYS Of establishing. First,
equal reciprocity, and the mutual stipulation OF
the privileges of the most favored nation i'll the
commercial exchanges of Peace. Secondly,
the abolition Of private war upon the ocean !;
all, thirdly, restrictions favorable to neutral
commerce, upon beiligerent practices, with re-