Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1826-04-13

ce Secretary OF State To Mr.. aliddiston,
Gated May 10, J i5i aud Tue letter OF
the Secretary OF State to Mr.. Salazar,I
dated December 20, 1875. Pacilicaiion
between the belhgerants is an object
which it is our most decided interest to
pursue. No single political event, per
haps, could be ed more desirable to
the United States, in reference TO their
-. industrious interests, than the termIna-
tion. OF the present contest. We suiier
every way by Its Continuance; and 1t IS
impossible that 1t should assume pro
fitable expansion with the New States.
Connected with the beIligerant rela
tons between Spain aud the New states,
IS the tate OF the Spanish Islands, par
ticuIariy Cuba. II the war continues,
the Invasion Of that island viii be at
tempted; it is all avowed subject OF dis
cussion atthe Congress. Tins is sub
iect oil the greatest moment to the OnI'
ted States, in every respect We have
an intercourse with that island, which
acts upoa our industry in all ITS branch
IS. The Moro may be regarded as a
fortress at the mouth OF the Mississippi;
and. what is infinitely more important,
" uniess Cuba should be invaded by an
Overwhelming force, such force as the
new states wiii hardly be able to orga-
me- that invaluable island may renew,
almost within sight of our shores, the
terrific example of San Domingo. Any
eifurt on the part OF the United states To
h. 10 fvn ,bux ba rh na
iy made; none could lu9tiflaoly be omit
ted. Had the g1vernnet oil the United
States, after beng invited TO attend a
conference of the ministers oil the Pow
..ers by whom that invasion is projected,
declined TO be present, they would have
been heavily re sponsible t" the people
Y for whatever disastrous effects our
friendly interference might have avert
ed or delayed.
The last general class of subjects to
be discussed and treated al Panama, ere
tie direct interests between the United
States and the new republics; unques
fionabiy, as far as we are concerned,
the most important branch Of the nego
tiations. With several of these powers
we have no treaty whatever WIN
Mexico--as appears from the CORES
pondehce between the Secretary of
State and ur. Poinsett--we have been
unable, as yet, to form treaty on sa
-tistartory conditions, and the obstacles
which have hitherto prevented this from
being done, are precisely such as are
most likely to be removed at confer
ence OF ministers of all the new states.
AT such conference, we shall, OF
course, . sSess the best opportunity of
establishing uniform and liberal rela
tons with all. The arrangements to be
made with them comprehend the great
principles of beliiserant, neutral, and
commercial law, as set forth in the gem
eral instructions to Mr.. Anderson, by
the then Secretary of State. The Uni
ted States have long been iabourlng 10
introduce into every branch of public
law principles OF liberailty, equality and
humanity, hitherto unknown in lis codes.
The various respects in which our poii-
cy, in mapy leading points OF the laws
OF war and trade, differs from that OF
Europe, are well known to the tlouse,
and need not here be stated. The he
public of Columbia, ia inviting our al
tendance at the Congress, has asked Tor
herself and ner sister Republics, the be
nefit OF our experience IN the great
school Of International politics. To re-
fuse our attendance a. the Congress,
when urged on this ground, would b, to
neglect to seize, perhaps, the talrest OPP
portunitv which the history OF the world
ever afforded, of giving wide and
prompt diffusion to- liberal doctrines OF
public law. II would certainly put it
out of our power to complain of any
policy these States might adopt, howe
yer unfriendly toward our interests, and
however vicious in principle.
Such are the views OF the committee
with respect to the several classes OF
subjects winch will be discussed at this
Congress. 1t is very obvious redec-
lion. that our attendance may have a
powerful effect in giving a character to
the assembly itself Our presence IS
particularly requested by one OF the
new States, who have joined in the in
yitation on the ground OF the "impo"-
tance and respectabijity" whi"h would
thence attach to the Congress. lhe
committee do not foresee the possibility
that. under am circumstances, the Con
gress could become an announcement n
dancerous assembly. But. if it be thor