Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-04-14

al ihiS Congress may put to hazard our neutrality
10 'his II may be answered, that, having already
acknowledged the independence of the new states,
we nave established the right of treating them as
Tree ana independent states, as well toward Spain
as all the rest OF the world. The states are nomi-
nally at war with Spain, and Spain alone. Her
allies nave taken no part in this war. The mos,
powerful OF those allies, Great Britain has formally
acknowledged the independence of severa of these
states, and established diplomatic relations with
them. 10 these acts our part and that OF q.
Britain, Spain submits, although they not only es-
sentiaily weaken her as belIigerent, but directly
violate her colonial laws. But, if our recognition
OF each OF the States represented at the Congress,
anu our trading with them, in direct contrary ention
OF the colonial laws of SPAIN be no breach, as il
Is none, OF our neutrality, neither is our attend
ance at Diplomatic Council of all those States
united, breach ofneutrality. This is particularly
true, when /, is added, that the United States, in
stead OF going to the Congress to animate the war
against Spain, will go mediators and peace ma
Sers, to promote, by every means, a termination
OF the contest on terms honorable TO the new
States, and advantageous to Spain. This power has
already received the strongest pledges that such is
the policy OF the United States. The committee
are clearly OF opinion that, attendance at this
congress be desirable, on the part of the new
States, It is not less so OH the part OF Spain.
The next objection that may be urged against
our attendance at the Congress of Panama, is,
that 1t may involve US in enta ngling alliance
with the New States. 10 this it may be answer
ed, that the project of such an alliance is express
ly drcaiined by the President in the message re-
erred TO the Committee. In the next place, the
Congress is neither a Government nor a confede-
racy OF Governments, with which we could, by
possibility, IN the hrs instance, enter into ai-
ance, en;angling or not and lastly, even if a
negotiation for such alliance were entered into
by Our ministers, contrary TO the principles on
which, it appears from the message of the Presi-
dent, that the invitation was accepted, il would
| still remain for the treaty OF alliance TO be submit
ted to the constitutional rstfyns powers, in this
country. Whether, under these circumstances ,
our acceptance ofthe invitation can be considered
even as an approach 10 an alliance, the Committee
need not say.
II it be still objected, chat, from the nature OF
this assembly, there is danger that we. by our at
tendance, may be drawn into on alliance, it NAV
he replied, that there is no other danger of the for
nation OF an entanelins alliance, in consequence
OF this mission, than that which is incident to any
mission to any power. We have Ministers TO
France, to- Russia, to England we have had Min
listers TO European countries, at periods when very
strong temptations OF momentary interest existed,
tor forming alliances with Foreign Powers. The
COMMITTEES are not aware, that it even was suggest
ed that the least danger existed, of the formation
VI suCu dn diiidnCes ln consequence OIL such mis-
| sons. Our Minister TO France followed the
march Of the French Emperor to the confines oil
Russia, BIZ, no one surmised that we projected an
alliance with him, although we we've, al the time
engaged In war with his other chief enemy, Grea,
Britain. Yet il is plain, that the way to an ALI
ance is much more direct, in an ordinary mission
| than in that perpendicular our minister is ac-
credited to foreign sovereign, particularly an alb
solute one, he is accredited TO party competent
to form alliance, without further delay or ute-
rior responsibility. While, on the other hand our
Ministers TO Panama will be accredited TO other
Ministers, no more competent than our own 10
pledge their Governments
Farther, it is particularly to be observed, that
| an alliance, with any one of the new Republics
would be fully entangling as an alliance with
them all They all at war, and with the same
enemy. They stand in alliance, offensive and de
| tensive, with each other. Precisely the same
consequences, therefore, would result from the
| formation of alliance with either of them Co.
| lombia, for instance, as with all of them If
then, the danger OF being drawn into an alliance
requires US to abstain from attending the Congress.
at Panama, the same danger with equal force, re.
quires Us 10 withdraw all diplomatic connection
with these new States.
But, IN truth, this suggestion of the danger o!
an alliance incident TO diplomatic mission, car
| ries with it so direct reflection on the wisdom
and fidelity OF the lreaty-making power, as lodg-
ed in the hands CT the President and Senate, that
the Committee, GU, of proper respect to the co.
ordinate branches OF the Government will not lon
| ger consider il.
| TO BE Continued
A III