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


tyes. at the Isthmus, between its two continents,
to settle the principles OF their future lnterna-
tional intercourse with other nations and with
US. ask, in this grea, exigency, for our advice,
upon those very Fundamental maxims, which we
from our cradle had first proclaimed and par
tally succeeded 10 introduce into the code Of
National Law.
Without recurring to that total prostraton
Of all neutral and commercial rights, which
marked the progress Of the late European wars,
and which finally involved the United States in
Them, and adverting only to our political rea-
lions with these American Nations, it is OBJ
seryable that while in all otner respects, those
relations have been uniformly, and without ex-
ception of the most friendly and mutually salts
factory character, the only causes OF difference
and dissention between us and them, which ever
have arisen, originated in the never failing foun-
tains of dscord and irritation, determinations
of commercial favor to other nations, licentious
privateers, and paper blockades. | cannot,
without doing injustice to the Republics of
Buenos Ayres and Colombia, !orbear to acknow-
ledge the candid and concilatory spirit, with
which tney have repeatedly yielded TO ourfriend-
ly representations and remonslrances on these
subjects: In repeating diScriminatve laws
which operated TO our disad vantage, and in re.
voking the commissions Of their privateers-
10 which Colombia has added the magnanimi-
ty OF making reparation for unlawful captures
by some of her cruisers, and Of asserting, in
the midst of War, to treaty s,ipulatiohs favora-
bic TO neutral navigation. But the recurrence
OF these occasions of complaint has rendered
the renewal the discussions, which resulted in
l.
mean time injuries are sustained by merchants,
and other individuals Of the United States,
which cannot be repaired, and the remedy lin
ge.s in overtaking the pernicious operation CT
the mischief. The settlement of general prin-
ciples, per, aiding with equal efficacy all the
American States, can alone put an end to these
evils, and can alone be accomplished at the pro-
posed Assembly.
If it be true that the noblest treaty Of peace,
ever mentioned in history, is that by which the
Carthagenans were bound TO abolish the prac
lice of sacrificing their own children, because it
,cas stipulated in taror Of human nature, cannot
exaggarate to myself the unlading glory, with
which these United States will go forth in the
memory Of future ages, if, by their friendly
counsel, by their moral influence, by the power
ofargument and persuasion alone, they can pre-
vail upon the American nations at Panama TO
stipula,e, by general agreement among them
selves, and so far as any of them may be con-
cerned, the perpetual abolition Of private war
upon the ocean. And if we cannot yet f1atter
ourselves, that this may be accomplished, as ad-
vances towards il, the establishment OF the prin-
ciple, that the friendly flag shall cover the car
SO, the curlalment Of contraband of war, and
the. prescription Of fictitious paper blockadss;
engagements which we may readily hope will
not prove impracticable, will, if successfully
inculcated, rebound proportona5ly to our no.
nor, and drain the fountain of many future
saAguinary war. The late President OF the T.
nied States, in his Message TO Congress, of
the ID OF December, 1928, while announcing the
negotiation then pending with Russia, relating
to the north west coast of this continent, OBJ
served, that the occasion Of the discussions to
which that incident had given rise, had been
taken as asserting for principle, in which the
rights and interests Of the United States wSre
involved, that the American continents, by the
free and independent position which they had
assumed and maintained, were thenceforward
not to be considered as subjects for future colo
nizaton by any European Power The princi-
pie had first been assumed in that negotiation
with Russia. 1t rested upon course of rea-
sonipg equally simple and conclusive. With
the exception of the existing European colonies,
which it was in TO wise intended to disturb, the
two continents consisted Of several sovereign
and independent nations, whose territory cover
ed their whole surface. BY this, their indepen-
dent condition, the United States enjoyed the
right of commercial intercourse with every part
Of their possessions. To attempt the establish
ment of colony in those possessions would be
to usurp, to the exclusion of others, a CONNER
cial intercourse, which was the common pos
session Of all. II could not be done without
encroachng upon existing rights OF the United
States. The Government Of Russia has never
disputed these POSITIONS nor manifested the
slightest dissatisfaction at their having been Ia
ken. Most of the new American Republics
have declared their entire assent 10 them; and
they now propose, among the subjects OF con-
sultation at Panama, to take into consideration
the means Of making effectual the assertion OF
that principle, as well as the means Of resisting
interference from abroad, with the domestic
concerns of the American Governments
In abiding 10 these means, 1t would obvious
ly be premature, at this time, 10 anticipate that
which is offered merely as matter for consulta-
ton; or TO pronounce upon those measures
which have been, or may be suggested. The
purpose of this Government is, 10 concur IN
none which would import hostility 10 Europe,ol
Justly excite resentment in any OF he r States