Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-04-21

'No's W ot'pClale IN some form, (anQ
care not IN what,) that we will resist any attempt
al colonization by the Powers of Europe in this
heinisPneIe, Tor within our own borders if YOU
Pease') and that in the event of any interference
on thelr part, in the struggle between Spain and
the spanish American States, we will make COM
mon cause with the latter in resisting it, To this
end we have been invited and upon these points
we have promised that our ministers shall have
Ju1 Potoers. We must do this, or the whole af-
iar becomes empty psgeantry; which though it
may De the offspring OF personal ambition, will as
suredly terminate in national disgrace. Cali it an
"!Iiahce' or Whatever name you please, ii is
PoIt1cdt connection, AT war with the established
polcy oil our Government. And is this light
matter: Sir, when it is proposed TO subvert fun
uaihehiaI principle in our foreign policy, in the
support OF which we stand ALONE among all the
nations OF the earth--which, commencing with our
government is enaeared TO the people, and upon
whose deep foundations has been erected the mag
innocent superstructure of unequaled national pros
perity; surely becomes those entrusted with thh
management OF affairs 10 pause, and weigh, wit.
Scrupulous exactness, the importance of the step.
In the discussion OF this SUBJECT shall FIRST con-
slider the general principle; then the grounds of the
distinction attempted 10 be made between its appli-
cation 10 the Spanish American States and 10
those OF Europe. At this moment the United
States (thanks 10 The wisdom of their early coun-
seis.) are unlettered. No Government has right
interference IN any OF Tie chan
ges In the condition of the world come what
may, we are now unembarrassed in our'choice.
Unti lately, had fiattered myself that the ac-
knowiedged obligation on the part of our Govern
ment to maintain that condition, was as firmly
hXed as ITS Republican character. had the best
reason to think So because knew it be
principle in our public policy, which had for its
support all that is instructive in experience all
that is venerable in authority. That authority is
no less than the parting admonions of the Father
OF his Country. The earnest, eloquent, and i'm
pressIVe appeals upon this subject, contained in
ms Farewell Address, are yet, and will, / trust,
long remain fresh in recolections nor were the
sentiments he thus avowed mere speculative opini
ons, founded upon an abstract consideration of the
subject. NO. they were sentiments matured by re-
Election, and confirmed by actual experience, of
the practical results which had arisen from a con-
nection OF the character he so ardeniIy and so
justly deprecated. a reference to the history of
that period will illustrate the fact, and is repeie
with instruction. During the war of our RevoIu-
ton, we entered into alliance with France
g the essential and direct end of which was to
maintain etfectually the liberty, sovereignty, and
lAdsRsRgasa %e tie id 5S 6lfe Go, sshs9gs and
commerce" BY the treaty ofalliance, we. in con-
sderation OF the guarantee by France of the free
dom and independence of the United States. un-
dertook, on our part, to guaranty to France the
| possessions she then had in America The revo-
luton in France involved that country in war
with the principal Powers of Europe. Her l.
merIcan possessions were brought in danger; and.
among other things, claimed under the treaty. of
alliance, she called upon US for the fulfilmen of
our guarantee. At no period of our history has
our Government been placed in more buniIia-
ting and embarrassing situation. The signal hem
ehts we had received from France were known to
the world, and fully appreciated by our citizens.
Upon the terms OF the compact there could he n n
dispute. The consideration upon which we had
entered into it, of the most sacred character
| but the danger OF compliance was imminent and
| prevailed over every other consideration. REM
sing itself upon the great principle of selfpreser
Udti0n principle extending itself as well to ma
lions as individuals our Government refused IN
comply with its engagement; and General Wash
! ngton issued his celebrated proclamation of neu
! trality. The grounds relied upon to iustrv the
step were, that our alliance was defensire ono
only; hat the war, on the part Of France was an
| offensive war, in which were not OBLIGED. bv
the law OF nations, TO take part; that the contest
was, moreover, so unequal, and our means so ina
dequate, that, upon the principle of self-preserva-
ton, we were justified in refusing TO take mar.
with our ally 1t was not expected that France
! would acquiesce in the validity of The c-o,,,L
thus taken. She did not The loud solay,1 rro
tests of her Ministers are remembered: ss. sIso ,L
measures resorled to for the purpose of obtaining
ibuhtCliJs SOilt Vi lUc advantages Claimed from
the alliance: such as fitting out vessels of war in
Cur ports, and enlisling our ciizensin her service
England demonstrated, made strong imputations Of
partIality against our Observation-Disclosures
founded on suspicious growing out of the known
connection between US and France-and resorted
TO similar means to annoy her enemies and commi,
our neutrality. General Washington found il i'm.
possible to satisfy either party Of the strict imUsr.
TALLY that governed conduct The resul,
was war, in fact, with France and many of tho
evils OF war with England. She enforced against
our commerce new and unustifiable PRINCIPLES nj
public law on the subject ofblockades and articles
contraband Of war. The sagocious mind of Wash
ington, and the great men who enioyed his conf
dence, traced the multiplied embarrassp,ents
OF the country at that trying PERIOD to the treatD
n Of alliance NTH France. Had il not been 10,
that, the task OF preserving our neutrality wopld
have been comparatively, easy There would
then have been wanting those great sources Of dis
cord, unsatisfied claims Of right on the part Of one
belgerent, and food for jealousy on the other
II was under deep conviction Of this truth. that
that inestimable man was induced to address HE
counirymen IN Language like this. will make No
apology Tor reading 1t. hope TO God that the
time will never arrive when an apology will b,
necessary for reading sny thing to an America
Senate emanaling from him, and bearing upon a
question before il.
Extracts from the FarctccH .4ddrcss nj f,cn.
raj Washington
The great rule Of conduct for us, in regard Ia
foreign nations, is, in extending our commercial
relations, 10 have with them as little political
connection as possible So Ear as we have al
j ready formed engagements. let them be fulfilled
] with perfect good iaith.-Herc let US stop.
Europe has set Of primacy interests. which
TO Us have none, OF very remote relaiion.-
+ Hence, she must be engaged in frequent roptro-
VERSES, the causes o which are esssn,i,llv 10.