The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-03-29

ton OF private war upon the ocean. And IT
not yet iatter ourselves that this may be accomplish
ed, advances towards il, the establishment of the
principle that the friendly flag shall cover the CARGO
the curailment of contraband of war, and the pro.
scrption OF fictitious paper bockades, engagements
which, We may reasonably hope, will not prove i'm
practicable will, if successfully nculcated, rebound
propotionaby to our honour and drain the fountain
Of many future war.
The late President Of the United States, in his
message TO Congress, of the I'd OF Dec. 1928, while
announcing the negotiation then pending with Russia,
relating to the North West Coast OF this continent
observed that the occasion Of the discussions to which
that incident had given RISE had been taken, for as
sorting as principle, in which the rights and nte-
rests of the United States involved, that the
American continents, by the free and independent
condition which they had assumed and maintained,
were thencetorward not to be considered subjects
for future colonization by any European power.''
The principle had first been assumed in that negotia-
ton with Russia. 1t rested upon course of reason
ing equally simple and conclusive With the excep-
ton OF the existing European Colonies, which il was
In no wise intended to disturb fine two continents con-
sisted of several sovereign ana independent nations
whose territories covered their whole surface By
this their independent condition, the United Ststes
Joyed 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 inter-
course which the common possession of all. 1t
could not be done without encroaching upon existing
rights of the United States The Government of
Russia has never disputed these positions, nor mani
tested the slightest dissatisfaction at their having
been taken. Most of the new American Republics
have declared their entire assent to them. and thew
now propose, among the subjects of consultation at
Panama, to take into consideration the means of max
ing effectual the assertion of that principle as we'll
as the means Of resisting interference from abroad
win the domestic concerns of the American Govern
ments.
In abiding to these means, it would be obviously
premature, at this time, to Anticipate mat winch is
offered merely matter for consultation or to pro-
nounce upon those measures which have been may
be suggested. The purpose of this government is to
concur in none which would import hostility to Eu-
rope or justly excite resentment in any of her States
Should be deemed advisable to contract any con-
ventonal engagement on this topic, our views would
extend further than TO mutual pledge of the par
ties to the compact to maintain the principle in APP
pllcatlon to its own Territory, and to permit colo
NAL Judgments or establishments, of European juris-
dIcton, upon its own soil: and with respect to the
obtruslve interference from abroad, if its future char
acter may be inferred from that which has been, and,
perhaps, still is, exercised in more than one Of the
new States, joint declaration Of its character and
exposure of It to the world may be probably all that
the occasion would require. Whether the United
States should should not be parties to such decla
ration may justly form part of the deliberations
hat there is an evil TO be remeded, needs little in
sight into the secret history of late years to know
and that this remedy may best be concerted at the
Panama meeting, deserves at least the experiment oil
consideration.
A concert of measures having reference to the
ehecual abolition of the African slave-trade, and the
consideration of the light in which the political
dition OF the island of Hayt be regarded, al
so among the subjects mentioned by the Minister
from the Republic of Colombia believed to be suit
able for deliberations at the Congress. The failure
of the negotiations with that Republic, undertaken
during the late Administrations for the suppression of
that trade, in compliance with resolution of the
House of Representatives, indicates the expediency
of listening with respectful attention to propositions
which may contribute to the accomplishment of the
great end which was the purpose of that resolution,
while the result of those negotiations will adj
montion to abstain from pledging this Government to
any arrangement which might be expected to fail of
obtaining the advice and consent of the Senate, by
constitutional majority, to its ratification.
Whether the political condition of the island of
Hayt shall be brought at all into discussion at the
meeting, may be a question for preliminary advise
ment. There are in the political constitution of gov
eminent of that people, circumstances which have
hitherto forbidden the acknowledgment of them by
the Government Of the United States sovereign and
independent. Additional reasons for Withholding
that acknowledgment have recently been seen in
their acceptance of nominal sovereignty by the grant
of foreign Prince, under conditions equivalent TO the
concession by them of exclusive commercial advan-
tageso nation, adapted altogether to the state
of colonial vassaage and retaining little ofindepend
ence but the Our PlenipoteniaTies will be in
sructed to present these views to the assembly at
Panama aud should they not be concuned in to
decline acceding to any arrangement which may be
proposed on different principles
The condition of the islands of Cuba and Porto Ri
co.. is of deeper import, and more immediate bearing
upon the present interests and future prospects of
Union. The correspondence herewith transmitted
will show how earnestly it has engaged the attention
of this Government. The invasion Of both the islands
by those united forces of Mexico and Colombia, is
avowedy among the objects to be matured by the
belligerent States at Panama. The convulsions to
which, from the peculiar composition of their popua-
ton, they would be liable in the event of such an in
vasion and the danger there from resulting of their
falling ultimately into the hands of some European
power other than Span will not admit of our looking
at the consequences to which the Congress at Pana-
ma may lead with Indifference. 1t is unnecessary to
enlarge upon this topic, orto say more than that all
efforts in reference to this interest will be to pre-
the existing state of things; the tranquility of
the islands, and the peace and security of their in
habitants.
And lastly, the Congress of Panama is believed to
present fair occasion for urging upon all the new
nations of the South the just aud liberal principles of
Religious Liberty, not by any interference whatever
10 their internal concerns, but by claiming for our cit
lzens, whose occupations interests may call them to
occasional residence in herterritores, the iuestma-
BILE privilege OF worshppmg their Creator according to
the dictates OF their consciences This privilege
sanctioned by the customary Law Of Nations and Sc