Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-03-31
VOL. UI.-No. 10.

TO proclaim the sovereignty and independence. of these
states, gave 10 them the strongest pledge of respect
ana cordial friendship, and sincere anxiety for their
prosperity.
Since that event, Ministers have been despafcheJ IN
each OF these new Republics instructed TO declare the
sentiments sincerely and warmly felt for them by the
United States, and empowered 10 conclude treaties Will,
the' the objects OF which should be- TO establish upo,,
principles Of tie most perfect Justice and ecuifv all
the ordinary relations that exist between nations
nus ihnch was due no less 10 them than ourselves;
and IN going far, did all That our feelings dictated
anu the Interests of either seemed then 60 REQUIRE
Nhat necessity has SIEGE arisen 10 do tno,ea What
cause exists now 10 prompt the United States to estab-
iish new and stronger relations with them, and so 10
abandon that rule OF coudct which has hitherto been
here so steadily and happily pursued
these inquiries necessarily called the attention OF TIE
committee 10 minute examination of all the documents
to them referred, in order that they might therein dis
cover the reasons assigned by the States Amer
ca Tor desiring the United States to he represented at
the Congress about 10 be assembled at Panama and the
motives OF the President for ntnatng his willingness TO
accept the invitation. And in making such an exa,nn-
aton' many reflections presented themselves as
nected with the proposed measure all of hich the com
mittee will now state to the Senate.
In government, constituted that Of the United
States in which ;lc sentiment natural to freemen
prompts them to scruDze most exactly the extent of
all the powers they grant and to limit this exten. By the
OBJECTS desired TO be accomplished by their exercise
the strongest anxiety is land, it be hoped ALWAYS
VIII bel le to learn distinctly what is the rreci.c cti:ct
desired 10 he attained, and what the precise means
proposed for lis attainment. Even the confidence u,
posed IN the ongtried patriotism and wei! proved Wis
Dom OF our own hest citizens does not and ought ~.
10 snhce toquet this anXiciy. this icaIojg
inspired By an ardent attachment TO rights ana ri.
veses 1t was, therefore, much be desired and Ger
taiy TO have been expected that before tie 2es,nies
oil the United States should be committed To The dcbc-
lalion and decision Of Congress coCosad not OF our
own citizens, but of the reprcse natives frnaoy ojc-
cnt nations that the objects ofsuch deliberations should
be most accurately stated ai, defined, and the manner
OF thcr accomplishment clearly and distinctly marked
out.
In this OPINION the President himself seems 10 have
concurred at The commencement of this negotiation:
Tor, IN the report made to him the 20i Of Dece nbor
last, by the Secretary OF State this officer states that
aSrecably 10 ms directions he had informed the Minis
tiers, by whom the invitation to the proposed Compress
at Panama given. that "bcore such Congress as
semb!ed, ii appeared 10 the President to be cpcdient
to adjust, between the different Powers TO be rcnresen
CO. several preliminary points, such the subjects 10
(which the attention of the Congress was TO be direct
''ed the nature and the form of the powers to be given
$50 lie diplomatic agents who compose it, and
'the mode OF lis organization and actionD And il
was made all express and previous condition to tie ac
cepiance o; the imitation proposed 10 be given that
'these preliminary points should be arranged in Il man
'''cr satisfactory 10 the United Sta, -
Ii was therefore, not without mucii SUNRISE and prcat
regret 'at tie committee discovered, that, although in
none OF tie communications subsequently nale 10 Ills
Government, by either OF the Ministers Of the eyer;
States By whom this invitation gwen, are these pre-
ga compi ancc with these conditionsnis expressly no
ccd IN tic reply made to them BY the Secretary of
State, yet they therein tod that tie Preside had
determined cat once" 10 sond Commissioners 10 this
Congress at Panama, provided the Senate would advise
anI coIse- o such measure.
H. then. ne SENATE shotd now demand OF This com
mtee 10 inform them what are the objects to be accom-
pshcd 4; '''s Congress, and what the means hy
which their accomplishment to be efec!ed-altoucli
10 objects, the documents refer red 10 them will ena
bic The committee to name ew-ye, as 10 all Others
they e''st answer IN the language ofthe communication
made hy tie Mex lean Minister that they are those s.to
which the existence of the States may give rise
and which it is not easy point or cnuneraen As
10 the means, however, the committee only reply
Chat, while seems to be expected that the United States
10 cloe their representatives with 'aDple powersn
10 accomplish all Tie enumerated and these other unde-
fined OBJECTS also yet the mode in which these mowers
if granted, arc 10 be used and exercised IS no where
even inted2t.
One great question, therefore upon which the deci
sion OF the Senate is called for will be- whether in the
existing state Of things il is wise or cxpedent that the
United States should be represented at Congress of
American nations, by agents endowed With underlined
powers, 10 accomplish underlined objects And This com
mlttce feel no hesitation in stating their opinion that
II ever 1t may be proper to adopt such measure there
is nothing known 10 them tat requires or jusies il at
this time.
1t true the power confded TO ,he Senate to rat;fv
or reject any agreement that may be entered into bv
such agents, would constitute safeguard TO the i'm
poTaDt interests Of the United States But long ex-
Pcrence must have informed the Senate that il IS PC
morally, exceedingly difficult, and sometimes even i'm
possible, 10 escape from tue cmbarrassments Produced
by the mere act Of entering into negotiations and that
it much better TO abstain from dong So until IFS oh
Jecis are distinctly known and approved, than coDde
III the power OF the Senate in the ast resort to refuse
their assent to the ratification Of agrocmeut after it
is adjusted By means Of such negotiation.
In the present case, il he to be accomplish
/ ed by the proposed Congress, Whatever may be llcr
object or character, should not meet the c9ncurfinr
opinion Of all the parties there 20 be represented VIC
need not The lights Of history inform t,s hat many
consequence. mischievous in themselves ard greatly
10 be deplorcd. not only may, but probably will
result. And that difference Of opinion will exist in
regard TO measures so important IN themselves, and
various and diversified III their effects, upon na,icps d
ering from each Other almost every particular, -
much 10 be apPrehcrdcd The power possessed by tie
Senate, Of Withholding IFS ascent ought not. therefore
10 he regarded furnishing sufficient assurance against
the possible and probable effects Of the proposed
sure.
Turning from the underlined objects Of its CONGRESS