Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1826-03-23
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The principle bad first been assumed
IN that negotiation with Russia II
rested upon course Of reasoning
equally simple and conclusive. With
the exception Of the existing European
Colonies, which il was in nowise in.
tended to disturb, the two continents
consisted of several sovereign and in.
dependent nations, whose territories
covered their whole surface. Bv this
their independent 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, commercial intercourse which
was the common possession of all Ii
could not be done without encroaching
upon existing rights OF the United
States. The Government of Russia
has never disputed these positions. nor
IN infested the slightest dissatisfaction
OF their having been taken. Most of
the new American Republics have de.
clared their entire assent to them, and
they now propose, among the subjects
OF consultation ut Panama, TO take into
consideration the means of making eft.
tectual the assertion of that principle.
as well as he means Of resisting inter.
ference from abroad, with The don,es-
tic concerns OF the American Govern.
meTlls.
La abiding to these means, il would
be obviously premature, at this time.
to anticipate that which is offered
merely as matter for consultation; or
TO pronounce upon those measures
which have been or may be suggested.
The purpose OF this government is to
concur in more which would impors
hostility to Europe, or justly excite re.
sentiment many of her States. Should
It be deemed advisable to contract any
conventional engagement on this topic,
our views would extend no further
than 10 mutual pledge of the parties
to tie compact to maintain the princi.
pie IN application to its own terrific.
ry, and to permit no colonial Judgments
or establishments, OF European iuris-
dicil0n, upon its own soil: and with
respect to the obirusivc interference
from abroad, If lis future character may
be inferred from that which has been.
and, perhaps, still is exercised in more
than one the new States, joint de.
claratiou Of its character and exposure
ofitto the world, may be probably all
that the occasion would require
Whether the United States should or
should not be parties to such declara.
ton, may justly form part of the de
liberation. That there is an evil TO be
remedied, needs little insight into the
secret history OF late years to know;
and that this remedy may best he con-
certed at the Panama meeting, de.
serves at least the experiment of con-
sIderation.
A concert of measures having re.
ference to the mare effectual abolition
OF the African slave trade, and the
consideration OF the ligh. in which the
political condition of the Island of Hay
ii 10 TO be regarded, are also among
the subjects mentioned by the minis
ter from the republic of Colombia, as
believed to be suitable for deliberations
at the Congress. The failure OF the
negotiations with that Republic, un-
dertaken during the late administra-
ton, for the suppression of that trade
in compliance with resolution of the
House of Representatives, indicates
the expediency of listening with res.
pectiul attention to propositions which
may contribute to the accomplishment
of the great end which was the pnr
pose of that resolution, while the result
Of those negotiations will serve as adj.
monition 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, 10 its rati.
| ficaiion.
Whether the political condition Of
the Island Of Hay,i. shall he brought
at all into discussion at the meeting,
may be question for preliminary ad.
visement. There are 10 the political
constitution of Government ofthat PEG.
pie, circumstances which have hither-
10 forbidden the acknowledgment OF
them by the government Of the United