Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-03-21


an. Gnre welfare of the whole human race,
he,r;np directly upon the special interests of
LII. JJnion. ,riU engage the deliberations oil the
I,o.yress of Panama, whether we are represented
Ihs,e or not Others, If we are represented, may
h offered by our Plenpo,en,iaries, for CONSIDERS
|,;o, having ia view both these great results, our
n,vn interests and the Improvement OF the condi-
tion of man upon earth IL may be, mat In the
l,nse of many centuries, opportunity, so favor
ahle will be presented TO the Government OF the
United States, to subserve the benevolent purposes
Of Divine Providence, to dispense the promised
blessings of the Redeemer of mankind; to promote
the prevalence in future ages oil Peace on earth
and good will to man, as will now be placed in
their power by participating in the deliberations
OF this Congress.
Among the topics enumerated in official papers,
published BY the Republic of Colombia, and adj
yerted to in the correspondence now communica-
ted 10 the House, as intended TO be presented Tor
discussion, at Panama, there is scarcely one in
which the result of the meeting will not deeply
affect the interests Of the United States. Even those
in which the belgerent states alone will take an
active part, will have powerful effect upon the
state of our relations with the American, and pro-
libby with the principal European States were
itmerely that we might be correctly and speedily
informed of the proceedings of the Congress, and
of the progress and issue of their negotiations,
should hold it advisable, that should have an
accredited agency with them, placed in such CONN
Dental relations with the other members, as would
ensure the authenticity and the sale and early
transmission of its reports. Or the same enumera-
ted topics, the preparation OF manifesto, set
ting forth to the world the justice OF their cause,
and the relations they desire TO hold with Other
Christian powers; and to form convention OF
Navigation and Commerce applicable both to the
Confederated States and to their allies.
It will be within the recollection OF the House,
that Immediately after the close of the war OF our
Independence, measure closely analogous to this
Congress Of Panama, adopted by the Congress
OF our Confederation, and for purposes Of precisely
the same character. Three Commissioners, with
Plenipotentiary powers appointed to nego-
tate Treaties OF Aulity, Navigation and Commerce,
with all the principal powers of Europe. They
net and resided for that purpose about year at
Paris; and the only result of their negotiations at
that time, the first Treaty between the United
States and Prussia, memorable in the diplomatic
annals of the world, and precious a monument
OF the principles, in relation 10 Commerce and
Maritime warfare, with which our country entered
upon her career member Of the great family OF
Independent nations. This Treaty, prepared in
conformity with the instructions of the American
Plenipotentiaries, consecrated three fundamental
principles OF the foreign intercourse, which the
Congress of that period were DESTROYS of establish
ing First, equal reciprocity, and the mutual st
pulaon OF the privileges of the mos. favored nation
IN the commercial exchanges of Peace. Secondly,
the abolition OF private upon the ocean; and,
thirdly, restrictions favorable to neutral commerce.
upon begerent practices, with regard 10 contraband
OF war and blockades. A painful, it may be said
calamtous, experience, of more than forty years,
has demonstrated the deep importance of these
zane principles, 10 the peace and prosperity of
this nation, aud to the welfare OF all maritime States
and has illustrated the profound wisdom with which
they were assumed as cardinal points of the policy
OF the Union.
At that time, in the infancy OF their political
existence, under the influence of those principles
OF liberty and of right, so congenial the cause
In which they had just fought and triumphed, they
were able but TO obtain the sanction of one great
and philosophical though absolute Sovereign in
Europe, 10 their liberal and enlightened principles
They could obtain no more. Since then, n political
hurricane has gone hree-fourths of the civii-
Zed portions of the EARTH the desoation of which,
It may with confidence be expected, is passing
away, leaving at least the American atmosp here
purified and refreshed And now, at this propitous
moment, the newborn nations of this hemisphere,
assembling by their Representatives az the Isthmus
between its two continents, to settle the principles
OF their future international intercourse with other
nations and with US, ask, in this great exigency
for our advice, upon those very fundamental
naxims, which we from cradle had first pro-
claimed and partially succeeded TO introduce into
the code of National Law.
Without recurring to that total prostration of all
neutral and commercial rights, which marked the
progress of the late European wars, and which
finally involved the United States jim them, and
adverting only to political relations with these
American Nations, it is observable that while in
ell other respects those relations have been uniforms
ly, and without exception of the most friendly and
mutually satisfactory character, the only OF
difference and discussion between Us and them,
which ever have arisen, originated in those never
failing fountains OF dlscoid and irritation discri,ni-
nations of commercial favor to other nations licen-
tious privateers, and paper blockades I cannot,
without doing injustice TO the Republics of Bucnos
Ayres and Colombia, forbear to acsnowledg the
candid and conciliatory spirit, with which they
have repeatedly yielded 10 our friendly representa-
tons and circumstances On these subjects: In re-
pealing discriminative laws which operated to our
disadvantage, and in revolving the commissions Of
their privateers. To which Colombia has added
the magnanimity of making reparation for unlawful
captures by some of her cruisers, and of asserting
in the midst OF War, 20 treaty stpulations favorable
TO neutral navigation. But the recurrence of these
occasions of complaint has rendered the renewal of
the discussions, which result in the removal of
them, necessary, while in the mean time injuries
are sustained By merchants, and other individuals
OF the United States, which cannot be repaired and
the remedy fingers in overtaking the pernicious
operation of the mischief. The settlement of
general principles, pervading with equal efficacy
all the American States, can alone be aceomp lsh-
ed at the proposed Assembly
If be true that the noblest treaty OF peace, G.
yer mentioned in history, is that by which the Car
thagenisns were bound 10 abolish the practice of
sacrificing their own children, because it ,ras
stipulated IN fapor Of hrman nature, cannot
exsggera,e to myself the unfading glory, with
which these United States will go forth in the
memory of future ages, il, by their friendly coun-
sell by their moral influence, by the power of ar