Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-10-21


us the trouble of an elcc,ion--,lie heir appa
rent would create the king-the king would ncni
nate the heir apparent To the crown. The CAPT oil
ot the union would become a scene OF corruption
and intrigue. wherc even our most distinguished
men might he openly supulaing Tor Office
where states might he iranserr.d,by giving pledg
es aud counter pledges 10 all paIuesani where the
great interests OF the country aigh, be sacrificed.
mutually 10 10 the corrupt members of an oil
garcby monopoly al powers a distribution Ut the
spells OF office. Such the caaini,ios which must
inevitably follow that political revelation which
shall transfer tIIe choice OF chief Magistrate TO
the House Ui Representatives. II remains for YOU,
fellow citizens, TO vindicate your own cause, by
teacbing ambition severe but necessary lesson.
Your violated sovereignty must he avcGgcd, aud
the moral strength oI our government must be re-
established the solid foundation Of the popular
w,li. The Chief Magistrate of the Union must
never be hereafter the mere creature q, ambitious
arrdngemt nts; but the voluntary choice of the a
merican people.
Such were the causes which originally excited
an opposition To the prcs"n, administration. Had
their subseluent conduct, principles OF measures,
redeemed them from censure or suspicion, or Gle
yited them in the public estimation, il might have
been some atonement Tor their unnatural origin
Bat, unhappiiy. the subsequent history Of the cabi
net, oi its management Oi national concerns,
affords but little evidence oi that enipcn, supcriori-
= ty which was so confidently anticipated by its
friends.
There was az least, branch Of our affairs
which we had reason 10 believe would he con
Quoted by this administration with peculiar fore
sight, ability and wisdom. We had certainly
right 10 anticipate successful management OF
our diplomatic concerns. How has this expccts-
ton been realized! The first grand measure OF
the Executive was H.. Inflated Panama Mission.
Perhaps in the whole history OF diplomacy, there
never was projected gigantic folly, than
the congress OF nations at Panama. 1t is indeed,
difficult 10 conceive what motives we had for sane
tioning congress which. II it terminated i'll any
substantial result, must have proclaimed the CO.
lumbar Lberator tic Supreme Chief Ola grand
alliance oil American Republics. The republican
members OF the senate " the ". States foresaw
the embarrassments which would probably grow
out Of an alliance OF any kind, with governments
involved in wars, and not then, even now, free
from internal comno.ions. Admonished by the
senate and reminded of the last counses of the
immortal w ashing;on, the Executive reluctantly
yielded its visionary schemes, and the Panama
Mission stripped of some OF lis most fol !nita-
bic features. Fortunately also for Us the theatre
of the congress was transferred TO Mexico ind
that government had too much sagaci;y 10 afford
wandering munster an opportunity to consult
with even TO find, the congress OF Tacubaya.
FOR the termination oi this wild and quiXotic,
though dangerous scheme, IN which the admins
tration had raSiily determined 10 embark the des-
TIMES OF country, we were Indebted 10 the
cautious jealousy and superior wisdom CT the Mex
lean Republic.
The history of other negotiations is still more
ininistraton, both Franco and England changed
their colonial politics. but these important measures
entirely escaped the observation of our Cabinet
Our negotiations with Great Britain peculiarly
unfortunate for the diplomatic reputation of the
President. Since called 20 preside at our nation
al councils, he has been compelled very awk.
wardly 20 abandon his own principles which Tor so
many years prevented Va from securing our com
ynerce with the West In,es by reciprocal treaty
with Great Britain. But whatever these nceotia-
lions may have been, his Infringement since his
elevation is still mere extraordinary. When he
commenced his presidential career, we enjoyed
valuable and increasing commerce with the Eri
fish colonies, which has been lost in a mos, dis
creLt,ble manner. Every effort OF the opposition
10 this important marine nursery, was siren
Iously resisted by the administration adits friends
ana their measures iiually defeated, under
the most solemn assurances that the negotiation
was then peRding with Great Britain, aud that ii
was better TO secure this commerce by treaty. TO
the surprise even of the friends OF the president,
1t discovered when too late 10 remedy the e
vii, that our minister, then In England never be-
fore or after thai period, received syllable of in
structions concerning the colonial trade 1t can
not be considered a branch of decorum, 10 attribute
the loss of this valuable trade, to deliberate mis-
representation Of plain matter OF fact, lay the adj
ADMINISTRATION.
In turning our eyesto another quarter Of the
world, we have unpleasant duty 10 perform
Not. only have interests been sacrificed III our
relations with Brazil, but our imprisoned coun-
trymen have been cruelty abandoned 10 theii
fate, and the honour OF country s.isgrdce!uIiy
compromised. Our representative after repeated
and iruiilesS circumstances against accumulated
wrongs, with spirit worthy an American, de-
Inanded his pass ports and returned home. The
impotent government OF Brazil, conscious OF the
Injuries it had done Us, and alarmed at tbs con-
sequences OF ii war with powerful maritime
nation, instantly despatched a messenger TO antci-
pate the arrival OF MIR. Raguet. By some unac-
countabe error OF Judgment, without waiting he
return of our representative, who was then OH ms
voyage, the administration hastily patched up
paItry arrangement With Mr. Rebclio. Thus an
admirable opportunity Tor demanding immediate
redress was lost--and the Emperor OF Brazil tri-
uinphed over our diplomatic administration. Mr.
Racquet, who had sacrificed every private coDside-
ration in vain attempt TO save the honor OF his
country, and whose manly and decided course was
cordially applauded by his fellow cIze n, encoun-
tive censure Of the administration His fate, tho
less severe, bears some resemblance TO the un-
happy destiny of gallant naval Oil' err, whose
crime il was not too nicely to examine the rules
Of public law when the honor of his country was
in question, and whose greater crime II was TO
wear heart incapable Of criDging To authority.
These were offences not TO be forgiven and the
gallant Porter was exiIed TO foreign land The
Brazilian government, encouraged by pusil
re- commenced with fresh yigOr their
depredations and their insults. 1T would have
been some consolation, II al agent had been
promptly despatched TO demand immediate redress
But as il insensible TO the appeals Of justice aud
humanity, these important and urgent interests
were postponed, and our cOuntTymen we're per-
lifted TO lngeT out another twelve month 10 the
prisons Of Brazil, merely 70 crafty the President
in the promotion OF fayori;e officer, then en-
ployed in remote part OF the world
While our foreign affairs have been thus