Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-06-19
PANAMA DOCUMENTS
SENATE u. S.-AIoNDAY, I'd March, 1920
INSTRUCTIONS

lNSTRCCTlONS-GE ERhI,.
Richard C. anderson and John Sergeant, Esqrs
appointed Enjoys Extraordinary and Minister:
plenipotenary of the U. States 10 the Con.
gress at Panama.-ICoNcLUpEp.J
DEPARTMENT. OF STATE,
Washington, Sih Nay, 1926 {
To prevent any such new European Colonies.
sud 10 warn Europe beforehand that they are moi
hereafter TO be admitted, the President wishes Won
10 propose ~ joint declaration of the several Amsri
can Suites, each, however, acting for and binding
only itself, that Within the limits Of their respec.
tive territories, no new European Colony will
hereafter be allowed 10 be established Ii is not
intended TO commit the parties, who may concur
IN that declaration 10 the support of the particular
boundaries which may be claimed by any one of
them; nor is itproposed 10 commit them TO a Joint
resistance against any future attempt to plant
new European Colony. Il is hetev ed that the NOR
al effect alone of joint declaration, emanatng
from the authority OF all the American nations
will efectually serve 10 prevent the effort to es-
tablish any such new Colony; but if il should not
and the attempt should actually be made, il will
then be time enough for the American powers to
consider The propTicty OF negotiating between
themselves, and, il necessary OF adopting in con-
cert the measures which may be necessary TO
check and prevent it, The respect which is due
60 themselves as well as 10 Europe, requires that
they should rest ia confidence that declaration
thus so'emnly put forth, will command universal
Difference. IL will not be necessary to give 10 the
declaration, now proposed the form Of Treaty
II may be signed by the several Ministers at the
Congress, and promulga, to the world as evil
cence oil the sense o! all the American powers
Among the subjects which mus. engage the
consideration OF the Congress, scarcely any has an
interest so powerful and commanding as that which
belongs 10 Cuba and Porto Rico, the former aspe-
cisiiy. Cuba, from lis position, the present amount
aud the character Of its population, that which il
is capable OF sustaining, its vast though almost
latent resources is at present the great object of
attraction both to Europe and America No pow
or, not even Spain itself, has, IN such variety Of
forms, so deep al interest ia its future fortunes
whatever they may happen TO be, as the United
States. Our policy in regard TO il is fully s frank
y disclosed in The before mentioned note 10 Mr.
Middleton. II is there stated, that for ourselves
we desire no change in the possession or political
condition of that island; and that we could not
with Indifference, see it!ransfsrred from Spain 10
any other European power. W e are unwilling 10
its transfer annexation TO either of the new
American States. IL the present war should much
longer continue, there are three conditions, into
some of which, that island may fall during ils fur.
q progress, aud all OF them deserve the most par
0uiar and serious consideration The FIRST it, lis in
ependence, resting at the close OF the war upon
its own unassisted resources 10 maintain that indie
endence. IDLY. Its independence, with the guar
rnty Of other powers, either OF Europe or OF Anne
ca, or both. And, 3dly, Its conguests and mtach-
incnt 10 the dolninions OF the republic of Colombia
or Mexico. We will now examine each of those
predicaments OF the island in the order in which
they have been stated.
1. Ii Cuba had The ability, within itself, of maia-
aiming an independent self government against
all assaults from without within we should prefer
10 see IL in that staie because we desire the hap
piness Of others as well as ourselves, and we be-
leve that is, in the general, most likely TO be
cured by local government springing directly
from and Identified ia feeling, interest, and sympa-
t'' '-t' - rccie 10 Ue governed. Blu! mere
glance ai the limited extent, moral condition, and
discOTdant character OF its popu iAtion must con .
AL % is at In
tain self-government unaded by other powers.
And il at this premature period an attempt at inde-
pendence should be so far attended with success rs
70 break the cohnexion with Spain, one portion Of
the inhabitants OF the island, as well as their
neighbours in the United States, and in some other
directions, would live in continual dread of those
tragic scenes which were formerly exhibited in a
neighbouring island, the population of which would
he tempted, by ihe very fact Of that Independence
10 employ all the means which vicinity, similarity
Of origin and sympathy could supply, to foment and
stimulate instruction, in order to gain Ultimate
strength 10 their own cause.
Q. guaranteed independence OF Cuba, although
IL might relieve the island from the dangers which
have been jus. noticed, would substitute others
not less formidable, and which, il is believed, are
almost insuperable. Who shall be the garantying
overs? Shall they be exclusively American or
mixed, partly american and partly European,
What shall be the amount Of their respective con
tFibuiions to the protecting force, military & naval,
and 10 the other means necessary TO uphold the
local government Who shall have the command
Of that force? Will not the guarantying Powers.
not in command, entertain continual appI Extensions
end jealousies Of the commanding Powerl The
candid must own that these are perplexing cues
lions; andtha,Vp the whole, although all thought
Of that modification Of independence should MOI
perhaps, be dismissed as absolutely inadmissible
Under sny possible circumstances, ii must be a
tTeed 70 De one, 10 which If assent Is ultimatel,
Yielded i. nust be reluctantly, from train o
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