Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-06-12

establishing some general principles applicable to
peace and war, to commerce aud navigation with
the sanction Of all America. Treaties may be con-
Guided, In the course OF lew months, at such
Congress, laying the foundations OF lasting ami,y
and good neighbcrhool, which il would reouire
many years to consummate, il, indeed, they would
be at all practicable, by separate and successive
negotiations, conducted between the several pow
ers, at different times aud places. Keeping con-
stant'y In view the essential character and object
oil the congress, which have been described, il is
not very important in what manner its ccnieren.
ces and discussions may be regulated. Experi-
ence has, perhaps, sufficiently established that,
for precision, ior safety the negoiiators them.
serves, and Tor an early practical result, ii is wis
est TO proceed by protocol, in which the mutual
propositions OF the parties, together with such con
else observations as any of them desire to have
preserved, are carefully recorded But YOU are
lett Tree to agree TO that mode of proceeding with
the Indispensable limitation before stated, which,
under all circumstances, shall appear to you most
advisable. Your power conveys an authority to
treat with all or any of the nations represented at
the Congress ANY OF the subjects comprised in
your Instructions. And on those, especially of
commerce and navigation, maritime law and neu.
rai and beligerent rights, il is the Presidents
wish That, II those interests cannot be adjusted sa-
iisfscorily 10 all the attending powers, you should
form, nevertheless, treaties with such may be
disposed 10 conclude them with YOU But in the
conduct OF any such separate negotiations, you
will carefully avoid giving any occasion of offence
TO those powers who may decline treating; and
II you should have strong reason to believe that
the iact Itself otopening such separate negotiations
would have the tendency of creating uniriendly
feelings and relations with other American pow
ers, you will decline entering on them altogether.
You are also authorized TO agree upon transfer
OF The conferences from Panama 70 any other place
or The American continent that NAV be consider
ed more eligible Tor conducting them
In now proceeding 10 direct your attention par
ucuiariy 10 the instructions OF the President, by
which, after having settled the preliminary point
to with have just adverted, you will govern
yourselves, the first observation 10 be made is that
in acceding TO the invitation which ,.as been ac-
cepted, no intention has been entertained TO
change the present pacific and neutral policy of
the United States. On the contrary, il has been
distinctly understood by the three republics who
gave the invitation, and has been enforced on our
part, in all cur communications with them in
regard 10 IL, that the U. States would strictly adj
here TO that policy, and me -, Faithfully to perform
all their neutral obligations. Whilst the existing
war is limited 10 the present parties. il is as unne-
cessary, as il would be unwise in the u States TO
become bel.igereDt. STATE OF things can
hardly be imagined III which they would vounta-
rliy take part on the side OF Spain; and on that OF
the republics, ii would be entirely useless since
they have been all along able, unaided, trium-
phantiy TO maintain their cause, and to conquer
the arms, II they have not overcome the obstina-
cy, OF Spain. BY maintaining the neutral position
which the United States have assumed, they have
and successfully TO check any disposition which
existed there to assist Spain in the re-conquest OF
the colonies. Ii they had departed from their
neutrality, and precipiated themselves into the
war, there was much reason 10 apprehend that
their exertions might have been neutralized, if
not overbalanced by those of other powers who
would have been drawn, by that rash example,
into the war in behalf of Spain. Keeping there.
fore, constantly in view the settled pacific policy of
the United States, and the duties which flow from
their neutrality, the subjects will now be par,icu-
iarized, which, it is anticipated, will engage the
consideration of the Congress Of Panama.
Ihese subjects may be arranged under two
general heads LIST, such as relate 10 the future
prosecution OF the present war with Spain, by the
combined or separate operations OF the American
belligerents. And, IDLY. Those in which all the
nations OF America, whether neutral or bel!ige.
rent, may have an interest. In respect to the
Hrst, Tor reasons already stated, we can take no
no part. Discussions of them must be confined 10
the parties to the war. You will refrain from en-
gaging in them. You will not be expected or de-
sired 10 do so. But, whilst it has been perfectly
understood that the United States could not at the
Congress, leopard their neutrality, they NAV he
urged TO contract an alliance, offensive aud defen.
siVe, on the contingency of an attempt by the pow-
ers OF Europe, commonly called the HOLY Ali.
ance, either to aid Spain to reduce the new Amer
lean republics 10 their ancient colonial state or n
compel them to adopt political systems, more con-
iormahle to the policy and views of that Alliance.
upon The suppositioIi 0f such an attempt being ac-
tually made, there can be no doubt what il would
be the interest and bounden duty of the United
States TO do. Their late Chief Magistrate solemn
ly declared what, in that event, he considered
they ought 10 DO. The people of the United
States acquicsced in the declarations and their
present Chief Magistrate entirely concurs in II. IT.
indeed, the Powers OF continental Europe could
nave allowed themselves to engage in the war for
either OF the purposes just indicated, the United
States, IN opposing them With their whole force
would have been hardly entitled To- the merit Of
acting on the impulse Of generous sympathy
WIN infant, oppressed, and struggling nations -
The United States, in the contingencies which,
have been stated, would have been compelled To
night their own proper battles notices. 20 because
the storm Of war happened to rage on another pari
OF TINS continent, at distance from their borders
4 or IT cannot be doubted that the presilmpt,,ous
spirit which would have impelIed Europe upon the
other American Republics, in aid of Spain. or ON
account oil the forms OF their political institutions
would not have been appeased, if her arms in
such an unrighteous contest, should have been
successful, until they were extended here and az
cry vestige Of human freedom had been obiiter,ted
within these States
There was tim3 when such designs were CO.
rlousIy apprehended; and il is believed that ,he
declaration OF the late President 10 the Congress
oil the United States, which has been alresJv re-
tered to, had powerful effect in disconcertne-
ana arresting their progress. About the same no.
ROD Great Britain manifested detertninatior IN
pursue the same policy, In regard 10 the new re-
puoncs' which The Unied States had previously
marked out Tor Themselves After these two great
maritime powers, Great Britain and the u States
had let continental Europe know that they would
mol see with Indifference any iorcibe nterpositon
IN behalf OF old Spain, ii was evident that no such
ln'erposltion would, or, with any prospect Of sue
cess, could he afforded. Accordingly, since ina,
period, there have been no intimauons of anv de-
Signs on the part Of the European Alliance, against
the new American republics. If that alliance has
seen;wl,h any classification, tas may be we'll ina
glned1 the successful progress Of those republics,