Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-06-19

all America should be effected by common means,
and united exertions, and should not be left to the
separate and uDassisted efforts OF any one power
In the present limited state Of our information
as TO the practicabiity and the probable expense
oil the object, IL would not be wise 70 do more
than to make some preliminary arrangements
The best routes viii be, most likely, found in the
territory oil Mexico, or that OF tlie Central Repub-
lie. The latter Republic made 10 this Govern
ment. on The Stli day Of February of las, year, in
note which Mr.. CanaZ, It's Minister here, adj
dressed to this Department, Ga copy of which is
now furnished) liberal offer, nanfesting high
and honorable confidence in the u. :. The answer
which the President instructed me TO give (of
which copy is also placed in your hands,
could 20 no further than 20 make suitable ecknow-
Judgments for the friendly overture, and TO assure
the Genital Republic that measures would be a.
dopted top'ace the United States in the possession
OF the information necessary 20 euiighten their
Judgment. Ii the work should ever be executed
so as 10 admit OF ;he passage of vessels from
ocean TO ocean, the benefits of i, ought not to be
exclusively appropriated 10 any one nation, but
should be extended 10 all parts of the globe upon
the payment of just compensation, or reasonable
tolls What Is most desirable at present Is, 10 pos
sess the data necessary 10 form correct Judgment
OF the practicabiliy and the probable expense Of
the undertaking, OF the routes which offer the
greatest facilities. Measures may have been al
ready executed, or be in progress to acquire the
requisite knowledge. You will enquire particu-
iarly as to what has been done or may have beea
designed by Spain, by either Of the New
States; and obtain all other information that may
be within your reach, 10 solve this interesting pro-
blem You will state TO the Minister'S of the other
American powers, that the Government OF the u I.
nited States takes lively interest in the eXecu-
ton of the work, and wilt see with peculiar salts
faction, that II lies within the compass of reasona-
bile human efforts. Their proximity aud local in
/ formation render them more competent than the
\ United States are ~ this time, 10 estimate the diff
culiies 70 be overcome. You will receive and
transmit to this Government, any proposals that
may be made, or plans that may be suggested tor
{ its Joint execution, with assurances that they will
be aiien,iyey examined, with earnest desire to
reconcile the interests and views of all the Amer
! lean Nations.
1t will probably be proposed, lit subject of
consideration Tor the powers represented at Pana-
ma, whether Hayt ought 10 be recognized by
! them as an independent State; and whether any
decision taken, in that respect, should be joint, or
each power be left 10 pursue the dictates Gifts
own policy. The President is not prepared now
to say, that Eayti ought TO be recognized an In
| dependent Sovereign power. Considering the ma
;ure and the manner of the establishment of the
governing power in that Island, and the little re.
spect which is there shown other races than the
African, the question of acknowledging its Inde-
pendence, was far from being unattended with
difficulty, prior to the late arrangement, which, il
IS understood, has been made between France and
| Hayu. According 10 that arrangement, If we
possess correct Information of its terms the parent
| country acknowledges nominal Independence in
the colony, and, as part of the price of this
acknowledgement, Hayti agrees TO receive forever
! the produce OF France OF rate Of duty one half
below that which is exactcd, in the ports of Hay
/ ii, from all other nations. This is restriction up
! pom the freedom oil its action, 10 which no Sove-
reign power. really dependent would ever sub
scribe. There is no equivalent the side OF
France, in the favorable terms on which the pro-
/ @ is in M
Ii the colonial relation may be correctly describ-
ed 10 ethe monopoly OF the commerce Of the Col
ony, enjoyed by the parent State, il cannot be al-
|, trmed that Hayt has not voluntarily, by that az
rangement, consented 10 its revival There was
no necessity urging her 20 agree TO it, however
she may have been called upon by Just and equi-
table considerations, 70 indemnify the former indl-
vidua proprietors for the loss OF their property in
ST. Domingo. Prior to the conclusion OF that ar
rangement, Hayti enjoyed, no matter how esiab-
lished, sort OF independence, in f;ct. By thai
arrangement, she has voluntarily, and in most
essential particular, in respect 10 all foreign ma
tons, changed her character, and has become, to
say the least not Independent State. Under
the actual circumstances of Hayu, the President
does not think tina, il would be proper, at this time
to recognize il as New State. The acknow-
ledgment, or declining 10 acknowledge, the hide
pendence OF Hayti, Is not measure Of sufficient
magnitude TO require that, in either of The alterna-
lives, it should be the result of concert between
all the American powers.
You will avail yourselves of all suitable occa-
sions TO press upon the Ministers of the other
American States the propriety OF free federation
OF Religion, within their respective limits. The
trainers OF our Constitution OF Government have
not only RETAINED from Incorporating with the
State any peculiar form OF religious worship, but
they have introduced an express prohibition upon
the power OF our Congress TO make any law res.
pecting an establishment OF religion. With us,
none are denied the right which belongs TO all
ta1 linz IL.
own consciences In our villages and cities at the
same hour, often in the same square, and by the
same kind oil summons, congregations OF the pi.
Gus and devou! OF every religious denomination,
are gathered together in their respective temples,
and after performing according to their own So.
Tenn convictions their religious duties, quietly re-
turn and mix together in the cheerful fulGlment
OF their domestic and social obligations. Not I'M
frequently The heads OF the same family apper-
tanning 10 different sects, resort 10 two different
churches, 10 offer up in their own chosen way
their prisons, each bringing back to the common
household stock the moral instruction which both
have derived from their respective pastors. In the
United States, we experience no Inconvenience
from the absence OF any religious establishment,
and the universal liberation which happily pre-
yaiis. We believe that none would be felt by
other nations who should allow equal religious
freedom IL would be deemed rash to assert that
civil liberty and an established church cannot ex-
ist together in the State; but it may be safe
ly affirmed that history affords no example OF their
union where the religion of the State has not on
ly been established, bur exclusive. IL any Of the
American powers think proper TO introduce into
their systems an established religion, although we
should regret such determination, we would
have 40 right TO make formal complaint unless
il should be exclusive. as The citizens Of any Of
the American Nations have right, when here,
without hndrance, to worship the Deity accord.
ing TO the dictates of their own consciences, our
citizens ought to be allowed the same privilege
when, prompted by business or inclination, they
visit any Of the American States. You are accord
ingy authorized to propose joint declaration, to
be subscribed by the Ministers of all OF any of the