Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-06-16
PANAMA DOCUMENTS.

a
INSTRU CTIONS-GENERAL
Richard G. Anderson and John Sergeant, Esqrs.
appointed ENJOYS Extraordinary and Ministers
Penipotentiary of the U. States to the Con-
gress at Panama.-[CoSrINUEo.
DEPARrNrEST OF STATE, D
Vdshingfon, S.h May, 1926. )
Sexi 10 the more pressing object of putting nm
end TO the war between the New Republics and
Spain, should be that Of deyising means to pre-
serve peace in future, among the American ma
lions themselves, and with the rest of the world
No time could be more suspicious than the pre-
sent. for a successful inquiry by the American
Nations, into the causes which have often dis
turbed the repose of the world and for an earnest
endeavor, by wise precaution, in the establish
nlent of just and enlightened principles, for the
government of their conduct, in peace and in war,
10 guard as far as possible, against all misunder-
standings.-They have no old preudices to CON-
bal; no long established practices to change; no
eutangled connexions or theories to reak through
Committed to no particular systems Of commerce,
nor to any selfish belligeren code of law they are
free to consult the experience of mankind and 10
establish. without bias, principles for themselves,
adapted to their condition, and likely to promote
their peace, security, and happiness. Remote from
Europe, it is not probable that they will often be
inyolved in the wars with which that quarter OF
the globe may be destined, hereafter, TO be aflct-
cd. In these wars. the policy Of all America will
he the same, that Of peace and neutrality, which
the U. States have, heretofore, constantly aboTed
20 preserve.
If the principles which that probable state of
neutrality indicates best for the interests of this
hemisphere, be, at the same time, just in them
selves, and calculated to prevent wars, OF to mit-
gate the rigor Of those great scourges, they will
nresent themselves to the general acceptance with
an union of irresistible recommendations. Both
those qualities are believed 10 be possessed by the
maritime principles for which the United States
have ever contendeI, and especially throughout
the whole period OF the European wars The
President wishes you TO bring forward those pyin-
ciples on occasion auspici0us that il anti
cipated to be OF the Congress at Panama. I'm.
controlled power, on whatever element 1t is ex-
erted, is prone to great abuse. But, IL is still
more liable to abuse the sea. than on tho
land, perhaps, because, It Is there exercised be-
yond the presence Of impartial spectators, and
therefore, with but little moral restraint resulting
from the sanitary influence ofpublic opinion, W hich
II applied at all, has always TO be subsequently, and
consequently less eificaciously applied The mora
cognisance, when IL comes TO be taken, finds, too,
doubtful or contested state of fact than If the
theatre had been where there were more manner
Gus and less prejudiced witnesses. At all times
there has existed more inequality 10 the distribu
son among nations. Of maritime, than OF errilori
al power. In almost every age, some one has had
the complete mastery on the ocean, and this supe-
Iiorty has been occasionally so great as 10 moro
than counterbalance the combined maritime force
81 all other nations, IL such combination were
practicable. But when a single nation finds i,seI
possessed OF power any where, which no ono
nor all other nations, can successfully check oi
counterva, the consequences are too sadly un
folded in the pages Of history. Such a natioi
slows presumptuous, inpatient Of contradiction o
opposition, and finds the solution Of national pro
Items easier, and more grateful TO It's pride, b,
fTfe sTcr5 tlf1n br l's soF sha 'g-s brilliant pfo