The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-12-15
BRITISH INTERFERENCE IN AMERICAN
AFFAIRS.


AFFAIRS.
In looking through volume published lew
wear. ago, in Philadelphia, entitled "Seiec'
Speeches Of the Right Hon. William Wynd-
ham and the Right Hon. VIM. Husk'sson,
with Preliminary Biographical Sketches, edited
by Robert Walsh" we were struck with inc
following passage in speech Of Mr. Huskisson,
delivered in May, 1880, on the political and
commercial relations Of Great Britain WIN
Mexico
All the United States have declared that they can
not allow the island of Cuba TO belong to any mari
time power in Europe, Spain excepted, neither can
England, as the first Of those maritime powers-l
say it fearessly because feel it strongly-sufer 'he
United States bring under their dominion greater
portion of the shores Of the Gulf Of Mexico, than
that which they now possess. Within the last TWEEN
tyseven years they have become masters OF all the
shores of that Gulf from the point Of Florida to the
river Sabine including the mouths Of the Mississippi
and other great rivers the port Of new Orleans, and
the valuable and secure harbors Of Florida; and,
within these few days. we hear Of their intention OF
forming naval station and arsenal at the islands OF
the Try Tortugas, commanding position in the Gulf
extent of coast and islands, know further that de-
signs are entertained, and daily acted upon will
not saw by the present Government of the u States
but VIGOROUSLY, by the People, to get possession
of the fertile and extensive Mexican province oil
Texas. To borrow expression Of a deceased
statesman Of that country, " the whole people OF
America have their eye" upon that province. They
look to all the country between the river Sabine and
the river Bravo del Nortc, territory that must
ere long, belong TO their Union. They have also,
believe that same eye upon some of the western coast
of Mexico, possessing valuable ports in the Gulf of
California Should they obtain these districts, the
independence Of Mexico, will venture to say, will
be better more secure, than that Of the Geek
Indi ms or any other Indian tribe now living within
the circle Of the present recognized limits of the
United States and the Gulf of Mexico W II become
as much part of their waters the Black Sea was
once the waters Of Turkey, or as the channel which
separates England from ireland may be considered as
part of the waters Of The United Kingdoms"
1t is not. perhaps, matter of surprise that
even so great a statesman as Mr.. Huskisson, a
man OF enlarged views and philanthropic feel
ings, should have been so far blinded by his pa
triotism and predictions in favor Of his native
rogance of the -,6n'e" waGe8sciQus Of the ar
sumes in behalf of his Government England
will not "suffer the United States TO bring I'M
der their dominion greater portion Of the
shores Of the Gulf of Mexico than that which
they now possess"-as if England, being the
arbiress of the old world, must necessarily be
so Of the new, and entitled to prescribe The linn :
t.nf,k L., - l..
and 10 act a, umpire in their differences protec-
tor Of tn, weak, and chastiser of the strong
II is this ardent and even arrogant patriotism Of
ihe statesmen Of Great Britain, their Jealous and
intelligent watchfulness Of any movements or
appreh, nded designs of other Governments,
having the remolest bearing on The inte-
rests Of their country, which have made
that country what il is. 1t is humil-
latng 10 turn from the profound and far
reaching speculalions Of such men, 10 the specta
Gle which our nation now exhibits-ts owerful
energies parayzed by Infatuated factions con-
tending for the spoils Of office Its statesmen
busted in contriving means 10 pack conventions
for the nomination OF Presidential candidates ;
It's Legislators holding caucuses to deliberate
with the utmost solemnity on the election of a
printer or doorkeeper, while the safety of the
nation is threatened by the Vaccinations of one
foreign power, and its dignity outraged by the
threats Of another
Before this curse Of Demagogueism was in
ficted upon our country, and when the People
were left TO act for themselves, their intelIi-
gence and patriotism gave ready and willing
support to the declaration of their Government.
that the powers Of Europe should not nterf, re
IN the affairs Of this continent, and that the
Island OF Cuba should not belong to any mari
lime power in Europe except Spain. These
were bold and imperative declarations. not war.
ranted by the letter Of the law of nations. but
SO OBVIOUSLY founded on a superior law, that
even the Government Of Great Britain WAS
compelled TO acquiesce in the Justice of on,
pretensions. The reason in both cases was The
same = the different and hostile forms or
Government which prevail on the opposite side.
oil The Atlantic. In Europe monarchy prevails
accompanied by white slavery, among a homo
geneous population; in America our forms Of
Government are Republican but negro slaverv
and distinction Of color exist iptroduced int
The colonies by the mother countries. Dr.,
SO widely in forms OF Government, and present
ing weak and assailabe points 10 each other. the
less the nations of Europe and America inter.
Iere in the domestic affairs Of each other. IN.
more likelihood there is of peace and harmopv
Inc declaration, therefore, Of our Govern |
nen'' that Cuba should not belong to any other
european power than Spain, the present pos
essor' did not justify a counter declaration on
ne part OF the British Government that tho
United States should not acquire greater
'oriion OF the shores of the Gulf of Mev;con
nan 'hey now possess. That Government has
% more right 10 prescribe sucL L,,..t