The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-06-23

foreign monarch Although the report of the agents
was favorable, and communicated to Congress within
nine months after the delivery of Mr.. Clays speech yet
negotiations were pending with Spain upon the Florida
question, by which MIR. Monroe was precluded, without
direct injury to this country, and without involving
in an immediate war; from accomplishing measure
which he earnestly desired. Mr.. Clay for has
tening Mr. Monroe to recognition, in the face of the
meeting of the congress of allies at Chapele, and
regardless of acquisition of Florida by peaceful
policy The treaty with Spain concluded and sign
ed at Washington the 22d February, 1919, but was
not finally ratified by the Senate of the United States I'M
i'll the 10th February, 1921. The cause OF the delay
grew out of the sth article which stipulated that all the
grants of land made before the cath of January 1875 by
his Catholic Majesty, or by his lawful authorities in the
said territories coded by his Catholic Majesty, should
be ratified and confirmed to the persons in possession of
the lands and also to the owners OF lands who were
prevented by the then revolutions of Europe from
fulfilling all the conditions OF their grants. Under this
provision fears entertained that the claims of the
Duke of Aagon, the Count of Punonorstro and Don Pedro
de Varges which would embrace all the ralable lands
the territory might be subsanialed; and TO guard efec
tually against such occurrence, negotiations
opened between the conclusion and ratification of the trea
y which resulted in obtaining the following declaration
signed at Madrid on the 9th October 1920 by FERNAN
DO:
"Grants ofands in Florida made by me, by the
petent authorities my royal &c. which point odate
january a. 1875 fixed in the positive understanding
the three grants of land made in favor OF the Duke of
Aagon the Count of Punonorstro and Don Pedro de Vargas
being annued by its TENOR think proper declare that
the said three grants have remained, and do remain
ely annuled aud invalid and that neither the three
individuals mentioned, those who may have title or
thrpnu Ihsn % he
grants any time, in any manner; under which explicit
declaration the said 9Th article be understood rat
fed"
AS after the ratification of the Spanish Florida
treaty he could without unbecomng haste, Mr. Mon
roe recognised the Spanish American republics, His
message communicating the fact to the House of Repre-
sentatves was dated March s, 1922 from which we ex
tract the following passages:
The revolutionary in the Spanish provinces
this hemisphere attracted the attention and excited the
sympathy OF our fellow citizens from its
This feeling natural and honorable them from ca se
tchich need not be communicated to you
IL The measure is proposed under thorough
conviction that il is in ccodance with the laws of
natlons hat just and right as to the partes and that
the United States il their station and character in
the world, and to their essential interests adopt it,
1t is thus seen, that although Mr.. Monroe was less
pouse of his professions for the cause of the Spanish
American patriots than Mr.. Clay, he was their ardent
friend from the first and is entitled to credit which he
never yet received for their recognition Mr. Clay en-
deavored to take the "wnd of his sail ;" and has
ten him to do that which he was as anxious, and all
along intended to perform, himself, the earliest
suspicious moment. The Union contained not more
than one half the amount of population when Mr. Mon
roe accredited the agents TO Spanish Americaor when
MIR. Clay made his speech-hat it does at this moment
and yet we were not inundated or ightened from
righteous purpose by that august assemblage the con
gress OF the allied powers. An Engshman, writing to
London editor from Aix-la Chapelle in 1885, speaking
| of this body, observed:
| "Whie European statesmen in close cabinet
ranging their political bargains those of America aim
ing the glorious objects OF national independence and
commercial They alone rank in importance with
the of Russia For, while circumstances promise
him the peponderance in the territorial rule OF Europe
the Americans emulate freedom and independence of
the Their success is progressive and unqunsona-
be and, whilst their interference in the contests which dis
their neghboring continent becomes more mild and
unobsive, they strengthen in their claims to that
neutrality which their commercial interests will require
to be founded"
Our policy was just one-our practice upon it
strag htfoward and fearless. Never interfering in the
contests of our neighbours or departing from strict
rality, the first to hail the Spanish provinces
free and independent nations of the earth They shook
off the yoke and with voice, from man,
we resolved that foreign one should be fastened
upon them again. Mr. Monroe, in twenty months after
he had recognised them emphacaly expressed the zone
idea" of the Union at that time: "HENcEFoRwARD NO
EUROPEAN INTERFERENCE THE AFFAIRS OF THIS
| CONTINENT"
But if Mr. Clay had, apparently, taken the wind out
of Mr.. Monroes sail, Mr.. Webster not less ambi-
ous than himself transfer it sail which he threw
to the breeze 1t will be recoected that Mr. Webster
was returned to Congress from Boston in lS23the first
time he was elected to that body after the of 1912.
He had scarcely taken the oath OF Office, before he offered
the following resolution, dec s, 1929:
Resolved That provision ought TO be made by law for
defrayng the expense incident to the appointment of
agent commissioner Greece, whenever the President
shall deem it expedient make such appointment"
He said upon that occasion
''Whatcver might be the with other nations zoe
certainly ght be restrained from expressing with
freedom what views in relation to the Greek
far it may be done without committing ourselves in
the And lie really did hope that should show
the world that there is at least government which
does proper view Of that barbaous despotism,
system of the ouest arocy, attempt crush inter-
estng Christian nation
Mr. Webster called up his Greek resolution the 10th
of January 1924, when, in the Of his speechhs
great seprepared speech, it termed-he said
"The attitude of the United States is solemn and impress
sive. Ours is the great republic OF the eartls free
institutions maured by the experiment of half
fury; nay, as free government goes further back-he