Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-03-18
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
No W.
THE FOREIGN POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES.

in The treaty Of 1895; the perlinacity with which
ina, Power withheld the delivery Of military posts
within the acknowledged limits of the United States,
Notwithstanding the slipulations Of the treaty; the
Shirt OF discomfort and disa6ectioR which prevail
ed 10 an alarming degree, among the citizens of the
United States west of the Allegheny, at having
been 50 long debarred from the enjoyment Of the
free navigation Of the river Mississippi, TO which
thew were entitled by the treaty of 1882 with Great
Britain and the clearest principles Of the law of
nations; and the determination manifested By Spain,
without the shadow OF an apology, TO delay, II not
refuse altogether, the execution of the treaty.
The unusual occurrence, in the history OF ma
lions OF one Power refusing 10 execute the proyi-
sions of treaty which contained recognition OF
preeNisting rights in another, without being able to
adduce single justiiying circumstance for this pro-
cedure, may render not irrelevant or improper 10
advert TO some Of the GAUGES whck may have con-
tributed TO the formation of the treaty, and the
overriding inducements TO attempt its infractlon
Immediately thereafter
In the wear 1874 France had not recovered from
The first spasns of revolution and the consituion
which seemed impart victory 10 her am order 10 her
finances and stability 10 her institutions, had not beenfomed
The wrongs committed by Great Britain iR Withholding the
delivery Of the northern posts otter the peace OF te and
the and condemnation Of American vessels on the high
seas engaged III lawful occasoned in lisa the
mission of Mr. Jay envoy extraordinary aad minister pie
npoeatary Great Britain and upon the success OF his
the peaceful relations between the United States and
Great Britain Appeared to depend Mr. Monros at the
time dispatched minister peipotentary to France to
strengthen friendship with that republic And the
proclamation OF neutrality which had been issued by WASH
incton the preceding year. whilst defeated the hopes
kpdef the luminosity al the great telgerent Powers had
declared the future policy Of the American Government and
exempted the United from becoming party DESC
lating
The year preceding had been deemed by the American
Government favorable to press Spain the pay
rnea; o ndemnties the settlement Of boundaries and,
than all the adjustment Of the controversy respecting the
viEalion Of the Mississippi
Tie ;oi,st commission Messrs CariSael and Shot,
commissioners plenpoena,y Spain, the subject Of the
Mississippi reached those gentlemen in FEBRUARY, l7s3 But
subsequently the time Of their appointment the position Of
aas had materially changed Spain, by treaty concluded
a rapuez the 18th of February 1898, had Joined England
in me alliance against France and Of the protection
q her American colonies, through the naval superiority Of her
ally, she the less sacous crafty the wishes pre-
serve the friendship Of the United States.
From the the treaty between Spain aEi Great Br
tain first known, Messrs Carmichael and Short predict
ed an unfavorabe issue their mission The event having
correspondent with their anticipation, they Terminated their
negotiation, have SEEM the 18th Of January, 1894
became apparent however, that Spain long
remain the ally of England France land every
where victorious the naval victories of England enure1 only
her benefit and Spain therefore that while allied
England she had little gain and muck to lose but
tie c9nray if allied TO France, and at with England
hsF American possessions being longer the ed
ship Of the United States would Secome the more important
Tie American Government not unwilling TO avail hen-
selves any occurrence which could impress Spain the
- az
State Mr. Monroe, then minister Of the United States in
France invited his attention in the following tie
suspended negotiation with Spain
s'Anong the great events with which the world now
esng, there may be opening or France to become IL
srumena in securing 70 o. the free navigation OF the Mss
spp Spain may negotiate peace, separately from Gre1
Britain, ,c France. II she does, the Mississippi may b
acquired through this channel"
The thus fsreseen happened. Spain, seeing
Lille hope in the future of restoring the Bourbons became
convinced that her interests dictated abandonment Eng
land aud closer exion with the ccnquerng republic
Mr. Monroe the American minister in France if he did
contribute this connexon," became least the
dpr by which the proposals Of France communicated
70 the Government Of Spain and, at the time, pointed
the Directory of France the in which, while
obtaining for themselves the operation and alliance Spain,
they could incidentally defeat the policy and objects Of Great
Brtain y promoting adjustment of the pending
addressed the Committee Of Public Safety he expataed
the importance Of the navigation Of the Mississippi,
oay 10 the citizens Of the Western country the outlet for
teE agricultural products but the people Of the United
States the Of preventing dismemberment OF the
Union by combination Of disconnected citizens within and
rival Power without and concluded a. the result Of bis ob-
serao 81 is therefore the interest Of France to Weld her
6 10 her ally THE United aes open this riyer which
would probably produce decisive eject
80 necessary did he consider this the
psf o France in the negotiations which France had openec
viii SPAIN that in letter the Secretary Of State, da,et
March G. 1895, be said 81 have been explicitly assured BY
Mr. Pets, member Of the diplomatic section Of the com
mee Of public safety that 10 the confidence Of Mr. Jay
treaty containing nothing which would give uneasiness here
aey had expressly instructed their agent, negotiating
with Spain, 70 his utmost ecrts 10 secure for as III
points ia controversy Leteea he United STATES and ha
'PoUtr."
il not 70 be supposed that astuc diplomas as Mr.
Monroe would have expected any aid om France 10 the
goiaions with SPAIN unless her interests or objects
cou have been thereby secured Although the United States
had become the ally Of France by the treaty of l7Ts
;ser policy the then raging in Europe and the ex
pressed determination Of their Government TO avoid entang
linz alliances and maintain between the bcllgeren Power
ps neutrality But no les. the desire Of France
he TotoA n.a with