The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-05-30
THE UNION.


Hon. mr. Shields, Of AIaS.ls.~.
We are pleased to see. from letter inserted below
written by this gentleman 10 tbs editors Of the Advertiser
and Gazette OF Alabama that although he takes the
boldes ground the advocate OF the Union he adheres
as firmly as ever to his position as a democrat:
DEAoPoLIs. May 10. 1851
To me Editors of the Advertiser and Gassue;
My attention has just been called article in your
paper OF the 7lh insL column headed April sd, which
seems TO require notice al my hands and IN refer
ence to which the following statement is submitted to the
public
In the struggle OF the South American States with
Spain for their independence the acts OF depreciation and
violence which characterized in remarkable degree the
parties on both sides were in numerous instances visited
upon the rights OF citizens OF the United States Three
Of those Staes-vizi Venezuela, New Granada and
Ecuador-foTmed union under the style of "RepublC
of Colombia" which Union was dissolved in 1880 and
for the settlement OF all claims against said republic oI
such depredatons and violence treaty was concluded
between the competent States in 1884, apporlionng the
several per centages which each should assume and pay
all claims to be thereafter admitted, thus rendering II
necessary that claimants IN every case should have re-
course upon each OF the States separately Tor the stpua
ted portion or per cenage OF their claims.
During my service charge daliaires OF the United
States to The republic oil Venezuela, it became my duty
TO prosecute many OF these claims and although was
subjected to the disadvantage OF having 10 treat with
fifteen different ministers OF foreign affairs in the course
OF thtyone months, (such frequent changes being the
result OF the revolutionary state OF the country sue
share per cenage upon about OF the claims
and but for my recall in December 1919, at the crisis
OF final negotiation upon the Others. should certainly
have concluded settlement OF her share OF the whole
During the autumn Of last year. after my return to the
United States the parties interested in those claims de-
sired that should undertake, as their special agent
the settlement OF the whole OF them, with each one OF
the Colombian States whch-upon condition that
should be furnished by those parties with letters OF credit
from the State Department OF the United Staes to the
proper departments of the OF each OF those
States. manifestng desire on the part Of the govern
Of the United States that the claims in behalf OF her
citizens should be properly settled with their agent and
necessary be also assisted by the diplomatic agents OF
the United States resident at each OF those governments
agreed TO undertake, provided health and other consd
eraons OF personal convenience and interest should per-
nit. Upon my return TO the North IN February last !
found it unfit for of personal nature, as well
as from the want OF proper understanding with some
of the claimants, that should undertake to proceed with
the enterprise And this, sifs Is the sum, substance
and end Of the adar-an affair in which the undertaking
would have been for private individuals, the compensa
ton by private individuals, and the connection with the
government than what the stricest party oppo
nent OF the administration would have been authorized to
employ, necessary and proper facility to promote sue
cess in enterprise which that government, whether
administered by party another would al all tunes
be bound to EXTEND equally and mpar,iay, to the claims
of every class of It's citizens The motive oil the clam
for their desire TO enlist my services in the prosecu
ton of their business 10 avail themselves OF thu
knowledge of the CLAIMS of the people and their Language
acquired during official residence in that part OF the
world for several years 49,,
AS 10 pOsNIOn In reference 10 party poHuCs VI
the country, will take occasion TO remark that am
what have always been from the beginning, demo
of the old Jackson school, strict consructionis
supporter Of the compromise measures, an opponent o
the doctrine oil secession and aden,y deslrous Tor The
union OF all moderate conservative, and patriotic men OF
all parties to avert the progress OF revolutionary doctrine;
and to the laws wherever TO be found and
this understand to be, unquestonably, the platform
the democracy of the Union Upon this platform stand
and will cordially unite with all who feel and think a.
do relieving the country from the evils and dangers
of most incorporate and runous agitation. The pend
ency Of such agitation in any State precludes, IN my
Judgment, the question whether man may have be
long heretofore TO either or the other OF the OLE
pares j, is sufficient that he stands by the constitution
the laws and the Union and opposes whatever tends d.
rectly or indirectly to dissolution Of the latter.
AS to the Office of governor, do not aspire to IL ba
prefer greatly and earnestly that public attention shout
be directed for selection TO Others whose continued
presence in the State during the past SIX years. he pc
Rod of my absence) well better health and highe
qualification for public service would render the election
OF some one Of them emnenty desirable than tina
of myself.
| trust, however, that you will longer be detained
by the uncertainty OF any contingency IN this regard on
edifylng the public with the "nch publications" yel
have in store.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
B. g. SHIELDS.