The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-16


found that, Sin the delay which must intervene
before he could procure them the progress Of
events might have rendered any such proceeding
nugatory and the being engaged in a communities
ton with the United States, in which a consider
able time must have been consumed before it would
have been possible to have arrived at conclusive
understanding with them, would have embarras-
sed any other mode OF proclaiming our views,
which circumstances might have rendered it ex-
pedient to adopt
"Mr. Canning, therefore, allowed the matter to
drop but what was done in it was far from prov
ing wholly useless, as will be seen hereafter
think, then, il this were to prove anything
Whatever, it would prove, in the first place, that
the proposition came from the British govern
ment to this government to unite with her in
this important act in reference TO the South
American republics; and in the next place, that
this government declined to do it. None doubt
at this day, that the allied powers Of Europe
had it in serious contemplation to lend their aid
to Spain to enable her to reduce TO submits
sion her revolted colonies in America. Great
Britain knew it. Our government knew it. Ii
was communicated to our government, as we'll
by Mr.. Rush as by our charge at Paris. Great
Britain, as have said felt that whenever that
was done, she must take a step which would
impcate her in war, and break off her cont
foreign affairs, and one of the ablest statesmen
Of his day, looked at once to the avenue which
he thought had been opened by Dir. Rush, to
obtain a new alley on this continent; but his
proposition was not met. The American gov
ernment took the lead, without any communica
ton with England, or with any foreign powe-
whatsoever. The President of the United States,
= recommerd ding to Congress such measures
as he thought the condition of the country
required, made the declaration to which have
referred, and based it altogether upon his opin
ion that the peace and safety of our people re-
quired it. 1t was not because we sympathized
with those colonies in their revolt; not because
any speculative philanthropy required OF US to
go to their aid but it was beause this foreign
Intervention would endanger the sGfety of our
people, that he put forth that celebrated declara
ton. To prove that such apprehension was
not without foundation, have taken an extract
from the diplomatic records of that day, showing
that after King Ferdinand was restored TO his
throne, by the armed Intervention of France, he
solicited his allies to come to the aid of Spain,
in suppressng. the revolt of the South American
colonies.
1t is taken from despatch addressed by the
Clnde de OFalia, as prime minister of the
King, to his Majesty's ministers at Paris, ST.
Petersburgh, and Vienna dated the 26th Deem
Der, 1923, and communicated by the Condo, to
Sir William a Court, the British ambassador
at Madrid:
"The King, our sovereign, being restored to
the throne of his ancestors in the enjoyment of
his hereditary rights, has seriously turned his
thoughts to the fate of his American dominions,
distracted by civil war, and brought to the brink
of the most dangerous precipice These rehac-
rf,,1Ix 70 IN hNn
that the justice Of his cause will meet with a
firm support in the influence Of the powers of
Europe. Accordingly, the King he's resolved
upon inviting the cabinets of his dear and init
mate allies to establish conference at Paris to
the end that their plenipotentiaries, assembled
there, along with those of his Catholic Majesty,
may aid Spain in adjusting the atfsirs of the
revotcd countries of America.
His Majesty, confiding in the sentiments of
his allies, hopes that they will assist him in &C.
comprising the worthy object of upholding the
principles of order and legitimacy tho subver-
sion of which, once commenced in America,
would presently communicate to Europe; and
that they will aid him, at the same time, in re-
establishing peace between this division of the
globe and its colonies"
When this paper came to the knowledge Of
Mr. Canning, he answered forthwith, on the
part Of his government, that the first step taken
by the allied powers towards this intervention,
would be followed, on the part of England, by
the immediate recognition Of the independence
of the South American colonies. We have the
very high authority of Mr.. Broughlm, then a
member Of the British House of Commons, that
the declaration of Mr.. Monroe, made thus in the
same year, had the effect of lettering the s'lied
powers of Europe from the threatened interven-
ton. ] read, from the Parliamentary Debates,
an extract from the speech of Mr. Broughem, 10
the House of Commons, in 1924:
The question with regard to South Amer
ca" said Mr.. Brougham, was now, he believed,
disposed of, or nearly So for an event had re-
Gently happened, than which no event had ever
dispersed greater joy, exultation, and gratitude
over all the freemen of Europe; that event
which was decisive on the subject, was the Ian.
guage held with respect to Spanish America in
the speech, or message, of the President of the
United States to Congress-"
MIR. BrOugham then proceeded to state, as an
indisputable fact that "Ferdnand had been
promised by the Emperor Alexander, that, if the
King of Spain would throw off the constitutional
fetters by which he was trameed, he would
assist him in recovering lis transatlantic do.
minions"
~ 10 Ibuo occu t'it" tnCeuIcfCu fUtTCt
ton by President Monroe was placed distinctly
on the ground that it was necessary, and due to
the Interests and safety of our own people
Tat declaration had its effect an effect rccog-
ni-ed by the statesmen of England, and best
proved by the fact that, although Spain de.
handed the assistance of her allies, she never
received it."
1t will be seen, Mr.. President, that the term
used by President Monroe, in this potential
protest, is the same that is found in. the resou.
ton of the honorable Senator from New York,
that the United States cannot see, &c, "with
Indifference" But how was it construed in the
British Parliament? Why, it was construed as
determination, that if the declaration should
be disregarded the United States would sustain
it by force. The declaration had its eff It, and
warded off the threatened Intervention.
But the honorable Senator from Michigan, for
whose opinions upon all subjects, and more
especially upon those connected with the foreign
relations of the country, have the most pro-
found respect, has cited number of instances
rom the modern history of Europe, tending to
show that these protests are not unusual thinos