Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-01-22
DEBATE In THE SENATE.
coLoNIzAT1oN IN NORTH AMERICA.
In SENATE, TUESDAY, JANUARY is, 1858.

CULONlLATlON In NOhTH AMEhlCA.1
In SENATE, TUESDAY, JANUARY Is, 1853
The Senate proceeded consider the Joint resolution
decaratory of the views Of the United States respecting
colonization the North American continent by Euro
pean Powers and respecting the Island Of Cuba which
Be d rssolosd, e THAT the United STATED " ~ dssss
that the American continents by the free and Independent
condition which they have assumed and mainan hence
forth not to be considered subjects for future colonization
by any European Power Andwhe "existng rights should
be respected andw be by the United States they owe it
their safety and interests to announce, they
do that future European colony dominion sha
with their be planted established any part of
the North American continent And should the attempt be
made they thus deliberately declare that it will be viewed
originating in motives regardless of their "nterests
and their safety" and which will leave them free to adopt
such independant nation justly adopt in
defence Of its rights and its honor
And be further resolped That while the United States
claim any designs upon the island of Cuba inconsistent with
the laws of nations and with their duties to Span they
slider due TO the vast Importance Of the subject to make
known in this solemn that they should view all efforts
the part other Power procure possession whether
peaceably forcbly of that island which, naval
military position must under circumstances easy to be fore
become dangerous to their Southern coast to the Gulf
of Mexico and the mouth Of the Mississippi unfriendy
acts directed against hem to be resisted by all the in
their power.
The question pending was on the following amendment
offered by Mr.. HALE:
And be it futaer resolped That while the United States
like dsclam any designs upon Canada inconsistent
with the laws of nations and with their duties to Great Br
tain they consider it due the of the subject
to make known in this solemn that they should view
all efforts the part of other Power possession
either peaceaby focbly of that Province, (Which
val or military position must under easy to be
foeseen become dangerous their Northern boundary and
to the akes unfendy acts directed against hem be
resisted by all the means in their power.
Mr.. CASS said Mr. President the question Of the
colonization of any part of this hemisphere by the Euro
pean Powers has occupied the attention of the American
people for many years, with less interest, as
passing events seemed to render the effort less
probable. The general subject as well as the principles
involved in it, has been often discussed that do
propose enter into very full examination Of rights
and condition connected with this important topic but
rather to present the general considerations belonging
to it,
Two Presidents of the United States have by solemn
public acts in their messages to Congress- declared and
maintained the principles respecting American exemption
from European dominion which laid down in the first
Of the resolutions before US and have distinctly and salts
factorly established not only right but duty to
do So Of the great elements Of national safety
and prosperity. Mr.. Monroe, in 1929 said Z
eve it. therefore, candor, the anaicable
ons existing between the United States and those Powers,
declare that should consider attempt their part
to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere
dangerous peace and safety With the existing colo
dependencies of European Power have not in
terred and shall interfere But with the Governments
which have declared their independence and maintained it,
and whose independence have great consideration and
just principles acknowledge could inepo
son for the purpose Of depressing them controlling
other their destiny by European Power any
other light than the manifestation OF unendy DISPOSE
ton towards the United States"
Mr.. Polk, in the spirit, in 1845, said
The people Of the United States cannot therefore, view
with indifference attempts Of European Powers to interfere
with the independent action Of the nations this continent
The American system Of government entirely different from
that Of Europe Jealousy among the different soveregns of
Europe lest any of them might become too powerful for
rest caused them anxiousy desire the establish
Of what they term the balance Of power 1t cannot
be permitted TO have any application on the North American
continent nd especially to the United States We
at
have the right decide their destiny Should any
tion Of them, constituting independent State propose to
unite themselves with Conederacy this will be question
for them and determine without any foreign nerpos
ton We consent that European Powers shall in
tefere prevent such union because IL might disturb the
balance power which they may desire to maintain
this continent Near quarter of century ago. the princi
pie distinctly announced TO the world in the annual mes
sage Of my predecessors that the American cont
nent by the free and independent condition which they
have assumed and maintained henceorth not 10 be con-
sidered subjects for future colonization by any European
Power. This principle will apply with greatly increased
force should any European Power attempt to establish
colony in-North America"
In some remarks upon this subject in the Senate few
days SINCE alluded to rather than considered the gene
raj grounds upon which this claim Of independent action
for the nations of the American continent rested for its
assertion | shall not repeat those views, contenting
myself with saying that this right Of exclusion results
from the condition of this continent and from those gen
eral principles Of the public law Of the world by which
il protects the interests and safety Of nations in the vary
ing circumstances in which they may be placed. The
history Of that code shows that il has power OF adapta
ton the advancing conditions Of nations and that rigid
nfexibilty Is not Of its attributes. The changes
introduced into it by the discovery Of America in the
tablishment Of the principles Of occupation and settle
ment familiar TO ALL and furnish illustration OF
this progressive Improvement The right Of recoonza-
ton would necessarily lead 10 the renewal indeed to the
perpetual domination Of European Powers and their colo
MES, wherever planted would become parties with the
neither countries in oil their though far beyond the
true sphere Of their and objects
tbuaG nd In IN mi
be- and any rate within the reach Of the action Of com
munities rendered enemies by the disputes too often
frivolous and almost always Indifferent Of nations the
other side Of the Atlantic Such state Of things bring
tng wars to coast to inland boundaries and
iqtrupHpg the peaceful and profitable avocatons Of
thoe continent to crafty the pride or jealousy, or some
other equally unworthy passion Of ministers mstresses
where these the depostaries Of power, would be
dangerous 70 our pence and safety"
But do not know that the general principle Of this
claim OF exemption IS contested Certainly II cannot be
upon any Just grounds Our Executive Government has
assumed II upon full consideration and the history Of
negotiations with England be found In the interesting
account given by Mr. Rush. our able and faithful repre
sentative Of his mission 70 that country bevond
doubt that although the British Ministry we're opposed
anticolonizaton doctrine lest il might interfere
with Interior objects Of aggandzement on their mart vet
they entirely concurred in the application Of the rincne
to the recently emancipated Spanish Colonies which n
fact conceded the right Of the United States 10 extend
same policy any portion Of the continent not then c
tually possessed by European Power And Mr. Monroe
distinctly announced this fact, saying:
Is gratifying to know that Of the Powers with
whom we enjoy very friendly intercourse, and TO whom
these views ooncernng the condition Of the Spanish
es been communicated have appeared 10 acquescs
in them"
when Mr. Canning announced TO Mr.. Rush that " Eng
land could not the transfer Of any portion Of them