Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-09-24

MES in America following the Northern example broke
away from the mother country and declared themselves
independent The contest began early 1870 but it
wac long continued and extended over immense
gion-from New Mexico and California in the North to
Cape Horn 10 the South; washed by two vast
traversed by mighty rivers and divided by lofty
tains fru tlul In silver capped with and sho ting
with volcanic fire. At last the United States satisfied
that the ancient power of Spain hal practically ceased to
exist, beyond reasonable chance of restoration, aud
that the contest ended acknowledged the ndepen-
dence of Mexico and FIVE other provinces But this act
was approached Only after frequent debate in Congress-
where Henry Clay took an eminent part and after
most careful confederation in the Cabinet where John
Quincy Adams, as Secretary Of State, shed upon the
question all the light Of his unsurpassed knowledge de-
rived from long practice, well from aboous study
of international law. The judgment on this occas n
must be regarded as authority President Monroe 10
special message, on the 9Th Of March 1522-twelve
years after the war began-caled the attention Of Con
gress to the state OF the contest which he said hal
reached such sage and been attended with sach da-
cisiye success the part of the provinces that merits
he most profound consideration whether their right to
the rank Of independent nations, with all the
incident to IT, in their intercourse with the United States
s not complete" After setting forth the de faco cond
ton Of things, he proceeded: Thus it ia manifest that ali
these provinces not only 10 the full ejoym mt Of their
independent but considering the state Of the war and
other circumstances, that there is not the most reoe
prospect Of their being deprived OF it," In proposinq
their recognition the President dec ared that il was done
"under thorough conviction that is 10 strict accord
with the law OF nations " and, further that ID ia not
contemplated to change thereby the slightest manner
our friendly reatltns win either OF the parties" In
accordance with this recommendation G, nqress au
thonzed the recognition Two years later the same thing
done by Great Britain alter much debate DIPLOMATS
and parliamentary No case of international duy bias
been illustrated by clearer eoquence, and ample know
ledge purer wisdom. The dispatches were written
by Mr. Canning and upheld by HIM in Parliament; but
Lord Liverpool took part in the discussion succncty
declaring that there could be right to recognition
while the contest actually gong on" cone usion
which was cautiously but strongly enforced By Lord
Landsdowne and uoby indicated 10 Grafton reviewing
the who subject by that great publcIst Sir James
Macintosh All inclined TO recognition, but admitted that
could take place long the contest continued
and that there be such contest exhibits some
equality Of force that il the combsants were left to
themselves the would be in degree doubtful"
But the Spanish strength throughout the whole continent
reduced TO single castle in Mexico, island the
coast OF Chile and small army in Upper Peru, while in
1ausards Parliamentary Debates, second series vol xii
p78
Statutes at Large, vol. viii, ., u.s.
Martens Nouvelles Causes Celobres, vol. l., p 40S
Macintoshs Works, vol, ILL.,, p 1913,