Columbia telescope. (Columbia, S.C.) 1819-1821, April 11, 1826, Image 2
> Hfrnwinf. w ?adoai tla Ighta ofhletory
i llHwMi M, ib?t WIBJ WMMMMNf KlichltfV*
M in ttomMlvas, and aiaatly to fc? *W|4or?*l.
ooly uiaay. hat most probably wilt reeult.
1 tb?t ? JlllifUM of opinion Will ?*wt, IB ??
*?rd UJ m?e*ures 40 lmix>rtMit hi Uu'whIvw.
?v various and dlvenlAed b tWr elbato, opoo
?> ?*?>*?? ?wd by lht> Senate, of withholding lu to*
?vnl.Ou&ht not, tlurvfore, to bo regafded M fur?
!-? nWlting tmflUlotit MMraoco egal??t iImb possible
and proUubfe *lmt of tba impaled
Turning bom tba uadeftud ot4e?U of this Cm*
(rrm, to imperfectly dltcloevd In tUe vego?de*
** ciljMlou given tfiliMittm^tfMM at all. Ihay ?ri
. p<?anted noil uidiitiiicily to tb?*i# view, and re
-gard'ug IkM* which are particularly mentioned,
i <*nJ prercrlbej with nitre pridtlom tbU cuiuiuit
?taa hara not baoa able to discover, In euy aoa of
these Mi a tiatW sutycat, concerning which the
' United SmldoMit to enter Mo aoy m|u(klio<i
with the 8tete*<jl America, to ba assembled at tba
.'? onlemj-laUd Congre???l Panama.
gafbroiuoaasdlug to tba eiimaeiatlon of thasc
ubject*, the committee cannot refrain In mi calling
the attention of tha Senate to t singular olnuu
alaoco^Iisatotod by tha dtKOincnb to tham re
ferred AHIteogb an eaumetbtiffn af the MlifuU
to wbkb tba attention of lb# propotod Conpuo
wo to bo directed, was cxplloilly sifted as a con
dition preliminary to tba aeeeiitanee by tba l/ni?
tnd States, of tba Invitation g.ven to them to Us
1 there represented; although ea?b of the ministers,
"I{i*nf tlil* invitation, had onmmunleeted till* to
In* Government, and received It* instruction* r??
htlre thereto; yet. great dlvei lilies will bo fouud.
in tha enumeration of Vbote subjects, made by
?.-?h of these mloWtr.r*,to pursuance of such In
ai ructions. Aud, what i? Mill mora mmarkablc,
while many of tha tubjMli of intended dlsctution,
ao enumerated, by aaclt of thMa nilnWters, are
not referred to in tha message of the President to
tha Sonaie, others are therein stated, a* mutter*
for the deliberation of the nio|x?ed Congrets, to
wulch not tba *llghte>ullu?tou *cems ever to have
been niudo, bv any oueof the Amerian Mluisten,
in aoy ol tnoir communications to this tJov?
v?rn?ent; nay, one of the su*\jcct? (the mo*t itn
|><?rtaul, |?robahly, of any which tbn U State* are
? I oil out to dUcu** at Itih Congre??) is neither
no'ioed lu the communication* made to this *ov
"?iini?!iit, by any of the American States, our in
t.ia invtoigeof Hie Pro*td?ni to the Senate; aud
is to Ik> only inferred from tlm do< utnents la*t re?
lfrrred to (hi* eninmiltec. received mider the call
inaia by the Senate, fur further iu'orwalinn: all
?vltioh will be very elretly ihnwn by the detail*,
tvhtcli the coimintti'e will now Injr before tnu Be.
a-i v
1'lift Ant t'etod by (i|f Mexican ininiMei,
hi I'lio wliuh would occupy the nlloutlun of ill*
?:ouluinpl*t.*d an t in the deliberation*
cuuaernlng which the Uniud Htatetmt pspected
lu take a pari, if, ' Iba le.iHanee or oppotillon
to Ini made to the intunVrmco of any neutral ne
'ion, in the queatiou and war of iudopend*nce,
between tb?i now |Ni?wri ol' tblt continent and
Spain." And in Itiv deliberation! upon thit tub
joal, il teen* to bo proposed, ?to ditciiM the
mean* of giving to tbat remtancn all pottibb:
forar/'aiiilio liiadjuil, hy pnwiout concert, the
mode in which each uf tin- fet*i<>t represented at
tha i'.in/tram, ?'shall lend it* c<? operation."
Tu* unit ?u'>je?-i in niio tinted bv tha minu
ter ol Colombia, and in trr-ii? ?till mora explicit,
ifi) iUj|(Mb, at a niattrr of u.elul Jiicuuinn in th*
Ci?ii|?r? ??, the formation of "au eroiitual ?lliao<xj"
of tha il*th th?ro to Im> rrpmciitD for the pur*
po?a of prereuung any Kuropean |?ower from In
tcf.nHu| in the present nimletl lici ween Spain and
bcr former colonic*, and thai the irmly tor tlii?
purpose, ihould "remain secret, until tha cams
J'mdrri% should happen."
Nolwilhttandlng (hi* i* to Mated by both of the to
rambtort, at the Ant and great objret of the pro
p<.Md Coogret*. yet the Pretideul, in bit menage,
fuurtt tlin l?iittv,"tHiii ilwiarilif wfitie atiend
anct of the United State* it neither tp < outr*< I
alliances, nortoenxage iu miy undertaking or pro
ject importing hotlibty to any other unlIon " It
thu* appear*, Hint, in relation to thii fl'-t and
mntt important |?o>iit. which tecmt to have given
b'rl!i to the tchamn of tbi* t'ongrett, the view*
????: mntitrnfl' ? he United State* diff?r essentially
( ?tn tlose .if t*ie other partin*. And Ihit differ*
<* lco ! opinion oviiurr.u.: a* to Ihe verv flrtt pro
p .Utioi, which It vie) to be "h matter of Immftdi
u>iltty t<- ?iiu Amrrun SI me# that Nre at war
With Spain and i# t?eliaved by (1mm to lie iu ec
c^r?Uu~o with tha r>p?rle I <!eclarati<jnt and pr.i
tNltot|l)? enbl nl at W??h'int?iq," mu?t unavoid
ably ?srl'tt .t-.nblt a* to ''the interest we Itkt in
tiieir w )-1- , 'Mid our di?po?itiou to comply wttb
t'ieir w??' ? " And would to contribute not a little
, io ilef<- jt - i ?*??' ibj.-clt
The ?!?*? "< ije. t Mated by the M?slran miabter
at pretet.i'n" **?ooitier of the questions which may
tic diicu?<!,' and irhicli c.?u<idert at being ' in
like predict no.its with the foregoing," it, Mthe
nppoaltiria to coiouixation In Amtritii by the Ea?
romwi powart." .
The mlnbterof Colombia coneur* in tblt enu
meration. lie planf* *the manner in which all
? dunlsi*ion of Kuropaan powert on If mi ^narf
can eontinMit thall barrtbted," at the very bead
of all tha tubjttiU of propo*a?l ditcurtion, and
cou|i(m tblt with the former, at an nl{jec| to Im ef
feotadhy tha Jotat anltail elTorli of all tha Btatet
to ba reprewnt#d ?t the Conyr?w?who ihould ba
bound hy a tolemu convention tn itoma thitend
Tba Frr*ldent concert iu part in tbe opinion at
to tin propriety of attaining tliit and, bat differ*
radically a* to tha mod* of aoeoinplithlng it "An
agreement bitwatuatl the partiet rapra?aotcd at
tha meeting, that each will *uarj, by it* own
maaos agairut Ilia attiiblifli'neut ol any futnra
Xtiropean r.olony witlnn itt borJnrt," be tliinkt,
?'may be found adrifaabla." Now, if tbit be
nitiaut that each nation tbalf, by itt own maanc,
protect itt own tfrritortr* againtt aN anrroacb
utan(t upon tbara.uttompted by any Ctipopean or
othar foreign State whatsoever, tba coinmittee
Mnuotdbcarn cither the ucccttity or aapadiency
of entering into any formal agreement withothet
State* to that effevt, more than cxitte lor raduebig
to treaty tHpiitatinnt, and other of the high, Junt,
and ?niver?a)ly adutiUed rigbtt of all nation?,?uch
en 4Jae> however, U Abeloutly not that ?uggetUd
by tba tninMeraof Metlco and C'olbmldai and If
mora i* meant to lie eomprehooded in the agree
ment which the Pretidettl think* mav be founded
\U?aWe, every other artirtle it tvoaUl contain mu?t
in the opinion of thi* Oommittee, violate all tha
w?ll-eetileifcpiii>eipj?? of tlia policy of the United
state*,and pat at bacerdtheir bett iutereeU, with*
out any adequtle motive for to novel an esi>eri*
* menf. In the o?a eaaa Ibe *!?#? awl motive* of
, Ihe I'retldcut dllfir agaia etwiUially, from Ihota
t nf the other partiet to be represented at tbi* Con*
' greei; and from Ihe di*> lotura of tfcate repeated
7. differ.-ncet of Opinion, no goed oan po?nMy rr.alt.
'' |,i Die othi'r, thonld ibe rlew? of tba Pretldent
' oon^br vit h thoee of tba American Stat??, fwbicb
(be ou emittaa do nM believe,) Ihe mntifrl ttlpe
latioiif growing out ufMeh an agrei ment, would,
if ;hec?t/nfonwthl*^ ommHtae, praVa fotal to llm
11 interest! of tba Un.t.d Sute* tboOlJ tbe
happen.
To <be i?een*ofmnt( ainMaai r?<li?? m
. ?o tb' jntorla?aAc?y neatral natnme. ?? tf- w.r
. of Indepevdanre h?lw*en m
>Coi?(bmntmMl %ieint a?<t -f -
rntioe I? America. I7 tba b
/
as; a*d, iada*< *r* *U tka (
?
Kaltfar ofC<
ration of
Maunliat further; aud, after mentioning those
baforartatad, adda,a?anolhar, "th?ooMiuemtlon
of gw muI to t* adopted Tor UwHlir*
tlaaoftba Africa* Star* trade." " s ?
TothU rabjeel tha PrwlM atakes no allesiaa
la lib Mmhuiand,afl*rthe examination wMakU
baa received In lit* timu, dur inj I wo sacooselre
jr*M,lb?<ioaiiiiiiiMd??a kquilenimso*?ry to
mjt uiaolt i? relation in U at lb* i?too;, Soma of
Ika sovefalg a Statea, Iter* repreMOlfed, araro th?
Artf la Use w**rld to iwoelailp Ihrii iMwWfi?? ol
ibis (mlAc. Blue* Itw formation of Inia gOtrira
ninil, (Im Uuited Statu* bava eirtiedt (aud M
III* committee believe, have exerted atfocm <11 jr.)
all lb* ineana iu thalr pow<-r lo arrest tU
*0 far as Ihajr uwa oiliMM tvrn e<>oo*rned; ami
if all othar nation* and especially iho?a nation*
holding ixairni'tut, in America, would Jollow
thwr example, Ilia Aftkai Slave Trade would uo
l?iiX*r aaiat. 'I'ba l/ulled Hlal**, however, tiava
not coululy (ha right, and ought never to fat I
fit* looliuatlou, lo dictate In others who u?ay differ
Willi Hiank upon llda suhjmit, nor do Ilia cuiniuillca
a?? lha (ipMkncjr of maulling other flairs, with
mIiomi wa urn luaintaiulug relalious 0/ ported
unity, by urviHliii^ Ilia moral chair, and pro* laiiu*
litfi liom lb voce, uiurw nUirait principle*, of tli?
rectitude of whioh, ?ath nation *njoy? lha per
fect rtjtl'l ?' deciding lor ilMlf.
The Minlrterof Colombia states, as .w ilier sub*
ject of di??Jue*lou at lha Contemplated Congress,"
"on what Inuii thr. teUllonsol llayii, and v?
othar |arli ol' oar' hemisphere that *ball here
iflcr ha in liko clrrumtfaucaa, ara to Im placed.**
To thW matter, also lh> fresid?ututak?-sao allusion
iu lit* Message. Aud, urvly, if their I* any stil{j?el
within ilia whole circle uf |>ol>iic .1 relation*, as lo
which it utlio interest and Iheduiy ofalllbetttatet
lo heap Ihctmelret, perfectly free ami uuthackiad
hy any previous stipulation,ft la I hat which regard*
Iheir future connexion* with any other |>com]c.
not partiea to such an agreement. Of propriety
or iminoprifly of such connexions each must ever
be permuted to judge liealy forileall, bcoaute lha
benefit or disadvantage In ra>ult from them, muil
he (tar.iihar, and very diflcient to each; aud that
relaliou which I* highly dolrnhle at on* licae,
may l>tc>?nio liuiifui mi Miiother. In the opinion
of thli c-umiiiilfee, therefore, the United Stales
should uever |>ariuil themselves to ent? r into dls
eushon ivitli any foreign State whnlrier. a* io the
relation* they ihould l>? obliged to cwtablUli.
with aoy other l*t>op(ti not pintles to?uch discu*
?loos, Alid Ilia objection* lo *u< h a coiiim be
coma infinitely stronger, whan the dt*cii**ioo?
are intended 10 refer, not only lo those then
exist, but ul?o to otherr, who may bar caller be
coioitlcred as placed " iu likt circuuiilaiHe?."
Tliese ara all lha |?omt* purtiiularly *ujc^a*tad
by llie MinlrU'l of Cvlomlna, n* subjaclsol ?li>ena?
kioit at the Conteui|?l*lod t *no^rr>s. The miuiiiar
of Uiuleinala, (whoulto unites in the iuvilntioii
Xiveo to Um United 8tal?-*.J lias slated uo parlicu
tar *i|lij*et a* lualter of duoustiou at this C?u
He intimate* how/vcr," thai, a? Kurope
had formed a roiUdMnin/ lyiltni. aud held a Coo
>;rei?, whenever quaition* atfecting ii* inleie*t?
were lo be di?cu*?adf Ameiica should also lorm a
?y*leni forilselj."
Mow lartlii*general suggestion meet* the view*
?if the President, the committee ?n n?l ?uiIiImI,
? iy any il<x uiQti)t to them reltrrrl, to J?cidt.
(tul tlipjr will present to the Senate their own
nivalin relation to it, the rutinr btcuuie it imdi?
now to he the prominent object of the proj?o?cd
Concrete, the inngmtude and variety of detail*
,l*longtug to which, ii>-0n I prcitat enumeration,
tuil particular specification.
Without adverting to the greet and obvious di
venitici eibling between the Statu of (hit Con
tinent end those of Kutope. by which the system
here alluded to Has bmu e?t?l?U?Wi ??Uvmiii??
growing dut of the situation of their ptnjtlr, the
nature of their government*, and the portion
j they occupy, not only in r? I j lion to each other,
. but to the r??t of the clvditcd world, (lib commit
j tee will rtnte, n? their opinion, that no rfl'ucl, yet
' produced by the eoutimmtnl tytUot of Kurmie, U
of a character to int ite the Stale* of this Conti
' nent to tak * that syMem as a model or example At
for their imitation. The great object of ih? cenfi*
ntutnl ty*few of Kurope, I* to preserve aocicot in
stitution*, end relation* long known, an J well un
derstood, in the position which they now occupy,
and fot uanjr ornturicsh ive done.
The operation of thl* ay item it hy the combi
nation ut powers, mikI the apphctitn.u ol nun
force, toarieat the pro^ms of improvement in
tlie science of government end lu the condition of
S03iety.-M.Kudj which ail free State* mutt r-oro
bate, at inu< h u* they do the meant employed tor
iIkn accomplifthmeiit. Ifthl* were not ?<?, how
e?tf, a system formed 6?r th? continent, lor the
?ame, or even different objects, woqld, niott pro
bably, produoe the worst effect#. The short pol
lillcyl < xittctii e of mII tbe 9t.itc?on lb.s continent,
evenoftho United State* Ihemttlrti, tbe most
uncicnt of any, ha'th t ntbled the in to pro#t to lit*
lie a* yet by esperleuce. that It would item r-isb to I
proclaim theii perfection, at this time, or to pledge
any of then to perpetuate either their present in
stitution*, or exitting political relation*. Our
own excellent Constitution isbas*! npou the sup
position of it* m?n prob.?blo Imperfection, and
motl witely provide* for itt amendment, when*
ever inch delect* *hall l*e diKOVcred to e?i*t.
We cannot therefore, stipulate to praMrre it a* H
i?j and no comport with other state* can l>e ne
cetsary to bestow upon each the pott*/ ?l now po
scsset, to effect any change, wh.oh esnerlence
may bert*ft*r show to be btucflcial to lt*eU. And
a Mipulation to make such eliargc* a* the good ol
any others m.iy hereafter rcpitre, would eithei
he futile in itsell, or muit Inevitably lead to die*
cord and to war*.
The committee douhl, moreover. Ihe authority
of the Government of I lie United Slate*, to enter
lulo any negotiation with foreign tuition*, for. tho
porpote of settiiugand promulgating, either prin
ciple* of Internal policy, ?r more alietract propost*
t<onS, part* of the puhlle law ? And it the pro*
pnw'J Congress i* viewed but mi a convenient I
mode of conducting a *umm?iy negotiation, ?
relative to existing InUrol important to thiej
continent alone, it not only may, bat mo*t
probably will la e*t*idei?d, by all o ha.- <1*
iHtod nation*, a* a Confederacy i?f the State*
therein represented, for pnrji?*es a* piejodi
cial tollie interests of the old as they are aopp^*
sad to be beneficial to those of the new ivorld.
Many of the pmvistoneln the diffV*tnl touvatdions,
already concluded between some of lite oew
State*, relative to this eery Congee**, and Which
are now pubUa,are well calculated to create *qeh
? suspteion, even if they do Hot Juitify a belief In
Its Math. Aad whene>>ever this su-pteion *hall
be entr rleln?*d hy the nation* of the old world ami
e*peeia|ly by thot* who Mill hold possesion* on
this eoatmeat) It a?a*t be ohvlatu to nil, that eon
sequences moah 4a ha de|dorad, will unavoidably
HotWof that can ha deae hereafter, by any dd*
talent of thla government, ia refeilng to tana*
natdadad at aCoagram rag
I *affhetoaverithe calamity
obserrane# af |hatr well known coar* of
aadky uiaaifeirtiag entire good wlfl, an<rmmM
ej^pinw npoa nit on
MIff ft*
conflict* be
(|MiC
Mllf. Iinrunt. ctUikuk
?&&?K|S3?S<
duee among (htm, would general
V they did not deelroy ell b?P*
t*rau*eUoa woatt ?*k. '??r- M
itftimate cawo of M? Of?
twWa ihemtelro*^. 8?di ba* bean the i**ue of all
MakjMMTpriKM Id pa* ???**: IMi ** have there*
for *lrnnj( reaton* to ?? the fut^e, similar
a---L*?,
tevehd *uhjccts of pr?>po?*d dlacn*ih>o, Mated or
uiiua* ti m by each ?f thf* nilni?tc,-? of ifee new
atateavf Aiwrira, a* matter* of deliberation' at
the contemplated Goearme, will now proceed to
the Invocation of other*, uot mentioned or re
fcrrc'l to by any of lhr?( but Mkiitltad in ltd
www 5?i tha TOiUtyrt.
The committee k? nothing In tha document* lo
Uteai referred, to prove that tha *tate* who o?l*l
(Mtcvl J be project of thl* Congrca*, and aattWdtha
auLjccU proper lor ite4'lil>?rNli??''.and who moat
probably h>va already edjutted V Ilia preliminary
rule* oltliatavemMy," %v?1l admit, aa'It Walter*
of diRUMloti, aay other than Utu?e which they
themaclve* h?va ?o previously announced*
Hhbiild tbia be the can?, the degraded potlllon
which thf (Jutted Htatf* must (lieu occutiy at the
(Jiiiigf***, utU*t lie ?p|Mtreiil tu all. Without ad>
rtiliM fid lliar, however, at tl?i? lime, to thi* coo*
?UfcraOou, the oointuiiiee wil) cntAr luto th?J ex
amlnailo* of the wv?r*l topic* slmttHtd by tba
President, a* (hough III* diaeusvion a?I tham we* a
Matter Mttled andalready agreed
The Im of thhM wlijtcb tinted by the Pre*l>
dent, l*f * the ettabiikhment of |irinci|ileB nf ft
lilieml commercial intereouise." I he motive*
for drtirieg this a. a atated to be? that ?* the soulh
eru American nation*. In their iaurooo*e with
the Unued blatrs, have *oinetlme* manifested
deposition* to rr*ervr a right of granting *|?ctal
favor* and privilege* to the Sp-midi nahun, at the
price of tlieir recogn.tion; at ot!ier*,thr.y have ac
iu.?lly ettahlUhcJ ?lutie? and impositions, opera*
ling unfavorably to tha United State*, to the *J<
vantage of other European |H)vre<i>j ?nd *ome>
time* they have appeared to consider that they
might, interchange, among ihein*elve*, mutual
iHMic*MloiM ol eicluiiv* favor, to which neither I
UtiropeuuiMwcr* nor '.he United State* ebould be
admitted. ^
Ill considering the*. reasons, <1 cnnnot aacape
the observation ol any, that, iu manifesting dl?j.o
sitinna lo caubliab iuc.'i commercial relations, the
southern American uaiioii* mu*l have been actu
ated by the only motivo thai ever operates either
ajion imiIqiu or individuals, iu reitM to their
mere commercial interrou**?a deiire fairly to
advance their own IntereMs, and a belU f that tl.*y
.ould, by ,u:li lueunt, pmperly accomplish this
wud It. in llti* belief, tlie?e milium are right,
then lb-United Slulc* cuii acarcely b? viewed as
???? ui< toward* them in (hat ipim of generoua
kindness mi J fiMleiiml friendship they have' pro.
l?'S?ed. w bvn ibry would strive to Induce tlitrn to
establish a* liberal principle#, #ucb as would bo ill
jurinus In die iuieierW ul the** Southern ualiuiis
inumtrlivs. Ami, it tliuy ere wrong, it ?eeiu< to
ihi?cw?uuiiMe>, th.i: '.no i??k of exhibiting llwir
iirrub. u,ny be much Iwilei peri?NM|jl, ua hithrrtn
it bell, bneii, by particular disc>j**ioue with each
separately, (tuu by pmcral demonstrations made
to all, as?einb|ed u* a Congress.
Tbe i.iltrvd* ul cuiuiiirrce are necessarily pe
culiar; tney grow oul ul nuuicrous circumstances,
produced by luckily, climate, imputation, tain
neir,tq?'nii)?, ..nd other rauiei, no one of 4hicli
? xi?i# aliku iu nny too natious of tlu< globe Few
general jH-iueiph?, then lore, cau ever apply, with
?<|ual Irolh, to *> maij peculiarities; Mid such as
do?o apply. need not tlio sanction ol loleoin com
pact to give them ? U". ct. 1'bey arnv be very
Hi/ely ootiflilfd to the ueionil disposition of u>an,
l-rouintly to discover, and vajerly to advance, his
own boat inisrctl#.
Whatever deposition*. then, may bave be??n
manifested by the southern nutiou# of America,
lltit committer think lliat their dlw.li, both U|?on
themselves and the United State*, wilt constitute
sutdecls much more It for separett diseutsious
Willi each, tbau of general Investigation before all.
And the committee ere the word confirmed In
lb'* opinion, by tbe natuinnce giveu by the ifre*
sident, lo hi* message, that *? in Moat wf theee
cases, tbeir regulations unfavorable lo u?, have
already yielded te friendly expostulation and re
luonatram e," end, by lit* fact that the treaties
recently outicluded between these states, contahi
exprrsi dlpuUtioust that, in no event will they
agree or enter liito any treaty with Spain, or auy
other ualloo, to the iirejuditnof ilieir Indapen
doiico, but to aiuintefn, at all timet, their mutual
inlete*ta, with the dignity aud energy |>ro|>cr to
Iroe in-Impendent states.
It is true, a difference of opinion appear* to
exist, at prrsent, between the United Slates and
one of tbe new republics ol Ameiice, in relation
to ?> single iirincinle of their eommersinl inter*
cour?o When tna Senate recollect, however,
liiat treati?a have been already concluded bet woeu
the United Slates and tnree others of Ibeeo re pub
In*, In each of which treaties tble |K?lnt baa been
settled, a* lite United States themselves thiuk
rigid, Uio committee believe thai the Senate will
concur with Ibaut In tbe opinion, that U la much
better lo continue the dbcusslou of Ibis subject*
with (be dneeutlng sUie dngly, urging upon her
the example of her slater atatrs, than to put In
ha sard the stipulations nlready secured, by
voluntarily entering into nn eaaminaiHiu of their
expediency, before the contemplated Cungieas.
?? The consentaneous adoption of prlnolplci of
maratlete nentrnbty, " favorable lo the naviga
tion of peace and commerce iu time of war, is
the next object whi h. In the ??idmon -A the Pre
kident, should "also torfli n subieel of consider**
U..II to this Congress." In relation to Ihls, so far
as it regards tbe commerce of peace, tbe ommit
lee lisve already expressed their opinion; and, so
fer as it is bonded I<> settle tbe rules ol war, na ap
plieubie to ngvigntioa, (lie committee will ooly
remark, that there exists so mueh riak of com
pri?tiiln*MW(lri/is| the relalions of neutrali
ty, which lb* United Stelea nr? now mainteiubig,
should (bey involve lhem*w|ve?, ny any compact,
nlalive to beIHgersnl rig hit, entered into with
only on* of the parties to tbe present war, during
its continuance, that in tbeir opiniou, it would be
JdtfMy tnMpedieat lo make such an esueriment
?I this time. Aey prinelple relating to the rights
of war, which one of the paruet In the exbling
contest might lie wilUoglo ndopt,as promoting its
internals, could senrcely be regarded with ind f*r
enee by the other. And the great mnratime
states of JCurune would most probably condder
thai I lie United SWes bed seined tbe or-neioa of
this war, te enter into n uoofederacy with the
othor steles id lids eontineait, vow aetnally en*
cnged In it, for IM purpose of settling pftneiples
intended to nVset metennlly tbeir fntnre interests.
It Is well known in Ike Senate, I
treaties aimed) elisi, between tbe
end sererel ef tbe new sUies of lM
?filfc nil the subject# alluded In by the l?r
lelbis part ofbis^bebMgd,nrnalr
no rrnaon U keowo to tbie eom
Ike stigktesl doubt, thet tkeedknm ?f
wllk whom treaties are n# yet eon
feel any disinclination to enter Into similar stipe
(etfetw fertfcnmsalrto. . _ .
?* There Is y at another subjeet, (anys Mm fn*
incorporated with politkil' ^
And if thorn be any >i'U mW mm
dclketu lha another, U to wltieh
Slnlvit ou'lit nt-Vfr lu intermeddle, ? _
trttslve euplce, It It mm which concern* religl
liberty. The boM eruel mm! MfuUt)?| ?
hcvo been produced by ench interferences;
i mII<hi withouttuleietloo of My
JonkMOlamt."
MMb IS
i iii uoli fli iIa
' *"vT13' afr
luanutw on J ?v?# bivo Inmq mot# ifMOi
, than that whfeh denlee, Ml manly tbetiM
. y, Hutth? rlfhl7o?l?UriMddll?i wkh tl?e in
t??ro*l affslrs of other sUtet; and ripwUllforMtk
ing to alter auy provision (hoy IWf bavethought
iiro|?er tn aduft as a fundamental faW,or may bare
Incorporated with their |>olitlca) constitution!.
morn Htivd aua
I tlMUJuhW
even. h? oL
religious
r wmi
?1 H I IRhm
btood ol tuau has been pound out in torrents
and, from the days of tho cnufdn Co the preieot
hour, no btnelt Km resulted ^o th*hu?i?a faiaily
finm dUuwtooa Carried on by nations Mjuxt Mica
subjects .Among (bo variety oven or christian
nations which now iohabit the earth, rare Indeed
aiw tho oxaaplM to be fouo^ of atato* who hove
not established au c tciutive church; and loo fcr
ihe greater number of these, toleration is yet
unknown. lb mono of the coromuulraUont wbwh
bavo token place,. Is the wool distant aline) on
nude to this del>catesetyectf by anyoftbo osinla
ten who have given this invitation; and tho cow
mitt o toel Very confident in the opinion Ihnt,
It over an lutlmotion shall bo made to tho sover
eignties they ropreseut,tbet H was the purpose of
the Uutnrdika testa diet ore at tho proiwsod Con
geese, their plaus of Internal civil polity, or oay
thing touching tho supposed Interests ol their re*
ligiou* rst.iblWIiinent;, the Invitation given would
soon bo withdrawn.
rbe committer, liavs (hot iihibitN to lb* Bs
nate, la detail, all tbe subjects which they hay*
been enabled to lud particularly seated, either by
lb* I'rriHlenl in bisfrsl mHW|t?,ofby any oflh*
minister* ofthe new stales of initrlcki M matter*
intended to Im diKnn(tl at the contemplated
Congre**. In reviewing these, they will repeat,,
(bat n concurrence of opinion doe* not Mem to en
lit, between the different parties, af to the
subjects ordeliberation; nor bai the Mode of die
>-u?*ion or decision been in any way fettled
iHitweeii tbeot. In relation to some of the sub
ject* alluded to, a* al malter* lor consideration,
difference of opinion, radical an I Irreo-icileaWe,
Mem already to exM, which dlscnwion may ag
gravate, lint cannot n?snxge. And to other*, tliail
very agitation in this mode, threaten* serioudv
the couipromitment of tbe ueutral relations which
the United State* are now maintaining, and have '
so carefully observed through this whole conUst.
Other*, again, arc unfit subject* for deliberation
la thl* mode et all time*, and any agreement r?
sulliug from th*l' discussion, mu*t impair tilit
freedom of action which it ixso n*eet*arjr for tbe
United State* to preserve ai to the*} and. aslo
the resiJue, they are ?Hh?r not of sufficient im
portance to require the *do|<tioo of this new an<t
untried ex|w-rlmeul of a Congress of nation*, or
may be much better adjusted and settled in separ
ate negotUtion* with each, than in a general con
ference with all. For these reasous, if there were
none other, thi* Commit lee should regard the a
doptlon of the mea*ure proposed by the Prctfideut
a? highly inexpedient at Ibis time.
AMuongh, in the message ol th* President,of th*
9th instant, no new *uhj?ct of deliberation at th*
eontemi luted Congress is *pe?ia||y stated, yst,
Irom the documruts accompanying thTt iiie**tgt,
and theioin referred to, a* containing iii(<irmulioii|
tvnding to ilmw th* eipedieucy of ailopling the
|iro|x>ted measure, It appear* to Ihlt Committee,
that the present end fnturu condition of i>>e ivmniit
iug Spmitih possession* in America, are consider
ed a? proper matters to be tin re agitated and mi
lled. Hnob being the inference of the Committee,
they will proceed to lay before the Senate their
opinion upon this luhject alio.
'fl?s Committe* are wail swaie,that the United
?tale* (.mm never regard with indMwrenre the situ
iiliun and proltabln destiny of th* nclgbboilug
B|*anish I it and* of Cuha'ana Puerto Rivo; bat, so
fnr from believing it expedient to discus* those
subjects at a Congress of all tbe Am?iicau States,
ait A* specially at this time, th* Committee coosi
deflUie great |irob*hillty that sueh * dismission
ml^il Im Jhrttd upon the United States, if they
are there represented, as a circumstance, furoid
log in itself the strongest objections to lb* adop-1
tioo ofthe measure proposed.
If the existing war between Spain and the naw
State* of America continue*, tbe United Slate*
could scarcely endeavor to arrest tbe prog r*?a of
that war, In tha only direction it can hereafter
take, or prevail upon one of the belllger*nta not t*
at/ib* their enemy, where alone be U now mhiI*<
l?l* and most vulnerable by them, witb*nt an
nouncing a determination to take part in the eon
test j and if peace shall happily be restored, all ap
prehension of the effects of such a blow mud
oease of course. Why then discuss the merits of
?i4cli,a question, which it seem* probable may oe
ver ariseOr why place the Uuited States in a
situation, where, li (he question doe* arise, and
they must speak, tbe jantuag* which they utter
must be regarded ae equally nnf. Icndlv to all the
new State*; and where, if the United State* keqi
tileno*, thi* very silence will be misinterpreted*
Should the situation of policy of the t/niled
States induce them to look with indifference upon
the new dlreelion that the existing war may lake,
and to abataln from all Interference in it* nven
(hough the neighboring Islands of Cuba and Puer
to Rich may be threatened or attended, then the
very annunciation of such a purpose must cofltri
bute much to aeoelerate an event that cannot be
fieeked hy us. In whatever light, therefore, this
subject is via wed, il does uot seem to be one whleb I
lhe. United Plates should disease with tbe other I
American States assembled at n Congress. The [
Inexpediency of persuing such n course appeared
more obvious lo this Committee, when they con
sidered. that many of the nations of Europe must
also leel, that their interests were maleriolly in
volved in its d*cidon; and that they would not ab
stain from making suae mnnemenls in relation to
It. wMrli must greatly embarrass any cotiree that
Ihe United States may wish bereeftee to poreur
While the United Stales retain th* position
which they have hitherto occupied* end manifest
t constant determination,not to miogle their In
tesests with those of the other State* of America,
they aeay continue lo employ tbe lnfluee*e which
Ihey |?o*aeH, and I Hive already happily exertsd,
nitli tbe nations of Europe, in Tavor of these new
republic*. Hut, If ever the United State* permit
ihemeelve* lo be associated with them nations I*
sny Oesseral Cnnafaaa, a mm Med for th* discus
sion ff ssoasmon plan*, In any way affecting Kuro
peon interest*, Ibey will, by *ucb an act, not Msly
deprive themselves of the ability they now pn*>
mm, of rendering hsefai s*sbtan*e to tbe other
Amerlran State*, bat alao ptoduee other oJbets,
prejudicial tp their Otis latere**. The*, tbe
restrain any dHpatitmn that the beet of the *sl*t-|
ing contest i
own
axeite
*mi
tMUk without Ul# laiwi limlttftit dtsftf (a |k#ir
Mmm W
the United State* oof to tahe a ptaee at the coo]
Umplated Congr***, itno*, by M doiaf. tfchy
Mmi k# ioiflMiciil Ma l-IiaiiiLiC (ki AliilmU In
wh?h th*ybilhertuh.ve.lood,?impartial (par
??(ortrf Mw m4 WByw^ them
?elvee with tfce mw BmMST ; . ~
|Un whom, <(h>4 m ttw; |ww wiHwd to
tbW committee, ere not Um oulr obJectloB* to lit*
Mtdatutra dbcloitd by the docnnMat* to
Hfcntil. The manner la which tht*levlt*tloi?
eea given, of Itself, furnishes many forcible
obstacle* to Ito ?rc*p<4oc?; end In the optaloa o?
thu committee, tbeUuited State* will aefche* con
ss
oti?t*clw
th'4< comr
?ah their own dtnilr, nor what is doe toib?
proper tespeot tbey have i right to claim i'twnll
nation*, and especially from tlto Brtr Stales ot
Aatrha, If (Itoy now ?|m to co-ope
rytos <hla proposed utaHra into eflbc
The bhtory oT tha traasertton, to
disclossd to tn* ooinrolifo*, mm to
early m (he yehr 1821, the
a Oeneral Cmuita
tor a* it la
thiti 80
1, the Prateai ot meaitllaf
of their a?|innataU?ee, t?
be bot ptoa tor datoadiajg
couikler aad ndiftW the
thfState* of tha aew worldfroei toraifea^ _
?toe, aad taeoaolude treatise of aiUeace. com
amice, aad (Headship, for the promotion of th?ir
happin*** aad prosperity, appear* to, have been
conceived by one, at Ua?t, of the **w State* of
America Thlsscbemfc of lormlag a coatineutsl
system tor America,, to resemble Ibet already
formed la Europe, waj communicated to tha
other* of tbete State*, who, consume* la th*
pnjebt, negotiations Were luitltated between
(beat for the purpose of cooeludlaf conventions
to provide lor this object. J; _
*
Tbe plan buing so far matured, we vniteJ
State* were, fur Uiu 6r*t tint*, informally aupli?4
Co, dtfrieg lb? (Ml Spring, by the Ministers of
two of I ho now i?iate?, wjMrtUil^ to lewn ?h? ?
Aeribluviikllou iu Im rci>r*#enled at tble Con
grew, If givrn by botb t|u*e Kepubllca, wou)?| be
acce^cd. To Ilu? comuiuukatlon, formally
made, the President ea informally replied, that
h? lielleved such e Connrc??, m wm proposed,
mijihi l>e higitly ueelul Jor aeverai purposes, but
thai, beioia it aneublod, it appeared (0 Mai ea
p?dleat lo adjuat between tbe I'ower* to be repre
sented, preliminarj point*, *uch a* (be
?object* to be dkttus??d, tbu nattiieof the potters
to be given to tbe agents who were to compose it,
ili<! ih? rnodo oflt?Miaoiauloo andKU?n. Aai
if tbe?e preliminary poiiiu could be arranged, in
? mnituvr aatMnctory to the Coiled Sttlti, the
MiuMcra to wltom (lit* communication wee made*
ware informed, tbat the President thought the
UmtodStatea ought loba rep<eaeul?dat thecon
template.) Coiigrea*. l?acb Miaiaier underto.de
to trauimit to hie Uovernmeut tbia auawer thu*
given. . ' *
Ihe affair ramalulogln I hie poatvre ea to thu
UuiteJ Ht??<e\ tbe negotiations previously enter
ed iuto l>eiw?ei? the new Stale* were brought to e
uioee, end QonvnotlOO* providing for the objects
of the proposal Congress, were actually oouelu
d?d, aotneof tbom to far tack aa the $tb duy
July, 1988
After the conclusion of ell (Me convent;*
nndonlye lew weeks since, daring tbe mouth at
November last, separate formal communications
were made totheUmted States, by tbe Mioiateio
of Meaico, Colombia, and Oua'temelo, respec
tively, disclosing some of tbe objects iutantied to
be d?scus*ed at the prnpoaed Coeti ee*, in the mat.
ner already rtated by the eommlltee, end giving
the iuvitalion to tbe United State* lo be there ?c
presented. Iu tome of these aommeuitaiiooi,
the United States were informed that the instruc
ti?n?, and ample (towers lor tbe attainmi ut of
tbe proposed object*, would ba given by ?t least,
one of the new Repnbtics, aott a wlab ? t>* ?*.
(treated that Hie agent* of all tbe others Uii^bt b'-er
tbe same. In none, however, I* aay mention
made, either of th? mode of nrguniaetinn or ac
tion of the COngreaa, n.?r h it any where aiatad
who would ba the parties, or what reprefcntatlvbs
were either luvlted, expi-eicd, or would be re
ceived. lot, in the Very communication which
conveys the Information already stated, the Unit
ed State* are tobl, that, at the data of Ihet com
munkaikm, (Nov. 8d ) the repreaentatives from
Colombia, Peru, Goetemelerni|dMeitco, would
have errived at Panama, the agreed |4eoe ?>| **
scmbiiag, and would be cngaftod in aettlmg Hie
preliminary rule# of t!|e astembly. and m dmm
sing tbe quotkms, which ibouhl tie *upp..a?d t>y
them to belong eaolnsively tot he belligerent*.
It tbda a|?|>enr*, that, after evary thing rela
tive to the meetlac of tne proposed Coryreaa barf
licen settled, by formal negotiate,as and treaties
between themselves, the United States hae* bee,,
time loo* ly Invited by the other American State*
eaif la Mere courtesy, to attend iu deliberation/
Should the United Stetea accept such an Invita
ion, the depatiea whom they may aeud to Pauo
mn will there be aatociafed, with they know not
whom, or for what purpoeea, or In wbet mo!.
When theae deputies *hal| inquire of tbe CW
great lo any nf these important pedicular*, ih#y
will receive tbe laforaeatloa they ask, in raao|u
tioat and compact* adjusted and coocloded be.
fore tbeir arrival. Aad if, waiving all these
thinga. Which nOOe ought to ecoanler a* mere
ceremonials, the agents cf the United Slates
shell take the places peavivvf'y a?*Wned tbstn,
and peopoee to take a part (o lb. d m.ihions, tlMy
will find ell tlte lending principal |wptc* fur de
liberation already peased upon und concluded.
The committee are wall awnre tbat the intere**
and ehereeter of free State* dtould never be per
inttud to reet upon matter* of mefe ra*iidloUs
eilquetta and tefemomons observance) but even
in ihe intervoiiraa between lndtvid?Ml*, and much
mere in that between voveraignties, (here I* a
point at which form becomessuhaiaiice, and when
anrupvlott* attention to the moat minute nerem?
nlaU tbat eowil) ami ra*peet eaaet, is due to Ihe
saoeMl ehameter end dignity of the Republic.
At that point, the Committee belieae the Unite4
State* ahould ever make a Hand, and, reetint
there, ahould etWayeeaaet. even from the ttttml
enelentaadpulaaanl*overeiga of Ike Keith, eve
ry thing required by tbelr own *elf Napen . Nnr
ahould any thing be tlMHi ataivod event* me niV*
their senatwihy to whatever eoneera* (ha pro* >e.
rHj oftke American Hamhpbere, or the atneere
frteodfhlp wkieh they M for tkaaa atw Rfpab
At tbe noil ancient Stele In the new Wartd:
tie Am aekhowletlted, Hnrere friend ol ikoie
aoore raceatiy ealatiags ?a a State Iron wboae
tfeMer tkperteMV *??o light la a-ij to U
peeled jo ba food upnn the eat.Je- t* te lw (Uyeni
*ed, ?nd the pHn*ipie? to he established, ? H?e
anntemptated Ca^aai than from the o?k*r