"t a .
' -.'---V: .:'.' v- . ; ' ' . :
V a v
vol. xvnVj:
THH STAR,'
jui-VMCarolmk Slat CautU,
3 jbtirim, three iWU pr inm-Hi
per wll fce Ml OHIM ai nx " " r
1. klMM. m4 tMpersetiueL bat X
tha o?iWa as ih rVlilurs, wales all arrearages
r mkL Aaftiae'. esseediac u-
mi liae, taati fcsu taree tiaacs wr ana aw w.
anittamty veeeni roe east) aonMMemse.'
All latter to tu moor maat a jmm pus
Manama mission.
In Senate of the ' United Staici. x
' Jaacaev 16, 1836.
- jjr. tttco, from the committee on Foreign
Relation, to whom wm referred, on the 38ih
Dec'r the message of tbt President of the tf.
States, nominating- Richard U. Anderawn a.id
jobn Sergeant, to be Envoys extraordinary
" . ... . nl t'. . 1 1 .
M l I mm era ritmpwcninij uic ncm
blv of the American Nation at Panama; and.
on the 101b irtaUnt, a Message, communicating
certain document relating thereto, submitted
Uie TOnowinR itpw , ,
That they have examined the subject to
them referred, with the most profound at-
tsntion; ar.d nave oestowea upon it all the
considerstion demanded by ita novelty, deli
cacv, and high importance to the character
and future destinies of the United State. In
making thia examination, the Committee
fouivl themaelvet not a little embarrassed at
fin, by the circumstance announced by the
President; in hia meanre to both Homei of
Congreai, at the couimencement of the
present teuton, tnai nc naa curiam accepted
the invitation g.ven to the United Statet.-hy
some on4he- Amcrrcan Kepublica, to be re
prelsnted at, the contemplated' CongTesa of
American Nation, about to be assembled at
Panama. But, eeeinjjw tfte aeveral commu
nication mada by the Secretary of State, to
the different minister of these I te publics.
that ai) et press reference was made to the
concurrence of the Senate, a the ind'ispen-
siible nreliminary to the acceptance of this
invitation: ana finding, in tne present message ;
of the Presideut, the eiphcit assurance, that
he had not thought proper U take any step
in curryine this measure into effect, until he
could ascertain that his opinion of its expe.
diencjr would concur with that of both branch
es of the LetrisUtnre;the Committee believed
it became a part of the duty they owed to the
senate, ana wouiu oe eviaence oi me proper
respect due to the President, that they should
. t a i
iully slid freely examine into the propriety ot
the proposed measure, -the expediency of
adopting1 which '? the aubject that the
Senate was thu invii ea to aeiiDerate upon,
srnl to make, known their opinion.
tonsidf rations of much liighef importance
than even these, induced the Committee to.
adopt tliii course li the. ordinary prop: rest
of theiir proeeedings, hei Senate can rartly,
if ever, find it either necessary or proper, to
inquire M to the objects expected to be at
tained, by appointments, to which their advice
and consent is aked. As to all ofBcescreuted
by statute, In Which these objects are defined,
snd their attainment positively required, the
single question arising before the Senate,
most ever refer merely to the fitness of the
persons nominated by the President to fulfil
such' duties. The aaroe will generally be
found the sole inquiry necessary to be made,
in Siting up vacancies, happening in pre.
existing forei&n misfiTons, designed to maintain
the customary relations and -intercourse of
friendship and commerce between the United
States and other nations. Very different,
however, is the case, when it is proposed to
Create new offices, by nomination, or to des
patch ministers to foreign States, tor the nrst
time, or to accomplish, by such missions, ot
fects not specially disclosed, or under circum
stances new, peculiar, and hielpy important.
In all these cases, instead of confining '.heir
inquiries to the mere fitness ot the persons
nominated to fill such offices, it is not on!"
the right, but the duty of the Senate, to
determine previously, as to the necessity and
propriety of creating the offices themselves;
and, in deciding these questions, not only the
objects for the accomplishment by which it is
propojed-to. create them, but every other
circumstance connected with such a measure,
niust necessarily and unavbidably become a
subject of tneir serious examination.
This right, conferred by the Constitution
upon the Senate, is the only direct check ip-
"tin the power possessed by the President, in
, this Tesnect. which, relieved from this re-
Mruint, would authorize binv to create and
tonsunamate all the political relations of the
United States, at his. mere will. ". And as, in
Hie theory of .their" fnvnnmmt. the hiHi
destines of the people of the United. Slates
aic m-ter.to i?e Confided to the unrestrained
discretion of any single man. even the w'rwst
and best of thvic fellow citizens, U becomes
a so.ernn duty which the $ twuXe ove to the
jereirii,, suteB here redrcsented. most
seriously to investigate aU (klie circumstances
voiiijecieu wiu the novel metisure now pro?
posed by the President, as to the expediency
of adopung whiclu they have becrtnvited t
nu uua w,in uietr couiUv'I and advice.' c v !
Entertaining these nnininnc. In tl nriv.
forniance of the duty 'which they believe has
"v rcuireti pv jme Senate, and anxious to
manifest to the President their high respect,
by complying fully , with the wish which he
has expressed upon this subject, the Com-
wm proceed to investigate tne oircum
"-.ea connected wita tue measure pro
1osed, and disclosed by the documenu to
them referred,, moat deeply impreased with
"iiponance of the consequences that mav
r7 f"uaa)iy result jrom IU ; r
i be first fltlf.tif.n whirh .11 rrtrmtiA Sf
totheComTmttee, tthe very tbreahold of
-..r invpsugation, was. what cogent reasons
w ciMneo, tor adoptiitgHhis new and untri
ed measure, ' so much iu conflict witb the
uole course if policy, uniformly and liappi ly
pursued by the United Stales,' from almost
e very ciealinn oT thia tioVfrnmnt in th
i resent horr'
Rv thn nnr-trv1 nTitt ftuittf-v
wuicated by our wisest statesmen, informer
aiZ." i.pproved by the "Penence of all
aitr l T, ' . tim'tbctr,,e ,fef the U.
--v aupPcscu w oe promotcajwaich' Uie existence ol the tie W, States nwy
by'kroidiBg alT eKawxUaf cessations with
aay cber nalian Vbataoer. Stead. ly pim
autngjliis coarse, while; they have been de
airoiia te avuleat tlie tuaHt cordial good will
U aS nations, and to auintv with each re la
tioM af perfect amity, and of corsmerae, reg
ulated and adjusted by the rules of the most
sir, equal, and just reciprocity, t& Caitcd
States hare hitherto, arduously abstained
from elating tueaaselres in any ether way,
even with ihoae nariooa fur vboaa) we If am the
moat lively acnaibility baa been, at nil tinea,
feh and otherwiae manifested. ,
During the conflict for freedom and Inde
pendence, In which these m9 slates of A-
merica were ao kmg engaged witi their for
mer sovereign, aitnoagit every heart in the
United Statea beat hirh in avmnathy with
them, and fervent aspirations were Hourly
put up for their tttccesai and although the re
lations then existing with 8pain were well
calculated to excite strong irritation and re
tentment on our partt yet the Government of
tne United Statea, cocvujeed or tne proprie
ty of a strict adherence to the principle it
had ever proclaimed aa the rule of its conduct
in relation to other nations, roroora to take
any part in this atruirirte, and maintained the
most exact neutrality between tbeae bellige-
renta. Nor would it ever reeoirnise the inde
prndence of these new Republics, until they
had become independent in fact, and the sit
uation of their ancient Sovereign, in relation
to them, was such aa to manifest that he ouirht
no longer to be held responsible for their
act. So soon as thia occurred, the United
States mos' gladly embraced the opportunity,
and in being the first to proclaim the ve
reignty and independence of these Statea,
crave to them the strongest pledge of respect.
and cordial friendship, and sincere anxiety for
theif prosperity;
Since that vent, Ministers have been des
patched to each of these new Republics, in
structed to dedare the sentiments sincerelv
and warmly felt for.t'iem-by the United
States, and empowered to conclude treaties
with them, the object of which should be, to
establish upon principles of the most perfect
justice and equity, all the ordinary relations
that exist between nations, inus much was
due, no less to them than to ourselves; and
in going so far, wedid all that our fe .lings
dictated, and tne interests ot eitner seemed
then to require, whst necessity has sinoe a
risen to do more.' What cause exists now, to
prompt the United States to establish new
and stronger relations with them, and so to
bandon that rule of conduct which has hither
to been here so steadily and happily pursu
ed? r These inquiries necessarily called the at
tention of the committee to a minute exami
nation of all the documents to them referred,
in order that they might therein discover the
reasons assigned by the new States of Amer
ica for desirincr the United States to be re
presented at the OontrresS about to be asaem
bled at Panama, and the motives of the Ptesi
dent for intimating his willingness to accept
this invitation. And In making such an-ea-
animation, many reflections presented them
selves. -as connected with the proposed mea
sure.' all of which the committee will now
state to the Senate.
In a Foveniment, constituted asis that of the
U. States, in which the sentiment so natural
to freemen prompts them to scrutinize most
exactly the extent ot au tne powers they
grant, and to limit this extent by the objects
desired to be accomplished by their exer
cise, the strongest anxiety is (and, it is to be
honed, alwavs will be) felt, to learn distinct
1? what is tbe precise object desired to be at
tained, and what are the precise means pro
posed tor its attainment. Even the conn
dence reposed in the long-tried patriotism
and Well proved wisdom of our own bes
citizens, docs not and ought not to sumce to
quiet fh'S anxiety, or to remove this jealousy
1 1 i ... .....i i .
inspired ny an araem auacamew 10 our ngui:
and privileges. It was, therefore, much
be desired, and Certainly to have been ex
pected. that, before tbe destinies of the
States should be committed to tbe delibera
tion' and decision of a Congress, composed
not o- our own citizens, but of the represen
tatives of many different nations, that t'je
objects of such deliberations should be most
accurately stated and defined, and the roan
ner cf their accomplishment clearly and di
tinctly marked out. c ; '. . .
In this opinion the President himself seerr.
W hare concurred at the commencement o
this negotiation: for, id the report made to
him on the 20th December last, by the Secre
Vary of State, this officer states that, agreea-
bly to his directions,' he had informed the
Ministers, oy wnom tne invitation to tne pro.
posed Congress at Panama was given, that,
"before such a Congress, assembled it ap
peared to tbe President to be expedient to
adjust LeU-ecri. the different Powers to be
represented, several preliminary points, such
as the subjects to which the attention of the
Congress was to be directed, the nature and
form of the powers to be given to the diplo
matic agents who' were to compose it, and
the mode of its organization and action."
And it was made an express and previous
condition to the acceptance of the invitation
proposed to be given, that " these prelimina
ry points should be arranged in a manner
satisfactory to the United States." A:
It was, therefore, not without . much sur
prise and great regret that the committee
discovered, that although in none of the com
munications subsequently made to, this Go
vernment', by either of the Ministers of the
several Statea by whom this invitation was giv
en, are these preliminary pointa even stated;
and, although tlic w tint of M a compliance with
these conditions" is expressly noticed in the
reply made to them by the Secretary of State,
yet "they were therein toid, that the Presi
dent had determined "at Once" to 'send
Commisaioners to this Congress at Panama,
provided the Senate would advise1 and con
sent to such a measure.' - .
If, then, the Senate should now demand of
this committee to inform them what ' are Uie
objects to be accomplished at this Congress,
and what are the means 'by which their ac
complishment Js to be affected although, aa
to objects, the documents referred to them
will enable the committee to name a few-
yet, as to all others they must answer in ihe
language ofthe communication made M the
I Mexican Minister, that tbiy are those "to
end which U not easy to point tot
'ate.' As l the means, kewevee,
or enumerate." As l tbe sneana, bewevee,
tbe committee can only reply, that, while it
eewiS to be expected that 'J U State are
to clothe their representative with " ample
powers- te accomplish' all tbe wMaarrated,
odtnese ether nndefioed obiecU also, yet
the mode in which tbeae power if granted,
are te be nsed and exercised, ia s where
even hinted at. , . t
Of great (t'leation. therefore nnon -which
(he dccisioo of the Senate ie called for. win be.
whether in tbe existing state of thing, iWtsJ
wiw vr capcaicni inax ine waiira bimcs
should be represented at a Conrreaa of Amer.
can nations by agents endowed with nnefin
ed powers to accomplish .undefined object
inn una cominrcioQ ices no neamaoai iu sta
ting as their opinion, that, if ever it- may
, 1 . 1 . mY t
b proper ta adopt wicl a measure, , there
nothing, known to them that require or
justifies it at this time. " ; . , v
It is true the power oonfided to h Senate,
to ratify or reject 'any arreemeut that, may
be entered int by such agenta, wovld con
stitute Bome aafeguard to the important in
terests of the United State. But, long ex
perience moat have Informed the Senate,
that it is generally, exceedingly difficult, and
sometimes even impossible, to escape from
the embarrassments produced by us me e
act of entering into a negotiation and that it
is mticn better to abstain from doing so, until
its objects are distinctly known and approv
ed, than to confide in the pow4-r of the Sen
ate in the last resort, to refuse their asae at to
the ratification of an arreement after it is ad
justed by means of such negotiation.
In tbe present case, if the measures to be
accomplished by the proposed Congress,
whatever may be their object or character.
should not meet the concurring opinion of
all uie parties there to be represented, we
need not the lirhts of history to inform us,
that many consequences mischievous in them
selves and jrreatlv - to be deplored, not only
may, but most ' probably will, result. And
that a difference of opinion will exist, in re
gard to measures so Important in themselves.
and so various snd diversified in their effects,
upon nations different from each other in
almost every particular, is much t6 be appre
h ended. The power possessed by the Senate.
of withholding its assent, ought nut, there
fore, to be regarded as furnishing iuiticien
assurance against the possible and probable
etleclsof the proposed measure,
Turning from the undefined objects ot
this Congress, so imperfectly disclosed in the
vague description given of them, that, if seen
at all, they are presented most indistinctly to
their view, and regarding those which are
particularly mentioned, and described with
more precision; mis committee nave not oern
able to discover In any one of these last, a
single subject, concerning which the United
states ought to enter in any negotiation with
the States of America to be assembled at the
contemplated Congress of Panama.
Hetore proceeding to the enumeration at
these objects, the-eommitte eannot refrain
from calling the attention of the Senate to
singular circumstance, .disclosed by the
documents to thera referred. Although an
enumeration of the subjects to which the at
tention ot the propowsd Congre . was to be d
reeled, was explicitly stated as a condition
preliminary to the acceptance by the United
(states, ot the invitation given to them to be
there represented: although ach of the
ministers, giving this invitation, had comma
nicated this to his Government, and received
ita instruction relative thereto; yet great
diversities will be found, in the enumeration
of these subjects, made by each of these
ministers, in pursuance of such instructions.
And, what is more remarkable, while many
ot the subjects of intended discussion, so enu
merated by each of these ministers, are not
referred to in the message of the President
to the Senate, others are therein stated, as
matters for the deliberation of the proposed
Congress, to which not the slightest allusion
seems ever to hav Hein made, by any one
ofthe American 'Minsters, in any of their
communications to this Government! nay,
one ofthe subjects, (the most important prob
ably, ot any, which the United States are de
si rou to discuss, at this Congress,) is neither
noticed in the communications made to this
Government, by any of the American States,
nor in the message of the "President to the
Senate; "and is to be only inferred from, the
documents last referred to this committee.
received under the call made by the Senate,
tor turtiicr information: all which will be ve
ry clearly shewn by the details, which the
committee will now lay before the Senate. :
. s ne nrst subject stated by the Mexican
Minister, as one which would occupy the at.
tention of the contemplated Congress, and in
the deliberations concerning which the Uni
ted States are expected to take w part, is,
" The resistance or opposition to be made to
th interference of any neu tral nation, in the
qucsuon ana war ot independence, between
the new Powers of this continent and Soa'm."
And in,the deliberations upon this subject-
it seems to be Proposed "to discuss the
means of giving to that resistance all possible
torce;" and so to adjust, by previous concert,
the mode in which each of the States reprC'
sented at the Congress shall lend ita co
operation.'. .
The subject is also stated by the Minister
of Colombia, and in terms still more explicit.
He suggests, as a matter of useful discutaion in
the Congress, the formation of an eventual
alliance" of the States there to be represent
ed for the purpose of preventing any Euro-
nean Power from interfering in tbe present
contest between Spain and her former, colo
nies; and that the treaty for this purpose
should "remain secret, until the com faderu
should happen." v - " ' --
Notwithstanding this is so- stated by both
of these ministers, as the first and great ob
ject of the proposed Congress, yet the Presi
dent, in nis message, assures tbe Senate "that
the motive ot the attendance or tbe Uoued
States is na ither to contract allianco, nor to
engage in any undertaking or project import
ing hostility to any other nation." It thus
appears, that, in relation to this first and most
important point, which seems to have given
birth to the' scheme- of this Congress, the
views and motives of the U. States difTer' es-
sentially front those of the other parties. And
thia ditlerence of opinion occurring as to the
Vrry hrst proposition, winch h satd to.be
fs rise.
of Utmejiate ntility to tk Aaaericna
winMvwsiuspsa1isanswitrdsiosi tl..s Co.Krr. f
&ed by theni to bn In accord witb the
repeated declarations and protests of tbe
Cabin-t at Washington." snuat ana ratably
sen donate asks -tne toteveat w take in
taair We.Ur, and our eUaponition to cnply
with their wiahe," and would coatribuU
not a little t defeat Other object.
The next aubject stated by the alcxkaa
aCniater, as presenting " naother of the que
tioos which aasy be disewsd,w and which be
tensiden as being" in like predicamenta with
the foregoing," u, " the oppositioa to coloaa
satlon iai America by the European Power."
The Minister of Colombia concurs - a this
nuiwerstlon. Ha placet "the manner in
which aU colooi nation of urotean Dawers on
the Amer'aan Uontinent ahaU be resisted." at
the very head of all the aubiec
iectN)f proposed
dcuaaiorn and couples thia with the former,
at an object to be effected by the joint and
imuea enortt or ail tbe sutea to be re pre-
as cne uongraas, wbn anouid be bound
y a solemn conveotion to tecure this end.
Tbe President cononra in Bart in tha obinion
at to tbe propriety of attaining this end bat
uiucrs rauicauy at to the mode of aocotn-
pusmngiL " An agreement between all the
parties represented at the meeting, that each
will guard, by ita own aneans. asrainat the
establishment of any futare European colony
within its borders." he thinks, may be found
advisable." Now. if this be meant, that each
nation shall, by ita own means, protect ita own
territories against all encroachments upon
them, attempted by. any European or other
Foreign State whatsoever, the Committee
cannot discern either the necessity or exoa-
dierxy of entering into any formal agreement
with other States to that -effect, mom than
exists for reducing to treaty stipulations, any
other of the high, just, and ' universally ad
mitted rights of all nations, Such an idea.
however, it obviously not that suggested by
tl. mlailrtM. .r ,1 i t ' . a fr
uiiiunci, u mcjucu anu VrOiofunia; ana u
more it meant to be comprehended in the
agreement which the Preaident thinks msy
be found advisable, every other rticlo it
would contain must, in the opinion of this
Committee, violate all the well settled trin-
clples of the policy of the United States, and
put at hazard their best! terests, without any
adequate motive tor so novel an experiment.
iu vik- um hm tne views ana motives oi tne
President differ again essentially- from those
of the other parties to be represented at this
Congress; and from the disclosure of these
repeated differences of opinion, no good can
possibly result - And in the other, should tbe
views of tho President, concur with those of
the other American States, (which the Com
mittee do not believe,) the mutual stipulations
growing out of such an agreement, would,
in the opinion of this Committee, prove fatal
to the best interests of the United States,
snouidtne eatus federis ever happen, .
to adjust tne means ot most effectual re
tlstance to the interference of neutral nations,
in the war of independence between the new
Power f this Continent and Spain; and of
opposition to colonization in America by the
European rowers, arc said by tbe Mexican
Minister to be " the two principal subjects"
of intended discussion at the contemplated
Congress,-and, indeed, are all the subjects of
discussion which he particularly states. The
Minister or uoiomnia, nowever, extends his
enumeration of the subiecta of intended dia.
eUHsion somewhat further; and, after men
tinning those before stated, adds, at another,
faTai4rtaf Iran tKaA rVnn tka lkH4VJ
for tbe entire abolition of the African Slave
trade." -V ''".' v-r . ' -
To this subject the President makes no al-
usion in his Message; and, after the exami.
nation which it has received in the Senate,
during two successive years, this comin'utee
deem it quite unnecessary to say much in re
lation to it at this time, some of the Sover
eign StAtes, here represented, were the first
in the world to proclaim their abhorrence of
thia traffic. . Since the formation of this Go
vernment; the United States have exerted
(and as this Committee believe, have exert
ed effectually) all tne meant in their power
to arrest Us progress, so far as their own citi
zens were concerned; and, if alt other nations.
snd especially those nations holding posses
sions in America, would follow tneir example,
the African stave 1 rade would no longer ex
ist. The United States, however, have not
certainly the right, and ought never to eel
the inclination, to dictate to others who may
differ with them upon thia subject, nor do the
Committee see the expediency of insulting
other States, with whom we are maintaining
relationt'of perfect amity, by ascending the
moral chair, ana proclaiming, trom thence,
mere abstract principles, of the rectitude of
which, each nation enjoyt the perfect right
of deciding for itself k
The Minister of Colombia states, a ano
ther subject of discussion, at the contempts
ted Congress, on what basis the relations of
Hayti, and ot. other parts or our hemisphere
that shall hereafter be in like circumstances,
are to be placed.", - To this matter, also, the
President makes no allusion in hit Message.
And, surely, if (here is any aubject within the
whole circle of political relations, as to which
it is the interest and the duty of all the States
to keep themselves perfectly free and uu-
inacaiec oj any previous apaiauuii, iv ia luai
which regards their future connections with
any : other people, not parties to such an
agreement Of the propriety or impropriety
of such connections, each must ever be per
muted to judge freely for itself, because tbe
benefit or disadvantage to restilt from them,
must be peculiar and very different to each;
and that relation which it highly desirable at
one time, may become more hurtful at ano
ther In the opinion of this Committee,
therefore, the United States should never per
mit themselves to enter intd discussion with
any foreign Bute whatever, at to the relations
they should be obliged to establish, with any
other' People not parties to such discussions.
Al the objections to such a course become
infinitely stronger, when the discussions, are
intended to refer, not only to those who then
exist; but also to others, who may hereafter
be considered as placed in UU " circumstan
ces.".. - ''i f-''Ut -l'"?,v-f
These are all the points particularly sug
gested by the Minister of Colombia, as sub
ject of discussion at the contemplated Con.
I grett, .The Minister at Guatemala (who al-
"also unites in tne invitation given to wo united
States) baa rated no particular iect aa
iqtima!e,bawer, "a r..ir ai tunned '
i CsnOnaaidi syr, and held a Conrreaa,
whenever questions aTecting ha interests
were to be discussed, America should aiaw
form tsrstroi for itaetf" 'i i.
Uow Ur this general surreario aaeett the .
views of the Prvaidrwt, ik Committee are
not eittbled, by any document to thea refer
red, to decide. But they will present to the
Senate their own Idea in relation to at. tho
rather, becauae st aeemtswtw to be the pro- ,
sainent object ofthe proposed Congrrsa, the)
magnima and variety or detail oetongtnt so
which, deHedpreteat cHuum.'Wv and par
ticulai specification. -. - i ' A," .
Without advening to the great sad obviooa
diversities existing between tho Statea of thia
Continent and tboar of Europe, by which tho
system hero alluded to has been esUhlUhed '
diversities growing out of the situatioo of
their People, tho nature oi their Govern
ments, and tbe poalUoaa they occupy, not on
ly in relation td-each otb-r. bid to tho rest
ofthe c iUaed world, this Committee will
state, aa their opinion, that no effect, yet pro
aWed by .the Continental system of Europe,
or a character to Invite the States of this
Continent to take that system aa a Vn!I or
example fit for their imitation. The great
object of the Continental Bysten of Europe,
is, .to preserve ancient institutions, and tela
tiona long known, and well understood. In tho
position which the f now occupy, and for ma ,
ny centuries Have done.
' The operation of this svsten Ia.be the com.
bi nation of powers, and the application of
mere force, to arrest the progress of wnpro
ment pi the science of government end (a
the condition of society... Ends which all free
states must reprobate, aa mucb at tbey do
the meant employed for their accomplish.
ment If this were not so, however, a system
formed fot this continent for tho tamo, of
even different objects, would most paobsbly.
produce the worst effects.1 Tne short politi
cal existence of all the States on thia confj.
nent even of the United States themselves,
the most ancient of any, hath enabled theta
to profit so little as yet by experience, that
It would teem rash to proclaim their, perfec
tion at thia time; or to pledge any of them: to. '
perpetnato either their present tnstitutionsw
or existing political relations. Our own ex
cellent Constitution it based fpon the stlppo
sition of its own probable imperfections, and
most wisely provides for tit amendment,
whenever such defects shall be discovered to
exist. We cannot, therefore, stipulate to 1
preserve it at It ie and no compact with oth
er 8tatea can be necessary to bestow upon
each th power it now possesset, to etTeot
any change, which experience may hereafter
show to be beneficial to itself. And a stipu--'
lation to make sijch changes, aa the good of
any others may hereaftpr require, would ei
ther be futile in itself, or must inevitably lead'
to discord and to wars, i.-.: ;-;?.'
This Committee doubt, moreover, the autho
rity of the Goverment ofthe U. States to enter
into any negotiation with foreign- nations, for
the purpose of settling & promulgating, either
principles of internal polity, or mere abttract
p repositions, at parts of the public taw. And
if tne proposed Congress it viewed but as a
convenient mode of conducting a tummsry5
negotiation, relative to existing interests, lm-4;
portant to this Continent alone, it not only
may, but most probsbly will be considered,'
by sll other civilised nations, a a confedera-.
cv ofthe States therein represented for pur- ' '
poses at prejudicial to the interests or the1
old at they are supposed to be beneficial to
those ofthe new world.. Many of the provi- -
sions in tho different conventione, already ,
concluded between tome of the new States,
relative to this very Congress, and-which are-
now public, are well calculated to- create such v
a suspicion, even if they da not josnty a beiier
In ts truth. ' And whensoever tliis suspicion f
shall be entertained by the nation of the old .
world, and especially by those who still hold .
possessions on this Continent, tt must be oh-
viout to all, that consequences mucn to be '
deplored, will unavoidably retuh. - ' , . -:
Nothing that can .bo done thereafter, bt i
any department of this Government in re
fusing to sanction the stipulations, concluded ''
at a Congress regarded in this light will
suffice to avert the calamity. - And the United
States, who have grown up in happiness, to -
their present prosperity, by a strict obser
vance of their old well known course of , .
policy, and by manifesting entire good will, -snd
most profound respect for all other na
tions, must prepare to embark their future
destinies upon an unknown and turbulent'
ocean, directed by little experience, and de.
tined for o certain haven. la tuch a voy ge.
the dissimilitude existing between tlietnsclvea
and their associates, in interest character
language, religion, manners, customs, habits,
laws, and almost every other particular, and
produce among them, would generate dis
cords, which, if they did hot destroy all hope
of its successful termination, would make ;
even tucceu itself the ultimate cause of new ' .
and . direful conflict between themselves. '
Such hat been the issue of all tuctv enter-
prizes in past time; and we have therefore ,- ,
strong reason to expect in the future, similar
results trom simusr causes. . , .:'s ? -v t
. The Committee, having thus examined tho '
several subjects of proposed i'iscustion,ttated?
6t alluded to by each of the ministers of tho
new States of America, as matters oi aeu- .
beratioti at the contemplated Congress, will
now proceed to the investigation of others, -not
mentioned or referred to by any of them, 4 -but
exhibited in the message ofthe President.-; .
i t p VonttnueiL) : x , , i A , '
'j(Pti$dayt March 28, -:
The Senate proceeded to the'Cat- ,
diratiun of the bill granting t townahtp ; -
uf the public lamia tor the beneht of tho v
incorporated ; Kentucky . Anjlum . for 'i
teaching the Deaf and Dumb. -' ?-.' ' .
' After vome debate, the bill wag. or- r
tiered to be cogrcued for a third tesulo r