338

Mächte ihr politisches System auf irgendeinen Teil der beiden
Kontinente ausdehnen, ohne unseren Frieden oder unser Glück
zu gefährden; noch kann irgend jemand glauben, daß unsere
südlichen Brüder, wenn sich selbst überlassen, es aus eigenem
Antriebe annehmen würden. Es ist deshalb ebenso unmöglich,
daß wir ein solches Eingreifen in irgendeiner Form mit Gleichgültigkeit
 ansehen sollten. Wenn wir die vergleichsweise
Stärke und die Hilfsquellen Spaniens und dieser neuen Regierungen
 und ihre Entfernungen voneinander betrachten, so
muß es offensichtlich sein, daß Spanien sie niemals unterwerfen
kann. Es ist immer noch die ehrliche Politik der Vereinigten
Staaten, die Parteien sich selbst zu überlassen in der Hoffnung,
 daß andere Mächte denselben Kurs verfolgen werden.‘“*2)

+2) „At the proposal of the Russian Imperial Government,
made through the minister of the emperor residing here, a full
power and instructions have been transmitted to the minister of the
United States at St. Petersburg, to arrange, by amicable negotiation,
the respective rights and interests of the two nations on the northwest
 covast of this continent. A similar proposal has been made by
his Imperial Majesty to the Government of Great Britain, which has
likewise been acceeded to. The Government of the United States
has been desirous, by this friendly 'proceeding, of manifesting the
great value which they have invariably attached to the friendship of
the Emperor, and their solicitude to cultivate the best understanding
with his Government. In the discussions to which this interest has
given rise and in the arrangements by which they may terminate, the
Occasion has been judged proper for asserting, as a principle in
which the rights and interests of the United States are involved, that
the American continents, by the free and independent condition
which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be
considered as subjects for future colonization by any European
powers.
-., It was stated at the commencement of the last session that
a great effort was then making in Spain and Portugal to improve the
condition of the people of those countries, and that it appeared to
be conducted with extraordinary moderation. It need scarcely be
remarked that the result has been, so far, very different from what
was then anticipated, Of events in that quarter of the globe with
which we have so much intercourse, and from which we derive our
origin, we have always been anxious and interested spectators. The
citizens of the United States cherish sentiments the most friendly in
favor of the liberty and happiness of their fellow-men on that side of
the Atlantic, In the wars of the European powers in matters relating
to themselves we have never taken any part, nor does it comport
with our policy so to do. It is only when our rights are invaded or
seriously menaced that we resent injuries or make preparation for