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WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1826
This subject, he thought one of vast national importance, and ought to be well weighed by each Department of Government having cognizance of it. We have been told, said Mr. H., that this is no new project. It was denied by the gentleman from New York, in reply to the gentleman from South Carolina that it was a new project. That gent!eman had referred to various cases to prove that it was not new; he had said that appropriations had been made in 1818-'19, and almost down to the present time, for similar commissions, and that they formed a precedent to be applied on the present oc- casion. Mr. H. said, if he understood the subject rightly, (though it might be his misfortune not to do so,)! the appropriations re- ferred to were made to send Commissioners to South America, to ascertain what was the state of the Continent; to inquire into the capacity of the People of that country to receive freedom and cherish it: and to determine how far it was expedient for this Government to recognize their Independence; and to form treaties of amity, commerce, and navigation with them. This was the object of sending Ministers, Mr. H. said, accord- ing to his understanding of the matter. But now we are called on to send Ministers, not to make treaties separately with these powers, but to meet deputies from each ofi the Republic of South America, to determine in what relation we are in future to stand in regard to them; whether we will join in the alliances offensive .and defensive with them, or in reference to any other subject that may be presented to that body. Have we not, asked Mr. H., already Ministers in South America to negotiate treaties with those different Republics? Are they not authorized to negotiate treaties? And is that not the customary way in which the United - States act as regards other nations? We do not meet them in assemblies of Representatives to negotiate treaties. We send our Ministers to the Courts of the different Governments, and they there negotiate our treaties, so far as is conducive fo our interests. We have adopted this plan, and steadily pursued it. It is the correct one. And why should we act differently with the Powers of South America? But if we are called on to meet them in Congress at Panama, what is the consequence? Whether this Congress is intended to counteract the influence of the Holy Alli- ance in Europe, Mr. H., said was not a question now to be deter- mined. But, if that is the object, it would be reasonable to suppose that the propositions would be submitted. Vve have our Representatives there. The Representatives of other powers all
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