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causes which are inherent in infant societies, (although the enemies of the republic have affected to overlook them), the present assembly will convince them, that with the progress of time, we approach nearer to the exact observance of constitutional principles. I must congratulate Colombia and yourselves on an event which gives stability to the political system and hopes of the most happy results from the present sessions. It is with the greatest pleasure that the executive is about to fulfil its duty, and contribute to this favourable issue, by giving you an accurate idea of the state of the affairs of the republic, in the various branches of its administration.

The government of his Catholic Majesty, far from abandoning its former pretensions to the sovereignty of these countries, as justice, experience, and the ruin of the Spanish nation would counsel, still labours to advance its hostile views, without affording the slightest hope of reconciliation. The executive has reason to think that the cabinet of Madrid is well aware of a conciliatory disposition on our part, and of our desire to terminate a war, which, during fifteen years, has involved both nations in so many evils. The earnestness, however, with which the executive has sought peace with Spain, on the basis of independence, has not caused its vigilance to slumber. Congress may be assured that our means of defence are at the present moment abundant, and that any enterprise on the part of Spain against the republic will only serve to add lustre to our arms, and to increase the humiliation of Spain.

Our relations with the American governments subsist on a footing of friendship and good understanding becoming states sustaining a common cause. The services and supplies which we have rendered to Peru, have so materially altered the situation of that country, that no doubt can exist of its acquiring liberty and independence. The Liberator and president of Colombia has displayed on this occasion, even more than on former ones, those virtues which are peculiar to illustrious men, and to which the Colombian republic owes its existence. Surrounded with diffi

culties almost insurmountable; obliged to contend with enemies, who, to numerical superiority, united the confidence inspired by victory; fettered by disasters brought on by rashness, weakness, and perfidy; doubtful of receiving in time the fresh succours which the congress had so promptly decreed; the Liberator has triumphed over all these obstacles, and aided by the patriotism of those Peruvians who remained faithful to their duty, and by the valour of the united army, has liberated an important part of the vast territory previously possessed by the Spanish troops, after inflicting on them a severe humiliation in Junin. The executive has every hope that the auxiliaries which left Panama for Peru in October, have arrived at an opportune moment, and that, by extending the scene of operations, they will consolidate the advantages already gained, accelerate the day of Peruvian liberty, and irrevocably fix the destiny of South America. This new glory was reserved for Colombia, and for you the satisfaction of having contributed thereto by all the means in your power, and more especially, by having permitted the Liberator to leave the territories of the republic. In conformity with the resolution of the legislature, I have not ratified the convention respecting territorial limits entered into between Colombia and Peru. Notwithstanding the importance of this measure, the executive has abstained from renewing the negotiations, under an impression that we ought to give an example of good faith and generosity, by suspending all discussion thereon whilst the Peruvian republic shall be occupied by the troops of Colombia.

The republic of Mexico has just given a terrible lesson to usurpers of the rights of the people. General Iturbide violated the law which banished him, and landed on the Mexican territory under circumstances which alarmed the government. He was declared a traitor deserving death by act of congress, and the penalty was inflicted without opposition. It seems evident that the Mexican government has, by this measure, made an important stride towards stability and prosperity. Recent intelligence from that part of America states that the most energetic and extraor

dinary measures are taken to defend independence against the views of Spain, and to compel those towns that disregard the pact of union to return to their duty.

The provinces of Guatimala continue to preserve unmolested the sovereignty into which they spontaneously elected themselves. An accredited minister from that government to the republic is now residing in our capital. A favourable opportunity, therefore, presents itself of settling points of great interest. The establishment of limits between Colombia and Guatimala is imperiously called for, in consequence of certain foreigners pretending to a right to the coast of Mosquito, and inasmuch as the interior boundary-line between the countries is not ascertained. The execu tive, in strict compliance with the law of the 12th of July of the year 1821, has declared that the part of the Atlantic coast which extends from Cape Gracios a Dios to the river Chagrea belongs to the republic, and that all colonization made therein without the sanction of the government and laws of Colombia is null and void. I submit this decree to your judgment, as well as the arguments I have adduced in defence of the integrity of the territory of the republic, and its rights, and in order to frustrate the views of our enemies.

The agitated state of the Brazilian empire has not yet enabled us to form relations of friendship and good understanding with that government, with which we have likewise to arrange questions regarding territorial limits. We are assured of the good disposition of the emperor towards Colombia; and, on our part, we have avoided all cause of complaint and dissension. When the moment shall arrive for negotiating with the Brazilian government, the executive will not fail to observe that frankness and good faith which form the basis of its principles, by conforming to the last territorial treaty made between Spain and Portugal, in Madrid, in 1777.

With the United States we maintain the most friendly and cordial relations. The treaty of peace, friendship, navigation, and commerce, celebrated by the executive with those states, through the medium of duly authorized plenipotentiaries, will be forthwith

laid before you. The principles we have therein adopted are so commendable in their nature, as to render all eulogium superfluous. Never has the government of Colombia appeared more attached to that spirit of civilization and humanity which ought to distinguish the governments of free people, than in this treaty. Colombia will have the laudable pride of having been the first among the states of ancient Spanish America, to appear before the world united by public treaties with the most favoured nation of liberty. You will also examine the convention entered into with these states, for the purpose of putting an end to the horrible traffic in negroes of Africa. Our laws have already forbidden this execrable traffic, and the executive has formed its conduct on their basis. The law of the 21st of July of the year 1811, has forbidden the introduction of slaves; and the provisional cruising ordinances condemn as lawful prizes all vessels trading in African negroes, that may be captured in the waters within the jurisdiction of the republic; but no penalty being awarded for the violation of this law, and it being a justice due to the human race to modify our cruising laws, the executive thinks that these objects have been obtained by our convention with the United States.

To convey a correct idea of our relations with Europe, I deem it incumbent on me to deal frankly, by entering on a detail which will give you this information, and at the same time demonstrate to the world the political principles of the government of Colombia. The commissioners of his Britannic Majesty in this capital requested that the executive would issue the exequatur necessary for the recognition of the consuls sent by the king to some of our ports. As no commissions accompanied this application, as is usual and customary, the executive was under the painful necessity of deferring the exequatur until these commissions should be duly presented by the several parties, relying on their being framed in the terms usual amongst nations. As soon as the person on whom the title of consul-general had been conferred arrived in this capital, he presented his commission, assuring the executive, VOL. II. No. 4..

at the same time, that the commissions of the consuls of La Guayra, Maracaibo, Carthagena, and Panama, were conceived in the same terms. The commission makes mention of the provinces of Colombia, instead of the republic of Colombia, by which: latter title it was determined by our fundamental law, that this country should be known since the year 1819; and the consuls are therein accredited to the authorities that might happen to be established, instead of being accredited to the executive power, or president of the republic, as they ought to have been, agreeably to the principles of public right, to our constitution, and to the conduct observed by the United States. The executive considered ; these errors as a necessary consequence of that state of ambiguity and practical difficulties, in which the English government found itself placed in treating of the recognition of the independence of Colombia, as was stated to parliament by the ministers of his Britannic Majesty's government: for, in reality, it would have been a manifest contradiction to have accredited consuls to the ports of Colombia in the usual terms, and as the rights of nations. demand, without recognizing the independence and existence of the government from which it sought the admission of these. officers. The executive did not hesitate in adopting the line of conduct most conformable with the dignity of the republic, and seviceable to the interests of the British nation. Placed in the painful situation of deceiving the republic, by illegally recognizing as duly accredited consuls, persons who did not come recommended to the government of Colombia, and who did not appear destined for the ports of the republic, I did not hesitate to refuse the exequatur to their nominations, and caused to be explained to the commissioners of his Britannic Majesty the powerful motives I had for adopting this resolution, assuring them at the same time, that in order to give fresh proof of friendship and goodwill towards the British government and people, I would permit the persons appointed to these consulships to protect the commerce and interests of English subjects in the capacity of agents for the protection of sailors and commerce. The commissioners accepted

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