Page:Memoir upon the negotiations between Spain and the United States of America which led to the treaty of 1819.djvu/134

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��incorporated with the dominions of the Republick, hy another act of Congress.

The same system was in agitation with regard to Mexico, Caraccas, the Internal provinces, San- ta Fe, Buenos Ayres, Cuba, and even the Philip- pines, and if the effect they promised themselves was not produced, still they did not abandon the plan of invading these provinces of the Spanish monarchy, and weakening and dividing them, to the end that they might offer them their protection, and unite them to their dominions. Such is the policy of the Republick of the United States as it regards themselves, and Spain, which is the near- est power, and with which it has relations of the greatest interest. We may be firmly persuaded, that nothing but the obstacles which were opposed on our part, could have made them change their system; for that power is not like Spain, Portugal, and many others that travel on almost without a system, or under one that is subject to change with every change of minister or sovereign. The Unit- ed States form their plan with wisdom and mature reflection, and pursue it with intrepidity, as does England: whoever may be their governors, it is not altered one jot; unless certain vicissitudes or trea- ties, by changing their relations and interests, im- periously require it.

Let us now see what is their particular system with regard to England. There seems to be no

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