Page:Memoir upon the negotiations between Spain and the United States of America which led to the treaty of 1819.djvu/139

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��luent. Portugal they look upon as a nullity, ov ra ther as a colony of Grreat Britain, and therefore en- deavour to do her all possible evil, by fomenting dis • Mentions in her provinces, and by arming privateers in their ports under the insurgent flag, for the pur- pose of ruining and destroying her commerce.

With regard to the Port and the Barbary powers, the United States have refused to give them any donation, and for the purpose of protect- ing their commerce, they constantly keep a squad- ron in the Mediterranean, m hich has the double object of exercising their sailors, and of being al- ways ready to take'advantage of circumstances.

In respect to the revolutionists of America, it has already been said, that the United States flat- tered themselves that by promoting their independ- ence, various republicks might be formed, which, but little able to defend themselves against the mother country, and maintain their independence against other poAvers that might seek to oppress and enslave them, would confederate with them, and that thus a single republick might be formed of that vast continent, the presidential seat of which, it was proposed, should be changed from Washington to the isthmus of Panama.*

��* Another brilliant scheme, which may, peHiaps, so7ne centuries hence, occupy the consideration of the American cabinet. The whole of this chapter upon the policy of the

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