THE MONROE DOCTRINE 345 



definitely, all the topics which would likely be presented for 

 consideration, at the proposed Panama Congress, they could 

 at least state that the discussions would include the manner of 

 resistance to any attempted colonization by European powers 

 on the American continent, and would include also the 

 methods of resistance against possible interference in behalf 

 of Spain against her former colonies. They would also dis- 

 cuss certain matters of international law, the abolition of the 

 slave trade, and the independence of Haiti. Numerous other 

 subjects were to be brought up, which more particularly con- 

 cerned the South American states, and which the United 

 States delegates would not be required or expected to discuss. 

 It was particularly appropriate, as these representatives be- 

 lieved, for the American states to assemble in Congress, in 

 order to consider their own interests the nations of the 

 Old World had long since been doing the same thing. 



Mr. Clay thought that the ministers who extended this 

 invitation to the United States had not even yet been suffi- 

 ciently explicit as to all preliminary arrangements, to satisfy 

 the President. The President wished to know exactly to 

 what extent discussions at Panama might go, and just how 

 far the United States might be placed under obligations by 

 the resolutions adopted at the Congress. Both Adams and 

 Clay felt the necessity of caution. It is far safer to declare 

 a policy than to pledge oneself to abide by it. The Presi- 

 dent deliberated well ; he believed that preliminary matters 

 could be satisfactorily arranged later, so he dismissed the 

 plenipotentiaries from Colombia and Mexico, with the state- 

 ment that he would send commissioners to the Congress at 

 Panama, if the Senate, which was shortly to convene, would 

 consent. 



In his annual message the following month (December 6, 

 1825), the President spoke of the proposed Panama Congress, 

 and of the invitation to the United States to participate. 

 " The invitation has been accepted," he wrote, " and minis- 

 ters on the part of the United States will be commissioned to 

 attend at those deliberations, and to take part in them, so far 

 as may be compatible with that neutrality, from which it is 



