100 A VOYAGE TO 



should be ultimately crowned with success. This 

 and other motives, induced the president to send a 

 friendly mission to the diflFerent governments of 

 South America, to give them assurances of our de- 

 termination to maintain a perfect neutrality in the 

 contest, considering them as engaged in a civil war 

 with the king of Spain, and therefore on a footing of 

 equality as to neutral rights. With a view also of 

 ascertaiaing the kind of relations it might be proper 

 hereafter to establish with the South American states,, 

 or for the purpose of regulating our present inter- 

 course, it was desirable to obtain the best information 

 as to their character and resources. The objects of 

 the mission are thus stated by the president in his 

 message to congress: ^^To obtain correct information 

 on every subject in which the United States are in- 

 terested; to inspire just sentiments in all persons in 

 authority, on either side, of our friendly disposition, so 

 far as it may comport with an impartial neutrality; 

 and to secure proper respect to our commerce in every 

 port and from every flag, it has been thought proper 

 to send a ship of war with three distinguished citi- 

 zens along the southern coast, with instructions to 

 touch at such ports as they may find most expedient 

 for these purposes. With the existing authorities, 

 with those in the possession of and exercising the so- 

 vereignty, must the communication be held; from 

 them alone can redress for past injuries, committed by 

 persons acting under them be obtained; by them alone 

 can the commission of the like in future be prevent- 

 ed." 



The mission was composed of the following gentle- 

 men, CsBsar A. Rodney, John Graham, and Theodo- 



