868 APPENDIX. 
It is also known, from the interviews between Mr. Middleton and Count Nessel- 
rode, at St. Peterburg, in August, 1825, that the Russian Cabinet had resolved to 
discountenance every enterprise against these Islands, and thus maintain the only 
state of things ""that could preserve a just balance of power in the Antilles." 
President Monroe, in his message to Congress in 1823, most distinctly lays 
down his ideas of the true policy of the United States in regard to this Continent. 
" The citizens of the United States," said he, " cherish sentiments the most 
friendly in favor of the liberty and happiness of their fellow men on that (the Euro- 
pean) side of the Atlantic. In the wars of the European Powers, in matters rela- 
ting to themselves, we have never taken any part, nor does it comport with our 
policy so to do. It is only when our rights are invaded, or seriously menaced, 
that we resent injuries or make preparation for our defence. With the movements 
in this hemisphere, we are of necessity more immediately connected, and by causes 
which must be obvious to all enlightened and impartial observers. The political 
system of the Allied Powers, is essentially different in this respect from that of 
America. This difference proceeds from that which exists in their respective 
Governments. And to the defence of our own, which has been achieved by the 
loss of so much blood and treasure, and matured by the wisdom of their most en- 
lightened citizens, and under which we have enjoyed unexampled felicity, this 
whole nation is devoted. We owe it, therefore, to candor, and to the amicable 
relations subsisting between the United States and those Powers, to declare, that 
we should consider any attempt on their part, to extend their system to any por- 
tion of this hemisphere, as dangerous to our peace and safety. 
" With the existing colonies or dependencies of any European power, we have 
not interfered, and shall not interfere. But with the Governments who have 
declared their Independence, and maintained it, and whose independence we have, 
on great consideration, and on just principles, acknowledged, we could not view 
aoy interposition, for the purposes of oppressing them, or controlling in any other 
manner their destiny, by any European Power, in other light than as the manifes- 
tation of an unfriendly disposition toward the United States. In the war between 
those new Governments and Spain, we declared our neutrality at the time of their 
recognition, and to this we have adhered, and shall continue to adhere, provided 
no change shall occur, which, in the judgment of the competent authorities of this 
Government, shall make a corresponding change on the part of the United States 
indispensable to their security." 
In March, 1826, Mr. Adams, then President of the United States, prepared a 
very luminous message on the subject of the Panama mission, in which he takes 
occasion to give a historical account of our relations with the new Republics, and 
to enforce the doctrines so clearly stated by his predecessor. He deemed the 
acceptance of an invitation to join in the deliberation of that Congress, as by no 
means violating the ancient well established policy of our nation by entangling us 
in dangerous alliances, and he resolved that we should concur in no engagements 
which would import hostility to Europe, or justly excite resentment in any of her 
States. " Our views," says he, " would extend no further than to a mutual pledge 
of the parties to the compact, to maintain the principle in application to its own 
territory, and to permit no colonial lodgments, or establishments, of European 
jurisdiction upon its own soil. 
