from President James Monroe's seventh annual message to Congress, December 2, 1823:
At the proposal of the Russian Imperial Government, made through the minister of the
Emperor residing here, a full power and instructions have been transmitted to the Minister
of the United States at St. Petersburgh to arrange, by amicable negotiation, the
respective rights and interests of the two nations on the northwest coast of this
continent. A similar proposal has been made by His Imperial Majesty to the Government of
Great Britain, which has likewise been acceded to. The Government of the United States has
been desirous, by this friendly proceeding, of manifesting the great value which they have
invariably attached to the friendship of the Emperor, and their solicitude to cultivate
the best understanding with his Government. In the discussions to which this interest has
given rise, and in the arrangements by which they may terminate the occasion has been
judged proper for asserting, as a principle in which the rights and interests of the
United States are involved, that the American continents, by the free and independent
condition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as
subjects for future colonization by any European powers. . . .
It was stated at the commencement of the last session that a great effort was then making
in Spain and Portugal, to improve the condition of the people of those countries, and that
it appeared to be conducted with extraordinary moderation. It need scarcely be remarked,
that the result has been, so far, very different from what was then anticipated. Of events
in that quarter of the globe, with which we have so much intercourse, and from which we
derive our origin, we have always been anxious and interested spectators. The citizens of
the United States cherish sentiments the most friendly, in favor of the liberty and
happiness of their fellow men on that side of the Atlantic. In the wars of the European
powers, in matters relating to themselves, we have never taken any part, nor does it
comport with our policy to do so. 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 enlightened 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 existing between the United States and those powers, to declare,
that we should consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion 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 any interposition for the purpose of oppressing them, or controlling, in
any other manner, their destiny, by any European power in any other light than as the
manifestation of an unfriendly disposition towards 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 judgement of the competent authorities of this government,
shall make a corresponding change, on the part of the United States, indispensable to
their security.
The late events in Spain and Portugal, shew that Europe is still unsettled. Of this
important fact, no stronger proof can be adduced than that the allied powers should have
thought it proper, on any principle satisfactory to themselves, to have interposed, by
force, in the internal concerns of Spain. To what extent such interposition may be
carried, on the same principle, is a question, to which all independent powers, whose
governments differ from theirs, are interested; even those most remote, and surely none
more so than the United States. Our policy, in regard to Europe, which was adopted at an
early stage of the wars which have so long agitated that quarter of the globe,
nevertheless remains the same, which is, not to interfere in the internal concerns of any
of its powers; to consider the government de facto as the legitimate government for
us; to cultivate friendly relations with it, and to preserve those relations by a frank,
firm, and manly policy; meeting, in all instances, the just claims of every power;
submitting to injuries from none. But, in regard to these continents, circumstances are
eminently and conspicuously different. It is impossible that the allied powers should
extend their political system to any portion of either continent, without endangering our
peace and happiness: nor can any one believe that our Southern Brethren, if left to
themselves, would adopt it of their own accord. It is equally impossible, therefore, that
we should behold such interposition, in any form, with indifference. If we look to the
comparative strength and resources of Spain and those new governments, and their distance
from each other, it must be obvious that she can never subdue them. It is still the true
policy of the United States to leave the parties to themselves, in the hope that other
powers will pursue the same course