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CHAPTER XV.

Greece-President's message on the subject-Commencement and progress of the revolution-Applications to other governments for aid-Views and policy of other nations on the subject-Resolutions introduced into congress to send an agent to Greece-Debates on the subject-Liberal donations to the Greeks-Alliance of 1827, of England, France, and Russia, to put an end to the war-The manner in which their interference was treated by the parties Battle of Navarino-War between Russia and Turkey,favorable to theGrecian cause-First meeting of the eighteenth congress-Message-Tariff-Report of the committee of manufactures-Debates-Views of different sections and interests of the union on the subject-Passage of a general tariff bill-Measures taken by the British government and merchants, to defeat its operation in regard to woolens-Massachusetts claims-President's message on the subject-Rejected-Bill for the abolishing imprisonment for debt-Its origin-Proceedings of the legislature and courts of Kentucky, in relation to the collection of debts-The bill passes the senate, and is negatived in the house.

Greece. In presenting to the view of congress the state of Europe, at the opening of the session in 1823, the president took occasion to remark, on the subject of Greece, that "the whole civilized world took a deep interest in their welfare; that a strong hope was entertained that they would succeed in their contest, and resume their equal station among the nations of the earth. Although no power had declared in their favor, none had taken part against them. Their cause and their name had protected them from dangers which might have overwhelmed any other people. From the facts which have come to our knowledge," he remarks, "there is good reason to believe, that their enemy has lost, for ever, all dominion over them, and that Greece will again become an independent nation. That she may obtain that rank, is the object of our most ardent wishes. The American people have ever felt a peculiar interest in the struggles of any nation for self-government; contests of this nature bring to their recollection the periods of their own revolution, and enlist all their sympathies in their behalf." The president's language, on this occasion, expressed, in appropriate terms, the feelings of the nation.

The country of Greece, comprehending numerous islands in the Archipelago, and a considerable portion of territory in the southeastern section of Europe, and now containing a population of a million and a half of inhabitants, was once

the seat of the arts, of learning, and of every thing dear to civilized life. For nearly fifteen centuries, this country had been subjected to the Turkish yoke. Oppressed by exactions, limited only by the will of their masters, the inhabitants had no incitements to industry, and had sunk into a degraded state. Their condition excited little interest in Europe or America. The present race of inhabitants, as well as the condition of the country, was considered as forming a contrast, in almost every particular, with ancient Greece.

Origin of the revolution. The American principle, so denominated because it was first successfully maintained in the United States, that mankind have a right to govern themselves, and enjoy the fruits of their own industry, had been gradually gaining ground in Europe, in opposition to the claims of despotism. It had found its way into Greece, and prepared that oppressed people to embrace the first opportunity of asserting their rights.

In the year 1820, Ali Pacha, a powerful prince of the Ottoman empire, revolted against his sovereign; and as a means of furthering his own views, encouraged a revolutionary spirit which he perceived was making a faint appearance in Greece. At the same time, Ypsilanti, a native Grecian, and hospodar of Wallachia, having been deposed, in consequence of his being suspected of an attachment to Russia, made his appearance among his countrymen, and placed himself at their head, in opposition to the authority of the sultan. The prospect of a war with Russia, the rebellion of Ali Pacha, and the defection of Theodore, the successor of Ypsilanti in the government of Wallachia, formed a combination of circumstances favorable to the views of the Grecian patriots. With a population little exceeding that of the state of New York, with far less means, and united only by a sense of common danger, this poor, depressed people engaged in a contest for existence with a military despotism, commanding twenty millions of subjects. Their cause, in its incipient stages, appeared hopeless. In the first year, Ypsilanti, disheartened, and disgusted with what he supposed to be the treachery or cowardice of a corps under his immediate command, abandoned them. This, however, had not so great an effect as inight have been apprehended. The nation rose en masse. The spirit of their ancestors seemed to pervade the present inhabitants. A war of the most brutal and exterminating character ensued. The Turks, on the principle of ancient and savage warfare, made

no prisoners, but either murdered, or sold for slaves, men, women, and children, of every character and description, that fell into their hands. The Greeks retaliated to the full extent of their means.

Its progress. The revolution continued its progress; and in subsequent years began to systematize itself, and assume a regular form. A congress of representatives was held at Corinth, in 1822, which framed a government upon the republican principle, and assumed the direction of their affairs. Agents were sent into different parts of Europe to represent their cause, and solicit public and private aid. These applications were attended with considerable success. Military adventurers to a small extent resorted to their standard. But the exterminating and savage character of the war prevented them from receiving much aid from this source. Contributions however from private sources were liberally bestowed. The friends of humanity throughout the civilized world took a deep interest in their welfare. They felt as though, if ever a cause would justify the interference of other powers, between a nation and a portion of its oppressed subjects, it was the cause of Greece. But no such interference could be obtained. The emperor of Russia, who at this period, under the character of the head of the holy alliance, directed the affairs of continental Europe, saw with pleasure the Ottoman empire wasting its resources in a domestic contest. An enemy to republican governments in any shape, Greece could expect nothing from him. His whole policy on this subject is expressed in a state paper, in a short sentence peculiarly his own; "that the visionary notion of the right of the people to govern them. selves, had thrown a torch into the midst of the Ottoman empire." The various congresses of the allied sovereigns whose ostensible object was the preservation of the peace of Europe, maintained a studied silence, when a single declaration would have probably made Greece an independent nation, and restored peace to that distracted portion of Europe. The Grecian deputies sent to the congress of Verona were dismissed without a hearing. The people of Great Britain, France, and other European nations, espoused their cause with ardor, and made liberal donations for their relief. The governments observed a strict neutrality.

American policy towards Greece. In the year 1823, Mr. Luriottis, the agent of Greece at London, though the agency of the American minister there, addressed a letter to Mr. Adams, the secretary of state, soliciting the recogni

tion of the Grecian republic, the establishment of diplomatic relations, and aids from the government. In reply, he is assured of "the deep interest, which the people of the United States take in their cause; but that the measure solicited would be a departure from the principles adopted by the American government in their foreign relations. At peace with all the world, their established policy, and the obligations of the law of nations, preclude them from becoming voluntary auxiliaries to a cause which might involve them in war. If, in the progress of events, the Greeks should be enabled to establish and organize themselves as an independent nation, the United States," the secretary assures him, "would be the first to welcome them into the family of nations, to establish diplomatic and commercial relations with them, and to recognize with special satisfaction their constituted state in the character of a sister republic." These sentiments were in perfect accordance with the public opinion regarding the course which it was the duty of the government to pursue.

one.

Congressional proceedings relating to Greece. In congress, the remarks of the president on the subject of Greece in his opening message, were seconded by a resolution introduced by Mr. Webster into the house of representatives, making an appropriation to defray the expenses incident to the appointment of an agent or commissioner to Greece, whenever the president should deem it expedient to send The impropriety of making an appropriation for the salary of an officer, whose appointment had not been made, or even suggested, by the president, was, in this instance, overlooked in the warmth of patriotic feeling. The executive, the constitutional organ of communication with foreign powers, is altogether best qualified to judge of the propriety and expediency of missions, and until they are determined on, and notified to congress, an appropriation is premature, and is a strong implication of neglect in the executive. Powerful reasons existed against this mission at this period. The revolution was by no means accomplished. A successful result was rather to be wished, than expected. The war was raging in all its horrors, carried on on both sides with savage ferocity. Any aid or interference by the United States in favor of one party, would be deemed an act of hostility to the other, and subject a valuable trade in the Levant to certain destruction. However much the people of the United States might be disposed to rejoice in seeing their principles of civil liberty springing up and flourishing

in any part of the globe, they were not disposed to undertake a crusade to a distant region in their support. It was at least problematical, whether there was virtue and intelligence enough among the Greeks to establish a regular government on the principles of civil liberty; and still more doubtful whether such a republic would be suffered to exist surrounded by powerful monarchies. The introduction of the resolution, however, was not to be regretted, except for the time occupied in its discussion; if passed, it would remain a dead letter until the president should think proper to make the appointment. It embodied and gave utterance to some of the noblest feelings of the human mind. It gave the mover an opportunity to rival the best specimens of Grecian oratory, in bringing to the recollection of his audience the high character of its ancient inhabitants; in describing the oppression to which their descendants are subject, the tyranny of their masters, and their noble exertions to regain their liberties. The same opportunity was improved by many others, though at humble distances from the mover. The consideration of this resolution occupied a considerable portion of the attention of congress for several weeks, and it was then negatived by a large majority on the ground of its inexpediency.

Contributions in aid of Greece. The debates on the mission to Greece, which as a legislative measure was of little importance, echoed the genuine expression of the public sentiment, and very much aided in calling forth liberal donations in her behalf. Several cargoes of provisions and clothing were collected and sent to their relief, from different quarters of the United States. The principal money contributions were employed by a Grecian agent in building two frigates in the city of New York. His funds failing, obliged him to sell one, to discharge his bills and enable him to equip the other. During the whole course of the struggle, while the government has maintained its neutral position, the people have taken a deep interest in the success of the Greeks, and liberally contributed to their relief.

Interference of European powers. 1827. The struggle continued from 1820, without the interference of any European power, until 1827, when England, France, and Russia, by a compact between themselves, executed at London on the 6th of July, stipulated that the Turks and Grecians should cease fighting; that terms of peace should be proposed, to which if either party dissented, they should incur

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