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The Monroe Doctrine
NOTE:
This was President James Monroe’s seventh address to
Congress. It is significant in that it set forth
a policy that the United States would no longer
tolerate European colonization of the Americas.
The apparent misspellings of the words St. Petersburg,
defense, and judgment (among others) reflect the
spellings in accordance to the period in which they
were written.
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.
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