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gS Docnments crown of Castile, and which have to-day and will always have in com- mon with us the same histon,', customs, religion, and language. The Spanish republics, agitated by continued and sterile strife, which con- sumes their vitalit}' and exposes them to the ambition of any strong power which may appear on the American continent, are more con- cerned than European states would be, to associate in order to make themselves more respected, and to submit their differences to a fed- erative and superior authority in order to eradicate from among them the many germs of discord they now contain. " Her Majest>-'s government is also pleased that the spirit of political intolerance which had previously controlled this idea of a Spanish-Amer- ican Congress should have been laid aside, and that the empire of Brazil, an important nation, of a race akin to ours, and which in the progres- sive development of her institutions and of her industry is proving to her neighbor republics that monarchy, in the present situation of the civilized world, so far from imposing an obstacle to the liberty and prosperity of peoples, is one of their firmest supports and their most eflfective protectors, should constitute an integral part, and even be the seat, of the future confederation. "It is therefore to be desired that the project of which Your Ex- cellency's despatches speak should be realized as soon as possible, with reliance, I doubt not, on the co-operation of the European powers, and ver)' especially of England and France, who, like Spain, would view with satisfaction the consolidation of a stable order of things in America, and of a policy truly national, the product of their com- mon necessities and of their common apprehensions and of an enlight- ened liberty' which, while protecting their system of government and their interests, would serve to link them closer to the Old World and above all to the nation of their origin, which once was called their mother-countr}-. and which yet considers herself, because of the re- gard which she professes for the Spaniards beyond the seas, an affec- tionate mother. " I will not close this despatch without stating to Your Excellency that among the bases of confederation remitted, of which the great majority are acceptable and suitable to obtain the object of this international asso- ciation, there are some which ought to be considered contrary to the ad- vancement which is so necessary to the American republics and which, moreover, will nowise contribute to assure their legitimate rights nor to remove whatever dangers may arise in the present or more remote future. I will mention to Your Excellency, for instance, that which requires a change of nationality on the part of those who receive concessions for public works, such as railroads and canals; for not only would a condition of this sort deprive the confederated countries of immense capital and considerable elements of wealth, but it should not be lost sight of that companies or private individuals who con- tribute with their industry and their fortunes to this kind of enterprise