[Monroe Doctrine]

Bifolium (20 x 12 3/4 in.; 508 x 323 mm).  4pp., left edge with some paper loss from removal from bound volume. 

John Quincy Adams (his name in upper margin of front page by delivery clerk)

Condition as described in catalogue entry.
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JOHN QUINCY ADAMS'S COPY OF AN EARLY NEWSPAPER PRINTING OF MONROE'S SPEECH TO CONGRESS OUTLINING THE POLICY NOW KNOWN AS THE MONROE DOCTRINE.

In the early 1820s, the United States was wary of European intervention in Florida, the Pacific Northwest, and Latin America.  European intervention threatened British as well as American interests. Britain had a flourishing trade with Latin America, which would decline if Spain regained its New World colonies, and had claims to territory in the Oregon country of the Pacific Northwest. In 1823, British Foreign Minister George Canning proposed that the United States and Britain jointly announce their opposition to further European intervention in the Americas. 

Secretary of State John Quincy Adams opposed a joint declaration. He convinced President Monroe to make a unilateral declaration of American policy. With what is now known as the Monroe Doctrine, the President announced that the Western Hemisphere was henceforth closed to further European colonization or puppet monarchs. He also said that the United States would not interfere in internal European affairs.

Consistent with British interests, the Monroe Doctrine was enforced by the Royal Navy. Nevertheless, for the American people, the Doctrine was the proud symbol of American hegemony in the Western Hemisphere. Unilaterally, the United States had defined its rights and interests in the New World.

“… the occasion has been judged proper for asserting…., 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…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 so do. It is only when our rights are invaded, or seriously menaced, that we resent injuries, or make preparation for our defense…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… It is impossible that the allied powers should extend their political system to any portion of either continent without endangering our peace and happiness...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.”

This scarce issue of the Cheraw Intelligencer belonged to Secretary of State John Quincy Adams, the primary author of the doctrine, and also contains the editor’s remarks on the president’s “luminous message,” notice of Henry Clay’s election as Speaker of the House, proposed laws restricting “free negroes” and reports on canal building, as well as other local, national and international news. (The reports from Europe provide the context in which Monroe’s doctrine was issued.)