The National Register. — London, England, 1818-04-27 00:00:00

d/fp k . 412 .NO. 533.—V0t. Xi. POLITIC AL DISQULSITIO,N. ON 'FIE: DISPUTE BETWEEN 2PATN AND AMEfIICA EVERY year, we cn almost to say every rat from our late traresaflantie possessions, affords fresh and hapartant matter fur almost boUndlese contem plation, and the roost useful reflection. In a space of time scarcely sufficient for the maturity of the intellec teal power of a human being, have the United States of Araeriel riser. from the. origin of their political et istence, into a flourishing, State, and achieved a power not only competent to the preservution of themselves, bat already threatening to their neighbours, and likely to inereasetoan extentalmost incalculable. The last mail from America furnishes us with the official correspondence which has taken place hetweca the ;overnments of that country and Spain, relative to therestitutioa of those parts of the Floridan, which were wrested front the latter power by the former, during a period of mutual peace ; and et rtainlyail the truth of the observations we have jest made require the illustration of evidence, none more positive could be adduced than this correspondence. In defiance of every received principle in the laws of nations, America resolutely persists in retaining the acquisition of :ruttier she has made at the expense of ber neighbours ; rejects, with a sneer, the propasnl of European mediation ; and haughtily and abruptly re fuses to enter into further communication on the sub ject. The reasons assigned by Mr. Adams against the practicability of acquiescing in the demands of Spain, of which, however, he does not pretend to deny the justice, is, that the territory in question being 710111 an nexed to the United States, by an Act of the Govern meat, it is become impossible again to separate them. 'l'he best that can be said of this description of argument is, that it is laco3ic ; and in political controversy gene rally proves, if not the right, at least the power of the party that makes use of it. The conduct of the Unit ed States in this instance, so nearly reser:Hes that of Napoleon when in the zenith of his power, that it may fairly be nscribed to the same source ; a consciousness of power suilleient to maintain in practice, what in principle might be disputed ; and thus has the terri tory in question bean ineorporated.:n that of the Unit ed States, with as little ccremury as accompeuied the aenexation of Holland to the French Empire. The occupation of Amelia island by the forces of the United States form another point far discussion in the correspondence before referred to; and, speaking candidly, the arguments of America on this subject, claim some respect, at least, far plausibility. Spain was notoriously incapable of preserving either :he peace or the possession of the island, and the parties into whose power it had thilen, are alleged to have transgressed time limits of neutrality, and to have caused geett injury and interruption to the commerce of the Laited S tates. Howeter this may be, the right of America to the island, are et least es good as those of the parties from whom she immediately forested it; and, admitting, es she does, the claims of :ipain to the possession of it, whenever the latter may be enabled tc occupy and de fend it, it would, under these circumstances, be uarsir to reproach America as the aggressor in this instance. Bet what Spein has to fear, is, that ere the period arrive wheet she will be enabled to enthree her right by her powem, an Act of Consress may settle the tate of this island, as it :wears to have done that of her posses slims in F lorida ; and from an act of this description, it should seem, according to the dovtrine laid down by Mr. Adams, there can be no appeal. It is certainly amusing to observe America keeping eloof a hit so much primitive simplicity, from " the labyrinth of European polities" in her official declarations, whilst is her conduct, she is making a practical assertion of points of which those politics, in their wildest theoretical extent, would ecarcely admit the discussion. Gratit- ation-kt toitittr• Our Itinal Congtitution anb laim6. MONDAY, APRIL 27, 1818. in for a moment the right on the part of Anie rica, to march her troops into the Floridas on the plea of self defence, awl on the assumption that Spain could not or would not cause the neutrality 6f her territory to be respected (a case exactly in point with the occupation of Copenhagen, with which the English Government has been so often reproached by these conscientious Republicans), on what plea do they now persist in retaining possession of the territory, now that the enemy is withdrawn, and that a war with England seems, unless sought f6r Ity'lfictnselves, no longer probable ? I low will they reconcile the con tmrieties of the doctrine that Spain has last her claims to the Floridas, whilst she continues to preserve her claims to Amelia island ?—Because an Act ofCongress has alroady decided that she shall lose the one, and it is not yet resolved whether or not she shall lose the other ! An Act of Congress ! Such i, unquestiona bly law for the people of America ; but to insist on its application in the case between themselves and Spain, is adding insult to injury. We may indeed perceive on which side is the balance of power ! Fortunately for ourselves the day is not yet arrived fur America to amuse us with such logic in answer to our claims to our West Indi- Islands !—bat that day may be ap proaching. Her rapidly increasing population, the energy cf her governtnent, her unexhaus•A soil, the rapid diffusion of useful knowledge, cannot fail to place. her, in a few years, amongst the most powerful of na tions. Still in her infancy, she has appropriated to herself all throe. advantages, which the most refined nations in Europe have been centuries in accumulat ing, and like fortune and knowledge, in the life of man, are seldom attained until those who do attain them are on the decline. With such advantages, direeted by dna ambition which so evidently begins to manifest itself in the conduct of the United States, what is the result, it would be extravagant to anti cipate. The same mail which brings the correspondence be tween America and Spain, brings also that between the fcrmcr power and the Government of Naples, by which it appears, that America urgently insists on remunera tion front the present Neapolitan Government, fa. the confiscation of American property under that of Murat. Vi'e cannot see, with some of the daily journals, any thing so exorbitant in this demuu(l. ; neither can we dissever why a Paper, which has ever so strenuously • supported the cf:ainis of the Allies against. the existing Government of France for loss sustained under that of Napoleon. shoald flail it unreasonable in A merica to hold the present Government of Napl.'s responsible fur the madam of the one preceding. With respect to the relations between the baited States and the Independent Provinces ct Smith Ame rica, the former Government takes credit to itself for the observance of perfect neutrality, although it is very evidmit that the pains it takes to prevent the suiVy of warlike ammunition, &c. to either of the Beligeren:s can operate only against one of the parties. In short, it is easily perceived, that the Government of the United States already appreciate the formidable rival it has to • expect in South America; but like the fox in the fa ble, anticipating that the resalt of this sanguinary strtig plc bAween Spain and her colonies wiil be the mutilation of both, stands aloof, ready in sneh an event to take advantage of it at their entree. Was there no other motive fur wishing success to the mime of South Ame rican Independence, we could find one in the conviction we feel of the benefit we should ourselves derive from it, were it only in the eghttary check it might. hereafter prove on the growing ambition of the United States of whom (as compared with the Neapolitan, or any other power that has threatened to prove a dangerous rival to this country) r. e might say with Sylla, in his prophecy concur); lg Julius Cesar " Sc maim in Cu arc, multo,s vidcre Marius." PRICE 94J• IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS. MnNOAY, APRIL 20. A convenatton took place between Lords Liverrool Holland rettneetung the Alien Act. I.otal Liverpool •aid it win i❑t-:,A e d to renew is a hut not in eonscquecco of any eu• sagenient with continental pow tn. CURRENtAr. The Earl If List'IMIDA LE tote to move for a Committee to empire into 'lto slate of the Lurreucy. His Lordship was fully aware of the difficulties he had to encounter, but he hoped he shank& lie able to prove that the rontionaner et• do Bank restriction was nnntmessacy. The only reason assigned for it was the probable effect of fitreien Aar', lint bo would not admit that coy clanger was to be apprehended from them, and he broadly denied that any cointorreial contitry could be drained of its specie. The trite reason for the restriction was the undiminished issue from the Rank, wbiclr rendered cash payments impossible, and Ire sincerely believed they were as distant as ever. Hr objected to the proposed plan respecting country notes. Every writer on political econo my agreed, that as much of the circulation of a country as possible ought to be conducted in paper, that paper being li sited by the demand tOr payment at will. The Sox ereigo passed for Lill less than it was really worth, bow then could any one expect that gold should remain in the country? or how could :mreennient pledge itself for the restriction of cash payments without enquiry ? The Noble Lord concluded by making his motion. Lord Livkinroot. agrom: with mc-..it of the general prinri.. pies laid down by the Noble Earl and seas equally anxious fur the resumption of rash payments, bust contended that in present state of the country did not warrant the measure.--• His Lordship repiied at considerable length to the objections respecting the Ciimitry Banks and main:airier, that so murk distress had at isen from the failure oldie Cuiintry Banks, that it was incumbent on the Legislature to prevent the evil. and Ite tied no doubt of his producing the most b.:17016a; effects. lie should negative the Motkm. at he was convinced enquiry would only elicit time opinions of souse speculative individuate without rendering any real benefit. The Marquis of LANIDOWNE supported the views of flip Noble Mover, routentlitig that at lent the subject ought stet to be dismissed with less royal-y . llmo a 't urnpike or a canal Bill. lie reprobated the pi eseut criminal laws with respect to forgeries, and pledged himself to bring the subject before the House. Lord Ifaalowny opposed the Motion. Lord Slnalol4ll trade some statements in reply to Lord Lansdowne's observations on forge r:e4. Lola LAUDP:RDALE then replied, insisting that nll which bud been advanced showed still more strongly the necessity I.tr enquiry. The rpiesticn was then put and negatived without a divi. stun, TV/NUM, Nothing of public interest occured this day. IIVEDN MAY. Nothing particular trauspired—the accounts of the Incomes of the Ho; al Dukes were ordered to be printed. A person from the kndla-house presented copielof the regulations entered into by the different governments of India. Sir J. artAat brought several private Bills from the Commons, which were read a first time. The Earl of ORFORD presented a Petition from King's Lynn, Norfolk, against the Eau-Brink Drainage Bill, in which the petition ers prayed to be permitted to offir evidence, and to be heard by erninsel on the third reading. The L nu CHAN cEt.l.oa. observed, that it was unusual to hear counsel on the third reading. Lora (.sown.s E thought, it would he better to re.commk the Bill, and refer the Petiti-sns against it to the Committee. lie then made a Motion to this effect, which was agreed to. OFFICER' WIDOWS' PENSIONS. The Marquis of I .assnow r then TOW to move that there be laid before the I louse a copy ut the regulation of the War-office. of tee 17th February, fur taking the usual pension from such widows of officers o! the army as have an income equal to double the itinotint of tl.c allowance to which they would be entitled by their husbands' rank. Ile made this motion ti r the purpose of bringing tinder con sideraf on a regulation whieli appeared to him exceedingly objee tionalile. The reduction contentolated by the itguhation anplied to a description of persons, and a scale of pcntions. which ought in flat ness. as well as in liberahte, to remain untouched. The fund from whielt these pensions was de.ived was founded and supported by the at toy itself. It eintinienced in the ?den ci Queen Anne and in the year the fund had so far Iwo 11111 l latest, that etio/001. was tak , n hoot it, and applied to other purposes. In justice. Mt refine, this sum ought to he repaid before any deduction Iva , made from the pentiOns. lie condoled by moving for a copy of the regulation, and else for an account of the nuiolter of officers' widows whose pensions would be fedora( by enforcing it. The Ear/ of Li vr tiro° t. did not mean to ohjeet to the produrtien of the papers, but wished to eeplain what hail been the view or his Majesty's gm:venni:mt. It was perfectly clear that these pensions, from. whatever source they originated, were never considered as a matter of right. It had been the practiet.. Nub with regard to the army end the navy, to make pnwhion by pensions for the widows of ()Meets ; but these pensions were always granted nn a no mortal being pratented, stating th.• intlisi bud to he in necessitous cir cumstances. It had, however. n represented to him, that many individuals, conceiving that their widows were of right en tided to t he pension of their rank, haul ensured flair lutes to en. able them to make a further provision for their families, and had. perhap, unclog-me can: it privations in order to at eompluh that object. Ile was thetifore of ep,nion, that the regula• tisut ought to he modified cusf as to prevent it from having any re treopective effect with regard to eases of tilt. tl....eription. At the same time it hail been thougtetadtisable ta make Rooth. r alter , tion. lean ing is t he w Wales both of naval and military officer, the. power of receiving the pension if they Lave not an income trinel to four times its artniait. . _ _ The Marquis of Laeanow - vs! preF7-rd 1:1!: Slit'fflitit , " at thw explanation which the Coble Seeretare of !•tatt had guts. he 510- %j ou was agreed tu.-..Adjuurhed to .N:cialay.