The National Register.
London, England, 1811-07-28 00:00:00

MR. MORIER TO MR. SMITH.

Washington, Dec. 15, 1810.
deem it to be a duty incumbent on me, considering the
strict and close alliance which subsists between his Majesty s
Government and that of Spain, to express to the Government of
the United States, through you, the deep regret with which I
have seen that part of the President's Message to Congress, in
whi,•ll the determination of this Government to take pusseshion
of West Florida is avowed.
'Without or. sliming to discuss the validity of the United
States to Wcst Florida, a titlp which is manifestly doubtful,
since, according to the President's Proclamation, it is left open
to discu >mon, but has nevertheless been brought forward as one
of the pleas to justify the occupation of these provinces, may
it not be asked why that province could not have been as lair!),

a su!).j..et of negotiation and adjustment in the hands of the
Spaniards, who possess the actual sovereignty there, as in the
hands of the Americans, who, to obtain possession, must begin
by committing an act of hoitility towards Spain.
But it may be said that die SPaniiii Rotes in Mexico, in
Cuba, or in Pensacola, are unequal to quell the rebellious ass
elation of a band of desperaciees who are known by the con•
temptuous appellation o land-jobbers, allowing as much (which
you will agree with me, Sir, is allowing a great deal), would it
nor have been worthy of the generosity of a free nation like this,
bearing as it chub:less does, a respect for the rights of a gallant
people, at this moment engaged in a noble struggle for its
liberty—would it not have been an act on the part of this coun-
try dictated by the soundest ties of good neighbourhood and
friendship, which exists between it and Spain, to have simply
offered his assistance to crush the common enemy of both,
than to have made such interference the pretext of wresting
a provisice from a frigidly Power, and that at a time of her
adversity.
For, allow me, Sir, to inquire, how can the declaration in
the President's Proclamation, that in the hands of the United
States, that that territory will not cease to be a subject of fair
and friendly adjustment, be made to accord with the declara.
tion in his message to Congress (implying permanent possession)
of the adoption of that people. into the bosom of the American
family ? The act, consequently, of sending a force to West
Florida, to secure, by arms, what was before a subject of
friendly negotiation, cannot, much fear, under any palliation,
be considered as any other than his act of open hostility against
Spain. Whilst, therefore, it is impossible to disguise the deep
and lively interest which his Majesty takes in every thing that
relates to Spain, which would, I am convinced, induce him to
meditate between Spain and the United States on any point of
controversy which may exist between them, with the utmost
impartiality and good-will towards both parties, I think it due
to the sincere wish of his Majesty to maintain unimpaired the
friendship which at this moment happily exists between Great
Britain and the United States, to say that such are the ties by
which hi,. Majesty is bound to Spain, that he cannot see with
indifference any attack upon her interests in America ; and as I
have no doubt that the Government of the United States will
attribute this representation to the most conciliatory motives, I
am induced to request in answer to it such explanation on the
subject as will at once convince his Majesty's government of
tFe lisp sitian of the United Stat. s towards his Majesty's
allies, the Spaniards, and will remove the contrary impression,
which, I fear, the President's message is likely to make.
I have the honour to be, &c.
J. P. MORIER. ,