Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1803-04-22

So ssAS AAA eAAA1 bhsAAAy o&utAhhCtlko
which warm the heart of my friend from
Delaware, than in all the volumes upon
all the shelves Of the civilians, Let us,
however, attend to the results Of those
logical deductions which have been made
by writers on the law of nations. The
honorable member from Kentucky (Mr.
Breckenridge has told US that foreigners
ought to shew sincere desire of peace,
and should not hastily take offence, be-
cause 1t may bethat the offensive act was
the result Of mistake. My honorable
colleague has told US, that among the
justihable causes Of war are the delibe-
rate invasions Of right, and the necessi.
tyof maintaining The balance Of power.
He has told Us further, that attempts
should always be made to obtain redress
by treaty, unless il be evident that re-
dress cannot be 80 obtained. The honor
able member from Georgia near me, in
forms Us, that the thing we would obtain
by war should be important, and the
success probable. and that war should
be avoided until il be inevitable. The
honorable member from Maryland EMr.
Wright has explained to US the case
cited by the gentleman from Kentucky,
as being wrong done by private eit;-
zen. Underline weight Of all this autho-
rity. and concuring with gentlemen in
their propositions, I shall take leave to
examine the great question we are called
on to decide. I shall moreover fully and
entirely agree with the honorable mem-
BET near me IN another point. He has,
with the usual rapidity ofhis mind, seiz-
edthe whole object, He tells us, and
he tells Us truly, that the island Of Or
lesns and the two Floridas are essential
tothis country They are Joined, says
ne, BY God, and sooner or later we must
and SviH have them. In this clear and
energetic statement I ullysagree; and
the greater part of what have to say will
DC but commentary on the doctrines
they have advanced, and eludication of
thsh positions, and the confirmation Of
that strong conclusion. 5 g. IS .-s.'T-5
In order to bring this extensive subject
within such bounds as may enableus to
take distant view of it's several parts,
/ shall consider FIRST, the existing state
ofthings 2dly, the consequence to the
United States of the possession of that
country by France: 3dly, the conse-
quence to other nations 4thly, the inn
pertanee of it to France herself: 5thlv,
its importance to the United States if
possessed by them: and having thus ex-
'amined the thing itselfinits various rela-
tions, the way viii be open to consider,
6thIy, the effect of negotiation and
then 7thly, the Consequences to be ex-
'Pected from taking immediate possessi-
on. # L..
Before I consider the existing state Of
things, let me notice what gentlemen
have said in relation to il. The honor
iable member from Kentucky has told us,
That indeed there is q right arrested, but
whether by authority or not, ID equivo-
cal. He says the representative Of Spain.
verify believes it to be an authorised act.
My honorable colleague informs us there
has been clashing between the COVER
nor and the Intendant. He says we are
told by the Spanish minister it was un-
authorised. Notwithstanding these as
sHrances, however, my honorable col
league has, it seems, some doubts
But nevertheless he presumes innocence
for my colleague is charitable. The
honorable member from Maryland goes
farther, he tells us the minister Of Spain
says the intendant had no such authority
and the minister of France too, says
there Is no such authority. Sir, Ihave
all possible respect for those gentlemen,
and every proper confidence in what
they may think proper to communicate.
Ibelieve the Spanish minister has the
best imaginable disposition to preserve
Peaee-being indeed the express pur-
pose for which he was sent among us. I
believe it to be an obiectnear to his heart,
and which has a strong hold upon his af-
fections. i respect the warmth and be-