Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1803-11-04


nothing but promise on the part of Spain,
to cede SIX months after the fulhllment Of
certain conditions relating to the Duke Of
Parma; What then do we purchase upon
the face of the treaty itself? Not country,
but his Catholic Maiesty's promise to cede
a country at a future time and on certain
conditions. Now, as the treaty itself fur
nishes no evidence of title, we enquire for
the evidence on this subject. We ask, have
the conditions of the treaty between France
and Spain, ever been fulfilled? Have the
six months elapsed If so, let us seethe
actual cession which Spain promised to
make. If not, has Spain ever waved the
performance Of these conditions, and there
BY yielded the title to France? If Spain
has ever done this, we ask for the evidence
of it. Let US know whether Spain assents
or dissents to our taking possession OF the
country
This information, we desire, not for the
purpose of ratifying or rejecting the treaty;
this belongs to the president and senate
alone, but for the purpose Of enabling us to
OF whether any, for the government Of the
country.
But it is sild that the treaty provides that
a commissary shall be sent by France, to
the coded territory, to receive It's possessi-
on from Spain and transmit it TO us.
Is it therefore of no importance to us TO know,
whether France has any title ? fthe commissa
ry cannct receive possession from Span, he can
not transmit il to US. But suppose the mandate
of the First Consul Of France, is now law to
Spain, may nor the time come, when a different
state Of things will exist? And may We not be.
fore we pay fl fteen milliors of dollars, enquire
whether ourtite TO the territory is sound.
But gentleman from Virginia lMr. Ran
doph has said that there is great difference
between this case and that of the British treaty
10 which he has referred. In that case, says the
gentleman the house of Representatives said TO
the presidents, sir evs detest yonr frtaty'. Bar
this treaty the gentleman says, has been hailed
by tie country as blessed thing. do not
know sir, how the people Of thiscounty can have
expressed their appreciation Ct This treaty. 1t is
now for the FIRST time, been made puolic, and its
known, and | cannot suppose thar the people OF
chs county viii consider It as blessed thing TO
pay fifteen millions of dollars for a country, to
which they get no title.
Mr.. Smile. remember something of the
kind, that has been observed by the last gentle
man who spoke, and it would be we'll 70 look m
it. 1t was said UPON former occasion that
we had no right to call for papers, and lslill
think so but we may Judge how far II is neces-
sary now to call fer them. Mr.. 5. here read
the resolution moved to call for papers pending
the British treaty.) see no occasion for Sc do
ing in the present instance.
Mr.. ]. Randolph. should BE wiling to call
for papers we're they necessary, but l see no
reason for the present revolution. The p5esi-
dent has treated with the first consul Of France
for Louisiana * the Senate has ratified tie trta-
ty. The French have declared that they will
send comnllssary to give possession, as soon as
the treaty was ratified by the senate. That has
already been done, and / can state TO this house
that thete is now commissary there on the part
Of France.
Mr. Elliot. greatly admire the talents of
the gentleman who moved and supported this re-
solution, out think it premature. The first of
these gentlemen is not only inquisitive but lnde-
fatis able-the second, ingenious and animated.
The gentlemen wish to have it ascertained whe-
ther we have title to Louisiana Iii: very true
we have not attained an absolute jurisdiction, be-
the terms Of the treaty are not yet complied
with.--The gentlemen's enquiries are visionary.
Young as am, and little versed in the subiecr,
amunwilling to enter at length upon it. The
president tells us that the enlightened govern
ment OF France has on certain conditions, and
uoder certain stipulations conveyed Louisiana to
the U. States of America. The gentleman Mr..
Goddard asks will the people be content to
pay fifteen millions of dcIlars-not for a territory,
but for promise 1t was stipulated between
! /, c {. -. j u