Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1803-03-18

* CeoSH0Ey 1ts RI
\ Debate continued, on M. Poss's resoluti-
] ans relatiUe 70 Ne.u-0 fleansand Louisiana.
Mn. WHITE of Delaware.-Mr.
President. On this subject, which has
ona former day been discussed with so
much ability, and with such eloquence by
my friend from Pennsylvania, the ho-
norable mover of the resolutions, shall
submit the few observationsI may make,
In as concise manner as am capable Of
for it is veryfar from my wish to oecu-
py the time, or attention Of the Senate url-
necessarily. The resolutions ouyour ta-
bel approve IN their full extent--.I be-
s.ve they express the firm anil manly tone,
that at this moment, is especially tbeco-
~tniugt the dignity of the government to
assume-t believe they mark out a sys-
TEN Of measures, that, if promptly pur-
sued, will be honorable to the nation and
equal to the accomplishment of the i'm
portant object which gentlemen on all
sides seem to have in view. These alone,
with me, would be sufficient inducements
to yield them my feeble support-but in
addition to these, and 20 the thorough
conviction Of my own mind as to the
course / ought topursue, Ihave the hap
>piness Of being supported in my opinions
On this subject, by the unequivocal ex-
preston OF the sentiment Of the state, to
which have the honor tp belong. H
Itwas early seen, Mr.. President, and
required but little Pcnetratieas to disco
yer, that adventures emigrating beyond
the mountains, and settling on our wes-
tern waters must possess the free liayiga-
ton of the Mississippi, il being the only
oatletto the ocean. This important pri-
vilegeit became necessary ON the part Of
the government OF the United States to
secure by treaty, and not leave to the Ca
PRECIOUS will of whatever nation might
futurely hold the territory at the mouth
Of the river. Accordinglyin the 4th and
2ad articles Of our treaty with Spain,
find on this subject the following stipu-
htions-- =. NJ! ~ = ,z%sh.
y Article IV->It is likewise agreed
that the Western boundary Of the United
States, which separates them from the
Spanish colony Of Louisiana, Is IN the
middle of the channel or bed of the Mis-
sissippi, fromth northern boundary Of
the said States, to the completion of the
3Ist degree OF latitude north Of the equa-
tor. And his Catholic Majesty has ike
wise agreed that the navigation OF the
said river, in its whole breadth from its
source to the ocean, shall be free only to
his subjects and the citizens Of the Uni
ted States, unless he should extend this
privilege to the subjects Of other powers
by special convention. ~, :: a, -+Ta-- II
cart. XXI. The two high contract
: ing parties, hoping that the good cores
Pondsnee and friendship which happily
Teigns between them, will be further en-
creased by this treaty, and that it viii
contribute to augment their prosperity
and opnlence, wiilin future give TO their
mutual commerce all the extension and IA
tor which the advantage of both coun-
tries may require. So ~. :
=" And in consequence ofthe stipulati-
ons contained in the fourth article, his
Catholic Majesty wiilpsrmft tho citizens
ofthe United States, for the space Of
, three years from this time, tpdeposit their
. nrerchandises@ and Effects in the port 81
Mspu-Orleans, and to export them from
thence without paying any other duty,
than fair price for the hire Of the stores,
andhis majesty promises either to eonti-
nue. this permission, if he finds during
that time, thar it is not prejudieial to the
interest Of Spain, or if he should not
agree to continue it there, he viii assign
to them, on another part Of the banks of
the Mississippi, an EQUIVALENT
ESTABLISHMENT. ~ y = II - r., = = : '= ::
This instrument, Mr.. President, It is
known, for time quoted the fears and
-iealoasies of our Western Brethren
they supposed it had removed forever
the possibility Of any future ernbarrass-
ment tetheir commerce on those waters.