Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-10-17
From tie MAq19N4l Ix4ELLIcevcEa.
SPANISH CONTENTION.


WE some time since laid be tore the
public concise view ofthe principal facts
and Inferences deducible from them, re-
laiive TO the true boundaries of Louisiana
as received by The Uri'ed States from
France. The reader will recolieGt that
this statement was occasioned by the al
lodged determination OF the Spanish go
vernment not to ra;ilv the Convention of
the 18th of August 1902, unless our GO
vernInent complied with three requisite
ons.
1. The allowance ola longer term than
that contemplated by the Convention pre-
vious TO the sitting Of the commissioners,
that the subjects Ui Spain might be appri-
sed OF It's raiificaCion--2. That the Gin arli-
Gle, keeping alive cur claims for spoistions
made by French cruisers sanctioned by
COMBINATIONS in Spanish ports and by
Spanish tribunals, should be expunged (;
and 3. That the legal provision for port
oil entry on the Mobile should be repeal
ed.--These acquisitions have opened a
wide field of discussion On the most i'm
portant point, it is source Of peculiar sa-
tIslsction that no diversity Of opinion ex-
ists among our couDtrymen. When tic
question "what are he boundaries Of Lou
isiana," was first started. the5e was
a mOmentary error into which some Of
the federal presses fell. .lut reformation
and rcileGtioG have entirely 81 ssipa.ed il !;
and there is now happily among all par
ties indications ofthe same zeal in main
tenance OF Our territorial rights.
There is, however, another point; only
Of secondary magnitude, on which the
friends and enemies Of the administration
are at issue viz. their conduct respect
ing the Convention above referred 10.
Fiauering ourselves lhatiuIor7na,ion will.
in this instance, as in the former, be eff
cacjoo5 IN iasurog harmony Of opinion,
we Offer .he following ra5ls and remarks.
OF the solioity Of the remarks the reader
viii Judge; for the accuracy Of the facts
we pledge ourselves.
subsequently TO the year 1898, when the
treaty Of san Loreuzo was formed be-
tween The United States and Spain, con-
siderable spoliatoDs were committed on
the american trade by We sgel, under spa.
nsh colors, and by French vessels. whose
prizes were adjndicaied in Spanish ports
and BY Spanish tribunals. FOR these IN
fractions Of our rights il became the duty
Of our government 10 demand reparation.
il is presumed that this, as a matter, Of
course, was done coeyai with the cccasi-
on that created the necessity, by Mr.. A..
dams then President fihe United States.
The treaty Of San Lorenzo only provided
for tho termination Of " all differences on
account Of the losses sustained by the ci-
tizeus Of the United States in consequence
Of their vessels and csrCoes having been
taken by the subjects Of his Catholic Ma.
jes,y, during me late pnr 6efween &to,, md
France" that is, an'ecedent 10 the 2sd Of
July, 1895, when the war terminated.
This circumstance is stated 10 corre9 IN
iradveHent error into which a writer in
an Eastern paper has fallen, in consider
ing This provision Of The treaty as prospcc-
tive, & as embracing period OF eighteen
months beyond the da.e q It's ratification.