Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-12-01

Sahcuonec oy SpaiA, thcn We have been
by far too Condescendlrg. We believe
The letter in question: 10 have been written
by Spaniard holding Office from his 10.
,erhmeht, aud we consider il as shewing
u great deal Of indiscreiion.
Ii the letter were The production OF a
domestic enemy, who is de sirous Of bring
my the administration into difficulty and
d.srepuIe, to advance the objects ola par
ty; he would fail in his effort; we think;
however, there is 10 American so base as
to be us author.
We sh III endeavor to give the reader
some idea Of the article on WHICH we ami
maf!vert. II will be remembered that an
insurrection was lately declared To have
taken place in West Florida. a paper
pirPoTtlng To BE- procia cation declaring
that country independent of Spain, aud
signed by a l.erson ofthe name Of Kemper
and others, was published. The Spani-
ards affecting 10 believe the American go-
vernmenl had fomented this business, have
Since strengthened themselves by an adj
ditionat military force. The idea that our
government had inIerfered had been in.
dustriously circulated, it was even said Mr..
Jefferson had written letters TO New Or
leans, encouraging The insurgents in Flo
rlda. M rejecting man in the United
States believed 4 word OF all this. In truth.
1t was looked upon by most people as u
prctext taken by the Spaniards for pre-
pairing to oppose our occupation OF terrific
ry which belongs to US; Kempers business
was TOO Insignificant to permit any one to
think il had originated with our govern
men,.
The effect, however, has been, that the
Spaniards ia Florida have concentred a
military force and made such dispositions
as 1t there was really dagger to be appre-
hended from the United States. This The
letter published i'll the Philadelphia Ca
2ette, describes. After mentioning The
flight OF Kemprr from Florida, il is insinu-
atcd that he and his followers were in the
pay OF the American government; the
words of the letter are:
% Il leads MS 10 suppose here, that your govern
ment WAS vnlerhandedly concerned in fomen,ing
this disturbance, for the sake of p,oiitng by our
confusion and ruin We are here fully determined
to make desperate resistance in case of beng
immediately atraekcC; by the Americans: or per-
haps 1t we see preparations made TO that efTel we
will not wait for the invaders, but boldly advance
and meet them OF. lheir own ground, and risk
battle"
What will the reader think Of this des.
picable attack upon our government, and
pallry threat of military force, COMING.
from a Spahiard? Will any man call this
becoming in the officer Of government,
which has received every mark Of aitenti1
on from that of The United States? Bur
this Is moderate to what follows -
." We firmly believe we can count on a perfect
neutrality OF the inhabitants of Louisiana who
sa! the American government has robbed them Of
the rights and privileges stipulated for them by
Bonaparte, and thar they do not see what they
haze 20 do with the quarrel, or what benefit will
arise to them from an attempt to enslave US like
thcmse YES, IN order support preposterous and
foolish ella nj of your administration who Blinded
b. their good fortune i'll OBJ aiming, almost While
asleep, the finest province in America are now
inclined 10 risk theloss Off, plunge their country
IN war IN order TO agg andze their already TOO
unwieloy territory. they count or our we akness.
but they had better open ey es to their own 81.
tnauon New Orleans. with its works IN ruins,
whose Notifications governor Claiborne permitted
to be demolished by the people, few VS. after
his ARRIVAL, that they might make fre wood of the
Picketa. may tempt Us much as Mobile does
president Jefferson And the arrival Of the
marquis OF Huilg1o, who IS expected at Pensacola
with twelve regiments from Europe, and ieet
ct small craft for the lakes from Havannah, we
shall then be IN a condition 10 bid defiance TO your
attempt"
The indignation of the reader must be
so strong on reading the foregoing, that
we scarcely need add word 10 increase il.
The sum and substance is--we have
West Florida, you claim it as part of Lou
isiana, but before we surrender we will
hight for it, therefore pursue your demand
no further, for we have six regiments com
ing from Europe and friends In Louisiana.
1t this is the production Of person gno-
rant of the relative situation of both coun-
tres, it is fortunate circumstance, but
we suspect 1t is not, we believe the writer
to be Il person who knows better, and
whose conduct in this affair we cannot ac-
count for in any other manner than from
his hostility 10 our administration. The
letter purports to he from Baton Rouge
and from Spanish officer, perhaps he will
not have learned the folly of his conduct
until 1t shall be too late. There is no peo-
pie however calm and peaceful, there is
no government however strongly dispos-
ed TO harmony and peace with the world,