Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-09-24
EASTERN BOUNDARY
L o u Is + Il ~ II. 5

sources of difference between this country
and Spain, really arises from the difficulty
OF adjusting the eastern boundary OF Loa-
eisiana. Spain it is well known, IS anxious,
10 limit the dimensions Of that country 10Y
tie Westera bauk Of the Mississlppl. we
on the contrary extend our claims as Tar
70 the East as the Perdido river ana we
aDpeal to the treaty Of one thousand seven
hundred and nineteen, and to the dehni-
tive treaty of peace of one thousand seven
hundred and sixty three, and TO the inter
nal jurisdiction Of Florida, established by
Spain both after the treaty OF l719 and
1888, as the solid basis of our pretentlons:.
Whaf is in truth the Eastern Boundary OF
Louisiana becomes therefore question
of considerable importance, beth as It re-
spects our own rights, and our Obligations
to Spain. Is this boundary really formed
by the Mississippi or the Perd,do river!
On this question our federal government
has no doubt formed conclusive oplnlon
and there can be no doubt also that MIR.
Pipckney has been engaged IN expressing
his opinion, and in negotiating with inc
court OF Madrid a corresponding arrange
ment. But il is the property and the duty
of the beoble alsoto make their own enqui-
ries, and TO form their independent oPlnl-
ons!' If, as some persons declare, tt'ls DIT
ference between the two nations is nSely TO
terminate in war, or even If 1t be likely
to.produce long and interesting negoc!a-
ton, hepeople are particularly called up
on, by their political duties to direct thelr
attention towards this curious, and as It
may appear to some, this complicated queS>
ton.
On this question my researches have
not certainly been very extensive; but as
far as they have gone they have conducted
me to the conclusion, that our newly
acquired country OF Louisiana, extends be-
yond the Mississippi rs Far as the Perdld o
river. The contrary opinion; the opinion
that it is bounded by the Mississippi, is un-
supported either By The treaties which have
been formed by Spain, or by the Jnr'sdtc-
ZION which she has established IN tlogida.
i he principal arguments which have APP
.peared in favor of this opinion. ere given In
the extract Of a letter from Madrid dated
July, I'm. To determine thenln certain
degree the truth ofthis opinion,lt will be
necessary 70 >, analyse the contents OF this
letter. In every part Of it, 1t appears to
be deficient in accuracy of fact, or accuracy
Of conclusion.
It's not true that" East and Vest Flori-
day were originally ccled BY France to
England by the treaty Of one thousand Sc
ven hundred and sixty three" The terms
of East and Vest Florida were never
known in Spanish or French GEOGRAPHY.
This distinction was first introduced b.
the English government, after tie dehnI-
tive treaty of one thousand seven hundred
aud sixty three. By this treaty all the
country East of the Mississippi, excePt
New Orleans, being given up to them,
they divided the 1Vbole territory south CT.
Georgia, and east of the ibbcrviiIe, into
the two distinct provinces of Hast and
West Florida. This assertion is indeed
expressly confrmed by the writer hinl-
self, who says after that previous to one
thousand seven hundred and eighty this
country has been divided into the 5eoo Flo
ridas.
/. is not true that France " at the same
time ceded to Spain the island Of New.
Orleans, and territory west Of them ssip.
pi." have examined every article Ct this
defnitive treaty ofi763, (and it was SAIL &c
be given at large and have been unablz
to discover single article which relates &C
this cession. 1hetruth appears to be, tina,
this cession was stipulated Tor in secrs
treaty of 1862, made between France and
Spain.
The conclusion that may be drawn from
the first of these assertions, is conse-
quentiv inaccurate. II this country was