The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-03-26
FROM THE LONDON couRIER-,As. "a.
WfR NTH SPAIN.
d Z c l. A II A I / O N.
Dezenieg-,t,ssf, faaasry, 1905.


part of Great Britain neceiIarily followed from
the treaty of st. Ildephonfo, if not difclaimed by
Spain. That treaty in fact, identified Spain with
the republican government of France, by viz
tual acknowledgment of unqualified vafialage,
and by fpecifc Populations of unconditional Of
fence. BY the articles of that treaty, Spain CO.
venanted to furnifh ftated contingent of ma
val and military force for the proiecution of
any war in which the French republic might
think proper to engage. She specifically fur
rendered any right, or pretenlion, to enquire
into the nature, origin, or junice of that war.
She ftipulated, in the firt infant, contingent
of troops and ihips, which of tfelf, comprifes
no moderate proportion of the means at her
difpofal but in the event of this contingent be-
ing at any time found Inefficient for the pur-
pofes of France, fhe further bound herfelf to
put into fate of activity the utmoft force,
both by fea and land, that it fhould be in her
power to collect. She covenanted that this
force fhould he at the difpofal of France, to be
employed conformity, or feparately, for the an
noyance of the common enemy; thus tubmit-
ting her entire power and refources TO be ufed
as the inaruments of French ambition and ag-
grefiion. aud to be applied in whatever proper
tion France might think proper, for the avowed
purpofe of endeavoring TO fuhvert the govern
ment. and deftroy the national exifence of C.
Britain. The character of fuch treaty gave
Great Britain an inconteftible right to declare to
Spain, thst urlefs ne decidedly renowned the
treaty, or gave ahuranccs that fhe would not
perform the obligations of il, fhe would not be
conidered as neutral power.
This right, however, for prudential reafons,
and from motives of forbearance and tenderness
toward Spain, was not exercifed in its full ex-
tent and, in confequence of aflurances of pa
cihc difpoftion on the part of the Spanifh go
vernment. his maiefy did not, in the firt in
fance, Unfit on dftin6t and formal renuncia-
tion of the treaty. 1t does not appear that any
exprefs demand of fuccour had been made by
France before the month of July, one thoufand
eight hundred and three and on the frft noti-
hcation of the war, his majefy's minifter at Ma
drid was led to believe, in confequence of COM
muncations which pafled between him and the
Spaniih government, that his Catholic maiefty
did not conGder himfelf as necehariy bound by
the mere fact of the exifence of war between
Great Britain and France, without fub(equent
explanation and diicuffion, to fulfil the ftipula-
tions of the treaty of st. Ildephonfo, though
the article Of that treaty would certainly give
rife TO very different interpretation. In the
month Of October convention was hgncd, by
which Spain agreed to pay to France a certain
FUN monthly in lieu of the naval and military
fuccour which they had ftipuated by the tres
ty to provide, but of the amount Of this FUN, or
ofthe nature of any other Populations which
that convention might contain, no official infor-
nation whatever was given.
II was Immediately fated by his maietv's
mnifter at Madrid to the Spanih government,
that fmbhdy as large that which they were
fuppoied TO have engaged TO pay to France, far
exceeded the bounds of forbearance that it
could only meet with temporary connivance,
as, if it was continued, it might prove in fact
greater injury than any other hoftility. In reply
to thefe remonftranccs, il was reprefepted as an
expedient 70 gain time, and a1ursnces were s.
ven, which were confirmed by circumstances,
which came to his majeffy's knowledge from
other quarters, that the dipoGtion of the Spa
Min government would induce them to extri-
cate themfelves from this engagement if the
courfe of events fhould admit of their doing 70
with fsfety.
When his maieftv had frt reafon TO believe
that flIch convention was concluded, he d-
retted his miniter at Madrid to declare that bis
forheariDg to confider Spain All enemy mutt
depend in a great degree upon the amount of
the fuccourS, and upon her maintaining per-
feet neutrality in all refpects; but that il would
be iupofIible for him to conlider permanent
payment, to the amount of that which was fiat
ed to have been in agitation, in any other light
than as a dire Ct fubfdy for war. His maiefy's
envoy was directed, therefore, hrf TO protect
againf the convention, aG a violation Of neutra-
aity. and iuitihable caufe of war; fecondly, to
rdeclare that our abitaining from hoGties mutt
depend upon its being onlya temporary mea-
fure, and that we mutt be at liberty to con(ider
a perseverance in it as caufi ofwar; thirdly,
that the entrance of any French troops into
Spain mutt be refufed fourthly, that any naval
preparation NUT be a great caufe Of jeaoufy,
and any attempt to give naval af1ifance to France
an immediate caufe of war; filthy, that the
Spanifh ports mutt remain open to our COM
merce, and that our fhps of war mutt have
equal treatment with thofe of France. His ma
iefty's miniiter was alto infruded, if any French
troops entered Spain, or he received authentic
information of any naval ornaments preparing
for the affiaance of France, to leave Madrid,
and to give immediate notice to our naval com
manders, that they might proceed to hoftities
without the delay that might be occaGoned by
reference at home.
The execution Of thefe infru6tions produced
svariety of difcufiions during which his ma
iefty's minifter told Mr.. Cevallos, in anfwer to
his quefiou, whether continuance of fuch pc
cuniary flccours to France would be confder-
ed as ground of war, and whether he was au-
thorifed to declare it ?-That he was 70 autho-
rifed, and that war would be the infallible con-
fequence.--It was however Till thought delira-
bic by bis maiehy to protra6, if poflibe, the
decifion of this quetion and it was therefore
Rated in the inaru6tions to his ninifter at Ma
drid that as the fubfdy was reprefented by the