The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-06-24

known to exif. The principle Of exchange toe was IN
direct oppotion to the pirit of one Of the arguments
moa warmly urged by the opponents of purchafe.
If, they fad the national honor concerned in
the fupport ofthe claim, what difference could they
thew between giving one half of the country in diff
pute to fecure the other, and paying fnia part Of
the valIe of the whole obtain relinquihnent of
;he whole On the lcore Of interea there is indeed
a nanleft difference in favor of the latter. But it
was never contemplated by part At leaf of the fa-
vorers Of the propoiton, to purchafc. They conf
dered theinfelves as holding the following language
to Spain-We will take the purchafe of Louiiana
from France the tandard whereby to fix the price
OF Eah-Florida We will pay for it, all that can
make out oft, or fave by its poaeaion. Ths value
of its lands the convenience OF It's harbors, the ad-
vantage OF holding 70 important line OF coan, the
revenue of impots fhal derive from it, the bene-
hi of having in own hands the outlet to the fea
OF the hpalachicola, even the additional command
the polieion of the province will give over the
Creek nation of Indians, all iha be fairly taken into
the Ultimate, but we NUT have WeR- Florida in the
bargain, and a jutt arrangement according to the
treaty, in the fouth welt. This is final propofa
We do not think curlelves dhonored By making
another attempt at accommodation, although tina,
Gently made in your capital, through of our
citizens whom we honor mot was met by you with
fuch dilrefpeaful indifference. Tranquility is not
our interet only but the prevalent dere of our peo
pie We fhall not facrifice it to pundilio. We en-
treat you, however, to reflect, that from tke nature
of our political fynem infuts given to eur govern
ment touch every breah in the nation, and that
ierment excited IN large mas is rot ealily allayed
we hall make our application to you this time
through your ally for two reafons Firh, becaufe the
intimacy OF your connexion neceiarily involves him
IN the consequences of failure accommodate our
differences. and believe that although he has the
lean reaion OF any power on earth TO dread war, that
he hncerely prefers peace. Next, becauie we con-
ceive his honor to be implicated in the decon of the
queion between us, upon principles iuch as we pro-
pole 1t the fecret explanation between you of the
descriptive words of your treaty Of 1909, was pro-
nlife on his part that you fhould continue in pofef
lion OF Welt Florida, furely equivalent to an
acknowledgement that Welt Florida was included by
the expre:ons OF his treaty with us, aud that has
been fairly conveyed US, nce we were not inform
ed OF his iecret promle you. If that explanation
was an impartial contribution made between YOU of
the terms OF the treaty, he will heGtate to ac-
knowledge that 1t is not binding u.s. he made no
provon for its adoption in his treaty with us, and
that he cannot be fair arbiter between US in eta
ohihnga contradiction, fince he has given his opni-
on aganit US already.--But where can we find an
arbter If he is thus excluded What would be his
teehngs upon agreeing on one, another conRru2ion
contrary to his houd be rendered, and Spain be de-
Prived OF what he has aured her In either cafe
an accommodation of the kind we propofe mui be
defirable TO him.
it was during the debate on this queiiion that
extraordinary imputation was cai on the Executive
branch OF our government, by an eminent member in
ms place, which NUT have reached yosr ears and
cannot tail TO have given ferrous disturbance TO YOUR
mind. He ftated, that he had received information
from unaoneted authority, of deiign having been
conceived 6y the Executive draw fun of money
from The treafury for the purpofe of commencing
negotiation Tor the Purchale of the Fordas, previous
to the appropriation by law and that the intention
had been regularly minated the head of the .rea-
Jury department. An eager and anxious inquiry was
OF courc the immediate effect of fueh an afertion
ne Information obtained was, that at meeting of
the heads OF departments, convened for cenfultation
Tome time before the Legislature aIembled the Pre-
ident had given an opinion tina. the plan of ACCOM-
mediation, fince adopted by the Legislature, wa. the
ot eligible that the circumstances then exiting of
the European powers, rendered that iuncfure the
mot favorable poiiible for the commencement of
iuch negociation and that the probability was it
would become ies TO- if not wholly unfavorabIe be-
sore Congreis could decide on the meafure He then
inggeited as matter of elaboration, how far it
might he aduiable to anticipate appropriation by
the minifer of the u. S. to enter into
immediately the BATS of purchafe At
ter Tome diicuilon the fubea was difn,ifTed with
the determination to wait the deciiion of CongreGs
BY the official declarations Of the Secretary of the
lreaiury to the Houe Of Representatives, it became
IL
take' as to the fa ofthe application that depart
ment: mittake, which it appeared himfef and
two others had been led into, by an imperfect COM
or comprehension of the occurrences have
itated, in converlation with that officer.
The queition OF appropriating money to purchafe
Florida was diicued in fecre for the obvious reaon
that 10 proclaim the Intention of making bargain
not only renders it difficult to D(ure advanta-
geous terms, butexpoes the party to the nlachinat
oRs OF all who have interef tn defeat his deign
In this particular cafe, 1t manifehly the intere
Of Great Britain to render the deign aborve, for
The would thereby, not only hinder the coEers of
her enemy from being repenhed, but might event,,-
ally caule TO fall into the fcale aganh him, weight
by no means in6gnifcant in the eRiaation of either
conferences too, which are the materials
of debate, and the groundwork of mealures in all
queitions relating to foreign affairs, have always
been deemed, from their nature, confidential be-
tween governments and the publication of them to
the world, while the characters concerned are in
way to be affected by it, is apt to produce fironp
recruitment in Europe. And while the great powers
OF the earth continue to be under the abfoute COM
maud OF Jingle men, who are governed BY their pafi
ons, and fwayed by their traDfent feelings there
will be room for apprehension, that the unguarded
language OF the indhcree, or the violence of warm
ten,pers, may mar the bef profpeas and produce
exeiteneats deRruetve of the tranquility of nations
Beiides, to infure that freedom in debate. which ia
requite TO fair dilcuion it is absolutely necenary
when great foreign power is the object Of the mes-
iures propofed, to debate in private. The fear of
exciting unfavorable feelings abroad by exprefTions
uttered from bOdv which hotds ths ~