The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-03-11
PICTURE OF THE COLONIAL POLICY OF
SPAIN.
FROM THE Nxw-YoRk EvEnINo rosr.
COMMERCIALLY INTERESTING


81. 9okn, Porto Rico, Jan. 90, 1906.
The opening of the ports of this Hand to neutral
veilsls was the time, regarded by the American
merchants ever too eager to graip 1t any thug that
feens offer an extended field for commercial en-
terprize, a very favorable circumstance. Thofe
however, VIM have had much do here, have been
Completely undeeeved. Whatever benefit the voyage
might o,herxiie have produced, has, but too gene
rally, been afforded by thoie in whom their yno-
rance OF characters, united with the unfair preferences
OF the government, indnced compelled them TO
place confidence. Whether Cur velels Come here
voluntarily. brought in by cruizers little is to
he met with but delay, vexaon and lo(s unleis in
the former nance the hippers awarcof the regulate
ons of the port and provides aeaini them before the
ve8el fails. For my own part, would prefer being at
prize to of their piratical prvateers whole
bunefs is open and barsfaced robbery, than TO be- by
the force OF the preent regulations thrown int the
power OF a coundrei factor, who, by repeated lar
eehes, hlches from the property it is his duty to
protest. r. man is leis chayrined at having his purle
taken from him by pro!efed highwayInan, who
boldly tells hun TO deliver, than having his pocks,
Pckd By the hand Of a plfering cwwarGiy RACIAL
who at the time, perhaps, en,ertains him with th.
language Of frsn,hip. This is rs near parallel as
can draw; and n'a now proceed to exen,plify the
treatment we receive in this place, both on account
OF the public and private thies.
The treaty between Spain and France, and the
common caaie in which they are at prerent engaged
OF ceure throw open the ports Of Spain and her colo
MES to the cruizers and prvateers of the latter a.
well as OF the former power. The confeauenees Of
this have been verely felt BY Americans IN the pvrt
OF Cuba and fits effects have not been equally
judicial here cannot fppofc that it is owing to any
5urerery of the inilitutons of this government over
thofe OF Cuba; or to any hyperion virtue in the peo
pie, i'll the rulers; bot rather to the locality of
the place itieiE Some examples have of the treat
meht cur citizens and property experience when
n iyy IN nm fhpts
we have iutue'ent rcaion to rejoice and be thank fn
that they do not more frequently occur ! alIude
particularly the cafe. of the fchooner Iris Pearfp
OF fredericksburg the brig Ca,harne, Seward. of
Norfolk; the ihip Patty. Loughlin of New.York !:
te hrlg @oHy iripP, OF 1iverton, and the lchooner
MI,r-Ern, Anthony, of Bottom.
The Iris WAS captured in April Ian. NV a Fra,ch
Gate vei'el, called lie Neg4if0 commanded nv lieu
tenant Bronard, afe.v DAYS after her departure FROM,
this port fer Norfolk, aud brought into Moyapuez
aRort in the welt en-. of this lard where her carve
worth per invoice (beGd-s quantity of cafh) 1000
co.'s and the Seiie worth about 900 dolls were fold
by Bronard, as they entered the port for 600 dols
There can be no doubt that it was the du,y f tbs ,
'ernnent 20 have nterered tohaveprevented the ae
and even, Knowing the pretext for capture THAT fe
had been trading with the brgands and was laa
irorn Cape fr1ncai9 to he falfe, to have liberated
che prize. his was not done. The veael was af-
forwards, fay in June, adudged a, Sapto D,m;poo
and rhe capture declared illegal In conf.ouenee
the agent Of the underwriters, who is now here de-
handed that the f'ip and Cargo hould be reored in
the iae CONDITION. and with the fame value as before
,hc iaie a decree to this eile4 was rendered bv
che Judge and confirmed by the Governor on the 2sth
Of November, and ordered to be executed in five dav
at Mayaguez tie pnrchafers of the cargo who i, i,
fupPofed hSda perfect understanding with the cap
tors Were ALTO sfnienced to pay the king fine of
three TIMES the Separated value of the veel and CARGO
This decree ms hsen in the hands Of a Notary ever
fnce; and the aagen. notwithstanding his div an
pications, eat,Tiot Rave it ratified by the necearv
iormaites. In the mean time, opportunity is offer
ed to thofe againff whom it is given to traverf.
and render 1t in efs9 nugatory.
Inc Cfoavire vas captured by French privateer
brig lie General Bianchot, captain lean Bap,in Mi
chael Debrux in AuguR lah, on her paiiage from
Antigua to Norfolk, with valuable cargo of 2li
puncheons OF rum and carried into La Aguadilla an
open and unihetered port in the wet end of tina, IT.
land. The captain (scawardJ was OBLIGED TO 90 RI
Martisique TO defend his rights in his abfence the
the cargo was landed ard piundered to the value of
about 1--WE rhoufand dollars. On the Cd infant he
returned with decree releafng the prize and reio-
ring the vefie' and cargo, without damages or in,e
re0l. The agent frame dstely petoned his erc.llen.
cyl the governor TO put him in poGeion of his pro-
perty, and demand iufice for the illegal iifpofton
made oil part OF the cargo. To this petition no au
twer has yet been returned; and it remains to he
proved whether the inrendency will as certain great
orator would lay, vndicate the injury If juftice is
rendered, may venture remarks thar it will be an
agreeable furprize.
The cafes of the other three vefel. are Infinitely
worfe and apply more particularly the bad regula
tons which prevail in this colony and TO the cor
ruption Of lone of the maglirates. hall fuccin3
ly rate them and leave you to form your own iude-
ment. 49,
The Patty, Philadelphia bull, Flip, was purcba-
fed At St Thomas, for of merchants at New.
York, and having gone santo Domingo 10 had
with mahogany and dye-woods was there az the
time Of the .feige by the Emperor lean Tacou.s.
General Ferrand compelled Captain Laughlip 10 take
on board as many his veiIei would receive
wifh whom he proceeded Porto Cavello, ON the
Spanin Main. Having his funds with him he o5-
famed peraAion TO ven them in the produce of This
Pl,ee. with which. returning to Ney-Yerk, he was
captured, in the moath Of Nav aft within fouud;ros
on our eoail, by Spanfh privateer, and fent into
This port. After delay of months ON the t;s,
Of his arrival, in which capt1in Lauyhlin. maj, of
intelligence ard reipeaahDity made the utrnoft inf
ibe eyPrtion for the defence Of the proprrty bot,
vefl.l and cargo condemned, and fold as lawful
prize. Since then FIVE months more have elapfed
snd it is bur three days ago that the captain
bias got the iegsized copies aitnoagh obliged By law
10 lodge his appeal in Madrid within limited nu,,-
Der of months. This cafe is the rure a,trociuus q,
49,. IL a