The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-12-13

ter, when conrated with thofe al gov. Herrera to
COL Culhng and GOT. Claiborne, combined to the
eircumtancero of the Spani troops having recroiled
the Sabine y man, has induced me, on the ground
of ecoaomyand of expediency ALTO, to difeharge the
militia, wjo had reached this place, and to coun-
termand .hofe under march, exeeptin,, about 100
dragons and mounted infantry, whom ihall retain
in fervce (until appriled Of the determination of
the captain general Saleedo) watch the movements
OF our ,eighbors"
kzd guas.e,t Of tie army Of tie United St1.es.
Natebitoshe,, Sept. 2if5, 1906
SIR,
Alter the recent communications which have par-
fed 5etween his excellency gov. Herrera, col Cutting
ana gov Claiborne, and his reiterated repuion OF
their realouable and righ;ful demands; will con-
fts to your exceency that pought but the very high
and folenn obligations which lowe to humanity, could
vanquift the repugnance with which now have the
honor to addreis you, on topic profoundly in;ereh-
ing to our REFLECTIVE nations, rafmuch as it may
involve queAion of peace
The differences Of opinion which have prevailed,
concerning the couteied limits of LoriGana, having
been fubmtted to an,;cable negotiation BY ref
peaive fveregns the appeal to rational enquiry
is an ,dnifion of the dubioGty Of the right, and
thereto fhould prevent any change of military poii-
.icr,s Anterior the delivery of the province OF
LouiG4na to the United States.
Tie government of the American union, founded
in rht, and conducted by reafon, ha. been initrutf-
ed Wy the hitory of other times, how to value the
billings of peace and being unan,btous OF couqueit
otmiItary fame, is deGrous 20 pre(erve a fair and
friendly understanding with all the powers of the
sir,h.
Thus creumitanced, and under daily expectation
Of favorable iue to the depending negotiations it
would mark fanganary fpirit and be mof un-
gracious and unwarrantabc iced, the military
officers OF either government by aa of precipitan
iion; and make wav for TIE commencement of honi-
hties Whole final iilue may battle human foreigh,,
but whole probable consequences would he icenes of
revolution and bloodhed, oGenive to humanity, and
fubveriive of the general policy Of nations.
In this aate Of things am ready to pledge myfolf
that pending the negotiations Of the countries,
nothing fhal! be attempted again his catholic Ma
eays iableas or territories by the troops under my
command un!efs his officers fhoud attempt, as they
hare already done, to innovate the " fatu quo" a,
the furrender OF the province, by occupying new
ground, or erecting potts, unlefs they ihould
trefpafs the rights of the citizens, or violate the
iovereignty of thefe fates the former conduct will
compel ceunter-movenents and occupancies and the
latter will only jufify recrmiuation but will in
falibly excite it and thus holities may be produ-
ced, notwithstanding the peaceful difpoi;ions OF the
bic.
When the troops of the United States tool! poiIef-
on of thi. pot, the Spaniih commandant from whom
ii was received did not define the limits Of his urif-
dion yet it was notorious that NacoSdoches FORM
Cd the barrier pnlt OF the approximate province of
Texas. II was known alto that controversies had ex-
lied between France and Sran refpetaing the WEI
tern limits of LouiIan1, and had been aiiured by
nloniieur Lauiatt the French conmioner, who de-
liv-red the province TO the United States that the
preteniions of France far wei the Rio del
Norte. But we were not informed that any line of
denareation had ever been traced to partition thee
provinces.
Whether fJeh line of territorial iur;fdiaion had
ever been eaablihed or not. between the provinces
OF Loui7na and Texas, one had been rendered ndii-
peniable by the fale Of the former to the United
States, for the admin Of iufce tine fecurity
OF property. and the prevention Of hottie colfons
and theie fates with pretenons far more exteniive
adopted the Sabine river as the mott obvious, moi
convenient mott natural and leaf excepticna5le tenn
pnrary boundary.
am therefore, fir, commanded by the Prelident
Of the United States inform ycu, that the actual
quiet poheiiIon OF the country Ivy the United States
eait OF the river Sabine, ought and viii be conider-
ed fully within the limits Of the country furrender
ed to the IT, S. on taking poneon of this place and
thereore any attempt the part of his Catholic ma
jehys officers difturb the exiting fate of thinps
by endeavorine to occupy any poh eaR of the
Sabine, or wetlward northward Of the former
boundaries of what has been called w Florida muf
be eoDldered by the government of the United State.
aaua inva(ion of their territorial riqhts and
will be rehaed accordingly" While fubmi, thele
commands tn your grave confederation in the hope
they may have due weight il becomes my duty to de.
mssd from you the withdrawal OF the troops of Spain
10 the wen Of the Sabine.
My frnfe Of the high refpea due from one old ro,-
der 10 another prohibits the idea of menace bs as
cur honor fcrbids tratagem deception before our
fwords aave been drawn, ! owe il to my own fame
sndto the national chara Ser to warn you that the
ultimate deciiou Of the cnmpetent authority has been
taken, that my orders abfoute and my determi-
nation fixed TO ALERT, and <under Cod to luaan the
jurildction Of the IT, s. to the Sabine river aranh
any fierce which may De oppofed to me.
Retire then, fir, conjure you, the troops of your
Command from the ground in controversy, and fpare
the efuIon OF human blood, withou, preiu.Ieipo
your own homer, the fnbGantial ntereR of his ma
je0y your royal mailer.
Colonel Thomas II. Curhing, chief des e,ats major
of The army Of The United States, has my orders &c
deliver this letter to you and to wait realonable
time for your arfyer.
lprsy God tokeep your exeeency in his holy
Protection i"r many years and have the honor 70 be
Your MOE ohedent,
And humble iervaut,
]. WILKINSON