Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-08-05
From The AURORA.
CONCERNS WITH SPAIN

: ,
ceda collition between the United States
and Spain, are in a fair train Of uegociati-
on and termination. In this view, we arc
! disposed TO accord with that wise svsscm
OF policy, which obtains BY liberal earfila-
1 n2t,ors, and by reason, the objects for
which wars are usually commended, rather
, tAan 81 70 war and resort 20 explanation
and reason afterwards. This is the best
policy It all times, and would be Drefera-
bic even with England, if repeated expe-
rience and reiterated aggressiors, had not
rendered all hone from reason in dealing
with that government fruitIess @
! We are willing even TO set aside all cor /.
siderations for the present, ard until the
lnegociaticn is brought to its close, the
courses by which the various misunder
standings and meraccdhostility were pro
duced. In this spirit we notice n. recent
publication in the UIdsh;ngton EsderGAst,
| from which 1t would appear that the Spa
uiards have STONED on the Mobile, yes
! sci going from New-Orleans to Fort Stool
tert, with arms and ammunition belong
| ing, it is said, to the United States We're
the facts alluded to, trne in Themselves and
correctly stated, we should certainly la
| rcnt the effects of any new collision ter
ding to disturb the harmony which SDain
and the United States are rcciprocally in
terested to preserve but candid exami-
nation of the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. may proba-
h'v place the subject in very different
! light.
The Washington Federalist says.
| From the moment of the occlusion of the
! port OF New-Orleans till the present mo-
mcrt, Spain has treated W. with uniform,
insult. outrage and aggression.
This is not CORRECT the first instance Of
well grounded complaint against the Spa
nlards in that qrarter, was the unsutho-
Ttsed conduct of the attendant of Hew-0r-
leans.-Ae soon as the matter was UNDER
stood at :" .drid, 1t was settled to the 81 .
/ tisfaction Of the u States.
I She has withheld from us a large tract
! of territory which was honestly purchased
and paid for, and to which we are fairly en-
Titled.
The TERRITORY alluded to II is presumed. ;s
that 70 the eastward of the I5erpHy- and
the Lakes. As this topic is embraced in
the pending negotiation, which promises IL
be aTicab'y settled; and as Spain set I'm
claims and Interpretations which opened
the path fer dispute It will he time enough
10 discuss this point, when the negotiation
is closed.
She has entered our Acknowledged, ter.
ritory in the nirht time. and with AZ, armed
force carried of our citizens.
This has been denied by the SnaniardS.
, and what IS denied ought at least to be
clearly established before it is taken as e.
vldence.-Ihe incident which appears IN
nave given rise to this complaint, was the
, arrest of the Kemhers, which the Snani.
ards saw was executed aereeabIv Ia RE Il.
: SGt GfFdarits taken in me HT;sstSsi6hf tsr.
|, ritorY, by soDie taniafroes and .dl1ey;con
!. citizens. The Spaniards dcnv taking hold
OF them, but EDhen then 4Dege qvifkit1 fhej,
oI7a limits. On the contrary the KEN.
ferS' the Spaniards say, had previously
attempted. in company with many Ameri
can citizens, 10 excite an Instruction il
west Florida, and by surprise and violenc,
70 OBTAIN possession Of the fort of Bale,
Eouge for what purpose perhaps recen
, events may account.
She has twice invaded Our cointrv, viii
a strong military force, and did not aban
donlt until intimidated by an opposing force
Inc event here alluded to must be tn
lpas"ng OF the Sabine. by the Spanish troop
undrr Don Salcedo TO judge ofthe natur
y" TINS movement, it is necessary to know
something OF the history of the case ant
this is the more necessary since. the toni
lofboundary will probably be settled by trea
nv. The Spaniards allegc that when tn
French had possession OF Louisiana tn
boundarjes bef1vecn then, and the Spapi
ards, in that quarter were at Rio Rondo
and tor proof they reGei. to & variety of do
currents they dwell particularlv ON
work OF PfhldsenoT, entitled d" a descrihti
on q me fli'oUipce8 Of lNe.rico," printcdi
d that city so early as the year I744. I'll
:, treaty for the purchase of Louisiana, sta
ting IN terms that it was grounded on tn
l. principle Of retrocession, the Spaniards as
l. sert title to the territory which they ha
held ny actual fosscsSion for more tina
100 years, and which they had not receiy
: ed from France. The territory between tn
eastern bank Of the Sabine and Rio Hond
&. icomes within the description Other claim
F alter the amicable manner in which IN
n truce took place, the principle OF an unsc
4 tied question, of course remains for nee,
y cation also; and although we offer no de
!, cisive opinion ON the fact, vet tic rcsn
ie may Shew that the Spaniafds had at lea
it some plausible pretensions. Tie apirit
u Cancellation which dictated the iemDofar
t. agreement with general Wilkirson for n
= Evacuation Of that territory until the Fin.
70 settlement of the pretensions Of roth DOW
/, crS by negotiation, is at least emitted
" \ some credit.
oHe mas seized our citizens in the pe9ci
y. 'ie pursuit of honest business within n,
7wn territory, and under strict militia,
t'ard transported them to one Of his dista
- posts through a tTacklsss wilderness.