The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1810-12-21
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA.
II PRCCLA4lL47ION.

II PRCCL.d1I.7IION
WHEREAS the Territory South of the
Mississippi Territory, and +. OF the River
Missisipp, Of which possession was not de-
liyered 10 the United States in pursuance OF
The treaty concluded at Paris OH the 3oth OF
April, 1903, has at all times, as Is well known,
been considered and claimed by them, az be-
ing within the Colony Of Louisiana, conveyed
by the Said treaty in the same extent that 1t
had in The hands of Spain, and that it bad
when France originally possessed it +; And
whereas tie acauiesccncc IF the I. States in
the temporary continuance of the said Terri
,hry upder the Spanish authority was not the
result OF any dis,rust of their title, as has
been particularly evinced by TIE general ten-
or OF .heir laws, and by the distinction made
in the application of those laws between that
Territory and foreign countries but was oc-
casioned by their conciiistory views, and by
confidence in the Justice of their cause, and
in the success of candid discussion and ami
cable negotiation with just and friendly
power And whereas a satisfactory adjust
ment, TOO long delayed; without the fault OF
the United States, has for some time been
entirely suspended by events over which they
had no control And whereas crisis has at
length arrived, suovcrsive Of the order of
things under the Spanish authorities, where
b. a failure Of the United States TO take the
said Terrrory into its possession may lead TO
events ultimately contravenIng the views OF
both parties, whist IN the mean time the
tranquility and security OF our adjoining Ter
rnorics are eDdansei ed, and new facilities
gwen 10 violations Of our revenue and COM
Dcrciai laws, and OF those prohibiting the III
PRODUCTION of slaves Considering, moreover,
that under these peculiar and imperative cir.
cumstsnces, forbearance on tie part OF the
United States TO occupy the Territory III
question, and thereby guard against the con-
iusions and contingencies which threaten 1t
might be construed into derelict,on of their
title, or an insensibllity To the importance OF
the stake Considering that in the hands of
the United States it will not cease to be .
subject Of fair and friendly negotiation and
adjustment considering finally that the acts
of Congress, though contemplating present
possession OF a foreign authority, have CON-
tempiated also an eventual possession Of the
said Territory Of the United States, and are
accordingly SO framed as in that case to ex-
tend in their operation to the same Now be
j, known, that !, JAMES MADISON, Pre-
sident of the United States of America, in
pursuance Of those weighly and urgent con-
siderations, have deemed it right and requi-
site, that possession should be taken of the
said Territory, in the name and on behalf OF
the United States. VIM. G. Claiborne, Gov
ernour of the Orleans Territory of which the
said Territory is TO be taken part, will ac-
cordingly proceed to execute the same and
to exercise over the said Territory the au-
thorties and iuns,ions legally appertaining to
his Office. And ,he good people inhabiting the
same are invited and enjoined to pay due res.
peCt TO him in that character 10 be obedent
to the laws to maintain order to cherish
harmony and in every manner to conduct
themselves as peaceable citizens, under full
assurance, that they will be protected in the
enjoyment OF their liberty, property and
reii sion.
IN testimony whereof, have caused the
seal of the United States to be hereunto
affixed and signed the same with my
hand. Done at the City Of Washington
the twenty-seventh day of October,A d.
1910, aud in the thirty fifth year of the
Independence Of the said United States.
(Signed) JAMES MADISON.
BY the President,
X. SMITH, Secretary of State.
Letter from Mr.. SMITH to Mv PLN'K.N Ell
Department Of State, nor. Is 1910.
sIR--Frou view OF the conduct of the British