Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1810-12-17

of Independence passed 81 tie Con,
vention. In the Memorial The Revo-
Iutionists Of West Florida. pray 70 be
acknowledged and protected by inc
United States, ard to become mhabi-
tants of the Urion--The grounds Oh
their request they say are founded on
the construction which the U- States
have always given to the treaty OF 1903 ]
by which construction West FLORIDA
has been considered as Paft "a The
Louisiana purchase i--that the y.
States having refused TO sccretilt the
Spanish Junta, cannot recognize the
Spanish regencys that Bonaparie can-
not complain if West Florida becomes
part Of the u. States, as he has invited
the Spanish colonies to become inde-
pendent and that Great Britain, as
the ally of Spain, cannot complain,
because West Florida is threatened
with snbjugation by the French exiles
from Cuba, and other "partizans OF
Bonaparte, who are the eternal ene-
mics of Great Britain" The Reyo-
Iutionists claim riget to all the urlo-
Gated lands of the Communicable J"
stipulated for the pardon of all deserters
residing among them and solicit a
loan of 100000 dollars, which they
add, " the Secretary OF the Treasury
may make Immediately without COM
mitting the government, or making it
known to foreign ministers in Wash
ington." These acts having been
done, it remained with our government,
either to recognize the Convention as
new State Of the Union, to incorPor-
ate it with the Orleans Territory, or
to remain inactive until the decision Of
the Spanish Cor:es should be ascer-
tanned. The government have not
:.esitated to consider their right 10 this
country, as paramount and Indisputa
bic; and accordingly, on the 27th OF
October, Proclamation, signed by the
President was dispatched to Gov. Cisi-
borne ofthe Orleans Territory, author
isiDg him to take forcible possession Of
Florida, as part OF his jurisdiction.
The pi defamation was accompanied
by letter Of Instructions from the Sc.
cretary of State, directing Gov. Clai-
borne to proceed frstto Washington
in the Mississippi Territory, there to
consult with Gov. Holmes, and then
taks possession. IN case OF any place,
however small, remaining &, occupied by
Spanish garrison, he is required not
to use any force against II; but to
make a report respecting it to the de-
partment of State. The Presidents
Proclamation is directed 10 be printed
ia the French, English, and Spanish
languages, and extensively circulated;
through the terri,oy Of Orleans, ard
Florida, and Copies Of the same, with
conciIiatory letters transAItssd u the
Governors of the Spanish Erosinces
in the neighborhood - lhe Secretary
OF State has sent letter, also, 10 Coy.
Holmes, stating the unreasonable ex-
pectations or the convention, the rights
OF the United States 10 the territory,
and the determination TO throw The va
cant land Of this territory into com
mon stock, for The national uses Ut all
the inhabitants of these states. L his
letter also refuses to acknowledge the
convention to have any power 10 pro-
pose or form compact with the Y.
States but mentions, at the same
time, that an early and continued at
tentlon to thsif wants and their sItua-
ton will always be afforded by the Fed.
sral Legislature.
---- ---.-- -.