The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-11-13
Gbe Gnqutrer.
RICHMOND. NOVEMBER 10, 1910.
WEST-FLORIDA.


The more we think of it. the stronger is
our conviction, that the situation of Flori
da Gas it has been ,.cinedil calls for the i'm
mediate interposition of our government.
+" But can the President act" say some
-"Where is his powers Must he not
wait till Congress meets!"
,sihe answer is, no--He has ample pow
efs, to meet the crisis which has occurred.
What say the laws of his country.
The act Of October 81 1908 authori-
ses the President of the u S. 10 take nos.
session of. and occupy the territory ceded bv
France 10 the U. States by the treaty. of
Paris Our claim extends TO the Pertlido
But does Congress recognize this claim.
OF any part Of it ? Is this territory. or any
part OF it. to the east of the Mississippi, &c.
lressiy designated as part of the cession
Certainly.
I The act of Feb. %, 1904. e for laying and
collecting duties on imports and tonnage
within the territories ceded to the u. S by
.he treaty" OF Paris, authorizes lin the 1lth
oecs) the p. U. s. wheneverhe shall deem
1t e-rhedient. to erect the shores, waters
and inlets ofthe bay and river Mobile, and
OF the other rivers, creeks, inlets and bays
e"ptying into the Gulph of Mexico. easf of
the said river Mobile. and wesf thereof to
the Pascaguola inclusive isto a separate
district, & to establish such place within the
same, as he shall deem expedient to be the
port OF ehtry and delivery Of such district
and to designate such other places, within
the same district. not exceeding two, to be
ports of delivery only"-i-a collector to
be appointed at the port of entry, and a.
surveyor at each port Of delivery &c.
The act of March 26th. 1904, "for erecting
Louisiana into two territories Slc'' states
that" all that portion Of the country coded
by France to the u. s. under the name of
louisiana. which lies south Of The 6Hs.is-
sTifi territory and of an east and west line
to commence on the Mississippi river at the
$50 degree OF Latitude, and TO extend w.
to the Western boundary fthe said ces.ion /,
shall constitute the territory of Orleans. %
Here IS scope enough to go on--here is am
pie power conveyed.
The only point is, is it now enhedfenf for
the r. to act: It is true, that when the Spa.
ni,h Authority was efficient in tina, country.
we waved the Immediate assertion of our
Rights" We reserved our claims in that
quarter as a subject Of discussion and ar
raAgement with Spain''s but the scase is
now altered---There is part of West
Florida. in which the Spanish authority has
been subverted The forces opposed to
the Convention have dispersed &c with few
exceptions Joined ttem.-Spain, the other
c.a; INFANT, IS ol5ted-aud we nave now
right to take possession. A self organized
body, mistaking their resources, and unable
to maintain feeting shadow of indepen
dence, & egged on perhaps by the intrigue, of
foreign power; have usnrped a sort of 50.
vere'snty within the limits of the u. States.
Must we hold off. until we see our rights IA
wished from u.s. perhaps, by some foreign
power !---The Spanish Regency. we are
told, have already promised an indemnity
to u. Britain. on the Yucatan, in Cuba and
in Florida.
Let US act at oncc--The PhiIadelphia
Evening Star has surmised. that Governor
Claiborne has gone on, with full powers on
the subject. It may be so, and we trust thai
1t IS so The troops OF the u S. are march
ing thither from various points
Covington with two Companies-A ccording
TO the Charleston prints, General Hampton,
nowin Charleston, has issued orders for a
detachment Of the Troops in garrison in
tnat harbor, TO proceed immeda, civ for the
2nush. Western frontiers of the State of
georgia These eUointisns mast mean
Sonefh'ng. Governor Claiborne is the
httest man TO head tile ACCOMPLISHMENTS
TINS slip OF Land is attached to his Terri
tory.
/. Such IS orr view Of the Law and the facts
that, Mr., Madison has The nerve to do what
eyer1is earftedient, we have no ioubt--as
for France. she must see that in the mr.
posture OF Spanish relations, the United
States ought TO take possession:
2. 5e6rerssn's Message, November 8,
1904. -