Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-12-11
SMITH.
syfhe President ofthe United States
" Ah1erira,&

I.
IA 7 HERE AS the Territory Sonlh
w of he Mississippi Territory,
end Eastward of the river Miss;ssips
pl, and extending 20 the river Pertfi-
40, OF which possession was nos der.
v4redto the United States in pn-su-
ance ofthe treaty concluded at Paris
'onlthe 3osh of April, 1908, has &C all
TIRES, as it is well known, been consi.
dered and claimed by them, as being
within the colony of Louisiana con-
veyed by the said treaty in. the same
extent that il had in the hands ofSpain. :
and that it had when France original;
ly possessed il.
And whereas the aoquiescenee of.
the United States IN the .tempory con-
tinuance of-the said territory under tn.
Spanish authority was not the reyuir
of any distrust Of their title, as has
been particularly evinced in the gene
ri tenor oftheir laws, and by the dis
tinction made IN the application of
those laws between that territory and
foreign countries; but was occasionetf.
by their conciliatory views, and by
confidence in the justice of their cause !.
and 10 the success OF candid discussion.
ind amicabie negotiation with iusS
and friendly power.
+ And whereas a sa isfaeoofy adjust..t
mcn,, too long delayed, without the
fault of the United States, has for
some lime been entirely snspeDded by
events over which they had no control
and whereas crisis has at length r,
lived subversive Of the order of rhr 40.
inder the Spanish authorities. WI Ere
oya failure of the United Sty 90 -,
rake thesaid territory into is ,sses:
sion may lead to events ultimsy " con-.
travening the views of both parties
whilst in the mean time the tranan;I'
llity and security of our adjoining ter
ritories are endangered, a'ad new Ca.
cili,ies given to violatioW, OF DOR re-.
venue and commercial laws, and If
those prohibiting the introduction of
slaves:
Considering moreover. that untl. =
thescspecuiisr aid Imperative circum-
stances, a forbearance on the part of
the United States to occupy the terri
tnry in question, and thereby cnard a.
lgainst the confessions and contingencies
(which threaten it, might be construed
into dereliction OF their tile, or se
linsensibility to the importance of the
'Istake: considering that In the hands
of the United States it viii not cease
TO be subject of fair ind friendly ne.
Igociation and adjustment: ccnsideriug
nuslly that she acts OF Congre S, ,houpa
contemplating present possession by
a foreign authority, have contemplated
also an eventual possession Of the said
erritory by the United States, and are
ccordngly so framed as 10 that case
to extend in their operatiop TO the same:
| Now be II known, thu /, JAMES
| MADISON, President Of he UnIted
States of America, in pursuance Of
these weighIy and urgent cSnsidera-
tons, have deemed it right and reuuis
site, that posse ssion should be taken Of
: the said territory, ia the name and
beha'fof the United States. William
I G. c. Claiborns, Governor Of the Or
! leans Territory OF whicl, the said ter
{ ri,ory is TO be taken as pars, will ac-
: eordingly proceed to execute ihe same |;
/. and to tx reese over the sad serfifa-
; lry the aethorities and funes.ep Iegsl-
Iiy appestaining TO his ofFics. And she
: lgood people inbabitins the sarle, are
dtiuvited and enjoined TO pay DIE rrspect
{ TO hiei in hat character To be obpdi-
C ent 20 the laws to maintain order :
y to cherish harmony and in every msn-
oil ncr 70 conduct themselves as s..~ce-
able cisizens, under fon asspfa ice, tkss