Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-11-16
Mr.. FOSTER TO MR.. MONROE.
PHILADELPHIA, September 5, 1911.

SIR,
The Chevalier d'Onis, who has been ap-
pointed minister from his Catholic ma esty to
the United States, has written to inform me
that he understands by letters from the gov
erncr of East Florida, under date OF the 18th
ult that governor Matthews, OF the state OF
Georgia, was at that time at Newton St. Ma
ry's on the frontiers of Florida, for the pur.
pose of treating with the inhabitants of that
province for its being delivered up to the Unit
cd States government, that he was with this
view using every method OF seduction to ct
feet his purpose, offering to each white lEha-
bitant who would side with him 50 acres Of
land and the guarantee ofhls religion and pro-
perry STIMULATING also that the American 60
vernment would pay the debts OF the Spanish
government, whether due In pensions or o.
therwise, and that he would cause the officers
and soldiers ofthc garrison. to be conveyed to
such place as should be indicated, provided
they did not rather choose to enter into the
service ofthe United States.
NJ. d'Onis has done NE the honor 70 COM
municate 20 me a note which he purposes
transmitting to you, sir, In conseq uence of
this detached and most extraordinary lnteili-
gence, and considering the intimate alliance
subslsting Det,veon Spain and Great Britain,
as we'll as the circumstances under which he
is placed in this country, he has urgently re-
quested that would accompany his rePresen-
taton with letter on my part In support OF It.
After the solemn asseverauons which you
gave me In the month of July, that no lnten-
tons hostile 10 the Spanish interests in Florl-
d. existed on the part of your government,
7 yLnlI RI hat or
Matthews can have had orders from the Pre-
sident for tie conduct which he is stated to be
pursuing; but the measures he is stated to
be tsking in corresponding with traitors, and
in endeavoring by bribery and every art of Sc
duction to infuse spirit Of rebellion. into the
subjects of the king of Spain in those quarters,
are such as to create the liveliest lnquletude,
and to call for the most early interference on
the part Of the government of the United
States.
The government ofthe United States are
we'll aware of the deep interest which his row.
al highness the Prince Regent takes in the
security of Florida, for any attempt to occupy
the eastern part of which by the UnitedStates
not eventhe slightest pretext could be alleg-
ed, such as were brought forward in the en-
deavor to Justify the aggression on West Flo
rida.
l conceive it therefore to be nv duty, sir,
in consideration of the alliance subsisting be-
between Spain and Great Britain, and the in
terests of his majesty's subjects in the West
India Islands, SO deeply involved in the secu-
rity of East Florida, as well rs in pursuance
of the orders Of my government in case of any
attempt against that country, to lose no time
in calling upon you for an explanation of the
alarming steps which governor Matthews is
stated to be taking for subverting the Spanish
authority in that country requesting to be in
formed by you upon what authority he Can be
acting and what measures have been taken to
put stop to his proceedings.
have the honor to be, sc. sc.
(Siened) AUG. ]. FOSTER.
Tie Honorable James Monroe, &c.
Mr.. MONROE TO MR.. FOSTER.