Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-07-04

as they appear, rs they are certainly state
falsers of IA very important character.
CONFIDENTIAL.
To the Sencfe and House Of REPRESENTATIVES
IKEcoMMENp to congress, IN confidence,
a letter of the Cd Of December, from Cover
nor Fvlch, cfWest Florida, TO the secretary
OF stasc, and another Of the Same date from
the same To john M'Kee.
RxcoMMRRD, in like manner, a letter
from the British charge d'affaires to the Sc
eretary Of state, with the answer CT the lat
sterS although the letter cannot have been
writ en- u consequence of any instruction from
INC Es,itish gpvernmcne, founded on the last
orees fur taking possession OF West Florida,
weA kaewn to be claimed by the Il. States;
although no communication has been made
BIZ that goyernment to this, 81 any stipulation
with Spain, contemplating an interpolation,
which might SO materially affect the United
States and although no call can have been
made by Spain, in the present instance, TOR
the fuifluient of any such subsisting engage
ment ;yct the spirit * scope of the document,
with the accredited source from which it pro-
ceeds, required that it should not be with
held from the consideration of congress-
Taxing into view the tenor of these several
communications, the posture of things with
tion ofthe country adjoining the u. States,
eastward of the river Perdido, to their secu-
rity, and the peculiar interest they otherwise
have in its destiny
REcoMMEED to the consideration of con-
fress, the seasonableness of a declaration,
that the United States could not see, without
serious inquietude, any part of neighboring
territory, in which they nave, in different res
poets, SO deep and just concern, pass from
the hands of Spain into those of any other
foreign power.
recommend to their consideration, also,
the eNpediency of authorising the executive
to take temporary possession Of the sad ter
ritory, in pursuance of arrangements, which
may be desired by the Spanish authorities, and
making provision for the government OF the
same, during such possession. y
JAMES MADISON.
.Jtsnuory 8, 1911.
(1}@ On receipt of the above confidential
declarations from the president, congress
went into secret conclave, and passed the fol-
lowing uct and declaration
RESOLUTION: OR, DECLARATION.
Taking into view the peculiar situation
of Spain and of her american provinces, and
cenadering the influence, which the destiny
OF the territory adjoining the southern border
OF the United States, may haveupon their Sc
cnrity, tranquility and commerce, There
fore
Resolved, ythe Senate and House Ore
fresentafives Of fhe United States ID, Con-
SreSS assembled, That, the United States,
under the peculiar circumstances of the ex-
listing crisis, cannot, without serious inquie-
tude, see any part of the said territory pass
into the hands of any foreign power, and that
, a due regard TO their ogvn safety compels
them to provide, under certain contingencies,
&&she temporary occupation Of the said ter
Dry; they at the same time, declCIre, that
che said TERRITORY baD, in their hands, remain
SUBJECT to fpfu. esociation.
.4t act entitled an act aufhorisine The hye-
sideRt offhe United States to occupy me
fe'7sf&g HseTsiz mentioned, and far other
So BE IL enacted 5y The Senate and
House Of Representatives ofthe II. STATES of
america IA Congress assembled, That the
President of the United States be, and he is
hereby authorised to take possession Of and
occupy ali or any partuf the territory lying
EAST ofhe riUer Perd6do, CEast FIoridal
and south ofthe state OF Georgia and the Mis-
sissippi territory, III case an arrangement has
been, or shall be made with the local autho-
11ty OF the said territory, for delivering up of
possession of the same, or any part thcreoft 20
the United States, or in the event of an at.
tempt TO occupy the said territory or any part
thereof, by 9 y foreign government; and he
may, for the purpose oftaking possession and
occupying the territory aforesaid, and in or
der to maintain therein the authority Of the
United states, employ any part Of the army
and navy Of Tie United States, which he may
deem necessary
Sec. 2. Be IL further enacte6, That 1Oo,-
coo dollars be appropriated for defraying
sdch expenses, as the president may deem
necessary for obtaining, as aforesaid, and tac
security OF the said territory, to be applied
under the direc ion OF the president, out of
any money IN the treasury not otherwise as-
TrOpriased,
Sec. 9. mt be n further Enacted, That. |
until other provision be ma by congress.
the president be, and he is hereby authorised |
TO establish within the territory aforesaid, |
IeD1horaTy goUefHmcnf, and the military, CT
vii, and Judicial powers thereof, shall be ves- |
ted IN such erson or persons, and be exer-
cised in sch manner as he may direct, for |
the protection and maintenance Of the inha-
bitants Of the said territory, IN the full enjoy
hent Of their liberty, properly, and religion.
[ The Joft9zvirg documents accoszEanied fhe
f7essoge aIoreaatal
Cot. NIKE 10 M. EUsrIs.
Torf 6fodaarf, Dec. s. 1910
Having OF ihe Git ut tsken the liberty
81 addrcssiip vol On ftt. ef,bi.cf az tho d;et,,r