Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-11-15

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To The HIN. James M1nros, &c. &c. T.,
OCCUPATION OF FLORIDA
Nh. FOSTER TO Nh. MONROE
E0shiagtoH, July I'd, 1911,
SIR,
The attention of bis Majesty's governmr
HIS Of late been called 10 TIE measures purr
ed by the United States for tie military G,
cupation Of West Florida Tie !sngu
held BY the President at the opening Of /
late session u Congress. the hostile demo
STATIONS made by the American forces urdr
Captain Gaines, the actual summonine CT !.
Fort Of Mobile, and the bill submitted to III
appreciation Of the American Legislature 81
the interior administration Of the Province, ara
so many direct and positive proofs tba, the pol
vernment of America is prepared to subieck
the province Of West Florida to the authorit
of The United States.
The Spanish Minister in London addressed
note in the month of March last TO his Nj.
iesty's Secretary Of State for foreign affairs ey
pressing in sufficient detail the feelings Of Il.
government of Spain respecting this unpr
voked aggression on the integrity of thar mo
narohy.
Mr.. Morier. in hi. note to Mr.. Smith al
December Is, 1870, has already reminded Ii,
American government Of the fItimate alliane:
subsisting between his Majesty and Spain, Il
he has desired such explorations on the SUI.
Iect as might convince his Majesty of the D.
ciic disposition of the United States tow arc:
Spain. Mr. Smith, in his repy, has st4ts
-, - tk,t, -
" purpose was entertained by America IT,
wards Spain and that the American rnirisy
at his Majesty's Court had haen enabled
make Whatever explanations nigh: compo1
with the frank and conciiiatnv spirit which
had been iHv2ri-biy manifested On the part Q.
the United States.
Since the date Of this correspondence NJ
Pinkney has offered nc explanation whatever
OF the :notlves which have actuated the con.
duct of the United States in this transaction;
bill has been introduced into Congress for
the establishment, government and protection
TIE teriitorv Of Mobile, and the fortress d
that name has been summoned without feet
His Royal Highness the Prince Regent in
the name and on the behalf of his Majesiv, is
still willing 70 hope that the American GO.
veinmcnt has rot been urged to this step By
ambitious motives or by a desire OF foreign
conquest. and territorial aggrandizemen,. /,
would be satisfactory, however, to be enabled
to ascertain that no consideration connected
with the presen, state of Spain has induced
America to de.poil that monarchy Of valua.
bic foreign colony.
The government of the Un1ed States con.
tends that the right to the possession of Ger.
ain.part OF West Florida will not be less open
to discussion in the occupation of America
than under the government OF Spain.
But the government of the United States,
under this pretext, cannot expect to avoid the
reproach, which must attend the ungenerou,
and unprovoked seizure Of foreign colony
while the parent state is engaged in noble
contest for independence, against most u
Jusutable and violent invasion 6 the rights
both OF the monarch and people Of Spain.
While wait, therefore. Cor an explanation
from you, Sir, as to the motives which led 10
this unjust aggression by the United States
on the territories of His Majesty's ally, must
consider it as my duty to lose no time in full
filling the orders of His Royal Highness the
Prince Regent by which am commanded in
the event of its appearing ON my arrival IN
this city that the United States still perse'ere
by menaces and active demonstration to claim
the military occupation Of West Florida. not
withstanding the remonstrances Of His Ma
jesty's Charge d'Afaires ard the manifest
injustice Of the act, to present to you the So
Tenn protest OF His Royal Highness in the
name and on behalf of His Majesty against
an attempt so contrary to every principle 81
public justice, and national honor. ard 50
so injurious TO the alliance subsisting between
His Majesty and the Spanish nation.
l have the honor to be, with the hghes
consideration, sir. your most obedienr hun
bic servant AUG. J. FOSTER.
10 the Honorable James Monroe, &c.
OocumeHfs 80 be continued.