Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-11-25
Mr.. MONROE 10 MR.. roSrzR.

AR. MONROE 70 MR.. FoSTER.
SIR, -''
have had the honor to receive YOUR let
ter Of September 5th. and to submit it to the
view of the President.
The principles which have governed the
United States in Their measures relative to w.
Florida, have already been explained to YOU.
With equal frankness shall now conmuni-
cate the part they have acted with respect to
East Florida.
In the letter which had the honor to adj
dress to you on the 9th of July, stated the
injuries which the United States had receiv-
cd from Spain, since their revolutionary war,
and particularly by spoliations on their COM
merce IN the last war, to great amount, and
OF the suppression of ther.riGht of deposit at
New-Orleans, just before the commencement
OF the present war, for neither OF which had
PREPARATION been made. A claim toindemni-
ty for these injuries, is altogether unconnect-
ed with the qnestionreIating to West Florida,
which was acquired by cession from France
in 1908.
The government of Spain has neverden;ed the
right OF the United States to n Just indemnity
Tor spoliations on their commerce. In 1899 It
explicitly admitted this right by entering into
convention, the object of which was 70 adjust
the amount Of the claim, with view to indem-
nifty. The subsequent injury by the supcressi-
on OF The deposit at New-Orleans produced an
important change in the relations between The
parties, which has never been accommodated
The United States saw in that measure eminent
cause ofwar, and that war did not Immediately
follow cannot be considered in any other LIGHT
than as proof OF their moderation and pacific
policy. The executive could not believe that
the government of SpGin would refuse 20 the U.
States the justice due to these accumulated in
Vl,..t, Z 4 L
lemnly before it, by n special mission II is
known that IN Envoy E1traord;n nary was sent TO
Madrid IN 1905 on this subject, and that the
mission did not accomplish the object intended
b. il.
II il proper 70 observe, that in the ne gooiati.
on with Spain in 1905, the injuries complain
sd Of By the United States Of the first class
were again substantially admitted to a certain
extent, as was that also occasioned by the sub
preston ofthe deposit az New Orleans, although
the Spanish government, bydisclaiming the act.
and imputiag Il to the infendant, sought 20 a.
void the responsibility due from T. that TO
make indemnity to the United States fop injuries
OF every kind, cession Of the whole Territory
claimed by Spain Eastward Of abe Mississipr;
WIS made the subject OF negotiation. and tiat
the amount Of the sum demanded for Il was the
sole cause that treatywas not then formed and
the Territory odded
The United States have considered the row
ernTnent 81 Spain indebted 10 them greater sum
for the injuries above stated, than the Province
Of East Florida can by any fair standard be-
tween tho parties be estimated at They have
booked to this Province for their INDEFINITE. and
VIZ the greater reason, because the government
ofspaiH itseifhas countensnced IT. That they
have suffered their just claims SO long unsatis-
led, is a new and strong proof cf the nodcra T.
on, as Il is Of their respect for the disordcred
condition Of that power. There l. however, a
period beyond which those claims ought not to
be neglected II would be highly improper for
the United States, IN their respect for Spain, 10
forget what thcyowe to their own character, and
70 tlle rights Of their injured citizens
Under these circumstances It would be erttaf-
" miust md dishonorable in the United S, ties
70 suiier East Florida 70 pass into The posscssi-
on Of any other power. Unjust, because thoy
would thereby lose The only indemnify within
uerrerch, Tor injuries which ought long since
20 have been redressed. Dshonarable, because
~ permitting another power % wrest from them
that indemnity, their inactivity and scquiescence
could only be imputed 90 unworthy motives
Situated as East Fiorids IS, cut of from thc o.
Their possessions Of Spain, aud surrounded IN q
great measure BY the Territory Of fbe United
t,sies and hayl 3 also On important bearing on
Their commerce, no other power could think
gu taxing possession Of il. with other than hos
uie views to them. Nor could any other DOW.
er take possession Of It Without endsncerin.r
Their ptosPcrity and best infcrcsts
Ihe Jnned States have not been ignorant or
matteniive 20 what has been sestatcd in Europe
q ciherent periods since the commencement oil
INC present war, in rcgsrd 10 the sppnish pro-
fA'oes ~ THIS besaypher~ no. have they bcen
a