Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-11-25

cion. He is satisfied that nothing is wanting
but correct knowledge of facts completely
to dissipate it.
might bring to your view long cata-
logue OF injuries which the United States
| have received from Spain since the conclu-
| sion OF their revolutionary war, any one Of
which would most probably have been con-
sidered cause Of war, and resented as such
by otherp powers. I viii mention two of these
only the spo'iations that were committed on
their commerce to great amount IN tbs
last war, and the suppression of their depo-
SIT at New Orleans just before the COM
mencement OF the present war, in violation
OF solemn treaty for neither of which iuju-
ries has any PREPARATION or atonement been
made. For injuries like those If the FIRST
class, it's known to you that Great Britain
and France made indemnity. The United
States, however, do not rely on these injuries
for Justification of their conduct IN this
| transaction, although their claims to repar-
| alton for them are by no means reiinquished,
and it is 70 be presumed, will not always ba
neglected
When inform you that the province OF
| West Florida To the Perdiio was a part of
I Louisiana, while the whole province former
| ~ belonged to France, that although it was
| afterwards separated froa the other part.
yet that both parts were again reunited in the
hands of Spain, and b., her reconyeyed to
France in which state the entire province OF
Louisiana was cedvd to the United States In
| 1905 that in accepting the ce, sion and pay.
ing for the TERRITORY coded, the United States
understood and believed that they paid for
the country as far as the Perddo, as part OF
| Louisiana; and that on Conviction OF their
| rights they included in their laws provisions
| adapted to the ccssion in that extent--iE
! cannot tail 10 be cause Of surprise to the
] prince regent, that they did not proceed ID
/ take possession of the territory in question AZ
soon as the treaty was ratified, There was
| nothing IN the circumstance Of Spain at that
time, that could have forbidden the measure.
In denying the right of the United States to
| this territory, Fer government invited nego-
citation on that and every other point IN coni
testation between the parties. The United
| States accepted the invitation, in the hope
thai it would secure an adjustment and re-
paratiOn for every injury which had been re-
ceived, and lead to the restoration If perfect
| harmony between the two Countries, but in
that hope they were disappointed.
Since the year 1906, the period Of rhe last
negotiation with Spain, the province Of Vest
| FLORIDA has remained in a situation altuge-
| Their incompatible with the welfare of these
states. The government ofSpain has scarce
| ly been felt there; in consequence Of which
4 u
| disorder. Of that circumstance, however,
the United States took no advantage. 1t was
not until the last year, when The inhabitants,
perceiving that all authority over them had
| ceased, rose in a body with intention To taxa
the country into their own hands, tnat the
! American government ,nterpnsed. II vas im-
possible for the United States To behnld with
indifference movement in which they were
so deeply interested. The President would
have incurred the censure Of the nation, if he
suffered that province TO be wrested from
the United States, under preteXt Of wrests
ing it from Spain. Ia taking possession OF it,
in their name, and under their authority, ex-
cept in the part which was occupied BY tho
Spanish troops, who have not been disturbed
he defended the rights and secured the peace
of the nation, ami even Consulted the homer
OF Spain herself. BY this event, the United
States have acquired no new title to West
Florida. They wanted none. In adjusting
hereafter all the othe- points which remain
to be adjusted with Spain, and which it 10
proposed to make the subject of amicable me-,
gociation as soon as the government of spain
shall be settled, her claim to this territory
may also be brought into view, and receive
all the attention which is due to it.
Aware that this transaction might be mis-
conceived and misrepresented, the President
=
the ministers Of the United States at foreign
courts 10 place it in a true ligh, before them.
Such an instruction was forwarded 20 Me-.
PinkDey, their late Minister Plenipotentiary
at london, who would have executed it, had
not the termination Of his mission prevented
il. The President cannot doubt that th0
frank and candid explanation which have
now given, by his order, Of the considerations
which induced the United States to take pos
session Of this country, will be perfectly sa-
tisfactory to His Royal H'ghness he Prince
I Regent
With great respect aud consideration, 4
have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient
servant,
| (Signed)
JAMES MONROE.
aug. =. Fosfey, Bee. &c Go &c.
M. Fos7ER 10 Hf. MONROE.
PbRaasLfhia, Sent. S, 1871.
| SIR.
The Chevalicr d'Onis, who has been ap-
pointed Minister from his Catholic Majesty