The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-01-19
aDurl1egtlr.
TEN9
KIN oXvILLE, Jan. s.

TEN) KNOXVILLE. JAMS
E1tr0ct from the hon. p. IA. 1iiRer's ietrer
to GoD Bfonnt, dated Washington, Dec
YOU will have been inform
ed before this reaches you, that the Presi-
sident has directed the governor of New Or
leans, to extend the government of that ter
ritory, over all the country Eas of the Mis-
sissppi. West of the river Perdiao and
South OF the 3lst degree of North latitude
Inc effect of this, when completed, will be.
that The u. States will be possessed of the
Mobile Bay, and all the tributary streams.
Except. indeed so far as they may be in
cnnbered with Indian claims This act.
SO fiattering 70 the interest of the people of
Tennessee. and one that you individuality
have had so IN UGH at heart, will, am sure
meet your entire appreciation, and that of the
people generally. AS the president has n.
sumed the possession Of that part oil Florida
ABOVE mentioned, upon the ground that the
same was Included in the limits of Louisia-
ma, and SO fairly acquired by that purchase.
our right to this tract of country, and the
policy pursued in assuming the possession #
vt, will not perhaps be an uninterestne SUBJ
Ject OF enquiry with you--it must not be for
gotten, that however beneficial this tract of
country might be to any section of the Uni
ted States, nothing but right ri ST. oIlg 1aro-
6a6le claim, would Justify the government in
assuming to themselves, that possession.
which another government claimed-it will
be remembered also, that the righf to this
,ract ofcountry was some years ago snb.
Ject OF negotiation, betwees the Spanish.
French ana American governments, the re
suit OF Which was, that the Spanish govern
ment refused to deliver up the possesso, Z.
ard 1t was left to the American govern
ment as matter of foicy, whether she
would than urge her claim by force, or wal
nnti! q period more ProP;;iots should arrive
--ohe chose the latter course, acting, I
suppose, under belief, either that the
claim, would at some future period be ami
cabiy adjusted, or that to inforce our claim
at that time, would most probably have
produced war, more injurious in its conse.
quences, than the assumption of that tract
OF Country would have been beneficial this
perhaps, IS not precisely such course az
sore OF the powers of Europe would have
pursued, who seem to carry all their fights
on the poirt of a sword bit is such a nol;-
icy, ii they were governed by either of the
above considerations, as will stand he
stIictest scrutiny according to The princi
pies OF moral and public law and such mol.
ICY as people who delight not in cuttins
the threats OF Their fellow-men have every
reason to be satisfied witl---'The policy of
the administration in delaying some what In
pursue this claim will be justified from other
considerations; the subject matter of dispute
was HroHerfy, it was matter of fair caIcula-
ton therefore IN pecuniary poin, of vie
whether the expence in obtaining wouid over
reachth the value of the thing obtained, or wheth
er there was not reasonable ground for belief
1t force should be eventually necessary. tina
that force could be NOR auvantageousIy an
piled, and with less expence, at some future
period; these are considerations that NAV
very justlhably enter into the councils Of a
nation, when property is the subject matter
of dispute but which perhaps. would be in.
admissible ccn'ideratinns, concerning our
liberties. Again. the delay. ifit may be 60
called wasJust fable upon another ground
the geographical situation of the country
was such that the events which have taken
place, must have been and no doubt wsre
fureseen-b,t to have delayed longer. would
have been to- relinquish the claim aNoPetker |
this The government could not do. yit;,ou, |
adequate compensation the people pad fe~
and they expected it; their expectations arc
and will DC realised-the Cover, nent couf6 |
n rio lcss--fnore we do not ask Ideclara |
| have not been able to figure to myself any |
D,her probable successful course, hat conld |
have been pursued at this ime----Witb !
" hom, pray lei me now ask, could va. have
Not with Spain, for there !, No
Spain, and VI there was, their monarch ba-
r, sgHed or transferred the sovereig1ty Of
r, as well rs 81 ether countries, 10 Napoleon
IS 'a him we cannon negotiate, for he has
's;d to, and invited as well the people of