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

DIN,
The attention of His Maiestv's govern
nent has of late beer called to the measures
pursued by the United States for the militia
ry occupation Of West Florida. The lam
guage held by the President at the opening
OF the late session ofCongress, the hostile de-
demonstrations made by the American forces
under Captain Gaines, the actual summon.
ing of the fort of Noble, and the bill submit
ted to the appreciation Of the American lc-
gisiature for the interior administration of the
province, are SO many direct and positive
proofs that the government of America is
prepared to subject the province cfWest Flo
rida to the ant,ority of the U. s.
The Spa minister in London addressed
note in tn, month of March last to his ma
jesty's secretary OF state for fofeign affairs,
expressing in sufficient detail the feelings OF
the government of Spain respecting this uu-
provoked aggression on the integrity Of that
monarchy.
Mr. Morier in his note to Mr.. Smith of
December Is, 1910, has already reminded
the American government of the intimate al
lance subsisting between his majesty & Spain,
and he has desired such explanations on the
subject as might convince his majesty of the
pacific disposition of the United states TO.
warls Spain. Mr.. Smith in his reply has
stated thatii was evident that no hostile OF
uniriendly purpose was entertained by a
meTica tpwards Spain; and that the Ameri-
! can minister at his majesty's court had beer
enabled 70 make whatever explanation,
might corport with the frank and coucilia.
tory spirit which had been invariably mani
| tested On the part of the u. S.
Since the date OF this correspondence Mr.
Pmkney has offered no explanation whatever
of the motives which have actuated the con
duct of the United Strtes in this transaction
a bill has been introduced into congress fol
| the establishment, government and protection
| OF the territory of Mobile and the fortress o.
| that name has been summoned without ef.
| feet.
His royal highness the prince regent in the
name and On the behalf of his majesty, i.
still wiling to hope that the American go.
vernment has not been urged to this step b,
| ambitious motives or by desire of fore ign
conquest, and territorial ggrandizement.-
| Itwould be satisfactory however to be enabled
to ascertain that no consideration connected
with the present state Of Spain has induced
| America todespoii that monarchy of a valua
bic foreign colony.
| The government of the United States con.
tends that the right to the possession Of a Ger
tain part of West Florida viii not be less o.
| pen to discussion in the occupation of A
merica 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 ungen.
erOus and unproyoked seizure of foreign
colony, while the parent state is engaged II
a noble contest for Independence, against q
most unjustifiable and violent invasion Of the
the rights botho of the monarch and people O
Spain.
| While j wait, therefore, for an explana.
ton from you, sir, as TO the motives which
led TO this unjust aggression by the UniteC
States on the territories of his majesty's ally
/ must consider it as my duty to lose no tim,
in fulfilling the orders fhiS royal highnes the
prince regent by which am commanded il
the event OF its appearing on my arrival II
this city that the United States still persevert
by Inenaces and active demonstration e
claim the military occupation of West Flor
ida, notwithstanding the remonstraRces of hi
majesty's charge d'affairs & the manifest in
| justice of the act, resent to you the solemn
! protest Of his roy. ighness in the name anc
on behalf ofhis ma, ! agains, an attempt 81
| contrary to every p. lciple of justice, goot
/ faith and national honor, and so injurious I,
! the alliance subsisting between his majest,
and the Spanish nation.
| Ihave the honor tobe, with the highest con
sideration, sir, your most obed.ent humbl,
servant,
AUG. J. FOSTER.
To me honorable
James Monroe, &c. &c.
SIR. moxsoE 70 M rosrEn.