The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-01-15
Gotlares9.

GWlDrRsH.
IN SENATE.
FRIDAY, Dec. %, 1910
d. b ATE
0nthe subject of the Territory Wesr Of the
Perdido.
(coNTINUED.)
Mr.. CLAY-Mr. Presidential would have
gratifed me, If some other gentleman had
undertake. TO reply to the ingenious argu-
ment which you have just heard. But not
perceivipg any one disposed to do so. sense of
duty obliges me, though very unwell, to
claim your indulgence. whilst offer my SEN
timeuts OF this subject so interesting to the
Union at large, but particularly to the wes-
tern section OF it. Allow me sir, t. express
nv admiration at the. more than hristidean
justice, which, il a question of Territorial
tith between the United States and 70
reign nation, induces certain gentlemen to
espnuse the pretensions of the foreign natl
on. Doubtless, in any future neg citations,
she will have too much magnaninity to a
vail herself of these spontaneous concessions
in her favor, made on the floor of the Sen
ate os the u. s.
l. was to have been expected, that in a
ON the same side. would have different views.
and although arriving at a Common concIu-
Sion would do so by various arguments
And henc the honorable gentleman from
Vermont entertans DOUBTS with regard to
our title against Spain, whilst he feels en- :
brely satisfied of it against France. Believ-
ing, as do. that our title against both pow :
ers is indisputaole under the treaty of ST.
1idefonso between Spain AMI France, and
the treaty between the French Republic &
the United States, / shall not enquire in O
the ireachery by which the king of Spain is
alielged to have lost his crown; nor shall
stop to discuss the question involved, in
the overthrow Of the Spanish mo- archy, &
how tar the power of Spain ought to be con-
sidered as merged in that of France. /
shall leave the honorable gentleman from
Delaware to mourn over the fortunes o. the
fallen Charles ihave no Commiserarion for
princes NV sympathies are. reserved for
the great mass of mankind, and I own that
the people of Spain have them most sincere
~.
I will adopt the course suggested by the
nature of the subject, and pursued by other
gentlemen, of examining into our title TO the
country living between the Mississippi and
tn Rio Perdido (Which 70 avoid circumlo-
cution l will call West Florida although it
IS nor the whole Of it, and the proEricty
o. fhc recent measures taken for the oCCu-
Patton of il. Our title depends, first. upon
the limits Of the province OF the COLONY OF
Louisiana, and secondly, upon Just expo.
sition Of the treaties before mentioned
On this occasion it is only necessary to fix
the Eastern boundary In order to ascer.
tain this, it is proper to- take cursroy view
of the settlement of the country, the basis Of
European title 70 colonies in America being
prior discovery or prior occupancy. In 1852
La Sale migrated from Canada, then own.
ed by France, descended the Mississippi &
named the country. which it waters, Loui
siana About 1893, DIDerville discovereo
by sea the mouth of the Mississippi, esta
hlished COLONY at the Isle Dauphne or Mas
sacre. which lies at the mouth of the BAY o.
Mobile, and one at the mouth of the rive;
Mobile, and was appointed by France gov
ernor oil the country. In the year 1717, the
famous West India Company sent inhabi
tants to the Isle Dauphine, and found SOME
of those who had been settled there unde,
the auspices of D'Iberville. About the same
period BaioXi, near the Pascageia, was set.
lied
IL 1919, the city Of New Orleans was laid
of and the seat of the government of Loui.
sana was established there. In 1886. the
French erected fort on Tombigbee.-
These facts prove that France had the ac.
tnai possession Of the country as Ear East 2,
the Mobile at least. But the great instru
meat which ascertains, beyond all doubt, ina
the country in ques ion is comprehende(
within the limits of Louisiana is one of the
most authentic and solemn character which
the arcbieves of a nation Can furnish.
mean the patent granted in 1912 by Loui.
the l4th to Crozat- Here Mr.. G. read such
parts of the patent as we're applicabl,
TO he subject%] According to this docu
Extract from the Grant 10 Crozat, da
ted at Fontdin6icau, Seh. ii, 1912
LOUIS BY THE GRACE OF GOD &c.
ih' care 7ve haze always had tO hrocur,
me 7orlfare and advantage Of our subjects
baVinS induced us, t9c. TO seek for ali nor
sitie 1hhortunities Of charging and e.rtend
:" the frade Of our .Hnier;can colonies
W. 6fW tic year 1853 gfUe our orders {,
gndeH4kc discovery oFthe countries an,
t1DdS (Which are situated in the norfher,
heu II Hmerica 6ctveen Ne7o Trance am
New NcTic9, and tie Sieur de la Sail. 9
7rhom Tve comniiHed that cHferhri-e. ha7ju,
hal tcfss eHoHgi ~ confirm q bcfefth.
men, ii describing the province or colony O