The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-01-16

separate the Western country tom the
Atlanlick States. She has made at different
periods, and as late as the year 1906 in yio-
lation of her treaty OF 1895 with this country
direct propositions to the Western people to
rccede from the Union, and to accomplish
her object at least attempted the use ol
means the most corrupt. What has been
her conduct since we acquired Louisiana II
| am correctly informed, our deserters and
slaves who have taken refuge IN Florida in
m4ny instances have not been surrendered,
and enormous duties have been imposed on
our vessels navigating the Mobile. Under
all these provocations, sufficient to have
drawn upon them from almost any other ma
ton AN open declaration of war, our govern
ment, Influenced by that paci6ck policy which
has hitherto regulated its course towards for
eign nations, exercised patience and forbear-
ancc. And since the late revolution in Spain
| believe il will not be pretended, that this
government has manifested any disposition to
throw our weight into the scale of France a
gainst the Spanish party. Our government
has taken no step in relation to West-Florida
until compelled by regard TO our own safe
ty. The Executive In the proceeding under
consideration has used language the most
conciiiatory, and on the face of his procla-
nation given pledge that this government
will al any time enter into amicabIe negocia-
tions on the subject OF our claim to this terri
tory, if it shall be disputed.
There are other al least plausible grounds
upon which this bill as an original PROPOSE
ton might be supported entirely independent
of the cession. spain is indebted 10 us a
large amount for spoliations committed on
our commerce and as there Is no govern
ment Al present towards which the ordinary
proceeding Can be pursued TO obtain payment,
could we not on the principle Of the attach
ment OF law, as AN act OF seli-Justice, seize
Oh this territory 10 secure satisfaction
AS this measure has been emphatically
called AN act OF robbery and war, II may not
be amiss to consider the political state OF the
Spanish colonies in relation TO the Spanish
government in the hands of the Junta, and
the new dynasty about to be established by
Bounaparte. IL may be said, perhaps, that
the late alienation of the Spanish crown and
the revolution in Spain have dissolved the tie
which connects them with the mother coun-
try. On his point will not dctain the SEN
ate. Ii the French arms shall be successful
in Spain, Of which | believe few entertain
from Old Spain to any OF the colonies, their
political character must cease, and they can
no longer claim the exercise of any juli,dic-
lion or sovereignty over the colonies. The
colonies not bound together by any politi
Cal bond unconnected with the mother coun.
uy |; they are subject to the mother country
but, the moment she Ia onquered, they are
ut liberty to provide for themselves, unless
indeed, the Empcrour of France or King 10.
seph Can claim them. France, in an Official
expose, and King Joseph, by Proclamation
have declared their willingness that the colo.
nies should become independent, provided
they do not connect themselves with Great
Britain. If France therefore shall. which is
prob BILE, conquer the mother country, We
arc fully authorized by her pub!ick declara-
ton TO the world to acquire, with the conscn,
of the inhabitants, not only west but cas-,
Florida, Cuba, or any other province which
we shall deem it expedent to connect with
the United States. This bill may be justif-
ed, independent of title, by the law OF self
preservation. Have we any assurance tina,
the Spanish government will MAINTAIN their
neutrality in this territory if we should he in
volved in "a war with either France or Great
Britain Can they, or will they, prevent the
march of an enemy's forces throughout this
territory into the United States No, Sir
We have every reason TO expect the contrary
Considering how vulnerable we are from
this territory, its present state, and the as.
pect of our foreign affairs, 1t appears to me
that we are authorized to take possession o
it AS measure of national security. 1t may
be objected that taking the property Of Others
by force tends to relax the morals OF the pco
pie, by destroying that criterion of righ, ant
wrong, the observance of which is so neces.
say to the purity Of our republick !; and
am ready to admit that We ought proceed up.
ON this principle of necessity and expedienc,
with great caution, and never act upon 1t but
in extreme and evident cases. Had we a CO.
lony on the coast Of England or Francc,simi
larry situated, we know they would not hesi
tate. When we reflect that our property Is