Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-06-28

West-FIorida, a title which is ma pifesuy
doubtful. since according to the P.esi-
dents proclamation it is left ';pan 70 dis
c~ussion. but which has nevertheless been
brought forward as one or she pleas to
Justify the occupation OF these Provinces,
may it not be asked why that Province
could not have been as fairly a saA5eetot
negotiation and adjustment in de bands
of the Spaniards, WHO possess the aetVai
sovereignty there, as in the haads' . TIC
Americans, who, to obtain possession
must begin by committing ali act OF hos
tility towards Spain.
But it may be said that the Spanish
forces in Mexico, in Cuba, or in Pcnsaco-
la, are unequal to qnell the rebeliious as
ISOLATION Of a band ofdesperadoes WHO are
known by the contemptuous appeilation
of land. jobbers, allowing as much (Which
you will agree with me sir, is allowing a
great deaD would it not have been wor-
thy of the generosity ola free nation like
this, bearing as it doubtless does q re.
spect for the rights Of a gallant peor.e at
this moment engaged in 4 noble struggle
for its liberty, would It not have been an
act on the part of this country dictated by
the soundest ties of good neighborhood
and of friendship which exists between it
and Spain to have simply offered its as
s~istance to crush the common enemy Ut
both, than to have made such Interior
ence the prctext Of wrestling a province
from a friendly power, and that at a time
of her adversely.
For allow me, sir, to enquire how can
the declaration in the Presidents Procla-
nation, that in the hands of the United
States, that that territory will not cease
to be a subject of fair and friendly adjust
ment, be made to accord with the decla-
ration in his message to Congress Gpply-
ing permanent possessionl ofthe adoption
of that people into the bosom Of the Anne
rican family. The act, consequently, OF
sending a force to Nest-Florida to secure
by arms, what was before a subject of
friendly negotiation, cannot l much fear,
under any palliation be considered as other
than as an act of open hostility against
Spain. Whilst, therefore, it is impossi-
bic to disguise the deep and lively interest
which his Majesty takes in every thing
that relates to Spain, which would l ana
convinced induce him to mediate between
Spain and the United States on any point
Of controversy which may exist between
them. with the utmost impartiality and
good will towards both parties, l think
it due to the sincere wish of his Majesty
to maintain unimpaired the friendship
which at this moment happily exists be-
tween Great-Britain & the United States,
to say that SUCH are the ties by which his
Majesty is bound to Spain that he cannot
sec with Indifference any attack upon her
interests in America !; and as / nave no
doubt, that the Government of the United
States will attribute this representation
to the most conciliatory motives, l am
induced to request in answer to it such
explanation on the subject as will at once
convince his Majesty's Government ofthe
pacific disposition of the United States to-
wards his Majesty's allies, the Spaniards,
and will remove the contrary impression
which / fear the Presidents Message is
likely to make.
Ihaye the honor to be, &c.
ID M0RTER