The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-08-28
RICHMOND, AUGUST es, 1919.
FYorsd0.

Z
/, copy of the following Documents, submit
ted to Congress during its secret session in
July last, and FROM which the injunction of
secrecy has been removed-they are ex-
tracted from the Journals of lie House of
Representatives. They give death-blow
to another OF the Calnmnies of the opposite
on against the President of the United
States. They show how correctly he has
discharged his duties ; how rigidly he has
pursued in his instructions the letter x the
spirit of the Act of Congress-.
From. the Secretary ofstate 70 gen. George
Matthew's and colonel John M'Xee, dated
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
January &c, 1911.
The President of the United States ha-
wing appointed you jointly and severaIly
commissioners for carrying into effect GER
tain provisions of an act of Congress e. CO
ply of which is inclosed) relative to the Flo
ridas situated to the east of the river Per-
dido, you will repair to that quarter with
all possible expedition, concealing fro n
general observation the trust committed to
you with that discretion which the delcacy
and Importance ofthe undertaking require.
Should you find governor Folk, or the To-
Cal authority existing there, inclined 10 sur
render in an aIncable manner the bossessi-
! on of the remaining portion or portions of
West Florida now held by him in the name
of the Spanish monarchy, you are to accept
in behalf of the United States, the abdicati
on of his, or of the other existing authority
and the jurisdiction of the country over
which 1t extends. And should stpulati-
on be insisted on for the re-delivery of the
country. at a future period, you may engage
for such re-delivery to the lawful sove-
reign.
The debts clearly due from the Spanish
government to the people of the territory
Surrendered may, if insisted on, be assn
med within reasonable limits and under
specified descriptions To be settled hereaf-
| ter as claim against Spain in an adjust
ment of our affairs with her. You may also
guarantee, ~ the name of the United
States, the confirmation of all such titles to
land as are clearly sanctioned by Spanish
laws: and Spanish civil functionaries,
where no special reasons may require
changes, are to be permitted to remain in
Office with the assurance of a continuation
Of the prevailing laws, with such alterati.
ons only as may be necessarily required i'm
the new situation of the Country.
If 1t should be required, and be found ne
Cessary, you may agree to advance as above
reasonable sum for the transportation Of the
Spanish troops.
These directions are adapted to one of
the contingencies specified in the act of
of the possession of the territory by the 10
cal ruling authority. But should the ar
rangement, contemplated by the statute,
not be made, and should there be room
to entertain suspicion of an ex isting de-
sign in any foreign power to occupy the
country in question, you are to keep your
selves OIL the alert, and on the first un.
doubted manifestation of the approach of
force for that purboSe, you will exercise
with promptness and yIgor the powers with
which you are invested by the President
to pre-occupy by force the territory, to the
entire exclusion of any armament that NAV
be advancing to take the possession of it
In this event, you will exercise a sound dis
erection in applying the powers given with
| respect to debts, titles TO land, civil officers
x thecontinuation of the Spanish laws ia
king care to commit the government on no
point further than may be necessary. And
should any Spanish military force remain
within the country, after the or cupancy by
the troops of the United States, you may
IN such case, aid i'll their removal from the
same.
| The universal liberation which the laws
! OF the United States assure to every rell-
gious persuasion VIII not escape you as an
| argument Tor quieting the minds Of inform
ed Individuals, who may entertain fears on
| chat mead. ~
The conduct you are to pursue in regard
! to East Florida, must be regulated by the
dictates OF our own Judgements, on a close
view and accurate knowledge of the precise
state OF things there and the real DISPOSE
ton of the Spanish government, always re
Curing 10 the present instruction rs the
paramount rule OF your proceedings
Should you discover an inclination 10 the go-
| vernon of East Florids. or in the existing To-
cal authorize, attlicably 10 SUR ender that
province into the possession of ths United
States you arc to accept it ON the same
terms that are prescribed by these instruc-
tiolis in relation 70 West Florida. And in
case Of the actual appearance of any at
tempt 20 TAKE possession by foreign pow
err, vol will pursue the same eff ctivt MA
sures for the occu"utlon Of the territory al d
for the exclusion If the foreign force 4 you
are directed 10 pursue with respect to the
country east Of the Pcrdido, forming at this
time, the extent of governor Folks jurisdic~
zion.
If you should, under these instructions OBJ
tain possession u Mobile, YOU will lose 40
time in informing governor Claiborn there
of, with a request that he will without de
lay, take the necessary steps tor the occu-
patton Of the same.
All ordnance and military stores that may
be found m the territory must be held as
property Of the Spanish government, tn he
accounted for hereafter to the proper au-
thority and you will not fail to transmit an
inventory thereof to this department.
II IN the execution of any part of these IN
9tructions you should need TIE aid of mil
I