Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1812-11-17

s- hetWG0u
utterly unconnected with the M!ssisslp
nj settlements, and too distant to nave
S any intercourse with them, has been ADD
ed by congress to the Mississippi teri
tory, and county has been torined' Call
ed by the same of Mobile, the princip4i
town in the district. The county is up
wards of Zoo miles long, and from Soto
So miles wide; and, If added to the ad
iacept part OF the Mississippi Ierrltery
east of Pearl Pivor, would form state
double the size of the state Of Pennsyl-
yauia. Distant at once from the seat OF
the federal government, and from that
of the Mississippi Territory, the people
of Mobile, though generally anxious to
become American citizchs, do not yet
feel conviction that il is the intention
of our government to make them such
and whilst irelingly contrasting SPANISH
tosoer with american tretensions, they
treat xith ridicuIe and contenpt the idea
Of commissioning officers among them,
without ahording the means OF rendering
their officers respectable. Indeed the act
of Congress declaring the whole country
(includiug the town of Mobile from Pear.
River to Perdido, to be subject to the
lays of the Mississippi Territory, has
placed the adjacent officers, whose Ju-
ristIiction is co-extensiye with the Ter
ritory, in truly delicate situation. II
should seem that they cannot legally
recognise any foreign authorities III the
e NJ Shnl1lI ~
called upon Is issue process within the
limits OF the town, 1t does not appear In
what way they could release Themselves
from the general obligations by which
they are bound, or how they could de-
cline availing themselves OF any force,
which would be legal in other cases, tor
the purpose of rendering the process OF
the law efFcctual. Tao judge of the
adjacen, district Of Washington will not
be eager 10 seek opportunities OF trying
the validity of American jurisdiction IN
the town Of Mobiie-but he certainly
will not skim them, if they should pre-
sent themselves; asd although 1t is pro
bable he would feel safer, if the inten
tioas Of the general government were
more explicitly declared, he will not
wayer to do his duty boldly, il circum-
stances say that duty must be done,
There is indesd most serious reason
to apprehend that, unless this part OF
the Mississippi Territory be speedily
in the actual occupancy OF an American
force, it will not be taken without bloc.
dy struggle.
The cveats at Detroit must have a
considerable inAueace on the minds OF
the Indians at the ensuing general coun-
Gil. News from the northern conisde.
rasy of the surrender of Hull, reached
tho Greek natien by Indian expresses,
almost as soon as it was brought by the
American mail.
The Spauiards are evidently strength
eniaS themselves at Pensacola, and a.
vowsdiy intend TO do so at Mobile. They
begin TO step American vessels as they
come up the riser-and this step alone
in the present critical posture OF affairs,
will lead 10 alterations which must end
in hos:iItics. The settlements OH the
Writer'S of the Mobile ars exposed t. q
i powerful Indian tribes--the appearances
s. of an English force at Pensacola or at
Y MoUjie will give confidence TO the dis
IS atfected, and increase their numbers.
The settismsnts here will fall sacr,-
lice, and | know not what is to prerent
their successful progress to the Missis.
sppi, and their complete occupancy OF
%the whole country between the Gut OF
>R1exico and Tennessee. The only pro-
Hbable mede of arresting the danger-ot
exclutling British forces-and OF giving
conhdence to the Indians in American
power-is speedy occupancy OF Mo-
bile, Pensacola, ST. Marks, and st. Au"
Is pustine. Forces no doubt will be ne-
cessary TO garrison those Points-but
not one half of what would be necessa-
s nv to suppress the Indians and drive out
[,he BRUSH, after British invasion.
Delieacy as to South America posi-
Hbly restrained the ma lority in the Senate
a, the last meeting of Congress, from
p.ssisg the law for taking possession OF
&iho Floridas. That delicacy has no
loneer any ground to stand upon. The
E5csnstitutlon Of cid Spain IS the constitu-
z5tion of Florida. The people OF that
Eproyince have no cennexisn with the
Of the south They have
kaken different positions. They will be
Df opposite political parues-they will
be enemies We cannot therefore give
tisgust to the patriots of Spanish Anne
rica, by taking possession OF the royal
hprovinces in eur vicinity. Our safety
feou;res it-and the former agsressions
pf the Spanish monarchy, yet unatoned
Tor, render it UNSUITABLE.
l am, dear sir, your most ob't ssVt.