The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-11-24

rights, privileges ann hu'htNuCS that fSbpeSGvcO II
Appertsin those ofthe Mississippi Territory,
sworn To be true to Ferdinand the 9TH, and To this
constitution The soemnities OF religion were
introduced TO give it cfiicaey---ngh mass was per-
formed--the cannon OF the Fort were frod-and
impressions thus created on the minds OF the
people, that it time to abandon the expectation
that the country would actually fall under the jc
risdiction of the u. s.
The appearance oil an English boat with Off
Ger, who visited the commandment, aud viewed the
place, tended to strengthen this impression. Who
or what he is not known but 1t seems most
probable that he belonged to armed vessel which
had pursued an American schooner from the la
lize to Mobile Bay, which il could enter, but
sent boat after the schooncr. which anchored
however, opposite to the town before it was over
taken by the boat.
An engiue from Havana with workman from
Pensacola. has been examining the fort aud guns ut
Mobile.-Popular rumour says, that he has pronoun-
sed the former not worthy of repair. Little rel-
ancc, however, can be placed ON this report. Conn
missions have been transmitted from Washington,
Natches, for civil and military officers in the
town and neighborhood OF Mobile.-Ihat part of W
Florida which lies between Pearl River and Perdi-
10 though utterly uhconnectcd with the Mississippi
settlements, and too distant to have any intercourse
with them has been added by congress the Misss-
sppi territory, and n county has been formed, called
by the name Of Mobile, the principal town in the
district. The county is upwards of 200 miles long
and from sixty to eighty miles wide and, ii added
to the adjacent part of the Mississippi Territory f. OF
Pearl River, would form state double the size OF
state of Pennsyvana. Distant at from the seat
of the federal COVE * from that of the Missisp
pi Territory, the people of Mobile, though general
anxious to become American citizens, do not yet
feel conviction that ii is the intention of gov
eminent to make them such and whilst feeling ~
contrasting Spanish power with american breten-
sions they treat with rdcuie & contempt the idea
commissioning officers among them. without afford
Jag the of rendering their officers respectable
Indeed the act of congress declaring the whole
try (includng the town Of Mobile from Pearl Xiv.
q IN PerdidO n be guhiect tho 0ff he
| ssipr Territory, has placed the adjacent officers
whose jurisdiction co-extensive with the Territory
| in truly delicate situation. 1t should seem tina,
they cannot legally recognize any foreign authors.
| ties in the town Of Mobe-and should they be cal.
led upon to issue within the limits of the town
! it does not appear in what way they could release
| Themselves from the general obligations by, which
they are bound, how they could decline availing
themselves OF any Forces which would belegal in 9th
cases, for the purpose of rendering the process
| the law effectuaI. The judge of the jsOent dis
rtct OF Washington will not be eager to seek oppor
tuntes OF trying the validity Of American jurisdic
l ton in the town of Mobe--5ut he certainly viii
| not shun them, ii they should present themselves
and although it is probable he would feel safer if
the intentions OF the general government were
more explicitly declared, he will not waver to dc
| this duty boldly, if circumstances say that duty
must be done. ts1- .s. ,,l :
There is indeed most serious reason to apprehen,
that unless this part of the Mississippi Territory b.
| speedily in the actual occupancy of an America,
force, it will not be taken without bloody strug
gle. ;.
The events at Detroit must have considerable in
fuence on the minds of the indsns at the en.uin
general council. News from the northern eonfede
raey OF the surrender OF Hull, reached the Cree
nation by Indian expresses, almost soon as it W.
brO't by the American mail. -. -
The Spaniards are evidently strengthening them
selves at Pensacola, and avowedIy intend to do so
| Mobile They begin to stop American vessels a
they come up the river-and this step alone in tn,
present critical posture of affairs will lead to alter
cations which must end In hostilities. The settle
nents on the waters of the Mobile are exposed Il
four powerful Indian trbes-the Appearance of al
English force at Pensacola or at Mobile will Civ,
confidence to the dsaected, and increase their mum
bers. The settlements here will fall a sacriGse, AM
know not what Is to prevent their successful pre-
gress to the Mississippi, and their complete occupan
ey OF the whole country between the Gulf of Mex
| co and Tennessee. The only probable mode of ar
| resting the danger-of excluding British forses-S
of giving confidence to the Indians in American DOW
er-isa speedy occupancy of Mobile, Pensacola, St
Marks, and st. Augustine. Forces no doubt will b,
necessary to garrison those ponts-but not one hal
| OF what would be necessary to suppress the Inian
and drive out the British, after British invasion
Delieasy to South America possibly restraine,
the majority in the Senate at the last meeting O
Congress, from passing the law for taking possession
of the Floridas That deicacy has no longer an
ground to stand upsn. The constitution of old Spa
is the constitution of Florida. The people of tina
province have no connexion with the reyoutonist
of the south. They have taken different position,
They will be of opposite political psrtIesthey wi
be enemies. We cannot therefore give disgust L
the patriots of Spanish America, by taking possess
ON OF the royal provinces in vicinity. Our safet
requires it-and the former aggressions of the Sps
nish monarchy, yet unatoned for, render it just6s
/ Bile.
| lam, dear sir, your most ob't. sev't. @
| NOR CHARTER. vessels of the folIowing Inn,