The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-03-25

wards these states, had determine him to u
bandon the opposition, which, at prior pc
Rod, and with the most substantial motives,
he had manifested against the transact
on" %
But after this amicabie and decisive ar
rangement of all differences, in relation tothe |
validity of the Louisiana purchase, question |
of some embarrassment remained, in relation |
TO the boundaries Of the coded TERRITORY. |
This question, however, the American go
vernment always has been, and always will |
be, willing TO discuss, in the most candid
manner, and to settle upon the most lberai
basis, with the government of Spain.
1t was not, therefore, fair topic, with
which to inilame the prince regents decisra-
ton or to embellish the diplomatic notes
of the British negociators at Client. Cd
] he period has arrived, when Spain, re-
lieved from her European labors, may be
expected to bestow her attention, more et-J
fectually upon the stale cf her colonies and.
acting with the wisden, justice and magra
ninity, of which she has given frequent ex-
amples. she ~ill find no difficulty, in meeting
the recent advances Of the American gov
ernment, for an honorable adjustment OF eve
~ point III controversy between the two coun-
tries, witle1t sc king the aid of British me-
datior,, or adopting the luminosity Of British
COUNCILS.
- But stillthe United States, feeling a CON
slant interest In the opinion of enlightened &
impartial nations, cannot hesitate to embrace
the opportunity, for repre sentng, in the sim
plicity of truth the events, by which they
have been led to take possession Of part of
the Floridas, notwithstanding the clam of
Spain to the sovereignty OF the same terrific
~. In the accertation and understanding OF
the United States, the cession of Louisiana,
embraced the country south Of the Mississip-
pi territory, and eastward of the river Mis-
Il l.r,~& 81, 49,, Il
but their conciliatory views, and their con-
fdence in the justice of their cause, and in
The success of candid discussion and AMIGA.
ble negotiation with just and friendly pow
er, induced them to acquiesce in the tenn
porary continuance Of that territory under
TIC Spanish X When hen,
the adjustment Of the boundaries of Louisi-
ana, IS well as reasonable indeTniti alton,
ON account ct maritime Spectators, and the
SUSPENSION of the right of dcposite at New
Orleans. seemed to be inde 6nitely postpon-
ed, on the part of Spain, by events which the
United States had not contributed to produce,
and could not control; when crisis had az
rived subversive Of the order of things under
the Spanish authorities, contravenng the
views If both parties, and endangering the
tranquility and security of the adjoining ter
ritories, by the intrusive establishment of
government, independent Of Spain as well IS
of the United States ; and when, ct a later
period, there was reason to believe. that G..
Britain herself, designed to occupy the Flori-
das (and she has, indeed, actually occupied
Pensacola, for hostile purposcs.) the Amcri-
can government, without departing from its
respect for the rights CT Spain, and even con-
sulting the honor of that state, unequal, as
she then was, to the task Of suppressing the
intrusive establishment. was impeled by the
paramount principle of MISREPRESENTATION, to
IL rcscne its own rights from the impending den
get, f1sRes .las 5ygpited Statesin the year
the growing exigencies of the time, took pos
session OF the Country in which the standard
of independence had been displaved, except-
ing such places as were held by a Spanish.
force. In the year 1911, they authorised their
president, by law, Professionally to accept of
&he possession of East Florida from the local
authorities or to pre-occupy it against the at
tempt OF e foreign power to seize It. In
1915, they obtained possession of Mobile. the
only place then held by Spanish force in
West Florida with q view to their own i'm
mediate security, but without varying the
questions depending between them and Snaip
in relation to that province And in the wear
1914, the American Commander, acting un-
der the sanction of the law of nations: hut
unauthorized by the orders of his government.
drove from Pensacola the British troops. who,
In violation of the neutral territory of Spain.
"a violation which Spain it is believed must
berSeu resent, ana would have resisted If
the opportunity had occurred,) seized and
fortified that station, to aid in military ope-
ratioDs against the United States. But all
these measures of safety and necessity. were
frankly explained as they occurred, to the
government Of Spain, and even to the govern.
Tnent oil Great Britain, antecedently to the
declaration ct war, with the sincerest assur-
s-nces, that the possession of the territory thus
acquired, should not cease TO be a snbiect
of fair and friendly negotiation and adinst-
ment." ~
The present review of the Conduct of the
United States, towards the beligerent DOW
ers of Europe, will be regarded by every
candid mind, as necessary medium, to vim
dicate their national character, from the nm
nerited inputations of the Prince Regents
declaration OF the 10Th January, 1918. and
not as medium, voluntarily assumed. ac-
cOTdlrg 10 the insinuatious of that decIarati
on for the revival Of the unworthy preiu,i
ces. or viDdictlVe passions, in reference to
transactions that are past. The treaty of A.
mems, which seemed 10 terminate the war in
Europe. seemed also 20 terminate the nen
trai suff rings Of America but the hone Of
Iepose was, in both respects, delusiye and
transient. The hcstili;ies which were re-
newed between G.. Britain ard France. in the
year 1898, were Immediately followed by
renewal Of the expressions Of the be1lieer-
emf t1Duu tile