Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-02-01

is fundamental law Of our system. It IS
not, however, confined to us. II is believ-
ed to be the law of All civilized nations,
where not particularly varied by treaties.
In reply to your third demand, the ex-
clusion of the flag of the revolving prov
inces, have to observe, that in couse.
quence of the unsettled state of many coun-
Iies, and repeated CHANGES OF the ruling
authority in each. there being, at the
same time, several competitors. and each
party bearing IFS appropriate flag, the
Pres ident thought it proper, some time
past, to give orders to the collectors. not
to make the flag of any vessel a criterion
or condition OF its admission into the ports
of the u. States.
Having taken no part in the diff rcnces
aad convulsinns which have d,stnrbed those
countries, 1t is consistent with the lust
principles, IS it is with the interests Of the
United Stats, to receive the vessels of all
countries INTO their ports, to whatever
parry belonging, and under whatever flag
SAILING, pirates excepted, requiring of
them only the payment OF the tluies, and
obedience to the laws while under their
jurisdiction; without advertins to the
question, whether they had committed any
violation OF the allie glance or laws obleato-
ry on them IN the countries To which thev
belonged, either in assuming such flag, or
IN any other respect.
III the differences which have subsisted
between spain and her colonies. the Uni
tea states nave observed ali proper res
Poetic their friendly relations with Spain
iney took no measure to indemnify them
selves tor losses and injuries none to
guard against the occupancy OF the Span
ism territory by the British forces in the
late war, or TO occupy the territory to
winch the u. States consider their title
good, except IN the instance Of West Flor
ica, and IL that instance under circumstan-
ces which made their interpretation as
niuch IN act OF accommodation to the Spa
hish authority there, as of security TO
themselves. They have also prohibited
their citizens from taking any part in the
war--lhd the Inhabitants of the colonies, &
other Foreigners connected with them,
from recruiting men in the u States fer
that purpose. The prcclamations which
have been issued by the governors of some
OF the states and territories, at the instance
OF the President, and the proclamation
lately issued by the President himself, are
not unknown to your government. This
conduct, under such circumstances, and at
snch atime, is of a character too marked
to be mistaken by the impartial world.
VII war, which prevails between Spain &
the Spanish provinces in America, is be-
yond the reach of human foresight. 1t has
already existed many years, and with va
rious success, sometimes one party prevail
ing, and then the other. In some of the
provinces, the success of the revolutionists
appears to have given to their cause more
stability than in others. All that your GO
vernment had a right to claim of the ".
states, was, that they should not interfere
IN the Contest, or promote, by any active
service, the success OF the revolution, adj
hitting that they continued to owe rlook
the injuries received from Spain, and re-
NAMED at peace. This right was common
tt the colonists. With equal justice might
they claim, that we would not interfere to
their disadvantage; that our ports should
remain open to both parties, as they were
before the commencement of the struggle /;
that our laws regulating commerce with
foreign nations should not be changed to
their injury. On these principles the Uni
ted States have acted.
So much have thought proper TO stat,
resp citing the relations existing between
Inc Unit d States and Spain. The restor-
alton of the diplomatic intercourse between
our governments, forms an epoch which
cannot TAIL to be important to both nations.
Ii it does not produce result favorable to
their future friendship and good under
standing. to your government viii the fail
ure be imputable. The United States
have at all times been willing to settle
their differences OH just principles and con-
ditions. and they still are. OF this inf9r-
med yon in my letter of the 5th of May,
as likewise did Mr.. Cevallos, in letter
of the 18th ofJuly. 1t viii be very salts
factory to the President, to find that your
government entertains now the same dis
position, and hasgiven you full power to
conclude treaty for these purposes.
have the honor to be, with great consi-
Iteration, sir, your very obedicDt servant,
(Signed) JAMES MONROE.