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


spanish colony there, might D rol,afe jea-
lousy & variance between the two nations.
Onthe other hand, the United States had
acquired territory westward of the Miss s.
s.ppl, adjoining the provinces Of Spain,
winch, 1t was supposed, she might be de-
sirous of obtaining. BY mutual CT ssions o
territory, in qnarters most convenient TO
each ctner, aud by forming an interval be-
tween their posse ssioas, TO lremain vacant,
the danger of collision might be avoided, &
their good understanding more effectually
preserved.
By rendering justice lilS ewise to the claims
OF the u. >. their eitzc. would be cnntent-
ed, C their government be better enabled TO
on'rol their conduct beyond their Inns.
Here then seemed to be a fair ground
for amicable compromise between the par
ties An opportunity was presented for
terminating every difference, and securing
their future harmony, without loss or
sacrifice, BY either. On the result OF this
mission need not enlarge. shall remark
only, that the friendly policy which pro-
duced 1t, was not recipr0cnted by your 60
vernment 1t was perhaps not felt i
was certainly disregarled. Every pro-
position of the American Ministers, hav-
ing these objects in view, was rejected,
and none made in return by yeur govern
ment.
This conduct ofyour government, would
have justified If did not invite the most
decisive measures on the part of the u.
States. The refusal TO make reparatiou
for preceding injuries CT to surrender any
portion of the territory, in the possession
OF Spain, to which they considered their
title indisputable, or to accept fair
and liberal propositions for the accommo-
dation of these differSn es, or to make a
proposition of any kind for the purpose, left
the United States perfectly free, to pursue
such Course, S in their Judgment a lust
regard to the honour, rights, and interests
of the nation might dictate. In the condi-
ton OF Spain, there was nothing to excite
apprehension of the consequences whate-
yer might be the course decided on. Of
this, the well known state of the Peninsu-
la, at the time, and since, and of the Span
ish provinces in America, affords ample
proof. The friendly policy which the u.
States have since pursued, is the more
conspicuous, from the consideration, that
your government has inflexibly maintained
the uaJust and hostile attitude which it
then assumed, and has even added new
injuries and insults TO these of which
have already complained. / refer, in this
latter remark, to the breaches of the neu-
tralsty OF Spain, which her government
permitted, if il did not authorize, by British
troops, and British agents. in Florida, and
through that province, with the Greeks &
other Indian tribes, in the late war with G..
Britain, to the great injury of the U. S. 1t
Is under these circumstances, that you have
made the demands above recited, to which
| will now proceed to give more particu-
lar reply.
You require that Spain should be put in
to possession of West-F!ori as an act of
justice, before discussion of the right Of
the parties to it is entered on.
It's known to your government, that the
u. 3. claim by cession, at fair equivalent,
the province of Louisiana, as it was held
by France, prior to the treaty of 1868, ex-
tending from the river Perdido, on the eass.
tern side OF the Mississippi, to the Bravo
or Grande, on the western. l o the whole
territory within those limits, the u States
considered their right established by we'll
known facts, and the fir Interpretation of
treaties. In like spirit, may the u. S.
demand the surrender of all the territory
above described, now in the occupancy of
Spain, as condition to the commencement
OF any negotiation for the adjustment of
differences. When we consider how long
your government has maintained what is
deemed an unjust possession more espe-
cially, when we recollect that the injuries
before received are still unredressed, and
that others have been since rendered,
there can be, it is pre- sumed, but one opin-
ION, as to the great moderation of this gov
ernment, in acquiescing in it. But why re-
fpr a 4.
tention of your government, to make the
title to it, IN connection with other dIfferen-
ces, subject of amicable negotiation and
May not such negotiation
be entered into, as well while it is in the
occupancy of the U. States, as if it were in
that of Spain!
You demand next, that Mr.. Toledo and
others, whom ybu mention, charged with
revolt in the Spanish provinces,
and exciting citizens of the u. S. to join in
It, shall be arrested and tried--their troops
disarmec and dispersed.
Z, You intimate that troops are levyine in
Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana and Geor-
Bia, for the invasion of the Spanish provin-
ces, of whom one thousand are from Ken
lucky, and three hundred from Tennessee,
to be commanded by American citizens, but
you do not state at what points these men
are collected, and by whom Commanded;
and as to the forces said to be raised in
Louisiana & Georgia, your Communication
is still more indefinite. The information
recently obtained by this department, from
persons Of high Considerations, is of very
different character. 1t IS stated that no men
are collected, nor is there evidence of
an attempt or design to collect any in Ken
lucky, Tennessee or Georgia Tor the pur-