Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-02-03

has it the power by any law treaty. to surrender
any inhabitant of Spain or the Spanish provinces,
on the demand ofthe government of Spain-nor is |
any such nhabitant punishable by the laws ofthe |
United States for acts committed beyond their
jurisdiction, the case of pirates alone excepted
This is fundamental law OF our system. 1t is
not, however, confined to us. 1t is believed to
he the law OF all civilized nations, where not par
ticularly waved by treaties.
In reply TO your Third demand, the exclusion of
the flag of the revolving PROVINCES have TO OBJ
serve, that in consequence of the unsettled state
of many countries, and repeated changes of the
ruling authority in each, there being at the same
time. several Competitors. and each party bear
ing lis appropriate flag the President thought il
proper, some time past, to give orders to the
collectors, not TO mike the flag of any vessel a
criterion condition of its admission into the
ports Ofthe United States. Having taken no
part in the differences and convulsions which
have disturbed those countries, it is consistent
with the just principles, as it is with the inter-
est Of the United States, to receive the vessels
Of ali countries into their ports, to whatever par
~ belonging, and under whatever flag sailing
pirates excepted, requiring of them only thepay-
,nent ofthe duties, and obedience to the laws
while under their Jurisdiction without advert.
ing to the question, whether they had committed
any violation ofthe allegiance or laws obligatory
on them In the countries to which they belonged,
either in assuming such flag, or in any other
respect
In the differences which have subsisted
between Spain and her colonies, the Uni
ted States have observed all proper respect
to their friendly relations with SPAIN
They took no measure to indemnify them
selves for losses and injuries none to
guard against the occupancy of the Span
ish territory by the British forces in the
late war, or to occupy the territory to
which the United States consider their IT,
tie good, exceptingiu theinstance of West
Florida, and in that instance under circum-
stances which made their interpretation as
much an act Accommodation to the Span-
ish authority there, as of security to them
selves. They have also prohibited their
citizens from taking any part in the war
and the inhabitants of the colonies, and o.
Their foreigners connected with them, from
recruiting men in the United States for
that purpose. The proclamations which
have been issued by the governors IF 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
such time, is of a character too marked TO
bS ny utC WORTH.
What will be the final result of the civil
war, which prevails between Spain aud the
Spanish provinces in America, is beyond
the reach of human foresight. It has al
ready existed many years, and with vari-
Gus 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
government had right to claim of the u
nited States, was, that they should not in
tertere ia the contest, or promote, by any
active service. the success of the revolu-
ton, admitting that they continued to o.
verlOok the injuries received from Spain.
and remained at peace. This right was
common TO the colonists. With equal
justice might they claim, that we would
not interfere to their disadvantage that
our ports should remain open to both par
ties, as they were before the commence
Dent of the struggle that our laws regu-
lating commerce with foreign nations
should not be changed to their injury. On
these principles the United States have
acted.
SO much have thought proper to state,
respecting the relations existing between
the U. States and Spain. The restoration
oil the diplomatic intercourse between our
governments, forms an epoch which cam
not fail to be important to both nations.
IL it does not produce a result favorable
to their future friendship and good under.
standing, to your government will the fai-
lure be imputable. The United States
have at all times been willing to settle
their differences on just principles and
conditions, and they still are. OF this
Informed you in my letter of the 9Th of
May, as likewise did Mr.. CeyaIlos. in
letter of the 18th Of July. It will be very
satisfactory to the President, to find that
your government entertains now the same
disposition, and has given you full power
to conclude a treaty for these purposes.
have the honor to be, with great consi- |
deration, SIR, your very obedient servant,
(signed)
JAMES MONROE.
SPEECH