Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-03-20
WIN. II. CRAWFORD.
NEw-ORLEANs, Feb. 81.
[Far the Louisiana Courier.l

nounce that the Chevalier De Onis has
made formal demand on our government
for the surrender of the Floridas, and like
wise for the delivery of General Toledo
and his associates, in order that they may
DC brought to condign punishment for
having dared to promote the emanci-
patton OF Mexico from the thraldom of
Spain.
Th Sc demands. whether viewed separ-
ately or connected, are to be considered a.
mong the political novelties of the nine
teonth century.
The age of chivalrv is about to com
mence. Ferdinand VII. and the Pope,
with the aid of the inquisition, are about
to establish their supremacy in the new as
as well as in the old world. Bulls and ex-
petitions against the heretics of South A.
meriCa and Mexico, are becoming as fash
| ionable as during the reign of Charles V.
and if we are to Judge from the lofty
ground taken by the Chevalier Onis, it is
presumable that Ferdinand means to take
| under his holy protection portion of the
citizens of the United States. After we
give up the Floridas, suppose the
! next question will arise as to the validity
Of cur holding Louisiana, because as it is
the order OF the day among the pote mates
| OF Europe, to undo ali that France has
"A L.
| coaCcives that she has a right to T. quire the
! restitution of territory which she con
! sented tn part with during the moments Of
| her imbecility, but which she may now
! deem essential for the dignity and integr-
| ~ CT the Spanish monarchy. Waving ev-
| cry discussion for the present on these
! points, let us take cursory view of the de-
mand for the persons Of Gen. Toledo and
| his associates.
The inhabitants Of the Mexican En-
| pire, have been struggling for some years
past. to emancipate themselves from the
| most calling oppression that ever afflicted
any portioR of the human race they have
| SO far succeeded as to spread the spirit of
| resistance against Spain, from one extren-
| ity of tine Empire to the other. Hitherto,
| they have had nc effective assistance from
! the United States or any other quarter
| they have been literally without arms or
munitions of war, without discipline or or
| ganizaiion and yet with all these dsad-
| vautages, and notwithstanding the &C
! counts that nave been published in the CITY
| OF Mexico, Havana and Cadiz, of ten,
| twenty and thirty thousand rebels being
! slain in battle, we ind that these rebels
| have been gradually augmenting that
| they have formed a social edifice elected
| represent ives from the greater portion
| OF the empire that their Congress is now
| securely holding its session in the heart of
the country that the republican armies
| have invested or taken possession Of many
import nj places in the interior that the
/ communication between the cities of Vera
| Cruz and M Xico, is frequently interrup-
| led by the republicans, and that the royal
| forces in the city Of Mexico, are obliged
| to remain IN The city FOR its protection, il
| b,i ,rrt1s rctrcI tn.t &c ,ba
| were only d few days abscnt from the
| place, the 'viceroy would 2 deposed and
| the banners ofndcp endence wave on the
| turrets OF that city. ( have given ibis
| statement o. the situation of things from
| data ! believe to be correct an with 4
| view of inspiring the hopes Of these whc
| unite IN the feelIi IS and sentiments Of the
writer on this int, sing subject Much
has been said about hostile Combinations,
! and OF the thousands and tens of u ousands
| OF American cltlz MS that had joincd the
| MeXicaa TegOlutionist5, and no doubt the
| Spanish Minister, Consus, and all those
who were hostile to the independence of
| Mexico, have made ridiCu Gus aud exag-
| gerated representations to the government
! OF the United States on this subject; bat
the fact is, and much do regret it, that
| the MeNicans have not. as yet, received
| from the citi2eus Of The United Stat s, aov
thing that merits the appreciation of sue
cour, either inImen, muskets, or munitions
| OF war. Some two or three hundred nd-.
yenturers, many of them desperate ia cir
cumstances, and destitute of military
| knowledge, and perhaps a few hun,ired
| inutile muskets, is about tie whole ass;s-
| lance they have as yet obtained from our
countrymen. Had it been Otherwise, that
is to say, if two or three regiments of our
citizens, conducted BIZ coed officers, had
Co-operated with the MeXican patriots. the
| destinirs OF Mexico would have been fixed
| long before this time. But do still hope.
| land shall rejoice at the EVENT. that the
conduct of the Spanish cabinet, in reviving
| a controversy either about the Floridas or
Louisiana, may enable our government to
depart from that system Of apathy which
we have hitherto observed towards the
| struggles Of the Mexican patriots, and that
| in place Of procanatons from our exscu-
tive, cautionirg our citizens against enroll
ling themselves under the banners Of Mex
lean independence, they will be invited and
encouraged by our government to an un-
dcrtaking cougebial to tbs feelings of every
genuine American, aud deeply interesting
10 the future glory and prosperity Of our
country.
When we reflect that in our struggles
against 0UT mDfhcr couHtry, We disp ltched
our JAYS and our FRANKLINs, to Implore
;hs aid IF men, money, arms and ships,
from the nations Of Europe, and when we
reflect that during that Struggle our below
ed Washington was Denounced IS rebel
and q traitor, v b u James Ma ison and his