Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-01-31


In compliance with the resolution Of
ehe cath, transmit two letters from the
-.nvoy extraordinary and minister pleni-
petentiary of Spain, to the Secretary Of
4 tate, with his answer.
JAMES MADISON.
January Goth, 1916.
Translation Of a letter from the Minis
ter of Spain to the Secretary Of State,
dated Nasiiagtoa, December so, 1915.
SiR-The diplomatic relations be-
tween the king, my master, and the u
.aited States. being happily restored, and
both governments being disposed, mn I
.ually to strengthen the ties Of the most
1ure aud perfect friendship, tits my duty
30 inform the Presiden; of whatever may
to so desirable al object; aud
emove the obstacles which may prevent
it. On the important points on which
his note must turn, | have written to YOU
oder other circumstances less favorable
an the present. | viii nov confiHe
ayseIs to plain and simple explanation
u lhen.
The frat of these points is--that the
| erect and official relations between
pain and the United States, having b. CT
broken oil, since the year 1868, the al
irs Of both nations, az well as their re-
ectiye frontiers, should now be placed
| n the same state and ituation in which
lrey were at that period and that, il
conformity to this principle, the part Of
ENest florida, which the United States
[t,ok possession of during the glorious in
isutrection of Spain, and have retained
Eantii tni. day, should be restored to his
catholic majesty. This just and conclli'
atory measure, at the same time that II
sill convince the king, my master, Of the
|2urity and sincerity Of the sentiments OF
-lthe AZ erican government, and OF the!.
disposition to arrange and terminate
Iinicably the several points Of negocia
Iticn, will not, in the least. impair the
right which it may believe it has to tht
Whole, Or part of the territory occupi
ID, since it will remain subject, exactly
las it was before lis occupation, to frank
had friendly discussion between he t"'
governments.
! The second point is as simple and OBJ
Eyious as the first, and | Will treat of i
with that confidence, with which ough
10 be inspired by the indisputabe justice
|of my opportunity, the jus iication of tht
american government, and the impor
lance Of the affair.
I It is known to you, and is universally
,Ioublic and notorious, that factious band
lot insurgents and incendiaries continue
with IMMUNITY, il tie province OF Loui.
Isiana. and especially ia Ner-h'eans
land Natchitoches, the uninterrupted sys-
item of raising and arming troops, to light
ltl,e fame eff rex ola:ion il tie kinsdom Of
New Strain. and to rob the pacific inha
lbtants Of the domiE;0ns OF tie king, nv
lmasier. The invasion OF the internal
rovinces, tie horrible assassinations
Icommitted ID S.n Adionio dc Bcyar. and
the mes of the pcf6dious perpetrators
If such unNeard Of Crimes, have acquired
| the publicity, which great crimes always
viii acquire. All Louisiana has witness
fed these ornaments; the public enlist
l,nents dos engauchsc rublicos the
| Transportation OF arms the Junction Of
the insurgents ard their hostile and War-
Hike march rem the territory of this re-
public against the possessions OF friend
IIy 4 neishborinS power neither threats.
nor the laws, nor the Indignation Of well
disposed citizens. nor even the prec!a-
nation OF the president Of the fr. of Sep
ltember last, intended to restrain these
|nignway robbers, have been sufficient to
stop their nefarious plans. On the contra
|ry, they prosecute them with the greatest
|ardor & rancour. more and more eyasge
rated at seeing the glorious triumpbs
|of the Spanish nation, the adhesion of
bis subjects to an adored monarch, and
the approaching establishment Of the
relations between our respective nations.
II is known TO ne, that they are now
eniisting, in New Orleans, men for other
expeditions, boil by land and water, to
iu,a,;e again the donations Of his ca
thoiic majesty, under the direction of
ringleadeis Jose Aware de Toledo, and
jose Manuel de Herrera. who had just
arrived at that city, with the appoint
ment Gas he says Of Minister to The U.
States, from the selfstyled Mexican
Congress, who has delivered to Toledo
fifteen hundred commissions in blank,
6. ON tI,ot hadv of insnrnents. that be may