Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1817-12-16

every Stage OF the C0nTllct, the u. Notdtco
have maintained an impartial neutrality, CIV
ing aid 10 neither Of the parties in men, mon
ev, ships or munitions of war. They have
regarded the contest, not IN the light OF an
ordinary insurrection or rebellion, but as
civil war between parties nearly equal, haV-
log, as TO neutral powers, equal rights. Our
ports have been open to both, and every ar
1icle, the fruit oi oar soil, or of the industry
OF our citizens; which either was permitted
TO take, has been equally, free to the other
Should the colonies establish their indepen-
dence, it IS proper nov To state, that this
government neither seeks, nor would accept,
from them any advantage, in commerce or
otherwise, which will not be equally open
TO all other nations. TIE colonies will, in
that event, become independent states, free
from any obligation to, or connection with,
us, which it may not then b. their interest
TO form on the basis Of a fair reciprocity.
In the summer Of the present year an ex-
petition was set on foot against Fast Flori
da, by persons claiming to act under the au.
thority of SOME of the colonies, who took
possession Of Amelia Island, at the mouth Of
the St. Mary's river, near the boundary OF
the state ofGeorgia. As this province lies
eastward OF the Mississippi, and is bounded
BY the L. States and the ocean on every
side, and has been subject OF negotiation
with the government of Spain, as an indem-
nifty FIR losses by sp0liation, or in exchange
for territory Of equal value westward OF the
Mississippi, a fact well known to the world,
1t excited surprise that any countenance
should be given to this measure by any of the
colonies. AS it would be difficult to recon
Gle it with the friendly relations existing be-
tween the United States and the colonies, a
doubt was entertained whether it had been
authorized by them, or any of them. This
doubt has gained strength, by the circum-
stances which have unfolded themselves in
the prosecution the enterprise, which have
marked it as mere private unauthorized
adventure. Projected and commenced with
an incompetent force, reliance seems to have
been placed on what might be drawn, in
defiance of our laws, from within our linn
its and of late, as their resources have
failed, it has assumed a more marked char
acter of unti iendliness 10 us, the island being
made channel for the illicit introduction
of slaves from Africa into the United States
an asylum for fugitive slaves from the neigh
boring states, and port for smuggling OF
every kind.
A similar establishment was made, at AMI
earlier period, by persons of the same des
cription, in the Gulph of Mexico, at place
called Galyezton, within the limits of the L.
States, as we contend, under the Cession OF
Louisiana. This enterprise has been mark
ed, in a more signal manner, by all the OBJ
iectionabIe circumstances which character
lied the other, and more particularly by the
equipment of privateers which have annoy
ed our commerce, s. by smuggling. These
it ever sanctioned by any
authority whatever, which is not believed,
have abused their trust and forfeited ali
claim to consideration. A Just regard tor
the rights and interests of the United States !
required that they should be suppressed |
and orders have accordingly issued to that
effect. The impefious considerations which |
this measure will be explained to
the parties whom it may, in any degree,
To obtain correct information on every |
subject III NIiCl lIt 1uttcI A'fdbtS az Il- |
terested to inspire just sentiments, in all
persons in authority, on either side, OF our
friendly disposition, so far as it may comport
with an impartial neutrality; and to secure
proper respect to our commerce in every
port, and from every flag, it has bed
thought proper to send ship Of war, with
three distinguished citizens, along The south
ern coast, with instruction to touch at such
ports as they may find most expedient tor
these purposes. With the existing authori-
ties, with those in the possession of, and ex-
ercising the sovereignty, must the commu-
0ication be held from them alone can re-
dress for past injuries, committed by persons
acting under them, be obtained by them
alone can the commission Of the like, in tu-
ture, be prevented.
Our relations with the other powers of
Europe have experiencedn no essential change !
since the last session. In our intercourse
with each, due attention continues to be
paid to the protection OF our commerce, 4 |
to every other object in which the United
States are interested. A strong hope i en-
that, by adhering to The maxims
of just, candid, and friendly policy, we |
may long preserve amicable relations with |
all the powers of Europe, on conditions ad
c,,l L n.