Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-02-07
RiCRMoNn. T.8RiINRYl.- Z.



facts which are statcf. -i is not one
OF those neu who il>iif an assertion
--ior his political pr'uc Jny we, but
The citizens OF Elr.iusa reatest res
pect.-He is 20 ccpT..rt t.t I'd supper
ter OF au, admint.fr4ifs l - much plea
sure then do We understand ,r. s ich a man,
who has Deve. deceive Z ~. who has so
many opportnniiie oil oLSeFs nan no
unite> hrmheSs "a, coni.at 0lil too,ness OF
decl-'on,) that all our Impression about the
views of the present admini,tla iOt. are p
fetty cSrrect--that they ar IL De1rt ap,i
IN sincerity tire friends oi ~, paifdl. OF South
America--Nr,~lr ,ud =. w>s.. I'D STARTERS, to
the contrary notwithstanding.
One remark thrown out by the writer of the
ioiiowing letter. prompts Us to SAY ilat this
appears TO be The most bic IN. inent for
demanding Justice from SPAIN ana tor put
ting an end tn all TIL evdsions, and subtietieS
of NJ Ceyalios Don Ons aud the Whole race
OF diPiomatists and eqniv@cators. The case OF
an American consul confined by order Oh The
Spanish gov eminent, If there were no other
fostering cause of complaint. is sufficient 10
rouse the blood OF every American. - The en-
viable declaration OF am an American citi-
zen, so eloquently quoted bv Gen. Gaines in
his late dispatcll--of what avail VIII II be in
the ears of foreign nations lift can he thus so
long and so completely dsregardcd in the case
OF an American consul?
It's obvious that the following letter is in
answer TO one asking for certaiu facts as well
as the opinion OF its writer.
FROM WASHINGTON ,FEB.I.
In d few days we NAV expect COM
munIcailon from the executive in answer
to "A resolution submitted by Mr. Robert
son OF Louisiana. calling for information
on the subject of cur urgoiiaIons with
Spain. In the mean time | proceed 10
communicate 10 you sucn Information as
l possess. LIST. So far as respects our re-
laiions with Spain-All the old subjects,
VIZ. boundary, Spoiiaiions, &c remain
IN I.lfD l.lff Al
subject ii is understood that Spain has
proposed the mediation OF foreign pow
ers. Since taking possession of Amelia
Island, is generally believed that nego-
tlatIons have been renewed with the Spa
iiish aiinlsler here. They will probably
terminate like those which have here
tofore been attempted. do not myself
consider IL very important Tor the United
States 10 urge an adjustment at present,
of differences so long existing, TO such
point as 10 produce war with Spain, or
collision on her account, with any TO-
reign power.
Son the subject of Galveston and A
mella Island, | understood on my arrival
here, that these establishments were
used by persons deriving no legal auiho-
rIiy from any existing government for
purposes injurious TO The United States
That Spain was not i'll situation to pre-
vent these establishments within her ter
riiory: That the commerce of the u.
States had suffered greatly, and that or
ders had been given for suppressing them.
The measure was not considered as OF a
hostile character towards Spain, and the
persons in possession of Amelia aud Gal
weston were considered as having no
claim 10 The title of Mexican PalrUts.-
They were in fact considered as pirates
No intention presume al that time exist
ed on the part of the administration of
doing more than suppressiDg the esiab-
lishments and keeping up anavs;l force in
the gulf with view 10 protect our COM
merce from future depreciation.
"As to the intentions and views of the
administration in relation TO the Spanish
Patriots, have no doubt of their being
entirely friendly 10 their cause and viii
ling 10 promote il by any measure short
of war. 1t is, | believe, with them as
with the rest of the community, Il sub
| ject OF regret that our information as 10
| the Mexican Patriots is of character
| too limited TO make il the basis Of pny
course, which, if guided only by feeling,
| either the legislative or the executive de-
| partment of the government might be
| disposed TO pursue. The idle Glamour
| levelled at the administration by some Of
the newspapers of taking part with Spain
| against the Patriots, is not only unjust,
| but totally untounded. The want of cor
| rect information on this subject caused
| the appointment III an informal manner
| of comm listeners, who might ascertain
| the real situation of the South American
| Patriots aud enable the administration to
pursue the course which just regard TO
| our own interests and due regard 10
| their rights might demand-The measure
may result In the acknowledgement of
their minister here. 1t may cVince The
correctness of the course already pur-
sued, and cause It's cOntinuance-Of one
| thing | am well satisfied, that all ihe feel
lngs of the administration are on the side
| of the Spanish Patriots, and that if they
| do nothing TO aid them i'll their struggle
| they will not take any course calculated
10 impede their efforts in cause so sd
| cred TO every American Many men
| here for whose virtue and patriotism
| have the greatest respect, some of them
my own personal friends, differ with me
essentially on this question. They con-
sider that the minister here ought at once
TO be acknowledged. But, is ii necessary
Tor tile government TO do this at pre-
sent! AS mere agent, our courts are o.
| pen 10 their minister, aud under that
character he can perform every function
essential to the interest of those he repre-
sents. Even correspondence with the
| government is not denied him-and |
know il TO be fact that he has recently
sent in several communications. IL
then lie can communicate with The 10
vernment and has free access TO Our
courts, shall we for the mere ceremony
OF recognising him as minister, create
new difficulties III our negotiation with
Spainy At any rate, is il not better
| course In suaneud fhis suhiact until fLo