Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1818-09-15
From the (Mitledgeuilie) Georgia Journal
PENSACOLA.

PENSACOLA.
As much doubt exists, in consequence
Of the various interpretations which have
been given to the measure, respecting the
Presidents determination to restore the
captured port in Florida, we will endea-
YOUR, having knowledge of the facts, to
place the subject before the public in its
true light. Pensacola and its dependen
cies, we understand, will be delivered up,
Internationally, whenever Spain shall have
an accredited agent there to receive them,
and receipt for the property which fell
into the possession OF our government By
the articles of equalization, entered into
between Gen. jackson and the government
of West-Florida. after the Surrender,
Spain will be required to coaply IN good
faith with the article of the existing trea-
ty between the two nations, which binds
each to keep at peace the indians within
their respective limits. II she refuses, or
shall neglect to do so, it will then be for
Congress, the only pofUer authorised by
the constitution, to determine the. expe
diency of occupying and holding the
whole, or any part, of Florida. ST Marks,
not being considered a colony, bit regard
ed as an isolated military post, situated
in the midst of an extensive wilderness,
and surrounded by numerous hostile saw
ages, is placed Oh different footing, and
mill not be restored till Spain shall garri-
son it with sufficient force to maintain
and cause her authority to be respected
in that quarter.
These are believed, on good grounds.
to be the views entertained by the national
government, in relation TO the captured
posts. A more decided proof, as has
been already observed, of our disposition
to preserve the subsisting relations of am
ity, could not be given by us, and ought
not to be expected by Spain. The con-
duct of the President on this occasion, so
disinterested and just, will obtain the ap
probation, and command the support, Of
every good citizen.
We have great satisfaction in publishing
the following letter from general Ripley
it speaks the language of citizen and a
soldier, and is creditable to his practical
ideas of civil liberty. National Aduocate.
From the Mobile Gasette.
Copy of letter from General Ripley to
Judge Toulmin, dated III. @. Bay of
ST. Louis, July /, 1878.
6 Sir have received from the Ad
jutant and Inspector General, at Wash
ingtoD, letter Of yours, on the subject
of supposed resistance Of the civil au-
thority, on the part of ---.
: Anxious, as [ ever have been, that
the army should bow to the supremacy
OF our civil tribunals, I shall lose no
time in enforcing the principle Oh the
present occasion.
" The young officers, possessed ofzeal,
gallantry, and aspiring ambition, too Of
ten commit indiscretions similar to that
complained of in the present instance.
Accustomed, themselves. to see princi-
pies Of military law operating upon those
within their immediate sphere Of action,
they make an easy and improper transit
lion 10 their application to the person or
property OF the citizen. They do not re-
feet that the rules of conduct necessary
10 impart TO any army its impulse, its dis
cipline, and its subordination, become
acts OF tyranny when applied to those
who are not within the defined limits of
military authority. Indeed they do not
seem to be aware, so fully as they ought,
that vital principle of our free iDstitu-
tons is, TO place the civil superior to the
military authority; and that, we're this
principle to be exploded, our social insti-
tutions, which they, as well as all good
citizens hail with so much veneration,.
would degenerate into a military despo-
tism, enforcing its edicts at the point Of
the bayonet.
Although / have not the honour OF a
personal acquaintance with you, yet as
an individual member of the republic,
and feeling deeply interested in her for