Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-03-31

The two points ! speak OF, are, isi, What re-
lateS to Amelia lsland-and, &c, what concerns
Galveston.
The President announces, in respect to the
FIRST that this island having been taken pos.
session of by party of people, who belong 20
no country, or it they have belonged to any,
they have, by their conduct, forfeited all right
OF public consideration ortoleration, they hav-
ing established III the said island, place Of
refuge, scandalous by its piracies, aud serious.
~ prejudic;al, by contraba.:d trade, To the
United States, Chiefly IN what regards the clan
destiue intro auction OF negroes Into the terri.
tories of the Union, and the carrying OFT or
flight o! Others from the same country, his eX
cel.ency has thetetOre determined 10 put Il
stop 10 this evil and had siyea orders accor-
dinghy.
II is my duty to remind you, sir, that the ex.
petition which took possession OF Amelia Is
laad, was formed anu atineAai Charleston and
Savannah. under the comniaui OF theajyeutu
rer, Sir Gresor J! GregOr, aid wholly compOs
ed or citizens oFthis republic, IN violation of
the laws OF the Untsd states, the las or natl
ons, and The existing treaty betw cen Spain X
the said states. I denounced this expedition
TO you at the time, ahd Invoked the eihCaCiOus
authority of Ike Federal Government, 10 pre-
vent II. and puuish the offenders. The eNpe
.ilton proceeded, Notwithstanding, from the
limits and ports of the Union Ia invade THAI
Island, and there committee excuses on which
the President touches. After NJ Sregor hal
left Amelia Island, the district court of South
Carolina issued bench writ 10 apprehend him,
wherever ne might be found within the Ame-
rican territories. This wrg could not certain
~ be issued, without legal evidence OF the
offence, EOr could the offence he more eDor-
nous, or more notorious, in tie face of the
whole union. IL results from this, that there
could be no ust ground ofCcnvertiRe intOan act
ofhostity, o. of public drtriment TO Spain, the
evils which have hOv ed from the tOlerstiCn OF
similar armanonts IN The Bosom OF this union
armaments which had for their object, the in
vasion and plumber OF The possessions of
friendly power.
l. therefore, request YOU. sir 10 be pleased
10 inform me of the measures the President
may have taken on this point, ana OF his nteu
tiuna III relation 10 a., in order that by inform
Ing the authorities OF the king, III East Flori
da thereof, those distDutents MAY be Nv eiied
To which an e'rOuGCus conception may give
rise, and all unfortunate Impressions disSIgat-
ed, which might disturb The lively and sincere
desire of Cancellation and perfect harmony
which actuates.t catholic majesty.
On the second point. relating to Galveston,
the President announces, that in that place,
which it is cOIteuded falls within the limits Of
the Omitted states in consequence of the aCqui
sitiOn of lie uisiana, anUubeT ofvagraHtpersOIs
had before established themselves, 81 commit
ted acts Of piracy very prejUdiciai 10 the trade
ofthe United States and that, therefore, his
eXcellency had also taken measures 10 correct
those abuses.
There are two things which Ihave TO remark
on this pOiUt. The first is, that the place of
Galveston has not been, nor ever could be,
within the limits of Lou siana 4; because, at no
time, did il make part oft. ii has constant.
ly belonged to the dOminious OF the crown of
Spain, as territory absolutely uncOnnect-
ed win. and distinct from Louisiana, and as
spct, ought to be maintained aud respect
ed, until the United States produce docu.
meats which establish ;he!r rights, and annul
the titles, till now undsputed, of property and
possession on the part OF Spain, from the ear.
Hest times Gifts discovery and conquest, unto
the present and this will he determined, as
ri,fg Al~- h..
al tue time Of amicabiy arranging the question
of boundaries between the twO nations, as his
catholic majesty sincerely and earnestly de-
sires, ana as 1 have the hope 10 verify in short
time in his royal name, by means of the uego-
ciaticn which yve have established.
Tue second thing which have 10 recall 10
you, is, that the kings troops drove Oil from
AaIacorda the IagabOnd frCCboeteTs, who had
taken possession or t,Iat point il consequence
OF wn.ch tine same adventures we're forced TO
evacuate Gsls estOn, where they had also esta-
5lishei themselves, so that neither of these
places was arterH ards attacked OF infested bV
them or any other bandiiti. Moreover, if hy
the occupation Of Galveston a hat time, the
Uriied States have sustaiNed Injuries, il is no.
torOus, that Spain has suffered much greater,
by the facility afforded TO the pirates in cdptur.
ing Spanish vessels. carrying them into thai
place and here selling them TO tile citizens of
this union that from this magazine Of plum
der, they conveyed the Spanish property TO
New Orleans and other paiis of the United
States, III American ScSStiS, as Is wen Known
to you. sir, and TO all the werid. In amy event
wien the injuries reciprOcaliy caused to a.
merican ciuzens, by The government or sub
jects OF Spain, or 10 the latter, by the govern
nent or citizens of the United States, are com.
pared or estimated, such an indennifcaiion
will be stipulated, as is agreeable 20 justice
and good faith.
These remarks and others equally obvious
cannot fail to convince you, l am sure they
will convince the whole world, that there was
not the smallest motive Tor proceeding TO acts
of violence, on either of the two points, which
form tie subject Of this note, and on which tire
President has touched in his message. hope
that the intentions ct his eNcelleBcy will not
diner from this opinion and, as well TO avoid
the Gisagreeable consequences which might a.
rise from a misunders landing, as ia ComHuui.
cate to the king, my master, the true state Of
things, have 10 request of YUu, SIR as l noW
d., precise and satisfactory explanation on
tbeab0vc mentioned two points, namely Of The
measures taken by the President in relati-
on TO them, aud Ofhs intentions upon the sub
ject. / fattcr myself. that you will have the
goodness 60 give the said explanation as spec
Oily as The case requires audi the mean
time, allow me TO renew the assurances of my
high consideration and respect.
tSgned) LUIS DE ONIS.
Mr. John Quincy adams &c. &c. &c.
- cSi.ingt0R, 9Th December, 1917.
NOS.