Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1818-11-24

territory belonged In certain sense, al
least, to the savage enemy who Inhabited
it, the power Of Spain had ceased to exist
over it, and protection was sought under
her title, by those who had committed on
our citizens hostilities, which she was
bound. by treaty to have prevented, but
had not the power TO prevent. 10 nave
stoned at that line, would have given
new encouragement TO these savases, and
new vigor to the whole combination exist
ING there, in the prosecution of all its per-
nicious purposes. ).
10 suppressing the establishment at
Amelia-Island, no unfriendiiness was
manifested towards Spain, because the post
was taken from force which had wresf-
cd il from her. The measure, it is true,
was not adopted in concert with the Spa,
nish government, or these 10 authority
under it, because, in transactions con-
nected with the war, in which Spain and
her colonies are engaged, it was thought
proper in doing justice to the United
States, to maintain strict impartiality
towards both the beliigerent parties, with
out consulting or acting in concert with
either. Ii gives me pleasure to state that
the governments Of Buenos Ayres and
Venezuela, whose names were assumed,
have explicitly disclaimed all participa-
ton in those measures, and even the knowl-
EDGE of them, until communicated by this
government, and have also expressed their
satisfaction, that course of proceeding
had been suppressed, which, if justly
imputable to them, would dishenour their
cause.
Tn authorizing Major General Jackson
10 enter Florida, in pursuit OF the Semi
noles. care was taken not to eucroach on
the rights Of Spain. | regret TO have TO
add, that, in executing this order, facts
we're disclosed, respecting the conduct Of
the officers OF Spain, in authority there,
in encouraging the war, furnishing mnni-
tions of war, and other supplies TO carry
it on, and in other acts not less marked,
which evinced their participation in the
hostile purposes of that combination, and
justified the confidence, with which it |
inspired the savages, that by those officers
they would be protected. A conduct
so incompatible with the friendly rela-
lions existing between the two countries,
particularly with the positive obligation Of
the 5th article Of the treaty of 1895, by
which Spain was bound to restrain, even
by force, those savages, from acts of hos
tility against the United States, could not |
fail to excite surprise. The commanding
general was convinced that he should fail |
in his object, that he should, ia effect,
accomplish nothing, if be did not deprive
those savages of the resource on which |
they had calculated, and of the protection
on which they had relied, in making the
war. As all the documents, relating to
this occurrence, will be laid before Con-
gress, it is not necessary to enter into
further detail respecting it.
Although the reasons which induced
Major. Gen. Jackson to take these posts
were duly appreciated, there was, never
theless, no hesitation in deciding on the
course which it became the government to
pursue. AS there was reason to believe
that the commanders of these posts had
violated their instructions, there was no
disposition to impute TO their government
a conduct so unprovoked and hostile. An
order was 10 consequence issued to the
general in command there, to deliver the
posts Pensacola Internationally to any
person duly authorised TO receive it; and
St. Marks, which is in the heart of the
Indian country, on the arrival Of COM
petent force TO defend it against those
savages and their associates.
In entering Florida to suppress this
combination, no idea was entertained OF
hostility to Spain, and however justifiable
the commanding general was, in coDse-
quence OF the misconduct of the Spanish
officers, in entering ST. Marks and Pensa-
cola, to terminate it, by proving TO the
savages and their associates, that they
should not be protected, even there; yet, |
the amicable relations existing between the
United States and Spain could not be al
tered by that act alone. BY ordering
the restitution Of the posts, those relations
were preserved, To change Of them,
the power of the Executive is deemed in
competent. 1t is vested in Congress only.
BY this measure, so promptly taken,
due respect was shewn to the government
of Spain. The misconduct of her off
GERS has not been imputed to her. She
was enabled to review with candor her re-
lations with the United States, aud her own
situation, particularly in respect 10 The
territory in question, with fhe dangers in
separable from it; and regarding the
losses we have sustained, for which in
tlemnity has been so long withheld, and
the injuries we have suffered through that
territory, and her means of redress, she
was likewise enabled to take with honour,