Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-04-17
Negotiation with Spain.
Documents transmitted to Congress by tho
President Of the United States.
(coNriNuED.l

President Of the United States.
lCoNTiNuED.l
No. 8.
lTRANsLaTIoN
Don L.iiS de ORiS to the Secretary Of State.
SIR--In the National Inteigencer of the 9th
Of this month, l have seen published the official
notice. of the occupation of Amelia Island by
the troops of the United States. had already
anticipated this unpleasant event, by the note
which had the honor to address Nou on the 9Th
Ofla month, in which demonstrated in the
name OF his catholic majesty, against the mea
sures announced in that part of TIE Presidents
message to both Houses of Congress which ma
infested an intention to invade, and fercibly
seize on places and territories belonging to
the crown of Spain. Having received no an
SweLto that note, now feel myself obliged to
repeat its contents TO you, and to protest, as
now do strongly protest, in the name of the
king, my master. against the occupation of
Amelia Island, effected by the naval and mill
fary forces of this republic, destined to operate
against that island, forming part of East Flo
rida, one of the possessions of the Spanish mo-
narchy, OH this continent.
Whatever may have been the motives en-
which the government of the United States
have founded their adoption Of this measure,
il cannot but be considered by all nations as a
violent invasion of the dOminions of Spain, at
the time of profound peace. when his catho-
nc majesty omits nothing to give the most gen.
erous proofs OF his perfect friendship and high
consider alton for theU. States.
therefore trust, that upon your communi
eating this solemn reclamation and protest 10
the President, he will be pleased to direct that
suitable orders be given to the American CON-
manders at Amelia Island, and on that station,
forthwith to restore the said island, together
with ailits dependencies to his tholic majesty,
and to deliver up the same TO theSpanish COM
mandant and officers presenting themselves
for that purpose, in The name of their sove'
reign.
It's also my duty to represent to you. sir, that
at the time of the invasion and occupation of
that island by the American troops, there was,
and believe still is. a considerable property
belonging to, Spanish subjects, which. in all
cases. il is required by strict justice should be
delivered to the owners. which doubt not has
already been, or will be done, in due and pro.
per manner, care being taken, in the nj can time,
that it be not removed, or suffer injury.
await your reply to this reclamation and
protest, that may be enabled to give seasonal
Bile intelligence and instructions to the COVER
nor of ST. Augustine, and TO the captain gene
raj of the island of Cuba, provided the Presi-
prompt restitution and delivery of Amelia and
its dependencies to his catholic majesty's 60
Vernment.
/ cannot by any means doubt that this will
be effected, confiding as do in the high recti-
tude of the President, AND in the inviolable
principles of public faith, on which the securi-
ty of nations reposes.
I have the honor to renew the assurances of
my respects, and pray God to preserve you
man (signedD LUIS DE oNIs.
Washington, sth JanHary, 1918.
No. Q.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO DON LUIS DE OHIs.
Department of State, 10th January, 1918.
SIR-Your letters Of2oth December, and of
5th and Sth of the present month have been re-
'ceived, aud laid before the President of the
United States.
He has seen, not without surpriYe and regret,
that they consist almost entirely of renewed
discussions upon the several points of differ
ence which have so long subslsted between lie
United States and Spain discussions which
had been exhausted in the correspondence he
tween the minister plenipoteutiaTy of the L.
States at Madrid and your government, in the
wears 1902 and 1908, and more especially in that
between Don Pedro CeyalloS, and tue special,
extraordinary mission of the u. States TO yOur
court in 1905 a mission instituted by the Anne
rican government, under the influence Of the
most earnest desire to terminate amicably, and
to the satisfaction of both the parties all those
differences but which, after five mentbs' ne
gOtiation at ATanjueZ, issued IN the refusal of
Spain to give satisfaction to the u. States, up
oil any one of the causes of complaint which
were to be adjusted, or even to settle the ques'
tions of boundaries, existing between the u.
States and the Spanish provinces bordering
upOn them. The President considers that it
would be an Improbable waste of time, to enter
again at large upon topics of controversy ,
which were at that time so thoroughly debated,
and upon which be peTceiVeS nothing in your
notes which was not then substantially urged
by Don Pedro CeYallos, and to which every
reply essential TO elucidate tue rights and es.
tablish the pTetensiOus on the part of the Unit
ed States was then given. For proof OF which
l beg leave merely 20 refer YOU TO the letters
Of Mr.. Monroe and SIR Pinckney to MIR. Ce-
valo3, of 2Sth January, 26th February, Sth and
10th March, 9th aud 10th April, and 18th May,
1905. 7 am instructed by the PresldeHt to pro-
pose 10 you an adjustment Of all the Difference
es he wcen the two countries, 10y an arrange
Bieni or tue following terms
Spain To cede all ncr claims TO territory,
eastward Of the Mississippi.
2. The Colorado, fromits mouth 10 its source,
aud from thence TO the northern limits Of Lou
isiaua, TO be tie western boundary OF TO
leave that boundary unsettled for future ar
rdngement.
g. The claims Of indemnties for spOliations,
whether Spanish or French, within Spanish
Jurisdiction, and for the suppression Of the
dcposite ~ New Orleans, 10 be arbitrat-
ed and settled by comm toners, IN the man
ner agreed upon iu the uurati6ed convention
Of 1902.
.. The lands IN Fast Florida, and 10 the Per.
dido, 90 he made snswerdble fOf The amount Of
the indcmnities which may be awarded by tie
commissioners, under this arbitration with ~
option TO the u. States, 10 take the lands ard
pay the debts. or 10 sell the lands TOR the pay
nent Of tie debts, distrIbHting the amonBf re.
ceived, equally, according 10 the amount Of