Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-10-20

and Spain respecting the possession OF
Flarida! Ii cannot possibly be matter
OF The least consequence to any individu.
al M this empire, whether or not Pensa-
cola shall be restored TO Ferdinand. e.
ven when tins subject is inquired into.
with reference 10 the balance " pope,, IL is
Impossible Ia come 10 any other concItl-
siou. No person viii venture to main
tam that the power of Spain " DIS al all iu-
creased by the possession Of Florida, or
that II woula be ~ the least impaired hy
lis beng entirely emancipa,cd from her
authority. The revenue derived from the
Fiorldas have never suiiiccd TO pay The
expenses OF It's administration and Spain.
assufeuiy Is not IN situation To retain
that coIOny 10 enable her To awe the II.
States. Neither would lis annexation aud
any additional! preponderancc TO The pow
er of that republic. Ii would afford
some leak wood for her slips, and would
prevent lie harborS OF Pensacola and ST.
Augustine lrom becoming the receptacle
OF hostile prIvaiecrs in time Of war but
that IS'almosi the whole extent of the be-
nefit 10 he derived from lis occupation
Now really II appears To be d little TOO
much TO call OH the people Of Great Bri-
Tam 10 interfere IN such a case. WAclLer
thousand square leagues of barren un-
inhabited territory shall be taken irsm
Span, and aidrd tn he United States, is
- fDaiier about which J0!!u Bull need
give naseii no nDeasness. If the Ame-
ricans are Determined 10 take pos ess ION
~ FLORIDA, u's almost efforts viii be unable
10 prevent them; and ii lie does interfere,
lie viii only have the n,orti,ication 10 be-
Eoid his neaaces disiesar,icd, and Ike
measures They weTe Designed 10 counter
act so much sooner carri,d lnlo effect.
With resa,d 10 lhe other ground OF
complaint, The execution of MessrS. Ar
bl'hmoi aud Anbrlstie, we do moi think
ina! The circuR siant cS OF tie case are as
Vel sufficiently known, to warrant the
ioSining OF any positive opinion respect
ny H. The nratter ought certainly 10 he
inquired INTO and we have no doubt that
1t the Americas generals shall be found
u have acted Improperly, they will be
punished by those 10 whom HEY are ac-
coun'aGle Ter their conduct. The des-
traction OF the individuals in question,
could not be an object 9th least lmpor-
lance TO the UHIied States, and it is not
AT all likely that they will incur the odium
OF attempting TO defend aud protect their
OH erS, If they have Intentionally violat-
ed the grea, principles OF international
law. Bui, as we hive slated upon for
mer occasion, we do mol think that here
Is tue least probability of this being the
case. Ii is Impossible 10 imagine That 10
or IA officers, many Ct them Of higl, rank,
would voluntarily expose themselves TO
the risk OF being diSgraced, or that they
would baseiy conspire together, unjusi!y,
10 deprive two obscare individuals ofiheir
life. That the American commanding
officer. IN ordering the sentence of the
court martial To be immediately carried
lulo effect, acted with an Unnecessary and
useless urgree OF severity, Is, we think
ahuDdantly obvious. The legality of the
sentence, hcwever, is the only thing with
wnich We have 10 do tor il lhe evidence
lad before tie court martial WAS such as
10 warrant 10 sentence of death, the com
mand,ng officer had an undoubted right
to order 1t TO be executed. We DO not
therefore think that this ease, any more
than that regarding the occupation of
Pensacola, ought 10 be allowed 10 disturb
tns friendly relations subsIsiIng between
NE two countries. It is nnqurstionabie
that we have ii right 10 i,e made aclualnt-
ed with all Tie proceedings relative TO the
condeT nailoB OF Arbuihnot and Amhris-
tie, aud that u II shall be found that they
have been unIustly dealt with, we ought
10 demand the punishment ct the guiiiy.
Bat before calling out for a war OF revenge,
iet us wait I'LL this poiut shall have been
satisfactorily established, and ill il be
ssen whether The American government
are themselves disposed to grant redress.
Htter satisfactory Information shall have
been obtained on these subjects, there will
be abundantilmc TO consider what interior
Steps should be taken.
Notnn. seems more unaccountabie
than The strong inclination manifested in
various quarters to involve this county,
IN "A ,,IfI, IL
could tea In us wisdom, we might now,
We should think, be pretty generally ID
ware Of the ruinous nature of such con
tests. America Is, OF all other nations,
tie one whose friendship ought 10 be
most assEiUOusly cultivated, and whose
cHDIIy is most 10 be dreaded by Great
Hiiain. II * III her power TO Inure us
~ lie most vital manner. The extreme
distress INTO which The n,auuis, lures of
tins country we're thrown by the Amer.
can n0H niercourseacts, sufficiently SHOW
hog much we are interested IN preserving
an uGreslr cted intercourse with our trans
atlantic brethren. Instead OF bclrf:r a
source OF jealousy and vexation 10 The
politicians OF Great Britain, the rapid pro-
gTtss OF The Americans III the accumula-
ton OF capital and population ought TO
be- hailed by them with Supreme salsfac-
ton. They ought not only 10 rejoice IN
the fact OF powerful nation, speaking
.eir language, and organized according
10 tiic IuOsl liberal and tolerant princi-
p. :, being founded IN another bemis-
phere; bal they ought 10 know and 10 adj
NIL thai the prosperity OF Great Britain is
intimately connected with ihe prosperity
of the United States,
The Pity steal circumstances in which
The latter are plac, the bounuIesS extent
OF their fertile and unOccupicd lands,