Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-01-13

NE 10 Stdte 10 you, that the contents OF
yeur letter greatly surprised this govern
ment and the people of this state. You
have nevertheless, intimated, that in case
OF oiIr acquiescence In your demand, we
shall be permitted to evacuate this Island,
which neither is. nor ever has been part
ofthe United States.
Allow me TO observe to YOU, gentle
men, that from the moment we took Fer
nandina by the force of our arms, we en-
tered into the full possession of ali the
rights appertaining 10 our enemy, and TO
tins day we have supported these rights
at the risk of our lives and fortunes.
he boundaries between the Flori3as
and the United States having been fairly
settled on the 9th Oct. 1895, we are at
loss how To ascertain your authority to
interfere IN our internal concerns.
Our surprise increases when we reflect
that your communication comes as au-
thoiized by the government OF people
who, IN this respect, glory IN the rights
OF nations, whether great or small, and
who, no doubt, sympathi.e with their
Southern brethren M The struggle for H.
berry and independence, IN which they
are engaged, as we're the United States,
forty years ago.
On the other hand, YOU promise TO hold
sacred such OF our property as unques-
tionabiy belongs 10 our citizens. Who
is TO be the judge in tia, case2 The
United States! they can By no means
clam any kind of jurisdiction, from The
source of the river ST. Mary's down the
Ocean, on this side the channel. We
entertain too much veneration to believe
tor single moment, that you supposed
alreadyln possession of this island which
has hpon raIaI -
Spain, or by its inhabitants. 10 the Uni
ted Siates,) can bring with you compe-
tent tribunal TO decide upon this ques-
ton. The only law you can adduce in
your behalf is that of force, which always
Is repugnant to a Republican Govern
meni and TO the principles of just and
impartial nature. The same observa-
ton may be applied 10 your interference
for The property ofthe inhabitants, which
we have always respected.
You order us, also, as If we were sub
lects ofyour government, 10 leave behind
when Fernandina is evacuated, all the
public property that Was found al It's sur
render. This demand is directly contra
ry to the public rights, by which public
property captured from the enemy is avow-
ediy thatoithe eaptors, W lien not otherwise
stipulated. Are you acting in the name of
the King of Spain or of his Allies! As we
consider the people of the United States
to be unquestionably the only free peo-
pie on The surface of the globe, we
cannot admit that you have already
arrived to such point of degradati-
on. Otherwise, your demand is in
admissible and unjustitiable n the ewes
of the world and if we must submit to
1t, all the blame rests with Won.
Permit me therefore, gentlemen, TO re-
quest you 10 lay before The President of
! the; United States these remarks, in or
der that a matter of SO serious tendency
may be duly considered. We have read
HIS Ezceliency's Message AT the opening
of Congress with The utmost CONCERN,
aud have concluded that the political ST,
tuation ofihis Republic has been greatly
misrepreseuted Ia the United States.
isIro the IntrIgucs of our enemies. We
have certainly right to be heard; for
winch purpose, shall have the honor of
forwarding TO your Government the ne
cessary documents. If YOU are not dis
posed ia 1t the thing remain in statu quo.
until the Presidents farther determination
be known, | am authorized 10 assure Won
that we respect and esteem TOO highly
the people of the United States TO carry
matters TO eXtremities. have the ho-
nor 10 remain with the highest conside-
ration,
Gentlemen, Yours, &c.
(Signed AURY.
S. l.. Holmes, Seer.