Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-09-18
AMERICA AND rAE FLORIDA

To the Editor OF the (London) Courier.
SIR,-Slnce the reported capture Of
Pensacola by the Americans aud the au-
thcntica'e;! account ofthat extraordinary
proceeding, | have waited in a state of
the greatest anxiety to read The different
opinions oi our most celebrated journal!
lists on that interesting subject but from
day to day, have been uniformly disap-
pointed, and forbidden the pleasure OF OBJ
serving any thing calculated TO throw light
on that unioward act, which hesitate rot
TO pronounce beyond the pale of any
Known law of nations. had, indeed,
fondly hoped that some Of cur patriotic
editors wou!d have given us some OF their
political logic on The subject. As, also,
the Opposition are now, and have been,
advocates for war, To the knife, SIC.
had hopes thar we should have heard from
the Mo't.iHS Chronicle that the fate of the
Fioriias is :. matter OF the greatest impor-
lance to the commercial interests fGreat
Britain aud il might have added, that the
/, Americans should he requested 10 imme.
diaie'y abandon both the Fiordas, and
remain content with the possession of
Louisiana: and if The request was mol
cons pIied with, as one WHICH our peculiar
interest in those seas rendered justitiable
in US TO make, such measures should be
INSTANTLY adopted as would enforce ODE
dionce which acouniry like England has
in her power 10 command. Such, Sir, are
the sentiments ] expected 10 have seen in
the patriotic prints. With regard TO my
self, am no advocate for war--I mean
an unnecessary war for names, which rea-
son tells mankind should become obso-
lete, on losing their meaning and virtues
but should even pride myself on being
the first 30 sound the toCsin when the
rights of my country are likely 10 heoome
tIe property ofa growing power, and It's
future welfare threatened by an insidious,
ambitious Republic, that secms To be care
less about treaties, and only anxious to
extend her dominions for The apparent
purpose Of abridsing ours at no very re-
mote perid.
8" have noticed, with all The sympathy
and adherence which the case required,
lie war which the Americans have been
lately carving OH against the inJ ~
tribes Of Florida | have clearly traced
that war, 10 be war ot revenge com
meuced on the part of the Americans, Ivy
aggression which The Otherwise docile
india2s could not nactiveIy submit 10 =
merely because the Clociaw, Creeks,
and other tribes Of Florida had been IA
Yourable to The British interest before and
during ile attack on The capital Of i.oui
FIaud : IT'S was VIZ Dtdu sbfl lIOlit VI
;lIeir often ling for this they have been
persecuied ever since. and are now their
hllies, The Spaniards,> deprived Of their
natural Inheritance. Tow much so ~
feel disposed to enter iYto an Elaborate
discussion Of 0nr interests IN '"e western
hemisphere, | shall not, in Tins letter, IN
qHlre into what | take 10 be The lnp0r-
lance Of lhe Flcridas TO England and
now incumbent and necessary y Is tn
her to support the claims OF Spain for tli'
=; Asraa British territory indeed, ! am
almost led 10 remark, HAT II Spain feIi
disposed to reiinquish tie Fioridag, Toe
important service rendered hcr 10y he
money aud arms ofihs Country, should
awaken the feeling, called gratitude, III
the breasts Of Spaniards, ard rcipFcsi "
with Tie cloak of power over Florida
which shouid be var own, IL the true III
4,rests Of tie nation are consulted.
T" shall for The present contine mvseif
tn nut question 10 the Administration,
and TO Englishmen, Whether is il for
lie bcmeht Of the nation that Aucrica
Should be allowed 10 ci,Gumscribe orr
Met India possessions, block up HE
IuH Of Florida, (ilie ouiy safe passage
from Jamaica. sc. and IN The event oi a
Mar With toe United States, which is not
bc,ond The boGHOs Of possibility, effect