Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-01-17

tlen,en, TO observe 20 you, that from the
moment we tuck Fernandina by the force
Of our arms we entered int the iull pos
session Of all the rights apPertainlns To
eur euemy. and that to this day we have
srnport.d these rights al the ri,k OF oar
Stses aud fortunes. The oounds Ies oi
the FlGri1as and the United States having
been fairly settled by the treaty OF TREND
sau, hd.lts aud navigatlon, on the TWEEN
ty-seconi ct October, one thousand seven
4 handrel and mnety-6Ve, leave Us at
A loss to ascertain your authority to inter
II ferc in our internal concerns.
4 Our surprise Increases when we reflect
!. that your Communication comes as au-
thorised by the government OF a people
4 whJ glory IN their respect Tor the rights
Of nations, whether great or small, and
who no doubt sympa,hise and wish sue
cess 20 their southern brethren IN the
struggle iGr liberty and Independence, IN
which they are engaged, as were the u
nited States forty years ago.
On the other side, you promise 20 hold
sacred such Of our property as unques
ti0nabLy belongs TO our citizens. Who's
10 be the Judge in this cases The Uni
ted States, who can, by no means, claim
any kind Of jurisdiction irnm the source
i Of the river ST. Msry's, dswn 10 the o.
cean, on This side Of the centre Of the
Shaunels We entertain too much vcne-
Il ration fOr your constitution TO believe tor
a siagIe moment that you, supposed al
ready in possession Of this island, which
has never been ceded by the king OF
Spain, or by its inhabitants, 70 the United
States, can b:ius with you competent
tribunal to decide upon this question:
The only law you eau addncc in your ia
\ vor is that Of force, which is always re-
puguant to republican governments and
10 the principles Of a just and impartial
nation. The same observation may be
applied to year interference With the pro-
perry OF the inhabitants, which we have
always respected aud considered as sa-
cred.
You order US, also, as it we we're sub
jeetS Of your government, Ia leave behind.
when Fernandina is evacuated, all the
public property that was found at its sur
render. This demand is directly contra.
4 ~ to the public rights by which all public
property captured by the enemy is avow-
edly that OF the captOrs, when not other
wise stipulated. Are you acting in the
name OF the king Of Spain or bis alhess
As We consider the people Of the Unitsa
States TO be unquss:iOnably the only free
people on the surface OF the globe, we
cannot almit that you have now become
the adhereats Of a tyrant; otherwise your
demand is inadmisSable aud urjusti6able
In the eyes OF the world, and ii we must
Weld to it all the blame rests with yeu.
Permit me, therefore,. gentlemen, to
request Of you, TO Lag before the Pie:i-
dent Of the L. States these remarks, Ia
order that matter OF So serious tenden-
cy may be Reconstructed. We have read
his Excellency'S Message ut the opening
of Congress, with the utmost concern !:
and have concluded that the political ST.
tua,ior OF this republic has been greatly
misrepr eseuted, in the U, States, through
the antiques OF our enemlcS' we nave
certainly a right 70 be heard, for which
purpose shall have the honor Oi forward
ing to your government the necessary do
Cumepts.
II YOU are not disposed to let things
remain IN StGta quo, until the Presidents
further determination be known, am au-
thorised to assure you that we espeCt and
esteem too hishly the people OF the Unit
Ell States to carry matters to extteml-
ties.
have the honor TO remain, with the
highest consideration, gentlemen, your
Gbed't and humete servant,
AURY,
Commander in Chief.
]. D. Henley, Esq. Captain in
the Navy, and commanding
the United States Naval for
ces OF Amelia-James Bank
head, Esq, Major of the LIST
i battalion Of arullery, United
States army, and command
ing Military forces.