Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-01-17

colonial governments OF Buenos Ayres,
Venezuela, or Mexico, pretending Ia
Sovereignty, aud exercising its highest
Offices, particularly in granting commis-
siouS 10 privateers, " ere acts which could
not fail TO draw after them the most Sc
Iious consequences. II was the duty of
the Executive, either TO extend 10 this
establishment all the advantages of that
neutrality. which the United States had
proclaimed, and have observed, in favor
Of the colonies OF Spain, who, by The
strength OF their OWN population and re-
sources, had declared their independence,
aud were aHordims strong proof of their
ability 10 maintain IL, or 10 make the
discrimination which circumstances re-
CURED. Had The first course been pur-
sued, we should moi only have sanctioned
all the unlawful claims and practices of
This pretended government, in regard TO
the United States, but have counlenanc-
Ell "a system of priyateerng in the Gulf
of Mexico, and elsewh here, The i'll effects
ofwhich might. and probably would, have
been deeply and very extensively felt.
The path OF duty was plain from tile COM
mencement but II Was painful TO enter
upon il while the obligation could be re-
sisted. The law of 1911. lately published,
and which IT is, therefore, proper now 10
mention, was considered applicable To tie
case from the moment that the procla-
nation OF the chief of the enterprise was
seen, and lis obligation was daily iIcrcas-
ed by other considerations of high impor-
lance, already mentioned, which were
deemed sufficiently strong in themselves
10 dictate The course which has been PR
sued.
Early limitations having been receiy-
CT afthe dangerous purposes ofiliese adj
venturcrs, Timely precautions were taken.
by the establishment of force near The
st. hlary's, 10 prevent their effect, or il
IS probable that il would have been more
Sensiby felt.
To such establishment, made so near
10 our settlements, in the expectation
of deriving aid froh Them, it is particn-
larly gratifying to tind, that very little ell
conrageneni was given. The example
so conspicuousiy displayed by our fellow
citizens, that their sympa'iles cannot he
perverted to improper purposes, but that
d love of country, the influence of moral
principles, and respect for the laws, are
predominant with them, is sure pledge.
thai all the very hattering anticipations
winch have been formed of the success of
our institutions, will be realized fihis ex-
ample has proved, that If our relations
with foreign powers are 10 be changed. it
must be done by the constituted authors
ties, Who, alone, aciIng ona high response
billty, are competent 10 the purpose, and.
until such changers thus made, that our
fellow citizens willrespect the existing re-
lations, by faithful adherence TO the
laws which secure them.
Believing that this enterprise, though
undertaken by persons, some of whom
may have held commissions from some of
the colonies, was authorized by, and UNI
known to the colonial governments, full
confidence Is entertained that il will be
disclaimed by them, and that ettectual
measures will be taken, TO prevent the
abuse of their authority, i'll all cases, to the
injury OF the u. States.
For these InInries, especially those pro-
ceeding from Amelia Island, Spain would
be responsible, If ii was not manifest, that
although committed III the latter instance,
through her territory, she was utterly
unable TO prevent them. Her territory
however ought moi TO be made instrument
tai, though her inability 10 defend il, to
purposes so injurious TO the u. States
To country, over which she fails TO
MAINTAIN her authority, and which she
permits to be converted to the annoy-
ance of her neiehbors, her jurisdiction for
tile time necessarily ceases 10 exist. The
territory of Spain will nevertheless be
respected, so far as IT may be done, con-
sistenlly with the essential interests and
safety of the United States. In eXpeling
these adventures from these posts, ii was
not intended to make any conquest from
Spain, or TO Injure III any degree the
cause of her colonies. Care will be taken
that no part of tie territory contemplat-
ed by the law of 1911, shall be occupied
by foreign government of any kind, or
that injuries of the nature Of those COM
planned of shall be repeated; but this tits
expected will be provided for, with every
other interest, i'll spirit Of amity, III the
negotiation nov depending with the go
vernment of Spain.
JAS. MONROE.
III is impossible 10 obtain copies of the
Documents accompanying the Message.
in fine to present them TO our readers
to-day. The papers composing this bud
get, are, letters from Capt j. ID. Hen
ley and Major Bankhead, announcing the
occupation of Amelia, and The manner ct
il i; letters from the Department of War,
to Col. Bankhead, aud from the Navy
Department to Capt. Elton and Capt.
Henley, &c. The Documents, il posi-
bic, shall be published ID our next
Nat Int.
INDIAN WAR.
Extract of letter from an Officer Of the
Army to memberof Congress, dated Fort
Hawkins, Dec. 90. 1917.
shall set out tomorrow or next day
for Fort Scott, TO join The first brigade
now assembled AT HAT post. The mili-
Tia, consisting of one regiment of infantry
and twotroops of cavalry, amounting i'll
| the whole TO about 700 men, under the
-