Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1818-01-27

ton OF AUria Island
To the Senate and House of Representatives
offhe Unifed Stofes.
have the satisfaction to inform Congress
that the establishment at Amelia lslasld has
been suppressed, and without the effeslon
of blood. The papers which explain this
transaction, now lay before Congress
BY the suppression Of this establishment
and Of that at Galyezton, which will soon
follow. if Ii has DOT already ceased TO exist,
there is good cause to beleve that the COM
summation of a project, fIaught with much
injury TO the United States, has been pre-
vented. When we consider the persons
engaged in it, being adyenturers from diff
ferent countries, with very few ifany, OF
the native Inhabitants oflhe Spanish colo
nies--,he territory on which the establish
ments were made--one. on a portion OF
that claimed by the Uniled States, es,westward
OF the Mississippi, the other, on part OF
East Florida, province IN negotiation be-
tween the United States and Spain--the
claim Of the leader. as announced by his
proclamation, in taking possession OF Anne
liza Island, comprising the whole OF both the
Tlordas, without excepting that part OF
West Florida which is incorporated into the
State OF Louisiana--their conduct while IN
possession Of the island. making it instru-
mental to every species of. .conlraband, and
in regard to slaves of the most odlous and
d,ngerons character, il may fairly be con-
Cluded that il the enterprise had succeeded
on the scale on which il was formed, much
annoyance and injury would have resulted
from it TO The United States.
Other circumstances were tboughtto
be no less deserving of attention The in
stitution Of government by foreign adven-
turers in the Island, distinct from the coll
onisl government of Buenos Ayres, Vene-
zuela, or Mexico, pretending to sovereign
~, and exercising its highest Offices parsic-
aiarly in granting commissions 10 priva-
teers, were acts which could not fail TO draw
After them the most serious consequences.
Itwas the duty OF the Executive, either TO
extend 10 this establishment all the advan-
tages Of the neutrality, which the United
States had proclaimed, and have observed,
in favour Of the colonies Of Spain, who by
the strength oftheir own population andre
sources, had declared their independence,
and were affording strong proof of their a.
bility 10 maintain it, or TO make the dlscrim-
instion which circumstances required Had
the first course been pursued, we should not
only have sanctioned all the unlawful claims
and practices of,his pretended government
in re gard to the United States, but have
countenanced system of privateering in
the Gulf Of Mexico, and elsewhere, the i'll
effects OF which might, and probably would
have been deeply and very extensively felt.
The path oil duty was plain from the COM
mencement bnt it was painful TO enter
upon il while the obligation could be resist.
ed The law Of 1911, lately published ,and
which il is, therefore, proper now TO men
tion, was considered applicable TO the case,
from The moment that the proclamation of
the chief of the enterprise was seen, and its
obligation was daily increased by other con-
siderations of high importance, already
mentioned, which were deemed sufficient
y strong in themselves to dictate the course
which had been pursued.
Early intimations having been received
Il the dangerous purposes OF these adven-
urers, timely precautions were taken, bv
he establishment ofa force near the ST.
Mary 's,to prevent their effect, or il is psob-
ble that would have been more sensibly
eli.
To such establishments made so near 10
ur settlements, in the expectation of de-
wing aid from them, il is particularly graf
tying to find, that very little encourage
nent was given.
The example SO conspicuously displayed
y our fellow citizens, that their sym9a-
HES, canno, be perverted to improper pur-
roses. but that q love of country, the infiu-
nee of moral principles, and respect for
he laws, are predominant with them, is a
ure pledge, that all tI.e very flatterng an
which have been formed Of
uccess Of our Institutions, will be rsaij.,sd
This example, has proved, that II ovr r.l.-
ions with foreign powers, are to ,oe chan..
d, II mus: he done by The constituted 90
holilies who, alone, acting on hioa r.
are competep.. to the ournoss
nd until such change is thus made. ,ha,
'ur fellow citizens, will respect the ex;ss
ng relations, by faithful adherence. IN, ,h1
avs which secure them,
Nshesing that this enterprise, tho,Ises