Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-04-24

a bunda liant and irresistible evidence, the rights !
of the Spanish monarchy TO the territory in /
question:.
II such had been the facts, where would lie |
the pretence that the American ministers had |
suspended or given up the nego-
ciationS But Mr.. Cevallos produces no such |
titles. dates or documents; the only title ever
alleged ny him in support OF the pretensious OF
Spain was the title OF Ttfr0ceSsioa, applied 10 the
treaty DIST ildcphonso the only date was that
OF iGsJ. which he assigned as the period of the
first Spanish settlement at Texas, which date
was Ave years later than the settlement of La
Sale. at the head OF tie Bay of 81. Bernard !;
and the only documents were the dictatorial
aud mcnaciDg testimonials of the French mi
MISTER of foreign relations That oil the titles,
dates and documents riiem referred TO, were
Insufficient in tire estimation of your own 20.
vernnent to establish The rights which you
have claimed, is manifest from the efforts
which you have made 10 bring forward others,
and from the character of those 10 which You
have resorted, an unknown. and II is believes,
imaginary, treaty OF l76t. aud royal eXteruli-
mating order OF Philip the Second.
= perceive, S,i, mat the 20, ernnrttlt ofiiie
United states is not prepared either 10 re
,onnce any OF the claims v luch il has been so
long nrging upon the lHstlce OF Spain or To
acquiesce in any of those arguments which APP
pear 10 you so luminous aud irres siihle
Detrrnnued 10 pursue tie establishment or their
rights. rs long ss BY p"ssie, they he pursued
toneh ths paths eGcs. they have aclHesccd as lie
message OF the President at the commencement of tie
present session OF Congress has informed yoH in that
policy :" Span which has hitherto ryocrasiiua.ed the
EniVahlc adjustment OF tsase interests not from an IN
seisibilts to their Importance this Union norton
ans indifference "a the Object of heiig upon cordta
terms 81 harmony with SPAN b,it peraS.e pcare .
among thu dearest anu most olecis of their -
licl aud because they have consIrsred and still eohs
der II. 'nots eonsenai 10 The principles of Humanity
and 10 The permanent welfare of both nations, wait
~. the favorable operation of time upon the pre-
J9dices and passions opposed to them, than
20 the unnecessary agency Of force. Alter alapse of
tniiteen years OF patient furbearance in wary to The
moment VIXEN Spain should find it expedent To meet
their constant desire of bringing happy aud barno-
nous termination all tue conflicting Interests beiwcen
them, il Will seed little additional effort To wait sonr
WAX longer Win the same expectation The President
deems this course even more advisable, than that of
referring the questions depending between the to ma
tons Ia the afbtameut or mediation one or more
ienn!y european powers, 5slou have been authorized
10 propose. The statement in your OF the 10Th of
February IN reference to this subject, I altogether
correct. II is not the British government which on this
occasion has offered your government which with
ont III ST consulting asking the concurrence Of The u
States has requested The mediation Of Great eriian..
The Eritsh government, mns he well known TO YOU
have declined the offer Of bcr mediation unless il
should be requested by both parties and have cOmmu
mcateh TO The government of the United States This
overture, on the part of Spain. The President hiss
thought proper. from natives which he has no donht
will he deemed satisfactory both Srcat Briisn and
opah 20 aecne uniting in lhs request. He u.s. indeed.
iy persuaded, that, Notwithstanding any preposses.
sinns which The British governmcntmay have heretofore
e"tS'ahea VITA regard To any OF the points ~ contTo
ycrsy they would have been entirely discarded in assn
in1G the Office of mediator. But it has hitherto been
Tue poScy D0t OF Europe and OF the United States,
Keep ai0o from the fcderative system of each
other The European States combiHed 10 geher and
connected with one another by multitude OF important
interests aud relations, with which the United States
have no concern with which they have always na,est
ed che determination not TO interfere and of which ma
communication being made them by the governments
OF Europe, they have information cOnpttrn to epa
PIE them 60 estimate their extent aud bearings. The g.
states, IN justice To themselves, in Justice thai ar-
m"hy which they earnestly desire 10 cultivate with all
lbe powers of Europe, in justice that iundainenh
system ofpoicy which forhIds them from enterirg the
81 european politics, must decline scciiin2
OF aecedng To- The interference any other goucrunent
o. ior the settlement Of their differences with
But however diseouragng tie tenor and character of
yeur recent notes mas been 20 The hopes which the pro
misses ana professions oI your government had excited
that The tone for adjustment of ibese differences with
spain, herself had at length arrived the United States
whl not abandon the expectation, that more correct
views Of the subject will ultimately suggested to yonr
government, and they will Always be disposed to meet
taenI AZ the spirit Of Justice aud amity With reeardto
those paris of the province OF louisiana which have
heen incorporated within tile state Of that name il is
time that the scnssiom skonld cease Forninr mari ~
the territory OF sovereign and independent state this
Union, To DISPOSE Of them within the competency
81 me executive government OF the United States nor
Willie discussion be hereafter continued. But son
nave proposals TO make. which tits possible for the
.oVernnientof the United States listen with pros
pec OF bringing them TO any practicable conclusion
am authorized 10 receive Them aud conclude with
y"n treaty orthe adjustment all the differences
between the tso nations, upon terms which may be sa
With regard 70 The motives for the occupation ofAme
ia Island The messages rom the President ofthe United
states 10 Congress- and letter you of 6.h January
nave gwen the explanations which il is presumed will
ne satisfactory to your government The exposed and
eeb8 SITUATION OF that island. well THE remain
der OF asst Florida with their local position in The
nei9hberhaod Of The United States have always been
among the primary Inducements of lie unitsd States
Tor urging to Spain the expediency to the interests Of
h0'h nanons, that Spain should cede them for lust
ana suitable equivalent to the United States. In the
letter OF the 2sth OF January 1908, fIon Messrs Pick
h4y ahh honTne to Mr. CevnilOs, the following passage
sands roninent among the arguments by them 10
ihat erect 90 Shouid Spaia.' say they, not place
strong force in Florida will not escape yopr exeIIen
cy attention tbai will be much exposed to the dan
ger ofheins taken possession ofby some other bower
VINO might wish % hold it with very different views to-
wards Spaih than those which animate the government
o. Tue United States Without strong force being
mere Vt might even become asylum for Adventures
tiOns.' 80 ~
You know sir how far the events thus antcipated and
pointed ont early in Ian 1906 to the prudent fore
cast of Spain, have been realized. Pensacola has been
occupied by another power for the purpose of caryns
on war from il against the United States and Amelia
Island has been occupied by adventurers to the great
anno%ance OF both nations and Of all others engaged in
lawful commerce upon the Guf of Mexico. Before
these events occurred. the Congress of the United
States aware ofthe great and growing danger Of them
which had been long before distinctly fcreseeu bad
naae " me dniy Of the executive government, in The
case 81 such contingency to take the temporary nos
session OF The country which might be necessary to
ave the injuries that must result frop il. Amelia
Island was taken not from the possession OF Spain bnt
ct those from whom she had been equally Incapable
Keeping or OF recovering its possession, aud who
usiug 1t for purposes Incompatible with the laws of ma
tons and ofthe Un'ied States No purpose either of
taking or Of retaining II conquest from Spain has
ever been entertained and unless cedcd By Span 10
the United States il will be restored whenever the dan
ger OF ITS being agaih fhus occupied and isDsed snail
have ceased.
IL Is needless to add, that the proposal that The United
states should take any fnfher measures than those
al eadY provided by iag for preventing armarens hos
tile to spain within Tie territories of The Unit saes
IS inaduiissble. The measures ALREADY taken ard lie
laws already existiu. against Al hostile aTmanents
within onr Jurisdiction. incompatible win the oblios
tions OF neutrality, are sufficient or It's preserysion
and the necessary means viii continue 10 he med "a
they have BEEN To carry them faithfully into execnion
have the honor TO he wih greet consideraron sy
your obedieni and very humble servant 80
(Signedl JOHN QUlNCY ADAMS