Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-12-31
From the National Istetigeacer.l
OUR RELATIONS WITH SPAIN

49,. 'n]sNl.> fh5NbnfIItD ~ ffDNCREyy.
ne mass OF documents TRANSMITTED TO
Congress concerning our Relations with
, SPAN, have been found too voluminous
Tor publication an ertenso. II would in
deed be vain 10 attempt it, Without ex-
GLIDING from our columns every thing
else, Tor a week or Two.
We shall publish at large, therefore,
those only which shcw the result of the
correspondence, ccnicnting ourselves
with AN abstract Of the preceding ones.
The first document, in the order of
dates, Is long letter iron, Don Luis De
onls 10 the Secretary Of State. dated the
23d March. 1878, in reply 70 Mir. Secreta-
~ Adans's letter Of The 10Th of the same
month, Which was laid before Congress
III the last session. In this paper The ar
gnmenis at The Secretary Of State are re
viewed and replied to: aud the letter
concludes as follows:
As tile partial Gazeites tlirougiinut
lie Union unfortunately eudeayor Ia seat
yer the seeds OF luminosity i'm the minds Of
uhS,idrded persons, or such as are unin-
formed on the points embraced by the
uifterenccs pending and, as the Congress
has requested information of the presi-
dent on the present state Of those differ
ences, who has Laid before The House of
Representatives The official correspon-
dence on these subjects both here and al
Madrid, II wonld be desirable tha, his ex-
ceilency would be pleased also To Law ihe
present mole before Congress, as il forms
parf, and is The complement of that
correspondence, and presents The most
unquesilonable view of the anlica Bile dis
positions OF Spain, and of the determine
ton OF his Catholic Majesty 10 omit moth
my 10 meet The just wishes and hopes OF
The United States. therefore hope that
The President will be pleased 10 direct This
measure, aud that you will contribute 10
lis adoption.
In The mean time, it is my most ear
nest wish that you may suggest Just
mode hy which we may be enabled TO
approach the necessary basis for the SET
Element oil all the differences pending. bv
removing The principal difficulties which
have hitherto ohstrucied our progress;
as i-siiall, Notwithstanding The deficiency
OF my powers and instructions, with The
greatest pleasure, take ii into due consi-
deraiIon, without waiting for new orders
from my sovereign. You must be aware.
sir, that those ann already furnished with
cannot extend 10 the case presented bv
the proposals contained in vour note of
The 10th January, since Spain never i'm
agined that the Rio Colorado, hitherto
spoken OF by The minister Of this repub-
lie, could be any other than That of Naich-a
i'ochez; and did not even think YOU
meant 10 speak OF any other in your mole.
uniii was more exactly informed nv Won,
ne river which YOU wished 10 designate
being known by lie uane of San Marcos,
or de las Canas. This circumstance.
taken IN connection with The other res
peciing the cession of the Floridas with
out any equivalent or ratribu,ion what
ever, produces an iUfini'e difference in
the view TO he taken Of iIle first proposals
made on the part of your government TO
that OF his Catholic Majesty and am
unable TO siipuiaIe such sacrifices, ON
points OF such magnitude, until have
previously consulted my court and re.
ceived orders and instructions ADAPTED TO
the purpose. Hence find myself under
the necessity of dispatcI,ng messenger
10 Madrid, with all possible expedition.
But, TO prevent the loss of time in The
mean while, this need not prevent our
continuing the negotiation, and employ
ing every proper means to bring tito
conclusion, on principles Of common JUS
flee and reciprocal convenience. TO the
satisfaction of both governments. To
attain this, conceive, it will not be diff
cult, provided We confine ourselves 10 The
essential objects OF tile dispute, and hon
orably reject whatever has no important
conneXIon with IT, nor can contribute 10
the end in view
Halter myself, sir, that both you and
your government will proceed under The
influence OF similar sentiments. Rcpos-
ing III llifs hope, ] renew to YOU the asSIir-
ances oi my distinguished esteem apt!
respect. God preserve you many years"
&c.
The next letter, being of no grea,
length, and presenting lie views Of the
Spanish government in respect 20 the In
diaus III Florida, and the obligations of
her treaty siIpuiaiIons respecting them,
we publish entire:
lTRANsLATIoN.l
Dan LRis de OpiS 10 the Secretary If ,Sigle.
S1R-in lie Presidents message, trans
mllcd 10 Congress on Tie 25ll instant,
on The state Of tie present war with the
Seminole Indians, il is declared by his ex
cellency, that tie greater number OF those
Indians inhabit within The limits Of Flori-
da, and that Spain vas consequently
bound to restrain iIIem and prevent their
committing hOstiIiiies against Tie United
States bnl that il is painful 10 observe
illai Size has failed 10 fulfil this obligation
that II is YET unknown whether The Span-
ish government las attempted TO fulfil il,
agreeably TO tlie stipulation of lis treaty
With this republic; iiiai, his Catholic Ma
Iesiy not having kept up suliirieni force
IN Florida 10 restrain those Indians, tho
United States bad fair right 10 enter tie
territory OF THAT Spanish province viii as
| armed force, in order 10 chasiise iIirm :;
which will be effected, showing due res
| pect 10 the Spanish authorities where they
may eXisi, and evacaatiug the province
as 8 OH as the object Of Tie war aud the
entry into the Spanish territory shall be
i