Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1818-09-08

islstead of vast sea extending nearly
iBelve hundred miles inWards from the
Allantic ocean. Now the coast Of this
Gull, adjoining to the provinces Of the
Uasited States, consists Of the provinces
Of The Eloridas, which commence with
TIE Gull upon the Atlantic, and co-extend
with it from east to west, till it reaches the
isthmus Of Darien at its western extrem-
ity. The Gulf then flows along the 18TH.
mus Of Darien, about hundred or more
miles, after which commences the Mexican
empire, being the coast opposite TO the
Fioridas.
+ Even from this brief description, two
points are sufficiently evident. In the
first place, the value Of the floridas to
ihe United States; and secondly, their
Importance to Spain. 10 the United
States they will at once afford natural
h4slndary, and long line Of sea coast and
layisable harbours, where they are most
wanted. 10 the royal government OF
Spain, the value Of the Floridas is, per-
laps, still greater, it is q barrier, so iong
al it continues, between Spanish South
America and the United States, and OPP
poses such long and wide space OF wood
aud ,.nc.l!tiyateA land, as eiIectnally 10
prevent the dangerous intercourse be
tween the subjects Of despotic monar-
cby and the free people OF the United
States. 1t is, in this sense, the best de-
fence of Spanish America, and the
Strongest security Of Mexico. The
possession Of il BY the United States, will
bling that active people Immediately into
contact with this feeble empire and the
americans, having such a prize at their
feet, and with such occasions for Selling
IL, will readily avail themselves of it.
re we add to these reasons the present
actual situation of the Spanish American
provinces, it will be unnecessary TO add
any further expiration, why the royal
government of Spain should put SO high
avalue on the uncultivated deserts of the
Eoridas.
g Such, therefore, have been the actual
y reasons which have induced the American
government 10 the present act of seizure
and capture. The pretexts are, indeed.
very different, but are of no farther Gu
riosity than as matters of future history
We have no doubt but that manifesto
viii be shortly published, 10 which the
american government will assert its right
q maintaining its own peace and good or
{ der-and, to that end, its obligation tC
seize the province Of government, whose
notorious imbecility and insufficiency
we're rendering those seas and islands the
refuge Of pirates and outlaws---a principlt
hich is not without foundation, if it were
lhe actual motive, and the only remedy
o confess the truth, however, we are 81
l5ttle satisfied with the government o
ferdinand, and are so thoroughly per
suaded that the Floridas will flourish IN
ser the United States, that we almost wisi
10 see the Americans produce sufficien
classification for their possession of them
But without this sufficient justificatio n
However we might wish for the event it
sell, we cannot persuade ourselves to ap
Drove it; for it is with nations as with in
Hividuals-that what begins in i'll, canno
Ierminate in good This not only seem
70 be, but actually is the law of God il
the government Of the world; and 10 ma
tion ever violated the law by which hu
man society is held together, without re
i paying, either in the object itself, or iron
ysome other interest, a triple retributio
FLOR all that it seemed to gain. IfAmeric
has sufficient cause, she has our bes
wishes if not, we are SO sincerely at
tached to her wise, her simple, and he
moderate government, that we must wis
ii her to fail in all attempts in which sh
could only succeed to an eventually great
er loss, and upon this very intelligibI
principle, it is better 10 fail than +
succeed in bad action"