Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-02-20
accept the assurance Of Lis distinguished
consideration.
Washington, Dec. 81, ISIS.
No.

| Nos.
Mr.. adams 10 J5r. De Forest.
Ddrid G. De Forest, Esqk
! MIR. Adams presents his compliments
10 MIR. De Forest, and in reference 10
the case Of the schooner brought into
I, Sciiuate, mentioned in Mr. De Forests
communication OF the 9il, instant, as
well Us several others which have oc-
Cured oi "A, similar character, requests
him Ia lave The goodness 10 impress up
Old The government of II. Ayres the neces-
! SHY oil taking measures TO rcpress the
excuses and irres plarliies committed by
man, armed vessels sailing ,under their flag
aud bearing their commissions. The
government of tie United States have
reasnu TO bclieve that many of these yes
sells have been fitted oni, armed. equip
| ped, and manned, IN the ports OF the
| United States, and IN direct violation Of
| their laws.
O! the persons composing the prize
crew oil the vessel at Scituate, and now
III confinement upon charges of murder
! AMI piracy, IL is understood that three
are British subjects, and one IA citizen oil
the United States. is known that com
missions for private armed vessels, 10 be
htted out, armed and manned IN this
country, have been sent from Buenos
Ayres 10 the United States, will, the
| names OF the vessels, commanders and
officers in blank, 10 he filled up. here
| ana have been offered 10 the avidity OF
spectators, stimulated more by the thirst
for plumber, than by any regard for the
South American cause.
OF such vessels, it is obvious that nei-
ther the captains, officers nor crews, can
have any permanent connexion with Blu
enos Ayrrs and, from the characters of
| those alone who could be induced 10 en-
gage in such enterprises, there is ito
much reason to expect acts OF atrocity,
such as those alleged against The per-
| sons implicated III the case Of the vessel
| al Sci,uaie.
The President wishes TO believe that
| this practice has been without the prlviiy
| of the government OF Buenos Ayres, and
| he wishes their attention may be drawn
| TO the sentiment, that il is incompatible,
both with the rights aud with the obliga-
| tons of The United States-with their
| rights, as an offensive exercise of soye-
reign authority by foreigners, within
| their jurisdiction, and without their con-
| sent-with their Obligations, as involving
| IA violation OF the neutrality which they
have invariably avowed, and which it is
| their determination 10 maintain. The
| President expects from the friendly dis
position manifested by tbs Supreme Di-
rector towards the u. States, that no in
stance of this cause of complaint will
hereafter be given.
| MIR. Adams requests MIR. De Forest TO
accept the renewed assurances of his
distinguished consideration.
Washington, Jan. Isl. 1919.
No. O..
| Sir 1t is not my intention to give auy unne
| cessary trouble TO the Department of State;
Int, having had the honor of receiving two
notes from Mr.. Secretary Adar,s oil the 4tl
inst dated Dec. 81 and January LIST, some ex-
| PLANTATION appears TO be necessary.
In the firstplace, do mol suppose ''that any
| privileges which may lie attached 10 the con-
sHlar character can avail ia the Judicial tribI-
nails of this country, to influence, in any manner,
the administration ofjustice." But suppose
that consul, duly accredited, is ex officio the
legal representative of his fellow citizens, not
otherwise represented by an express power
And that the tribunals OF Justice do and will
admit the legality of such representation. Mr..
Adams has misunderstood me in another OBJ
servation which was, in substance, that there
was general opinion prevailing at Buenos
| Ayres. that the power first recognizing onr
| Independence would expect some extraordina-
| ry privilege or advantage therefor; and that,
| in my opinion, the government of b. Ayres
| would readily grant il if demanded know
nothing, however, of any resolution having
been passed on this subject by the Congress at
| Iucnman.
| Itappears, from the relation ola fact inMr.
| Adams's note of the 3ist utimO, that the gov
| eminent Of Buenos Ayres had minated
| desire lin the course OF Il negotiation with an
agent of the United States 10 reserve The right
| ofgranting more extraordinary privileges 10
spain, on the settlement of general peace,
! which must appear 10 every one contrary TO
| their inclination as well as interest and il can
| he accounted for only by suppoSing, that the
proposition of the y. s.. agent was merely of
| tenporarynat and did not extend TO an
! acknowledgement oy the United States, of the
| independence of South America; which act,
! am confident, would have rendered such reser-
! WALTON altogether unnecessary in the opinion
} oiihe government Of Buenos Ayres, who must
! nave seen that they were treating with an
unauthorized person, and must have thOnght il
| good policy at this time to suggest snch an idea
| Indeed, were the government of Buenos Ayres
10 pursue that course. they might plead the
] example OF aneig boring power, acknowledge
| 10 be Independent by the United States and
| ITS Chief both ilustrious and legitimate. Ii is
| we'll known thatfh he government of Brazil taxes
| the commerce or the United States about 60
| per cent. higher than that ct Great Britain. 1t
| may be that Great Britain is entitled to this
preference, OH account of important services
| rendered by her TO the king OF Portugal; and
| permit me 10 ask you, sir, what services conld
| he rendered by any nation Already in existence,
so great as would he the Acknowledgement by
| Great Britain. or by the United States, of the
I Independence ofSouth America, Snch recog-
milton, merely; By either OF these powers, would
| probably have the immediate effect of putting
| an end TO the cruel and destructive war now
| raging between Spain and South America, and
| crown with never fading Iaurels the nation thus
first usingits influence in favor of an oppressed
| but hig h minded people.
The account given by Mr.. Adams, in lis note
OF The LIST inst. respecting the irregular conduct
| OF vessels sailing under the Buenos AyreS flag,
! has caused me much modification, and lIas
| already been transmitted TO my government
| by the Plat'sburgh as. also, copy Of MIR.
| Adams's frank aud friendly communication of
the 3lsi ult. The supreme director will Ger.
tanly be DESTROYS TO adept The most prompt