Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1819-10-02

boisterous and complicated one, but
since the first arrangements were made,
great obstacles have occurred-On the
one hand, it is thought Spain has been
told that if she ceded the Floridas to one
power, she must cede Cuba to another;
whilst il is, on the other side, rumored,
that the United States find membranes
in the shape OF grants Of territory, which
were not anticipated. In the whole ne
gociation great degree OF finesse has
been used, but time will show which
party has been the dupe.-F erdinand's
government is well aware how much the
United States covet the Floridas, and he
will, If he can, impose conditions beyond
those OF neutrality. Spain failed IN her
negotiations at the congress to rouse
Europe against South America; she
will now endeavor TO sell, under the best
barg aims, part OF her western empire, In
order not to lose the whole: and we
shall be happy eventually to find, that
the foreign enlistment bill is not one of
the branches OF her crooked policy
Of this however she may be certain,
that If on such an exhibition of the at
fair as the president Will feel himself
compelled to make to congress, it should
appear that any undue influence has been
used to withhold the ratification, the po
pular cry will be to take the Floridas by
force, for immense sums have already
been laid out by individuals in land spe-
culations, and great preparations made
for settling there"
LONDON, JUNE %.
The Florida treaty passed the United
States senate about the Esd February,
and the ratification was to take place in
six months. MIR. Forsyth arrived i'll
Madrid about the 4th May, and up to the
10th inst. no progress had been made,
but fresh obstacles had arisen. Nothing,
however, authentic is known on the sub
ect of the difficulty, but on all sides it
is rumored that Spain will not be allow
ed to make single bargain, and a varie-
ty Of circumstances have led tAe public
mind towards Cuba.
The cabinet Of Madrid has long been
aware that the people of Cuba are de-
sirous Of separation from the govern
ment of Spain, and that nothing but the
fear ofan instruction among the negroes
has prevented the attempt.
On cursory view it may appear
great object for the British government
to obtain Cuba, colony that by good
administration would soon outstrip what
ST. Domingo once was under the French.
1t ought also not to be forgotten, that the
entire subsistence of the island depends
on external supplies, consequently a
maritime war must produce ruin, more
particularly between the United States
and the holder OF Cuba. Our govern
ment is certainly devising means to
check the rapid growth of the United
States, but the possession OF Cuba by us
would have a contrary effect.
The vast commerce that already flows
down the Mississippi, the immense tract
CT country rapidly settling on the" Mis-
souri,, &c. point out very distinctly to the
United States the necessity of making
Pensacola great maritime port, but
such necessity would be increased in
tenfold degree if Great Britain possessed
Havana. There is besides the bay of
Tampa, in the Floridas. The British
cabinet moreover must be aware that
any premature circumstances, more par
ticularly when accompanied by any
avowed spirit Of competition, which may
rouse into action the resources of the
American government, and the enter
prize of its citizens, must certainly ac-
celebrate the progress of that country in
natural strength.
Great Britain ought therefore to pom
der before she sacrifices her honor and
other more paramount interests. We
must not look to the moment. Spain is
clustering wherever she can be heard,
but the idea Of her holding sway over
Cuba, or of her long retaining in state
OF subsection the vast country stretching
on the Atlantic from Cape Horn to the
Floridas, and from the former to Cali
fornia, on the Pacific, without navy, is
preposterous. Her moral influence in
those regions is lost or fast subsiding,
and her physical influence is nearly bro
ken. She may, by Cessions of territory,
purchase suspense. but this can only
be temporary, as long as she cannot OBJ
tain active auXiliaries, and this Sic can
not do. The powers with whom she
treats may put high price on their ia
vors, but as far as Great Britain is con-
cerned, the advantages gained will be of
short duration, and the loss in commerce
and character irreparable.