Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1819-02-23

{ more abused The Spanish commander
intimated his willingness that the Ameri-
J team army should take post near him, uu-
: It'll he could have instructions from his
superior officer, and promised TO maintain,
in the mean time, the most friendly rela-
tons. No. st. Marks was convenient
Ipost for the American army, and delay
was inadmissible. He had always UNDER
stood thas the Indians but rarely take or
defend fortresses, because they are un-
skilled IN the modes of attack and de-
fence. The threat, therefore, On their
part, to seize on ST. Marks must have
been empty, and would probably have
been impracticable. At all events, when
Gen. jackson arrived there, no dagger
any longer threatened the Spauiards from
the miserable fugitive Indians, who fed
Oh all sides upon his approach. And, sir,
upon what plea is this violation of ORDERS
and this act of war upon foreign power,
attempted to be justified ? Upon the
grounds Of the conyeniency of the depot
and the Indian threat. The first ne would
mot seriously examine and expose. If the
Spanish character of The fort had been tcs
tally merged 10 the Indian character, it
might have been UNSUITABLE to seize it.
Blu. that was not the fact, and the bare
possibility of its being forcibly taken BY
thr Indians could not justify eur antici@
eating their blow. OF all the odious
transactions which occurred during the
late war between France and England,
lDone was more condemned in Europe and
Pin this country than her seizure of the
feet of Denmark at Copenhagen. Aud
he lameHted to be obliged TO notice The
analogy which existed in the defences of
the two cases. If his recollection did not
deceive him, Bonaparte had passed the
Rhine and the Alps, had conquered Italy,
the Netherlands, Holland, Hanover, Luz
bee, and Hamburg, snd extended his eul-
pire as far as Altoona on the side of Dem
mark. A few days march would have
carried him through Holstein, over the
we Belts, through Eunen aud into the
Island of Zealand. What then was the
conduct of England 1t was my LOT to
fall into conversation with 40 intelligent
Euglishman on this subject. We knew
sgaid hey that we were fighting for our exc
Silence. 1t was absolutely necessary
Dat we should preserve the command Of
The seas. If the fleet of Denmark fell
into the enemy's hands, ,csa,bined wi.h
his other feet, that command might
be rendered doubtful. Denmark had only
La nominal independence. She was, Ia
, ruth, subject TO his sway. We said to
J IiEeF, give us yOnr fleet; Il will Otherwise
be taken possession of by your secret aud
our open enemy. We will preserve If,
and restore it to you whenever the danger
shall be over. Denmark refused. Coz
Ipenhagen was bombarded, galiantry de.
Tended, but the fleet was seized. Every
where the conduct of England was cen
sured; and the name even of the negocia-
tor who was employed by her, and who
was subsequently the Minister near this
government. was scarcely ever pronounc.
ed here without coupling with it an epi-
tibet indicating his participation in the
ldisgraceful transaction. Aud yet we are
going to sanction acts of violence, COM
mitted by ourselves, which but two much
resembles il! What an important differ
ence, too, between the relative condition
of England and of this country She
Iperhaps was struggling for her existence.
She was combating, single-handed, the
most enormous military power that the
world has ever known. Who were We
contending with With few half-staryed.
half clothed, wretched Indians and fugi.
tive slaves. And, whilst carrying on this
Eingloriois war--ingiorious as it regards
the laurels orrenown won 10 tive VIC.
late neutral rights, which the government
had; solemnly pledged itself to respect,
upon the principle of convenience, or up-
on the light presumption that, by possibil.
ity, post might be taken by this misera-
{ BILE combination Of Indians aud slaves.
| On the 9Th of April, the General writes
from ST. Marks, that he shall march for
the Suwaney river; the destroying of the
establishments on which will, in his opin-
lion, bring the war to close. According
/ ly. having effected that object, he writes,
on the Goth of April, that he believes he
may say the war is at an end for the pre-
, sent. He repeats the same opinion 10 his
letter to the Secretary of War, written
six days after. The war being thus end
! ed, it might have been hoped that no fur
Their hostiities would have been commit
ted. But, on the Esd of May, on bis
way home, he receives letter from the
commandant Of Pensacola, intimating his
surprise at the invasion of the Spanish
Territory, and the acts of hostility per-
formed by the american army, and his
determination, il persisted in, to employ
force TO repel them. Let us pause and
examine this proceeding of the Governor.
so very hostile and affrontive in the view
4 q -. 4