Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-12-23

oNd'es, having beeh prepared 10 expect
the possibility of a failure OH the part of
Spain to ratiiy the convention of the 22d
OF February last, by the extraordinary
delay TO decide upon this subject, and the
determination of the King further 10 post.
pone that decision. as communicated in
the note of MIR. Salmon 10 me, of the 10Th
OF June, having instructed me, should
the final decision on II by the King not
he made prior TO this time, 10 inform the
government of His Catholic Majesty,
that. although the six months stipulated
IN In Or ATTY, within which the ratiiica-
Tons we're 1" be exchanged, have expired
that tn ratification O! Spain, made with
the eXplicii understanding that the large
grants Of land in Florida 10 the Duke of
Alagon, The Coun, of Punon Ros,ro, and
Mr Vargas, and ali Others made under
similar cir umstances, are, by the eighth
article ot that convention, null and void,
and will be so held by h iUniied States,
VIII he accepted as valid ; and, | am
authorized 10 receive III Spanish rallti-
cation for that of the United States:
provided, This exchange shall be immedi
ate. This exchange must take place
soon enough 10 enable me To send The
ralitlei treaty TO the United States by
Captain Read, of the s!oop Of war Hor
VINO will remain in Madrid ten DAYS to
carry 10 The p,esiien, the final detcrml-
nation ~ Spain on this important SUD
jet. Having received from your excel
lentN> predecessors III office no expla-
nation OF the particular causes of the
clay that has taken pla, c, II is In MY
power only 10 explaiD the reasons which
induce the government of the u. States
10 insist upon an explicit understanding
OF The force and obligation of The S,h ar
,!cie OF the treaty, prior to the exchange
| o' ralihcaiiOns al understanding which
VIII be fully shewn by declaration am
instructed 10 present al the lime Of the
exchange, should il ever take place. a
| copy OF which is enclosed Ii was ru-
| incurred III the Unilrd States, and, since
my residence III Madrid, have been
informed that the large grantees declare
| INA, Their grants are valid under the Sth
| article. II has been asserted, with The
| strongest appearances of truth, that the
determination OF the government of the
United States 10 hold them void, as ex
pressed III the letter OF Mr.. Adams, the
Secretary of Stale, 10 e'r Onis, of The
iOlh Of March, 1919, has been one of the
cilei canses of the extraordinary delay
10 decide upon the ratification of the
ry To the honor and the interest of the
| United States, whose conduct TO Spain,
aud to all nations, is governed by frank
ness and Justice, free from fraud, arlifice,
and disguise, which they will mover
| practice, nor from others submit to a
| dlsingenuous double dealing system of
'reachery, Paitcring with its own engage.
menIs, ami spreading snares for the
| gen rouS confidence of good faith, TO
place this subject beyond The reach of
difficulty or doubt. Without knowing.
| therefore, the dates of the respective
grants alluded 10, and surprising II bare
ly possible that there is foundation for
preiensIon of the grantees under the
Sth article. tin government directs me TO
present HE declaration in question:, moi
less essential 10 It's own interest than TO
ne honor OF the King Of Spain, since His
Majesty woull he subjected 10 the most
unworthy impu,atIens, il, under the cir.
cumstances. Il lain should he made by
Ills subjects, or those holding under them.
ioun ted upon the alleged validity ofthese
grants.
To suppose that your exceIIency is moi
IN possession Of all.ihe facts IN relation TO
IBIS subject, would he reflection on the
y al and fidelity of The representative of
spain III the Unlird States, which [ would
De unwilling 10 cast upon anv officer
OF Ills Majes1ys government. tIo not, ,
therefore, send you copies of q ose doe
umcnts. which shew explicitly that, prior
ana subsequent 10 Tie signature OF ;he
treaty u was expressly understood by the
nrsoc aiors of that instrument, that the
9Th article, written by the Spanish Min
lister himself, excluded these grants. In
fact, when the lands of Florida were
coded, with an express stipulation thai
The claims OF the citizens of the United
Slates upon Spain were TO be paid ont
OF the proceeds Of the sale of them.
to suppose that the Spanish government
hal disposed OF the whole, or the great
er part OF them, in gifts 10 lis subjects,
and will insist upon Tie validity of those
glilS, Is to suppose IL capable Of an act
Of notorious and deliberate perfidy.-
ne government oi my country consid
cred that the treaty became, from the
MON nj OF lis signature by The Cheya-
ller de Onis, aud tie ratification OF the
United States, as binding upon the honor
and good faith OF Iie Spanish King and
nation, az il would be after the rapifica-
ton. Although do not understand
that this position is, or will be contested
by Spain, II may not be useless TO sbey
lis strength fully 10 The view of YOUR
eXcellency. The words of lis Catholic
Majesty, IN The full power given To Mr..
Onis, lie original of which was delivered
10 ibr American government before The
signature Of the treaty. are, after author
Izing MIR. Onis TO treat, negotiate, aud
conclude, treaty, whereby past differ
ences may be adjusted, aud a firm and
lasting peace established between the Two
governments, Obligandonas prone
lemos en le y palabara de Rev que ap-
probdremos, ralIlicaremOs, cumplire-
mos, partmos obseryary cunplir invio-
idblemcnIF quantO por vos lucre esiipu-
lddo firmado para 10 quail os concedo
tOdas las ldcujades V plruos poderss en-