Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-02-02

ulspute. IL Is the uSurpatl0u OF power,
the violation Of the constitution of the
u. States, the waging OF war against a
nation with which we were al peace, that
| consider as presenting the question
most interesting 10 the people OF the u.
States. What, sir, was the cautious and
delicate course pursued by the Executive
Magistrate of the u. States, al former
period of our history, Oh subject which
might involve the exercise of rights pro.
perry belonging 10 the Congress Of the
United States ! In Tie year 1893, the
government of the United States was en-
gagged ~ an Indian war. The British go
vernment had retained. contrary TO Tie
treaty oi 1888, the posts OF Detroit and
Mac'lnac. The governor ef Canada e.
rected military post 40 miles, within
Cur acknowledged limits at the Miami OF
the Lakes. From these several posts the
indians were regularly supplied with pro-
Visions and the munitions Of war. The
question whether our commander, Gen
Wayne, should possess and liuld-no,
the Two former posts, whichwere solennly
recognized as The properly Of the United
States, but the latter. on The Miami of
the lakes, winch had beer torinousiy
Tcrte'i. and III violation OF the principles OF
Iusi,re aud of law, Mas by the cahiaet
unanimously decided in the negative,
unless The taking OF Tins post became in
"i>PehSahie TO the opera ions OF the ar
nay. General Washington and Mr.. JEFF
iefsonwere members Il the cabinet. have
IN ny eye an honorable friend from Ohio,
from whom oli,anse'' this statement.
u Viii CORE CT me If am inaccurate
this, perhaps, may he considered as
case Of extreme de,icacv. Perhaps
should .nS self have decided differently.
II, hanover, ssews Nth What care and
circmmspcriiop the patriots and statesmen
OF former times avoided The exercise of
doubtful rights. How determined they
we're not TO uSurp powers which, bv the
cnus,IinliNn, lIad been vested IN the Cnu-
GresS OF The United States. We are adj
monished al the dellcacy of our situation
ia n,aainG This Investigation, in r ference
In Our existing negotiations aud diiferen-
ces with the Spanish government. Spain,
poor, Imbeci!e, miserable, and degraded,
aS she has been representative has
nothing 10 do with Investigations be-
tween the government of The United
States and our officers. Ii is not in ac-
'o:dance with her policy, nor in acquies-
cencc 10 her views or demands, that This
sn1uiry IS made. Spain has given 10 us
HE most abundant and iustitiable causes
at var. For one, whenever the question
otwarwiili Spain shall be consi;uiionalIy
submitted In me, shall he prepared 10
act efficiently on the subject But, sir.
what has been the situation of the CO.
rernnIent of The United States AT the
very eioment thai negociation was 60
ing ON at this place, under the sanction of
the President the United States, with
Mr. Don Onis, Gen. Jackson, al the head
ofan American army, was forcibly pos
So ssing himself oi the country, capturing
81 Marks, and Pensacola, entering at
The head of his victorious and conquering
army, the Bariancas ; making lie i'm
portant territorial addition to our repub-
i,c. ask II this conduct on The part Of
NE commanding general, in violation
81 his orders, WAS not calculated to
produce some embarrassment 10 tue Pre-
siden; of the United States? fit was not
calculated 10 produce some slight effect
IN the pending negotiation ? And, how,
sir, is this vioiation--this pros;ration of
The Spanish authorities in Florida, justi-
ned by thai extreme necessity laid
down by Vaitel-by the writers OIL natl
enal law NO, sir, II is justified by The
same principles. the same reasoning re-
sorted 10 by the British government 10
Justify Tie capture of The Danish fleet.
lie British government proclaimed TO
Inc world, iha, II was not from hostility
10 Denmark, but merely TO prevent the
fleet from falling into the hands of Bona
parie, OF The enemy OF Great Britain, that
she had taken possession of this fleet.
II was with ihe view 10 secure America
by establishing and maintaining Gordon
OF military posts, along the Gulf of Mex
leo, from foreign or Indian hostiIities. to
make an " Important territorial addition
10 our republic" that General Jackson
made ms conquests in Florida. The cap
ture OF Si.Iiarks is as unjustifiable as tie
conquest already referred 10. The com
WaHNaht OF that post made every submis
sioh, rendered every thing which ii was
~ MS power, 10 offer, short of committing
reason against Ills government. To &C.
IeFai JACKSON he gave solemn pledge
iiiai lie womb avail himself ofth earliest
opportunity 10 obtain permission from
Inc competent authority 10 surrender The
post IN The mean time, he proposed TO
the General la station corps of his
troops, Ia the vicinity Of lie post, TO co.
operate, u necessary III lis defence az aiust
lie indians aud negroes. This PROPOSE
ion was spurDed. ST Marks furnished a
convenient depot. Another principle OF
he la" ct nations, has been relied on Ia
furnish the apology or justification for
These conquesis. Waited, pa. 4i3, speaking
of neutral nations, lays II down that they
are MOTTO afford retreat 10 troops, that
they may again attack their enemies. !"
Ihis doctrine certainly does not apply
10 flying, scattered, broken, beaten enc
my-tiJing from death aud destruction,
Oui, ioaD enemy reireatiDg with The view
To recommence the attack. Let gentle
men beware thai they do not push this
doclrIDe too far. How many unfortunate
Ircnchnlen have been compelled 10 hy
from The certain destruction which await