The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1819-12-29

iAioSt aiNi VIC idIuCoiOii vi titS uSdt(
by Sraino the grantees, that those grants
were confirmed, or that either party OF
the compact had understood that they
would be, by the article as it Stood
You were therefore instructed, on ex-
changing the ratifcations, TO deliver dec
laration Of this construction, which it had
beenthe avuwed intertion oi both parties,
at the signature, that the eighth article
should bear, III relation TO the grants in
question, and the only one which the
United States would ever admit. Mr..
Onis, by his answer to my note oGthe 10Th
of March, unequivocally recognized that
such had been his understanding of the
import of the article when he signed it.
tie added, indeed, that if he had known
that the grants were OF prior date, he
should have insisted upon their Being con-
frmed. But, without remarkmg that his
ignorance of their dates could have no
possible eject to render valid that which
he had agreed and understood to he null
and void, it had escaped his recollection
that, in his nde to me Of the 10th oi No
vember, 1918, he had agreed that these
grants should al! be annulled. because ihcir
condition.. lad n0s been ! aJflled BY ihe
grantees.
The President of the United States
is yet willing TO accept OF the ratification
Of that treaty by Spain. 1t settles i'm
portant interests; il secures pacific and
harmonious relations with Spain it pro-
vides indemnities to many ofour citizens
fr injuries which Spain acknowledges
they have suffered from her and it gives
us Florida; land useless and expensive to
Spain, though, cliieey by IFS position,
vaiuable to US. But, icr all these advan-
tages we know that we have given in the
same treaty ample and generous cquiva.
lents to Spain; and she vii! find herself
much deceived If, in the hope Of making
hereafter better bargain, she now dis
dains them. To possess Florida, with
the FIJI and fair consent OF Span, is un-
donblctly an odIcct of interest to the A.
merican government; bot an Object of
infinitely deeper and dearer interest to
them is, to observe towards Spain, and
all Other nations, jus, ard single. hearted
course of conduct, free from fraud, ar.i-
fee, or disguise. And that which they
observe, they deinan,l in return. They
will neither themselves practice, nor from
others submit to, dIslngenous, double
dealing system OF treachery, pafering
with lis own engagements, and spreading
Sares foi the generons confidence Of
good f,ith.
You will therefore, on no consitlera.
ton, exchange the ratifica,ions without
delivering the declaration prescribed by
your Instructions, when yoo took charge
of the ueaty and YOU will not fail, if
the ratification be Withheld; to address
an earnest remonsrance to the Spanish
governmentagainst the grants themselves,
and the circumstances under which they
were issued.
The proposal Of Mr.. Onis's letter
to this department. OF 9Th Nov. 1918,
was as follows "I'hat the late grants
made by his majesty, in the Floridas,
since the Gath of January last, the date
of my first note announcing his majesty's
willingness to Cedc them to the United
States, (the said grants having been made
with view to- promote population, cul-
tiva,ion, and industry, and not with that
of alternating them, shsll be declared
null and void, in consideration Of the
grantees not having complied with the
essential conditions oil the ccssions, as
has been the fact"
And in his letter Of the 10th March,
referring to this proposal, he says, With
the lrankness ard good Faith which have
uniformly actuated my conduct, and
which distinguish the character Of the
Spanish nation, | have to declare to you,
sir, that, when proposed the revocation
of all the grants made subsequent to rho
date above mentioned, It was with the