Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-08-27

The SECRETARY OF sfATE ieit w @ei'"e
ton on Tuesday last, on visit to his vene-
rabIe father and native state.
From the National htetligencer, .4ug. Is.
+. The possibility of failure on the part
Of Spain, TO ratify the pending Treaty has
given rise to many speculations in the pub
lie prints. We have been surprised at the
number of those whose language would
induce US TO suppose they would consider
a refusal to ratify the treaty as a signal for
WAR against that nation.
With such as advocate this course, the
Richmond Enquirer, in the following re-
marks, has taken the ground of caution
in our opinion, that of wisdom:
els it not premature to discuss the ques-
ton at this moment? Is there not more
doubt about the matter than these papers
express {? We think it probable that
Spain will ratify the treaty ; tho Great
Britain will try to defeat it by all the Sc
cret Vaccinations in her power. Should
the treaty, however, fall to the ground,
we must then look into all the carcum-
stances of the case, and learn svhat are
the rights ahich the iau Of nations may
devoive upon as under those peculiar cir
cumstances. War may ultimately grow
out of it; because rejection VIII not
TAIL to excite an indignant and untriendly
sentiment la the bosoms of our country
men against Spain. BH is it right tor us
at once to use force, to rash into rear !
Are we so certain OF it, that we will not
calmly review the question before US :!
As to the Vaccinations of Great Britain
to defeat the Treaty, though such exertions
may have beer made, we know OF no O.
Their foundation for imputing them to her
than conjecture merely. We believe the
most important Vaccinations on this head
are those of the more recent grantees OF
Spain, whose grants are made void by the
article in the treaty which excludes all
grants made after certain date. But, Tor
any cause, should the Treaty be rejected,
il does not follow that War will ensue.
Such conduct Cd the part Of Spain might
Justify War; but the policy Of the Uni
TED States is Peace, unless War be IN
avoidable. The rejection Of the Treaty
may ultimately lead to war; because the
United States may think it proper to &C.
eupy Florida, as precautionary measure,
and Spain may take offence at such occu-
patton.
The light in which the refusal OF any
power to ratity Treaty concluded by its
Plenipotentiary may be regarded, depends
materially on the instructions under which
the Minister acted. If Minister, in max
ing Treaty, has not abided by his in
struc,ions--and there are cases in which
Minister may justiiably do otherwise, as
circumstances alter cases-the Power
whom he represents may refuse 10 ratity
the sonpact. without moral offence 10 the
other contracting power; as in the case OF
the Treaty with Great Britain concluded
in 1906 between Messrs. Monroe q Fink
ney, and rejected by President Jefferson'
without the formali,y of having previously
submitted it to the Senate. This course
was loudly censured by the opposition OF
that day, but, whatever may now be
thought of il, was then approved by large
majority Of the people. The cases. how
ever, are not altogether analogous. as
that was not a treaty OF cession or OF III
demnity.
Should II appear that the Treaty was
conformably to the Instructions winch the
Spanish Minister received from bis govern
ment. and that Spain has wantonly retus-
ed to ratify the Treaty, she will have been
pv;ltv of an act Of bad faith, which might
Justify Declaration of War against Spain
Il will then betime to consider what course
the true interest OF the United States IN
vites US to pdrsue for, in this case' .ne
pursuit Of ibe interest of the country be-
comes the duty OF he government, ITS no
nor not being implicated in such a man.
nsr by that act as to require its viadlca'lon
by war.
We are not, let US avow. among the num-
Der of those who would. on every occasion
on which il may be justified, cry havoc,
and letslip the dogs Of war;" What THO
Il be true, as has been intimated in refe.
renee to this matter, by paper of federal