Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-12-09
MESSAGE
lo7v Cifi=ens Of lie Senate,

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stage.to afford accomm dat. ON for Congress,
! otter you my sincere congratulations on the
recommencement of your duties in the Capi-
tol.
In bringing to view the incidents most de-
serving attention, which have occurred since
your last session, regret to have to state, that
several of our principal cities have suffered
by sickness; that an unusual drought has pre-
vailed in the middle and western states and
that arrangement has been felt in some of
our monied institutions, which has proper
tionably affected their credit. am happy.
however, to have IL in my power 10 assure
you that the health of our cities is now COM
pletely rcstored that the produce of the
year, though less abundant than usual, will
not only be sufficient for home consumption,
but afford 4 large surplus, for the supply of
the wants OF other nations and that the de
rangement in the circulating paper medium,
by being left to those remedies which It's OBJ
vious causes suggested, and the good sense
and virtue of our fellow-citizens supplied, has
diminished.
Having Informed Congress, on the 9th of
February last, that treaty of amity, settle
mcnt, and limits, had been concluded, in
this city, between the United States and
Spain, and ratified BY the competent authori-
ties of the former, full confidence was en-
tertained thatit would have been ratified bv
his Catholic Majesty, with equal prompttudc,
and like earnest desire, to terminate, on
the conditions OF that treaty, the differ
cnces which had so long existed between the
two countries. Every view which the sub
lect admitted of, was thought to have justified
this conclusion. Great losses had been sus-
tanned by citizens of the United States, from
Spanish crtiizers, more than twenty wears
before, which had not been redressed
h,I H., l. 4
provided for by a treaty, AS far back rs the
year 1902, which, although, concluded at
Madrid, was not then ratified by the govern
meut of Spain, nor since. until the last year,
when il was suspended by the late treaty; a
more satisfactory provision to both parties,
as was presumed, having been made for
them. Other differences had arisen, in this
long interval, affecting their highest inte-
rests, which were likewise provided for, bv
TINS last treaty. The treaty itself, was formed
on great consideration, and 4 thorough know
ledge OF all circumstances, the subject matter
of every article having been for years un-
der discussion, and repeated references
having been made, by the Minister of Spain,
to his government, on the points, respect.
ing which the greatest difference of opin-
ION prevailed. 1t was formed by a Minis
ter duly authorized for the purpose, who
had represented his governm ent in the Uni
ted States, and been employed in this long
Protracted negotiation several years, and
who, it is not denied, kept strictly within
the letter of his instructions. The faith of
Spain was therefore pledged, under crcum-
stances OF peculiar force and solemnity,
Tor Its ratlhcahon. On the part of the
United States, this treaty was evidently
acceded to in spirit of Cancellation and
concession. The indemnity for injuries
and losses, so long before sustained, and
now again acknowledged and provided for,
was to be paid by them, without becoming
charge on the treasury OF Spain. For ter
rtory coded by Spain, other territory ofgreat
value, to which our claim WAS believed to be
well founded, was cededby the United States,
and in quarter more interesting to her
This cesson was, nevertheless, received as
the means of indemnifying our citizens, in
considerable sum, the presumed amount of
their losses. Other considerations, of great
weight, urged the cession of this territory bv
SPAN. twas surrounded by the territories
Of the U. States, on every side, except on
that of the ocean. Spain had lost her autho-
rity over it, and, falling into the hands of adj.
venturers connected with the savages, it was
made the means of unceasing annoyance and
injury to our Union, in many of its most es-
sential interests. BY this cession, then,
SPAN coded territory, in reality, of no va
Tue to her, and obtained concessions of the
highest Importance, by the settlement of
long standing differences with the United
States, affecting their respective claims and
limits, and likewise relieved herself from the
obligation OF treaty, relating to it, which
she had failed to fulfil, and also from the res
possibility incident to the most fragrant and
Pernicious abuses of her rights, where she
could not support her authority.
II being known that the treaty was form
ed under these circumstance not doubt
was entertained that his Catholic Majesty
would have ratified it without delay. re-
gret to have TO state that this reasonable ex-
Pecation has been disappointed that the
treaty was not ratified, within the time sti-
pulated, and has not since been ratified. AS
it Is impo tant that the nature and character
of this unexpected occurrence should be
distinctly understood, ] think it my duty to
communicate to you all the facts and circum-
stances, in my possession, relating 10 it.
Anxious to prevent all future Disagree
ment with Spain, by giving the most prompt
effect to the treaty, which had been thus CON
Guided, and, particularly, by the establish
ment Of q government in Florida, which
should preserve order there, the minister Of
the United States, who had been recently APP
pointed to his Catholic Majesty, and to
whom the ratification, by his government,
had been committed, to be exchanged for
that of Spain, was instructed to transmit the
latter TO the Department of State, as soon
as obtained, by public ship, subjected to
his order for the purpose. Unexpected de
lay occurring, in the ratification, by Spain, he
requested to be informed of the cause: It
was stated, in reply, that the great impor-
lance Of the subject, and a desire to obtain
explanations on certain points, which were
not specified, had produced the delay, and
that an Envoy would be despatched TO the
United States, 20 obtain such explanations
OF this government. The Minister OF the
United States offered TO give full explanation
on any point, on which IT might be desired
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