Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-08-13
To tie Editor Of TIE ColumOiom.

NEW SOkh, AUGusr3, 1919.
ihe existing state of our relations with
Span The re. olntionary state of the Spanish
Colonies hi both the Americas the part which
many OF onr citizens have taken in that strug-
gle aud hi.aily, the policy which our govern
memt has aud may contiDne 10 pursue, all
tendto renter interesting every subject con-
bected with the Spanish colonies particularly
those IN North America.
lie enclosed hrief history of an expedition
III ioiZ, aad III 1913, from Louisiana into the
eNas, Was written by me at Opeiousds, in the
latter country, about one month after The
battle OF ST. Antonio. The manuscript has
remained unpublished amongst my papers
ever since. Recent movements in Texas NAV
give tins sketch some interest and if You con-
siier IT'S contents OF sufficient value, YOU can
publish them IN your paper.
beg leave, however, to preface its publica-
ton by condensed view OF what does III fact
constitute Texas.
Las Texas is general term for the vast tri-
angle, tnciuded between the Rio Grande del
Norte. Red River, Louisiana, aud the Gulf of
Mexico, containing about 2IO0 900 square
Mi'ss, and extending from NJ 10 IS degrees Of
1t is generally, though very erroneous,y.
believed IN the United States, that Texas
forms part ofthe Vice Royalty of Mexico
II belongs, If not 10 Louisiana, in reality 10 The
captain General ofthe PrOrincids Internas, or
Internal Provinces, over which the Siceroy
OF Mexico has no authority. The Captain Ge-
neral resides at chihuahua, west of RIO
Gfdrde, anoui 80 degrees n. Latitude. Part
vi tne country WeSt oil RIO Graude, and north
OF the Wee Royalty, Is tolerabiy wel; peopied
bat Texas Is generally a wilderness, though
- many respects one of the finest regOus of
America. Taken as a Whole IL cannot lie call
ed fertile country, but in poiBt of healthy
air, am doubtful il Ine earth affords its equal
upon SO vide an extent. The value OF this
truly hne country is unknown at the Court OF
Mddrtd, or The hiag of Spain would rejoice to
exchange the pine DarreilS of Florida, for an
unqualified ce>sUn of = reg ion of i've times tie
extent, aud more than ten times the value; a
region that must ere long be peopIed with Ell
tier Spanish Creates. or Ang.o-Americaus
aud Il region which will be the impossible
rampant OF whichever country gains its pos
session. Politicians like other men are ruled
more by the trIiies Oft moment, than 10y OBJ
1crtS OF ma Snituoie III future. The possession
OF the right nank of Red River, by Spanish
population, must deprive the u. States of one
OF the greatest points OF security for louisa
ma Unjust be subject of regret that any
river discitrgins its y aters into the Mississippi
pi, should be suffered to remain foreign to the
U. States. Before the cession OF Texas TO
Spain, We could boasl of having The entire
area drained by the largest stream upon the
globe, included within one sovereignty. This
was not az empty yanDt, such a possession
gave ms many solid and permanent advantage
Is, which cannoi lie easily compensated. Con-
trary 10 whit IS generally thought, Red ltiver
IS large udVigable stream, many hundred
miles above what would be the spanish limit
by the late treaty. What is called the raft
above Natchtoches il passable with twenty
lite time was engaged surveying opposite
tae same raft. In fact where the Intended
t'ne will intersect the river, il is as large if
net msre so jiIah tue OhIo at Cincinnati aud
iItile less, ii any, navigable, with many con-
fluent streams above.
We uHreasOuably undervalue the Spanish
nation; We, Ia fact, cast upOn the people that
Q'tuu 10 which their ecclesiastical and polite
cal government are exclusively eaiitled, and
10 Which the Indignant feelings OF other ma
tons ought to be directed. The character
have gwen iiiei0udO, though founded upon
undenid5ls facts, VIII, know, rather revolt
The pfcJuIlces o!Inauy persons, ,shO connect
every dZieStdDIe uait with the name of spa
lish Royal officer. Ii is morally impossible
Tor man 10 cnhtenn more cordially than do,
that - 'tsm OF fraud, hypocrisy, duphcuy, and
cruelty, under which tie SpanardS aud seye-
raj other nations have grOaned aud continue TO
snher, nader the name otmOnarcliS bnt, | am
conscious that ma5y brave aud humane meu
nave beeu made from VariOus causes tie mi
nisters OF those dsceptiOns aad outrnges hut,
VINO have, As fat as IN them lay, miigated The
HORRORS Of war, oppression and violence. Ci-
val war witnOit Such men would be frightiuI
indeed
Tue opinion have entertained six years
ar found 40 reason 10 change rOvlng
baJds ot men nud9tliOriZed bS their own go
VSfnuieiIt can do no good and must ii,Iure ais
Cause ~ wnich they are engaged. l. ftct, 20
isnuTdnt are most Of those peFsoGs as 10 eN-
poet themselves al Tie gates OF MeSicO, when
HL ~ NDtJiIt" tie BebdT, though blO II latitude,
ne between tbe two places, and mucI OF the
AdeI!pcjttie distance Tiled with dense pO-
PHldupa; ~ the mass OF which, admitting
cp-operauOn, thOsc Foreigners - ould be lost
kke ifDp ia ~ ocean. No niIit, of moderate
tnfyfindtiUG can for fDOurnt doubt the iinai
emancipation Oi the Spanish colonies. Their
clgiis will crEubie before iucrcasuy InstinC-
uan gained amidst aud from tbcir Uruggie !;
thcsc msh can only DO s!Owiy niied for The
tDaHagG,nent and Enjoyment OF Il rational svs-
ten VI domestic rOicy. ~ Spain was al TINS
mo.neut To acknowledge Their Independence
a.. A.
Dot ASSUME ihe place and power Of the pa
HIsh authorities.
10 nue., bgt one class Of men from other ma
NO1s eau DO tiem effective service : prudent
vel Informed persons, content, aud indeed Ou-
- accepting subordinate taUk who cautious
y weah tBcm nom th~Ir preIudiCeS, aud who
gsuD tuciT confidence ny studying tlieir Ian
sHaSP, aud adopting ~ costume and nianucrS,
Wudi may BE- tVuuG cOuIncndabie, usetul, "
iHdineTent amongst tie inhabitants. MILITARY
uBeu u tnis description are 20 Item real aud
\ intalIgGbis acJulsit0s those OF az opposite
/tHatacteT are ~ UtCm auisdnccs.
WILLIAM DARBY.
BRTEF HISTORY, &c.
1.te expedition carried OF against ihs C0-
vPrUmsut OF SPAN 40 fue Province Of fcXty,
waich couiueIcrd ~ i5!2, Dy a body OF Ane-
ftcans, didcd jy mde-cOntents ~ The cOniiif &.
D. toSsat az cnJ. 3ieeung with partial sf,c-
cess on Heif FIRST entrance idiO The province
a. tst s..@