Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-01-09

uttfSeIf might De done, IN consequence
OF The Instructions given to his Minister
PlenIpotenilary, especially since, on the
part OF the King, there had moi been, nor
is there any objection 10 carry into effect
| the arrangement OF the indemnitIes reci-
| prOcally claimed by Spaniards and Anne
| ricans, nor to proceed 10 The settlement
OF limits, upon grounds conforming TO The
| treaties and 70 continual and uninierrupt-
| ell possession, nor for Spain 10 cesle 10
| the United States the two Floiidas, for a
reasonable equivalent exchange IN terri
tory, 10 the west of Mississippi; nor
finally, in case Of not being able TO come
to accord on all the pending questions,
and especially those of limits, 10 refer so
the arbitration or mediation Of one, two
or more powers, friends OF both parties !;
without preventing. after the iimIt which
should appear 10 be jnst shonld be settled
by such arbitration or mcdiaiioD that we
should proceed 10 effect by means of the
same mediation, or without il II it should
accommodate the United States, an ex-
change of The two Floridas for equivalent
territory 10 the west Of The Mississippi.
The King thought of this arbitration as
the most certain and prompt mean OF
terminating the discussion of limits, each
party exposing, before The arbiirating or
mrdiaiins powers, the titles orgrounds on
which il rested IFS rights aud prctensiens,
and he has not been able TO change his
opinion on seeing the answer given upon
this point by tie Secretary of State of the
United States, 10 Don Luis de Onis, for,
in the proposal made by that MInlSte"
Plenipo,enIiary, by express order of his
Majesty, respecting said mediation or ar
bitration, there has not been, nor is III, re-
question, as MIR. Adams seems TO sup.
pose, ofinviting the United States 10 take
part in relations or qualifications belong
ing TO any interests of the European pow
ers, nor i'm what he calls the labyrinth of
their politics, but merely that ore or more
impartial governments, friendly 10 both
parties, should take cognizance OF The
data of fact and right on which they
found, respectively, the demarcation OF
limits which each pretends 10 subs!anti-
ate; which measure Is, IN effect, The
same as that which the United States :
dopted in lis last treaty with Great Bf-
tain, for adjustment Of similar kind,
there being no other difference between
tile two cases, butin The greater or lesser
Importance Of the territories in dispute.
For this state Of things, and His Males
ty, animated with the most efiicaclOus de-
sire to employ whatever means are in his
every one ofthe points in question, | rep
resented TO His Majesty that you and 1,
in our late conferences, had heeu o! opIr-
ion, that ii might contribute to facilitate
the arrangement of those points on which
hitherto both governments have not been
able TO come 10 accord, TO carry forth
with into effect that on which they are al
ready agreed, that is, the settlement of
the reciprocal indemnlties OF A Americans
and Spaniards, which were the object of
the convention of 1902, for which only
was wanting the ratification, on the part
OF Spain, suspended for reasons and by
circumstances which are notorious. The
King Instantly applauded this suggestion
Of mine and yours, and DESTROYS of giving
TO the United States efficient proofs of
his desire of an arrangement on all the
points, commanded me Immediately 10
draw out ratification of the said con
vcntion nf August IL, 1902. 10 be sent 10
Don tIis de Onis. 10 the end that he
may present tie same, and exchange il
for that II The United States, and | have
the honor 10 enclose the enjoined copy
for y0ur due information. The iermina
ton of this point, already agreed on, in
no respect can embarraSs the Interior
progress Of the negotiation upon Tie 9th
crs, aud if Don Luis de Onis, pursuant TO
bis first instructions, or 10 the explana-
ton which subsequently, ON Two occa
sions, have been given 10 him, or If be-
cause the government Of the u. States
has reduced it's demands 10 terms more
compatible with the rights ofSpajn, shall
on the arrival Of said ratification, have
already settled this point, conformity wIil!
the others, there willnot, therefore, result
any kind OF embarrassment or contradic-
ton, since the recognition of lie recipro-
cal indemnilies between Spaniards and
Americans, and The mode of hquldaing
them (ihe only objects comprchcndcd by
the conventions of 1922 will always have
TO enter into The arrangement Which may
have been effected, or may take place
and only in the manner Of paying The
debt which shall result from the llquida
ton made, can there be, or arise, hcreaf-
ter any alteration. IN case tie territorial
arrangements should be combined with
other determinations.
His Majesty hopes that the L.. States
| will see III ihls measure proof OF his
friendly disposition and if he may fiat
Ter himself With others equal and rrcip-
| roca on The part OF tie government Of
| the u. STAIRS. I've does not doubt that
shortly illdisappcar the difficulties which
| Hitherto have opposed themselves to the
| desired arrangement. The political com
mercal and territorial Interests OF the u.
States and Spain are not opposed to each
| other : extTaneOus circumstances, aud.
independent, perhaps, of The will Of both
governments. have been able 10 compli
cate and cmbarrass their political Trla-
iions. A sincere desire 20 understand
each other, and 10 approximate cordially
each ceding something of that which he
supposes that he has a right 10 exact Ol
tie niher may nrrlans be llle commence.