Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-01-30

TIE HINTS ~ the United States ( ItwOuld |
be preposterous and absurd TO pretend |
that you could not pursue your enemy 10 |
any refuge to which he is entitled. The |
SeHinoles, then, being y0urenemies, and !
having right in Florida beyond the |
control of Spain, the Inference is irresisti- !
bile, that you have a right to pursue and
hight him there in your own defence.
Geuerai Jackson having crossed into
Florida, for The purpose of meeting aud
| nghtilg the Seminoles, hat are his duties
towards those who profess an allegiance
10 Spain The case, is peculiar, and,
perhaps. stands on its own foundation
!! Is difficult to illustrate il by analogy
Whiie we are on enemy's, We are, i'm
some sense, on neutral ground The ocean
being the highway of nations, aud all
| having concurrent jurisdiction, il is pos
! sibie case may there be found aifording
an Illustration. You discover your enc
inys Meet at distance. On approaching
II, you perceive neutrals infermixed.-
Some are of a doubtful character, wear
ing the neutral flag, but exhibiting other
symptoms of a beligerent character
Some seem engaged in afiording facilities
| TO tile enemy To defend themselves, or 10
escape. In such a case, you are bound
| 10 exercise Your discretion, and 10 cap
lure all those of suspicious character.
should you mistake, il is not your fault,
put the misfortune or folly of the neutral
IN being found in company with your
| enemy, ina situation to excite suspicion.
| discretion, therefore, must resi- with
commander TO discriminate. In the or
binary case of invading the country of IA
civilized nation, the commanding general
IS obliged 10 distinguish between the pub
lie anu private property, and betAeen
comDatants and non-comhatanis. There
are situations In which ii is extremely
difficult TO determine, and il nGt unusu.
ally happens that this power of discrimi-
nation necessarily devolves on the subor-
dinate officer. and even soldiers, whereby
many OF the innocent and unoffendinp
are made TO suffer.
When General Jackson marched his
| army INTO country where he must ne
| cessariIy find neHirals, as well as enemies.
the right of discrimination devolved ON
him. liza Spaniard was found i'm the
ranks of the enemy, aiding and assisting
IN hostilities, he was bound TO consider
him as an enemy. If the guns of "a fort
were turned against him, or the fort used
DS me Indians as post of ANNOYANCE,
he had right TO consider the soldiers
there as associated and identified with
the enemy, and to wrest from their hands
| mistake, he is not subject 10 censure. but
It is the misfortune of the neutral In be-
rug associated with our enemy and placed
In situation where suspicion might at
zach. But, sir, by no means admit that
General Jackson needs such an apology
I'D this case. will prove that Tie SpaIi-
| ards IN Florida were identified with the
Indians, and the posts taken by Jackson
| were under Indian control. will prove
that the Spanish officers and inhabitants
In Florida have conducted most treache.
rously, pretending to neutrality, which
they have constantly violated. will shew
TO the committee, by proofs incontestihIe,
tiia' the local authorities were The excl
teis' promoters and prosecutors OF The
war. and furnished the means OF carry
ing il on.
lay Spain out of the question. Poor,
miserable, degraded Spain, too weak and
palsied to act or think. She has but The
shadow OF authority there, and, so far
from being able 10 control the Indians, or
even her own subjects, the country, as 10
her, is perfect dereiict. will ask this
committee 10 go back with me TO the wear
1913, ana from that period TO the capture
OF Pensacola, TO witness The Spanish Off
GERS exciting the Indians TO vengeance.
furnishing them with the arms and mum
lions OF war, ianely acqniescing in the
most nagrant violations of their pretended
neutrality, aud suffering The territory to
be prostiiuied TO every bandiiti who
might ne disposed 10 annoy or distress
the people OF the United States.
Sir, before proceed 10 an account of
these transactions, allow me TO subjoin
rev remarks, IN reply to what has been
SAID relative 10 the conduct Of the Execu
i've, IN engaging In this war. The gen
i,eman from Georgia apprehends thai the
PRESIDENT has violated The constitution.
During the last session of Congress, it was
known that This war could moi be terni-
mated without marching the troops into
flolda. The President of the United
States, I'm his message 25ih March, and
lour weeks before the session closed. in.
formed tins house that he had issued nr-
ders 10 General Gaines TO cross INFO Flo.
rida, TO pursue and chastise the enemy.
but to respect The Spanish authority.
Where 1t DGS maintained. We acuuiesced
we appropriated the money TO paw the mi
liila, and without whisper of disappro-
baton.
Connected with this part Of the subject
regret TO be obliged 10 notice an intimn
ton from the gentleman from Georgia
that General Jackson might p0Ssi6g have
orders from tie President different from
those communicated 10 this house. Sir
though the gentleman did not stale that |
he believed this, yet, when a member of |
this house will intimate that il is even |
possible that the President Of the United |
States has pracilsed such dupliciiy, and |
Will endeayor TO show evidence of the
grounds of such inilmalion, it becomes
our Imperlous duty 10 enquire Ifthe Pre-
sldent has given 10 General Jackson one