Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-01-08

olateS, aneCtlng 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 responsibility incident to
the most fragrant and pernicieus abuses
of her rights, where she could not sup
port her authority.
1t being known that the treaty was
formed under these circumstances, not
doubt was entertained that his Catholic
Majesty would have ratified it without
delay. ! regret to have to state that this
reasonable expectation has been disap-
pointed; that the treaty was not ratified,
within the time stipulated, and has not
since been ratified. AS it is important
that the nature and character of this I'M
expected occurrence should be distinct
ly understood, think it my duty to COM
municate to you all the facts and circum-
stances, in my possession, relating to it.
Anxious to prevent all future disa-
greement with Spain, by giving the
most prompt effect to the treaty, which
had been thus concluded, and particu-
larly, by the establishment of a govern
ment in Florida, which should preserve
order there, the minister of the United
States who had been recently appointed
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 let
ter to the Department of State, as soon
as obtained, by public ship, subjected
to his order for the purpose. Unex-
pected delay occurring, in the ratihca-
ton, by Spain, he requested to be in
formed of the cause. 1t was stated, III
reply, that the great importance of the
subject, and a desire to obtain explana-
tons on certain points, which were not
specified, had produced the delay, and
that an envoy would be despatched to the
United States, to obtain such explana-
tons ofthis government. The minister
OF the United States offered to give full
explanation on any point, on which it
might be desired which proposal was
declined. Having communicated this
result to the Department of State, in
August last, he was instructed, notwith-
standing the disappointment and sur
prise, which it produced, to inform the
government of Spain, that, if the treaty
should be ratified, and transmitted here,
at any time before the meeting of con-
gress, it would be received, and have
the same effect, as if it had been ratified
in due time. This order was executed
the authorised communication was made
to the government of Spain, and by its
answer, which has just been received,
we are officially made acquainted, for
the first time, with the causes which
have prevented the ratification of the
treaty, by his Catholic Majesty. 1t is
alleged by the minister of Spain, that
this government had attempted to alter
one of the principal articles ofthe treaty,
by a declaration, which the minister OF
the United States had been ordered to
present, when he should deliver the rati-
fication, by his government, in exchange
for that of Spain, and of which he gave
notice, explanatory Of the sense in which
that article was understood. Its further
alleged that this government had recent
ly tolerated, or protected, an expedition
from the United States, against the
province ofTexas. These two imputed
acts, are stated as the reasons which have
induced his Catholic Majesty to with
hold his ratification from the treaty, to
obtain explanations, respecting which, it
is repeated, that an envoy would be forth
with despatched to the United States.
How far these allegations, will Justify
the conduct of the government of Spain,
will appear, on view of the following
facts, and the evidence which supports
them.
1t will be seen, by the documents
herewith, that the declaration
mentioned relates to clause in the 9th
article, concerning certain grants Of land,
recently made by his Catholic Majesty,
in F florida, which it was understood had
all the lands, which till then
had been ungranted. 1t was the inten-
ton of the parties to annul these latter
grants, and that clause was drawn for
that express purpose, and for none other.
The date of these grants was unknown,
but it was understood to be posterior to
that inserted in the article: indeed it
must be obvious to all, that if that pro-
vision in the treaty had not the effect of
these grants, it would be al
together nugatory. Immediately after
the treaty was concluded and ratified by
this government, an intimation was re-
ceived that these grants were of anterior