Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-05-19


Sra am directed by the President oftbe
Un,ted States to express TO you the surprise
and concern with which he has learnt that
YOU are not the bearer OF the ratification, by
his Catholic Majesty, ofthe treaty signed on
the 22d February, 1919. by Don Louis de
Onis, by virtue of full power, equally COM
prehensive with that which you have now
produced. A full power, by which his Ca
,holic Majesty promised, 9 on the faith and
word of a King, to approve, ratity and fu'hl,
whatsoever might be stipulated and signed
by him."
BY the universal usage of nations, nothing
can release a sovereign from the obligation
of a promise thus made, except the proof that
his minister, so empowered, has been faith
less to his trust, by transcending ms Instruc-
tions.
Your sovereign has not proved, nor even
alledged, that Mr.. Onis had transcribed MS
instructions; on the contrary, with tse Gre
dental letter which you have delivered, the
President has learnt that he has been relle-
we'd from the mission to the United States
only 10 receive new proof of the continued
confidence of bis Catholic Majesty, in the
appointment to another mission, OF equal
dignity aud Importance.
On the faith of this promise of the King,
the treaty was signed and ratified, on the
part of The United States and it contained
stipulation that it should also be ratified by
his Catholic Majesty, so that the ratlficatlons
should, within six months from the date OF its
signature, be exchanged.
In withholding This promised ratification
beyond the stipulated period, his Catholic
Majesty M ade known to the President that
he should forthwith dispatch person, pos
sessing entirely his confidence, TO ask certain
explanations. which were deemed by hun
necessary previous to the performance othis
promise to execute the ratification.
The minister OF the United States at Mad
rid was enabled, and offered to give, all the
explorations which could justly be required
in relation to the treaty. Your government
declined even to make known to him heir
character u and they are now after the lapse
Of more than year, first officially disclosed
by you.
am directed by the President to inform
you, thai explanations which ought to be sa
tisiactoEy To your government, will readily
be gwen upon all the points mentioned in
your letter Of the l4th instant; but that he
considers none of them, in the present state
OF the relations between The two countries, as
points for discussion. 1t is indispensable
that, before entering into any new negocla-
ton between the United States and Spain,
that relating to the treaty already signed
should be closed. If, upon receiving the eI-
pionat'oas which Jour government has ask
ed, and which am prepared TO give, you
are authorised to issue orders to the Spanish
officers commanding in Florida, to deliver up
TO those OF the United States who may be
authorised 10 receive it, immediate possess
ion OF the PROVINCE, conformably 10 the slip
ulations of the treaty, the President, il such
shall be the advice and consent of The Sen
ale, will wait, (with such possession given)
for the ratification Of bis Catholic Majesty,
till your messenger shall have time to pro-
coed to Madrid. But, if you have no such
authority, the President considers it would
be at once an Improbable waste of time, and
course incompatible with the dignity Of
this nation, to give explanations which are
to lead to no satisfactory result and to re-
sumo negotiation, the conclusion of which
can no longer be deferred.
BE pleased 10 accept the assurance Of my
distinguished consideration.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
Gen. Don Francisco Dionisio TIares to The
Secretary Of State.
lI'rGnslnlioa.]
Sra 10 acknowledging the receipt of your
note OF the 2lst. instant, have the honor to
remark. in The 6rst place, that you appear to
have misconceived material part of my LET.
Ter of the l4th, by reproducing argument:
which have been already sufficiently refnted
by nv government. You will therefore