Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-04-18

plantations winch tic 4llIi4o tcE 10 Oc 5Sllt
by Spain, will be instructed to ask, will
consist of an explicit declaration of the
intentions of this government in that
respect. There is reason also to be-
lieye, that the impunity with which pri-
vateers, fitted out, manned, and Differed,
in one or more of our ports, have COM
mtted hostilities upon the Spanish COM
merce, will be alleged among the rea-
sons for delay, and perhaps some pledge
may be required of the efiectual execu-
ton against these practices, of laws,
WHICH appear to exist in the Statute
Book
Itmay be proper to remark that, dur
ing the negotiation of the Florida treaty,
repeated and very earnest efforts were
made, both by Mr.. Pizarro, at Madrid,
and by Mr.. Onis here, to obtain from the
government of the United States either
positive stipulation or tacit promise,
that the United States would not recog-
nize any of the South American revo-
lutionaryi governments and that the
Spanish negociators were distinctly and
explicitly informed that this government
would not assent to any such engage
ment, either express or implied.
Q. BY all the information which has
been obtained of the prospective views
of the. French and Russian governments,
in relation to the course which it was by
them thought probable would be pur-
sued by the United States, it is apparent
that they strongly apprehended the i'm
mediate lorcible occupation of Florida
by the United States, on the non-ratifica-
ton by Spain of the treaty, within the
stipulated time. France and Russia
both, have most earnestly dissuaded us
from. that course, notify any regular Of
fetal communication, but by informal
friendly advice; deprecating immediate
hostility, on account of its tendency to
kindle general war, which they fear
would BE the consequence of war be-
tween the United States and Spain. 1t
was alleged that, in the present state of
our controversy with Spain, the opinion
of all Europe on the point at issue was
in our favor and against her. That by
exercising patience little longer, by
waiting at least to hear the Minister,
who was announced as coming to give
and receive explanations, we could not
fail ofobtaining ultimately, without re-
sort to force, the right to which it was
admitted we were entitled. But that
precipitate measures of violence might
not only provoke Spain to war, but
would change the state of the question
between US; would exhibit US to the
world as the aggressors, and would in
dispose against us those now the most
decided in our favor.
1t is not expected that in the event of
war with Spain any European power
will openly take a part in it against the
United States: but there is no doubt
that the principal reliance of Spain will
be upon the employment of privateers
in France and England, as we'll as in the
East and West India Seas, and upon our
own coast, under the Spanish flag, but
manned from all nations, including citi-
zens of our own, expatriated into Span
ish subjects for the purpose.
3. The enclosed copies ofletters from
Mr.. Fromentin, contain the most par
ticular information possessed by the
Executive with regard to the subjects
mentioned in your third inquiry. In the
month of September, corps Of 5000
men arrived at the Havanna, from Spain,
one third of whom are said to have al
ready fallen victims to the diseases of
that climate. BY advices from the
Havana, as recent as the 4th of this
month, VIC are assured that no part of
this force is intended to be in any event
employed in Florida.
4.sA communication from the Secre-
tary of War, also herewith enclosed,
containsS the information requested by
the committee upon this inquiry.
S. AT the time when Captain Read
left Madrid, 18th October, Mr.. Forsyth
had no positive information even Of the
appointment of the person who is to
come out as the Minister. Indirectly
we have been assured that he might be
expected to arrive here in the course of
the present month.
| am, with great respect, sir, your
very obedient servant. 7e
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. e
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