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

neeotiator had transcribed his powers or M
siructions. There may. unquestionably, be
other reasons sufficiently valid to exonerate
him from the obligation of ratifying. suppo-
sing that to have been the case.
Ii is evident that the scandalous proceed
ings Of number OF American citizens the
decisions Of several of the courts OF the I'm
ion; and the criminal expedition set on loot
within it for the invasion of bis Majesty's
possessions in North America, at the very
period when the ratification was still pend
ing, were Numerically opposite to the most
sacred principles of amity, and to the nature
and essence of the treaty itself. These hos
Tile D .oceedings were, Notwithstanding. tole-
rated by the federal government, and thus
the evil was daily aggravated; so that the
belief generally prevailed throughout Eu-
,one that the ratification Of the treaty by
Spain. and the acknowledgment OF the lnde-
nepdence of the rebellious transatlantic CO.
lopies. by the United States, would be ST.
multapeous acts. The pretensions advanced
by Mr.. Forsyth. in relation to the 9th arli-
Gle. were also evidently calculated to render
the treaty illusory. tits, therefore, not pos
sible to assign reasons more powerful, OF
more completely justifcatory ofthe sovereign
resolution of the King, my master, 70 suspend
his ratification of that instrument
In my FIRST note, ] also limited at the often
sive terms employed by the American MI
mister at Madrid, from the very outset; which
you notice no further than by taking up the
second point upon which the one which
have now the honor to contest essentially
turns. Although his Majesty might certain
ly have kept aloof from department 50 VOID
of moderation, and so derogatory 10 his dig
nifty, it is obvious that any discussions COM
menced with minister so situated, were
only likely TO produce improbable results,
his correspondence tending more powerfully
to disunite than to reconcile the contracting
parties. 1t was, indeed subject of great
regret, that the incident just referred to
the distance of Spain from the new world,
which, from the distractions TO correspon-
dence, produced unavoidable delay, in re-
ceiving correct information of the events
passing here, and which to his Majesty APP
peared incredible; and, in fine, his wish to
AVOID whatever had the appearance ota un-
founded complaint, and 40 unpleasant differ
ence between the two governments, should
have retarded my arrival, and the happy
conclusion of The transaction now pending.
have further TO state to you, that | am
not authorized by His Majesty to give the
necessary orders 10 The Spaulsh authorities
in the Floridas TO deliver up those possessi-
ons to the United States nor was this to be
presumed, since if it appeared contrary to
tire natural order of things, and to establish
ed usage, that the treaty should be ratified
previous to receiving the explanations which
necessitated its suspension, it would, con
sequenily, seem the more SO, that it should
receive It's due accomp lishment before it was
finally ratified
II is with equal surprise and concern tina,
observe, in the conclusion Of your note
that you intimate the intention to decline any
discussion of my proposals precious to the
possession of the Floridas since it appears
to me that such discussion could not be long
in the event of your government being ready
70 accede to them, Tin which case | repeat
that am authorized solemniy to promise, ia
the name OF His Majesty, that the ratification
of the treaty shall be no longer delayed, }
nor, that the delay, unavoidably produced
by that particular cause, in the occupation
of the territories in question, could be consl-
dered as derogatory TO the dignity OF the U.
States; and the more so, as, until then, His
Catholic Majesty would not be in The full
possession OF his rights.
flaster myself that, on a consideration OF
the contents OF this note, you will favor me
with all answer more agreeable to my wish
es.
In the mean time, i reiterate the assurance
OF my distinguished consideration and re-
spect, praying God to preserve you many
years.
FRANCISCO DIONISIO WIVES.
Washington, 94h .April, 1920.
The Secretary of State to General Don Fran
cisco Dionisio Vives, ENJOY Ertraordina-
ry and Minister Plenipotentsary from
Spain.