Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-03-17

m.r IT. their Individual and collective cana
cities. that the miidest methods shouid he
adopted for tile o. imiRa ION of differences 1,
IL be- possible, We shond esors TO an amicab bic
accommodations. Let ever, one dispas>ion-
ately examine the subject OF dispnfe aud dis
pense justice, or let him whose right is too
uncertain voluntarily renonuce it, We are
tntormed by the writer To whom | have before
referred, that there even occasions where il
may be- convenient for him who has the clear
est right 10 renonnce IL for the preservation of
peace ;prudsnce consists in knowing them.
When L arrive at that part of the discussion
winch regards the policy OF declaration of
ho>tilities, J vii e, d avor 4. prove h the
most Po""'fu! prudential considerations ope-
rae toprevent the pursuance OF such a course
Az present VIII employ a tew remark in de-
monstrating that 10 cauuot he defended npoh
principles OF jusiice 81 does not appea, that
the Spanish government has INDUCED in
wanton and treacherous violation OF its con-
ventional snpnIation>; hui even those appa-
rehtiI most strenuous in advocating force.
concur IN asciibing its DOn-observance to that
inbeciiitN AID weakness " bich are th known
chatact-r'>tics al all The operations OF Spain
tlitt conutrl which from its wealth., gramdc nr
anu power, was formerly trc most conSpicnous
IN Eutopc, has bee long de- raded bN the des-
potic character OF its government ana tiie SUI
ptrsfitiou' bigotr, oft. Inhabitants lar below
III ordi"ar' lev. ! OF national humit att N In
d" u ION TO these enormous political evils, snfa
cieh' OF themselves 10 overv helm her with ruin,
urinary, and doubtful Conflict with her hume
rous colonies, and although by her utmost ex-
ertions she has been able hitherto TO retain
some OF them IN subje tion, the rs have cntlr.
~ thrown OF the yoke and, no serious belief
Is at present entertained. that her severest
struggles will be sufficient to maintain an au
thofity IN any part of her South American
possessions for very long period. 1t is not
wohderiui then that government TINS over
purdeiied with the charge oil numerous wars
should be unable TO make any vigorous efforts
10 contfol the savages bordering upon Florida;
aud therefore thong h these facts re Insufficient
entirely TO exculpate her, vet some allowance
should BE- made for government thus situated
BAL u may be contcuded on the other hand
that III addition 10 her sins OF omission, she has
Deen guilty OF more fagrant ones, in atfording
ASSISTANCE 10 our enemies by giving them shell
Ter anu protection, and some saw bv fur
iIIshins Them with munitions of war There
has been no satisfactory evidence exhibited
ny winch these acts are TO be traced to the
government, and the probability is. that they
nave e'nanated from the unauthorized inter-
IeIehce OF commanders in their forts. And
therefore until satisfaction has been absolute-
~ anu entirely refused, we will not be aptho
rized luregarding them a. proceeding from
the government
ltmay be farther urged upon the other side
that regard 10 our safety or at least IN the
safety OF those residing upon the frou,ier will
Jnsiiiy us IN taking forcible possession of Flor
ida.
This idea is founded upon an erroneous ap-
phcaiioh OF rule recognized by the law of
nations. The rule 10 which aliude is that
which sanctions the coRduct OF one beiligerent
during an actual ,rdr 10 take possession of a
neutral fortress which would otherwise be
occupied by the enemy 10 his prejudice. The
RUE aithongh ~ has received the sanction OF
that great Jurist GroiiuS, has been severely re
probated by Bynkershoek, who asserts that
the dominions, towns or forts OF a friendly ma
lion cannot otherwise than tortnously. he iu-
vaded or retained. And when il is Considered
that the sanguiDary character of war has me OH
IN some measure diminished, by the advance
OF civilization and the consequent PROGRESS O t
humanity IN modern times we NAV very
pruhenily rely upon the precepis OF an author
whose WRITINGS have been illuminai ed by these
ADDITIONAL lights. But admitting the business
OF the rule IN It's utmost latitude no one will
pretend that II possesses any applicability in
a case where there is not an acrnal existing
war. Therefore whatever justification NAV
nave been derived from IL. by our COMMANDER
III Tie iate Seminole expedition the govern.
ment of the United States would not be sun
rorted thereby in taking possession ct ihe
Spanish Territory at this time, all hostiliiies
with the SeminOes having ceased
Blu besides the injuries already enumeral ed
we may be told that this conntIY has Tar mere
important claims against the Spanish Govern
inentfor the calamiies which she has infiict-
al by the unlawful neizRre of vessels and
cargoes belonging To citizens of the United
"
and the Spanish colonies. This il must be al
low q, is among the most powerful REASONS
which at present should induce us to take IN
arms TOR tht Spanish spoliations have torme d
the subject OF continual discussion for ten OF
twelve years. aud this government has been
hitherto unable TO obtain any adeouate salts
tact ton therefor. But while the iusiice nj
these complaints is admitted, lei, ns ascertain,
HehhitiVeiy before we make the final and sol
emn appeal 10 arms, whether all prospect OF
decentralization i cut off, and whether the
ears OF Spain are for ever shut 10 the sacre d
demands of Justice.
1t onr attempt to establish the pronosition.
! that regard TO principles of justice shouId
preveHt. either formal declaration of war or
| an act substantially amounting to il. has bern
successful 1 Halter myself thai il will he a
much easier task te prove ifs impoicy And
| this is branch of the enquiry which for the
sake OF perspieuity, have thought proper to
| consider separately.
None who have reflected upon the serious
| nature of war, and considered the numerous
| calami,ies which always follow in its train.
can willingly behold their country subjected
| TO those alarming evils, without an absolate
| conviction of their being indispensable to the
| national safety and honour. And if consider.
atioms of this kind at all times merit the atten-
| ton of government, how peculiarly powerful
must he their operation at a period like the
| present, when their force is augmented bv the
concurrence of other weightv reasons La
bouTing under a degree OF commercial embaT.
| rassment and of pecuniary distress perhaps
unparalleled in the history Of the world the
| United States exhibit woful picture OF po-
! liticdl disease and excavation. The baIeful
influence of this alarming malady has paIsied
the vital energies of the nation, and impaired
its usual VigouT. So Palpably Is this the case
| that wesre Informed by the TTeasurer's last
annual report of the inadequacy of the ma
tional revenue TO meet the ordinary expenceI
| of the ensHlng year and of the necessity OF
looming fire millions Of dollars for supplying the
| deficiency. This circumstance is alone suffi.
| cient to convince us of the impoIicy of resort.
ing to hostlitieA whilst utterly destitute oil
what has been so appropriately aud emphati.
cally termed the SiHetos OF war For if COn