Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-03-21
DOMESTIC.
OUE RFI.aTi;ioiN;; ;W;'i;;ii.u sp,,

OUR RELATIONS With SPAIN.
WASHINGTON, March l4.--'ih- fol-
loving interesting Documents we're YES
terday presented To the House OF Repre-
seniatives by the Chairman of the Com
miitee OF Foreign Relations:
fhe SecretGryc IF State 10 Mr. Lorndes
William Lowndes, Esq, Chairman
Oh the Committee OF Foreigs Relation:
Department Of Siate,
Washington, Dee i6, 1910.
SIR With reference to the an. si,uu ntono-
sed by the committee, Z" whether the EN.ru-
tive considers the Florida Treaty a. "A subsiSt
'ng one, valid according to national law, aud
giving the same perfect obligations. AS n il
had been ratified" HAYS the honor TO state
thai the President considers the Treat, of the
I'D OF February last As obligatory usou The
honor and good i,iih of Spain not as per-
rect treat! Qualification bein. AN essential foi-
Rahty 10 that but asa compact winch pain
wa, bound 10 ratity-as an adjus tmem, OF the
differences between the two naiions which
tlit Aug OF Spain, by his full power to his
Minister, had SoIemniy promised 10 approx.
ratiiy and tuihi Tins adjustment is assumes
as tte measured what the UEited State, had
right TO obtain from Spain, from the sigma
ture OF the treaty. The prineii lie NAV be I'll
iustrated by reference 10 rules OF n,unicipal
law relative Ia Transactions betwee r. IndIviju.
ais The difference between the Treaty uura
titled aud ratified, ma. he iikeUed 10 10. dii.
terence between d covenant TO convey lands
aud the deed of conveyance itself Uuon a
breach OF the covenant TO convey, courts of
equity decree HAT the party who has broker
ms covenant shall convey, anu, further Shalt
make good TO the other party all damages
winch he has sustained by the breach OF con-
tract
As there il no court of chancery between
nations, their differences can be settled only
by agreement. or by force. The resort 10
iotce Us jnsrfiIbic only when Justice cannot
be obtained by nee location. And the resur,
To force u imi'"d 10 the attainment of Justice
ihe wrong received marks the boundaries of
the right TO be obtained
Il ne hlng OF SPAN was bound TO raiify the
treaty bound by the principIes of The Law,
OF haIons applicable to the case aud further
bound hy the solemn promise in the fnil now
err. de refusing to perform this promise aud
ooi,sauou' me united States have perfect
iiSht 10 DO what d court OF chancery would 10
ia q Transactions OF "A similar character between
individuals namely, To compel the perform
ah'e "l The engagement as tar as compu.siou
con accomplish II, and 10 Indemnity them
serves fnt al the damages aud charges mel
cont to the necessity of usiny compulsiou-
ihry cannot compel the King OF SPAN 10 sign
tue act OF ratification, and therefore cannot
i'"ht me 'hstrumtnt a perfect treaty. But
they can, and are Unsuitable in so doing take
thai "hlch th' tIeaty,f perfect, would have
bound Spain Ia denver up TO them aud thew
'ie TURNER entitled 10 indemnify for all The.
expenses and damages which they may sustain
ny consequence OF The refusal OF Spain TO
same riGhI 10 doJustirc TO themselves as The
refusal 10 inihl would have given them, if
Spain had ratified, aud Then order red the gov
eerHoF OF Florida not 10 deliver over tile prov
ince.
BY considering the Treaty. an the term be-
So"d winch the United States will not look
Dack, IN their controversial relations with
Spain. they not only viii manifest a continued
respepi the sanctity of their own enc age
meats but they avoid the Inconvenience of
re-tnterir@ upon field OF mutual com piaint
dnd elimination 30 extensive that il would be
scehTCeiy possible To decide where or when
ntsoc'aiion should cease, or al what point
force should be stayed tsr sa iSted right aud.
~ resoT'in 10 force 0ni! 80 far as ihe Treaty
had acknowledged iheig right they offer an
lnuuceneni Ia spain ia complete the lransac-
ton ON her Part. without proceeding to gsr-
eral hostility. But Spain mast be Tesponsi-
bic 20 the United States for every vrons
done by her alter the signature of tie Treaty.
by her Minister aud the refusal 10 ra,iiy his
act IS the first wrong for which thew airs en-
tltied To redress
have the honor 10 be, with great respect.
sir, sOnr very humble and obediept servant.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.