The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1820-03-29
spect, sir, your very humble obedient
servant. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.


The Secretary Of Stare 10 Mr.. Lesundes.
DEPARTMRNT OF STATE, }
2lst December, 1919.
William Lowndes, Esg. Chairman
yfhe Committee Of Foreign Relations.
SrR-In answer to the question con.
tained in your letter Of the 10th inst.
have the honor to state, for the infcrma-
ton OF the committee.
ist. That information has been re-
ceived by the Government OF the u. S.
though not through direct channel,
Ilor in authentic form, that another mo
tive besides those alleged in the letter of
the Duke Of San fernando to Mr.. For
syth, did operate upon the Spanish cabi.
net. to induce the Withholding Of the
ratifcatian of the treaty, namely, the ap-
prehension that the ratification would be
Immediately followed by the recognition
by the y. States, Of the independence OF
one or more of the South American
Provinces. 1t has been suggested, that
probably the most important of the ex-
plantations which the Minister to be sent
10y Spain, will be instructed to ask, will
consist of an explicit dcclars on of the
intentions of this government in that re-
spect. There is reason also to believe.
that the impunity with which privateers,
fitted out, manned, and oficered, in one
or more OF our ports, have committed
hos;iililes upon the Spanish commerce,
will be alleged among the reasons for
delay, and perhaps some pledge may be
required OF the effectual execution a.
galnst these practices, OF laws, which APP
pear to exist in the statute Book.
1t may be proper 20 remark, that, dur
ing the negotiation OF the Florida treaty,
repeated and very earnest efforts were
made, both by MIR. Pizarro, at Madrid,
and by MIR. Onis here to obtain from
the Government of the United States
either positive stipulation or a tacit
promise, that the United States would
not recognise any of the South Ameri.
Can revolutionary governments and
that the Spanish negotiations were dis
tinctly and explicitly informed that this
Government would not assent to any such
engagement, either express or implied.
2. By all the information which has
been obtained Of prospective views OF the
French and Russian governments, III re-
lation to the course which it was by them
thought probable would be pursued by
the United States, il is apparent that they
strongly apprehended the immediate for
chile occupation of Florida by the u.
States, on the non-ratifcation by Spain,
of the treaty, within the stipulated time.
France and Russia both have most earn
cstly dissuaded MS from that course. not
by any regular official communication,
but by informal friendly advice depre-
ealing immediate hostility, OH account of
its tendency to kindle general war
which they fear would be the consequence
of a war between the United States and
Spain. 1t was alleged that, in the pre-
sent 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 long
er, by waiting at leas, to hear the Minis
ter, who was announced as coming to
give and receive explanations, we could
not fail OF obtaining ultimately, without
resort to force, the right to which it was
admitted we were entitled. But that
precipitate measures of violence might
not only provoke Spin to war, but
would change the state of the question
between US; would exhibit US to the
world as the aggressors, and would indis.
pose against us those now the most de.
cidcd in our favor.
1t is not expected that in the event Of
war with Spain any European power
will openly take part in it, against the
United States; but there is no doub
that the principal reliance of Spain will
be upon tho employment of priva,eers in
France and England, as well as in the
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