The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1821-10-09


late Governor of West Florida, by Gen. Jack
son, has been the round Of our papers, rePresen-
ting the case, in the best possible manner, for
the present Governor. We are now favored
with counter statement, in the protest of CAL
lava, which exhibits the Governor, Don Andrew
jackson, as Callava calls him, IN the most un-
favorable light The truth probably lies some
where between both accounts. Callava goes
infinitely over the whole story, stating the facts
pretty much as we have before had them, but q
little more in detail, and with more embellish-
ment. If Callavas account be true, no wonder
that Spanish dignity and etiquette were exces-
sively offended /; for Don Andrew does not seem
TO have regarded the sensibility, the honor, nor
the late Office of the HidaIgo, with any sort Of
ceremony. After two or three messages had
passed between jackson and Callava and his
officers, relative to the papers, the messengers
of Jackson told Callava, that the Governor
would not show towards him " any more consd-
erations or forms, than he would to any other
private individual" 81 replied to them," says
Callava, " requesting them TO inquire Of the
Commissioner of the United States, Andrew
Jackson, how it was possible that he should for
get, in a manner SO unaccountable, my official
character 7" Callava considered his Office Of
Commissioner Of Spain, as still existing and him
self as actually filling that Office, at the time Of
the arrest. Gov. Jackson, it appears, thought
otherwise. The last scene as described BY the
Ex-Governor, was rather singular one; we
give it in his own language:
" One of the deputation ordered the officer
commanding to enter my room, and at this time
the citizen Don Juan Innerarity wished to in
tercede, as il appeared to me, but in speaking
he was told to be silent, and the officer di-
rected to take me as his prisoner with his armed
force. replied, that considered myselfas such,
and in proof thereof delivered my sword and
case, but to the dragging me from my house,
they must take into consideration my III state Of
health they answered that they knew il, or
\ dered me to dress, and with the armed troops
conducted me to the presence OF the Governor
who was in a separate house from his own lodg-
ing accompanied by large concourse Of peo-
\ pie of all description of persons. The said Gov
ernor through person who acted a. Notary
and Interpreter, ordered him to extend an i'm
| tcrrOgatory which he himself dictated and re-
qured of me an answer-The question was IN
significant, but | requested TO be permitted to
answer IN my own idlom, and TO write II with
my own hand it granted and while VIII
ting my answer, the paper was snatched from
Inc, and with all the furousness CT Z person be-
reaved of Judgment or desperate, the Governor
with heavy knocks OH the table, and the most
violent gestures, ordered nc TO deliver the pa
pers.--I was in the act OF answering, but he
gave me no time to speak, and whenever the
Interpreter began to explain my answers IN
which had 50 often been interruptcdsh he was
not permitted to interpret the same. With the
strongest demonstrations | constantly intreated
that should not IN the present act be deprived
Of the resource and consolation Of answering IN
writing, and that | should be interrogated in the
like manner that future moment might be
left, for inferred from the rawlings Of the GcY-
ernor, that | was about to be assassinated In
aviling were all my requests, every thing was
refused me, nor could learn why | was drag
ged there.
! In the chaos OF misfortunes in which ! saw
myself enveIoped, unprotected by the laws, the
moment at length arrived when Governor Jack
| son drew out among other papers, written or
\ der which agreeable TO the Interpretation made
II to me, contained the mandate for my being
II sent to the Jail. When informed thereof, re-
quested the interpreter to ask him for me if lac
did not shudder at the preparation OF such
deeds that protested before the government
of the United States against the author OF these
atrocious outragcs committed against my per-
son and the character represented. The Gov
ernor replied this time through bis interpreter,
that he was alone answerable to his Govern
ment that he did not care for the consequences,
and that | might protest before God himself.
was in fact carried to jail at the hour Of mid
night In my delicate state Of health ! NV
house was left open TO the mercy ofthe soldiers
The Spanish officers and other persons of nay
confidence who were there or repaired thither
were ordered off, and none of them permitted to
remain.
4 At eleven on the following morning of the
Esd, writ of Habeas Corpus was issued by the
Judge, Don Ehiius Fromentin, but Governor
jackson treated it with contempt, stating that
nc did not think proper to allow it to be carried
into effect"
These are some Of the facts in the case. I'm
order to understand whether the Governor has
exceeded his authority in this extraordinary
transaction, it is necessary to know what his
power IS. No law was passed at the last session
OF Congress for the Government Of Florida but
the President was authorised, until the first scs-
sion of the next Congress, To invest with the mil
itary, civil and judicial powers OF the late gov
eminent, such person or persons as be thought
proper, = for the maintaining the inhabitants of
said territories IN tho f~oa a,;ox-r,o,+ 81