The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1821-10-17

Governour jackson, how " was it possible
that he should forget, in manner so unac-
countable, my official character ~ Did he
not receive from me, as Commissioner on tire
part of Spain, the Province of Florida,
Of which was his predecessor in the govern
ment and that my stay, with my Secretary
and Officers, was pending the decision of the
points submitted by himself and me to our re-
spective governments, relative to the cons
stfuotion to be given to the second article of
the treaty !. The artillery is still held in de-
post under the national safeguard. The pa
pers and documents under my charge as Gov
ernour, to be given by me under the treaty,
could not be delivered by me in the character
Of a private individual, because they did not
come into my possession and trust in that ca
pacity, | requested them to tell him that |
was altogether bewfldered at this coursewhich
was now pursuing, that the papers in my pos
SION should be held sacred and inviolable in
Pensacola, my person being under the imnu-
nifty of the laws of nations, TO be respected
and protected agreeable to the usage of civil
lied nations, and every other individual COM
missioned by his respective government. That
they would also he pleased to tell him that |
do not yet know what papers he demands of
Inc TO deliver in this manner, and that he
would have the goodness fully to acqraint me
herewith in AN official form, having due re-
gard to the peace and harmony which subsists
between Spain and the United States; that
have always acted towards him with the most
distinguished consideration, both as Commas
sioner of the United States and as GoveFnour !;
and in like mannerI have treated sill the citi-
zens of the United States indiscriminately
with the greatest attention during my adj
ministraiion as Govemour of West-Florida )
that assure General Jackson both as
Commissioner and Governonr, that 'whatoy-
er papers were to be delivered by me to.
him this day, should be immediately furnish
cd through the regular channel, as a proof
that they were given IN a manner becoming
my official character. .*f'
found myself attacked with violent pain,
from complaint under which have been
suffering for. some time. This fRsparted to
Col. Brooke, and requested him to permit me.
10 retire to my house, which did, and then
ordered my Secretary to address an official
letter TO the Governour, making the same
statement TO him as | had done to, the bearers
of his messages; which official letter ] sent
him by two officers, but the GovesnouF refus-
ed to receive it.
AT seven at night, the same persons came
to my honse, demanded the papers from me
as private individual, or to go with them be-
fore. the Governoar. found myselfso unwell,
as to be unable to sit up, and stated to them
that my illness would not admit of my going
ont, and that / did not clearly understand
what pagers they wanted, nor conld deliver
them in any other way than as Commissioner
under the treaty, If they were emAraeed IN
I,,fi
as military Governour, as such being pack
ed up in the cases Gas il was said( they must
indspensably belong to the department of the
military government, or that of the national
finance, as ALI the civil and criminal archives
belonging TO the ordinary tribunals had been
delivered up by the Constitutional Alcade.. as
also were the protocols to the commission of
the United States; bht nevertheless, | re-
Quested them to furnish me with note Of the
description of papers, and | would reply.
In about On hour afterwards, a>note written
Ia English on loose half sheet of paper, was
sent to me without any cover | answered
the bearer that Il would be translated and re-
piled to-. / sent il TO. the interpreter, and
went to bed, and some time. after, while at
rest, troops, commanded by IN officer, and
under the order of the aforementioned per-
sons, broke down my fences, scaled my house,
and entered my chamber with naked bayonets
In their hands. ] addressed them, exalaiming
that since nv house did not afford me an
asylum, nor nay Official character shelter me,
nor the immunity to which. WIS entitled UNI
der the government of the United States.
threw myself on the protection, of that GOV
eminent, and protested in the most solemn
manner against such extraordinary outrages.-
They answered thai must immediately de-
LIVER the papers mentioned in the note, or that
dhould be conducted by them as a prisoner
replied, that had sent the, note to the in
terpreter for tTaslslation; that was indispos-
ed, and requested that they would not force
HE from my house at that hour, (at half past
Zen at night that if it would &c sufficient 10
avoid the execution Of such orders, they might
determine on forcibly opening my cases and
trunks, and carry of any papers they pleased,
CT act as they Thought proper, as ! was dispos-
ed to yield to force, and even resigned to let
taem assassiIlate me, as placed every thing
at their disposal:
One of the deputsiion ordered the officer
commanding, to enter my room, and at this
time the citizen Don Juan lhnerarity wished
TO iniercede, as it appeared to- me but in
speaking he was told to be silent, and the
officer was directed to take mo, as his prison.
e-, with his armed force. ! replied thai
considered myself as such, and in proof there
Of delivered my sword and case, but as to
dragging. me from my house, they must take
into Consideration, my i'll state Of health.
They answered that they knew it, ordered
me to dress, and, with the armed troors, con-
Quoted me to the presence of the Goyernour,
1Nh N was IN shaueo from Me <xr,,,
people Of all descriptions of persons. The
IL l.