Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-03-08
Very respectfully,
" G ID NORTfIINI
Secretary md acting Governor of Ecss Florida
= M En'ralgo TO Mr.. Worthington, SeptcuI-

-
SIR: IL is an incontrovertibc axiom of Justice
thai, white any affair is pending before the corniz-
ahce ana Tor the decision OF supreme tribunal II
ought not 10 be innovated upon rs a contrary course
would NC violent, improper, NULL and of no effect
Under this idea, and considering what was exnrossc
M your official note of the o9h of August last which
received yesterday evening nj six o'clock wherein
yoh appear to be aware that the doubt arising be-
tween the commissioners. Colenels joseph Copnin-
ger and Robert Butler, RESPECTING the DELIVERY of Tho
archives, undermy charge, have been referred to lie
government OF the United States nj Washington and
TO has EXcellency the Captain General Of The leland
oil luna, DO not consider ii in the power of any
snbaltern authority TO deprive me of the possess,on
OF the SAID archives particularly as have no idea OF
carrying away or d'sposing of them during the de-
liberation OF the supreme authorities and ne tha;r
remaining here cannon occasion any preindce IN the
pubic, VINO are more interested in their preservation
man The government, and If the parties require
copies, am ready 10 certify them on payment OF
my proper fees.
lhe precedent which you point out 10 me of the re-
ce'pt OF the public archives by the government of
Pensacola, cannot be rule that the same should he
not apply. Wv
In Pensacola the Office had no head nor was there
any Notary public. Here, have received from 20
yernment public documents and registers, which
archives and protocols | bought at public sales ::
consequently, am the legal head OF the Office and
nothing can deprive OF the Use and benefit there
OF, until have been first satisfactorily unidentified
because they are pirate property, which, have no
COMMISSION with The archives and documents el;Tecty
relative 10 the property aud sovereignty of this no.
vince; which genuine and Literal words stated IN
the second article of the treaty of amitv concluded
al Washington, the 22d Fehru,ry- faro ,,rs,
guide any one wishing TO ascertain de f,cls
trust, Sir, that, from your well known Indictment
ana deiiheraie consideration, and having IN view
what have Just laid before you, you will be pleased
TO suspend all proceedings tending To dcprivc me nj
my property, until the decision Of the supreme nu
lhorItics, 10 whose cognizanrc have also heen re
ierfed the representations which have more ex-
"hSNeY maze upon this head, and until the receipt
oil ne necessary papers containing their decision
WIN every respect, am, Sir, your most obetieni
humble servant
JUAN DE ENTRALGo.
5. Mr.. Wonlgton to Mr. Enmalgo, Sept. 10
Vns IS long and Ingenious justification Of
the ground Mr. w. bad taken
.. Commission TO Messrs Bell, Forbes, and
iLaw OcI /.
8. REPORT Of Commissioners
81. AUGUSTINE, Octobcr an, 1921
SIR The undersigned Commissioners 1onniu,ed
by your letter bearing date the Isl of Oct 1921 EN-
towering them TO demand Of Col joseph Copuinqer
late Commissioner on The part of his Catholic Ma.
Iesty TO deliver the possession of East Florida 10 the
Commissioner on the part Of the o. States and Tire
archives and documents relating to- the property and
sovereignty OF the province, and 10 demand oil Juan
pas dc bnraIgo, late Notary register &c. of this
province, the archives ard records IN his uOssessiou
having executed the commission entrusted 20 them
beg leave TO sHbm the following report Of their pro-
cecdings:
tiiJ W. pun Su1NCe OF your instructions, the under
signed proceeded to the Office Of Don Iuan b En-
ralgo, nj 4 o clock Of Yesterday having entered
and finding the son Of Don Entralgo alone IN the Of
nee, messenger was despatched loi him on his
arrival, formal demand was made for all the archives
and records Ia his possession, relative tic property
and sovereignty OF the province 10 this den,aud
Don Entralgo replied, that the papers were in his
possession, and must there remain until the uuest;on
respecting them, submitted 10 the decision oftbe two
governments, should be determined, as agreed noon
between Col. COpplnger and Col. Butler. And, upon
the undersigned informing Mr.. Enuago that their
instruction was to take immediate possession OF tic
archives and records in possession he replied tiat
such aH act would be considered by him as forcibe
and against his consent. The undersigned then pro-
ceeded TO take possession Of the papeis found IN his
oihce, excepting such related TO his private con
Germs, aud having psi Them in five boxes, requested
Mr.. Eniralgo 20 put his seal upon them, which offer
he declined. The boxes were then deposited in the
public store for safe keeping.
In tile moan tune one Of the undersigned accom-
panied by Of the Secretaries TO this commission
and tho sheriff of st. Johns county, proceeded To-
the house 81 Col. COppngor, aud made similar de-
maui sud received the same rs given by Don
EntralgO. request WAS then made that Col Com
pingcr would be present when Inc papers in his pos
session should he taken aud was also requested To
aiiS his sot Ia the bcSes, together with one Of IN
dcrsigncd, there 10 remain until an examination of
Tive papers should take place, both of which PROPOSE.
tons were rejected by hiID--he continued TO protest
against al the proceedings Of tho Undersigned and
refused IN open the door of his Office The under
signed tben proceeded, ~ the only alternative left
Them, 10 force open the door. they then took nos
session o. tic papers, amOaoiing TO six boxes buxed