Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-01-01

then the whole character of the stipula-
ton would be changed. She would not
be placedoli the lootingofthe most favor
cd nation, but on footing held by no
other nation. She would enjoy all the
advantages allowed 10 them, in conside-
ration oil like advantages allowed to us,
free from every, ard any, condition,
wha,evera33oA.- .s.-j
sG;.ISsea Mas The government Of
Ffs !, oftbe seizure of the
! Apollo, and the removal of other YES
sells. from the waters Of the St. Mary's.
It will not be denied, that every nation
has a right TO regulate its commercial
svsttm, as il thinks fiji, and TO enforce the
collection OF lis revenue, provided it be
dine, without an invasion Of the rights oil
other powers. The violation Of its reye-
niue laws is an offence, which all nations
jpnnish THE punishment Of which,
gives no just CAUSE of complaint, to the
power to which TIE offenders belong,
provided it be extended to all equally.
In this case, every circumstance which
occurred, indicated a fixed purpose to
violate our revenue laws. Had the par
ty intended to have pursued fair trade,
he would have entered our ports, and
paid the duties; or had he intended to
haze carried on a legitimate circuitons
commerce, with the United States, he
would have entered the port of some
other power, landed bis goods at the GUS
tom house according TO law, and re-
shipped and sent them in the vessel Of
such power, pr of some other power
which might awful.y bring them, free
from such dutes, to port of the United
States. But lie conduct Of the party in
this case was altogether different. He
entered the river St. Mary's, the bounda-
ry between the United States and Flori-
da, and took his position OH the Spanish
side, on which, in the whole extent OF the
river, there was 10 town, no port, or
custom house, and scarcely any settle
ment. His purpose, therefore, was not
to sell his goods 10 the Inhabitants OF
Florida, but TO Citizens Of the United
States, in exchange for their productions
which could NOT be done without a direct
and palpable breach of our laws. 1t is
known that aregular systematic plan had
been formed by certain other persons
for the violation Of our revenue system,
which made it the more necessary to
check the proceeding in its commence
ment.
That the unsettled bank of river SO
remote from the Spanish garrisons and
population could give no protection to
any party, in such practice, is believed
to be in strict accord with the law Of ma
tons. 1t would not have comportcd with
a friendly policy, in Spain herself, to
have established custom house there,
since i. could have subseryed no other
purpose, than to elude our revenue laws.
But the government Of Spain did not
adopt that moisture. On the contrary,
it is understood, that the Captain Gene
raj of Cuba, to whom an application 10
that effect asmade, by these adyentur-
ers, had not acceded TO it. The condi-
ton of those provinces for many years
before they were coded to the United
States, need not, now, be dwelt on. In
habited by different tribes OF Indians, and
an inroad for every kind ofadvcnturer, the
jurisdiction Of Spain may be said to have
been, almost exclusively, Confined to her
garrisons. Il certainly could not extend
10 places where she had no authority
The rules therefore, applicable to settled
countries, governed by laws, could not
be deemed SO, to>the deserts Of Florida,
and to ,hc.oecurrences there. 1t merits
attention, also, that the Territory had
been coded 10 the Uniled States, by a
treaty, the ratification CT which had not
been refused, and which has since been
performed. Under such circumstances,
therefore, Spain became less responsible
for such acts committed there, and the
United States more at liberty to exercise
au.hority,to prevent SO great a mischief.
The conduct OF this government has, in
every instance, been conciliatory and
friendly to France. The construction of
our revenue law, in its application to the
cases, which have formed the ground Of
such serious complaint on her part, and
the order, to the Collector of ST. Mary's,
in accord withit, were given two years
before these cases occurred, and in re-
ference to breach, which was attempted
by the subjects of another power. Its
application, therefore, to the cases in
question was inevitable. As soon as the
treaty, by which these provinces were
coded to the United States, was ratified,
and all danger Of further breach of our
revenue laws ceased, an order was given
for the release Of the vessel, which had