The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-06-27


oe'ween contending citizens, nor between
the prince and his subjects; TO them the
TWO parties are equally foreigners, equal
~ independent Of their authority. They
may, however, interpose their good Off
ces tor the restoration of peace, and this
the law of nations prcscribes to them.--
But if their mediation proves fruitless,
they, who are not tied by any treaty,
may, for their own coDduct, take the me,
rit of the cause into consideration, and
assist the party which they shall Judge to
have right on its side, in case this party
shall request their assistance, or accept
the offer of it. vATTEL.
Eor tie .dlerand,ia Herald.
Mr.. EprToR-The conduct pursued
by the authorities of the Dutch island of
Curacao, against anAmerican citizen, Bap.
tist Irvine, must be reprobated by every
honest citizen. His behaviour has no,
been different from thousands of the A.
mericans, who have engaged in the Coz
lombisn cause, yet neutral power,
power at peace with the world, confines
him On one of her islands, as an offender
against the laws of nations.
The people of Porto Rico being desi.
rous of shaking off the Spanish yoke,
made overtures to some officers Of the
Colombian service, that if they could
raise small force in Europe or Ameri-
ca and come against the isiand-imme-
diatcly on their appearance they would
break out into open revolt, and make
struggle to emerge from that darkness
and misery, under which they had so long
been dormantly reposing. Thisoffer was
Immediately accepted by Decoudray iol.
stein, by birth Swiss, second in com.
mand of the Colombian forces, and for
merly in the staff of the French marshals
Soult and Massena. He came to the
United States, and entered into contract
with some merchants of the cities of N.
York and Philadelphia, by which they
were to furnish him, with vessels. arms,
and equipments, for which they were to
be paid on his arrival in the West In.
dies. Some young men of the most re-
liable families, bur of aspiring dispositions;
many OF whom had been in the army en-
barked on the expedition more desirous
OF Signalling themselves in achieving
the independence of the island of Por.
to Rico, than from any hopes of saip.
Decoudray Holstein having been intro
dnced TO Mir. Irvine, and Justly think.
ing tina, gentleman of his talents
would be great acquisition 90 the
service, as he also wrote and spoke the
Spanish language; after 5000 deal o.
persuasion,he at lengtb~sreed 10 proceed
10 the island with lie expedition, to as,
sist the inbat~aDts in their struggle
bn, no,i,.efy refusing any Office, Until
the aiSf overthrow ofthe Spanish autho.
~ in the island. Here it was, that Sir.
Irvine displayed magnanimity scarcely
'cqualled, in acting as volunteer to as
sist in wrestling that charming place from
the hands OF tyraDt and placing il, where
IT should be, in the hands of the people.
Why is it then, that the people of this
country (of all countries the least to de-
precate an act Of such free genuine pat.
riotism) are SO ready to cslumniate the
character of noble, injured man? But
justice cannot long remain dormant. nor
be swayed from her course and it is sin.
-cerely hoped that it will one day be ex.
tended to Baptist Irvine.
1t would be unnecessary TO on into a
detail OF the various causes which tended
TO delay this expedition far beyond the
time, at which the people Of the island
were anxionsly expecting its arrival, Blu;
1t is necessary to mention one cause, as It
is the main spring Of the object, which
particularly caused the arrest of MIR, Ir.
vine. One OF the schrs. being DELAYED in
New York, on board of which was the
private secretary of the general, it was
necessary, that, as they were to proceed
directly TO Porto Rico, the various state
papers should be signed by the secretary.
Mr.. irvine being the only one who nm.
oiers'ood the Spanish language was ORE,
vailed onto sign them as acting secreta.
W o. stale. On the way to the island
however, they were compelled by most
furious gale, which made the vessels
completely wrecks, to put into the island
ot Curacao, where these papers beino
found on the vessel, the general and NT
irvine were thrown into prison. wbers
they have already been confined ciob,
months. Such is the result orthe famSns,
Porto Rico expedition as i, is called and
1t now remains TO inquire, how far the i'm
prIsonment OF Mr.. Irvine is legal and
consistent with the laws Of na,ionsl
"But il the prince attacking the fupda.
inental-laws gives his subjects LEGAL
right to resist him if tyranny become
insuppoTtable and obliges the nation 10
take up arms in their defence every In
reign power has right 10 succour IN on.