Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-12-23

Gag. in the person OF Capt. Piatt-that, know
Ing his true character, they seized and de-
tanned him, while employed in the regular
execution of the regular orders Of the Aneri-
can Commodore of orders strictly within
the line of his service. BY what right, on
what pretence Of authority, did Commodore
Porter take upon himself to redress, by force,
the national wrong, ar TO chastise the nation
al insult, however unprOvCked, outrageous,
and uDiustifsble -
sThe acts OF the Spanish authorities ut Eek
ardo, and Of every other the most insignificant
dependency of the Spanish Crown, are, 10 eS-
ety political view, national acts the Crown OF
Spun is responsible for them. Insult To any
of our officers. Injury to any of our citizens.
is an alfront or wrong 10 the u. States: 1t
belongs to our government To demand redress,
and failing To obtain it, To vindicate the rights
aud honor Of the nation; Ia retasa;r, cbas
tiss, avenge.. The Davai and military officers
of the u. States have no more right to resent
an aifruut offered 10 their country IN their
persons, by nation AT peace with ours, than
any other citizen. II was abuse Of their
commission, 10 employ the force entrusted TO
their command for other purposes, in exact
ing AN apology from the Spanish authorities
a, Fexardo, for the insult they had received
from them. To prove this To the satisfaction
ofali meas minds, let US only suppose, tfat
Commodore Porter and his 600 men had
been defeated and taken by the Spaniards, and
q will not say erecUiel for wagng war Min
out shadow of lawful authority, bud mad"
prisoners what il such misfortune had be-
fallen, would have been the efficiency oi ihs
Americans quadson in the Vest India seas, Tor
the nuruoses for which il was seat 10 that
station
La the prescott case, an apology demanded
hy our government OF Spain, and suitable
a;onc,lcnt ssenny made by her, would
have much better comported With the dignl-
~ Of the ration, and even with that of the
officers through whom the nation was insulted,
than that IS hich was rxtOrted from the base
fears OF the petty, civil and military com
r1anders of Fexsrdo dastards, who bad not
til. spirit 10 apply the ready burning match
10 the printing Of their loaded cannon, in de
fence Of their wives aud clliiden and friends
and sacred home. WIKI such inen, there can
he no honor in contest, M glory in victory
Commodore Porter has vyersed the state ol
the quarrel he has put IT'S in the wrong =
Spain is now the injured patty; and has a
lust right to claim redress of The u. States.
II has been said "lhat summary Justice was
" Commodore Porter's hue poiicy nuder such
prevention as he appears 10 have received
b,caus, Spain has no means nor disposition
g. to redress wrongs committed by her officers
- in the West ladies' The fact is assumed
If il be true, II belongs TO our government,
surely, 10 prescribe the course, which such 2
stale OF imbccity and vice makes it wise and
Just 10 pursue towards her. This apoiogist
had certainly given better reason why
Commodore Porter's measures we're the
"irue policy" and one probably more ac-
cordant with his real sentiments, if he had
said, that Spain has means nor disposition
TO enforce redress for wrongs committed on,
her officers in the West Indies. Would
Cummnllure Porter's course have been true
policy bad he acted in similar manner 10
wards the officers and Inhabitants Of British
West India Island Tie weakness OF nations,
know, has always been, in practice, most
sulIicing reason for violence towards them.
wish may not soon hear il avowed in this
country, justification IN principle. see
symptoms of an inclination for West India
possPseinns Porfo Rico would suit us better
Than Thampson's Island better Il should
Think even than Cuba. Yet Mexico, or even
Texas would be more valuabi. acquisition
than either.
Commodore Porter will have yet more
arduuus task to reconcile his conduct with
the constitution and laws of the. u. States. Tie
flhers of the Republic, sensible from profound
experience in human nature, how acute and
prompt .hose who wird the national force
have ever approved themselves, in finding OF
making occasions TO employ il, carefully de-
Died the war-making powerto The Executive
and conided IL 10 the representatives of the
people. Had the President ordered Comma
dsre Porter 10 do what he has done Il pre-
sume) of his own independent will ; do not
hesitate 10 say he would have been guilty oi
an impeachable offence. Is Commodore
Porter, at his pleasure, TO exercise power,
which the constitution has denied To The IS is
dom OF the chief magistrate Cannot C send
a naval or military officer on ordinary pro
fcssional service, without giving him right
10 embro the peace of the nation Commo-
dorr Porter's descent upon Porto Rico was
actual war and this nation would soon feel
thai il was, if Spain were not humbed from
her former pride, and sIlorn of all her sirepg, |,
and glory.
s After long reflection on the subject, I can
conceive but single case, in which a naval
officer has the fightful power 10 employ thp
public turce under his command, against the
subjects OF nation at peace with ours. II he
be himself attacked, he may aud for the hon
OF ct his ilaG ought To rcpel force by force
at Is wonderful To observe the force OF pre-
ccdeut. Gen. Jackson waged war aaains,
A Spain: his conduct excited surprise and alarm
and was the subject Of vehement debate =
Commodore Porter wages war against S,aio :.
and, uoless can rouse the public attent,op
the fact is likely TO pass without nutice =
Gen. Jackson, for his reward, will probahlv
be- exalted to the first office in the Republic.
Commodore Porter, for aught know. may
be his successor 10 that high honor. In NV
opinion, the Commodore is at least as d.sery-
Ing Of it as the General. He has every one
Of his good qualities, and is exempt from many
of his faults.
II has been common defence for every
officer who commits any extravaganza, to
q