Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-02-25
From the National journal.
our RELATIONS WITH SPAIN.

MI. fhudiiio iiotiutto Aifi. 1NctSOn 10 make.
the several points which formed the subjects of
the complaints and remonstrances of the Span
ish Munster, he directs the attention of ON
Minister TO the claims of American citizens for
vessels and other property captured by the Porto
Rico and Porto Cayello privateers, and con-
demned by the Courts of those places, for SUD-
posed breaches OF pretended blockade, or for
bddtinS with the South American independents.
Mr.. Adams considers that restitution or iniemni
~ Is due IN ali these cases immediately by the
Spanish Government, inasmuch as the sufferers
IN most of them could have no resort to the in
dlviduals by whom the captures were made:
and he thinks the claim upon the Spanish Go
vernment the more indisputablc as they had al
ready admitted the justice, and made provision
for the satisfaction, of claims of similar nature
made by British subjects. He then expresses
hope that, as the nominal blockade had been
revoked by the Spanish Government, no more
commissions for prlvatcers would be issued. or
this blockade, he says:
The revocation did, indeed, come at a criti-
cal time: for 1t cannot he too strongly Impressed
upon the Spanish Governments THAT all the
causes OF complaint, both by Spanish subjects
against the navy officers of the United States.
and by the citizens of the United States. with
winch you are now, charged, proceeded directly.
or as consequence, from those spurious block
AIDES. They were in violation of the laws of
nations. They were in conflict with the law
OF Congress for protecting the commerce of the
United states. Ii was impossible that ships of
wal Oh me United States, with commanders in
structed TO carry that law into execution. and
Spanish prlvateers, commissioned and instructed
10 carry INTO effect the atrocious decree of Gene
raj Morales, should meet and fulfil their rasnec
tive instructions without hostile collision. The
decree OF Gen. Morales constituted all those
spanish subjects who acted under it, in a stale
OF war de faCto with all neutral nations: and
on tie sea, 1t was war of ex termination against
all neutral commerce. 1t is to the responsible
ty OF her own officers, therefore that Spain
must look Tor indemnity To the wronps endured
by her own subjects, as necessary consequences
OF their official acts, well as for the source of
her obligation TO indemnify all the innocent suf-
ierers uhdcrthem, who are entitled 10 The protec-
uon OF other nations. You will take an imme-
ate opportunity, alter your reception, to urge
upon the Spanish Cove nment the absolute ne
cessity OF amore vigorous and energetic exer-
else of the local authorities IN the island or
Cuba, for the suppression of the piracies. BY
winch 1t Is yet infested. Their professions of
Cooperation with the naval force of the United
States to tins object have not been followed up
by corresponding action. As lone, since as last
May, Captain Biddle, then COMMANDING the
Macedonian frigate, represented to the CAPTAIN
General Many, the necessity that would fire.
quently arse OF pursuing them from t,eir boats
TO the shores on the desert and uninhabited narts
OF the Island, and requested permission 10 land
lor snch puspose, which was explicitly refused
Mr. Forsyth has been instr Icted to renew the
demand OF this permission, to the Spanish no.
Vernnent itself. And, as there are cases in
which the necessity will constitute the RIGHT of
anticipating that permission, Commodore Porter
has been instructed accordingly. From re-
cent debate In the British Parliament il appears
that similar instructions have been piyen to the
commanders OF the British squadron despatched
Tor the protection of the commerce of that ma
tion, and that, when notified TO the Spanish
government, although at first resisted by them.
they finally obtained their acQuicsence. These
circumstances will serve for answer 10 one of
the most aggravated complaints of MIR. Audua-
ga against Captain Cassin. That officer did
land, and although not successful in oyertaI,ino
the pirates themselves, he did break up one of
the dePosites oil their lawless plumber burnt
several OF their boats, and took from them two
OF their armed vessels. Mr. Anduaoa sces II,
all tins nothing but q Uioiation Of HIS Cathotic
JaG3eSty'S territory; a sentiment on such an oc-
caslOn, which would be more suitable for an .c-
cessary to the pirates, thaD for the officer of a
government deeply and earnestly intent upon
their suppression"
10 the character of General Wives. the new
Governor OF Cuba, Mr.. Adams pays deserved
compliment, and seems to rest witt, confidence
upon his cooperation with our naval officers for
the suppression of the pirates. But. upfortu-
nateiy, whatever NAV have been the disnosition
OF Gen. Yves, his presence in the island seems
to have bad little effect in deterrino, these
mcrclless robbers from CONTINUING their fr,de of
rSplnc and murder.
MT. Adams next adverts to the different
construction gwen by the TWO Governments to
several aruclcs OF etreaty Of 1919, in relation
70 the delivery of the two FIoridas TO the United
States. The Spanish government made if y
question: whether, under the term Publications.
winch, by tie sfipulatioDs Of the treaty were IN
be delivered over with the PROVINCES tbo o,.t;J,
terry was included, having previously Construed
that article OF the treaty by which the United
States agreed to furnish t1U1,sDOrts for tbe con-
Yeyance OF the Spanish officers and troops TO the
Havana, to mean that proUiSioas for the passage
should also be furnished at HE expense of fine
united States. This Government did not hcsi
tate TO acqucsce in this liberal construction
OF the article but insisted that, ON fire sotpo
principle, Chat provisions for the PASSAGE would
be understood as implied in an cnrarCncnt n,
supply the passage itself the ordnance which
constituted he essential put OF the forliica-
tons, must be considered as embraced by the
word, and that the United States we're entitled
to CLAIM its delivery with the buildings which.
without 1t, would substantially be no fortilica-
TONS at all" To this reciprocal libcrality of
construction, however, the Spanish officers at
Fcnsacola and St Augustine objected; and re-
Ce'Pts were given by General Jackson and Col.
Butter Tor the artillery left in the forts, until tie
TWO uDEcTuTppnfC cInrtI Il Al
OF PrOperty.-A cOrrespondence ensned he
tween The Sncrnfaru Of ST. IL IL. 60 L