Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-03-29

cei was the proper vehicle of publication. As IL is,
we devoutly hope the people of Missouri ha We intel
igence enough to penetrate Col Benton's purpose
IN preserving copy of this correspondence, and
publishing 1t to the world, and generosity enough In
forgive and To reward NJ. Scott Tor acting as his
conscience dictated. uninuenced by the hope of IA
vor, or the fear of d, nunciation.
Porter md Fdrardo.-Our readers are apprjsed
That Commodore Posters attack on the Spanish viii
lage oi FaXardo, has drawn on him the censure of
'he lhtegent, who saw III that act, the counterpart
OF enefai Jacksons invasion of Florida the viola
ton OF the rights of friendly power, md the usur
patton oil the power OF making war. The late Co.
vernnent, either from viewing the transaction i'm the
same light, or III obedience to public sentiment point,
ed oy the powerful pen of John Hampden, proceed
ed to recall Commodore Porter from the comm, nd
OF the West India station, and to subject his con-
duct to the investigation of curt Martial
In the meantime, Captain Porters instructions
AWnich may be seen IN another column given by
SmIth Thompson the then Secretary of the Navv.
and dated February LIST, 1923, when the anti-pi-
faticai squadron sailed to the West Indies have
Ie4n published. The Commodore's defenders tri-
unphentiy appeal to these Instructions as hearing
MN out in his late equvocal conduct at Faxarde
AS we are of a different opinion, we will extract a
few paragraphs in order arrest the attention of the
'~' "''''
-" hIle (say the instructiDns) it is your duty
~ project our commerce against all unlawful
interruption, and To guard the rights both of
person and property of the citizens of tue q.
states, whenever il shall become necessary.
you will observe the utmost caution not to en-
croach upon the rights of others and should Won
at any time be brought into discussion or COLI
Slon, with any foreign power, in relation to such
rights, 1t will be eXpedient and proper that the
same should be conducted with as much moder-
ation and torberance, as is consistent with the
honour OF your country, and the just claims of
its citizens.n
Had the Hon. Secretary written this sentence af
Ter The occurrence of the affair Faxardo he could
NOT nave described that event more exactly. Can't
Porter was brought by circumstances into that verv
discussion and collision" with n 70 eirn power
winch was foreSeen possible by his instructions
and III which situation he is ordered, to act with .as
much moderation and iorhea amce. as the honor of
his count y" g. would permit What was his
conduct as c"ntrasted with his distinctions in this
situation Captain p ter had despatched leuten-
ant fiatt' an Office of his squadron, Faxardn. to
search that plhc TO A"e lean property believed TO
be sec ete'' h" e-Leutenant Plat under suspicion
81 not b"nS what h. prete udd, arrested bv the
Captain of the Port, ('aptn;u Porter saws shame
fully nsuted and bused) hut certainlv set at ber-
ty and suffered proceed on his Grand as soon as
ms true character aScertaIned. Whether the
arrest OF Platt situated the authorities at Faxar-
do were. in expectation IF being attacked by the
private armed forces of the independent states in
south America, was not a very natural event we
leave 1t to others to determine: what was the ma tuYe
"i the insult and abuse offered him we are equally
unable to say. Certain it is, that his Immediate IL
befation after the authorities of the place were sa
tiShrd of his official chararte: does not seem very
compatible with deliberate purpose ''abuse and
Insult either Lieutenant Platt OF his country. But
he this as 1T may, still al loss, even if the
intentions ut the authorities at Faxardo, were as
hostile and insoient as Captain Porter represents
then, to reconcile his conduct with the letter and
spirit of his Instructions. In the negotiation and
transactions which followed upon the arrest OF Lieu
tenant Plat, did he observe that "moderation and
toroearance, which were inioined him in his instruc-
tons On the contrary, did he conduct the whole
affair III the most arrogant, superclious and con-
temptuous manner reference to his own letter
to the Alcade of the place. furnishes the best renlv
10 the last interrogatory In this letter he tells the
Alcade,
THAT the object of my visit to Faxardo. is to
obtain both expiration and explanation, and |
leave IT entirely to Your choice, either to come
with the Captain of the port, and the other Of
tenders where | am, to give me satisfaction for
th? part which you nave all had in this shameful
affair, or TO expect my visit in your town. If
you, ST. decline to come TO me, | shall take with
me an armed force, competent to ehastise the
transgressors, and if any resistance be matte
the total destruction of Faxar1o, shall be the
certain and immediate consequences
eff atonement for the injury is PROMPTLY
made, those innocent of the offence shall escane
all punishment: but there must and shall be an
atonement and if am Impeded, they (Lte inno-
cent? shall be involved in the general punish
ment.n
81 grant you, sir, an hour, to decide on the
subject, at the expiration of which period, if Won
do not proceed Yourself in person before me. |
shall march to Faxardo.n
These were the extraordinary conditions exocted
by Commodore Porter of the Alcalde of Faxardo
ami we confess ourselves at a loss, which most IN
ADMIRE the extreme 'moderatiou ana forbearance''
OF me demands themselves, or the tone of threat
contempt and insolence, which Commodore Porter
thought TIT to assume towards an officer represent
ing the rights and majesty of weak and falling
indeed, but at the time, friendly and sove-
reign power. The Commodore was as good as his
word-Faxardo was invaded with one hundred pd
fifty men-the people who had unanimously Assem-
bled to repel this extraordinary INVASION were init
Undated by the commodore approach. and fled f,om
the ground-their Artillery was spiked, aud the au-
thofies finding resistance fruiess, and that if at
tempted, the "innocent and guilty., would be invo-
ved IN one common ruin, made their peace by com
plying with all the humiating conditions exacted
p inally this chivafous exploit was brought TO the
hdppleSt conclusion. and Comn,odorp pcrtar o,v,y,