Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-06-10

years 'Eey have received shelter, assistance, sup
plies, and protection m the practice Of such HOSTILE
ties, from the Spanish commanders in Florida, is
clear and uneGuivoca u, as the commanders, both
az Pensacola aud ST. Marks, have alleged, this
nas been the result OF their weakness rather than
their viii; if they have assisted the Indians against
he Uuitcd States, 20 avert their hosties from the
province which they had not sufficient force TO de-
'end against them, il may serve in some measure,
TO eXcuipate Individually those officers; but IL must
carry demonstration irresistible the Spanish Co
vernment, that the right of the United States can
as little compound with impotence, as with perfidy
and that Spain must immediately make her election
either TO place force in Florida, adequate to the
protection OF engagements, or cede TO the Unit
ed states a province, of which she retains nothing
out the nominal possession, but which is, in fact,
q derelict open TO tie occupancy ofevery enemy,
civilized or savage, Of the United States, and serv
ing no other earthly purpose than as post OF an
noyance to them
might here let the matter rest, and it may ap-
pear futile in me to give any other reasons or au-
thoFity ior my conduct than those have cited, but
have sui more cosent reasons than any have
yet stated: acted not only the supposed wishes
OF The government and nation at large, loudly and
repeatedly expressed but on orders intended to have
'net Tie case, and no doubt would have met it pre-
S~sey' IL IL could nave even been imagined that so
great an outrage could have been committed by the
sQthonues otany place, protesting friendship TO the
omitted States, as was committed on the person OF
MIR. Platt. IS 1t cannot be presumed (says my in
suuctions) tina, the government OF any island will
"ttord any protection countenande to such rob
hers. II may, on the contrary, confidently be be-
lieFeG mat all governments, and particularly those
most exposed, will afford all means in their power
ior uheir suppression" Yet the government and
people Of Foxorda did not only afford protection
md countenance' to pirates, and so far from af-
lordlng g." all means in their power for their sup
Preston" did, to cap the climax OF their atrocity,
SstSe, unPTis0n, and inSuIt, American officer,
wnllc IN the execution OF his lawful duties, and
while acting IN strict conformity with the orders of
the government; thus losing all respect for their
own character. and lorfeting the respect of Others
" identifying themselves and interests wIth free
footers and outlaws, and making common cause
with the enemies of the human race against the civil
ized world
II 1T IS asked where find the wishes and opinions
oil the nation and the government 20 often and 50
loudly expressed as to justify my operations at
foNarco, answer, in the messages and commune
cations of tie Executive TO Congress at various
times the acts Of Congress for the suppression OF pi-
facy, reports OF Committees, and speeches of men,
bers OF Congress- in the petitions of the mercantile
part OF the community 10 Congress, and TO the Ex-
ecu'ire IN the public prints and in the general
tineht of the body of the people.
could give numerous extracts from the various
authorities cited, but their publicity renders it I'M
necessary that should do SO; | shall, therefore,
merely refer TO the Presidents message, and com
munications of tie Secretaries of State and Navy,
the acts declaring war against pirates, and making
appropriations for their suppression, the reports OF
Inc chlrinen oil committees whom the subject
was referred. II /; unnecessary TO cite the various
petitions and memorials Of the merchants in our sea
ports, the numerous speeches OF members of Con
Sress on the occasion, and 1t would be almost i'm
possible TO enumerate the various newspaper pub
locations on the subject, as it would be to collect
The sentiments uttered by citizens. All unite
n deprecating the aboninable system and calling
aloud for punishment, not only on the wretches i'm
medaety concerned IN it, bEt on their aideTs abet-
tJTs, and accessories
The Constitution OF the United States prescribes
no form for promugating declaration of war The
Publication OF the act for the suppression of piracy
was alone Sufficient 70 make known 10 the world
tnat war rad been formally declared by the United
States against pirates. A squadron was equipped
for the purpose Of Pursuing them, with the command
oil which was honOrcd, and sailed with the pray
ers and best wishes humankind in general. My o.
ders although dra vn up with great care, and which
lay Down certain general principles as my guide,
~ my operations against pirates and intercourse with
foreign nations, omit TO define to me Jcott is MIRA
cy. Il became, therefore, necessary for me to re-
Ter 10 such authorities were within my reach at
sea, Tor . definition of the term. Although the
10th article OF the 9Th section Of ihe Constitution
empowers Congress TO define piracy, the laws OF the
United States, except in those for the suppression
OF the slave trade, and the acts of March Sd 1919
and May 10TH, 1920 silent on the subject. 1t
became therefore, necessary seek for definition
IN other authorities, among writers on interna-
tioaal law. 10 which the act of March Sd refers
s. Pirates" according TO Spilnan, 60 are common
scI roYers, without any fixed place of residence
WHO acknowledge no sovereign and no law, and
support themselves by pillase and dcpredations at
sea" The definition is sufficiently clear and pre-
IN mir -l.O b
have no fixed residence, and who acknowledge no
sovereign and 10 law, but it does not describe the
pirates whom it was made my duty to seek and en-
counter.
The following extract from the orders of the Sec
rotary of the Navy eRdeaVours to describe the orr
gin, nature, and character of the system of piracy
which was sent TO suppress, differing essentially
from Spilman definition, but still emitting to de-
5ne tchat IS piracy.
&c The system OF piracy which has grown m in
the Wesi Indies, has obviously arisen from the war
between Spain and The governments, her late
provinces in this hemisphere, and from the limited
force in the Islands, and their sparse population
many portions Of each being entirely uninhabited
and desOlate, TO which the active authority Of the
Government does not extend. Ii isunderstood that
establishments have been made by parties of these
bandit! in those uninhabNSd parts to which they
carry their plInder and retreat in time of danger -
The stat u and IL w. g, c. Z, made perpetual
by sat. 6, Geo. c. 10, enacts that :" all persons
who set forth any pirates, be assisting to those
committing piracy, or that conceal such pirates or
receive any vessels goods practically taken shall
be deemed accessory to the piracy, and suffer as
principals"
By stat 8 Geo. lst, J. C. 81, made perpetual BY
STAT. ?, Geo. 2, c. %, 60 the trading with known
pirates. or furnishing them with stores or ammuni-
ton, or fitting out any vessel for that purpose, or
90 any wise consulting combining, confederating,