Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-04-11

In By0,cn to Mr. Clan.

PANS, 10th Jan. 1926
Sir: In order TO comply with the instructions
contained in your despatch No 3. obtained nm
interview with His Excellency the Baron de
i'"hi"s' on the "a instant reminded him that
in the month Of July last, had, in a sprit If
;fankness, disclosed to him the views of the Presi-
dent OF The United States in relation 10 the Islands
oil Cuoa and Porto Rico, and that had then sta,sb
to tin that the United States could mot ace ,v;,l
indifference, those Islands passing from Snain -
any other European Government; and that. for the
United STATES, no change was desired in their no.
iitcal or commercial condition, nor in the possee
SION which Spain has of them. | informed hin,
that was now instructed to add, in the sane
frank and friendly spirit, and in order 10 rnar5
against all possible difficulties that might arise on
the subject, that we could not consent In III. mr. :
cupa'ion Of those Islands by any other Euro,ea,
Power than Spain, under any contingency what
ever. DisciaiminS, as we now did, all designs
on them ourselves, we believed we NIGH, Justly
claim an unreserved communication of the view.
of other great maritime States in relation To ,er
observed that the President could not supposa n
state OF things in which il would be right or pro
per That possessions so important should be occu-
pied by either England Or France, without the
concurrence, or at least knowledge, of the United
States.
The Baron de Damas appeared to concur en-
tireiy III the view which took of the s,,b;ec,
tn
the British Government. / told him that SINH
lar communication had been made 10 Mr. Can
nlHg, and had sufficient reason to think fha; the
BRITISH Government concurred with the President
IN the policy OF not disturbing the possession of
those Islands in aYor Of either OF the great maritime
nations.
then, ii the most delicate and friendly manner
alluded 10 me French squadron, which had appear-
ed IN the West Indies, and on the American coast
last summer, and stated that my Government voulI
expect that in case France should again send nm,
naval force disrroPortionate in the extent of it's
armament to the ordinary purpose of peace es
Enlistment, lis design and Object should be COM
mtncated to the Government OF the u, States tn.
oaron de Damas answered that the vessels compos
ing mat squadron had been stationed at dferen,
places, where the number on each station wac mt
more than sufficient for the service of protecting
French commerce and their West India Islands:
that 1t had become Necessary deinitively TO settle
the relations between France and St. DOMINGO ,ba,
this squadron was hastily collected for that o;ec,
and that the nature of the service required
lie said that it was not only right itseIf bur had
been customary with the French Government IN
communicate TO friendly Governments in time of
peace, the objects of considerable fleets sent IN
distant service; that the peculiar circumstances H.
the instance alluded to, had occas;oned =, ls9ar.
paTure from the rule, but that in future, the Uni
TED States should be duly appTised of the objects f
every such squadron, sent into their yicinitv The
Baron de Damas closed the conference by SAVING.
That he would communicate what had passed 10 ne
King, to whom, he was sure, it would give great
satisfaction.
On the same day, addressed short note to The
baron de Danas, Of which enclose COPY; and.
meeting him in the evening, told him, in an nFor-
nal manner, that had written with the DESIGN If
avoiding any mistake in my communication IN the
PRESIDENT, Of what had passed al the conference
lie said nc was well satisfied that no mistake exis
ted on either side, and that he had Communicated
our conversation to the King.
have the honor to be, with great respect. sir
your most obedient servant,
JAMES BROWN.