Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-08-31
PENsAcoLA, July 18Th. 1877

PENSACOLA, July 18th, 1897.
SR-i do myself the honor TO acknowledge the
receipt OF your communication of this day, where
ia you inform me that circumstances have come ia
the knowledge of your government, through the
Charge des Affairs OF the King of Spain, that the
neutrality Of the United States has been violated
at Tbompson's Island by the naval forces of Mex
leo under my commsnd, to the Injury of the inte-
rests OF the commerce of Spain. and ,ha, is made
your duty to make proper enquiries into, and in.
vestigate, all the matter complained of, for which
purpose IT was your intention to have sailed from
this harbour tomorrow, Tor Key West.
duly appreciate and reciprocate the sentiments
and feelings expressed in your letter and had not
previously determined on leaving this place eslly
! to morrow morning. having completed the strange
ment whiah brought me here, should have had
much pleasure in an interview with you, wherein
could have made such explanation as would have
satisfied you, and through you, your goveInm ent,
that the charge brought agains, me, Of having vo-
lated the neutrality Of the United States is entirely
without foundation. Both my duty and inclina-
'ion prompted Inc to respect it, most scrupuously
and oy so doing only could hope 10 secure the
safety of the forces entrusted to me, in the pre-,
sence OF vastly superior blockading force, which
would gladly, no doubt, seize any occasion that
would justify ITS attacking me there.
have been long aware that complaints have
been made by the Spanish authorities of the island
OF Cuba against me, they were communicate TO
which have replied, and the Mexican minister at
Washington is furnished with copy of the cor
respondsnce therefore any Information on the sub
Jeet may be obtained by the government of the
United States iiom him, and regret that have
not my letters and books with me that might
have the satsfac ion of placing in your hands
copy oil II, which feel confident would prove
enureiy Satisfactory to your government as w ell
as yourself, The copy of THE correspondence
piedge myself TO furnish, If requii ed on my return
20 Key West, and, If you will do me the favour
| TO communicate, in explicit terms, the precise
complaints OF the Charge des AHaires, / will most
cheerfuiiy reply TO them, with firm conviction,
mat shall manifest the fallacy, and in their mean
Tune, have only 10 state that when il is no long
/ er agreeable to the government of the u Sta, es
that the naval force OF Mexico shall enjoy the hos
( pltaty OF Key Yves, and the fact shall be Off
claIiy communicated to NE, shall, as soon as
am also officially informed that the blockade is
| raised and the equsdi ons, now in pursui, oil me
have returned to Spanish port, and The Sc. left
tree Tor me to depart from the anchorage of Key
West OH no other terms -honld be justified in
doing So as by pursuing different course should
De Jeopardising he interests of the republic have
the honor 10 serve
have the honor To be, Sc
|! lssned) DAVID PORTER.
Com. Chas. @ Ridgstey, Pensacola.
Extract from the Message OF the Pretiden. oi tie
u. States OF Mexico, delivered 10 Congress MAY
2Ist, 1927.
" A portion OF our Navy has been cruising
in sight Of the enemy since December of last
year. and the celebrated chief who commands A.
maintains, although with an inferior force, the no
nor OF our flag, infiics ncalculable injury on the
commerce OF Cuba, and mas made many prizes,
without our feet having experienced the slightest