The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-07-05

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balance oil power, and check the undue enlargement
Vi a heighDor winch remotely and in time might
prove I'Jqrious but il is repel danger 10 our
selves, guile certain, if not immedate and that from
point OF the compass. We can, in such cases, on
SOUND principles Of national law not only take pre-
cautions 10 prevent the catastrophe as is now pro-
posed LOT that and other reasons, by peaceful and
voluntary purchase OF the territory, but can, if
please, lawfully interpose and aid the party which
Is just IN ats efforts for selfgovernment by making
WIN 1t alliances union Of territory Institutions
| and exertlOns
Hence, in Kents Commentaries, p. SO, while he
justly speaks against the interference of one nation
| 10 change The government Of another, at the same
TIM nc says: Euery nation has ,doubed right to
Wor'de Jor ITS ocn safely and TO take due precaion
i against atstan, as WeH as impending danger"
| memorable case occurred in 1870 showing
DER what degree Of danger and apprehension care
/ tul man as Mr. Madison felt justified seze on
neighborng territory in possession of Spain and
| without an act of Congress
| In The NasIxEah intelligencr, December % 1910,
letter from New Orleans speaks TO this effect, Of
the territory east from New Orleans to the Perdido
'The country, at least as far as the Perdido, ought
TO be taken possession Of by the United States and
If there should be the most distant probability of
East Florida falling into hands of any European
power whatever, we should, without hesitation, fix
our standards at ST. Augustine and Pensacola. The
province Of itself of little value, but it is one of the
Keys to the Mississippi Power placed there will
control the commerce of the Western World"
And in the presidential message of December,
| 1910, MIR. Madison announces his movements to take
possession TO the river Pedido and there was an un-
adjusted claim, and a revolution, and we could hold
TIL an arrangement was made with S ain.
! Spain had been lett IN possession till the claim to
it by us was settled by negotiation; but her power
had been resisted by insurgents, and subverted and
Madison ordered out troops and took possession of
r ne w IaWb Inv hp-
cause situation was "produced, exposing the country
to uleror events which might essentially affect the ghis
and ,oeltare Of the Union"
If force opposed to us, the United States
troops were instructed to repel it, except from any
place still in Spanish occupaton.-(Int. December
5, 1900
i In his message, he says Congress will make
aohateper provision may be due to the essential rights
and equitable interests of the people, thus brought
into the bosom of the American family"
He thought crisis had arrived "endangering the
tranquility and security # adjoining territories,
&c. See his procamation.)
In 3 State Papers, 394-9, is Mr.. Madison's mes
cage at LENGTH and letters to that part of West
Florida.
From the whole it appears that by force we
occupied east to PerdIdo, not because it was
claimed by us, but because the Spanish authority
had been ''subverted by revolutionary proceeding,
and the contingency of the country being thrown into
foreign hands, had forced itself into view"
A few of Mr.. Clay's remarks on that occasion
: were SO intrepid in spirit, and showed well the
, dauntless energy of HIM and his then republican
friehds towards all opposition, whether from abroad
or at home, that they deserve special remembrance
II was such conduct then, and in 1911, 1918, and
1920 on kindred topics, that paved the path which
5 he has since walked to such wide fame;
81 have no hesitation in saying, that if a
parent country will not cannot maintain
its authority in colony adjacent TO us,
hero xlStc in a tata Of tSr,,In anIl
order, menacing rcace--a and if, moreover, such
colony by passing into the hands of any other power,
would become dangerous TO the integrity of the
Union, and maniiesty tend 10 the subversion of our
laws-we have right, upon eternal principles Of
self preservation, to lay hold of it, This principle
alone independent of any title, would warrant our
i occupation OF West Florida.
We are told of the vengeance of resuscitaed
Spain. If Spain, under any modification of her gov
eminent, choose to make upon us for the act
under consideration, the nation, have no doubt will
| be willing to meet the war. But the gentleman
minds us that Great 8rItain, the ally of Spain, may
be obliged, by her connection with Spain, TO take
part with her against u, and TO consider this
ure OF the President as JUST yng appeal TO
Sir, is the time never TO arrive, when we may man.
age our own affairs without the fear Of insulting his
britannia Majesty? Is the rod OF British power to
| be forever suspended our heads Does Con-
gress put on an embargo to shelter rightlul
merce against the piratcal depreda ions committed
upon IT on tie ocean, Immediately warned of
the indignation of offended England Is law of
| non. intercourse proposed, the whole navy of the
naughty mistress of the is made TO thunder IN
our ears Does the President refuse TO continue
correspondence with minister who violates the de-
corum belonging 10 his diplomatic character, by Civ
ing and deliberately repeating an ahront to The whole
nation, we are instantly menaced with the chastse-
ment which English Pride will not fail TO incict-
| Whether we assert our rights by sea, or attempt
heir maintenance by land-whither. oever we turn
4 Dha inceS fly
" am not sir, in favor Of cher1shing the passion
OF conquest. But must be permitted to conclude
by declaring my hopet to see, long, the new United
States OF you will allow me the cxpresson) emb acng
not only the old thirteen States but the entire
try east of the Mississippi including East Florida
and some Of the Territories to the north of also"
There is another illustration on that very frontier
to what kind of danger to property exist,
IN order to justify lorcIbe interposition, and from
which it readily be inferred how much less or
remote danger would make duty to nterpose by
peaceful purchase, even If ome risk Of unjust
talaon against us should accompany the transaction
Ia the House of Representatives, the 9Th Of Jan
uafy 1911 in secret session, resolution was pa ssed
authorizing the President, in either of two events to
take possession Of the For las q Executive Jour
nal, pages 1870, 1871 The steps were adopted from
the intimate relation of the territory to the United
States with eye "9 their security and ranqtniiit,'
and considering the peculiar situation of Spain and
OF her American provinces - and it resolved
That we could not with indifference" see IL pass from
the hands OF Spain into those of amy other foreign poo
r'-(Page us See Mr.. Madson's message re-
commencing the steps, though 1t was then denounced
by few OF bis political oppon, nts 'robbery and
uar" While Others vindcated it high principles of
national law National ntelligencer 5th January,
l6lI) Annexed A and B, the whole message
report, and declaration
The British Minister then protested and minated
hat we acted "irom ambitious morosn or by desire
OF foreign conquest and territorial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
How exactly does the senator from MASSACHUSETTS,
now tread IN the footsteps Of the British Minister.
Mr.. Foster urged further, that the United States I'M
der this preteXt of claim "cannot expect 10 avoid
The reproach loch must oo,c the ngenero,s and unpro-
uoked seizure Of foreign colony, white the parent State
is engaged in noble contest for independence at home