Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-04-03
HISTORICAL ERRORS IN THE SENATE,
from rnr NEW ORLEANS DELTA.

DELTA
"Mr. SEWER said that as this was very important point
reference To precedent in history sustaining the action
the President would be out of place. He referred
the acquisition of Louisiana, and to the expulsion Of certain
Spanards from by force OF without previous auho
ny from Congress. The act OF Col Thomas approves
by Congress- and the territory thus cleared subsequently
Incorporated into the Union Mr. SEWER further explained
and strengthened his position showing that President Mad
son had co-operated in this movement OF expeng foreign
authority from the territory of Louisiana, advance Of
action OF Congress authorizing the movement"
The above extract from speech of Senator SEyrR de-
fence OF the occupation of the territory between the Nueces
and the Rio Grande displays but not uncommon ig
norance OF an important event in the history of this country
Our statesmen better acquainted with the histories of
other countless ancient and MODERN than with that Of their
No better illustration of this fact could be afforded than the
events to which referring. How few men or chill
den in our State, who have received good education, and
who have all the leading in the history Of ancient
Greece and Rome and of England at their tongue ends
you the facts and which led to the
ance from Spanish authority of the beautiful portion of this
State designated the Florida Parishes and caused its
nexation to Union And yet these and their con-
sequences were not only of great bearing the interests
the country, but accompanied and illustrated by deeds
gaany and daring splendid many which history has
recorded The country lying north Iberve River now
the Bayou Manchac, and between the Mississippi and the
Perddo line, not included in the territory purchased by
the United States in 1903 from France. 1t true il has
been commended in Congress and in the Courts Justice that
this country included in the cesson of Spain to France
and in the subsequent cesson from France the United
States but Mr. Madison did consider it, and although
strongly advised by Mr. Clay and others take possession
the country, he always refused do SO. And Governor
Claiborne and General Wilkinson when passing down the
Mississippi their way New Orleans receive
of the territory OF Louisiana sauted by the Spanish
fhprtfio a.
try continued for several under Spanish rule the United
States not pretending setting up any claim the country
but resting satisfied within the old boundaries of the
rtoy of Orleans and Louisiana. But in the time the
beauty OF the country the fertility of the soil, the easy
terms of acquiring land and the light taxation and ndugent
laws OF the Spanish Government attracted to this country
many enteprsng Americans who received by the Span
lsh authorities with great kindness Under the government
OF the venerable Grandpre, whose memory held by all
the old settlers the greatest veneaon the country remain
ed quiet and the people happy and prosperous But
Grandpre died. and his successor assus made himself
obnoxious TO the American settlers, by certain attempts
strict the freedom of speech and the right of the people
ably to assemble and discuss public affairs 1t during
government of Lassus that unfortunate Spain became prey
nst 70 intrigue and revolution among her people, and
finally to the domination of Napoleon then the conqueror Of
nearly oil Europe In the space of years the people Of
Florida found themselves the subjects serat of four distinct
soyeregns. First Charles Nv, who compelled to
abdicae in favor of his Ferdinand who decoyed
France by Napoleon and of Naples. provisional
placed Marshal Junot In few weeks the Marshal handed
over the crown to Joseph Napoeons brother When any
these changes in the government occurred the people Flo
rda required public place. and due
proclamation having been made of the installation of
monarch, they all took oath of allegiance To the
American population this continual change in the govern
men and these oahs, became both esome and CALLING
and thinking there security permanency under the
Spanish rule they determined to get up little imitation Of
the glorious example of their ancestors l776 Accordingly
they small and gallant band, the plains in Fecana
and divided into two bodes-one cavalry commanded
by Capt DE Passan lately deceased and the other of nan
try, under General Thomas the gallant and noble veteran
whose ripe old is soaced by the constant view
before his door, Of the Of his glorious exploit
This force, in all not exceeding hundred attacked
the wedeended fort then gaoDed by several companies OF
Spanish soldiers and charging the mouth Of the cannon
captured it, after woundng the commandment and few Of tie
soldiers, who peed with fear by the loud huras and
reckless daring OF the Americans The fort and
duly surrendered TO the Americans, who established indie
pendent government, made laws and appointed officers. Dr.
Skpwth Governor; Judge Johnson the father of the
present Governor Chief Justice and General Thomas
commander Of the forces. Now, this whole movement
was the independent unaded Of the intrepid men who
originated and consummated it, The United States never
gave u the least sanction encouragement Mr. Madison
had repeatedly refused to claim the territory But, finding that
ha! passed from Spain ahd party Mr. Madison thought he
was justified IN taking possession Of Accordingly, United
States force sent to Baton Rouge and took force pos
session OF the government all the property, garrison, stores
&C. which had been captured by the vaor OF small band Of
young men, not acng under the authority owing ale
glance TO the United States. So far then, from having CO.
operated in this achievement stated by Mr. SEyIEn the
United States got all the advantages without any Of the labor
peril, responsibility Of this The who perled
their lives and their all in this revolution which proved
profitable to the United States turned aside usurpers
by the United States auhores-and were allowed any
honor thanks gratitude, much less substantial
wards for their perous achievement Many of them
now poor and dependant But Government relieved
by their act from most embarrassing question, and
beautiful country, peoped by fifty thousand souls was
thus added to the territory Of our glorious Union