Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-02-05

emphatic the American Plenipotentiary was requir-
ed 10 communicate me determination OF his Majesty
TO the Congress about to assemble.
Accordingly in obedience TO IN order OF Con-
gress, Mr.. Jay submitted report to Congress on
the l7lh of August, 1886, OF which the following is
an extract:
81 is well known that Spain claims the two Florda and
contends that West Florida extends higher up the river Mis-
sissPp than admitted by treaty with Britain but how
much higher, exactly, your Secretary uninormed, and has
think that Spain has yet made her own mind
y on that point
Span also claims certain posts and places on the Mssls-
spp Of which she divested the English during the war;
Mr.. Jay then proceeds to state that at the time
he had represented the United States in Spain, " all
| that then insisted upon was our quitting all
claim 10 the navigation of the Mississippi below
our territories
After this formal and authoritative declaration by
Spain no effort was made TO obtain an acknow-
Iedgment of our rights until the weakness OF the
old Confederation was corrected by the infusion OF
greater energy into the Government by more per-
feet union, and WAsaINGToN became the President
of the United States.
| Among the first acts OF his Administration was
an attempt to adjust the pending controversy with
Spain. Mr.. Carmichael was the Representative Of
the United States at the Court of Spain. special
messenger of high character Colonel Humphreys
was sent from this Government with letter of in
struchons, written under the direction OF the Pre-
sident, and signed by Mr.. Jefferson, as Secretary
of State. They bear the date of August 2, 1870,
and their Importance will justify, if the proper
derstandng of the subject will not require, the Pc
rusal Of the following extract:
with this information, written and oral you will be able
70 the Minister in conversations the subject
MIssIssIrpI. Impress him thoroughly
with the necessity Of early and immediate settle
of this He be made to understand that
the resumption of the navigation is desired part
unless he determine in the first opening Of yield the
immediate and full enjoyment Of that navigation. 1t may
be asked what need of negotiation if the navigation to be
ceded at all events You know that the navigation cannot
be pracsed without port where the and river vessels
may and exchange loads and where those employed
about them may be safe and unmolesed. The fixing
proper port and the degree of freedom it is enjoy in its
operations will require negotiation and beoverned by events
There danger indeed that the unavoidable delay Of
sending negotaor here may render the mission late for
the preservation Of peace 1t is impossible for the
forbearance Of Western citizens. We ESDEAyon TO
QUIET with the EXPECTATION Of attainment Of
their rights by PEAcEABLE but should they, in
Of mpacnce, hazard Others there saying how
far they may lie edor neither themselves their rights
,cH s be abandoned By u.s." He adds, further, that in
certain contingencies and must
temper your conferences"
Little seemed to have been effected by Mr.. Car
michael under these instructions. But in conse
quence of an inmation from the Court of Spain
TO renew the negotiation, report was made by Mr..
! Jefferson, Secretary of State, to the President,
| dated the 22d December, 1871, recommending it
g as advisable TO constitute some of the Minis
ters of the United States in Europe, jointly with
: Mr. Carmichael, COMMISSIONERS PLESIPoTENTA-
i 9 for thp IF and
concluding with any person persons duly au-
: thorized by his Catholic Majesty convention or
treaty for The free navigation of the river Missis-
| sppi by the citizens of the United States, under
such Accommodations with respect 10 port or
other circumstances as may render the said navi-
CATION practicable, useful, and free from dispute.
In conformity with this recommendation the Pre-
sideht nominated to the Senate, on the lth Janua
~, 1892, William Carmichael, Charge des AT.
fares Of the United States at Madrid, and Will
liam Short, Charge des Afaires of the United
States at Paris, to be Commissioners Plenipoten-
tary for negotiating and concluding, with any per-
son or persons who shall be authorized by his
Catholic Majesty, convention or treaty concern.
ing the navigation Of the river Mississippi by the
citizens Of the United States"
The Senate advised and consented to the nomi.
nation and renewed instructions were prepared for
the Commissioners by Mr.. Jefferson dated the
ION Ol AldTCH, lIoI, III WHICH tue TlgnlS OF the
United States and the claims of France were ea-
borately reviewed with all the research, learning
and ability by which he pre-eminently distin-
guished
The Commissioners entered upon their mission
without delay. Ii seems, from their despatch to the
Secretary Of State dated the 18th Of pr 1893 that
they had then had three conferences on three
sve Saturdays, with the Commissioners plenipoten-
tiary appointed by the King; that their prospects
were unfavorable that they were assured by the
Spanish negotiator that consideration whatever
would ever induce his Majesty TO acknowledge a
E right in us TO this navigation and he seemed 10
consider our claim TO the limits, under the treaty
with England as extravagant and unwarrantabe;'
and that at that time, the ideas of the Spanish Gov
. ernmen with respect to the two leading objects ol
: their commission limits and navigaon) were out
Of the circle Of negotiation under the instructions
d they had received.
z During the protracted negotiation which ensued
other difficulties arose, which are enumerated in
c message from the President OF the United States
: dated December Is, 1893 Of which the follow
} ing extract will strikingly exhibit the naughty pre-
$ tensions Of Spain, the forbearance which character
lied the American councils, and the firm but pacific
d policy Of the President Of the United States
81 had he best reason 10 believe" says the message
that the hles threatened and execedby the Southern