Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-10-08
Spain and the American Revolution.

4th Of July IN Boston, an address cOmmem0.
rative Of the national anniversary, was delv-
cred by George Sumner, ESQ, the orator of
the day. From that oration we cite the sub.
joined extract, in which the speaker brings to
light some interesting facts in Spanish history,
with their relations to our Revolutionary era :
"Eighty-three years have passed since the
delegates Of thirteen feeble colonies proclaimed
the immortal truths of that declaration to
which We have just listened. This act, preg.
nant with consequences to all mankind, stands
in history as the record of the birth Of new
nation.
In 1776, the great Powers Of Europe were
at peace, and England was at full liberty to
throw on our shores the whole force of her
arms.
In the great contest which ensued-a con-
test for selfgovefnment and for the equal
rights Of man-perils were encountered and
sutferings endured, which we calmly, enjoy.
ing their fruits, remember with gratitude to
the men who tOiled for u.s. and with fealty to
the principles which they proclaimed.
The struggle was long and unequal; and
when the enemy succeeded in gaining posses
sion of New York the timid began to falter.
All eyes were now turned to Europe. Dele
gates had been already dispatched to seek the
assistance Of France, and their hopes were
not disappointed. One million Of francs were
given from the French treasury, cannon and
military stores furnished from the urseuuls of
France, other stores to the value of q million
Of dollars placed in colonial ports accessible
to our vessels, and q series OF friendly acts
commenced which, on the 9th Of February,
| 1878, was continued in declaration by which
France bound herself to make no peace with
England, until the independence of the United
States were fully recognized.
But it was not France alone which came to
our aid. During that summer Of '76 one Of
these brave men who were the creators Of the
naval glory of our country-Captain Lee, of
arblehead--cruiSing under Q commission
from Congress, having taken and sent home
five valuable prizes, finding it necessary to re.
fit and obtain supplies and munitions OF war,
entered the port Of Bilboa, in Spain. The
captains Of two Of his prizes and part of
their crews were on board. These officers
Immediately protested against their capture,
and had Captain Lee arrested on charge of
piracy. The local authorities sent the docu-
nents of the case to Madrid, together with the
commission granted by this new and unknown
power. Here was critical juncture in our
affairs. On the decision Of the Spanish Min
istry depended not alone the fate of Capt. Lee,
|
in Europe should be opened or closed TO our
cruiseTs and priyateers The English Minis
ter in Spain brought oil his influence to bear
against US. At this moment the Declaration
Of the 4th Of July reached Madrid. The com.
plant against Capt Lee was dismissed, sup.
plies for his ship and aid in repairing it were
furnished, and public declaration made that in
Spanish ports the new flag Of America was as
free and as welcome as was the old and haugh.
ty flag of England.
This act Of friendship was but the begin
ming. It was soon followed by present OF
one million francs in hard cash to the CONNER.
cial anent Of Congress; then military stores
were sent to us from Bilboa then the hint
was given that three thousand barrels Of pow.
der stored at New Orleans were at our service
the port Of Havana was opened to us on the
same terms MS 10 France, and the further hint
given that if an American ship should look
IN there occasionally it would find the door OF
. certain magazine open, and something in il
useful to the Colonies.
This was not the end Of Spanish favors-
Blankets fol our regiments were sent as a
present TO Congress, through John Langdon,
Of Portsmouth; ship loads Of military stores
were despatched, aud on John Jay appearing
at Madrid as Minister Of the new States, with
out any provision being made by Congress for
money to pay his house rent, another gift Of
$3.50, 600 in hard cash was made to him for US.
More yet. Though the declaration in re.
gard to Captain Lee was the earliest act Of re-
cognition by any Power, except France, Spain
abstained from making treaty with our Min
lister, for the very excellent reason that to do
so would have been tantamount to declara-
ti0n Of war against England, for which she
was not prepared. But that eminent man,
who then held the rCins Of power in Spain,
Florida Blanca, was not idle. He Immediately
commenced building new ships, and arlning
those already built; the annual expense Of
the navy, usually about one hundred million
reals, or five million dollars, were suddenly
raised to twenty million dollars and in the
spring of 1879, thirty-six ships .of.the-line,
mounting more guns than any feet she ever
had, being ready for sea, she declared war
against England. This immense feet, Of
which seven we're thrce.deckers, mourning
100 to 1870 guns, four solitary three-dccker.
the Pennsylvania, has never yet got to sea !
this immense feet joined the French fleet,
sailed to attack the common enemy, and du.
ring that and the succeeding year intercepted
the troops and supplies which had been sent
to aid in our conquest
Florida Blanca did not stop here. but, while
engaged in his naval preparations; made q
treaty with the Emperor OF Morocco which
closed his ports to the English, opened rela.
tions whith Hyder Ali In India, and fomented
the war which that powerful prince maintained
against England. Benjamin Rush, writing
shortly after to Gen. Gates, says: Heaven
prosper our allies Hyder Ali Is the standing
toast at my table" Florida Blanca did moi
rest content with this. but used oil the wiles
of diplomacy and ell the force of Spain to
make difficulties for England in every part oi
the globe. When we are disposed to stretch
the hand Of covetousness TOWARD any posses.
sion of now weakened Spain, let US remember
the helping hand she gave to US in our hour
Of suffering and Of peril.
But the labors Of Spain did not stop here
England, driven to desperation, used al her
arts to draw the Northern Powers into her
alliance, and with Russia succeeded so well
that fifteen ships.of. the.line were fitted out al
CrOnstAdt, and the intimatiOn given by the
Empress Catharine to Sir James Harris, after.
wards Lord Malmcsbury, that this feet would
soon be ready to aid England in her contest
British Ministers announced the joyful fact,
and one Of their journals even declared the
Russian feet to be already at Plymouth.
In one week all this was changed, and there
suddenly appeared in the spring Of 1850 the
important declaration Of Russia that led to
the armed neutrality. which has been called
By writer's On International law e. the charter
6f the liberty Of the seas." By this the EN-
press declared that her feet was fitted out; not