The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-17


No silken- sloved methods were used
by Andrew Jackson when he took pos
session OF Florida, as the property Of
the United States. When we acquired
this territory from Spain the officials
who had SO long reaped a golden har-
vest there through paunder and oppres-
sion. always SPANS colonial policy,
fingered on the spot, hoping the effects
produced by a change Of ownership
would be simply nominal.
When President Monroe selected An
drew Jackson TO hoist the Stars and
Stripes over Florida and to establish
our authority there, the very man was
committed by the Spanish governors on
the inhabitants. With an iron hand he
broke up the nests OF robbers and
pirates infesting the coast.
Almost Immediately upon Old Hick-
ory's arrival In Florida he found It
necessary to administer q telling lest
son to the Spanish governor, Callava.
This official had wrested a large for
tune from two orphan girls. The pa
pers necessary to secure their property
had been seized by Callavn, and in or
der to be able to say that he had them
not In his possession they were confided
to one OF his henchmen. Sousa by name.
The orphans had no chance of getting
governor of Fiorida. but when tho me-
gotiations were completed and Gen.
Jackson came to take possession OF our
bargain, the orphans got their friends
to represent the case to the American
governor. AS soon as jackson UNDER
stood the matter he sent demand to
Sousa for an immediate surrender OF
the papers. Sousa. having heard Of the
appeal to the new governor, took them
back to Callava, never for a moment
supposing that Gen. jackson would
dare interfere with so high and mighty
person as a Spanish governor.
But Old Hickory was no respecter OF
titles or Office He now took Callava in
hand, and demanded the documents.
With true Latin evasiveness no salts
factory answer could be gotten from
the Spaniard. He little knew the man
he was dealing with, for Jackson, with
out further parley, sent file or soldiers
and took him prisoner. A long protest
in grandiloquent phrases was sent by
the enraged Cailava to Jackson, who
did not understand word Of Spanish.
He simply turned to- one OF his aids and
said" Have him taken to JAIL" When
this order had been complied with, the
governors house was searched and a
box looking as IL 1t contained papers of
value taken from II. Under officers Sc
lected for the purpose. the box was
opened, and. sure enough, there were
the documents substantiatlng the or
phans' claim to a largo inheritance,
which they at last obtained.
The circumstances of this historical
case had a. telling effect. The Span
iards who remained in Florida made no
further attempts to bully the inhabit-
ants. and the territory purchased from
Spain in 1921 was admitted to the Union
in 1845.
The firm grasp on Florida caused the
United States to be greatly respected
abroad, for within two or three wears
after our government was established
down there. Russia, as. well as France
and Spain. sought our friendship by i'm
portant treaties.
When President jackson directed
to pack up and leave Paris.
where he was the representative OF the
United States, unless Louis Philippe
paid Frances debt to this country, the
blunt old WARRIOR had become disgust
ed. not only with Latin stiffness. but
also with the ingratitude Of the king of
the French toward the country that
had sheltered him In his hour OF need
Post.