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. w --... :wt - - . J.,- -. .v y--.-V-: ' - V" .' - 'A' ; -"-"j '.;" -. f :" .AND . ; . r. . . ; .-. 'o' " ' Oqti art tb plaM affair, iellgltft Peace',. ' j-; , " : 1 ; "'. jj -V - I .."'.. M tfavarp'tf by pfty rage, Co 4iv like Brothert. .. .-. ; - ' ' ' " " ' ' ' - -" " DOCUMENTS ' Continued. Z OCCUPATIONOf FLORIDA. VR, fOSTI TO Km.MOOI. Sib The tttcDtioaof hit M-jtttjr's rofcmrociit has of Utc been called to tK .Mtnrtrs ouTsued by the Uaited Sum for the fnUiury-occupation of Wct-Floridt4 The lanutge new oy the Prttident at the opening of the late lessioo of CoogrtsVthe hostile demon t ntiom made by the American forces under Captain Gaines, the actual sum moning of the Fort of Mobile, and the bill submitted to the approbation of the American LrgHiture for the interior administration of the Prorince, arc so many direct and'psitire proofs thst the government of America is prepaied to subject thi province of West-Florida to the au hority of the United States. The Spanah Minister in London ad dressed' a note in the month of March Usi to bis M jts y's Secretary of State for foreign ffirs expressing In suffi cient dciai: the feelings of the govern ment of Spain respecting his unprovo ked SKpitssion on the integrity of thst Monarchy. Mr Morier in his note to Mr. Smith of December 15, 1810, kas already re minded the American government of the intimate alliance subsisting between his M jesy nd Spain, and he has de sired su h explanations on the subject as might convince his Majesty of the parjfi'. disposi ion of the U. States to wartit Spain. Mr. Smith in his reply his stated that it sras evident thst no bostil- nr u. friendly purpose was en tertained by America towards Spam ; and that the American Minister at his Majesty's Court had been enabled to make whatever explanations might com port with the (rank and coociliatory sp rv which had been invariably manifest, ed on the part of the United States. Since the date of the correspondence Mr. ?inkney has offered no explanation whatever of the motives which have ac tuated the conduct of the United S ates in this tr.nsaction ; a bill hss been in into Conere for the estab lishment, government and protection of the territory of Mobile, ana me wnrcw of that name has been summoned withr out tficct. iiu nnl Highness the Prince Re- Ken-, in the name and on the behalf of o .... t . I . his Majesty, is still willing to nope ma the American government has not been wrird to this steD by ambitious motives or by a deiire of loreign conquest, and irr.i-nri,l aotfrandisemenU ItwouJd be satisfactory however to oe enaDieo io ascertain that no consideration connect' ed wi-h the present state of Spain hss induced Ameiica to despoil tha Mop archy of a valuable foreign colony. The government of ihe United Sutes contends that the right to the possession of a ctrtain part of West Fiorida will not be less open to discussion in the oc cupation of America than under the go vernment of Spain. . ' But tbr government of the United States, under this pretext, csnnot expect to avcid the reproach, which must at tend the ungenerous and unprovoked seizure of a foreign colony while the parent state is engaged in a noble con test for independence, against a moit unjus ifiable and violent invasion of the rights both of the Monarch and people of Spain. While I wait, therefore, for an ex planation from you, sir, as to the nw tif es which led to this unjust aggres sion by the United States on the terri tories of his Majtsty't ally, I must con sider it as my duty to lose no time in fulfilling the orders of his Royal High ness the Prince Regent by which I am commanded in the event of it appear ing on my arrival in this city that the United Stales still persevere by mena ces and active demonstration to claim the military occupation of West Florida, notwithstanding the remonstrances of his Mj- sty's Charge d'ABirs and the muif st injustice of the act, to present to vcu the solemn protest of his Royal Highness in the name and nn behalf of his Majesty against an attempt so con trary to every principle of public jus tice, faith and national honor, and so in jurious to the alliance subsisting be tween his Majesty and the Spanish na tion. A.J.FOSTER. MR. M0HE0E TO MB.fOSTll. . Department State, July 8, 1811. Sir I have had the honor to recelf e the note which you have presented, by the order of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, to protest, in behalf of the Regency of Spsin, against the pos session lately taken by th- United States of certaio parts of West-Florida. Although the President cannot ad mit the right of Great-Britain to inter fere in any question relating to that Pro vince, he is willingto explain, in a frend ly manner, the conaiderations which in duced the United States to lake the step against which you have been ordered la protest. ' t.. r-md from four view of the subject, that the British govern- ment has been taugnt to dchcyc United "States seized a moment of na tional embarrassment to, wrest from Spain a province to which they had no righr, and that they were prompted to it by their interest alone, and a know ledge that Spain could not defend it Nothing, however, is more remote from the fact, than the presumption on which your government appears to have act- CU. Canipi&9 w w ' . dact are unfortunately too frequent in the history of nations, out me wnncu c... u... nni fnllnwrd them. The uiaic it -' Presidentad persuaded himself that the unequivocal proofs which theU. s.:.l t :.. .11 tkif frnntar. rcaies nave ritch iu - - itrtn. with foreign nowers, and particu larly with Spain, of an upright and libe ral policy, would have shielded them from such unmerited a suspicion. He u .;fwKi that nothintr is wanting but a correct knowledge of facts completely to dissipate iu I might bring to your view a long ca tslogue of injuries which the United aiaies nave rctcucu "r-,M( of their revolutionary .n ,snm f which would most pro bably have been considered cause; of War, and resentetl as sucn, Dy oincr iv era. I will mention two of ihese only J the spoliations thst were committed on their commerce to a great amount in the last war, and the suppression (of heir deposit at JewOrleaDS juit before the commencement of the present war, in violation of a solemn treaty ; for nei ther of which injuriea has any repara tion or atonement been made. For in juries like those of the first class, It is known to yui that Great-Britain snd France made indemnity. The United States, however, do not rely on these injuries for a justification of their con duct in this transaction, although their claims to reparation for them are by no means relinquished, and, it is to be pre. sumed, will not always be neglected When I inform you that the province of West-Florida to the Perdido was a part of Louisiana, while the whole pro vince formerly belonged to France, that although it was afterwards separated from the other part, yet that both parta were again reunited in the hands of Spain, and by her reconveyed to France, in which state the entire province of LiOUisiana was ccutu w - wmv In !805i that in accepting the cession - . f . . r I 1 L. and paying tor ine lerniory ccucu, wjc United States understood and believed that they paid for the country as far as the Perdido, as part of Louisiana ; and that on a conviction of their right, they included in their laws provisions adapted to the cession in that extent it cannot fail to be a cause of surprise to 'the Prince Regent, that they did not pro ceed to take possession of the territory in question as soon as the treaty was ratified. There was nothing in the cir cumstances of Spain at that time, that could have forbidden the measure. In denying the right of the .United Sutes to this territory, her government invited negotiation on that and every other point in contestation between the par ties. The United States accepted the invitation, in the hop that it would se cure an adjustment snd reparation for every injury which had been; received, and lead to the restoration of perfect harmony between the two countries, but in that hope they were diwppointed. Since the year 1805, the period of the last negotiation with Spain, the province of West Florida has remained, in. a si tuation altogether incompatible with, the wclf-re of these states. The govern h scarcely been felt there ; in consequence of which the af fairs of that province had fallen into dis order. Of that circumstance, however, the United States took no advantage . . vMf . when the 11 was uui uuui wic w " . inhabitants, perceiTing that ail authori ty over ihem had ceased, rose in a body with intention to take the country into their own hands, that the American go vernment interposed. It was impossi ble for the United States to behold with indifference a movement in which they were so deeply interested: The Presi dent would have incurred the censure of the nation, if he hd suffered that province to be wrested (torn the United SJates, under a pretext of wresting it from Spain. In taking possession of it, in their name, and under their authority, except in the part which was occupied by the Spanish troops, who have not been disturbed, he defended the rights and secured the peace of the nation, and even consulted the honor of Spain her self. By this event, the United States have acquired no new title to West Flo rida. They wanted none. In adjusting hereafter all the other feints which re main to be adjusted with Spain, and whjch it is proposed to make the sub ject of amicable negotiation as soon as the government of Spain shall be set tled, her claim to this territory may al so be brought into view and receive all the attention which is dtje to it. Aware that this transaction might be misconceived and misrepresented, the President deemed it a proper subject of instruction to the ministers of the Uni ted States at foreign courts to place it In a true light before them. Such an instruction WaS forwarded to Mr Pink ney, their Ute Minister, Plenipotentiary at London! who would aave executed it, had not the termination of his mission prevented it. The President cahnot doubt that the frank an4;candid explana tion which I have now given, by his or der, of the considerations which induced the U. States to take possession of this country, will be perfectly satisfactory to his Royal highness the, Prince Regent. MR. FOSTER TO SOjt. MDSTROI. PbilaleifibU, Sfptembtr 5, 181V Sin The Chevalicrd'Onis, who has been appointed Minister from hisi Ca tholic Majesty to the United States, has written to inform me! that he under stands by letters from! the Governor of East Florida, under dite of the Uth ult. that Governor Matthews, of the state of Georgia, was at thit time at wew-town-SLMarv's. onthl frontiers of Flo rida, for the purpose of treating with the lnnauiiama ui ion inc delivered ud to the United States' government, that he was with this view minp- CTCrf luctuuu w ww.w feet his purpose, offering to each white . . i u mAm ;tk him n innaouant wuu kwuiu iw - Acres of land and the guarantee of his religion and property ; stipulating also that the American government would pay the debts of the Spanish govern ment, whether due in pensions or other wise, and that he would cause the, Offi cers and soldiers of the garrisons to be conveyed to such place as should be in dicated, provided they did not rather choose to. enter into the service of the United States. ' M. d'Onia has done oe the honor to communicate to me a note which he pur poses transmitting to you, sir, in conse quence of this detacnea ana mosi extra ordinary intelligence, and considering me inumiB oiuu; uui5 Smiin and Great Britain, as well as the circumstance under which he is placed in this country, he has urgently request ed that I would accompany his repre- sentatbn with a letter On my jpart in sup port or it. ,y , Af.r the solemn assererations which you gave me in the month of July, that nn intentions hostile to the Spanish in terests' in Florida existed on the part of your government, I am wholly unable to suppose that Governor Matthews can have hid orders from the President for thp. conduct which he is stated to be pursuing ; but the measures he is stated . 4 -.ak J!m m nnlk SMha to be taking in corrcsjiuuuug w.wt u tors, and in endeavoring by bribery and every art of seduction to infuse a spirit of rebelliosi into the subjects of the, king of Spain in those quarters, are such as . ! . lmUmiimvAm anI In to create ine uvenei uuitmut, call for the most early interference on the part of the government of the Uni ted Sutes. r. The government of the U. States are .wre of the dee n interest which mis xioyai niKc -wbw. takes m the security ui i-iuim, attempt to occupy the Eastern part of which by the U. S. not even thesligbt est pretext could be alleged, such a were brought forward in th endeavor to justify the aggression on West Florida; (sir, in consideration of the alliance cub- sisung ociwecn opauu sou ureovimiowj and the interests of his majesry'a Jrobv jects in the West India Islands, so deep ly involved in the security of E. Florida, as well as in pursuance of theorders of my gove rnment in case of any .attempt against that country, to lose no time in calling upon you for an explanation of the alarming steps which governor Mat thews is stated to oe taking tor sudtoi i the Sna'nish authority in that coun- trv. reouestine ' to be informed by you Hipon what authority he can be Mtibg' and what measures have been taken to put a stop to his proceedings. ' - y ' SIX. StOVROX TO SIR. FOSTER. November 2, 1811. Sib -I have had the honor to receive your letter of September 5th, and to submit it to the view ot tne f tesiaem. The nrincinles which have governed the United States iri their measures re lative to West Florida, have already been explained to you. With equal frankness I'shall now communicate me part they have acted with respect to East Florida. In the letterwhich I had the honor to address to vou on the 8th of July I stated the injuries which the U. States had received from apam, since ineir re voltitionarv war, and particularly! by spoliations on their commerce in the last war. to a ereat amount, and ot the aunnression of their rieht of deposit at New-Oklcans Just before the commence- ment ot tne preseni war, ur IV"C w which renaration had beec-ide. A claim td indemnity for these injuries, U'. altogetner unconnecica wiui mc jucs -tion relating to West Florida, which was acquired by cession from France, in 1802.1 , 1 The covernment of Spam has never denied the right of the United States tor a just indemnity lor spoliations on ineir commerce, in ioa u cxpuciuy aa- mitted this rieht by entering into a con- Mtlon. the obiect of which was to ad just the amount of the claim, with a . K. . . view to indemnity, x ne Buoscqucutiii jury by the suppression of the deposif at New Orleans producea an imponam change in the relation oetween me two nartie. which has never been accommo dated. The U. States saw in that mea- . v(na.n anil ik.t Bar sure emificm cause w wr, Hid not immediately follow, cannot be considered in any other light than as a proof of their moderation and pacific po licv. The Executive could not believe that the government of Spain would re fuse to the U. States tne justice aue to these accumulated iniuries, when the subject should be brought solemnly be- tOre It, Dy o special UJJasiuw ina uv that an Envoy Extraordinary was ent to Madrid in 1805 bn this subject, and that the mission did not accomplish the object intended by it. It is proper to observe, that in the neeociation with Spain in 1805, the in iuries complained of by the U. States, of tne nrsx ciass, were agam u.ui7 admitted! to a certain extent, as was that also occasioned by the suppression of the depoiit at New-Orleans, although the Spanish government, by disclaiming the act, and imputing it to the Intend ant, sought to avoid the responsibility due from it ; that to make indemnity to the United States for "injuries of eve ry kind, a cession of the whole Teririto. ry claimed by Spain, eastward ot the Mississippi, was made the subject of ne gociation;; and that the amount of the sum demanded for it was the cause that a treaty was not then formed, and ; the Territory added. The U. S. have considered the Go vernment of Spain indebted to them a mater, sum for the injuries above; sta ted, th aa the provinceof East-Florida tan by any fair standard between the parties be estimated at. They have looked to this Province for their indemnity,' and with the ' greater reason, because the go vernment of Spain itself has countenan ced it. That they have suffered their just claims so long unsatisfied, is a new and strong proof of the moderation, as it. is of their respect for the disordered condition of that power. There is, bow ever, a period beyond which those claims ought not to be neglected. It would be highly improper for the U. States, in their respect for Sain, to forget what they owe to their own character and to the rigiis of iheirinjurec citizens. , J Under tljese circumstances it would be equally unjust and ishoiioVablen the States to suffer East Florida to pass into ' the possession of any other power. ; Unjust, because they wouia thereby lose, the only indemnity within their reach tor injuries which ought long since to have been redressed. Dis honorable, because in permitting ano titer power to wrest from them that in demnity, (heir inactivity and acquies-. cence could only be imputed to ud wor thy motives. Situated as East Florida is, cm off from trie" other possessions of Spaing and surrounded in a great mear Sure by 'the Territory of the. U. States ; and having also an important bearing on their commerce, no o her power could think of taking possession of it, with other than hostile views to them. Nor could any other power take possession of it without endangering their prosper niy ano ocsi uiicresis. . The United States have not been ig norant or inattentive to what has been agitated In Europe, at different periods, since the commencement of the present war, in regard to the Spanish provinces in this hemisphere ; nor have they .been unmindful of the ' coosecuences . into which the disorder of Spain might lead in regard to ! the Province' in questioni without ; due care to prevent it. ' They have been persuaded that remissness on their part might invite the' danger, ifitv had not already done it, which it is so much their interest and desire to prevent. Deeply impressed with these considera tions, and anxious, while they acquitted themselves to the Just claims of their constituents, to preserve friendship with other powers, the; subject was brought before the Congress at its last session, when an act was passed authorising the Executive to accept possession of East1 Florida from the local authprities, or to take it against the attempt;'of a foreign : power to occupy it, holding it in either case subject to future and friendly nego tiation. This act therefore evinces the jut and amicable views by which the U States have' been governed, towards Spain, in the measure authorised by it. Our Ministers at London and Paris were immediately apprised of the act and in structed to commuricate the purport of .: it, to both governments, and to explain at the same time, in the most friendly manner, the motives vhich led to it. -The President could not doubt that such an explanation would give all the satis faction that, was intended by it. Bya late letter from, the American charge d'affairs at London, I obse rve-that this explanation was made to your govern ment in. the month of last. That it was not sooner made was owing to the departure of the minister plenipotentia ry of the United States before the in struction was received. I am persuaded, sir, that v i! . . . you will see, in this view of the subject,' very strong proof of the just and amicable disposi tion of the United States to wards Spain, of which I treated, in the conference, to which you have alluded. The same dts. position still exists ; but it must be un der stood that it cannot be indulged longer than may comport with the; safety, ' as well as with the rights and honor of the nation. JAMES MONROE. f Document to be continued. J 1 " State Bank of North Carolina AT a general meetfeg of the Stockholders, v .held in the City of Raleigh, on Mondav the 2d December, thefollowineireeiiUtionwaa adopted:-' :tl't .-l AA'i i llny btockholder or Stobkholderi shall fail to pay, in fall, the amount, with interest on the delayed payments, due for the first, $e, cond and third instalments, on his. her or their snares, on or Derore tne win ot January next, (except n case of the death of inch Stockhold er) each and evetyhare; or; shares of. said Stockholders, shall vest in the President and Directors of the said Bank ;t and such shares, or so many as may be neoessarjr, shall be sold by them or their order, at public auction, for goia or suvr coin j ana transterreo to the pur chaser or purdhasera thereof : the moceeda io$ such sale shall first be applied to the payment or payroepis wncn snail appear to be due to ; the BanJk upon such share ot shares, toge ther with the Interest, thereon, and the costs and charges of sal, and the surplus, if any there be, shall be paid to such Stockholder or hi repreientathres; and is case of failurepeo pay the fourth instalment st such shares, with-, m twenty days after the same shall be required to be paid, tbt same forfeiture shall be incurr ed and sale made as above directed. ' MeMolked. Thafa copy of this resolution i be printed in all the papers primed in this city . ' l iiub : ' vv f r its, Chairman. ,M.ST0t:as, Cleric 1 " A A IV - 1 Ah Just Pubfojhed, , GALE S h S E A T 6 nV almanack; FOB THE YEAR OF OUB LOBD A XAFZA AAf
The Weekly Raleigh Register (Raleigh, N.C.)
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Dec. 20, 1811, edition 1
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