manifest themselves less fully to the public. I have already mentioned the difficulties which embarras. sed me, in respect to our exterior relations, and, if I had opposed less firmness in resisting the violence of party, a breach with the neighboring nation would be the inevitable consequence. The course pursued by me, in this particular, leaves unimpaired our right to the invaded territory, convinced that pacific measures, so long as the bonor of the country requires no other, will be productive of more salutary effects, than a resort to violence, without necessity. Spain should be willing to divest herself of a territory which is not only of no advantage, but an incumbrance to her; and however willing our government might be to obtain on reasonable terms this country, continually infested as it is by wandering tribes of runaways and outlaws, who hold the neighboring country in terrror of their ruffian violences aud however certain it is that this country must, at no distant day, enure to the United States-we are pretty confident the rumor we have alluded to is premature; and, so far from any treaty or compact having been concluded for the cession of that coun. A period there has been, you well remember, fel- try by Spain to the United States, we are under the low-citizens, in which the provinces were threaten-impression that no official communications have pased with seeing the nascent order and tranquilised between the two governments on the subject. ty subverted under pretexts of the most injurious suspicions against the constituted authorities. It Memoranda on the geography, population, &c. of East was that period which occasioned more trouble to my mind, than any other during my administration. Florida. With two exceptions, viz. Suarez and Fernandez, I will cheerfully renounce my claims to the public who have American wives and families, speaking gratitude, for the sleepless nights spent in watching English entirely, all the other inhabitants of East over its safety, if it will appreciate the sacrifice I Florida, who live in that portion of country sihave made, the pain it has given to my heart, to tuated between the waters of the river St. Mary's have been compelled to adopt the rude and violent and St. Johns, within forty miles of the sea, are measures, which at that crisis saved the state from Americans, with a small mixture of British, or ruin. But the necessity and justice of my proceed- French, or German; but all domiciliated citizens of ings, and the happy consequences which have attend- the United States. Beyond that extent the country ed them, leave me no room to repent. is either vacant, or occupied by hunting parties of Under the same circumstances, my conduct shall Indians, without settlement on the Atlantic side; be the same. I will extinguish all the natural feel-chiefly Alachauays under Bowlegs, who now reside ings of my heart, sooner than consent to the repe near the mouth of Sawanee alias San Juan, on the tition of scenes which weaken our power, and sink bay of Apalache; and, together with runaway and our national glory to the lowest degradation. plundered negroes, extend along the sea shore anti Fellow citizens, we owe our unhappy reverses islands down southerly as far as Tampa bay. and calamities to the depraving system of our an- After passing the aforesaid settlement on the wa cient metropolis, which in condemning us to the ters of St. Johns, few inhabitants are found exceptobscurity and opprobium of the most degraded desing those immediately round Augustine, which they tiny, bas sown with thorns the path that conducts consider as their residence. They are poor peo us to liberty. Tell that metropolis that even she ple, chiefly Minorcians or originals from the Baleamay glory in your works! Already have you cleared ric Isles, and supply Augustine market with vegeta all the rocks, escaped every danger, and conducted bles. Passing on the southward of Augustine, you these provinces to the flourishing condition in which find several inhabitants and some negroes about we now behold them. Let the enemies of your Matanzas, but only one cotton plantation; this is name contemplate with despair the energies of your 20 miles south. virtues, and let the nations acknowledge that you already appertain to their illustrious rank. Let us felicitate ourselves on the blessings we have alrea dy obtained, and let us shew to the world that we have learned to profit by the experience of our past misfortunes. JUAN MARTIN DE PUEYRREDON. Buenos Ayres, July 21, 1817. East Florida. FROM THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER. At Mosquito, which is 60 miles south, you find four or five cotton plantations, and a good many negroes. Two or three more settlements, of little southern settlements are chiefly from Providence, consequence, are about cape Florida. All these Bahamas; but, being exposed to various depredations and uncertainties, they, as well as all the inhabitants of Augustine, two thirds of whom, as well as Fernandez, have English for their mother tongue, eagerly desiring, and would make any sacrifice to obtain, security and a protective government. The number of white families dwelling between It has fallen within our power to satisfy some of the waters of St. Mary's and St. John's, may be somethe queries proposed a few days ago by a corres- where about one hundred and fifty, mustering somepondent in our columns. The subjoined article, on where about three hundred and sixty militia, dividEast Florida, is from a source entitled to the highed into three districts, each of which has a captain est credit, and as the reader will perceive, from its and lieutenant, &c. elected by the people of their unadorned matter-of-fact character, was made with-respective districts, together with a judge or jusout any view to publication. Having derived con- tice of the peace, who tries all causes by an siderable instruction from a perusal of it ourselves, arbitration or jury of twelve men. They have the we obtained permission, from the friend to whom power of punishing in minor cases; but, when they it was addressed, to make use of it for the infor-convict capitally, the prisoner, together with the mation of the public. proceedings, are remitted to St. Augustine, for apThe particulars of the state of East Florida, thus probation and execution. No military commander obtained, are the most acceptable at this moment, or other servant of the government, has power to when a rumor is abroad, and stated with a confidence, arrest any inhabitant beyond the lines of his garri almost amounting to certainty, that our govern son, who must be prosecuted and tried by the aument has obtained, or has an assurance of obtaining, thorities of his own district. hy negociation, a cession of that country from Spain. The inhabitants are not bound to do any military However reasonable and probable it appears, thraifduty, to muster, nor ta pay taxes; nor observe any such regulations except as they make for their tants consequently go free of duties, as the Spa own defence and self-preservation. niards are unable to enforce their collection. InThe white population of Augustine is not includ-deed, the present liberty and independent state of ed in the above, and may consist of one thousand; the inhabitants arises rather from a want of power of whom one hundred and fifty may be able to bear in the Spanish government than from any royal or arms. Add to this one hundred and fifty white re-der or concession made to those inhabitants. But, gular troops, and two hundred and fifty black or from motives of convenience, as well as interest, the colored regulars, besides fifty free colored militia. people and the Spanish authorities maintain the The inhabitants of Fernandina, I mean free white most friendly understanding, as all titles of proper. people, may be about two hundred and fifty, of whom ty, fee simples, and grants of land, in which the gofifty may be able to bear arms. vernment has been very liberal to the people, are The white militia of Amelia, who do not muster derived from that source. Indeed, the government in any of the above districts, may be about fifteen has manifested an uniform disposition to cultivate men. The negro population of the whole island of a good understanding with the people, by granting Amelia I take to be about 500 them every kind of indulgence. It is supposed by That of the three regular districts, including the waters of St. John All others out of Augustine Whole colored country population, exclu-> sive of Indians, runaways, &c. Colored women and children, or staves, in Augustine not included in the above estimate, may be about the inhabitants, that great encouragement will now 500 be given by the governor to new settlers; as it 500 plarly appears that the invasion of MacGregor took place in consequence of the paucity of inhabitants, 1500 who, therefore, rather than run the risk of defending themselves, remained neuter. The town of Fernandina is situated on a peninsu500 la or neck of land, the narrowest part of which may be about two hundred and fifty yards, defended by a strong picket and two block houses, which enclose the whole town. All the inhabitants, even the Spaniards, are tired of living without a government, and of all others would prefer that of the United States, as past circumstances plainly prove; among which may be noOn the side next the harbor, is a fort well picketticed the simultaneuos effort of all the people in ed, mounting 8 guns, which commands the anchor. 1812 to annex the country to the United States, and age, and reach as far as the middle line of the wa also the active part they took to drive back the ters or boundary of the United States. gr. English in 1814, at St. Mary's, where they had one As the inhabitants are afraid to indulge too san. man killed and one wounded, and beat back seven-guine expectations of coming immediately under teen boats filled with British troops. Under these the government of the United States, they consider circumstances, they think themselves (as far as is it the wisest plan to increase the number of inhabiconsistent with policy) entitled to the protection of tants by all possible means, so as to protect them. the United States, so far as to keep them from selves by their own force, and confirm their inde being plandered or imposed upon by any foreign pendence; which, by lowering the value of the probanditti who may take advantage of their present vince as a Spanish colony, would induce that nation helpless condition, until they can gather strength to part with it on easier terms. But, as the governby increasing their population, which they are now ment of the United States is the ultimate object of endeavoring to accomplish by inviting emigrations the people, they hope that their past conduct has from the United States. To accomplish this the so far merited the good opinion of the United States smallest indirect hint given to the commandant of as to induce that government to go as far towards the vessels or troops of the United States at St Ma-protecting them in their liberties and properties, ry's would suffice, by shewing any symptom of fa as policy and the nature of circumstances will alvor to their endeavors for self preservation. low. It now remains to shew what intrinsic value be- Before I drop the subject of East Florida, it longs to this territory, bordered on all sides by the would be well to mention the Indians, who, taking Atlantic, or intersected by navigable waters, con advantage of the absence of the inhabitants then nected with those of the United States. First, the employed in besieging St. Augustine, came in from timber, which far exceeds in quality any that grows the westward and killed and plundered all they northerly, consists of forests of live oak, cedar, met with, taking off the negroes to a large amount, cypress and pine, all of inexhaustible extent. Se for which outrage they have never made the smal condly, may be mentioned the fertile lands, which lest satisfaction, but persist in re aining all they from the climate derive qualities not elsewhere to took, and granting protection to all runaway slaves be found: amongst which are, a large tract near from the United States or Fiorida, whose frontier Augustine and St. John's, called 12 Mile Swamp, inhabitants are daily falling a sacrifice to their re containing 14,000 acres; another extending to Mos- sentment, which seems indiscriminately directed quito, 60 miles long; another between Bowleg's and against all the white in abitants, with whom they Tampa, 60 miles long, supposed to contain some never visit nor have friendly intercourse. Their hundred thousand acres. The whole interior above head quarters at present is about the mouth of Sa Alatehawa, for several days ride, is excellent live oak and hickory land. The interior of the country is unexplored by white people, but said to be fer tile and healthy, full of pleasant orange groves, and plentifully stocked with wild cattle wanee river called San Juan de Amajura in the old charts, into which river vessels are adinitted from New-Providence, who supply them with arms and ammunition in exchange for skins, &c. A certain cap.ain Woodbine has been with them, and was lately; he is a British officer, and acquired their confidence during the war, by commanding at the British fort of Apalachicola under colonel Nichols. It has been observed that the inhabitants pay no taxes: by this is meant direct taxes. All foreign goods arriving at Amelia or Augustine pay duties. (agricultural machines or implements of husbandry excepted) Bu, as there is no custom house of Previous to the blowing up of this fort a great Spanish post on the Main, which has free communi many runaway negroes, who composed part of its cation with the United States, by means of the wagarrison, doubtful of the event of the siege, desertters and channels of St. Mary's fiver, these inhabied from it, and after its destruction went to the south east along the shore of Sawanee; where they pear to give the lie to the character he has received joined the other banditti under Bowlegs, and now in the newspapers. The fact makes it probable, csmpose part of those negroes who, together with that the calumnies respecting him, are the coinage the barbarous Seminolians, have been robbing and of the Jacobinists which are established in the old murdering the frontier inhabitants both of Georgia and new world. Instead of being the sanguinary and Florida indiscriminately, and are still continu tyrant, we see him an Angel of mercy, and giving ing it. These are the main enemies the people of pardons to those rebels, who under the garb of Florida have to fear, and against them they desire patrotism, would have subverted the government assistance. This is the grand cause which impedes established for ages and brought him to the scaf their growth and hinders them from becoming in- fold, as they did his relative, Louis 16th-all who dependent. The Indians are incorrigible in their were implicated in the foolish conspiracy of Lacy, cruelties. They are naturally enemies to a civiliz. have recently received his clemency."-London pa. ed state of society, as it destroys their indepenLondon Oct. 4 Letters from a central part of dence. They resemble wolves, who would rather Spain mention, that the troops destined for South be exterminated than domesticated. America, after a descent down to Cadiz and other parts of Andalusia, had been recalled into Estremadura, the government not having the means to subsist and pay them in the districts in which they were first ordered to assemble. Foreign Articles. ENGLAND, &c. A Spanish vessel, captured by a patriot priva. teer, has been carried by the prize master into Dingle, in Ireland. The Spanish ambassador reclaimed her. But the British cabinet had rot, as yet, either complied with his demand or refused it. It was supposed it would become a subject for discussion in the admiralty court. The London Courier says, it is understood to have been signified, that any British officer who enters the service of the Spanish insurgents will be struck off the half pay list. British 3 per cent. consols, Oct. 7, 82 7.9. don. On the 1st of Oct. the entire military force in Ireland consisted of seven regiments of cavalry, and 25 regiments of infantry, exclusive of artillery. Cowes, Sept. 27.-The keel of the Portland, 60, was laid down last week at Plymouth, to be built upon the plan of the largest American frigates. A# 29 FRANCE. The national guard at Paris consists of 37,095 men, of whom 30,111 are effective. Crimes in France appear to have greatly increased in number and atrocity since the late war. The French papers now rival those of England in their accounts of trials for capital offences, some of which have been of an unprecedented character. The French government are said to have made liberal offers to any British coachmakers, who will establish themselves in France. We understand that Spain is making an effort to restore its naval and military force, and that a very considerable order for naval and artillery stores has been lately received in this country, to be shipped for Spain. NETHERLANDS. London, Oct. 4 Letters from the Hague state, that the conferences for the conclusion of a treaty of commerce and navigation, between the kingdom of the Netherlands and the U. States of America, are postponed until the American plenipotentiaries shall have received ulterior instructions. Mr. Gallatin, ambassador from the U. States to the court of France. who had been charged with these negotiacions, has returned from the Hague to Paris. SWEDEN. So terribly afraid of something is the "legitimate" Bernadette, the "old French sergeant," that every stranger was required to wait at the frontiers of Sweden until he received a passport from Stockholm. The English duke of Devonshire on his way to St. Petersburg, to attend the marriage of the grand duke Nicholas, was compelled to submit to this system. Mr. Hughes has obtained a relaxation of the rule in favor of the Americans, who may pass and repass on passports granted by our own consuls. It is said this privilege is not granted to the people of any other country. BARBARY POWERS. It is reported that Hamburg is willing to purchase the protection of England against the Barbary powers, at the rate of 300,000 marks banco, per ann. WEST INDIES. "SPANISH AMERICA," &C. The import of foreign wheat flour is prohibited at Martinique-rice and Indian corn will be reFrance is bearded by every body. A general dis.ceived on payment of the former duties, which were position is manifested to reclaim of her the whole latterly suspended. amount of Napoleon's requisitions, &c. A demand is inade for some houses he caused to be pulled] We have a variety of royal accounts from Caradown when he ordered Erfurth to be fortitied-pay cas, &c. in which it is affected that the royalists have is demanded for wood which served to construct gained some partial advantages over the patriots. the bridge at Hamburg, &c. &c. The amount of Our accounts about Ming are not to be relied such claims, up to June last, was 1,800,000,000 upon-but we incline to the belief that he is makfrancs-about 74 millions of pounds sterling, or up-ing a great stir in Mexico-it is said that he was wards of 325 millions of dollars. If these are satis-within a short distance of the capital. fied, twice as large an amount will be preferred- The Aurora says-Despatches have been receiv for it is supposed that payment will be claimed for ed from gen. Mina, dated in August, from the inall sorts of private property taken or destroyed. terior of Mexico: he had been joined by the revolutionary force under Padre Torre, and his disciThe following is one of that description of paraplined force already amounts to 6000 men. Details graphs for which the London editors receive from of his operations, and on the general circumstances half a guinea to ten guneas a piece, according to of Mexico, had reached Natchitoches, and translathe magnitude of the falsehood that they are made tions were making for the gazete published or to father-All the actions of the Spanish King ap. Red river. SPAIN. NEW SERIES. NO. 13-VoL. I] BALTIMORE, NOVEM. 22, 1817. [No. 13-Voz XIII. WHOLE NO. 325. THE PAST THE PRESENT-FOR THE FUTURE. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY H. niles, at $5 PER ANNUM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE. American Navy. The "Courier," though happily the editor It is laughable to see the anxieties of the does not see any probable cause of difference British about the American navy. The "bit between Great Britain and the United States, of striped bunting" haunts John Bull's imagi- thinking it may happen, is preparing his coun nation like an evil genius, and he thinks it con- trymen for the capture of some of their largest stantly says to him, "we meet again at Phillip-ships; saying, that "the present American 74's pi." But John, unlike Brutus, is very loath can throw a broadside within 50lbs. as heavy to say, "I'll meet thee there." That the meet-as the Caledonia, a British ship rating 120 "Be this as it ing may long be deferred, is my most earnest guns, and measuring 2017 tons. wish. I feel very certain that there is nothing may, they will soon have an opportunity of in the genius or disposition of our people to seeing the Franklin in one of their own ports, provoke it. But so it is, that every step that where they may measure her with the greatest we take in regard to a navy-every tree that nicety. What a train of reflections will the we cut down in our own forests for ship timber, arrival of this ship cause in the minds of the and every ship that we build, is considered old politicians that knew the American prinas an "enemy" act, as sir James L. Yeo point-ter! "Eripuit fulmen cælo, septrumque tyranedly calls the United States, in his despatch nis." What will "lord Sheffield" say? He told about Sierra Leone-see page 200. We call his countrymen in 1786, "An armed neutrality these things laughable-for what can our force would be as hurtful to the great maritime pow amount to compared with the vast naval means ers, as the Barbary states are useful. THE AMEof Great Britain, and her boasted "thousand RICANS CANNOT PROTECT THEMSELVES vessels of war." And, though her force is so THE LATTER; THEY CANNOT PRETEND TO A NAimposing, we are no more jealous of her when ""America has not many sailors," &c. Visit the Franklin, ‘my lord,' and see the merry she launches a ship, than of an Ottawa's canoe first paddled on the lake, and give ourselves phizzes of her "yankee crew," as a sample;--no more concern about it. This difference of and ask the "useful" Algerines what they think feeling may, perhaps, have its cause in the belief about this matter. of the British that we may beat their ships in fleets, if ever they come into hostile contact; and in the confidence of the Americans that they will do it. of war." Connecticut. FROM The late change in the political character of the state of Connecticut, being so unexpected, The London "Courier" takes great credit has caused more than usual enquiry into the to England, because, by a very recent regula-nature of her institutions. It is not within the tion (published at length in this number) the range of the business of this paper to enter rate and actual force of British ships are here-into the local party disquisitions of the day; after to be the same, and censures us as the though it is essentially our duty to "put down" "only power that makes any distinction be- the things on which the most important of these tween the rate and actual strength of its ships disquisitions are founded. Hence the followThis may be so-but as we, unad-ing may of right have a place in the WEEKLY visedly, copied England in that particular, as REGISTER. we foolishly do in many others, "without rhyme The famous "stand-up" law has made a or reason, let us have time to copy her also in "great noise in the papers," and we have ala thing that is right in itself and worthy of ready published an account of it- but there imitation. When it shall appear that we per-was something in that law (which is now resist in holding up a senseless deception, then pealed) of such a singular character, that an exlet us be blamed: But before we do this, we tract from it cannot be unacceptable.-Before must see that she herself has really aban- the passage of this law, (it was past in the doned it. We remember that when the fa- warm times of 1801), the people had been acmous frigate the Guerriere, was captured of the customed to give their suffrages at the poll, by French, she was officially called by the British secret pallot-but in that year, it seems, it was a "forty four gun frigate"-that they added thought necessary to separate them into classfive guns to her armament, (which she had ones, and to know who adhered to the powers that board when we captured her,) and then she were and who did not, that they might be was officially called a "thirty-eight gun fri-marked. By the 4th section of that law it gate." was enacted Vor. X.- -13. |