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THE REFLECTOR.
. I.
MILLEDOEVILLE, G. TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 1813.
MU. 21.
POLITICAL.
SOUTH-A MERIC AN QUESTION.
rilOM THE NRtt-TOIUv EVENING POST.
following letter received from onB of
respondents at Washington, presents
actant subject in so interesting, s<>
ml so imposing an aspect, ns should
ml the attention of every man who
due concern for his country’s welfare.
io ordinary business before Congress
to be going on as usual, and quietly—
stion of a provision for the surviving
of the revolutionary army is still «!>*-
g, and what will be its form or late is
ncertain.
re are, however, beneath this quiet
c two or three subjects of importance,
may he brought up during the present
and discussed, with more animation
al than hitherto have appeared in the
sof the. present winter. No one sor
ed hygreater difficulties, than thntrclu-
o the independence of the patriot colo
ns understood that the president feels
difference respecting the exertions of
colonies to establish their imlepen-
but that he is nevertheless desirous
suing a cautious course relative to
and which, while it accords with theii
shall not endanger the great interest of
States,
li a firm conviction that the imlepen-
iof these colonies must materially pro
file welfare and prosperity of the U.
s, ami that so long as the war is confin-
Spain and the colonies, there is a Iit-
robability that Spain will be able to re-es-
sh her dominions over them, our policy
hardly be mistaken,
ho other foreign power interfere, we
best promote the views of these colonics
bcstconsnlt mm own welfare, by also al>
ning from all direct interference in the
, and from every measure, which may
be retracted with honor, or satisfactorily
ained.
t is scarcely to be doubted that the fo
il governments lvave been sounded, and
r policy as respects the war between Spain
the colonies, seems to be impartial and
traJ%- If the. U. States pursue a different
sc,may not the powers which have cliarg-
hcraselves with the. high police of Eu-
instead of confining their cares to the
rnrld, be disposed to take into considers-
the affairs of the new ? Although in a
stion affecting the honor orrssential rights
he nation, we ought not to he deterred by
consideration ; yet in a concern, orcal-
ation, of an interest merely eventual, and
hich the main interest is that of a third
ty the same should not be altogether dis-
arded.
he knowledge, which is possessed by
sc who are best informed concerning the
ditiou of the Spanish colonies, is surpris-
y defective, and little satisfactory—their
ation may be better, and it may be worse,
is supposed to lie—and tbc object of
commissioners sent out by the president,
obtain full, and more precise intelligence
bis subject. To adopt any decisive or ir-
okablc measure, respecting the colonies
he present sednty* and ambiguous state of
nnatiun concerning them, atid when more
hcntic information may, at no distant day
expected, would seem to be evidence of
tlcssncss and rashness, rathorthanofino-
•ation and prudence,
t must not, however, be imagined, that
most decided friends of the Spanish colo
arc desirous that the U. States should
c a part with them in tbc war with Spain;
the contrary-, they admit the correctness
the policy that enjoins upon the U. States
eniain neutral; but they alledge, that with-
neknowledging the independence of these
nies, and the it by establishing between us
them the full relations existing between
and Spain, the mutuality is only nominal;
they illustrate this allegation by facts,
observations, which if not conclusive,
very plausible. Their counsel therefore
and such, we arc told, will he the advice
t they will urge on Congress to give to
President, that the United States shail
mediately acknowledge t!»e independence
one or move of the Spanish colonies,
ich it is said, are now in ilm actual pas
sion of independence ; and they assert
tsucli acknowledgment is n measure
ich can afford no just cause of offence to
Bln ; and lliat it is not only consistent with,
absolutely necessary to, an impartial sys-
of neutrality.
'hat it is competent for the nation to ful
fills advice nobody will tpuiiit; but all
t agree, that, in doing so, we'subject onr-
es to all its hazards and uncertainties
n the actual posture of affairs, it may lie
edient to sailer this complicated subjee
•eraalii with the president a little longer
Usturbed by the interference of congress
tion enables him to obtain information ; and
his duty requires of him carefully to weigh
the contradictory representations concerning
the condition of these co1oni.cs—His opinions
are believed to bo friendly to their indepen
deuce, and the responsibility of bis offire is
favorable to the prudence of bis decisions.
If tlie president be pressed by congress to
acknowledge the independence of any of the
Spanish colonies and to exchange ministers
with them, however innocent this proceed
ing may be deemed by us to be, ami whate
ver quotations we may make from the writ-
tors in public law. to prove our right, no man
an believe that Spain will sec our in
terference in the same just and harmless
^ght.
According to the colonial system of Spam
the trade wii,h her colonies is a monopoly; amt
her practice under this system has been ffi
seize ami confiscate the ships and cargoes ol
all interlopers found upon the coasts of tin
colonies.
In th • early part of the last century, Eng
land made war upon Spain to oblige her to
renounce this practice ; she concluded the
war without effecting its object, and Spain
lias since continued it.
Our acknowledgment of the independence
of these colonies cannot abridge the rights of
Spain, nor restrain her exertions to enforce,
her laws of trade, or to reduce the colonies
to submission.
Hut although it may not impair tho right
of Spain, as respects ourselves, it will plat v
our trade and intercourse with the new' states
on the same footing as our trade anil inter
course with England, France, or any othoi
nation; and our citizens will have the sani
right to call upon congress to protect them in
this new, equally us in any other legitimate
branch of navigation and trade.
This collision could have but one result—
some persons sec nothing discouraging in a
war with Spain : and a war with Spain atone,
would not be formidable—but we cannot bci
certain, nay wc can hardly expect in the ex
traordinary condition of Europe, that other
powers may not be drawn in to take a part in
a war having for its object the separation of
the Spanish colonies. The probability of this
event is not diminished by the*notorious fact
that Spain has taken great pains to circulate,
through the courts of Europe, an opinion that
we are seeking an occasion to go to war with
her ; that wc covet her contiguous territory,
and indulge in views still more extensive.'
« JOiigh wc know that this opinion is
• without foundation, ami that the same
is a shameful device which Spain makes use
of to cover her injustice, in continuing to de
ny to ns an adequate reparation for the mul-
Ugjicd injuries she has done us ; still others
do hot know this fact; and the opinion is on
this account, not the lcs&fhliucutial iiiexcit-
ing jealousy, nor the l^fslikely to lead cer
tain powers to interpose, first their media
tion, and their arms in a war brought on our
Acknowledgment of J^c independence of the
Spanish colonies ; B then by the assistance
which by our interference, may become the
occasion of Spain's receiving, the difficulties
f the colonies may be multiplied, the dan
ger of their subjection increase J, and the.'pe
riod of their independence deferred.
So little arc these views the result of timid
conjecture, or of a visionary speculation, and
therefore unworthy of the consideration of'
our statesmen, that they are derived from
the only anaiogus case, with whose history
wc al'c well acquainted, the case of our own
revolution
Wc solicited France to rerngnize our in
dependence for a long time before she con
sented to do so. As soon, however, as she
resolved on flic step, instead of relying upon
the innocence of the act, and her right to
avow it, she looked well into the question, not
only of what ought to he, but further of what
probably would be thoconduct of England,
w hen she should avow her acknowledgment.
Altho’ she might have sent forth a manifes
to in justification of her conduct, demon
strating its innocence and proving by cita-
ions from writers on the law of nations,
hat her recognition could afford no just
cause of offence to England ; still she well
understood that it would be unwise and im
politic to rely on the efficacy of manifestoes
or to omit those measures of precaution
hich in all probability would be, and which
in fact proved to be necessary.
When, therefore, the embassador announ
ced to the English government that France
bad acknowledged the independence of the
United States, lie added « thus being deter
mined efficaciously to protect the lawful com
merce of her subjects, and to maintain the
honor of her Hag, France had taken with the
United States eventual measures for this pur
pose.’* There was dignity in this proceed
ing, anil the event proved that there was c-
rpial wisdom.
Instead then of endeavoring to convince,
and persundo the public, that the acknow
ledgment of the independence of the Spanish
colonies, is a mere harmless and uncunse-
which ought rtot, and therefore will not give
offence to others ; it behoves th.ose who may
be called on to examine this subject, to ex
tend their enquiries a little further to look
into the influence of the passions on public
measures, and to examine w hat, according to
the course of human affairs, allowing to pow
er, to pride, and to the mortification.of disap
pointment, their natural influence, is likely
to be the consequence of oipf acknowledg
ment of the independence of the Spanish
i olouies.
If tills be done, if it stiH be deemed both
just and expedient to make such acknowledg
ment, the president will forthwith enter into
treaties of friendship and commerce with the
new states, not to secure to the United States
exclusive commercial advantages, but to pre
vent such advantage being granted to others
—Whether lie will also conclude with them
treaties of alliance, having for their object
the establishment of their independence, and
engaging mutual co-operation and succor,
are -questions of the highest political im
ports, and the discussion of which will call
f.sr the most profound deliberation—He will
furthermore give prompt and formal notice
' > Spain, that lie has acknowledged the inde
pendence of the new states, that lie has form
ed with them treaties of friendship and com
merce ; and that the United States being de
termined to protect tho unlawful commerce of
their citizens, and to maintain the honor of
thoiuflag, have taken the necessary measures
tor this purpose.
Among these measures should be found
the immediate re-establishment of the inter
nal taxes, including a land tax ; the" augmen
tation of the army ; and the equipment of
the whole naval flare.
lie. who believes, and endeavors to per
suade thecountry, that the United States can
formally acknowledge the independence of
the Spanish colonies without adopting ade
quate measures of precaution, ought not to
be regarded as a safe and experienced coun
sellor.
If the Uivitod States resolve to acknow
ledge the Independence of the Spanish colo
nies—be it so—but let the nation be prepar
cd manfully to maintain their ground when
once taken—.and instead of indulging in the
hope that this can be effected by orations and
manifestoes, Jet them understand that it must
be done by defence and by arms.
’That a general sympathy, and universal
good wishes in favor of the Spanish colonics,
in the struggle with their unnatural parent
do exist, and are cherished throughout the
United States, and this too with unexampled
unanimity, no man who a' f hits to what is
passing around turn, w ill entertain a doubt-
Ac as any measures which would promote their
success without involving the United States
in great and complicated difficulties would b
universally ajqiroyed.
But in the indulj
must be restrained
MISCELLANY.
DEATH OF GEN’D FRASER.
Extract from general Burgoyne's ‘ state
of the expedition to Canada,’ ns exhibited
by him, in bis defence before a committed
of the House of Commons. He bad been re
proached with a want of cordiality towards
general Fraser. Ho feelingly adverts to this
imputation.
*« The defence of military conduct is au
interesting point of professional honor ; but
to vindicate the heart, is a duty to God, anil
to society at large-
Few conjunctures in the campaign I have
been describing, few perhaps upon military
record, can be found so distinguished by ex
igencies, or productive of such critical and
anxious calls upon public character and pri
vate affections as that which now took place.
In the first place the position of the army
was untenable, and yet an immediate retreat
was impossible ; not only from the fatigue of
the troops, but from the necessity of deliever-
ing fresh ammunition and provisions.
The losses in (lie action were uncommonly
severe. Sir Francis Clarke,my aid-de-camp,
had originally recommended himself to my
Attention by his talents and diligence; us ser
vice and intimacy opened his character more,
lie became endeared to me by every quality
that can create esteem. 1 lost in him an useful
assistant, an amiable companion, an attarh-
d friend : the state was deprived by his
death of one of the fairest promises of an a-
bie general.
The fate of col. Ackland, taken prisoner,
and then supposed to bo mortally wounded,
was a second source of anxiety—gen. Fra
ser jyas expiring.
In tlie course ofllse action a shot had pass,
ed through tny hat, and another had torn my
waistcoat. I should be sorry to be thought
insensibld to the protecting hand of Provi
dence ; but I evermore particularly consi
dered (and I hope tint supcrstitiously) a sol
dier’s hair-breadth escapes as incentives
to duty, a marked renewal of the trust
of Being, for the purposes of a public
station ; and tinder that reflection to lose our
fortitude by giving away to our affec tions ;
to be divested by pny possible self-emotion
from meeting a present exigency with our
best faculties were at once dishonor and im
piety.
Having therefore put aside for a time my
private sensations, it has been shewn that I
effected an entire*chango in the position of
the army before, day-light. Early in tho.
morning of the 8th general Fraser breathed
his last, and with the kindest expressions of
his affection, his last request was broT me,
that he might be carried without parade by
the soldiers of his corps to the great redoubt.
le ought best to understand tlie tempo
the policyofforeign governments; his sta-] qucnlial act that wo may !lawfully do, and
and iftiried-th^re. The whole day of the 8th
ncc of Hi one feelings, we «(' October was correspondent to this inaua-
y a*paramountduty—the pi; loirs beginning. Tlie hours were moa-
welfarc ami safety of our own country, are sure d by a succession of ignmediate cares, in-
tbo ,objects of our first and higher i^irc-— creasiug# doubts’, and melancholy objects.
“* '" ic erfemywere forme’d ifl tvwlinesy&Every
^ ft of their disposition, as well ; as the re
pealed attacks upon lord Balrart-as’s corps,
and the cannonade from, the plaint kept tho
troops in nloiBcutary expectation of a gene
ral’action.-/During this suspense wounded
officers, some upop ^rutches, and others even
carried upon hand bar rent's by their servants,
were occasionally ascending the hill from
the hospital tents to. take their share in
the action, or.follow thbmiircli of the army,
'fliegenerals were einpjoyled in exhorting
tint troops.
. About Sun-set the corpso of gen. Fraser'
was beo’t up .tlie hill, attended only by tho
officers wjp had lived, in his family. To ar-
I’ivp at the redoubt it passed within view of
the greatest part of both armies. General
Phillips, general ltoidcsfcl, and myself, who
were standing together, were struck with tlie
humility of the procession : They who were
ignorant that privacy had been requested
might construe it neglect. We could neither
endure that reflection, nor indeed restrain
our natural propensity to pay our last atten
tion to his remains. The circumstances that
-l isucd cannot he better described than they
haYe been by different witnesses. The inces
sant cannonade during the solemnity; the stea
dy attitude &; unaltcicd voice with which tho
.chaplain officiated, though frequently cover
ed with dust, which the shot threw upon all
sides of him ; the mute but expressive mix
ture of sensibility and indignation upon evj-
ry countenance ; these objects will remain to
the last oflife upon the niiud of every man
who was present. The growing duskiness
added to the scenery, ami the whole marked
a character of that juncture that would make
one of the finest subjects for the pencil of a
master that the field ever exhibited. To the
canvass, and to the faithful page of a more
important historian, gallant friend ! I con
sign thy memory. There may thy talents,
thy manly virtues, their progress and their
period find due distinction; and long mqv
they survive ;—long after the frail record o'f
my pen shall bo forgotten,”
while tlie great inlprqjts and hopor o
States arc violated, i(Ws to their vindication
tliat the government should first aftend ; and
no remote, or niere' col 1 atoral policy, should
divest, dr withdraw its regards from this
im^st urgent duty. r \S . ,
If the essential rights and the silvern
of the United States have.bee'll and continue
to be violated by Spain ; if anfcr long and pa
tient. negotiations, to obtain an atleip
paration of these injuries, Spain nSt only
'.persists in refusing satisfaction, but from out
forbearance, lias of late added insmcnce to
her refusal ; |wUL tlie honor of the nation
permit a furlin'*** continuance of this dis
graceful negotiation ?• will not such continu
ance sink us deeper in humiliation, and em
bolden Spain to rise still higher, if possible,
in the tone of contempt and scorn ?
Rather than this—let our minister in Spain
lie recalled) let all further negotiations both
here and there be broken off—let tlie whole
subject be brought before congress, and let
them rcsohre to truckle to Spain, or to pre
pare to vindicate the national honor.
it is more than probable, that this course
will have its proper effect on the Spanish
councils—those who know them best, will
least doubt, a pacific and satisfactory result
Should it prove otherwise tbc interim will
have been employed in those measures, which
after this proceeding, cannot be omitted—
and the war w ill call for only a short expo
sition to satisfy the world of its justice;
In such a war, just and necessary, we
cannot presumo iliat any other nation will
interfere against iis ; nor doubt, that by the
vigor of our arms, and the favor of Heaven,
it w ill be prosecuted to a speedy and honor
able issue.
If Spain force us into a war let South-
Amcrica remember that the enemy of her en
emy, is more than he.If her friend.
*«■* During my absence I have appointed Rob’t
Rutherford and James Rousseau, Esquires, my
Attornies. Persons having any demands will
call upon them .for settlement.
WM. ROBERTSON.