3044. FLORIDA, Right to.—
Florida,
moreover, is ours. Every nation in Europe considers
it such a right. We need not care for its
occupation in time of peace and, in war, the
first cannon makes it ours without offence to
anybody. * * * The cession of the Floridas
in exchange for Techas imports an acknowledgment
of our right to it. This province,
moreover, the Floridas and possibly Cuba, will
join us on the acknowledgment of their independence,
a measure to which their new government
will probably accede voluntarily.—
To President Monroe. Washington ed. vii, 160.
Ford ed., x, 159.
(M.
1820)
