University of Virginia Library

TO CHARLES PINCKNEY.

My letters of Nov. 27th and Jany 10th communicated
the information which had been received at those dates,
relating to the violation at New Orleans of our Treaty with

Spain; together with what had then passed between the
House of Representatives and the Executive on the subject.
I now inclose a subsequent resolution of that branch of the
Legislature. Such of the debates connected with it, as took
place with open doors, will be seen in the Newspapers
which it is expected will be forwarded by the Collector at
New York, by the present opportunity. In these debates, as
well as in indications from the press, you will perceive, as you
would readily suppose, that the Cession of Louisiana to
France has been associated as a ground of much solicitude,
with the affair at New Orleans. Such indeed has been the
impulse given to the public mind by these events, that every
branch of the Government has felt the obligation of taking
the measures most likely, not only to re-establish our present
rights, but to promote arrangements by which they may be
enlarged and more effectually secured. In deliberating on
this subject, it has appeared to the President, that the importance
of the crisis, called for the experiment of an Extraordinary
Mission, carrying with it the weight attached to
such a measure, as well as the advantage of a more thorough
knowledge of the views of the Government and the sensibility
of the public, than could be otherwise conveyed. He has
accordingly selected for this service, with the approbation of
the Senate Mr. Monroe formerly our Minister Plenipotentiary
at Paris, and lastly Governor of the State of Virginia, who will
be joined with Mr. Livingston in a Commission extraordinary
to treat with the French Republic, and with yourself in a like
Commission, to treat, if necessary with the Spanish Government.
The President has been careful on this occasion to
guard effectually against any possible misconstruction in relation
to yourself by expressing in his message to the Senate,
his undiminished confidence in the ordinary representation
of the United States, and by referring the advantages of the
additional mission to considerations perfectly consistent
therewith.

Mr. Monroe will be the bearer of the instructions under
which you are to negotiate. The object of them will be to

procure a Cession of New Orleans and the Floridas to the
United States, and consequently the establishment of the
Mississippi as the boundary between the United States and
Louisiana. In order to draw the French Government into
the measure, a sum of money will make part of our propositions,
to which will be added, such regulations of the commerce
of that river and of the others entering the Gulph of
Mexico as ought to be satisfactory to France. From a letter
received by the President from a respectable person, it is
inferred with probability that the French Government is
not averse to treat on those grounds, and such a disposition
must be strengthened by the circumstances of the present
moment.

Though it is probable that this Mission will be completed
at Paris, if its objects are at all attainable, yet it was necessary
to apprize you thus far of what is contemplated both
for your own satisfaction and that you may be prepared to
co-operate on the occasion as circumstances may demand. Mr.
Monroe will not be able to sail for two weeks or perhaps more.

Of the letters to you on the infraction of our rights at New
Orleans, several copies have already been forwarded. Another
is now inclosed. It is of the deepest importance that
the Spanish Government should have as early an opportunity
as possible of correcting and redressing the injury. If it
should refuse or delay to do so, the most serious consequences
are to be apprehended. The Government and people of the
United States, are friendly to Spain, and know the full value
of peace; but they know their rights also, and will maintain
them. The Spirit of the nation is faithfully expressed in the
resolution of the House of Representatives above referred to.
You will make the proper use of it with the Spanish Government
in accelerating the necessary orders to its officer at New
Orleans, or in ascertaining the part it means to take on the
occasion.

The Convention with Spain is now before the Senate who
have not come to a decision upon it. As soon as its fate is
known I shall transmit you the necessary information.