Daily National Intelligencer

WASHINGTON.
Monday, June 12.

It gives us great pleasure to lay before our readers a late Correspondence between Mr. Forsyth, our Minister at Madrid, and Don Juan Jabat, Acting Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in relation to citizens of the United States, who have been so long held in confinement in different portions of the Spanish dominions, for political reasons--to which is added the translation of a Royal Decree for the immediate liberation of all these prisoners.

Mr. Forsyth, Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at Madrid, to Sr. Don Juan Jabat, Acting Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
MADRID, March 31, 1820.
SIR: On the 18th of May, 1819, I had the honor to transmit to the Marquis de Casa Yrujo, ad interim Secretary of State and Despatch, a representation in behalf of some Americans confined at Malaga. On the 31st of July, I asked the attention of his successor, Mr. Salmon, to the same subject. On the 21st of September, I presented to the Duke of San Fernando a statement, on the part of the American government, of all the persons, citizens of the United States, who were known to be in confinement in different portions of the Spanish dominions, with a list of their names. To this list I requested that three other persons' names might be added, by a note of the 5th of October. To neither of those several applications, have I received a reply. The recent and very interesting events which have occurred here lead me to hope, that a recurrence to this subject may be useful. Having been directed by the President of the United States to use all the means in my power for the restoration of the Americans confined to their country and friends, I trust that I shall be excused for bringing into view a subject of apparently minor importance.

I have been unofficially informed, that the Americans who were in confinement at Malaga have been liberated, whether by an order of this Government, or by the spontaneous generosity of the local authorities, anticipating the decision at Madrid, I know not. I persuade myself, if His Majesty's attention should, in the midst of the weighty concerns that now occupy his royal mind, be recalled to this subject, that the same liberal indulgence would be granted to all. A generous forgetfulness of past differences of opinion among Spaniards has been proclaimed and warmly recommended. I should feel the most heartfelt satisfaction if the same magnanimous policy should be extended to my suffering countrymen, without discrimination. Those who are innocent would receive it gratefully, since the culpable would partake of its benefits. I forbear to dilate on this subject, referring you to what has been previously addressed to your predecessors, contenting myself with repeating, that such an act would produce the happiest effects on the future relations of Spain and the United States, two nations who have many common, few opposite interests, and who have, at this moment, in the similarity and liberality of their institutions, stronger inducements to draw near to each other, than any other two powers on the globe.

I renew to you, Sir, the offering of my most sincere respect and perfect consideration.
JOHN FORSYTH.

Translation of a letter of Don Juan Jabat, Acting Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, at Madrid, to the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States.
SIR: I have the satisfaction to communicate to you, for the information of your government, that the King of the Spains, desirous to give to the United States of America continued proofs of his friendship for them, and of his wish to evince it more strongly, at a period, when, by the principles of their respective governments, both people have more nearly approximated to each other, has resolved to set at liberty all the Americans, of the United States, made Prisoners within the Dominions of Spain, for having taken part in the disturbances of His American Colonies.

His Majesty, in commanding me to make to you this communication, has further charged me to express his hope that this generous proceeding will be duly appreciated by your government; and the rather, when the injuries resulting to Spain, from a conduct so unjustifiable, are taken into consideration; and that it will, in future, exert its whole authority and influence to suppress every hostile or piratical act derogatory to those principles of sound morality, which should form the rule of conduct of all nations governed, as in the case of Spain and the United States, by a constitution founded on wisdom and justice.

I hereupon renew to you the assurance of my high respect, and I pray God long to preserve you.
MADRID, 12th April, 1820.
JUAN JABAT.

TRANSLATION.
Copy of the Decree issued by His Majesty for the liberation of such Americans, of the United States, as have been made prisoners for taking part with the Insurgents in America.
Most Excellent Sir: The King having been pleased to issue an act of pardon and oblivion, is desirous of giving immediate effect to it by setting at liberty all such Americans, of the United States, as have been made prisoners within his dominions for having borne arms with the insurgents; for having acted as spies; for having been arrested without the requisite passports; for having aided and abetted, directly or indirectly, the existing rebellion in his American possessions; and, in fine, all such as have not committed the crimes of robbery and assassination, or who are confined for just debts. Circular letters to this effect are to be immediately despatched to all competent officers in America, in Spain, and in the garrisons abroad.

All which I communicate by Royal Order, for your information, and to serve the needful purposes.
God preserve you many years.
JUAN JABAT.
Palace, 12th April, 1820.

Mr. Forsyth to Senior Don Juan Jabat.
MADRID, APRIL 12, 1820.
SIR: I have had the honor to receive your Excellency's note of this day's date, giving me information that the King of the Spains had determined to liberate all the Americans, prisoners in the Spanish dominions, for having interfered in the disturbances with the Americas. I shall hasten to transmit this pleasing intelligence to the government of my country, who will find in it new motives to prevent all violations of that neutrality, within the strict limits of which it resolved to confine itself at the commencement of those disturbances. It is with infinite pleasure I shall perform this duty, as I well know this act of His Catholic Majesty will be highly grateful in itself to the American government, and be considered as the presage of future harmony between Spain and the United States—the evidence of the spirit of generous friendship which is hereafter to animate and regulate the intercourse between them.

I rejoice that the policy and the circumstances of his government have permitted the indulgence of His Majesty's benevolent disposition towards my suffering countrymen.

I renew to your Excellency the assurance of my high respect and consideration.
JOHN FORSYTH.

Mr. Forsyth to the Consuls of the United States on the Mediterranean, in Spain.
MADRID, APRIL 13, 1820.
SIR: I have the satisfaction to inform you, that the King of the Spains has directed all the Americans, prisoners, in different parts of the Spanish dominions for having intermeddled in the disturbances with the Americans, to be liberated. I give you this information, that you may take the earliest opportunity to convey it to the Americans who may be in confinement in your neighborhood. At the same time, you are hereby authorized to say to them, that the expenses of their voyage, from the place of confinement to the United States, will be advanced, if necessary, by the American government. For this purpose, any advances you may make will be repaid to you out of the contingent fund of this Legation, or at the department of State in Washington, at your option. I am, &c.
JOHN FORSYTH.