Kentucky Gazette

FROM THE AURORA.

Extract of a letter from Paris, dated April 1818.

"A curious conversation took place a few days ago, at a table d'hôtel, in the Palais-royal. Some of our countrymen were at dinner, in company with other gentlemen of their acquaintance, at one table; the next adjoining being occupied by some Spanish cavaliers and officers from the north of Europe—the conversation of the Americans naturally turned on home, and the affairs of their country; a Russian officer, who was of the party, asked, "why the United States did not take possession of Mexico, in satisfaction for the property the Spaniards had so unjustifiably taken from our citizens;" adding, "there was not a crowned head in Europe, that under the same circumstances would hesitate or delay, in the present state of the world, to obtain justice in a summary manner for their subjects, for conduct so much like piracy, that it differed from it only in not being defined by any writer on public law." This was expressed with so much energy, that one of the Dons turned round, and in a very polite manner addressed the Russian officer, saying "it appears very extraordinary to a Spaniard, to hear gentlemen of other countries speak so freely, in France, of disposing of the territories of one of her allies; permit me sir," continued the Don, "to observe; that if Spain was in a condition to punish the insult of the American government, in taking possession of Amelia Island, the President of the United States would be obliged to resign—that it was an act of war, and ought to be met by retaliation,"

The Russian officer, who was acquainted with him, very good humoredly replied, "you have put the matter in a most striking point of light; the Americans are now retaliating on Spain: the capture of many millions of their property by Spanish subjects was not considered war—the United States were then as Spain is now, unable to resist; they therefore, wisely postponed the settlement, and in their recent conduct appears to evince a great degree of moderation; after repeated refusals of satisfaction, they have not declared war, but merely taken possession of a strip of adjacent territory—when the value of that is distributed among the sufferers, if any should remain unpaid, it would seem very natural that the United States should take a little more land to pay the residue: we now live," continued this candid soldier, "in times of retribution; before Spain makes complaint, she should first repair the wrongs she has committed." Here the Spaniard observed "that a proposal had been made to refer all the points in dispute between the two governments, to the decision of any one or more of the legitimate sovereigns of Europe, and that it was declined by the United States." "Very naturally declined," replied the subject of Alexander. "Suppose," added this advocate of justice, "when Great Britain demanded satisfaction of Algiers, that the dey had answered, I will refer all matters in dispute to any of the Barbary powers, do you believe that Great Britain would have acceded to the proposition? certainly you do not: much less could it be expected that America would transfer her claims and the decision of her rights to another part of the globe. Did England refer the question of compensation for injuries sustained on the Spanish territory of the N. W. coast of America in 1769, to any power but her own! Did not Spain make prompt and ample redress! Did she not stipulate to restore even the buildings and tracts of land ?" The Spanish gentleman endeavored to extend the field of argument, but an old Prussian general observed, that as the army of occupation was in France for no other real purpose but to obtain compensation for wrongs committed in lawful war, it appeared to him that those nations that had suffered by neutrality, had an undoubted right to obtain indemnity from their aggressors, in the most summary manner, of which, said the general, with seeming delight, our good old king Frederick set a worthy example in seizing the Silesia loan. Although the company consisted of the natives of every part of Europe, one sentiment only prevailed, the Spanish gentleman excepted."