Daily National Intelligencer

FOR THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.

Messrs. Gales & Seaton :

Some reflections on the subjects most likely to engage the attention of the next Congress having appeared in your paper, an obscure individual takes the liberty of communicating his ideas on some of those important points. " The embryo independent governments of South America, emerging to existence, and struggling for life," are, in every point of view, deserving the most friendly disposition of the United States. Against the government of Spain we have not only many and just causes of complaint and reproach but of war, such as would certainly have produced that ultima ratio regum with any of the European powers long ere half as much ink had been shed as has been expended by her cabinet with us. It is in evidence before the American people, that the representative of the Spanish King has not only trifled with the moderation, forbearance, and patience, of this government, but in his recent negotiation appears to have considered the United States as too pusillanimous to run any kind of risque in order to obtain justice for their citizens. How could he otherwise have hazarded so nearly upon insult as to propose the barren sands of Florida in exchange for all Louisiana west of the Mississippi, while he was silent as to compensation for the outrage committed in the port of Valparaiso, on our frigate Essex and her gallant crew, commanded by Capt Porter. The murder of those noble defenders of " free trade and sailors' rights," was committed by Englishmen, but Spain was the cause of it, and may truly be said to have encouraged the disgraceful deed ; her flag waving on a fortification which dared not, or declined, firing a single gun in defence of the boasted honor of the sovereign to whom the territory belonged.

When the United States were perfectly a neutral nation, the ports of Spain and of her colonies gave origin to fleets of privateers; our vessels and our property were carried into those ports, and there disposed of, frequently without any form of proceeding. At first, and for a time, those pirates were called French cruizers, by the Spaniards, the subjects of Spain only participating in the disgraceful pursuit ; but even this affected delicacy soon wore away, and from being partners, the subjects and even officers of Spain soon became sole owners of those " fortunate vessels," as they were emphatically styled, which attacked, plundered, and captured, defenceless merchant vessels, frequently maltreating the crews.

This system of plunder, unprecedented in contrivance, and without example in amount, continued to be practised for twenty years, and. incredible as it will appear to future ages, is yet unredressed! The bankrupt owners, in many instances. have gone broken hearted to their graves; their mourning widows and pauper children are living monuments of their country's love of peace; but there is a period when submission ceases to be either virtue or wisdom in a nation. England is getting old accounts, of inferior character, settled in France; with Spain, Britain may be well satisfied in having reduced her to the lowest state of degradation, and thereby saved herself; she made Spain the first theatre of the battle for
England, and left her—a legitimate king and an exhausted country.

The United States seem to have been hitherto more anxious to do justice to other nations than to obtain justice from any ; is it not time to attend to the latter? It is due to every citizen; it is a debt owing by his country. Do not however misconceive me, I am no advocate for war ; it is hoped that evil is not necessary. Spain took the property of our citizens when a slight blow in her right side (Mexico) would have arrested the evil and obtained immediate restitution. That was not done, and Spain was deceived, like England, into a belief that we did not possess means of redress or self-defence. Britain has been set right, and it is proper time to give Spain more correct information. She has been invited to a fair and honest and honorable settlement of all differences by mild means; it has been repeated for years, in vain ; some newly invented evasion continues to protract an adjustment.

As to acknowledging the independence of the new republics, neither the policy of the United States, nor the real welfare of those governments at present appear to induce it.

The people of South America have not yet exhibited any evidence of their freedom from the barbarism of which they accuse their oppressors ; the rights of conscience, the most unquestionable of all human rights, are still proscribed by those who assert they are contending for the rights of men : they murder their enemies when subdued and prisoners, because their enemies murder them ! It is hoped that the United States never will acknowledge any government not in the practical exercise of civilization ; it is sufficient for our national honor, and for the great cause of Liberty that we have set them an example But as to Spain unreasonable delay being in effect a denial of Justice, she must be considered as having refused reparation of a great national insult and wrong, as well as extensive private injury. Let Congress apply a remedy becoming a great, free and truly independent people.

AN ORPHAN SUFFERER.

November 1, 1817.