Richmond Enquirer

SOUTH AMERICA.
[Communicated for the Philadelphia Gazette.]
Buenos Ayres, October 11th, 1821.
Mr. Editor: The Captain of the schooner
Essex, bound to Providence, has obligingly
waited one hour until I could get the enclosed
paper translated, with the correspondence be-
tween our worthy fellow citizen Col. Forbes,
and this government. The Col. is very much
respected in this place by all parties and all pay
him great attention. By his superior manage-
ment and easy manners, he can accomplish
almost any point he wishes—while the En-
glish are for forcing every measure they wish
to obtain, and never succeed—excuse haste,
And believe me, yours truly,
R. B.
MR. FORBES TO MR. RIVADAVIA.
Buenos Ayres, 14th Sept. 1821.
Sir: Although I have been more than ten
months in this city, I have never until now,
found a moment, when under all circumstances,
I deemed it expedient to lay before the
Government, the sentiments and views of that
of the United States, in relation to many in-
teresting subjects as contained in the instruc-
tions I received on my departure from Wash-
ington. On the recent organization of this
government, I intimated to you the desire to
hold a full and frank conference which you
had the goodness to promise me at the com-
mencement of the past month, but which has
been materially delayed by your more press-
ing occupations.
Appreciating, as I do, the great and ef-
ficient efforts now making by you in the cause
of your country, I should most willingly con-
tinue to wait your convenience for the propos-
ed conference, were I not compelled by recent
information to press on the early attention of
this government one of the subjects on which
I am instructed by that of the United States.
—I mean the indiscriminate violences which
are daily committed on the ocean, against the
peaceful commerce of unoffending nations,
under the various flags of the South American
provinces.
It is now a long time since those violences
have called forth the most pointed reproba-
tion of many Governments in Europe, and
that of the United States.—Several Govern-
ments have made active efforts to repress
them by force—these efforts have been una-
vailing—those privileged plunderers
"Can add colours to the Chameleon;
"Change shapes with Proteus for advantage."
There is nothing fixed but the blackness of
their purpose and the boldness of their atroci-
ties. They are furnished with various com-
missions and navigated by crews of men
without country, without morality and with-
out other ties than those of crime and
plunder.—By the privateering regulations
of Buenos Ayres, a privateer owned with
a commission from any other Prince or
Republic, even if allied with this, shall be
adjudged a good Prize and her captain or
commander punished as Pirates. It is there-
fore under the sanction of its own laws, that I
presume to call the early and efficacious in-
tervention of this Government to vindicate
those violated laws. But, Sir, it is above all
from a full faith in those sentiments of honor,
that love of order and justice which so emi-
nently distinguish every step of the present
administration, that I derive the strongest
hope that this call will not be disregarded.
This public Gazettes recently received from
the United States contain several well authen-
ticated statements of new outrages committed
by those—freebooters, whose numbers are mul-
tiplied and the boldness of their wicked en-
terprizes increased by their impunity. I will
not swell this written communication by any
extracts from the information received; but
hope that, at an early day, it will be conveni-
ent for you to admit me to a personal confer-
ence, when I shall be happy to communicate
with you, in that spirit of frankness which is
the best pledge of friendship, as well the
facts in my possession as the feelings of the
Government of the United States on this high-
ly interesting and important subject.
I avail myself with pleasure of this occa-
sion to renew to you, Mr. Minister, the assur-
ances of my most distinguished consideration
and respect
(Signed)
J. M. FORBES,
Agent of the U. S. of N. A.
To Mr. Rivadavia, Minister of Government
and Foreign Relations.
MR. RIVADAVIA TO MR. FORBES.
Buenos Ayres, 15th Sept. 1821.
The minister of government and foreign re-
lations has had the honor of receiving the of-
ficial note from the agent of the United States
under yesterday's date; and he considers it
his particular duty to make an acknowledge-
ment of the honorable distinction the said a-
gent shews towards him. With respect to the
principal affair therein contained, he can only
repeat what he had the satisfaction to make
him acquainted with in his last interview;
which was, that the government had adopt-
ed every measure in its power to suppress
the evils committed by privateers of this coun-
try towards the commerce of neutral nations
from the abuse of their commissions—never-
theless the ministers of government and fo-
reign relations feeling desirous of contributing
towards the completion of these measures,
as far as they are capable of being made per-
fect, he will be happy to receive any further ex-
planation on this subject that the agent of the
United States may think proper to give him.
For which purpose it will be taken as an ho-
nor if the agent would take the trouble to call
on the minister at his house on Monday morn-
ing of the 17th inst. at 11 o'clock.
The Minister of Government and Foreign
Relations expresses his thanks to the Agent
for the distinction he confers upon him; and
begs to return it by the assurances of his con-
sideration and respect.
(Signed)
B. RIVADAVIA.
To J. M. Forbes, Esq. Agent
of the U. S. of N. A.
MR. RIVADAVIA TO MR. FORBES.
Buenos Ayres, 6th Oct. 1821.
In consequence of the offer made by the
Minister of Government & Foreign Relations
to the Agent of the United States, he has the
honor of transmitting him a copy of a Decree
issued by the War and Navy Department re-
specting privateering.
With the Minister's consideration and re-
spect, he remains &c.
(Signed)
B. RIVADAVIA.
To J. M. Forbes, Esq. Agent
of the U. S. of N. A.
DECREE.
Department of War. One of the resources which the
unfortunate rights of War have
made legal and its object necessary, is Pri-
vateering. The War for the Independence
of the Provinces of Holland and that of the
United States of North America, have prov-
ed this kind of hostility to be most advanta-
geous for a country that prepares to defend
its Independence against a more ancient and
remote country that has governed it. It is
impossible to foresee or repress every abuse
that may be occasioned by Privateering. The
government that finds itself under the painful
necessity of authorising and even promoting
this system of warfare, has but two means
whereby it can lessen its illegal consequences;
and consequently is the only bound by the
two obligations respecting. The first is, to
dictate such regulation, and take such precau-
tions as may correct those abuses; not suf-
fering them to be committed with impunity.—
In this respect, the government has fulfilled its
duty. The Privateering regulations prove it.
The second is, to put an end to this kind of
warfare as soon as it becomes no longer ne.
cessary or when the result does not compen-
sate for the risks and difficulties it may pro-
duce. The government considers these two
events to have arrived; and consequently has
agreed upon, and decrees the following arti-
cles:
1st. In future no letter of marque and repri-
sal shall be granted without previously and so-
lemnly publishing the cause that obliges the
government to have recourse to the measure.
2d. Every person within the territory of
this province who may be in possession of any
letter of marque, must present it to the Minis-
ter of the Navy within fifteen days from the
date of this decree.
3d. Those persons in countries situated be-
yond the Equinoctial line, or on the coast of
the Pacific, must present said letter of marque
at the Navy Office within eight months.
4th. The securities given shall become re-
sponsible for the fulfilment of the two forego-
ing articles.
5th. Every commander of a privateer cruiz-
ing in virtue of a letter of marque, granted
by any of the governments that have existed
in this capital, at the sight of this decree, shall
cease to cruize, and shall put into port to dis-
arm and return the license.
6th. Any one who shall transgress the fore-
going article will incur the guilt of Piracy.
7th. Every Privateer that shall continue to
cruize, after the expiration of eight months
from the date of this Decree, authorized by
license from the government of this will be
treated as a Pirate.
8th. The Minister of War and Navy
is
charged with the execution of this Decree.
Buenos Ayres, 6th Oct. 1821.
(Signed)
MARTIN RODRIGUEZ.
Francisco De La Cruz, Secretary of War
and Navy.