The Enquirer

RELATIONS WITH SPAIN.

On this subject, the most interesting of all to the American people, no light has been shed by recent communications. Our Cabinet is as yet as secret as the grave. Even the papers of Philadelphia, the present theatre of the negotiation between the marquis de Yrujo and Mr. Madison, are unable to catch or to communicate any important information. By one of them it was indeed stated about 10 days past, that our government had expressed its willingness that the agents of Spain should withdraw from their functions; but even this communication so peculiarly important in its bearings, has neither been confirmed nor contradicted by subsequent intelligence.

On one point we are happy to correct an interesting mistake. Instead of Gun-boat No. 5 being condemned by a Spanish Court of Admiralty, we are now told that the vessel was originally attacked under an impression that she was British, it being a common practice with vessels of that nation to hoist the flags of neutrals; and that on the moment of her entering the port of Algeciras, an application was made to the Spanish commandant, the vessel was liberated, and has probably sailed along with the rest of the squadron for her destination. It gives us pleasure to correct this fabrication, because it was probably intended and obviously calculated to heighten our indignation against the Spaniards, and hurry the temper of the people beyond those bounds of discretion, which our ignorance of the present state of the negotiation should obviously prescribe. Let us preserve that calm and dignified moderation, which may enable us to form a proper estimate of our situation, when it shall become the duty of the administration to lay it before the people: Let us disappoint those inflammatory politicians who wishing to precipitate our country into a state of war, are indifferent what reports they may fabricate; or what expedients they may employ.