THURSDAY, January 3, 1811.
The following confidential Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF
THE UNITED STATES, by Mr. EDWARD COLES, his Secretary:
_To the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States_:
I communicate to Congress, in confidence, a letter of the 2d
of December, from Governor Folch, of West Florida, to the
Secretary of State; and another, of the same date, from the
same, to John McKee.
I communicate, in like manner, a letter from the British
Chargé d'Affaires to the Secretary of State, with the answer
of the latter. Although the letter cannot have been written in
consequence of any instruction from the British Government,
founded on the late order for taking possession of the portion
of West Florida well known to be claimed by the United
States; although no communication has ever been made by that
Government to this of any stipulation with Spain, contemplating
an interposition which might so materially affect the United
States; and although no call can have been made by Spain, in
the present instance, for the fulfilment of any such subsisting
engagement; yet the spirit and scope of the document, with the
accredited source from which it proceeds, required that it
should not be withheld from the consideration of Congress.
Taking into view the tenor of these several communications, the
posture of things with which they are connected, the intimate
relation of the country adjoining the United States, eastward
of the river Perdido, to their security and tranquillity, and
the peculiar interest they otherwise have in its destiny, I
recommend to the consideration of Congress, the seasonableness
of a declaration that the United States could not see, without
serious inquietude, any part of a neighboring territory, in
which they have, in different respects, so deep and so just a
concern, pass from the hands of Spain into those of any other
foreign power.
I recommend to their consideration, also, the expediency of
authorizing the Executive to take temporary possession of
any part or parts of the said territory, in pursuance of
arrangements which may be desired by the Spanish authorities;
and for making provision for the government of the same, during
such possession.
The wisdom of Congress will, at the same time, determine
how far it may be expedient to provide for the event of a
subversion of the Spanish authorities within the territory in
question, and an apprehended occupancy thereof by any other
foreign power.