The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 17, July 1913 - April, 1914 Page: 175
454 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
The Louisiana-Texas Frontier
we have seen, they had no reason to believe that the French Sec-
retary would support them even upon this point."8 The dispatches
of the English minister, Merry, show this much more clearly than
the President's own communications.
After Monroe reached Madrid he found that the Spanish court
had taken up its temporary residence at Aranjeuz and thither he
and Pinckney determined to conduct their negotiation. Monroe
had quickly determined to associate the latter with himself so far
as signing the formal notes was concerned, but that he should per-
sonally conduct all interviews with the Spanish ministers. After
reviewing Pinckney's course he came to the conclusion that the lat-
ter had taken a justifiable attitude towards Spain the previous sum-
mer and that he should participate in the present negotiation, as
far as would serve its main purpose." The Spanish officials ac-
quiesced in this arrangement with suspicious complacency, and
accordingly, after the necessary formalities of presentation, the two
American diplomats sent their first note to Cevallos.
After reviewing the subject of commercial claims they passed to
a consideration of the boundaries of Louisiana. As a basis for a
compromise they suggested that the American desire to possess the
Floridas might be balanced by the Spanish desire to retard the
western progress of the United States. At that very time the
Florida frontier was in a state of jealous watchfulness that por-
tended serious outbreaks, and this situation would soon be para-
lelled along the western border. It was possible to remove this
condition, so provocative of misunderstanding, by the cession of
the Floridas and the establishment of the western boundary upon
just principles. The United States claimed to the Bravo, but if
Spain ceded her territory east of the Mississippi, for which the
United States would assume certain commercial claims, the latter
agreed to form a neutral territory in the western part of Louisiana.
The negotiators then followed their discussion with the project for
a treaty covering these two main propositions.29
After submitting this joint note Monroe made a personal call on
the Prince of the Peace. He found that Godov wished to refer the
lBFord, Writings of Jefferson, VIII, 349, 350; Am. State Papers, For.
Rel., II, 633.
1 Monroe to Madison, January 19, 1805. Spanish Despatches, VII. MSS.,
Bureau of Indexes and Archives.
2OAm. State Papers, For. Rel., II, 637, et seq.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 17, July 1913 - April, 1914, periodical, 1914; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101061/m1/179/: accessed May 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.