Brooks: Diplowaoy and the Borderiusds


abandoning the project, after one more effort. Accordingly, they
stated that the United States was willing to set the western line
at the Colorado River, with a thirty-league no-man's land on the
eastern bank, and, by accepting Spain's cemnion of both East and
West Florida, to admit that West Florida was not a part of the
Louisiana Purchase. Cevallos declined, and Monroe left, followed
shortly after by Pinekney, in the summer of 1805.
 There now entered the foreign service of the United States, as
charge d'affaires in Spain, George W. Bring, who was to be min-
ister during the final negotiation of the Adams-Onis Treaty. Ap-
pointed secretary of legation under his cousin James Bowdoin,
whom Jefferson had named minister, Erving became charge when
Bowdoin decided to avoid Madrid and was sent instead to Paris as
a special commissioner.
 Erving continued the discussions with Cevalloe, but to slight
avail He had to protest a renewal of seizure of United States ships
by Spanish officials, but, in view of the close backing of Spain by
France, the United States could not press matters too firmly. The
same difficulty deterred action on the boundaries. Strong opinions
were held that Texas should be seisd, but fear of antagonizing
Napoleon, as well as the Republican party's hesitation to befriend
England through such an attack on Spain, combined to prevent its
seizure.
 In increasing measure the close relationship between the French
 and Spanish ministries complicated the efforts of United States
 agents abroad. In Madrid the court of Charles IV was dominated
 by men of the type of Prime Minister Don Manuel de Godoy, and
 Cevallose Though thoroughly schooled in the traditions of eight-
 eenth-century diplomacy, they were not well versed in the geo-
 graphical details of American problems. Their activities were at
 this time largely governed by their subordination to Napoleon,
 who continued to hold the whip hand in Spanish affairs until the
 entry of the British in 1809. Consequently, the well-nown franco-
 phile tendencies of the Republican party made any affront to
 Spain a disavowal of its prevailing diplomatic policy.
 In the hope of obtaining concessions from Spain through French
 intercession, Madison instructed Armstrong to continue at Paris
 the efort to get the Floridas. Armstrong proposed an arrange-
 ment much like that offered at Madrid. The Floridas were to be