14 University of Califoia Pubications in History

Floridablanca. He was chosen to be minister to the United States
in 1792, but the fall of Floridablanea's Cabinet prevented his serv-
ing in that capacity.
 Onis remained in Germany until 1798, when he was made an
official of the ministry of st te in Madrid. He had charge of mat-
ters concerning France for some time, and was active in the nego-
tiation of the Peace of Amiens in 1802. Six years later he went with
the court to Bayonne, and at the request of Cevallos wrote his opin-
ion of Ferdinand's renunciation. It was a categorical statement
to the effect that the King neither could nor should make such a
concession. This stand made it necessary for him to flee to Spain,
where he at once joined the patriot Junta Centra at Aranjuez.
 During part of his year's service as senior official in the min-
 istry of state under the Junta Central he virtually controlled the
 office as chief adviser to Don Martin de Garay, who succeeded
 Cevallos as secretary of state in 1809. It was in the summer of
 that year that he was chosen, no doubt at the instance of Cevallos
 and Floridablanca, to repre ent the Junta Central (and according
 to their view the King, in Whose name they governed)' at Wash-
 ington." He was then forty-seven years of age.
 Onis left immediately, arriving in New York on October 4, 1809,
 and had his first interview with Secretary of State Robert Smith
 in Washington on October 21. He noted that, whereas he could
 understand Spanish, Frence, German, or Italian better than Eng-
 lish, he knew the last well enough to conduct the conversations with
 Smith.
 Surely he had learned to be suspicious from observing and par-
 ticipating in the intrigues Of the court of Madrid. Shortly after
 his arrival he wrote that h understood that
 Mr. Madison and Mrs Smith receive presents, and that this is one of the
 means of which the French master avails himself to obtain all that he
 wishes. ... I wish that you would tel me if you believe it advisable that I
 should follow an example which (an be so advantageous to us in whatever eae
 ofter itself.

 He sent a spy to Washington to investigate the possibilities of
 such a plan, but apparently had no success; meanwhile his gov-
 ernment had discouraged it on account of the expense.
 Onis played an important r61e in the scheme of Spanish service