Brooks: Diplomacy and the Borderlead 15

in America, and his position had interesting phases aside from his
dealings with the United States government. On him naturally
fell the organization and direction of the Spanish service in this
country. Disgusted by the disputes of Foronda and Viar (the
encargados who requested his appointment), he demanded and
obtained a complete cleanup of the system. Those two officials
were removed, the consul-generalship was suspended, and there-
after all the consuls reported to Onfi."
 Furthermore,he served as purveyor of information on the Span-
ish colonies, conducting detailed correspondence with such officials
as the governors of the Floridas, the captain-general of Cuba, and
the viceroy of Mexico. He frequently advised them concerning
necessary steps for the defense of the realm, and reported menacing
French or United States movements of which he learned. These
duties were especially important in view of the Spanish American
revolts which were in progress during the whole period of his resi-
dence as minister.
 Onis also performed valuable service in directing the purchase
 and expedition of supplies to Spain during the Peninsular War.
 His purchase of ships, and flour to send in them, formed an impor-
 tant part of his work."
 Onis' largest problems, however, lay in his relations with the
 United States government. His original instructions were not
 written with the expectation that a treaty would be negotiated at
 Washington, although he had full powers." He was to sound the
 possibilities of progress toward a treaty, and cooperate in further-
 ing it. In any event he was to maintain communication with the
 government at Washington it possible.
 In the first interview with Smith, he was told of the policy of this
 country toward the rival governments in the Peninsula, a policy
 which would not allow the recognition of any representative of
 either. One may well suspect that Madison would have welcomed
 an opportunity to recognize Joseph Bonaparte as the de facto
 ruler of Spain. But in fact neither Joseph nor the Begency was in
 assured control of all the country at any time before the restora-
 tion. Therefore commitment to either side would have 6een too
 large a gamble for an administration whose Jeffersonian watch-
 word was to await the definite turn of events in Europe and reap
 what gains might fall its way.