20 University of Caifornia Publications in History

part he played in the attempts of Spain to have her interests con-
sidered at the Ghent peace conference. A dominant note through-
out the period is Onis' increasing anxiety caused by the rapidly
developing sympathy in the United States for the rebellious Span-
ish Americans.
 The complaints were voiced continually, and their narration
forms a large part of Onis' despatches. Their subjects were: (1)
his nonrecognition as minister; (2) the fitting out in United States
ports of privateers and of vessels which aided the insurgent Span-
ish American provinces; (3) French and United States unofficial
propaganda encouraging revolutions in the Spanish colonies; (4)
the occupation and assimilation of revolted West Florida by the
United States; (5) the invasion of East Florida; (6) high duties
and port charges imposed on Spanish ships by this country; and
(7) the steps taken by the United States to gain control over the
Creek Indians of Florida. Of these complaints, the second, third,
and sixth lie somewhat outside the necessary limitations of this
study. The remainder will be considered in the succeeding chap-
ter dealing with frontier conditions, supplementing the notes here
on the diplomatic aspects.
 Monroe had come into office desirous of maintaining peace, but
within fifteen months war was declared on England. The close re-
lationship of this struggle to the whole question of Spanish rela-
tions is obvious in the fact that Western ambition for the conquest
not only of Canada, but of the Floridas as well, was a contributing
cause of the war. Two problems immediately arosethat of a pos-
sible advance by the United States southward and that of the prob-
able use of the Floridas as bases of operations by the English.
 Onis sent word to Spain of the passage of the war bill by the
 Senate on June 17, with a comment which shows at once his clear
 analysis and the fact that he was in a position to give valuable
 advice to his government:
 All my effort will be directed toward maintaining our neutrality, so that
 we can supply all our possesion with four, under our own lag; if this ii
 to be achieved, as there is a shortage of Spanish ships and a long time must
 paI before this announcement is known [in Spain], I feel it my duty to
 notify you that in view of the need of provisions in the Peninsa, I intend
 to authorize the Consuls of His Majesty who have funds to buy ship., in order
 that they may send eargoes of four on their own account to the Peninsula and
 other possesions of His Majesty."