60 University of California Publications in History

faction in her Italian interests. It is evident, though, that Spain,
during the negotiations with the United States, was embarrassed
by her weak position in Europe and by inept diplomacy.
 During the process of the restoration of the monarchy, the United
States was represented in Spain by Anthony Morris, of Pennsyl-
vania. He had remained as a special agent almost from the time of
Erving's departure from Spain in 1810. Thomas Brent was also an
agent for the United States in Madrid, and the Reverend Thomas
Gough, an unofficial representative. The latter was appointed sec-
retary of the legation in 1815. Morris frequently quarreled with
both, particularly over their allegation that he was conspiring to
have himself appointed minister.
 In the summer of 1815 Brent sent to Monroe a copy of a letter
purported to have been written by one Francisco Sarmiento, a
secret agent who had been in the United States and had assisted
Onis. It was addressed to the latter and asked that he influence the
United States government to appoint Morris. Morris wrote to Mon-
roe, frankly explaining the affair, and gave the plausible opinion
that the letter was merely an attempt of Sarmiento to gain Morris'
confidence.' No action was taken in the matter.
 Though, of course, no negotiations were carried on, Morris had
 informal conversations with Cevallos. Most interesting of these
 was the one in which Cevallos categorically denied the rumor that
 Spain had ceded the Floridas to England.' Cevallos was right, but
 the report of the cession had caused a stir in the United States, and
 it was not discredited for some time, in spite of contrary assurances
 given not only at Madrid but at Washington.
 On receiving word of Ferdinand's restoration, Madison and
 Monroe determined to reappoint Erving to Madrid, this time as
 minister. His instructions were accordingly sent in October, 1814,
 to Paris, where he had just returned from a special and successful
 mission to Denmark. He was to take over affairs from Morris and
 to reestablish friendly relations, though he did not receive "any
 distinct and definite powers" for the purpose. He was to rely on
 the instructions to Pinckney and Monroe which had been issued in
 1803-1805."
 Erving at once applied, through Morris, for a passport from the
 Spanish government, only to be refused on the grounds that he
 could not be recognized as minister until Onis likewise received ad-