64 University of California Publications in History

Sexually justified in continuing to retain West Florida until its
title should be established. Onis replied by presenting a lengthy
account of Spain's colonization of Texas and the historical bases
for her resulting title."
 Monroe, furthermore, had presented a list of counterclaims
 against Spain, including the nonratification of the Claims Conven-
 tion of 1802, the indemnity claimed because of Spanish maritime
 spoliations in the Napoleonic Wars and the suspension of the right
 of deposit at New Orleans, the alleged violation of neutrality by
 Spain in allowing the British to use the Floridas as a base in the
 War of 1812, and the rejection of the various peaceful attempts of
 the United States to buy the Floridas. He also declared that the
 United States, recognizing the superior right of neither metropo-
 lis nor colony, would treat each, and its representatives and ships,
 alike, as far as the opening of ports was concerned. This became the
 prevailing policy of the administration in the Spanish American
 revolutions.
 Onis then suggested, orally, that Spain would be willing to cede
 its claim to all territory east of the Mississippi in exchange for all
 territory on the western side, but he said that he wished the nego-
 tiation could take place in Madrid. Monroe in reporting this to
 Erving expressed doubt that such a proposal would lead to a
 prompt agreement."
 Shortly thereafter the scene did shift to Madrid. The Spanish
 government yielded on the recognition of Erving as soon as it
 learned that Onis had been admitted at Washington, with the re-
 sult that the United States minister's credentials were received in
 August, 1816. He proceeded at once to present his government's
 views to the Spanish authorities.

 THE IssUES STATED
 It will be recalled that Erving in 1814 did not receive detailed in-
 structions or powers for negotiation. While awaiting recognition
 he visited Washington, where he met Onis. Full instructions were
 sent him only after he had returned, and after Onis' preliminary
 conferences had failed. The directions given him by Monroe, al-
 though they led to no successful negotiations, reveal the secretary
 of state's policy, somewhat more firmly expressed here than in the
 notes to Onis.