82 University of California Publications in History

futile dealings with Cevallos, and later actions of Adams, had
necessitated the removal of operations again to Washington. (It
will be seen that in the ensuing negotiations Washington was the
center of affairs until March, 1818, and again after July of that
year.)
 Of the eight possible programs discussed, there should be noted
the first and second, both of which Pizarro favored; the third,
which was adopted by the Consejo; and the eighth, which came
nearest to the ultimate settlement achieved.
 The first was a plan to offer the Floridas to England in exchange
for her assistance in restoring Louisiana to Spain. The plan visual-
ized a political balance in North America which would confine the
ambitions of the United States and would give Spain and England
the power of disciplining the United States in the west by shutting
off the navigation of the Mississippi and the rivers flowing through
the Floridas.
 This plan, which admittedly was of questionable practicability
because of Spain's weakness and England's apathy in the matter,
showed the influence of Don Jos6 Alvarez de Toledo, the former
Texas revolutionary leader. Toledo had made his peace with Onis,
given valuable counsel, and been sent to Spain, where he was par-
doned by the King. His advice was subsequently sought by the for-
eign office, and one of his opinions detailing the possible Spanish
seizure of Louisiana was cited in this discussion."
 The second project, which likewise had the favor of Heredia and
 Pizarro, included the settlement of all issues through the mediation
 of one or more friendly Powers, on the basis of the uti possidetis
 of 1763 but recognizing the validity of the Louisiana Purchase.
 This arrangement was simultaneously suggested by Onis, the lat-
 ter's despatch reaching Madrid after the presentation of the Ex-
 posicin."
 The third, which became the basis of the offer made by Pizarro
 to Erving, was also much like one of Onis' alternatives. It was an
 exchange of the Floridas to the United States for all the territory
 west of the Mississippi. This indicates a confusion over whether
 or not Spain was to continue in the position that the purchase of
 Louisiana was invalid. For, whereas in the second plan the recog-
 nition of that transaction was to be given as something of a con-
 cession, here it must be considered to have been admitted. Without