94 University of California Publications in History
against the subjects of HiM Catholic Majesty or his Indians in any manner
whatever."
 In the autumn of 1817, quarrels among the settlers and In-
dians about Fowltown, on the Apalachicola just above the Florida
border, had led to the destruction of that town by United States
troops under the command of Gaines. This had been followed on
November 30 by a Seminole attack on a military supply boat on
the Apalachicola just below the Spanish border." Of a load of forty
men, seven women, and four children, all were killed but one
woman, who was made captive, and four men, who escaped. Re-
inforcements went down the river to protect further supply boats.
In the midst of this critical situation Gaines was transferred to
Amelia Island, and Jackson, by an order of December 26, was in-
structed to handle the Seminoles, and to "take the necessary meas-
ures to terminate ... [the] conflict."
 The second McGregor threat mentioned by Adams lay in the
 plans of that general for an invasion of Florida, with the point of
 entry at Tampa Bay. In this venture he was backed by Captain
 George Woodbine, a former British officer, who had worked up
 the scheme from his base at New Providence in the Bahamas. By
 two days after Christmas, when McGregor left for England, the
 plan had proceeded as far as the naming of one Robert Christie
 Ambrister (later to become notorious) to lead the activities at
 Tampa." But it was not until some months later that he arrived
 there.
 In the face of these complications the diplomats went on with
 their efforts at agreement. Adams finally discussed the subjects of
 Onfs' various notes in a reply dated January 16, for which Presi-
 dent Monroe had given him suggestions the preceding day." The
 note directed attention to the President's explanation of the
 Amelia Island affair given in his message of three days before;
 revived the boundary proposal of 1805 in nearly the same terms,
 offering to set the Colorado River as the limit, with Spain ceding
 all its territory east of the Mississippi; and suggested that the
 claims be submitted to a commission. Payment of the claims would
 be guaranteed by proceeds from the government's projected sale-
 of lands in the Floridas, and in order to make this possible all
 grants of land to private individuals made by the Spanish crown
 since August 11, 1802, would be held canceled.