CHAPTER V


 SPAIN APPEALS TO THE POWERS,
 1814-1819
 BamBIsH INBLENCE z SPAIN
",, ALL EUBOPE or its principal governments do not take steps in
 time against the scandalous ambition of this Republic when
 they perceive the need of doing so and of obstructing the well
 established scheme of conquest which she has set for herself it may
 well be too late; and she may be master of Cuba and of the New
 Kingdom of Mexico or whatever other region suits her.'"
 The fears of Spain and her constant tendency to depend upon
 neighbors, who at the time had little respect for her, are clearly
 indicated in this warning sent by Onis to the Spanish ambassador
 in London. Indeed for some time the Madrid foreign office had
 earnestly tried to enlist outside aid in restraining the United
 States, and to obtain diplomatic assistance in negotiations with
 her. The desire of the Powers to recoup their fortunes in peace
 prevented the fulfillment of the first aim, and the second was only
 partially successful.
 It was to England that Spin turned first and most urgently.
 In view of England's well-known isolation policy during the post-
 Napoleonic period it is not surprising to find that her r6le in the
 Adams-Onis negotiations was almost wholly negative. Spain asked
 England to protest to the United States against the latter's en-
 croachments on Spanish territory. This England did, but only as
 a communicating agent, and only during the War of 1812. Later
 Spain wanted England to assume responsibility for maintaining
 the integrity of the Spanish Empire, and to mediate directly in the
 affairs of Spain with the United States. These things the British
 did not do.
 Between the United States and England there were too many
 diplomatic bargaining in process, and there was too little har-
 mony in public sentiment, to allow the interposition of an added
 complication. Negotiations were in progress concerning the vari-
 ous problems growing out of the Treaty of Ghent: fisheries, the
 boundaries of Canada, and disarmament on the Great Lakes. Fur-
 SFor notes to chap. v, ee pp. 128-130.
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