110 University of California Publications in History
Bosquejo on relations with the United States,.written in 1816. But
in that paper mediation by Russia was favored. By the summer
following, when Heredia prepared the Exposicid which was sub-
mitted to the Consejo de Estado by Pizarro, it appeared best to ask
England to intervene. Immediately after the Consejo had decided
on the course to be pursued, a lengthy note was addressed to Welles-
ley, in which were summarized the five major points of contention
between Spain and the United States, and the bases for Spain's
assertion that England should assist in curbing the republic's
ambitions, both from the standpoint of self-interest and from a
sense of duty."
 BAsES or SPANISH PESUASION
Pizarro's note went into great detail concerning the background
of the American problem, even covering the whole history of the
Spanish and Fiench colonization of Texas. It then cited the re-
sponsibility of England, under the Treaty of Utrecht, to assist in
maintaining Spain's domains as they stood at the death of Charles
II." The Spaniard painted a disturbing picture of the dangers to
British commercial interests on the Pacific from the possible estab-
lishment of the United States on that ocean. He asserted that
Spain's withdrawal of her claim that the Louisiana Purchase was
illegal was an indication of Ferdinand's conciliatory policy, as
contrasted with his opponent's unreasonable demands. Then with
purposeful compliment he told the British ambassador that simply
the knowledge that England was to intervene would no doubt be
sufficient to moderate the stand of the United States.
 Another interesting basis for asking England's assistance ap-
peared in the Spanish interpretation of a conversation which took
place between Castlereagh and Adams, while the latter was still in
London. Count FernAn Nifiez (Spanish ambassador to England
until March, 1817) had reported the conversation to Pizarro. The
British official said, according to Fernan Nfiez, that, inasmuch as
England had told Spain that she would not allow any cession of
the latter's territory, she must also tell the United States that she
would not approve any extension of the limits of the United States,
and that in the event such were attempted the whole procedure of
the British Cabinet would be changed. England then "would take
the course she considered fitting, with respect to the interests of
her ally Spain, and to her own."" The last allusion was to the alli-