132 University of California Publications in History
San Martin crossed the Andes to conquer Chile. And the progress
of the revolutions was reflected in the United States' attitude, not
only toward Hispanic America, but toward Spain herself.
 It was indeed inevitable that "collision" would occur during the
year, both in the borderlands and on the diplomatic front. Small
wonder, though, in view of boundary disputes, claims controver-
sies, anxiety over Spanish America, and Jackson's raid, that a
peaceable acquisition of the Floridas did not materialize during
the year. Possession of most of those provinces by force did develop,
as Niles had predicted, but the seizures were returned to await
transfer by diplomatic methods.
 Before such an end could be accomplished, it was essential that
Onis should have wider latitude for bargaining. The authority
which permitted him to offer unconditionally the cession of the
Floridas and the ratification of the old Claims Convention, for-
warded by Pizarro in November, 1817, had proved too limited.
Onis had accordingly written in the following March asking for
more authority. But before that request reached Spain, further
instructions had been sent, and Pizarro had engaged in another
series of disputes with Erving. A review of events at Madrid must
precede any study of the final series of Adams-Onis negotiations.
 Pizarro believed that the latitude he had given would enable
Onis to make real progress. On February 20 he wrote that he had
sent all the advice he could, and that he did not understand what
further instructions Onis expected.* At the same time he advocated
negotiating and settling matters as soon as possible, without any
reliance on foreign Powers. He was confident that the United
States would not request British mediation, and he knew that with-
out such a request England would take no part in the affair.
 By this time there had been many conferences and much corre-
spondence about the long-projected European mediation in the
Spanish American revolutions. Pizarro told Onis to let the United
States understand that arrangements for the mediation were
nearly complete. This optimistic report would naturally lead to the
conclusion that England, France, Austria, Russia, and Prussia
were about to come to the aid of Spain against her colonies; in the
face of such a movement the United States would not dare recognize
the insurgents. Whatever effect Onis' statements may have had,
Adams continued to be always alert to the situation of the insur-