Brooks: Diplomacy and the Borderlands 145

the article of cession begin: "The United States declare that they
deeply regret the violation of Spanish territory.. ." Such a metic-
ulous diplomat as John Quincy Adams frequently was irritated
by this method of procedure, but just as frequently, according to
Onis' own testimony, he laughed at it.
 Onis wisely took upon himself the important responsibility of
omitting from the proposals two details included in his instruc-
tions. One was the plan for a neutral ground along the border,
which he believed would only provide a sanctuary for lawless ad-
venturers. The second was the demand that the United States
promise not to recognize the insurgent colonies as independent, a
request which he knew would be futile.
 In reporting these steps to Pizarro, he expressed worry lest the
Alag6n, Pufionrostro, and Vargas grants in Florida cause trouble.
John Forsyth, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions, had visited Onis and explained the United States' view that
the granting of these lands just before the probable session of the
provinces was an act of bad faith. Onfs had to put him off with
reassuring vagueness, not being able to say definitely that the
grants would be rescinded.
 In view of what I believe to be the unfounded charge that Onis
 deliberately misrepresented facts to Adams in order to protect
 these grants, it is important to note the words of his despatch of
 October 31:
 You can see ... that these concessions will be one of the greatest obstacles to
 success, and that it is to be feared that one must subscribe to the means that
 you have indicated of annulling them [excluding all grants made after 1803],
 although it is unjust and indecorous, in order not to lose the essential [ad-
 vantage] which is to establish the limits to the west of the MissisippL"
 Onis at no time expressed either desire or intent to save the land
 grants in Florida at the expense of other stipulations. He knew
 that the Spanish government was not sure of its policy in regard
 to them when on October 3 he received the repetition of the order
 that no land in the three grants mentioned was to be alienated,
 particularly to foreigners."
 Adams now countered Onfs' proposals with what he called the
 United States' ultimatum. This was a set of proposals which was
 to remain the basis of contention for many weeks. Besides the
 cession of the Floridas, Adams proposed that all land grants made