146 University of California Publications in History

since 1802 be canceled; that both parties renounce all claims, in-
cluding those of the Convention of 1802 and those for spoliation
by French cruisers; and that the United States undertake to settle
those against it to the amount of five million dollars."
 The western boundary would be along the Sabine River from
the Gulf to latitude 32 north, thence north to the Red, up that
river to its head, along the crest of the "Snow mountains" [the
Rockies] to the Forty-first Parallel, and west on that line to the
"South sea." This was truly meant as an "ultimatum," inasmuch
as President Monroe was not now anxious to settle with Spain
promptly, and Adams (besides being discouraged in regard to a
probable settlement) believed that this country had nothing to
lose and much to gain by a delay. Thus they were willing to state
their desires in firm terms even at the risk that the negotiation
might be suspended.
 There was one man in Washington, however, besides Onis who
did not care to see the possibility of a break arise. Hyde de Neu-
ville came to see the secretary on November 4, seeking a way to
make possible some agreement. Adams dealt with him readily,
though he did not trust him completely, having written three
months previously:
His avowed instructions are to do everything in his power to preserve peace
between the United States and Spain, and his secret instructions are to sup-
port the cause of Spain to the utmost of his power.. ..

He told Adams that he had tried to persuade Onis to be concilia-
tory, but that he feared the negotiation must fail." Onis' account
of that conversation was a bitter denunciation of Hyde de Neu-
ville, who came to him in an "arrogant" mood and urged that he
accept the United States' proposals, even backing this country's
claims to Texas as far as the Colorado River." Thankless indeed is
the task of a conciliator!
 Onis in fact was soon authorized to accept the Colorado if that
 should prove to be necessary. Before he answered Adams' ulti-
 matum, he received more instructions, the last of importance to
 be sent by Pizarro. These included the important authority to go
 beyond the Sabine if necessary in order to avoid a break. At the
 same time Onfs was informed of the cessation of negotiations in
 Madrid, due to the Florida invasion. He was told, however, to con-