Page:Memoir upon the negotiations between Spain and the United States of America which led to the treaty of 1819.djvu/158

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��of Alagon, worth eight millions of dollars, would remain valid. To the first point, I will reply that England advised his Majesty, with the greatest frankness and sincerity, to cede the Floridas, or to make any settlement with the United States which he thought expedient, for that his circumstances, and those of England herself, who was hot able to assist us or defend them, imperiously demanded it. Could England, after so frank and decisive a de- claration, use this pretence to seize the island of Cuba? And if she did use it, could she not em- ploy it with better excuse to seize it, seeing that Spain abandoned her possessions of Florida and the Teh as without defending them either by force or amicable agreement? Would she not have a mdre plausible motive for it, in as much as the Americans were in a situation to take possession of Cuba, to occupy it in anticipation under the pretext that it might not fall into their hands? Who can avoid making these reflexions, limited as may be his view? Assuredly no one. England has more dignity and honour than these political novices would attribute to her, and although I will not de- ny that in the convulsions of America they have caused us serious evils, we ourselves have perhaps provoked them by the little conciliatory conduct we have used towards her. England has given in- contestable proofs of the interest she feels, in the well being of Spain, in the powerful assistance she

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