Page:Memoir upon the negotiations between Spain and the United States of America which led to the treaty of 1819.djvu/23

13 in their glorious struggle, and desired to maintain with them a good understanding and perfect harmony, could not receive or recognize any minister from the provisional governments of Spain, because the crown was in dispute, and the nation divided into two adverse parties; and that until the termination of that struggle, the United States would remain neutral, or as simple spectators, without taking any part in favour of one or the other. The Cabinet of Washington continued steadfast in the plan which it had prescribed to itself, and would neither agree to recognize me, nor enter into any official communication with me, until the prospect which had flattered its hopes was completely dissipated, by the dethronement and ruin of Napoleon, and the restoration of Ferdinand VII to the throne of his august predecessors; so that the diplomatic relations between the United States and Spain were interrupted, from the commencement of our glorious revolution to the end of December 1815; at which time, after having surmounted some trifling obstacles still thrown in the way, on the part of the American government, I was received and recognized by it, in virtue of new credentials, signed by his majesty. During the interval, I had been constantly occupied in watching over the interests of the monarchy in this portion of America, in discharging all the duties with which I had been entrusted by the government, in aiding our colonies