Page:Memoir upon the negotiations between Spain and the United States of America which led to the treaty of 1819.djvu/28

18 since he avoided the subject upon which I treated, and neglected to answer me in writing.

The American government, however it professed good faith in its conduct towards Spain during this period of time, changed its tone when it caused the district of Baton rouge, in West Florida, to be occupied in 1810, and the district of Mobile in 1812. The President declared in a proclamation, "that as all these territories belonged to the United States as an integral part of Louisiana, he considered it expedient to occupy them, as both justice and policy demanded it, but that they should be held by him, as they had been by Spain, subject to amicable negotiation."

To these publick acts of aggression and violence were afterwards added General Jackson's march through West Florida, with the troops under his command, and his entrance into Pensacola, to drive from that place the few English who had landed there; and the march of another body of American troops into East Florida, to assist a party of revolters who, from the United States themselves, were endeavouring to excite disorder in that province. I protested in the name of the king, against all and each of these excesses; but the cabinet of Washington refused to reply to me, and inflexibly adhered to their system of policy.

During the second period of my embassy, which falls in with the epoch of general peace in