8031. SPAIN, English alliance against.—[further continued].
On a view of our affairs
with Spain, * * * I wrote you * * * that I
thought we should offer them the status quo,
but immediately propose provisional alliance
with England. I have not yet received the
whole correspondence. But the portion of the
papers now enclosed to you, confirm me in
the expediency of a treaty with England, but
make the offer of the status quo more doubtful.
* * * From the papers already received I infer
a confident reliance on the part of Spain on the
omnipotence of Bonaparte, but a desire of procrastination
till peace in Europe shall leave
us without an ally.—
To James Madison. Washington ed. iv, 583.
Ford ed., viii, 375.
(M.
Aug. 1805)
