3034. FLORIDA, Buying.—[further continued].
Since our [the Cabinet's]
last meeting, we have received a letter from
General Armstrong, containing Talleyrand's
propositions, which are equivalent to ours
nearly, except as to the sum, he requiring seven
million dollars. He advises that we alarm the
fears of Spain by a vigorous language and
conduct, in order to induce her to join us in
appealing to the interference of the Emperor.
We now agree to modify our propositions, so as
to accommodate them to his as much as possible.
We agree to pay five million dollars for the
Floridas as soon as the treaty is ratified by
Spain, a vote of credit obtained from Congress,
and orders delivered us for the surrender of
the country. We agree to his proposition that
the Colorado shall be our Western boundary,
and a belt of thirty leagues on each side of it
be kept unsettled. We agree that joint commissioners
shall settle all spolitations, and to
take payment from Spain by bills on her colonies.
We agree to say nothing about the
French spoliators in Spanish ports which broke
off the former convention. We propose to pay
the five millions, after a simple vote of credit,
by stock redeemable in three years, within
which time we can pay it.—
The Anas.
Ford ed., i, 309.
(Nov. 19, 1805)
