[6] In 1787, the Intendant of Louisiana, acting in accordance with instructions from the Spanish court, prepared an elaborate memoir on the political situation in America. "He represented the people of the United States as extremely ambitious, as animated by the spirit of conquest and as anxious to extend their empire to the shores of the Pacific. He then suggested a line of policy, which in his opinion, it was incumbent on Spain to adopt. The dismemberment of the western country, by means of pensions and commercial benefits, was considered by him as not difficult. The attempt was therefore strongly urged, particularly as it would, if successful, greatly augment the power of Spain in this quarter and forever arrest our progress westward. These suggestions were favorably received, and formed the groundwork of that policy which Spain afterwards pursued."—Sketches of La., 98.
[7] Ib. 85.
[8] See Hinsdale's Old Northwest, Chapter X. A bibliography of the Negotiations at Paris, 1782-'83, is given in Hinsdale's Southern Boundary of the United States, published in the Annual Report of the American Historical Association for 1893, p. 339, footnote.
[9] See Gould's Fifty Years on the Mississippi, 182 et seq.; 288 et seq.
[10] Stoddard's Sketches, 88-'9.
[11] Ib. 90.
[12] Ib. 99.
[13] He was at this time Governor General of Louisiana.
[14] Amer. State Papers. For. Rel. II.79. This opinion is corroborated by Marbois (Hist. of La., 162) who made a study of the subject from the French standpoint.
[15] Martin's History of La., 271-5.