John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

27. VII: Mr Bagot came to my Office, according to appointment at one O’Clock, and by order of his Government made an offer of their mediation to settle the differences between the United States and Spain— This offer was accompanied with many professions of a friendly disposition towards the United States, and many intimations of no good harmony subsisting between Great-Britain and Spain— He read to me an extract from a despatch from Lord Castlereagh to him, referring to his conferences with me before I left England— To his belief that he had convinced me of the frankness and candour with which he had disclosed to me the whole Policy of the British Government at this time, and that it was bent upon nothing so earnestly as upon the preservation of universal Peace— That he had derived great satisfaction from the assurances given him by me of the same disposition, on the part of the American Government, and on my own part personally— With many flattering compliments to me which Bagot after reading to me, said he believed he ought not to have done so— He also read to me in confidence a copy of a despatch from Lord Castlereagh to Sir Henry Wellesley the British Ambassador at Madrid, dated 27. August last, and being an answer to a despatch from him with which a Note from Pizarro the Spanish Minister of foreign affairs asking for this mediation of G.B. had been forwarded—and Pizarro had made an extended Statement of the subjects of dispute between Spain and U.S— Castlereagh answers that before the Prince Regent could definitively answer this proposal, he must know much more of the subject than he could from Pizarro’s statement, however extended, and also that the mediation was desired by both parties— At the same time he complains in very angry terms of certain restrictions upon the British Commerce in Spain, and hints that unless they are removed England will not act as a Mediator between Spain and U.S. This Letter Mr Bagot allowed me in confidence to take and shew to the President, on condition that it should not be otherwise used— At the same time he read me another part of his despatch, relating to South America, explicitly declaring that if Great-Britain alone, or the allied powers jointly should interpose between Spain and the South American Provinces, the system recommended and urged by Great-Britain would be one of perfect liberality to the Provinces—a System which would open their ports and their commerce to all Nations, including the United States, and in which Great-Britain would neither ask nor accept any exclusive privilege for herself—and adding that this subject was now in negotiation among the allied powers— I told Mr Bagot, that I must of course refer 303the subject to the consideration of the President; who I was sure would receive the communication as a proof of a friendly disposition in Great-Britain— I desired him to thank Lord Castlereagh for the kindness and confidence in me expressed in his despatch, and with the full promise of my hearty concurrence in the good work of preserving universal Peace— As to the mediation, the only objection I could anticipate to it was that G.B. had heretofore taken some part with Spain, on the very points now in controversy— He said that whatever may have been the feelings or policy of the British Government, under different circumstances and at another period, if she should now assume the character of a Mediator it would be with perfect impartiality, and solely with a view to conciliate the parties to each other— Abstractedly speaking it might be more agreeable to G.B. to have a weak neighbour than a strong one; but she must accommodate her policy to the nature of things; and she was sincerely desirous of maintaining the best understanding with this Country. He had told Onis the Spanish Minister yesterday that if the interposition of Great-Britain should be desired by this Country, he must not expect that she would support Spain in any extravagant pretensions. He also told him that he should make this communication to me this day. Bagot also told me, that M’Gregor had when he was here, called upon him, and told him that Dr Thornton had sent him— He told him that he was going to take Florida and asked him what the opinion of the British Government upon it would be. Bagot told him he could give him no answer to that question and could say nothing about it. Bagot afterwards asked Thornton if he really had sent M’Gregor to him; and he admitted that he had— After Bagot left me, I called at the President’s but he was not at home— I came home to dinner at four, and we had a Tea-party and Ball, to which about three hundred persons were invited, and more than two hundred attended. The company began to come between six and seven and left us about Midnight— The Evening was excessively dark and several accidents happened to persons on coming and returning.