Spain was conciliated by the prompt action in surrendering the captured territory and the frank apology of the United States. The spirited representations of Mr. Adams plainly pointed out the failure of Spain to comply with her treaty obligations to restrain the Indians within her borders from depredations on the United States; the situation which she occupied of giving shelter to a nation of savages making war upon a friendly nation, and the absolute necessity for General Jackson
to take vigorous action. Spain, therefore, refrained
from demanding the punishment of the offending officer as a measure of national redress.
Movements of a political character were now put on foot in Congress, instituted by the jealousy of rivals who wished to crush the growing popularity of this rising military favorite. Resolutions were introduced in the Senate and in the House censuring the course of General Jackson in strong terms. In both houses these resolutions failed; the vote in the House being 108 in Jackson’s favor to 62 against him. Of this vote an analysis Federals and 2 of doubtful politics, while against him were 29 Republicans, 31 Federalists and 2 of doubtful politics. (See Schouler s History of the United States, vol. 3, p. 90. Note.) The Senate took no final action on the subject. The Seminole war and its results brought Jackson into greater prominence than did the victory of New Orleans.
In the meantime, the negotiations for the acquisition of Florida had been resumed and were progressing favorably.[1]
July 19, 1818, Don Jose Pizarro wrote to Mr. Ewing,
the United States minister at Madrid: "In one of our late conferences I had the honor to state to you anew His
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- ↑ See the admirable article of Hon. J. L. M. Curry, "The Acquisition of Florida," in American Magazine of History, April, 1888.
