Why Was An Agreement With Spain Blocked By Southern States
Grant (1997) argues that the treaty was crucial to the emergence of American expansionism, which later became known as “Manifest Destiny” because control of Natchez and Tombigbee counties was necessary for U.S. dominance in the Southwest. The collapse of Spanish power in the region was inevitable as Americans flocked to the district and very few Spaniards lived there. Spain abandoned the region because of international politics, not because of local unrest. Spanish rule was accepted by the French and British colonists near Natchez. Relations with the Indians were calm. However, with the loss of Natchez, Spain`s border was no longer secure and the rest of its territory was gradually lost. [5] The two High Contracting Parties, which wish to ensure that the good correspondence and friendship which fortunately prevail between them will be further strengthened by this Treaty and that they will contribute to increasing their prosperity and opulence, will in the future give their mutual trade all the expansion and favor that the advantage of both countries may require. and following the provisions of THE IV. Article Her Catholic Majesty will allow citizens of the United States to deposit their goods and items in the Port of New Orleans and export them from there for a period of three years from that date, without paying any tax other than a fair price for the rental of stores, and Her Majesty promises to either continue such authorization if, during this period, he finds that it is not detrimental to the interests of Spain, or if he does not agree to continue it there, he will transfer to them an equivalent branch on another part of the banks of the Mississippi. In order to avoid any dispute over the boundaries separating the territories of the two High Contracting Parties, it is declared and agreed as follows: The southern border of the United States, which separates its territory from the Spanish colonies of East and West Florida, is designated by a line that runs along the Mississippi River in the northernmost part of the thirty-first parallel north of the equator, which is drawn from there eastwards to the middle of the apalachicola or catahouche river, from there along the middle to its junction with the Flint, from there directly to the head of the St. Mary`s River and from there to the Atlantic Occiesean.
And it is agreed that, if there are troops, garrisons or colonies of one Party in the territory of the others under the above-mentioned borders, they shall be withdrawn from that territory within six months of ratification of this Treaty or earlier, if possible, and that they shall have all the property and effects which they possess, are allowed to take away .. . .