282 SPANISH AMERICA. 



America. The ninth and tenth referred to 

 a project of alliance between South Ame- 

 rica and the United States ; the former 

 ceding to the latter the Floridas, and the 

 United States, in return, rendering assist- 

 ance by means of a small military force. 

 The eleventh announced the intention of 

 resigning all the Spanish Islands, with the 

 exception of Cuba, the possession of which 

 was considered necessary, in consequence 

 of this island commanding the passage of 

 the Gulf of Mexico. 



A proposal for the return of General Mi- 

 randa to this country having been trans- 

 mitted to Mr. Pitt, it was immediately ac- 

 ceded to ; and the General had a conference 

 with that minister in January 1798. The 

 emancipation of Spanish America being at 

 that period in perfect accordance with the 

 views of Mr. Pitt, an outline of intended 

 proceedings was soon fully agreed upon; 



