No. 7.

[Extract.]

Mr. Madison to Mr. Monroe and Mr. Pinckney.

Gentlemen: * * * * * *

1st. The modification of the fifth article (noted as one which the British commissioners would have agreed to) may be admitted in case that proposed by you to them be not attainable. But it is much to be wished and pressed, though not made an ultimatum, that the proviso to both should be omitted. This [Page 24] is in no view *whatever necessary, and can have little other effect than as an offensive intimation to Spain that our claims extend to the Pacific Ocean. However reasonable such claims may be compared with those of others, it is impolitic, especially at the present moment, to strengthen Spanish jealousies of the United States, which it is probably an object with Great Britain to excite by the clause in question.The United States respect the claims of Spain on the Pacific.[10]