The high ground taken on this occasion by the government, and the vigour with which it armed in support of its pretensions, furnished strong reasons for the opinion that a war with Spain, and probably with France, would soon be commenced.
In America, this was considered as a favourable juncture for urging the claims of the United States to the free navigation of the Mississippi.

Mr.Carmichael, their charge d'affaires at the court of Madrid, was instructed not only to press this point with earnestness, but to use his utmost endeavours to secure the unmolested use of that river in future, by obtaining a cession of the island of New Orleans, and of the Floridas.

A full equivalent for this cession would be found, it was said, in the sincere friendship of the United States, and in the security it would give to the territories of Spain, west of the Mississippi.
Mr.Carmichael was also instructed to point the attention of the Spanish government to the peculiar situation of the United States.

To one half of their territory, the use of the Mississippi was indispensable.

No efforts could prevent their acquiring it.