George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 10

[186] France at Madrid should have full power to sign.¹

Chap. VIII.} 1778.

But Florida Blanca reasoned, that France would be more strongly bound by articles of her own proposing, and therefore answered: ‘The Catholic king will not be behind the king, his nephew, in confidence. Count Vergennes may draft the convention as seems good to him, and it will certainly be signed here as soon as it shall arrive. The heart of the king, my master, knows how to reciprocate good treatment.’ To Montmorin he verbally explained his demands in both hemispheres. As to Europe, he said: ‘Without Gibraltar I will never consent to a peace.’² ‘How are you to gain the place?’ asked Montmorin; and he replied: ‘By siege it is impossible; Gibraltar must be taken in Ireland or in England.’ Montmorin rejoined: ‘The English must be reduced very low before they can cede Gibraltar, unless the Spaniards first get possession of it.’ ‘If our operations succeed,’ answered Florida Blanca, ‘England will be compelled to subscribe to the law that we shall dictate.’ At the same time he declared frankly, that Spain would furnish no troops for the invasion of Great Britain; France must undertake it alone; even the junction of the fleets of Brest and Cadiz to protect the landing must be of short duration.

Vergennes might have hesitated to inaugurate the hard conditions required; but reflection was lost in joy at the prospect of the co-operation of Spain, even though that power opposed the independence of the new allies of France, and demanded French