The Saber and Scroll Journal Volume 1, Issue 1, April 2015 | Page 31

assist one another to repel revolutions and rebellion. 1 Just how this pact would
play out in recovering lost colonies in the Americas, was not clear; however, the
battle of Trocadero, on 31 August 1823, sealed the fate of the constitutionalists in
Spain, and set the stage for monarchy’s return to Spain.
The great powers of Europe, having lent support to France for the
invasion of Spain and the restoration of absolute monarchism by Ferdinand VII,
did not stop there. The issue of the former Spanish colonies was foremost in the
minds of many government ministers. Diplomatic discussions between Canning
and Rush concerned matters of the Spanish Americas from time to time, but not as
often as Rush desired. In fact, after the fall of Cadiz in Spain, there was not any
conversation between Canning and Rush regarding the topic. 2 Rush felt that
Britain concerned itself with commerce more than justice for the people of the
continent of Europe, as well as the residents of South America. 3
It was clear that Britain’s interests in South America were purely
economic. The Napoleonic War in Europe, as well as the continental system
Napoleon installed, greatly decreased the amount of goods exported from Great
Britain. England was in the midst of its industrial revolution, which meant it
created greater means of production as well as greater stocks of goods. Exports
were steadily decreasing to the continent, however, while exports increased to the
former Spanish colonies. 4 The United States was interested in gaining trade with
the new nations in South America, as well.
President Monroe extended diplomatic recognition of the new nations in
South America, sending diplomats and extending the courtesy to the new national
heads of state to send diplomats to Washington, D.C. 5 While discussions between
Rush and Canning continued through the fall, they fell off markedly after late
September 1823. President Monroe sought the advice of former Presidents
Thomas Jefferson and James Madison with regard to a possible cooperative
statement with Great Britain. 6 Jefferson and Madison appeared in favor of some
sort of joint statement with Britain regarding European interference in South
America.
Secretary of State John Quincy Adams, was in favor of a unilateral
statement, having reservations concerning British intentions. He did not want to
appear, “as a cock boat in the wake of a British man-of-war.” 7 It appears even as
far back as 1823, the United States considered annexing Texas, as well as Cuba.
Still, the matter of possible invasion by members of the Holy Alliance was a real
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