John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson

Attended the Cabinet meeting at the President’s from noon till five o’clock. The subject of deliberation was General Jackson’s late transactions in Florida, particularly the taking of Pensacola. The President and all the members of Congress, except myself, are of opinion that Jackson acted not only without, but against, his instructions: that he has committed war upon Spain, which cannot be justified and in which, if not disavowed by the Administration, they will be abandoned by the country. My opinion is that there was no real, though an apparent, violation of his instructions: that his proceedings were justified by the necessity of the case and by the misconduct of the Spanish commanding officers in Florida. The question is embarrassing and complicated not only as involving that of an actual war with Spain but that of the Executive power to authorize hostilities without a declaration of war by Congress. There is no doubt that defensive acts of hostility may be authorized by the Executive; but Jackson was authorized to cross the Spanish line in pursuit of the Indian enemy.

• John Quincy Adams, 1818

1. What is the point of view of Adams toward Jackson’s actions in Florida? Explain how this quote helps to understand the Adams-Onis Treaty of 1819?

2 How does the passage help explain American foreign policy between 1790-1818? Provide details of two examples of how the United States understood its actions in relation to foreign powers.