 288–291

The ambiguity in this third article lent itself to the purpose of U.S. envoy James Monroe, although he had to adopt an interpretation that France had not asserted nor Spain allowed.p 83 Monroe examined each clause of the third article and interpreted the first clause as if Spain since 1783 had considered West Florida as part of Louisiana.The second clause only served to render the first clause clearer.The third clause referred to the treaties of 1783 and 1795, and was designed to safeguard the rights of the United States.