Pinckney having done his worst, found himself in a position extremely awkward. Although he threatened to leave Spain, and proclaimed that he meant soon to demand his passports, he did not venture to take this last step without instructions. Cevallos, excessively perplexed by his conduct, could not conceive that he should act thus without some definite authority. Boldly as Cevallos talked, he was in truth greatly alarmed by the idea of war. The French representative at Madrid wrote to Talleyrand that Pinckney had terrified the secretary beyond reason:[197]-- “The difficulty of making himself understood by M. de Cevallos in a language with which he is not familiar, excites Mr. Pinckney to fly out in terms beyond moderation and proper civility. He positively threatens war, and loudly announces his resolution shortly to demand his passports. The truth is that he is preparing to depart, and finds himself almost deprived of power to remain, not only in consequence of his personal altercation with the minister, but also of the care with which he has taken the public into his confidence.... M. de Cevallos seems to me to be quite seriously alarmed at the results this may have.” Ten days later the Frenchman reported that Cevallos was more uneasy than ever.[198] “‘If the Emperor,’ added M. de Cevallos, ‘would but say a word, and let the United States understand that he is not pleased at seeing them abuse the advantages which they owe to their strength and to the nearness of their resources over an ally of France, this would reconcile all difficulties, and save his Majesty the necessity of exacting satisfaction for an insult which is as good as inflicted.’” The Frenchman, having no instructions, contented himself with suggesting that the Emperor had more pressing matters on hand. “‘So,’ said M. de Cevallos, ‘France will have caused our actual misunderstanding with our neighbors, and we are to expect no service from her influence!’”