Had this been all, the matter would have ended in a personal quarrel between the two envoys and the two Virginians, with which the public would have had no concern. Jefferson’s “canons of etiquette” would in such a case have had no further importance than as an anecdote of his social habits. The seriousness of Jefferson’s experiments in etiquette consisted in the belief that they were part of a political system which involved a sudden change of policy toward two great Powers. The “canons” were but the social expression of an altered feeling which found its political expression in acts marked by equal disregard of usage. The Spanish minister had already reason to know what he might expect; for six weeks before Merry’s dinners John Randolph proclaimed in the House that West Florida belonged to the United States, and within the week that preceded Merry’s reception, he brought in the Bill which authorized the President to annex Mobile. After such a proceeding, no diplomatist would have doubted what meaning to put upon the new code of Republican society. Merry’s arrival, at the instant of this aggression upon Spain, was the signal for taking toward England a higher tone. Merry could not fail to see what lay before him. From the President, notwithstanding heelless slippers and “canons of etiquette,” the British minister heard none but friendly words. After the formal ceremony of delivering the letter of credence was over,-- “He desired me to sit down,” wrote Merry,[278] “when we conversed for some time on general affairs. The sentiments which he expressed respecting those of Europe appeared very properly to be by no means favorable to the spirit of ambition and aggrandizement of the present ruler in France, or to the personal character in any respect of the First Consul, and still less so to his conduct toward all nations.” From this subject the President passed to Spanish affairs and to the Spanish protest against the Louisiana cession, founded on Bonaparte’s pledge never to alienate that province. “This circumstance,” continued Merry, “as well as the resistance altogether which Spain had unexpectedly brought forward in words, Mr. Jefferson considered as highly ridiculous, and as showing a very pitiful conduct on her part, since she did not appear to have taken any measures to support it either by preparation of defence on the spot, or by sending there a force to endeavor to prevent the occupation of the country by the troops of the United States. He concluded by saying that possession of it would, at all events, be taken.”