William Carmichael to John Jay, 15 February 1780
[Madrid, 15 Feb y 1780] 1
Dear Sir
I arrived in this city late in the Evening of the 11 th after a tedious and Disagreable Journey. We had heavy rains for more than two thirds of the time, which render–d the roads so very bad that neither persuasion, threats or money could induce our Muleteers to proceed faster. My own State of health and the situation in which I left Cadiz would have prevented me from quitting the company [ of ] 2 my voyage if other circumstances of a more delicate nature had not forbid it. Besides that the number of courriers on the road made it impracticable for me to obtain Horses .
The next day altho much indisposed I waited on the French Embassador, who had by a message overnight requested M r Girard to ingage me to dinner. I was received by Him and all his Family in the most friendly manner & was offerd every service in his power to render us without those personal professions which give birth to many unmeaning words and more suspicions . Indeed I have neither expressions or time to represent the apparent candor and Liberality of his Sentiments. He enter[ed] fully into the good disposition of his Court and informed me that the king as a further proof of his Friendship for us had agreed to pay us Annually the additional Sum of three millions of Livres during the Continuance of the [war] 3 in order to enable us to procure the necessaries for our army &c. &c. and that his Majesty had also determined to send a considerable Maritime and Land force early in the year to America to be at the disposition & under the Direction of our General 17 sail of the line and 4 thousand troops are also to be sent to the West Indies, if they have not already sailed . 4 Judge after this if Attention Candor 5 and apparent unreservideness not the more necessary on my Part . On inquiry I found that Mons r . De Galvez was at the Pardo about two leagues from Madrid where the King resides at present and in the course of conversation discovered that the proper channel of address ought to have been thro – the Marquis de Florido Blanco. Jealousy [it] 6 seems prevails between these Ministers which renders our Situation more delicate and a little caution necessary The Embassador offered to introduce me, but as this could not be done with propriety without previous Application he undertook to make it the day following & to fix the time for my Reception. Thursday is the day appointed when I am to be Introduced to both , and I think the manner will be the [ sole ] [difficulty]. 7
Among other Strong Circumstances which induce this conclusion is the certain knowledge I have obtained that Mons r . Mirales rec d . Instruction[s] several months past to enter Engagements with Congress to take into Pay a Body to assist in the Conquest of Florida. 8 Your own good sense will point out the use which may be made of this intelligence and answers one point of the Instructions which I had the honor to receive from you. The Short time I have been in this City has not hitherto given me an opportunity of writing so circumstantially as I could wish in the matters above mentioned & much less to give a decided opinion on many objects Contained in your Instructions . I find however hitherto no difficulty of acquiring in time a knowledge in most of the Subjects recommended to my Attention. I have reason to beleive that the same disgusts do not subsist between the Court as between the Nation but the most perfect harmony & good understanding . I have been positively assured and from good authority that no Overture[s] have been made for Peace .
The Dutch are arming, which is a circumstance in our favor as their preparations originate from their discontent with England on acc t . of the late affair of the Convoy. 9 M r Harrison is here and proposes to proceed to Cadiz next week which will furnish me a good opportunity of writing to you. 10 I inclose you the last paper received from America. The People were in high Spirits & every thing in a good State in the beginning of January. I cannot conclude without mentioning the very polite ^ manner ^ in which the French [ illegible ] ^ Embassador ^ offered his personal civilities in every thing that depended on Him to be useful to you in this place. M r Girard will write to you Himself, yet I must do him the Justice, to mention ^ his ^ personal Kindness to me & the Candid representations he has made in very public companies here of the ^ prosperous ^ situation of our Affairs. You will make use of the method I proposed to decypher this, as time did not permit me to use the other. I beg you to make the proper Compliments for me to M rs . Jay & Colonel Livingston. I am with Much respect Your Most Obedient & most Humble Serv t
W m . Carmichael