William Carmichael to John Jay, 18–19 June 1780
[18 th [–19 th ] June [1780] Aranjues]
Dear Sir
Near 12 this night St Jean brought me your favors of the 16 th and 17 th with their inclosures. As it was too late to carry your letter to the C t . de Florida Blanca, I defer doing it until tomorrow morning. The Letters you sent me were from M r Lecouteux at Cadiz containing others for M r . Harrison & two newspapers, the latter ^ of ^ which I now send you, Two letters ^ also ^ from London, one of the 14 April & the other of the same date in May. The one from a sensible young fellow from Maryland, a friend of your Brother Sir James, offering his services & correspondence, the other From a very pretty girl, also offering services. I have also received a letter from M r Carrol of Carlton, 1 who writes in good Spirits altho our Money was almost at its last gasp. Nothing can save us from all the ruinous effects of a Bankruptcy, but money in Europe. My Journal will not be interesting this last week. I have formed new acquaintances & cultivated the old. I have seen our Abby 2 as you desired, and beleive him, what the Princess of Maserano 3 says he is, an intriguing enterprizing busy meddling Priest with a conscience as pliant as a Ladys kid Skin glove. He is mighty civil to me– At eight oclock [ illegible ] this morning Mr. C[umberlan]d 4 and Family arrived. I sat up till two in the Morning in order to have a sight of them, but dispairing of their arrival I went to Bed. I shall give you notice of his Motions. I find that Our Abby is as inquisitive about us, as we about him. I am sorry that you could not be present at the Dinner given to the Corpes Diplomatic by the French Embassador. Your Absence will occasion much Speculation, as I find your not having been at Court doth. 5 The papers you mention have long been ready, The information is not so complete as I could wish to send to Congress, as you can Judge who have had it in detail and as I received it. Audibert left Aranjues on Wednesday, promised me to wait on you at Madrid. I gave him all the papers with a note to you He returned on Thursday, delivered me again the papers and the note saying that he could not find you, Set out yesterday morning for Seville, leaving me some Enveloppes for different houses in Cadiz, to whom he desired me to inclose your letter in answer to his– I had a great inclination to forward his papers to Harrison, to be sent to Congress, but Judging that you would chuse to write at the Same time, I declined doing it; and more particularly as he will be some time on the road. 6 I have delivered your letter without speaking to any one. I am inclined to think Mr. C[umberlan]d will be heard before you receive an answer to your last while here. 7 I paid my Compliments to M r Galvez the day after the news arrived. I was well received &c. I told him that I was going to communicate to you the news, which I knew would be particularly agreable to you & every other American both as contributing to the Public interest of Spain & the particular satisfaction of a family, which they ranked as their most powerful friends here– 8 I have been again seized with the colic & a lax & would most [ illegible ] ^ willingly ^ excuse myself from dining with forty very Illustrious Spies, if I could well do it. I beg you to present compliments for me to M rs Jay & wishes for her health & Strength. Pray write me now & then if it is only to inform me, how the family is, or prevail on the Colonel to do it–
I shall speak feelingly on the Subject of the Letters Stopped at the Post to Mons r Del Campo, 9 & even to the C t Himself Insinuating that I am afraid it is done by some one in the Post office, who betray them to the English Spies All the Letters I received last night had been opened more than once. I am your Obliged & Humble serv t 10
W m . Carmichael
His Excellency John Jay Esq r .