William Carmichael to John Jay, 25 May 1780

Aranjues 25 th . May 1780

Sir

I did myself the honor of writing to you the 18 th and 23 d . instant inclosing in my first letter one from the C t de Florida Blanca 1 and also a summary of news from America which the French Ambassador received via Cadiz; In the last I gave you an acc t of the sailing of the Ferrol Squadron, and of Fleet under Monsr Ternay having doubled Cape Finister, with news of the departure of an expedition from the Havannah supposed to be destined against Florida. 2 Last Night a courier arrived from Cadiz which brought letters from Mons r . Miralles of the 8 th 9 th and 10 th of April. 3 These confirm the Loss sustained by Clinton in his long passage to the Southward, & say that he had sent to N. York for a reinforcement of 2500 men, which sailed from the last mentioned City the fourth of April. This circumstance had determined General Washington to form the seige of N. York to assist him in which He had applied to the Commander in chief in the French Islands to send Him five or six sail of the Line. Congress had taken measures to send Strong reinforcements to the Southward. The paper money was in bad credit & the French Captain of the Polacre by which These advices are received declares publicly at Cadiz That Congress was bankrupt. I have not had the pleasure of hearing from you, which surprises me the more, as I am told you have written to his Excellency the C t . de Florida Blanca and as I supposed that all communications from you to the Minister would have been made thro–€™ me. The King as I am told, appeared satisfied with the Advices, abovementioned, as there is nothing which shows the least want of vigor or unanimity in the States. I was at court yesterday & this day there has been a grand procession at which the King assisted, which gave me an opportunity of observing his Majestys great piety and devotion. I beg you to present compliments for me to M rs . Jay the Colonel & Harrison & to believe me your Most Obed t . & Most Humble Ser t

W m . Carmichael

P.S.

C t . will go into mourning for the Electress Dowager of Saxony in a day or two. I purpose to come to Town on Saturday for my suit of black & to take leave of M r Gardoqui If I do not hear from you to the Contrary, I put my letters for you in the Poste myself for fear of Accidents–€”