arrival here, when M. Gerard observed to me in the presence of the
captain, that it was time to think which side of the island of
Martinique it would be most prudent for the ship to go, the north or
south side, and proceeded to state the reasons which ought to induce
us to prefer the north; particularly, that in the present condition
of the ship, she would if she went to the south side be in great
danger of running by the island to the leeward; for that as we might
expect the wind at northeast, she would not be able to lay
sufficiently close to the wind, to reach Port Royal or St Pierre's;
besides, that she would be in danger of calms, and being in sight of
St Lucia, would be exposed to the enemy's ships of war, without having
reason to expect succor from any French ships of war; none of which,
he said, cruised off the eastern part of the island, between
Martinique and St Lucia. He then showed the advantages of going the
other side, by an enumeration of many circumstances, of which I have
notes, but which it would be too tedious to mention. The obvious
meaning of all this appeared to me to be, that we should direct the
captain to go to the northward of the island; but as I neither thought
myself authorised, nor found myself inclined to interfere with the
particular navigation of the ship, to which I was not competent, I
only observed to M. Gerard, that his reasoning appeared to me to have
weight; that it was a subject I did not understand, but that I thought
his observations merited attention. On this the captain remarked, and
I thought with propriety, that it was impossible to determine on which
side of the island it would be best to go, until we were at or near
the parting point, for that circumstances at present unforeseen might
render that way rash, which we might now think prudent; for instance,
an unexpected change in the wind, or the appearance of an enemy. He
therefore thought a decision on the question improper, till we arrived
off the eastern part of the island. This appeared to me so perfectly
reasonable, that I thought no more about the matter, and I did not
suspect that M. Gerard would have felt any further anxiety about it;
but it nevertheless so happened, that in the afternoon of the 14th
instant, there was a conversation in the cabin relative to a wager,
which of the two we should see first, land or a sail. In the course of
this conversation, M. Gerard observed, that it would depend on our
going on the north or south side of the island, and insensibly leaving
the subject of the wager, proceeded minutely to recapitulate his
reasons for the one, and his objections to the other. In the progress
of this disquisition, he grew warmer and warmer, and at length
addressing himself more particularly on the captain, said, he was
surprised that those facts and observations should meet with so little
attention; that he owed it to his conscience and personal safety to
mention and enforce them, and that he should represent the whole
matter to his Court, &c. The captain repeated what he had before said
relative to the impropriety of deciding on which side of the island we
were to go, until we had made the land, observed whether any vessels
were on the coast, and knew how the wind would be. He then questioned
some matters relative to the navigation round the island, on which M.
Gerard had insisted.
For my own part, as the subject was so serious, I wished to be
informed of some others, which appeared to me to want explanation. The
captain had informed me, that the master had been at the taking of
Martinique last war, and was well acquainted with its bays, harbors,
and coasts. I desired the captain to send for the master, which was
immediately done. On this, M. Gerard more animated than usual, said,
he pretended to no extraordinary knowledge on the subject, but that he
had made inquiries, and was satisfied with the opinion he had given;
then repeated what he had before said, about his conscience, personal
safety, and Court, and was opening the door to go on deck, when I
asked him if he would not stay, and hear what the master had to say.
He said, no, he did not want to hear anything farther about it; he had
done his duty in delivering what he had to us, and we might do as we
pleased about the matter. I made no reply, but proceeded to examine
the master, and one of the lieutenants. On the whole it did not appear
to me necessary, but on the contrary invidious to give the captain any
positive orders on the subject; nor did I enter into any farther
conference respecting it with M. Gerard. I knew that no good would
result from altercation, and that the best way of treating
unreasonable propositions, cavalierly dictated, was silently to go my
own way, uninfluenced by them.
This last business rendered M. Gerard still more dissatisfied with me.
We observed, nevertheless, and still observe great politeness towards
each other, but it proceeds more from the head than the heart. On
coming ashore, I flattered myself we should have left all these
controversies behind us; but this city was soon entertained with them.
The opinions of French officers were taken by M. Gerard about the
sufficiency of the rudder to have gone to Europe; the question about
the northern and southern navigation was stated and agitated. M.
Gerard claims the merit of having saved the ship, by having, as he
insinuates, dragged us into the measure of taking the northern
passage, &c. &c. As we are safe in the harbor, these matters are now
of no consequence, and therefore I constantly avoid the subject. How
they may be represented at Philadelphia is of some moment, and
therefore it appears to me expedient to trouble myself and Congress
with this narration.
I cannot conclude this letter without expressing my satisfaction with
the attention and politeness observed by the captain and other
officers towards the passengers, as far at least as my knowledge
extends.
I have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN JAY.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
St Pierre's, Martinique, December 25th, 1779.
Sir,
As singular instances of humanity and patriotism always merit, and
sometimes meet with public notice, I take the liberty of transmitting
to Congress a copy of the Rev. Mr Keith's narrative of the conduct of
a Mrs Smith, at New York, to the Americans there, who had been taken
at Fort Washington.
Conversing, while at sea, with Mr Keith (our chaplain, who had been
one of those prisoners) respecting the cruelties exercised towards
them by the enemy, and the manner in which they were treated by the
inhabitants of the city, he mentioned the behavior of this Mrs Smith;
whose conduct appeared to me so remarkably liberal, disinterested, and
christianlike, that I desired him to commit it to paper, with a design
to enclose it to your Excellency. I know nothing more of this woman
than what Mr Keith told me; but, as from his profession and character
I am induced to credit what he says, I transmit this account of her,
that if, on further inquiry, it be found to be just, Congress may have
an opportunity of saving from poverty and distress a widow, who
generously divested herself of a decent maintenance, and applied it to
the relief of many citizens and servants of the United States, who
were then gloriously enduring the most extreme cruelties, for their
faithful attachment to the rights of their country and mankind.
I have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN JAY.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
St Pierre's, Martinique, December 25th, 1779.
Sir,
I have done, what perhaps I shall be blamed for, but my pride as an
American, and my feelings as a man, were not on this occasion to be
resisted. The officers of the Confederacy were here without money, or
the means of getting any. The idea of our officers being obliged to
sneak, as they phrase it, from the company of French officers, for
fear of running in debt with them for a bottle of wine, or a bowl of
punch, because not able to pay for their share of the reckoning, was
too humiliating to be tolerable, and too destructive to that pride and
opinion of independent equality, which I wish to see influence all our
officers. Besides, some of them wanted necessaries too much to be
comfortable, or, in this country, decent. In a word, I have drawn on
the fund, pointed out for the payment of part of my salary, for one
hundred guineas in their favor, to be divided among them according to
their respective ranks. Indeed, it would have given me pleasure to
have done something towards covering the nakedness of the crew; but
the expense I have been put to by coming here; and the preparations
for another voyage, would not admit of it.
I have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN JAY.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
St Pierre's, Martinique, December 26th, 1779.
Sir,
On our arrival here, M. Gerard told me that he was about to write to
the Governor and Admiral at Port Royal, and asked me whether I also
chose to write, or would leave to him the necessary communication;
offering to mention to them whatever I might desire. As I was well
satisfied that he should take the lead in the business, I replied,
that I was obliged to him, but did not think it necessary for him to
communicate anything to those gentlemen from me, except our arrival,
and the confidence I had in their readiness to afford us aid.
I thought it would have been improper to apply for a passage in one of
their ships, till I know in what time our own could be refitted, and
on this subject it appeared to me most advisable, that application
should be made by our agent here; and that I should reserve all
interference, till it should be rendered necessary by obstacles. Mr
Bingham accordingly wrote without delay to the Governor, and had
immediate and full assurances of his readiness to afford us every aid
in his power. Nothing now remained to be ascertained, but the time in
which the repairs could be made, and this depended on the state of
their naval stores.
Mr Bingham went with us to Port Royal, on a visit to the officers of
government, (a compliment paid them by all strangers.) The Governor
again assured him, that everything should be done for the ship that
was possible, and some orders were given for the purpose. This passed,
I believe, without M. Gerard's knowledge. About two hours after our
arrival at Port Royal, he took me aside, observed that great
difficulties and delays would attend the Confederacy's refitting
there; that there were no masts or spars in store, and the expectation
of supplies uncertain; that an old mast of a merchant-man had been
purchased for one of their ships of war, and that a main yard for
another had been made of four pieces for want of a proper spar, and,
after some general hints about expenses, provision, &c. proposed, that
the frigate should be provided with a new rudder, and proceed to
America to refit. I objected, that, contrary to our expectations, the
English had an acknowledged superiority in these seas; that three
French frigates were at that instant flying from four ships of the
line, which were in full chase of them; that a frigate under jury
masts would find no safety in flight; that it would be more prudent
for Captain Harding to remain here without being refitted, till he
could get materials and supplies from America, or receive orders from
Congress, than expose his ship to such imminent danger, and,
therefore, that I could not possibly come into the measure he
proposed.
M. Gerard replied, that she might be convoyed to sea by the French
squadron here; but this required no answer. It was not to be supposed,
that the French squadron, which, in their present state of
inferiority, choose to keep their eyes constantly on Port Royal, would
expose themselves to very unequal combat, for no higher object than
that of convoying the Confederacy seventy or eighty leagues off the
coast, or, that if they did, she would then be out of that degree of
danger, to which no ship in her condition ought to be exposed.
Besides, I could not reconcile it to the wisdom of France long to
leave their fleet here destitute of naval stores, or to disgust their
allies by a conduct neither just nor politic. We agreed to leave the
matter till the next day, when we expected to see the Admiral; but in
an hour or two afterwards the Admiral came in; and a very little time
elapsed when the Governor, and shortly after M. Gerard told me, the
"_whole arrangement_ was completed; that the same attention should be
paid to the Confederacy as if she had been a French frigate, and that
the Aurora, of thirty odd guns, should carry us to France." The fact
is, that the officers of government in general, and the Governor in
particular, are strongly attached to everything that is American.
Our agent here is in high estimation. I really believe, from
everything I hear, that he has done his duty faithfully, and that he
well deserves the notice and approbation of Congress. This leads me to
take the liberty of remarking, that it would, probably, be much for
the public interest, if Congress were to pay off all private debts due
from them to subjects of France, and have none but national
engagements with that kingdom. The debts unavoidably contracted here,
for the outfit of the Deane, &c. ought certainly to be paid. Our
credit and reputation suffer from such delay. We sail tomorrow
morning, at six o'clock.
I have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN JAY.
* * * * *
TO ARTHUR LEE.
Cadiz, January 26th, 1780.
Sir,
As a knowledge of the measures you may have taken and the information
you may have acquired, relative to the objects of your commission
from the United States of America to conclude treaties with his
Catholic Majesty, would probably enable me with greater facility and
advantage to execute the duties of my appointment, permit me, Sir, to
request the favor of you to communicate the same to me in such manner
as you may judge most prudent.
I have in my possession some letters directed to you; they are
voluminous, and probably contain printed papers. They may also be
confidential and important to you. Under these circumstances I can
only judge of your inclination by what would be my own in a similar
situation. I should wish that they might be detained till I could have
an opportunity of directing the manner of their conveyance. Upon this
principle they shall remain among my papers till I receive your orders
what to do with them.[15]
I am, Sir, &c.
JOHN JAY.
FOOTNOTE:
[15] See the answer to this letter in Arthur Lee's Correspondence,
Vol. II, p. 276.
* * * * *
TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES.
Cadiz, January 27th, 1780.
Sir,
It is with very sensible pleasure that I commence a correspondence
with a Minister, of whose disposition and abilities to promote the
happiness of my country we have received repeated proofs, and on a
subject that affords His Most Christian Majesty an opportunity of
perceiving the desire and endeavors of the United States to become
cordial and steadfast friends and allies to an illustrious branch of
his royal house.
By the treaties subsisting between His Most Christian Majesty and the
United States of America, His Most Christian Majesty, in consequence
of his intimate union with the King of Spain, did expressly reserve to
his Catholic Majesty the power of acceding to the said treaties, and
to participate in their stipulations at such time as he should judge
proper. It being well understood, nevertheless, that if any of the
said stipulations should not be agreeable to the King of Spain, his
Catholic Majesty might propose other conditions analogous to the
principal aim of the alliance, and conformable to the rules of equity,
reciprocity, and friendship. And the Deputy of the said States,
empowered to treat with Spain, did promise to sign, _on the first
requisition_ of his Catholic Majesty, the act or acts necessary to
communicate to him the stipulations of the treaties abovementioned,
and to endeavor in good faith the adjustment of the points in which
the King of Spain might propose any alteration, conformable to the
principles of equality, reciprocity, and perfect amity.
But as the above reservation has always been no less agreeable to the
United States than to their great and good ally, both considerations
conspired in inducing them to make the first advances towards
attaining the object of it. And, therefore, instead of waiting till
the requisitions mentioned in the said article should be made, they
have thought proper to assure his Most Catholic Majesty, not only of
their readiness to comply with the terms of it, but of their desire to
obtain his confidence and alliance, by carrying it immediately into
execution on the most liberal principles. Trusting also that the same
wise reasons which induced his Most Christian Majesty to give birth
to the said article, would lead him to facilitate the endeavors of his
allies to execute it, they resolved that their desire to enter into
the said treaties should be communicated to his Majesty, and that his
favorable interposition should be requested.
The more fully to effect these purposes, the Congress were pleased, in
September last, to do me the honor of appointing me their Minister
Plenipotentiary, and, in pursuance of this appointment, I sailed from
America for France on the 26th of October last, with M. Gerard, who
was so obliging as to wait till I could embark in the frigate assigned
for his service. After being thirteen days at sea, the frigate was
dismasted, and her rudder so much damaged that it was thought
imprudent to proceed on our voyage. We therefore steered for
Martinique, and arrived there on the 18th of December. I cannot, on
this occasion, forbear expressing my warmest acknowledgments for the
very polite attention and hospitality with which we were received and
treated, both by the officers of government and many respectable
inhabitants of that island. We left Martinique on the 28th day of the
same month, in the Aurora, in which I expected to have gone to Toulon,
but on touching at this place, it appeared that the further
prosecution of our voyage had become impracticable, without running
risks that could not be justified.
Thus circumstanced, the respect due to his most Catholic Majesty
demanded an immediate communication of my appointment and arrival,
which I had the honor to make in a letter to his Excellency, Don
Joseph Galvez, of the Council of his Catholic Majesty, and general
Secretary of State for the Department of the Indies, of which the
enclosed is a copy.
Will you, therefore, Sir, be so obliging as to lay this circumstance
before his Most Christian Majesty, and permit me through your
Excellency to assure him of the desire of Congress to enter into a
treaty of alliance, and of amity and commerce with his Catholic
Majesty, and to request his favorable interposition for that purpose?
I am happy in being able to assure you, that the United States
consider a cordial union between France, Spain and them as a very
desirable and most important object, and they view the provision,
which his Most Christian Majesty has made for it by the abovementioned
article, not only as evinsive of his attention to his royal ally; but
of his regard to them.
Under these views and these impressions, they are most sincerely
disposed, by the liberality and candor of their conduct, to render the
proposed treaties speedy in their accomplishment, and perpetual in
their duration.
Your Excellency will receive this letter by M. Gerard, who is so
obliging as to take charge of it, and to whom the Congress have been
pleased to give such ample testimonies of their esteem and confidence,
as to enable him to exert his talents with great advantage on every
occasion interesting to them.
I cannot conclude without indulging myself in the pleasure of
acknowledging how much we are indebted to the politeness and attention
of the Marquis de La Flolte and the other officers of the Aurora,
during the course of our voyage.
With great respect and esteem, I have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN JAY.
* * * * *
TO DON JOSEPH GALVEZ, MINISTER OF THE SPANISH COURT.
Cadiz, January 27th, 1780.
Sir,
Permit me through your Excellency to have the honor of representing to
his most Catholic Majesty, that on the sixth day of February, 1778,
the respective Plenipotentiaries of his most Christian Majesty, and
the United States of America, by whom the treaties now subsisting
between them were concluded, did make and subscribe a secret article
in the words following, viz.
"The Most Christian King declares, in consequence of the intimate
union which subsists between him and the King of Spain, that in
concluding with the United States of America this treaty of amity and
commerce, and that of eventual and defensive alliance, his Majesty had
intended, and intends to reserve expressly, as he reserves by this
present separate and secret act, to his Catholic Majesty, the power of
acceding to the said treaties and to participate in their
stipulations, at such time as he shall judge proper. It being well
understood, nevertheless, that if any of the stipulations of the said
treaties are not agreeable to the King of Spain, his Catholic Majesty
may propose other conditions analagous to the principal aim of the
alliance, and conformable to the rules of equality, reciprocity and
friendship. The deputies of the United States, in the name of their
constituents, accept the present declaration to its full extent; and
the deputy of the said States, who is fully empowered to treat with
Spain, promises to sign, on the first requisition of his Catholic
Majesty, the act or acts necessary to communicate to him the
stipulations of the treaties above written. And the said deputy shall
endeavor, in good faith, the adjustment of the points in which the
King of Spain may propose any alteration, conformable to the
principles of equality, reciprocity, and perfect amity; he the said
deputy not doubting but the person or persons, empowered by his
Catholic Majesty to treat with the United States, will do the same
with regard to any alterations of the same kind, that may be thought
necessary by the said Plenipotentiary of the United States."
The Congress willing to manifest their readiness fully to comply with
an article, which they have reason to believe particularly agreeable
to their great and good ally, and being desirous of establishing
perpetual amity and harmony with a Prince and nation whom they greatly
respect, and with whom various circumstances lead them to wish for the
most cordial and permanent friendship, have thought proper to request
his most Catholic Majesty to accede to the said treaties, and thereby
preclude the necessity of that measure's originating in the manner
specified in the article. For this purpose they have done me the honor
to appoint me Minister Plenipotentiary, and directed me to communicate
to his Most Christian Majesty the desire of Congress on this subject,
and to request his favorable interposition. They also made it my duty
to give his Most Catholic Majesty the fullest assurances of their
sincere disposition to cultivate his friendship and confidence; and
authorised me, in their behalf, to enter into such treaties of
alliance, amity, and commerce, as would become the foundations of
perpetual peace to Spain and the United States, and the source of
extensive advantages to both.
Thus commissioned I embarked without delay on board the frigate, which
had been appointed to carry the Sieur Gerard to France, and sailed
with him for that kingdom, from Pennsylvania, on the 26th day of
October last.
But after having been thirteen days at sea, the frigate was dismasted,
and her rudder so greatly injured, as to oblige us to alter our course
and steer for Martinique. We arrived there on the 18th day of December
last; and sailed from thence on the 28th day of the same month in a
French frigate which was bound to Toulon, but had orders to touch at
this port for intelligence. We arrived here the 22d instant, and
received information of recent events, which rendered the further
prosecution of our voyage too hazardous to be prudent.