desired me to make on M. Gardoqui's going to America, especially as he
had appointed this meeting for that purpose. To give him further time,
I started a new subject, and begged he would take the earliest
opportunity of completing the business of the Dover cutter.
Notwithstanding all that had before passed between us about this
affair, he affected to be very ignorant of it, and asked me a number
of questions. I recapitulated the circumstances of the capture, my
several applications to him on the subject, his promise finally to
order the prize to be appraised, and the value to be paid to the
captors, the arrival of one of them at Madrid, &c. &c. He replied,
with some degree of quickness and perplexity, that it was not a lawful
prize, the crew not having authority to do what they did; that he had
sent to the Canaries for particular information respecting the value,
&c. that two of the packet boats had been taken; that he would pay
some gratuity to the captors, and wished I would give him another
state of the whole case in writing, to refresh his memory, which I
promised to do, and have since done.
He then resumed the subject of the letter, which I expected from
Congress. He expressed his regret at its not having arrived, said he
was preparing instructions for M. Gardoqui, who would certainly depart
in June, and that until I could give him precise information of the
dispositions of Congress, he could not enter into any further
conversations on the subject of the proposed treaty. I joined in
regretting the miscarriage of my public letter, and the more so, as my
private ones gave me reason to expect instructions, which would enable
me to comply so far with his Majesty's views, as that I hoped no
further delays would intervene to prevent a perfect union between
Spain and the United States. That my correspondence had given me to
understand that Congress viewed the speedy accomplishment of this
union as very important to the common cause; and, therefore, if Spain
would consent forthwith to come into it, in that case they would
gratify his Majesty by ceding to him the navigation of the
Mississippi, below their territories, on reasonable terms.
He replied, that he earnestly desired to see all difficulties on this
point removed, but that the treaties subsisting between Spain and
other nations, as well as the particular policy and determination of
Spain, rendered it necessary that she should possess the exclusive
navigation of the Gulf of Mexico. After a variety of other remarks of
little importance, he made a very interesting observation, which will
help us to account for the delays of the Court, viz. That all these
affairs could with more facility be adjusted at a general peace than
now, for that such a particular, and even secret treaty with us might
then be made, as would be very convenient to both. That he
nevertheless wished to know exactly the views and intentions of
Congress, but that I must wait for the arrival of my letters, and that
he would in the meantime finish M. Gardoqui's instructions, whose
going to America, he did not doubt, would make a useful impression on
the English Court. I was beginning to reply to what he said when he
interrupted me, by mentioning his not having time at present to
prolong the conference.
Throughout the whole of this conversation, the Count appeared much
less cordial than in the preceding one; he seemed to want
self-possession, and to that cause I ascribe his incautiously
mentioning the general peace as the most proper season for completing
our political connexions. I had, nevertheless, no reason to suspect
that this change in his behavior arose from any cause more important
than those variations in temper and feelings, which they, who are
unaccustomed to govern themselves often experience from changes in the
weather, in their health, from fatigue of business, or other such like
accidental causes.
As I had not as yet received any letter from the President, either by
the Virginia, or the vessel lately arrived at L'Orient, nor by Colonel
Laurens, who, I was informed, had brought letters for me, I concluded
it would be most prudent to wait ten days, or a fortnight, before I
proceeded to act on the copy of my instruction received from Mr
Lovell, expecting that such other letters as might then have arrived
in France or Spain for me, would reach me in the course of that
interval, if at all. And I determined, in case I should receive none,
to proceed, without further loss of time, to make a formal overture to
the Minister for a treaty on the ground of this instruction. It
happened, however, that the Minister was so occupied during the
remaining time that the Court staid at Aranjues, by the expedition
preparing to sail from Cadiz, under the Duke of Crillon, and other
matters, that it was impossible to engage a moment of his attention to
American affairs. The removal of the Court to Madrid necessarily
consumed some time, and as soon as they were well settled there, I
wrote the Count the following letter; none of the letters expected
from America having come to my hands.
TO THE COUNT DE FLORIDA BLANCA.
Madrid, July 2d, 1781.
"Sir,
"When Congress were pleased to order me to Spain, with the
commission of which I have had the honor of presenting a copy
to your Excellency, I left my country with the most sanguine
expectations, that the important objects of it would be
speedily accomplished. The proofs they had received of his
Majesty's friendship for them, the interests of a common
cause, and the information they had received from persons
whom they conceived in capacity to give it, all conspired to
infuse these hopes.
"On my arrival, your Excellency gave me to understand, that
the realising these expectations would turn on one point, and
I have uniformly since been informed, that this point was the
navigation of the Mississippi below the territories of the
United States, in which Congress desired to retain a common
right, but of which the maxims of policy adopted by his
Majesty required the exclusive use.
"I have now the honor of informing your Excellency, that
Congress, in order to manifest in the most striking manner
the sincerity of their professions to his Majesty, and with a
view that the common cause may immediately reap all the
advantages naturally to be expected from a cordial and
permanent union between France, Spain, and the United States,
have authorised me to agree to such terms relative to the
point in question, as to remove the difficulties to which it
has hitherto given occasion.
"Permit me, therefore, to hope, that his Majesty will now be
pleased to become the ally of the United States, and for that
purpose authorise some person or persons to adjust with me
the several points of compact necessary to form a union,
which, by being founded on mutual interest, may be no less
satisfactory than it certainly will be important to both
countries.
"Your Excellency will oblige me exceedingly, by putting it in
my power to give Congress early, explicit, and, let me add,
agreeable information of his Majesty's pleasure and
intentions on the subject of this letter.
"I have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN JAY."
Although it was sufficiently evident, that the Court of France could
not, for the reasons assigned in my letter to Congress, of the 6th of
November, 1780, openly and warmly interpose their good offices to
bring about this treaty, it nevertheless appeared to me most prudent,
to behave on this occasion towards the Ambassador, as if I knew
nothing of those reasons, and, therefore, sent him a copy of the
aforegoing letter to the Minister, enclosed in one of which the
following is a copy.
TO THE COUNT DE MONTMORIN.
"Madrid, July 2d, 1781.
"Sir,
"I have the honor of transmitting to your Excellency herewith
enclosed, a copy of a letter I have this day written to his
Excellency, the Count de Florida Blanca. I have thereby
informed him of my being authorised to remove the objections
hitherto made by the Court of Spain to a treaty of alliance
with the United States, and again requested that the
measures necessary for the purpose may now be taken.
"Permit me to request, that the favorable interposition of
our kind and generous ally with his Catholic Majesty may be
exerted to commence the proposed negotiation, and bring it to
a speedy and happy conclusion.
"The confidence justly reposed by America in the amity and
assurances of his Most Christian Majesty, forbid me to urge
this request by any arguments, (persuasives being indelicate,
when not warranted by doubts of inclination.) I am happy in
reflecting, that his instructions on this subject are
committed to the execution of a Minister, from whose
attachment, as well as from whose talents and address, the
American cause may expect to derive advantage.
"I have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN JAY."
The instructions above alluded to are those, which Count de Vergennes,
in his letter to me of the 13th of March, 1780, assures me should be
sent to their Ambassador here. I must confess to Congress, that I very
much doubt his ever having received any other instructions, than
generally to favor the treaty, and to manage his interference in such
a delicate manner, as, without alarming the pride of Spain, to give
both parties reason to think themselves obliged.
The French Ambassador sent me no answer to this letter, which, in my
opinion, gives a greater degree of probability to my conjectures. I
must, nevertheless, do him the justice to say that I have great reason
to believe him to be in sentiment, and with sincere attachment, a
friend to our cause; and that he considers the honor and interest of
France deeply concerned in the success and support of it.
On the 11th of July, having received no answer from the Minister, I
waited upon him. He told me, he had received my letter, but that the
short time the Court would remain at Madrid, and the multiplicity of
business that he was obliged to despatch, would not admit of his
attending to our affairs till after the arrival of the Court at St
Ildefonso. He then informed me, that a vessel had arrived at Cadiz,
which had brought despatches for me, and that his courier had brought
them to Madrid. He then delivered me a number of letters, among which
was one from his Excellency the President, of the 28th of May
last.[32]
I need not observe, that all these letters bore evident marks of
inspection, for that has uniformly been the case with almost every
letter I have received.
I do not recollect to have ever received a letter that gave me more
real pleasure. When I considered, that almost the whole time since I
left America had afforded me little else than one continued series of
painful perplexities and embarrassments, many of which I neither
expected, nor ought to have met with; that I had been engaged in
intricate and difficult negotiations, often at a loss to determine
where the line of prudence was to be found, and constantly exposed by
my particular situation to the danger of either injuring the dignity
and interest of my country on the one hand, or trespassing on the
overrated respectability and importance of this Court, on the other; I
say, Sir, that on considering these things, the approbation of
Congress gave me most singular and cordial satisfaction.
I was also happy to perceive from this letter, that the plan of my
late letters to the Minister and French Ambassador, of the 2d of July,
above recited, happens to correspond exactly with the views of
Congress, respecting the manner of conducting this negotiation.
It appearing to me, that the communication I was directed to make to
this Court could not be better made than in the very words of this
letter, which seemed exceedingly well calculated for the purpose, I
recited them in a letter, which I wrote two days afterwards to the
Minister, viz.
TO THE COUNT DE FLORIDA BLANCA.
Madrid, July 13th, 1781.
"Sir,
"I have now the honor of communicating to your Excellency a
copy of certain instructions I have just received from
Congress, dated the 28th of May, 1781, and which were
included in the despatches, which your Excellency was so
obliging as to deliver to me the evening before the last,
viz.
"It is their instruction, that you continue to acknowledge on
all suitable occasions, the grateful impression made on these
States by the friendly disposition manifested towards them by
his Catholic Majesty, and particularly by the proofs given of
it in the measures which he has taken, and which it is hoped
he will further take for preserving their credit, and for
aiding them with a supply of clothing for their army.
"You are also authorised and instructed to disavow in the
most positive and explicit terms, any secret understanding or
negotiation between the United States and Great Britain, to
assure his Catholic Majesty that such insinuations have no
other source than the insidious designs of the common enemy,
and that as the United States have the highest confidence in
the honor and good faith, both of his Most Christian and his
Catholic Majesty, so it is their inviolable determination to
take no step, which shall depart in the smallest degree from
their engagements with either.'
"It gives me pleasure to observe that these instructions
confirm, in the fullest manner, the assurances and
professions I have heretofore made to your Excellency
respecting the sentiments and dispositions of the United
States, and I flatter myself that his Majesty will be pleased
to consider the assurances they contain, as receiving
unquestionable proofs of sincerity from the offer I have
already made to confirm them by deeds, no less important to
the interests than, I hope, consistent with the views and
desires of his Majesty.
"I cannot omit this occasion of presenting my congratulations
on the success of his Majesty's arms at Pensacola. This event
cannot fail of being followed by important consequences to
the common cause, and may perhaps induce the enemy to expect
greater advantages from concluding a reasonable peace, than
continuing to protract an unrighteous war.
"Having understood, shortly after receiving my letters from
your Excellency, that the Court had also received despatches
from Philadelphia, I presumed that the communication of any
gazettes from thence, which indeed contain all the
intelligence I have, would be useless, and therefore did not
send them; but on considering that it was possible that the
papers I had might be of later date than those which your
Excellency might otherwise receive, I now take the liberty of
enclosing two, which contain accounts somewhat interesting.
If they should be new to your Excellency, I beg that their
not being sooner sent will receive an apology from the
abovementioned circumstance; and that your Excellency will
remain assured of the perfect respect and consideration with
which I have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN JAY."
I also took the earliest opportunity of mentioning to the Ambassador
of France, that my letters from America gave me reason to believe that
our union was daily growing more warm and intimate, and that Congress,
in writing of their affairs here, had expressed themselves in the
strongest terms of attachment to his Most Christian Majesty, and not
only approved of my communicating freely and confidentially with his
Ambassador here, but also directed me in express terms to endeavor, in
the course of my negotiations, to include and promote the interests of
France.
The Ambassador was much pleased. He told me his letters assured him
that the best understanding subsisted between the French and American
troops, and that much good might be expected from the increasing
harmony and intercourse between the two countries.
The Court removed to St Ildefonso without the Minister's having either
given any instructions to M. Gardoqui, answered my abovementioned
letters, or taken the least notice of my late representations to them
about the Dover cutter, &c.
The events of the campaign were as yet undecided, and little money in
the treasury.
On the 21st of July the Minister wrote me the following note, in which
there was ample field left open for procrastination.
Translation.
"The Count de Florida Blanca presents his compliments to Mr
Jay, and has the honor of acquainting him, that he has duly
received his two letters of the 2d and 13th instant. The
short stay of the Court at Madrid allowing time only to
despatch the most pressing business, the Count de Florida
Blanca has not been able to take into consideration the
points, which form the object of the abovementioned letters.
He proposes therefore to do it at present, in order to render
an account thereof to the King, and in the meanwhile he has
the honor to repeat to Mr Jay the assurances of the most
perfect esteem and consideration.
"_St Ildefonso, July 21st, 1781._"
On the 4th of August, I arrived here. I did not see the Minister till
the 8th, he being, as I was told, from home. He had made no
communications to the King. He had been sick; he had been busy, and
was so still. I requested to be informed when it would be most
convenient to him to confer with me on the subject of my late letters,
and to give me such information relative to his Majesty's intentions,
as he might be prepared to communicate to me. He answered, that he
could not then fix a time, being exceedingly hurried by pressing
business. He asked how long I proposed to stay, I told him till the
Court removed. He then promised to take an early opportunity of
conferring with me on the subject of our affairs, and promised to send
me word when he should be ready to receive me.
I remained in this state of suspense and expectation until the 18th of
August, when having been for a week past very much indisposed with a
fever and dysentery, and fearing lest that circumstance might become a
ground of delay, I wrote the Count word, "that my health would permit
me to wait upon his Excellency at any time and place he might do me
the honor to name." He replied two days afterwards, in a manner which
indicated his supposing I had gone to Madrid and had returned. He must
have known better, for none of my family had been absent from hence,
and one or other of them were almost daily about the palace and
gardens.
Translation.
"The Count de Florida Blanca is charmed to learn, that Mr Jay
has sufficiently recovered from his last indisposition to
make the journey from Madrid to this place, and thanks him
for his attention in communicating it to him.
"The very pressing business with which he finds himself at
present surrounded does not permit him to fix the day for a
conference with Mr Jay, but the moment he shall be a little
disengaged, he will have the honor to advise Mr Jay of it.
"_St Ildefonso, August 20th, 1781._"
On the 22d I sent him a note enclosing a newspaper, which contained an
account of General Greene's operations, the capture of Fort Watson,
&c.
The Count answered this note by another, expressing his thanks for the
intelligence, but not a word of a conference.
On the 30th of August Major Franks arrived here with interesting
despatches, of which I must not here take notice, lest I interrupt
the thread of this letter, which I devote particularly to the affair
of our negotiations for a treaty.
There was indeed among these despatches a very sensible letter from Mr
R. Morris to me about money matters,[33] &c. excellently well
calculated for being shown entire to the Minister.
I consulted with the French Ambassador on the propriety of giving the
Minister a copy of it. He advised me to do it, and much commended the
letter. As it might have suffered from being carelessly translated, I
had it put into very good French.
I was very glad to see the Major. The nature of the despatches he
brought being a secret occasioned speculation, and gave me an
opportunity of drawing further advantages from his arrival. His
accounts of American affairs were favorable to us, and the manner of
his behavior and conversation has not done discredit to himself, nor
prejudice to his country.
The Ambassador of France having assured me that the Minister had
really been a good deal indisposed, I thought it would be best to
write him a letter in a style somewhat adapted to his situation. He
certainly appears to be fatigued, and worn down by business. He looks
as I have seen some members of Congress look, after two years'
attendance.
TO THE COUNT DE FLORIDA BLANCA.
"St Ildefonso, September 3d, 1781.
"Sir,
"When I consider that the delicate state of your Excellency's
health demands a greater degree of leisure and relaxation,
than the various business of your office will permit, it is
with great reluctance, that I can prevail upon myself to
remind your Excellency, that since our conference at
Aranjues, the affairs of the United States at this Court have
made no progress.
"The short residence of his Majesty at Madrid, I am
persuaded, made it necessary to postpone the discussion of
these affairs to this place; and since my arrival here on the
4th of August last, I have daily flattered myself with being
enabled to communicate to Congress his Majesty's pleasure on
the important subjects, which by their order I have had the
honor of laying before your Excellency.
"It has also for some time past been my duty to have
requested your Excellency's attention to some other objects,
which, though of less public importance, are nevertheless
interesting to individuals, as well as to the commercial
intercourse of the two countries, but it did not appear to be
consistent with the respect due to your Excellency to solicit
your attention to new objects, while this former remained
undespatched for want of time.
"It would give me great pleasure to have it in my power to
regulate all my applications by your Excellency's
convenience, and though I am happy to see the connexion
between our two countries daily increasing, yet as that
circumstance will naturally render necessary applications to
government more frequent, I fear the duties of my situation
will often press me to be troublesome to your Excellency.
"On Friday evening last I received some important despatches
from Congress, which I shall do myself the honor of
communicating at any time, which your Excellency may be
pleased to name. The gentleman who brought them, will after
passing on to Paris, return immediately to Philadelphia, and
will with pleasure execute any orders which your Excellency
may honor him with, for either of those places. His stay here
will be but short. As soon as I can ascertain the day of his
departure, your Excellency shall have immediate notice of it.
As Congress will naturally expect to receive by him
particular information respecting their affairs here, I
cannot forbear expressing how anxious I am to make him the
bearer of welcome tidings; and permit me to hope, that your
Excellency's sensibility will suggest an apology for the
solicitude which appears in this letter.
"I have the honor to be, with great respect, &c.
JOHN JAY."
On the 5th, I received the following answer, viz.
Translation.
"The Count de Florida Blanca has been much mortified not to
be able to receive the visit of Mr Jay, not only on account
of the too pressing business, which has engaged all his time,
but also by reason of the indisposition he has suffered, and
still suffers.
"Although he be not in a situation to engage in long and
serious conferences for the reasons abovementioned, he will,
nevertheless, be charmed to converse a moment with Mr Jay,
one of those leisure evenings when there is no business with
the King; in which case, Mr Jay may, if he thinks proper,
bring with him the officer in question.
"Saturday, for instance, towards eight o'clock, the interview
may take place."
_Wednesday, the 5th of September._
Your Excellency will be pleased to observe, that the Minister in the
above note intimates a desire that I should bring Major Franks with
me. I thought it best to do so; but lest his presence should be a
check upon business, and as it was natural to suppose, that the Count
would begin by asking him questions about our affairs, I desired the
Major to relate to him the impression made in America by that article
in the capitulation of Pensacola, which permitted the garrison to go
to New York. I also desired the Major to retire into the ante-chamber
and leave me alone with the Minister, as soon as the latter should
appear to have finished with him.
At the time appointed, viz. the evening of the 8th of September, we
waited upon the Minister.