you much, she will repay you all with interest, when in ages to come
she records you with her patriots and heroes.
I have the honor to be, Dear Sir, with the sincerest esteem and
regard, &c.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
* * * * *
TO WILLIAM CARMICHAEL, AT MADRID.
Cadiz, January 20th, 1783.
Dear Sir,
Your letter of the 14th has this day come to hand. The occasion of it
I lament, but it becomes my duty to answer it.
From an early period, I had the happiness to rank among the foremost
in the American revolution. In the affection and confidence of the
people, I am proud to say, I have a great share. Congress honors me so
far as to direct, that I am to be consulted by their European
Ministers, which circumstances I do not mention out of vanity, but
only to show, that in giving my opinion, I am called upon by dictates
of honor and duty, which it becomes me to obey.
The measure being right, it is beneath me to wait for a private
opportunity. Public concerns have a great weight with me, but nothing
upon earth can intimidate me into selfish considerations. To my
opinion you are entitled, and I offer it with the freedom of a heart
that ever shall be independent.
To France you owe a great deal; to others you owe nothing. As a
Frenchman, whose heart is glowing with patriotism, I enjoy the part
France has acted, and the connexion she has made. As an American, I
acknowledge the obligation, and in that I think true dignity consists;
but dignity forbade our sending abroad political forlorn hopes, and I
ever objected to the condescension; the more so, as a French treaty
had secured their allies to you; and because America is more likely to
receive advances, than to need throwing herself at other people's
feet.
The particulars of the negotiation with Spain I do not dwell upon. In
my opinion they were wrong, but I may be mistaken. Certain it is, that
an exchange of Ministers ought to have been, and now an exchange of
powers must be, upon equal footing. What England has done is nothing,
either as to the right or the mode. The right consisted in the
people's will, the mode depends upon a consciousness of American
dignity. But if Spain has hitherto declined to acknowledge what the
elder branch of the Bourbons thought honorable to declare, yet will it
be too strange, that England ranks before her in the date and the
benefits of the acknowledgment.
There are more powers than you know of, who are making advances to
America; some of them I have personally received; but you easily guess
that no treaty would be so pleasing as the one with Spain. The three
natural enemies of Britain should be strongly united. The French
alliance is everlasting, but such a treaty between the friends of
France is a new tie of confidence and affection. The Spaniards are
slow in their motions, but strong in their attachments. From a regard
to them, but still more out of regard to France, we must have more
patience with them than with any other nation in Europe.
But peace is likely to be made, and how then can the man, who advised
against your going at all, propose your remaining at a Court where you
are not decently treated? Congress, I hope, and through them the whole
nation, do not intend their dignity to be trifled with, and, for my
part, I have no inclination to betray the confidence of the American
people. I expect peace, and I expect Spain to act by you with
propriety; but should they hesitate to treat you as a public servant
of the United States, then, however disagreeable the task, Mr
Carmichael had better go to Paris where France may stand a mediator,
and through that generous common friend, we may come to the wished for
connexion with the Court of Spain.
With a high regard and sincere affection, &c.
LAFAYETTE.
* * * * *
TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
Cadiz, February 5th, 1783.
Dear Sir,
On the 7th of December, I had the honor to write to you from Brest,
and my letters down to that date have contained accounts of our
political affairs. Since which time, I have been taken up in
preparations of a plan that would have turned out to the advantage of
America; indeed, it exceeded my first expectations, and to my great
surprise, the King of Spain had not only consented his forces should
co-operate with us, but on the consideration of obtaining a necessary
diversion, he had been induced by Count d'Estaing to approve my being
detached into Canada with a French force. Nay, had the war continued,
I think that, if not for love, at least on political motives, they
would have consented to offer pecuniary assistance.
The conditions of the peace I do not dwell upon. I hope they are such
as will be agreeable in America. They have no doubt been sent from
France, and the part that respects the United States will have been
immediately forwarded for their ratification. I do not hope to send
you the first tidings of a general peace. Yet I have prevailed upon a
small vessel to alter her course, and my own servant is going with the
despatches, to prevent either neglect or other accidental delays.
On the moment of my arrival at Cadiz, I began a close correspondence
with Mr Carmichael. It at first respected money matters, but soon took
a still more important turn. Having been officially asked my advice
upon his future conduct, I gave it in a letter, of which the enclosed
is a copy. Whatever light my opinion may appear in at Madrid, or
elsewhere, I think it is consistent with the dignity of the United
States. Now, Sir, while enjoying the hope of being in a few weeks on
the American shore, I have a letter from Mr Carmichael, wherein he
requests my assistance at Madrid. How far it may serve him I do not
know; but since I am thought useful, I shall yield to my zeal for the
service of America, I readily give up personal gratifications. On my
arrival at Madrid, I shall have the honor to give you my opinion of
our situation there. Among the Spaniards we have but few well wishers,
and as they, at the bottom, hate cordially the French, our alliance,
though a political, is not a sentimental consideration with them. But
I wish a settlement of boundaries may remove the more immediate
prospects of dispute. It is, I believe, very important to America; the
more so, as she became a national ally to France, a national enemy to
Britain. But the Spaniards will be forever extravagant in their
territorial notions, and very jealous of the increase of American
wealth and power. But it is good policy for us to be upon friendly
terms with them, and I wish on my return to Paris, that I may carry
for Mr Jay some hopes of better success in his Spanish negotiation.
I have just heard that both Floridas were given to Spain. This
accounts for Lord Shelburne's condescension in fixing our Southern
limits. The people of Florida will, I hope, remove into Georgia. But
the Spaniards will insist upon a pretended right to an extent of
country all along the left shore of the Mississippi. Not that they
mean to occupy it, but because they are afraid of neighbors that have
a spirit of liberty. I am sorry those people have the Floridas. But as
we cannot help it, we must endeavor to frustrate Lord Shelburne's
views, which I presume are bent upon a dispute between Spain and the
United States. A day will come, I hope, when Europeans will have
little to do on the northern continent; and God grant it may ever be
for the happiness of mankind and the propagation of liberty.
On the perusal of my letter to Mr Carmichael, I beg you will remember
it is calculated to undergo the inspection of both cabinets at
Versailles and Madrid; and to be a proof against the unfriendly
connexions of a Spanish Ministry. Be pleased to tell Mr Morris, that I
remember his want of money extends further than occasions of war. At
the time of my leaving France, I had been made to hope, but do not
know for the present what has taken place. On my arrival at Madrid, I
will be very attentive to that point, but shall take care to preserve
the dignity of the United States, of which I have a proper and exalted
sense.
In my determination to go to Madrid, I have consulted with Mr
Harrison, a gentleman whose residence at this place enables him to
know a great deal about the Spaniards. He has to this moment acted as
a consul in this place; so far at least, as to serve his countrymen,
and spend his own money; for he has no public character, and what he
has done he undertook at Mr Jay's request. There ought, I think, to be
a consul at this place, and if the appointment is deferred, several
inconveniences will be laid upon the American trade. There is no
gentleman, exclusive of what his voluntary services deserve, who could
better fill the place than Mr Harrison, and was I to take the freedom
to advise, I would warmly recommend him for the appointment.
So far as we know of the Spanish preliminaries, they give up their
claim upon having Gibraltar, but keep Mahon, and have the two
Floridas. The islands of Providence are returned to England. We hourly
expect a French courier. Tobago excepted, they gave up their conquests
in the West Indies, and have St Lucia again. Before the vessel is gone
I hope to be more particular. As to the American preliminaries, they
have long ago been sent to Philadelphia.
While I am writing a French courier is arrived. Enclosed you will find
an extract of the preliminaries, such as they are, sent to me. May I
beg you will please to communicate my letter to General Washington,
though it is a public one, I may ask the favor from you, as I would
otherwise have sent him a copy of it.
With the highest regard, I have the honor to be, &c.
LAFAYETTE.
_P. S._ I have just received a note from the French Ambassador at
Madrid, whereby I find that my letter had a good effect.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Cadiz, February 5th, 1783.
Sir,
Whatever despatch I make in sending a vessel, I do not flatter myself
to apprize Congress with the news of a general peace; yet such are my
feelings on the occasion, that I cannot defer presenting them with my
congratulations. Upon their knowledge of my heart, I depend more than
upon expressions, which are so far inadequate to my sentiments. Our
early times I recollect with a most pleasing sense of pride; our
present ones make me easy and happy. To futurity I look forward in the
most delightful prospects.
Former letters have acquainted Congress, that, upon my intending to
leave France, I had been detained by their Commissioners. To my letter
of the 3d of December I beg leave to refer them for a further account
of my conduct.
Now the noble contest is ended, and I heartily rejoice at the
blessings of peace. Fortynine ships of the line and twenty thousand
men are now here, with whom Count d'Estaing was to join the combined
forces in the West Indies; and during the summer they were to
co-operate with our American army. Nay, it had lately been granted,
that, whilst Count d'Estaing acted elsewhere, I should enter the St
Lawrence river at the head of a French corps. So far as respects me, I
have no regret, but, independent of personal gratifications, it is
known that I ever was bent upon the addition of Canada to the United
States.
On the happy prospect of peace I had prepared to go to America. Never
did an idea please me so much as the hope to rejoice with those to
whom I have been a companion in our labors; but however painful the
delay, I now must defer my departure. In the discharge of my duty to
America no sacrifice shall ever be wanting, and when it had pleased
Congress to direct that their Ministers should consult with me, it
became my first concern to deserve their confidence.
From my letter to Mr Livingston an opinion may be formed of our
situation in Spain; my advice has been called for, and I have given
it; my presence is requested, and instead of sailing for America, I am
going to Madrid, being so far on my way; and as Mr Jay is in Paris, I
think it is better for me to go there. But unless Congress shall honor
me with their commands, I shall embark in the course of June, and am
eager for the moment when I may again enjoy the sight of the American
shores.
Now, Sir, our noble cause has prevailed; our independence is firmly
settled, and American virtue enjoys its reward. No exertions, I hope,
will now be wanting to strengthen the Federal Union.
May the States be so bound to each other, as forever to defy European
politics. Upon that union their consequence, their happiness, will
depend. This is the first wish of a heart more truly American than
words can express.
With the highest respect I have the honor to be, &c.
LAFAYETTE.
* * * * *
TO THE COUNT DE FLORIDA BLANCA.
Translation.
Madrid, February 19th, 1783.
Sir,
Having had the honor to confer with your Excellency on the objects
relative to the United States, and being soon to repair to the
American Congress, I wish to be fully impressed with the result of our
conversations. Instead of the indifference, and even of the divisions,
which another nation would be glad to foresee, I am happy to have it
in my power to inform the United States of your good dispositions. It
is to you, Sir, I am indebted for this advantage, and in order to make
it complete, and to make myself certain that I forget nothing, give me
leave to submit to your Excellency the account which I intend to lay
before Congress.
His Catholic Majesty desires, that a lasting confidence and harmony
may subsist between him and the United States, and he is determined on
his part to do everything that will be necessary to keep it up. The
American _Charge d'Affaires_ is at this moment received as such, and
your Excellency is going to treat of the interests of the two
nations. As you wish to show Mr Jay every kind of regard, you wait
only till the Count d'Aranda shall have notified your dispositions to
him, before you present Mr Carmichael to his Majesty.
With respect to the limits, his Catholic Majesty has adopted those
that are determined by the preliminaries of the 30th of November,
between the United States and the Court of London. The fear of raising
an object of dissension, is the only objection the King has to the
free navigation of the river Mississippi. The Virginia tobacco, and
the naval stores, may furnish matter for reciprocal conventions in the
treaty, and by means of the productions of America, arrangements might
be made which would be useful to her finances. When I had the honor to
speak to you in favor of a diminution of the duties on codfish, you
answered, that it would be necessary to give to France a similar
advantage, and that by virtue of former treaties, the English might
set up pretensions to the same; but that you will do in every respect
all that will be in your power to satisfy America.
I would with very great pleasure touch upon every detail, which may enter
into a connexion between Spain and the United States, but I am not to
be concerned in this happy work. The Ministers of the United States,
and the one whom you may send thither are to make it their business,
and I content myself with reminding you of the general ideas you have
given me. A word from you will satisfy me that I have not omitted
anything. The dispositions of his Catholic Majesty, and the candor of
your Excellency, will leave no pretexts for misrepresentations. The
alliance of the House of Bourbon with the United States is founded on
reciprocal interest; it will still acquire greater strength from the
confidence which your Excellency wishes to establish.
Such, Sir, are the conclusions, which I have drawn from our
conferences, and the account which I intend to give to Congress,
without having any mission for that purpose. I am acquainted with the
sentiments of Congress, and I am convinced they will set a just value
upon your dispositions. In permitting me to acquaint them with these
particulars, you will have a claim to my personal gratitude. To the
assurance of this I join that of the respect, with which I have the
honor, &c.
LAFAYETTE.
* * * * *
COUNT DE FLORIDA BLANCA TO M. DE LAFAYETTE.
Translation.
Pardo, February 22d, 1783.
Sir,
I cannot comply better with your desire, than by asking your leave to
give you here my answer. You have perfectly well understood whatever I
have had the honor to communicate to you, with respect to our
dispositions towards the United States. I shall only add, that
although it is his Majesty's intentions to abide, for the present, by
the limits established by the treaty of the 30th of November, 1782,
between the English and the Americans, yet the King intends to inform
himself particularly whether it can be in any ways inconvenient or
prejudicial to settle that affair amicably with the United States.
I have the honor to be, &c.
COUNT DE FLORIDA BLANCA.
* * * * *
TO THE COUNT DE FLORIDA BLANCA.
Translation.
Madrid, February 22d, 1783.
On receiving the answer of the Count de Florida Blanca, I desired an
explanation respecting the addition that relates to the limits. I was
answered, that it was a fixed principle to abide by the limits
established by the treaty between the English and Americans, that his
remarks related only to mere unimportant details, which he wished to
receive from the Spanish commandants, which would be amicably
regulated, and would by no means oppose the general principle. I asked
him, before the Ambassador of France, whether he could give me his
word of honor for it. He answered me, he would, and that I might
engage it to the United States.
LAFAYETTE.
* * * * *
TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
Bordeaux, March 2d, 1783.
Dear Sir,
Upon the news of a general peace, I had the honor to write to you, and
took the liberty to address Congress in a letter, of which the
enclosed is a duplicate. Those despatches have been sent by the
Triomphe, a French vessel, and by her you will also have received a
note of the general preliminaries.
The reasons of my going from Cadiz to Madrid being known to you, I
shall only inform you, that upon my arrival there, I waited upon the
King, and paid a visit to the Count de Florida Blanca. Independent of
my letter to Mr Carmichael, of which you have a copy, I had very
openly said, that I expected to return with him to Paris. So that
after the first compliments, it was easy for me to turn the
conversation upon American affairs. I did it with the more advantage,
as I had beforehand fully conversed with Mr Carmichael, who gave me
his opinion upon every point, and I was happy to find it coincided
with mine.
In the course of our conversation, I could see, that American
independence gives some umbrage to the Spanish Ministry. They fear the
loss of their Colonies, and the success of our revolution appears to
be an encouragement to this fear. Upon this subject their King has odd
notions, as he has indeed upon everything. The reception of Mr
Carmichael they wanted to procrastinate, and yet they knew it must be
done. In offering my opinion to Count de Florida Blanca, I did it in a
very free manner. I rejected every idea of delay. I gave a description
of America, and of each of the States, of which Count de Florida
Blanca appeared to know very little. While I abated their fears from
our quarter, I endeavored to awaken them upon other accounts. It is
useless to mention the particulars of this conversation, which lasted
very long, and which he promised to lay before the King. In two days
he said he should pay me a visit at Madrid.[2]
Agreeably to the appointment, I waited for Count de Florida Blanca,
and there, in presence of the French Ambassador, he told me that the
King had determined immediately to receive the Envoy from the United
States. Our conversation was also very long, and I owe Count de
Montmorin the credit to say, that not only at that time, but in every
instance where he could operate on the Count de Florida Blanca in our
favor, he threw in all the weight of the influence of France.
It was on Wednesday that I received Count de Florida Blanca's visit.
In conformity with the Spanish style, he endeavored to delay our
affairs. I took the liberty to say, that on Saturday I must set out,
and it was at last fixed that on Friday, Mr Carmichael should deliver
his credentials, and on Saturday would be invited to the dinner of the
foreign Ministers.
As to more important matters, I conversed upon the affair of limits,
and upon the navigation of the Mississippi, to the last of which
points I found him very repugnant. I spoke upon the codfish duties. I
wanted to have a preference engaged for in writing, upon all bargains
respecting tobacco and naval stores; in a word, I did my best, and
would have been more particular in point of money, had not the
Minister's answer put it out of my power to do it in any other way,
than such as was inconsistent with the dignity of the United States.
As Count de Florida Blanca was taking leave, I told him that my memory
must be somewhat aided. I proposed writing to him, and getting from
him an answer. To this he first objected, but afterwards consented,
saying, however, that his word was as good as his writing. And as I
had been sometimes a little high toned with him in behalf of America,
he added, that Spain was sincere in her desire to form an everlasting
friendship, but did not act out of fear. I had before observed, that
it was on Spain's account that I wished for a good understanding
between her and America.
The reading of my letter, a copy of which I enclose, will better
inform you of the points that have been either wholly or partially
granted. I endeavored to make the best of our conversations, and to
engage him as far as I could. On the other hand, I kept our side clear
of any engagement, which it was easy for me to do in my private
capacity. I did not even go so far as general professions. But since I
had been called there, I desired only to induce him into concessions
that might serve the purposes of Mr Jay. My letter was delivered on
Thursday. The next day I accompanied Mr Carmichael, who is much and
universally beloved and respected in that country. On Saturday, before
dinner, I received the answer, which for fear of ambiguities, I had
requested to be given at the end of the letter. A sentence of the
answer I made him explain before the French Ambassador. Herein are
joined those copies, and I keep the original for Mr Jay, whose
political aid de camp I have thus been. I have of course referred to
him everything, and this negotiation, wherein he has exercised the
virtue of patience, will now require his care and his abilities. The
Ministers of some powers, Prussia among them, having asked me if
Congress would be willing to make an advance towards them, I have
answered, that the United States ought in my opinion not to make, but
to receive advances.
At the same time I was employed in conversation with Count de Florida
Blanca, I did not neglect speaking upon the same subject with the
other Ministers. M. de Galvez, in whose department the Indies are,
appears much averse to the English limit. He has for the present sent
orders to the Spanish governors, to abide by those limits, and an
official copy of those orders has been promised to me. But M. de
Galvez was of opinion, that those limits would not do. I have
therefore thought it proper, officially by writing, and before
witnesses, so effectually to bind them, that the affair of limits
cannot now but be settled on their side. Independent of their hand
writing, France, through her Ambassador, is a witness to the
engagement; and yet, being in a private capacity, I took care not to
engage America to anything.
Never was a man further from a partiality for Spain than I am. But I
think I now have left them in a sincere and steady intention to
cultivate the friendship of America. The French party at that Court
will be for it. They labor under fits of occasional madness. They have
an ill conducted pride. It is disagreeable to treat with them, and
their own interest does not persuade them out of their prejudices. But
though they had rather there were not such a place as North America,
they are truly and earnestly desirous to maintain a good harmony and
live in friendship and neighborly union with the United States. The
Mississippi is the great affair. I think it is the interest of America
to be well with Spain, at least for many years; and particularly on
account of the French alliance; so that I very much wish success to Mr
Jay's negotiations. I have advised Mr Carmichael to continue his
conferences, and I think they will be of service.