The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 07
History
The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 07
United States -- Foreign relations -- 1775-1783; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Sources
Congress will recollect, that my letter of the 26th of May contained
notes of a conference I had with the Minister on the 11th of that
month, on the subjects of my two former letters to him, the first in
answer to his questions, and the latter relative to the resolution for
drawing bills upon me. It may be remembered also, that, in this
conference, the Minister promised me his sentiments in writing in a
few days, as well on the subject of the proposed treaty, as on the
bills which were daily expected. The first I have not yet received,
and it was not before the 7th of June that I was favored with the
latter.
In this interval there arrived here from England, by the way of
Lisbon, an Abbé Hussey. He came to Lisbon in company with Mr
Cumberland, one of Lord George Germain's secretaries, who, with his
family, purposed, on obtaining permission, to come to Madrid. This
priest was known to many, being a pensioner of the Spanish Court, and
formerly in the late Prince Massarano's family. Indeed he took no
pains to conceal himself, or his business, which was to obtain
permission for his friend to proceed, on account of the bad health of
a daughter. Mr Carmichael watched his motions with success and
industry, and was the first who mentioned his arrival to me. He hired
lodgings and a coach for Mr Cumberland, and visited several persons
about the Court, particularly M. del Campo, First Secretary of the
Minister.
On the first of June I received a card from the Minister, desiring to
see me at nine o'clock the next evening. I waited upon him
accordingly. The following are notes of what passed upon that
occasion.
[Notes of a Conference between his Excellency the Count de
Florida Blanca and Mr Jay, in the office of the former at
Aranjues, 2d of June, 1780, reduced to writing, immediately
after the conference ended, by Mr Carmichael, who was present
at it.]
In consequence of a card received by Mr Jay yesterday, from
his Excellency the Count de Florida Blanca, appointing him a
meeting at nine o'clock this evening, Mr Jay waited on him at
that hour. The conversation commenced on the part of the
Minister, with polite inquiries for the state of Mr Jay's
health, which, he said, had induced him not to send the notes
promised on the former meeting, at the time when appointed,
as he had been informed that he was indisposed. He attributed
to his own frequent ill state of health (a disorder of the
nerves, occasioned by his necessary application to business)
the disappointment and delay to which, without intending it,
the business that passed through his hands was sometimes
subjected. He then said, that on Sunday following, at eleven
o'clock in the forenoon, if Mr Carmichael would wait on him,
he would send Mr Jay the notes formerly promised him.
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