To John Jay from William Carmichael, 12 August 1780
From William Carmichael
[St. Ildephonso 12th Augst. 1780]
Dear Sir
I did myself the honor of writing to you on the Seventh 10th & 11th to which letters I beg leave to refer you.1 At a very early hour this morning an express arrived from Cadiz with an acct of the arrival at that Port of a Convoy from St. Domingo. I am not yet certain that the Person whom I mentioned in my letter of the 11th is the one we expected, altho’ circumstances render it probable. Last night another Person arrived from the Same quarter who resembles much the Family, [illegible] family Likeness—one or the other is probably the man. Different expresses have arrived the two past days, one of whom says he Came from London in 15 days. I am tired of this suspense & incertainty, & wish to see an end of it. I know nothing more of the Chevalier de La Luzernes letters, further than that he acknowledges the receipt of a letter from the Ct. de M—n [Montmorin] since I have been here. I am apt to think that this Gentleman follows Mr G—ds [Gérard’s] steps. Our Friend Burke2 is particularly mentioned in the Letter, which leads me to draw conclusions which must be obvious to you. From the Ambassaders countenance more than from his conversation, I should be led to believe that Mr C—ds [Cumberland’s] business is pretty near at end. The whole however is mysterious, But it is a mystery by which others may be deceived as well as yourself. If the War continues, as I am strongly assured it will at least another Campaighn, I cannot see the good this Mystery will answer, & forsee much evil. I reserve my conjectures however on this & other circumstances until I can have the pleasure of venting them with more Liberty & more security than at present—
I beg to hear from you if it is only to know the Situation of your family & also whether you think it will be necessary for me to return to Madrid, before you leave it. Compliments to Mrs Jay & the Colonel & beleive me with much Respect Your Excellencys Most Obedt & Mst Humble Sert.
Wm. Carmichael3
His Excellency John Jay Esqr—
ALS, NNC (EJ: 7543). Addressed: “A Son Excellence / Monsr. Jay / Calle Sn. Francisco / Madrid”. Endorsed.
1. On 7 Aug., Carmichael had mentioned that he and Cumberland were lodged at the same inn and reported on the comte d’Estaing’s reception by the Spanish court. On 10 Aug., Carmichael reported that Floridablanca had not yet announced the arrival of the person assigned to confer with JJ on his bills, that Britain’s Jamaica fleet had safely reached England, and that a person going under the name “Dölba” had arrived the previous day and was presently conferring with Floridablanca. In a postscript, Carmichael indicated that he had no further intelligence on the person to report. Carmichael to JJ, 7 and 10 Aug., both ALS, NNC (EJ: 7541, 7542). JJ replied on 11 Aug., Dft, NNC (EJ: 7656), commenting that he had reason to believe that Cumberland would soon leave not perfectly satisfied.
2. Thomas Burke, a North Carolina delegate to the Continental Congress, 1777–81. The letter referred to is La Luzerne to Montmorin, 12 May 1780, FrPMAE, CP-E, 599: 104–11. In this letter, La Luzerne commented that some members of Congress, who expected that JJ’s recognition as minister to Spain would be effortless and natural, were astonished that it would be postponed until a treaty had been negotiated. He stated that Americans believed their independence was now assured, and although they fervently desired to see it recognized by Spain, they no longer felt they needed to renounce their claim to east Louisiana to obtain an alliance now that Spain had already entered the war. Some delegates, he said, believed that obtaining territory in Louisiana would result in emigration to the area that would thin the population on the coast and thereby weaken the Confederation. Others, he reported, notably Burke, were vehemently opposed to relinquishing that area, arguing that it would sacrifice the interests of the southern states in return for money or other considerations. They were also offended that Spain would use their current embarrassments as an opportunity to impose harsh conditions. La Luzerne concluded by expressing the hope that the Spanish would approve of the arguments he had offered and noted that, in any event, Congress would be less surprised in the future at the proposals that would be made to it. On Spain’s attitude toward east Louisiana and navigation of the Mississippi, see the editorial notes “Congress Appoints John Jay Minister to Spain,” : 711; and “Congress Changes Course on Navigating the Mississippi” on pp. 386–90.
Carmichael may be alluding to the French minister’s gathering of information on the views of various members of Congress and using bribery or otherwise co-opting certain congressional delegates to gain information on congressional affairs or support for French policies. A congressional delegate known to have become a French agent at this time was John Sullivan of New Hampshire. Burke was among those listed that Gérard induced to support French-backed measures. See , 159, 162, 163–64; , 196, 199.
In later letters JJ warned that French officials in America obtained and forwarded detailed information on what occurred in Congress and that French consuls occasionally intercepted correspondence. See, for example, JJ to Gouverneur Morris, 5 Nov.; JJ to the President of Congress, 6 Nov. and 30 Nov. 1780 (two letters); and Gouverneur Morris to JJ, 7–9 May 1781, all below.
3. For JJ’s acknowledgment, see JJ to Carmichael, 17 Aug., Dft, NNC (EJ: 7658), discussed in the notes to Carmichael to JJ, 14 Aug., below.