his ideas on the subject of the bills and on other matters touching which Mr. Jay had written to him, and who would confer also with Mr. Jay on those subjects.

Mr. Jay mentioned that if it was agreeable to his excellency to permit M. Del Campo (a confidential secretary of the Count, who speaks English, and who translated all the letters to and from the Count) to be present, he should be able to explain his sentiments more fully and clearly. Though the Count did not object to this proposal, he appeared disinclined to it, and said that with the assistance of Mr. Carmichael, then present, they could understand each other very well.

He then proceeded to speak of the bills of exchange in the possession of the Messrs. Joyce, and seemed to be surprised that that house should be possessed of so many of them. He advised Mr. Jay to be cautions of those gentlemen, saying that they were as much English in their hearts as the ministry of that country; that he had known them long; that he thought their conduct extraordinary in being so urgent for the acceptance of these bills. Mr. Jay then informed his excellency that he had paid those gentlemen a visit in order to obtain further time, and that they had consented to wait until Monday next. The Count mentioned a fortnight or three weeks as necessary, in order that he might have an opportunity of seeing the person he had sent for and making some arrangements with him. He said that it would be more agreeable to his majesty to pay those bills at Cadiz, Bilboa, or Amsterdam, than here; lamented the precipitancy with which Congress had entered into this measure, saying that if they had previously addressed the king on the subject ways and means might have been found either to transport from their possessions in America specie for the service of Congress, or to have enabled them to have drawn bills of exchange at a shorter sight, which would have prevented the loss of one-third of the money to which Congress had subjected themselves by the terms on which the present bills were sold. Mr. Jay assured his excellency that by letters he had received from America, from members of Congress and others, he was informed that the terms were judged so unfavorable to the buyers, that the bills drawn on him sold heavily from that circumstance solely, and not from any doubt of their credit and payment.

This did not, however, appear to convince his excellency, who spoke much of the deranged state of our finances and credit, of the advantages taken of Congress by merchants and others, who availed themselves of that circumstance, which he called cruel extortions, frequently expressing the king's wishes and his own to render America all the service in their power in this crisis of their affairs, but observed that it was impossible to obtain much money in Europe while France, England, and Spain were making use of every resource to obtain it for the enormous expenses of the war, and while the channel through which the European merchants received supplies of specie was stopped, viz, the arrival of the usual quantity from America. This induced him to mention the arrival at Cadiz of three millions of piastres, all of which was on account of the merchants, and again to dwell on what he had before said of the possibility of transmitting specie to the States from the Spanish possessions abroad, and of the effect that this would have in re-establishing the credit of our money. Mr. Jay observed, in reply, that if a supply of specie could be sent to America, and his excellency thought that measure more convenient and advisable than bills, the Congress would, in his opinion, readily suspend drawing on receiving that information, to which the Count answered that when the person he had sent for arrived this matter would be further discussed.

Mr. Jay then proceeded to observe that by papers which he had transmitted to his excellency he would see that Congress had adopted a system to redeem and destroy the former emissions, and to emit other bills to be paid in Europe, with interest, in a certain term of years; and in fully establishing this system it would be probably in their power not only to sustain the credit of their money, but to contribute in some measure to assist Spain in the way proposed by his excellency, viz, in building frigates, etc. He added that, as his majesty's treasure was detained in America, and as much expense would be incurred by the armaments employed by Spain there,

bills on the Havana in favor of the United States might be more convenient to Spain and equally contribute to the end proposed. The Count did not seem to disapprove of the idea but did not enlarge upon it. He asked Mr. Jay if America could not furnish Spain with masts and ship timber. Mr. Jay replied that those articles might be obtained there. The Count then said that he would defer further remarks on this head till the arrival of the person whom he expected would succeed M.Miralles, and appeared desirous of leaving this subject, and, indeed, all other matters relative to American affairs, to be discussed when he came.

In the further course of conversation he recurred to the subject of the bills in question, and told Mr. Jay if an immediate acceptance of them was insisted on that he might accept them payable at Bilboa, but rather seemed to wish that their acceptance might be delayed till the coming of the above-mentioned person. Mr. Jay expatiated on the impression which the acceptance of these bills, and every other mark of friendship, would make in America at this particular crisis, and the Count, in a very feeling and warm manner, assured him that his desire to serve the States increased in consequence of their distresses. By his whole conversation he endeavored to show how much he interested himself in the prosperity of our affairs, more than once desiring Mr. Jay not to be discouraged, for that with time and patience all would go well; expatiating on the king's character, his religious observation of and adherence to his promises, and his own desire of having Mr. Jay's entire confidence. Mr. Jay seized this opportunity of assuring him of his full reliance on the king's justice and honor, and his particular and entire confidence in his excellency, asserting to him that all his letters to Congress breathed these sentiments. The Count appeared much pleased with this declaration, and, seeming to speak without reserve, hinted his hopes that the combined fleets would soon be in condition to give the law to that of England in the seas of Europe, repeating that measures would be taken on the arrival of the person expected to provide for the payment of the bills of exchange, and that other arrangements would be made with the same person which would contribute to relieve, as much as it was in his majesty's power, the present distresses of America, of which he frequently spoke very feelingly in the course of this conversation.

Mr. Jay reminded his excellency, in a delicate manner, of the supplies of clothing, etc., which had been promised in a former conference, and said that if they could be sent in autumn they would be essentially useful. The Count assured him that measures would be taken for this purpose with the person so often hinted at in the course of the conference; that probably these goods would be embarked from Bilboa, as everything was so dear at Cadiz. He also once more told Mr. Jay that at all events he might accept the bills presented by Messrs. Joyce, payable at Bilboa, though he appeared to wish that this measure might be delayed for a fortnight if possible. The conference ended with compliments and assurances on the one part and the other, the Count endeavoring to persuade Mr. Jay of his majesty's desire to assist the States, and Mr. Jay assuring him of his reliance on his excellency, and of the good effects which such proofs of his majesty's friendship would have in America at the present juncture.

In this conference not a single nail would drive. Everything was to be postponed till the arrival of the person intended to succeed M. Miralles. On the 11th of July I wrote the Count the following note:

Mr. Jay presents his respectful compliments to his excellency the Count de Florida Blanca, and has the honor of informing him that Don Carlos Maria Maraci, of this place, has presented to him, for acceptance, bills amounting in the whole to one thousand six hundred and sixty-five dollars. The Messrs. Joyce consent to having their bills payable at Bilboa, but have acquainted Mr. Jay that the name of the house there by whom they are to be paid should accompany the acceptance of the bills, it being necessary to their further negotiation.

MADRID, July 11, 1780.

To this note the following answer was returned:

[Translation.]

In answer to the note the Count de Florida Blanca has just received from Mr. Jay, dated yesterday, he has the honor to acquaint him that he intends writing to Bilboa on the subject of the bills in the hands of Messrs. Joyce, and which are to be accepted, so that it will be necessary to wait some days to fix the house at which the acceptance will be made.

As to the bills presented by Don Carlos Maraci, to the value of one thousand six hundred and sixty-five dollars, the Count recommends to Mr. Jay to request, in like manner, a delay of fifteen days for the acceptance, this time being necessary, that the Count may have an interview with a person not at present in Madrid. AT THE PALACE, July 12, 1780.

I was obliged to wait with patience, and endeavor to keep the holders of the bills from returning them uoted for non-acceptance. The Count went to St. Ildefonso; the time limited for the arrival of the person expected having expired, I wrote the Count three notes on the subject of the bills, and in one requested his permission for Mr. Harrison, of Maryland, to remain at Cadiz, from whence he was threatened to be removed in pursuance of the king's ordinance against Irishmen. To these I received the following answer, dated the 29th of July:

[Translation.]

The Count de Florida Blanca presents his compliments to Mr. Jay, and acquaints him that he has duly received his three last letters.

For the satisfaction of Mr. Jay, orders shall be given for Mr. Harrison to remain at Cadiz, the general regulations established by the king notwithstanding.

On the subject of the acceptance of the bills of exchange, the Count can only say that he still waits for the person in question, who has informed him that he was on the point of setting out on his journey.

He is moreover very sensible of the attention in communicating to him the last advices received respecting the affair of Charleston, and persuades himself that Mr. Jay will always observe the same complaisance.

SATURDAY, July 29.

I immediately wrote him a letter of thanks for his civility to Mr. Harrison, and nothing further passed between us till the 11th of August, when I sent him the following note:

Mr. Jay presents his respectful compliments to his excellency the Count de Florida Blanca, and has the honor of informing him that since the date of his last, bills to the amount of six thousand six hundred dollars have been presented to him for acceptance. Mr. Jay has prevailed on the holders of these bills to wait six or eight days for his answer, on a promise that the time for their payment, if accepted, shall be computed from the day on which they were presented.

MADRID, August 11, 1780.

To this was written the following answer:

[Translation.]

The Count de Florida Blanca has just received Mr. Jay's note of yesterday, on the subject of the new bills which have been presented to him. He is mortified not to be able to return a positive answer to-day respecting the acceptance of said bills, and must repeat that he still waits for the person of whom mention has been made in preceding notes.

ST. ILDEFONSO, August 12, 1780.

Mrs. Jay's illness and the death of a child detaining me at Madrid, I requested the Count to give me notice when it would be necessary 1 should wait upon him, and in the mean time Mr. Carmichael went to St. Ildefonso.

Congress will be pleased to remember that in the conference of July 5 the minister, speaking of the person intended to succeed M. Miralles, said that he spoke English, and that we knew him. I supposed that he alluded to one of the Gardoquis, three of whom speak English, and I was well acquainted with one of them. But as another of them had been heretofore employed by the court, it appeared most probable that he was the person meant. They are brothers and have a strong family likeness.

On the 10th, Mr. Carmichael wrote me that he had seen the Count, and was informed by him that the person so long expected had not yet arrived, and when he did he would give notice of it. On the 12th he wrote me that a person had arrived whom he suspected to be the one so long expected. It seems that a person much resembling the Gardoqui family had arrived at the same inn where Mr. Carmichael lodged and was seen by him.

The holders of the bills becoming extremely uneasy, I wrote the Count the following reply to his last note:

MADRID, August 16, 1780.

SIR: The letter which your excellency did me the honor to write on the 12th instant was delivered to me yesterday.

The kind concern you are pleased to express for the delay, which suspends my receiving a positive answer respecting the bills, demands my acknowledgments, and is an additional proof of that generous sensibility which induced your excellency to tell me that your friendship for America should rise with her distresses. A sentiment so evincive of magnanimity will be received by Congress with all the admiration and gratitude it merits, and will not cease to inspire me with that confidence in your excellency which greatness of mind seldom fails to excite.

I ought to mention that the holders of the bills here begin to grow impatient, and frequently repeat their applications to me for acceptance.

With sentiments of great respect and regard, I have the honor to be, etc.,

No answer.

JOHN JAY.

The next day I received a card from the house of Joyce, informing me of their having received peremptory orders to return their bills, and that they could not delay it longer than the next post. Of this I sent a copy to the Count without any observations.

No answer.

On the 18th of August I wrote the Count the following letter:

MADRID, August 18, 1780.

SIR: I never find myself more disagreeably circumstanced than when my duty constrains me to be troublesome to those whom I wish to afford only pleasure and satisfaction. Such is my present situation. Monday next I perceive is to be the critical day. Other bills besides Messrs. Joyce are then to be re-presented.

M. Gardoqui, of Bilboa, writes me that he has received bills on me for thirteen thousand three hundred and thirty-five dollars, with orders immediately to ship the amount in goods to America. They will be presented to-morrow, and he expects an answer by Monday's post. If an immediate acceptance or refusal should be insisted on by any one of them a protest must ensue and American credit be reduced to the lowest ebb. What am I to do? If your excellency should direct me to accept these bills, payable at Bilboa, they will, as before, demand at what house they are to be paid.

I must entreat your excellency to relieve me and my country from this painful situation, and to pardon the trouble I am obliged to give you.

With great respect and esteem, I have the honor to be, etc.,

P. S.-The enclosed contains intelligence from America.

No answer.

JOHN JAY.

Having first visited the holders of the bills and obtained further time until Monday next, on the 24th I set out for St. Ildefonso. I arrived the next day, and wrote the Count the following letter:

ST. ILDEFONSO, August 25, 1780.

SIR: I arrived here this morning, but was prevented from immediately doing myself the honor of paying my respects to your excellency by fatigue and indisposition. In a letter I had the honor of writing to your excellency on the 16th instant I mentioned that the holders of the bills began to grow impatient. On the 18th instant I informed your excellency by another letter that their applications to me for acceptance had become so pressing as that I found myself under the necessity of again requesting your directions.

I have accepted Messrs. Joyce's bills, payable at Bilboa, agreeable to your excellency's directions on the 5th of July last, and they have agreed to wait some time for the name of the house there which may be employed to pay them. The other gentlemen were induced to delay requiring of me a decisive answer until Monday next on my assurances that they should then receive one.

The inducements and reasons which urged Congress into this measure are known to your excellency, and it would be no less unnecessary than improper to recapitulate the consequences which must ensue from the success or failure of it.

I fear your excellency thinks I am too solicitous, too importunate. But when it is considered that the holders of those bills are not under my control, and that they require an answer from me, I flatter myself that the trouble I give your excellency on this subject will appear to arise from a sense of my duty and not from the impulse of impatience.

I sincerely congratulate your excellency on the late important naval success against the common enemy, and have the honor to be, etc.,

No answer.

JOHN JAY.

The next morning I went to pay my respects to the minister, but being told he was sick, I left a card. The French ambassador, however, and others had been with him in the morning, and he rode out as usual in the afternoon.

Mr. Carmichael informed me that, in passing by a wicket-gate of the king's private gardens, he had seen the person whom he had before seen at the inn walking in them, and that his servant had learned from a barber of his acquaintance that he dressed a gentleman who spoke English and lodged at M. Del Campo's. He also informed me that the French ambassador had lately received a letter from Count de la Lu