The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution Volume VII Part 33

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 sixtyfive dollars, the Count recommends to Mr Jay to request, in like manner, a delay of fifteen days for their acceptance, this time being necessary, that the Count may have an interview with a person not at present in Madrid.

"_At the Palace, July 12th, 1780._"

I was obliged to wait with patience, and endeavor to keep the holders of the bills from returning them, noted 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.

"_Sat.u.r.day, July 29th._"

I immediately wrote him a letter of thanks for his civility to Mr Harrison, and nothing further pa.s.sed 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 and 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 11th, 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 today, 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 12th, 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 I 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 5th, the Minister, speaking of the person intended to succeed M.

Mirales, 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 16th, 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 friends.h.i.+p for America should rise with her distresses. A sentiment so evincive of magnanimity will be received by Congress with all the admiration and grat.i.tude 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, &c.

JOHN JAY."

No answer.

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 18th, 1780.

"Sir,

"I never find myself more disagreeably circ.u.mstanced, 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 a 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 thirtyfive dollars, with orders immediately to s.h.i.+p the amount in goods to America. They will be presented tomorrow, 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, &c.

JOHN JAY."

"_P. S._ The enclosed contains intelligence from America."

No answer.

Having first visited the holders of the bills, and obtained further time till 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 25th, 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 a.s.surances, 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.