it
is said, influenced by England, will not accede to this treaty, which
will put a stop to the piratical conduct of that country. France and
Spain exclaim, against the partiality of Portugal to Great Britain,
and I have been informed, but I do not pretend to vouch for the
authenticity of the intelligence, that strong representations have
been made to that Court, either to shut its ports against the armed
vessels of the nations at war, or to take a part in it. The French
Minister to that Court said something to the same purpose to me at
Madrid, on his way to Lisbon. The English at present sell their prizes
there, without the formality of condemnation.

The Count d'Estaing is now here, and on every occasion manifests the
strongest attachment to the United States and their interests. The
general opinion gives him the command of a part, if not the whole of
the combined fleets, which amount to thirty six sail of the line, now
at sea, commanded by M. Cordova. The English fleet under Geary, is
also cruizing between Ushant and Cape St Vincent, to prevent the
junction of the ships from Brest and Ferrol with the Spanish Admiral,
and to protect their outward end homeward bound convoys, and to
intercept those of the allies.

I had written thus far, when a courier arrived with the important news
of the combined fleets having fallen in with, and taken fiftysix sail
out of sixty, destined to the East and West Indies, Madeira and
Quebec. I have requested Mr Harrison at Cadiz to enclose to the
Committee a list of the prizes, and the nature of their cargoes, as it
has not yet been received here. This will be severely felt in England,
and will occasion more clamor against the Ministry, than all their
naval losses since the war. Mr Jay has heard from Congress but once
since we have been in Spain, and very seldom from our other
correspondents, the last letters from Paris, mention that Messrs
Franklin, Adams, and Dana, were well, and that Mr Adams was going to
Holland.

I have the honor to be, &c.

WILLIAM CARMICHAEL.

_P. S._ Since sending off a copy of the preceding letter, I have the
pleasure to inform you, that the gentleman expected by the Minister
has arrived, and proves to be Don Diego Gardoqui, who is already known
by his former correspondence with America. Our affairs are once more
in train, some bills have been accepted since his arrival, but nothing
certain has been as yet