s and decisive conduct, and seems
to enjoy the King's esteem, and the good will of most of the Ministers
and Courtiers.

The English emissary, Mr Cumberland, is still at Madrid, and is
permitted to receive from and send couriers to London. The conduct of
the Court appears unaccountable, and I cannot persuade myself, that it
can be agreeable to France, although the Count de Montmorin frequently
assures me, that we need not have any inquietude on account of the
gentleman's residence. He no doubt, however, endeavors to insinuate
many things to our disadvantage, and makes propositions to alienate
Spain from the alliance with France, and from supporting the United
States. Those about him are perpetually circulating bad news from
America, and assert with confidence, that several States and many
individuals in others, are negotiating to make their peace with Great
Britain. Spain may possibly be amusing his employers, as he is
employed to amuse the Spanish Ministry.

The treaty for an armed neutrality was signed by Sweden the 4th of
August; Denmark had not signed it the 8th of the same month, but there
is no doubt she will. The English party in Holland opposed and
retarded it there as long as possible, and finally clogged it with
such conditions as they hope will prostrate the negotiation; for
instance, they propose to the contracting powers, to guaranty all
their possessions in Europe, Asia, and America, but as the States have
gone so far, they will scarce recede, should this article be refused
by the others. The eyes of Europe are anxiously turned to America and
the West Indies; the friends of liberty hope everything from our union
and perseverance, and the expectations of our enemies are founded on
the reverse. Neither Mr Jay nor myself have received letters from
Congress since we left America, except one from the Committee,
enclosing the bills of exchange, so that we are without intelligence,
without money, or the certainty of conveying to Congress as regularly
as we wish, the information necessary for them to receive, which will
plead my apology with the Committee for the repetitions they will meet
in this letter of what several other letters contain.

I have the honor to be, &c.

WILLIAM CARMICHAEL.

_P. S._ The declaration of Portugal, shutting their ports against the
armed vessels of the nations at war, which I mentioned in a letter of
the 6th, has not yet been ma