articulars of which I immediately reduced to writing, as
I have done with respect to others which preceded this, copies of the
most material parts of which Mr Jay will, probably, forward to
Congress with his other despatches. In this conference, the Count
spoke with much pleasure of a resolution of Congress, permitting the
exportation of flour, for the use of the Spanish fleets and armies in
the West Indies, as also of measures taken by them to make a
diversion to the southward, to facilitate their operations against
Pensacola, &c. &c. He said to Mr Jay, that the King had directed him
to convey his thanks to Congress for those marks of their friendly
disposition, and gave the strongest assurances, that his Majesty would
never consent to a pacification, which did not include the interests
of America, declaring at the same time, that the negotiations for
peace were more remote than ever, although, as he observed, the King
had been offered all he could desire from England, in order to induce
him to a separate peace. He informed Mr Jay he had received
intelligence, that Great Britain once more proposed to send
Commissioners to treat with Congress, that this measure was under the
consideration of the Privy Council, and would, probably, be adopted.

I seize the earliest opportunity of conveying to the Committee thus
much of the conference, as most important for Congress to know, to
which I add, that the Minister promised to take immediate measures for
putting it in the power of Mr Jay, to evidence and avail himself of
the responsibility of the King, and forwarding from Cadiz clothing for
ten regiments, for the use of the American army. In the course of this
conference, the Count de Florida Blanca asserted with warmth, that the
King would never relinquish the navigation of the Mississippi, and the
Ministry regarded the exclusive right to it as the principal advantage
Spain would obtain by the war. This being the bar to the treaty, it
seems not improbable, that this Court will not be in a hurry to treat
with us, but rather trust to her interest in a general Congress for
peace to obtain her favorite objects, preserving, in the meantime,
such a line of conduct, as will enable her, in some measure, to be a
mediator in it, with which idea she has been, and is flattered by
England.

Mr Cumberland, whom I have frequently mentioned in former letters,
still remains at Madrid. The Abbe Hussey, his coadjutor, has just
received a passpo