WILLIAM CARMICHAEL.

_P. S._ Lest my letter of the 24th ultimo should miscarry, I repeat,
that the Court has engaged to supply Mr Jay with three millions of
reals, in addition to eighteen thousand dollars already furnished,
which with the twentyfive thousand promised by France, will nearly pay
the bills already presented, and I hope ways and means will be found,
to provide for the payment of the residue, drawn and sold before
reception of Mr Jay's letters of advice.

W. C.

FOOTNOTES:

[9] Missing.

* * * * *

TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

Madrid, January 29th, 1781.

Gentlemen,

My last advised the Committee of the declaration of Great Britain
against Holland; the capture of a great number of prizes, in
consequence of this unexpected attack encourages the former, and has
greatly irritated the latter. The States, Zealand excepted, seem
disposed to act with vigor against the common enemy. If they
persevere, they may finally disappoint their rapacious projects. They
depend on the interference of Russia, and I believe with reason,
although a day or two ago, the Count de Kaunitz, the Imperial
Ambassador here, offered his master's mediation, in conjunction with
the Empress of Russia to terminate the differences subsisting between
the belligerent powers. No answer to this offer has yet been given.
The Minister from Russia has not yet received the orders of his Court
thereon.

The offer is rather ill timed, and I have reason to think is not very
agreeable to the Courts of Versailles and Madrid, which will act with
entire union on this occasion, and as long as the present King of
Spain lives, it is probable, that this good understanding will
continue on the whole continent, although there are some here, I
believe, who would wish to see it interrupted. While it subsists Spain
will not abandon our interests, though it may not support them with
such good will, as they would have been induced to do by the
obligations of previous engagements with the United States. It is not
likely that these will soon take place, notwithstanding the appearance
of good will, and repeated assurances which Mr Jay has received of his
Majesty's favorable disposition. Nor will the late change of measures
adopted by Congress effect this, if I am not misinf