sailed from thence with the ships under her convoy, the 19th
ultimo. I hope their safe arrival will convey to Congress ample
information of the situation of their affairs in that quarter; I am
afraid the loan does not fill fast, because I have letters from a
house at Hamburg which mention, that Congress bills to a large
amount, that they had presented for acceptance, had been protested.
The republican party gains ground, and the Duke of Brunswick, though
not removed, is obliged to act with more caution, and the Stadtholder
with more resolution and force. I am informed, that the Court of
France has consented to replace the cargo lost in the Marquis de
Lafayette, but Dr Franklin is not enabled to accept any more of Mr
Jay's bills, even for our salaries.

The rumors of a general negotiation subside, owing it is said to the
obstinacy of Great Britain, and the demands of this Court. The
Imperial Minister has just received a courier from his Court, charged
with its excuses for the detention of a Spanish courier, who after
delivering his despatches to the Spanish Ambassador at Vienna, on his
journey from thence to Petersburg, was stopped in Hungary, and not
permitted to proceed until released by order of the Imperial Court.
The Imperial Minister named to the Court of Berlin from hence, will
soon go thither; his nomination is still a secret. The Spanish
squadron has returned to Cadiz. Major Franks will leave this next
week. I must do this officer the justice to observe to the Committee,
that he has conducted himself with great discretion and economy here,
and I hope that Congress will be induced by the success and expedition
with which he delivered their despatches to Mr Jay, to send in future
such as are important in a similar way.

I have the honor to be, &c.

WILLIAM CARMICHAEL.

FOOTNOTES:

[10] Missing.

* * * * *

TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

Madrid, October 5th, 1781.

Gentlemen,

On my arrival here from St Ildefonso this day, I found the enclosed
letters for his Excellency, the President of Congress, from M. Dumas.
On the 14th and 28th ult. I wrote to the Committee, that the Court
appeared more serious in its intentions of bringing on the negotiation
than it had shown itself to be for a long time. In my last, I informed
the Committee that M. Del Campo w