rrested at the
Escurial, where he arrived the day before from Lisbon, under an
assumed name. Commodore Johnson sent him to Rio Janeiro, in order to
pass from thence to the Spanish settlements in Peru. He pretended to
the Portuguese Governor, that he had been taken by Johnson on his way
to the Caracas, but the former from some suspicion arising from the
man's appearance and story, refused him permission to pass into the
country, which obliged him to embark for Lisbon, at which place under
his borrowed name he addressed Don Ferdinand Nunes, the Spanish
Ambassador, offering to make some important discoveries to the Count
de Florida Blanca. The former advised the Minister of these offers,
and was directed by him to furnish the person in question with cash
for his journey. It is said, that he was recognized the very day of
his arrival at the Escurial, by one who knew him at Buenos Ayres. It
is more probable, that M. Nunes knew his real character previous to
his departure from Lisbon, for the magistrate whom the Minister of the
Indies employs on such occasions, went to the Escurial with his
officers, the day he arrived there, and arrested him the same evening.
He is now in close prison, and I am told has discovered all he knew
relative to the designs of the English, to foment the spirit of revolt
existing in that country. This affair furnished conversation to the
Court the few days I resided at the Escurial, whither I went, at the
instance of the French Ambassador, to Mr Jay to be present at the
_Besa Manos_, on St Carlos's day.

I found by conversation with M. Del Campo, First Under Secretary of
Foreign Affairs, that nothing had been done by the Court to advance
the conferences for a treaty since it left St Ildefonso. In my letter
of the 5th of October, I mentioned, that the gentleman abovenamed was
nominated by the King to treat with Mr Jay; this nomination has never
been formally communicated, but I had my information from such a
quarter, that I am convinced the appointment was made, and the
instructions given near about the time mentioned in my letter.
Multiplicity of business, and the confusion occasioned by the Court's
removal from one royal residence to another, are the present pretexts
for this delay. The aspect of our affairs at the close of the
campaign, the fate of which is yet unknown, and the apprehension of
being obliged to make large advances in consequence of cementing their
connexion with the States, are per