the annals of this reign. His name
is Francis Cabarrus, born in Bayonne, but sent early to Spain to
acquire a knowledge in its commerce, in which his father was
considerably interested. His marriage at the age of nineteen (he is
now twentynine) displeased his family, from whom after that period he
received no assistance. With a small capital, as he himself informed
me, he came and established a soap-work in the neighborhood of this
city. While there he introduced himself to the notice of the Count de
Campomanes, by becoming a member of the patriotic society, the friends
of their country; of which the last mentioned gentleman is in a great
measure the founder. He soon conciliated his esteem, as well as that
of the Governor of the Council of Castile, to whom he became known by
means of his friend and patron M. Campomanes. Through their interest
he procured a contract to supply wheat and flour, in a time of
scarcity, and commenced banker. The last year he proposed his plan for
procuring cash for government, on terms mentioned in former letters.
His genius is brilliant, active, and enterprising, with more
imagination than solidity, although he is by no means deficient in
acquired knowledge, arising from reading and reflection, the result of
experience. His eloquence, enforced by a very prepossessing
countenance and figure, seizes the heart before it convinces the
judgment, and this joined to his knowledge of commercial and money
transactions, has obtained for him the confidence of M. Musquiz, who
consults him at present in all affairs of finance.

I have thought proper to say thus much of this gentleman, not only on
account of the part he has had, and is like to have in money matters,
but because he has on all occasions manifested himself a friend to
our cause, of which he is an enthusiastic advocate, being totally
divested of local prejudices. He offered to procure five hundred
thousand dollars for the States, payable at Havana on condition of
being reimbursed by government in two years, the payments to commence
at the expiration of two months after his orders for the delivery of
the money to the agents of Congress were despatched. He will make the
advances for the payment of the bills due next month, which amount to
thirtytwo thousand dollars, and for the reimbursement of which Mr Jay
relies on Dr Franklin, for after the delays we have experienced here,
and the knowledge of their own distresses, there is no great reason t