tain in this treaty associates the States in their right of
the free navigation of the river Mississippi, and also in that of the
river St Mary's. All places in possession of the enemy belonging to
the United States to be restored, with the cannon, &c. &c. which shall
appear to have been their property, together with the public and
private archives, which may have fallen into their hands; all
conquests made on the one part or the other after the signature, to be
restored. This treaty is conditional, that is, not to take place until
France has concluded a peace with Great Britain. Neither Spain nor
Holland are mentioned in it. If political vengeance is ever
justifiable, it is on the present occasion. You will pardon the hasty
manner in which I wrote this. A desire of augmenting your sources of
information will, I hope, plead my apology. I am much afraid that my
situation here will be more disagreeable than ever. I flatter myself,
that my political conduct has been such as not to draw upon me
personal resentments. I hope, at all events, I have conducted myself
in a manner not to have merited censure, if circumstances have not
permitted me to acquire approbation. For the rest, I have a full
reliance on the wisdom of Congress.

I have the honor to be, &c.

WILLIAM CARMICHAEL.

* * * * *

TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Madrid, December 30th, 1782.

Sir,

On the 10th instant I had the honor to inform you, that I had seen a
French translation of a conditional treaty, concluded between the
Commissioners of the United States at Paris, and Mr Oswald on the part
of Great Britain, the 30th ult. I have since received a letter from Dr
Franklin enclosing a copy of it. I hope it will be satisfactory to
Congress, and the people at large. Various are the reflections to
which this event has given rise here. I am persuaded that this Court
was far from expecting that Great Britain would make the concessions
she has made to the States. The surprise, and even the chagrin of
several of the Ministers and their adherents were apparent, and from
the instant they received the intelligence, I am convinced their
attention has been turned to peace.

It has been suggested, that our Commissioners signed this treaty
without the privity of the Court of France. This suggestion was made
with a view to pac