ard
conjecture against such authority, I should be induced by other
motives, to think that this event will not take place, until
despatches carried from hence last week arrive in London. I have
additional reason to suppose that the convention mentioned in my last,
to exclude from the ports of Portugal the Russian ships of war, has
been, or is on the point of being concluded. The Prince de Masseran,
who charges himself with the delivery of this to my correspondent at
Bordeaux, being about to set out, I am obliged to conclude.

I have the honor to be, &c.

WILLIAM CARMICHAEL.

* * * * *

FROM THE SAXON MINISTER IN SPAIN TO WILLIAM CARMICHAEL.

Translation.

Madrid, July 28th, 1783.

Sir,

I have just received instructions, which contain the result of what
has been for a long time the subject of our conversations. The trading
interest of Saxony has seized with avidity the overtures and details,
which, after our interviews, I placed under the eyes of the Ministry.
Persuaded that the goodness and cheapness of our commodities will give
them an advantage in such an enterprise, they have adopted the plan,
which you have indicated, of sending to America a person, who shall
look after their interests, and obtain the knowledge indispensable for
their direction. Their choice has fallen upon a merchant of Bordeaux,
a native of Leipzic, whose name is Philip Thieriot, known as a man of
probity, intelligence, and good conduct, who is now in Saxony, but
will soon establish himself in Philadelphia, to transact business in
the character of a merchant, both on his own account and that of
others.

The Elector has assented to this choice, and permits that for the
present M. Thieriot shall hold in America, the functions of
Commissary-General of the commerce of Saxony, with the view of
founding mercantile relations between the two countries, and that he
may receive the commissions of Saxon merchants, direct their
enterprises, and guard and support their interests, both in relation
to Congress and other respects, till circumstances shall make it
proper for him to be supplied with more particular directions. For
this purpose the oath has been administered to him, and he has been
furnished with suitable instructions, and the power of making
appointments. He sets off immed