sionary speculations.
However, thus far it is obvious and highly deserving of our
attention, that it cannot fail becoming to the American
States a most important instrument of national power, the
progress and operation of which must hereafter be _a most
interesting object of attention to the British American
dominions which are in close vicinity to the territories of
the United States, and I should hope that these
considerations would lead us, inasmuch as we value those
parts of our dominions, to encourage conciliatory and
amicable correspondence between them and their neighbors_.

"I have thus, my Lord, endeavored to comply with your
Lordship's commands to the best of my power, in stating such
information to his Majesty's government as I have been
enabled to collect of such nature as may tend to the mutual
and reciprocal interest of Great Britain and the United
States of America. I do not recollect at present anything
further to trouble your Lordship with. If any of the
foregoing points should require any further elucidation, I
shall always be ready to obey your Lordship's summons, or to
give in any other way the best explanations in my power."

COUNT D'ARANDA.--1783.

The Count d'Aranda was one of the first of Spanish statesmen and
diplomatists, and one of the richest subjects of Spain in his day; born
at Saragossa, 1718, and died 1799. He, too, is one of our prophets.
Originally a soldier, he became ambassador, governor of a province, and
prime minister. In the latter post he displayed character as well as
ability, and was the benefactor of his country. He drove the Jesuits
from Spain and dared to oppose the Inquisition. He was a philosopher,
and, like Pope Benedict XIV., corresponded with Voltaire. Such a liberal
spirit was out of place in Spain. Compelled to resign in 1773, he found
a retreat at Paris as ambassador, where he came into communication with
Franklin, Adams, and Jay, and finally signed the Treaty of Paris, by
which Spain acknowledged our independence. Shortly afterwards he
returned to Spain and took the place of Florida Blanca as prime
minister.

Franklin, on meeting him, records, in his letter to the secret committee
of Congress, that he seemed "well disposed to us."[80] Shortly
afterwards he had another interview with him, which he thus chronicles
in his journal:--

"_Saturday, June 29th_ [178