determined, and indeed I fear the Court is too
much pressed for money, to do anything considerable for us here in
that way. Probably this gentleman will be sent to America, by whom we
shall have an opportunity, I hope, of conveying the final
determination of the Court with respect to our affairs. The
navigation of the Mississippi appears to be the great, and if we can
credit the assertions of men in power, the sole obstacle.

Mr Cumberland has been here, and is expected again with his family in
a few days. I have been informed, that he has offered on the part of
Great Britain, to restore to Spain what they lost by the treaty of
Paris, and has been permitted to reside at this Court in expectation
of being authorised to make further concessions, and indeed on no
other principle can I account for his residence here at this crisis. I
mentioned in my letter of the 22d ult., that representations had been
made to the Court of Portugal, either to shut its ports against the
armed vessels of all nations at war, or take a part in it. I have the
honor to inform you, that the above Court has consented to the first
of these propositions, although this is not yet public. Another vessel
has arrived at Nantes from Philadelphia, by which neither Mr Jay nor
myself have received any letters. The Russian fleet, consisting of
fifteen sail of the line, and four frigates, is arrived in England.
Admiral Geary returned to Spithead the 19th ult. This fleet, it is
said, will soon be sent to sea, although he had upwards of two
thousand sick when he returned to port. Stocks fell considerably in
England when the news arrived of the loss of the convoy
beforementioned.

A fleet of seven sail of the line sailed from Ferrol the 22d ult. to
convoy off the coast a fleet of transports for the French islands, and
probably to cruise to intercept the homeward and outward bound fleets
of the enemy. This circumstance joined to the late loss of the convoy,
has raised insurance prodigiously in London. The Parliament does not
meet until the 28th of September.

W. C.

* * * * *

TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

St Ildefonso, September 9th, 1780.

Gentlemen,

I did myself the honor of writing to you the 6th instant, via Cadiz,
Bilboa, and France, informing you that the person mentioned in my
letters of