y
extraordinary. I do not think, however, that M. Gardoqui will leave
Spain, until all hopes of negotiation cease. We have no advices, or
indeed arrivals, since the departure of the frigate, which brought the
son of M. Rochambeau to France. Many of the letters taken with Mr
Laurens have been published in England. I take the liberty of
reminding the Committee, that I have never had the honor, as yet, to
receive their orders.

I have the honor to be, &c.

WILLIAM CARMICHAEL.

* * * * *

TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

Madrid, January 4th, 1781.

Gentlemen,

I wrote you the 24th ultimo,[9] since which I am advised, that the
Abbe Hussey is on his way from Lisbon to this capital, as is supposed
with further propositions on the part of England. I think they will be
as fruitless as the former. I have the pleasure of informing you, that
on the 19th ultimo, Great Britain declared war in form against
Holland. A courier brought the news this morning, which has given
great pleasure to the Court, if one may be allowed to judge from
appearances. Expresses were immediately despatched by the Ministry to
the sea-ports, to advise the Dutch consuls of this event, and to offer
the protection of convoys, &c. &c.

It is supposed, that the Empress of Russia will resent this
declaration of England, as it is posterior to the notification of the
accession of the Republic to the armed neutrality, which is the real
though not the alleged cause of the war, for I make no doubt events
will discover, that this measure was resolved the instant the English
Ministry knew, that the accession of the States to that treaty was
inevitable. I shall take care to give you minute and regular advice of
the consequences likely to result from this event; meantime permit me
to felicitate you on the acquisition of new friends.

The English fleet returned to Portsmouth in a bad condition, without
having made any attempt against that of Count d'Estaing, of which they
were thrice in view. The French fleet was not arrived when the courier
who brought the agreeable intelligence before mentioned left France.
This Court expects to obtain the sums necessary for the expenses of
the year. I hope to transmit the plan of the proposed loan in my next
letters.

I have the honor to be, &c.