ould, probably, be appointed to
negotiate with Mr Jay, and that his instructions and nomination would
have his Majesty's approbation on the night of the 30th ult. The
Minister of State once proposed to intrust M. Gardoqui with this
business. Yesterday, when I left the _Sitio_, the Court had not
formally notified the appointment to Mr Jay, but from some hints I
received from well informed persons, I have hopes that the
communication will be made either before he comes from thence
tomorrow, or directly after the Court is fixed at the Escurial. I
shall, however, be very agreeably disappointed, if much progress is
made in this affair until the fate of the campaign is known.

The last post from France and Holland brought no news of an
interesting nature. The French and Spanish troops, destined to
reinforce the Duc de Crillon's army at Minorca, are not yet embarked,
and he cannot act with effect until he receives reinforcements. It is
said the desertion from the place is considerable. The South Carolina
frigate, armed for that State in Holland, has put into Corunna, and I
am concerned to find by letters from Messrs Searle and Trumbull,
passengers on board, that Commodore Gillon's conduct is much
censured. Knowing Mr Searle's zeal and solicitude for the public
interest, I must own that his letter has influenced my opinion in a
great degree, but it would be unjust to condemn the former, before
having seen an exposition of the reasons, which have determined his
conduct, and which he has promised to forward to Mr Jay by express.

The fact is, he sailed from the Texel without the ships he had engaged
to escort, that he has cruised six or seven weeks with little success,
and that he has been obliged to put into the port abovementioned, to
refit and get a supply of provisions, which he writes he shall do
immediately. It is probable Mr Jay may think proper to send me to
Corunna in this business, which commission, I must confess, I shall
accept with reluctance, because I not only foresee the delay and
expense that must inevitably have place, if this government is obliged
to interfere, but the disgrace, which must ensue from the notoriety of
these unhappy differences between the commander and the American
gentlemen aboard. I have another motive, which arises from the nature
of the employment with which Congress has honored me, and which, with
submission, I conceive does not admit of my absence at the most
important period of the nego