d
States, as from his esteem for me. That the King, contrary to his
expectations, had consented to change the etiquette with respect to me
on this subject, as "an extraordinary act of royal good will," and
that he hoped, that his conduct on this occasion would convince
Congress of his Majesty's intentions to cultivate in a particular
manner their amity. I expressed in reply, the sense which I knew my
constituents would have of this proof of the King's amicable
disposition, and of my gratitude to his Excellency for the obliging
interest which he took in what regarded me personally, assuring him
that I would take the earliest opportunity of transmitting to Congress
this additional proof of his Majesty's desire to cultivate their
friendship, and of his Excellency's manner of fulfilling his
Sovereign's intentions. I then asked him on what day the King chose to
receive me, he answered, the day after tomorrow, (the 23d instant.) I
expressed some concern that the Ambassador of France, then at Madrid
would not return before the time appointed for my reception. He
replied, that the King having named the day, no alteration could take
place. To this I was obliged to acquiesce. His Excellency then made me
many professions of personal regard, which it is unnecessary to
repeat, and which, perhaps, I should not even hint at, if the French
Ambassador, the Marquis de Lafayette and others, had not been
witnesses on former occasions to similar assurances. I proceeded to
mention to his Excellency the different objects on which I had
heretofore addressed him, and prayed him to give me an opportunity, at
the same time that I informed Congress of my presentation, to advise
them also of the happy termination of these. He begged me to pass him
offices again on these points, and assured me that I should receive
such answers as would be agreeable and satisfactory to the States. He
continued to speak to me in an open and friendly manner of the
obstacles which a well intentioned Minister had to encounter in the
execution of his measures in this country.

I paid him indirect compliments on what I knew to be his favorite
projects, viz. the improvement of the roads, the protection and
encouragement of manufactures, &c. and the changes which he meditates
in the system of finance and commerce, and after continuing with him
some time, was about to take my leave. He asked me whom I had left in
the ante-chamber; on mentioning the names of the persons, he