To John Jay from Diego de Gardoqui, 25 May 1786
From Diego de Gardoqui
Nueva York 25 de Mayo de 1786.
Muy señor mío: Haviendo llegado el [illegible] que esperavamos hace muchos meses de que el Honble Congreso de haia completado, para que V.S. pueda exponer la dificultad, que me ha manifestado Sobre la infundada pretencion de Navegar el Rio Misisipy; he de estimar a V.S. que se havilite quanto antes, persuadiendose a lo que Siempre le he ratificado de que el Rey no permitirá el que ninguna Nacion le navegue desde donde las dos orillas pertenecen a S.M. de resulta de las ultimas conquistas hechas por Sus Reales Armas Sobre los Yngleses en ambas floridas oriental y Occidental, conforme havia pasado antes al Dominio Yngles, y Segun la jurizdicion que exerciá el Comandante de Pansacola de quien dependió; asi como los Paises Situados al oríente del Misisipy de que hay el acto formal de la posesion que tomó el Capitan dn. Baltazar de Villers Comandante del Puesto de Arkanzas, por S.M. en 22 de Noviembre de 1780.
No miro pues S.M. el arreglo hecho entre los Estados Unidos y la gran Bretaña en quanto trata de territorios conquistados por sus Armas, sino como un ajuste condicional en que tacitamente quedaron salvos los derechos de los Territorios que posehia ya en aquellos parajes.
En el citado Estado de Conquista y no en el de posesion por Ynglaterra, ni por estos Estados, se hallavan aquellos territorios quando unos y otros dispusíeron de ellos conque nadie habra que dude que aquel Tratado hecho en 30 de noviembre de 1782, en que todavia durava la Guerra entre España y Ynglaterra, no pudo fixar limites Sobre lo que no posehiá; Entiende pues S.M. que aquellas estipulaciones eran condicionales para en caso de que pudiesen tener lugar en el Estado en que las cosas quedasen hecha la Paz general.
El Honble Congreso no puede ignorar la buena y generosa disposicion del Rey para con los Estados Unidos, y la importancia de su poderosa amistad, haviendose S.M. dignado dar tan relevantes pruevas a favor de los Americanos presos en Berberia, y las que prosigue dando para que Sus Comisionados puedan entablar y Conseguir la Paz con aquellas Potencias.
Debe tambien persuadirse que la Consideracion del Rey con ellas es tan grande, que asi como la Nacion que lograse la Amistad de S.M. Se debe contemplar Segura de la del Emperador de Marruecos, y en mucha parte contrahida con la Regencia de Argel: Debe temer la America las funestas resultas que experimentaria todo Su Comercio si la faltase Su Real Mediacion, porque no solo la privarian de aquel del Mediterraneo sino que la incomodarian mucho en el que hace por los derroteros de las Islas Azores, Canarias, y aun sus propias Costas.
Me parece igualmente justo el recordar al Honble Congreso la generosidad con que Su M. ha diferido pedir hasta aqui, la satisfaccíon del principal de las deudas contrahidas en España y America por los Estados Unidos, estendiendose a la delicadeza de no haver pedido, ni aun los reditos debengados, en consideracion a las dificultades con que veia a Su Erario.
Estos hechos parecían sobrados para desvanecer las dificultades que VS. me manifestó sobre Limites, y navegacion del citado Rio; pero contemplo de la mayor magnitud lo que los Estados Unidos aventuran sino se prestan sin dilacion a los justos derechos del Rey y pierden el unico Comercio cuia balanza esta a su favor exponiendose a mal lograrle y a que se frustren otros Convenios Reciprocamente utiles que el tiempo y la experiencia pueden proporcionar.
Lo importante de este obxeto es notorio en todos estos Estados, porque nadie ignora que todos sus productos encuentran facil Consumo en los mercados de España, y que por ellos se paga en oro y plata, quando todas las demas Naciones retribuyen con manifacturas (en mucha parte de luxo) con que aniquilan este Pais,
La España en su Estado actual es consumidora en Europa y America; no hai nacion que no apetezca con la mayor eficacia la Amistad y gracia del Rey; y Como no necesita de las pescas de Bacallao, Grazas, Salmon, granos, Arinas, Arrozes, ni otros productos, puede, atendiendo al derecho que tienen Sus Vasallos para proveerse de su industria, ò á otras proporciones utiles y importantes hallarlo conven.^te.^ el prohivirlos por considerar à esta Nacion ahora como Amiga que no tiene Tratados; en lugar que Correspondiendola generosamente. conseguirá el que el Rey la Considere en su Comercio como à la Nacion mas favorecida, haciendo reglamentos reciprocos, de suerte que si aqui se hiciere alguno favorable a las introducciones y extracciones de España, se hariá allá igual a las de los Estados.
Nadie tampoco ignora las grandes ventajas que los Estados Unidos derivan del Comercío con España, de donde sacan annualmente millones, asi por sus productos como por el de Transporte, que fomenta tanto la cria, y manutencion de su Marineria.
La España no necesita de mercados Extranjeros para hacerle muy brillante en Sus propios Dominios, y hallar feliz consumo à sus producciones, y manifacturas, de modo que la generosidad y amistad que manifiesta procede solamente de las beneficas atenciones con que la liberal Mano del Rey quiere distinguir a los Estados Unidos.
Baxo de la Consideracion de que no se hable de semejantes dificultades creo que S.M. convendrá en garantir a los Estados Unidos, los derechos y Dominios como les quedaren por nuestro Tratado, estendiendome en esta parte, y demas, quanto pueda, y aun procurare interponer mis ruegos a fin de qe· S.M. Se digne tomar el temperamento mas favorable para que la Satisfaccion de las deudas de las Estados Unidos a España, sea con el alivio que les convenga.
El Honble Congreso conocerá bien la importancia de la Garantia y Amistad de uno de los primeros Soberanos de Europa que dara consistencia à la misma confederacion, y cuia magnanimidad solamente quiere que se proceda por Equidad justicia, y sinceros deseos de una amistad constante y de buena vecinidad.
No debo pues dudar de que una Confederacion tan Ilustrada corresponderà con igual gratitud; y espero que V.S. no dilatará el havilitarse, y me havisará quanto antes para que no se difiera una obra tan saludable, a que por mi parte contribuiré con la mejor voluntad en veneficio de ambas Naciones.
Tengo el honor de Subscrivirme con la mayor estimacion de VS. &a.
B.L.M. a VS. Su mas
ata. y Segro. Servr.
Diego de Gardoqui
Señor dn Juan Jay
Ministro de Negocios Extranjeros
de los Estados Unidos de America
[Translation]
New York 25 May 1786
Sir
The wished for Period is arrived that we have wished for many months when the Honble Congress should be ^that when there might wd.^ be compleated ^a^ full meeting of Congress, that you might lay before ^refer to^ them the Difficulty which you have [repo?] ^manifested^ to me respecting the ^ground^ Claim to navigate the ^River^ Mississippi which is illfounded—I request the Favor of you to do it as soon as possible, [illegible] and that you will be persuaded of what I have always assured you, that the King will not permit any Nation to navigate between the two Sides Banks belonging to his Majesty, to the from the Extent of his Conquests made by his royal arms over the English in East & West Florida, according to the Jurisdiction Dominion formerly held by the English, and the Jurisdiction exercised by the Commandant of Pensacola on which it depended, as well as the Countries to the East of the Mississippi, of which formal possession was taken by Captain Don Balthazar de Villers, commandant of the post of Arkanzar, for the his Majesty on the 22 Novr. 17801
His Majesty does not consider the Regulation made between the United States & great Britain, respecting the Territories conquered by his arms, but as a conditional agreement in which they tacitly leave safe the territorial Rights which he possessed in those parts.
These Territories were in that same State of Conquest and in the possession either ^neither^ of England or ^nor^ the united States, when they disposed of them. There can be no Doubt but that Treaty of 30 Nov. 1782, when the war between Spain & England continued, could not fix the Limits of Countries which they d were not in possession—His Majesty therefore understands those Stipulations as conditional, and dependent on the Situation in wh. things might be left by a General peace2
The honble Congress cannot be ignorant of the good and generous Disposition of his Majesty towards the united States, and the Importance of his powerful Friendship—his Majesty having been pleased to give so many strong proofs of Favor to the Americans, Captive in Barbary, and those he afterwards afforded for aiding their Commissioners to [in?] ^for^ negociating and [illegible] obtaining peace with those powers.
They should also be persuaded that the Consideration they enjoy with ^that^ the King is so great enjoys so great Consideration with those powers, that as being a Nation which possesses the Friendship of his Majesty, they may be sure of that of the Emperor of Morocco, and in a great Degree of that contracted with the Regency of algiers. america has Reason to fear the evil consequences which their all their Commerce wd experience if his royal Mediacion should be withdrawn, for they would ^she wd^ not only be deprived of that of ^in^ the mediterranean, but ^w^ould also be much interrupted in that which they ^she^ carries on with thro’ the Western Islands and Canaries, & even on their own Coasts3
It appears to me equally just to remind the Honble Congress of the Generosity with which the his Majesty ^has^ delayed requesting ev till now the paymt· of the principal [am?] of the Debts contracted by the United States both in Spain & America, being restrained by Delicacy from ^so delicate as not to^ applying for even ^for^ the Interest due thereon in Consideration of ^notwithstanding^ the Difficulties ^with^ which he perceives in their [Treasurer?] ^he provides^ for his Treasury4
These Facts appear sufficient to remove the Difficulties you have expressed ^manifested^ to me respecting the Limits, and the navigation of the said River—but I contemplate in its greatest Latitude the Risque which the united States would run, by not yielding without Delay to the just Rights of the King, of losing the only Trade whose Ballance is in their favor; exposing themselves to the Danger of injuring it but illy, and of frustrating other Compacts reciprocally useful wh. Time and Experience may under bring about
The Importance of this Object is evident in all the States, for it is well known that all their Productions will meet with a ready Sale in all the Markets of Spain, where they are paid for in Gold and Silver, whereas all other Nations pay them with Manufactures (in great part articles of Luxury) with which they impoverish this Country.
Spain in its present State is a Consumer both in Europe and america. there is not a nation but what earnestly desires the Friendship and Favor of the King; and as he has no occasion for the Codfish oil Salmon, grain, Flour, Rice, nor other Productions, he may, considering the Right which obliges his Subjects to provide themselves by their own Industry or other useful & important Means, find it convenient to prohibit them, to remind this Nation at present as a Friend, that they have no Treaty—whereas in Case they generously comply, the King will consider them in Comerce as being the most favored nacion, making reciprocal Regulations, so that whenever [he?] one is made here favorable to the Spain in Regard to Imports & Exports, with
another equal to those ^equivalent to that^ of the united States shall there be made—
No one is ignorant of the great advantages wh. the united States derive from the Trade of with Spain, from whence they Yearly extract millions, as well by their Productions, as by their navigation wh. so much promotes the Growth & Maintenance of their marine
Spain does has no occasion for the foreign Commodities to become very brilliant in its proper Dominions, and to find an advantageous Consumption for its Products & manufactures; so that the Generosity & Friendship wh she manifests proceed solely from the benevolent Attentions which with a liberal Hand the King wishes to distinguish the united States.
In consideration that nothing be said of such Difficulties, I believe that his Majesty will consent to guarantee to the United States their Rights & Dominions as they shall be left by our Treaty—I will do my best Endeavours on this & other points, and will interpose my [Interest?] Prayers to dispose ^that^ his Majesty may adopt the most favorable Measures [for R?] in order that the Satisfaction of the Debts due from the united States may to Spain may be made ^with^ such Relaxations as may be convenient to them
The Honble Congress will well percieve the Importance of the Guarantee and Friendship of one of the first Sovereigns in Europe, which will give Consistency to their Confederacy, and whose magnanimity con is conducted by Equity Justice desires only to proceed by Equity, Justice, and sincere Desires of a constant Friendship, and good Neighbourhood—
I ought not therefore to doubt but that such an illustrious Confederacy will entertain correspondent Dispositions, and I hope that you will not delay to promote it, and to advise me as soon as possible, that so salurary [salutary] a work may not be deferred, to which for my part I shall contribute with the greatest good will for the Benefit of both Nations I have the Honor to be &ca.
Diego de Gardoqui
Senr Dn. John Jay Minister for the foreign affairs of the United States
ALS, in Spanish, with English trans. in hand of JJ, DNA: PCC, item 97, 93–99, 166–69 (EJ: 3635). C, in Spanish, marked duplicate, DNA: Misc. PCC, Roll 5 (EJ: 11711); LbkC, in Spanish with English translation, DNA: PCC, item 124, 2: 185–98; Cs of English trans., DNA: Secret Foreign Journal, PCC, item 5, 3: 1132–37; DNA: PCC, item 81, 189–91 (EJ: 3912); and DNA: PCC, item 125, 26–29 (EJ: 3702); TxAuHRC (EJ: 3500); and DLC: Jefferson (EJ: 10097); 31: 469–72; 6: 153–57. For the presentation of this letter to Congress, together with a copy of an unsigned, undated note from Gardoqui, see JJ’s Report on Negotiations with Gardoqui, 3 Aug. 1786, note 1, below.
1. On 22 Nov. 1780, Captain Baltazar Devillia (or de Villers) crossed the Mississippi River 400 miles above Natchez at a place called “English Arkensaws” and buried a Spanish flag in a tin case to symbolize his having taken possession of that part of the country for Spain. See Oliver Pollock to JJ, 3 June 1785, above.
2. See the editorial note “Interfering Claims to the Mississippi River,” above.
3. For Spain’s assistance in procuring the release of the Betsey, see the editorial note “The Barbary States: A Problem with No Ready Solution,” above. Floridablanca had also informed Gardoqui that the King was protecting Americans from Morocco pirates. See 3: 80.
4. On the U.S. debt to Spain, see 2: 94–104.