Be pleased to accept my Thanks for the very friendly part you have acted relative to the Minister’s written Invitation left at my House, and the verbal one since conveyed from him to me by your Excellency.1 I have deliberately re-examined my former Sentiments respecting the Propriety of accepting it; and as they remain unaltered, my Respect for your Judgment leads me to refer them, fully explained, to your further Consideration—

As the minister informed your Excellency that the written Invitation was left at my house by Mistake, I think nothing remains to be said relative to it—

On the discovery of that Mistake, the Minister it seems, was so obliging as to apply for, and obtain the Consent of the King, to renew the Invitation, not in general Terms, but in Terms expressly declaring, that it was given to me as a private Gentleman, & was so to be accepted—with the additional Favor, nevertheless, of being permitted to bring Mr Carmichael with me—

The only Objection which opposes my accepting it, arises from this Question vizt. whether a Minister or Representative of an independent Sovereign, can with Propriety accept any Invitation, which in the Terms of it, empeaches his Title to that Character?

So far as this Question respects the Ministers of independent States or Kingdoms in general, Your Excellency will agree with me in opinion, that it must be answered in the Negative. The next Enquiry which presents itself is, whether the United States of America come so far under that Description, as to render this Reasoning applicable to their Ministers. Every American thinks they do— Whatever Doubts this, or other Courts may entertain relative to their Independence, the United States entertain none: and therefore their Servants ought not, by Words or Actions, to admit any. For Instance—ought General Washington to accept an Invitation which expressly upon imposed upon him the Condition of laying aside his Uniform, and appearing at Table in the Dress of a private Gentleman? I think not—

If this Reasoning be just, the Impropriety of my accepting this Invitation becomes manifest, and all Arguments from the Expediency of it, must cease to operate— For my Part, I consider it as a general Rule, that altho particular Circumstances may sometimes render it expedient for a Nation to make great Sacrifices to the attainment of national Objects, yet it can in no Case be expedient for them to impair their Honor, their Dignity, or their Independence—

As to the temporary Advantages which might result from accepting this Invitation— I find them ballanced by, at least, equal Disadvantages— There can be no Doubt, on the one Hand, but that my frequenting the Count de Florida Blanca’s Table, on the Days appointed for entertaining foreign Ministers, would impress a general Opinion, that Spain was about to become our Allies; and I readily admit that such an Opinion might operate to our Advantage in other Countries— But on the other Hand, when the Count de Florida Blanca, in order (tho perhaps in vain) to save appearances, shall inform those foreign Ministers, that I was expressly invited as a private Gentleman, and had consented to come in that Character, they would naturally entertain Ideas which would tend to diminish, rather than increase their Respect for America, & american Legations—

It would give me Pain if the Count de Florida Blanca should suppose me to be in the least influenced by the promising aspect of our affairs. I flatter myself he will not incline to that opinion, when he reflects on the particular Circumstances, under which the United States declared themselves independent, and under which they afterwards refused to treat with their then victorious Enemies, on any Terms inconsistent with it—

Altho Offence and Disrespect are very far from my thoughts, I fear the Count will be a little Hurt at my declining the Invitation in Question— I am persuaded that he meant to do me a Favor, and I feel myself indebted for his friendly Intentions— But as the Considerations mentioned in this Letter, forbid me to accept it, I wish to communicate that Circumstance to him in the most soft and delicate Manner, and therefore request the Favor of your Excellency to undertake it—2 I have the Honor to be with great Esteem and Respect Your Excellency’s most obedient & very h’ble Servant