Permit me thro’ your Excellency, to have the honour of representing to his most Catholic Majesty, that on the sixth Day of February 1778 the respective Plenipotentiaries of his most Christian Majesty and the united States of America, by whom the treaties now subsisting between them were concluded did make and subscribe a secret article in the words following.

Vizt.

“The most Christian King declares in consequence of the Intimate union which subsists between him and the King of Spain, that in concluding with the United States of America this treaty of Amity and Commerce, and that of eventual and defensive Alliance, his Majesty hath intended, and intends, to reserve expressly, as he reserves by this present separate and secret act, to his said Catholic Majesty, the power of acceding to the said treaties, and to participate in their Stipulations, at such time, as he shall Judge proper. It being well understood nevertheless, that if any of the Stipulations of the said Treaties are not agreeable to the King of Spain, his Catholic Majesty may propose other Conditions analogous to the principal aim of the Alliance, and conformable to the Rules of equality reciprocity and friendship. The Deputies of the United States in the name of their Constituents, accept the present Declaration, in its full extent and the Deputy of the said States, who is fully impowered to treat with Spain promises to sign on the first requisition of his Catholic Majesty, the act or acts, necessary to communicate to him, the Stipulations of the treaties above written: And the said Deputy shall endeavour, in good faith, the adjustment of the Points, in which the King of Spain may propose any Alteration conformable to the Principles of equality, reciprocity and perfect Amity; He the said Deputy not doubting, but that the Person or Persons empowered by his Catholic Majesty to treat with the United States, will do the same with regard to any Alterations of the same kind, that may ^be^ thought necessary by the said Plenipotentiary of the United States.

In faith whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the present separate and secret Article, and affixed to the same their seals. Done at Paris this sixth day of February one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight.”

The Congress willing to manifest their Readiness fully to comply with an article, which they have reason to believe particularly agreable to their great & good ally, and being desirous of establishing perpetual Amity and Harmony with a Prince and Nation; whom they greatly respect, and with whom various circumstances lead them to wish for the most cordial and permanent Friendship, have thought proper to Request his most Catholic Majesty to accede to the said treaties, and thereby preclude the necessity of that measures originating in the manner specified in the Article. For this purpose They have done me the honor to appoint me their Minister Plenipotentiary, and directed me to communicate to his most Christian Majesty, the desire of Congress on this Subject, and to request his favourable Interposition.2 They also made it my duty to give his most Catholic Majesty the fullest assurances of their Sincere disposition to cultivate his friendship and confidence, and authorized me on their behalf, to enter into such treaties of Alliance Amity and Commerce, as will become the lasting foundations of perpetual Peace to Spain, and the United States, and the source of Extensive advantages to Both.3

Thus Commissioned, I embarked without delay on board the Frigate which had been appointed to carry the Sieur Girard to France, and sailed with him for that Kingdom from Pennsylvania, on the twenty sixth day of October last. But after having been thirteen days at Sea, the Frigate was dismasted, and so greatly injured her Rudder, as to Oblige us to alter our course, and Steer for Martinico.— We arrived there on the eighteenth of December last, and sailed from thence on the Twenty eighth of the same month, in a french Frigate, which was bound for Toulon, but had orders to touch at this port for Intelligence. We arrived here the twenty second Inst. and recieved information of recent events, which rendered the further prosecution of our voyage too hazardous to be prudent.4

Providence having thus been pleased to bring me directly to Spain, the Respect due to his most Catholic Majesty forbids me to postpone communicating to Him my appointment and arrival; and the same motive will induce me to remain here till he shall be pleased to signify to me his pleasure—for altho’ nothing would afford me more sensible pleasure than the honour of presenting to his Majesty the dispatches, which I am charged by the Congress to Deliver to Him. Yet on this, as every other occasion, it shall be my study to execute the Trust reposed in me in the manner most pleasing to his Majesty; agreable to the true Intent and meaning of the Article Abovementioned. And that his most Christian Majesty may have the highest Evidence of the Intention and desire of Congress fully and faithfully to execute this Article, I shall immediately do myself the honor of communicating the same, together with my appointment and arrival; and I flatter myself that the request of Congress for his favourable interposition, will meet with the same friendly Attention, which he has uniformly extended to all their Concerns, and of which I am too sensible, not to derive the highest Satisfaction from acknowledging on every occasion.

Mr. Carmichael my Secretary will have the honor of delivering this dispatch to Your Excellency as well as giving every Information in his power to afford. This Gentleman was a Member of Congress at the time of his appointment, and will be able more fully to express the ardor with which the United States desires to establish a union with France and Spain on Principles productive of such mutual Attachment & reciprocal Benefits, as to secure to each, the blessings of uninterrupted Tranquillity. I have the honor to be with great consideration and Respect Your Excellencys Most Obedient & most Humble Sert.