Notes on a Conference between his Excellency the Count de Florida Blanca and Mr. Jay in the Office of the former at Aranjues 2d. June 1780. Reduced to writing immediately after the Conference ended by Mr. Carmichael who was present at it.

In consequence of a Card received by Mr. Jay yesterday from his Excellency the Count de Florida Blanca, appointing him a Meeting at nine this Evening, Mr. Jay waited on him at that Hour.1 The Conversation commenced on the part of the Minister with Polite inquiries for the State of Mr. Jay’s health, which he said had induced him not to send the notes promised on the former meeting, at the Time then appointed, as he had been informed that he was indisposed. He attributed to his own frequent ill State of health (a disorder of the nerves occasioned by his necessary application to business) the disappointment and delay to which, without intending it, the business that passed through his hands was sometimes subjected. He then said that on Sunday following at Eleven in the forenoon, if Mr. Carmichael would wait on him, He would send Mr. Jay the notes formerly promised him. He added that his reason for desiring to see him at present, proceeded from something mentioned to him by the French Ambassador, of which he supposed he was Informed. He recapitulated what he had beforementioned of the Kings good Faith, and favorable disposition towards America, and entered more fully into his conduct in the negotiation with Great Britain when the Court of Spain proposed a truce between that Country and the United States, observing that as the King at that period was determined not to sacrifice our Interests, it could not be supposed, that now, when at war with Great Britain His Majesty would be less disposed to maintain them. After these reflections and assurances, He told Mr. Jay that the Person lately from England by the way of Portugal was the Chaplain of their Former Embassay at London, that he had been there for some time on his private Affairs, and had at the same Time Instructions concerning an exchange of Prisoners, which their sufferings rendered expedient, that the Death of an Uncle, a Chaplain of the Court had obliged him to return: That an English Gentleman and his Family had come to Lisbon with him under the pretext or really on account of the Ill health of a Daughter, to whom the Duke of Dorset was much attached; That the opposition made by his friends to the marriage had affected her Health, and that his Family was desirous of passing through Spain to Italy. He added that this Gentleman was one of Lord George Germaine’s Secretaries, and would perhaps have some proposals to make for an exchange of Prisoners, and possibly others of a different nature, which he assured Mr Jay should be communicated to him as candidly as he had communicated, the extravagant Scheme presented by Sir J. Dalrymple.2 He desired Mr. Jay therefore to make himself easy on this Subject, giving new assurances of the Kings strict regard to Justice and good Faith and of his disposition to assist America. Mr. Jay begged him to be persuaded of the perfect Confidence of America, and his own, and of their reliance on the good Faith, Justice, and Honor of his Catholic Majesty; That he had no other apprehension from the circumstance of English mens resorting to this Court, than that the Enemy would on this, as on former occasions avail themselves of it, by endeavoring to alarm and deceive our People. The Count de Florida Blanca assured Mr Jay that he would shortly give him such proofs of the Kings intentions, as would enable him to prevent any bad effects from such misrepresentations, and convince America of his Majesty’s favorable disposition and good Faith. After repeating assurances of his full Confidence, Mr Jay mentioned, that he had received two Bills of exchange drawn by Order of Congress on him, and that he should take no measures on that Subject, as he had had before the honor of telling him ’till he consulted his Excellency. The Count, having asked the amount, and being told that the Bills were for between six and seven hundred Dollars, told him smiling that he might accept them, and he hoped so to arrange matters, as in a short Time to make him easy on that Head. He then said that an expedition had been suggested to him in which the Americans might cooperate, but without entering into particulars, He recollected himself, and said he would send the project to Mr. Jay by Mr. Carmichael at the same Time should give him the other papers.3 The Conference ended with mutual compliments.