On the 28th Ulto. I did myself the honor of addressing Yr. Exy at Bourdeaux under cover to Mr Delap.1 On the 5th Inst. I left Aranjues in a poor State of health, having been attacked by my usual disorder the Bile, from which I still suffer greatly. The Court was already preparing to quit the Sitio before I left it & the French Embassador had returned to Madrid. On these Occasions you know that there is little Access to the Ministry, I visited however his Excy the Ct. de Florida Blanca & Mr Del Campo several Times & reminded them of the Assurances given of their paying attention to your frequent applications on behalf of Individuals,2 I was well recieved & had those Assurances reiterated— The Minister seems to think the work of peace in a fair train & said it might be concluded in two months— I am told however that Spain very lately had not sent full powers for this purpose, and I have reason to think the powers to treat with your Excy are not yet on the Road— I may however be deceived. As I had dined once with the Ct. de F. B. in Consequence of the Advice of the F. E. I thought it proper not to go there on the Saturday following, as well to gratify my own feelings, as to avoid the appearance of seeming too Eager of profiting of hospitality so long delayed—

On my Arrival here I found Myself under the necessity of drawing on Doctor Franklin, who I suppose will communicate my Letter to your Excy. before this can reach you—

I am busy in arranging the Accts of Mr Cabarrus & others. His Bank however employs so much of his Time & affords such occupation to his Clerks, that it is possible I shall go to San Ildefonso before I can Obtain such a Settlement of them as will enable me to transmit them for your Excys. Approbation: Exchange is higher every day, the Depretiation of the Vales is from 3¼ to 3¼ pr Ct. and I make no doubt will be at 6 pr. Ct. in two months time— The Court has been obliged to borrow again from the Gremios, whom you will percieve by the plan of the Bank, they appeared desirous to annihilate. Officers are setting out every Day for Camp— The Operations will not Commence before the Month of August at Soonest, if in all that Month, Mr Little Page tells me he shall leave a letter with me for your Excy to be transmitted by the first Safe Opportunity— The News from the West Indies3 has sunk the hopes entertained of the Success of this Campaign & I am afraid the Affair is still worse than it is represented— The F. Embassador Communicated this Intelligence to me at Aranjues. Nobody is more Concerned than Mr Galvez on this Occasion— I have had several applications for your Mules, 90 Pistoles for the two best & 75 for the Others have been offered me— I wait your directions on this and Other Subjects & beg they may be explicit— Your People are daily Quarrelling— Manuels wife has promised to write him fully on this Subject— I am impatient to hear of your Safe arrival with Mrs Jay at Paris, to whom I intreat you to present the proper Compliments for me I have the honor to be with great Respect Your Excellencys Most Obedt. & Most Hble. Sert.4