E. Randolph has the honor of observing to the President in reply to his queries;1 that the ruin of our merchants was expressed as strongly, as it is, in order to prepare Mr Short, in case some nervous measure should be adopted by government, with a general idea of the magnitude of the cause, before a particular explanation could be forwarded to him; and that, altho’ the jealousy mentioned by the President occurred to him, as affording a fair opportunity of pushing our rights, yet it was not mentioned, as the dispatches will go thro’ diplomatic hands here, and a public post-office in Spain. Confidence is due to the polite offer, made by the commissioners; but if by implicit confidence, the Spanish government were to seize a fact, which might fix a species of distrust in their integrity, a want of candor in us, and which, if it were even enveloped in cypher, might possibly be decyphered; I could not be sure of the consequence. Add to this, that the joint negotiation between the U.S. and Spain may possibly end, before the letter reaches Madrid; and it is very probable, that Mr Carmichael when alone, may not be equal to so delicate a game.2

E. R. will soften the strong paragraph; and if the President chooses, another will be added as to the jealousy, which may arise between G.B. & S. The messenger will bring the President’s pleasure on this head.3