Document, 1780 January 27
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- Name
- Carmichael, William, -1795 (Author)
- Title
- Document, 1780 January 27
- Abstract
- A rough draft of instructions for William Carmichael, as secretary to John Jay in Spain, written by Jay. Carmichael is to proceed to Madrid with all possible speed. He is to tell Mr. Galvarro (spelling?) that his not hearing of their arrival from Jay be Mr. Gerard's courier was owing to a mistake committed by both Jay and Gerard. Carmichael is to trea t the French ambassador with great attention, candor and confidence. He should impress the people at Court that the United States is a constant but independent and self-respecting nation. Carmichael should observe if the mutual disgusts which at present prevail between France and Spain is entertained in any degree at the Court. Who are King's chief confidants? Who heads the press department? What laws govern the press in Madrid and all of Spain? Which are the most favored religious orders and individuals? What is state of Spanish finances? Carmichael should impress the Spaniards that Americans feel no attachment to their late mother country; he should seek opportunities to speak about Virginia, the Western country and the Mississippi, relating of the campaigns against the Indians, of the growing settlements, of the aversion of the Westerners to English attempts to begin an Indian war, etc. Impress also on the Spaniards that Americans in general have high hopes that Jay will be well received and welcome in Madrid. If the war continues, it would be advantageous to find out Spain's military plans in areas of interest to the United States, like the Mississippi territory. Carmichael should write often and write nothing of a private nature in anything but cipher.
- Subjects
- United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783; Jay, John, 1745-1829
- Format
- correspondence
- Genre
- letters (correspondence)
- Date
- 1780 January 27
- Physical Description
- 0 pages
- Note
- The entire content of the original has been digitized.
- Library Location
- Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University
Browse Location’s Digital Content - Also In
- The papers of John Jay
- Copyright Status
- No Known Copyright
- Persistent URL
- https://dx.doi.org/10.7916/2p2a-hk05