Details
JEFFERSON, THOMAS, President. Autograph letter signed ("Th:J.") as Secretary of State, to "H[is] E[xcellency] the Count [Don Jose] de Florida Blanca," New York, 11 April 1790. 1 page, 4to, 226 x 185 (8 7/8 x 7 1/4 in.), docketed on verso. In fine condition.
A LETTER OF CREDENCE FROM THE FIRST SECRETARY OF STATE
An important diplomatic letter introducing an American diplomat to the liberal minister of state of Charles IV of Spain. "The President of the United States having thought proper to name Mr William Carmichael their Chargé des affaires near his Catholick Majesty, I have now the honour of announcing the same to your Excellency, & of praying you to give credence to whatever he shall say to you on my part. He knows the concern our republic takes in the interest & prosperity of Spain, our strong desire to cultivate it's friendship, & deserve it by all the good offices which esteem & neighborhood may dictate. He knows also my zeal to promote these by whatever may depend on my ministry. I have no doubt that Mr. Carmichael will so conduct himself as to merit your confidence, & I avail myself with pleasure of this occasion of tendering to you assurances of those sentiments of respect & esteem with which I have the honor to be your Excellency's most obedient & most humble servt...."
William Carmichael (d.1795), had served as secretary to Franklin, Arthur Lee and Deane in Paris during the early years of the revolution, and was largely responsible for convincing Lafayette to come to America; he then served as secretary to John Jay, Minister to Spain, and when Jay returned to America, Carmichael remained in Spain as acting chargé d'affaires. His health failing, he requested to be relieved, which Jefferson would not allow until 1794. Before Carmichael could return to America, he died. In his fourteen years in Spain, Carmichael "gained the close friendship of the Spanish foreign minister, Florida Blanca," and succeeded in negotiating the release of American hostages in Morocco, although he was "ignored by his own government, unpaid for years, and compelled to use his own resources to keep up appearances" (DAB).
Not in Papers, ed. J. P. Boyd, et al, but see 16:329-30, for the text of Jefferson's cover letter to Carmichael of the same date, noting that he encloses a letter of credence on his behalf, as well as a memorandum from John Jay regarding "inconveniences which those states bordering on the Floridas experience from the asylum afforded to their fugitive slaves in those provinces of her Catholic Majesty." See also
Samuel G. Coe, The Mission of William Carmichael to Spain (1928).
A LETTER OF CREDENCE FROM THE FIRST SECRETARY OF STATE
An important diplomatic letter introducing an American diplomat to the liberal minister of state of Charles IV of Spain. "The President of the United States having thought proper to name Mr William Carmichael their Chargé des affaires near his Catholick Majesty, I have now the honour of announcing the same to your Excellency, & of praying you to give credence to whatever he shall say to you on my part. He knows the concern our republic takes in the interest & prosperity of Spain, our strong desire to cultivate it's friendship, & deserve it by all the good offices which esteem & neighborhood may dictate. He knows also my zeal to promote these by whatever may depend on my ministry. I have no doubt that Mr. Carmichael will so conduct himself as to merit your confidence, & I avail myself with pleasure of this occasion of tendering to you assurances of those sentiments of respect & esteem with which I have the honor to be your Excellency's most obedient & most humble servt...."
William Carmichael (d.1795), had served as secretary to Franklin, Arthur Lee and Deane in Paris during the early years of the revolution, and was largely responsible for convincing Lafayette to come to America; he then served as secretary to John Jay, Minister to Spain, and when Jay returned to America, Carmichael remained in Spain as acting chargé d'affaires. His health failing, he requested to be relieved, which Jefferson would not allow until 1794. Before Carmichael could return to America, he died. In his fourteen years in Spain, Carmichael "gained the close friendship of the Spanish foreign minister, Florida Blanca," and succeeded in negotiating the release of American hostages in Morocco, although he was "ignored by his own government, unpaid for years, and compelled to use his own resources to keep up appearances" (DAB).
Not in Papers, ed. J. P. Boyd, et al, but see 16:329-30, for the text of Jefferson's cover letter to Carmichael of the same date, noting that he encloses a letter of credence on his behalf, as well as a memorandum from John Jay regarding "inconveniences which those states bordering on the Floridas experience from the asylum afforded to their fugitive slaves in those provinces of her Catholic Majesty." See also
Samuel G. Coe, The Mission of William Carmichael to Spain (1928).