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[The two letters from William Carmichael, Esq. (secretary of the American legation at the court of Madrid,) to Dr. Franklin, of which the following are extracts, were 5: accidentally omitted in their appropriate place in the CORRESPONDENCE, together with the subjoined curious MEMOIR of Sir John Dalrymple, referred to by Mra Carmichael; a copy of which was requested by Dr. - Franklin in his letter to that gentleman, of June 17, 1780. (See vol. I, p. 62.)].

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM W. CARMICHAEL, ESQ. TO HIS EXCELLENCY DR. FRANKLIN, PARIS.

Madrid, April 27, 1780.

"Sir John Dalrymple, whom perhaps you know personally, has been here near three weeks, under the pretext, or in reality, of travelling with his lady, who is in a bad state of health. I have been able to trace most of his motions here, which wear a suspicious appearance; and,

having some reason to think that he means to proceed hence to France, I think it my duty to inform you of it, not from any apprehension of what he may be able to effect, (because we have too many proofs to doubt now,) but that the servants of our country should not neglect to give you that advice, which I know you will receive from the Count de Vergennes, in case this philosophical traveller should visit Paris, for his health or that of his family, at this crisis."

[From the same to the same.]

Madrid, July 18, 1790.

"I thought, until the receipt of your letter (of the 17th June'), that Mr. Jay had sent you Sir John Dalrymple's memorial, and other papers, while I was at Aranjuez. He sends them, however, by this courier, and I think you will be amused in reading Sir John's reveries.

"Mr. Cumberland, a former secretary of Lord Germaine, succeeds Sir John. His residence gives no uneasiness to the Count de Montmorin, which, with the assurances that we receive from the Count de Florida Blanca, ought to remove our apprehensions."

'See Private Correspondence, Part İ. page 62.

2 The French ambassador.

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prejudicial to us, and indeed may contribute to draw on a war the sooner, by affording our enemies the encouraging confidence that a people who take so little care to pay, will not again find it easy to borrow. I received from the king, at my departure, the present of his picture set round with diamonds, usually given to ministers plenipotentiary who have signed any treaties with that court, and is at the disposition of congress, to whom be pleased to present my dutiful respects. I am, sir, with great esteem, your most obedient and most humble servant,

B. FRANKLIN.

P.S.-Not caring to trust them to a common conveyance, I send by my late secretary, W. Temple Franklin, who will have the honor of delivering them to you, all the original treaties I have been concerned in negociating, that were completed. Those with Portugal and Denmark continue in suspense.

Το

Sir,

Philadelphia, Jan. 19, 1790.

I received the letter you did me the honor of writing to me respecting the construction of the eleventh article of the treaty of commerce between France and the United States. I was indeed one of the commissioners for making that treaty ; but the commissioners bave no right to explain the treaty. Its explanation is to be sought for in its own words; and in case it cannot be clearly found there, then by an application to the contracting powers.

I certainly conceived that when the droit d'aubaine was relinquished in favor of the citizens of the United States, the relinquishing clause was meant to extend to all the dominions of his most Christian majesty; and I am of opinion, that this would not be denied if an explanation were re

quested of the court of France; and it ought to be done, if any difficulties arise on this subject in the French islands, which their courts do not determine in our favor. But, before congress is petitioned to make such request, I imagine it would be proper to have the case tried in some of the West India Islands, and the petition made in conse quence of a determination against us. I have the honor to be, &c.

B. FRANKLIN,

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[The two letters from William Carmichael, Esq. (secretary of the American legation at the court of Madrid,) to Dr. Franklin, of which the following are extracts, were accidentally omitted in their appropriate place in the CORRESPONDENCE, together with the subjoined curious MEMOIR of Sir John Dalrymple, referred to by Mr. Carmichael; a copy of which was requested by Dr. -Franklin in his letter to that gentleman, of June 17, 1780. (See vol. I, p. 62.) ].

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM W. CARMICHAEL, ESQ. TO HIS EXCELLENCY DR. FRANKLIN, PARIS.

Madrid, April 27, 1780.

"Sir John Dalrymple, whom perhaps you know personally, has been here near three weeks, under the pretext, or in reality, of travelling with his lady, who is in a bad state of health. I have been able to trace most of his motions here, which wear a suspicious appearance; and,

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