[ [9] This intelligence, which was entirely erroneous, was probably sent into France by design, with a view of creating there a false impression as to the real plans of the British Government.
[ [10] The following extract of a letter from the Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, will show the origin of Mr Lee’s journey to Spain.
Paris, February 6th, 1777.—“Finding that our residence here together is nearly as expensive as if we were separate, and having reason to believe that one of us might be useful in Madrid, and another in Holland and some Courts further northward, we have agreed that Mr Lee go to Spain, and either Mr Deane or myself (Dr Franklin) to the Hague. Mr Lee sets out tomorrow, having obtained passports, and a letter from the Spanish Ambassador here, to the Minister there. The journey to Holland will not take place so soon. The particular purposes of these journies we cannot prudently now explain.”
[ [11] This blank should probably be filled up with the name of Count d’Aranda, the Spanish Ambassador in France.
[ [12] Although the above Memorial purports to have been presented to the Court of Spain, it would appear, that it was put into the hands of the Marquis de Grimaldi while he was at Burgos, and that he returned an answer probably without consulting the Court, when he met Mr Lee shortly afterwards at Vitoria.
[ [13] This answer seems to have been a verbal one.
[ [14] At the bottom of this letter, and of the Memorial to the Court of Spain, Mr Lee signs himself, “Commissioner Plenipotentiary from the Congress of the United States of America.” But this must have been for the greater formality, as he had not yet received any appointment to Spain from Congress, but only went there by the advice of the Commissioners in Paris. [See p. 40, of this volume.]
[ [15] For a copy of Dr Franklin’s Commission from Congress to the Court of Spain, see the Secret Journal of Congress, Vol. II. p. 42, under the date of January 2d, 1777.
[ [16] [See above, p. 59, Gardoqui’s letter of April 28th.]
[ [17] Memorial to the Court of Spain, dated Burgos, March 8th.—[See above, p. 41.]