I have the honor of transmitting to your Excellency in the enclosed papers,[16] all the intelligence I have received from Madrid. Mr Secretary Thompson will decypher them. An opinion begins to prevail, that America will be the theatre of war the ensuing campaign, and that the islands there will be the principal objects of contention.
I have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN JAY.
FOOTNOTE:
[16] See above, p. [207], Mr Carmichael's letter, dated February 15th, and Mr Jay's reply, p. [211], dated February 25th. See also a letter in Carmichael's Correspondence, dated February 18th.
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Cadiz, March 3d, 1780.
Sir,
Agreeably to my promise to the Marquis de la Flotte, I must inform your Excellency, that a Monsieur Jean Guy Guatier, merchant at Barcelona, recommended to the Marquis by Monsieur Aubere, the French consul there, is desirous of becoming the consul of the United States at that port. He had been encouraged, as M. Aubere says, to expect this appointment by Dr Franklin, but as he supposed my arrival would prevent the Doctor's interference, it became necessary to make the application to me. I told the Marquis that my commission did not authorise me to comply with his request, and that all I could do would be to mention his friend's application to Congress.