1143. CARMICHAEL (William), Spanish Mission and.—
I think it probable that Mr. Carmichael will impute to me an event
which must take place this year. In truth, it
is so extraordinary a circumstance, that a public
agent placed in a foreign court for the purpose
of correspondence, should, in three years, have
found means to get but one letter to us, that he
must himself be sensible that if he could have
sent us letters, he ought to be recalled as
negligent, and if he could not, he ought to be
recalled as useless. I have, nevertheless, procured
his continuance, in order to give him an
opportunity which occurred of his rendering
a sensible service to his country, and thereby
drawing some degree of favor on his return.—
To Colonel David. Washington ed. iii, 532.
(Pa.,
1793)
