1. King Charles III of Spain (1716–1788) had begun his rule in 1759.

2. Miralles apparently enclosed a Spanish original and an English translation of a document drawn for Congress at Philadelphia on 24 Nov. (both in DLC:GW). The translation reads: “Don Juan de Miralles Commission’d with Sufficient authority by order from His Excellency, Don Diego Joseph Navarro, Governour and Captn General of the Island of Cuba dated at the Havanna, the 19th & 22nd of July last, proceeding from them that have be[en] comunicated to him by His Catholic Majesty my Master’s Ministery, to Instruct and represent to the Honourable Congress of the Thirteen United States of America, to all and to each of the respectable Members, by whom it is form’d, of the following particulars.

“That having the Said Majesty employ’d all the prudent and best endeavours, that always dictates his regard towards Peace, and good to mankind, to terminate the War between France and England, he has Seen that this Power, delay’d with bad View, and refused in very unproper terms, accepting the Justs propositions which His Majesty has Offer’d in quality of a Powerfull mediator, and his Sovereign Sufference not been able, to keep any longer the Capritious ends of the Court of London His Majesty has determin’d to declare War, against the King of England and has ordered His Subjects the Publication of it with the greatest formality and Solemnity in all his Royal Dominions, and accordingly was Publish’d in the Town of Havanna the 22d of July Last.

“Having bee[n] offered by the Honourable Continental Congress the Conquest or taken of the Town of St Augustin of Florida, and deliver it to Spain it is encharged to me, to inspire and request Said Conquest, as well as by the importance of it’s Issue, as to call by that part the attention of the English, to the end, that they may not employ their Strength in the defence of Pensacola, the Mobila, and Posts at Mississippy—against who have already begun the Hostilitys by the Arms of His Catholic Majesty under the Command of the Govor Genl of Luciana [Louisiana].

“In the Same manner to enable the Govor and Captn Genl of Havanna to direct His Operations according to the Strength under his Command; I am desired to let him know in what time and with what force by Sea and by Land will the Honourable Continental Congress be able to undertake the Conquest or acquisition of St Augustin of Florida.

“Likewise it is wish’d that the Honourable Congress Should endeavour to atract the Conquest of the Territories in the Possetion of the English on the back of the Province of the Luciana and it’s Neighbourhood, and as for the better exit of the enterprize, great deal may contribute the directions that the Governour Genl of Luciana may give; its wish’d to know the intentions of the Honourable Congress, to comunicate them to that of the Havanna, to the end that this Shou’d Send them to that of the Luciana, for him to call for the Plan of Operations, that Said enterprize may be facilitated, to which end Said Govor of Luciana will do every thing in Concord with what will lay in his Power.

“Also coud wish the Said Captn Genl of Havanna to be inform’d with what kind of Provisions and Productions of these United States coud abundantly be Supply’d the Said Town and Island of Cuba as likewise the rest of His Majesty’s Possetions in America to the end that with full knowledge of all may be directed in future Plans or projects that may be intended.”

GW subsequently consulted with a congressional committee about the Spanish proposals (see GW’s first letter to Nathanael Greene, 7 Dec., n.1). Writing from Philadelphia on 17 Dec., Samuel Huntington, president of Congress, then advised French minister Anne-César, Chevalier de La Luzerne, who served as a liaison for Miralles: “I am directed to inform you that Congress in order to testify their attention to the interest of his Catholic Majesty, appointed a Committee to Confer with General Washington on the subject of your letter accompanying the representation of Don Juan de Miralles; And though from the result of their conference they have reason to believe that our grand Army Cannot be weakened, while the enemy retain their present force at New York, without considerable danger; yet they have Upon Mature deliberation determined rather to incur that danger than not comply as far as is consistent with our Circumstances, with the views of his Catholic Majesty to whom they feel themselves bound by that Union of interest which a common enemy creates; by the favorable disposition manifested by his Catholic Majesty to these United States, and by those pleasing ties which connect the house of Bourbon with the happiness of mankind. Under these impressions they have ordered a Considerable detachment from the grand Army to join the troops in Carolina; which together with the forces already there or on the way will amount to about four thousand men, exclusive of the militia of the southern States whom Congress have called for upon this Occasion. Congress have also Ordered three of their Frigates to Charlestown to be put under the direction of the Commanding Officer in that department. This force they conceive will make so powerful a diversion in favour of his Catholic Majesty’s arms as to afford probable hopes of their being crowned with success. You will perceive, Sir, that any other co-operation with the troops of Spain is impossible while Savanna Opposes a barrier to a junction of our force. This from its present strength will not be easy for us to remove, till a more decided superiority in this quarter enables us to transfer a greater proportion of our Army thither, unless in the mean time the Governor of the Havannah shall think proper to furnish such aid, as when joined to the forces of the United States in that quarter will be sufficient to effect the purposes before mentioned. …

“I am, Sir, directed further to inform You that though Congress cannot promise any Considerable quantity of provisions until the Army of the United States are supplied, yet as soon as this can be done every means will be used to furnish provisions for his Catholic Majesty’s Islands and fleet. But in the mean time they Conceive that a large supply of rice may be Afforded by the State of South Carolina which Congress will readily aid the Agents of Spain in procuring” (Smith, Letters of Delegates, description begins Paul H. Smith et al., eds. Letters of Delegates to Congress, 1774–1789. 26 vols. Washington, D.C., 1976–2000. description ends 14:274–76; see also JCC, description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends 15:1386–89).

3. GW replied to Miralles on 7 December.