New York October the 6. 1785
Sir,
The letter that your Excellency did me the honor to write to me on the 8th of October last, was delivered to me by Sr. Dn. Diego de Gardoque immediately on his arrival.1 Being soon after much indisposed, it became necessary for me to retire from Congress for the recovery of my health, and that circumstance deprived me of the pleasure of writing to your Excellency by a more early conveyance. The appointment of Mr. Gardoque gave great satisfaction to the United States, and I flatter myself that the manner in which he was received, and will continue to be treated, will be perfectly agreeable to his Catholic Majesty. Be assured Sir that it is the sincere wish of this Country, not only to be on good terms with, but to cultivate the friendship of the Spanish Monarchy; and I am warranted to add, that the United States will chearfully join in concerting and concluding such friendly and commercial connections with his Majesty, as by properly settling territorial questions, and regulating the intercourse of the two nations on principles of reciprocity, may produce and perpetuate mutual harmony and good will between them. I pray God to bless your Excellency with long life, health, and happiness.
With every consideration of high esteem and respect I have the honor to be Sir your Excellencies most obedient & most humble servant,
Richard Henry Lee. P.
File copy, Lee Papers, American Philosophical Society. In the hand of Richard Henry Lee.
1 For Lee's receipt of this letter and referral of it to Congress and to the secretary for foreign affairs, John Jay, see Lee to Jay, September 11. Upon receiving Floridablanca's letter from Congress, Jay drafted a response which he submitted to Congress October 6. The present text, which is the one copied into the presidential letterbook (PCC, item 16, fols. 322 - 23), varies only slightly from Jay's draft. Cf. JCC, 29:809.