THE MISSION OF WILLIAM CARMICHAEL

TO SPAIN

CHAPTER I

CARMICHAEL'S EARLY LIFE

UNIV. OF CALIFORNIA

William Carmichael, son of a Scotch immigrant, William Carmichael, was born in Queen Anne's County, Maryland, where his father had settled near the head of the Chester river. His mother was a Miss Brooke, niece of the second wife of Richard Bennett, one of the richest planters of eastern Maryland, through whom William and his brother, Richard Bennett Carmichael, inherited the Bennett lands in Queen Anne's and Talbot Counties.1 Richard Bennett, whose father of the same name had been Governor of Virginia under the Commonwealth, had no direct heirs, which was a fortunate circumstance for the subject of this sketch, as it enabled him to follow his inclinations to travel, leaving the management of his holdings to his brother.

His education was well cared for as the character of his letters shows. His handwriting is good, his thoughts clearly expressed, and frequent classical allusions occur. The finishing touches were put on at Edinburgh, Scotland.2 His journey abroad for study was evidently prolonged in visiting the British Isles. He was in Ireland for three months in 1768, and testified to the unrest prevalent there. He also forecast the demands of the Irish for privileges during the

'Scrap Book History of Queen Anne's County, 34 (clipping from Centreville Observer, Tuesday morning, March 15, 1887), Maryland Historical Society Library, Baltimore, Md.

'Thomas Jefferson Papers, Manuscripts Division, Library of Congress, Carmichael to Jefferson, November 15, 1787.

American Revolution. He was domiciled in London, leading a gay life when the outbreak of hostilities came.*

Early in 1776 Carmichael determined to return to America, and was entrusted with despatches for the Continental Congress by Arthur Lee of Virginia, who was acting as agent for the Colonies in London. His journey was halted in Paris by a sickness which detained him through the month of June. On learning of the arrival of Silas Deane, as Commissioner from the Colonies to seek aid of France, he offered his services to Deane and remained with him, and, later, with Franklin and Lee. He was much in their confidence throughout the year 1777, and sailed for America with important dispatches in February 1778.

During this residence in Paris, Carmichael did his part to carry out the schemes for enlisting the aid of France. In fact, his efforts led him into such contact with British secret agents, that this, together with the treasonable conduct of his fellow Marylander and close friend, Hynson, has led to the suspicion that he himself was linked in the treasonable acts. The only evidence of this is that of Hynson, an acknowledged traitor, who delivered to the British agents a whole pouch of dispatches entrusted to him by the American Commissioners at Paris, and sent in their stead a pouch of blank papers to be conveyed to America.' He received money for this, and later entered the British naval service and ended his life there. Hynson, in trying to convince Colonel Edward Smith, the English agent who had corrupted him, that he was able to deliver the goods, assured him that Carmichael

'Wharton, Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, III, 625, Carmichael to John Adams, April 22, 1780.

B. F. Stevens, Facsimiles of Manuscripts in European Archives Relating to America, III, No. 248, Col. Edward Smith to Lord Stormont, March, 1777.

Carmichael MSS., Carmichael to Committee of Correspondence, Nov. 2, 1776.

Stevens, Facsimiles, XX, No. 1811, Lord Stormont to Lord Weymouth, Dec. 31, 1777.

7 Ibid., VIII, No. 810, D. Le Ray de Chaumont to Count de Vergennes.

approved his conduct. Smith reported to his Chief, Lord Stormont, British Ambassador to France," Hynson says Carmichael promises that, if necessary, perhaps he will let Hynson turn thief and steal papers of Deane and Franklin.” 8

The positive testimony of Paul Wentworth, the ablest of the British agents, is of interest beside that of Hynson, who wished more money from Smith. Wentworth the very next month reported to the Earl of Suffolk, then foreign minister, giving an excellent account of the secret aid given the Colonies by France and Spain. In discussing the Americans he mentions the conduct of Hynson, and describes him as a "simple fellow"; he then adds, "Lord Stormont made an unsuccessful attempt on a better subject, M. Carmichael.”

In seeking an advantage for the cause in which he had enlisted, Carmichael did not hesitate at trifles. He may have talked with Smith, although there is no evidence of this. In the French archives is preserved a paper of some interest in this connection. It is entitled "Gérard's Report of Mr. Deane's information as to conversations between Mr. Carmichael and an Unknown." This "Unknown" has been identified as a British agent, either Wentworth or Forth. The conversations were held nightly near the statue in the Place Vendôme, and the subject was an accommodation between England and the Colonies. Carmichael reported the agent as favorable to recognition of the independence of the Colonies if the Colonies would agree to a joint attack with England on the French West Indies and the Spanish possessions in America.10 The astute American Commissioners could readily see the advantage of communicating such propositions to the French foreign office, already disposed to fear just such an accommodation.

At this early stage of the revolt in America many felt that the breach with England was not irreparable, and a strong opposition party in England was continually haras

'Ibid., VII, No. 670, Smith to Lord Stormont, March 28, 1777. Ibid., III, No. 250, Wentworth to Earl of Suffolk, April 14, 1777. 10 Ibid., VII, No. 675, "Gérard's Report, etc.," April 3, 1777.

sing the Ministry. With some of these, Carmichael was in correspondence while in Paris, and one long letter to one of them reviews propaganda to be published in support of the campaign on the part of the opposition to force a reconciliation with the Colonies." His conduct in advising Hynson to make friends of the British agent, since a friend in that quarter might prove useful,12 may be interpreted as in line with such a belief on his part. At any rate there is no evidence that he ever received any English money, as did Bancroft and Hynson, and his conduct thereafter shows a sincere belief that independence was the goal of the Colonies.

At some time during the year 1777 a memorial of a very convincing character was prepared by William Carmichael and addressed to the "Count." That it was held to be of some importance is attested by the fact of its preservation in the French Archives for foreign affairs, as addressed either to Count D'Estaing or Count De Vergennes. This memorial discusses the reasons why France should go to war with England, and drives home the possibility of just such an accommodation between England and the Colonies as suggested above.

Late in the previous year Carmichael was sent by the Commissioners to Holland and Prussia on a secret mission.13 At this time he formed a friendship for Baron von Schulenberg, a trusted Minister of Frederick the Great, with whom he had some correspondence later, and inspired a move on the part of Prussia for a commercial treaty with the Colonies. This led to the sending of Arthur Lee later but with no immediate result.

It was on this trip that Carmichael sent his first letter direct to the "Committee of Correspondence" of the Continental Congress. This was sent from Amsterdam, Novem

11 Ibid., III, No. 288, Carmichael to M. Jean Tourville, of London, Nov. 1, 1777.

12 Ibid., VII, No. 670, Smith to Lord Stormont, March 28, 1777. 18 Ibid., VII, No. 647 (1777), Memorial of William Carmichael to the "Count."