Juan de Miralles
Juan de Miralles came to the American colonies from Havana in 1778, settling in Philadelphia as an informal Spanish representative. He maintained communications with José de Gálvez, the minister of the Indies, before Spain formally recognized American independence. He died while visiting Washington’s headquarters at Morristown in April 1780; Washington presided over his funeral. 1, 2
Washington Appointments
- Spain — Representative, 1778–1780
Archival Sources
Archival references used in this account; descriptions and access vary by repository.
- Juan de Miralles letters to the Governor of Havana, 1778–1780
hollisarchives.lib.harvard.edu
Houghton Library, MS Sparks 97
Sources
- Spain’s Diplomats in Philadelphia — Enrique Fernandez y Fernandez
Pennsylvania Heritage, March 1978; Miralles, Rendón, and the Philadelphia legation
- Juan de Miralles letters to the Governor of Havana, 1778–1780
Houghton Library, MS Sparks 97
- Repertorio diplomático español
- Spain — U.S. Chief of Protocol incoming representatives
Biography checked 2026-10-29.
Cite or Reuse This Biography
Juan de Miralles. Chanceries Diplopedia. Biography reviewed 2026-10-29. Record 33cdd5ddc0e7d69d. https://chanceries.org/diplopedia/people/juan-miralles-e097f5d882/
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