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.

Sources

  1. Spain’s Diplomats in Philadelphia — Enrique Fernandez y Fernandez

    Pennsylvania Heritage, March 1978; Miralles, Rendón, and the Philadelphia legation

  2. Juan de Miralles letters to the Governor of Havana, 1778–1780

    Houghton Library, MS Sparks 97

  3. Repertorio diplomático español
  4. 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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Biography: Juan de Miralles