Somerville in Somerset County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
World Affairs at Wallace House
Wallace House State Historic Site
The boom of thirteen cannon rang out on May 1, 1779, to announce the arrival of Spanish emissary Don Juan de Miralles and French minister Monsieur Conrad-Alexandre Gerard to meet with General George Washington, headquartered here at the Wallace House. This meeting was the first official reception of foreign representatives by an American Commander-in-Chief.
Since 1775, the Spanish Crown had supported the United States in the Revolutionary War with loans and supplies. In June 1779, one month after Miralles' visit to the Wallace House, Spain declared war on Great Britain. By seizing British posts on the Mississippi River and in Florida, Spain allowed Washington to focus the Continental Army in the east.
Miralles continued to correspond with Washington until 1780 when Miralles fell ill and died while visiting the Commander-in-Chief's headquarters at the Ford Mansion in Morristown, New Jersey.
"A journey to Philadelphia in the Winter procured me the honor of Your Excellency's favor by Don Juan De Merailles, and the pleasure of this Gentleman's acquaintance. His estimable qualities justify your recommendation &concur with it to establish him in my esteem."
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- General George Washington to Diego Joseph Navarro, Governor of Cuba, 4 March 1779
[Captions:]
From left to right:
Conrad-Alexadre Gerard, French Minister
Don Juan de Miralles, Spanish Emissary
Martha Washington, future First Lady
George Washington, Commander-in-Chief, Continental Army and future President
William Lee, enslaved valet and wartime bodyguard to Washington
Erected by New Jersey Department of Environtmental Protection, State Park Service; Iberdrola, presenter and sponsor; Fernando Vicente, illustrator.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 4, 1779.
Location. 40° 34.139′ N, 74° 37.308′ W. Marker is in Somerville, New Jersey, in Somerset County. It is on Washington Place east of South Middaugh Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 38 Washington Pl, Somerville NJ 08876, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally,
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Furman Frederick Kugler (approx. 0.2 miles away); Daniel Robert House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Borough Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Armed Forces Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); West End Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fireman's Museum (approx. Ό mile away); Jersey Central Lines (approx. Ό mile away); 150 West Main Street (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Somerville.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 132 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 20, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
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