Don Juan de Miralles: George Washington’s Spanish Friend & Ally

Paul F. Soltis, historian for Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Sites, reads and discusses the correspondence between Don Juan de Miralles and George Washington during the American Revolution, offering new insight into Spanish and Hispanic contributions to the independence of the United States in the Revolutionary War.

Representing the Spanish Crown to the Continental Congress, Don Juan de Miralles of Cuba came twice to New Jersey in the American Revolution. In spring 1779, Don Juan visited Washington’s Headquarters at the Wallace House, the first official reception of foreign representatives by an American Commander in Chief. The following spring, in 1780, Don Juan joined Washington’s Headquarters at the Ford Mansion, falling ill and passing away, prompting grief from the Commander in Chief and cross-cultural efforts of the Army and Congress to honor the memory of George Washington’s Spanish friend and ally.

⭐ Revolution NJ is New Jersey’s official observance of the 250th anniversaries of New Jersey’s first Constitution July 2, 2026 and the American Revolution in New Jersey from 2024 – 2033.