citizens of America, is a question whose importance will not, I am
persuaded, escape the notice of Congress. A sensible, active consul is
a very useful officer in many respects, and has many opportunities of
doing essential services to those who employ him, or to whom he may be
most attached. It is most certain, that for want of proper persons
appointed to take care of our distressed seamen, who, escaping from
captivity at Lisbon, Gibraltar, &c. daily arrive here, America loses
many of them. Humanity as well as policy calls for this provision. I
have some of them now with me, destitute of bread and money, and
almost of clothes, and of the means of getting either, unless by
entering into the French or Spanish service. Such as may arrive here
after my going to Madrid will be friendless unless I employ some
person to take a little care of them, which I shall take the liberty
of doing, being fully persuaded that the same principles which press
me into that measure will induce Congress to approve it.
I have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN JAY.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Cadiz, March 3d, 1780.
Sir,
Captain Morgan being still here, waiting for a fair wind, I have an
opportunity of transmitting to your Excellency a copy of a letter[17]
just come to hand from the Count de Florida Blanca, in answer to mine
to M. Galvez.
Being apprehensive that if present I should probably be amused with
verbal answers capable of being explained away if necessary, until the
two courts could have time to consult and decide on their measures, I
thought it more prudent that my first application should be by letter
rather than in person.
The answer in question, divested of the gloss which its politeness
spreads over it, gives us, I think, to understand, that our
independence shall be acknowledged, provided we accede to certain
terms of treaty, but not otherwise; so that the acknowledgment is not
to be made because we are independent, which would be candid and
liberal, but because of the previous considerations we are to give for
it, which is consistent with the principles on which nations usually
act.
I shall proceed immediately to Madrid. There are many reasons
(hereafter to be explained,) which induce me to suspect that France is
determined to manage between us, so as to make us debtors to their
influence and good correspondence with Spain for every concession on
her part, and to make Spain hold herself obligated to their influence
and good correspondence with us for every concession on our part.
Though this may puzzle the business, I think it also promotes it.
M. Gerard has often endeavored to persuade me, that a certain
resolution of Congress would, if persisted in, ruin the business,
which however he did not appear much inclined to believe, but, on the
contrary, that if every other matter was adjusted you would not part
on that point. I assured him that ground had, in my opinion, been
taken with too much deliberation now to be quitted, and that
expectations of that kind would certainly deceive those who trusted
them. And, indeed, as affairs are now circumstanced, it would, in my
opinion, be better for America to have no treaty with Spain, than to
purchase one on such servile terms. There was a time when it might
have been proper to have given that country something for their making
common cause with us, but that day is now past. Spain is at war with
Britain.
I do not like the cypher in which I write, and shall therefore defer
further particulars till Mr Thompson shall receive the one now sent
him.
I have the honor to be, with great respect and esteem, your
Excellency's most obedient servant,
JOHN JAY.
FOOTNOTE:
[17] See this letter above, dated February 24th, p. 210.
* * * * *
DE NEUFVILLE & SON TO JOHN JAY.
Amsterdam, April 6th, 1780.
Sir,
We beg leave to congratulate your Excellency on your safe arrival in
Europe. By principle warmly attached to the American cause, we could
wish that we saw our States in a situation to acknowledge the
independence of their sister Republic, and though we could only
cultivate private connexions as yet, we took the liberty to address
some intelligence to your Excellency when President of Congress. We
should reckon ourselves extremely happy to know whether our letter
came to hand before your Excellency left Philadelphia, and whether we
may form any hopes that our zeal may prove successful for the benefit,
as we intended, of both countries.
Meanwhile we have the honor to be, with all possible regard, &c.
JOHN DE NEUFVILLE & SON.
* * * * *
ANSWER TO DE NEUFVILLE & SON.
Madrid, April 27th, 1780.
Gentlemen,
I have had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 6th instant,
and am much obliged by your kind congratulations on my arrival in
Europe.
The letters you mention to have written to Congress had been received
before I left Philadelphia, and referred to a committee. This mark of
attention was justly due to the interest you take in the American
cause, and the disposition you manifest to serve it. I presume that
the committee soon made a report, and that answers to your letters
have been written, although perhaps the many hazards to which letters
from America are exposed may have prevented their reaching you.
When the rulers of your republic recollect in what manner and on what
occasion they became free, I am persuaded they cannot but wish
duration to our independence, nor forbear considering it as an event
no less interesting to every commercial nation in Europe than
important to America. These and similar considerations, added to the
injustice they daily experience from England, will, I hope, induce
them to call to mind that spirit of their forefathers, which acquired
a glorious participation in the empire of the ocean, and laid the
foundation of the commerce, affluence, and consideration they
transmitted to their posterity.
Permit me to assure you that I shall consider your correspondence as a
favor, and that I am, with great respect, &c.
JOHN JAY.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Madrid, May 26th, 1780.
Sir,
Since my departure from America I have had the honor of writing the
following letters to your Excellency, viz. 20th, 22d, 24th, 25th,
25th, 26th and 27th of December, 1779, from Martinique; and 27th of
January, 20th, 28th and 29th of February, and 3d of March, 1780, from
Cadiz. I am still uncertain whether any, and which of them, have come
to your hands, and request the favor of particular information on this
subject.
Of such of them as respect immediately the business committed to me I
now send duplicates, as well as copies of such other papers as, taken
collectively, will give Congress a full and accurate state of their
affairs here.
This packet, of which an exact copy goes by another vessel, will
appear voluminous. It will nevertheless be found interesting. I have
interspersed such observations as to me appeared proper for the
purpose of explanation.
On the 22d of January, 1780, I arrived at Cadiz, without letters of
credit or recommendation to any person there. The Chevalier Roche (a
passenger with us) was so obliging as to procure me credit for about
two hundred pounds sterling with a relation of his, to whom I was
obliged to give a bill on Dr Franklin at a more than usual short
sight. I afterwards became acquainted with the house of Le Couteulx
and Company, who offered me what money I might want, and furnished me
accordingly, with great cheerfulness. I was very disagreeably
circumstanced.
Finding reports ran hard against American credit, and that bills on Dr
Franklin were held very cheap, by reason of his having, as was there
said, postponed, delayed, and in some instances refused payment of
them, on very frivolous pretences, I did, on the 26th of January,
1780, inform him by letter of my arrival, and of these reports.
In answer to this, the Doctor, on the 7th of April, 1780, wrote me a
very friendly letter, asserting these reports to be false, and
enclosing a certificate of his banker, which proved them to be so. Of
this I have made the proper use, and as the same reports prevailed in
Martinique, and probably in the other islands, I wish the remedy to be
as extensive as the mischief, and therefore transmit the following
extract from his letter on that subject, and a copy of the certificate
mentioned in it.
_Extract of a Letter from his Excellency Dr Franklin,
dated April 7th, 1780._
"The reports you tell me prevail at Cadiz, that the Loan
Office Bills, payable in France, have not been duly honored,
are wicked falsehoods. Not one of them, duly endorsed by the
original proprietor, was ever refused by me, or the payment
delayed a moment. And the few not so endorsed have been also
paid on the guarantee of the presenter, or some person of
known credit. No reason whatever has been given for refusing
payment of a bill, except this very good one that either the
first, second, third or fourth of the same set had been
already paid. The pretence that it was necessary for the
whole set to arrive before the money could be paid, is too
absurd and ridiculous for anyone to make use of, who knows
anything of the nature of exchange. The unexpected large
draughts made upon me by Congress and others, exclusive of
these from the Loan Office, have indeed sometimes embarrassed
me not a little, and put me to difficulties. But I have
overcome those difficulties, so as never to have been obliged
to make the smallest excuse, or desire the least delay of
payment from any presenter of such bills. Those reports must
therefore have been contrived by enemies to our country, or
by persons who proposed an advantage to themselves by
purchasing them at an under rate. Enclosed I send you a
certificate of our banker in refutation of those calumnies."
_Copy of the abovementioned Certificate._
Translation.
"I, the subscriber, banker at Paris, and alone charged with
the payment of the bills of the Loan Office, declare, that I
have paid, without exception or delay, all such bills to this
date, accepted by his Excellency Dr Franklin; that, to my
knowledge, no such bill has been refused payment; but that
several have been presented after they had been once paid.
"I declare further, that whatever is contradictory to this
present is false.
"In testimony of which I have here signed my name at Paris,
this 15th of March, 1780.
GRAND."
It appearing to me of importance that I should as soon as possible be
informed of the measures, which Mr Arthur Lee might have taken leading
to a treaty between the United States and Spain, I did, on the 26th of
January, 1780, write him a letter, of which the following is a
copy.[18]
Mr Lee, in answer to this, wrote me a polite letter on the 17th of
March, 1780. The following is a copy of it.[19]
As, for reasons, which will appear in the course of the following
papers, and which I hope will meet with the approbation of Congress,
it became proper for me to remain in Spain, I apprised the Court of
France of it by a letter to his Excellency the Count de Vergennes, on
the 27th of January, 1780, of which the following is a copy.[20]
The Count's answer to this is in the following words.
Translation.
"Versailles, March 13th, 1780.
"Sir,
"I have received your favor of the 27th of January, and I am
fully sensible of the confidence you have reposed in me, by
communicating to me the object of your mission. You know too
well the attachment of his Majesty to the United States, not
to feel assured that he sincerely wishes you success, and
will be eager to contribute to it. The Count de Montmorin has
received instructions accordant with this disposition, and I
do not doubt that your confidence in him will enable him to
fulfil them to your entire satisfaction.
"I have the honor to be, &c.
DE VERGENNES."
On the 9th of May, 1780, I replied to the Count as follows.
"Aranjues, May 9th, 1780.
"Sir,
"The letter which your Excellency did me the honor to write
me, on the 13th of March last, was delivered to me by the
Count de Montmorin on my arrival at Madrid.
"I should not have thus long delayed the pleasure of replying
to it, if I could have prevailed upon myself to have given
your Excellency complimentary professions, instead of sincere
assurances. Unreserved confidence in an Ambassador of our
great and good ally was just, as well as natural; and I am
exceedingly happy to find that personal considerations,
instead of forbidding, prompt it. M. Gerard, whose judgment I
greatly respect, had given me a very favorable impression of
this gentleman, and I am convinced from my own observation,
that he was not mistaken. His conduct towards me has been
that of a wise minister, and a candid gentleman. Your
Excellency may therefore rely upon his receiving all that
confidence from me, which these considerations dictate.
Permit me to add, that I never indulge myself in
contemplating the future happiness and independence of my
country, without feeling the warmest attachment to the Prince
and people, who are making such glorious exertions to
establish them.
"With the most lively sentiments of respect and esteem, I
have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN JAY."
I requested the favor of M. Gerard to inform me, to which of the
Ministers of Spain it would be proper to address any letters, which I
might think proper to write to that court. He told me M. Galvez, and
enumerated his reasons for thinking so. On the 27th of January, 1780,
I wrote a letter to that Minister. The following is a copy of it.[21]
Mr Carmichael was the bearer of this letter, and as his going to
Madrid to expedite an answer to it would give him an opportunity of
acquiring, as well as giving information on several subjects, I gave
him the following instructions.[22]
I have desired Mr Carmichael, for greater certainty, to give me notes
in writing of all the information he gained in pursuance of these
instructions, but he has postponed it for the sake of enlarging them
by some important additions.
My letter to M. Galvez was answered the 24th of February, 1780, by the
Count de Florida Blanca, in the words following, viz.[23]
To this letter I replied as follows, viz.
"Cadiz, March 6th, 1780.
"Sir,
"I have been honored with your Excellency's favor of the
24th ultimo, which did not come to my hands till sometime
after its arrival.
"The sentiments which his Majesty is pleased to entertain of
me, together with the polite manner in which your Excellency
has been so obliging as to express them, demand my warmest
acknowledgments, and give additional force to the many
motives, which render me desirous of a permanent union
between his Majesty and the United States.
"The honor and probity, which have ever characterised the
conduct of Spain, together with the exalted reputation his
Majesty has acquired, by being an eminent example of both,
have induced the people of the United States to repose the
highest confidence in the proofs they have received of his
friendly disposition towards them; and to consider every
engagement with this monarchy as guarantied by that faith,
and secured by that ingenuousness, which have so gloriously
distinguished his Majesty and this kingdom among the other
Princes and nations of the earth.
"Permit me to request the favor of your Excellency to assure
his Majesty, that the people of the United States are
convinced, that virtue alone can animate and support their
governments; and that they can in no other way establish and
perpetuate a national character, honorable to themselves and
their posterity, than by an unshaken adherence to the rules
which religion, morality, and treaties may prescribe for
their conduct. His royal mind may also be persuaded, that
gratitude will never cease to add the influence of
inclination to the power of dignity, in rendering them
solicitous for the happiness and prosperity of those generous
nations, who nobly strengthened their opposition to a torrent
of oppression, and kindly aided in freeing them from the
bondage of a nation, whose arrogance and injustice had become
destructive of the rights of mankind, and dangerous to the
peace and tranquillity of Christendom.
"Having therefore the most perfect conviction, that the
candor and benignity of his Majesty's intentions are equal to
the uprightness and sincerity of those of Congress, I shall
set out in a few days for Madrid, with the pleasing
expectation that there will be little delay or difficulty in
adjusting the terms of a union between a magnanimous Monarch
and a virtuous people, who wish to obtain, by an alliance
with each other, only reciprocal benefits and mutual
advantages.
"I have the honor to be, with perfect respect and
consideration, your Excellency's most obedient, and most
humble servant,
JOHN JAY."
On the 4th of April, 1780, I arrived at Madrid, and Mr Carmichael
delivered to me the following questions from the Count de Florida
Blanca, to which he had declined giving answers, viz.
_Questions from the Count de Florida Blanca, dated the
9th of March, 1780._
Translation.
"Before entering into a discussion with Mr Jay or Mr
Carmichael, jointly or separately, on the subject of the
affairs of the United States of North America, and their
mutual interest with respect to Spain, it is judged
indispensable at Madrid, that the Catholic King should be
exactly informed of the civil and military state of the
American Provinces, and of their resources to continue the
present war, not only for the defence of their own liberty,
but also with respect to the aid and succors they may be able
to afford Spain in its operations, in case hereafter this
Crown should become the ally of America. The _Civil Affairs_
ought to comprehend,
"1st. A true account of the population and form of government
of each Province of the Union, and the resolution of the
inhabitants to continue the war with vigor, as long as it is
necessary.
"2dly. Whether there is any powerful party in favor of
England, and what consequences are to be apprehended from it;
whether the heads of this party suffer themselves to be
seduced by the great promises of the British government.
"3dly. A statement of the revenues of these Provinces, and of
their ability to contribute to the general expense; to which
may be added, whether they will be able long to support this
burthen, and even to increase it should it be judged
necessary.
"4thly. A statement of the public debts, and of the
particular debts of each State, taken collectively or
separately, of their resources to lessen them, and the
possibility of their being able to support their credit in
all the operations of government, in the commerce of their
inhabitants, and above all in the protection of national
industry.
"5thly. By what means, or with what branches of commerce,
will the States of America have it in their power to
indemnify Spain, whenever this power may second the views and
operations of the Americans; and particularly the Court
wishes to know, whether it may be convenient for the said
States to furnish ships of war of the best construction for
the Spanish marine, and likewise timber and other articles
for the King's arsenals, and the whole without loss of time,
and fixing the terms on which they would make an agreement of
this nature, and who would be commissioned to bring the
vessels and these naval stores to Spain.
"With respect to the _Military State_ of America, it is
necessary to be informed first, of the number and strength of
the different bodies of troops armed by the Provinces, and of
their present situation, in order to judge whether they are
sufficient to oppose the enemy wherever they may go, and
particularly in Carolina and Georgia.
"Further, it may be expedient to know the means of augmenting
the American army in case it is necessary, or to keep it
always on the same footing, notwithstanding its daily losses.
In what condition their clothing and arms are at present;
whether they are partly in want of those articles, and how
much it would require to remedy those defects.
"The subsistence of an army being an object of the greatest
consequence, the Court desires to know if proper measures
have been taken for that purpose, that it may be ascertained
whether it can act everywhere, if necessary, even in the
above mentioned Provinces, without danger of being in want of
necessaries.
"It is highly essential for the Provinces of America to keep
a marine to act against the common enemy, and to secure their
own possessions during the present war. The Spanish Minister
therefore is desirous of knowing its strength, including the
armed vessels belonging to individuals, and by what means it
may be augmented, and what succors will be necessary for that
purpose.
"The Court of Spain, desirous of information on these
subjects with all possible frankness and precision, does not
pretend to dive into matters, which Mr Jay or Mr Carmichael
may regard as reserved to themselves. Its only aim is to be
acquainted with the present state of the American forces,
their resources, and ability to continue the war, so that if
it was in consideration for new allies to supply them with
succors of any kind, the former might be able to plan on
solid grounds their operations convenient for the common
cause, and for the particular advantage of these States,
without running the risk of being misled by false
calculations for want of foresight and proper information."
"_Pardo, March 9th, 1780._"
My answer to these questions is contained in a letter I wrote to the
Count de Florida Blanca, on the 25th of April, 1780; the removal of
the Court to Aranjues, and his attending the King at that time at an
annual chase, rendering it useless, and perhaps improper, to endeavor
to call his attention to these matters sooner. The following is a copy
of it.
"Madrid, April 25th, 1780.
"Sir,
"Mr Carmichael has delivered to me a paper he had the honor
of receiving from your Excellency before my arrival here,
containing heads of many important inquiries respecting which
it was thought necessary, that his Catholic Majesty should be
exactly informed before entering into a discussion with me
and Mr Carmichael jointly or separately, on the subject of
the affairs of the United States of North America, and their
mutual interest with respect to Spain; but that the Court,
though desirous of information on these several articles,
with all possible frankness and precision, did not mean to
dive into matters which Mr Carmichael and myself might regard
as reserved to ourselves only.
"Being persuaded, that direct and accurate information
respecting the nature and extent of the commissions given to
that gentleman and myself, would be very agreeable to your
Excellency, I take the liberty of transmitting the following
copies of each.
'The delegates of the United States of New Hampshire,
Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations,
Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware,
Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and
Georgia, in Congress assembled, to all who shall see these
presents, Greeting.