John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 27 April 1780

Madrid 27 Ap. 1780

Dear Sir

Your Favor of the 7 th . Inst. & ^ together with ^ ^ a ^ Duplicate of that of the 22 d Feb y last 1 which I have never seen are come to hand, and g a ive us all that Satisfaction which arrises attends the Removal of Apprehension of Neglect from those we regard & esteem.

I am much obliged by the Readiness with which my Bills ^ & all those of others ^ have been ^ were ^ accepted, and am happy to find that the Reports ^ respecting the fate of others ^ on that Subject are as false as they have been injurious–€”at Martinico the Loan Office Bills sold at a considerable Discount, and indeed it was no easy matter to sell them at ^ all ^ –€” I shall take the earliest Opportunity of setting ^ them ^ and others right about that matter. 2

on my Return from Aranjues where I purpose to go tomorrow I shall shall transmit the Papers you mention with some others equally interesting–€” 3 I can easily believe that your Difficulties have been great and various–€” They were often spoken of ^ the subject of Conversation ^ in America and I am sure your Friends there ^ as well as Country ^ will rejoice in the late important Success of your Negotiations. The French Court by continuing steady & true to the objects of their Treaty with us will obtain those w h . induced them ^ them ^ to make it–€” ^ [ in margin ] their Conduct towards us hitherto has I confess attached me to the whole Nation in a Manner ^ Degree ^ that I could not have thought myself capable of ten Years ago, and ^ In my opinion Britain is to be conquered only in America, and that it w d . be more ^ for ^ the Interest of her Enemies to confine their offensive Operations to that Point than enfeeble their Efforts by Diversions of their forces for little ^ attention to many lesser ^ Objects–€” Let America be supplied with money, Cloaths & ammunition, and the british Empire will be destroyed with little Loss of Blood to France and Spain british Empire will cease to threaten Britain will lose more by this War than by any War she ever waged with the House of Bourbon & she will by expelling her Enemies & establishing her Independence do more essential Injury to those ever imperious Island ^ ers ^ than they have sustained for Centuries. 4

I have sent the Letters ^ & Packets ^ I brought for you from America to M r . Joshua Johnson at Nantz by M r . Boutillier a young Gent of that place and have desired M r Johnson to send them to you by the first safe private Conveyance. 5

What Aids this Court may be prev pleased to afford us is not yet not as-certained–€” I hope they will be such as may be proportioned to the common Interest their Dignity and Our Wants–€” The Minister I am told is able and the King we know is honest. On this Ground I place much Dependence, for I can hardly suppose that either ^ of them ^ will omit this ^ this golden ^ embracing this golden opportunity of acquiring Glory to themselves, Honor ^ & Honor & advantage ^ to their Nation and Humiliation to their Enemies by compleating the Division & Ruin of the british Empire, and that by Measures which will in so great a Degree conciliate the Affections as well as Esteem of America as granting his

I am happy to hear of M rs . ^ Jay ^ has enjoyed more Health ^ within ^ this fortnight past than she has been blessed with these ^ for ^ three months the past–€” She presents her Respects to you and begs that your next Letter to me may enclose for her one those ^ of the best ^ Prints of your Self which were ^ we are told have been ^ published some Time ago in France but are not ^ yet ^ to be had here–€” 6 I believe there is no man ^ of your Age ^ in Europe of your age so much a favourite of ^ with ^ the Ladies, at In America I am Dear Sir with great Esteem & Regard Your most obedient Servant

J.J.

Doct r Franklin

P.S: I have not rec d . the Letter of Introduction to the Marquis D–€™Yranada, but have seen him and Mr. & I have given M r . Carmichael an order on him for the Sum you mention–€”