John Jay to Gouverneur Morris, 5 November 1780
Madrid 5 Nov 1780
D r Morris,
Three of your Letters have reached me– The last was of the 12 July– 1 Some of mine to you were worth little, and their Miscarriage ^ was ^ of little other ^ no ^ Consequence, than you having there was one however from Madrid which I wish may come to your Hands–it was interesting– 2
I had heard of your misfortune and felt it– A Gentleman in France wrote me 3 that M rs Plate r 4 have after having made much use of your legs had been the occasion d of your losing one of them – Susan informs M rs . Jay that you have behaved properly on the occasion, that is, with Fortitude– 5 This was a Consolation– I could write you twenty consolatory ^ several common place ^ things on the Occasion ^ Subject ^ –but you know what I feel ^ for ^ and think of you.
Where are you? What are you knowing ^ doing ^ – Achilles made no Figure at the spinning Wheel– Dont bury your Talents under a Petticoat – 6 The State of New York I am take to be your Field, if prudently cultivated it will yield you much. Letters, ^ tho the best ^ are poor Substitutes for Conversation, but we must be content– I wish to hear many things of and from you.
M rs . Jay is in tolerable Health– She had ^ has ^ had a fine little Daughter, but she is gone Home, and I am resigned– I have it in Charge from M rs . Jay to say many friendly things to you. But you know how
The drawing Bills on me was impolitic in twenty ^ many ^ Respects– Mississippi The Navigation &c. is strongly insisted up on. I have Fair Promises of Aids but no Performance ^ litle or not per ^ . ^ Many ^ Delays in Abundance either unavoidable or designed – Spain seems ^ The Court ^ undecided & waiting the Result of Events Britain is ^ The British ^ courting them – The Views of France are not ^ altogether ^ so clear to me . Why was not Ternay reinforced supported ? 7 depend on yourselves principally Be silent about these Matters. The french Embassador 8 here has excellent Intelligence from Ph. ^ your City ^ . I suspect Livingston & Schuyler are Favorites at the great House. 9 I know very ^ but ^ little of what passes among you and shall be obliged to you for such Facts of publick & private Matters as you may think interesting– What are ^ is ^ A. Lee and Izard about ? 10 I have had some Letters ^ from ^ Deane –he is much displeased with ^ what he calls ^ ^ thinks ^ ^ the Duplicity of ^ certain Persons in America . Who in particular I dont know– Neither he or Bankroft write to Carmichael, why I cannot yet discover . He Deane is endeavouring to establish ^ here ^ a bargain he made with Miralles ab t . Masts , and talks of coming here the best to promote that Object here . 11 How did you & he part – 12
Should this find you at Philadelphia remember me to my old Friends there– I promise ^ in particular ^ to ratify all the assurances of Esteem & Regard you may make for me to M r . & M rs . Morris 13 in particular .
God bless you Morris , ^ Adieu ^ I know you and therefore am and will be cordially Your Friend
J. J.
PS My I have rec d . no Letter from my Brother tho I am hear he was at Philadelphia this Summer– 14
Gouv. Morris