John Jay to John Adams, 4 June 1780
Madrid 30 May ^ Aranjues 4 June ^ 1780
Dear Sir
There is a Distinction between Ceremony & Attention which is not always observed tho often useful. I Of the latter ^ former ^ I hope there will be little ^ of it ^ between us; of the latter much. public as well as personal Considerations, dictate this Conduct on my Part, and I am happy to find by your favor of the 15 Inst. ^ Ult ^ , 1 that you approve it in the same Light ^ [ illegible ] ^ ^ mean ^ ^ not to ^ ^ be ^ ^ punctilious. ^
The hints contained in your Letter 2 correspond ^ very much ^ with my own Sentiments & I shall endeavour to render them more diffuse them, but [ illegible ]. ^ This Court seems to have great Respect for the old adage ^ –festina lente– 3 –at least as applied to our Independence–
The Count DFlorida Blanca has hither to pleased me. I have found in him a Degree of Frankness & Candor which indicates Probity, as w his Reputation for Talents is high– I was a little surprised that the Court [ illegible ] the policy of acknowg ^ The Acknowledgm t of ^ our Independence without Loss of Time ^ is obstructed ^ ^ retarded ^ ^ by Delays which in my opinion ought not to influence affect it ^ . The Influence it w d have ^ The Influence of that Measure ^ on the Sentiments & Conduct of our Enemy ^ as well as the neutral Nations ^ is certainly very evident and ^ makes it an object very important to the Common Cause, I cannot think ^ Its Suspension is not necessary to the Adjustm t . of the Articles of Treaty– They might just as well ^ with equal Facility ^ be settled afterwards– As America is and will be independent, in Fact, why not acknowledge it and such an acknowledgement w d . [ illegible ] ^ the being so in [ illegible ] be ^ ^ name can ^ ^ [be] of no great Moment to her individualy. ^ ^ but ^ ^ Britain derives Hopes prejud [ ic ] iall from the Hesitation of Spain, very injurious to the common good Cause, and I am a little suprized that the Policy of destroying these Hopes does not appear more evident ^ is of great Consequence– America will never purchase such acknowledgment ^ it ^ of any Nation by Terms She would not otherwise accede ^ to ^ . Things not Names are ^ being ^ ^ are ^ her Objects .
If the Delay proceeds from such Expectation s they will not be ^ that they may affect the Terms of Treaty, it is not probable that ^ they will be realized. She ^ America ^ is to be won ^ attached ^ by Candor Generosity Confidence and good Offices, not a contrary Conduct will not conciliate or persuade–
But [ illegible ] ^ whatever may be the Cause of these mistakes on these Subjects, I must do them the Justice to say that this Court the general Assurances given me by the Count D F B. argue a very friendly Disposition in the Court ^ towards ^ us ^ , and that I believe the King and the Count ^ minister ^ to be sincerely our Friends ^ I hope Facts will prove them to have been sincere ^ They certainly must be convinced that of the Power of the united States added to that of Britain and under one ^ her ^ Direction, would enable the latter ^ her ^ to give Law to the western World, and that Spanish America & the Islands would ^ then ^ be at her mercy– ameri Our Country is at present so well disposed to Spain ^ & such cordial Enemies to Britain ^ that [ illegible ] ^ it w d be a Pity this Disposition sh d . not be ^ cherished. [ illegible ] Now is the time for France and Spain to gain the Affections of that extensive Country– Such another ^ opportunity ^ may never offer– 4 [ illegible ]
France has acted wisely– I wish similar Counsels may prevail here–would it not be a little extraordinary that ^ if ^ Britain should should be before Spain in acknowledging our Independence– If she had any wisdom left she would do it– She may yet have a lucid Interval, [ illegible ] ^ tho she has been very long [ illegible ] ^ ^ out of ^ ^ her Senses ^ – Spain will be our Neighbour. We both have Territory enough to prevent our coveting each others and I should be happy to ^ see ^ that perfect Amity and cordial Affection established between us, which would ensure perpetual Peace and Harmony between us ^ to both ^ . [ illegible ] 5 ^ [ in margin ] I cannot write you particulars, but nothing here appears to be certain as yet. I shall in all my Letters advise Congress to rely principally on themselves, to fight out their own Cause ^ ^ as they began it ^ ^ with Spirit, and not to rely too much on the the Expectation of Events which may never happen– The only way [ or on ?] Supports that may fail them ^
Have you rec d any late Letters from Am[eric] a M rs . Jay rec d one from her Sister of the 10 April, 6 which mentions several that had ^ hav g ^ been sent to me by the Way of France– I hear of many Letters but recieve scarce any– I am Dear Sir Your most ob t Serv t
J.J.
P.S. my Comp ts to M r Dana
His Ex y John Adams Esq r
P.S. [ illegible ] the enclosed to M rs Izard with whom I [ presume ?] you have the pleasure of [ being ?] acquainted 7