John Jay to John de Neufville & Son, 4 October 1780
Madrid 4 th Oct r : 1780–
Gentlemen,
I have lately had the pleasure of receiving Your favor of the 7 th Sept r : after the Proofs You have given of disinterested Zeal, in the Cause of Liberty & America, I cannot harbour a doubt of Your opposing the measures of a Court industriously employed in attempts to destroy both– 1
Your sentiments respecting the Expediency of a Connection between the United States and Your Republic, concur with my own & I am persuaded that those who know & wish well to the Interests of both will assiduously promote it–
As I have received no further Intelligence respecting M r : Laurens, I can add nothing on that Subject– 2 I cannot doubt but that good Reasons have detained him, tho– I do not know what they are– Congress I am sure will continue their Attention to the objects of his Appointment, and will be happy in cultivating a friendly connection with a people whose history exhibits many Instances of heroic and glorious Exertions in a cause similar to their own– Those among You, who know ^ the ^ history, and venerate the Names & characters of their forefathers cannot consent to be the Instruments of despotism to deprive others of those rights which were purchased for themselves by the blood of their own Ancestors– 3
When, or how far it may consist with the views of Congress to make Mercantile appointments in Your Country I cannot determine; should they ever become necessary I cannot doubt of your being remembered; the most powerful Recommendation I can give them, will be by sending them our Correspondence, and for that purpose Copies of all the Letters that have passed between us, are now preparing & shall together with duplicates; & triplicates be sent by the first Vessels–
As to the late Ordinance of Spain, establishing a paper Currency, it is a Subject on which I can make no Remarks, and for this very good Reason, that the Policy & propriety of that measure, are objects without my Sphere, on which I can have no Influence, and which would not be altered by any thing I might say or write about them– 4
The Mexican dollars mentioned in the Bills drawn upon me I understand to be only another Name for Spanish-milled Dollars which You know pass here at twenty Reals of Vellon– How far the Sale or Payment of these Bills may be effected by the Paper in question I know not; tho– I must confess that I do not apprehend so much Evil from it as some others do– 5 These Bills will be on an equal footing with all others drawn on Spain, and You will readily suppose it not to be in my power to put them on a better–
The King of Spain has been so kind as to offer to become responsible to a certain Amount for monies which I may borrow for Congress, payable in three Years– Be so kind as to inform me whether this could be done in your Country, on their same ^ joint ^ credit ^ & how far ^ and on what terms– 6 I have the honor to be Gentlemen, with great Respect, & Esteem– Your most Obedient and Humble Servant–
(Signed) John Jay
Mess rs : De Neufville & Son.