John Jay to Robert Morris, 18 December 1780

Madrid, 18 Decemb r . 1780

Dear Sir

As I have lately written by different vessels to Congress, and my Friends, 1 among whom I always reckon you. My chief Inducement at present is to commit the inclosed 2 to your Care and to request the Favor of you to forward them.

No Letters from America of later date than July have reached me, indeed I have had the Pleasure of receiving only one from you since we parted. 3 Some were probably carried with Mr. Laurens to England. It is generally said and believed that all his papers were taken, 4 and I presume several letters for me were among them.

Arnold–€™s Plot was as unexpected as its Discovery was fortunate. His wife is much to be pitied. It is painful to see so charming a woman so sacrificed. 5 Some of the wise ones predict much ill from this Mans Treason. They ascribe it to the gloomy aspect of our Affairs, and impute his desertion to a Desire of Escaping the Ruin into which he saw his Country was falling. In short the Resistance of America looks so miraculous in European Eyes; that they are ready to embrace every Opinion, however erronious, that tends to reduce the Estimate of our Power and Virtue more to a Level with that which they had formed themselves. The Rank we hold on the Scale of Prosperity generally determines the Degree of Friendship we may expect from the Mass of Mankind. This Reflection will explain the Importance which every fortunate Event in America is of in Europe.

I hope you are preparing vigourously for another Campaign for I much doubt whether a Peace will soon take Place. The Empress Queen of Hungary is dead, and the Ambitions of the Emperor will of course be less fettered. 6 What Consequences will follow this Event is a Question much discussed at present. Time only can determine it.

When you see Col. Moyland tell him his Brother 7 is here, and very well. We see each other often. He formerly lived at Cadiz, but as Government ordered all Irish to remove from the Seaports he was obliged with many others to quit it. It is said that their too great Attachment to Britain occasioned this Ordinance.

Be pleased to present our Compliments to our Friends, and particularly to Mrs. Morris. I am Dear Sir your affectionate Friend and Servant,

John Jay