John Jay to Silas Deane, 1 November 1780
Madrid 1 Nov r . 1780
Dear Sir
I have just rec d . your Letter of the 16 Oct r .– How happens it that you do not yet know me ? Time and opportunity have not been wanting– 1 I suspect You sometimes see double – 2
If my Regard for my Friends be measured by the Length of the Letters I write them, I confess they have often Reason to complain, especially as a constant Attention to Matters of public Concern, leaves me 3 little Leisure for that pleasing Method of employing ones vacant Hours. Not many Days have passed since I wrote you a Letter of more than moderate Length, 4 & if I could indulge my Inclinations you would read much of my writing. There are many Subjects both interesting and otherwise, on which I should be glad to converse with you either on Paper or in person, but the former is seldom in my power, for the Reason I have mentioned. my question ab[out] D r . B[ancroft] & m r . C[armichael] was not with his [privity?] 5 or by his request . Nor shall I make the least Mention of your Remark on that Head–it is a matter about which I have little Curiosity, 6 and could, if explained, be no further useful to me than as the Circumstances which gave Rise to it, might explain Characters. Could I transport myself for a few Hours to Passy, we should soon find ourselves in a Situation similar to those we were often in at M rs . Houses in 1775. 7 letters cannot effect this–a multiplicity of Circumstances must necessarily be stated and combined–besides I percieve that you neither [ understand ] know my Situation respecting 8 Certain People nor i yours . I am convinced that we have the same regard for each other as before . You will be of the same Opinion if Providence should again give us an occasion of meeting .– 9 These are no Times to bid adieu to Politics–while you can be useful in them, dont restrain your Pen from those Subjects. If ever you and I should talk over these matters, you will think my Letters less reprehensible– In my last I told you that spain wanted mississippi . A Sheet could not convey more to a Person so well acquainted with the Subject as you are. I could tell you that Spain delays does little 10 &c a . &c a but this would be only useless Comments 11 on the Text– The Cap t of a Vessel lately arrived at Cadiz from N o . Carolina says our Paper was appreciating there. The King of Spain has offered us his Responsability to facilitate a Loan, and I am in a fair way of having some Cloathing for our Army. These Circumstances will give you Pleasure I am sure. 12
If I am not much mistaken the Enemy will attempt to incline h[enry] l[auren] s . to their views . 13 The Revolution you 14 mention or rather intimate would have great Consequences. Instances of the like have happened. This Matter deserves much Thought– As to the Editions & c . of A Lee , no very great Effects will follow them in my opinion–but tho Facts cannot be altered, they may be misrepresented, and sometimes sunk, unless Care be taken to do them Justice. The State of America I admit to be a serious Matter, but I still think it will terminate well, tho it may be 15 scorched by the ordeal thro which it is to pass– Of this you know more than I do, and therefore can better judge. F[rance] had better be cautious. I believe firmly the old adage nil utile nisi quod honestum, 16 and therefore before 17 Politicians or others deviate from Integrity, they should well consider the Consequences. I see very clearly that in the Instance alluded to, Repentance would soon follow, and not only prove ineffectual but severe– In a word my Friend as to all these Matters– I believe that a wise & good Being 18 governs this world, that he has ordered us to travel through it to a better, and that we have nothing but our Duty to do on the Journey, which will not be a long one. Let us therefore travel on with Spirits & Chearfulness, without grumbling much at the bad Roads, bad Inns or bad Company we may be obliged to put up with on the Way–let us enjoy Prosperity when we have it, and in adversity endeavour to be patient and resigned without being lazy or insensible.
I cannot approve of your ceasing to reflect on certain Subjects– The more you reflect on them the better in my Opinion, upon that the same Principle that it is better to meet and reduce one–s Enemies, than submit to their Bondage, or remain exposed to repeated 19 Injuries. 20
M rs . Jay & the Col. desire me to make their Compliments to you I am D r Sir very truely Your Friend & Serv t .
John Jay 21
The Honble Silas Deane Esq r