John Jay to Silas Deane, 2 October 1780

Mad d 2 Oct r 1780

D r Sir

Since mine to you written at ^ from ^ S t . Ildefonso & enclosed to Doct r Franklin, 1 I have had the pleasure of reciev g yours of the 4 and 13 th . of Sept r . a few Days ago. 2 The one you mention to have written on the 28 th . August I have not seen, nor do I ^ ever ^ expect ever to see–€” 3 Many Letters directed to me have met with the same Fate–€” ^ So circumstanced ^ It is impossible for me to give you any opinion relative to the Success of the Business you allude to, and therefore cannot advise as to the Expediency of the journey you propose. 4 I can nevertheless with great Sincerity assure ^ tell ^ you that it w d will always give me pleasure to be useful to you, and that your Company ^ your company ^ would be a great satisfaction to all my family .

Had the Confederacy arrived ^ [ Captain ] Harding arrived ^ before you left Philadelphia? 5 Send your Letters under Cover to some Person here. They may then come safe. [ Carmichael ] cannot acc t for B [ ancroft ] not an [ swering ] his letters &c . 6 when I here hereafter ^ we ^ write in cypher for the future add 20 to each [ number ]. 7

I hope your next will give me some Intelligence from America will ^ which ^ I shall not be able to find in News Papers–€” There are many little Circumstances you know respecting our Friends and indeed our Enemies which tho no otherwise important are in a certain Degree interesting, and ^ with ^ which we have few Opportunities of becoming acquainted –€”

My sincere good ^ best ^ Wishes to the ^ good ^ Doct r .–€” M rs . Jay and the Col present theirs to you, and I need not add how much I am you possess those of, Your Friend ^ D r . Sir, your ob t . ^ Servt,

J.J.