John Jay to the President of Congress (Samuel Huntington), 10 July 1780
Madrid 10 July 1780
Sir
As a late and particular Letter from me to your Ex y is now on the way to America, and as I purpose to write again very fully by ^ the Successor of ^ M r . Millalle–s [Miralles], I decline saying much in this Letter which I shall send in ^ by ^ a circuitous and hazardous Route
I have been permitted to accpt d Bills to the amount of about ^ between ^ Eleven & twelve thousand Dollars being all these I wil they arrive slowly and I am very glad of it– 1 M r . Laurens is still abroad, and it is not in my power to supply it ^ No news of M r Laurens– I regret his absence ^ 2 I hope the terms of ^ for the ^ Sale ^ of the se Bills on me ^ will not be lowered– Remittances ha have ^ really ^ become necessary, & may easily be made in these Bills– distressed American Seamen cost a good Deal– The House of Le Couteulx at Cadiz have advanced money for them ^ at Cadiz ^ 3 and I rec d their acc t . ^ am g to ab t . 300 D rs ^ this Morning– ^ a Copy of the Letter & acc t . are enclosed ^ I had Yesterday an application from the Director of a Hospital at S t . Andeira–desiring to be informed whether I w d . be responsible for the ordinary Expenses of rec g & curing a poor New England Master of a Vessel who had escaped from Captivity ^ penniless ^ having one of his Legs so injured by ^ Iron ^ Fetters as to be in danger of losing it. These [ all ?] ^ are ^ the Calls of humanity– I entreat Congress to enable me to obey them and to establish specific Regulations for the Conduct of these affairs–
The Surrender of Ch s ^ Town ^ is the Subject of much Speculation & many unfavourable Conjectures.– 4 I have rec d no public Letters since I left Am. except one from the Com[mitte] e enclosing the Resolutions for drawing Bills on me. 5 I have the Honor to be with great Respect & Regard Your Ex ys . most ob t & hble Serv t 6
His Ex y . Sam l Huntington Esq r . President of Congress