From John Jay to Floridablanca, 16 August 1780
To Floridablanca
Madrid 16 Augt. 1780.
Sir
The Letter which your Excellency did me the Honor to write on the 12th. Inst: was delivered to me Yesterday. The kind Concern you are pleased to express for the Delay, which suspends my recieving a positive Answer respecting the Bills, demands my Acknowledgements, and is an additional Proof of that generous Sensibility, which enduced your Excellency to tell me, “that your Friendship for America should rise with her Distresses”. A Sentiment so evincive of magnanimity, will be recieved by Congress with all the Admiration and Gratitude it merits, and will not cease to inspire me with that Confidence in your Excellency, which Greatness of mind seldom fails to excite—
I ought to mention, that the Holders of the Bills here begin to grow impatient, and frequently repeat their applications to me for acceptance—1 With Sentiments of great Respect & Regard, I have the Honor to be Your Excellencys most obedient, & most humble Servant
John Jay
His Excellency the Count D’Florida Blanca—
ALS, SpMaAHN: Estado, leg. 3884, exp. 4, doc. 67 (EJ: 12147). LbkCs, embedded in JJ to the President of Congress, 6 Nov., below, DNA: PCC, item 110, 1: 252; NNC: JJ Lbk. 1; CSmH.
1. On this same day, JJ wrote to apprise BF and Ferdinand Grand that he was uncertain about his ability to cover the bills drawn on him. See the notes to JJ to BF, 22 Sept.; and Notes on John Jay’s Conference with Floridablanca, 23 Sept., below.