Benjamin Franklin Papers

To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 8 May 1782

From John Jay

ALS: University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): Columbia University Library

Madrid 8th. May 1782

Dear Sir

I have recd. your Favor of the 22 & 23 Ult. They have determined me to set out for Paris. I shall leave this Place the latter End of next Week. Mrs. Jay & my Nephew go with me.9 Be pleased to take Lodgings for me, and to inform me of them,1 by a Line to Mr Delap or Mr Bondfield at Bordeaux.

The Embassador of France does not dislike this Step,2 and the Count de Florida Blanca will refer the Instructions intended for Mr. Del Campo,3 to the Count de Aranda at Paris.

I am Dear Sir with great Regard & Esteem Your obliged & obedt. Servant

John Jay

His Exy Doctr Franklin

Notation: J. Jay 8. May 1782

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

9The Jays and their nephew Peter Jay Munro left Madrid on May 21: Morris, Jay: Revolutionary, p. 651; Morris, Jay: Peace, pp. 20, 31.

1WTF wrote Jay on June 5 that he had found a place at the Hôtel de la Chine, rue Neuve-des-Petits-Champs, for 25 louis per month: Henry P. Johnston, ed., The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay … (4 vols., New York and London, 1890–93), II, 308.

2Jay wrote Montmorin on May 1 to ask his advice: ibid., II, 300–1. Montmorin predicted in a personal letter to Vergennes of May 5 that Jay would come soon to Paris (AAE).

3Bernardo del Campo was Floridablanca’s representative, with whom Jay had been negotiating futilely for a Spanish-American treaty: XXXVI, 83n.

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