To John Jay from Lewis Littlepage, 29 December 1782
From Lewis Littlepage
Camp before Gibraltar 29th. December 1782
Sir
Your letter of the 18th. of November was transmitted to me a few days past by Mr Harrison.1
I cannot but regret that my unhappy circumstances will not permit me to discharge immediately the debt which I have incurred from your generosity in the prosecution of designs which once flattered me with the prospect of a more pleasing issue:— I regard your letter as an ultimate refusal on your part to afford me farther assistance, and delicacy in my present situation, as well as gratitude for what you have already done, prevent me from incommoding you with reiterated & too probably, vain sollicitations.2
Since I have nothing to expect from your partiality as a friend I appeal to your candour as a man of honor, for my justification!— I have forfeited your confidence & protection, but I am mistaken in your character or I shall ever possess your esteem.
The Marquis de La Fayette is arrived at Cadiz & informed me the other day by the Count de Crillon, that he is desirous for me to accompany him to America. I shall in consequence repair immediately to Cadiz to take explicit arrangements with him for that purpose.3
I have recieved an Official letter from the Count de Floridablanca, in the King’s name, containing the most flattering acknowledgements from his Majesty for my conduct in his service, with permission to retire from my post of Aid de Camp.4 I have only to request you to inclose immediately to Mr Harrison a state of the account between us, which be assured shall be remitted to you as soon as possible.5
With the sincerest gratitude for the many instances of friendship & generosity which I have received from you I have the honor to be your Excellency’s most Obedient & respectful humble Servant
L Littlepage
ALS, NNC (EJ: 6832). Addressed: “His Excellency / John Jay/ Paris—”. In an unidentified hand: “Hotel d’Orleans / rue des Petits Augustins.—” Endorsed: “ . . . Recd. Jany 1783”. Marked: “No. 41”.
2. In his 18 Nov. letter, JJ told Littlepage that his disapproval of the latter’s joining the Gibraltar campaign was “sincere advice,” and declined giving Littlepage any more money or to discuss the matter further.
3. On Lafayette, see “Lafayette, John Jay’s Self-Appointed ‘Political Aide-De-Camp,’ Takes on the Spanish” (editorial note) on pp. 318–22.
4. Letter not found.
5. There is no evidence that JJ replied to this letter or fulfilled this request. See, however, the draft account of JJ’s payments made to and for Littlepage through April 1782, AD, NNC (EJ: 13509); and the account of the settlement made in Paris in July 1783, amounting to $1,016, published in Jay’s pamphlet Letters, being the Whole Correspondence between John Jay, Esq. and Mr. Lewis Littlepage . . . (New York, 1786), (Early Amer. Imprints, no. 19736), 39.