I have never taken up my pen with so much reluctance as I now do, altho my Design is to write a letter to your Excellency But Sir! there are few sensations more painful than those which They Experience; who already covered with Benefits, are impelled by cruel necessity to ask for more— Such is my present situation—and hence proceeds my regret.

My uniform and unreserved communications to Count Montmorin, who has my fullest confidence, precludes the necessity, and consequently the propriety of a minute detail of American Affairs here.

Your Excellency will recollect the resolution of Congress for drawing bills on me, as well as the reasons assigned for that measure. In my first conference with the Minister on that Subject, He enlarged on the necessities of the State, but nevertheless told me he would be able, at the end of the present, or beginning of the next year, to advance thirty or forty thousand pounds Sterling, and that further arrangements respecting the residue should then be made.1 I afterwards received, and answered propositions for the reimbursement of this Money—and from time to time was permitted to accept such of the bills as were most pressing.

Things remained in this State till the 5th July, when, after many warm assurances of Friendship and good will, the further Discussion of these Matters was postponed by the Minister, till the Arrival of a Person intended to succeed Mr Mirales, the late spanish Agent at Philadelphia: and I was told, that they should then be arranged and adjusted.

Several weeks elapsed after the Time assigned for his arrival had expired, the Holders of the bills became importunate, and insisted on my accepting or refusing them. I wrote several letters to the Minister, requesting his Directions; but was not favored with an answer to any of them.

On the 3d. Inst. after fruitless endeavors to see the Minister I received the following note from him by the hands of Mr Gardoqui Vizt.

[Here Jay embedded the text of Floridablanca’s letter to him of 3 September 1780, above.]

This Gentleman made many remarks tending to show the Propriety of America’s offering some specific consideration for this Money, and hinted at the Navigation of the Mississippi, Ship Timber, Vessels, Tobacco &c &c I replied, that the only consideration Congress could offer, was that, which all other nations at war, who borrow money, offer vizt to repay the Principal with a reasonable Interest, after the War— That I should ^decieve^ him were I to enter into contracts to pay it sooner— That the proposition of repaying it during the war in Ship Timber, Tobacco or other articles did not lessen the difficulty, for that those Things were worth & cost Money in America as well as in Europe—and that as to the Mississippi, it could not come in question as a Consideration for 100,000 £s. The Conversation was concluded, by his desiring me to meet Him at Mr Del Campos the next morning— Mr Gardoqui then & since behaved with Temper Candour & Politeness.2

The Next Day we saw Mr Del Campo—he was liberal in his censures on the measure of Drawing the bills in Question on Spain. He informed me that the King must first take care of his own People, before He gave supplies to others— That Spain instead of deriving advantage from America, heard of nothing but demands— That if Congress wanted Money, They should have drawn on France, with whom They were in Alliance, and who had all the profit of their Trade— That we ought to have distinguished between our Allies, and Those who only wished us well, and that applications for aid might be proper to the one, which were not so to the Other— That our Affairs were in a ruinous condition, and that it was even said some of the States were holding secret Negotiations of ^for^ Peace with the Enemy &c. &c. &c— My Replies were such as the subject naturally suggested and as Prudence dictated— There are Seasons when Men mean not to be convinced, and when Argument becomes mere matter of form. On such Occasions we have little more in our Power than Moderation and Temper. I gave Mr Del Campo credit for his Frankness, and wish I could with Propriety have extended it to his Delicacy.3

A Day or two afterwards vizt the 13th.4 I was permitted to accept bills to the amount of 1110 dollars. On the 13th. Mr Gardoqui by order of the Minister told me that the Exigencies of the State would not permit the King to provide for the payment of more of the bills than had been already accepted, amounting to about 14000 dollars—5 this gave occasion to my letter to the Minister of the 14th and to his Answer of the 15th which was dictated by Him to Mr Del Campo, & by Mr Del Campo to Mr Gardoqui, copies of both of which your Excellency will receive from Ct. de Montmorin.6 The Ministers Answer made a conference between us expedient. I requested that favor the 15th instant and have been informed that the Ct de Florida Blanca will endeavor to see me on Saturday next—

I forbear remarks on this singular conduct. I wish it could be explained in a manner compatible with the Reputation Spain enjoys in North America. I much fear partial Resentments, which ought not to affect America, have been permitted to have an undue Degree of Influence, and that the Minister forgot in his Zeal for a certain scheme of Finance, that it was unjust to wound opponents thro’ the sides of their Friends.

But whatever may have been the cause, the Effects unless removed will be destructive, and France only can at present afford the means of doing it.7 When I consider on the one hand, that France was our first, and is still our best & almost only friend— That She became our Ally on Terms of Equality neither taking, nor attempting to take, ungenerous advantages of our Situation—that She has cloathed and armed our Troops, and is at this Moment assisting us with her fleets, her Armies her treasures, and her Blood; Gratitude and Generosity forbid me to sollicit a further tax on her Magnanimity— But on the other hand, when I reflect that the loss of American credit, would be a loss to the Common cause, and an eventual Injury to France— That such an Event would be matter of Triumph to our common Enemy, and of Pain to our friends— That the Honor of Congress suspended on the Fate of these bills, now hangs as it were by a Hair, and that our Enemies here and Elsewhere, are doing all in their power to cut it.— When I consider that America would feel more sensibly the loss of Reputation in this Instance, than the loss of battles in many others— I say Sir! when I consider these things, I find it to be my Duty to request Your Excellency to interpose the Amity of France, and that his Majesty will be pleased to add this Strong link to the Chain of Benefits by which he has already bound the Affections of America to his Family and People.

I ought to inform Your Excellency that bills for about 50000 dollars remain unaccepted. The greater part of these are in the hands of Merchants, who waited my answer with a degree of patience I could not have expected: Some of them ever since the month of June last. Further delays therefore were not to be asked or obtained, and I was reduced to the necessity ^either^ of promising to accept them, or permit the credit of Congress to perish with them— I could not long hesitate— I promised to accept them—8 Fortunately these bills have hitherto come on Slowly; tho’ it is probable that the assurances of Spain, which I have communicated to Congress may quicken their pace—. A Period however will soon be put to their drawing, as I have written to them by several conveyances immediately to stop.9

I ought also to inform Your Excellency that a promise made me in June last of some cloathing for our Troops has been renewed,10 and that his Majesty has been pleased to offer his responsibility to facilitate a loan of 150,000 dollars— I shall make the most of this offer, and Your Excellency may rest assured that I shall gladly embrace every measure which may be calculated ^to lessen^ the weight with which the American Cause presses on the Finances of France.11 I have the honor to be with great respect and Esteem Your Excellencys Most Obt. Most humble Sert.