From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 15 January 1782
To John Jay
ALS: Columbia University Library; copies: Henry E. Huntington Library, Columbia University Library, Library of Congress, National Archives
Passy Jan. 15. 1782
Dear Sir
Mr Grand tells me that he hears from Madrid, you are uneasy at my long Silence. I have had much Vexation and Perplexity lately with the Affair of our Goods in Holland: And I have so many urgent Correspondencies to keep up, that some of them at times necessarily suffer. I purpose writing fully to you per next Post. In the mean time I send the enclos’d for your Meditation.2 The “cursed Bills,” as you justly term them,3 do us infinite Prejudice: But we must not be discouraged. I am ever, with the greatest Esteem, Dear Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant
B Franklin
His Excellency John Jay Esqr.
Addressed: To his Excellency / John Jay Esquire / Minister Plenipotentiary from the / United States of America / at / Madrid.
Endorsed: Doctr. Franklin 15 Jany 1782 Recd 27 Do
2. BF enclosed a copy of Vergennes’ letter of Dec. 31, 1781, above. It is now with the present letter in Jay’s papers at the Columbia University Library.
3. See Jay’s letter of Nov. 21, 1781.