To John Jay from Montmorin, 22 February 1783
From Montmorin
Madrid ce 22 fev. 1783
Je ne crois pas, monsieur, pouvoir vous faire parvenir mon compliment sur la paix par une voix plus convenable, et qui vous soit plus agréable que celle du Mr le Mis de la fayette, il est votre ami, votre compatriote adoptif, et sera compté par la postérite parmi le nombre de ceux qui ont le plus contribué a la grande révolution dont vous avés été un des principaux acteurs, et que la paix vient d’achever.
Je ne vous parlerai pas des dispositions de l’espagne, Mr de La fayette vous dira mieux que moi ce qu’il en a vu, il part d’ici content de ce qu’on lui a montré, et j’espére que vous le serés aussi. J’aurai une bien véritable Satisfaction Si je vois l’harmonie, et la bonne intelligence regner entre l’espagne et les états unis de l’amérique, je me trouverais bien remunis Si je puis y contribuer en quelque chose, vous connaissés mes Sentiments pour votre patrie, ils sont et seront toujours les mêmes. Mr. de lafayette va partir dans l’instant pour paris, et ne me laisse que le tems de vous assurer d’un parfait et véritable attachement avec le quel j’ai l’honneur d’etre, monsieur, votre trés humble et tres obeissant Serviteur.
Le cte Du Montmorin
permettés que Mde jay trouve ici l’assurance de mon respect
[Translation]
From Montmorin
Madrid, 22 February 1783
I do not believe, Sir, that I can send you my compliments on the peace by a more appropriate voice or one that would be more agreeable to you than that of the marquis de la fayette.1 He is your friend, your adopted compatriot, and will be counted by posterity among the numbers who contributed most to the great revolution in which you were one of the principal actors and which the peace has just concluded.
I will not speak to you of the dispositions of Spain. M. de la fayette will tell you better than I what he saw of them. He leaves here pleased with what was shown to him, and I hope that you will see it too. I would be quite truly satisfied to see harmony and a good understanding reign between Spain and the United States of America. I shall be quite happy if I can contribute to it in some way; you know my feelings for your country. They are and will always be the same. M. de la fayette is going to leave for paris this very instant and leaves me only time enough to assure you of a perfect and true attachment with which I have the honor to be, Sir, your very humble and obedient servant
Le Cte. De Montmorin
Permit Mme. Jay to find here the assurance of my respect.2
ALS, in French, NNC (EJ: 8003 and 8004). Endorsed: “ . . . And. 3 Ap. Do. [1783].” Translation by the editors of JJUP.
1. See the editorial note “Lafayette, John Jay’s Self-Appointed ‘Political Aide-de-Camp,’ Takes on the Spanish,” on pp. 318–22.
2. A note in English was added by Bourgoing: “Dear Sir, I hope you will permit me to join my compliments to those of my chief. You know we have but one soul, and this identity is no where more sensible than in all what concerns your country and your person. Pray present my respects to Mistress Jay. We are not selfish and injust enough to wish you return soon in our city. It would be prefer too much our interests to yours.”