From John Jay to Yranda, 12 October 1786
To Yranda
N York, 12 Oct. 1786
Dr. Sr.
It was not until the first Day of Sepmr ^Sept^ last ^month^ that I had the Pleasure of recg the Letter which you did me the Honor to write on the 8 Day of March last.
I remember at what Period I was in Spain, & at what Period it was that you gave unequivocal ^me^ Proofs of friendly attention to America, and to her Servant at Madrid ^me^. ^I have long been convinced that those proofs were conclusive and ^^that they^^ merited the acknowledgmt gratitude both of my Country & myself.^ How then can ^could^ I cease to remember You? No my dear Sir, you will retain a Place not only in my Memory but in my Esteem as long as I live; and I shall think myself obliged by every opportunity of evin you may favor me with of evincing my attachment & Regard.
The appointment of Consuls for Spain has not yet come under the Consideration of Congress. I have communicated to them your Recommendation, and ^it^ I am persuaded it will will meet with all that attention which your character cannot fail to produce ^have Weight^ How it ^far they^ may be thought ^think it^ expedient to deviate from the Resolution you allude to, is as yet uncertain. Your reasoning on theat Head ^Subject^ has weight ^Force^, and merits Consideration ^attention^. Whatever may be the Result, I shall take the earliest opportunity of communicating it to you.1 With great and sincere Esteem & Regard I have the Honor to be Dr Sr Your most obt. & humble Sert
The Marquis D’Yranda
Dft, NNC (EJ: 8191).
1. See Yranda to JJ, 8 Mar. 1786, ALS, in French, with trans. by John Pintard, DNA: PCC, item 78, 22: 333–34, 337 (EJ: 11009). In his letter Yranda argued that the congressional resolution of 16 Mar. 1784 ( 26: 144) barring the appointment of noncitizens to diplomatic or consular posts abroad “however wise & politic may be attended with many inconveniencies at first, as it is impossible that new comers can be as useful, as the people of the country who are perfectly acquainted with local matters, & who for that reason have it more in their power not only to protect your growing commerce, but likewise to point out the best means to give it the utmost extent possible.”
After JJ submitted Yranda’s letter supporting the application of Christian Andrew Tilebein to be appointed consul at Barcelona, Congress referred the documents back to JJ’s office, and no further action on them is recorded. See 31: 641n (7 Sept. 1786). For Tilebein’s application sent to JJ on 10 June 1786, see ALS, DNA: PCC, item 78, 22: 325–32 (EJ: 11008). On JJ’s longstanding opposition to the appointment of noncitizens to office, see 2: 48; 3: 353; and JJ to Edward Newenham, 9 Feb. 1787, below.