John Jay Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jay/01-02-02-0167

To John Jay from John Adams, 28 March 1781

From John Adams

Leyden March 28th. 1781

Sir,

It is so long since I wrote You, that I am almost ashamed to recollect.1 I have been in the most curious Country, among the most incomprehensible People and under the most singular Constitution of Government in the World. I have not been able to write You, what could or would be done here, because I was not able to discover, nor did I ever yet find one Man in the Country, who would pretend to say what Course the Republic would take.

At this moment, altho’ I think there cannot be a Peace between them and England; yet I don’t see a probability of their being in earnest in the War for some time.

I can tell You one thing however for certain, that the Conduct of Spain has great Influence here. Her delay in acknowledging our Independence contributes amazingly to the Indecision of the Republic. If Spain had fully entered into the System this Country would soon follow.

I must therefore beg of You to communicate to me as much concerning this Subject, as You are at Liberty to do. All Nations it is to be feared will wait for Spain, and thus prolong the Evils of War to unnecessary lengths. My best Compliments to your Family, and believe me to be, with great Esteem, Sir, your most obedient Servant.

John Adams2

Inclose for me to Messrs. De la Lande & Finje, Merchants in Amsterdam
His Excellency John Jay Esqr.

LS, body in John Thaxter’s hand, NNC (EJ: 5409). Endorsed: “Recd. 4 May 1781 . . .”

1See JA to JJ, 15 May 1780, above.

2No reply to this letter has been found. In his letter to JA of 15 Dec. 1781, below, in which he acknowledged letters of 26 and 28 Nov., JJ noted that he had attributed the lack of correspondence to the frequent miscarriage of letters to and from him and remarked on the many delays that characterized his negotiations in Spain.

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