Had the Letters you honoured me with in August last required immediate reply, I should have been as punctual in answering them as I am now for that I just received.1 I am very unhappy to learn you can not benefit on the spot of the facility tendered you by the Court of Spain,2 So much more so that the nature of circumstances here does not admit of the least hope of Success. two many attempts, all vainless, have already been made for the good of your Credit, adding any more to the Number would be destructing it interely, at this particular Juncture chiefly, when our Government is about raising a sum of Money, much more inticing & advantageous in its conditions. This perplexing situation suggested me an Idea I communicated to Dr. Franklin, which he approved & put in immediate execution, that of writing to Mr. J. Adams now at Amsterm. to charge him of Sounding the Dutch dispositions, for success is most likely there, & Mr. Adams Abilities well fit to accelerate it.

Meanwhile it is highly important to avail yourself of the favourable dispositions of the Court of Spain & get it to authorise & charge the Marquis to help you in your finance Busyness, he writes me that without orders he can not take it upon him. It will be better for your Excellency not to consult ^him^ before making the application to Government,3 by giving this as my opinion I mean not to compromise ^you^ nor the friendship of the Marquis, who has of a Spaniard but the Circumspection.

You are not mistaken, Sir, in your belief to my Attachment for your country, more Zeal & activity in serving it could not have been given from my part ever since the beginning, my wish now is to have frequent Opportunities of evincing you of the true Esteem which I have conceived for your Excellency I have the honour to be Sir Your most obt. hble Servt.