26 April letter received, glad of safe arrival in Madrid. Floridablanca agreed to be a man of abilities, but such men cannot see what is to us, as Americans, "as clear as day." It is better for Spain and France to have their fleet in America, than in Europe, but the ministers of state cannot see this "until the proper point of Time is past and it is too late." Likewise it is to their advantage to l oan American money, or grant subsidies as this would advance the "Common Cause, and even their particular Interests, by enabling the Americans to make greater Exertions" but they don't see it this way. The idea is not within "the Company of those Ideas" that the minister is used to.
Subjects
United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783; Jay, John, 1745-1829