United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783; Jay, John, 1745-1829
Summary
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 loan 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.
