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NOTES OF CONFERENCE. 431
and we should be cautious how we spend our money,
our men, or our public spirit, uselessly.
In my opinion, we should endeavour to be as inde-
dent on the charity of our friends, as on the mercy of
our enemies. Jacob took advantage even of his
brother's hunger, and extorted from him a higher
price than the value of the Mississippi even for a single dinner. The way not to be in Esau's condition,
is to be prepared to meet with Jacob's.
From what I can learn of the King's character, I
am persuaded that a present from Congress of a
handsome fast-sailing packet-boat would be very acceptable, and consequently very useful.
I am informed, and believe, that a loan from individuals in France is impracticable. Here nothing
can be done in that way. What may be expected
from the like attempts in Holland, I am unable to say.
I have received no answer to my letter to Count
de Vergennes ; the Ambassador informs me that the
Count has written him on the subject, and the following is an extract from his letter.
[Translation.]
" I doubt whether I shall be able to render Mr. Jay the
service he requests of me, independently of what the Ministry has furnished the Americans in the course of the year.
Dr. Franklin is urgent for a million extra, to meet the drafts
of Congress to the 31st of December. I am sensible how
important it is to prevent them from being returned protested, but the difficulty is to find the means. I shall do
my best in this exigency, but am not sure of success; beyond this, it would be impossible for me to go."
| Title | The correspondence and public papers of John Jay - 1 |
| Creator | Jay, John |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Title | 00000462 |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Transcript | NOTES OF CONFERENCE. 431 and we should be cautious how we spend our money, our men, or our public spirit, uselessly. In my opinion, we should endeavour to be as inde- dent on the charity of our friends, as on the mercy of our enemies. Jacob took advantage even of his brother's hunger, and extorted from him a higher price than the value of the Mississippi even for a single dinner. The way not to be in Esau's condition, is to be prepared to meet with Jacob's. From what I can learn of the King's character, I am persuaded that a present from Congress of a handsome fast-sailing packet-boat would be very acceptable, and consequently very useful. I am informed, and believe, that a loan from individuals in France is impracticable. Here nothing can be done in that way. What may be expected from the like attempts in Holland, I am unable to say. I have received no answer to my letter to Count de Vergennes ; the Ambassador informs me that the Count has written him on the subject, and the following is an extract from his letter. [Translation.] " I doubt whether I shall be able to render Mr. Jay the service he requests of me, independently of what the Ministry has furnished the Americans in the course of the year. Dr. Franklin is urgent for a million extra, to meet the drafts of Congress to the 31st of December. I am sensible how important it is to prevent them from being returned protested, but the difficulty is to find the means. I shall do my best in this exigency, but am not sure of success; beyond this, it would be impossible for me to go." |
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