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208 CORRESPONDENCE AND PUBLIC PAPERS.
whatever claims we might set up to a subsidy from the
share we take in the burthen of the war, and the utility of
our exertions in the common cause, we are far from wishing
to lay ourselves under any pecuniary obligations for a longer
time than is absolutely necessary. A few years of peace
will enable us to repay with interest any sums, which our
present necessities compel us to borrow.
I cannot close this letter without expressing the grateful
sense, that Congress entertain of the disinterested conduct
of Spain, in rejecting the proffers of Great Britain, which
must undoubtedly have been considerable, if they bore that
proportion to the importance of his Catholic Majesty in the
great system of politics, which those that have been fre-
navigation of that river as extensively as the territorial possessions of the said
States reach respectively. And that every further or other demand of the said
navigation be ceded, if insisting on the same is deemed an impediment to a
treaty with Spain.
"Provided, That the said delegates use their endeavors to obtain, on behalf
of this State, or others States having territory on said river, a free port or ports
below the territory of such States respectively."
On the strength of this action, Bland of Virginia moved the alteration in
Jay's instructions as adopted by Congress on February 15, 1781. Madison
proceeds to state that "the instant the menacing crisis was over" Virginia
revoked her instructions and "Congress seized the first moment, also, for
revoking theirs to Jay." A misleading impression, however, is conveyed here,
for Congress made no definitive revocation of its instructions to Jay respecting
the Mississippi until a year and a half later, and then not because the situation
had ceased to be menacing, but because of Spain's conspicuously dilatory course
and unfriendly attitude to American interests. Jay's report of October, 1781,
thoroughly impressed Congress with this, and gave Madison the opportunity to
offer the following resolution, adopted April 30, 1782 :
" Resolved, That the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at the
Court of Madrid be informed, that Congress entirely approve of his conduct as
detailed in his letter of the 3d of October last; that the limitation affixed by
him to the proposed surrender of the navigation of the Mississippi in particular
corresponds with the views of Congress ; that they observe, not without surprise
and concern, that a proposition so liberal in itself, and which removed the only
avowed obstacle to a connexion between the United States and his Catholick
Majesty, should not have produced greater effects on the counsels of the latter;
that the surrender of the navigation of the Mississippi was meant as the price
of the advantages promised by an early and intimate alliance with the Spanish
| Title | The correspondence and public papers of John Jay - 2 |
| Creator | Jay, John |
| Publisher | G.P. Putnam's Sons |
| Place of Publication | New York, London |
| Date | [1890-93] |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Title | 00000229 |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Transcript | 208 CORRESPONDENCE AND PUBLIC PAPERS. whatever claims we might set up to a subsidy from the share we take in the burthen of the war, and the utility of our exertions in the common cause, we are far from wishing to lay ourselves under any pecuniary obligations for a longer time than is absolutely necessary. A few years of peace will enable us to repay with interest any sums, which our present necessities compel us to borrow. I cannot close this letter without expressing the grateful sense, that Congress entertain of the disinterested conduct of Spain, in rejecting the proffers of Great Britain, which must undoubtedly have been considerable, if they bore that proportion to the importance of his Catholic Majesty in the great system of politics, which those that have been fre- navigation of that river as extensively as the territorial possessions of the said States reach respectively. And that every further or other demand of the said navigation be ceded, if insisting on the same is deemed an impediment to a treaty with Spain. "Provided, That the said delegates use their endeavors to obtain, on behalf of this State, or others States having territory on said river, a free port or ports below the territory of such States respectively." On the strength of this action, Bland of Virginia moved the alteration in Jay's instructions as adopted by Congress on February 15, 1781. Madison proceeds to state that "the instant the menacing crisis was over" Virginia revoked her instructions and "Congress seized the first moment, also, for revoking theirs to Jay." A misleading impression, however, is conveyed here, for Congress made no definitive revocation of its instructions to Jay respecting the Mississippi until a year and a half later, and then not because the situation had ceased to be menacing, but because of Spain's conspicuously dilatory course and unfriendly attitude to American interests. Jay's report of October, 1781, thoroughly impressed Congress with this, and gave Madison the opportunity to offer the following resolution, adopted April 30, 1782 : " Resolved, That the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at the Court of Madrid be informed, that Congress entirely approve of his conduct as detailed in his letter of the 3d of October last; that the limitation affixed by him to the proposed surrender of the navigation of the Mississippi in particular corresponds with the views of Congress ; that they observe, not without surprise and concern, that a proposition so liberal in itself, and which removed the only avowed obstacle to a connexion between the United States and his Catholick Majesty, should not have produced greater effects on the counsels of the latter; that the surrender of the navigation of the Mississippi was meant as the price of the advantages promised by an early and intimate alliance with the Spanish |
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