ed, but to maintain 'the even good temper hitherto manifested.'
Meantime Congress drew on him for the loan without waiting to hear that
it had been negotiated; after a small advance, the Spanish Government
declined the loan unless the sole right of navigating the Mississippi
were granted. Having thus failed to accomplish the great object, which
indeed was unattainable except at a sacrifice which subsequent events
have proved would have essentially interfered with the prosperous
development of the Southwest--Jay, sensitively vigilant of his country's
credit, despite his habitual prudence, accepted the bill at his own
credit; boldly assuming the responsibility; his claims on the Spanish
Government were proved; Franklin remitted twenty-five thousand dollars;
of the one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, due December, 1780, only
twenty-five thousand was paid by the following April; his outstanding
acceptances amounted to two hundred and thirty-one thousand dollars--the
greater part of which was due in two months. A more painful situation
for a gentleman of refinement and honor can scarcely be imagined than
that of John Jay--living without any salary, living on credit, scarcely
recognized by the proud court to which he had been accredited; and yet
maintaining his self-respect, persistent in his aim, courteous in his
manner, faithful to his trust, harassed by anxiety--patient, true, and
patriotic. As we read the lively and genial letters of the lamented
Irving, when American minister at Madrid seventy years later, what a
contrast to the high consideration and social amenities he enjoyed, are
the humiliations and the baffled zeal of Jay, when obliged to 'stand and
wait,' under circumstances at once so perplexing and hopeless! In March,
1782, the bills were protested; but the credit that seemed utterly
destroyed was soon retrieved, though Jay found himself constrained, by
the instructions of his Government, to yield the right of navigating the
Mississippi in order to secure the treaty; having drawn and presented
it, his presence was no longer requisite, and he proceeded to France to
act in concert with Franklin, Adams, Jefferson, and Lee in negotiating
for peace.

In June, 1782, Jay arrived in Paris, and, with Franklin, for the most
part carried on the negotiations which resulted in the treaty of peace;
it was a period of 'painful anxiety and difficult labor:' Hamilton,
Jefferson, and other of his eminent countrymen recognized