N TME CUSTODY OF TME

BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY.

SHELF N°

:^jiigitis*^^.iiii^fe:3^ "- "^

JHhSLl

A COLLECTION

OF

STATE -PAPERS,

Relative to the firfl Acknowledgment of the So- vereignity of the United States of America, and the reception of their Minifter Plenipo- tentiary, by their High Mightinesfes the Sta* tes - General of the United Netherlands.

AT THE HAGUE, MDCCLXXXII.

9-^

MEMORIAL

To THEIR HiGH-MlGHTINtSSES, THE StATEJ-

General of the United Provii^cEs of THE Low- Countries.

T

High and Mighty Lords>

he Subfcriber has the honour, to propofe to _ your High-Mightinesfes, that the United Sta- tes of America, in CoDgrefs aflembled , have la- tely thought fit to fend him a Comraifliob (with full Powers and Inftruftious) to confer with your H. M. concerning a Treaty of Amity and Commer- ce , an authentic Copy of which he hss the honour to annex to this Memorial.

At the times when the Treaties between this Re- publick and the Crown of Great-Britain were made, the People, who now compofe the United States of America, were a Part of the English Mation; as fuch , Allies of the Republick , and Parties to thoje Treaties ; entitled to all their Benefits, and fabmit- ting chearfully to all their Obligations.

It is true, that when the British Adminiftratioa , renouncing the ancient Charafter of Englishmen for Generofity, Juftice and Humanity, conceived the defign of fubverting the political Syfterasof the Colonies; depriving them of the Rights and Liber- ties of Englishmen, and reducing them to theworft of all Forms of Government, ftarving the People by blockading the Ports, and cutting off their Fishe- ries and Commerce ; fending Fleets and Armies to deftroy every principle and fentiment of Liberty, and to confunie their Habitations and their Lives ; making Contracts for foreign Troops , and Alliances with favage Nations to aflift them in their Enter- A 2 prife,

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priTe; cafling formally, by Aft of Parliament, three MilliV)ns of People ac once out of the potcftion of the Crowo then, and not till then, did the Uni- ted States of America, in Con^refs aflembled jpafs that memora':le Aft, by which they affumed an equal Station among the Nations.

Thi^ immortal Declaration,ofthe4 of July 1776 , when America was invaded by an hundred Vefsels of War 5 und, according to Eftimates laid before Parliament, by 55,000 of veteran Troops, was not the efFeft of any fudden Pc.(fion , or EnthuGasm'; but a meafure which had been long in deliberation among the People, maturely discusfed in fome hun- dreds op popular AfTemolJes, and by public Wri- tings in all tlie States: ic was a meafure which Con- grefs did not adopt until they had received the poQtive Inftruft ons of their Conllituents in all the States: it was then unanimously adopted by Con- grefs, fubfcribed by all its Members, transmitted to the Aflembiies of the feveral States, and by them refpeftively accepted, ratified and recorded among their Archives; fo that no Decree, Edift Statute, Placart or fundamental Law of any Nation ■was ever made with more Solemnity, or with rrjore Unanimity or Cordiality adopted , as the Aft and Confent of the vyhole People, than this: and it has been held facred to this day by every State, with fuch unshaken firmncfs, that not even the fmallefl has ever been induced to depart from it : although the English have wailed many Millions , and vaft Fleers 9Dd Armies, in the vain Attempt to invalidate it. On the contrary, each of the thirteen States has iu- ilitutedaform of government for irfelf under thcAu- thorityofthe People; has erefted its Legislature fo the feveral Branches,- ns Executive Authority with |U its Offices,- its judiciary departments and jud- ges;;

ges; its Army, Militia, Revenue, and fome of them their Navy: and all thofe departments of GovernmenL have been regulariy and conftitutioDally organized under the afibciated Supermtendency of Coogrefs , now thefe tive years, aiid have acquired a.Confiftency, Solidity, and Atlivity equal to the oldeil and mofl: eflablished Governments. It is true, that ic fome Speeches and Writings of the English ic is ftill contended, that the Feopie of^ America are Itill in principle and affcdtioo with them: but thefe aHerrions are madeagainit iUch evi- dent Truth and Deinonltranon., jthat it is furpri- fing they fhould find at this Uay one believer in the World. One may appeal to :he Writings and le- corded Speeches of the English for the iait feven- teen years, to f hew, that fiaiilar misrcprefentations have been ineeflTantly repeated through that whole Period, and that the Concluiion of every year has in ftO: confuted the confident A.'-fertJons and Pre- didiOLs of the beginning of it. The Subifcriber begs leave to fay from his own Kdov\ ledge of the Peo- ple of America, (and he has a better Right to ob- tain credit, becaufe he has better opportunities to' know, than any Briton whatfoever j that ihey are unalterably determined to maintain their Indepen- dence. He cooftlTes, that notwithftandmg his Confi- dence throua;h his whole Life in the virtuous Senti- ments and Uniformity of Charader among his Coun- trymen, their Uoanimity has lurprifed hiii;; that all the Power, Arts, Intrigues and Bribes, which ha- ve been empioyed in the fcve.'-al States , fhould ha- ve feduced from the Standard of Virtue, lo con- temptible a few , is more fortunate than could have" been expected. This Independence ftands upon fo broad & firm a bottom of the peoples inttrefts, hoBOur, confcience&& afFetftions, that it will noc be affet^ed by any SucceiTes the English may ob- A3 taie

tain either iO America, or agaioft the European Pof wers at War, Dor by any Ailjjnces they can poffi* b.]y form; if indeed in To unjuft &derperate a Caufe they can obtain any. Ncverthelefs , alth6 compel- led by Neceflity, & warranted by the fundamenial Laws of the Colonies, and of the British Conftitucion, by principles avowed in the English Laws, end con- firnned by many Examples in the English HiOory, by principles interwoven into the Hiftory and public Kight of Europe , in the great Examples of the HeL vetic and Belgic Confederac es, and many others; aod fiequently acknowledged and ratified by the Diplomatic Body , principles founded in eternal Ju- itice, and the Laws of God and Nature, to cue afunder for ever, all the Ties which had connefted th?ra with Great Britain: yet the People of Ame- rica did not confider themfelves as fcparaiing from their Allies, efpecially the Republic of the United Provinces , or departing from their connexions with any of the People under their Government; but, on the contrary, they preferved the fame AffeQion , Efteem and RefpecH; for the Dutch Na- tion , in every part of the World, which they and iheir Anceftors bad ever entertained.

When found policy dictated to Congrefs the pre- caution of fending Perfons to negotiate natural AI« liances in, Europe, it was not from a failure in JRefpefl that they did not fend a Minilter to your High-Mightinefses , with te firfl: whom they fent abroad: but, inftrudted in the Nature of the Con* nedions between Great- Britain and the Republic, ard in the fyftem of peace and Neutrality, which fhe had fo long purfued , they thought proper to refpeO: both fo far, as coc to feek to embroil her with her Allies, to excite diviflons in the Nation, or lay Embarrafsraents before it. Bur. lince the liiitiib AdmioiAracioD, UQ.form and perfevering in

Jn-

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lojufllce, defpifing their Allies, as much as their CoJonifls and Fellow- fubjeds ; disregarding the' li'aith oi Treaties , as much as that of Royal Char* ters; violating the Law of Nations, as they had be* fore done the fundamental Laws of the Colonies and the inherent Right* of British fubjefts , have arbitrarily fet afide all /the Treaties between the Crown and the Republic, declared War and com- menced Hoftilities, the fettled Intentions of which they had manifefted long before ; all thofe Moti- ves, which before reftrained the Congrefs, ceafe: and an Opportutiity prefents of propoQng fuch Con- nedlioos, as the United States of America have a liight to forme, confiftent with the Treaties alrea* dy formed with France & Spain, which they are under every Obligation of Duty, Intereft and In* clination to obferve facred and inviolate; and con- fident with fuch other Treaties, as it is their In- tention to propofe to other Sovereigns*

If there was ever among Nations a natural Al- liance, one may be formed between the two Re-> publics. The firft planters of the four northern States found in this Country an Afylum from Per- secution, and refided here from the Year one thou- fand fix hundred and eight to the Ye^r one thou- fand fix hundred and twenty , twelve Year* prece- ding their Migration. They ever entertained and have transmitted to Poftenty, a grateful Remem- braoce of that Protedlion and tiofpitality, and es- pecially of that religious Liberty they found here^ having fought it in vain in England.

The fir ft Inhabitants of two other States, New- York and New-Jerfeyj were immediate Emigrants from this Nation, and have transmitted their Re« ligion, Language, Cuftoms, Manners and Charac-» ter: and America in general , until her Connedlions h 4 wiEb

with the Houfe of Bourbon , has ever confidered this Nation as her firft Friend in Europe, whofe Hiltory, and the great Charafters it exhibits, ia the various Arts of Peace, as well as Atchievements of War by Sea and Land , have been particularly fludied, admired and imitated in every State.

A Similitude of Religion , although it is not dee* med fo cfiential in this as in former Ages to the Alliance of Nations , is ilili , as it ever will be thought, a defirable Circumftance. Now it may be faid with Truth, that there are no two Nations, whofe Worship, Dodtrine and Difcipline, are more alike than thofe of the two Republicks. In this particular therefore , as far as it is of weight, an Alliance would be perfedily natural.

A Similarity in the Forms of Government , is ufualiy confidered as another Circumftance , which renders Alliances natural : and although theConfti* tutions of the two Republicks are not perfedtly ali- ke, there is yet Analogy enough between them, to make a Conni^ftion eafy in this refpefl:.

Id general Ufages, and in the Liberality of Sen- timeins in thofe momentous Points, the Freedom of Enquiry , the Right of private Judgment and the Liberty of Confcience, of fo much Importan- ce to he funported in the World, and imparted to all Mankind, and which at this Hour are in more danger from Great Britain and that intolerant fpirit which is fecretly fomenting there , than from any other cuarter, the two Nations refemble each other more thm any others.

The Originals of the two Republicks are fomuch alike, that the Hiltory of one fecms but a Tian- fcript from that of the other: fo that every Dutch- man i'^ftrudted in the fubject , mud pronounce the AineiicaD Revolution juft and neceflary , or paft

a

a Cenfure upon the greatefl: /A^lions of his immcw* tal Ancedors: AftioDs which have been approved and applauded by Mankind, and julbfied by the Decifion of Heaven.

But the Circumllance', which perhaps in this Age ha^ nron^^er influence than any other in the formation of Friendships between {Nations, is tha great and growing Intereft of Commerce i of the whole fyflcm of which through the Globe, youf High-iVJightinesfes are too perfeft Mailers , for me to lay any thing that is not familiary koown. Ic may not however be amifs to hint, that the cen- tral fituation of this Country, her extenfivc Navi- gation, her Pofltffions in the Eaft- and Weft- la- dies, the loteiiigence of her Merchants, the Num- ber of herCapitaiifts,and the Riches of herFunds^ render a Connexion with her very defirable to America: and on the other Hand, the Abundance and Variety of the Produ6tions of America , the Mutenals of Manufadtures, Navigation and Com- mtrce ; the valt Demand and Confumption in America of the Manufaftures of Europe , of Mer- chandifes from the Baltic, and from the Eaft- In- dies , and the fituation of the Dutch PolTeffions in the Wtftlcdes, cannot admit of a doubt, that a Conot 6lion with the United Sutes would be ufe- ful to tnis Republic. The English are fo fenfible of this , that notwithftacdiog all their Profeffion* of Friendship , tney have ever conGdered this Na- tion as their Rival in th- American Trade; a Sen-" timenc which didated and maintained their fevere A6t of Navigation, as injurious to the Commerce and Naval Power of this Country, as it was both to the TiaJe and the Rights of the Colonifts. There is now an Opportniry oifered to both, to fhake off this fnackle for ever. , If any Confidera-

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tioD whatever could have induced them to have •voided a War with your High-Mightinesfes , it would have been the Apprehenfion of an Alhance between the two Repubhcks ; and it is eafy to forefee , that nothing will contribute more to obli- ge them to a Peace , than fuch a Connexion once completely formed. It is needlefs to point out particularly , what Advantages might be derived to the poffeffions of the Republick in the Weft Indies from a Trade opened , protedted and encouraged between them and tlie Continent of America; or what Profits might be made by the Dutch Eaft- India Company , by carrying their EfFefts diredlly to the American Market; or how much even the Trade of the Baltic mighc be fecured and extended by a free Intercourfc with America, which has ever had fo large a demand , and will have more for Hemp, Cordage, Sail-Cloth and other Articles of that Commerce : how much the national navi- gation would be beneficed bybuilding& purchafing f hips there: how much the number of Teamen might be mcreafed , or how much advantages to both Countries, to have their Ports mutually opened to their men of war & privateers & their Prifes.

If therefore an Analogy of Religion , Govern- ment, Origmal, Manners, and the moft extenfive and lading commercial Interefts , can form a Ground and an Invitation to political Connexions, the Subfcriber flatters himfelf , that in all thcfe Par- ticulars the Union is fo obviously natural, that ihere has feldom been a more diftinft Defigaation of Providence to any two diftant Nations to unite themfelves together.

It is further fubmitted to the Wisdom and Huma- nity of your High-Mi^htinefles, whether it is not vifibly for the good of Mankind , that the Powers

Pf

of Europe, ^ho are convinced t>f the Juftlce of the American Caufe, (and where is one to be found that is not?) fhould make hafte to acknow- ledge the Indej^endence of the United States, and form equitable Treaties with them , as the furefl means of convincing Great-Britain of the Impradti- cability of her purfaits ? whether the late Marine Treaty concerning the Rights of neutral Veflels, noble an^ ufeful as it is , can be eflablished agaioll Great-Britsin, who will never adopt it, nor fubmic to it, but from Necefljty, without the Independen- ce of America? whether the Return of America, tvith her Nurferies of Seamen and Magazines of Materials for Navigation and Commerce, to the Domination and Monopoly of Great- Britain, if that were pradlicable, would not put the Poflefllons of other Nations beyond feas wholly in the Power of that enormous Empire , which has been long go- verned wholly by the feeling of its own Power, at lead without a proportional attention to Juftice, Humanity, or Decency. When it is obvious and certain, that the Americans are not inclined to fub- init again to the British Government, on the one hand, and that the Powers of Europe ought not and could not with fafety confent to it, if they we- re , on the other; why fhould a Source of Con- tention be left open , for future contingencies to involve the Nations of Europe in flill more blood- fhed, when , by ore decifive ftep of the Maritime Powers, in making Treaties with a Nation long in PofielTion of Sovereignity by Right and in P'adl, ic might be clofed?

The Exajople of your High • Mighticefles would, it is hoped, be followed by all the Maritime Po- wers, efpecially thofe which are Parties to the late Marine Treaty; nor can Apprehenfion, that the In-

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deper.dence of America would be injurious to thd Traae of ;heljaluck', be any Objedtion. This Jea^ loufy is fo gro ndlcfs, chat the rcverfe would hap- pen. The F t'gh( aad lofurance in Voyages acrofs the AtUncic are To h:gh, and the Price of Labour in America fo dear, that Tar, Fitch, Turpentine and Ship-Timber never can be transported to Eu- rope at fo cheap a Rare, as it has been and will be afforded by Countries round the Baltjck. This GomroerGe was fupported by the English before the Revolution with difficulty, and not without large Parlimentary Bounties. Of Hemp, Cordage and Sail-Ckith tnere will not probably be a Sufficiency raifed in America for her own Gonfumption in ma- ny Centuries, for the plameft of a!i Reafons, be-, caufe thefe Articles may be imported from Amfter- dam, or even from Petersbourg and Archangel, cheaper than they can be raifed at home. America Will therefore be for Ages a Market for thefe Ar- ticles of the Baltic Trade,

Nor is there more folidity in another SuppoQ* tion, propagated by the English to prevent other Nations from purfuing their true Interelts, that the Colonies of other Nations will follow ihe Example of the United States Thofe Powers, who have as large Pofsesfions as any beyond feas, have already declared againll England , apprehending no fuch Confequences. Inaeed there is no probability of any other Power of Europe following the Example of England, in attempting to chiTgc ihe whole Sy- llem of the Government of Colonies. , and rejucing them by Oppreflion to the Neceffity of governing themielves: and without fuch manifell lojulticeand Cruelty on the Part of the Metropolis, there is no danger of Colonies attempting Innovations, Elta- blished Governments are founded deep in .the

iiearcs

Hearts, the Paffions, the Imaginations and Under- Handings of the People; and without forae violent Change from without , to alter t he Temper and Cha- ladier of the whole People, it is not in human Na- ture to exchange Safety for Danger , and certain Happinefs for very precarious Benefits.

It is fubmitted to theConfiderationofyour High- Mightinefses , whether the Syftem of the United States , which was minutely conGdered and difcuf. sed , and unanimously agreed on in Congrefs in the Year 1776, in pla ing the Treaty they p'opofed to France, to form equitable commercial Treaties with all the Maritime Powers of Europe, without being governed or monopolized by any : a Syftem which was afterwards approved by the King , and made the foundation of the Treaties with his Ma- jefty : a Syftem to which the United States have hitherto conftantly adhered, and from which they never will depart, unlefs compelled by fome Po- wers declaring againft them , which is not expefted, IS nor the only means of preventing this growing Country from being an Objeft of everlafting Jealou- fies, Rivalties and Wars among the Nations. If this Ideais juft , it follows, that it is the Intereft of every State in Europe to acKnowiedgf American Indepen- dency immediately. If fucn benevolent Policy fhould be adopted, the n- w World will be a proportio- nal Bleding to every Part of the old.

The SubfcrJber has the further Honour of infor- ming your H. M. , that the United States of Ame- rica, in Congrefs afsembleJ, imprefscd with aa high Senfe of the Wisdom and Magnanimity of your H. M., and of your inviolable Attachment to he Rights and Liberties of Mankind , and being de(i- rous of cultivating the Friendship of a Nstjon , eminent for its Wisdom , juftice and Moderation,

have

have appointed the Subfcriber to be their Minifter Plenipotentiary to refide near you, that he may give you more parcicular afsurancesof the great Refpeft they entertain for your H. M., befeeching your H. M. to give entire Credit to every thirg, which their faid Mitiifter fhall deliver on their Pare » espe- cially when he 1 hall af&ure You of the Sincerity of their Friendship and Regard. The original Letter of Credence, under the Seal of Congrefs, the Sub- fcriber is ready to deliver to your H. M. , or to fjch Perfons as you fhall direft to receive it. He has alfo a fimilar Letter of Credence to his moft Serene Highnefs the Prince Stadtholder.

All which is rerpettfuUy fubmitted to the Confl- detaiion of your H. M. , together with the Pro- priety cf appointing Tome Perfon, or Perfons, to treat on the Subjeft of his Misfion, by

Letde it 19. April 178 1.

J. ADAMS.

G U E L'

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GUELDERLAND.

10 the Affembly of the States of Guelderland held in Odlober 1781 , to confider of the Re- quifition of the King of France, of a negotiation of five millions of Florins , under te Warranty of the Republick, fome were for an Alliance with France. The Baion Nagel , Senechal of Zut- phen, avoided putting of the Queftion', and faid among other Things: „ That he had rattier ac- „ knowledge the Independence of the Ameri- ,y cans, than contrad an Alliance with France".

The BaroB van dcr Capellco de Marfch was for sn alliance with France and America too He obferved „ That nothing bcirg more natural than to aft in Concert with the Ennemies of our Enne- my, it was an objeft of ferious Deliberation, to fee, if the Tnterefl of the Republick did not re- quire to accept, without farther Tergiverfations, the Invitations and Offers of the Americans : that BO Condefcencion for England could hinder Us, at prcfent, from uniting ourfelves, agaicft a com- mon Ennemy, wit a Nation fo brsve, and fo vir- tuous: a Nation, which after our Example, owes its Liberty to its valour , and even at this moment is employed, in defending itfelf from the Tyran- ny of the Ennemy of the two Nations: that confe- qucntly, nothing could reftrain us from acknow- ledging

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ledging the Independence of this new Repubh'ck ! Tnatour conduft differed very much, from that held by our Anceftors , who allied themfielves with the Portuguefe , as foon ,as they fhook off the Yoke of the Spaniards: That there was no doubt, that the faid alliances with the Enneraies of our Eonemy ^ould foon reftrain his Fury , and operate a gene • ral Peace advantageous for us "♦

THE

THE QUARTER

O F

6 O S T E R G O,

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Tbe Quarter of Oojlergo in the Province of Ffiei"^ land, in December 178 1, was tbe fir Ji public Bo" dy, which propojed a Connection tvith tbe United States of America in tbefe icords*

Every impartial Patriot, has a long time percei- ved, rhac in the Dircdticn of affairs relative to this war with England, there has been manifes*^ ted an inconceivable Lukewarmnefs and 51oth ? buth they discover tbemfelves ftill more, at thif moment, by the little. Inclination which, in gene- ral,, the Regencies of the Belgiclc Provinces teftify to cornmence a Treaty of Commerce and Friend- ship wirh the new Repiablick of the thirteen Uni- ted States of North- America; and to contraft En^ gagements, ac least during the Continuance of this common war with the Crowns of France and Spain. Neverthclefs, the Neceffity of thefe Mea- fares appears clearly, fince , according to our judgments, nothing was more natural, nor more conformable to found Policy , founded upon the Laws, of the Nature the moft precife, than that this Republick , immediately after the formal de- claration of war, by the English (not being yet able to do any thing by military Exploits, net being in a flatc of Defence fufficientiy refpeftable, to dare, at Sea , to oppofe one fleet or fquadron,

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to our perfidious Ennemy) fhould have commen- ced by acknowledging, -by a publick deciaratioD, the Independence of North America. This would have been from that time the greateft ftep to the Humiliation of England , and our own Re* efteblishment , an4 by this meafure, the Repu- blick would have proved her firm Refolution to aft ■with vigour. Every one of our Inhabitants , all Europe , who have their eyes fixed upon Us , the whole world expefted, v/ith juft reafon, this mea- fure from the Republick. It is true, that before the formal Declaration of war, by England, one might perhaps have alledged fome plaufible Rea- fons, tojuflify, in fome degree, the Backward- ncfs in this great and intereftiag affair. But, as at prefect Great Britain is do longer our fe- oret, but declared Enneffiy, which dilTolves all the Connexions between the two Nations; and .as it is tho duty, not only of all the Regencies, but alfo of all the^ Citizens of this Republick, to redu- ce , by all imaginable annoyances, this Ennemy fo UDJuft to reafon, and to force him, if pofJible , to conclude &a honourable React; why fhould we hefltate any longer, toftrike, by this meafure fo leafonable , the moit f»nfible blow to the common Ennemy ? will not this delay occafion a fufpicion, that we prefer the Intered of our Ennemy to that of our Country? North America, fo fenfibly offen- ded by the Refufal of her Offer ; France and Spain , in the midft of a war fupported witJi aftivity , muft they not regard Us as the fecret Friends, and Favourers, of their and our common Ennemy ? H*- ve they not Reafon to conclude from it , that oui Inaftion ought to be lefs attributed to our weak- nefs , than to our afFc ftion for England ? wilT noc this opinion deHroy ali Coufidejice in our Narion

heretofore fo renouned in this refpea? and oat Allies , at this time natural, muft they not imagine, that it IS better to have in us declared Ennemiea than pretended Friends? and fhall we not be in- volved in a ruinous war, which we might have rendered advantageous, if it had been weH directed? while on the other hand it is evident, that by a new Connedtion with the States of North- America, by Engagements at leaft during this war with Fraoce and Spain , we fhall obtain , not only the Confi- dence of thefe formidable Powers , inftead of theit diflruft , but by this means we fhal! moreover place our Colonies in Safety, againft any Infult ; we fhall have a well grouaded hope, of recovering a with the aid of the allied Powers, our loftPofles- lions, if the English fhould m'.ke themfelves mafters of them, and our Commerce at prefenc negledled, and fo fhamefully pillaged, would jeairume a new Vigour; coofidering that in fuch cafe, a« it is manifeftly proved by foJid reafbns, this Republick would derive from this Commerce the moft Cgnal Advantages, But , fince our In- tereft excites us forcibly, to aft in Concert with the Ennemies of our Ennemy; fince the United States of America invite us to it long ago; fince France appears inclined to concert her military operations with ours , although this Power has infinitely lefs Interefl: to ally itfelf with us , whofe weaknefs manifeft Itfelf in fo palpable amanner , thaa we are to form anAlliance,the moft refpedlable in the Univerfe : it is indubitably the duty of every Re- gency, to promote it with all their Forces, and with all the Celerity imaginable. To this end, wehave thought it our Duty, to lay it before your noble Mightinefles, in the firme Pcr5uafion , that Ihe Zeal of your noble Mightinefles will be as B z eaf«

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Cflrnefi: as ours, to concur to the Accomp]ifhni.ect of this Point, which is for us of the greateft Im- portance; that, confequently , your noble Migh- tinefles will not delay , to cooperate with Us, that, upon this important fubjeft , there may be made to their High-Mightinefles, a Propolition fo vigorous, that it may have the defired Succefs : and that this affair, of an Importance beyond all Expreffioa for our common Country, may be refolved and de- cided by Unanimous Suffrages and in Pr^erence to every particular Intereft.

ULTERIOUR

ULTERIOUR ADDRESS.

On the 9*^ January 17-82, Mr. Adams, w^ffei 072 the Prefident van den Sandheuvel, fiK£^ addrejfed him as follows.

ON the fourth of May , I had the honour of a Conference with the Prefident of theit High-Mightinefles , in which I informed him, that I had received from the United States of America a Commiflion with full Powers and Inftrudions, to propofe and conclude a Treaty of Amity and Com- merce between the faid United States of America, and the United Provinces of the Netherlands.

At the fame Conference , I had the honour to demand an Audience of their High-MightinelTes, in order to prefent to them my Letters of Cre- dence and full Powers,

The Prefident adured me , that he would make Report of all that 1 had faid to him, to their High-Mightinefles , in order that it might be trans- mitted to the feveral Members of theSouvereignty of this Country , for their Deliberations and Deci- fions. — I have not yet been honoured with an An- fwer. I now do myfclf the honour to wait on you. Sir, to demand, as I do, a Categorical Answer, fhat I mgy be able to transmit it to my Souve- reign. —

B3 GUELDER-

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GUELDERLAND.

I

n an Extraordinary Affembly of the County of ^ Zutphen , held at Nimeguen the 23 of February 2782, the following Meafures were taken.

After the Report of the Committee of this Pro- vince to the Generality , laid this day upon the fable, relative to what paOed in the precedent Affembly , and after the Examination of an Extratt of the Regider of the Refolutions of their High- Mightineffes the States General of the Low Coun- tries of the ninth of laft Month, in relation to tTie alteriour Addrefs of Mr. Adams to the Pre- Cdent of their High-Mightineffes, concerning the Prefentation of his Letters of Credence to their High-Mightineffes , in behalf of the United States cf America, demanding a Carcgorick Answer, whereof the Lords the Deputies of the refpeftive Provinces have taken Copies; the Baron Robert Jasper van der Capellen de Marsch, firft by word of Mouth, and afterwards in writing, propofed, and infifted at the AOeaibly of this Quarter, that at prefent, an without delay, we fhould make a Point of Deliberation, and that we fhould make upon the Table the neceffary overture, con- ceived more at length, in the Advice of this Nobleman inferted in thefe terms.

KoBLE AND Mighty Lords!

The fubfcriber judges, upon good grounds, and wKhout fear of being contradiaed, that he is

able

'able to affirm, that it is inqre than time that we fhould give a ferious attention to the oifer, and the invitation , in every fenfe honoarable and advaDcageous for this Republicic, of Friendship, and reeiprocal CoDneCtions with the thirteen American Provinces, now become free at the. point of the fword , in fuch fort , that the Categorical Answer demanded by their iVIinifter Mr. Adams, may become a fubjed of the delibe- rations of your Grand-MightinelTes , and that you may decide as foon as poffible, concerning their lerpeftive Interefts, He judges, that he ought not to have any further fcruple in this regard; and that the uncertain confequences of the Me- diation offered by Ruflia cannot, when certain Ad- vantages for this Republick are in queftion , hin- der that, out of regard for an Ennemy, with whom we (however falutary the views of her Imperial Majefty are reprefented) cannot make any Peace, at the Expence of a Negligence fo irreparable: That a longer delay, to unite our- felves to a Nation already fo powerfull, will have for its Confequence, that our Inhabitants will toofe the means of extending, in a manner the moft advantageous , their Commerce and their Profperity: That by the vigorous Prohibition to import English Manufaftures into America, our Manufaftures, by means of Precau#ons taken in time, will rife out of their ftate of Languor: And that, by delaying longer] to fatisfy the wishes of the Nation, her Leaders will draw upon them the Reproach , of having negledled and rejeCled the fa- vourable ofFers of Providence : that on the contrary, by adopting thcfe Meafures, the efiential Interefls of this unfortunate People will be taken to heart. The fubfcriber declaring, moreover, that he "B 4 wili

will abandon this unpardonable Negligence of an opportunity favourable for the Republick, to th6 account of thofe whocn it may concern; protefting againft all the fatal Cojifeqacnces » that a longer Rcfufalof thefe neceflafy Mcafures, will certainly occafion: whereupon he demanded, that for his Difcharge, this Note fhould be inferted in the Regifters of the Quarter*

Signed

R. J. VAN DER CAPELLEN.

This advice having been read , Mr. Jacob Adolf de Heekeren d'Enghuifen, Councelloracdfirft Mas- ter of Accounts in Gueiderland , Prefident at this time of the Aflembly of the Quarter, reprefented to th3 faid Robert Jasper van der Capcllen de Marfch, that „ Atthoagh he rauft agree to the Juftice of all that he had laid down , beficjes feve- ral other realbns equally ftrong which occurred to his Mind, the Deliberation upon the Point in queition appeared to him premature, confldering thac the Lords the States of Holland and Weft-Frielland and of Zealand , as the principal Commercial Provin- ces, who are directly interefled, had not never- thelefs as yet explained themfelves in this regard; confequently that it would not be fo convenient for the States of this Dutchy and County , who are DOL interefted in it, but in a confequential and iodiredt manner, to form the firft their Refola- tions in this refpeft ; For this Reafon he propo- fed to Cnnfideracion , whether it would not be more proper to poftpone the deliberations upon this raatcer , to a future opportunity.

' • . . •' Neves"

Nevertheless , the beforerocntioned Robert Ja^. per van dec Capellcn de Marfch infifting, th^t the voices /"houlcl be colled;ed upon the Pj-opofitiion and Advice in queflion, and thereupon having de- j/berated * their noble Mightinefles have thought fit to refolve , that although the Motives alledged by thi? Nobleman in his advice, appear to merit a ferious Confideration , neverthelefs , for the rea- fons brfare alledged, they judge, that they ought to fafpend the Decifion of it, untill the Gommer-! eial Provinces have formed their- Refolutions coDcerning it; And ihat, upon the Requifition of Robert Jasper van der CapeHen de iVlarfch, there be delivered to him an Extraft of the prefent , jipon one as well as the other.

Signed

Herm. Schomaker.

PETITION

*<€ i6 >*

PETITION ofLEYDEN.

TO the noble, great, and venerable Lords of the Grand Coancil of the City of Leyden* The Underfigned, all Manufaftarers, Mer- chants, and other Traders of this City, moll refpedtfully give to underftand, that it is a truth, as melancholly, as it is aniverfally known, that thedecleniion of ManufaQures, which all the well- difpofed Citizens have remarked with the moil lively grief, from thv3 beginning of this Century, has increafed more and more for feveral years ; and that this principal Branch of the fubQftance of the good Citizens, has fallen into Tich a ftate of Languor, that our City, once fo flourishing, fo populous , fo celebrated , on account of its Com- merce and of its Trades , appears to be threatned with total Ruin; that the diminution of its Mer- chants Houfes, on one hand, and on the other, the total Lofs , or the fenfible decreafe of feveral Branches of Commerce , furnish an evident Proof of it ; which the Petitioners could demonftrate by feveral Examples , if there were need of them to convince. Your noble and grand Lordships, to whom the Increafe of the Multitude of the Poor, the deplorable fituation of feveral Families, he- retofore in eafy Circumflances , the depopulation of the City, which one cannot obferve without Emotion in the ruins of feveral ftreets, once neat and well inhabited, are fully known, will recol- e€t no doubt upon this occafion, wish Grief, that this ftate of Languor muft appear fo much the more 4-^perate, if your coble and grand Lord-

(hip3;

fhips will take into confideration, that in this de« cay of Trades and Manufaftures , we find a new reafoD of their further fall, confidering, that from the time that there is not continual Employ- aenc, and an uninterrupted Sale, the Workmen deferc in fuch manner, that when confiderable commiffions arrive, we cannot find capable hands , and we fee ourfelves entirely- out of a condition to execute thefe orders.

That the Petitioners, with all the true Friends of their country , cxtreaniely affeiSled with this al- larming Situation of fo rich a Source of the pu- blick Profperity, have indeed fought the means of a Remedy, in amending fomedefedls, from which it feemed to arife at leaft in Part; but that the n>ea- fuies taken in this view , as is well known to your noble and grand Lordships , have not had the de- fired EfFea: ; at leaft , that they have not prodi*ced a Reeftablishment fo effedual , that we have been able to obferve a'fenfible Influence in the increa- fe of thefales of the manuf^dures of Leyden, as appears moft evidently , by a comparifon of the Pieces fabricated here, which have been hereto- fore carried to the diverfe markets of this City, with thofe which aye carried there at this day; a comparifon which a true Citizen cannot confider without regret.

That Experience has alfo taught the Petitioners, that the principal Caufe of the decay of the ma- nufaftures of Holland , particularly thofe of Ley- den , is not to be found in any internal vice either in the capacity , or the Oeconomy of the Inhabi- tants, but in circumftances, which have happe- ned abroad, and to which it is, confequently , teyond the Power of the Petitioners , or of any Citizen whatfoever to provide a remedy. That we

might

^< 28 >«g^

plight cite, for example, the commerce of oujj juanufaftures with Dantzick, and, through that commercial City, with all Poland; a commerce, which was carried on with fuccefs and advanta- ge heretofore in our city, but is abfolutely in- terrupted at this day, and vanished, by the revo- lution which has happened in thatj kingdom , and by the burthenfome duties , to which the naviga- tion of the Viflula has been fubjefted. But that, without entering into a detail of fimilar particular f hackles, of which we might rekon a great num- ber, the principal Caufe of the languishing ftate of our manufadures confifts in the jealous Emu- lation of the neighbouring Nations , or rather of all the People of Europe, confidering, that in this age, the feveral Princes and Governments, en- lightened in the real Sources of the publick Pros- perity, and the true Int^refts of their Subjects, attach themfelves with Emulation , to revive in their Kingdoms and States the national Indallry , Commerce , and Navigation ; to encourage them', and promote them even by exclufive Priviledges, or by heavy Impofitions upon foreign Merchan- dizes; Priviledg;es and Impofltions, v/hich tend equally to the Prejudice of the commerce and the manufaftures of our Country , as your noble & grand Lordships will eafily recollei^ the Examples in the Auftrian States and elfewhere. That in the naidft of thefe Powers and Nations, emulous or jealous , it is impoflible for the citizens of our Republick, however fuperiour their manufaftures may be in quality and finenefs , to reiSft a rivalry fo univerfal, efpecially confidering the dearnefs pf Labour, caufed by that of the means of fubfi- ftence ; which in its turn is a neceffary confequen- ce of the Taxes and Impolls , which the Inhabitants

of this S«te pay in a greater number, and 1 higher rate, than in any other country , by reafon of her natural (ituation, and of its means to fupporc jtfelf; fo that by the continual operation of this principal, but irreparable caufe of decline, it is to be feared , that the impoverishment, and the dimi- nution of the good Citizens increafing with the want of Employment, the Dutch Nation, hereto- fore the Purveyor of all Europe, will be obliged to content itfelf V7ith the Sale of its own Pro- duftions in the interiour of the country ("ani how much does not even this Refource fuffer, by the importation of foreign manufaftures ? } and that Leyden, lately fo rich and flourishing, will exhi- bit defdated quarters in its declining ftreets, and 3ts multitude, disgraced with want and mifery, an afFeding Proof of the fudden fall of Countries formerly overflowing with profperity.

That, if we duely conflder thefe motives, nb Citizen whofe heart is upright ( as the Petitioner^ affure themfelves) much lefs your noble and grand Lordships,- whofe good dispofitions they ack- nowledge with Gratitude, will take itaraifs, thac we have fixed our eyes on the prefent Conjunc- ture of affairs, to enquire, whether thefe times might not furnish them fome means of reviving the languishing Manufadlures of Leyden ; and thac after a Conflderation well matured , they flatter themfelves with the hope ( a hope which unpreju- diced Men will not cei'tainly regard as a vain Chi- mera) that in faft, by the prefent Circumftances, there opens in their favour an Ifl'ue , for arriving at the Reeftablishment defired.

That from the time, when the Rapture be- tween Great - Britain and the Colonies upon the Continent of North • America appeared to be irre-

para»

parable , every attentive Spedtator of this Event perceived, or a: lead was convioced , that this Rupture, by which rhe'e was born a Republick: as powerfull as ioduftrioas m the new World, would have the inofl important Confequences for Commerce and navigation, and that the other commercial Nations of Europe would foon f hare in a very confiderable Commerce, whereof the Kingdom of Great Britain had referved to itfelf, uDtill that time, the exclufive PofTeffion by its AO: of Navigation , and by the other Afts of Parlia- ment prescribed to, the Colonies; that in the ti- me of it 3 this Reflexion did not efcape your Pe- titioners, and they foresaw , from that time, the advantage which might anTe in the fequel, from a Revolution fo important for the United Provinces in general, and for their native City in particu- lar. But that they fhould have been afraid, to ha- ve placed this favorable Occafion before the eyes of your noble and grand Lordships, at an Epocha when the relations, which connedled out Republick with Great Britain her Neighbour, leemed to forbid all Meafures of this nature, or at leail ought to make them be confidercd as out of feafon.

That, in the mean time, this reafou of Silence has entirely ceafed by the Hoflilities, which the faid Kicgdom has commenced againfl: our Repu- blick, under Pretences, and in a manner , the In- juftice of which has been dcmonftrated by the fu- pream Government: of the State, with an irrefra- gable Evidence, in the eyes of impartial Europe; whilft the Petitioners themfelves , by the illegal Capture of fo large a number of Dutch Ships, and afterwards by the abfolute Stagnation of navi- gation , and of Voyages to foreign Countries,

have

have experienced, in the moft grievous manner, the confegaeDces of this hoftile and unforeseen Attack, and feel them ftill every day, as is abun- daotly inown to your noble and grand Lor dship$» That Cnce that Epocha , a ftill more confiderable ^number of Workmen rauffc have remained without 'Employment 5 and feveral Futhers of Facnilies have quitted the City, abandoning, to the furrber "E'Xpence of the Treafury of the Poor, their Wives and their Children plunged in Mifery.

That during this Rupture, wWeh has fubfifted now for fifteen months, there has occurred snucher Clrcumftance, which has encouraged the Petitio- ners ftill more, and which to them appears to be of fuch a nature, that they woald be guilty of aa excesfive Indifference, and an unpardonable Ne- gligence towards the City, towards the lower Clafs of Inhabitants, towards thdr own Families, and towards themfelves , if they fhould delay any longer, to lay open their Interefts to your noble and grand Lordships , in a manner the moft refpeft- full, but the moft energick; to wit, that the Uni- ted States of America have very rigorously for- bid , by a refolution of Congrefs agreed to in all the thirteen States , the Importation of all Eoglisli manufaftures , and in general, all the merchandi- zes fabricated in the Dominions which yet remain to Great- Britain- That the Effefl of this Prohibi- tion rauft neceflarily be a Spirit of Emularion between all the commercial nations, to take place of the British Merchants and Manufafturers in this important Branch of Exportation , wbich is en- tirely cut off from them at this day. That never- thelefsj among ^11 the nations there is none, which can entertain a hope, better founded, and more fure, ia this rcfpeft, than the Citizens of this free

Rapu-

SepuWJck , whether on account of the Identity of Kehgion, the fashion of Living, the manners, whether becaufe of the Extent of its commerce , and the convenience of its navigation, but above all, by reafon of the Activity and good faith, which flill diftinguishes ( without boafting too much) the Dutch Nation above all other People; qualities in confideration of which , the Citizens of United America are inch'neJ even at prefent, to prefer, in equal CircumllaDces , the Citizens of our free States, to every other nation.

That, neverthelefs , all Relations and Connec- tions of Commerce between the two Peoples, can- not but be uncertain and fladtuating , as long as their offers and reciprocal, Engagements are not fixed and regulated by a Treaty of Commer^^e. Thac at this day, if ever, (according to the refpedlfull opinion of the Petitioners ) there exifts a necefiity the moll abfolute , for the Concluflon of a fimilar Treaty of Commerce, there, v/here we may fay with Truth, that there arifes for the Republicic, for our Leyden efpecially, a moment, which once efcaped, perhaps never will return, fince the national AfTembly of Great Britain, convin- ced by a terrible and fatal Experience , of the ab- folute ImpoITibility of reattaching united Ame. rica to the British Crown, has laid before the Throne its defire to conclude a neceflary Peace with a People, free as this day at the Price of their Blood: So that if this Peace fhould bo once concluded, the Dutch Nation would fee itfelf perhaps excluded from all Advantages of Commerce with this new Republick, or st leaft would be treated by her with an Indifference , which tjie fmall value, which we fhouJd have put

Dpon

®K[ 33 >'^

tipon its Friendship in former times, woiild feeiS to merit.

. That, fuppofiilg for a moment, that a Peace, between England and United America , were not fo near, as we have reafon to prefume cot without probability , there would be found in that cafe nations enough , who will be jealous of ac- quiring, after the example of France, the earlieft right to Commerce with a Country, which already peopled byfeveral Millions of Inhabitants, augments every day in Population, in a manner iiicrcdible, but, as a new People, unprovided as yet with feveral neceffary Articles, will procure a rich, even an immenfe Outlet, for the Fabricks and Manufadlures of Europe.

That, however manifeft the Intereft, which the Petitioners and all the Citizens of Leyiden would have in the Conclufion of fuch a Treaty of Com- merce, they would however have made a fcruple, to lay before the paternal eyes of your nobJe and grand Lordships, the utility or rather the ne- ceflity of fuch a meafure, in refpeft to them, if they could believe, that their particular Advanta- ge would be, in any wifej contrary to the more univerfal Interefts of all the Republick. But, as far as the Petitioners may judge, as Citizetis, of the Situation , and the political Exiftence of their Country, they are ignorant of any reafons of this kind: but, on the contrary, they dare appeal to the unanimous voice of their fellow - Citizens, well intentioned, in the other Cities and Provin- ces , even of the Regents the moft diftinguished j iince it is univerfally known, that the Province of j^riefland has already preceeded the other Coo- federates by a Refolution, for opening negotia- tions with America; and that in other Provinces^ C whicte'

*< 34 >*

v/hich have an Intereft lefs direft in Cottimeirofe and MaDufaftures , celebrated Regents appear to wait mere ly for the example of the Commercial ProviDces, for taking a flmilar Refolution.

That the Petitioners will not detain the attention of your noble and grand Mighcinefles, by a more ample detail of their Reafons and Motifs, fince, on one hand, they aflure themfelves, that thefe reafoDS and motifs will not efcape the enlighte* ned and attentive Judgment of your grand and no- ble Lordships , and on the ocher , they know by experience, that your grand and noble Lordships aredifpored,not to fufFerany occafion to paf- , for promoting the welbeing of their City, for advan- cing the Profperity of the Citizens , to render their names dear to their Contemporaries, and make them bliffed by Pcfterity.

In which firm expeftation, the Petitioners ad- drefs themfelves to this grand Council with the refpedlfull but ferious Requeft, that it may pleafe your noble and great Lordships, to dired , by their powerfull Influence, things in fuch fort, that in the Aflembly highly refpeQed of their noble and grand Mightineffes the Lords the States of Hol- land and Weflfriefland , there be opened delibera- tions, or, already opened , carried as fpeedily a» poflible to an effedual Conclufion, fuch as they fhal find the moft proper, forobtaming the law- full End, and fullfilling the DeGrts of the Peti- tioners , or as they fhall judge conformable to the general Intereft.

So doing; ^e.

LEYDEIf

®< 35 >©

L E Y D E N.

An Address of Thanks, with a further Petition.

To the noble, great, and venerable Lords, the great Council of the City of Ley den.

The underfigned Manufadlurers, Merchants and other Traders , interefted in the Manufaftures and Fabricks of this City, give rel^eftfully to und^r- Hand.

That a number of the Underfigned , having ta- ken, the 18 of March, the liberty to prefenc, to your noble and great Lordships , a refpedfull Re- queft, to obtain the Conclufion of Connexions of Commerce with United America „ the Petitioners judge that they ought to hold it for a duty, asagrea- ble as indifpenfible, to teftify their fincere Gra- titude, not only for the gracious manner, in which your noble and great Lordships have been plea- fed to accept that requeft, but aifo for the Pa- triotic Refolucion that your noble and great Lords* hips have taken upon its objed; a Refolution, in virtue of which the City of Leyden (as the Petitioners have the beft reafons to fuppofe) hath been one of the first Cities of this Province, from whofe Unanimous Cooperation has originated the Refolution of their noble and granc| Mightinefles of the date of the 28 of March lad " to direft things on the Part of their noble and grand Mightineffes, in the AflTembly of the States General, and to^ make there the ftrongefi: Inftances, to the ends C 1

tliat Mr. Adams may be admitted and acknowled- ged as Minirter of the United States of America "o

That the Petitioners regard, with all honeft- hearted Citizens, the prefent Epocha, as one of the mod glorious in the Annals of our dear Coun- try, feeing that there has been manifefted, in a mod fignal manner, oh one hand, a Confidence the raoft cordial of the good Citizens towards their Regents, on th-; other a paternal Attention and Deference of the Regents to the refpedbfuli but well founded Prayers of their faithful! Citizens, and, in general, the mod: exemplary Uiianimity, throughout the whole Nation, to the Confufion of thofe, who, having endeavoured to fow the feeds of Discord, would have rejoiced if they could fay with truth, that a Diflention fo fatal had roo- ted itfelf , to the Ruin of the Country and of the People.

That the Petitioners, feeling themfelves pene- trated, with the moft pleating Emotions, by an Harmony fo Univerfal , cannot pafs orer in Silen- ce the Refledlion, that your noble and great Lord- fhips, taking a Refolution the mod favoiirable, upon the faid Reqaeft , have difcovered thereby, that they would not abandon the footfleps of their Anceftors, who found in the united fenti- ments of Magiftrates and Citizens , the Refources neceflary to refill a powerfull oppreflbr, who even would not have undertaken ih'^t difiicult, but glorious Task , if they had not been fuppor- ted by the voice of the mod refpeftable Part of the Nation.

That encouraged by this Reflexion, the Peti- tioners aflure themfelves, that your noble and great Lordships will honour, with the fame Approba-

cioil

*< 37 >^

tion, the ftep» which they take to day, to recom-

mend to yoar Doble and great Lordships, in a man- ner themoft refpeQfulI, but at the fame time the mofl prefliDg , the promt and efficacious Execucioa of the aforefaid Refolution of. their noble and grand Mightinefles of the 28 of March laft, with every thing which depends thereon; a Procee- ding, which does not fpring from a deOre, 00 'be part of the Petitioners , to raife themfelves above the fphare of their duties and vocations, or to in- terfere, indifcreetly , the affairs of Governraent, but only from a Conviftion , chat it canoot but be agreable to well intentioned Regents (fuchas yoar Noble and great Lordships , have f hewn yourfel- ves by Deeds to your good Citizens ) to fee themfelves applauded in their falutary Efforts and patriotick Defigus , and fupporied against the per- verfe views, and fecret machinations of the ill dispofed , who, however fmall their Number, are always found in a nation.

That, although the Petitioners may be con- vinced , that their noble and grand Mightineffes > having taken a Refolution fo agreable to all true Patriots, will not negledl to employ means to carry it to an fcfficaciousConcIuflon among the other Con- federates, and to procure to the good Citizens, the real Enjoyment of the Commerce with United America, they cannot, neverthelefs , diffemble, that lately fome new Reafons have arifeo, which make them conceive fome fears refpeding the prompt Confummation of this defirable affair.

That the Probability of an offer of Peace, or the partofGreat-Britain,to United America, whereof the Petitioners made mention in their former Re- queft, having at prefent become a full Certainty by the Revolution arrived fince in the Britisfe, C 3, MiQilltry,,

^4. a8 >^

Mmiftry , they have not Icatijed withoat Uneafinefs the attetupt made at the fame time by the new Mi- ^il1;ers of the Court of London, to involve this Sta^e, in a Negotiation for a fepa^ate Peace, the immediate Confequence of w^hich ^ould be ( as the Petitioners fearj a Ceflation of all Connexions vvith the American Republick, whilfl: that in the msaa time oarRcpubIick5deprivedon the one hand of the Advantages , which it reafqnably ptomifes ic- felf from thefe Connexions , might on the other hand be detained by Negotiations, fpun ooc to a great Length, and not effed: till late, perhaps after the other belli^ereiit Powers, a feparate Pea- ce with England.

That in efFeft the Diffkulties, which oppofe themfelves to a like partial Pacification, are too inultipleid for one, to promife himfelf to fee them fud.denly removed , fuch as the Reftitution of the PoQefljons taken from the State , and retaken from the English by France, a Reditucion, which is become thereby impradlicable, the Indemnification of the immenfe Lofles, that, the unexpeX d and perfidioas Attack of England hath caufed to the Dutch Naiion in general, to the Petitioners ia particular,* theAlTurance of a free Navigation, for the fctore, upon the Principles of the armed Neu- trality, and conformably to the Law of Nations,- the DilTolution of the ^onds, which, without being produdlive of any Utility to the two Na- tions , have been a fource of Conteftations , always fpringing up, and which, in every war between Great Britain and any other Power , have threat- Bed to involve our Republick in it, or hive in ei1>a^ done it ; the Annihiiadon, if poiTibie, ofthe Kavigation, an aft, which cariies too evi- dent

^< 39 ><&

dent marks of the fupremacy afFefted by England over all other maritime People , not to attraft At- tention, at the approaching Negotiation of Peace; finally, the Neceffity of breaking the yoke , that Great Britain would impofe on our Flagg, to make hers refpedled in the northern Ocean, as the feat of her maritime Empire; and other objeft^ of this Nature, wnich, as the petulant Proceediogi of the Court of London have given rife to them, will certainly furnifh matter for Ciaicns and Negotia- tions.

That, as by thefe Confideraiions a fpeedy Confuramation of a feparate Peace with England is out of an Probability, efpecially when one com- pares wirh them the dubious and limited manner, in which it is offered; on the other hand a general Peace appears not lo be fo for diftant, as that to obtain a more prompt Reconciliation vrith En- gland , the Republick hath occafion to abandon its Interefls relative to North America, feeing that the B itish Government hath refolved, upon the Requell of the national Aflemb'y , even to discon- tinue ofFenfive HoftiUtie<? a^ainft the new Repu- blick; and that even under the prefent Admi- Diftraiioo of the new Minifters, it appears ready to acknowledge pofitively its Independence; an acknowledgment, which, in removing the prin- cipal ftumbling Block of a Negotiation of a general Peace , will pave the way to a prompt Explica- tion of all the Difficulties between the Bellige- rent Powers.

That the Petitioners f hould exceed much the Bounds of their Plan, if they entered into a more ample detail of the Reafons which might be ailed- ged upon this fubjea, and v/hich cercamly wilS

@< 40. >^

]^ot efcape the political Penetration of your noble, and great Lordships, among others, the Engage- mencs recently entered into with the Court of France, and which will not be violated by our Republiok, which acknowledges the fandtity of its Engagements, and refpefts them; but which Will ferve much rather to convince the Emprefs of Ruffiaofthe Impoflibility of enccring, in the pre- fent Jundlure Of Affairs, into fuch a Negociatioi, as the Court of London propofes, when even it will not be permitted to prefume, but that Sove- reign wil! feel herfelf the Change of Circumftan- ces, which have happened with regard to Ame- rica fince the offer of her Mediation , by the Re- volucion in the British Miniftry , and thic f he ought even to regard a feparate Peace between our State and England , as the mofl: proper mean to retard the general Tranquility, that f he hath endeavoured to procure tq all the Commercial Nations now in war.

That from thefe Morives the Petitioners re- fpe6lfully hope , that the aforefaid offer of England will occafion no obflacle, which may prevent, that the Refolution of their noble and grand Migh- tineffes, to aci^nowledge the Independence of l^onh America j and to conclude with that Power a Treaty of Commerce, may not have a prompt Execution, nor that even one only of the other Confederates will fuffer itfelf to be diverted the- reby from the dclign of opening unanimously with this Province, and the others which have declared t^emfelves conformably with Holland, Negotia- tions with the United States, and of terminating jthem as foon as poffible.

TMr ^^^ favourable Refolutions , already taken for this effeft in Zeeiand ^ Utrecht , Overysfet, * ' '■'■ ' •' ■ and

and at preftnt (as the Petitioners learn) in the Province of Groningen after the Examples of Hol- land and Friesland, confirm them in that hope, and feero to render entirely fapcrfluous, a Requeft, that in every other Cafe the Petitioners would have found themfelves obliged to make with the commercial Citizens of the other Cities, to the end, that by the Refiftance of one Province, cot immediately interefted in Commerce and Naviga- tion , they might not be deprived of the Advan- tages and of the Protedion, that the fovereign Aflembly of their proper Province had been dis- pofed to procure them, without that, but that, to the end to provide for it, their noble and grand MightinefTes , and the States of the other Provin- ces in this refpeft, Unanimous with them, fhould make ufe of the Power, which belongs to each free State of our federative Republick , at lead in regard to Treaties of Commerce, of which there cxifts an Example in 1649, not only in a Treaty gf Redemption of the Toll of the Sound, but alfo, in a defeofivc Treaty concluded with the Crown of Denmark by the three Provinces of Guelderland, Holland and Friesland,

But as every Apprehenfion of a fimilar Diflention, among the members of the Confederation , appeart at prefent abfolutely unfeafonable, the Petitioners will confine themfelves rather to another Requefl, to wit, that after the formation of Connexions of Commerce with North America, the effeftual Enjoyment of it may be affured to the Commer- cial Citizens of this Country , by a fufficiens Pro^ tedtion of their Navigation, without which the Conc'ufion even of fuch a Treaty of Commerce would be abfolutely illufory. That for a long time especially the laft year, the Petitioners have ta*- C 5 iled

fted the bitter Fruits of the defencelefs Hate, ia which the Dutch Flagg has been inceflantly found, as they have already faid, conformably to the truth, in their firH: requcft, „ that by the total 5, ftagnatioD of the Navigation, and of Expedi- 3, tions, they have felt In the moft painfull man- „ ner , the cfFefls of the hollile and unexpected „ Attack of Great Britain , and that they feel „ them flill every day ". That in the mean time this ftagnation of Commerce, abfolntely abandoned to the Rapacity of an Ennemy greedy of Pillage, and deftitute of all Pioteftion vrhatever, hath appeared to the Petitiooers , as well as to all the other Commercial inhabitants, yes even to all true Citizens, fo much the more hard andafflifting, as they not only have conftaotly contributed with a good Heart, all the public Impoils, but ihat ac the time, even that the Commerce was abfolu- tely abandoned to itfelf, and deprived of all Safe- guard , it fupported a double Charge to obtain that ProtedlioD, which it hath never enjoyed, feeing that the hope of fuch a Protedion , ( the Repu- blick not being entirely without maritime Force) hath appeared indeed more than once, but has al- ways vanifhed in the moft unexpefted manner, by accidents and impediments, vi^hich, if they have given rife, perhaps wrongfully , to difcontent and to diftruft among the good Citizens, will not neverthelefs be read and meditated by Pofterity without furprize.

That, without Intention to legitimate, io any man- ner , the fufpicions arifing from this failure of Protec- tion, the Petitioners believe themfelves, neverthe- lefs , wi'.h all proper refptd warranted, in addreffing their Complaints on this head, to theBofomsof your Boble and great Lordships, and (feeiflg that the

Com.

m< 43 >^

Commerce with North America cannot fabfift with- put Navigation, no more than Navigation with- out a Safegnard3 in reckoning upon the aftive Direction, the ufefuli Employment , and prompt Augmentation of our naval Forces, in Proportion to the means, which fhall be the nioft proper eiFedluallyj to fecure to the Commerce of this Republick the Fruits of its Connedlions with Uni- ted North America,

For which Reafons, the Petitioners, returning their folemn Thanks to your noble and great Lord- fhips, for the favourable Refolution taken upon their requeft the i8'h. of March laft, addrefsthem- felves anew to you , on this occaflon , with the refpeftfuil Prayer „that it may graciously pleafe „ your noble and great Lordships , to be willing „ to effeftuate by your powerfuU Influence, whe- „ ther in the illudrious AfTcmbly of their noble „ and grand Mightineiles, whether among theother „ Confederates, or elfewhere, there, and in fuch „ manner as your noble and great Lordships „ fhall judge mofl proper, that the Refolution „ of their noble and grand Mightinefles of the „ date of the 28 of March laft , for the Ad- „ miflion of Mr. Adams, in quality of Minifter 5, of the United States of America, be prompt- „ ly executed, and that the Petitioners, with 3, the other Commercial Citizens, obtain the „ effeftual Enjoyment of a Treaty of Commerce „ with the faid Republick , as well by the adivity 3, of the Marine of the State, and the Protedlion, „ of Commerce and Navigation, as by all other „ meafures, that your noble and great Lordships „ with the other members of the Sovereign Go- js vernment of the Republick, fhall judge to

„ tend

m< 44 >^

„ tend to the public Good, and to ferve to the ^ Profperity of the dear Country , as well as „ to the maintenance of its precious Liberties.

So doing ^c.

ROTTERDAM

m< 4s >#

ROTTERDAM.

Fetitio}^ of the Merchants j Infurers ,

and Freighters of Rotterdam to the

Regency of that City,

GIVE to underftand, in the mofl refpedlfall manner ^ chat it is fufficieotly notorious ^ that the Inhabitants of this Republick have , as well as aoy other Nation , an Intered , that they give us an opportunity to open a free Common; cation and Correfpondance with the Inhabitants of Ame- rica, by making a Treaty of Commerce, as Mr. Adams has reprefented in his Memorial; to which they add, that the Advantages, which muft re- fult from it, are abfoluteiy the only means of reviving the fallen Commerce of this Country; for reeflablishing the Navigation, and for repai- ring the great Damages, which the perfidious Pro- ceedings of the English have, for io many years, caufed to the commercial Part of this Country.

That, with all due refpeft, they reprefent to the venerable Regency the danger we run, in prolonging further the deliberations, concerning the Atticle of an alliance of Commerce with North America; being moreover certain, that the Interpofition of this State cannot add any Thing more to the folidity of its Independence, and that the English Miniftry has even made to the Deputies of the American Congrefs Propofitions ^ to what Point they would eflablish a Correfpon- dcnce there, to our Prejudice, and thereby depri- ve

ve the Inhabitants of this Country of the certain Advantages which might refult from this recipr<3- cal Commerce; and that thus we ought cot to delay one day, nor even one hour, to try el! the efforts, that we may purfue the Negotiation offe- red by M. Adams, and that we may decide finally upon it. Whereupon the Petitioners reprefent , with all the refpedl poffible , but at the fame time with the firmeft Confidence, to the venerable Re- gency of this City , that they would authorize and qualify the Lords their Deputies at ihe Affem- bly of cheir noble and grand Mightineffes, to the end, that they infift in a manner the moft energic, at the Affembly of their noble and grand Mightineffes, that the Refblution demanded may be taken without the lead delay, to the end, that , on the Part of this Province , it be effedled at the Affembly of the States General, that the Arrerican Minifter Mr. Adams be as foon as posfible admitted to the Audience which he has deman- ded , and that they take with him the determina- tions neceffary to render free and open to the reciprocal Inhabitants, the Correfpondence de- manded.

So doing &c^

THE

^< 47 >*

ThsPietitio^s of the Merchants , and Manu- fa^ur^rs o/Haerlem, Leiden and Am- sterdam, which have been prcfented on the twentieth vf March foTHEiRHiGH-MiGH- TiNESSES, njiere accompanied with an other to the States of Holland and West- FRIESLAND, conceived in thefe Terms.

THE Subfcribers, Inhabitants of this Country, Merchants , Manufadlurers , and others , li- ving by Comttjefce, give with all refpeft (o under- ftand , that they have the honour to annex hereto a Copy of a Petition prefenned by them to cheir High-Mightinesfes, tht Scates G» neral of the Uni- ted Low. Countries. Th, Frnporrarice of the Thing which itcontains» the confiderable Commerce, which Xhefe Countres might eftabHsh in North-America, the Profits which we might drsw from it, and the In^portance of Induflry and Manufa^lures , by the relation which they have with Commerce in ge- neral , as well as thf Navigation to that extenfive Country; all thefe Objefts have made them rake the liberty to reprefent, in the moft refpeftfull manner, this great affair for them and for the Connexions which the Petitioners may have, in quality of Manufafturers , with the Merchants, mod humbly praying your noble and grand Migh- tinefles, for the acquifition of thefe important Branches of Commerce, and for the advantage of all the Manufafbures , and other works of Labour and of Trafick , to be fo good as to take this Peti- tion, and the Reafons which it contains, into your

high

high Confideration , and to favour it with your powerful Support and Proteftion , and by a favou- rable Refolution , which may be taken at the aflem-'. biy of their High MightinelTes , to direft , on the Part of this Province, things in fuch a manner, that for obtaining this Commerce fo defired and fo neceflary for this Republick, that there be concer- ted fuch efficacious meafures, as the high wisdom and patriotic fentiments of your noble and grand Mightinefles may find convenient, for the wel- bciDg of fo great a Nambre of inhabitants, and for the Prejudice of their Ennemies.

So doing ^Ci ^

DOR-

«&•([ 49 >^

DORDRECHT,

AT Dordrecht there has not been prefeDr ted any Petition. But on the twentyeth of March the Merchants, convinced by redoubled proofs oJF the Zeal, and of the Efforts of their Regency, for the true Interefts of Commerce, judged it unneceflary to prefent a Petition after the example of the Merchants of other Cities : they contended themfelves with teftifying verbally their defire , that there might be contrafted conneftions of Commerce with the United States of America: that this Hep had been crowned with fuch happy fuccefs, that the fame day 20 March 1782, it was refolved by the ancient Council , to authorize their Deputies at the Aflembly of Hol- land, to concur in every manner pofljble, that, without delay, Mr. Adams be acknowledged in his Quality of Minifter Plenipotentiary; that hi^ Letters of Credence be accepted, and Conference^ bpened upon this objeft.

Q Z W d L L

Z W O L L

IN OVERTSSEL.

THE Sabfcribers, all Merchants, Manufadla- rcrs , and Faftors of the City of Zwoll, give refpedlfully to ucderftand, that every one of them, in his private concerns, finds by expe- rience, as well as the Inhabitants of the Rcpublick in general , the grievous efFefts of the decay into which Commerce, and the Manufadlures of this Country are fallen, little by little, and above all, fince the hoftile attack of the Kingdom of Eng* land againft this State; that it being their duty to their Country, as well as to themfelves, to make ufe of all the circumflrances which might contribute to their reellablishment, the Requifi- tion made not long fince by Mr. Adams to the Republick, to wit to conclude a Treaty of Com- merce with the United States of North- America, could not efcape their attention; an affair whofe Utility, Advantage and Neceflity, for thefe Pro- vinces, are fo evident, and fo often proved in an inconteftible manner, that the Petitioners will not fatigue your noble Lordships , by placing them before you, nor the general Inrerefts of this City, nor the particular Relations of the Petitio- ners, confidering that they are convinced, in the firft place, that England making againft the Re- publick the mod ruinous war, and having bro- ken every Treaty with her, all kind of CoHjplai- fance for that Kingdom is unfeafonable.

In the fecoad Place, that America, wh'ch ought to be regarded as become free at the poinr of the fword, and as willing, By the ProhiUdon of all the ProdudlioDS and Manufactures of England, td break abfolutely with that Kingdom; it is preciseiy the time, and perhaps the only time^ in which we may have a favourable opportunity, to enter into Connexion with this new and powerfuJI Repu* blick; a time which we cannon negleft without running the greateft risque of being irrevocably prevented by the other Powert, and even by England. Thus we take the Liberty, refpedlfully to fupplicate your noble Lordships, that having fhewn for a long time, that you ict a value upoa the formation of Alliances with powcrfuJi States, you may have the goodnefs, at the approaching AlTembly of the Nobility and of the Ciiies for- ming the States of this Province, to redouble your efforts, to the end, that in the name of this Country it may be decided at the Generality^ that Mr. Adams be acknowledged, and the propd* fed Negotiations opened as fcon as poflibi^

So doing ^5,

PETITIOi^

^<C Si >^

PETITION OF AMSTERDAM.

TO their High Mightiaeffes, the States Gene- ral of the United Provinces , the under- figned, Merchants, Maoufafturers and others. Inhabitants living by Commerce in this Country, give refpedlfally to underfland :

That , although the Petitioners have always relyed, v?ith entire confidence upon the Adraini- ftration and the Refolutions of your High - Migh- tinelTes, and it is againft their Inclinations to in- terrupt your important deliberations , they think, however, that they ought, at this time, to take the Liberty, and believe ss well intentioned In- habitants, that it is their indispenfable Duty in the prefent moment , which is molt critical for the Republick, to lay humbly before your High-Migh- tinefles their Interefts.

What good Citizen, in the Republick, having at heart the Intereft of his dear Country, caa diflemble , or reprefent to himfelf without dismay, the fad fituation, to which we are reduced by the attack, equally fudden, unjuft and perfidious of t^e English? who would have dared, two years ago, to foretell , and, notwithftanding the dark clouds, which even then began to form themfel- ves, could even have imagined, that our Com- merce, andour iNavigation, with the immenfe af- fairs which depend upon them, the fupport and the profperity of this Republick, could have fallen and remained in fuch a terrible decay? that in 1780, more than two thoufands of Dutch veflells , ha- ving pafTcd the Sound, sot one was found upon

the

^€ 53 >^

the Lift Jo 1781? That the Ocean, heretofore covered with ourl veflells , f hould fee at pre- feat /carcely any? and that we may be reduced to fee our navigation, formerly fo much refpefted and preferred by all the nations, pafs entirely into the hands of other Powrers ? It would be fuper- fluous, to endeavour to explain at length, the damages, the enormous Jofles , which oyr Inha- bitants have fudained by the fudden Invaiion, and the Pillage of the Colonies, and of their fhips; difaftersj, which not only fall diredtly upon the Merchant, but which have alfo a general influence, and make themfelves felt in the mofl melancholly manner, even by the lowefl: Artifans and Labou. rers, by the languor which they occafion in Com- merce. But, how great soever they may be, ic might perhaps be poflible , by the aid of the pa- ternal cares of your High - Mightinefles , and by oppofing a vigorous refiftance to the Ennemy, already enervated , to repair in time all thefe LolTes, (without mentioning Indemniflcations) if this ftagnation of Commerce was only momen- tary, and if the induflrious Merchant did not fee beforehand the fources of his future felicity dried up. It is this gloomy forefight, which, in this moment afflifts, in the higheft degree, the Peti- tioners ; for it would be the hight of Folly and Incoafideration, to defire ftill to flatter ourfelves, and to remain quiet, in the expedtation , that, after the conclufion of the Peace, the BuOnefs, at prefent turned out of its direftion , f hould re- turn entirely, into this country; for experience fhews the contrary in a manner the moft con- vincing; and ic is moft probable, that the fame nations, who are actually in poflfeflion of it, will preferve, at that time, the greateft part of it. Your alarmed Petitioners throw their eyes round

D 3 every

^€ 54 >^

^very where, to discover new fources, capable of procuring them more fuccefs in future; they even flatter themrelves,thac they have found them upon the new theatre of Conmerce , vyhich the United States of America offer them; a Commer- ce , of which , in this moment , but in this mo- ment only, tb<ey believe themfelves to be in a con- dition, to be able to affure to themfelves a good fhare, and the great Importance of which , joined to the fear of feeing escape from their hands this only and laft Refource, has induced them to take the refolution , to lay open refptCtfully ^heir Obfervations, concerning this important ob- jeft, to your High-Mightineffes, with the earneft Prayer, that you would conQder them with a fe- rious attention, and not interpret in ill part this meafureof the Petitioners, efpecially as their future vrellbeing , perhaps even that of the whole Repu- blick, depends on the decifion of this affair.

No man can call in queftion, that England has derived her greateft forces from her Commerce with America; thofe immenfe Treafures, which that commerce has poured into the Coffers of the State ; the uncommon profperity of feveral of her commercial Houfes, the extream Reputation of her Manufactures, the Confumption of which, in quantities beyond all bounds, contributes effica- ciously to their Perfedlion, are convincing proofs of it« However it may be, and notwithllanding the fuppofltion too lightly adopted , that we cannot imiiate, the British Manufadlures; the Manufac- ture of painted Linnens of Rouen, thofe of wool of Arpicns, of Germany, of OverylTel, the Pins pf Zwoll, prove vifibly, that all things need nod be drawn from England; that, moreover, we are as well in a condition, or fhall foon be, to equal them in feveral refpefts.

Per-

^*C ss ><g?

Permit us, Wgh and mighty Lords, to the end to avoid ail further digrefllon, to requeft io this regard the attention of your high - Mightinefles, to the fituacioD of Commerce in France at th© beginning of the war. Conunuai Lofles had al- moft ruined ic altogether lil<e ours ; feveralofher Merchants failed of Capitals, and others wanted courage to continue their Commerce ; her Manu- faftures languished; the People groaned; in one word, every thing there marked out the hor- rorsofwir. But, at prefent, her maritime Towns, overpeopled, have occaGon to be enlarged; her Macufadures having arrived at a degree of ex- portation unknown before, begin to perfeft themfelves more and more , in fuch a degree, that the melanchoUy Confequences of the war are fcarcely felt in that Kingdom. Bat Cnce it is in- conteftable, that this favourable alteration refults almoft entirely from its Commerce with Ame- rica, that even this has taken place in time of war, which, moreover, is ever prejudicial, we leave it to the enlightened Judgment of yourHigh- Mightinesfes, to decide, what it is that we may expeft from a Commerce of this nature, even ac prefent, but efpecially in time of Peace. In the mean time, we have had the happinefs to make a tryal, of fhort duration, it is true, but very ftrong in proportion to its continuance, in our Colony of St. Euftatia, of the importance of the commerce, th6 not diredl, with North- Aoserica. The Registers of the Weft -India Company may furnish proofs of it very convincing to your High- Mightinesfes; in fadt, their ProduGions are in- finitely fuitable to our Market jwhilft, on our fide, we have to| fend them feveral articles of Con- venience and of Necesfity from our own Coun-

D 4 "y.

tfy , or from the neighboaring States of Germany^, Moreover, feveral of our languishing msnufaftu- res, fcattered in the feven United Provinces, may perhaps be reftored to their former vi- gour, by means of Bounties, or the Diminution of Imports. The Importance of Manufadlures for a Country is fufficiently proved, by the conGdera- ble Gratifications promifed and payed by British Policy for their encouragement, and by the Ad- vantages which that Kingdom has procured to itfelf by this means , even beyond what had been expefted.

The Petitioners know perfedlly well the ob« ftacles, almoft infurmountable , which always op- pofe themfelves to the habitual ufe of new Ma- Bufaftures, although certainly better in quality; -and they dare advance without heGtation, that fe- veral of our Manufadlures are fuperiour to thofe of the English : a moment more favourable can never offer itfelf than the prefent , when by a Re- folution of Congrefs the Importation of all the cfFeQs of the Produce of Great Britain , and of her Colonies, is forbidden ; which reduces the Merchant and the Purchafer to the neceflity of fteurring toother Merchandifes,the afe of which -will ferve to diffipate the Prejudice conceived againft them. It is not only the Manufadures , high and nfiighty Lords, which! proraife a permanent ad- vantage to our Republick : the Navigation will deri- ve alfo great advantages ; for it is very far from being true (as feveral would maintain) that the Ame- licans , being once in the tranquil pofiefllon of their Independence, would themfelves exercice ■with vigour thefe two Branches , and that in the ffequel we f hall be wholly fruftrated of them. Whoewer has the leaft knowledge of the Coun- ■'■■■• try.

^< S7 >©

try of America, and of its vaft Extent, knows that the Number of Inhabitants is not there io Proportion. That even the two Banks of the Mis- fiffippi, the moft beautifull traftof this Country, otherwife fo fertile, remain ftill uncultivated: and as there are wanted fo many hands, it is not at all probable to prefame, that they will or can occupy themfelves to eflablish new Manufadlures both becaufe of the new Charges; which are the- reunto attach>5d, andbecaufe of the f hackles, which they would put upon the Augmentation and Ex- portation of their Produdlions.

It is then for thefe fame reafons [the want of Population) that they will fcarcely find the hands neceflary to take advantage of the Fishe- ries, which are the Property of their Country; which will certainly oblige them to abandon to us the Navigation of Freight. There is not there- fore any one of our Provinces, much Jefs any one of our Cities, which cannot enjoy the advantaj^e of this Commerce; No, High and mighty Lords the Petitioners are perfuaded that the utility and the benefit of it, will fpread itfeif over all the Provinces and Countries of the Generality, Guelderland and Overysfel cannot too much ex- tend their Manufaftures of Wool, of Swanskiji and other things; even the Shoemakers of the Mayoralty, and of Langftreet, will find a confidera- bfe opening ; almoft all the Manufaftures of Utrecht and of Leyden will flourish anew. Har- lem will fee revive its Manufaftures of StuiFs, of Laces, of Ribbons, of Twift, at prefent in the loweft (late of decay. Delft will fee vaftly augmented the fale of its Earthen ware, and ^ouda that of its Tabacco Pipes.

However great may be the advantages fore. P 5 feen

feen by the Petitioners , from a legal Comip^rce duely protefted with America, their fear is not lefs, left we fhould fufFer to efcape the happy moment of afluring to them, and to all the Repu- biick, thefe advantages. The prefeot moment muft determine the whole. The English Nation is weary of the war , and as that People runs eafily into extreams , the Petitioners are afraid , with flrong probable appearances, that a coapleat ac- knowledgment of American Independance will foon take place; aboave all, if the English fee an opportunity of being able flill to draw from America fome conditions favourable for them, or at ku'ft n.)mething to our d sadvantage. Ah! what is it, which fhould inftigate the Americans, in m&k^lng Fe^ce , and renewing Friendship with Grc;?£ Britaio , to have any regard for the Interefta of our Rtpublick «* If England could only obtain fcr a Condition , that we fhould be obliged to pay Duties more burthenfome for our Veflels, this would be not only a continual and permanent Pre- judice ; but would be fufficient , to transmit to Pofterity a lamentable Proof of our exceflive Deference for unbridled Ennemies.

The Petitioners dare flatter themfelves , that a meafure fo fradT: of this Republick, may power- fally ferve for the Acceleration of a general Pea- ce. A general ardour, to extinguish te flames of war, reigns in England; an upright and vigorous conduft, on the part of this Republick, will con- tribute to accelerate the accomplishment of th» wishes for Peace.

We flatter ourfelves , High and Mighty Lords , that we have in this regard alledged fufficienc reafons for an immediate decifion; and that we have fo viiibly proved the danger of Delay, that

we

we dare to hope from the paternal Equity of yout High - Mightinefles , a reafoDable attention to the refpe^lfuil Propofition which we have made. It proceeds from no other motive , than a fiucere affedlion for the precious Interefts of our dear Country ,* fince we confider it as certain , that as foen as the ftep taken by us fhall be known by the English, and that they fhall have the leaft hope of preventing us, they will not fail , as (boa as poflible, to acknowledge American Independence, Supported by all thefe reafons, the Petitioners addrefs themfelves to your Hihh-Mightinesfes, humbly requefting, that it may pleafe your High- Mightinesfes , after the occurrences and affairs abo- ve mentioned, to take, for the greateft advanta- ge of this Country , as foon as poflible, fuch Re- folution as your Hig^ - Mightineffes fhall judge mad convenieot-

This doing &c.

PETITION

PETITION

to the Burgomaflers and Regents of

AMSTERDAM.

The Subfcribers, all Merchants and Manufac- turers of this City , with all due Refpedl , gi- ve to underftand : That the DifFereoce arifeo between the Kingdom of Great -Britain and the United States of America, has not only given oc- cafion for a long and violent war, but that the arms of America have covered themfelves with a faccefs fo happy, that the Congrefsjaffifted by the Courts of France and 5pain , have io well eftablished their Liberty and Independence, and reduced Great Britain to excremities fo critical, that the Houfe of Commons in England, notwith- fianding all the oppofidonspf the British Miniftry, have lately formed the important Refolution, to turn the King from an offenfive war againft Ame- rica, with no other deOgn than to accelerate, if it is poffible , a Reconciliation with America.

That to this happy Revolution in the difpo. fitions of the English in favour of the Liberty and Independence of America , according to all ap. pearances, the Refolution taken by the Coogrefs, towards the end of the lad year, to wit, to for- bid in all America the Importation of British Ma- nufadures and Produftions, has greatly contribu- ted : a Refolution, of which they perceive in En- gland*

g^and, too vifibly, the cocfequeDces ruinous to their Maoufaflures, Trades, Commerce , aod Na- vigation , to be able to remain indifFetent in this regard. For all other commercial Nations , who take to heart, ever fo little, their own Profperi* ty , will apply themfelves ardently , to coWeCt from it all the fruit poflible. To this efFedk, it vrould be unpardonable for the BoCoefs andCommer- ce of this Republick in general , and for thofe of this City in particular, to fufFer to efcape this oc- cafion fo favourable for the encouragement of our Manufactures fo declined , and languishing in the interiour Cities , as well as that of the Com- merce and Navigation in the maritime Cities ; or to fuffer that other commercial Nations , even with a total excIuGon of the mercantile Interefls of this Republick, fhould profit of it, and this upon an occafion, when, by reafon of the war, equally unjufl and ruinous , in which the Kingdom of Great • Britain has involved this Republick, we cannot , and ought not to have the leaft Re- gard or CondefcenGon for that jealous State, being able even to oblige this arrogant Neighbour, in the juft fear of the confequences , which a mo- re intimate Connexion between this Republick and North-America would undoubtedly have, to lay down the fooner her Arms , and reftore Tranqui- lity to all Europe.

That the Petitioners, notwithflanding the In- clioation they have for it, ought not neverthc- lefs to explain themfelves farther upon this ob- ject, nor make a demonftration in detail of the important advantages, which this Republick may procure itfelf by a Connection and a Relation mo- re intimate with North - America; both becaufe tbac DO well - informed man can eaiily call the

thing in queftioc, or contradidt it; but alfo, bd- caufc the States of Friesland theffifelves have ve* ry lately explained themfelves, in a manner fo re- markable , in this refpea ; and which is ftill more remarkaWe, becaufe in very different Circumftan- ces , with a Forefighc , which Pofterity will cele- brate by fo much the more, as it is attacked in our time by ill deGgning Citizens, the Lords your Predeceflbrs thought, four years ago , upon thes means of hindering this Republick from being ct- cluded from the Bufinefs of the new World , and from falling into the disagreable fituation, in which the Kingdom of Portugal is at prefent , confldering that , according to the Informations of your Peti- tioners, the Congrefs has exciurfed that Kingdom from all Commerce and Bufinefs with North- America, folely* becaufe it had perceived that it fuffered itfelf to be too ftrongly direfted by the Influence of the British Court. This example ma- kes us fear with reafon , that if the Propofitions made, in the name of America, by Mr. Adams to this Republick, fhould remain, as they ftil are, without an answer , or that , if , contrary to all expeftation, they fhould berejedled, in that Ca- fe the Republick ought cot to expedl a better Treatment.

That, for thefe reafons and many others, the petitioners had flattered themfelves , that vi^e fhould long ago have opened Negotiations, and a cloler Correfpondence , with fbe United States of America. But this important work appeared too meet with difficulties with fome, as incom- patible with the Acceflion of this Republick to the armed Neutrality, and in courfe, with the ac- cepted Mediation; whllft that others cannot be Perfaaded to flaake this fo ceceflary 71ep, in the

opi-

4^€ (53 >^.

opinion, that we caonot draw any advantage, ot at leaft of much Importance, from a more ftri^t CoDneaion with America : Reafoos , according to the Petitioners, the Frivolity of which is ap- parent to every one, who is not filled with Preju- dice, without having occaCon to employ many words to point it out. For, as to the firft Point, fuppofiog for a moment , that it might be made a queftion, whether the Republick, after her Acces- llon to the armed Neutrality, before the war with England could take a Hep of this nature, withe:;* renouncing at the fame time the Advantages of the armed Neutrality, which it had embraced; it is at leaft very certain , that every difficulty concerning the Competency of the Republick to take a firailar flep , vanishes and disappears of itfelf at prefent, when it finds itfelf involved in a war with Great - Britain , Cnce from that moment f he could not only demand, the sfllftance and fuccour of all the Confederates in the armed Neutrality, but that thereby f he finds herfelf authorized, for her own defence, to employ all forts of means, violent and others, which fhe could not before adopt nor put in ufe , while fhe was really in the Pofition of a Neutral Power , which would pro- fit of the advantages of the armed Neutrality. This Reafonicg then proves evidently, that in the prefent fituation of affairs, the Republick might acknowledge the Indepc^ndence of Ameri- ca, and notwithftanding this, claim of full right the Afliftance of her neutral Allies, at leaft, if we would not maintain one oF the two following ab* furdities: that, notwithftaning the violent aggres- fion of England in Relentmeot of our Acceffion to the armed Neutrality, v/q dare not defend our- felves, UDtill our Confederates fhall think proper

t9

to come to our afliftance ; or , otherwife , that being attacked by the EDglish , it f hould be per- mitted D8, conformably to the rights of the armed Neutrality, to refifl them in Arms , whether on the Doggersbank or elfewhere, but not by con- ftrafting Alliances, which certainly do no Icjury or harm to the Convention of the armed Neatra- lity, notwithftandiug even the fmall hope we ha- ve of being fuccourred by the Allies of the armed Confederation. The Argument of the Mediation is ftill more contrary to common fenfe in this , that it fuppofes , that the Republick , by accep- ting the Mediationj has alfo renounced the Em- ployment of all the means, by the way of Arras, of Alliances, or otherwife, which it might judge ufefull or neceflary to annoy her Ennemy ; a fup. pofitioD, which certainly is deftitute of all foun- dation, and which would reduce it limply to a real Sufpenfion of Hoftilicies on the Part of the Republick only ; to which the Republick can ne- ver have confcnted , neither diredly nor indii. reftly.

Befides this laft Argument , the Petitioners ought to obferve, in the firft place, that by means of a good Harmony and Friendship with the United States of America, there will fpring up, not on- ly different Sources of Bufinefs for this Repu- blick, founded folely on Commerce and Naviga- tion, but in particular the Manufadlures and Trade will affume a new Aftivity in the interiour Cities j for they may confume the amount of Millions of our Manufaftures in th^it new Country , of fo vaft Extent: In the fecond Place, abftradled from all Interefts of Commerce » the Friendship or the Enmity of a Nation, which, after having made PrijODers of tw9 English Armies, has known how

t9

to render Jjerfelfrefpedlable and formidibre , if ie xvt: re only in re/ation to {he .weftero PofleffioDs of this State, is not and cannot be in any manner indifferent for our Republick. In the laft place, it is neceflary that the PetitioBcrs remark far- ther in this refpedb , that feveral Inhabitants of this Republick, in the prefent fituation of affairs, fuffer very confiderableLoffes and Damages ^ which at leaft hereafter might be wholly prevented, or in part, in cafe we fhould make with the United States of America, with relation to VefTels and Effefts recaptured » a Conventioa fimilar to that, which has been made with the Crown of Fran- ce the laft year; for, venerable Regents, if a Convention of this nature had been contrafted in the beginning of this war, the Inhabitants of the Republick would, have already derived im- portant advantages from it, confidering that fe- veral Ships and Cargoes , ; taken by ; the English from the. Inhabitants of this State, have fallen in- to- the hands of the Americans; among others, two Veflels from the VVeft-Indies, richly loaded, and making fail for the Ports of the Republick, and both eftimated at more than a Million of Flo- rins of Holland; which captured by the English at the commencement of the year paft, were car- ried into North -America, where, after the Ca-, pitulation of General Cornwalhs, they palled frona the hands of the English into others. "That, although the PetitionersJlare fully cod- vinced , that the Interefts of the Commerce of this common Country, and of this City , have con- ftantly,but efpecially in thefe laft years, at trafled, aad ftjll attradl every day , a great part of the Ca- res of the venerable Regeqcy ; neverthelefs , ha- ,

E vicg

0< 66 >C$

ving regard to the Importance of the affair , the FetitioDers have thought that they might, and that they ought to take the Liberty, to addrefs them- felves with this Petition to you, venerable Re- gents , to inform you, according to truth, that the moments are precious, that we cannot lofe any time, how little foever it may be, without run- Ding the greatefl risque of lofing all; fince, by hefitating longer , the Republick , according to all appearances ^ would not derive any advantage ,not even more than it has derived from its acceffion to the armed Neutrality; becaufe that in the fear of British menaces, we did not determine to ac- ceed to it, untill the oppoftunitv of improving the advantage of it, was pafled.

For thefe Caufes, the Petitioners addrefs them- felves to you, venerable Regents, refpedtfully fol- liciting, that your efficacious Influence may con- defcend, at the Aflembly of their noble and grand MightineflTes the States of this Province, to diredt affairs in fuch a manner , that upon this impor- tant objeft there may be taken as foon as polli- ble , and , if poffible , even during the continuance of this Affembly, a iSnal and decifive Refoiution, fuch as you, venerable Regents and their noble and grand MightineflTes, according to their high wisdom, f hall judge the moft convenient: and if , contrary to all Expeftation , this important opera- tion fhould meet with any obftacle on the part of one or more of the Confederates , that in that cafe you, venerable Regents , in Concert with the Province of Friesland, and thofe of the other Provinces, who make no difficulty to open a Negotiation with America, will condefcend to confider of the means, which fhall be found pro

per

per and convenient to efFeduate, that the Com- merce of this Province , as well as that of Friesland and the other Members adopting the fame opinion , may not be prejudiced by any di- Jarory deliberations , nor too late refolved , fofi the Conclufion of a Meafure as important as ni' ceflary.

So doing ^c.

U A AMSTER'

#€ 68 >@

AMSTERDAM.

Address of the Merchants , &'c. to their Re-^

gency.

Noble, great, and venerarle Lords /

IT is for us a particular Satisfadlion, to be able to offer to your noble and great Lordships, as Heads of the Regency of this City, this well intentioned Addrefs, that a multitude of our moft refpe^lable fellow-Citizens have figned. It was alrea- dy prepared and figned by many, when we learned, as well by the publick Papers as otherwife, the Propofitions of a particular Peace, with an offer of an immediate fufpenfion of Hoflilities, on the part of Great- Britain, made to this State by the Mediation of the Ruffian Ambaflador. This is the only reafon, why no immediate mention was made of it in the Addrefs itfelf. It is by no means the idea, that thefe offers would have made any Im- prefilon upon the Merchants; fince we can, on the contrary , in truth affure your noble and great Lordships , that the unanimous fentimenc nearly of the Exchange of Amfterdam, as much as that is interefted in it, is entirely conformable to that, which the Merchants of Rotterdam have ma- de known in fo energic a manner : Thit confe* ^uently we have the greateft Averfion to like oifers, as artful! as dangerous, which being adop- ted , would very probably throw this Republick in- to other fituations very embirraffing, the immedia- te conrequecccs of which would be , to ruin it

total-

totally: whereas, on the other handjthefe cfTcrs f hew, that «vhe have only to deal with an Enncmy tnhnuHed, whom we could force to a general and durable Peace in the End, by following only the example of France, Spain, and North- America, and by ufing the means which are in our Hands.

It is improper for us , however , to enlarge fur« ther upon this Projeft, important as it may be, being well afTured , that your noble and great JL,ordships fee thofe grievous Confequences more clearly , than we can trace them.

The Merchants continue to recommend their Commerce and Navigation to the conftant Care and Protedlion of your noble and great Lordships, and to inlift only , that in cafe thefe offers of the Court of England fhould be, at any time, the Caufe , that the affair of the Admiflion of Mr. Adams, in Quality of Minifter Plenipo- tentiary of the United States of America, fhoold meet with any difficulcy or delay on the part of the other Confederates, that your noble and great Lordstips , conformably to the fecond Article of our ReqiiiQtion , inferted in this Requeft , would have theCoodnefs to think upon meafures , which would fecure this Province from the ruinous Confe- quences of fuch a Proceeding.

To tbe foregoing was joined the Addrefs prefented to tbe Burgomafiers and tbe Council , nxibicb is of- tbe following Tenor,

Noble , great , venera^lu, ANp moble ai^d

VENERABLE LORDS !

The underCgned , Merchants, Citizens 5 and Inhabitants of the City of Amfterdam , have

ie^rrjed with an insxpreflible joy, the news of the

K 3 . . ■ • ^^^

Rerolutton taken the twenty, eighth of March laft by their noble and grand MightinelTes, the Lords the States of Holland and Weft-Friesland. Their noble and grand MightinelTes have thereby, not onle fatisfied the general wishes of the greaceft and beft part of the Inhabitants of this Province, but they have laid the Foundations of ulteriour Alliances and Correfpondencies of Friendship and of good undcrftanding with the United States of America , which promife new Life to the langui- shing (late of our Commerce , Navigation and Ma- nufadbures. The Unanimity with which that Refolu- tion was decided in the AflTembly of Holland, gi- ves us grounds to hope, that the States of the other Provinces will not delay to take a fimilar Refo- lution; whilft the fame Unamity fills with the mod lively Satisfadbion the well intentioned In- habitants of this City , and without doubt thofe of the whole Country , in convincing them fully, that the Union among the fage and venerable Fa- thers of the Country increafes more and more; vhilft that the Promptnefs and Adlivity , with which it hath been concluded , make us hope, with reafon, that we fhall reap, in time, from a ftep fo important, and fo neceffary for this Re- publick, the deCred Fruits. Who then can call in queftion , or disavow , that the moment feems to approach nearer and nearer , when this Repu- blick fhall enter into new Relations wich a Peo- ple, which finds itfelf in Circumftances , which differ but little from thofe in yfhkh our Ances- tors found themfelves two Centuries ago ; with a people which conciliates more and more the ge- neral Affedion and Efteem.

The Conformity of Religion and Government, which is found between us and America, joined

to

to the indubitabie Marks, that fhe hath airea- dy long fiDce given of the Preference that fhe fseh for our Friendship , makes the underfigned not only fuppofe , but infpire them with , a Confiden- ce, that our Connedlions with her will be equally folid, advantageous and faiutary, to thelntereftsof the two Nations. The Wellbeing and Profperity , which will very probably refult from them; the Part which you, noble, great, venerable, and noble and venerable Lords , have had in the Con- clufion of a Refolution fo remarkable; the Con- virion that the venerable Council of this City had of it, upon the Propofition of the noble, great and venerable Lords almoft confcnted to-be- fore the Rcquefl relative to this projed prefented not long fince to you, noble, great and venera- ble Lords , had come to the knowledge of the Council ; finally the Remembrance of that which was done upon this matter in the year 1778, with the beft Intentions and the mofl laudable views, finding itfelf at prefent crowned with an approba- tion as publick as it is general , indifpenfibiy obli- ge the underfigned to approach you with this Ad* drefs ; not only to congratulate you upon fo re- markable an Event, but to thank you at the fame time, with as much zeal as folemnity, for all thofe well iatentioned Cares, and thofe well con- certed Meafures, for that irflexible Attachment , and that faiihfull Adherence to th^ true lnterefl:s of the Country in general andofthisCityin particular which manifeftthemfelves, in fo finking a manner, in all the Proceedings and Refolutions of your noble, great and venerable Lordships and of the venerable Council of this City, and which certainly will attrad the eileem and veneration of the laceft; Poiterity, when comparing the Annals and Events E 4 of

of the prefeat wich thofe of former times, it fhall (discover that Amfterdam rtiight ftill boaft itfelf oF poir^liiDg Patriots , who dared facrifice generously a!l views of private Interefts , of Grandeur anei Confideracion, to the facred obligations that their Country requires of them.

' We flatter ourfjjves, noble, great, venerable, Doble and venerable Lords, ihit the prefent pn- blick demonflration of our Esteem and Attach- ment, will be fo much the more agreable ,as it is more rare in our Republick, and perhaps even it is ■without example, and as ic is more proper to efface all the odious Impresfiocs that the Calumny add Malignity of the English Miniftry , not long ago fo fervilely adored by many , but whofe downfall is at prefent confilmmated , had endea- voured to fpread, particularly a little before and at the beginning of this war; Infinuations, which have Once found Partifans in the United Provin- ces, among thofe who have not been ashamed to paint the Exchange of Amfterdam (that is to fay the moft refpcdable and the moft ufefull part of the Citizens of this City^ and at the fame time the principal fupport of the wellbeing of the Uni- ted Provinces) as if it confllted in a gread part of a contemptible Herd of vile interefted fouls, ha- ving no other Objedl, than to give loofe to their avidity, and to their detire of amaflingTreafures^ in defrauding the publick Revenues, and in trans- porting articles, againft the Faith of Treaties; Calumniators, who have had at the fame time, and have ftill, the sudacity to affront the moft upright Regency of the moil: conQderable City of the Republick, and to expofe ic to publick Con- tempt, as if it participated by Connivance, and othervvife, in fq fhamefull a Gomanerce; Infioua- ■....,,, :. I ^ - tiocs

tions and Accu/ations, which have been fprcad, 'with as muc/i falshood as wickednefs , and which Ought to excite fo much the more the Indigna'** tioD of every fenfible Heart, when it isconlidered» that not only the Merchants of this City, but alfo thofe of the whole Republick, have fo inviolably 'refpedled the Faith of Treaties , that to the afto- nishment 6f every impartial man , one cannot pro- duce any Proofs , at leaft no fufficient Proofs, that there hath ever been transported from this Country Contrabande Merchandizes,- whilfl: that the Con- juncture, in which Imputations of this kind have been fpread, rendered the Proceeding (till more odious, feeing it has been done at an EpOcha, when the Commerce and Navigation of Amfter- dam , and of the whole Republick, would have ex- perienced the firfl: and alraoft the only Attack of an UDJufi: and perfidious Ally , for want of neces- fary Protection, upon which you, noble, great, venerable, and noble and venerable Lords, have fo often and fo feriously inlilted, even before the commencement of the Troubles between Great- Britain and the United States of America; at an Epocha, when the Merchant, formed for enter- prifes, was obliged to feejthe fruit of his Labour, and of his Cares, the recompence of his indefati- gable, Indultry, and the Patrimony deftined to his Pofterity , ravished from his hands by foreign violence and an unbounded Rapadty, at an epo- cha finally, when the wife and prudent Politi- cians, who had exhaufted themfelves and fpared DO pains for the publick Good, faw their patriotic views difllpated , and their Projects vanish.

Receive then, noble, great, venerable, and Boble and venerable Lords , this folemn Teftimooy of our lively Gratitude, as graciously, as it is ^ E 5 giveo

^< 74 >^

given fincerely on our part. Receive it as a Proof of our Attachment to your Perfons; an Attach- ment, which is not founded upon Ftar, nor an exteriour Reprefentation of Authority and Gran- deur, but which is founded on more noble and immoveable principles, thofe of efleem and Res- pe£b, arifing from a fentiment of true Greatnefs and of Generofity. Be affured , that when con- temptible Difcord, with its odious attendants Artifice and Impofture, could effeQuate nothing, abfolutely nothing, *at the moment when the pre- fent war broke out, to prejudice in the leaft the Fidelity of the Citizens of the Amflel, or to fhake them in the obfervaoce of their Duties, the In- conveniences and the evils, that a war naturally and neceflarily draws after it, will not produce the eSeGt neither. Yes , we will fubmit more wil- lingly to them, according as we f ha 11 perceive, that the means, that God and Nature have put into our Hands, are more and more employed to re- duce and humble an haughty ennemy. Continue then, noble, great, venerable, noble and venera- ble Lords, to proceed with fafety in the Road that you follow, the only one, which in our Opi- nion can, under the divine Benediftion, tend to fave the Country from its prefent fituation. Let oothing divert or intimidate you from it. You have already furmounted the greateft difficulties, and the molt poignant Cares. A more pleafing Perrpedive already opens. Great Britain, not long Cnce fo proud of her Forces , that f he feared not to declare war againfl: an ancient and faithfull Ally, already repents of that unjuft and rash Proceeding; and, fuccumbing under the weight of a war, which becomes more and more burthenrome, fhe fighs after Peace, whilil that the Harmony among the

members

members of tbefupream Government of this Coud^ try increafes with our Arms, according as your political fyftem , whofe JNeceflity and falutary Id- flueflce were heretofore lefs acknowledged, gains every day more numerous Imitators. The Refo- lution lately taken by the States of Friesland, and fo unanimously adopted by our Province, fur- nishes, among many others, one inconteftible Proof of it, whilfl the naval Combat, fought che laft year on Doggersbank, hath fhewn to aftonis- hed Europe , that fo long a Peace , hath not made the Republick forget the management of Arms, but that on the contrary it nourishes in its Bofom warriours, who tread in the footfteps of Tromps and Ruiters, from whofe Prudence and Intrepidity, after a Beginning fo glorious , we may promife our- felves the moft heroic Anions; that their invin- cible Courage, little afFedied with an evident fu- periority, will procure one day to our Country an honourable and permanent Peace, which, in eternizing their military Glory, will caufe the wife Policy of your noble , great , renerable , and Eoble and venerable Lordships , to be blefled by the la- teft Pofterity.

OTRECHT

UTRECHT.

24. ^pril 1782.

To THEIR NOBLE MIGHTINESSES , THE LoRD5

THE States of the Country op Utrecht.

THE underfigned Manufafturers , Merchants, and other Traders of this City, give with due refped to underftand, that the Petitioners placing their Confidence in the Intereft , that your Doble Mightinefles have always appeared to ta- ke in the advancement of Manufadlures and Gom* merce , have not been at ail fcrupulous to recom- mend to the vigilant attention of your noble Mightinefles, the favourable occaflon that offers itfelf in this moment, to revive the Manufactures, Commerce and Trades fallen into decay in this City and Province, in gafe that your noble Migh- tinefles acknowledged ,in the name of this City, Mr. Adams asMinifter Plenipotentiary of the Uni- ted States of America, to the end that there might be formed with them a Treaty of Commerce for this Rcpublick. As the Petitioners founded them- lelves thus upon the intimate fentiment of the execution of that , which your noble Mightinefles judge proper to the advancement of the well- being of the Petitioners and of their Interefts,the Petitioners have further the fatisfaftion of feeing the moft agreable Proofs of it , when your noble MightineflTeSjin your laft Afl'erabiy jrefolved una- nimously to confenCj not only to the admiiljen of

Mr,

Mr. Adams in quality of Minifler of the Congrefs ofNorth-/in^^i*ica,biit to authorize the Lords the, Deputies' of this Province at the Generahty, tp conform themfelves in the name of this Province, to the Refolutions of the Lords the States of Holland and Weftfriesland and of Friesland, and doing this , to confent to the acknowledgment and adraiflioo of Mr. Adams, as Minifler of the Uni- ted States of America. As that Refolution fur- Dishes the Proofs the beft intentioqed, the mofl patriotic, for the advancement of that which may ferve to the wellbeing en to the encouragement of Manufadlures , of Commerce and of decayed Tra- des, as well in general, as of this City and Pror %ince in particular , and which had been fo ar- dently defired; the Petitioners thinck themfelves indifpenfably obliged to teftify,in the mod re- fpeftfuU manner, their gratitude for it to your noble MightinefTes, The Petitioners find themfel- ves abfolutely unable, to exprefs in words the ge- neral fatisfatlion that this event hath caufed not only to them, but alfo to the great and fmall of this Province; joined to the confirmation of the perfect Conviftion in which they rcpofe themfelves' alfo , for the future , upon the paternal care of your noble MightinefTes, that the Confummation of the defired Treaty of Commerce with the Ame- ricans may be foon effeded. The Petitioners at- tefl by the prefent, before your noble Mightines- fts , their folemn and well-meant Gratitude, which they addrefs at the fame time to your noble Mightinesfes, as the mod fincere mark of venera- tion andrefpeft for the Pcrfons, and the diredlion of publick affairs, of your noble MightinefTes; praying that Almighty God may deign to blefs the Efforts, and the Councils of your noble Mighti-

ociles ,

DcfTes , as well as thofe of the Confederates ; that moreover this Province, and our dear Country, by the Propofitions of an Armiftice and that which depends thereon , f hould not be involved in any Negotiations for a particular Peace wiih our perfidious Eonemy, but that we obtain no other Peace than a general Peace, which Cas your no- ble Mightineffes exprefs yourfelves in your Re- folution) may be compatible with their Honour and Dignity; and ferve not only for this Gene- ration, but alfo for the latefl: Pofterlty, as a Mo- nument of Glory, of eternal Gratitude, to and efteem for the Perfons and public Adminiftration of the prefent time.

FRIESLAND.

I-C 79 >i

FRIESLAND.

Extract from the Regifter -Book of the Lords the States of Friesland,

TH E Requifition of Mr. Adams , for prefen- ting his Letters of Credence from the Uni- ted States of America to their High-Mightines- fes, having been brought into the Aflerably, and put into deliberation, as alfo the ulteriour Addrefs to the fame Purpole , with a demand of a catego- rical answer, made by him ,38 is more amply men- tioned in the minutes of their HighMightinefles of the 4th. of May 1781 , and the 9th. of January 1782; whereupon it having been taken into Con- lideration, that the faid Mr. Adams would pro- bably have fome Propofitions to make to their High-Mightinefles , and to prcfent to them the principal Articles and Foundations upon which the Congrefs , on their part , would enter into a Trea- ty of Commerce and Friendship , or other affairs to propofe , in regard to which dispatch would be requifite.

It has been thought fie and refolved, to autho- rize the Lords the Deputies of this Province at the Generality, and to inftruft them, to diredb things, at the Table of their High • Mightines- fes, in fuch a manner, that the faid Mr. Adams be admitted forthwith as IVIinifter of the Con- grefs of North-A/ffleri(^a ; with further order to the faid Deputies , that if there fhould be made mo" leover any firailat Propofitions by the fame, to

in-

^< 80 >l^

inform immediately their noble Mightinefles of them. And an Extradl of the prefent RefoluCiOn f hall be fent them for their loformatjbn , that they may conduct themfelves conformably.

Thus refolved at the Province -Houfe the 2G B^e- bruary 1782.

Compared with the aforefaidrBook to roy know- ledge.

Sighed

A. J. V. Smxnia-

HOLLAND

0'i it ><s» HOLLAND

' AND

WESTFRIESLAND.

r)}

Extract of the Refolutions of the Lords the

States of Holland and U^eftfrmlandy ti^en in the JJfembly of their Noble and Grand" Mightineffesy Thursday 28 March 1782.]

DELIBERATED by Refumption upon the Ad- drefs and the ultcriour Addrefs of Mr. Adams, made the 4th. of May 1781, and thepthof January 1782, to the Prefident of the States Ge- neral, communicated to the Afiembly the 9 May 1781 i and the iid. of laft Month, to.prefent his Letters of Credence, in the name of the United States of America, to their High-MightinelTes j by frhich ulteriour Addrefs, the faid Mr. Adams hath demanded a categorical answer, that he may ac- quaint his Condituents thereof: deliberated alfo upon the Petitions of a great number of Mer- chants, Manufacturers and other Inhabitants of this Province, interefted in Commerce to fupport their Rcqueft prefented to the States General ,the twentyeth current , to the end , that efBcacious Meafures might be taken to eftablish a Commerce between this Country and North • America , Copy of which Petitions have been given to the Meni- bers the twenty firil ; it hath be^n thought fie

<8^< 82 ><J^

and refolved, that the affair fhall be direfted on the' pair of their nobte and grand Mighticefles, at the Aflembly of the States General , and that f hall be thefe made the ftrongdi Inftances, that Mr. Adams be admitted and acknowledged , as foon as polTible , by their High -MightlDefles , in quality of AmbafTador of the United States of Ameri<;a. And the Councellor Penfionary hath been charged to inform under hand the faid Mr. Adams of this Refolution of their noble and grand Mighti* oefles.

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^qo'> 5 foncoiA - ri3i'>>I brf^j '^tviuoD ai'ij :i "'.':•' -inaM r.^j c: lisvio ntj-d ^"fifl 8noijf!3S ."':••'"• V

fc^i, li ZEALAND;

«■<. »3 >*

ZEALAND.

Extract of the Refolutions of their High- Mightinejfes the States General of the United Provinces » Monday 8 Jlpril 1782,

THE Deputies of the Province of Zealand have brought to the Aflembly, and have caa- fed to be read there, the Refolution of the States of thftfaid Province, their Principals, to caufe to be admitted, as foon as poflible, Mr. Adams ia quality of Arabaflador of the Congrefs of North- America 5 according to the following Refolutioa.

Extract from the Regifler of the Refolutions of the Lords the States of Zealand , ^th, of jdpril 1782.

It hath been thought fit and ordered , that the Lords , the ordinary Deputies of this Province ac the Generality, fhall be amhurifed, ^s it is done by the prefent, to aflift , in the direftioi; of affairs at the Aflembly of their High ^'Mghtinel^es,1n fuch a manner, that Mr. Adams may be acknowledged, as foon as poflible , as Ambafliddor of the Congreft of North-America; that his Letters of Credence be accepted; and that he be admitted in that qua- lity, according to the ordinary form; enjomicg further upon the faid Lords the ordinary Depu- ties , to take fuch Pfopofitions , as f hould be ma- de to this Repoblick by the faid Mr. Ada«ais, foi

F 2 *•

the loformation and Deliberation of their High- Mightinefles , to the end to transmit them here as foon as poflible. And an Excraft of this Refo- lution of their noble Mightinefles f hall be fent to the Lords their ordinary Deputies , to ferve them 96 an InQru^tion.

Signed

J. M. Chalmers.

Upon which having deliberated, it hath been thought fie and refolved , to pray by the prefent the Lords the Deputies of the Province of Guef- derland, Utrecht, and Groniogen and Ommelan- den, who have not yet explained themfelves upon this fubje£l , to be pleafed to do ic as foon as ^offible.

OVEKYSSELL.

^< 85 >^

dtadHMMMMWHwaan

O VERYSSEL.

Extract from the Regijler of the Rpfolutions of

the Eque (Irian Order , and of the Cities compO"

' Jing the States of OveryJJeL Zwoll 5 April 1 7 S 2 .

MR. the grand Bailiff of Saalland , and the other Coinmifliooers of their noble Mighti- ueffes for the Affairs of Finance, having exami- ned, conformably to their CommilTorial Refolu- tion of the third of this month, the Addrefles of Mr. Adams, communicated to the Aflembly the 4th. of May 1781 3 and the 22 of February 1782, to prefent his Letters of Credence to their High* MightinelTes , in the name of the United States of America; as well as the Refolution of the Lords the States of Holland and Weftfriesland dated the 28th. of March 1782 , carried the 29th. of the fa- me Month to the Aflembly of their High-Mighti- neffes, for the admiffion and acknowledgment of Mr. Adams, have reported to the Aflembly, that they fhould be of opinion , that the Lords the Deputies of this Province in the States General ought to be authorifed and charged, to declare in the Aflembly of their High-Mightineflies , that the Equeflrian order and the Cities judge, that it is proper to acknowledge , as foon as poffible, Mr. Adams in quality of Minifter of the United States of North- America to their High • Mightinefles. Upon which having deliberated , the Equeflrian Order and the Cities have conformed themfelves 10 the faid Report.

Compared with the aforefaid Regifter.

Signed Derk Dunbar.

F 3 GRQNIN^

@-C 8« >©

GRONINGEN.

Extract from the Regijler of the Refolutims of their noble Mightineffes , the States of Cro* ningen and Ommelanden. Tuesday ^ April 1782.

TH E Lords the States of Groningen and Om- melaoden , having heard the Report of the Lords the Commiflioners for the Petitions of the Council of State and the Finances of the Provin- ce > and having carefully examined the demand of Mr. Adams., to prefent his Letters of Credence from the United States of America to their High- Mightinefles , have, after deliberation upon the fabjed, declared themfelves of opinion, that in the critical circumftances in which the Republic k finds itfelf at prefent, it is proper to take, with- out lofs of Time , fuch efficacious meafures , as may not only repair the Loffes and Damages » that the Kingdom of Grtat-Britain hath caufed in a manner fo injuft, and againft every fhadow of Right, to the Commerce of the Republick, as well before as after the war, but particularly fuch as may efiablish the free Navigation and the Commerce of the Republick , for the future ,upon the mod fold Foundations, as may confirm and leaflure it , by the flrongeft Bonds of reciprocal Intereft ; and that, in confequence, the Lords the Deputies at the Aflembly of their High-Migh- tinefle^ ought to be auihorifed , on the part of the Province, as they are by the prefent, toad- aic Mr. Adams to prefent his Letters of Creden- ces

ce from the Uoited States of Amerioa , nci to receive the Propofitions which he fhall make, to make Report 6f them to the Lords te States ot this Province.

Signed ~;\ u^ i- : ' .icK Vste.S '\q. :.r^r ? V E. 'L E w E , Secrem^.

The States General , having deliberate4 th^ fe- me day upon the Refolution , have refolved , that the Deputies of this Province of Guclderland, Which has not yet declared itfelf upota the 6m.e fubjedj fhould be requelted, to be pleafed to 0.6 it as fooo as pofllb]e»

F 4. UTRECHT.

4JK ss><&

UTRECHT.

t,XTR ACT of the Refolutions of their noble Migh- tinejfes , the States of the Province of Utrecht, IQ April 1782.

HEARD the Report of Mr. DeWefterveld and other Deputies of their noble Mightinefles for the department of war, who, in virtue of the commiflbrial Refolutions of the 9 May 1781,16 Ja- nuary and 20 March of the prefent year 1782 , ha- ve examinated the Refolutions of their High-Migh- tinefles of the 4 May 1781, containing an over- ture, that Mr. the Prefident of the Aflembly of their High-MightinelTes had made „ that a Perfon ilyling himfelf J. Adams had been with him, and had given kirn to underftand, that he had recei- red Letters of Credence for their High - Mighti- nefles from the United States of America, with arequeft, that he would be pleafed to communi- cate them to their High-Mightineffes; as well as the Refolution of their High Mishtineffes of the g January, containing an ulteriour overture of Mr. the Prefident „ that the faid Mr. Adams had been with him ^and had infifled upon a categorical answer, whether his faid Letters of Credence would be accepted or not; finally the Refolution of their High-MightinefTes of the 5 of March laft, with the Inferiion of the Refolution of Friesland, containing a propofition to admit Mr. Adams in quality of Minifter of the Congrcfs of North-Ame- rica \

Upon

Upon which having deliberated ^ and remarked , that the Lords the States of Holland and Weft- friesjand, by their Refolotion carried the 29 of March to te Stateis General, have alfo confented to the admiflion of the faid Mr. Adams in quali. ty of Minifter of the Congrefs of North - Ameti- ca j it hath been thought fie and refolved , that the Lords the Deputies of this Province in the States General fhould be authorifed, as their noble JvlightinefTes authorife them by the prefentjto con- form themfelves, in the name of this Province, to the Refolution of the Lords the States ofHolIand and Weftfriesland, and of Friesland, and to con- fent by confequence, that Mr. Adams be acknow- ledged and admitted as Minifter of the UnitedSta. tes of America; their noble Mightinesfes being at the mean time of opinion , that it would be neceflary to acquaint her Majefty the Emprefs of Ruffia and the other Neutral Powers, with the Refolution to be taken by their High • Mightinesfes upon this fubjed, in communicating to them, as much as fhall be neceflary, the Reafons, which have indu- ced their High-MightinelTes to it, and giving them the ftrongeft aflurances , that the Intention of their High . Mightinefles is by no means to prolong the- Teby the war , which they would have willingly pre- vented and terminated long fince ; but on the con- trary, that their High -Mightinesfes wish nothing with more ardor, than a prompt Reeflabli^hmenc of Peace; and that they fhall be always ready on their part, to co-operate in it in all poffible ways and with a fuitable Readinefs, fo far as that fhall be any way compatible with their Honour and their Dignity, and for this end an Extrad of this fhall be carried by Miffive 10 ,the Lords the Deputies at the Generality.

F 5 GUEL.

.J !:a. 'ill! li'Ml'.i" nOCJ

dUfiLDERLAND.

Extract /rom the Reds of the ordinary Diet ^ held in the City of Nimeguen , in the Month of April 1782. IVednesday^ 17 April 1782^

THE Requifition of Mr. Adams, to pfefcnthi« Letters of Credence to their High - Mighti- oesfes in the name of the United States of Atae- rica , having been brought to the Aflembly ind lead, as well as an ulteriour Addrefs made upon this fubj^ft , with a demand of a categorical answer by the faid Mr. Adams, more amply mentioned in the Regifters of their High-Mightinefles of the date of the 4th. of May 1781, and of the 9 Ja- nuary 1782; moreover the Refolutions of the( Lords the States of the five other Provinces , car- ried fucceffively to the Affembly of their High- Mightineffes , and all tending to admit Mr. Adams in quality of Ambaflbdor of the United States pf America to this Republick; upon which their no-' ble.Mightinefles, after Deliberation, halve refol- ved to authorize the Deputies of this Provincer ^ the States General, as they authorize them bJF the prefent, to conform themfelves in the nam^ of this Province to the Refolution of the Lords the States of Holland and Weflfriesland, and to confent by confequence , that Mr. Adams may be acknowledged and admitted in quality of Amlias- fador of the United States of America to this^ Repubiick. In confequence, an Extraft of xhtr

pre*

prefent fball beieot to the faidDeputiea^omakc •s fooo as poflible the requifite overtare of it f te Affembly of their Highj-Mightioeffes,

lo fidem Exttz^h

J. In >i Betouw«

:.!•

THE

'■*mfm

T H "E

STATES GENERAL.

Extract from theRegifier of the Refolutions of their High . Mightinejfes the States General of the United Provinces. Fry day 19 ^pril 1782.

DELIBERATED by RefumptioD , upoD theAd- (Irefs aDd the ulceriour Addrefs , made by Mr. Adams the 4 May 178 1, and the 9 January of the currant year to Mr. the PreQdent of the Aflembly of their High-Mighcineffes,to prefentto their High-Mightineffcs his Letters of Credence in the name of the Uoited States of North- Ameri- ca; and by which ulterioor Addrefs the faid Mr. Adams hath demanded a categorical answer, to the end to be able to acquaint his Conftituents thereof; it hath been thought fit and refolved, that Mr. Adams f hall be admitted and acknowled- ged in quality of Ambaflador of the United States of North America to their High-Mightinefles , as he is admitted and acknowledged by the prefent. Signed

W. BoREEL, Prefidt. Lo'wer down

Compared with the aforefaidRegifter. Signed

H. Fagel.

Extract

txTR ACT from the Regifler of the Refolutions of their Bigh-Mightineffes the States General of the United Provinces, Monday 22 JprilijZz,

MR. BoREEL , who preflded in the AlTem- bly the lalt weak, hach reported to their High . MightinelTes , and nocified them , that Mr John Adams , Ambasfador of the United States of America , had been with him lafl Saturday , and prefented to him a Letter from the AfTembly of Congrefs, written at Philadelphia the firft of Ja- nuary 1 78 1, containing a Credence: for the faid Mr. Adams, to the end to refide in quality of its Minifter Plenipotentiary near their High*Migb« tinelTes: Upon which having deliberated, it hatb been thought fit and rePoIved , to declare by the prefent: „ That the faid Mr. Adams is agreablc ,, to their High-MightinefTes; that he fhall be sf acknowledged in quality of Minifler Plenipo- 3, tentiary; and that there fhall be granted to him „ an Audience , or afligoed Commilfioners , wbea „ he fhall demJind it ". Information of the above fhall be given to the faid Mr* Adams, by the Agent van der Burch de Spieriogshoe);, Signed

W. VAN CiTTERS,-, Pfefidt.

Lewer doijon u

Compared, vritli the aforefaid Regifter. -

■ '''.-''7' ' Signed

H. Fagel,

U^DAU

^< 94 >#

styxi'-u^.K .JE»(v. D A L*

To THE NOBLE AND MIGHTY LoRDS, JtH«

States of Friesland.i

THE Society of Citizens, eftablished at Leeu- warden , under the Motto; „By Liberty and „ Zeal", moft humbly reprefents, that it defires to have an opportunity of teftjfyiog publickly, by FaQs , to your noble Mightinefles the mofl li- vely, but, at the fametime, the moft refpeftfull fentiments of gratitude, which cot otily animate tfaem, but alfo, as they alTure themfelves, all the well iDteotioced Citizens, efpecially, with rela- tion to the Refolutions equally important , and fall of wisdom, which your noble Mightinefles have taken upon all the Points , io regard to whicli the critical Gircumftances , in which the dear Coun-r try finds itfelf plunged , have furnished to your no- ble Mightinefles; objeOis equally numerous and dis- agreabte, particularly, at the ordinary Diet of the yeaM782, and at the extraordinary Diet held in the Month of April laft : Refolutions which bear not only tb<e characters of wisdorr^, but alfo thofe of the beft intentioned folh'citude, and the pureft Love of our Cou,ntry; and which prove in the moft convincing mannpr, that your noble Migh- tinefles,have ^o greater ambition, than its univer- fal ^rofperity; aflidaously propofing to yourfel- ves , as the moft important objeG of your atten- tion, of yo'ir entrenrifesjand of your attachment, the Rule: Salus Populi fuprema lex ejto: Refolu- tions ^ in fine, which ought perfe^ly to re-aflure

0< 95 >^

the good Citizens of this Province, and CDCOuragf tbera to perfevcre in that full and wanquil Con- fidence , irhich has hindered them ftom reprefeti. ting to your noble ^?ightinesfes the true Interefts of the Country , aad to exhort them , at the fa- me time, by their fupplications, to a£k with cou» rage, and to fulifi" «^«=^r Duties, confidering that the faid Refolutions have fully aflUred theia , thai their Poffeffions , with that which is above all things dear to them, their Liberty (that Right which is more precious to them than their Lives; to which the fmalleft Injury cannot be done, with- out doing wrong and dishonour to Humanity; 9 Right, neverthelefs , which, if we confider the world/ in general, has been,alafs, almoft every where equally violated) are depoGted in fafety, under the vigilant eye of your noble Mightineflfes. The Society has thought , that it might accom- plish its wishes, in the mofl convenient and de- cent manner, in caufing to be flruck, at its ex- pence, a Medal of Silver, which may remain to Pofterity a durable Mononjent of the perfedl: Har- mony which ac the prefenc dangerous tpocha has reigned between the GqYeroment and the People. It has conceived , for this, purppfe, a Sketch or Projedl, as yet incoijjyeat, acpordin^ to which one of the fides of the^ledal fbould bear the Atms of Friesland, held by' an hand, which de- fceods from the Clouds, with an Infcription iti the following Terms : To the States of Friesland, in gratefull Memory of the Diets of February and of April 1782 , dedicated by the Society Liberty and Zeal. An Infcription , which, would thus contain a gene- ral applaufe of all the Refolutions taken in thefe two Diets ; whilfl: upon the Reverfe, one fhould diftinguish, more particularly, the two Events,

whick

which intereft;the moft our common Conntry j^ia regard of which your noble Mightinefles have gi- ven the Exemple to the States of the other Provinces, and which merit for this reafon, as placed in the foremoft fiuaation , to f hew itfelf the moft clearly to the fight ; to wit „ The Admifllon of Mr. Adams in ^jaality of Minifter of the United States of America to this Republick; and the Refufal of a feparate Peace with Great- Britain". Events which fhould be reprefented fymbolically by a Frifian , dreffed according CO the ancient charadteriftick Cuftom of the FriOans, holding cat his right hand to ao Inha- bitant of North- America, in Itoken of Friendship and Brptherly Love; whilft with the left hand h» rejefts the I^eace, which England offers him. The whole with fuch convenient additions, and fym*: bolical ornaments, which the Society, perhaps » would do well to leave to the Invention of the Medallift,&c.

IThf remainder of this Requejl relate/ to other fubjeSts .] Done at Leeuwarden the 8 May 1782,

The Society „ By Liberty and Zeal", Signed at its Requejt "\"^\

W. WOPKINS,

in the abfencg of the Secretary,

* * *

■^^.

•I*T^ "^