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COl^LECTION
O 7
STAT E.PA P E R S.
[Price Two Shillings.J
u£ct^vu^ n^-^-ZUw^ L^ur^j,^ LC,£^
COLLECTION
O F
STATE-PAPERS,
Relative to the Firft Acknowledgment of the
Sovereignty of the United States of Am erica,
And the Reception of their ^'\ v 1/7
Minifter Plenipotentiary^ by their High Mightinefles the
States General of the United Netherlands.
To which is prefixed^ the Polltkal Chara^er of
JOHN ADAMS,
AmbafTadcr Plenipotentiary from the States of North Aine-
rica, to their High MightinefTes the States General of the
United Provinces of the Netherlands.
By AN A M E R I C A N.
LIKEWISE,
An Essay on Canon and Feudal Law,
By JOHN ADAMS, Es<^;
'■" ' III assg
LONDON:
Printed fiorJoHK Fielding, No. 23, Pater-nofier-row j
John Debretx, oppoHte Burlineton-Houfe, Piccadilly i and
JoHK S<|WELL, No. 32, Cornhill. 1782.
r^ntereO at &tationer$(''l9aU J i
I N T R O D U C T 1 6 ^fi
AS the States General of tKe United Provinces hate
acknowledged the. independency of the United States
6f North America, and niade a treaty of commerce with
them, it may not be improper to prefix a fhort account of
John Adams, Efq; who, purfuing the intereffs of his
country, hath brought about thefe important events.
Mr. Adams is defcended from one of the firft families
. which founded the colony of the Maffachufets Bay in 1630*
He applied himfelf early to the ftudy of the laws of his
country ; and no fooner entered upon the praftice there-
of, but he drew the attention, '^fdmiration, and efteem of
his countrymen, on account of his eminent abilities and
probity of characSter. Not fatisfied with barely maintain-
ing the rights of individuals, he foon fignalized himfelf
in the defence of his country, and mankind at large, by
writing his admirable Diflertation on the Canon and
Feudal Laws ; a work fo well worth the attention of every
man who is an enemy to ecclefiaftical and civil tyraniw,
that it is here fubjoined. It fhowed the author at an eafjy
period capable pf feconding efficacioufly the formation of
republics on the principles of juftice and virtue. Such »
man became moft naturally an objeft of Governor Barnard's
feduftion. The perverfion of his abilities might be of ufe in
a bad caufe ; the corruption of his principles might tarnifli
the beft. But the arts of the Governor, which had fuccccd-
ed with fo many, were inefFeftual with Mr. Adams, who
openly declared he would not accept a favour, however
flatteringly oiFered, which might in any manner coniieft
b him
[ a ]
him with the enemy of the rights of his country, or tend
to embarrafs him, -as it had happened with too many
others, in the difcharge of his duty to the public. Se-
duftion thus failing of its ends, calumny, menaces, and
the height of power were made ufe of againft him. Thev
loft the efFeft propofed, but had that, which the {how of
bafenefs and viofence ever produce on a mind truly vir-
tuous, Tliey increafed his honeft firmnefs, becaufe they
manifefted, that the times required more than ordinary
exertions of manlinefs. In confequence of this conduct,
Mr. Adams obtained the higheft honours which a virtu-
ous man can receive from the good and the bad. He was
honoured with the difapprobation of the Governor, who
refufed his admiflion into the council of the province ;
and he met with the applaufe of his countrymen in gene-
ral, who fent him to affift at the Congrefs in 1774^
in which he was moft ad^ive, being one of the principal
promoters of the famous refolution of the 4th of July,
when the colonies declared themfelves free and inde-
pendent STATES.
This ftep being taken, Mr. Adams faw the ineificacy of
meeting the Englifli Commiflioners, and voted againft
the propofition ; Congrefs, however, having determined
to purfue this meafure, fent him, together v/ith Dr.
Franklin and Mr. Rutledge, to General Hov/e's head
quarters. Thefe Deputies, leading with them, in a manly
way, the hoftages which the general had given for their
fecurity, marched to the place of conference, in the midtt
of twenty thouiand men ranged under arms. Whether
this military (hew was meant to do honour to the Ame-
ricans, or to give them an high idea of the Englifli force,
is not worth enquiry. If its objeft was to terrify the De-
puties of Congrefs, it failed ; making no more impreflion
on them, than the fudden djfcovery of elephants did upon
certain embafladors of old. The utmoft politenefs having
pafted on both fides, the conference ended, as had been
forefeen, without any effecS:.
Mr. Adams having been fifteen months one of the
Commiffioners of the War department, and a principal
fuggeftor of the terms to be oftered to France, for forming
treaties of alliance and commerce, he was fent to the
2 court
4i"
[ 3 3
court of Vcrfailles, as one of the Minlfters Plenipoten-
tiary of the United States. After continuing fome time
invefted with this important truft, he returned to Ame-
rica j where he no fooner appeared, than he was called.
upon by the State of Maflachufets Bay, to affift in forming
a fyftem of government, that might eftablifli the rights
of all on clear, juft, and permanent grounds. He was
never employed ma bufmefs more agreeable to himfelf;
for, the happinefs of his Fellow-Citizens is his great ob-
{'eft. He fought not honour in this arduous undertaking,
>Ut it fell ultimately upon Him. He has gained it all
over Europe. If he endeavoured to obtain by it th«
efteem and love of his countrymen, he has fucceeded ;
for they know they are chiefly indebted to him for the
conftitution of the State of Maffachufets Bay, as it ftands
at this day.
, This important bufmefs being completed to the fatif-
fs^ion of all, he came back to Europe, with full powers
ftom Congrefs to affift at any conferences which might be
opened for the eftablifhment of peace ; and had fent him,
fpon after, other powers to negociate a loan of money
for the ufe of the United States ; and to reprefent them,
as their Minifter Plenipotentiary, to their High Mighti-
neiTes the States General of the United Provinces. Such
important trufts (hew, in what eftimation he is held by
bis country ; and his manner of executing them, that con-
fidence is well placed.
On his arrival in Holland, nothing could have been
more unpromifing to the happy execution of his million,
than were the affairs of that country. The influence
>pf the Court of St. James's over a certain fet of men,
tjie intereft that many had in the funds and copimerce of
England^ and the dread of her power, which generally
prevailed throughout the Provinces, obliged him to aA
with the utmoft circumfpeftion. Unknown, and at firft
unnoticed, (at leaft but by a few) he had nothing to do
but' to examine into the ftate of things, and characters of
the leading men. This neceflary knowledge was fcarcely
acquired, when the conduft of the Britilh Miniftry af-
forded him an opportunity of (hewing himfelf more
openly. The contempt, infult and violence, with which*
b 2 the
[ 4 ]
die whole Belgic nation was treated, gave him great
advantages over the Engliih Embaflador at the H^gue.
He ferved himfelf of his' rivals raflinefs and folly with
Jrrcat coolnefs and ability ; and, by confequence, became
o particularly obnoxious to the prevailing party, that
he did not dare to go to a village fcarcely a day's journey
from his refidencc, but with the utnioft fecrecy : the fate
of Doriflaus was before his eyes. Having been therefore
under the necefllty of making himfelf a Burgher of Am-
fterdara, for proteftion againft the malice of the times,
he foon gained the good opinion of the Magiftrates by his
prudent conduflt as a private Citizen. The bad policy of
England, enabled him to ftep forward as a public cha-
raftcr. As fuch, he prefeiited to the States General his
ifamous Memorial, dated the- 19th of April, 1781, where-
in th.e declaration of the independency of America on the
4th of July> 17765 v/as juftificd ; the unalterable refo-
iution of the United States to abide thereby afTcrted ; the
intereft that all the powers of Europe, and particularly
the States General, have in maintaining it, proved ; the
political and natural grounds of a commercial conne^Lion
between the two Republics pointed out ; and information
given that the Mcmorialift was inyefted with full powers
from Con^rcfs to treat with their High Mightinellls fo^r
the good of both countries.
The prcfenting this Memorial was a delicate ftep ;
Mr. Adams was fenfible, that he alone was anfwerable
for its confequences, it being taken not merely from his
own finglc fuggeftion,/but contrary to the opinion and
advice of fonie of great weight and authority. How-
ever, maturely confidcring the meafure, he faw it in all
its lights, and boldly ventured on the undertaking. The
full and immediate efFedl of it was not expelled at once.
The firil objedl was, that the nation (hould confider the
matter thoroughly ; it being evident, that the more it
was ruminated on, the more obvious would be the ad-
vantages and neceffity of a connedlipn between the two
countries. When, therefore, the Memorial was taken by
the States General ad referendum^ the firft point was gain-
ed ; the people thought of, ^nd reafoned on the matter fet
before them ; many excellent writings appeared, and they
' ) made
C 5 ]
piade die greateft impreflion ; a weekly paper in particular,
entitled Le Politique Hollandois, drew the attention of
all, on account of its information, the foundnefs of its
argument, and its political judgment and patriotifnu
At length the time came when the work was to be com-
pleated : the generality of the people of Holland, feeing the
heceffity of opening a new courfe to their trade, which
the violent aggreffion of England, and the commercial
fpirit of other nations tended to diminifli, demanded an
immediate connexion with the United States of America^
as a means of indemnifying themfelves for the lofs which
a declared enemy had brought on them, and the rivallhip
of neighbouring nations might produce.
Mr. Adams feized the occafion which the public dif-
pofition afforded him, and prefented his Ulteriour Addrefs
of the Qth of January, 1782 ; referring therein to his
Memorial of the lOth of April, 1781, and demanding a
categorical anfwer tnereto. The Towns, Cities, Quar-
ters, and States of the feverial Provinces took the whole
matter into immediate deliberation, and inflru6i:ed their
feveral Deputies, in the States General, to concur in the
admiffion of Mr. Adams in quality of Minifter Plenipo-
tentiary of the United States of North America. This was
done by a refolution, pafled by their High MightinefTes
the 19th of April, 1782; and on the 22d of the fame
month, Mr. Adams v;as admitted accordingly, with all the
ufual ceremonies.
This event feems to have been as great a blow as any
that has been given to the pride and interefls of England
during the war. It {hewed the Dutch were no longer
over-awed by the power of their enemy, for they dared
to brave him to his teeth. It fet an example to other
nations, to partake of the commerce of thofe countries,
which England had loft by her inconfiderate conduct. It
confounded at once the Englifh partifans in Holland, and
proved that Sir Jofeph Yorke was not the great minifter
he had hitherto been fuppofed to be. It gave occafion to
an ambaffador of one of the greateft monarchs of Europe
to fay to Mr. Adams : Vous ave% frappe^ Monfieur^ le plus
grand coup de tout V Europe. C^ejl le plus grand coup^ qui
a etcfrafpe dans le caufe America'in. C^ejl vous qui a effraye
et
[ & ]
et'tcrrajji Ics Jft^kmmims. Ceji vous qui a rcfttpli atU
nation iTtnthoupajine. And thtin turning to another gert-
tie man, he faid, Ce n\fi pas four fairc compliment a Mori"
ft^r Adams^ que je (lis celu : c^ejl parccqu'en verite, je crois
qufi c*€jifa due,
* This diplomatic compliment has been followed by others.
I tranfcribc with pleafure a convivial one contained in the
following lines, which aii ingenious and patriotic Dutch-
ijian addreffed to his excellency Mr. Adams, on drinking
tp him out of a large beautiful glafs, which is called a
haccale^ and had infcribed round its brim, Aurea Libertas :
AuREA Libertas! gaude ! pars altera mundi
Vindice te renuit fubdere tollajugo.
Hac tibi legatum quern confors Bclga recepit
Petlorefmcero pocula plena fero.
TJtraque gem ne^et^ mox fujpicievda tyrannh^
^ua libertati vincula jacra precor !
They who have an opportunity of knowing his Excel-
lency Mr. Adams trace in his features the moft unequi-
vocal marks of probity and candour. He unites to that
gravity, fuitable to tiie character v»'"ith which he is invert-
ed, an affability, which prejudices you in his favour.
Although of a fiient turn, as William the Prince of Orange
was, and moft great men are, who engage in important
sitairF, he has neverthelcfs a natural eloquence for the
difcuflion of matters which are the objedh of his miiTion,
and for the recommending and enforcing the truths, mca-
fures, and fyllems, which are dictated by found policy.
Ke h?.s ncitiicr the corrupted nor corrupting principles
of Lord Cheflcrficld, nor the qualities of Sir Joi'eph
Yorke, but the plain and virtuous demeanor of Sir
William Ten-ple. Like him too he is fimple in ncgo-
cintion, where he finds candour in thofe^ who treat with
him. Otherwife he has the feverity of a true republican,
his high idea of virtue jxivin'^him a rieidnefs, v/hich makes
it difficult for him to accoiiimodate himfelf to thofe in-
trigues which fluropean politics have introduced into
jiegociation, " // fait que Part de negocicr n'ejl pas Vart
d^ intriguer
C 7 3
^tntrlgiter et de tromper ; quil ne confijle pas a corrompre ;
afe jouer des ferinens et a fe?rur les alarmes et ks divi/wnsy
qv^un negQciateur habile peut parventr a Jon but fans ces
exped'tens^ qui font la trijle rejfource des intriguans* fans ffoair
recours a des manoeuvres detournh et ^xtracrdinaires* H
trouve dans la nature meme des affaires quil negocie des in^
a dens propres a fair e reujjir tous fes projets.
y
MEMORIAL
MEMORIAL
TO THEIR
HIGH MIGHTINESSES
THE
STATES GENERAL
O F T H B
United Provinces of the Low Countries ^
High and Mighty Lordsi
TH E Subfcriber has the honour to propofe to your
High Mightineffes, that the United States of Ame-
rica, in Congrefs aflembled, have lately thought fit to
fend him a commiflion (with full powers and inftruftions)
to confer with your High Mightinefles concerning a treaty
of amity and commerce, an autffintic copy of which he
has the honour to annex to this memorial.
At the times when the treaties between this Republic
and the Crown of Great Britain were made, the people,
who now compofe the United States of America, were
a part of the Englifh nation ; as fuch, allies of the Re-
public, and parties to thofe treaties ; entitled to all their
benefits, and fubmitting chearfuUy to all their obligations.
It is true, that when the Britifli Adminiftration, re-
nouncing the ancient charadler of Engliflimen for gene-
rofity, juftlce, and humanity, conceived the defign of
fubverting the political fyftems of the Colonies j depriving
them of the rights and liberties of Englifhmenj and re-
ducing them to the wx)rft of all forms of government ;
ftarving the people by blockading the' ports j and cutting
off their fifheries and commerce ; fending fleets and ar-
^ B mies
[ 10 ]
mies to dcftroy every principle and fentiment of liberty,
and to confume their habitations and their lives ; making
contracts for foreign troops, and alliances with favage
nations to affift them in their enterprife; cafting for-
mally, by aft of parliament, three millions of people at
once out of the protcvSlion of the Crown : Then, and not
till then, did the United States of America, in Congrefs
affembled, pafs that memorable aft, by which they af-
fumed an equal ftation among the nations.
This immortal declaration, of the 4th of July, 1776,
when America was invaded by an hundred veflels of war,
and, according to efti mates laid before parliament, by
55,000 of veteran troops, was not the efFeft of any fud-
den paflion or enthufiafm j but a meafure which had been
long in deliberation among the people, maturely difcufled
in fome hundreds of popular affemblies, and by public
writings in all the ftates. It was ti meafure which Con-
grefs did not adopt, until they had received the pofitive in-
ftruftions of their conftituents in all the States : It was
then unanimoufly adopted by Congrefs, fubfcribed by all
its members, tranfmitted to the affemblies of the feveral
States, and by them refpeftively accepted, ratified, and
recorded among' their archives ; fo that no decree, edift,
ftatute, placart, or fundamental law of any nation was
ever made with more (olemnity, or with more unanimity
or cordiality adopted, as the aft and confent of the whole '
people, than this : And it has been held facred to this
day by every ftate, with fuch unfliaken lirmnefs, that
not even the fmalleft has ever been induced to depart
from it ; although the Englifli have wafted many millions,
and vaft fleets and armies, in the vain attempt to invali-
date it. On the contrary, each of the Thirteen States
has inftituted a form of government for itfelf, under the
AUTHORITY OF THE People ; has ereftcd its legifla-
ture in the feveral branches ; its executive authority with
all its offices; its judiciary departments and judges ; its
army, militia, revenue, and fome of them their navy :
And all thofe departments of government have been regu-
larly and conftitutionally organized under the affociated
fuperintendency of Congrefs, now thefe five yearsj and
have acquired a confiftency, folidity, and affivity equal
to the oldeft and m^ cKablifhed governments. It is
true.
k " k * *
[.II ]
true, that in fome fpeeches and writings of the Engliih It
is ftill contended that the people of America are ftill in
principle and afFedUon with them : But thefe aflertions
are made againft fuch evident truth and demonftration,
that it is furprifmg they fliould find at this tlay pne be-
liever in the world. One may appeal to the writings and
recorded fpeeches of the Englifh for the laft feventeen
years, to fliew that fimilar mifreprefentations have been
inceflantly repeated through that whole period ; and that
the cortclufion of every year has in faft confuted the con-
fident aflertions and prediflions of the beginning of it.
The fubfcriber begs leave to fay from his own know-
ledge of the people of America, (and he has a better right
to obtain credit, becaufe he has better opportunities to
know, than any Briton whatfoever) that they are unalte^
rably determined to maintain their Independence^ He con-
fefles, that, notwithftanding his confidence through his
whole life in the virtuous fentiments and uniformity of
chara6ter among his countrymen, their unanimity has
furprifed him. That all the power, arts, intrigues, and
bribes which have been employed in the feveral States,
fliould have feduced from the ftandard of virtue fo con-
temptible a few, is more fortunate than could have been
expe(fted. This independence ftands upon fo broad and
firm a bottom of the people's interefts, honour, con-
fciences, and affections, that it will not be affected by any
fucceffes the Englifh may obtain either in America, or
againft the European powers at war, nor by any alliances
they can poffibly form ; if indeed, in fo unjuft and def-
perate a caufe they can obtain any. Neverthelefs, al-
though compelled by neceflity, and warranted by the fun-
damental laws of the colonies, and of the Britifli conftitu-
tion, by principles avowed in the Englifli laws, and con-
firmed by many examples in the Engliih hiftory j by prin-
ciples interwoven into the hiftory and public right of Eu-
rope, in the great examples of the Helvetic and Belgic
confederacies, and many others ; and frequently acknowr
ledged and ratified by the diplomatic body ; principles
founded in eternal juftice, and the laws of God and na-
ture, to cut afunder for ever all the ties which had con-
nedled them with Great Britain : Yet the people of Ame-
rica did not confider themfelves as feparating from their
B 2 allies,
C li 3
allies, efpccially the Republic of the United Provinces, or
departing from their connections with any of the people
under their government ; but, ori the contrary, they pre-
ferved the fame afFedtion, cfteem and refpedt, for the
Dutch nation, in every part of the world, which they and
their anceftors had ever entertained.
When found policy diftated to Congrefs the precaution
of fending perfons to negotiate natural alliances in Europe,
it was not from a failure in refpeft that they did not
fend a minifter to your High Mightineffes, with the fiHl
whom they fent abroad : but, inftruded in the nature of
the connections between Great Britain and the Republic,
and in the fyftem of peace and neutrality, which flie had
fo long purlued, they thought proj^er to refpcdt both fo
far, as not to feek to embroil her with her allies, to excite
divifions in the nation, or lay embarraffments before it.
But, fince the Britifh adminiftration, uniform and per-
fevering in injuftice, defpifmg their allies, as much as
their colonifts and fellow-fubjeds ; difregarding the faith
of treaties, as much as that of royal charters ; violating
the law of nations, as they had before done the funda-
mental laws of the Colonies and the inliercnt rights of
Britifh fubje£ts, have arbitrarily fet afide all the treaties
between the Crown and the Republic, declared war and
commenced hoftilities, the fettled intentions of which
they had manifefted long before ; all thofe motives, which
before rcftrained the Congrefs, ceafe : and an opportunity
pre:fents itfelf of propofmg fuch connections, as the United
States of America have a right to form, confiftent with
the treaties already formed with France and Spain, which
they are under every obligation of duty, intereft and in-
clination, to obferve facred and inviolate ; and confiftent
with fuch other treaties, as it is their intention to propofe
to other fovereigns.
If there was 'ever among nations a natural alliance,
one may be formed between the two Republics. The
firft planters of the four northern States found in this
country an afylum from perfecution, and refided here
from the year 1608 to the year 1620, twelve years pre-
ceding their migration. They ever entertained and. have
tranfmitted to pofterity, a grateful remembrance of that
protedion and hofpitality, and efpecially of that religious
liberty
r 13 ]
liberty they found here, having fought it in vain in
England.
The firft inhabitants of two other States, New- York
and New-Jerfey, were immediate emigrants from this
nation, and have tranfmitted their religion, language,
cuftoms, manners and charafter: And America in ge-
neral, until her connections with the Houfe of Bourbon,
has ever confidered this nation as her firft friend in
Europe, whofe hiftory, and the great charaders it ex-
hibits, in the various arts of peace, as well as atchieye-
ments of war by fea and land, have been particularly
ftudied, admired and imitated in every State.
A fimilitude of religion, although it is not deemed fo
eflential in this as in former ages to the alliance of nations,
is ftill, as it ever will be thought, a defirable circum- .
ftance. Now it maybe faid with truth, that there are no
two nations, whofe worfliip, doftrine and difcipline, are
more alike than thofe of the two Republics. In this par-
ticular tlierefore, as far as it is of weight, an alliance
would be perfedtly natural.
A fimilarity in the forms of government, is ufually
confidered as another circumftance, which renders al-
liances natural : And although the conftitutions of the
two Republics are not perfe<9:ly alike, there is yet analogy
enough between them, to make a connexion eafy in this
refpedt.
In general ufages, and in the liberality of fentiments in
thofe momentous points, the freedom of enquiry, the
right of private judgment and the liberty of confcience, of
fo much importance to be fupported 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
quarter, the two nations refemble each other more thao,
any others. , ^
The originals of the two Republics are fo much alike,
that the hiftory of one feems but a tranfcript from that of
the other; fo that every Dutchman inftrucled in the
fubjeft, muft pronounce the American revolution juft and
ncceffary, or pafs a cenfure upon the greateft adtions of
his immortal anccftors : adlions which have been approved
and
and applauded by mankind, and juftified by the deciiion
of Heaven.
But the circumftance, which perhaps in this age has
ftronger influence than any other in the formation of
friendfhips between nations, is the great and growing
intereft of commerce ; of the whole fyftem of which
through the globe, your High Mightinefles are too perfedt
mafters for me to fay any thing that is not familiarly
known. It may not, however, be amifs to hint, that
the central fituation of this country, her cxtcnfive navi-
gation, her pofl'ellions in the Eaft and Weft Indies, the
intelligence of her merchants, the number of her capi-
talifts, and the riches of her funds, render a connexion
with her very defirable to America : and, on the other
hand, the abundance and variety of the produ6lions of
America, the materials of manufacf^ures, navigation and
commerce J the vaft demand and confumpt ion in Ame-
rica of the manufactures of Europe, of mcrchandifes from
the- Baltic, and from the Eaft Indies, and the fituation of
the Dutch pofleffions in the Weft Indies, cannot admit of
a doubt, that a conne6lion with the United States would
be ufeful to this Republic. The Englifh are fo fenfible
of this, that notwjthftanding all their profeflions of friend-
fliip, they have ever confidered this nation as their rival in
the American trade ; a fentiment which diftated and
maintained their fevere aft of navigation, as injurious to
the commerce arid naval power of this country, as it was
both to the trade and the rights of the Colonifts. There
is now an opportunity offered to both, to fhake off" this
Ihadde for ever. If any confidcration whatever could
have induced them to have avoided a war with your High
Mightinefles, it would have been the apprehenfion of an
alliance between the two Republics : and it is eafy to
forefec, that nothing will contribute more to oblige them
to a peace, than fuch a connexion once completely
formed. It is needlcfs to point out, particularly, what
advantages might be derived to the pofleffions of the Re-
public in the Weft Indies from a trade opened, protefted
and encouraged, between them and the Continent of
America ; or what profits might be made by the Dutch
Eaft India Company, by carrying their eff*eft:s direftly to
the American market 5 or how much even the trade of
the
V ■
[ »5 ]
the Baltic might be fecured and extended by a free inter*
courfe with America; which has ever had fo large a de-
mand, and will have more for hemp, cordage, faiUcloth,
and other articles of tliat commerce ; how much -the
national navigation would be benefited by building and*
purchafing fliips there : how much the number of feamen
might be increafed, or how much more advantageous it
would prove to both countries, to have their ports mutually
opened to their men of war and privateers, and to their
prizes.
If, therefore, an analogy of religion, government,
origin, manners, and the moft extenfive and lafting coni-
mercial interefts, can form a ground and an invitation to
political connections, the fubfcriber flatters himfelf that,
in all thefe particulars, the union is fo obvioudy natural,
that there has feldom been a more diftin<9: defignation of
Providence to any two diftant nations to unite themfelves
together.
It is further fubmitted to the wifdom and humanity of
your High Mightinefles, whether it is not vifibly for the
good of mankind, that the powers of Europe, who are
convinced of the juftice of the American caufe, (and
where is one to be found that is not ?) fliould make hafte
to iacknowledge the independence of the United States,
and form equitable treaties with them, as the fureft means
of convincing Great Britain of the impra6iicability of her
purfuits ? Whether the late marine treaty concerning the
rights of neutral veflels, noble and ufsfui as it is, can be
eftabliflied againft Great Britain, who will never adopt it,
nor fubmit to it, but from neceflity, without the inde-
pendence of America ? Whether the return of America,
with her nurferies of feamen and magazines of materials
for navigation and commerce, to the domination and
monopoly of Great Britain, if that were practicable,
would not put the pofleiTions of other nations beyond feas
wholly in the power of that enormous empire, which has
been long governed wholly by the feeling of its own
power, at leaft without a proportional attention to juftice,
humanity, or decency. When it is obvious and certain
that the Americans are not inclined to fubmit again to the '
Britrfli government, on the one hand, and that the powers
of Europe ought not and could not with fafcty confent to
it.
[ i6 ]
it, if they were fo inclined, on the other ; why (hould a
fource of contention be left open, for future contingencies
to involve the nations of Europe in ftill more bloodfhedy
' when, by one dccifive ttep of the maritime powers, in
making treaties with a nation long in poflefHon of fbve-
reignty by right and in fa£t, it might be clofed ?
The example of your High Mightineffes would, it is,
hoped, be followed by all the maritime powers, efpecially
thofe which are parties to the late marine treaty : nor can
the apprehenfion that the independence of America would
be injurious to the trade of the Baltic, be any objedHon.
This jealoufy is fo groundlefs that the reverfe would hap-
pen. The freight and infurance in voyages acrofs the
Atlantic are fo high, and the price of labour in America
fo dear, that tar, pitch, turpentine, and fhip-timber never
can be tranfported to Europe at fo cheap a rate, as it has
been and will be afforded by countries round the Baltic*
This commerce was fupported by the Englifh before the
revolution with difficulty, and not without large parlia-
mentary bounties. Of hemp, cordage, and fail-cloth
there will not probably be a fufficiency raifed in America
for her own confumption in many centuries, for the plain-
eft of all reafons, becaufe thefe articles may be imported
from Amfterdam, or even from Peterfburg and Archangel,
cheaper than they can be raifed at home. America will
therefore be for ages a market for thefe articles of the
Baltic trade.
Nor is there more folidity in another fuppofition, pro-
pagated by the Englifh to prevent other nations from
purfuing their true interefts, that the colonies of other
nations will follow the example of the United States.
Thofe powers, who have as large pofleflions as any be-
yond feas, have already declared againft England, appre-
hending no fuch confequences. Indeed there is no pro-
bability of any other power of Europe following the ex-
ample of England, in attempting to change the whole
fyftem of the government of colonics , and reducing them
by oppreffion to the neceffity of governing themfelves :
and, without fuch manifeft injuftice and cruelty on the
part of the metropolis, there is no danger of colonies
attempting innovations. Eftablifhcd governments are
founded deep in the hearts, the pafTione, the imaginations
and
E »7 3
and underftandings of the people; aiKl,wjtl\out*fpme vio-
lent change from without, to alfer the temper and cha-
rafter of the whole people, it is not in human nature to
exchange fafety for danger, and certain, happinefs for ver^
precarious beniefits.
It is fubmitted to the conlideyation of your High Migh-
tinefles, whether the fyftem ot the United States, which"
was minutely confidered and difcuffed, and" unanimoufly
agreed on in Congrefs in the year 1776, in planning the
treaty they propofed to France, to form equitable com-
mercial treaties with all the maritime powers of Europe^
without being goyerned or monopolized by any : a fyftem
which was afterwards approved by the king, and made
the foundation of the treaties with his majefty : a fyftem
to ^hich the United States have hitherto conftantly ad-
hered, and from which they never will depart, unlefs
compelled by fome powers declaring againft them, which
is not expected, is not the only means of preventing this
growing country from being an objeft of everlafting jea-
loufies, rivalries, and wars among the nations, if this
idea be juft, it follows, that it is the intereft of every Jiate
in Europe to acknoivledge American independency immediately*
If fuch benevolent policy ftiould be adopted, the new
world will be a proportional blefting to every part of
the old.
The fubfcriber has the farther honour of informing your
High Mightinefles, that the United States of America,
in Congrefs aflembled, impreffed with an high fenfe of the
wifdom and magnanimity of your High Mightinefles, and
ofvyour inviolable attachment to the rights and liberties
of mankind, and being defirous of cuKivating the friend-
(hip of a nation, eminent for its wifdom, juftice, and
moderation, have appointed the fubfcriber to be their
minifter plenipotentiary to refide near you, that he may
give you more particular aflurances of the great refpe*^
they entertain for your High Mightinefles ; befeeching your
High Mightinefles to give entire credit to every thing,
which their faid minifter fliall deliver on their part, efpc-
cially when he fhall aflTure you of the fmcerity of their
friendftiip and regard. The original letter of credence,
under the feal of Congrefs, the fubfcriber is ready to deli-
ver to your High Mightineflies, or to fuch perfons as you
C (hall
(hall dired to receive it. He has alfo a fimilar letter
of credence to his moft Serene Highnefs the Prince
Stadtholder.
All which is refpeiftfully fubmitted to the confideration
of your High Mightinefles, together with the propriety of
appointing fome perfon, or penons, to treat on the (ubje£t
cf his miffion, by
Leyd£n
19 April 1781.
J. ADAMS.
GUEL-
/■
£ 19 ]
G U E L D E R L A N D.
tN the aflembly of the States of Guelderland^ holden in
* Oftober 1781, to conflder of the requifition of the king
of France^ of a negotiation of five millions of florins,
unde^ the warranty of the Republic^ fome were for an
alliance with France^ The Baron Nagel, S^nefchal of
Zutphen^ avoided putting of the que(^on, and (aid among
other things, ^^ That he had rather acknowledge the inde-
^ pendence of the Americans, than contradt an alliance
« with France."
The Baron van der Capellen de Marfch was for an
alliance with France and America tooi He obferved,
'< That nothing being more natural than to ad in concert
with the enemies of our enemy^ it was an 6bje& of feri-
ous deliberation^ to fee, if the intereft of the Republic
did not require to accept^ without farther t«rgiverfktions,
the invitations and offers of the Americans : mat no con-
defcenfion for England could hinder us, at prefent^ from
uniting ourfelves againft a common enemv, with a na«
tion fo brave and fo virtuous : a nation, wnich, after our
example, owes^ its liberty to its valour, and feven at this
moment is employed in defending itfelf from the tyranny
of the enemy of tne two nations i that, conf^[uently, no-
thing could reih'ain us from acknowledging ^e indepen-
dence of this new Republic : that our conduA differed
very much from that holden by our anceflors, who allied
themfelves with the Portuguefe, as foon as they fhook off
the yoke of the Spaniards : that there was no doubt, that
the laid alliances with the enemies of our enemy would
foon reftrain his fury, and operate a gan/bral pe^e advan^s
tageous for us."
Q 2 The
[ io j.
H E Q^U A R T E R
O F
O O S T E R G O.
^e ^iorter of Oojlergo^ in the Province of FrieJIand^ in
December^ .IjSl 9 was the firji public Body which propofed.
a ConneJfion with the United States of America in thcfe
Words.
EVERY impartial Patriot has a long time perceived
that, in the dire6liori of affairs relative to this war
with England, there have been manifefted an inconceiva-
ble lukewarmnefs and floth ; but they difcover themfelves
ftill more, at this moment, by the little inclination which,
ixi general, the Regencies of the Belgic Provinces teftify
to commence a treaty of commerce and friendfhip with the
new Republic of the Thirteen United States of North
America ; and to contraft engagements, at leaft during
the continuance of this common war with the Crowns of
France and Spain. Neverthelefs, the neceflity of thefe
meafures appears clearly, fince, according to our judg-
ments, nothing was more natural, nor more conformable
to found policy, founded upon the laws of the nature the
moft precife, than that this Republic, immediately after
the formal declaration of war by the Englifh (not being
yet able to do any thing by military exploits, not being in a
ftate of defence fufficiently refpedtable, to dare, at fea, to
oppofe one fleet or fquadron, to our perfidious enemy)
fhould have commenced by acknowledging,^ by a public
declaration, the Independence of North America. This
would have been from that time the greateft ftep to the
humiliation of England, and our own re-eftablifliment ;
and by this meafure, the Republic would have proved her
firm refolution to acft with vigour. Every one of our in-
habitants, all Europe, who have their eyes fixed upon us,
the whole World expected, with juft reafon, this meafure
from
C- 21, ]
from the Republic. It is true, that before the formal de-
claration of war by England, one might perhaps have al-
leged fome plaufible rcafon, to juftify, in fome degree, the
backwardnefs in this great and interefting affair. Cut^ as,
at prefent Great Britain is no longer our fecrct, but de-
clared enemy, which diffolves all the connections between
the two nations ; and as it is the duty, not only of all the
Regencies, but alfo of all the Citizens of this Republic, to
reduce, by all imaginable annoyances, this enemy fo un-
juft to reafon, and to force him, if poflible, to conclude an
honourable peace ; why fiiould we hefitate any longer, to
ftrike, by this meafure fo reafonable, the moft fenfible blow
to the common enemy ? Will not this delay occafion a
fufpicion that we prefer the intereft of our enemy to that
of our country ? North America, fo fenfibly offended by
the refufal of her offer ; France and Spain, in the midft of
a war fupported with aSivity, muft they not regard us as
the fecret friends, and favourers of their and our common
enemy ? Have they not reafon to conclude from it, that
our inaftion ought to be lefs attributed to our weaknefs>
than to our aifeCiion for England ? Will not this opinion
deilroy all confidence in our nation heretofore fo renowned
in this refpedt? And our allies, at tliis time natural, muft
they not imagine, that it is better to have in us declared
enemies than pretended friends ? And fhall we not be in-
volved in a ruinous war, which we might have rendered
advantageous, if it had b^en well dire<3:ed ? While on the
other hand it is evident, that by a new connedtion with
the States of North America, by engagements at leafl
during this war with France and Spain, we fhall obtain,
not only the confidence of thefe formidable powers, inflead
of their diflrufl, but by this means we fhall moreover
plaA our colonies in fafety againft any infult ; we fhall
have a well grounded ho^x:, of recovering, with the aid of
the allied powers, our loll poflcfTion:?, if the Kngllfli fhould
make thcmfelves maflcrs of them; and our commerce af.
prefent negledlcd, and fo fhamcfully pillaged, would re-
afliime a new vigour ; confiuering that in fuch caff, as it
is manifeftly proved by folid reafons, this Republic would
derive from this commerce the moll fignal advantages.
But, fince our interefl excites us forcibly to a6l in concert
with the enemies of our tntiwy ; fince the United States of
America
C 22 I
America invited us to it long ago ; fince France appears
inclined to concert her military operations with ours (al-
though this power has infinitely lefs intereft to ally itfelf
with us, whofe weaknefs manifefts itfelf in fo palpable a
manner, than we have to form an alliance, the moft re-
fpedable in the univerfe) it is indubitably the duty of
every Regency, to promote it with all their forces, and
with all the celerity imaginable. To this end,, we have
thought it our duty, to lay it before your noble Mighti-
nefTes, in the firm perfuafion that the zeal of your noble
Mightinefles will be as earneft as ours, to concur to the
accomplifhment of this point, which is for us of the
Sreateft importance; that, confequently, your noble
f ightineiles will not delay to co-operate with us, that,
upon this important fubje^t, there may be made to their
High Mightinefles, a propofition fo vigorous, that it may
have the defired fuccefs : and that this aiiair, of an im-
portance beyond all expreffion for our common country,
may be refolved and decided by unanimous fu£Frages, and
in preference to every particular intereft.
U L T E R I O U R
.'«■ -.
[ n I
ULTERIOUR ADDRESS.
On the Qth Januaryj 1782^ Mr. Adams watted en thi
Prejident van den Sandheuybl, and addreffid
him as follows.
ON the^fourth of May, I had the honour of a con-
ference with the Prefident of their High Mighti-
nefles, in which! informed him, that I had received from
the United States of America a commiffion, with full
powers and inftru£tions to propofe.and conclude a treaty
of amity and commerce, between the faid United States
of America and the United Provinces of the Nether-
lands.
At the fame conference, I had the honour to demand
an audience of their High Mightinefles, in order to pre-
fent to them my letters of credence and full powers. .
The Prefident afTured me, that he would make report
of all that I had faid to him to their High MightindSes,
in order that it might be tranfmitted to the feveral mem«
bers of the fovereignty of this country, for their delibera-
tions and decifions. — I have not yet been honoured with
an anfwer. I now do myfelf the honour to wait on you.
Sir, to demand, as I do, a categorical anfwer, that I
may be able to tranfmit it to the United States of Ame-
rica.
GUELDER-
r 24 ]
GUELDERLAND.
IN an extraordinary aflembly of the county of Zutphcny
hekl at Nimcguen the 23d of February, 1782, the
following meafurcs were taken.
After the report of the Committee of this Province to
the Generality, laid this day upon the table, relative to
what paffcd in the precedent aiiembly, and after the ex-
amination of an extradi of the rcgifter of the refolutions
of their High Mightincllls the States General of the Low
Countries, of the ninth of lall month, in relation to the
Ulteriour Addrefs of iVir. Adams to the Prefident of their
High Mightincllos, concerning the prefentation of his
letters ('f tTcdencc to their High Mightinefl'es, in behalf
of the United States of America, demanding a categori-
cal anfwer, whereof the Lords the Deputies of the re*
focitive Provinces have taken copies ; the Baron Robert
Jafper van der CapcUen de Marfch, firft by word of
mouth, and aiterwards in writing, propofed, and infifted^
at the ali'embly of tliis Quarter, that, at prefent, and with-
out delay, we ihould make a point of deliberation, and
that we ihould make upon the table the ncceflary over-
ture, conceived more at length, in the advice of ^his
nobleman, infertcd in thefe terms :
Noble and Mighty Lords!
The fuhfcriber judges, upon good grounds, and with-
out fear of being contradifted, that he is able to affirm,
that it is more ihr.n time that wc {h(^uld give a ferious
attention to the oft'er and the invitation, in every fenfe
honourable anrl advantageous for tliis Republic, of friend-
ship, and reciprocal connexions with the Thirteen Ame-
rican Provinces, now become free at the point of the
fivcrd^ in fiich fort, that the categorical anfwer demanded
\y their Miniftcr Mr, Adams, may become a fubjedt of
the deliberations of your Grand Mightinefics, and that
you may decide as foon as poiHblc, concerning their
relpeftive interefts. He judges, that he ought not to
have any furtiier fcruple in this regard y and that the un-
certain
[ as ]
certain confcquehces of the mediation offered by Ruffia
cannot, when certain advantages for this Republic are in
queftion, hinder that, oat of regard for an enemy, 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 ourfelves to a nation already fo powerful,
will have for its confequence, that our inhabitants will
lofe the means of extending, in a manner the moft ad-
vantageous, their commerce and their profperity; That
by the vigorous prohibition to import Englifti manufac-
tures into^merica, our manufaftures, by means of precau-
tions taken in time, will rife out of their ftate of languor :
and that, by delaying longer to fatisfy the wiflies of the '
nation, her leaders will draw upon them the reproach of
having negledlcd and reje£led the favourable offers of
Providence: that, on the contrary, by adopting thefc
meafures, the effential interefts of this unfortunate people
will be taken to heart.
The fubfcriber declaring, moreover, that he will aban-'
don this unpardonable negligence of an opportunity fa-
vourable for the Republic, to the account of thofe whom
it may concern ; protefting againft all the fatal confe-
quences that a longer refiifal of thefe neceffary meafures.
will certainly occafion: whereupon he demanded, that
for his difcharge, this note ihould be inferted in the re-
^ifters of the Quarter.
Signed
R, J. VAN DER CaPELLEK.
This advice having been rpad, Mr. Jacob Adolf de
Heekeren d'Enghuifen, Counfellor and firft Matter of
Accounts in Guelderland, Prefident at this time of the
Affembly of the Quarter, reprefented to the faid Robert
Jafper van der Capellen de Marfch, that ?' Although he
ijiuft agree to the juftice of all that he had laid down, be-
fides feveiral other reafons, equally ftrong, which occurred
to his mind, the deliberation upon the point in queftion
appeared to him premature, confidering that the Lords
the States of Holland and Weft Friclland, and of Zea-
D land
[ 26 ]
land, as the principal commercial Provinces, who are
dircftly intcrcftcd, had not neverthelefs as yet explained
thcmfelves in this regard : confeauentlv that it would not
be fo convenient for the States ot this Dcchv and County,
who arc not intercucd in it, but in a conrcquential and
indircdl manner, to form the firft their rcfolutions in this
r^fpcct : for this reafon he propofed to confideration, whe-
ther it would not be more proper to poftponc the delibera-
tions upon this matter to a future opportunit}'.
Neverthelefs, the before- mentioned Robert Jafper van
dcr Capellan de Marfch infilling, that the voices fhould
be colledled upon the propofition and advice intmeftion,
and thereupon having deliberated, their noble Mighti-
neflcs have thought fit to refolve, that although the mo-
tives allcdged by this Nobleman in his advice, appear to
merit a ferious confideration, neverthelefs, for the reafons
before alleged, they judge, that they ought to fufpend
the decifion of it, until the commercial Provinces have
formed their refolutions concerning it : and that, upon
the requifition of Robert Jafper van der Capellan de
Marfch, there be delivered to him an extraft of the pre-
ieht, upon one as well the other.
Signed
Herm. ScHOMAK£R»
PETITION
t 27 3
PETITION OF LEYDEN.
^O the noble, great, and venerable Lords of the
"*• Grand Council of the city of Leyden.
The underfigned, all manufa£turers, merchants, and
odier traders of this city, moft refpedtfuUy give to under-
ftand, that it is a truth, as melancholy, as it is univerfally
known, that the declenfion of manufactures, which all the
well-difpofed citizens have remarked with the moft lively
grief, from the beginning of this century, has increafed
more and more for feveral years ; and that this prin-
cipal branch of the fubfiftence of the good citizens,
has fallen into fuch a ftate of languor, that our city, once
fo flourifliing, fo populous, fo celebrated, on account of
its commerce and of its trades, appears to be threatened
with total ruin: that the diminution of its merchants
houfes, on the one hand, and on the other, a total lofe,
or the fenfible decreafe of feveral branches of commerce,
-furnifh 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 Lordfliips, .to
whom the increafe of the multitude of the poor, the deplo-
rable fituation of feveral families, heretofore in eafy cir-
cumftances, the depopulation of the city, which one can-
not obferve without emotion in the ruins of feveral ftreets,
once neat and well inhabited, are fully known, will re-
collect no doubt upon this occafion, with grief, that . this
ftate of languor muft appear fo much the more dcfperate,
if your noble and grand lordfliips will take into confidera-
tion, that in this decay of trades and manufactures, we
find a new reafon of thtir farther fall, confidering, that
from the time there is not continual einploymen^jidan
uninterrupted falc, the workmen defert in fuch manner,
that when confidcrable 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, extremely affected with this alarmiRg fituation
of fo rich a fource of the public profperity, have indeed
fought the means of a remedy, in amending fome defeifts,
D 2 frony^
f 28 ]
from which it fccmcd to arife, at leaft in part ; but that
the meafurcs taken in this vieWy as is well know to your
noble and grand Lordfhips, have not had the defired efredl;
at leaft, that they have not produced a re-eftabliihment
fo cfFedlual, that we have been able to obferve a fenfible
influence in the increafe of the fates of the manufiaftures
of Leydcn, as appears moft evidently, by a comparifon
of the pieces fabricated here, which have been heretofore
carried to the divers markets of this city, with thofe which
arc carried there at this day ; a comparifon which a true
citizen cannot confidcr without regret.
That experience has alfo taught the petitioners, that the
principal caufe of the decay of the manufa(^ures of Hol-
land, particularly thofe of Lcyden, is not to be found in
any internal vice, either in the capacity, or the oeconomy
of the inhabitants, but in circumftanccs which have hap-
pened abroad j and to which it is, confequently, beyond
the power of the petitioners, or of any citizen whatfo-
ever, to provide a remedy. Iliat we might cite, for ex-
ample, the commerce of our manufaftures with Dantzic ;
and, through that commercial city, with all Poland ; a
commerce which v/as carried on with fuccefs and advan-
tage heretofore in our city, but is abfolutely interrupted at
this day, and vanifhed, by the revolution which has hap-
pened in that kingdom, and by the burthenfome duties to
which the navigation of the Viftula has been fubje<Sled.
But that, without entering into a detail of fimilar par-
ticular fliacklcs, of v/hich we might reckon a great num-
bctj the prii>cipal caufe of the languifliing ftate of our
manufactures confifts in the jealous emulation of the neigh-
bouring nations, or rather of all the people of Europe;
confidcring that, in this age, the fevcral princes and go-
vernments, enlightened in the real fources of the public
profperity, and the true interefts of their fubjefts, attach
themfelves with emulation to revive in their kingdoms and
ftates the national induftry, commerce, and navigation j
to encourage them, and promote them even by excliifive
privileges, or by heavy impofitions upon foreign mer-
chandizes ; privileges and impofitions, which tend equally
to the prejudice of the commerce and the manufaftures'of
our couiury, as your hoble and grand Lordfllips will eafily
rcc4)ile<£l the examples in the Auitriaa ftates and'elfewhe^e•
Thai
yV-. ■«*'
p
t »9 ]
That in the midft of thefe powers and nation^ emulous
or jealous, it is impoffible for the citizens of our Repub^
lie, however fuperior their manufaftures may be in qua-
lity and finenefe, to refift a rivalry fo univerfal ; efpecially
confidering the dearnefs of labour, caufed by that of the
means of fubfiftence ; which, in its turn, is a neceflary
confequence of the taxes and impofts which the inhabitants
of this State pay in a greater number, and a higherx^te,
than in any other country, by reafon of her natural fitua-
tion, and of its means to fupport itfelf 5 fo that by the
continual operation of this principal, but irreparable caufe
of decline, it is to be feared, that the impoverifhment and
the diminution of the good citizens increasing with the
want of employment, the Dutch nation, heretofore the
purveyor of all Europe, will be obliged to content itfelf
with the fale of its own produdiions in the interior of the
country ; (and how much does not even this refource
fufFer by the importation of foreign manufeuftures ?) and
that Leyden, lately fo rich and flouriihing, will exhibit
defolated quarters in its declining ftreets ; and its multi-
tude, difgraced with want and mifery ; an affecting proof
of the fudden fall of countries formerly overflowing with
profpcrity.
That, if we duly confider thefe motives, no citizen,
whofe heart is upright, (as the petitioners ' affure them-
felves) much lefs your noble and grand Lordfhips, whofe
good difpofitions they acknowledge with gratitude, will
take it amifs, that we have fixed our eyes on the prefent
conjun£hire of affairs, to enquire whether thefe times
might not furnifli them fome means of reviving the lan-
guiihing manufactures of Leyden ; and that after a confi-
deration well matured, they flatter themfelves with the
hope (a hope which unprejudiced men will not regard as
a vain chimera) that in faft, by the prefent circumftanccs,
there opens in their favour an iflTue for arriving at the re-
efl^blifhment defired.
That from the time when the rupture between Great Bri-
tain and the Colonies upon the continent of North America
appeared to be irreparable, every attentive fpecSator of
this event perceived, or at leaft was convinced, that this
rupture, by which there was born a republic, as powerful
Its indufl:rious, in the new world, would have the moft
impor-
[ 3<> J
important confcqucnces fur commerce and navigation ;
and thut the other commercial nations of Europe would
ibon fliarc in a very confiderable commerce, whereof the
kingdom of Great l^ritain had refcrved to itfelf, until
that time, tlie cxclufivc podcflion hy its A£^ of Naviga-
tiiin, and by the otiier a6ts of parliament prefcribed to
tl.c Colonics ; that in the time of it, this refledtion did
11 "t efcapc your pcliiioihi>j and they forefaw, from that'
limr, the advant.»;:c which might arilc, in the fcquel, from
a irvc»lution To ip.iportant for the United Provinces in
p lUMiil, and for thtir iv.;tivc city in particular. But that
they ihoukl have bivn aiVaid to have placed this favourable
orralicMi Kioic the eyes of your noble and grand Lord-
Ihips, at ;in epoch when the relations which conne6^ed
om RrpuMu* wiiS CjumI Britain, her neighbour, ii:emed
totoibiilall mciUi'.v'S of this nature, or at Icaft ought to
make them he conlidcreJ as oui of feafon.
Thiit, i:\ ihv wK.y.x time, lhi^ reafon of fdence has en-
liivlv ceaUil, bv the hoilllities whicli the faid kingrdom
has conv.neneed i:i\.uml our Ivcpublic, under pretences,
and in a m.\ni\ci ;ho iuiulllce of which has been dc-
nu^nrtrated by the luprcme io\crnmcnt of the State, with
an invfi,ij.;:i\e evivience, in the eyes of impartial Eu-
roiv ; wh; it {\\v pelilioms thcmfclvcs, bv the illegal
tv.ptuio or ;v^ l.wce a niim^ir of Dutch ihips, and afier-
waids bv tr.;" iil^folutc ll.:civ.t:o»:i of naviiration, and of
vo\accs :o :/;ci:n Cv*;;r;::c<, n.wc experienced in the
niolt piic\»;:< :TJ;i;:r.cu the con. v^lc:;cos of this hoiHie
and untor."..,".". r»::;ie>^» .v/.J rl\l thorn liiil everv oav,
ss is abur.v-.. •!.*. kr.rwn tv^ \oiir r.obic Suid, crand Lord-
m*^ . • III.* I . 1^ k • ««i.« L 4 V ^ii^ u ift.*.. i*«0aw ^c-<.iB«3crAOAKr
ni;:r.bcr k. vv:k:-:» *. r.*.u:t h«\o rcr/.iir.ei without em -
ploxmcr.u r..^ ivc-i". r.:thc;> cf fj!V.i:.v.- hive cuirtcd the
oij\. aK'.r.;/.. -...,. re the f^r'Jic;- c\;'-cr.ce o: the trea-
f,;:-v of the pe»e.:\ :""..;■ \v:\cj in*i thc.r chiiiien pi ringed
^". TV.ifnv.
Vh«t dur*-".;: :"'.* rii:^:-:e. which has ■i'.:ri"if:e»i! new for
•■'.^wn mor.fVi<» :he-T hr> e.eei.':v.l a.-.:: -.er c.rcjmitAnce,
V hi eh hrs i ne»' : :'^::c\: \'c iv :.:'»•■ -"it :> ■.:... :r;j.;e.. aiiu whic**!
ti^ r^oni r,p;v;.r> :\^ :>r o:"..Jvh ;; r.j.:»::c. :r.i: rhey woujjibe
il i : '- : i-v o» ;i i : \ee ;^i \ e i :ie- i r^c "C :i ec . i : , - - r. ^ :'. r ^dorubJe
nr^":;gcoc«e towr.r»is ;hc ci:*. to\v.^-.c< irie .cwcr c:l:s of ii:-
[ 31 J
habitants, towards their own fiimilies, and towards them-
felves, if they (hould delay any longer to lay open their in-
terefts to your noble and grand Lordfhips, in a manner the
moft refpectful, but the moft energetic ; to wit, that the
United States of Arfierica have very rigoroufly forbidden,
by a refolution of Congrefs, agreed to in all the Thirteen
States, the importation of all Englifli manufa<9:ures, and
in general, all the merchandizes fabricated in the domi-
nions which yet remain to Great Britain. That the
effeft of this prohibition muft neceffarily be a fpirit of
emulation between all the commercial nations to take
place of the Britifli merchants and manufadlurers in this
important branch of exportation, which is entirely cut off
from them at this day. That ncverthelefs, among all the
nations there is none which can entertain a hope, better
founded, and more fure, in this refpect, than the citizens
of this free Republic, whether on account of the identity of
religion, the falhion of living, and the manners, whether
bccaufe of the extent of its commerce, and the conve-
nience of its navigation, but above all, by reafon of the
activity and good faith, which ftill diftinguiflies (without
boafting too much) the Dutch nation above all other peo-
ple ; qualities in confideration of which, the citizens of
United America are inclined even at prefent, to prefer,
in equal circumftances, the citizens of our free States, to
every other nation.
That, neverthelefs, all relations and connexions of
commerce between the two people, cannot but be uncer-
taia arid fluftuating, as long as their offers and reciprocal
engagements are not fixed and regulated by a treaty of
commerce. That at this day, if ever, (according to the
refpeftful opinion of the petitioners) there exifts a necef-
fity the mofl abfolute for the conclusion of a fimilar treaty
c*f commerce, there, where we may fay with truth,
that there arifes for the Republic, for our Leyden efpe-
cially, a moment, which once efcaped, perhaps never will
return ; fince the national afTembly of Great Britain, con-
vinced, by a terrible and fatal experience, of the abfolute
impoflibility of re-attaching united America to the Britifh
crown, has laid before the throne its defire to conclude a
necefTary peace with a people, free "as this day at the price
of their blood : So that if this peace ftiould be once con-
cluded,
[ 32 ]
clutlcd, the Dutch nation would fee itfclf perhaps excluded
from all advantages of commerce with this new Repub-
lic, or at leaft would be treated by her with an indiffer-
ence, which the fmall value which we fhould have put
upon its fricndihip in former times, would Icem to merit.
That, fuppofing, for a moment, that a peace between
England and United America were not fo near as we
have reafon to prcfumc, not without probability, there
would be found in that cafe nations enough who will be
jealous of acquiring, after the example of France, the
carlicft right to commerce with a countr)', which already
peopled by fcvcral millions of inhabitants, augments every
day tn population, in a manner incredible ; but, as a new
people, unprovided as yet with feveral neceflary articles,
will procure a rich, even an immcnfc outlet, for the fa-
bricks and manufadtures of Europe.
That, however manifeft the intereft which the peti-
tioners and all the citizens of Leydcn would have in the
conclufion of fuch a treaty of commerce, they would
however have made a fcruple to lay before the paternal
eyes of your noble and grand Lordihips the utility, or
rather the neccffity of fuch a meafure, in refpcct to them,
if they could believe, that their particular advantage
would be, in any wife, contrary to the more univerfal iii-
terefts of all the Republic. But, as far as the petitioners
may judge, as citizens, of the fituation, and the political
cxiftence 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 provinces, even of the Regents the
moft diftinguiflied ; fmce it is univerfally known that the
Province of Friefland has already preceded the other con-
federates, by a refolution for opening negotiations with
America j and that in other Provinces, v/hich have an in-
tereft lefs direcS in commerce and manufadhires, cele-
brated Regents appear to wait merely for the example
of the commercial Provinces, for taking a fimilar refo-
lution.
That the petitioners will not detain the attention of
your noble and grand Mightinefles by* a more ample de-
tail of their reafons and motives, fince, on one hand, they
afTurc themfelvcs, that thefe reafons and motives will not
' "- ' efcapc
i 33 3
dfodp^ thi^ enlightened and attentive judgihehi of youf
grand and noble Lordihips ^ and on the other^ they Icnow
by experience^ that your grand and noble LordiOhips are dif«
pofed not to fufFer any occs!fion to pafs for promoting the
well-being of their city, for advancing the profperity of
the citizens^ to render their names dear to their contepi-
poraries, and make them blefied by pofterity*
In which firm expeftation, the petitioners addrefs them*
felves to this grand Council with the refpe£tful but feribul
requeft, that it may pleafe your nobk arid great Lordihips^
to direct, by their powerful influence, thin|| in fuch fort,
that, in the Affembly highly refpecftcd of meir noble and
erand Mightinefles the Lords the States of Holland and
Weft Friefland, there be opened deliberations, or if already
opened, carried as fpeedily as poflible to an efteSbual con?-
clufion, fuch as they (hall find the moft proper for ob-*
gaining the lawful end, and fulfilling the defires of the pe*
titioners, or as they ihall judge conformable to the general-
intereft*
So. doing, £(Ck
i. E y D «• N.
C 34 ]
L E Y D E N.
An Address of ^hanksj with a farther Petition.
nr^O the noble, great, and venerable lords^ the great
•*• council of the city of Leyden,
The under^gncd manufafturers, merchants, and other
traders, intcrelled in the manufadures and fabrics of
this city, give refpeflfuUy to underftand,
'J'hat a number of the undcrfigned, having taken, tbe
i8th of March, the liberty to prcfcnt to your noble and
great Lordihips, a rcfpetSiFul rcqucft to obtain the conclu-
fion of connexions of commerce with United America,
•' the petitioners judge that they ought to hold it for a
duty, as agreeable as indifpenfible, to tcftify their iincere
gratitude, not only for the gracious manner in which
your noble and great Lordfliips have been pleafed to accept
that requeft, but alio for the patriotic rcfolution that
your noble and great Lordftiips have taken upon its objed ;
a refolution, in virtue of which the city of Lcyden (as
the petitioners have the beft reafons to fuppofe) hath been
one of the firft cities of this province, from whofe unani-
mous co-operation has originated the rcfolution of their
noble and grand Mightinefles, of tl\e date of the 28th of
March laft, to dire6t things on the part of their noble and
grand Mightinefles, in the aflembly of the States General,
and to make there the ftrongeft inflances, to the end-
that Mr. Adams may be admitted and acknowledged as
Minifter of the United States; of America."
That the petitioners regard, with all hone{^-hearted
citizens, the prefent epoch as one of the moft glorious in
the annals of our dear country, feeing that there has been
manifefted, in a moft fignal manner, on the onehand,acon«
fidence the moft cordial of the good citizens towards their
regents, and on the other hind a paternal attention and de-
ference of the regents to the refpefHiil but well-founded
prayers of their faithful citizens \ and, in general, the
moli: exemplary unanimity throughout the whole nation^
.^7
[ 35 3 '
to the con&ifion of thofc who, having endeavpujred t#
fow the feeds of difcord, would have rejoiced if they
could fay, with truth, that a diflention fo fatal had rooted
itfelf to the ruin of the country and of the people. .» n
That the petitioners, fediing themfelves penetrated with
the moft pleafing emotions, by an harmony fo univerfal^
cannot pais over iafilehce the reflection tnat your .noble',
and ^r cat Lordfcips, taking a refolution the moft favpur-
able upon the^id requeft, have difcovered thereby, that
they wotiKrnot abandon the foptfteps of their anceftbrs..
who found, in the united fentiments of magiftrates ana'
citizens, the refources neceflary to refift a powerful op-
preflbr, who even, would not have undertaken that diffir
cult, but glorious talk, if they had not been fupported by
the voice of the moft refpeftable part of the natiop.
That encouraged by this reflection, the petitioners
afliire themfelves, that your noble and great Lordfliips
will honour, with the fame approbation, the ftep which*
they take to day, to recommend to your noble and great
Lordftiips, in a manner the moft refpedlful, but at the £une
time the moft prefling, the prompt and efficacious execu-
tion of the aforefeid refolution of their noble and grand
Mightinefles of the 28th of March laft, with every thing
which depends thereon ; a proceeding which does not
fpring from a dcfire, on the part of the petitioners, to
raife themfelves above the fphere of their duties and voca-
tions, or tp interfere, indifcreetly, in the affairs of govern-
ment, but only from a conviftion that it cannot but be
agreeable to well intentioned regents (fuch as your noble
and great Lordfliips have ftiewn ycurfelves by deeds tp
your good citizens) to fee themfelves applauded in their
falutary eflxjrts and patriotic defigns, and fupported againft^
the perverfe views, and fecret machinations of the ill-dif-
pofed, who, however fmall their number, are always
found in a nation.
a
' That although the petitioners may be convinced that
their noble and grand MightineflTes, having taken a refo-
lution fo agreeable to all true patriots, will not negledt to
employ means to carry it to an efficacious conclufion
among the other confederates, and to procure to the good
citizens the real enjoyment of the commerce with Unite4
America, they cannot, neverthelefs, diflemble tjiat, lately,
E 2 fomc
[ 3* ]
Cmm flew ft%kti% bsre arifen, which make them conceive
f6me fears rcfpefting the prompt confummation of this
defirable affair.
That the probabilitr of an offer of peace, on the part
ilf Great-Britain, to united America, whereof the pcti-
tfonCfK made mention in their former requeft, having at
fltcfent become a full certainty by the revolution arrived
fince In the Britiih miniftry, they have not learned with-
cut unoafmcfs the attempt made, at the fame time, by the
new miniftcrs of the court of London, to involve this
itate ill a ncgociation for a feparatc {>eace, the immediate
ronfcqucnce of which would DC (as the petitioners fear)
a ccflTation of all connections with the American Repub-
lic, whilft that in the mean time our Republic, deprived
on the one hand of the advantages which it reafonabjy
promif'iR itfcif from thtfc connedtions, might, on the other
hand, be detained hy negociations, fpun out to a great
Itntrth, and not cficdt till late, perhaps after the other
bellif^iTcnt powers, a fcparatc peace with England.
That, in cHcdt, the difficulties which oppole themfclves
to a likt^ pailial pncHication are too multiplied for one
to proinifc himfelf to fee them fuddenly removed, fuch as
the rtllllution of the pofleflions taken from the ftatc, and
rctakrn from the Knglifh by France, a reftitution which
i«i bcron.c thereby impratticable, the indemnification of
the hnmonl'c loflet? that the unexpefted and perfidious at-
tack i>t' Kngland hath cnufed to the Dutch nation in gene-
ral, to the petitioners in particular; the affurance of a free
nav ligation for the future, upon the principles of the armed
ntuli'.\lin\ ;uul con form ably to the law of nations; the
diffoIutivMi of the bonds vvhieh, without being produSive
of ttuv utility to the two nation?, have been a fource of
coo\./lKitiv>ns, always fpriniiin^ up, and which, in every
war between C J reat- Britain and any other power, have
th«V4icnt*d to in\rl\c our Republic in it, or have in effect
itouf »t ; the ;u\nihi!atioa, ifpotHblc, of the aclofnavi-
{4tioi^ an aot which carriers too evident marks of the
iprcn^.acy afit\lcd by Kngl;*.nJ over all other maritiine
IVx^l '^ not to attrxK^t ar^cnt:oa at the approaching nego-
CiAtuMX of iMface ; tmAlly* the iKCctutv of breaking the
yx ic that Grcat-Biit^in wvulJ impv^fe on our flag, to
nxiXx hxxH rttpccKJ in the Northern Oceaun, as the" feat
of
C 37 3
ef her maritime empire ; and other objeSs of this nature,
which, as the petulant proceedings of the court of Lon-
don have given rife to them, will certainly furnilh matter
for claims and negociations.
That as, by thefe confidcrations, a fpeedy confumma-
tion of a feparate peace with England is out of all proba-
bility, efpecially when one compares with them the dubi-
ous and limited manner in which it is offered 5 on the
other hand, a general peace appears not to be fo farjd iftant,
as that to obtain a more prompt reconciliation with Eng-
land, the Republic hath occafion to abandon its interefte
relative to North America, feeing that the Britifh govern-
ment hath refolved, upon the requeft of the national
affembly, even to difcontinue offenfive hofUlities againft
the new Republic ; and that, even under the prefent admi-
niftration of the nev/ miniftcrs, it appears ready to ac-
knowledge pofitively its independence ; an acknowledg-
ment which, in removing the principal ftumbling block
of a nogociation of a general peace, will pave the way to
a prompt explication of all the difficulties between the
belligerent pov/ers.
That the petitioners fliould exceed much the bounds
of their plan, if they entered into a more ample detail of
the reafons which might be alleged upon this fubjedl, and
which certainly will not efcape the political penetration
of your noble and great Lordlhips ; among others, the
engagements recently entered into with the Court of
France, and which will not be violated by our Republic^
which acknowledges the fanctity of ils engagements, and
refpodts them : but which will ferve much rather to con-
vince the Emprcfs of Ruffia of the impoflibility of enter-
ing, in the prefent junfture of affairs, into fuch a nego-
elation as the court of London propofes, when even it
will not be permitted to prcfume but that Sovereign will
fee] herfelf the change of circumftances which have hap-
pened with regard to America fince the offer of her me-
diation, by the revolution in the Britifli miniftry, and
that fhe ought even to regard a feparate peace between
our State and England, as the moft proper mean to retard
the general tranquillity, that flic hath endeavoured to pro-
cure to all the commercial nations now in war.
That
[ 38 1
That from thcfe rrorivcs the petitioners rcfpcSfuHy
hope that the aforcfaid offer of England will occaAon no
obftadc which may prevent that the refolution of iheir
noble and grand Mightincfles to acknowledge the indc-^.
pendencc of North America, 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 futFer itfelf to be diverted thereby from thp defign of
opening unanimoufly with this Province, and the others
which have declared themfelves conformably with Holland,
negociations with the United States, and of terminating
them as foon as poffiblc.
That the favourable refolutions already taken for this
cffeft in Zealand, Utrecht, Overj'ffel, and at prefent
(as the petitioners learn) in the Province of Groningen
after the examples of Holland and Friefland, confirm them
in that hope, and feem to render entirely fuperfluous, a
requeft that, in every other cafe, the petitioners would
have found themfelves obliged to make with the commer-
cial Citizens of the other Cities, to the end that, by the
refiftance of one Province, not immediately interefted in
commerce and navigation, tliey might not be deprived
of the advantages and of the protecMon, that the fovereign
Aflembly of their proper Provinces had been difpofed to
procure them, without it ; but that, to the end to pro-
vide for it, their noble and grand Mightinefies, and the
States of the other Provinces in this refpe6^, unanimous
with them, fliould make ufe of the power which belongs.
to each free State of cur federative Republic ; at leaft in
regard to treaties of commerce, y<)f which there exifts an
example in 1649, not only in a treaty of redemption of
the toll of the Sound, but alfo in a dcfenfivc treaty con-
cluded v/ith the Crown of Denmark, by the three Pro-
vinces of Guclderland, Holland, and Friefland,
lUit as cveryapprehenfion of a fimilar diffenfion, among
the members of the confederation, appears at prefent ab-
folutely unfeafonablc, the petitioners will confine them-
felves rather to another requeft, to wit, that after the
formation of connections of commerce with North Ame-
rica, the efife*5ual enjoyment of it may be afTured to the
tomniercI;\l Citizens of this country, by a fufficient pro-
U'dion of their jiavigation ; without which the concliifion
even
[ 39 3
f vcn of fucii a treaty of commerce would be abfolufCely
illufory. That, for a long time, efpecially the laft year',
the petitioners have tafted the bitter fruits of the defeiicej*
lefs ftate in which the Dutch flag has been inceflantly
found J as they have already faid, conformably to the
truth, in their firft requeft, " that by the total ftagnatioa
** of the navigation, and of expeditions, they have felt,
** in the moft painful manner, the efFefts of the hoftiie
*' and unexpected attack of Great Britain, and that they
*' feel them ftill every day." That, in the mean time,
this ftagnation of commerce, abfolutely abandoned to the
rapacity of an enemy greedy of pillage, and deftitute of
all protection whatever, hath appeared to the petitioners, as
well as to all die other commercial inhabitants ; yes! even
^o all true Citizens, fo much the more hard and afliicting,
as they not only have conftantly contributed, with a good
heart, to all the public impofts, but that, at the time even
tllat the commerce was abfolutely abandoned to itfcif, and
deprived of all fafeguard, it fupported a double charge*to
obtain that protection which it hath never enjoyed ;
feeing that the hope of fuch a protection (the Republic
iiot being entirely without maritime force) hath appeared
» indeed more than once, but always vaniflied in the moft
unexpected manner, by accidents and impediments,
virhich, if they have given rife, perhaps wrongfully, to
difcontent ana to diftruft among the good Citizens, will
not ne verthelefs be read and meditated by pofterity without
furprize.
That, without intention to legitimate, in any manner,
the fufpicions arifmg from this failure of proteCtioj, the
petitioners believe themfelves, neverthelefs, with afi pro-
per refpeCt, warranted in addrefling their complaints on
this head, tp the bofoms of your noble and great Lord-
fhips, and (feeing that the commerce v/ith North Ame-
rica cannot fubfift without navigation, no more than
navigation without a fafeguard) in reckoning upon the
aCtive direction, the ufeful employment, and prompt
a.ugm€ntation of our naval forces, in proportion to the
means which fliall be the moft proper effectually to fecure
to the commerce of this Republic the fruits of its con-
nections with United North America. ,
2 For
t 40 ]
For which reafons, the petitioners, returning their (b-
lemn thanks to your noble and great Lordihips, for the
favourable refolution taken upon their requcft the i8th of
March laft, addrcfs themfelves anew to you on this occa-
fion, with the refpecftful prayer, *' That it may gracioufly
" pleafe your noble ajid great Lordihips to be willing to
" efFeftuate by your powerful influence, whether in the
•* illuftrious aflcmbly of their noble and grand Mighti-
" nefles, whether among the other Confederates, or elfe-
** where, there, and in fuch manner, as your noble and
" great Lordfliips (hall judge moft proper, that the refo-
** lution of their noble and grand Mightinefles of the
*' date of the 28th of March laft, for the admiffion of
" Mr. Adams, in quality of Minifter of the United States
*' of America, be promptly executed ; and that the peti-
•• tioners, with the other commercial Citizens, obtain
•* the efFeftiial enjoyment of a treaty of commerce with
•' tlie faid Republic, as well by the a^livity of the marine
*' of the State, and the proteftion of commerce and
•' navigation, as by all other meaftires, that your noble
•* and great Lordfhips with the other members of the
** Sovereign Government of the Republic, (hall judge to
** tend to the public good, and to ferve to the profperity •
** of our dear country, as well as to the maintenance of
its precious liberties."
S9 doings ^c*
«
ROTTER-
t 41 1
ll O T T E R DA Mi
^fiTiTiok of the Merchants J Injur eriy and Freighter i
of Rotierdam to the Regeficy df thUt City*
/^ I V E tb underftand, in tKe moft refpeftfiil manner^,
^^ that it is fufiiciently notorious that the inhabitants: of
this Republic have, as well as any other nation, an in-
tereft) that they give us an opportunity to open a free
communication and (rorrefppndence with the inhabitants
of America, by making a treaty of commerce,' as Mr;
Adams has reprefentdd in his memorial ; . to which they
add, that the advantages which muft refult from it, are
abfolutely the only means of reviving the fallen commerC€l
of this country ; for re-eftabliftiing the navigation, and
for repairing the great damages which the pemdioiis pro-
ceedings of the Engllfh have, for fo many years, caufed
to the commercial part of this country.
That with all due refpefl, they repreifent to the Veilerabld
Regency the dangef we run, in prolonging farther the
deliberations concerning the article of an alliance of'
tommerce with North America ; being moreover cer^
tain that the u^erpoiition of this State cannot add any
thing more to tne folidity of its independence, and that
the Englifh Mijniftry has even made to the Deputies of
the American Congrefs propofltions to what point they
would eftablifh a correfpondence there, to our prejudice,
and thereby deprive the inhabitants of this country of the
certain advantages which might refult from this recipro-
cal commerce ; and that thus we ought not to delay one
day, nor even one hour, to try all the eflForts, that we
may pUrfue the negociation offered by Mr. Adams, and
that we may decide finally upon it. Whereupon the pe-
titioners reprefent, with all re{pe<S poffible, but at the
fame- time with the firmeft confidence, to die venerable
Regency of this City, that they would authorize and
qualify the Lords their Deputies at the AiTembly of
their noble and grand Mightmefies, to the end, that they
infift in a manner the moft eoezgetic, at the Ailemblv of
F their
[ 42 ]
their noble and grand Mightinefles, that the refolution
demanded may be taken without the leaft delay, to the
end that, on the part of this Province^ it be eileded, at
the Aflembly of the States General, that the American
Miiiiftcr, Mr. Adams be as foon as poffible admitted to
the audience which he has demanded, and that they take
with him the determinations neceflary to render free and
ojKn to the reciprocal inhabitants, the correfpondence de-
manded.
So doingy &fr. ,
THE
t 4j J:
The Petitions of- the Merchants^ and ManufaSlurers of
Haerlem, Leiden, /7«// Amsterdam, which have
been, prefinied^ on the twentieth of' Marcb^ to thfir High
Mightinesses, w^r^ accompanied with another to the
.States ^Holland i7«<^ West I]riesi,and, con^
ceived in thefe Terms,
•rpHE fubfcribers, ixihaldtants of this country, nier-
•■" 'fhants, manufadlurers, and others, living by coqi-
merce, give with all refpe^ to underftand, that they have
the honour to annex hereto a copy of a petition prefented
by th^m to their High Mightineues, the States •General
of th^ United Low Countries. The importance of the
^ing which it contains, the confiderable commerce which
thefe countries might eftablifh in North America, the
profits which we might draw from it, and the importance
pf induftry and manufaftures, by the relation which they
have with commerce in genera], as well as the navigation
to that extenfive country; all thefe objefls have made
them take the liberty to reprefent, in the moft relpedtful
manner, this great affair for them, and for the connections
which the petitioners may have, in quality of manufac-
turers, with the merchants, moft humbly praying your
noble and grand MightinefTes, for the acquifition of thefe
important branches of commerce, and for the advantage
of all the manufactures, and other works of labour and
of traffic, to be fo good as to take this petition, and the
reafons which it contains, into your high confideration,
ajid to favour it with your powerful fupport and pro-
tection, and by a favourable refolution, which may be
taken at the Aflembly of their High MightinefTes, to
direCt, on the part of this Province, things io fuch a man-
ner, that for obtaining this commerce fo defired and fo
neceflay for this Republic, that there be concerted fuch
efficacious meafures, as the high wifdom and patriotic
fentiments of your noble and grand Mightinefles may find
convenient, for the well-being of fo great a number of in-
habitants, and for the prejudice of dheir enemies.
So doing, &c,
F 2 DOR-
f 44 I
DORDRECHT.
A T Dordrecht there has not been presented any petition,
**- But on the twentieth of March, the merchants, con-
vinced by redoubled proofs of the T^eal, and of the eflForts
t>f their Regency, for the true iilterefts of commerce,
judged it unncceflTary to prefent a. petition after the e^pa-:
pie of the merchants of other cities. They contented
themfelves with ttftifying verbally their defire that there
might be eontrafted conneftions of commerce with die
United States of Ahierici? : That this ftcp had been
irowned with fuch happy fucccfs, that the f^me day 20th
rf March, 1782, it \vas refolvcd, by the ancient Council, to
Authoriiite their deputies, at the Aflembly of Holland, tq
Cohcqr in every manner poffible, that, without delay, .Mr.
Adams be acknowledged in his quality of Minifter Plerii-
J^otentiary ; that his letters of credenSc be accepted j aiw^*
confefcnces opened upon this objeS,
. '
• - 4
ZWOLL
[ 45 J
w o
In OVERYSSEL.
'T'HE fubfcribers, all merchants, mamifafturers, and
"*' faftors of the city of ZwoU, give refpeftfully to un-
derftand, that every' one of them, in his private concerns,
finds by experience, as well as the inhabitants of the Re-
public in general, the grievous efFefts of the decay into
v^hich commerce, and the manufaQures of this country
' are fallen, little by littje, and above all, fince the' hoftile
attack of the kingdom of England againft this State ; that
Jt being their duty to their country, as well as to thcm-
felves, to make ufe of all the circumftances which might
contribute to their re-eftablifhmcnt, the requifition made
not long fince by Mr. Adams to the Republic, to wit, to
conclude a treaty of commerce with the United States of
North America, could not efcape their attention ; anafFair,
the utility, advantage,, and neceffity of which, for thefe Pro-
vinces, are fo evident, and have been fo often proved in an
inconteftible manner, that the petitioners will not fatigue
your noble Lordfliips, by placing them before you, nor the'
general interefts of this city, nor the particular relations of
the petitioners, confidering thu they are convinced, in the
.firft place, that England making againft the Republic the
moft ruinous war, and having broken every treaty with
her, all kind of complaifance for that kingdom is un«
feafonable.
In the fecond place, that America, which ought to be
regarded as become free at the point of the fword, and as
willing, by the prohibition of all the produSions and ma-
nufactures of England, to break abfolutely with that
kingdom; it is precifely the time, and perhaps the only
fime, in which we may have a favourable opportunity to
ente;: into connedlion with this new and powerful Re-
public ^ a time which we cannot negleS without nmning
the greateft rifque of being irrevocably prevented by the
other powers, and even by England. Thus we take thfe
liberty refpectfuUy to fupplicate your noble Lordfhip;^,
that, having fl^ewn> fqr a long time^ that yovi fet a value
wpaa
[ 46 3
upon the formation of alliances with pOT^crful ftatcs, you
may have the goodnefs, at tjie approaching afleipbly of the
nobility, and of the cities forming the States oif this Pro-
vince, to redouble your efforts, to the end that, in the name
of this country, it ijiay be decided at tTje Generality ,Ithat
Mr. Adams be acknowledged, and the propofed negotia-
tions opened as foon as poflible, * .^
So doing, &c.
V
' !*•
)
> I
J
■ »
PETiTION*
t 47 3
PETITION OF AMSTERDAM.
nnO their High Mightinefles, the States General of the
'*• United Provinces, the underfigned, merchants, ma-
nufaSurers, and others, inhabitants living by commerce
in this country, give refpedfully to underlbnd :.
That, although the petitioners have always relied,
with entire confidence, upon the adminiftration and the
refolutions of your High Mightinefles, and it is againft
their inclinations to interrupt your important delibera-
tions, they think, however, that they ought, at this time
to take the liberty ; and believe as well intentioncd inha~
bitantS) that it is their indifpenfible duty in th^ prefent
moment, which Is moft critical for the Kepublic, to lay
humbly before your High Mightinefles their interefls.
What good citizen m the Republic, having at heart
the intereft ofhis dear country, can diifemble, or repre-
fent to himfelf without difmay, the fad fituation to which
we are reduced by the attack, equally fudden, unjuft, and
perfidious of the Englifli ? Who would have dared two
years^ ago td foretell, and, notwithfl:anding the dark clouds
which even then began to form themfelves, could even
have imagined thiat our commerce arid our navigation,
with the immenfe affairs which depend upon them, the
fupport and the profperity of this Republic, could have
falleU and remained in fuch a terrible decay ? .that in
1780, more than two thoufands of Dutch veliels having
paflled the Sound, not one was found upon the lift in
1781 ? That the ocean, heretofore covered with our
veflel?, fliould fee at prefent fcarcely any ? and that wc
may be reduced to' fee our navigation, formerly fo much
refpefted and preferred by all the nations, pafs entirely
intcvthe hands of other powers ? It would be fuperfluous
to endeavour to explain at length the damage?, the enor-
mous lofles, which our inhabitants have fuftained by the
fudden invafion and the pillage of the colonics, and of
their (hips; difafters, which not only foil direSly upon
the merchant, but which have alfo a general influence^
and make themfelves felt in the moft melancholy manner,
^ven
[ 48 ]
even by the loweft artifans and labourer?, by the langxiot
which they occafion in commerce. But, how great fo-
ever they may be, it might, perhaps, be poffible, by the
aid of the paternal cares of your High Mightineflcs, and
by oppofmg a vigorous refiftance to the enemy, already
enervated, to repair in time all thefe loffes, (without men-
tioning indemnilications) if this ftagnation of commerce
was only momentary, and if the induftrious merchant did
not fee beforehand the fources of his future felicity dried
up. It is this gloomy forefight which, in this moment,
affiSs, in the^igheft degree, the petitioners ; for, it would
be the height of folly and inconiideration to deilre fiill
to flatter ourfclves, and to remain quiet, in the expe<5hi-
tion that, after the conclufion of the peace, the buflne&y
at prefent turned out of its direction, fhould return en-
tirely into this country ; for experience fhews the con-
trary in a manner the moft convincing ; and it is moft
probable, that the fame nations, .who are a(^ually in pof-
feiHon of it, will preferve, at that time, the greateft part of
it. Your alarmed petitioners throw their eyes round
every where, to difcover new fources, capable of procur-
ing them more fuccefs, in future. They even flatter them-
felves that they have found them upon the new theatre of
commerce which the United States of America offer
them ; a commerce, of which, in this moment, but in
this momerit only, they believe themfelves to be in a con-
dition to be able to amire to themfelves a good fhare ;
and the great importance of which, joined to the fear of
feeing efcape from their hands this only and laft refource,
has induced them to take the refolution to lay open re-
fpeftfuUy their obfervations concerning this important
objedl to your High Mightineflcs, with the earned prayer
that you would confider them with a ferious attention^
and not interpret in ill part this meafure of the petitioners,
efpecially as their future well-being, perhaps even that
of the whole Republic, depends on the dccifion 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 pour-
ed into the coffers of the ftate ; the uncommon profperity
of feveral of her commercial houfes, the extreme reputa*
tion
[ 49 1
I
tion of her manufaSures, the confuiAption of which, in
quantities beyond all bounds, contributes efficaciouily tQ
their perfection, are convincing proofs of it. However
it may be, and notwithftanding the fuppofitionj too lightly
adopted, that we cannot imitate the Britifh manu&<^ures^
the manufacture of painted linens of Rouen ; thofe of
"Wool, of Amiens, of Germany, of Overyffel j and the Pins
of Zwoll prove vifibly that all things need not be drawn
from England ; and that, moreover, we are as well in a con-
dition, or fhall foon be, to equal them in feveral refpecfe.
Permit us, high and mighty Lords, to the end to avoid
all further digrefSon, to requell in this regard the attfention
of your High MightinefTes to the fituation oWcommerce.
in t fance at the beginning of the war. Continual lofles
had almoft ruined it altogether. Like ours, feveral of her
merchants failed of capitals ; and others wanted courage
tp continue their commerce ; her manufactures languifn-
ed; the people groaned; in one wordj every thing there
marked out the horrors of war. But, at prefent,- her
maritime towns, overpeopled, have occafton to be en-
larged ; her manufactures, having arrived at a degree of
exportation unknown before, begin to perfeflt themfelves
more and more, in fuch a degree, that the melancholy
confequences of the war are fcarcely felt in that kingdom*
But, fince it is inconteftible that this favourable alteration
refults almoft entirely from its commerce with America^
that even this has taken place in time of war ; which^
moreover, is ever prejudicial, we leave it to the enlighten-
ed judgment of your High Mightineffes to. decide, what
it is that we may expeCt from a commerce of this nature,
even at prefent, but efpecially in time of peace. In the
mean time, we have bad the happinefs to make a trials of
Ihort duration it is true, but very ftrong in proportion to
its continuance, in our colony of St. Euftatia, of the im-
portance of the commerce, though not direCl, with North
America. The regiiters of the Weft India Company
may furnifli proofs of it very convincing to your High
Mightineffes; in faCt, their productions are infinitely fuit-
aWe to our market^ whilft, on our fide, we have to fend
them feveral articles of convenience and of neceffity from
our own country^ or from the neighbouring ftates of Ger-
many. Moreover, feveral of our languilhing manufac- ,
G tures.
[ 50 ]
lurt^9 fcattered in the feven United Provinces, may per^
haps be reftored to their former vigour, by means of Doun"
ties, or the diminution of impofts. The importance of
manufafhires for a country is fufficiently proved, by the
confiderable gratifications promifed ana paid by Bridfh
policy for their encouragement, and by the advantages
which that kingdom has procured to itfelf by this means,
even beyond what had been expe6ted.
The petitioners know perfe<S^ly well the obftades, a)-
moft infurmountable, which always oppofe themfelves
to the habitual ufe of new manufadures, although cer-
tainly better in quality ; and they dare advance, without
hefitation, 4hat feveral of our manufiiAures are fuperior
to thofe of the Englifli. A moment more favourable can
never offer itfelf dian the prefent, when, bv a refolution
of Congrefs, the importation of all the efie^ of the pro-
duce of Great Britain, and of her colonies, is forbidden ;
which reduces the merchant and the purchafer to the nc-
ceflity of recurring to other merchandifes, the ufe of
which will ferve to diilipate the prejudice conceived againft
them. It is not only the manufactures, high and mighty
Lords, which promife a permanent advantage to our Re-
public. The navigation will derive alfo great advan-
tages ; for it is very far from being true (as icveral would
maintain) that the Americans, being once in the tranquil
pofTeflion of their independence, would themfelves exer-
cife with vigour thefe two branches ; and that in the fe-
quel, we Ihall be wholly fruflrated of them. Whoever
has the leaft knowledge of the country of America, and
of its vafl extent, knows that the number of inhabitants is
not there in proportion. That even the two banks of the
Mif&ffippi, the moft beautiful trad of this country, other*
wife fo fertile, remain ftill uncultivated ; and as there are
wanted fo many hands, it is not at all probable to prefume,
that they will or can occupy themfelves to eftablifli nev;^
manufadures, both becaufe of the new charges, which
they would put upon the augmentation and exportation of
their produ£tions.
It is then for thefe fame reafons (the want of popula-
tion) that they will fcarcely find the hands necefl'ary to
take advantage of the fiflieries, which are the property
of their country J which will certainly oblige them to
abandon-
abandon to us the navigation of freight. There is not
therefore any one of our provinces, much lels any one of
our cities, which cannot enjoy the advantage of this com-
merce : No, high and mighty Lords, the petitioners are
perfuaded that the utility and the benelit of it will fpread
itfelf over all the provinces and countries of Ae Genera-
lity. Guelderland aihi OveryiTel cannot too much extend
their manufadlures of wool, of fvt^nfldn, and other things;
even the fhoemakers of the mayoralty, and of Langftret,
will iind a confiderable opening ; almoft all the manufac-
tures of Utrecht and of Leyden will flourifli anew. Har-
lem will fee revive its manufactures of ftufFs, of laces of
ribbons, of twift, at prefent in the loweft ftate of decay.
Delft will fee vaftly augmented the fale of its earthen ware,^.
and Gouda that of its tobacco-pipes.
However great may be the advantages forefeen by the
petitioners, ^om a legal commerce duly proteded with
America, their fear is not lefs, left we fhould fufFer to
efeape the happy moment of afTuring to them, and to aU
the Republic, thefe advantages. The prefent moment
muft determine the whole. The Englifh nation is weary
of the war ; and as that people runs eafily into extremes,
the petitioners are afraid, with ftrong probable appearances^ x
that a compleat acknowledgment of American indepen-
dence will foon take place ; above all, if the Englifh fee
an opportunity of being able ftill to draw firom America
fome conditions favourable for them, or at leafi: fomething
to our difadvantage. Ah ! what is it which fhould infli-
gate the Americans in making peace, and renewing
rriendfhip with Great Britain, to have any regard for the
interefls of our republic ? If England could only obtain
for a condition, that we fhould be obliged to pay duties
more burthenfome for our vefTels.^ this would be not only
a continual and permanent prejudice ; but would be fuf-
ficient to tranfmit to poflerity, a lamentable proof of our
exceilive deference for unbridled enemies.
The petitioners dare flatter themfelves that a meafure
ft) frank of this Republic, may powerfully ferve for the
acceleration of a general peace. A general ardour tocx-
tinguifh the flames of war reigns in England ; an upright
and vigorous condud» on the part of d[iis Republic, will
G 2 ccn-
[ 5« ]
contribute to accelerate the accomplifliment of tHe wifhes
for peace.
We flatter ourfclves, high and mighty Lords, that we
have in this regard alleged fufHcient reafons for an im-
niediate dccifion ; and that we have fo viiibly proved the
danger rtf delay, that we dare to hope from the paternal
equity of your High MightincfTes, a reafonable attention
to the refpedlful proportion which we have made. It pro-
ceeds from no other motive than a fmcere afFcc^on for the
precious intercfts of our dear country ; fmce we confider
it as certain, that as fopn as the ftep taken by us (hall be
known by the Englifh, and that they (ball have the leaft
hope of preventing us, they will not fail, as foon as poffi-
ble, to acknowledge American independence. Support-
ed by all thefe reafons, the petitioners addrefs themfelves
to your High Mightineiles, humbly requeiiing that it may
pleafe your High Mightineffes, after the occurrences an4
affairs above-mentioned, to take, for the greateft advan-
tage of this country, as foon as poilible, fuch refolutiox^
as your High Mighdnefle^ (hall judge moft convenient.
This dping, &c.
PETITION
C 53 3
f E T ' I T I 6 N
To the Burgomafters and Regents of
AMSTERDAM:
nnHE fubfcribers, all merchants and manufaSurers cf
•^ this city, with all due refpeft, give to underftand :
That the difference arifen between the kingdom of Great
Britain and the United States of America, has not only
given^occafion for a long and violent war, but that the
arms of America have covered themfelves with a fuccefe
{o happy, that the Congrefs, aififted by the Courts of
France and Spain, have fo well eftablifhed their liberty and
independence, and reduced Great Britain to extremities fo
critical, that the Houfe of Commons in England, notwith-
ftanding all the oppofition of the Briti(h Miniftry, have
lately formed the important refolution to turn the King
from an offenfive war againft America, with no other de-
fjgn than to accelerate, if it is poflible, a reconciliation with
America.
That to this happy revolution in the difpofitions of the
Englifh in favour of the liberty and independence of
America, according to all appearances, the refolution
taken by the Congrefs, towards the end of the laft year, to
wit, to forbid in all America the importation of Britifh
manufactures and productions, has greatly contributed : a
refolution, of which they perceive in England, too vifi-
bly, the confequences ruinous to their manufadlures,
trade, commerce, and navigation, to be able to remain
indifferent in this regard. For all other commercial na-
tions, who take to heart, ever fo little, their own prolpe-
rity, will apply themfelves ardently, to coUeft from it all
the fruit poffible. To this effeft, it would be unpardona- ,
ble for the bufmefs and commerce of this Republic in
general, and for thofc of this city in particular, to fuffer to
efcape this occafion fo favourable for the encouragement
of our manufa£l:ures fo declined, and languiihing in the
interior cities, as well as that of the commerce and navi-
gation in the maritime cities 3 or to fuffer that other com-
mercial
r 54 J
mercial nations, even with a total exclufion of the mer-
cantile intcrcfts of this Republic, {hould profit of it, and
tliis, upon an occafion, when, by reafon of the war, equal-
ly unjuA and ruinous, in which the kingdom of Great
l5ritain has involved this Republic, we cannot^ and ought
not to have the leall regard or condefcenfion for that jea-
jous State, being able even to oblige this arrogant neigh*
bour, in the jull fear of the confequences which a more
lAtitnate connexion between this Republic and North
America would undoubtedly have, to lay down the iboner
her arms, and rcftore tranquility to all Europe.
That the petitioners, notwithftanding the inclination
Acy have for it, ought not neverthelefs to explain them-
iG^ves farther upon this objedt, nor make a demonftration
in detail of the important advantages which this Repub-
lic may procure itfelf by a connection and a relation more
intimate with North America ; both, becaufe that no well-
informed man C3n eafily call the thing in queftion,or con-
tradict it 'y but alfo, becaufe die States of Friefland tbem-
lelves have very lately explained thcmfelves, in a manner
(o remarkable, in this refpeft ; and which is ftill more r-e-
markable, becaufe in very different circumfiances, with a
forefight, which pofterity will celebrate by fo much the
more, as it is attacked in our time by ill defigning citizens,
the Lords your predeceflbrs thought, four years ago, upon
the means of hindering this Republic from being exclud-
ed from the bufinefs of the new world, and from falling
into the difagreeahle fituation in which the kingdom of
Portugal is at prefcnt, confidering that according to the
informations of your petitioners, the Cougrefs has exclud-
ed that kingdom from all commerce and bufmefs with
North America, folely, becaufe it had perceived that it
fufFered itfelf to be too ftrongly dire£ted by the influence
of the Britifh Court. This example makes us fear with
reafon that if the proportions made, in the name of Ame-
rica, by Mr. Adams to this Republic, fhould remain, as
they ftill are, without an anfwer, or that, if, contrary to
all expectation, they ihould be rejefted, in that cafe the
Republic ought not to expcft a better treatment.
That, for thefe reafons and many others, the petitioners
had flattered themfelves that we fhould long ago have
opened negotiations, and a cloier correfpondence, with
the
C 5S 1
the United States of America. But this important work
appeared to meet with difficulties with fome, as incom-
patible with the acceffion of this Republic to the armed
neutrality, and, in courfe, with the accepted mediation;
whilft that others cannot be perfuaded to make this fo ne- .
ceflary ftep, in the opinion that we cannot draw any ad-
vantage, or at leail of much importance, from a more
AviSt connection with America : Reafons, according to
the petitioners, the frivolity of which is apparent to every
one who is not filled with prejudice, without having occa-
sion to employ many words to point it out. For, as to the'
fir ft point, fuppofing, for a moment^ that it might be made
a qucftion whether the Republic, after her acceffion to the
armed neutrality, before the war with England, could take
a ftep of this nature, without renouncing at the fame time
the advantages of the armed neutrality which it had em-
braced ; it is at leaft very certain, that every difficulty con-
cerning the competency of the Republic to take a fimilar
ftep vaniihes and difappears of itfelf at prefent, when it
finds itfelf involved in a war with Great Britain, fincc"
from that moment fhe could not only demand the aftiftaiice
and fuccour of all the confederates in the armed neutra-
lity, but that thereby fhe 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 profit of the advantages of the armed neu-
trality. This reafoning then proves evidently, that, in*
the prefent fituation of affairs, the Republic might ac-
knowledge the independence of America ; and, notwith-
ftanding this, claim of full right the affiftance of her
neutral allies, at leaft, if we would not maintain one of
the two following abfurdities : That, notwithftanding
the violent aggreffion of England in refentment of our
acceffion to the armed neutrality, we dare not defend our-
felves, until our confederates fhall think proper to come to
our affiftance ; or, otherwife, that being attacked by the
Englifh, it fhould be permitted us, conformably to the
rights of the armed neutrality, to refift them in arms,
whether on the Doggers-bank or elfewhere, but not by
contracting alliances, which certainly do no injury or
harm to the convention of the armed neutrality, notwith-
fbndin^
[ 56 ]
ftaiiding even the fmall hope we have of being (uccore J
by the ^lies of the armed confederation. The argument
of the mediation is ftill more contrary to common fenfe
in this, that it fuppofes, that the Republic, by accepting
the mediation, has alfo renounced the employment of all
the means, by the way of arms, of alliances, or other-*
wife, which it might judge ufeful or neceflary to annoy
her enemy : a fuppoiition, which certainly is deftitute of
all foundation, ami which would reduce it Amply to a real
fufjxrnfion of hoftilitics on the part of the Repuolic only^
to which the Republic can never have confentcd, neither
directly nor indirectly.
Befules tills hrt ar ^iumcnt, the petitioners ought to ob-
fcrvc, in the hrft place, that by means of a good harmony
and fricndftiip with the United States of America,, there
will fpring up, not only difiercnt fources of bufmefs for
this Republic, founded folcly on commerce and naviga-
tion, but in particular the niaiuifad^ures and trade will
allUmc a new activity in the interior cities ; for they may
confume the amount of millions of our manufactures in
that new country, of fo vaft extent : In the fecond place,
abft rafted from all intcrefts of commerce, the friendfhip
or the enmity of a nation, which, after having made pri-
foners of two Englifh armies, has known how to render
herfelf refpcclable and formidable, if it were only in rela -
tion to the wcflern poffellions of this State, is not and
cannot be in any manner indifferent for our Republic.
In the laft place, it is neceiTary that the petitioners remark
ferther in this refpeft, that feveral inhabitants of this Re-
public, in the prefcnt fituation of affairs, fuffer very confi-
dcrablc loflcs 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 effe£ls recaptured, a convention fimilar to that
which has been made with Uie Crown of France the lafl
year; for, venerable Regents, if a convention of this
nature had been contrafted in the beginning of this war,
the Inhabitants of the Republic would have already derived
important advantages from it, confidering that feveral
fhips and cargoes, taken by the Englifli from the inhabi-
tants of this State, have fallen into the hands of the Ame-
ricans 'j among others, two vpfiels from die Weft Indies,
richly
[ 57 ]
rkhly loaded, and making fail for the ports of the Re-
public, and both eftimated at niore than a npiillion of flo-
rins of Holland ; which, captured by the EngliDi at the
commencement of the year paft, were carried into North
America, where, after the capitulation of General Corn-
wallis, they paffed from the hands of the Englifh into
othei^.
That, although" the. petitioners are fully convinced, that
the interefts of the commerce of this common country,
and of this city, have conftantly, but efpecially in thefe
laft years, attrafted, and ftill attra^i every day, a great part
of the cares of the venerable. Regency; neverthelefs,
having regard to the importance of the affair, the peti-
tioners have thought that they might, and that they ought
to take the liberty to addrefs themfelves with this petition
to you, venerable Regents, to inform you, according to
truth, that the mpments are precious, that we cannot lofe
any time, how little foever it may be, without running the
greateft rifque of lofing all j fince, by hefitating longer,
the Republic, according to all appearances, would not de-
rive any advantage, not even more than it has derived
from its acceflion to the armed neutrality ; becaufe that in
the fear of Britifh menaces, we did not determine to ac-
cede to it, until the opportunity pf improving the advanr
tage of it was paffed.
4 For thefe caufes, the petitioners addrefs themfelves to
you, venerable Regents, refpe6tf'ully folici^ing, that your
efficacious influence may condefcend, at the Aflfembly of
their noble and grand Mightineiles the States of this Pro-
vince, to ArcSi affairs in fuch a manner, that upon this im-
portant obje£l there may be taken as foonas poffible, and,|
if poffible, even during the continuance of this Aflembly^
a final and decifive refolution, fuch as you, venerable Re-
gents, and their noble and grand Mightineflfes, according
to their high wifdom, Iball judge the moft convenient :
and if, contrary to all expectation, this important opera-
tion fliould meet with any obftacle on the part of one or
more of tlie confederates, that in that cafe you, venerable
Regents, in concert with the Province of Friefland, and
thofe of the other Provinces who make no difficulty to
open a negotiation with America, will condefcend to
cdhiider'oF the 'means, which fliall be found proper and
H con-
--7\
C 5« ]
convenient to effe&uate, that the com)nerce of this
PiWriAc'ci ' as *wcir as that of Frieflandi and tjie other
members^ adopting the fame opinion, may not be pre-
judiced by any dilatory deliberations, nor too late re-
folved, for the conclufion of a meafure as important as
n^ceflary. ^ '
So doing, &c.
»
AM8TER-
k-
I.
C 59 3
AMSTERDAM.
Address of ihi Merchant s^ &?r. to their Regenty.
Noble, great, and venerable Lords !
T T is for us a particular fatisfa^lloh to. \ih able to bfTeV
^ to your noble and gteat idrdfhips, as heads of the re^
gency of this city, this well inteiitiohed addi-efs that a
fnultitude of our mofi; refpe£bble fellow-citizens have
figned. It was already prepared and %ned by many,
vHnen we learned, as well by the public papers as other-*
wife, the propofitions of a particular peace, with an offer
of an immediate fufpenfion of hoftilities on the part Of
Great-Britain, made to this ftate by the mediation of die
Ruffian amba^dor. This is the only reafoii why no
immediate mention was made of it in the addfefs itfelf.
It is by ho me&ns the i<)ea, that thefe offers would have
made any impreffion upon the merchants \ fince we can,
on the contrary, in truth afTure. your noble and great
Lofdibips, that the unanimous ientiment nearly of the £x«
fchange of Amfterdam, as much as ttiat is interefted in it^ .
is entiriely conformable to that which the merchants of
Rotterdam have made knoWn in fo energetic a manner :
that confeqiientiy we have the greateft averfion to like
oiFerS) as artful as dangerous, whicb^ ^\^% sidopted^
would very probably throw this Republic into othel* fitua'*
iions very embarrafling, the immediate cohiequences of
which would be, to ruin it totally : whereas, oh the othet
hand, thefe offers fhew that we have only to deal with
an enemy exhauftedj whom we Could fprce to a general
^d diiraDle peace in the end^ by following only the exam^
pie of Firance^ Spain, and Nor& America, and by ufing
the means which are in oUi^ hands.
It is improper for ii?, howeyei", to enlarge ferther upon
this proje<5l^ important as it may be, being well aflured^
that your noble and great Lordfbips fee thofe grievous
sQnfequences mdre clearly thaii we din trace them..
H 2 The
[ 6o 3
The merchants continue to recommend their commerce
and navigation to the conftant care and protefiion of your
noble and great Lordfhips, and to infift only, that in cafe
thefe offers of the court of England (hould be, at any
time, the caufe that the affair of the admiffion of Mr.
Adams^ in quality of Minifter Plenipotentiary of the Unit-
ed States of America, fhould meet with any difficulty or
delay on the part of the other confederates, that your
noble and great lordfliips, conformably to the fecond arti-
cle of our requifition, inlbrted in this requeft, would have
the goodncfs to think upon meafures which would fecure
this province from the ruinous confequences of fuch a
proceeding.
To the foregoing was joined the Addrejs frejcnted
to the Burgomafters and the Councily which is of the
following tenor.
Noble, great, venerable, and koble and
VENERABLE Lords!
The underfigned merchants, citizens, and inhabitants
of the city of Amfterdam, have learned with an inexpreffi-
ble joy, the news of the refolution taken the 28th of
March laft by their no^le and grand Mightinefles, the
lords the States of Holland and Weft-Friefland. Their
noble and grand Mightineffes have thereby not only fatis-
fied the general wimes of the greateft and beft part of
the inhabitants of this province, but they have laid the
foundations of ulteriour alliances and correfpondencies of
friendfliip and of good underftanding with the United
States of Aijierica, which promife new life to the lan-
gUifliing ftate of our commerce, navigation, and manu-
faSures. The unanimity with which that refolution was
decided in the affembly of Holland, gives us grounds to
hope that the States of the other provinces will not delay
to take a fimilar refolution ; whilft the fame unanimity
fills with the moft lively fatisfaftion the well intentioned
inhabitants of this city, and without doubt thofe of the
whole country, in convincing them fully that the union
among
C 6i ]
among the fage and venerable fathers of the country in-
creafes more and more ; whilft that the promptnefs and
adHvity with which it hath been concluded, make us hope,
with reafon, that we fliall reap, in time, from a ftep fo
important and fo neceffary for this Republic, the defire4
fruits. Who then can call in queftion, or difavow that
the moment feems to approach nearer and nearer, when
this Republic (hall enter into new relations with a people,
who find themfelves in circumftances which differ but little
from thofe in which our anceflrprs found themfelves two
centuries ago, with a people which conciliates more and
more the general afFeftion and efleem.
The conformity of religion and government, which is
found between us and America, joined to the indubitable
marks that (he hath already long fince given of the prefe-
rence that {he feels for our friendfhip, makes the under-
figned not only fuppofe, but infpires them with a confi-
dence that our connexions with her will be equally folid,
advantageous, and falutary to the interefls of the two
nations. The well-being 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 conclufion of a refolution fo remarkable ; the con-
viction that the venerable council of this city had of it,
upon 'the proportion of the noble, great, and venerable
Lords, almofl: confented to, before the requeft relative to
this projefl: prefented not long fince to you, noble, great,
and venerable Lords, had come to the knowledge of the
council ; finally the remembrance of that which was done
upon this matter in the year 17785 with the beft inten-
tions and the molt laudable views, finding itfelf at prefent
crowned with an approbation as public as it is general,
indifpenfibly oblige the underfigned to approach you with
this addrefs ; 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 inten-
tioncd cares, and thofe well concerted meafurcs, for that
inflexible attachment, and that faithful adherence to the
true interefls of the country in general, and of this city
in particular, which manifefl themfelves in fo flriking a
manner, in all the proceedings and refolutions of yoiu)
ndble, great, and venerable Lordfhips, and of the venera-
ble
[ 62 ]
bje council of this city, and which certainly will attntS
the efteem and veneration of the lateft pofterity, when
comparing the annals and events of the prefent with thofe
of former times, it (hall difcover that Amfterdam might
ftill boaft itfelf of pofleffing patriots who dared (acrihce
gcneroufly all views of private interefts, of grandeur and
confideration to the facred obligations Uut their country
requires of them.
We flatter ourfelves, noble, great, venerable, noble
and venerable Lords, that the prefent public demonftration
of our efteem and attachment will be fo much the more
agreeable, as it is more rare in our republic, and perhaps
even it is without example j and as it is more proper to
efface all the odious imprcifions that the calumny and
malignity of the Englifii miniftry, not long ago fo fer-
vilelv adored by many, but whole downfal is at prefent
conuimmated, had endeavoured to fpread, particularly a
little before and at the beginning of this war, infinuations,
which have fince found partifans in the United Provinces,
among thofe who have not been aihamed to paint the
Exchange of Amfterdam (that is to fay the moft irefpefhi-
ble and tlie moft ufeful part of the citizens of this cit}',
and at the fame time tlie principal fupport of the weli-^
being of the United Provinces) as if it confifted in a great
part of a contemptible herd of vile interefted fouls, having
no other objc<^ than tp give loofe to their avidity, and
to their defirc of amafting treafures, in defrauding the
public revenues, and in tranfporting articles, againit the
iaith of treaties j calumniators, who have had at the fame
time, and have ftill the audacity to affront the moft up-
right regency of the moft confiderable city of the Repub-
^c, and to expofe it to public contempt, as if it partici-
pated by connivance, and other^vife, in fp (bameful a
commerce ; infmuations and accufations which have been
fpread with as much falftiood as yrickednefs, and which
ought to excite fo much the more the indignation of every
fenfible heart, when it is confidered that not only the
merchants of this city, but alfo thofe gf the whole Jle-
public have fo inviolably refpefted the faith of treaties
that, to the ationifliment of every impartial man, one can-
Apt produce atly proofs, at leaft no fuiEcient proois^ that
there hath ever been tranfported froaoi this country con-
trabahtl
C 6i ]
traband merdfiandizes ; whilft that die conjun£lur^ ill
which imputations of diis kind have been fpread render*
ed the proceeding ftill more odious, feeing it has been
done at an epoch when the commerce and navigation cf
Amfterdam, and of the whole Republic, would have ex<*
perienced the firft and almoft the only attack of an unjuft
and perfidious ally, for want of neccilary prote£Hon, upon
which you, noble, great, venerable, and noble and vene-
rable Lords, have fo often and fo ferioufly infifted, even
before the commencement of the troubles between Great
Britain and the United States of America ; at an epochs
when the merchant, formed for enterprifes, was obliged
to fee the fruit of his labour, and of his cares, tiie re-
'.xnnpence of his indefatigable induflry, and the patrimony
!efHned to his pofterity, raviihed from his hands by fo-
■ 'eign violence and an unbounded rapacity; at an epoch
iinairy, -when the wife and prudent politicians, who had
cxhaufted themfelves and fpared no pains for the public
fi;ood, faw their'patriotic views diffipated, and their pro-
jeSts vanifh.
Receive then, noble, great, venerable, and noble and
venerable Lords, this folemn teiHmony of our lively
gratitude, as gracioufly as it is given nncerely on our
part. Receive it as a proof of our attachment to your
perfons ; an attachment which is not founded upon fear,
lior an exteriour reprefentation of authority and grandeur^
but which is fouified on more noble and immoveable
principles,' thofe of efteem and refpe£t, ariAng from a
ientiment of true greatnefs and of generofity. Be aiTured
that when contemptible difcord, widi its odious attend-
ants, artifice and impofture, could efFedhiate nothing, ab-
folutely nothing, at the moment when the preicnt war
broke out, to prejudice in the leafl the fidelity of the
Citizens of the Anmel, or to fhake them in the obfervance
of their duties ; the inconveniencies and the evils that a
war naturally and neceflarily draws after it will not pro-
duce the cffeft neither. Yes, we will fubmit more wil-
lingly to them, according as we fhall perceive that the
means that God and Nature have put into our hands
are more and more employed to reduce and humble an
h^,ue;hty enemy. Continue then, noble, great, venerable,
liable and venerable Lords, to proceed with &fety in the
road
[ 64 }
road that you fallow, the only one, which in our opinion
can, under the divine benediction, tend to fave the coun-
try from its prefent fituation. Let nothing divert or in-
timidate you from it. You have already (urmounted the
greateft difficulties, and the mod pointed cares. A mor^
pleafing perfpedtivc already opens. Great Britain^ not
long fince fo proud of her forces, that {he feared not to
clcctarc war againft an ancient and faithful Ally, already
Kpents of that unjuft and rafh proceeding ; and, fuccumb-
ing under the weight of a war, which becomes more and
more burthenfome, fhe fighs after peace; whilft that
the harmony among the members of the fupreme Govern-
ment of this country increafes with our arms, according
as your political fyftem, whofe neceility and falutary in-
fluence were heretofore lefs acknowleaged, gains every
day more numerous imitators. The refolution lately
taken by the States of Friefland, and (b unanimoufljf
adopted by our Province, furniflies, among many otherSj^
one incontcftible proof of it; whilft the naval combat
fought the laft year on Doggerfbank, hath *(hewn toi
aftoniflied Europe, that fo long a peace hath not made
the Republic forget the management of arms, but that»
on the contrary, it nourifhes in its bofom warriors who
tread in the footfteps of the Tromps and Ruiters^ frdhi whofe
prudence and intrepidity, after a beginning fo glorious,
we may promife ourfclves the nioft heroic adlions ; that
ihcir invincible courage, little afFc6^ed with an evident
fupcriori ty, will procure, one day, to our country an hcMiour -
able and permanent peace, which, in eternizing their
military glory, will caufe the wife policy of your noble,
great, venerable, and noble and venerable Lordihips, to
he blcfTed by the latefl pofterity.
UTRECHT;
{ 6s 3
#,
U T R E C jEJ f.
. ! . . ■ ■ ■ /
to their noble mightinesses, the lords thf
States of.the Country of Utrecht* :•: :
» .... 1
rp H £ underfigned manufa£hirers, merchants, ^nd other
... traders of tius City give, with due refped,, to under*
ftand, di^t the petitioners. Placing their coi^^ncc ia
the intereft that your noble Mig^tineflies have always ap«
peared to take in the advancement of manufa£iures and
conmierce, have not been at all fqrupulous to recommend
to the vigilant attention of your noble Mightineiles^ the
favourable occafion that oiSers itfelf in this moment, to
revive the manu&i^res, commerce, and trades f^len
into decay in this City and Province, in cafe that your
noble Mi^tinefles acknowledged, in the name of this
City, Mr. Adams as Minifter Plenipotentiary of the
Umted States oi America, to the end that there njight
be fonned with them a treaty of commerce for this Ke-
public. As the petitioners founded themfelves thus upon
the intimate fentiment of the execution of that which
your noble Mighdnefles judge proper to the advancement
of the well-being of the petitioners and of their interefts,
die petitioners have fvirther the (atisfa£tion of feeing the
moft agreeable proofs of it, when your noble Mightinefles,
in your \aA Ailembly, refolved unanimoufly to confent,
xiot only to the admiffion of Mr. Adams in quality of
Miniffer of the Congrefs of North America, but to au-
thorife the Lords the Deputies of this Province at the
Generality, to conform themfelves in the name of this
Province, to the refolutions of the Lords the States of
Holland and Weft Friefland, and of Friefland ; and, do-
ing this, to confent to the acknowledgment and admiilion
of Mr. Adams, as Minifter of the tJnited States of Ame-
rica. As that refolution furnifhes the proofs the beft
intentioned, the.moft patriotic, for the advancement of
that which may ferve to the well-being and to the en-
couragement of liianufadures, of commerce, and of de-
I cave
t 66 ]
cayed trades, as well in general, as of this City and Pro-
vince in particular, and which had been fo ardently de-
fired; " die petitioners think themfelves indifpenfibly
obliged to teftify, in the moft rdfpeftful manner, their
gratitude for it to your -noble Mightinefles. The peti-
tioners find themfelves abfolutely unable to exprefs, in
words^ the general fatisfa<SHon that this event hath caufed,
not oiily to them; but . aifo to the great and (mall of this
Province j joined to the confirmation of the ptrkSt con-
virion in which they repofe themfelves, alfo, for the fu-
ture, upon the paternal care of your noble Mightinefles,
that the confummation of the denred treaty of commerce
•With the Americans may be foon eflTefted. The petitioners
iitteft by the prefent, before your noble Mightinefles, their
folemn and well-meant gratitude, which they addrefs at
the fame time to your noble Mightinefles, as the mofl
fiiicere mark of veneration and refpeilfor the perfons,
and the direflion of public affairs, of your noble Mighti-
nefles ; praying that Almighty God may deign to blefs
the efforts and the councils of your noble Mightinefles^
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, (hould
not be involved in any negociations for a particular peace
with our perfidious enemy, but that we obtain no other
peace than a general peace, which (as your noble Mighti-
nefles exprefs yourfclves in your resolution} may be com-
patible with their honour and dignity ; and ferve not only
for this generation, but alfo for the lateft pofterity, as a
monument of glory, of eternal gratitude to, and efleem
for the perfons and public adminiflration of the prefent
time.
PRIESLAND.
[ 67 3
F R I E S L A N D.
Extract from the Regifltr-Bszk zf the Lords the
States ofFrieJlarJ,
TTHE requifition of Mr. Adams, for prefenting his let-
-*■ ters of credence from the United States of America
to their High Mi^tineflbs, having been brought into the
aflembly, and put into deliberation, as alfo the ulceriour
addrefs to the &me purpofe, with a demand of a catego-
rical anfwer, made by him, as is more amply mentioned
in the minutes of their High Mightinefles of the 4tfa of
May, 1 78 1, and the 9th of January-, 17825 whereupoa
it having been taken into confideratjon- that the laid Mr.
Adams would probably have fome propdikions to make to
their High Mightinefles, and to prefent to them the prin-
cipal articles and foundations upon which the K^ongrefs^
on their part, would enter into a treaty of commeice and
frlendfhip, or other affairs to propofe, in regard to which
difpatch would be requifite.
It has been diought iit and refolved to authorize the
Lords the Deputies of this Province at the Generality, and
to inftrud them to direct things, at the table or their
High Mightinefles, in fuch a manner that the (aid Mr«
Adams be admitted forthwith as Minifter of the Congrefr
of North America ; with further order to the bid Depu-
ties that if there (hould be made moreover any flmilar
propofltions by the fame, to inform immediately their
noble Mightineflies of them. And an extraft of the pre-
fent refolution fliall be fent them for their information,
that they may conduct themfelves conformably.
Thus refolved at the Province Houfc the 26th Fe-
bruary, 1782. %
Compared with the aforeCaid book to my knowledge.
Signed
A. J. V. Smikja,
I 2 HOLLAND
f «« I
HOLLAND
AND
WE ST F R I E SLA N D.
m • *
Extract of thi RefolutUns of tbi Lords the States t^
Holland and ffyifrii/Iandy taJbn in the Affembly oftie^r.
. Noble and Grand migktinejfes^ Thurfday z%tb Marcb^
< ' .
DELIBERATED ^y refumption upon the addrefs
and the ul(»riour addrefs of Mr. Adams, made the
4th of May, 17^19 and the Qtb of januaiy, 17829 to die
ynefident tif the. States General, communicated to the
Al&mbly the 9th M»y« 1781, and the 22d of laft month,
lopreficntbis Jitters of credence, in the name of dieUxiitej
States of America, to their High Mightinefle&; by which
ultcriour addrefs, the faid Mr, Adams hath demanded a
eafaegorical anfweif, that h< ff^ay aoquainf his cfnilituehts
dKreof ; deliberat<^. aUo tipon d^ .'petitions pf a great
Quonbisr of merchant,, maiii/ailurers and other inihabi^
tants of this Pfovinfrfr^' ihter^flfed in commerce to fupport
dleir requeft pcelf jBOjed to the States General, the twentieth
cvrrentt, to the >cndi that efficacious meafures might be
taken to eftabliib a^.-CjOmmefce between this cmmtry and
North America, copy <^ whi/ch petitions have been rgiven
to the members, the jtw^nty-firjl ^ it hath been thought fit
and refolved that the aiFair ihall be directed on the ps^rtof
their noble and grand Mightineifes, at the ailembly of the
States General, and that there ihall be made th^ftrongefl:
inftanccs that Mr. Adams be admitted and acknowledged^
as foon as pofEble, by their High MightineiTes, in qua-
lity of Ambaflador of the United States of America. And
the Counfellor Penfionary hath been charged to inform
uftder hand the faid Mr. Adams of this rcfolution of their
noble and grand Mightineffes.
^ * ZEALAND.
f 69 3
Z E A L A NO.
JEx TRACT $fthf^Rffohtions of jbeir High Ji^^gbttnepi
the States General of the United Provinces^ Mo»4v
Sth April J 1782.
nrH£ Deputies of the Province of Zealand l^^mebroug^
/- to the Ai&mbly, and have cauled to be rpad tbex«^
die refolution of die States of the faid Pipvince* dicy^
principals, to caufe to be admitted, as foon as poffibfa^
Mr. Adams in quali^ of Ambaflador of the Congrels of
North America, according -to the following; lefoliition*
Extract ^^»i the Regifter of ihg ^ffifi^ons <f ibi
Lords the States <f Zealand, /^h of-JpriT^ 4782-
It hath been thought fit and ordcijed, that the Lonbi
flie ordinary Deputies of this Province at the GeneraUty,
ihall be avthorifed, as.it is doije by the prefcnt, to aflMh la
die dircftion of aflrairs at the Affembly qf their High
Mi^tineffcs, in fuch a manner, that Mr. Adams maybe
acknowledged, as foon as poiEble, as Ambaflador of the
Congrefsof North America} that his letters of credence
be accepted ; and that he be admitted in that quality, ac-
cording to the ordinary form \ enjoinyig further upon the
faid Lords the ordinary Deputies, to take fuch propo-
fitions, as fhould be made to tfiis Republic by the faid Mr.
Adams, for the information and' deliberation of their
High Mightineffes, to the end to tranfmit diem here as
foon as poffible. And an cxtradl of this refolution of their
noble Mightinefies (hall be fent to the Ix)rds, their ordi-
nary Deputies, to ferve them as an inftruflion.
Signed
J. M. Chalmers.
Upon which having deliberated, it hath been thought
fit and refolvcd to pray, by the prefent, the Lords the De-
puties of the Province of Guelderland, Utrecht, and
Groningen and Ommelanden, who have not yet explained
diemfelves upon thefubjeft, to be pleafed to do it as foon
as poffible.
OVERYSSELL.
M
C 70 J
OVERYSSEL.
Extract ^aw thi Regifter of the Refolutions of the
Equiftrian Order y and of the Gttes comfofing the States of
OveryffeU ZwoBj ^th Aprils 1782.
R. the grand BailiflF of Saalland, and the other Com-
miffioiSbrs of their noble Mightinefles for the aflfairs
of finance, having examined, conformably to their com-
miflbrial refdution of the third of this monm, the addrefles
of Mr. Adams, communicated to the Aflembly the 4th of
May, 1781, and die aad of Februanr, 1782, to prefcnt
his letters of credence to their High Mightin^s, in die
name of the United States of America ; as wcU as die
lefolution of the Lords the States of Holland and Weft-
friefland, dated the 28th of March, 1782, carried the
20th of the fame month to the Aflembly of their High
Mightinefles, for the admiflion and acknowledgment of
Mr. Adams, have reported to die Aflembly, that they
ihould be of opinion, that the Lords the Depudes of diis
Province in die States General ought to be authorifed and
charged to declare in the Aflembly of their High Mighti-
nefles, that the Equeftrian order and the Cities judge that
it is proper to acknowledge, as foon as pomble, Mr,
Adams in quality of Minifter of the United States of
North America to Aeir High Mightinefles. Upon which,
having deliberated, the Equeftrian order and the Cities
have conformed themfelves to the faid report.
Compared with the aforefaid Regifter.
Signed
Perk Dijnbar*
GRONINGEN,
t 71 ]
GRONINGEN.
Extract from the Regijitr of the Refoluttons of their
noble Mightineffes^ the States of Groningen and Vmme"
landen. Tuefday gth Jprilj 1782.
nnHE Lords the States of Groningen and Ommelanden,
^ having heard the report of the Lords the Conunif-
iioners for the petitions of the Council of State and the
Finances of the Province, and having carefully examined
the demand of Mr. Adams, to prefent his letters of cre-
dence from the United States of America to their High
Mightineiles, have, after deliberation upon the fubjed,
declared themfelves of opinion, that in the critical cir-
cumftances in which the Republic finds itfelf at prefent^
it is proper to take, without lofs of time, fuch efficacious
meafures, as may not only repair the lofles and damages
that the kingdom of Great Britain hath caufed in a
manner fo unjuil, and againft every fhadow of right, to
the commerce of the Republic, as well before as after the
war, but particularly fuch as may eflabliih the free navi-
gation and the commerce of the Republic, for the future,
upon the mofl (olid foundations, as may confirm and re-
alTure it, by the flrongeft bonds of reciprocal intercfl $
and that, in confequence, the Lords the Deputies at the
Aflembly of their High Mightinefles ought to be autfao-
fifed, on the part of the Province, as thejr are by the prc-
fent, to admit Mr. Adams to prefent his letters of cre-
dence from the United States of America, and to receive
the propofitions which he fhall make, to make report of
them to the Lords the States of this Province.
Signed
£. Lewe, Secretary.
The States General, having deliberated the fame day
upon the refolution, h9ve refolved, that the Deputies of
this Province of Guelderland, which has not yet declared
itfelf upon the fame fubject, fhould be rcquefled, to be
plcafed to do it as foon as poiTlblc.
UTRECHT.
t 72 3
UTRECHT.
Extract of the Refolutions of their noble Mightinejffis^ thi
States of the Province of Utrecht^ 10 ^fril 1782.
TJ E ARD the report of Mr. De Wefterveld and other
•*^ deputies of their noble Mightincfles for the depart-
ment of war, who, in virtue ot the commiflbrial refolu*
tions of the 9th of May 1 78 1 > 1 6th January and 20th March
of the prcfcnt year 1782, have examined the refolutions
of their High Mightineffcs of the 4th of May 1781, con-
taining an overture, that Mr. the Prefident ot the Aflembly
of their High Mightinefles had made, ^^ that a perfon
ftvling hlmfelf J. Adams had been with him, and had
^iven him to underftand, that he had received letters ot
credence for their High Mightinefles from the United
States of America, with a requeft, that he would be
pleafed to communicate them to their High MightinefTes ^
as well as the refolucion of dieir Hi^h MightinefTes of the
Qth of January, containing an ultenour overture of Mr.
the Prefident, that the faid Mr. Adams had been with
him, and had infifted upon a categorical anfwer, whether
his (aid letters of credence wouTd be accepted or not i
finally the refolution of their High MightineiTes of the 5th
of March laft, with the infertioa <h the refolution of
f rielland, containing a propofition to admit Mr. Adams
in quality of Minifter of the Congrefs of North America."
Upon which having deliberated, and remarked thaf
the Lords the States of Holland and Weft Friefland, by
their refolution carried the 29th of March to the States
General, have alfo confented to the admiflion of the faid
Mr. Adams in quality of minifter of the Congrefs of
North America, it hath been tboyght fit and refolved,
that the Lords the Deputies of this ProvirKre in the States
General fliould be authorifed, as their noble Mightinefles
authorifc theiti by d^e.prefent, to conform themfelves, in
the name of this Province, to the refolution of the Lords
the States of Holland and Weftfriefland, and of Friefland,
and to coni'ent by confequence, that Mr. Adams be ac-
knowledged
. • ■ ..z-A
t 73 ]
knowJedged and admitted as Minifter of the United States
of America ; their noble Mightineffes being, in 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
Mightineffes upon this fubjei^ in communicating to them,
as much as fliall be neceffary, the reafons which have
induced their High Mightinciics to it, and giving them
the ftrongeft afiiirances that the intention of their High
Mightineffes is by no means to prolong thereby theivar,
which they would have willingly prevented and terminated
long fince ; but on the contrary, that their High Migh-
tinefles wHh nothing v/irh more ardor, than a prompt
re-eftablifhment of peace ; and that they fhall be alwa^'s
ready, on their part, to co-operate in it, in all poifiblc
way?, and with a fuitable readincfs, fo far as that (hall be
any way compatible with their honour and their dignity,
and for this end an cxtraft of this (hall be carried bv
jMiiEvc to the Lords the Deputies at the Genc-^alit}'.
^ \:ii.
C 74 ]
G U E L D E R L A N D.
#
"Extract from the Reces of the ordinary DUt^ boldgn in tl»
Qty ofNimegucn^ in the Month of April 1782. JVe^r
nefdaj^ 17 April 1782.
TPHE rcquifition of Mr. Adams, to prcfcnt his ktters
•*■ of credence to their High Mightineflcs in the name
of the United States of America, having been brought to
the afTembly and read, as well as an ulteriour addre^
made upon this fubje£^, with a demand of a categorical
anfwer by the faid Mr. Adams, more amply mentioned
in the rcgifters of their High Mightineflcs of the date of
the 4th of May 1781, and of the 9th of January 1782;
moreover the refolutions of the Lords the States 01 the
five other provinces, carried fucceffively to the afiembly
of their High Mightineflcs, and all tenaing to admit Mr.
Adams in quality of Ambaflador of the United States of
America to this Republic ; upon which their noble Migh-
tineflcs, after deliberation, have refolved to authorife the
deputies of this Province at the States General, as they
authorife them by the prefent, to conform themfelves in
the name of this Province to the refolution of the Lords
the States of Holland and Weftfriefland, and to confent,
by confequcnce, that Mr. Adams may be acknowledged
and admitted in quality of Ambaflador of the United States
of America to this Republic. In confequence, an extra6^
cf the prcfcnt (hall be fent to the faid Deputies, to make as
foon as poiTible the requifitc overture of it to the aflfembly
of their High Mightineflcs.
In fidem extra£li.
Signed
J. In de Betouw.
TH£
\ -
s^Sj
tn r
THE
STATES GENERAL.
ExTR ACTyr^;« the Regtjicr of the J^efoluUoris of their High
Mightineffes the States Gefieral of the United -Provinces^
Friday 19 Apri!,^ 1782.
lr\ELIBERATED by refumptionj lipon J:he addrefe
^^ and the ulteriour addrds^.made by Mr. Adams the
4th of May 1781^ and the 9th of January of the current
year to Mr. tiie Prefident of the Aflembly of their High
Mightinefles, to prefent to their High Mightineffes hi§
letters of credence in the name of the United States of
North America j and by which ulteriour addrefs the faid
Mr. Adams hath demanded a categorical ai;ifwer^ to the
end to be able to acquaint liis ConftitueAt§ thereof 5 it hath
been thought fit and tefolved, that Mr. Adams fball be
admitted and acknowledged in quality of Ambaffador of
the United States of North America to their High
Mightineffes, as he is admitted and acknowledged by the
prefent.
. Stoned
W. B O' & E $ L, Prefident.
Lotver dswn
Compared with the aforefaid Regiften
Signed .
H, F A G E L«
K 2 Extract
[ 76 ]
Extract frt
KTTiXCr from the Rcgifter of the Refoluthfis of their
High Mighthitjps the States General of tht Unhtd Pre-
vincesj Monday ^ 7,1(1 Afril^ 1782.
M
R. B O R EE L, who prcfidcd in the Aflcmbly the
laft week, hath reported to then: High Mlghtincfit-,
and notified to them, that Mr John Adams, Ambafiador tu
the United States of America, had been with him la!t
Saturday, and prefented to him a letter from the Aflembiy
of Congrefs, written at Philadelphia, the firft of January,
1 78 1, containing a credence, for the faii Mr. Adam.",
to the end to refidc in quality of its Miiiiftcr Plenipoten-
tiary near their Hrgh Mightinefles : Upon which ha\ iiig
deliberated, it hath been thought fit and refolved, to de-
clare by the prefent: " That the faid Mr. Adams is
*• agreeable to their High Mightinefles \. that he fhail
*' be acknowledged in quality of Minifter Plenipotentiar> j
•' and that there fliall be granted to him an audience,
**"or afligiied Commiffioners, when he fhall demand it/*
Information of the above Ihall be given to tlie faid Mr^
Adams, by the Agent van der Burch de Spicring^^oek,
Signed
W. VAN CiTTERS, Prefident,
Lower down
Compared with the aforefaid Regiften
Signed
H. FAG£t*
MEDAL,
t 77 3
M ED A L.
To THE NOBLE AND MIGHTY LoRDS, TKS StAI ?$
Or FRI£SLAr:D,
T[^HE Society of Citizens, eftabliflied at Leenv/^irJcn,
-*" under the motto, '^ By Liberty and Zcaj,'' tto^I
humbly reprefents, that it defires to hnvc an opportunity
of teftifying publicly, by fefts, to your nohlc Mi^hcj-
nc/Tes, the moft lively, but, at the iamc time, the mo'l:
refpc^tful (entiments ol gratitude, v.'hich not only animuitc
them, but alfo, as they afiure thcmfelves, all the v/lH
intentioned Citizens, efpccially, with relarion to tiic
refolutions equally important, and full of wiixlom^ which
your noble Mightinefles have taken upon all the pointy^
in regard to which the critical circumCaiKres, in which
our dear country finds itf^f plunged, have furnifctrd to
your noble Mightinefles, objects equally nusnerods ami
difagreeable, particularly, at the ordinary Diet of rhe vci.r
I732» and at the extrardinary Diet holdcn in the mautn.
of April laft ; refolutions which bear not only the cha-
raSers of wifdom, but alfo tholb of the beft ijtentionL^J
folicitude, and the pureft love of our country ; and whicA
prove, in the moft convincing manner, that yonf noble
Mightinefles have no greater ambition than its univerCJ
profperity; afliduoufly propofing to yourfclves, as the
moft important objedl of your attention, of your cnter-
prifes, and of your attachment, the rule, Sa/as Pcpuu
fuprema Lex ejlo \ refolutions, in fine, whicli ought per-
tct^ly to re-aflure the good Citizens of this J-'ro'.ijict-,
and encourage them to perfevere in that ftiU and tranquil
confidence which has hindered them from reprefentin*'-
to your noble MightinefTes the true interefts of th'^
country, and to exhort them, at the fame time, by their
fupplications, to ?& with courage, and to fulfil their du--
ties ^ confidering that the laid refolutions have fullr uf
t 78 ]
fured them, that their pofTeffions, with that which i&
above all thiiigs dear to them, their Liberty (that right
which is more precious to them than their lives ; to
which the fmallcft injury cannot be done, without doing
wrong and diftionour to humanity; a right, neverthe-
lefs, which, if we confidcr the world in general, has been,
alas ! almoft every where equally violated) are depofited
in fafety, under the vigilant eye of your noble Might I-
nefles.
Hie Society has thought that it might accomplifh
its wifhcs, in the molt convenient and decent manner,
in caufing to be ftricken, at its expence, a Medal of
filvcr, which may remain to poller ity a durable monu-
ment of the perfect harmony which at the prefent dan-*'
gerous epoch has reigned between the government and
the people. It has conceived, for this purpofe, a (ketch
or project, as yet incomplete, according to which one
of the fides of the Medal fliould bear the Arms of Frief-^
land, held by an hand, which defcends from the clouds,
with an infer! ption in the rdlowing terms : To the States
ef Frlcjlandy in grateful Memory cf the Diets of February
and of Aprils 1782, dedicated by the Society Liberty
AND Zeal. An infcription, which would thus con*
tain a general applaufc of all the refolutions taken in
thefe two Diets j whilft upon the reverfe, one fbould
diftinguilh, more particularly, the two events which
intercft the moft our common country, in regard of
which your noble Mightinefles have given the example
to the States of the other Provinces, and which merit,
for this reafon, as placed in the foremoft fituation, to
fhew itfelf the moft clearly to the fight : to wit, " The
Qdmifiion of Mr. Adams in quality of Minifter of the
United States of America to this Republic ; and the re-
fufal of a feparate peace with Great Britain." Events
which fhould be reprefentcd fymbolically by a Frifian,
drefled according to the anvient characteriftic cuftom
of the Frifians, holding out his right-hand to an inha-
bitant of North America, in token of friendfhip ajad
brotherly love ; whilft with the left-hand he rejette the
peace which'England offers him. The whole with fuch
convenient additions, and fymbolical ornaments, which
the
C 79 ]
the Society, perhaps, would do well to leave to' the ih^
vention of the medalift, &c,
[The remainder cf this requejl relates to other fuhjeSisJy
Done at Leeuwardcn the 8th May, 1782.
The Society " By Liberaty aud Zeai./*
^.Signed at its requejt
W, WOPKENS,
in the ahfence of the Secretarfi
AKT
1
• 2
^ . ■ ■ <:.■». - vij
• ^
\ N
E S SAY
O N
Canon and Feudal Law<
By JOHN ADAMS,
AMBASSADOR PLENIPOTENTIARY
I
T R M T H X
United and Independent States of
North America,
TO T R K X A
High Mightiness the States General of
THE United Provinces of Holland*
A N
ESSAY
O N
Canon and Feudal Law/
" TGNORANGE and inconfideration, are the two
A great caufes of the riiin of mankind." — This is an
obfervation of Dr. Tillotforiy with relation to the intcrcft
of his fellow-men, in a future and immortal ftate : But
it is of equal truth and importance, if applied to the hap-
pinefs of meii in fdciety, on this fide the grave. — In th6
earlieft ages of the world, ahfoluie Monarchy feems to
have been the univerfal form of government. -— • Kinfi:s,
and a few of their great counfellors and captains, exer-
cifed a cruel tyranny over the people who held a rank in
the fcale of intelligcriCe, in thofe days, but little higher
than the camels and elephants, that carried them and their
engines to war.
Bv what caufes it was brought to pafs, that the people
in tne middle ages, became more intelligent in general,
would not perhaps be poflible in thefe days to difcovcr :
But the fa<^ is certain, and wherever a general knowledge
and fenfibility have prevailed among the people, arbitrary
government and every kind of oppreffion have leffened
and difappeared in proportion! — Man has certainly an
Exalted foul ! and the fame principle in human nature ;
that afpiring noble principle, founded in benevolence and
cheriftied by knowledge ; I mean the love of power,
which has been fo often the caufe oi Jlavery^ has, when-
ever freedom has exifted, been the caufe of freedom. If
it is this principle, that has always prompted the princes
L \ and
E 84 I
and nobles of the earth, by every fpccies of firaud and
violence, to (hake off all the limitations of their power j
it is the fame that has always ftimulated the common
people to afpire at independency, and to endeavour at
confining the power of the great, within the limits of
equity and reafom
The poor people, it is true^ have been much lefs fuc-
* cefsfiil than the great — 'They have feldom found either
leifure or opportunity to form an union and exert their
ftrength-r-ignorant as they were of arts and letters, they
have feldom been able to frame and fupport a regular op-
pofition. This, however, has been known^ by the great,
to be the temper of mankind, and they have accordingly-
laboured, in all ages^ to wrefb from the populace, as they
;are contemptuoufly called, the knowledge of their rights
and wrongs, and the power to aflert the former or redref^
the latter. I fay Rights, for fuch they have, undoubt-
edly, antecedent to all earthly government — Rights^ that
cannot be repealed or reftrained by human laws — RigbtSy
derived from the great Legiflator erf the univerfe.
Since the promulgation of chijiftianity, the two greateft
fyftems of tyranny, that have fprung from this original^
arc the cannon and the feudal law — ^The defire of domi -
nion, that great principle by which we have attempted
to account for fo much good, and fo much evil, is. when
properly reftrained, a very ufeful and noble movement in
the human mind : but when fuch reftraints are taken ofiv
\t becomes an encroaching, grafping, reftlefs and un-
governable power. Numberkfs have been the fyftems of
iniquity, contrived by the great, for the gratification of
this paffion in themfclves^. but in none of mem were they
ever more fucce&fql, than in the invention and eftablifh-
ment of the canan and th^ feudal law.
By the former of thefe, the moft refihed, fublime, ex-
tfcnfive, and aftonifhing conftitution of policy, that ever
was conceived by the mind of man, was framed by the
Romifh clergy for the aggrandifement of their own order#
All the epithets I have here given to the Romifh policy
are juft ; and will be allowed to* be fo, when it is coiv-
lidered, that they even perfuaded mankind to believe^,
faithfully and undoubtingly, that God Almighty had in-
trufted them with the keys of heaven,, whofe gates they
f 8s 3
might open and clofe at pleafure-^with a power of difpetv-
(ation over all the rules and obligations of morality —
with authority to licenfe all forts of fins and crimes —
with a power of depofmg princes, and abfolving fubjefls
from jdkgiance — with a power of procuring or with-
holding the rain of heaven, and the beams of the fun—
with the management of earthquakes, peftilence and fa^ '
mine. ^Nay, with the myfterious, awful, incomprehen-
fible power of creating out of bread and wine, the flefli
and' blood of God himfelf.-^AU thefe opinions they were
enabled to fpread and rivet among the people, by redu-
cing their minds to a ftate of fordid ignorance ana ftaring
timidity ; and by infufing into them a religious horror of
letters and knowledge. Thus was human nature chained
£aft forages, in a cruel, ihameful, and deplorable fervid
tude, to him and his fubordinate tyrants ; who, it was
foretold, would exalt himfelf above all that was called
' God, and that was worfliipped.
In the latter we find another (Vftem fimilar in many
refpefls to the former ; which, although it was originally
formed perhaps for the neceflary defence of a barbarous
people, againft the inroads and invaiions of her neigh-
bouring nations ; yet, for the fame purpofes of tyraimy,
cruelty and luft, which had di£bted the canon law, it. was
foon adopted by almoft all the Princes of Europe, and
wrought into the conftitutions of their government. — Ir
was originally a code of laws, for a vaft army ih a per-
petual encampment. — The general was invefted with the
fovereign propriety of all the lands within the territory. — •
Of him, as his fervants and vafials, the firft rank of his
great officers held the lands ; and in the fame manner^^
the other fubordinate officers held of them ; and all ranks
.and degrees, held their lands, by a variety of duties ancf
fervices, ail tending to bind the chains the fafter, on
every order of mankind. In this manner, the commoir
people were holden together, in herds and clans, in a ftate
of fervile dependance on their Lords; bound, even by
the tenure of their lands to follow them, whenever they
commanded, to their wars ; and in a ftate of total igno-
rance of every thing divine and human, excepting^ the ufe
of arms^ and the culture of their }ands.
But,
r 86 ]
6ut, Another event ftill more calamitous to humnn li-
berty, was a wicked confederacy, hetVv<?en the two fyiir'
terns of tyranny above dcfcribed. — ^It feems to have betn
even llipulatcd between them^ that tlie temporal grandees
ihould contribute every thing in iheir power to maintain
the afcendcncy of the prietthood ^ and that the fpiritual
grandees, in their turn, (hould cniploy that afcendency
over the confcienccs of the people, in impreffing on their
minds, a blind, implicit obedience to civil magiftracy. —
Thus, as long as this confederacy laftcd, and the peo-
ple were held in ignorance ; Liberty, and with • her,
knowledge, and virtue too, feem to have deferted the
cartii ; and one age of darknefs fucceeded another, till
God, in his benign Providence, raiied up the champions,
who began and condudted the Reformation. — From the
•time of the Reformation, to the firft fettlement of Amcr
rica, knowledge gradually fpread in Europe, but efpcci-
ally in England ; and in proportion as that increafed and
fpread among the people, ecclefiaftical and civil tyranny,
which 1 ufe as fynonymous expreflions, for the canon and
feudal laws, fccm to have loft their ftrength and weight.
The people grcv7 more and more fenfible of the wrong
thiit was done them, by thefe fyftems ; more and more
impatient under it ; and determined at all hazards to rid
themfelves of it ; till, at laft, under the execrable race of
the Stuarts, the ftruggle between the people and the
confederacy aforcfaid of temporal and fpiritual tyranny,
becam6 formidable, violent and bloody.-
It was this great ftruggle tliat peopled America.^ — It
Y/as not religion alone, as is commonly fuppofed ; but it
wa*s a love of univerfal liberty, and an hatred, a dread,
an horror of the infernal confederacy before defcribed,
that projefted, conducted, and accompliflied the fettle-
ment of Americaf.
It Vv'as a refolution formed by a fenfible people, I mean
the Puritans almoft in defpair. They had become intel-
ligent in general, and many of them learned.-— For this
fait 1 have the teftimony of Archbifliop King himlelf,
who obferved of that people, that they were more in-
telligent, and better read than even the members of the
church whom he cenfures warmly for that reafon* — This
people had bepn fa ve3Cgd, and tortured by the Jyowers of
thofe
. [ 87 3
thofe days, for no other crime than their knowledge, and
their freedom of enquiry and examination ; and they had
fo much reafon to defpair of deliverance from thofe mife-
ries on that fide the ocean, that they at laft refolved to
fly to the wildernefs for refuge, fram the temporal and
ipiritual principalities and powers, and plagues, and
fcourges of their native country.
After their arrival here, they began their fettlement,
and formed their" plan both of ecclefiaftical and civil go-
vernment, in direct oppofition to the (anon and t\i^ feudal
fyftcms. The leading men among them, both of the
clergy and the laity were men of fcnle and learning : To
many of them, the hiftorians, orators, poets and philo-
sophers of Greece and Rome were quite familiar : and
fomc of them' have left libraries that are ftill in being,
confifting chiefly of volumes, in which the wifdom of
the moft enlightened ages and nations is depofited, writ-
ten however in languages, which tiieir great grandfons,
though educated in European Univerfiticsj can fcajcely
rcadl
Thus accompliflied" were many of the firft planters of
thefe colonies. It may be thought polite and fafliionable,
by many modern fine gentlemen, perhaps, to deride the
charafters of thefe. perlbns as enthufialHcal, fuperftitious
and republican : But fuch ridicule is founded in nothing *
but foppery and affectation, and is grofly injurious and
falfe. Religious to fome degree of enthufiafm, it may
be admitted they were ; but this can be no peculiar dero-
gation from their chara6ter, becaufe it was at that time
iiimoft the univerfal chara£ter, not only of England but
of Chriftendom, Had this hcTwever been other wife, their
enthufiafm, confidering the principles in which it was
founded, and the ends to which it was direfted, far from
being a reproach to them, was greatly to their honour :
for I believe it will be found universally true, that no
great entefprize, for the honour or happinefs of mankind,
was ever atchieved without a large mixture of that noble
infirmity. Whatever imperfections may be juftly afcribed
try them, which however are as few as any mortals have
difcovered, their judgment in framing their policy was
founded in wife, humane and benevolent principles. It
was founded in revelation and in reafon too : Jt was
confiAeat
[ 88 ]
confiftent with the principles of the bcft, and greatcft,
and wifeft legeflators of antiquity.— —Tyranny in every
ferm, ihape and appearance, was their diidain and abhor-
rence ; no fear of punifhment, nor even of death itfelf,
in exquifite tortures, had been fufiicient to conquer that
fleady, manly, pertinacious fpirit, with which they had
oppoicd the tyrants of thofe days, in church and ftatc.
They were very ht from being enemies to monarchy ;
and they knew as well as any men, the jufl regard aiki
honour that is due to the charader of a-difpenfer of the
inyftcrics of the gofjxl of grace : But they faw clearly,
that popular powers muft be placed as a guard, a con-
troul, a balance, to the powers of the monarch and the
prieft in every government ; or elfe it would foon be*
come the man of hn, the whore of Babylon, the myftcry
of iniquity, a great and deteftable fyllem of fraud, vio-
lence and ufurpation. Their greatell concern feems to
have been to eftablifti a government of the church more
confiftent with the Scriptures, and a government of the
jlate more agreeable to the dignity of human nature, than
any they had feen in Europe : and to tranlmit fuch a go-
yernment down to their pofterity, with the means of
iecuring and prefcrving it for ever. To render the po-
pular power in their new government as great and wife
as their principles of theory, i. e. as human nature and
the chriftian religion require it fhould be, they en-
deavoured to remove from it as many of the feudal in-
equalities and dependencies as could oe fpored, confift-
ently with the prefervation of a mild limited monarchy.
And in this they difcovered the depth of their wifdom,
and the warmth of their friendihip to human nature.-—
But the firft place is due to religion. — "—They faw dearly,
that of all the nonfenfe and deiuiion which had ever pafled
dirough the mind of man, none had ever been more ex-
travagant than'the notions of abfolutions, indelible cha-*
ra£ters, uninterrupted fucceffions, and the reft of thofe
fentaftical ideas, derived from the canon law> which
had thrown fuch a glare of myftery, fan£tity, reverence
and right, reverend eminence, and holinefs around the
idea of a prieft, as no mortal could defcrve* and as al-
wa}'s muft, from the conftitution of humali nature, be
dangerous in fociety. For this reafon, they demdiflied
the
[ 89 J
the whole fyftem of Diocefan cpifcopacy, and deriding,
as ail rcaibnabie and impartial men mul^ do, the ridicu-
lous fancies of fitndiAed effluvia firom epiicopal niigers,
they cftabliihed facerdotal ordination on the foundation ot
the Bible and common (enfe. This coiuluvt at once
impofed an obligation on the whole body of the clergy*
to induftry, virtue, piety and learning ; and rendered that
whole body inhnitely more iridependcnt on the civil
powers, in all refpccts, than they could be where they
were formed into a fcale of fubordi nation, from a Voyic
down to Priefts and friars and confeflbrs, neceflfarily and
ellentially, a ibrdid, ftupid, and wretched herd ; or than
they cotdd be in any other country, where an archbifhop
held the place of an univerfal biihop, and the vicars and
curates that of the ignorant, dependent, mifcrable rabble
^orefaid ; and infinitely more fenfible and learned than
they could be in either. This fubjedt has been feen in
the fame light by many illuftrious patriots, who have lived
in America, fmce the daj's of our forefathers, and wlio
have adored their memory for the fame reafon. ■ And
roethinks there has not appeared in New England, a
ftronger veneration for their memory, a more penetrating
infight into the grounds and principles and fpirit of their
policy, nor a more earneft defire of perpetuating the blef-
"iings of it to pofterity, than that fine inilitution of the
late Chief Juttice Dudley, of a Icfture againft popery,
acd on the validity of prefbyterian ordination. This was
certainly intended by that wife and excellent man, as an
eternal memento of the wifdom and goodnefs of the very
principles that fettled America. But I muft again return
to the feudal law. The adventurers fo often men-
tioned, had an utter contempt of all that dark ribaldry
of hereditary indefeafible right, — the Lord's anointed,-—
and the divine miraculous original of government, with
which the priciUiood had inveloped the feudal monarch
in clouds and myfteries, and from whence they had de-
duced the moft mifchievous of all do<!lrines, that of paf-
five obedience and non-refiftance- They knew that go-
vernment was a plain, fimple, intelligible thing, founded
in nature and reafon, and quite comprehenfible by com-
mon fenfe. ^Thcy dctcftcd all the bafe fervices, and
fervile dependencies of the feudal fyftem.— They knew
chat no fuch unworthy dependencies took place in the.
M ancient
L 90 ]
ancient feats of libcrtv, the republic of Greece and
Rome : and thev thou[rht all fuch flavifli fuborrlinations
v/ere equally inconiiil'jnt with the conilitution of liuman
nature, aiid that rd'iiic.us liberty ^vith which Jcfus had
made thcin free. This was certainly the opinion they
had forrr.'.'.', ,:j '. :■-. v v.*. re f?.r from bcinir fin'jular or cx-
travatiant in ihinivu ; .. ..-;iii>' C(-il..:.' .: :.■ '.'.rn
writers in Europe have tfpoufed thie fame icntiir.tnw. —
Lord Kaims, a bccttifh v/riter of great reputation, whofc
authority in this cafe ou^ht to have \\v: !•::;:_■ wci^^ht,
as his countrymen have not the moft worthy ideas of li-
berty, fpcuking of the feudal law, fays, " A conftitution
fo contradictory to all the principles which govern man-
kind, can nrvcr be brought about, one fliould imagine,
but by foreign conqueft or native ufurpations." Brit.
Ant. p. 2. — Rouffeau fpeaking of the fame fyftem, calls
it, '' That molt iniquitous and abfurd form of govern-
ment, by which human nature was fo fhamefuUy degrad-
ed." Social compact, Page 164. It would be eafy
to multiply authorities ; but it muft be needlefs, bccaufe
as the original of this form of government was among
favages, as the fpirit of it is military and defpotic, every
writer, who would allow the people to have any right to
life or property or freedom, more than the beail^s of the
field, and who was not hired or inlifted under arbitrary
lavvlefs power, has been always willing to admit the feu-
dal fyftem to be inconfiftent with liberty and the rights
of mankind.
To have holden their lands allodially, or for every man
to have been the fovereign lord and proprietor oF the
ground he occupied, would have conftituted a govern-
ment, too nearly like a commonwealth. — They were
contented, therefore, to hold their lands of their King, as
their fovereign lord, and to him they were willing to ren-
der homage : but to no mefne and fubordinate lords, nor
were they willing to fubmit to any of the bafet fervices. —
In all this thev were fo ftrenuous, that they have even
tranfmitted to their pofterity, a very general contempt and
deteftation of holdings by quit rents : As they have alfo
an hereditary ardour for liberty, and thirft for know-
ledge. —
rhey were convinced by their knowledge of human
nature derived from hiftoryand their own cxpericrtce, that
nothing
[ 91 3
nothings could prefer ve their pofteri ty from the encroach-
ments of the two fyftems of tyranny, in oppofition to
which, as has been obferved already, they ei;e£l:ed their
government in church and ftate, but knowledge diiFufed
generally through the whole body of the people. — Their
civil and religious principles, ther^ore, confpired to
prompt them to ufe every meafure, and take every precau-
tion in their power to propagate and perpetuate know-
ledge. For tiiis purpofe they laid very early the founda-
tions of colleges, and invefted them with ample privileges
and emoluments j and it is remarkable, that they have left
among their pofterity, fo univerfal an afFe(Sion and vene-
ration for thofe feminaries, and for liberal education, that
the meaneft of the people contribute chearfully to the fup-
port and maintenance of them every year, and that no-
thing- is more generally popular than productions for the
honour, reputation, and advantage of thofe feats of learn-
ing. But the wifdom and benevolence of our fathers
refted not here* They made an early provifion by law,
^that every town, confuting of fo many families, fhould he
always furnilhed with a grammar fchool. — They made it
a crime for fuch a town to be deftitute of a grammar
fchool-mafter for a few months, and fubjefled .it to a^i
heavy penalty.— So that the education of all ranks of
people was made the care and expence of the public in a
manner^ that I believe has been unknown to any other
people ancient or modern.
The confequcnces of thefe eftablifhments we fee and
feel every day. — A native of America who cannot read
and write, is as rare an appearance as a Jacob ite^ or a Ro-
man Catholic, i. e. as rare as a comet or an earthquake. —
It has been obferved, that we are all of us lawyers, di-
vines, politicians, and philofophcrs.-: — And I have good
authorities to fay^ that all candid foreigners who have
pafled through this country, and converlbd freely with all
forts of people here, will allow, that they have never feen
fo much knov/lcdge and civility among the common peo-
ple in any part or the world. — It is true there has been
among us a party for feme years, confifting chiefly, not of
the defendants of the firft iettlers of this country, but pf
high churchmen and high ftatefmen, imported fince, who
aft'e«5t to cenfure tins provifion for the education of our
vouth as a aecdlefs expence, and an impofition upon the
JM 2 rich
rich in favour of the poor ; — and as an inftitution pro-
du£livc of idlenefs and vain fpeculation among the people,
whofc time and attention, it is faid, ought to be devoted to
labour, and not to public affairs, or to examination into
the conduft of their fuperiors. And certain officers of
the crown, and certain other miffionaries of ignorance,
foppery, fervihty, and flavcry, have been moft inclined to
countenance and encreafe the fame par^. — Be it remem-
bered, however, that liberty muft at all hazards be fup-
portcd. If^e have a right to ity derived from our Maker !
But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought
it for us at the expence of their eafe, their eftates, their
pleafure, and their blood. — And Liberty cannot be pre-
fcrved without a general knowledge among the people,
who have a right, from the frame of their nature, to
knowledge, as their great Creator, who does nothing in
vain, has given them underftandings and a defirc to know ;
but befides this they have a right, an indifputable, unaliena-
ble, indefeafible, divine right, to that moft dreaded and
envied kind of knowledge, I mean of the charafters and
conduct of their rulers. Riders are no more than attor-
niesy agents^ and trujiees for the people : and if the
caufe, the intereft, and truft are infidioufly betrayed, or
wantonly trifled away, the people have a right to revoke
the authority that they themfelves have deputed, and to
conftitute abler and better agents, attornies, and truftees.
And the prefervation of the means of knowledge, among
the loweft rank, is of more importance to the public, than
all the property of all the rich men in the country. It is
even of more confequence to the rich themfelves, and to
their pofterity. — The only queftion is, whether it is a pub-
lic emolument? and if it is, the rich- ought undoubtedly
to contribute in the fame proportion as to all other public
burdens, i. e. in proportion to their wealth, which is fe-
cured by public expences. — But none of the means of in-
formation are more facred, or have been cheriflied with
more tenderncfs and care by the fettlers of America, than
the prcfs. Care has been taken that the art of printing
fliould be encouraged, and that it fhould be eafy and
cheap, and fafe for any perfon to communicate his
thoughts to the Public. — And you, Meflieurs Printers,
whatever the tyrants of the earth may fay of your Paper,
have done important fervice to your country, by your
readinef^
I "
■ ' • - • : « '
•
[ 93 ]
readinefs and freedom in publifhin^ the fpeculation«i of the
curious. The ftale, impudent inhnuations of fiander and
fedition, with which the gormandizers cf power have en-
deavoured to difcredit your Paper, are fo much the more
to your honour ; for the jaws of power are always opened
to devour, and her arm is always ftretched out, if poflible
to deftroy, the freedom of thinking, fpeaking, and writ-
ing. — And if the public intereft, liberty and happineis
have been in danger, from the ambition or avarice of any
great man, or number of great men, whatever may be
their politenefs, addrefs, learning, ingenuity, and in other
refpedts integrity and humanity, you have done yourfclvcs
honour, and your country fervice, by publifliing and
pointing out that avarice and ambition. — Thefe views arc
fo much the more dangerous and pernicious, for the vir-
tues with which they may be accompanied in the fame
charafter, and with fo much the more watchful jealoufy to
be guarded againft,
'^ Curfe on fuch virtues, they've undone their country.'*
Be not intimidated^ therefore^ by any terrors^ from
publijbing with the iitmcjl freedom whatever can le tum-^
ranted by the la^ius of your country ; nor frffer yourjelvct
to be wheedled out if your liberty by any pretences of po--
litenefsy delicacy^ or decency. Thcfe, as they are oftea
ufed, are but three different names for hypocrify, chica-
nery, and cowardice. Much lefs, I prefuine, will you be
difcouraged by any pretences, that malignants on this fide
the water * will reprefent your Paper as factious and fedi-
tious, or that the Great on the other fide the water will
take offence at them. This dread of reprefentation has
had for a long time in this province effedls very fimilar to
what the phyficians call an hydrophobia^ or dread of water.
— It has made us delirious — and we have rufhed hcadlons:
into the water, till wc are almoft drowned, out of fimple
or phrenfical fear of it. Believe me, the character of this
country has fuffered more in Britain, by the jmfdlanimity
with which we have borne many infults and indignities
from the creatures of power at home, and the creatures of
thofe creatures here, than it ever did, or ever will by the
freedom and fpirit that has been or will be difcovered in
writing or adion. Believe me, my countrymen, they
* Boflon in America.
have
kK
C ^ ]
have imbibed an opinion on the other fide the wafer, that
we are an ignorant, a timid, and a ftupid people ; nay, their
tools on this fide have often the impudence to difpute your
bravery.— But I hope in God the time is near at hand,
^en they will be ftiUy convinced of your underftanding,
integrity, and courage. But can any thing be more ridi-
culous, were it not too provoking to be laughed at, than
to pretend that offence ihould be taken at home for writ-
ings here ? — Pray let them look at home. Is not the hu-
man underftanding exhaufted there? Are not rcafon,
imaginations, wit, paflion, fcnfes and all, tortured to find
out fatire and invedive againft the charafters of the vile
and futile fellows who fometimes get into place and
power ? — The moft exceptionable paper that ever I faw
here is perfedt prudence and modefty, in comparifon of
multitudes of their applauded writings. Yet the high
regard they have for the freedom of the Prefs, indulges
all. — I muft and will repeat it, Newfpapers deferve the pa-
tronage of every friend to his country. And whether the
defame rs of them are arrayed in robes of fcarlet or fable,
whether they lurk and ficulk in an infurance office, whether
theyalTume the venerable charafter of a prieft, the fly one
of a fcri verier, or the dirty, infamous, abandoned on« of
an informer, they are all the creatures and tools of the
luft of domination.
Tlie true fourcc of our fufFerings, has been our timi-
dity.
We have been afraid to think.— We have felt a re-
luctance to examining into the grounds of our privileges,
and the extent in which we have an indifputable right to
demand them, againft all the power and authority on
earth, — And many who have not fcrupled to examine for
themfelves, have yet, for certain prudent reafons, been cau-
tious, and diffident of declaring the refult of their en-
quiries.
The caufe of this timidity is perhaps hereditary, and to
be traced back in hiftory, as far as the cruel treatment the
firft fettlers of this country received, before their em-
barkation for America, from the government at home. —
Every body knows how dangerous it was, to fpeak or
write in fevour of any thing, in thofe days, but the tri-
umphant fyftem of religion and politicks. And our
fathers were, particulaily, the objects of die perfecutions
and
[ 95 ]
and profcriptions of the times, — It is not unlikely there-
fore, that, although they were inflexibly fteady in refufing
their pofitive affent to any thing againft their principles,
they might have contradted habits cf refer ve, and a cau-
tious diffidence of aflerting their opinions publicly. —
Thefe habits they probably brought with them to Ame-
rica, and have tranfmitted down to us.-^Or, we may pof-
fibly account for this appearance, by the great afreftion
and veneration, Americans have always entertained for
the country from whence they fprang — or by the quiet
temper for which they have been remarkable, no country
having been lefs difpofed to difcontent than this — or by a
fenfe they have that it is their duty to acquiefce under the
adminiftration of government, even when in many fmaller
matters grievous to them, and until the efientials of the
great compadl are deftroyed or invaded. Thefe peculiar
caufes might operate upon them ; but without thcfe, we
all know, that human nature itfelf, from indolence, mo-
defty, humanity or fear, has always too much relud:anc^
to a manly affcrtion of its rights. Hence perhaps it has
happened, that nine-tenths of the fpecies, are groaning
and gafping in mifery and fervitude.
But whatever the caufe has been, the h& is certain,
we have been cxceflively cautious of giving ofFence by
complaining of grievances. And it is as certain, that
American governors, and their friends, and all the crown
officers, have availed themfelves of this difpofition in the
people. — They have prevailed on us to confent to many
things, which were grofsly injurious to us, and to furrcn-
der many others with voluntary tamenefs, to which we
had the cleared right. Have we not been treated for-
merly, with abominable infolence, by officers of the
navy ? — »-I mean no infinuation againft any gentleman
now on this ftation, having heard no complaint of any one
of them to his diflionour. — Have not fome generals, from
England, treated us like fervants, nay, more like flaves
than like Britons ? — rHave we not been under the moft
ignominious contribution, the moft abje£l fubmiffion, the
moft fupercilious infults of fome cuftom-houfe officers ?
Have we not been trifled with, browbeaten, and trampled
on, by former governors, in a manner which no King of
England fmce James the Second has dared to indulge to-
wards his fubjefts f Have we not raifed up one family,
placed
[ 96 ]
platTCu In their, nn uiilimitL J confidence, and been foothed,
a;u! f*.utcrcv!, and intimidated by their influence, into a
i.:rci-t r::rt of thi< infamous tamencfs and fubmifiion ?
*' T'.cfc arc Icrioiis and alarming queftions, and deferve a
Jirpalliouatc confidfration." —
t'hii difpolkion has been the great wheel and the main
fprinj^ iji the American machine of court politics. — We
ha\o b»_n tcid, thr^t " the word Rights is an oSenfive
cxprLmon/' That " the King, his Miniftrj', and f*ar-
lia.r.cnt, will not endure to hear Americans talk of their
Ji:'..[:s.'* Thr^t " Britain is the mother and we the chil-
drer., thr*r ?. nlin^ duty and fubmiflion is due from us to
her,' and that " wc out ht to doubt our own judgment,
and prrflime that Vac is right, even when (he feems to us
to (iivXL the fou^^.uVitions rt government." That ** Bri-
tain is inmienil'ly rich, and great, and powerful, has fleets
anu i:rmics- r.t her command, which have been the dread
and terror of the iiiiiverfe, and that Ihe will force her own
^;?d';-:r.'>nr ir.tr, execution, right or wrong." But let me
intreat you, S'r, to paufe — Do you coniider yourfelf as a
mifllonary orio,.ilt; or of rebellion ? Are you not repre-
lenting your K — , his Miniftry and Parliament, as t\Tants,
iTipcrious, unrelenting tyrants, by fuch rcafoning as this?
— Is not this rci'icicnting your moil: grrxio'us Sovereign,
as endeavouring to deftroy the founviations of his c\?n
throne r — Are you not reprefenting every Member of
Parliament as renouncing the tranfavTiions at Run^n Meed \
[the meadow, nenr Windfor, where Afagna Charta was
figned,] and as repealing in effect the bill of rights, when
the J.orJs and Commons aflerted and vindicntecl the rights
f)f the people and their own rights, and infilled on the
KinQ.'£ aiTent to that afiertion and vindication? Do vcu
not reprefent them, as forgetting that the Prince of
Orange was created King William by the People, on pur-
pcfc that their rights might be eternal and inviolable ? —
iS there not fomething extremely fallacious, in the com-
mon place imiige? of mother coimtry and children colo-
nies ? Are v/e the children of Great Bntain, anv more
than the cities of London, Exeter and Bath ? Are we not
brethren and fellov -!ubie&, with thofe in Britain, only
under a fomewhat different mxthod of legiflation, and 4
totally different method of taxation ? But admitting we
are children, have- not children a fight to complain wheii
their
[ 97 3
their parents are attempting to break their limbs, to admi*
nifter poifon, or to fell them to enemies for (laves ? Let
rne intreat you to coniider, will the -mother be pleafed,
when you reprefent her as deaf to the cries of her chil-
dren ? When you compare her to the infamous mif-
creant, who lately ftood on the gallows for ftarving her
child ? When you refemble her to Lady Macbeth in
Shakefpear, (I cannot think of it without horror)
Who ^' had given fuck, and knew
" How tender 'twas to love the babe that milk'd her.'*
But yet, who could
*^ Even while 'twas fmiling in her face,
*' Have pluck'd her nipple from the bonelefs gums,
" And dafli'd the brains out,"
Let us banifli for ever from our minds, my countrymen^,
all fuch unworthy ideas of the K — g, his Miniftry, and
Parliament, Let us not fuppofe, that all are become
luxurious, effeminate and unreafonable, on the other fide
the water, as many defigning perfons would infmuate.
Let us prefume, what is in faa: true, that the fpirit of
liberty is as ardent as ever among the body of the nation,
though a few individuals may be corrupted. — Let us take
it for granted, that the fame great fpirit, which once gave
Csefar fo warm a reception ; which denounced hoftilities
againft John, 'till Magna Charta was figned; which
levered the head of Charles the Firft from his body, and
drove Jameij the Second from his kmgdom^ the fame
great ^irit (may heaven preserve it till the
EARTH SHALL BE NO MORE !) which firft feated the
great grandfather of his prefent moft gracious Majefty
on the throne of Britain, is ftill alive and ailive, and
warm in England ; and that the fame fpirit in America,
inftead of provoking the inhabitants of that country, will
endear us to them for ever, and fecure their good-will.
. This fpirit, however, without knowledge, would be
little better than a brutal rage.— ~-Let us tenderly and,
kindly cherifli therefore the means of knowledge. Let us
dare to read, think, fpeak and write.*— -Let every or**
der and degree amdng the pfeople roufe their attention and
anipiiate their refolution. — Let them all become attentive
tg the grounds and principles of government, ccclefiafti-
N cal
[ 98 J
fal and civil.— I-ct lis ftudy the law of nature ; (carch
into the fpirit of the Britifli conilituiion 5 read the hifto^
firs of ancient ages ; contemplate the great examples of
Greece and Rome ; let before us the conducl of our own
Hfilifh anceftor?, who h?.ve defended, for usy the inherent
rights of mankind againll foreign and domeftic tyrants
;ind ufurpers, againft arbitr;iry kings and cruel priells, in
ihort againft the gates of earth and hell, — Let us reaJ
and recoiled^, and iniprefs upon our fouls the views and
ends of our own more immediate forefathers, in exchange
in,'3 their native country for a dreary, irihofpitable wU-
dci nefs. Let us examine into the nature of that power^
and the cruelty of that opprcflion which drove them from
their homes. Recollect their amazing fortitude, their
bitter I'uft'erings ! The hunger, the nakednefs, the cold,
which they patiently endured ! The fevcre labours of
clearing their grounds, building their houfes, raifing their
provifions, amidft dangers from wild bcafts and lavage
men, before they had time or money, or materials for
commerce ! Recollect the civil and religious principles,
and hopes, and expectations, which conltantly fupported
and carried them through all hardfhips, with patience and "
rcfi^nation 1 Let us recolleft it was liberty ! The hope
of liberty for thcmfelvcs and us and ours, which conquer-
ed all difcouragemcnts^ dangers and trials ! In fucb
refearchcs as thefc, let us all in our fcveral departments
chearfuUy engage ! But efpeciaUy the proper patrons and
fiipporters of law, learning and religion*
Let the pulpit refound with the doibines and fenti-
nici\ts of religious liberty. Let us hear tlie danger of
thraldom to our confciences, from ignorance, extream
poverty and depcndance, in fhort from civil and political
ilavery. — Let us ftc; delineated before us, the true map
of man. Let us hear the dignity of his nature, and the
noble rank he holds among the woiks of God ! that con-
fenting to flavery is a facrilegious breach of truft, as of-
fenfive in the fight of 'God, as it is derogatory from our
own honour, or intereft or happinefs ; and that God Al-
MKrHTY has promulgated from heaven, liberty, peace, and
good -will to man !
Let the Bar proclaim, *^ the laws, the rights, the ge-
nerous plan of power," delivered down from remote an-
tiquity ; inform the world of the mighty firuggles, and
num«
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