WILLIAM L. CLEMENTE

Stevens collection, no. 251
John Adams, pres
U.S. 1735-1826, compiler




A COLLECTION
OF
STATE-PAPERS,
Relative to the firft Acknowledgment of the So..
vereignity of the United States of AMERICA,
and the reception of their Miniſter Plenipo-
tentiary, by their High Mightinesses the Sta.
tes-General of the United Netherlands.
AT THE HAGUE,
MDCCLXXXII.

LAHE HVGDE
alwords
ArmA to 291212 body
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LoaiadoiM
2.LYLE SVE
10
COFFECLIOW

MEMORIAL
TO THEIR HIGH-MIGHTINESSES, THE STATES-
GENERAL OF THE UNITED PROVINCES OF
THE LOW-COUNTRIES.
HIGH AND MIGHTY LORDS,
The
The Subfcriber has the honour, to propofe to
your High-Mightinesfes, that the United Sta-
tes of America, in Congrefs affembled, have la-
tely thought fit to fend him a Commiffion (with
full Powers and Inftructions) to confer with your
H. M. concerning a Treaty of Amity and Commer-
ce, an authentic Copy of which he has the honour
to annex to this Memorial.
At the times when the Treaties between this Re-
publick and the Crown of Great-Britain were made,
the People, who now compofe the United States of
America, were a Part of the English Nation; as
fuch, Allies of the Republick, and Parties to thofe
Treaties; entitled to all their Benefits, and fubmit-
ting chearfully to all their Obligations.
It is true, that when the British Adminiftration,
renouncing the ancient Character of Englishmen
for Generofity, Juftice and Humanity, conceived
the defign of fubverting the political Syftems of the
Colonies; depriving them of the Rights and Liber-
ties of Englishmen, and reducing them to the worst
of all Forms of Government, ftarving the People
by blockading the Ports, and cutting off their Fishe-
ries and Commerce; fending Fleets and Armies to
deftroy every principle and fentiment of Liberty,
and to confume their Habitations and their Lives;
making Contracts for foreign Troops, and Alliances
with favage Nations to affift them in their Enter-
A 2
prife,

*4*
2.1.
prife; cafting formally, by Act of Parliament, three
Millions of People at once out of the protection of
the Crown: then, and not till then, did the Uni-
ted States of America, in Congrefs affembled, pafs
that memorable Act, by which they affumed an
equal Station among the Nations.
This immortal Declaration, of the 4 of July 1776
when America was invaded by an hundred Vefsels
of War, and, according to Eftimates laid before
Parliament, by 55,000 of veteran Troops, was not
the effect of any fudden Paffion, or Enthusiasm ;
but a meaſure which had been long in deliberation
among the People, maturely discusfed in fome hun-
dreds op popular Affemblies, and by public Wri-
tings in all the States: it was a meafure which Con-
grefs did not adopt until they had received the
pofitive Inftructions of their Conftituents in all the
States: it was then unanimously adopted by Con-
grefs, fubfcribed by all its Members, transmitted
to the Affemblies of the feveral States, and by
them refpectively accepted, ratified and recorded
among their Archives; fo that no Decree, Edict,
Statute, Placart or fundamental Law of any Nation
was ever made with more Solemnity, or with more
Unanimity or Cordiality adopted, as the Act and
Confent of the whole People, than this: and it has
been held facred to this day by every State, with
fuch unshaken firmness, that not even the finalleft
has ever been induced to depart from it: although the
English have wafted many Millions, and vaft Fleets
and Armies, in the vain Attempt to invalidate it.
On the contrary, each of the thirteen States has in-
ftituted a form of government for itfelf under the Au-
thority of the People; has erected its Legislature in
the feveral Branches; its Executive Authority with
all its Offices; its Judiciary departments and Jud-
ges;

*5D*
ges; its Army, Militia, Revenue, and fome of
them their Navy: and all thofe departments of
Government have been regularly and conftitutionally
organized under the affociated Superintendency of
Congrefs, now thefe five years, and have acquired
a Confiftency, Solidity, and Activity equal to the
oldeſt and moſt eftablished Governments. It is
true, that in fome Speeches and Writings of the
English it is ftill contended, that the People of
America are ftill in principle and affection with
them: but theſe affertions are made againſt fuch evi-
dent Truth and Demonftration, that it is furpri-
fing they fhould find at this day one believer in the
World. One may appeal to the Writings and re-
corded Speeches of the English for the laſt ſeven-
teen years, to fhew, that fimilar misreprefentations
have been inceffantly repeated through that whole
Period, and that the Conclufion of every year has
in fact confuted the confident Asfertions and Pre-
dictions of the beginning of it. The Subſcriber begs
leave to fay from his own Knowledge of the Peo-
ple of America, (and he has a better Right to ob-
tain credit, becauſe he has better opportunities to
know, than any Briton whatfoever) that they are
unalterably determined to maintain their Indepen
dence. He confeffes, that notwithstanding his Confi-
dence through his whole Life in the virtuous Senti-
ments and Uniformity of Character among his Coun
trymen, their Unanimity has furprifed him: that all
the Power, Arts, Intrigues and Bribes, which ha-
ve been employed in the feveral States, fhould ha-
ve feduced from the Standard of Virtue, fo con-
temptible a few, is more fortunate than could have
been expected. This Independence ftands upon
fo broad & firm a bottom of the peoples intereſts,
honour, confciences & affections, that it will not
be affected by any Succeffes the English may ob-
A 3
tain

*(6)*
tain either in America, or against the European Po-
wers at War, nor by any Alliances they can poffi-
bly form; if indeed in fo unjuft & defperate a Caufe
they can obtain any. Nevertheless, althò compel-
led by Neceffity, & warranted by the fundamental
Laws of the Colonies, and of the British Conftitution,
by principles avowed in the English Laws, and con-
firmed by many Examples in the English Hiftory,
by principles interwoven into the Hiftory and public
Right of Europe, in the great Examples of the Hel.
vetic and Belgic Confederacies, and many others;
and frequently acknowledged and ratified by the
Diplomatic Body, principles founded in eternal Ju-
ftice, and the Laws of God and Nature, to cut
afunder for ever, all the Ties which had connected
them with Great Britain: yet the People of Ame-
rica did not confider themſelves as feparating from
their Allies, eſpecially the Republic of the United
Provinces, or departing from their connexions
with any of the People under their Government;
but, on the contrary, they preferved the fame
Affection, Efteem and Refpe&t for the Dutch Na-
tion, in every part of the World, which they and
their Anceſtors had ever entertained.
When found policy dictated to Congrefs the pre-
caution of fending Perfons to negotiate natural Al-
liances in Europe, it was not from a failure in
Refpect that they did not fend a Minifter to your
High-Mightinesses, with te firft whom they fent
abroad: but, inftructed in the Nature of the Con-
nections between Great Britain and the Republic,
and in the fyftem of peace and Neutrality, which
fhe had fo long purfued, they thought proper to
refpect both fo far, as not to feek to embroil her
with her Allies, to excite divifions in the Nation,
or lay Embarrassments, before it. But, fince the
British Adminiftration, uniform and perfevering in
Jp

*(7)*
Injustice, defpifing their Allies, as much as their
Colonifts and Fellow - fubjects; disregarding the
Faith of Treaties, as much as that of Royal Char-
ters; violating the Law of Nations, as they had be-
fore done the fundamental Laws of the Colonies
and the inherent Rights of British fubjects, have
arbitrarily fet afide all the Treaties between the
Crown and the Republic, declared War and com-
menced Hoftilities, the fettled Intentions of which
they had manifefted long before; all thofe Moti
ves, which before reftrained the Congrefs, ceaſe:
and an Opportunity prefents of propofing fuch Con-
nections, as the United States of America have a
Right to forme, confiftent with the Treaties alrea-
dy formed with France & Spain, which they are
under every Obligation of Duty, Intereft and In-
clination to obferve facred and inviolate; and con-
fiftent with fuch other Treaties, as it is their In-
tention to propofe to other Sovereigns. 1odern
If there was ever among Nations a natural AI--
liance, one may be formed between the two Re-
publics. The firft planters of the four northern
States found in this Country an Afylum from Per-
secution, and refided here from the Year one thou-
fand fix hundred and eight to the Year one thou-
fand fix hundred and twenty, twelve Years prece-
ding their Migration. They ever entertained and
have transmitted to Pofterity, a grateful Remem-
brance of that Protection and Hofpitality, and es
pecially of that religious 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 transmitted their Re-
ligion, Language, Cuftoms, Manners and Charac-
ter: and America in general, until her Connections
A 4
with

*(8**
with the Houfe of Bourbon, has ever confidered
this Nation as her firft Friend in Europe, whofe
Hiftory, and the great Characters it exhibits, in
the various Arts of Peace, as well as Atchievements
of War by Sea and Land, have been particularly
ftudied, admired and imitated in every State.
A Similitude of Religion, although it is not dee
med fo effential in this as in former Ages to the
Alliance of Nations, is itill, as it ever will be
thought, a defirable Circumftance. Now it may be
faid with Truth, that there are no two Nations,
whofe Worship, Doctrine and Difcipline, are more
alike than thofe of the two Republicks. In this
particular therefore, as far as it is of weight, an
Alliance would be perfectly natural.
bakt
A Similarity in the Forms of Government, is
ufually confidered as another Circumftance, which
renders Alliances natural: and although the Confti-
tutions of the two Republicks are not perfectly ali-
ke, there is yet Analogy enough between them,
to make a Connection eafy in this refpect.
In general Ufages, and in the Liberality of Sen-
timents in those momentous Points, the Freedom
of Enquiry, the Right of private Judgment and
the Liberty of Confcience, of fo much Importan-
ce to be ſupported 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 than any others.
The Originals of the two Republicks are fo much
alike, that the Hiftory of one feems but a Tran-
fcript from that of the other: fo that every Dutch-
man inftructed in the fubject, muft pronounce the
American Revolution juft and neceffary, or pafs

$9
*9**
a Cenfure upon the greatest Actions of his immor
tal Anceſtors: Actions which have been approved
and applauded by Mankind, and juftified by the
Decifion of Heaven.dogewer pos
But the Circumftance', which perhaps in this
Age has ftronger influence than any other in the
formation of Friendships between Nations, is the
great and growing Intereft of Commerce; of the
whole fyftem of which through the Globe, your
High-Mightinesses are too perfect Mafters, for me
to fay any thing that is not familiary known. It
may not however be amifs to hint, that the cen-
tral fituation of this Country, her extenfive Navi-
gation, her Poffeffions in the Eaft and Weft-In-
dies, the Intelligence of her Merchants, the Num-
ber of her Capitalifts, and the Riches of her Funds,
render a Connection with her very defirable to
America: and on the other Hand, the Abundance
and Variety of the Productions of America, the
Materials of Manufactures, Navigation and Com-
merce; the vaft Demand and Confumption in
America of the Manufactures of Europe, of Mer-
chandifes from the Baltic, and from the Eaft-In-
dies, and the fituation of the Dutch Poffeffions in
the Weſt Indies, cannot admit of a doubt, that
a Connection with the United States would be ufe-
ful to this Republic. The English are fo fenfible
of this, that notwithstanding all their Profeffions
of Friendship, they have ever confidered this Na-
tion as their Rival in the American Trade; a Sen
timent which dictated and maintained their fevere
Act of Navigation, as injurious to the Commerce
and Naval Power of this Country, as it was both
to the Trade and the Rights of the Coloniſts.
There is now an Opportunity offered to both, to
Chake off this fhackle for ever. If any Confidera-
AS
tion

10)
tion whatever could have induced them to have
avoided a War with your High-Mightinesfes, it
would have been the Apprehenfion of an Alliance
between the two Republicks: and it is eafy to
forefee, that nothing will contribute more to obli-
ge them to a Peace, than fuch a Connection once
completely formed. It is needlefs to point out
particularly, what Advantages might be derived to
the poffeffions of the Republick in the Weft Indies
from a Trade opened, protected and encouraged
between them and the Continent of America; or
what Profits might be made by the Dutch Eaft-
India Company, by carrying their Effects directly
to the American Market; or how much even the
Trade of the Baltic might be fecured and extended
by a free Intercourfe with America, which has
ever had fo large a demand, and will have more
for Hemp, Cordage, Sail-Cloth and other Articles
of that Commerce: how much the national navi-
gation would be benefited by building & purchafing
fhips there: how much the number of feamen might
be increaſed, or how much advantages to both
Countries, to have their Ports mutually opened to
their men of war & privateers & their Prifes.
If therefore an Analogy of Religion, Govern-
ment, Original, Manners, and the moſt extenfive
and lafting commercial Interefts, can form a
Ground and an Invitation to political Connections,
the Subfcriber flatters himſelf, that in all thefe Par-
ticulars the Union is fo obviously natural, that
there has feldom been a more diftinct Defiguation
of Providence to any two diftant Nations to unite
themfelves together.
It is further fubmitted to the Wisdom and Huma-
nity of your High-Mightineffes, whether it is not
vifibly for the good of Mankind, that the Powers
of

of Europe, who are convinced of the Juftice of
the American Caufe, (and where is one to be
found that is not?) fhould make hafte to acknow-
ledge the Independence of the United States, and
form equitable Treaties with them, as the fureft
means of convincing Great-Britain of the Impracti-
cability of her purfuits? whether the late Marine
Treaty concerning the Rights of neutral Veffels,
noble and ufeful as it is, can be eftablished againſt
Great Britain, who will never adopt it, nor fubmit
to it, but from Neceffity, without the Independen-
ce of America? whether the Return of America,
with her Nurferies of Seamen and Magazines of
Materials for Navigation and Commerce, to the
Domination and Monopoly of Great Britain, if
that were practicable, would not put the Poffeffions
of other Nations beyond feas wholly in the Power
of that enormous Empire, which has been long go-
verned wholly by the feeling of its own Power, at
leaft without a proportional attention to Juſtice,
Humanity, or Decency. When it is obvious and
certain, that the Americans are not inclined to fub-
mit again to the British Government, on the one
hand, and that the Powers of Europe ought not
and could not with fafety confent to it, if they we-
re, on the other; why fhould a Source of Con-
tentior be left open, for future contingencies to
involve the Natious of Europe in ftill more blood-
fhed, when, by one decifive ftep of the Maritime
Powers, in making Treaties with a Nation long in
Poffeffion of Sovereignity by Right and in Fact, it
might be cloſed?
The Example of your High Mightineffes would,
it is hoped, be followed by all the Maritime Po-
wers, eſpecially thofe which are Parties to the late
Marine Treaty: nor can Apprehenfion, that the In-
ds-

*12 *
dependence of America would be injurious to the
Trade of the Baltick, be any Objection. This Jea-
loufy is fo groundlefs, that the reverfe would hap.
pen. The Freight and Infurance in Voyages across
the Atlantic are fo high, and the Price of Labour
in America fo dear, that Tar, Pitch, Turpentine
and Ship-Timber never can be transported to Eu-
rope at fo cheap a Rate, as it has been and will
be afforded by Countries round the Baltick. This
Commerce was fupported by the English before the
Revolution with difficulty, and not without large
Parlimentary Bounties. Of Hemp, Cordage and
Sail-Cloth there will not probably be a Sufficiency
raifed in America for her own Confumption in ma-
ny Centuries, for the plaineft of all Reafons, be-
caufe thefe Articles may be imported from Amfter-
dam, or even from Petersbourg and Archangel,
cheaper than they can be raiſed at home. America
will therefore be for Ages a Market for thefe Ar-
ticles of the Baltic Trade.
Nor is there more folidity in another Suppofi-
tion, .propagated by the English to prevent other
Nations from purſuing their true Interefts, that the
Colonies of other Nations will follow the Example
of the United States. Thofe Powers, who have as
large Pofsesfions as any beyond feas, have already
declared againſt England, apprehending no fuch
Confequences. Indeed there is no probability of
any other Power of Europe following the Example
of England, in attempting to change the whole Sy-
ftem of the Government of Colonies, and reducing
them by Oppreffion to the Neceffity of governing
themſelves: and without fuch manifeft Injustice and
Cruelty on the Part of the Metropolis, there is no
danger of Colonies attempting Innovations. Efta-
blished Governments are founded deep in the
Hearts

13
Hearts, the Paffions, the Imaginations and Under-
ftandings of the People; and without fome violent
Change from without, to alter the Temper and Cha-
racter of the whole People, it is not in human Na-
ture to exchange Safety for Danger, and certain
Happineſs for very precarious Benefits. binds
It is fubmitted to the Confideration of your High-
Mightinefses, whether the Syftem of the United
States, which was minutely confidered and difcuf-
sed, and unanimously agreed on in Congrefs in the
Year 1776, in planing the Treaty they propofed
to France, to form equitable commercial Treaties
with all the Maritime Powers of Europe, without
being governed or monopolized by any: a Syftem
which was afterwards approved by the King, and
made the foundation of the Treaties with his Ma-
jefty: a Syftem to which the United States have
hitherto conftantly adhered, and from which they
never will depart, unlefs compelled by fome Po-
wers declaring againſt them, which is not expected,
is not the only means of preventing this growing
Country from being an Object of everlafting Jealou-
fies, Rivalties and Wars among the Nations. If this
Idea is juft, it follows, that it is the Intereft of every
State in Europe to acknowledge American Indepen-
dency immediately. If fuch benevolent Policy fhould
be adopted, the new World will be a proportio-
nal Bleffing to every Part of the old.
The Subfcriber has the further Honour of infor-
ming your H. M., that the United States of Ame-
rica, in Congrefs afsembled, imprefsed with an
high Senfe of the Wisdom and Magnanimity of your
H. M., and of your inviolable Attachment to the
Rights and Liberties of Mankind, and being defi-
rous of cultivating the Friendship of a Nation,
eminent for its Wisdom, Juftice and Moderation,
have

14 *
have appointed the Subfcriber to be their Minifter
Plenipotentiary to refide near you, that he may give
you more particular afsurances of the great Refpect
they entertain for your H. M., befeeching your
H. M. to give entire Credit to every thing, which
their faid Minifter fhall deliver on their Part, espe-
cially when he fhall afsure You of the Sincerity of
their Friendship and Regard. The original Letter of
Credence, under the Seal of Congrefs, the Sub-
fcriber is ready to deliver to your H. M., or to
fuch Perfons as you fhall direct to receive it. He
has alfo a fimilar Letter of Credence to his moft
Serene Highnefs the Prince Stadtholder.
All which is refpectfully fubmitted to the Confi-
deration of your H. M., together with the Pro-
priety of appointing fome Perfon, or Perfons, to
treat on the Subject of his Misfion, by
LEYDEN
19. April 1781.
J. ADAM S.
GUEL

15 D
500 y
GUELDERLAND.
In the Affembly of the States of Guelderland
99
held in October 1781, to confider of the Re-
quifition of the King of France, of a negotiation
of five millions of Florins, under te Warranty of
the Republick, fome were for an Alliance with
France. The Baron Nagel, Senechal of Zut-
phen, avoided putting of the Queftion, and faid
among other Things:,, That he had rather ac-
knowledge the Independence of the Ameri-
" cans, than contract an Alliance with France".
The Baron van der Capellen de Marfch was for
an alliance with France and America too, He
obferved That nothing being more natural than
to act in Concert with the Ennemies of our Enne-
my, it was an object of ferious Deliberation, to
fee, if the Intereft of the Republick did not re-
quire to accept, without further Tergiverfations,
the Invitations and Offers of the Americans: that
no Condefcention for England could hinder Us,
at prefent, from uniting ourfelves, againſt a com-
mon Ennemy, wit a Nation fo brave, and fo vir-
tuous: a Nation, which after our Example, owes
its Liberty to its valour, and even at this moment
is employed, in defending itfelf from the Tyran-
ny of the Ennemy of the two Nations: that confe-
quently, nothing could reftrain us from acknow-
ledging

*( 16 )
ledging the Independence of this new Republick:
That our conduct differed very much, from that held
by our Ancestors, who allied themſelves with
the Portugueſe, as foon, as they fhook off the Yoke
of the Spaniards: That there was no doubt, that
the faid alliances with the Ennemies of our Ennemy
would foon reftrain his Fury, and operate a gene.
ral Peace advantageous for us ".
eqebal ed: agbo)
diw Bosniasd:
Monolia ob nay t
001 natiom A b soon! dilw
To Doido de
led
bib folidugo to fil
bas.
10
P1,trend no
DOUT
Dholav att p
bis own on to vis
THE

( 17 )
THE QUARTER
OF
OOSTER GO.
The Quarter of Ooftergo in the Province of Fries
land, in December 1781, was the firft public Bo-
dy, which propofed a Connection with the United
States of America in these words.
Every impartial Patriot, has a long time percei
ved, that in the Direction of affairs relative
to this war with England, there has been manifes
ted an inconceivable Lukewarmnefs and Sloth.
buth they discover themfelves ftill more, at this
moment, by the little Inclination which, in gene
ral, the Regencies of the Belgick Provinces teftify
to commence a Treaty of Commerce and Friend
ship with the new Republick of the thirteen Uni-
ted States of North-America; and to contract En
gagements, at least during the Continuance of
this common war with the Crowns of France and
Spain. Nevertheless, the Neceffity of thefe Mea-
fures appears clearly, fince, according to our
judgments, nothing was more natural, nor more
conformable to found Policy, founded upon the
Laws of the Nature the moſt precife, than that
this Republick, immediately after the formal de-
claration of war, by the English (not being yet
able to do any thing by military Exploits, not
being in a ſtate of Defence fufficiently refpectable,
to dare, at Sea, to oppofe one fleet or fquadron,
B
10

( 18 )
to our perfidious Ennemy) fhould have commen.
ced by acknowledging, by a publick 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-
eftablishment, and by this meafure, the Repu-
blick would have proved her firm Refolution to act
with vigour. Every one of our Inhabitants, all
Europe, who have their eyes fixed upon Us, the
whole world expected, with juft reafon, this mea-
fure from the Republick. It is true, that before
the formal Declaration of war, by England, one
might perhaps have alledged fome plaufible Rea-
fons, to juftify, in fome degree, the Backward-
nefs in this great and interefting affair. But, as
at prefent Great Britain is no longer our fe-
cret, but declared Ennemy, 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 Republick, to redu-
ce, by all imaginable annoyances, this Ennemy fo
unjuft to reaſon, and to force him, if poffible, to
conclude an honourable Peace; why fhould we
hefitate any longer, to ftrike, by this meafure fo
reafonable, the moft fenfible blow to the common
Ennemy? will not this delay occafion a fufpicion,
that we prefer the Intereft of our Ennemy to that
of our Country? North America, fo fenfibly offen-
ded by the Refufal of her Offer; France and Spain,
in the midst of a war fupported with activity, muft
they not regard Us as the fecret Friends, and
Favourers, of their and our common Ennemy? Ha-
ve they not Reafon to conclude from it, that our
Inaction ought to be lefs attributed to our weak-
nefs, than to our affection for England? will not
this opinion deftroy all Confidence in our Nation
here:

(19)***
heretofore fo renouned in this refpect? and ot
Allies, at this time natural, muft they not imagine,
that it is better to have in us declared Ennemies
than pretended Friends? and fhall we not be in-
volved in a ruinous war, which we might have
rendered advantageous, if it had been well directed?
while on the other hand it is evident, that by a new
Connection with the States of North America, by
Engagements at leaft during this war with France
and Spain, we fhall obtain, not only the Confi-
dence of thefe formidable Powers, inftead of their
diftruft, but by this means we fhall moreover
place our Colonies in Safety, against any Infult; we
fhall have a well grounded hope, of recovering,
with the aid of the allied Powers, our loft Poffes-
fions, if the English fhould make themfelves
mafters of them, and our Commerce at prefent
neglected, and fo fhamefully pillaged, would
reaffume a new Vigour; confidering that in fuch
cafe, as it is manifeftly proved by folid reafons,
this Republick would derive from this Commerce
the moft fignal Advantages. But, fince our In-
tereft excites us forcibly, to act in Concert with
the Ennemies of our Ennemy; fince the United
States of America invite us to it long ago; fince
France appears inclined to concert her military
operations with ours, although this Power has
infinitely lefs Intereft to ally itfelf with us, whofe
weakneſs manifeft itfelf in fo palpable amanner, than
we are to form an Alliance, the moft refpectable in the
Univerfe: it is indubitably the duty of every Re-
gency, to promote it with all their Forces, and
with all the Celerity imaginable. To this end,
we have thought it our Duty, to lay it before your
noble Mightineffes, in the firme Persuafion, that
the Zeal of your noble Mightineffes will be as
B2
ear

* 20 *
earneft as ours, to concur to the Accomplishment
of this Point, which is for us of the greateft Im-
portance; that, confequently, your noble Migh-
tineffes will not delay, to cooperate with Us, that,
upon this important fubject, there may be made to
their High-Mightineffes, a Propofition fo vigorous
that it may have the defired Succefs: and that this
affair, of an Importance beyond all Expreffion
for our common Country, may be refolved and de-
cided by Unanimous Suffrages and in Preference to
every particular Intereft.
आशा
bus
To v
deciso
T
ULTERIOUR

*21 *
ULTERIOUR ADDRESS.
On the 9th January 1782, Mr. ADAMS, waited
on the Prefident VAN DEN SANDHEUVEL,
and addreffed him as follows.
On
N the fourth of May, I had the honour of
a Conference with the Prefident of their
High-Mightineffes, in which I informed him, that
I had received from the United States of America
a Commiffion with full Powers and Inftructions, to
propofe and conclude a Treaty of Amity and Com-
merce between the faid United States of America
and the United Provinces of the Netherlands.
At the fame Conference, I had the honour to
demand an Audience of their High-Mightineffes,
in order to prefent to them my Letters of Cre-
dence and full Powers.
The Prefident affured me, that he would make
Report of all that I had faid to him, to their
High-Mightineffes, in order that it might be trans-
mitted to the feveral Members of the Souvereignty
of this Country, for their Deliberations and Deci-
fions. I have not yet been honoured with an An-
fwer. I now do myfelf the honour to wait on you,
Sir, to demand, as I do, a Categorical Answer,
that I be able to transmit it to my Souve
reign, may
Боле
Mana aao M
GUELDER-

22 +
GUELDERLAND.
n an Extraordinary Affembly of the County of
Zutphen, held at Nimeguen the 23 of February
1782, the following Meaſures were taken.
After the Report of the Committee of this Pro-
vince to the Generality, laid this day upon the
Table, relative to what paffed in the precedent
Affembly, and after the Examination of an Extract
of the Regiſter of the Refolutions of their High-
Mightineffes the States General of the Low Coun-
tries of the ninth of laft Month, in relation to
the alteriour Addrefs of Mr. Adams to the Pre-
fident of their High-Mightineffes, concerning the
Prefentation of his Letters of Credence to their
High-Mightineffes, in behalf of the United States
of America, demanding a Categorick Answer,
whereof the Lords the Deputies of the refpective
Provinces have taken Copies; the Baron Robert
Jasper van der Capellen de Marsch, firft by word
of Mouth, and afterwards in writing, propofed,
and infifted at the Affembly of this Quarter, that
at prefent, an without delay, we fhould make a
Point of Deliberation, and that we fhould make
upon the Table the neceffary overture, con-
ceived more at length, in the Advice of this
Nobleman inferted in theſe terms.
NOBLE AND MIGHTY LORDS!
The fubfcriber jadges, upon good grounds, and
without fear of being contradicted, that he is
able

( 23 )
able to affirm, that it is more than time that
we fhould give a ferious attention to the offer,
and the Invitation, in every fenfe honourable and
advantageous for this Republick, of Friendship,
and reciprocal Connections with the thirteen
American Provinces, now become free at the
point of the fword, in fuch fort, that the
Categorical Answer demanded by their Minifter
Mr. Adams, may become a fubject of the delibe-
rations of your Grand-Mightineffes, and that you
may decide as foon as poffible, concerning their
refpective Interefts. He judges, that he ought
not to have any further fcruple in this regard;
and that the uncertain confequences of the Me-
diation offered by Ruffia cannot, when certain Ad-
vantages for this Republick are in queftion, hin-
der that, out of regard for an Ennemy, with
whom we (however falutary the views of her
Imperial Majefty are reprefented) cannot make
any Peace, at the Expence of a Negligence fo
irreparable: That a longer delay, to unite our-
felves to a Nation already fo powerfull, will
have for its Confequence, that our Inhabitants
will loofe the means of extending, in a manner the
moft advantageous, their Commerce and their
Profperity: That by the vigorous Prohibition to
import English Manufactures into America, our
Manufactures, by means of Precautions taken in
time, will rife out of their ftate of Languor: And
that, by delaying longer) to fatisfy the wishes of
the Nation, her Leaders will draw upon them the
Reproach, of having neglected and rejected the fa-
vourable offers of Providence: that on the contrary,
by adopting theſe Meafures, the effential Interefts
of this unfortunate People will be taken to heart.
The fubfcriber declaring, moreover, that he
B 4
will

24 D
will abandon this unpardonable Negligence of an
opportunity favourable for the Republick, to the
account of thofe whom it may concern; proteſting
against all the fatal Confequences, that a longer
Refufal of thefe neceffary Meaſures, will certainly
eccafion: whereupon he demanded, that for his
Difcharge, this Note fhould be inferted in the
Regiſters of the Quarter.
Signed
R. J. VAN DER CAPELLEN.
This advice having been read, Mr. Jacob Adolf
de Heekeren d'Enghuifen, Councellor and firft Mas-
ter of Accounts in Guelderland, Prefident at this
time of the Affembly of the Quarter, reprefented
to the faid Robert Jasper van der Capellen de
Marfch, that,, Although he must agree to the
Juftice of all that he had laid down, befides feve-
ral other reafons equally ftrong which occurred to
his Mind, the Deliberation upon the Point in
queſtion appeared to him premature, confidering that
the Lords the States of Holland and Weft-Friefland
and of Zealand, as the principal Commercial Provin-
ees, who are directly interefted, had not never-
thelefs as yet explained themſelves in this regard;
confequently that it would not be fo convenient for
the States of this Dutchy and County, who are
not intereſted in it, but in a confequential and
indirect manner, to form the firft their Refolu-
tions in this refpeft: For this Reafon he propo
fed to Confideration, whether it would not be
more proper to poftpone the deliberations upon
this matter, to a future opportunity.
Never

25や
​Nevertheless, the beforementioned Robert Jas-
per van der Capellen de Marfch infifting, that the
voices fhould be collected upon the Propofition
and Advice in queftion, and thereupon having de-
liberated, their noble Mightineffes have thought
it to refolve, that although the Motives alledged
by this Nobleman in his advice, appear to merit
a ferious Confideration, nevertheless, for the rea-
fons before alledged, they judge, that they ought
to fufpend the Decifion of it, untill the Commer-
cial Provinces have formed their Refolutions
concerning it: And that, upon the Requifition of
Robert Jasper van der Capellen de Marfch, there
be delivered to him an Extract of the prefent
ppon one as well as the other.
Signed
HERM. SCHOMAKER.
bandeles of, evolugod
asbet Tai to bac oprem
61
150ggs
Goianimib edad
ni
fjor diw
Toto
lees ons
moto asian
orb Mouw 39
borg Bas oldon Y bonix005
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to trosani of ow
nobat cldholdsb ods
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noga adoob cu 65
B 5'
PETITION

26)
PETITION OF LEYDEN.
sklon uda
To the noble, great, and venerable Lords of the
Grand Council of the City of Leyden.
The Underfigned, all Manufacturers, Mer-
chants, and other Traders of this City, moft
refpe&fully give to underſtand, that it is a truth,
as melancholly, as it is univerfally known, that
the declenfion of Manufactures, which all the well-
difpofed Citizens have remarked with the moſt
lively grief, from the beginning of this Century,
has increaſed more and more for feveral years; and
that this principal Branch of the fubfiftance of the
good Citizens, has fallen into fuch a ſtate of
Languor, that our City, once fo flourishing, fo
populous, fo celebrated, on account of its Com-
merce and of its Trades, appears to be threatned
with total Ruin; that the diminution of its Mer-
chants Houſes, on one hand, and on the other,
the total Lofs, or the fenfible decreaſe of feveral
Branches of Commerce, furnish an evident Proof
of it; which the Petitioners could demonftrate by
feveral Examples, if there were need of them to
convince. Your noble and grand Lordships, to
whom the Increaſe of the Multitude of the Poor,
the deplorable fituation of feveral Families, he-
retofore in eafy Circumftances, the depopulation
of the City, which one cannot obferve without
Emotion in the ruins of feveral ftreets, once neat
and well inhabited, are fully known, will recol-
ect no doubt upon this occafion, with Grief,
that this ftate of Languor muft appear fo much
the more defperate, if your noble and grand Lord-
MOITITA
1
fhips

D
+(27).
fhips will take into confideration, that in this de-
cay of Trades and Manufactures, we find a new
reafon of their further fall, confidering, that from
the time that there is not continual Employ-
ment, and an uninterrupted Sale, the Workmen
defert in fuch manner, that when confiderable
commiffions arrive, we cannot find capable hands,
and we fee ourſelves entirely out of a condition
to execute thefe orders.
That the Petitioners, with all the true Friends
of their country, extreamely affected with this al-
larming Situation of fo rich a Source of the pu-
blick Profperity, have indeed fought the means of
a Remedy, in amending fome defects, from which
it feemed to arife at leaft in Part; but that the mea-
fures taken in this view, as is well known to your
noble and grand Lordships, have not had the de-
fired Effect; at leaft, that they have not produced
a Reeftablishment fo effectual, that we have been
able to obferve a fenfible Influence in the increa-
fe of the fales of the manufactures of Leyden, as
appears moft evidently, by a compariſon of the
Pieces fabricated here, which have been hereto-
fore carried to the diverfe markets of this City,
with thoſe which are carried there at this day; a
compariſon which a true Citizen cannot confider
without regret. felloper te ligne
vi
That Experience has alfo taught the Petitioners,
that the principal Caufe of the decay of the ma-
nufactures of Holland, particularly thofe of Ley-
den, is not to be found in any internal vice either
in the capacity, or the Oeconomy of the Inhabi-
tants, but in circumftances, which have happe-
ned abroad, and to which it is, confequently,
beyond the Power of the Petitioners, or of any
Citizen whatſoever to provide a remedy. That we
might

*28***
might cite, for example, the commerce of our
manufactures with Dantzick, and, through that
commercial City, with all Poland; a commerce,
which was carried on with fuccefs and advanta-
ge heretofore in our city, but is abfolutely in
terrupted at this day, and vanished, by the revo-
lution which has happened in that, kingdom, and
by the burthenfome duties, to which the naviga-
tion of the Viftula has been fubjected. But that,
without entering into a detail of fimilar particular
fhackles, of which we might rekon a great num,
ber, the principal Caufe of the languishing ftate
of our manufactures confifts in the jealous Emu-
lation of the neighbouring Nations, or rather of
all the People of Europe, confidering, that in this
age, the feveral Princes and Governments, en-
lightened in the real Sources of the publick Pros-
perity, and the true Interefts of their Subjects,
attach themſelves with Emulation, to revive in
their Kingdoms and States the national Induſtry,
Commerce, and Navigation; to encourage them',
and promote them even by exclufive Priviledges,
or by heavy Impofitions upon foreign Merchan-
dizes; Priviledges and Impofitions, which tend
equally to the Prejudice of the commerce and the
manufactures of our Country, as your noble & grand
Lordships will eafily recollect the Examples in
the Auftrian States and elsewhere. That in the
midſt of thefe Powers and Nations, emulous or
jealous, it is impoffible for the citizens of our
Republick, however fuperiour their manufactures
may be in quality and finenefs, to refift a rivalry
fo univerfal, especially confidering the dearnes
of Labour, caufed by that of the means of fubfi-
ftence; which in its turn is a neceffary confequen-
ce of the Taxes and Impofts, which the Inhabitanes
of

*(29)
of this State pay in a greater number, and a
higher rate, than in any other country, by reafon of
her natural fituation, and of its means to fupport
itfelf; fo that by the continual operation of this
principal, but irreparable caufe of decline, it is to
be feared, that the impoverishment, and the dimi-
nution of the good Citizens increafing with the
want of Employment, the Dutch Nation, hereto-
fore the Purveyor of all Europe, will be obliged
to content itfelf with the Sale of its own Pro-
ductions in the interiour of the country (and
how much does not even this Refource fuffer, by
the importation of foreign manufactures?) and that
Leyden, lately fo rich and flourishing, will exhi-
bit defolated quarters in its declining ſtreets, and
its multitude, disgraced with want and mifery, an
affecting Proof of the fudden fall of Countries
formerly overflowing with profperity.
That, if we duely confider thefe motives, no
Citizen whofe heart is upright (as the Petitioners
affure themſelves) much lefs your noble and grand
Lordships, whofe good dispofitions they ack-
nowledge with Gratitude, will take it amifs, that
we have fixed our eyes on the prefent Conjunc-
ture of affairs, to enquire, whether thefe times
might not furnish them fome means of reviving
the languishing Manufactures of Leyden; and that
after a Confideration well matured, they flatter
themſelves with the hope (a hope which unpreju-
diced Men will not certainly regard as a vain Chi-
mera) that in fact, by the prefent Circumftances,
there opens in their favour an Iffue, for arriving
at the Reeftablishment defired.
That from the time, when the Rupture be
tween Great Britain and the Colonies upon the
Continent of North America appeared to be irre-
2
para.

* 30 **
parable, every attentive Spectator of this Event
perceived, or at leaft was convinced, that this
Rupture, by which there was born a Republick
as powerfull as induftrious in the new World,
would have the most important Confequences for
Commerce and navigation, and that the other
commercial Nations of Europe would foon fhare
in a very confiderable Commerce, whereof the
Kingdom of Great Britain had referved to itfelf,
untill that time, the exclufive Poffeffion by its Act
of Navigation, and by the other Acts of Parlia-
ment prescribed to the Colonies; that in the ti-
me of it, this Reflection did not escape your Pe-
titioners, and they foresaw, from that time, the
advantage which might arife in the fequel, from at
Revolution fo important for the United Provinces
in general, and for their native City in particu-
lar. But that they fhould have been afraid, to ha-
ve placed this favorable Occafion before the
eyes of your noble and grand Lordships, at an
Epocha when the relations, which connected our
Republick with Great Britain her Neighbour,
feemed to forbid all Meafures of this nature, or
at leaſt ought to make them be confidered as out
of feafon.
That, in the mean time, this reafon of Silence
has entirely ceafed by the Hoftilities, which the
faid Kingdom has commenced against our Repu-
blick, under Pretences, and in a manner, the In-
juftice of which has been demonftrated by the fu-
pream Government of the State, with an irrefra-
gable Evidence, in the eyes of impartial Europe;
whilft the Petitioners themſelves, by the illegal
Capture of fo large a number of Dutch Ships,
and afterwards by the abfolute Stagnation of navi-
gation, and of Voyages to foreign Countries,
hive

*(31)
have experienced, in the moft grievous manner,
the confequences of this hoftile and unforeseen
Attack, and feel them ftill every day, as is abun-
dantly known to your noble and grand Lordships.
That fince that Epocha, a ftill more confiderable
number of Workmen must have remained without
Employment, and feveral Fathers of Families
have quitted the City, abandoning, to the further
Expence of the Treafury of the Poor, their Wives
and their Children plunged in Mifery.
That during this Rupture, which has fubfifted
now for fifteen months, there has occurred another
Circumftance, which has encouraged the Petitio-
ners ftill more, and which to them appears to be
of fuch a nature, that they would be guilty of an
excesfive Indifference, and an unpardonable Ne-
gligence towards the City, towards the lower
Clafs of Inhabitants, towards their own Families,
and towards themfelves, if they fhould delay any
longer, to lay open their Interefts to your noble
and grand Lordships, in a manner the moſt reſpect-
full, but the moſt energick; to wit, that the Uni-
ted States of America have very rigorously for-
bid, by a refolution of Congrefs agreed to in all
the thirteen States, the Importation of all English
manufactures, and in general, all the merchandi-
zes fabricated in the Dominions which yet remain
to Great-Britain. That the Effect of this Prohibi-
tion muft neceffarily be a Spirit of Emulation
between all the commercial nations, to take place
of the British Merchants and Manufacturers in
this important Branch of Exportation, which is en-
tirely cut off from them at this day. That never-
thelefs, among all the nations there is none, which
can entertain a hope, better founded, and more
fute, in this refpect, than the Citizens of this free
Repa

(32)
Republick, whether on account of the Identity
of Religion, the fashion of Living, the manners,
whether becauſe of the Extent of its commerce,
and the convenience of its navigation, but above
all, by reaſon of the Activity and good faith, which
ftill diftinguishes (without boafting too much) the
Dutch Nation above all other People; 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. inte
That
That, nevertheless, all Relations and Connec
tions of Commerce between the two Peoples, can-
not but be uncertain and fluctuating, as long as their
offers and reciprocal Engagements are not fixed
and regulated by a Treaty of Commerce.
at this day, if ever, (according to the refpe&full
opinion of the Petitioners) there exifts a neceffity
the moſt abfolute, for the Conclufion of a fimilar
Treaty of Commerce, there, where we may fay
with Truth, that there arifes for the Republick,
for our Leyden efpecially, a moment, which
once eſcaped, perhaps never will return, fince
the national Affembly of Great Britain, convin
ced by a terrible and fatal Experience, of the ab
folute Impoffibility of reattaching united Ame.
rica to the British Crown, has laid before the
Throne its defire to conclude a neceffary Peace
with a People, free as this day at the Price of
their Blood: So that if this Peace fhould be
once concluded, the Dutch Nation would fee
itfelf perhaps excluded from all Advantages of
Commerce with this new Republick, or at leaſt
would be treated by her with an Indifference',
which the fmall value, which we fhould have put
upon

33 *
apon its Friendship in former times, would feem
to merit.
That, fuppofing for a moment, that a Peace,
between England and United America, were
not fo near, as we have reafon to prefume not
without probability, there would be found in that
cafe nations enough, who will be jealous of ac-
quiring, after the example of France, the earlieſt
right to Commerce with a Country, which already
peopled by feveral Millions of Inhabitants, augments
every day in Population, in a manner incredible,
but, as a new People, unprovided as yet with
feveral neceffary Articles, will procure a rich,
even an immenfe Outlet, for the Fabricks and
Manufactures of Europe.
That, however manifeft the Intereft, which the
Petitioners and all the Citizens of Leyden would
have in the Conclufion of fuch a Treaty of Com-
merce, they would however have made a fcruple;
to lay before the paternal eyes of your noble
and grand Lordships, the utility or rather the ne
ceffity of fuch a meaſure, in refpect to them, if
they could believe, that their particular Advanta-
ge would be, in any wife, contrary to the more
univerfal Interefts of all the Republick. But, as
far as the Petitioners may judge, as Citizens, of
the Situation, and the political Exiftence of their
Country, they are ignorant of any reafons of this
kind: but, on the contrary, they dare appeal
to the unanimous voice of their fellow Citizens,
well intentioned, in the other Cities and Provin-
ces, even of the Regents the moft diftinguished;
fince it is univerfally known, that the Province of
Friefland has already preceeded the other Con-
federates by a Refolution, for opening negotia-
tions with America; and that in other Provinces
C
which

( 34 )
which have an Intereft lefs direct in Commerce
and Manufactures, celebrated Regents appear
to wait merely for the example of the Commercial
Provinces, for taking a fimilar Refolution.
That the Petitioners will not detain the attention
of your noble and grand Mightineffes, by a more
ample detail of their Reafons and Motifs, fince,
on one hand, they affure themfelves, that theſe
reafons and motifs will not efcape the enlighte.
ned and attentive Judgment of your grand and no-
ble Lordships, and on the other, they know by
experience, that your grand and noble Lordships
are difpofed, not to fuffer any occafion to pafs, for
promoting the welbeing of their City, for advan-
cing the Profperity of the Citizens, to render their
names dear to their Contemporaries, and make
them bliffed by Pofterity.
In which firm expectation, the Petitioners ad-
drefs themſelves to this grand Council with the
refpectfull but ferious Requeft, that it may pleaſe
your noble and great Lordships, to direct, by their
powerfull Influence, things in fuch fort, that in
the Affembly highly refpected of their noble and
grand Mightineffes the Lords the States of Hol-
land and Weftfriefland, there be opened delibera-
tions, or, already opened, carried as fpeedily as
poffible to an effectual Conclufion, fuch as they
fhal find the moft proper, for obtaining the law-
full End, and fullfilling the Defires of the Peti-
tioners, or as they fhall judge conformable to the
general Intereft.
So doing &c.
15.00
LEYDEN

LEYDEN.
AN ADDRESS of Thanks, with a
further Petition.
To the noble, great, and venerable Lords, the
great Council of the City of Leyden.
The underfigned Manufacturers, Merchants and
other Traders, intereſted in the Manufactures and
Fabricks of this City, give refpectfully to under-
ftand.
That a number of the Underfigned, having ta-
ken, the 18 of March, the liberty to prefent, to
your noble and great Lordships, a refpectfull Re-
queft, to obtain the Conclufion of Connections of
Commerce with United America the Petitioners
judge that they ought to hold it for a duty, as agrea-
ble as indifpenfible, to teftify their fincere Gra-
titude, not only for the gracious manner, in which
your noble and great Lordships have been plea-
fed to accept that requeft, but alfo for the Pa-
triotic Refolution that your noble and great Lords
hips have taken upon its object; a Refolution,
in virtue of which the City of Leyden (as the
Petitioners have the beſt reafons to fuppofe) hath
been one of the first Cities of this Province, from
whofe Unanimous Cooperation has originated the
Refolution of their noble and grand Mightineffes of
the date of the 28 of March laft" to direct things
on the Part of their noble and grand Mightineffes,
in the Affembly of the States General, and to
make there the ftrongeft Inftances, to the end
C 2
that

( 36 )*
that Mr. Adams may be admitted and acknowled-
ged as Minifter of the United States of America".
That the Petitioners regard, with all honeft-
hearted Citizens, the prefent Epocha, as one of
the moſt glorious in the Annals of our dear Coun-
try, feeing that there has been manifefted, in a
moft fignal manner, on one hand, a Confidence
the moſt cordial of the good Citizens towards their
Regents, on the other a paternal Attention and
Deference of the Regents to the refpectfull but
well founded Prayers of their faithfull Citizens,
and, in general, the moft exemplary Unanimity,
throughout the whole Nation, to the Confufion
of thofe, who, having endeavoured to fow the
feeds of Discord, would have rejoiced if they could
fay with truth, that a Diffention fo fatal had roo-
ted itſelf, to the Ruin of the Country and of the
People.
That the Petitioners, feeling themſelves pene-
trated, with the moft pleafing Emotions, by an
Harmony fo Univerfal, cannot pafs over in Silen-
ce the Reflection, that your noble and great Lord-
fhips, taking a Refolution the most favourable,
upon the faid Requeft, have difcovered thereby,
that they would not abandon the footsteps of
their Anceſtors, who found, in the united fenti-
ments of Magiftrates and Citizens, the Refources
neceffary to refift a powerfull oppreffor, who
even would not have undertaken that difficult,
but glorious Task, if they had not been fuppor
ted by the voice of the moft refpectable Part of
the Nation.
That encouraged by this Reflection, the Peti-
tioners affure themfelves, that your noble and great
Lordships will honour, with the fame Approba-
tion

*(37)
tion, the ftep, which they take to day, to recom-
mend to your noble and great Lordships, in a man-
ner the moft refpectfull, but at the fame time the
moft preffing, the promt and efficacious Execution
of the aforefaid Refolution of their noble and
grand Mightineffes of the 28 of March laft, with
every thing which depends thereon; a Procee-
ding, which does not fpring from a defire, on the
part of the Petitioners, to raiſe themſelves above
the fphare of their duties and vocations, or to in-
terfere, indifcreetly, the affairs of Government,
but only from a Conviction, that it cannot but be
agreable to well intentioned Regents (fuch as your
Noble and great Lordships, have fhewn yourfel-
ves by Deeds to your good Citizens) to fee
themſelves applauded in their falutary Efforts and
patriotick Defigns, and fupported against the per-
verfe views, and fecret machinations of the ill
dispofed, who, however fmall their Number, are
always found in a nation.
That, although the Petitioners may be con.
vinced, that their noble and grand Mightineffes,
having taken a Refolution fo agreable to all true
Patriots, will not neglect to employ means to carry
it to an efficacious Conclufion among the other Con-
federates, and to procure to the good Citizens, the
real Enjoyment of the Commerce with United
America, they cannot, nevertheleſs, diffemble,
that lately fome new Reafons have arifen, which
make them conceive fome fears refpe&ting the prompt
Confummation of this defirable affair.
That the Probability of an offer of Peace, on
the part of Great-Britain, to United America, whereof
the Petitioners made mention in their former Re-
queft, having at prefent become a full Certainty
by the Revolution arrived fince in the British
Ministry,
C 3

38
*
Miniftry, they have not learned without Uneafinefs
the attempt made at the fame time by the new Mi
nifters of the Court of London, to involve this
State, in a Negotiation for a feparate Peace, the
immediate Confequence of which would be (as
the Petitioners fear) a Ceffation of all Connections
with the American Republick, whilft that in the
mean time ourRepublick, deprived on the one hand of
the Advantages, which it reaſonably promifes it-
felf from theſe Connections, might on the other
hand be detained by Negotiations, fpun out to a
great Length, and not effect till late, perhaps
after the other belligerent Powers, a feparate Pea-
ce with England.
That in effect the Difficulties, which oppofe
themfelves to a like partial Pacification, are too
multipleid for one, to promife himſelf to fee them
fuddenly removed, fuch as the Reftitution of the
Poffeffions taken from the State, and retaken from
the English by France, a Reftitution, which is
become thereby impracticable, the Indemnification
of the immenfe Loffes, that, the unexpected and
perfidious Attack of England hath caufed to the
Dutch Nation in general, to the Petitioners in
particular; the Affurance of a free Navigation, for
the future, upon the Principles of the armed Neu-
trality, and conformably to the Law of Nations;
the Diffolution of the Bonds, which, without
being productive of any Utility to the two Na-
tions, have been a fource of Conteftations, always
fpringing up, and which, in every war between
Great Britain and any other Power, have threat-
ned to involve our Republick in it, or have in
effect done it; the Annihilation, if poffible, of the
act of Navigation, an act, which carries too evi-
dent

dent marks of the fupremacy affected by England
over all other maritime People, not to attract At-
tention, at the approaching Negotiation of Peace;
finally, the Neceffity of breaking the yoke, that
Great Britain would impofe on our Flagg, to make
hers refpected in the northern Ocean, as the feat
of her maritime Empire; and other objects of this
Nature, which, as the petulant Proceedings of the
Court of London have given rife to them, will
certainly furnish matter for Claims and Negotia-
tions.
That, as by thefe Confiderations a fpeedy
Confummation of a feparate Peace with England
is out of all Probability, efpecially when one com-
pares with them the dubious and limited manger,
in which it is offered; on the other hand a general
Peace appears not to be fo for diftant, as that
to obtain a more prompt Reconciliation with En-
gland, the Republick hath occafion to abandon its
Interefts relative to North America, feeing that
the British Government hath refolved, upon the
Requeft of the national Affembly, even to discon-
tinue offenfive Hoftilities against the new Repu-
blick; and that even under the prefent Admi-
niftration of the new Minifters, it appears ready
to acknowledge pofitively its Independence; an
acknowledgment, which, in removing the prin-
cipal ftumbling Block of a Negotiation of a general
Peace, will pave the way to a prompt Explica-
tion of all the Difficulties between the Bellige-
rent Powers.
That the Petitioners fhould exceed much the
Bounds of their Plan, if they entered into a more
ample detail of the Reafons which might be alled-
ged upon this fubject, and which certainly will
CA
not

(40)
not efcape the political Penetration of your noble
and great Lordships, among others, the Engage-
ments recently entered into with the Court of
France, and which will not be violated by our
Republick, which acknowledges the fanctity of
its Engagements, and refpects them; but which
will ferve much rather to convince the Emprefs of
Ruffia of the Impoffibility of entering, in the pre-
fent Juncture of Affairs, into fuch a Negociation,
as the Court of London propofes, when even it
will not be permitted to prefume, but that Sove-
reign will feel herfelf the Change of Circumftan-
ces, which have happened with regard to Ame.
rica fince the offer of her Mediation, by the Re
volution in the British 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 Tranquility, that fhe hath endeavoured
to procure to all the Commercial Nations now in
war.
That from thefe Motives the Petitioners re-
fpe&fully hope, that the aforefaid offer of England
will occafion no obftacle, which may prevent,
that the Refolution of their noble and grand Migh-
tineffes, to acknowledge the Independence 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 fuffer itfelf to be diverted the-
reby from the defign of opening unanimously with
this Province, and the others which have declared
themfelves conformably with Holland, Negotia-
tions with the United States, and of terminating
them as foon as poffible.
That the favourable Refolutions, already taken
for this effect in Zeeland, Utrecht, Overysfel,
and

41)
and at prefent (as the Petitioners learn) in the
Province of Groningen after the Examples of Hol-
land and Friesland, 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
commercial Citizens of the other Cities, to the
end, that by the Refiftance of one Province, not
immediately intereſted in Commerce and Naviga-
tion, they might not be deprived of the Advan-
tages and of the Protection, that the fovereign
Affembly of their proper Province had been dis-
pofed to procure them, without that, but that, to
the end to provide for it, their noble and grand
Mightineffes, and the States of the jother Provin-
ces in this refpect, Unanimous with them, fhould
make ufe of the Power, which belongs to each
free State of our federative Republick, at leaft in
regard to Treaties of Commerce, of which there
exifts an Example in 1649, not only in a Treaty
of Redemption of the Toll of the Sound, but
alfo, in a defenfive Treaty concluded with the
Crown of Denmark by the three Provinces of
Guelderland, Holland and Friesland.
But as every Apprehenfion of a fimilar Diffention,
among the members of the Confederation, appears
at prefent abfolutely unfeafonable, the Petitioners
will confine themfelves rather to another Requeſt,
to wit, that after the formation of Connections
of Commerce with North America, the effectual
Enjoyment of it may be affured to the Commer-
cial Citizens of this Country, by a fufficient Pro-
tection of their Navigation, without which the
Conclufion even of fuch a Treaty of Commerce
would be abfolutely illufory. That for a long time,
efpecially the laft year, the Petitioners have tas
CS
fted

42 D
وو
دو
دو
fted the bitter Fruits of the defenceless ftate, in
which the Dutch Flagg has been inceffantly found,
as they have already faid, conformably to the
truth, in their first requeft,,, that by the total
,, ftagnation of the Navigation, and of Expedi
,, tions, they have felt in the moft painfull man-
,, ner, the effects of the hoftile and unexpected
,, Attack of Great Britain, and that they feel
them ſtill every day". That in the mean time.
this ftagnation of Commerce, abfolutely abandoned
to the Rapacity of an Ennemy greedy of Pillage,
and deftitute of all Protection whatever, hath
appeared to the Petitioners, as well as to all the
other Commercial inhabitants, yes even to all true
Citizens, fo much the more hard and afflicting,
as they not only have conftantly contributed with
a good Heart, all the public Impofts, but that at
the time, even that the Commerce was abfolu-
tely abandoned to itfelf, and deprived of all Safe-
guard, it fupported a double Charge to obtain that
Protection, which it hath never enjoyed, feeing
that the hope of fuch a Protection, (the Repu-
blick not being entirely without maritime Force)
hath appeared indeed more than once, but has al-
ways vanifhed in the most unexpected manner, by
accidents and impediments, which, if they have
given rife, perhaps wrongfully, to difcontent and
to diftruft among the good Citizens, will not
nevertheleſs be read and meditated by Pofterity
without furprize.
That, without Intention to legitimate, in any man-
ner, the fufpicions arifing from this failure of Protec-
tion, the Petitioners believe themfelves, neverthe-
lefs, with all proper refpe&t warranted, in addreffing
their Complaints on this head, to the Bofoms of your
noble and great Lordships, and (feeing that the
Com-

43
Commerce with North America cannot fubfift with-
out Navigation, no more than Navigation with-
out a Safeguard) in reckoning upon the active
Direction, the ufefull Employment, and prompt
Augmentation of our naval Forces, in Proportion
to the means, which fhall be the moft proper
effectually, to fecure to the Commerce of this
Republick the Fruits of its Connections with Uni-
ted North America.
وو
99
وو
وو
دو
99
For which Reafons, the Petitioners, returning
their folemn Thanks to your noble and great Lord-
fhips, for the favourable Refolution taken upon
their requeft the 18th. of March laft, addrefs them-
felves anew to you, on this occafion, with the
refpectfull Prayer,, that it may graciously pleafe
», your noble and great Lordships, to be willing
,, to effectuate by your powerfull Influence, whe-
ther in the illuftrious Affembly of their noble
and grand Mightineffes, whether among the other
Confederates, or elſewhere, there, and in fuch
manner as your noble and great Lordships
fhall judge moft proper, that the Refolution
of their noble and grand Mightineffes of the
date of the 28 of March laft, for the Ad-
miffion of Mr. Adams, in quality of Minifter
of the United States of America, be prompt-
,, ly executed, and that the Petitioners, with
the other Commercial Citizens, obtain the
effectual Enjoyment of a Treaty of Commerce
with the faid Republick, as well by the activity
of the Marine of the State, and the Protection
of Commerce and Navigation, as by all other
,, meafures, that your noble and great Lordships
with the other members of the Sovereign Go-
vernment of the Republick, fhall judge to
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
وو
وو
دو
tend

44 D
39
tend to the public Good, and to ferve to the
Profperity of the dear Country, as well as
, to the maintenance of its precious Liberties.
99
So doing &c.
do to no
vizu
3d
adolfomno ani to asin
bes
ROTTERDAM

45 D
orgio Rida moit sintot di
ROTTERDAM.
PETITION of the Merchants, Infurers,
and Freighters of Rotterdam to the
Regency of that City.
GV
IVE to underftand, in the moſt reſpectfull
manner, that it is fufficiently notorious, that
the Inhabitants of this Republick have, as well
as any other Nation, an Intereft, that they give
us an opportunity to open a free Communication
and Correfpondance with the Inhabitants of Ame-
rica, by making a Treaty of Commerce, as Mr.
Adams has reprefented in his Memorial; to which
they add, that the Advantages, which muft re-
fult from it, are abfolutely the only means of
reviving the fallen Commerce of this Country;
for reeftablishing the Navigation, and for repai-
ring the great Damages, which the perfidious Pro-
ceedings of the English have, for fo many years,
caufed to the commercial Part of this Country.
That, with all due refpect, they reprefent to
the venerable Regency the danger we run, in
prolonging further the deliberations, concerning
the Article of an alliance of Commerce with
North America; being moreover certain, that the
Interpofition of this State cannot add any Thing
more to the folidity of its Independence, and
that the English Miniftry has even made to the
Deputies of the American Congrefs Propofitions,
to what Point they would eftablish a Correfpon-
dence there, to our Prejudice, and thereby depri-
Ve

46 D
ve 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
efforts, that we may purſue the Negotiation offe-
red by M. Adams, and that we may decide finally
upon it. Whereupon the Petitioners reprefent,
with all the refpect poffible, but at the fame time
with the firmeft Confidence, to the venerable Re-
gency of this City, that they would authorize and
qualify the Lords their Deputies at the Affem-
bly of their noble and grand Mightineffes, to the
end, that they infift in a manner the moſt
energic, at the Affembly of their noble and grand
Mightineffes, that the Refolution demanded may
be taken without the leaft delay, to the end,
that, on the Part of this Province, it be effected
at the Affembly of the States General, that the
American Minifter Mr. Adams be as foon as possible
admitted to the Audience which he has deman-
ded, and that they take with him the determina-
tions neceffary to render free and open to the
reciprocal Inhabitants, the Correfpondence de
manded.
So doing &c.
#iw
ody
and vas bbs Joan
I
babagabal of
di o sborovs
or
To
THE

**(47)
THE PETITIONS of the Merchants, and Manu-
facturers of HAERLEM, LEIDEN and AM-
STERDAM, which have been prefented on the
twentyeth of March to THEIR HIGH-MIGH-
TINESSES, were accompanied with an other
to the States of HOLLAND and WEST-
FRIESLAND, conceived in thefe Terms.
THE
HE Subfcribers, Inhabitants of this Country,
Merchants, Manufacturers, and others, 11-
ving by Commerce, give with all refpect to under-
ftand, that they have the honour to annex hereto
a Copy of a Petition prefented by them to their
High-Mightinesfes, the States General of the Uni-
ted Low-Countries. The Importance of the Thing
which it contains, the confiderable Commerce, which
thefe Countries might eftablish in North-America,
the Profits which we might draw from it, and the
Importance of Induftry and Manufactures, by the
relation which they have with Commerce in ge-
neral, as well as the Navigation to that extenfive
Country; all thefe Objects have made them take
the liberty to reprefent, in the moſt refpectfull
manner, this great affair for them and for the
Connections which the Petitioners may have, in
quality of Manufacturers, with the Merchants,
moft humbly praying your noble and grand Migh-
tineffes, for the acquifition of thefe important
Branches of Commerce, and for the advantage of
all the Manufactures, and other works of Labour
and of Trafick, to be fo good as to take this Peti-
tion, and the Reafons which it contains, into your
high

*48 *
high Confideration, and to favour it with your
powerfull Support and Protection, and by a favou-
rable Refolution, which may be taken at the affem-
bly of their High Mightineffes, to direct, on the
Part of this Province, things in fuch a manner,
that for obtaining this Commerce fo defired and fo
neceffary for this Republick, that there be concer-
ted fuch efficacious meafures, as the high wisdom
and patriotic fentiments of your noble and grand
Mightineffes may find convenient, for the wel-
being of fo great a Numbre of Inhabitants, and for
the Prejudice of their Ennemies.
So doing &c.
DOR-

49 D
DORDRECHT.
T DORDRECHT there has not been prefen-
A ted any petition. But on the twentyeth of
March the Merchants, convinced by redoubled
proofs of the Zeal, and of the Efforts of theit
Regency, for the true Interefts of Commerce,
judged it unneceffary to prefent a Petition after the
example of the Merchants of other Cities: they
contended themſelves with teftifying verbally
their defire, that there might be contracted
connections of Commerce with the United States
of America: that this ftep had been crowned with
fuch happy fuccefs, that the fame day 20 March
1782, it was refolved by the ancient Council, to
authorize their Deputies at the Affembly of Hol-
land, to concur in every manner poffible, that,
without delay, Mr. Adams be acknowledged in
his Quality of Minifter Plenipotentiary; that his
Letters of Credence be accepted, and Conferences
opened upon this object.
bavong astio o
id: 30 afloration
da to nonn
1001
od sloon
de son dicy
06
old
D
ZWOLL

* 50 *
ZWOLL
IN OVERTSSE L.
rers,
HE Subfcribers, all Merchants, Manufactu-
and Factors of the City of Zwoll,
give refpe&fully to underſtand, that every one of
them, in his private concerns, finds by expe-
rience, as well as the Inhabitants of the Republick
in general, the grievous effects of the decay into
which Commerce, and the Manufactures of this
Country are fallen, little by little, and above all,
fince the hoftile attack of the Kingdom of Eng.
land againſt this State; that it being their duty
to their Country, as well as to themfelves, to
make ufe of all the circumftances which might
contribute to their reeftablishment, the Requifi-
tion made not long fince by Mr. Adams to the
Republick, to wit to conclude a Treaty of Com-
merce with the United States of North- America,
could not escape their attention; an affair whofe
Utility, Advantage and Neceffity, for thefe Pro-
vinces, are fo evident, and fo often proved in
an inconteftible manner, that the Petitioners will
not fatigue your noble Lordships, by placing
them before you, nor the general Interefts of this
City, nor the particular Relations of the Petitio-
ners, confidering that they are convinced, in the
firft place, that England making againſt the Re-
publick the moft ruinous war, and having bro-
ken every Treaty with her, all kind of Complai-
fance for that Kingdom is unfeaſonable.
In

* Si
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 Productions and Manufactures of England, to
break abfolutely with that Kingdom; it is precisely
the time, and perhaps the only time, in which we
may have a favourable opportunity, to enter into
Connection with this new and powerfull Repu
blick; a time which we cannot neglect without
running the greateft risque of being irrevocably
prevented by the other Powers, and even by
England. Thus we take the Liberty, refpectfully
to fupplicate your noble Lordships, that having
fhewn for a long time, that you fet a value upon
the formation of Alliances with powerfull States,
you may have the goodness, at the approaching
Affembly of the Nobility and of the Cities for-
ming the States of this Province, to redouble
your efforts, to the end, that in the name of this
Country it may be decided at the Generality,
that Mr. Adams be acknowledged, and the propo
fed Negotiations opened as foon as poffible.
So doing &e.
Detab ved bise, wedge
111
D &
PETITION

+(52)
PETITION OF AMSTERDAM.
To
o their High Mightineffes, the States Gene-
ral of the United Provinces the under-
figned, Merchants, Manufacturers and others,
Inhabitants living by Commerce in this Country,
give refpe&fully to underſtand:
That, although the Petitioners have always
relyed, with entire confidence upon the Admini-
ftration and the Refolutions of your High - Migh-
tineffes, and it is against their Inclinations to in-
terrupt your important deliberations, they think,
however, that they ought, at this time, to take
the Liberty, and believe as well intentioned In-
habitants, that it is their indispenfable Duty in the
refent moment, which is moft critical for the
Republick, to lay humbly before your High-Migh-
tin effes their Interefts.
What good Citizen, in the Republick, having
at heart the Intereft of his dear Country, can
diffemble, or reprefent to himſelf without dismay,
the fad fituation, to which we are reduced by
the attack, equally fudden, unjuft and perfidious of
the English? who would have dared, two years
ago, to foretell, and, notwithſtanding the dark
clouds, which even then began to form themfel-
ves, could even have imagined, that our Com-
merce, and our Navigation, with the immenſe af-
fairs which depend upon them, the fupport and the
profperity of this Republick, could have fallen and
remained in fuch a terrible decay? that in 1780,
more than two thouſands of Dutch veffells, ha-
ving paffed the Sound, not one was found upon
MOT
the

*(53)*
the Lift in 1781? That the Ocean, heretofore,
covered with our veffells, fhould fee at pre-
fent fcarcely any? and that we may be reduced to
fee our navigation, formerly fo much refpected
and preferred by all the nations, pafs entirely into
the hands of other Powers? It would be fuper-
fluous, to endeavour to explain at length, the
damages, the enormous lofles, which our Inha-
bitants have fuftained by the fudden Invafion, and
the Pillage of the Colonies, and of their fhips:
difafters), which not only fall directly upon the
Merchant, but which have alfo a general influence,
and make themſelves felt in the moft melancholly
manner, even by the loweft Artifans and Labou.
rers, by the languor which they occafion in Com-
merce. But, how great soever they may be, it
might perhaps be poffible, by the aid of the pa-
ternal cares of your High- Mightineffes, and by
oppofing a vigorous refiftance to the Ennemy,
already enervated, to repair in time all thefe
Loffes, (without mentioning Indemnifications) if
this ftagnation of Commerce was only momen-
tary, 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 afflicts, in the highest degree, the Peti-
tioners; for it would be the hight of Folly and
Inconfideration, to defire ftill to flatter ourfelves,
and to remain quiet, in the expectation, that,
after the conclufion of the Peace, the Bufinefs,
at prefent turned out of its direction, fhould re-
turn entirely into this country; for experience
fhews the contrary in a manner the moft con-
vincing; and it is moft probable, that the fame
nations, who are actually in poffeffion of it, will
preferve, at that time, the greateſt part of it.
Your alarmed Petitioners throw their eyes round
every
D 3

※ 54
every where, to discover new fources, capable of
procuring them more fuccefs in future; they
even flatter themfelves, that they have found them
upon the new theatre of Commerce, which the
United States of America offer them; a Commer.
ce, of which, in this moment, but in this mo-
ment only, they believe themfelves to be in a con-
dition, to be able to affure to themſelves a good
fhare, and the great Importance of which, joined
to the fear of feeing escape from their hands
this only and laft Refource, has induced them to
take the refolution, to lay open refpectfully
their Obfervations, concerning this important ob-
ject, to your High- Mightineffes, with the earneſt
Prayer, that you would confider them with a fe-
rious attention, and not interpret in ill part this
meaſure of the Petitioners, eſpecially as their future
wellbeing, perhaps even that of the whole Repu-
blick, depends on the decifion of this affair.
No man can call in queftion, that England has
derived her greateſt forces from her Commerce
with America; thofe immenfe Treafures, which
that commerce has poured into the Coffers of the
State; the uncommon profperity of feveral of her
commercial Houfes, the extream Reputation of
her Manufactures, the Confumption of which, in
quantities beyond all bounds, contributes effica-
ciously to their Perfection, are convincing proofs
of it. However it may be, and notwithſtanding
the fuppofition too lightly adopted, that we cannot
imitate the British Manufactures; the Manufac-
ture of painted Linnens of Rouen, thofe of wool
of Amiens, of Germany, of Overyffel, the Pins
of Zwoll, prove visibly, that all things need nod
be drawn from England; that, moreover, we are
as well in a condition, or fhall foon be, to equal
them in feveral refpects.
Pers

*( 55 )
Permit us, high and mighty Lords, to the end
to avoid all further digreffion, to requeft in this
regard the attention of your high- Mightineffes,
to the fituation of Commerce in France at the
beginning of the war. Continual Loffes had al-
moft ruined it altogether like ours; feveral of her
Merchants failed of Capitals, and others wanted
courage to continue their Commerce; her Manu-
factures languished; the People groaned; in one
word, every thing there marked out the hor-
rors of war. But, at prefent, her maritime Towns,
overpeopled, have occafion to be enlarged; her
Manufactures having arrived at a degree of ex-
portation unknown before, begin to perfect
themſelves more and more, in fuch a degree, that
the melancholly Confequences of the war are
fcarcely felt in that Kingdom. But fince it is in-
conteftable, that this favourable alteration refults
almoſt entirely from its Commerce with Ame-
rica, that even this has taken place in time of
war, which, moreover, is ever prejudicial, we
leave it to the enlightened Judgment of your High-
Mightinesfes, to decide, what it is that we may
expect from a Commerce of this nature, even as
prefent, but eſpecially in time of Peace. In the
mean time, we have had the happineſs to make a
tryal, of fhort duration, it is true, but very
ftrong in proportion to its continuance, in our
Colony of St. Euftatia, of the importance of the
commerce, thò not direct, with North- America.
The Registers of the Weft-India Company may
furnish proofs of it very convincing to your High-
Mightinesfes; in fact, their Productions are in-
finitely fuitable to our Market, whilft, on our fide,
we have to fend them feveral articles of Con-
venience and of Necesfity from our own Coun-
D 4
try,

*56
try, or from the neighbouring States of Germany,
Moreover, feveral of our languishing manufactu
res, fcattered in the feven United Provinces,
may perhaps be restored to their former vi-
gour, by means of Bounties, or the Diminution
of Impofts. The Importance of Manufactures for
a Country is fufficiently proved, by the confidera-
ble Gratifications promifed and payed by British
Policy for their encouragement, and by the Ad-
vantages which that Kingdom has procured to
itfelf by this means, even beyond what had been
expected.
The Petitioners know perfectly well the ob-
ftacles, almoft infurmountable, which always op-
pofe themſelves to the habitual ufe of new Ma-
nufactures, although certainly better in quality;
and they dare advance without hesitation, that fe-
veral of our Manufactures are fuperiour to thofe
of the English: a moment more favourable can
never offer itſelf than the prefent, when by a Re-
folution of Congrefs the Importation of all the
effects of the Produce of Great Britain, and of
her Colonies, is forbidden; which reduces the
Merchant and the Purchafer to the neceffity of
recurring to other Merchandifes, the afe of which
will ferve to diffipate the Prejudice conceived
against them. It is not only the Manufactures, high
and mighty Lords, which promife a permanent ad-
vantage to our Republick: the Navigation will deri-
ve alfo great advantages; for it is very far from being
true (as feveral would maintain) that the Ame-
ricans, being once in the tranquil poffeffion of
their Independence, would themfelves exercice
with vigour theſe two Branches, and that in the
fequel we fhall be wholly fruftrated of them.
Whoewer has the leaft knowledge of the Coun-
try

57 D
try of America, and of its vaft Extent, knows
that the Number of Inhabitants is not there in
Proportion. That even the two Banks of the Mis
fiffippi, the moft beautifull tract of this Country,
otherwife fo fertile, remain ftill uncultivated: and
as there are wanted fo many hands, it is not at
all probable to prefame, that they will or can
Occupy themfelves to eftablish new Manufactures,
both becauſe of the new Charges; which are the-
reunto attached, and becauſe of the fhackles, which
they would put upon the Augmentation and Ex.
portation of their Productions.
It is then for thefe fame reafons [the want
of Population) that they will fcarcely find the
hands neceffary to take advantage of the Fishe-
ries, which are the Property of their Country;
which will certainly oblige them to abandon to
us the Navigation of Freight. There is not there-
fore any one of our Provinces, much less any one
of our Cities, which cannot enjoy the advantage
of this Commerce; No, High and mighty Lords,
the Petitioners are perfuaded that the utility and
the benefit of it, will fpread itfelf over all the
Provinces and Countries of the Generality.
Guelderland and Overysfel cannot too much ex-
tend their Manufactures of Wool, of Swanskin
and other things: even the Shoemakers of the
Mayoralty, and of Langftreet, will find a confidera-
ble opening: almoft all the Manufactures of
Utrecht and of Leyden will flourish anew. Har-
lem will fee revive its Manufactures of Stuffs,
of Laces, of Ribbons, of Twift, at prefent in
the loweſt ſtate of decay. Delft will fee vaftly
augmented the fale of its Earthen ware, and
Gouda that of its Tabacco Pipes.
However great may be the advantages fore.
DS
feen

**( 58 )
feen by the Petitioners, from a legal Commerce
duely protected with America, their fear is not
lefs, left we fhould fuffer to eſcape the happy
moment of affuring to them, and to all the Repu-
blick, thefe advantages. The prefent moment
muft determine the whole. The English Nation is
weary of the war, and as that People runs eafily
into extreams, the Petitioners are afraid, with
ftrong probable appearances, that a compleat ac-
knowledgment of American Independance will
foon take place; aboave all, if the English fee
an opportunity of being able ftill to draw from
America fome conditions favourable for them, or
at leaſt fomething to our disadvantage. Ah! what
is it, which fhould inftigate the Americans, in
making Peace, and renewing Friendship with
Great Britain, to have any regard for the Interefts
of our Republick? If England could only obtain
for a Condition, that we fhould be obliged to pay
Duties more burthenfome for our Veffels, this
would be not only a continual and permanent Pre-
judice; but would be fufficient, to transmit to
Pofterity a lamentable Proof of our exceffive
Deference for unbridled Ennemies.
The Petitioners dare flatter themfelves, that a
meafure fo frank of this Republick, may power-
fully ferve for the Acceleration of a general Pea-
ce. A general ardour, to extinguish te flames of
war, reigns in England; an upright and vigorous
conduct, on the part of this Republick, will con-
tribute to accelerate the accomplishment of the
wishes for Peace.
We flatter ourſelves, High and Mighty Lords,
that we have in this regard alledged fufficient
reafons for an immediate decifion; and that we
have fo vifibly proved the danger of Delay, that
we

(59)
eftep tak
we dare to hope from the paternal Equity of your
High - Mightineffes, a reaſonable attention to the
refpectfull Propofition which we have made. It
proceeds from no other motive, than a fincere
affection for the precious Interefts of our dear
Country; fince we confider it as certain, that as
foon as the ftep taken by us fhall be known by
stas certain, that as
the English, and that they fhall have the leaft
hope of preventing us, they will not fail, as foon
as poffible, to acknowledge American Independence,
Supported by all thefe reafons, the Petitioners
addrefs themfelves to your Hihh - Mightinesfes,
humbly requefting, that it may pleaſe your High-
Mightinesfes, after the occurrences and affairs abo-
ve mentioned, to take, for the greateft advanta-
ge of this Country, as foon as poffible, fuch Re-
folution as your High Mightineffes fhall judge
moft convenient- be
6
dings B
This doing &c.
PETITION

PETITION
to the Burgomafters and Regents of
AMSTERDAM.
The
he Subfcribers, all Merchants and Manufac
turers of this City, with all due Refpect, gi-
ve to underſtand: That the Difference arifen
between the Kingdom of Great Britain and the
United States of America, has not only given oc-
cafion for a long and violent war, but that the
arms of America have covered themfelves with
a fuccefs fo happy, that the Congrefs, affifted by
the Courts of France and Spain, have fo well
eftablished their Liberty and Independence, and
reduced Great Britain to extremities fo critical,
that the Houſe of Commons in England, notwith-
ſtanding all the oppofitions of the British Miniftry,
have lately formed the important Refolution, to
turn the King from an offenfive war againft Ame-
rica, with no other defign than to accelerate, if
it is poffible, a Reconciliation with America.
That to this happy Revolution in the difpo
fitions of the English in favour of the Liberty and
Independence of America, according to all ap.
pearances, the Refolution taken by the Congrefs,
towards the end of the laft year, to wit, to for-
bid in all America the Importation of British Ma-
nufactures and Productions, has greatly contribu
ted: a Refolution, of which they perceive in En-
gland,

*6 D
gland, too visibly, the confequences ruinous to
their Manufactures, Trades, Commerce, and Na-
vigation, to be able to remain indifferent in this
regard. For all other commercial Nations, who
take to heart, ever fo little, their own Profperi-
ty, will apply themfelves ardently, to collect
from it all the fruit poffible. To this effect, it
would be unpardonable for the Bufinefs and Commer-
ce of this Republick in general, and for thofe of
this City in particular, to fuffer to efcape this oc-
cafion fo favourable for the encouragement of
our Manufactures fo declined, and languishing in
the interiour Cities, as well as that of the Com-
merce and Navigation in the maritime Cities; or
to fuffer that other commercial Nations, even
with a total exclufion of the mercantile Intereſts
of this Republick, fhould profit of it, and this
upon an occafion, when, by reafon of the war,
equally unjuft and ruinous, in which the Kingdom
of Great Britain has involved this Republick,
we cannot, and ought not to have the leaft Re-
gard or Condefcenfion for that jealous State,
being able even to oblige this arrogant Neighbour,
in the juft fear of the confequences, which a mo-
re intimate Connection between this Republick
and North-America would undoubtedly have, to lay
down the fooner her Arms, and reftore Tranqui-
lity to all Europe.
That the Petitioners, notwithstanding the In-
clination they have for it, ought not neverthe-
lefs to explain themfelves farther upon this ob-
ject, nor make a demonftration in detail of the
important advantages, which this Republick may
procure itſelf by a Connection and a Relation mo-
re intimate with North America; both becauſe
that no well-informed man can easily call the
thing

62
thing in queſtion, or contradict it; but also, be
caufe the States of Friesland themſelves have ve
ry lately explained themfelves, in a manner fo re-
markable, in this refpect; and which is ftill more
remarkable, becauſe in very different Circumftan-
ces, with a Forefight, which Pofterity will cele-
brate by fo much the more, as it is attacked in
our time by ill defigning Citizens, the Lords your
Predeceffors thought, four years ago, upon the
means of hindering this Republick from being ex-
cluded from the Bufinefs of the new World, and
from falling into the disagreable fituation, in which
the Kingdom of Portugal is at prefent, confidering
that, according to the Informations of your Peti-
tioners, the Congrefs has excluded that Kingdom
from all Commerce and Bufinefs with North-
America, folely, becauſe it had perceived that it
fuffered itfelf to be too ftrongly directed by the
Influence of the British Court. This example ma-
kes us fear with reafon, that if the Propofitions
made, in the name of America, by Mr. Adams
to this Republick, fhould remain, as they ftil are,
without an answer, or that, if, contrary to all
expectation, they fhould be rejected, in that Ca
fe the Republick ought not to expect 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 clofer Correfpondence, with the United States
of America. But this important work appeared
too meet with difficulties with fome, as incom-
patible with the Acceffion of this Republick to
the armed Neutrality, and in courfe, with the ac-
cepted Mediation; whilft that others cannot be
Perfuaded to make this fo neceffary ſtep, in the
opi-

*(63)
opinion, that we cannot draw any advantage, or
at leaſt of much Importance, from a more ſtrict
Connection with America: Reafons, according
to the Petitioners, the Frivolity of which is ap-
parent to every one, who is not filled with Preju-
dice, without having occafion to employ many
words to point it out. For, as to the firft Point,
fuppofing for a moment, that it might be made a
queftion, whether the Republick, after her Acces-
fion to the armed Neutrality, before the war with
England could take a ſtep of this nature, without
renouncing at the fame time the Advantages of
the armed Neutrality, which it had embraced;
it is at leaſt very certain, that every difficulty
concerning the Competency of the Republick to
take a fimilar ſtep, vanishes and disappears of itſelf
at prefent, when it finds itſelf involved in a war
with Great Britain, fince from that moment fhe
could not only demand, the affiftance and fuccour
of all the Confederates in the armed Neutrality,
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 pro-
fit of the advantages of the armed Neutrality.
This Reafoning then proves evidently, that in
the prefent fituation of affairs, the Republick
might acknowledge the Independence of Ameri-
ca, and notwithstanding this, claim of full right
the Affiftance of her neutral Allies, at leaſt, if we
would not maintain one of the two following ab.
furdities: that, notwithftaning the violent aggres-
fion of England in Refentment of our A cceffion
to the armed Neutrality, we dare not defend our-
felves, untill our Confederates fhall think proper
to

64 D
to come to our affiftance; or, otherwife, that
being attacked by the English, it fhould be per
mitted us, conformably to the rights of the armed
Neutrality, to refift them in Arms, whether on
the Doggersbank or elſewhere, but not by con-
tracting Alliances, which certainly do no Injury
or harm to the Convention of the armed Neutra-
lity, notwithſtanding even the fmall hope we ha-
ve of being fuccourred by the Allies of the armed
Confederation. The Argument of the Mediation
is ftill more contrary to common fenfe in this,
that it fuppofes, that the Republick, by accep-
ting the Mediation, has alfo renounced the Em-
ployment of all the means, by the way of Arms,
of Alliances, or otherwife, which it might judge
ufefull or neceffary to annoy her Ennemy: a fup-
pofition, which certainly is deftitute of all foun-
dation, and which would reduce it fimply to a
real Sufpenfion of Hoftilities on the Part of the
Republick only; to which the Republick can ne-
ver have confented, neither directly nor indi.
rectly.
Befides this laft Argument, the Petitioners ought
to obferve, in the first place, that by means of a
good Harmony and Friendship with the United
States of America, there will fpring up, not on-
ly different Sources of Bufinefs for this Repu
blick, founded folely on Commerce and Naviga-
tion, but in particular the Manufactures and Trade
will affume a new Activity in the interiour Cities &
for they may confume the amount of Millions
of our Manufactures in that new Country, of fo
vaft Extent: In the fecond Place, abftracted from
all Interefts of Commerce, the Friendship or the
Enmity of a Nation, which, after having made
Prifoners of two English Armies, has known how
to

(65)
to render herſelf refpectable and formidable, if it we
re only in relation to the weftern Poffeffions of
this State, is not and cannot be in any manner
indifferent for our Republick. In the laft place,
it is neceffary that the Petitioners remark far-
ther in this refpect, that feveral Inhabitants of
this Republick, in the prefent fituation of affairs,
fuffer very confiderable Loffes and Damages, which
at leaſt hereafter might be wholly prevented, or
in part, in cafe we fhould make with the United
States of America, with relation to Veffels and
Effects. recaptured, a Convention fimilar to
that, which has been made with the Crown of Fran-
ce the laſt year; for, venerable Regents, if a
Convention of this nature had been contracted
in the beginning of this war, the Inhabitants of
the Republick would have already derived im-
portant advantages from it, confidering that fe-
veral Ships and Cargoes, taken by the English
from the Inhabitants of this State, have fallen in-
to the hands of the Americans; among others,
two Veffels from the Weft-Indies, richly loaded,
and making fail for the Ports of the Republick,
and both eftimated at more than a Million of Flo-
rins of Holland; which captured by the English
at the commencement of the year paft, were car-
ried into North-America, where, after the Ca-
pitulation of General Cornwallis, they paffed from"
the hands of the English into others.
That, although the Petitioners are fully con-
vinced, that the Interefts of the Commerce of
this common Country, and of this City, have con-
ftantly, but especially in thefe laft years, attracted,
and ftill attract every day, a great part of the Ca-
res of the venerable Regency; nevertheless, ha
H
ving

ving regard to the Importance of the affair, the
Petitioners have thought that they might, and that
they ought to take the Liberty, to addrefs them-
felves with this Petition to you, venerable Re-
gents, to inform you, according to truth, that the
moments are precious, that we cannot lofe any
time, how little foever it may be, without run-
ning the greateft risque of lofing all; fince, by
hefitating longer, the Republick, according to all
appearances, would not derive any advantage, not
even more than it has derived from its acceffion
to the armed Neutrality; becaufe that in the fear
of British menaces, we did not determine to ac-
ceed to it, untill the opportunity of improving
the advantage of it, was paffed.
For theſe Caufes, the Petitioners addrefs them-
felves to you, venerable Regents, refpectfully fol-
liciting, that your efficacious Influence may con-
defcend, at the Affembly of their noble and grand
Mightineffes the States of this Province, to direct
affairs in fuch a manner, that upon this impor-
tant object there may be taken as foon as poffi-
ble, and, if poffible, even during the continuance
of this Affembly, a final and decifive Refolution,
fuch as you, venerable Regents and their noble
and grand Might ineffes, according to their high
wisdom, fhall judge the moft convenient: and if,
contrary to all Expectation, this important opera-
tion fhould meet with any obftacle on the
part of one or more of the Confederates, that in
that cafe you, venerable Regents, in Concert
with the Province of Friesland, and thofe of the
other Provinces, who make no difficulty to open
a Negotiation with America, will condefcend to
confider of the means, which fhall be found pro
per

67 D
per and convenient to effectuate, that the Com-
merce of this Province, as well as that of
Friesland and the other Members adopting the
fame opinion, may not be prejudiced by any di-
latory deliberations, nor too late refolved, for
the Conclufion of a Meafure as important as ne-
ceffary.
So doing &c.
1007
Adobe gored doidy, movetubes, th
Es
AMSTER

(68)
AMSTERDAM.
ADDRESS of the Merchants, &c. to their Re-
I to
gency.
NOBLE, GREAT, AND VENERABLE LORDS!
is for us a particular Satisfaction, to be able
to
Lordships,
as Heads of the Regency of this City, this well
intentioned Addrefs, that a multitude of our moſt
refpectable fellow-Citizens have figned. It was alrea-
dy prepared and figned by many, when we learned,
as well by the publick Papers as otherwife, the
Propofitions of a particular Peace, with an offer
of an immediate fufpenfion of Hoftilities, on the
part of Great Britain, made to this State by the
Mediation of the Ruffian Ambaffador. This is the
only reafon, why no immediate mention was made
of it in the Addrefs itfelf. It is by no means the
idea, that thefe offers would have made any Im-
preffion upon the Merchants; fince we can, on
the contrary, in truth affure your noble and
great Lordships, that the unanimous fentiment
nearly of the Exchange of Amfterdam, as much as
that is intereſted in it, is entirely conformable to
that, which the Merchants of Rotterdam have ma-
de known in fo energic a manner: That confe-
quently we have the greateft Averfion to like
offers, as artfull as dangerous, which being adop-
ted, would very probably throw this Republick in-
to other fituations very embarraffing, the immedia-
te confequences of which would be, to ruin it
TEMA
total

(69)
totally: whereas, on the other hand, thefe offers
fhew, that whe have only to deal with an Ennemy
exhaufted, whom we could force to a general and
durable Peace in the End, by following only the
example of France, Spain, and North America,
and by using the means which are in our Hands.
It is improper for us, however, to enlarge fur-
ther upon this Project, important as it may be,
being well affured, that your noble and great
Lordships fee thofe grievous Confequences more
clearly, than we can trace them.
The Merchants continue to recommend their
Commerce and Navigation to the conftant Care
and Protection of your noble and great Lordships,
and to infift only, that in cafe thefe offers of
the Court of England fhould be, at any time,
the Caufe that the affair of the Admiffion
affair
of Mr. Adams, in Quality of Minifter Plenipo
tentiary of the United States of America, fhould
meet with any difficulty or delay on the part of
the other Confederates, that your noble and great
Lordships, conformably to the fecond Article of
our Requifition, inferted in this Requeft, would
have the Goodness to think upon meaſures, which
would fecure this Province from the ruinous Confe-
m
quences of fuch a Proceeding the ruinous Confe
Hoildag
To the foregoing was joined the Address prefented
to the Burgomafters and the Council, which is of the
following Tenor.
Had Hoild
daid olg
NOBLE, GREAT, VENERABLE, AND NOBLE AND
VENERABLE LORDS!
The underfigned, Merchants, Citizens, and
Inhabitants of the City of Amfterdam, have
learned with an inexpreffible joy, the news of the
E3
Res

(70
Refolution taken the twenty-eighth of March laft
by their noble and grand Mightineffes, the Lords
the States of Holland and Weft-Friesland. Their
noble and grand Mightineffes have thereby, not
onle fatisfied the general wishes of the greateſt
and beft part of the Inhabitants of this Province,
but they have laid the Foundations of ulteriour
Alliances and Correfpondencies of Friendship and
of good underſtanding with the United States of
America, which promife new Life to the langui-
shing ftate of our Commerce, Navigation and Ma-
nufactures. The Unanimity with which that Refolu-
tion was decided in the Affembly of Holland, gi-
ves us grounds to hope, that the States of the other
Provinces will not delay to take a fimilar Refo
lution; whilft the fame Unamity fills with the
moft lively Satisfaction the well intentioned In-
habitants of this City, and without doubt thofe of
the whole Country, in convincing them fully,
that the Union among the fage and venerable Fa-
thers of the Country increafes more and more;
whilft that the Promptnefs and Activity, with
which it hath been concluded, make us hope,
with reafon, that we fhall reap, in time, from
a ftep fo important, and fo neceffary for this Re-
publick, the defired Fruits. Who then can call
in queſtion, or disavow, that the moment feems
to approach nearer and nearer, when this Repu-
blick fhall enter into new Relations with a Peo-
ple, which finds itfelf in Circumftances, which
differ but little from thofe in which our Ances-
tors found themfelves two Centuries ago; with a
People which conciliates more and more the ge-
neral Affection and Efteem.
The Conformity of Religion and Government,
which is found between us and America, joined
to

* 71 )
to the indubitable Marks, that fhe hath alrea-
dy long fince given of the Preference that fhe
feels for our Friendship, makes the underfigned
not only fuppofe, but infpire them with, a Confiden-
ce, that our Connections with her will be equally
folid, advantageous and falutary, to the Interefts of
the two Nations. The Wellbeing and Profperity,
which will very probably refult from them; the
Part which you, noble, great, venerable, and
noble and venerable Lords, have had in the Con-
clufion of a Refolution fo remarkable; the Con-
viction that the venerable Council of this City
had of it, upon the Propofition of the noble,
great and venerable Lords almoft confented to, be-
fore the Requeft relative to this project prefented
not long fince to you, noble, great and venera-
ble Lords, had come to the knowledge of the
Council; finally the Remembrance of that which
was done upon this matter in the year 1778, with
the beft Intentions and the moft laudable views,
finding itſelf at prefent crowned with an approba-
tion as publick as it is general, indifpenfibly obli-
ge the undersigned to approach you with this Ad-
drefs; not only to congratulate you upon fo re
markable an Event, but to thank you at the fame
time, with as much zeal as folemnity, for all
thofe well intentioned Cares, and thofe well con-
certed Meaſures, for that inflexible Attachment,
and that faithfull Adherence to the true Intereſts of
the Country in general and of this City in particular
which manifeft themfelves, in fo ftriking a manner,
in all the Proceedings and Refolutions of your
noble, great and venerable Lordships and of the
venerable Council of this City, and which certainly
will attract the esteem and veneration of the latest
Pofterity, when comparing the Annals and Events
E 4
of
y

(72)
of the prefent with thofe of former times, it fhall
discover that Amfterdam might ftill boaft itſelf of
poffeffing Patriots, who dared facrifice generously
all views of private Interefts, of Grandeur and
Confideration, to the facred obligations that their
Country requires of them,
We flatter ourfelves, noble, great, venerable,
noble and venerable Lords, that the prefent pu-
blick demonftration of our Esteem and Attach-
ment, will be fo much the more agreable, as it is
more rare in our Republick, and perhaps even it is
without example, and as it is more proper to
efface all the odious Impresfions that the Calumny
and Malignity of the English Miniftry, not long
ago fo fervilely adored by many, but whofe
downfall is at prefent confummated, had endea
voured to fpread, particularly a little before and
at the beginning of this war; Infinuations, which
have fince found Partifans in the United Provin-
ces, among thofe who have not been ashamed to
paint the Exchange of Amfterdam (that is to fay
the most refpectable and the moft ufefull part of
the Citizens of this City, and at the fame time
the principal fupport of the wellbeing of the Uni-
ted Provinces) as if it confifted in a gread part of
a contemptible Herd of vile interefted fouls, ha-
ving no other Object, than to give loofe to their
avidity, and to their defire of amaffing Treafures,
in defrauding the publick Revenues, and in trans-
porting articles, againft the Faith of Treaties;
Calumniators, who have had at the fame time,
and have ftill, the audacity to affront the moſt
upright Regency of the most confiderable City of
the Republick, and to expofe it to publick Con-
tempt, as if it participated by Connivance, and
otherwife, in fo fhamefull a Commerce; Infinua-
tions

73 *
tions and Accufations, which have been fpread,
with as much falshood as wickednefs, and which
ought to excite fo much the more the Indigna-
tion of every fenfible Heart, when it is confidered,
that not only the Merchants of this City, but alfo
thofe of the whole Republick, have fo inviolably
refpected the Faith of Treaties, that to the afto-
nishment of every impartial man, one cannot pro-
duce any Proofs, at leaft no fufficient Proofs, that
there hath ever been transported from this Country
Contrabande Merchandizes; whilft that the Con-
juncture, in which Imputations of this kind have
been fpread, rendered the Proceeding ftill more
odious, feeing it has been done at an Epocha,
when the Commerce and Navigation of Amfter-
dam, and of the whole Republick, would have ex-
perienced the first and almoft the only Attack of
an unjust and perfidious Ally, for want of neces-
fary Protection, upon which you, noble, great,
venerable, and noble and venerable Lords, have
fo often and fo feriously infifted, even before the
commencement of the Troubles between Great-
Britain and the United States of America; at an
Epocha, when the Merchant, formed for enter-
prifes, was obliged to feel the fruit of his Labour,
and of his Cares, the recompence of his indefati-
gable, Induſtry, and the Patrimony deftined to his
Pofterity, ravished from his hands by foreign
violence and an unbounded Rapacity, at an epo-
cha finally, when the wife and prudent Politi-
cians, who had exhaufted themfelves and fpared
no pains for the publick Good, faw their patriotic
views diffipated, and their Projects 'vanish.
Receive then, noble, great, venerable, and
noble and venerable Lords, this folemn Teftimony
of our lively Gratitude, as graciously, as it is
E 5
given

74
given fincerely on our part. Receive it as a Proof
of our Attachment to your Perfons; an Attach-
ment, which is not founded upon Fear, nor an
exteriour Reprefentation of Authority and Gran-
deur, but which is founded on more noble and
immoveable principles, thofe of efteem and Res-
pect, arifing from a fentiment of true Greatnefs
and of Generofity. Be affured, that when con-
temptible Difcord, with its odious attendants
Artifice and Impofture, could effectuate nothing,
abfolutely nothing, at the moment when the pre-
fent war broke out, to prejudice in the leaft the
Fidelity of the Citizens of the Amftel, or to fhake
them in the obfervance of their Duties, the In-
conveniences and the evils, that a war naturally
and neceffarily draws after it, will not produce
the effect 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 re-
duce and humble an haughty ennemy. Continue
then, noble, great, venerable, noble and venera-
ble Lords, to proceed with fafety in the Road
that you follow, the only one, which in our Opi-
nion can, under the divine Benediction, tend to
fave the Country from its prefent fituation. Let
nothing divert or intimidate you from it. You have
already furmounted the greateft difficulties, and the
moft poignant Cares. A more pleafing Perfpective
already opens. Great Britain, not long fince fo
proud of her Forces, that fhe feared not to declare
war against an ancient and faithfull Ally, already
repents of that unjuft and rash Proceeding; and,
fuccumbing under the weight of a war, which
becomes more and more burthenfome, fhe fighs
after Peace, whilit that the Harmony among the
members

(75)
members of the fupream Government of this Coun-
try increaſes with our Arms, according as your
political fyftem, whofe Neceffity and falutary In-
fluence were heretofore lefs acknowledged, gains
every day more numerous Imitators. The Refo-
lution lately taken by the States of Friesland,
and fo unanimously adopted by our Province, fur-
nishes, among many others, one inconteftible
Proof of it, whilft the naval Combat, fought the
laft year on Doggersbank, hath fhewn to aftonis-
hed Europe, that fo long a Peace, hath not made
the Republick forget the management of Arms,
but that on the contrary it nourishes in its Bofom
warriours, who tread in the footsteps of Tromps
and Ruiters, from whofe Prudence and Intrepidity,
after a Beginning fo glorious, we may promife our-
felves the moft heroic Actions; that their invin.
cible Courage, little affected with an evident fu-
periority, will procure one day to our Country an
honourable and permanent Peace, which, in
eternizing their military Glory, will caufe the wife
Policy of your noble, great, venerable, and noble
and venerable Lordships, to be bleffed by the la-
teft Pofterity.men Sub
293212
set aim to me i bamos al
anal saamioni s nogu audy
aldon adoptysi to. Cooy oldsargh, nom odi
UTRECHT

*76*
UTRECHT.
Top
24. April 1782.
vlast, nompi
luomiasto di bas
yasm groms
To THEIR NOBLE MIGHTINESSES, THE LORDS
THE STATES OF THE COUNTRY OF UTRECHT.
• gaol of cars, scoot bort
HE underfigned Manufacturers, Merchants,
and other Traders of this City, give with
due refpect to underſtand, that the Petitioners
placing their Confidence in the Intereft, that your
noble Mightineffes have always appeared to ta-
ke in the advancement of Manufactures and Com-
merce, have not been at all fcrupulous to recom-
mend to the vigilant attention of your noble
Mightineffes, the favourable occafion that offers
itſelf in this moment, to revive the Manufactures,
Commerce and Trades fallen into decay in this
City and Province, in cafe that your noble Migh-
tineffes acknowledged, in the name of this City,
Mr. Adams as Minifter Plenipotentiary of the Uni-
ted States of America, to the end that there might
be formed with them a Treaty of Commerce for
this Republick. As the Petitioners founded them-
felves thus upon the intimate fentiment of the
execution of that, which your noble Mightineffes
judge proper to the advancement of the well-
being of the Petitioners and of their Interefts, the
Petitioners have further the fatisfaction of feeing
the moſt agreable Proofs of it, when your noble
Might ineffes, in your laft Affembly, refolved una-
nimously to confent, not only to the admiffion of
Mr.

*77 D
Mr. Adams in quality of Minifter of the Congrefs
of North America, but to authorize 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 Weftfriesland and of Friesland, and
doing this, to confent to the acknowledgment and
admiffion of Mr. Adams, as Minifter of the Uni-
ted States of America. As that Refolution fur-
nishes the Proofs the beft intentioned, the moft
patriotic, for the advancement of that which may
ferve to the wellbeing en to the encouragement of
Manufactures, of Commerce and of decayed Tra-
des, as well in general, as of this City and Pro-
vince in particular, and which had been fo ar
dently defired; the Petitioners thinck themfelves
indifpenfably obliged to teftify, in the moft re-
fpectfull manner, their gratitude for it to your
noble Mightineffes. The Petitioners find themfel-
ves abfolutely unable, to exprefs in words the ge-
neral fatisfaction that this event hath caufed not
only to them, but alfo to the great and fmall of
this Province; joined to the confirmation of the
perfect Conviction in which they repofe themfelves
alfo, for the future, upon the paternal care of
your noble Might ineffes, that the Confummation
of the defired Treaty of Commerce with the Ame-
ricans may be foor effected. The Petitioners at-
teft by the prefent, before your noble Mightines-
fes, their folemn and well-meant Gratitude, which
they addrefs at the fame time to your noble
Mightinesses, as the moft fincere mark of venera-
tion and refpect for the Perfons, and the direction
of publick affairs, of your noble Mightineffes;
praying that Almighty God may deign to blefs the
Efforts, and the Councils of your noble Mighti-
neffes,

( 78 )*
9
nelles, as well as thofe of the Confederates; that
moreover this Province, and our dear Country,
by the Propofitions of an Armistice and that which
depends thereon, fhould not be involved in any
Negotiations for a particular Peace with our
perfidious Ennemy, but that we obtain no other
Peace than a general Peace, which (as your no-
ble Mightineffes exprefs yourſelves in your Re-
folution) may be compatible with their Honour
and Dignity; and ferve not only for this Gene-
ration, but alſo for the lateſt Pofterity, as a Mo-
nument of Glory, of eternal Gratitude, to and
eftcem for the Perfons and public Adminiſtration
of the prefent time.
Автодов
Aamd
ed
300
da nogu 01030) ara
to viel beneb end to
tool ed
Maw bhaas
from d
Avadon
FRIESLAND.

( 79 )
FRIESLAND.
EXTRACT from the Regifter - Book of the
Lords the States of Friesland.
TH
HE Requifition of Mr. Adams, for prefen-
ting his Letters of Credence from the Uni-
ted States of America to their High-Mightines-
fes, having been brought into the Affembly, and
put into deliberation, as alfo the ulterfour Addrefs
to the fame Purpofe, with a demand of a catego-
rical answer, made by him, as is more amply men--
tioned in the minutes of their High-Mightineffes
of the 4th. of May 1781, and the 9th. of January
1782; whereupon it having been taken into Con-
fideration, that the faid Mr. Adams would pro-
bably have fome Propofitions to make to their
High-Mightineffes, and to prefent to them the
principal Articles and Foundations upon which the
Congrefs, on their part, would enter into a Trea-
ty of Commerce and Friendship, or other affairs
to propofe, in regard to which dispatch would be
requifite.
It has been thought fit and refolved, to autho-
rize the Lords the Deputies of this Province at
'the Generality, and to inftruct them, to direct
things, at the Table of their High - Mightines-
fes, in fuch a manner, that the faid Mr. Adams
be admitted forthwith as Minifter of the Con-
grefs of North-America; with further order to the
faid Deputies, that if there fhould be made mo".
reover any fimilar Propofitions by the fame, to
in-

80)
inform immediately their noble Mightineffes of
them. And an Extract of the prefent Refolution
fhall be fent them for their Information, that
they may conduct themfelves conformably.
Thus refolved at the Province-Houfe the 26 Fe-
bruary 1782.
Compared with the aforefaid Book to my know-
ledge.
Signed
A. J. V. SMINIA.
dotat nadat asad galvan
-oro blow eatab A AM ba
on doider nogo
eikto 1510 10
160
bas
ed binow donub doinw or begon zi
odie orbovidos bag af ga
3s spalvot'! aid to sugett o
borib 03 modi Duniai o boa
ingiM dell locs To side]
DAM bist an ads, 1900
se of obra 196116
-6m sbam od blood red
smal og yd
T
HOLLAND

18
don on to sing on
HOLLA No Da
lodt
20DA M
AND yd, vidioq es
Medi A
WESTFRIESLAND.
EXTRACT of the Refolutions of the Lords the
States of Holland and Weftfriesland, taken
in the Affembly of their Noble and Grand-
Mightinees, Thursday 28 March 1782.)
DE
ELIBERATED by Refumption upon the Ad-
drefs and the ulteriour Addrefs of Mr.
Adams, made the 4th. of May 1781, and the 9th of
January 1782, to the Prefident of the States Ge-
neral, communicated to the Affembly the 9 May
1781, and the 22d. of laft Month, to prefent his
Letters of Credence, in the name of the United
States of America, to their High-Mightineffes; by
which ulteriour Addrefs, the faid Mr. Adams hath
demanded a categorical answer, that he may ac-
quaint his Conftituents thereof: deliberated alfo
upon the Petitions of a great number of Mer-
chants, Manufacturers and other Inhabitants of
this Province, intereſted in Commerce to fupport
their Requeſt prefented to the States General, the
twentyeth current, to the end, that efficacious
Meaſures might be taken to eftablish a Commerce
between this Country and North - America, Copy
of which Petitions have been given to the Mem-
bers the twenty firft; it hath been thought fit
F
and

(82)
and refolved, that the affair fhall be directed on
the part of their noble and grand Mightineffes, at
the Affembly of the States General, and that
fhall be there made the ftrongeft Inftances, that
Mr. Adams be admitted and acknowledged, as foon
as poffible, by their High-Mightineffes, in quality of
Ambaffador of the United States of America. And
the Councellor Penfionary hath been charged to
inform under hand the faid Mr. Adams of this
Refolution of their noble and grand Mighti-
neffes.
41903
Aprǝ bus side rids to
bA silangu, goingheyd dresse
1M to Abba goiola gri han dib
30 die ada bas 18prysM to do sband,
52 291
Densils to insbilarod! or
gaM o od glamA odia basolomon
aid anslag 61, dinoM al to be ads
bezinU od to omen ad mi 60dbm to
vdasloot adgil indorphomA
rised anteb AM bil odhalobba wofol
-as yem ad oh, swaps Ipohogato a boi
alis besedilab :30pment ensuing aid e
10M to tedmun se s to aboibo
to attesidadial do bas autong
oqqut of optommo at bent,soavor and
ods, latenc) 2012 : 01 betong donge
epolossalto and, bro, a co
ygo, its
do
bas na aid old
-mom odao novi sad sved enolsito doidy
a sdgoods odd dad showed
bas
ZEALAND.

83 *
ZEALAND.
EXTRACT of the Refolutions of their High-
Mightineffes the States General of the United
Provinces. Monday 8 April 1782.
THE
HE Deputies of the Province of Zealand
have brought to the Affembly, and have cau-
fed to be read there, the Refolution of the States
of the faid Province, their Principals, to caufe to
be admitted, as foon as poffible, Mr. Adams in
quality of Ambaffador of the Congrefs of North-
America, according to the following Refolution.
EXTRACT from the Regifter of the Refolutions
of the Lords the States of Zealand, 4th. of
April 1782.
It hath been thought fit and ordered, that the
Lords, the ordinary Deputies of this Province at
the Generality, fhall be authorifed, as it is done
by the prefent, to affift, in the direction of affairs
at the Affembly of their High-Mightineffes, in fuch
a manner, that Mr. Adams may be acknowledged,
as foon as poffible, as Ambaffador of the Congrefs
of North-America; that his Letters of Credence
be accepted; and that he be admitted in that qua-
lity, according to the ordinary form; enjoining
further upon the faid Lords the ordinary Depu-
ties, to take fuch Propofitions, as fhould be ma-
de to this Republick by the faid Mr. Adams, for
F 2
the

84
the Information and Deliberation of their High-
Mightineffes, to the end to transmit them here
as foon as poffible. And an Extract of this Refo-
lution of their noble Mightineffes fhall be fent to
the Lords their ordinary Deputies, to ferve them
as an Inftruction.
od to
Signed
J. M. CHALMERS.
Upon which having deliberated, it hath been
thought fit and refolved, to pray by the prefent
the Lords the Deputies of the Province of Guel-
derland, Utrecht, and Groningen and Ommelan-
den, who have not yet explained themfelves upon
this fubject, to be pleafed to do it as foon as
poffible.
nos ad
go to tobeadma
griwollol edr os gaibrood A
gels to rate sport
jods sad, batelino bue 10 sdgueds geed bedst
36 spalvos eids to zooq yenibro od ebio.T
dnes, betitorius ed lied? villassas sdi
alls to gaiẞstib adat, flits 0,3 odsyd
do al, eshonda dill tied to vidmala si s
Dogbolwoods ad yom imab A Madam
éloigno ods. 3o obsidimA assidiftog as noo) as
9909b610 30 219120d 13 otto
-up so si banimbs od or bad: bas bojobos d
gridlojes shot yenibio od or gaibody
-09 visnibro 9.1 absol bist oda noqu
-seed bluon as anoblogo19 doctes ofi
207msbA M bist, od dodge as
OVERYSSELL.

*85*
OVERYSSEL.
EXTRACT from the Regifter of the Refolutions of
the Equeftrian Order, and of the Cities compo-
fing the States of Overy fel. Zwoll 5 April 1782.
MR.
R. the grand Bailiff of Saalland, and the
other Commiffioners of their noble Mighti-
neffes for the Affairs of Finance, having exami
ned, conformably to their Commifforial Refolu-
tion of the third of this month, the Addreffes of
Mr. Adams, communicated to the Affembly the
4th. of May 1781, and the 22 of February 1782,
to prefent his Letters of Credence to their High-
Mightineffes, in the name of the United States of
America; as well as the Refolution of the Lords
the States of Holland and Weftfriesland dated the
28th, of March 1782, carried the 29th. of the fa-
me Month to the Affembly of their High-Mighti-
neffes, for the admiffion and acknowledgment of
Mr. Adams, have reported to the Affembly, that
they fhould be of opinion, that the Lords the
Deputies of this Province in the States General
ought to be authoriſed and charged, to declare in
the Affembly of their High-Mightineffes, that the
Equeftrian order and the Cities judge, that it is
proper to acknowledge, as foon as poffible, Mr.
Adams in quality of Minifter of the United States
of North-America to their High-Mightineffes.
Upon which having deliberated, the Equeftrian
Order and the Cities have conformed themfelves
to the faid Report.
30
Compared with the aforefaid Regifter. tonis
be of Signed
DERK DUNBAR.
0
30
F3
GRONIN

GRONINGEN.
SS MON TOAST
EXTRACT from the Regifter of the Refolutions
of their noble Might ineffes, the States of Gro-
ningen and Ommelanden. Tuesday 9 April 1782.
HE Lords the States of Groningen and Om
melanden, having heard the Report of the
Lords the Commiffioners for the Petitions of the
Council of State and the Finances of the Provin
ce, and having carefully examined the demand of
Mr. Adams, to prefent his Letters of Credence
from the United States of America to their High-
Mightineffes, have, after deliberation upon the
fubject, declared themfelves of opinion, that in
the critical circumftances in which the Republick
finds itfelf at prefent, it is proper to take, with-
out lofs of Time, fuch efficacious meafures, as
may not only repair the Loffes and Damages,
that the Kingdom of Great-Britain hath caufed in
a manner fo injuft, and againſt every fhadow of
Right, to the Commerce of the Republick, as
well before as after the war, but particularly
fuch as may establish the free Navigation and the
Commerce of the Republick, for the future, upon
the moft folid Foundations, as may confirm and
reaffure it, by the ſtrongeſt Bonds of reciprocal
Intereft; and that, in confequence, the Lords
the Deputies at the Affembly of their High-Migh-
tineffes ought to be authorifed, on the part of
the Province, as they are by the prefent, to ad-
mit Mr. Adams to prefent his Letters of Creden-
ce,

87 D
ce from the United States of America, and to
receive the Propofitions which he fhall make, to
make Report of them to the Lords te States of
this Province.
Signed
E. LEWE, Secretary.
The States General, having deliberated the fa-
me day upon the Refolution, have refolved, that
the Deputies of this Province of Guelderland,
which has not yet declared itfelf upon the fame
fubject, fhould be requeſted, to be pleaſed to
do it as foon as poffible.
30 basmgb of rot
fondata Isirolimmoo
long or to do
a bus vizun
pany to solo di bestimare ov
2018 yeM
& out to astonis
0990 Drama Aminallyft
To nobulos
h-bhog on M
hde, this day paed
TAWEUS
to beigebpa od binow
Dentida M Hall ads to
ed to coits di oda diw
to tuttia M to villsup
sol
F4
UTRECHT.

*(88)
01, bahoma to.
UTRECHT.
EXTRACT of the Refolutions of their noble Migh-
tineffes, the States of the Province of Utrecht.
de 10 April 1782.0
HEARD
EARD the Report of Mr. De Wefterveld and
other Deputies of their noble Mightinefles
for the department of war, who, in virtue of the
commifforial Refolutions of the 9 May 1781,16 Ja-
nuary and 20 March of the prefent year 1782, ha-
ve examinated the Refolutions of their High-Migh-
tineffes of the 4 May 1781, containing an over-
ture, that Mr. the Prefident of the Affembly of
their High-Mightineffes had made,, that a Perfon
ftyling himfelf J. Adams had been with him, and
had given him to underſtand, that he had recei-
ved Letters of Credence for their High - Mighti-
neffes from the United States of America, with
a requeft, that he would be pleaſed to communi-
cate them to their High-Mightineffes; as well as
the Refolution of their High Mightineffes of the
9 January, containing an ulteriour overture of
Mr. the Prefident,, that the faid Mr. Adams had
been with him, and had infifted upon a categorical
answer, whether his faid Letters of Credence
would be accepted or not; finally the Refolution
of their High-Might ineffes of the 5 of March laft,
with the Infertion of the Refolution of Friesland,
containing a propofition to admit Mr. Adams in
quality of Minifter of the Congrefs of North-Ame.
rica".
THOMSTU
Upon

*(89)*
Upon which having deliberated, and remarked,
that the Lords the States of Holland and Weft-
friesland, by their Refolution carried the 29 of
March to te States General, have alfo confented
to the admiffion of the faid Mr. Adams in quali-
ty of Minifter of the Congrefs of North-Ameri-
ca, it hath been thought fit and refolved, that the
Lords the Deputies of this Province in the States
General fhould be authorifed, as their noble
Mightineffes authorife them by the prefent, to con.
form themſelves, in the name of this Province,
to the Refolution of the Lords the States of Holland
Lords the States off
and Weltfriesland, and of Friesland, and to con-
fent by confequence, that Mr. Adams be acknow-
ledged and admitted as Minifter of the United Sta
tes of America; their noble Mightinesfes, being at
the mean time of opinion, that it would be neceffary
to acquaint her Majefty the Emprefs of Ruffia,
and the other Neutral Powers, with the Refolution
to be taken by their High- Mightinesses upon
fubject, in communicating to them, as much as
fhall be neceffary, the Reafons, which have indu-
ced their High-Mightineffes to it, and giving them
the ſtrongeſt affurances, that the Intention of their
High- Mightineffes is by no means to prolong the
reby the war, which they would have willingly pre-
vented and terminated long fince; but on the con-
rary, that their High-Mightinesses wish nothing
with more ardor, than a prompt Reestablishment
of Peace; and that they fhall be always ready on
their part, to co-operate in it in all poffible ways
and with a fuitable Readinefs, fo far as that fhall
be any way compatible with their Honour and their
Dignity, and for this end an Extract of this fball
be carried by Miffive to the Lords the Deputies
at the Generality.
GUEL-
FS
this

*90*
now bas
GUELDERLAND.
ni am
M bist es to nomimba od 00
EXTRACT from the Recès of the ordinary Diet,
held in the City of Nimeguen, in the Month of
April 1782. Wednesday, 17 April 1782.900
THE
selang sa yo med sinoder
HE Requifition of Mr. Adams, to prefent his
Letters of Credence to their High- Mighti-
nesfes in the name of the United States of Ame-
rica, having been brought to the Affembly and
read, as well as an ulteriour Addrefs made upon this
fubject, with a demand of a categorical answer
by the faid Mr. Adams, more amply mentioned
in the Regiſters of their High-Mightineffes of the
date of the 4th. of May 1781, and of the 9 Ja-
nuary 1782; moreover the Refolutions of the
Lords the States of the five other Provinces, car
ried fucceffively to the Affembly of their High-
Mightineffes, and all tending to admit Mr. Adams
in quality of Ambaffador of the United States of
America to this Republick; upon which their no-
ble Mightineffes, after Deliberation, halve refol-
ved to authorize the Deputies of this Province
at the States General, as they authorize them by
the prefent, to conform themfelves in the name
of this Province to the Refolution of the Lords
the States of Holland and Weftfriesland, and to
confent by confequence, that Mr. Adams may be
acknowledged and admitted in quality of Ambas-
fador of the United States of America to this
Republick. In confequence, an Extract of the
pro-

prefent fhall be fent to the faid Deputies,to make
as foon as poffible the requifite overture of it to
te Affembly of their High-Mightineffes.
In fidem Extracti.
СТАЯ Signed 1 гатата
О ГАТАТ
J. IN DE BETOUW.
Jaro 2012 si 25g/Mogilt els 30
- пейстон я уд ПЯТАЯЗВАЛЯ
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bstwo blbs bes bonba od ad agch A
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*( 36 )*
sem of, esitusabia edoc 305) ed ad akcione
ada oldiroq er opot es
Targi HE to vidisDA
THE
oned web of
STATES GENERAL.
s
EXTRACT from the Regifter of the Refolutions
of their High- Might ineffes the States General
of the United Provinces. Fryday 19 April 1782.
D
ELIBERATED by Refumption, upon the Ad-
drefs and the ulteriour Addrefs, made by
Mr. Adams the 4 May 1781, and the 9 January
of the currant year to Mr. the Prefident of the
Affembly of their High-Mightineffes, to prefent to
their High-Mightineffes his Letters of Credence
in the name of the United States of North-Ameri-
ca; and by which ulteriour Addrefs the faid Mr.
Adams hath demanded a categorical answer, to
the end to be able to acquaint his Conftituents
thereof; it hath been thought fit and refolved,
that Mr. Adams fhall be admitted and acknowled-
ged in quality of Ambaffador of the United States
of North America to their High-Mightin effes, as
he is admitted and acknowledged by the prefent.
Signed
Lower down
W. BOREEL, Prefidt.
Compared with the aforefaid Regifter.
HT
Signed
H. FAGEL.
EXTRACT

93 D
EXTRACT from the Regifter of the Refolutions
of their High-Mightinesses the States General
of the United Provinces, Monday 22 April 1782.
R. BOREEL, who prefided in the Affem-
bly the laft weak, hath reported to their
High Mighcineffes, and notified them, that Mr
John Adams, Ambasfador of the United States of
America, had been with him laft Saturday, and
prefented to him a Letter from the Affembly of
Congrefs, written at Philadelphia the firft of Ja-
Duary 1781, containing a Credence: for the faid
Mr. Adams, to the end to refide in quality of
its Minifter Plenipotentiary near their High-Migh-
tineffes: Upon which having deliberated, it hath
been thought fit and refolved, to declare by the
prefent:,, That the faid Mr. Adams is agreable
39
39
99
to their High-Might ineffes; that he fhall be
,, acknowledged in quality of Minifter Plenipo-
,, tentiary; and that there fhall be granted to him
,, an Audience, or affigned Commiffioners, when
he fhall demand it ". Information of the
above fhall be given to the faid Mr. Adams,
by the Agent van der Burch de Spieringshoek.
Signed fuldtoft
39
eds
W. VAN CITTERS;, Prefidt. 200
Lower down boyisill 1 bagomeni
Compared with the aforefaid Regifter.
eda
nilogora
Signed gainatynos fou
Ferg H. FAGEL.
to disido aomi dom
ung to be, ranns
MEDAL.

*(94)
M
M
TH
E D AL.
To THE NOBLE AND MIGHTY LORDS, THE
STATES OF FRIESLAND."
HE Society of Citizens, eftablished at Leeu-
warden, under the Motto:,, By Liberty and
,, Zeal", moft humbly reprefents, that it defires
to have an opportunity of teftifying publickly,
by Facts, to your noble Mightineffes the moſt li-
vely, but, at the fametime, the moſt reſpectfull
fentiments of gratitude, which not only animate
them, but alfo, as they affure themfelves, all the
well intentioned Citizens, eſpecially, with rela-
tion to the Refolutions equally important, and
full of wisdom, which your noble Mightineffes
have taken upon all the Points, in regard to which
the critical Circumftances, in which the dear Coun-
try finds itſelf plunged, have furnished to your no-
ble Mightineffes objects equally numerous and dis-
agreable, particularly, at the ordinary Diet of the
year 1782, and at the extraordinary Diet held in
the Month of April laft: Refolutions which bear
not only the characters of wisdom, but alfo thofe
of the beſt intentioned follicitude, and the pureft
Love of our Country; and which prove in the
moft convincing manner, that your noble Migh
tineffes have no greater ambition, than its univer-
fal Profperity; affiduously propofing to yourfel-
ves, as the most important object of your atten-
tion, of your entrepriſes, and of your attachment,
the Rule: Salus Populi fuprema lex efto: Refolu-
tions, in fine, which ought perfectly to re-affure
the

* 95 De
the good Citizens of this Province, and encourage
them to perfevere in that full and tranquil Con-
fidence, which has hindered them from reprefen-
ting to your noble Mightinesfes the true Intereſts
of the Country, and to exhort them, at the fa-
me time, by their fupplications, to act with cou-
rage, and to fullfill their Duties, confidering that
the faid Refolutions have fully affured them, that
their Poffeffions, with that which is above all
things dear to them, their Liberty (that Right
which is more precious to them than their Lives;
to which the fmalleft Injury cannot be done, with-
out doing wrong and dishonour to Humanity; a
Right, nevertheless, which, if we confider the
world in general, has been, alafs, almoft every
where equally violated) are depofited in fafety,
under the vigilant eye of your noble Mightin effes.
The Society has thought, that it might accom-
plish its wishes, in the moft convenient and de-
cent manner, in caufing to be ftruck, at its ex-
pence, a Medal of Silver, which may remain to
Pofterity a durable Monument of the perfect Har-
mony which at the prefent dangerous epocha has
reigned between the Government and the People.
It has conceived, for this purpoſe, a Sketch or
Project, as yet incompleat, according to which
one of the fides of the Medal fhould bear the
Arms of Friesland, held by an hand, which de-
fcends from the Clouds, with an Infcription in
the following Terms: To the States of Friesland, in
gratefull Memory of the Diets of February and of April.
1782, dedicated by the Society LIBERTY AND ZEAL.
An Infcription, which would thus contain a gene-
ral applaufe of all the Refolutions taken in theſe
two Diets; whilft upon the Reverſe, one fhould
diftinguish, more particularly, the two Events,
which

**(96)*
which intereft the most our common Country, in
regard of which your noble Mightineffes have gi-
ven the Exemple to the States of the other
Provinces, and which merit for this reafon, as
placed in the foremoſt fituation, to fhew itfelf
the moft clearly to the fight: to wit,, The
Admiffion of Mr. Adams in quality of Minifter of
the United States of America to this Republick;
and the Refufal of a feparate Peace with Great-
Britain". Events which fhould be reprefented
fymbolically by a Frifian, dreffed according
to the ancient characteriſtick Cuftom of the
Frifians, holding out his right hand to an Inha-
bitant of North- America, in Itoken of Friendship
and Brotherly Love; whilft with the left hand he
rejects the Peace, which England offers him. The
whole with fuch convenient additions, and fym-
bolical ornaments, which the Society, perhaps,
would do well to leave to the Invention of the
Medallift, &c.
[The remainder of this Request relates to other
Jubjects.]
Done at Leeuwarden the 8 May 1782.
The Society BY LIBERTY AND ZEAL".
99
alore Signed at its Requeft
dcdw or gelbro W. WOPKENS,
alt teed blood! in the abfence of the Secretary.
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с
1782 Adams, John
Ad