STAL.. 
 ' ANNEX 
 
 
 "*E,; 
 
 t' 
 
 | : 
 
 Cajif 0j 
 
 ^ozia] 
 Gility
 
 

 
 A COLLECTION 
 
 ; + 
 
 O F 
 
 STATE -PAPERS, 
 
 Relative to the firft Acknowledgment of the So- 
 vereignly of the United States of AMERICA, 
 and the reception of their Minifter Plenipo- 
 tentiary, by their High-Mightinesfes the Sta? 
 tes - General of the United Netherlands. 
 
 AT THE HAGUE, 
 MDCCLXXXI1.
 
 MEMORIAL 
 
 To THEIR HIGH-MIGHTINESSES, THE STATES- 
 
 GENERAL CF THE UNITED PROVINCES OF 
 
 THE Low -COUNTRIES. 
 
 HIGH AND MIGHTY LORDS, 
 
 The Subfcriber has the honour, to propdfe to 
 your High-Mightinesfes, that the United Sta- 
 tes of America, in Congrefs aflembled , have la- 
 tely thought fie to fend him a Commiflioo (with 
 full Powers and Inftruftions) 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 thisRe- 
 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 chearfally to all their Obligations. 
 
 It is true, that when the British Adminiflratioo, 
 renouncing the ancient Character of Englishmen 
 for Generofhy, Juftice and Humanity, conceived 
 the defign of fubverting the political Syftemsof the 
 Colonies; depriving them of the Rights and Liber- 
 ties of Englishmen, and reducing them to the word 
 of all Forms of Government , (larving the People 
 by blockading the Ports, and cutting offtheir Fishe- 
 ries and Commerce ; fending Fleets and Armies to 
 deftroy every principle and fentimenc of Liberty, 
 and to confume their Habitations and their Lives ; 
 making Contrs&s for foreign Troops , and Alliances 
 with favagc Nations to affift them in their Enter- 
 A 2 priffc, 
 
 1509434
 
 prife ; carting formally , by Aft of Parliament, three 
 Millions of People at once out of the protection of 
 the Crowo : then, and cot till then, did the Uni- 
 ted States of America, in Congrefs aflembled , pafs 
 that memorable Aft, by which they aflumed an 
 equal Station among the Nations. 
 
 Th> immortal Declaration , of the4 of July 1776 , 
 when America was invaded by an hundred Vefsels 
 of War, and, according to Eftimates laid before 
 Parliament, by 55>ooo of veteran Troops, was not 
 the effeft of any fudden Paflion , or Enthufiasm ; 
 but a meafure which had been long in deliberation 
 among the People, maturely discusfed in fome hun- 
 dreds op popular Aflemblies, 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 Inftruftions of their Conftituents in all the 
 States : it was then unanimously adopted by Con- 
 grefs, fubfcribed by all its Members, transmitted 
 to the Aflemblies of the feveral States, and by 
 them refpeftively accepted, ratified and recorded 
 among their Archives; fo that no Decree, Edift, 
 Statute, Placart or fundamental Law of any Nation 
 was ever made with more Solemnity, or with more 
 Unanimity or Cordiality adopted , as the Aft and 
 Confent of the whole People, than this: and it has 
 been held facred to this day by every State, with 
 fuch unshaken firmnefs, that not even the finalleft 
 has ever been induced to depart from it : although the 
 English have wafted many Millions , and vafl Fleers 
 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 theAu- 
 thority of the People; has erefted its Legislature in 
 the feveral Branches; its Executive Authority with 
 all its Offices i its Judiciary departments and Jud- 
 ges;
 
 4H 
 
 gesj its Army, Militia, Revenue, and fome of 
 them their Navy: and all thofe departments of* 
 Government have been regularly and constitutionally 
 organized under the aflbciated Supermtendency of 
 Congrefs , now thefe five years, arid have acquired 
 a Confiftency, Solidity, and Activity equal to the 
 oldeft and mofl eftablished Governments. It is 
 true^ that in fome Speeches and Writings of the 
 English it is ftiil contended, that the People of 
 America are ftill in principle and affe&ion with 
 them: but thefe aflernons are made agamlt luch 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 Jait feven- 
 teen years, to f hew, that fimilar misreprefentations 
 have been inceflantly repeated through that whole 
 Period, and that the Conclusion of every year has 
 in fsft confuted the confident A>fertions and Pre- 
 dictions of the beginning of u. 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, becaufe he has better opportunities to) 
 know, than any Briton whatsoever J that they are 
 unalterably determined to maintain their Indepen- 
 dence. He confefies, that notwithftanding his Confi- 
 dence through his whole Life in the virtuous Senti- 
 ments and Uniformity of Character among his Coun- 
 try men, their Unanimity has furprifed him: that all 
 the Power, Arts, Intrigues and Bribes, which ha- 
 ve been employed in the feveial States , fhould ha- 
 ve (educed from the Standard of Virtue, fo con- 
 temptible a few , is more fortunate than could have 
 been expefted. This Independence ftands upon 
 fo broad & firm a bottom of the peoples interefts, 
 hoBOur, confciences & affections, that it will noc 
 be affefted by any Succefles the English may ob- 
 A 3
 
 6 
 
 tain eithef fn America, or againft the European Po- 
 wers at War, nor by any Alliances they can poffi- 
 bly form ;if indeed in fo anjuft &dafperate a Caufe 
 they cao obtain any. Neverthelefs , alth6 compel- 
 led by NecefTuy, & warranted by the fundamental 
 Laws of the Colonies, and of the British Confticution, 
 by principles avowed in the English Laws ,2nd 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 Confederates, and many others; 
 and frequently acknowledged and ratified by the 
 Diplomatic Body , principles founded in eternal Ju- 
 ftiee, and the Laws of God and Nature, to cue 
 afunder for ever, all the Ties which had connected 
 ihem with Great Britain: yet the People of Ame- 
 rica did not confider themfelves as fcparating from 
 their Allies, efpecially the Republic of the United 
 Provinces , or departing from their connexions 
 with any of the People under their Government; 
 but, on the contrary, they preferved the fame 
 Affe&ion , Efleem and Refpeft for the Dutch Na- 
 tion , in every part of the V/orld, which they and 
 their Anceftors 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 
 JKefpecl: that they did not fend a Minilter to your 
 High-Mightinefses , with te firft whom they fent 
 abroad: but, inftrufted in the Nature of the- Con- 
 Be&ions between Great- Britain and the Republic, 
 and in the fyftem of peace and Neutrality, which 
 fhe had fo long purfued , they thought proper to 
 refpeeT: both fo far, as cot to feck to embroil her 
 with her Allies, to excire divifions in the Nation, 
 or hy Embarrassments before it. But, fince the 
 Admioiftnuioo, uniform acid perfevering in- 
 
 in-
 
 defpifiog their Allies, as much as theft 
 Colonifts and Fellow- fubjefts , 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 Right:, of British Pub/efts, have 
 arbitrarily fet aGde all /the Treaties between the 
 Crown and the Republic, declared War and com- 
 menced Hoftilities, the fettled Intentions of which; 
 they had , manifested long before ; all thofe Moti- 
 ves, which before reftrained the Congrefs, ceafe: 
 and an Opportunity prefents of propoGng fuch Con- 
 nections, as the United States of America have a 
 Right to for me, confident 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 ocher Treaties, as it is their In- 
 tention so propofe to other Sovereigns, 
 
 If there was ever among Nations a natural Al- 
 liance, one may be formed between the two Re- 
 publics. The firft planters of the four northern 
 States found in this Country an Af>lum from Per- 
 secution, and refided here from the Year one thoH- 
 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 5 
 have transmitted to Poftenty, a grateful Remem- 
 brance of that Protection and Hofpitality, and es- 
 pecially of that religious Liberty they found here s 
 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 , whcfe 
 Hiflory, and the great Characters it exhibits, in 
 the various Arts of Peace, as well as Achievements 
 of War by Sea and Lacd , have been particularly 
 ftudied, admired and imitated in every State. 
 
 A Similitude of Religion, although it is not dee- 
 med fo eflential in this as in former Ages to the 
 Alliance of Nations , is ilill , as it ever will be 
 thought , a defirable Circumltance. Now it may be 
 faid with Truth, that there are no two Nations, 
 whofe Worship, Doftrineand 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 perfe&ly natural. 
 
 A Similarity in the Forms of Government , is 
 ufually confidered as another Circumllance , which 
 renders Alliances natural : and although theConfti- 
 tutions of the two Republicks are not perfectly ali- 
 ke, there is yet Analogy enough between them, 
 to make a Connexion eafy in this refpeft. 
 
 IB general Ufages, and in the Liberality of Sen- 
 timents in thofe momentous Points, the Freedom 
 of Enquiry , the Right of private Judgment and 
 the Liberty of Confcience, of fo much importan- 
 ce to be fupported in the World , and imparted to 
 all Mankind, and which at this Hour are in more 
 danger from Great Britain and that intolerant fpirit 
 which is fecrecly fomenting there , than from any 
 other cuarter, the two Nations refemble each other 
 more than any others. 
 
 The Originals of the two Republicks are fomuch 
 alike, that the Hiftory of one feems but a Tran- 
 fcript from that of the other: fo that every Dutch- 
 man inftru&ed in the fubjeft, muft pronounce the 
 American Revolution juft and neceflary , or pafs 
 
 a
 
 a Cenfure upon the greateft Actions of his immof- 
 tal Anceftors: Aftions which have been approved 
 and applauded by Mankind, and juftified by the 
 Decifion of Heaven. 
 
 Buc the Circumftance', which perhaps in this 
 Age has ftronger influence than any other in the 
 formation of Friendships between JNations, is th 
 great and growing Imereft of Commerce ; of the 
 whole fyftem of which through the Globe , your 
 High-Mightinesfes are too perfect Matters , for me 
 to fay any thing that is noc familiary known. Ic 
 may not however be amifs to hint, that rhe cen- 
 tral ficuation of this Country, her extenfive Navi- 
 gation, her Pofleflions in the Eaft- and Welt- la- 
 dies, the Intelligence of her Merchants, the Num- 
 ber of her Capitalifts , and the Riches of her Funds * 
 tender 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 Weft- Icdiesj cannot admit of a doubt, thac 
 a Connexion with the United States would be ufe- 
 ful to this Republic. The English are fo fenfible 
 of this, that notwithftandiDg all their Profdfion* 
 of Friendship , they have ever conUuered thia Na- 
 tion as their Rival in th? Ame-ican Trade; a Sen-' 
 timent which dictated and maintained their fevere 
 A6t of Navigation, as injurious to the Commerce 
 and Naval Power of thii Country, as it was both 
 to the Trade and the Rights of the Colonifts. 
 There is now an Opportunity offered to boch , to 
 fhake off this fnackle for ever. If any Confidera- 
 
 A s tion
 
 10 
 
 tide whatever could have induced them to have 
 avoided a War with your High -Mightinesses, it 
 would have been the Apprehenfioa of an Alliance 
 between the two Republicks : and ic is eafy to 
 forefee , that nothing will contribute more to obli- 
 ge them to a Peace , than fuch a Connexion once 
 completely formed. It is needlefs to point cue 
 particularly , what Advantages might be derived to 
 the pofleifions 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 Effeds diredlly 
 to the American Market; or how much even the 
 Trade of che Baltic might be fecured and extended 
 by a free Intercourfe with A meiica , 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 
 f hips there: how much the number of feamen might 
 be increafed , or how much advantages to both 
 Countries, to have their Ports mutually opened to 
 their men of war & privateers & their Prifes. 
 
 Jf therefore an Analogy of Religion , Govern- 
 ment, Original, Manners, and the moft extenfive 
 and lading commercial Interefts , can form a 
 Ground and an Invitation to polidcal Connections, 
 the Subfcriber flatters himfelf , that in all thefe Par- 
 ticulars the Union is fo obviously natural, that 
 there has feldora been a more dirtied Designation 
 of Providence to any two diftant Nations to unite 
 themfelves together. 
 
 It is further fubmitted to the Wisdom and Huma- 
 nity of your High-Mightinefles, whether it is not 
 vifibly for the good of Mankind, that the Power* 
 
 of
 
 of Europe, who are convinced of the Juftice of 
 the American Caufe, (and where is one to be 
 found that is noc?J 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 Veflels, 
 noble and ufeful as it is, can be established againft 
 Great- Britain, who will never adopt it, nor fubmit 
 to it, but from Neceflhy, 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 Pofleflions 
 of other Nations beyond feas wholly in the Power 
 of that ecormous Empire , which has been long go- 
 verned wholly by the feeling of its own Power, at 
 lead without a proportional attention to Juftice, 
 Humanity, or Decency. When ic is obvious tnd 
 certain, that the Americans are not inclined to fub- 
 mit again to the British Government, on the one 
 hand, acd that the Powers of Europe ought noc 
 and could not with fafety confent to it, if they we- 
 re , on the other ; why fhould a Source of Con- 
 tention be left open , for future contingencies 10 
 involve the Nations of Europe in ftill more blood- 
 fhed, when, by one decifive ftep of the Maritime 
 Powers, io making Treaties with a Nation long in 
 Poflefiion of Sovereigoity by Right and in Fa&, it 
 might be clofed? 
 
 The Example of your Hitfh- Mightinefles would, 
 it is Hoped , be followed by all the Maritime Po- 
 wers, efpecially thofe which are Parties to the late 
 Marine Treaty : nor can ApprehenfioQ, that the In- 
 
 dt-
 
 dependence of America would be injurious to ths 
 Trade of the Baltick, be any Objection. This Jea* 
 loufy is fo gnxndlefs, that the rev^rfe would hap. 
 pen. The Freight and Infurance in Vttyages acrofs 
 the Atlantic are fo high, and the Price^f Labour 
 in America fo dear, that Tar, Pitch, Tu>^entine 
 and Ship Timber never can be transported to Eu- 
 rope at fo cheap a Race, as it has been and will 
 be afforded by Countries round the Baluck, This 
 Commerce was fupported by the English before the 
 Revolution with difficulty, and noc without large 
 Parlimentary Bounties. Of Hemp, Co dage and 
 Sail-Cloth there wiil not probably be a Sufficiency 
 raifed ia America for her own Coofumption in ma- 
 ny Centuries , for the plaineft of all Reafon? , be- 
 caufe thefe Articles may be imported from Amfter- 
 dam, or even from Petersbourg and Archangel, 
 cheaper than they can be raifed at home. America 
 wiil therefore be for Ages a Market for thefe Ar- 
 ticles of the Balcic Trade* 
 
 Nor is there more folidity in another SuppoC- 
 tion, propagated by the English to prevent other 
 Nations from purfuing their true Interefts , that the 
 Colonies of other Nations will follow the Example 
 of the United States. Thofe Powers, who have as 
 large Pofsesfions as any beyond leas, have already 
 declared againft England , apprehending no fuch 
 Confequences. Inaeed there is no probability of 
 any other Power of Europe following the Example 
 of England, in attempting to charge the whole Sy- 
 fltem of the Government of Colonies, and reducing 
 them by Oppreflion to the Neceffity of governing 
 themfelves: and without fuch manifeft Injufticeand, 
 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 Pafllons, the Imaginations and Uoder- 
 ftan dings of the People; and without forae violent 
 Change from without, to alter the Temper and Cha> 
 rafter of the whole People, it is not in human Na- 
 ture to exchange Safety for Danger , and certain 
 Happinefs for very precarious Benefits. 
 
 It is fubmitted to the Consideration of your High- 
 Mightinefses , whether the Syftem of the United 
 States, which was minutely confidered and difcu 
 sed, and unanimously agreed on in Congrefs io the 
 Year 1776, in planing the Treaty they p^opofed 
 to France , to form equitable commercial Treaties 
 with all the Maritime Powers of Europe, without 
 being governed or monopolized by any : a Syftem 
 which was afterwards approved by the King, and 
 made the foundation of the Treaties with his Ma- 
 jefty : a Syftem to which the United States have 
 hitherto conflantly adhered, and from which they 
 never will depart, unlefs compelled by fome Po- 
 wers declaring againft them , which is not expeft ?d, 
 is not the only means of preventing this growing 
 Country from being an Objed of everhfling Jealou- 
 fies, Rivalties and Wars among the Nations. If this 
 Idea is juft , it follows, that it isthelntereftof 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 aa 
 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 deQ- 
 rous of cultivating the Friendship of a Nation, 
 eminenc for its Wisdom , Juftice and Moderation, 
 
 have
 
 4K '4 
 
 have appointed the Subfcriber to be their Miniftsr 
 Plenipotentiary to refide near you, that he may give 
 you more particular afsurances of the great RefpeQ: 
 they entertain for your H. M. , be%ching your 
 H. M. to give entire Credit to everything, which 
 their faid Miflifter fhall deliver on their Parc^ espe- 
 cially when he fhall afsure You of the SinceHty 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 direft to receive it. He 
 has alfo a fimilar Letter of Credence to his moft 
 Serena Highnefs the Prince Stadtholder. 
 
 All which is refpeftfully fubmitted to the Confl- 
 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 
 
 LETDEN 
 19. April 1781, 
 
 J. ADAMS. 
 
 G U E L-
 
 In the Aflembly of the States of Guelderland 
 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 Baion 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 Capelleo de Marfch was for 
 an alliance with France and America too, He 
 obferved That nothing being more natural than 
 to aft in Concert with the Ennemies of our Ecnc- 
 my, it was an object of ferious Deliberation, to 
 fee, if the Tntereft of the Republick did not re- 
 quire to accept, without farther Tergiverfations , 
 the Invitations and Offer* of the Americans: thac 
 no Condefcention for England could hinder Us, 
 at prefent, from uniting ourfelves, againft 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- 
 qucntly, nothing could reftrain us from acknow- 
 
 ledgiDg
 
 Icdgiag the Independence of this new Republick ; 
 That our conduft differed very rouch, from that held 
 by our Anceftors , who allied themfelves with 
 the Portuguefe , as foon ,as they fhooKxoff the Yoke 
 of the Spaniards : That there was no doubt, that 
 the faid alliances with the Ennemies of our Epnemy 
 would foon reftrain bis Fury , and operate a gene - 
 f al Peace advantageous for us "* 
 
 THE
 
 I? 
 THE QUARTER 
 
 O F 
 
 O O S T E R G O. 
 
 The Quarter of Oojtergo in tie Province of Fries* 
 land, in December 1781, 'was the firft public Bo- 
 dy , wbicb propofed a Connexion <tvitb tbe Uniud 
 States of America in tbeje words, 
 
 Every impartial Patriot, has a loag time percei- 
 ved, that in the Direftion of affairs relative 
 to this war with England , there has been manifest 
 ted an inconceivable Lukewarmuefs and Sloch ? 
 buth they discover themfelves ftill more, at thif 
 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. Neverthelefs, the Neceffity of thefe Mea- 
 fnres appears clearly, fince, according to outf 
 judgments, nothing was more natural, nor njore 
 conformable to found Policy , founded upon the 
 Laws, of the Nature the moft precife , than that 
 this Repoblick , immediately after the formal de 
 claiation of war, by the English (not being yet 
 able to do any thing by military Exploits, DOE 
 being in a ftate of Defence fufficiently refpeft^ble, 
 to dare, at Sea , to oppofe one fleet or fqaadroo, 
 
 B to*
 
 to our perfidioas Ennemy) f Mould have 
 ced by acknowledging, by a pujblick declaration, 
 the Independence of North Amwica. This would 
 have been from that time the gr^ateft llep to 
 the Humiliation of England , and otfc own Re- 
 eftablishment , and by this meafure, uW Repu- 
 blick would have proved her firm RefolutionXo at 
 Vith vigour. Every one of our Inhabitants , all 
 Europe , who have their eyes fixed upon Us , the 
 whole world expected, with juft reafon, this mea- 
 fare from the Republick. It is true, that before 
 the formal Declaration of war, by England, one 
 might perhaps have alledged fame plaufible Rea- 
 fons, tojuftify, 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 diflblves 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 Repubiick, to redu- 
 ce , by all imaginable annoyances, this Ennemy fo 
 unjuft to reafon, and to force him, if poffible , to 
 conclude an honourable Peace; why fhould we 
 hefitate any longer, to flrike, by this meafure fo 
 reafonable , the moft fenfible blow to the common 
 Ennemy V will not this delay occafion a fufpicion, 
 that we prefer the Intercft of our Ennemy to that 
 of our Country? North- America, ib fenfibly offen- 
 ded by the Refufal of her Offer ; France and Spain , 
 in the midft 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 out 
 Inaction ought to be lefs attributed to our weak- 
 uefs , than to our affection for England ? will not 
 this opinion cleftroy all Confidence io our Nation 
 
 here-
 
 heretofore fo renouned in this refpeft? and ou* 
 Allies , at this time natural, muft they not imagine, 
 than it is better to have in us declared Ennemies 
 than pretended Friends? and fhall we not be in- 
 vo/ved in a ruinous war, which we might have 
 rendered advantageous, if it hid been well directed? 
 while on the other hand iris evident, thatbyaaevp 
 Connexion 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 th&'r 
 diftruft , but by this means we fhaH moreover 
 place our Colonies in Safety, againft any Infult ; we 
 fhall have a well grounded hope, of recovering a 
 With the aid of the allied Powers, our loft Pofles- 
 fions, if the English fhould make themfelves 
 maflers of them, and our Commerce at prefent 
 neglected, and fib fhamefully pillaged, would 
 leaflurae a new Vigour; considering that is fuch 
 cafe, as it is manifeftly proved byfoJid reafbns", 
 this Republick would derive from this Commerce 
 the moft Cgnal Advantages. But , fince our In- 
 tereft excites us forcibly, to aft in Concert with 
 the Ennemies of our Ennemy; fince the United 
 States of America invite us to it long ago; fince 
 France appears inclined to concert her military 
 operations with ours , although this Power has 
 infinitely lefs Intereft to ally icfelf with us,whofe 
 weakoefs manifeft Itfelf in fo palpable amanner , than 
 we are to form an Alliance, the moft refpeftable 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 Mightinefles , in the firme Persuafion , that 
 She Zeal of your noble Mightinefles will be as 
 B 2 car-
 
 20 
 
 earned as ours, to concur to the Accomplifhment 
 of this Point, which is for us of the greateft Im- 
 portance; that, confequently , yqur noble Migh- 
 tinefleswill not delay , to cooperateVith Us, that, 
 upon this important fubjeft , there ma^be made to 
 their High-Mightinefles , a Propofition foNqgorous, 
 jthat it may have the defired Succefs : and that thig 
 affair, of an Importance beyond all Expreffioa 
 for our common Country, may be refolved and de- 
 cided by Unanimous Suffrages and in Preference to 
 every particular later eft. 
 
 ULTJERIOUR
 
 ULTERIOUR ADDRESS. 
 
 ON the 9^ January 1782, Mr ADAMS, waited 
 on th Prefident VAN DEN SANDHEUVEI,, 
 
 and addre/ed him as follows. 
 
 ON the fourth of May , I had the honour of 
 a Conference with the Prefident of their 
 High-Mightinefles , in which I informed him,thac 
 I had received from the United States of America 
 a Commiffion with full Powers and Inftrutions, to 
 propofe and conclude a Treaty of Amity and Com- 
 merce between the faid United States of America s 
 and the United Provinces of the Netherlands. 
 
 At the fame Conference, I had the honoBr to 
 demand an Audience of their High- Mighti Defies, 
 in order to prefent to them my Letters of Cre- 
 dence and full Powers. 
 
 The Prefident aflured me, that he would make 
 Report of all that I had faid to him, to their 
 High-Mightinefles, in order that it might be trans- 
 mitted to the feveral Members of theSouvereignty 
 of this Country for their Deliberations andDeci- 
 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 may be able to transmit it to my Souve 
 reign. 
 
 GUELDER
 
 * 
 
 GUELDER L N D. 
 
 In an Extraordinary Aflembly of the County of 
 Zutphen , held at Nimeguen the 23 of February 
 1782, the following Meafures were taken. 
 
 After the Report of the Committee of this Pro- 
 vince to the Generality , laid this day upon the 
 Table, relative to what pafled in the precedent 
 Aflembly, and after the Examination of an Extraft 
 of the Regifter of the Refolutions of their High- 
 MightinefTes the States General of the Low Coun- 
 tries of the ninth of laft Month, in relation to 
 th alteriour Addrefs of Mr. Adams to the Pre- 
 fident of their High-MightinefTes, concerning the 
 Prefentation of his Letters of Credence to their 
 High-Mightinefles , in behalf of the United States 
 of America, demanding a Categorick Answer, 
 whereof the Lords the Deputies of the refpedlive 
 Provinces have taken Copies; the Baron Robert 
 Jasper van der Capellen de Marsch, firft by word 
 of Mouth, and afterwards in writing, propofed, 
 and inOfled at the Aflembly of this Quarter, that 
 at prefent , an without delay , we f hould make a 
 Point of Deliberation , and that we f hould make 
 upon the Table the neceflary overture, con- 
 ceived more at length, in the Advice of this 
 Nobleman inferted in thefe 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 wore 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 Connexions 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 fubjeft of the delibe- 
 rations of your Grand-Mightinefles , and that you 
 may decide as foon as poffible, concerning their 
 refpe&ive Interefls. 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 powerful!, will 
 have for its Confeqaenee, that our Inhabitant? 
 will loofe the means of extending, in a manner the- 
 mod 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 thefe Meafures, the eflential Jnterefts 
 of this unfortunate People will be taken to heart. 
 The fubfcriber declaring, moreover, 'that he 
 B 4 will
 
 abandon this unpardonable Negligence of aft 
 opportunity favourable for the KepuDlick, to the 
 account of thofe whom it may coitoern ; preceding 
 againft all the fatal Cqnfequences \hat a longer 
 &efufal of thefe neceflary Meafures, wHUrertainly 
 occafion: whereupon he demanded, that\or his 
 Difcharge, this Note fhould be infertcd H the 
 Regifters of the Quarter, 
 
 Signed 
 R. J. VAN DER CAPELLEN, 
 
 This advice having been read, Mr. Jacob Adolf 
 de Heckeren d'Enghuifen, Councellor and firft Mas- 
 ter of Accounts in Guelderlaod , Prefident at this 
 time of the Aflembly of the Quarter, reprefented 
 to the faid Robert Jasper van der Capcllen de 
 Marfch, that Although he muft agree to the 
 Juftice of all that he had laid down , befides feve- 
 ral other reafons equally ftrong which occurred tq 
 his Mind, the Deliberation upon the Point in 
 qaettion appeared to him premature, confldering that 
 the Lords the States of Holland and Weft-Frieflan^ 
 and of Zealand, as the principal Commercial Provin- 
 ces, who are dire&ly interefted, had not never- 
 thelefs as yet explained themfelves in this regard ; 
 consequently that it would not be fo convenient for 
 ike States of this Dutchy and County , who are 
 not interefted in it, but in a confequential and 
 indirect mannet , to form the firft their Refola* 
 tions in this refpedl: For this Reafon he propo- 
 fed to Consideration , whether it would not bo 
 more proper to poftpone the deliberations upon 
 this njatcer , to a future opportunity. 
 
 Never*
 
 25 
 
 Neverthelefs , the beforementioned Robert Jas* 
 per van der Capeilen de Marfch infilling, that the 
 voices fhould be colle&ed upon the Propofltipn 
 and Advice in queftioo, and thereupon having de- 
 liberated, their noble Mightinefies have thought 
 fit to rcfohre , that although the Motives alledged 
 by this Nobleman in hjs 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 tfeeir 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 pjefent 4 
 upon one as well as the other. 
 
 Signed 
 
 llERM. SCHOMAKER. 
 
 PETITION
 
 2(5 
 
 PETITION OFLEXDEN. 
 
 To the noble, great, and venerable Lorctaof the 
 ' Grand 'Council of the City of Leyden. 
 The Underfigned, all Manufacturers, Mo 
 chants, and other Traders of this City, mod 
 refpeafully give to underftand, 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 mofj: 
 lively grief, from the beginning of this Century , 
 has increafed more and more for feveral years ; and 
 that this principal Branch of the fubflftance of the 
 good Citizens, has fallen into luch a ftate of 
 Languor, that .our City, once fo flourishing, fo 
 populous , fo celebrated , on account of its Com- 
 merce and of its Trades , appears to be threatned 
 with total Ruin ; that the diminution of its Mer- 
 chants Houfes, on one hand, and on the other, 
 the total Lofs , or the fenfible decreafe of feveral 
 Branches of Commerce , furnish an evident Proof 
 of it; which the Petitioners could demonftrate by 
 feveral Examples , if there were need of them to 
 convince. Your noble and grand Lordship*, to 
 whom the Increafe 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 reco!- 
 et no doubt upon this occafion, wish Grief, 
 that this ftate of Languor muft appear fo much 
 the more defperate , if your noble and grand Lord- 
 
 fhips
 
 fhips will take into confideration, that in this de- 
 cay of Trades and Manufactures , we find a new 
 reafbn of their further fail, conOdering, that from 
 the time that there is not continual Employ, 
 raent, and an uninterrupted Sale , the Workmen 
 defert in fach manner, that when confiderable 
 cornmiffiocu arrive, we cannot find capable hands , 
 and we fee ourfelves entirely out of a condition 
 to execute thefe orders. 
 
 That the Petitioners, with all the true Friends 
 of their country , extrearaely 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 forue defects, from which 
 it feemed to arife at leaft in Part^ but that the mea- 
 fiires 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 comparifon of the 
 Pieces fabricated here , which have been hereto- 
 fore carried to the diverfe markets of this City, 
 with thofe which are carried there at this day; a 
 comparifon which a true Citizen cannot confider 
 without regret. 
 
 That Experience has alfo taught the Petitioners, 
 that the principal Caufe of the decay of the ma- 
 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, confequemly , 
 fceyoed the Power of the Petitioners , or -of any 
 Citizen whatfoever to provide a remedy. That we 
 
 might
 
 might cite , for example , the commerce of our 
 manufactures with Dantzick, ank through that 
 commercial City , with all Poland ;\commerce , 
 which was carried on with fuccefs auti advanta- 
 ge heretofore in our city, but is abfottmely in 
 terrupted at this day, and vanished, by theSievo- 
 lution which has happened in thati kingdom , and 
 by the burthenfome duties, to which the naviga- 
 tion of the Yiftula has been fubjeCted. But that, 
 without entering into a detail of fimilar particular 
 f hackles, of which we might rekon a great Dum- 
 ber, the principal Caufe of the languishing ftate 
 of our manufactures conOfts 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 themfelves with Emulation , to revive in 
 their Kingdoms and States the nationaUnduftry , 
 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 recoiled]: the Examples in 
 the Auftrian States and elfewhere. Thac in the 
 roidft of thefe Powers and Nations, emulous or 
 jealous , it is impoffible for the citizens of our; 
 Republick, however fuperiour their manufactures 
 aiay be in quality and finenefs , to reGft a rivalry 
 fo univerfal, efpecially confidering the dearnefs 
 of Labour, caufed by that of the means of fubfl- 
 itence; which in its turn is a neceflary confequen- 
 ce of the Taxes and Impofts , which the Inhabitants 
 
 of
 
 <K 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; fa 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 increaflng 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 riot even this Refource fuffer, by 
 the importation of foreign manufactures?) and that 
 Leyden, lately fo rich and flourishing, will exhi- 
 bit defolated quarters ia its declining ftreets, and 
 ats mulcitude, disgraced with want and mifery, an 
 affecting Proof of the Hidden fall of Countries 
 formerly overflowing with profperity. 
 
 That, if we duely confider thefe motives, no 
 Citizen whofe heart is upright ( as the Petitioners 
 aflure themfelves) much lefs your noble and grand 
 Lordship^ , whofe good dispofitions they ack- 
 nowledge with Gratitude, will take itamifs, that 
 We have fixed oar eyes on the prefent Conjunc- 
 ture of affairs, to enquire, whether thefe time* 
 might not furnish them fome means of reviving 
 the languishing Manufactures of Leyden ; and that 
 after a Confideration well matured , they flatter 
 themfelves with the hope ( a hope which unpreju- 
 diced Men will not certainly regard as a vain Chi*) 
 mera ) that in fact , by the prefeot Circumftances, 
 there opens in their favour an Iflue , 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- 
 
 para*
 
 <K 3 
 
 parable , every attentive Spectator of this Event 
 perceived, or at leaft was convinced, that this 
 Rupture, by which there was bora a Republick 
 as powerfull as induftrious in the n^w World, 
 would have the moft important Confaquetjces for 
 .Commerce and navigation, and that the\pther 
 commercial Nations of Europe would foon fhare 
 in a very cqnfiderable Commerce, whereof the 
 Kingdom of Great Britain had referved to hfelf, 
 untill that time, the exclufive Pofleflion by its Aft 
 of Navigation , and by the other Afts of Parlia- 
 ment prescribed to the Colonies ; that in the ti- 
 me of it , this Reflection did not efcape your Pe- 
 titioners , and they foresaw , from that time, the 
 advantage which might arife in thefequel^ from a 
 Revolution io important for the United Provinces 
 in general, and for their native City in particu- 
 lar. But that they f hould have been afraid , to ha- 
 ve placed this favorable Occafion before the 
 eyes of your noble and grand Lordships, at an 
 Epochs when the relations, which connected out 
 Republick with Great Britain Her Neighbour, 
 leemed to forbid all Meafures of this nature, or 
 at lead ought to make them be confidered as ouC 
 of feafon. 
 
 That, in the mean time, this reafon of Silence 
 has entirely ceafed by the Hoftilities, which tho 
 laid Kingdom has commenced againft our Repu- 
 blick, under Pretences, and in a manner, the In- 
 juftice of which has been demonftrated by the fa. 
 pream Government of the State, with en irrefra- 
 gable Evidence, in the eyes of impartial Europe ; 
 whilft the Petitioners themfelves , by the illegal 
 Capture af fo large a number of Dutch Ships, 
 2nd afterwards by the abfolute Stagnation of navi- 
 gation , and of Voyages to foreign Countries, 
 
 have
 
 3' 
 
 have experienced, in the moft grievous manner, 
 the coafeqoences of this hoftile and unforeseen 
 Attack, and fad them (till every day, as is abun- 
 dantly known to your noble and grand Lordships* 
 That fince that Epocha , a ftill more considerable 
 number of Workmen muft 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 ftiil 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 thdr own Families, 
 and towards themfelves , if they fhould delay any 
 longer , to by open thir Interefts to your noble 
 and grand Lordships, in a manner the moft relpcft- 
 full, but the moft energick; to wit, that the Uai- 
 ted States of America have very rigorously for- 
 bid, by a refolution of Congrefs agreed to in all 
 the thirteen States , the Importation of ail English 
 manufactures , and in geceral, all the merchandi- 
 zes fabricated in the Dominions which yet remain 
 to Great-Britain. That the Effeft of this Prohibi- 
 tion muft neceflarily be a Spirit of Emulation 
 between all the commercial natioas, to take place 
 of the British Merchants and Manufacturers in 
 his important Branch of Exportation, which is en- 
 tirely cut off from them at this day. That never- 
 thelefr, among all the nation <:hcre is none , which 
 can entertain a hope , better founded , and more 
 fure, in this refpect, than the Citizens of this free 
 
 Repu-
 
 fflK 3* 
 
 &epubiick , whether on account of the Identity 
 of Religion, the fashion of Living, the manners, 
 whether becaufe of the Extent of x commerce , 
 and the convenience of its navigation^ but above 
 all , by reafon of the Activity and good fahh , which' 
 fHll 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. 
 
 That, neverthelefs , 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. Thac 
 at this day. if ever, (according to the refpe&full 
 opinion of the Petitioners) there exifts a neceffity 
 the molt abfolute , for the ConcluGon 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 efcaped, perhaps never will return, fince 
 the national Afiembly of Great Britain, convin- 
 ced by a terrible and fatal Experience , of the ab- 
 folute ImpofllbilJry of reattaching united Ame. 
 rica to the British Crown, has laid before the 
 Throne its defire to conclude a neceflary Peace 
 with a People, free as this day at the Price of 
 their Blood: So that if this Peace fhould be 
 once concluded, the Dutch Nation would fee 
 itfelf perhaps excluded from all Advantages of 
 Commerce with this new Republick, or st leaft 
 would be treated by her with an Indifference , 
 V?hich the fmall value, which we fhouJd have put 
 
 upoa
 
 33 
 
 fcpon its Friendship in former times, would fee'tfe 
 to merit. 
 
 That, fuppofing ifor a rabment, that a Peace; 
 between England and United America , were 
 not fo near, as we have reafon to prefume DOC 
 without probability, there would be found in that 
 cafe nations enough , who will be jealous of ac- 
 quiring, after the example of France, the earlieft 
 right to Commerce with a Country, which already 
 peopled byfeveral Millions of Inhabitants, augments 
 every day in Population , in a manner incredible , 
 but, as a new People, unprovided as yet with 
 fevewl neceflary 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. 
 ceflicy of foch a meafure, in refpeft to them, if 
 they could believe, that their particular Advanta- 
 ge woold 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 Exigence 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 Province*'
 
 34 
 
 which have an Incereft left direct in Commerce 
 and Manufactures , celebrated .Regents appear 
 to wait mere'y for the example of\he Commercial 
 Provinces, for taking a fimilar Refolb^oD. 
 
 That ihe Petitioners will nor detain tht^ttention 
 of your noble and grand MigbtinefTe? , byq more 
 ample detail of their Renfon, ;nd Motifs, fioce, 
 on one hand, they aflure thernfelves, that thefe 
 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 
 aredifpofed, not to fufferany occafion to pafc, 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 bliflbd by Pofterity. 
 
 In which firm expectation, the Petitioners ad- 
 drefs chemfelves to this grand Council with the 
 refpeftfull but ferious Requeft , that it may pleafe 
 your noble and great Lordships, to direct , by their 
 powerfull Influence, things in fuch fort, that in 
 the Aflembly highly refpe&ed of their noble and 
 grand Mightinefles 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 
 f hal find the mod proper, for obtaining the law- 
 full End, and fulfilling the Defires of the Pcti- 
 tioners , or as they f hall judge conformable to the 
 general Interefl. 
 
 So doing &e. 
 
 LEYDEN
 
 3J 
 
 LEYDEN. 
 
 AN ADDRESS of Thanks t with a 
 further Petition. 
 
 To the noble, great, and venerable Lords, the 
 great (Council of the City of Leyden. 
 
 The underGgned Manufacturers, Merchants and 
 other Traders , interefted in the Manufactures and 
 Fabricks of this City, give rsl^ectfully to under- 
 ftand. 
 
 That a number of the UnderGgned, having ta< 
 ken, the 18 of March , the liberty to preferic, to 
 your noble and great Lordships , a rerpedtfull Re- 
 quefr,, to obtain the Conclufion of Connexions of 
 Commerce with United America the Petitioners 
 judge that they ought to hold it for a duty, asagrea- 
 ble as indifpenGble, to teftify their Cncere 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 Refblution* 
 in virtue of which the City of Leyden (as the 
 Petitioners have the beft reafons to fuppofe) hath 
 been one of the first Cities of this Province, from 
 whofe Unanimous Cooperation has originated the 
 Refolution of their noble and grand Mightinefles of 
 the date of the 28 of March laft " to direct things 
 on the Part of their noble and grand MJghtinefles ^ 
 in the Aflembly of the States General, and to 
 make there the ftrongeft Inftances , to the end 
 C i th'afe'
 
 that Mr. Adams may be admitted and acknowled- 
 ged as Miniftcr of the United Stages of America". 
 
 That the Petitioners regtrd, vnth all honeft- 
 hearted Citizens, the prefent Epoch*, as one of 
 the mod glorious in the Annals of our dtar Coun- 
 try, feeidg that there has been manirefted, in a 
 mod fignal manner, on one hand, a Confidence 
 the moft cordial of the good Citizens toward* their 
 Regents, on the other a paternal Attention and 
 Deference of the Regents to the refpe&full 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 fbw the 
 feeds of Discord, would have rejoiced if they could 
 fay with truth, that a Diflention fo fatal had roo- 
 ted itfelf, to the Ruin of the Country and of the 
 People. 
 
 That the Petitioners, feeling themfelves pene- 
 trated, with the moft pleafing Emotions, by an 
 Harmony fo Univerfal , cannot pafs over in Silen- 
 ce the Reflection v that your noble and great Lord- 
 fhips, taking a Refolution the molt favourable, 
 upon the faid Requeft, have difcovered thereby, 
 that they would not abandon the footfteps of 
 their Anceftors, who found in the united fenti- 
 roents of Magiftrates and Citizens , the Refources 
 neceflary to refift a powerfull oppreflbr, who 
 even would not have undertaken that difficult, 
 but glorious Task , if they had not been fuppor- 
 ted by the voice of the moft refpeclable Part of 
 the Nation. 
 
 That encouraged by this Reflection, the Peti- 
 tioners aflure themfelves, that your noble and great 
 Lordships will honour, with the fame Approba- 
 tion
 
 37 
 
 efon, the ftep, which they take to day, to recom- 
 mend to your noble and great Lordships , in a man- 
 ner the moft refpeftfull, but at the fame time the 
 moft preffing , the promt and efficacious Execution 
 of the aforefaid Refolucion of their noble and 
 grand Mightinefles of the 28 of March laft, with 
 every thing which depends thereon; a Procee- 
 ding, which does not fpring from a defire, on the 
 part of the Petitioners , to raife themfelves above 
 the fphare of their duties and vocations, or to in- 
 terfere, indifcreetly , the affairs of Government, 
 but only from a Gonvi&ion , that it cannot but be 
 agreable to well intentioned Regents (fuchas your 
 Noble and great Lordships , have f hewn yourfel 
 ves by Deeds to your good Citizens ) to fee 
 themfelves applauded in their falutary Efforts and 
 patriotick Deflgns , 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 Mightinefles , 
 having taken a Refolution fo agreable to all true 
 Patriots, will not negledl; 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, neverthelefs , diflTemble, 
 that lately fome new Reafons have arifen, which 
 make them conceive fome fears refpe&ing the prompt 
 Consummation of this definable affair. 
 
 That the Probability of an offer of Peace , on 
 the part of Great-Britain, to United America, whereof 
 tlie Petitioners made mention in their former Re- 
 queft, having at prefent become a full Certainty 
 by the Revolution arrived fince in the British* 
 C
 
 Mintftry , they have not learned without Uneafinefs 
 tbe attempt made at the fame time by the new Mi- 
 nifters of the Court of London, tp involve this 
 State, in a Negotiation for a feparate Peace, the 
 immediate Confequence of which wouftk be ( as 
 the Petitioners fear) a Ceflation of all Connexions 
 with the American Republick , whilft that in the 
 mean time ourRepublick 5 deprived on the one hand of 
 the Advantages , which it reafonably promifes it- 
 fc!f from thefe Connections, might on the other 
 hand be detained by Negotiations, fpunoattoa 
 great Length, and not effeft till -late, perhaps 
 after the other belligerent Powers, a feparacc Pea- 
 ce with England. 
 
 ' That in effecT: the Difficulties, which oppofe 
 themfelves to a like partial Pacification, are too 
 multipleid for one, to promife himfelf to fee them 
 fuddenly removed , fuch as the Reftitution of the 
 Pofleffions taken from the State , and retaken from 
 tbe English by France, a Rettitution , which is 
 become 'thereby impracticable , the Indemnification 
 of the immenfe Lofles, that, the nnexpecl.d and 
 perfidious Attack of England hath caufed to the 
 Dutch Nation in general, to the Petitioners ia 
 particular,* theAflurance 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 Contentions , always 
 fpringing up, and which , in every war between 
 Great Britain and any other Power , have threat- 
 Bed to involve our Republick in it, or have in 
 eflfccl: done it ; the Annihilation , if pofTible , of the 
 Navigation , an aft, which carries too evi- 
 dent
 
 39 
 
 dent marks of the fupremacy affected by England 
 over all other maritime People , not to attraft At- 
 tention, at the approaching Negotiation of Peace; 
 final/y, the Neceffity of breaking the yoke, that 
 Great Britain would impofe on ou>- Flagg, to make 
 hers rcfpedted in the northern Ocean, as the feat 
 of her maritime fcrapire; and or cr objtft- of this 
 Nature, which, as the petulant Proceedings of the 
 Court of London have given rife to them , will 
 certainly furnifh matter for Claims and Negotia- 
 tions. 
 
 That, as by thefe Confederations 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 manner, 
 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 Repablick hath occafion to abandon its 
 Interefts relative to North America, feeing that 
 the British Government hath refolved, upon the 
 Requeft of the national Aflembly , even to discon- 
 tinue oftenfive Hoftilities againft 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 flumbling 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 fubjeft , and which certainly will 
 
 C 4
 
 40, 
 
 ]pot efcape the political Penetration of your noble, 
 and great Lordships, among others, the Engage- 
 ments recently entered into with ttje Court of 
 Krance, and which will not be violated by our 
 Republick, which acknowledges the fanQjcy of 
 its Engagements, and refpefts them,* bat which 
 will ferve much rather to convince the Emprefs of 
 Rufiiaoftbe Impoffibility of entering, in thepre- 
 fent Jundlure of Affairs, into fuch a Negociatioi, 
 as the Court of London propofes, when even it 
 will not be permitted to prefume , bat that Sove- 
 reign will feel herfelf the Change of Circumftan- 
 ces, which bav.e 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 oar 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- 
 tinefTes, 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 
 tljemfelves conformably with Holland, Negotia- 
 tions with the United States , and of terminating 
 sihern as foon as poffible. 
 
 ' That the favourable Refolutions , already taken 
 for tijfe effect in Zeeland ^ Utrecht , Overysfel* 
 
 and
 
 and at prefent (as the Petitioners learn) in 
 Province of Groningen after the Examples of Hol- 
 land and Friesland, confirm them in that hope, 
 and feera to render entirely fuperfluous , a Requeft, 
 that in every other Gafe 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 interefted in Commerce and Naviga- 
 tion , they might not be deprived of the Advan- 
 tages and of the Protection, that the fovcrcign 
 Aflenably of their proper Province had been dis- 
 pofed to procure them, without that, but chat, to 
 the end to provide for it, their noble and grand 
 MightineflTes , and the States of the Bother Provin- 
 ces in this refpeft, Unanimous with them, fhould 
 make ufe of the Power, which belongs to each 
 free State of our federative Republick, at 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, bat 
 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 Diflention 
 among the members of the Confederation , appears 
 at prefent abfolutely unfeafonable, the Petitioaer* 
 will confine themfelves rather to another Requeft , 
 to wit, that after the formation of Connexion* 
 of Commerce with North America, the effedluai 
 Enjoyment of it may be aflured to the Commer- 
 cial Citizens of this Country , by a fufficient Pro.- 
 teftion of their Navigation, without which the 
 Conc'ufion even of fuch a Treaty of Commerce 
 would be abfolutely illufory. That for a long time 
 especially the laft year, the Petitioners have ta^ 
 C 5 fted
 
 fted the bitter Fruits of the defencelefs ftate, is 
 which the Dutch Flagg has been irioeflantly found, 
 as they have already faid, conformably to the 
 truth, in their firft requeft, that by the total 
 3, ftagnation of the Navigation, and of Expedi* 
 3, tions, they have felt in the moft paiofull man- 
 ner , the effects of the hoftile and unexpected 
 Attack of Great Britain , and that they feel 
 them ftili every day ". That in the mean time 
 this ftagnation of Commerce, abfolately abandoned 
 to the Rapacity of an Ennemy greedy of Pillage, 
 and deftitute of all Prote&ion whatever, hath 
 appeared to. the Petitioners , as well as to all the 
 other Commercial inhabitants, yes even toa'l true 
 Citizens, fb much the more hard *nd afflicting, 
 as they not only have constantly contributed with 
 a good Heart , all the public Imports , but that at 
 the time, even that the Commerce was abfolu- 
 tely abacdoned to itfelf , and deprived of ail Safe- 
 guard, it fupported a double Charge to obtain tha 
 Pi-oteftion, which it hath never enjoyed, feeing 
 that the hope of fach a Protection, (the Repu- 
 blick not being entirely without maritime Force) 
 hath appeared indeed more than once, but has al- 
 ways vanifhed in the moft unexpected manner, by 
 accidents and impediments, which, if they have 
 given rife, perhaps wrongfully, to difcontent and 
 to diltruft among the good Citizens, will not 
 neverthelefs be read and meditated by Pofterity 
 w 'hout 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 refpeft warranted, in addreffing 
 their Complaints on this head , to thsBofom*ofyour 
 aoble 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 Safegoard.) 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. 
 
 For which Realbns, the Petitioners, returning 
 their folemn Thanks to your noble and great Lord- 
 fhips, for the favourable Refolution taken upon 
 their requeft the i8th. of March laft, addrefsthem- 
 felves anew to yo.u , on this occafion , with the 
 refpedtfull Prayer that it may graciously pletfe 
 your noble and great Lordships , to be willing 
 to effectuate by your powerfull Influence, whe- 
 ther in the illuftrious Aflembly of their noble 
 a, and grand Mightinefles, whether among the other 
 Confederates, or elfewhere, there, and in fuch 
 a, manner as your noble and great Lordships 
 fhall judge moft proper, that the Refolution 
 3 , of their noble and grand Mightinefles 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 
 roeafures, that your noble and great Lordships 
 3 , with the other members of the Sovereign Go- 
 vernment of the Republick, fhall judge to, 
 
 J3 tend
 
 K 44 
 
 tend to the public Good , and to ferf e to the 
 Profperity of the detr Country, as well as 
 to the maintenance of its precious Liberties. 
 
 So doing &c. 
 
 KOTTERDAM
 
 45 
 
 ROTTERDAM. 
 
 P E T i T i o N of the Merchants 3 Infurers , 
 
 and Freighters of Rotterdam to the 
 
 Regency of that' City. 
 
 GIVE to underftand, in the mod refpeclfall 
 manner , chat it is fufficiently notorious , that 
 the Inhabitants of this Republick have, as well 
 as any other Nation , an Intereft , thac they give 
 us an opportunity to open a free Commnni cation 1 
 and Correfpondance with the Inhabitants of Ame- 
 rica, by making a Treaty of Commerce, as Mr. 
 Adams has reprefeoted ia 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, forfo many years, 
 caufed to the commercial Part of this Country. 
 
 That, with all due refpeel, 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 
 Interpofitionof 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- 
 dcnce there, to our Prejudice, and thereby depri- 
 ve
 
 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 purfae the Negotiation offe- 
 red by M- Adams , and that we may decide fcaally 
 upon it. Whereupon the Petitioners reprefent , 
 with all the refpeft 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 Aflem- 
 bly of their noble and grand Mightineffes , to the 
 end, that they infill: in a manner the moft 
 energic, at the Affembly of their noble and grand 
 Mightineffes, that the Resolution 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 posGble 
 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 6fc, 
 
 TH1?
 
 <K 4? 
 
 T HE P E T i T i o N s of tht Merchants , and Manu- 
 fafturrs 0/HAERLEM, LEIDEN and AM- 
 STtRDAM, which have been prcfented on the 
 twentieth tf March to THEIR HIGH-MIGH- 
 TINESSES, were accompanied with an other 
 to the States 'of HOLLAND and W E s T- 
 FRIESLAND, conceived in t befe Terms* 
 
 THE Subfcribers, Inhabitants of this Country, 
 Merchants , Manufacturers , and others , li- 
 ving by Commerce, give with all refpedt to under- 
 fland , 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, theconfiderable Commerce^ which 
 thefe Countries might eftablish in North-America, 
 the Profits which we might drow 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 extenfivc 
 Country; all thefe Objects have made them take 
 the liberty to reprefent, in the molt refpc&full 
 manner, this great affair for them and for the 
 Connexions which the Petitioners may have, in 
 quality of Manufacturers , with the Merchants, 
 moft numbly praying your noble and grand Migh- 
 tinefles, 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 
 powerful! Support and Protection , and by a favou- 
 rable Refolution , which may be taken at the aflem- 
 bly of their High Mightinefles, to direft, on the 
 Part of this Province, things in fuch a manner, 
 that for obtaining this Commerce fo deflred and fo 
 Decenary for this Republick , that there be concer- 
 ted fuch efficacious meafures, as the high wisdom 
 and patriotic fentiments of your noble and grand 
 Mightinefles may find convenient, for the wel- 
 beiDg of fo great a Numbre of Inhabitants , and for 
 ihe Prejudice of their Ennemies. 
 
 So doing &c. 
 
 DOR-
 
 DORDRECHT; 
 
 AT DORDRECHT there has not been prefen- 
 ted any Petition. But on the twentyeth of 
 March the Merchants, convinced by redoubled 
 proofs of the Zeal, and of the Efforts of their 
 Regency, for the true Interefts of Commerce, 
 judged it unneceflary to prefent a Petition after the 
 example of the Merchants of other Cities: they 
 contended themfelves with teftifying verbally 
 their deflre , that there might be contracted 
 connections of Commerce wuh the United States 
 of America: that this flep had been crowned with 
 fuch happy fuccefs, that the fame day 20 March 
 1782, it was refolved by the ancient Council , to 
 authorize their Deputies at the Aflembly of Hol- 
 land, to concur in every manner poffible, that, 
 without delay, Mr. Adams be acknowledged id 
 his Quality of Minifter Plenipotentiary,- that hi$ 
 Letters of Credence be accepted , and Conference* 
 opened upon this objedt. 
 
 D
 
 50 
 
 Z \V O L L 
 
 IN OPERTSSEL. 
 
 THE Subscribers, all Merchants, Manufa&u- 
 rers , and Faftors of the City of Zwoll , 
 give refpedHully to underftand, 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 effedts of the decay into 
 which Commerce, and the Manufactures of this 
 Country are fallen , little by little, and above all, 
 fince the hoflile attack of the Kingdom of Eng. 
 land againft this State; that it being their duty 
 to their Country, as well as to themfelves, to 
 make ufe of all the 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 efcape their attention; an affair whofe 
 Utility, Advantage and Neceflity, for thefe Pro- 
 vinces, are fo evident, and fo often proved in 
 an inconteftible manner , that the Petitioners will 
 not fatigue your noble Lordships , by placing 
 them before you , nor the general Interefts of this 
 City , cor the particular Relations of the Petitio- 
 ners, confidering that they are convinced, in the 
 firft place, that England making againft the Re- 
 publick the mod ruinous war, and having bro- 
 ken every Treaty wioh her, all kind of Cojuplai- 
 fance for that Kingdom is unfeafonable. 
 
 h
 
 In the fr-cond Place, that America, which baghft 
 to be regarded as become free at che point of the 
 fword, and as willing, by the Prohibition of all 
 the Productions and Manufactures of England , id 
 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 Dew and powerfull Repu 
 blick; a time which we cannor neglect withouc 
 running the greateft risque of being irrevocably 
 prevented by the other Powers, and even by 
 England. Thus we take the Liberty, refpe&fuUy 
 to fupplicate your noble Lordships, that having 
 fhewn for a long time, that you let a value upon 
 the formation of Alliances with powerfull States, 
 you may have the goodnefs, at the approaching 
 Alterably of the Nobih'ty 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 j 
 that Mr. Adams be acknowledged, and the propp* 
 fed Negotiations opened as foon as poffible, 
 
 So doing f. 
 
 D *
 
 PETITION OF AMSTERDAM. 
 
 To their High Mightinefles, the States Gene- 
 ral of the United Provinces , the under- 
 figned, Merchants, Manufacturers and others, 
 Inhabitants living by Commerce in this Country^ 
 give refpeftfully co underfland : 
 
 That , although the Petitioners have always 
 relyed, with entire confidence upon the Admini- 
 ftration and the Resolutions of your High - Migh- 
 tineflfcs, and it is againft their Inclinations to in- 
 terrupt your important deliberations, they think, 
 however, that they ought, at this time, to take 
 the Liberty, and believe as well intentioned In- 
 habitants, that ic is their indispenfable Duty in the 
 prefent moment , which is molt critical for the 
 Republick, to lay humbly before your High-Migh- 
 tinefles. their Interefts. 
 
 What good Citizen , in the Republick , having 
 at heart the Intereft of his dear Country, caa 
 diflemble , or reprefent to himfelf without dismay, 
 the fad Ctuation, to which we are reduced by 
 the attack, equally fudden, unjuft and perfidious of 
 Lhe Engliih? who would have dared, two years 
 ago, to foretell , and, notwithftanding the dark 
 clouds, which even then began to form themfel- 
 ves, could even have imagined, that our Com- 
 merce, ? nd our Navigation, with the immenfe af- 
 fairs which depend upon them, the fupport and the 
 rrofperity of this Republick, could have fallen and 
 remained in fuch a terrible decay? that in 1780, 
 wore than two thoufands of Dutch veflells , ha- 
 ving palled the Sound , DOC one was found upon 
 
 tbt
 
 53 
 
 the Lift in 1781? That the Ocean, heretofore 
 covered with our) veflells , f hould fee at pre- 
 feat fcarccly any? and that we may be reduced to 
 fee our navigation, formerly fo much refprcted 
 and preferred by all the nations, pafs entirely into 
 the hands of other Powers ? It would be fuper- 
 fluous, to endeavour to explain st length, che 
 damages, the enormous lofles ,' which our Inha- 
 bitants have fuftained by the fuddc'n Invalion, and 
 the Pillage of the Colonies, and of their fm'ps: 
 difafters], which not only fall directly upon the 
 Merchant, but which have alfo a general influence, 
 and make themfelves felt in the moft melancholly 
 manner, even by the lowed Artifact., 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 - Mightinefies , and by 
 oppofing a vigorous refiftance to the Ennemy, 
 already enervated, to repair in time all thefe 
 Lofles, (without mentioning Indemni6cations) 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. Ic is this gloomy forefight, which, in this 
 moment afflicts, in the higheft degree, the Peti- 
 tioners ; for it would be the night of Folty and 
 Inconfideration , to deflre 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 i 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 pofleffion of it, will 
 preferve, at that time, the greateft part of it. 
 Your alarmed Petitioners throw their eyes round 
 i 03 every
 
 54 
 
 every where, to discover new fources, capable o 
 procuring them more fuccefs in future; they 
 even flatter themfelves, that they have found them 
 upon the new theatre of Commerce , which the 
 Uniced 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 coo- 
 diuoD, to be able to aflure to themfelves a goad 
 fhare, and the great Importance of which, jomed 
 to the fear of feeing escape from their hands 
 thi* oniy and laft kefource. has induced them to 
 take the refoladon, to lay open refpedfcfully 
 their Observations, concerning this important ob- 
 jed. to your High- Mightinefles, with the earned 
 Prayer, that you would confider them with a fe- 
 rious attention, and not interpret in ill part this 
 meafure of the Petitioners, efpecially 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 greateft forces from her Commerce 
 with America; thofe immenfe Treafures, which 
 that commerce has poured into the Coffers of the 
 State ; the uncommon profperity of feveral of her 
 commercial Houfes, the extream Reputation of 
 her Manufactures, the Confumption of which, ia 
 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 O very flelr-the* Pins 
 of Zwoll, pr0ve vifib/y, that all things need nod. 
 be drawn from England; that, moreover, we are 
 as well in a condition, or fh*ll foon be, to equal 
 hem in fcvcral refpefts. 
 
 ler-
 
 Permit us, high and mighty Lords, to the end 
 to avoid all further digreffion, to requeft in this 
 regard the attention of your high Mightinefles, 
 to the fituation of Commerce in France at the 
 beginning of the war. Continual Lofles had ai- 
 med ruined it altogether like ours ; feveralofher 
 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 occaGon to be enlarged ; her 
 Manufactures having arrived at a degree of ex- 
 portation unknown before, begin to perfect 
 themfelves more and more , in fuch a degree , that 
 the melancholly Confequences of the war are 
 fcarcely felt in that Kingdom. But fines it is in- 
 conteftable, that this favourable alteration refults 
 almoft entirely from its Commerce -with Ame- 
 rica, that even this has taken place in time of 
 war, which, moreover, is ever prejudicial, we 
 leave it to the enlightened Judgment of your High. 
 Mightinesfes , to decide, what it is that we may 
 expeft from a Commerce of this nature, even ac 
 prefect, but efpecially in time of Peace. In the 
 meantime, we have had the happinefs to make a 
 tryal, of fhort duration, it is true, but very 
 flrong in proportion to its continuance, in our 
 Colony of St. Euftacia, of the importance of the 
 commerce, th6 not direct, with North -America. 
 The Registers of the Weft -India Company may 
 furnish proofs of it very convincing to your High- 
 Mightinesfes; in faft, their Productions are in- 
 finitely fuitable to our Market jWhilft, on our fide, 
 we have to| fend them fcveral articles of Con- 
 venience and of Necesfity from our OWQ Coun- 
 
 D 4 y s
 
 try , or from the neighbouring States of Germany. 
 Moreover, feveral of our languishing manufaCtu- 
 res, fcattered in the feven United Provinces, 
 may perhaps be reftored to their former vi- 
 gour, by means of Bounties, or the Diminution 
 of Imports. The Importance of Manufactures for 
 a Country is fufficiently proved, by the coufidera- 
 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, altnoft infarmountable , which always op- 
 pofe themfelves to the habitual ufe of new Ma- 
 nufactures., although certainly better in quality j 
 ?nd they dare advance without hefitation, that fe- 
 veral of our Manufactures are fuperiour to thofe 
 of the English : a moment more favourable can 
 never offer itfelf than the prefent , when by a Re- 
 folution of Congrefs the Importation of all the 
 effects of the Produce of Great Britain , and of 
 her Colonies , is forbidden ; which reduces the 
 Merchant and the Purch^fer to the neceflity of 
 fecurring toother Merchandifes,the ufe of which 
 will ferve to diffipate the Prejudice conceived 
 againft 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 
 troe (as feveral would maintain) that the Ame- 
 ricans , being once in the tranquil pofleffion of 
 their Independence, would themfelves exercicc 
 with vigour thefe two Branches , and that in the 
 fequel we f hall be wholly fruftrated of them. 
 Whpewer has the leaft knowledge of the Coun-
 
 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- 
 fiflippi, the mod beautiful! traftof this Country, 
 otherwife fo fertile, remain dill uncultivated: and 
 as there are wanted To many hands, it is not at 
 all probable to prefame, that they will or can 
 occupy themfelves to eftablish new Manufactures, 
 both becaufe of the new Charges; which are the- 
 reunto Attached , and becaufe of the (hackles , 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 neceflary to take advantage of the Fishe- 
 ries , which are the Property of their Country; 
 which will certainly oblige them to abandon to 
 us the Navigation of Freight. There is not there- 
 fore any one of our Provinces, much lefs 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 Langdreet, 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 lowed date of decay. Delft will fee vaftly 
 augmented the fale of its Earthen ware, and 
 Gouda that of its Tabacco Pipej. 
 
 However great may be the advantages fore. 
 D 5 feen
 
 58 
 
 feen by the Petitioners , from a legal Commerce 
 duely protected with America, their fear is not 
 left, left we fhould fuffer to efcape the happy 
 moment of afiuring 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 
 ilrong 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 leaft 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 Interefta 
 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 exceflive 
 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 
 conduft, on the part of this Republick , will con- 
 tribute to accelerate the accomplishment of the 
 wishes for Peace. 
 
 We flatter ourfelves , High and Mighty Lords , 
 that we have in this regard alledged fufficient 
 reafons for an immediate decifion; and that we 
 have fo viiibly proved the danger of Delay, that 
 
 we
 
 K 59 > 
 
 we dare to hope from the paternal Equity of yooi 
 High -Mighdnefles, a resfoDabJe attention to the 
 refpeftfull Propofition which we have made. It 
 proceeds from DO other motive , than a fiocere 
 affection for the precious Icterefts of our dear 
 Country ; Once we confider it as certain, that as 
 foon as the itep taken by us fhall be known by 
 the English, and that they fhall have the leaft 
 hope of preventing us , they will not fa<l , as foon 
 as poflible, to acknowledge American Independence, 
 Supported by all thefe reafons, the Petitioners 
 addrefs themfelves to your Hihh Mighcinesfes , 
 humbly requefting, that it may pleafe your High- 
 Mightinesfes , after the occurrences and affairs abo- 
 ve mentioned, to take, for the greareft advanta- 
 ge of this Country , as Toon as poflible , fuch Re- 
 folution as your High MightinefTei fhall judge 
 mod convenient- 
 
 This doing &c. 
 
 PETITION
 
 60 
 
 to the Burgomafters and Regents of 
 
 AMSTERDAM. 
 
 The Subfcribers , all Merchants and Manufac- 
 turers of this City , with all due Refpedl , gi- 
 ve to underftand : 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 Houfe of Commons in England, notwith- 
 ftanding all the oppofitions.of the British Miniftry, 
 have lately formed the important Refolution, to 
 turn the King from an offenfive war sgainft Ame- 
 rica, with no other deOgn than to accelerate, if 
 it is poflible , a Reconciliation with America. 
 
 That to this happy Revolution in the difpo- 
 (itions 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 Briti; h Ma- 
 rjufaftures and Productions, has greatly contribu- 
 ted : a Refolution, of which they perceive in En- 
 gland,
 
 4K 6 
 
 gland, too vifibly, the confequences ruinous to 
 their Manufactures , Trades, Commerce, and Na- 
 vigation, to be able to remain indiffetent in this 
 regard. For all other commercial Nations , who 
 take to heart, ever fo little, their own Profperi- 
 ty , will apply themfelves ardently , to collect 
 from it all the fruit poflible. To this effect, ic 
 wo jld be unpardonable for the Bofinefs andCommer- 
 ce of this Republick in general, and for thofe of 
 this City in particular, to fuffer to efcape this cr- 
 eation 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 excluflon of the mercantile Interefts 
 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 Icaft 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 fconer her Arms , and reftorc 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 itfelf by a Connection and a Relation mo- 
 re intimate with North America; both becaufe 
 that no well-informed man can eafily call the 
 
 thiag
 
 thing in queftion, or contradift it; but alfo, be- 
 caufe the States of Friesland thetnfelves have ve 
 ry lately explained rhemfelves, in a manner fo re- 
 markable, in this refpeft; and which is ftill more 
 remarkable , becaufe 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 
 Predeceflbrs 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 (ituation, in which 
 the Kingdom of Portugal is at prefect , 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, becaufe 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 Propositions 
 made, in the name of America, by Mr. Adams 
 to this Republirk, 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 cot 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 Correspondence , with the United States 
 of America. But this important work appeared 
 too meet with difficulties with fome, as incom- 
 patible with the Acceflion of this Reeublick to 
 the armed Neutrality, and in courfe, with the ac- 
 cepted Mediation; whilft that others cannot be 
 perfaaded to make this fo neceflary ftep, in the 
 
 opi*
 
 opinion, that we cannot draw any advantage, of 
 at leaft of much Importance, from a more ftrift 
 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, 
 fuppofiog for a moment , that it might be made a 
 queftion, whether the Republick, afcer her Acces- 
 fion to the armed Neutrality, before the war with 
 England could take a ftep of this nature, without 
 renouncing at the fame time the Advantages of 
 the armed Neutrality, which it had embraced; 
 it is at leaft very certain, that every difficulty 
 concerning the Competency of the Republick to 
 take a fimilar ftep , vanishes and disappears of itfelf 
 at prefent, when it finds itfelf involved in a war 
 with Great - Britain , Cnce from that moment fhe 
 could not only demand, the alfiftance and fuccour 
 of all the Confederates in the armed Neutrality, 
 but that thereby fhe finds herfelf authorized , for 
 her ovrn defence, to employ all forts of means, 
 violent and others, which fhe could not before 
 adopt cor 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 Reafonirjg then proves evidently, that in 
 the prefent fituation of affairs, the Republick 
 might acknowledge the Independence of Ameri- 
 ca, and notwithftanding this, claim of full right 
 the AiMance of her neutral Allies, at leaft, if we 
 would not maintain one of the two following ab- 
 furdities: that, notwithftaning the violent aggres- 
 fion of England in Refentment of our Acceffion 
 to the armed Neutrality, we dare not defend our- 
 felve*, until! our Confederates fhalJ think proper 
 
 CO
 
 to come to our afliftance ; or , otherwife , that 
 being attacked by the English , it 1 hould be per- 
 mitted us, conformably to the rights of the armed 
 Neutrality, to refift them in Arms s whether on 
 the Doggersbank or elfe where, but not by con- 
 ta-afting Alliances, which certainly do no Injury 
 or harm to the Convention of the armed Neutra- 
 lity, notwithftandiug even the fmall hope we ha- 
 ve of being fuccourred by the Allies of the armed 
 Confederation. The Argument of the Mediation 
 is ftill more contrary to common fehfe in this, 
 that it fuppofes j, 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 
 iifefull or neceflary to annoy her Ennemy : a fup- 
 petition , which certainly is deflitute 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 confenced , neither direftly nor indi- 
 redtly. 
 
 Befidei this laft Argument , the Petitioners ought 
 to obferve, in the firft place, that by means of a 
 good Harmony and Friendship with the United 
 States of America, there will fpring up, not on- 
 ly different Sources of Bufinefs for this Repu- 
 blick, founded folely on Commerce and Naviga- 
 tion, but in particular the Manufactures and Trade 
 will aflume a new Activity in the interiour Cities $ 
 for they may confume the amount of Millions 
 of our Manufactures in that new Country, of fb 
 vaft Extent: In the fecond Place, abftradred from 
 all Imerefts of Commerce , the Friendship or the 
 Enmity of a Nation, which, after having made 
 of two English Armies, has known how 
 
 19
 
 to render herfelf refpeftable aad formidable , if it we* 
 re only in relation to the weftern Poflefiions of 
 this State t is DOC aod cannot be in any manner 
 indifferent for our Republick. In the laft place, 
 it is neceflary tjiat the Petitioqers remark far- 
 ther in this refpeft , that feveral Inhabitants of 
 this Republick, in the prefenc lituation of affajrs, 
 fufFer very conflderabieLofTes and Damages , which 
 at lead hereafter might be wholly prevented, or 
 in part, in cafe we fhould make with the United 
 States of America, with relation to Veflels and 
 Effects; recaptured , .3 Convention fimilar to 
 that, which has been made with the Crown of Fran- 
 ce the laft year; for, venerable Regents, if a 
 Convention of this nature had been contracted, 
 in the beginning of this war, the Inhabitants of 
 the Republick would have already derived im- 
 portant advantages from it , conGdering that fe.- 
 veral Ships and Cargoes , taken by the English 
 from the Inhabitants of this State, have fallen in- 
 to the hands of the Americans; among others, 
 two Veflels from the Weft-Indies, richly loaded, 
 apd making fail for the Ports of the Republick, 
 aod both eftimated at more than a Million of Flo- 
 rins of Holland ; -which captured by the^Ecgl^h 
 at the commencement of the year paft, were car- 
 ried into North -America, where, after the Ca- 
 pitulation- of General Cornwallis , they pafted from 
 the hands of the English into others. 
 "~ That, although the PetitipruersJlare fujly con-, 
 vinced , that the Inter efts of the Commerce of 
 tfeis common Country, and of this. City , have cpn-. 
 fUntly,but efpecially in thefe laft years, attrsfled, 
 and ftUl attrad every day , a great part of the Ca- 
 ns of the venerable Regency ; neverthelefs , ha-. 
 
 E
 
 66 
 
 ving regard to the Importance of the affair , the 
 Petitioners have thought that they might, and that 
 they ought co 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 lofmg all; fince, by 
 hefitatiog longer , the Republick , according to all 
 appearances, would not derive any advantage , not 
 even more than it has derived from its acceflion 
 to the armed Neutrality; becaufe that in the fear 
 of British menaces, we did not determine to ac- 
 ceed to it, untill the opportunitv of improving 
 the advantage of ic, was pafled. 
 
 For thefe Caufes, the Petitioners addrefs them- 
 felves to you, venerable Regents, refpeftfully fol- 
 liciting, that your efficacious Influence may con- 
 defcendj at the Aflembly of their noble and grand 
 IVHghdnefles the States of this Province, to direft 
 affairs in fuch a manner , that upon this impor- 
 tant objecl there may be taken as foon as pofll- 
 bie, and, if poffible, even during the continuance 
 of this Aflembly, a final and decifive Refolution, 
 fuch as you, venerable Regents and their noble 
 and grand Mighunefies, according to their high 
 wisdom, f hall judge the moft convenient: and if j 
 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
 
 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 dK 
 latory deliberations , nor too late refolved , for 
 the Conclufion of a Meafure as important as ue 
 ceflary. 
 
 So doing &c. 
 
 8 a AMSTER-
 
 AMSTERDAM. 
 
 A~D ORE s s o/ ^ Merchants , 6fa. f o zfozr H' 
 gency. 
 
 Iris for us a particular Satisfaction, to be able 
 to offer to your noble and great Lordships, 
 as Heads of the Regency of this City, this well 
 intentioned Addrefs, that a multitude of our mod 
 refpe&abie fellow-Citizens have figned. It was alrea- 
 dy prepared and Ggned by many, when we learned, 
 as well by the publick Papers as otherwife, the 
 PropoGtions 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 Ambaflador. This is the 
 only reafon, why no immediate mention w^s 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 ; Cnce we can , on 
 the contrary , in truth allure your noble and 
 great Lordships , that the unanimous fentiment 
 nearly of the Exchange of Amfterdam, as much as 
 that is interefted in it, is entirely conformable to 
 that, which the Merchants of Rotterdam have ma- 
 de known in fo energic a manner : That confe- 
 quently we have the greateft AverGon to like 
 offers, as artfull as dangerous , which being adop- 
 ted , would very probably throw this Republick in- 
 to other (ituations very embirrafling, the immedia- 
 te cocfequeoces of which would be , to ruin it 
 
 total-
 
 K <* 
 
 totally : whereas , on the other hand , thefe cffer 
 <f hew, that whe have only to deal with an Enncmy 
 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 uGng 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 allured , 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 ProteQion of your noble and great jLordships^ 
 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 
 of Mr. Adams, in Quality of Minifler 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 , inferred in this Requeft, would 
 have theGoodnefs to think upon meafures , which 
 would fecure this Province from the ruirjous Confe- 
 quences of fuch a Proceeding. 
 
 To the foregoing vo as joined the Addrefs prefented 
 to the Burgomaflers and ibe Council , vabicb is of the 
 following Tenor. 
 
 NOSLE , GREAT , VENERABLE, ANP NOBLE A^ T D 
 VENERABLE LORDS ! 
 
 The underfigned, Merchants, Citizens, and 
 Inhabitants of the City of Amfterdam , have 
 learned with ao inexpreflible joy, the news of the 
 
 '
 
 70 
 
 * 
 
 fcefoludon taken the twenty-eighth of March laft 
 by their noble and grand Mightineffes, the Lords 
 the States of Holland and Wcft-Friesland. Their 
 noble and grand Mightinefles have thereby, not 
 onle fatisficd the general wishes of the greateft 
 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 underftanding 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 Aflerably of Holland, gi- 
 ves us grounds to hope , that the States of the other 
 Provinces will not delay to take a fimilar Refo- 
 ludon ; whilft the fame Unamity fills with the 
 mod lively Satisfaction the well intentioned In- 
 habitants of this City , and without doubc 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; 
 vrhilft that the Promptnefs and Activity , with 
 which it hath been concluded , make us hope, 
 with reafon , that we f hall reap , in time , from 
 a ftep fo important, and fo neceflary for this Re- 
 pablick, the deCred Fruits. Who then can call 
 in queftion, or disavow, that the moment feems 
 to approach nearer and nearer , when this Repu- 
 blick fhall enter into new Relations 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 Affeftion and Efteem. 
 
 The Conformity of Religion and Government, 
 which is found between us and America, joined 
 
 to
 
 7* 
 
 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 Coone&ions with her will be equally 
 folid, advantageous and falutary, to the Imerefls of 
 the two Nations. The Wellbeing and Profperity , 
 which will very probably refult from them; the 
 Part which you, noble, greac, venerable, and 
 noble and venerable Lords , have had in the Con- 
 clufion of a Refolution fo remarkable; the Con* 
 vidlion that the venerable Council of this City 
 had of it, upon the Propofition of the noble, 
 great and venerable Lords almofl 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 mod laudable views, 
 finding itfelf ar prefent crowned with an approba- 
 tion as publick as it is general , indifpenfibly obli- 
 ge the underfigned to approach you with this Ad- 
 drefs j 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 Meafures, for that inflexible Attachment , 
 and that faithfull Adherence to the true Interefts of 
 the Country in general and of this City in particular 
 which manifeftthemfelvesjin foftriking 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 efteem and veneration of the laceft 
 Poiterity, when comparing the Annals and Events 
 E 4 of
 
 7* 
 
 of the prefent with thofe of former times, it fhall 
 Discover that Amft-rdam might fli|l hoaft itfclf of 
 J5ofT-fllDg Patriots , who dared facrifice generously 
 all views of private Interests , of Gracdeur and 
 Confidcration, to j the facred obligations t;hat their 
 Country requires of theirl. 
 
 We flatter ourf-Ive?/ noble, great, venerable, 
 noble and venerable Lords, that the prefent pu- 
 blick demonftration of 'our Esteerrr and Attach, 
 ment, will be fo much'the more agreable ,as it is 
 tnore rare in our Repu'blick, and perhaps even it i$ 
 without example, and as it is more proper to 
 efface all the odious Impresfiocs that the Calumny 
 and Maligqity of the English Miniftry , DOC long 
 fego fo fervilely adored by many , but whofe 
 downfall is at prefent confummated , had eodca- 
 Voured to fpread, particularly a little before and 
 at the beginning of this war; InfiouatioDs', which 
 have fince found Partifans in the United Provin- 
 ces, among thofe who have no: been ashamed to 
 paint the Exchange of Amflerdam (that is to fay 
 the mod refpe&able and th6 mod ufefull part of 
 the Citizens of this City, and at the fame time 
 the principal fupport of the wdlbeiog of the Uni- 
 ju Provinces) as if it confided in a gread part of 
 b contemptible Herd of vile interested fouls, ha* 
 viog no other Objeft, than to giva loofe to their 
 avidity, and to their defire of amaflingTreafuresi 
 in defrauding the publick Revenues, and in trans- 
 porting articles, againft the Faith of Treaties- 
 Calumniators, who have had at the fame timej 
 and Have ftill, the a'udacky to affront the moil 
 upright Regency of the moft conQderable City of 
 the Republick, and to expofe it to publick Con- 
 tempt, as if it participated by Connivance, and 
 , in fo fharaefull a Commerce^ iDfiouaj- 
 v ' tions
 
 73 
 
 tions and Accufations, which have been fpreadj, 
 with as much falshood as wickednefs , and which 
 o'ught to excite fo much the more the Indigna- 
 tion of every fenfible Heart, when it isconfidered* 
 that not only the Merchants of this Gity, but alfo 
 thofe of the whole Republick, have fo inviolably 
 refpecled the Faith of Treaties, that to the afto- 
 nishment of every impartial man , one cannot pro- 
 duce any Proofs , at lead 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 Gommerce and Navigation of Amfter- 
 dam, and of the whole Republick, would have ex- 
 perienced the firft and almoft the only Attack of 
 an unjuft 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 feejthe fruit of his Labour, 
 and of his Cares , the recompence of his indefati- 
 gable, Induflry, and the Patrimony deftmed to his 
 Poflerity , 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 Ipared 
 DO pains for the publick Good , faw their patriotic 
 views diflipated , and tbeir 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 J 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, bat which is founded on more noble and 
 imraoveable 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, 
 atyblutely nothing, at the moment when the pre- 
 fent war broke out, to prejudice in the lead the 
 Fidelity of the Citizens of the Amftel, or to f hake 
 them in the obfervance of their Duties, the In- 
 conveniences and the evils, that a war naturally 
 and neceflarily 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 3 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 Ctuation. Let 
 nothing divert or intimidate you from it, You have 
 already furmountedthegraateft difficulties, and the 
 moft poignant Cares. A more pleafing Perspective 
 already opens. Great Britain, not long fince fo 
 proud of her Forces , that f he feared not to declare 
 war againft an ancient add faithful! 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, whilil that the Harmony among the 
 
 members
 
 C 75 > 
 
 members of the fupream Government of this Coun- 
 try increafea with our Arms, according as your 
 political fyftera , 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 Fricsland, 
 and fo nnanimously adopted by our Province, fur^ 
 nishes, among many others, one inconteftible 
 Proof of it, whilft the naval Combat, fought the 
 laft year on Doggersbaok , hath fhewn to aftonis- 
 hed Europe, that fo long t 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 footfleps of Tromps 
 and Ruiters, from whofe Prudence and Intrepidity, 
 after a Beginning fo glorious , we may promife our- 
 felves the moil heroic Actions; that their invin- 
 cible Courage, little affe&ed with an evident fu- 
 periority, will procure one day to our Country an 
 honourable aid permanent Peace, which, in 
 eternizing their military Glory, will caufe the wife 
 Policy of your noble, great, venerable , and coble 
 and venerable Lordships , to be blefied by the la- 
 teft Pofterity. 
 
 UTRECHT
 
 U T R E C H T. 
 
 24. April 1782, 
 
 To THEIR NOBLE MIGHTINESSES , THE LORD? 
 THE STATES OF THE COUNTRY OF UTRECHT. 
 
 THE underfigned Manufacturers , Merchants, 
 and other Traders of this City, give with 
 due refpeft to underftand, that the Petitioners 
 placing their Confidence in the Intereft , that your 
 noble Mighdnefles 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 
 Mightin'efles, the favourable occafion that offers 
 itfelf in this moment, to revive the Manufactures, 
 Commerce and Trades fallen into decay in this 
 City and Province, in cafe that your noble Migh- 
 tinefles acknowledged ,in the name of this City, 
 Mr. Adams asMinifter Plenipotentiary of the Uni- 
 ted States of America, to the end that there might 
 be formed with them a Treaty of Commerce for 
 this Republic!?. As the Petitioners founded them- 
 ieives thus upon the intimate fentiment of the 
 execution of that , which your noble Mightinefles 
 judge proper to the advancement of the well- 
 being of the Petitioners and of their Interefts, the 
 Petitioners have further the fatisfa&ion of feeing 
 the mod agreable Proofs of it, when your coble 
 JvlightineiTes , in your Jaft Aflembiy , refolved una- 
 iiimously to content, cot ocly to the admiflion of
 
 77 
 
 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 Weflfriesland: and, of Friesjand, and 
 doing this , to confent to the acknowledgment and 
 admifiion of Mr. Adams, as Minifter of the Uni- 
 ted States of America. As that Refolution fur- 
 Dishes the Proofs the beft intentioned, the molt, 
 patriotic, for the advancement of that which may 
 iferve 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- 
 fpedtfull manner, their gratitude for it to your 
 coble Mightinefles. The Petitioners find themfel- 
 ves abfolutely unable, to exprefs in words the ge- 
 neral fatisfadlion 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 
 perfeft Conviction in which they repofe themfelves, 
 alfo , for the future , upon the paternal care of 
 your noble MightinelTes , that the Confumrsation 
 of the defired Treaty of Commerce with the Ame- 
 ricans may be foon effected. The Petitioners at- 
 teft by the prefent, before your floble Mightines- 
 fes, their folemn and well-meant Gratitude, which 
 they addrefs at the fame time to your noble 
 Mightinesfes, as the moft fincere mark of venera- 
 tion and refpeft for the Perfons, and the direction 
 of publick affairs , of your noble Mighcinefles ; 
 praying that Almighty God may deign to blefs the 
 Efforts , and the Councils of your noble Mighti- 
 
 flefles ,
 
 78. 
 
 Defies , as well as thofe of the Confederates; that 
 moreover this Province, and out dear Country, 
 by the Propofitions of an Armiftice ad that which 
 depends thereon, fhould noc be involrcd 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 Mightinefles exprefs yonrfelves in your Re- 
 folution) may be compatible with their Honour 
 and Dignity; and ferve not only for this Gene- 
 ration, but alfo for the lateft Porterity, as a Mo- 
 nument of Glory, of eternal Gratitude, to and 
 efteern for the Petfons and public Adminiflration 
 of the prefenc time. 
 
 FRIESLAND.
 
 F R I E S L A N D. 
 
 EXTRACT from the Regifler -Book of lie 
 Lords the States of Friesland. 
 
 TH E Requifition of Mr. Adams , for prefen- 
 ting his Letters of Credence from the Uni- 
 ted States of America to their High-Mightines- 
 fes, having been brought into the Aflembly, and 
 put into deliberation, as alfo the ulteriour 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-Mightinefles 
 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-Mightinefles , 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 inftruft 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 Minifler of the COB- 
 grefs of North-Amerjca ; with farther order to the 
 faid Deputies , that if there f hould be made mo- 
 reover any flmilsr Propofitions by the fame, to 
 
 JO'
 
 inform immediately their noble Mightinefies of 
 them. And an Extraft of the prefenc Refolution 
 f hall be lent them for their Information , that 
 thay may conduct themfelves conformably. 
 
 Thus refolved at the Province-Houfe the 26 Fe- 
 bruary 1782. 
 
 ^Compared with the aforefaid Book to my k 
 ledge. 
 
 Signed 
 
 A. j. v. 
 
 HOLLAND
 
 81 
 
 HOLLAND 
 
 EXTRACT of the Refolutions of the Lords the 
 States of Holland and fPeftfriesland , tBken 
 in the dflembly of their Noble and Grand- 
 Mightinejffes, Thursday 28 March 1782.] 
 
 DELIBERATED by Refumption upon the Ad- 
 drefs and the ulteriour Addrefs of Mr*. 
 Adams , made the 4th. of May 1781, and the 9th o 
 January 1782, to the Prefidenc of the Stares Ge- 
 neral, communicated to the AflembJy the g May 
 1781 , and the 22d. of laft Month, to prefent hi* 
 Letters of Credence, in the name of the United 
 States of America, to their High-Mightinefles ; 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, interefted in Commerce to fupporc 
 their Requeft prefented to the States General, the 
 twentieth current , to the nd , that efficacious 
 Meafures 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 fie 
 
 F andr
 
 82 
 
 refolved, that the affair fhall be dire&ed oa 
 the part of their noble and grand Mightinefles, at 
 the Aflembly 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 Mightinefles, in quality of 
 AmbafTador 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* 
 neflcs. 
 
 ZEALAND;
 
 83 
 
 ZEALAND. 
 
 EXTRACT of the Refolutions of their High- 
 MightineJJes the States General of the United 
 Provinces. Monday 8 April 1782* 
 
 TH E Deputies of the Province of Zealand 
 have bf ought to the Aflembly, and have cau- 
 fed to be read there, the Refoludon of the States 
 of the faid Province, their Principals, to caufe to 
 be admitted, as foon as poffible, Mr. Adams in 
 quality of Ambaflador of the Congrefs of North- 
 America, according to the following Refolution. 
 
 EXTRACT from the Regifler of the Refolutions 
 of the Lords the States of Zealand , ^th. 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 , KS it is done 
 by the prefent, to affifl , in the direction of affair* 
 at the Aflembly of their High Mightinefles, in fuch 
 a manner, that Mr. Adams may be acknowledged, 
 as foon as poffible , as Ambaflador 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 a the
 
 the Information and Deliberation of their High- 
 Might incites , to the end to transmit them here 
 as loon as poflible. And an Extract of this Refo- 
 lution of their noble Mightinefles f ball be fent to 
 the Lords their ordinary Deputies , to ferve them 
 a's an inltrudtion. 
 
 Signed 
 
 J. M. CHALMERS. 
 
 Upon which having deliberated, it hath been 
 thought fit and refolded , 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 fubjedl , to be pleafed to do it as Toon as 
 poffible. 
 
 , 
 
 OVERVSSELL.
 
 85 
 
 OVERYSSEL. 
 
 EXTRACT from the Regifter of the Refolutions of 
 the Equeflrian Order , and of the Cities compo- 
 fing the States of Overyjffel. Zwoll 5 April 1782. 
 
 MR. the grand Bailiff of Saalland , and the 
 other Commiflioners of their noble Mighti- 
 oefles for the Affairs of Finance, having exami- 
 ned , conformably to their Commifibi ial Refolu- 
 tion of the third of this month, the Addrefles of 
 Mr. Adams, communicated to the Aflembly the 
 4th. of May 1781 , and the 22 of February 1781, 
 to prefent his Letters of Credence to their High- 
 Mightinefles , 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 ipth. of the fa- 
 me Month to the Aflembly of their High-Mighti- 
 nefTes, for the admifilon and acknowledgment of 
 Mr. Adams, have reported to the Aflembly, that 
 they fhould be of opinion , that the Lords the 
 Deputies of this Province in the States General 
 ought to be authorifed and charged , to declare in 
 the Aflembly of their High-Mightinefles , that the 
 Equellrisn order and the Cities judge, that it is 
 proper to acknowledge , as foon.as poflible, Mr. 
 Adams in quality of Minifter of the United States 
 of North - America to their High-Mightinefle. 
 Upon which having deliberated, the Equcftrian 
 Order and the Cities have conformed ihcmfelves 
 to the faid Report. 
 
 Compared with the aforefaid Regifler. 
 
 Signed DERK DUN BAR 
 
 F GRON1N
 
 GRONINGEN. 
 
 EXT R ACT from the Regijter of the Refohttims 
 of their noble Mightineffes , the States of Gro- 
 ningen and Ommelanden. Tuesday 9 April 1782. 
 
 TH E 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- 
 MightinelTes , have , after deliberation upon the 
 fabjeft, declared themfelves of opinion, that in 
 the critical circumftances in which the Republic k 
 flnds itfelf at prefect, 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 againft every fhadow of 
 Right, to the Commerce of the Republick, as 
 well before as afcer the war, but particularly 
 fuch as may eftablish the free Navigation and the 
 Commerce of the Repubiick,for the future ,upon 
 the moft fo'id Foundations, as may confirm and 
 reaflure it , by the ftrongeft Bonds of reciprocal 
 Intereft ; and that, in confequence, the Lords 
 the Deputies at the Aflembly of thek High-Migh- 
 tinefle* ought to be authorifed , on the part of 
 the Province, as they are by the prefent, toad- 
 nit Mr. Adams to prefent his Letters of Creden- 
 ce,
 
 ce from the United States of America, and to 
 receive the Proportions 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 
 fabjeft, fhould be requefted, to be pleafed c 
 do it as foon as partible. 
 
 F 4 UTRECHT.
 
 SK 88 
 
 UTRECHT. 
 
 E x T R A c T of the Refolutions of their noble Mig//- 
 tine/es , the States of the Province of Utrecht. 
 10 April 1782. 
 
 HEARD the Report of Mr. DeWeftprveld and 
 other Deputies of their noble Mightinefles 
 for the department of war, who, in virtue of the 
 comtniflbrial Refolutions of the 9 May 1781, 16 Ja- 
 nuary and 20 March of the prefect year 1782 , ha- 
 ve examinated the Refolutions of their High-Migh- 
 tineffes of the 4 May 1781, containing an over- 
 cure, that Mr. the Prefident of the Aflembly of 
 their High-Mightinefles had made that a Perfon 
 ilyliog himfelf J. Adams had been with him, and 
 had given him to underfland, that he had recei- 
 ved Letters of Credence for their High - Mighti. 
 Defies from the United States of America, with 
 arequeft, that he would be pleafed to communi- 
 cate them to their High Mightiness; as well as 
 the Refolution of their High Mightinefles of the 
 9 January , containing an ulteriour overture of 
 Mr. the Prefident ,, that the faij Mr. Adams had 
 been with him, and had inG (led upon a categorical 
 answer, whether his faid Letters of Credence 
 would be accepted or not; finally the Refolurion 
 of their High-Mightinefles of the 5 of March laft, 
 with the Infercion of the Refolution ofFriesland. 
 containing a propofition to admit Mr. Adams in 
 quality of Minifter of -the Congrcfs of North-Ame- 
 rica". 
 
 Upon
 
 Upon which having deliberated , and remarked , 
 that the Lords the States of Holland and Weft- 
 friesland, by their Refolution carried the ig of 
 March to te States General* have alfo confented 
 to the admiflion of the faid Mr. Adams in quali- 
 ty.of Minifter of the Congrefs of North- Amen- 
 ca , it hath been thought fie and refolved , that the 
 Lords the Deputies of this Province in the States 
 General fhould be authorifed, as their noble 
 Mightinefles authorife them by the prefent,to con- 
 form themfelves, in the name of this Province, 
 to the Refolution of the Lords the States ofHolland 
 and Weltfriesland , and of Friesland, and to con- 
 fent by confequence, that Mr. Adams be acknow- 
 ledged and admitted as Minifter of the UnitedSta. 
 tes of America ; their noble Mightinesfes being at 
 the mean time of opinion , that it would be necefTary 
 to acquaint her Majefty the Emprefs of Ruffia, 
 and the other Neutral Powers , with the Refaction 
 to be taken by their High Mightinesfes upon this 
 fubjedl:, in communicating to them, as much as 
 fhall be neceflary, the Reafons, which have indu- 
 ced their High-Mightinefles to it, and giving them 
 the ftrongeft aflurances , that the Intention of their 
 High- Mightinefles is by no means to prolong the- 
 reby the war , which they would have willingly pre- 
 vented and terminated long fince ; but on :he coa- 
 urary, that their High- Mightinesfes wish nothing 
 with more ardor, than a prompt ReeftablMimeat 
 of Peace; a_pd that they fhall be always ready on 
 their part, to co-operate in it in ail pcifibJe ways 
 and with a fuitable Readinefs, fo far as that fhall 
 be any way compatible with their Honour and their 
 Dignity, ami for this end an Extract of this fha'l 
 be carried by Miffive to the Lords the Deputies 
 at the Generality. 
 
 F S CUKL.
 
 4K 
 
 GUELDERLAND. 
 
 EXTRACT from the Reds of the ordinary Dirt , 
 held in the City of Nimeguen , in the Month of 
 April 1782. Wednesday 1 17 April 1782. 
 
 THE Requifition of Mr. Adams, to ptefent his 
 Letters of Credence to their High - Mighti- 
 nesfes in the name of the United States of Ame- 
 rica, having been brought to the Aflerably and 
 lead, as well as an ulteriour Addrefs made upon this 
 fubjeft , with a demand of a categorical answer 
 by the faid Mr. Adams, more amply mentioned 
 in the Regifters of their High-Mightinefles of the 
 date of the 4th. of May 1781, and of the 9 Ja- 
 nuary 1781; moreover the Resolutions of the 
 Lords the States of the five other Provinces, car- 
 ried fucceffively to the Aflembly of their High- 
 Mightinefies , and all tending to admit Mr. Adams 
 in quality of Ambaflador of the United States of 
 America to this Republick; upon which their no- 
 ble ;Mightinefles, 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 ta 
 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 Extraft of the 
 
 pre
 
 prefect f hall be feet to the iaid Deputies ,to 
 
 as foon as poffible the requiflte overture of It t 
 
 e Aflembly of their High-MightiQefles. 
 
 In fidem Extra&i. 
 Signed 
 
 J. IN B BETOUW. 
 
 THE
 
 *< 9* >* 
 
 THE 
 
 STATES GENERAL. 
 
 EXTRACT from theRegifterof the Refolutions 
 of their High . Mightinejjes the States General 
 of the United Provinces. Fry day 19 April 1782. 
 
 DELIBERATED by Refumption , upon the Ad- 
 drefs and the ulceriour Addrefs , made by 
 Mr. Adams the 4 May 1781, aod the 9 January 
 of the currant year to Mr. the Prefident of the 
 Aflembly of their High-Mightinefles , to prefentto 
 their High - Mightinefles 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 Cenftituents 
 thereof; it hath been thought fit and refolved, 
 that Mr. Adams f hall be admitted and acknowled- 
 ged in quality of Ambaflador of the United States 
 of North America to their High-Mightinefies , as 
 he is admitted and acknowledged by the prefent. 
 Signed 
 
 W. BOREEL, Prefidt. 
 Lower down 
 
 Compared with the aforefaidRegifter. 
 Signed 
 
 H. FA GEL. 
 
 EXTRACT
 
 K 93 
 
 ACT from the Regifler of the Refolutiens 
 of their High-Mightineffes tfie States General 
 of the United Provinces, Monday 22 April 1782. 
 
 MR. BORE EL , who prefided in the Aflem 
 bly the laft weak, hath reported to their 
 High MightinelTes , and notified them , that Mr 
 John Adams, Ambasfador of che United States of 
 America , had been with him laft Saturday , and 
 prefenced to him a Letter from the Aflerably of 
 Congrefs, written at Philadelphia the firft of Ja- 
 nuary 1781, containing a Credence: for the faid 
 Mr. Adams, to the end to refide in quality of 
 itsMinifter Plenipotentiary near their High-Migb- 
 tinefles: Upon which having deliberated, it hath 
 been thought fit and refolved, to declare by the 
 prefent : That the faid Mr. Adams is agreabl 
 to tneir High-Mightineftes; that he fhall be 
 ,, acknowledged in quality of Minifter Plenipo* 
 tentiary ; and that there fhall be granted to him 
 an Audience or affigned Commiflioners . when 
 st he fhall demand it ". Information of the 
 above fhall be given to the faid Mr. Adams, 
 by the Agent van der Burch de Spieriogshoek. 
 Signed 
 
 W. VAN CITTERSJ, Prejtdt. 
 Lower down 
 
 Compared with che aforefaid Regifler. 
 Signed 
 
 H. FAGEI* 
 
 JHEDAL.
 
 4K 
 
 MEDAL. 
 
 TO THE NOBLE AND MIGHTY LORDS, 'THE 
 STATES OF FRIKSLAND.* 
 
 THE Society of Citizens, eftablished at Leeu- 
 warden , under the Motto; By Liberty and 
 ,, Zeal 1 *, mod humbly reprefems, that it defires 
 Co have an opportunity of teftifying publickly, 
 by Fafts, to your noble Mightinefles the moft li- 
 vely, but, at the fafnetime, the moft refpe&full 
 fentiments of gratitude, which not only animate 
 them, bat alfo, as they allure themfelves, all the 
 Well intentioned Citizens, efpecially, with rela- 
 tion to the Refolutions equally important , and 
 full of wisdom, which your noble Mightioefles 
 have taken upon all the Points , in regard to which 
 the critical Circumftances , in which the dear Coun- 
 try finds itfelf plunged , have furnished to your no- 
 ble MightinefTesj objects equally numerous and dis 
 agreabte , 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 chara&ers of wisdom , but alfo thofe 
 of the beft intentioned follicitude , and the pureft 
 Love of our Country; and which prove in the 
 moft convincing manner , that your noble Migh- 
 tioeftcs have ho greater ambition, than its univer- 
 fal Profperity; aflidoously propofing to yourfel- 
 ves , as the moft important objeft of your atten- 
 tion, of your enireprifes, and of your attachment, 
 the Rule: Salus Populi fuprema lex eflo: Refolu- 
 ;ioas> iafine, which ought perfe&ly to re-aiFure 
 
 the
 
 ihe 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 Migbtinesfes the true Interefts 
 of the Country , and to exhort them , at the fa- 
 me time, by their fupplications, to aft with cou- 
 rage , and to fullfill their Duties , confidering that 
 thefaid Refolutions have fully aflured them, thafc 
 their PoflbfTions , with that which is abo v e 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, neverthelefs , 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 Mightinefles. 
 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 hag 
 reigned between the Government and the People. 
 It has conceived , for this purpofe, a Sketch or 
 Project, as yet incompleat, according to which 
 one of the fides of the Medal fhould bear the 
 Arms of Fries land, held by an hand, which de- 
 fcecds from the Clouds, with an Infcription in 
 the following Terms: To the States of Friesland^n 
 gratefull Memory of the Diets of February and of dpril 
 1782 , dedicated by the Society LIBERTY AND ZEAL. 
 An lofcription , which would thus contain a gene- 
 ral applaufe of all the Refolutions taken in thefe 
 two Diets; whilft upon the Reverfe, one fhould 
 diflinguish, more particularly, the two Events, 
 
 which
 
 intereft :the mod our common Country, id 
 regard of which your noble Mightinefles have gi- 
 ven th Exemple to the States of the other 
 Provinces, and which merit for this reafon, as 
 placed in the foremoft fltaation , to fhcw itfelf 
 the moft clearly to the fight : ta 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 , drefled according 
 to the ancient chara&eriftick Cuftom of the 
 "Frifians, holding out his right hand to an Inha- 
 bitant of North- America, in {token of Friendship 
 and Brotherly Love; whilft with the left hand he 
 reje&s the eace, which England offers him. The 
 whole with fuch convenient additions, and fym- 
 bolical ornaments, which the Society, perhaps, 
 would do well to leave to the Invention of the 
 Medallift,&c. 
 [The remainder of this Requejl relates to other 
 
 fubjefts.'] 
 Done at Leeuwarden the 8 May 1 782. 
 
 The Society BY. LIBERTY AND ZEAL". 
 Signed at its Requejl 
 
 W. WOPKENS, 
 
 in tbe abfencg of tbe Secretary. 
 
 * * 
 *
 
 University of California 
 
 SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 
 
 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1388 
 
 Return this material to the library 
 
 from which it was borrowed.
 
 A 000108979 6