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diff --git a/39344-h/39344-h.htm b/39344-h/39344-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0d6ede3 --- /dev/null +++ b/39344-h/39344-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,20933 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution (Vol. VI), by Jared Sparks. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + + body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .center {text-align: center;} + + h1,h2,h3,h4 { + clear: both; + text-align: center; + } + + p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + } + table { + border-collapse: collapse; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + } + + td { + padding: 0em .4em; + } + .rt { + text-align: right; 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+ text-align: center; + } + + .translation { + font-size: 1.2em; + font-weight: bold; + text-align: center; + } + + .volume_end { + font-size: 0.8em; + font-weight: bold; + text-align: center; + } +.p2 {margin-top: 2em;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Diplomatic Correspondence of the +American Revolution (Volume VI), by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution (Volume VI) + +Author: Various + +Editor: Jared Sparks + +Release Date: April 1, 2012 [EBook #39344] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DIPLOMATI CORR.--AMERICAN REVOLUTION *** + + + + +Produced by Frank van Drogen, Melissa McDaniel and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by the Bibliothèque nationale de France +(BnF/Gallica) at http://gallica.bnf.fr) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div id="title_page"> + +<h1><span class="the">THE</span><br /> +DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE<br /> +<span class="the">OF THE</span><br /> +AMERICAN REVOLUTION.</h1> + +<p class="vol">VOL. VI.</p> +<div class="section_break"></div> +<h1><span class="the">THE</span><br /> +DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE<br /> +<span class="the">OF THE</span><br /> +AMERICAN REVOLUTION;</h1> + +<p class="being">BEING</p> + +<p>THE LETTERS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, SILAS DEANE, JOHN +ADAMS, JOHN JAY, ARTHUR LEE, WILLIAM LEE, RALPH +IZARD, FRANCIS DANA, WILLIAM CARMICHAEL, HENRY +LAURENS, JOHN LAURENS, M. DE LAFAYETTE, M. +DUMAS, AND OTHERS, CONCERNING THE FOREIGN +RELATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES DURING +THE WHOLE REVOLUTION;</p> + +<p class="together">TOGETHER WITH</p> + +<p>THE LETTERS IN REPLY FROM THE SECRET COMMITTEE OF +CONGRESS, AND THE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.</p> + +<p class="also">ALSO,</p> + +<p>THE ENTIRE CORRESPONDENCE OF THE FRENCH MINISTERS, +GERARD AND LUZERNE, WITH CONGRESS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<p>Published under the Direction of the President of the United States, from +the original Manuscripts in the Department of State, conformably +to a Resolution of Congress, of March 27th, 1818.</p> +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<p class="edited">EDITED</p> + +<p class="jared">BY JARED SPARKS.</p> +<div class="double"></div> +<p class="vol">VOL. VI.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<p class="boston">BOSTON:</p> +<p>NATHAN HALE AND GRAY & BOWEN;</p> + +<p class="carvill">G. & C. & H. CARVILL, NEW YORK; P. THOMPSON, WASHINGTON.</p> + +<p>1830.</p> +</div> +<div class="section_break"></div> +<div id="press"> +<p class="press">Steam Power Press—W. L. Lewis, Printer.</p> +<p>No. 6, Congress Street, Boston.</p> +</div> + +<div class="section_break"></div> +<div id="toc"> +<h2>CONTENTS<br /> + +<span class="of">OF THE</span><br /> + +<span class="volume">SIXTH VOLUME.</span></h2> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<h3>JOHN ADAMS'S CORRESPONDENCE,<br /> +CONTINUED.</h3> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<p> <span class="page">Page.</span></p> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, May +16th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_3">3</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Diplomatic arts of the English.—A war in Holland +is not to be expected, unless there should be an +acknowledgment of the independence of America.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, May +21st, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_5">5</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Ordinance of Prussia relative to navigation and commerce.</p></div> + +<p>To B. Franklin, Amsterdam, May 23d, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_13">13</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Drafts made on him by Congress.—Encloses despatches +for Dr Franklin and Mr Jay.—Thinks it +advisable to obtain the acknowledgment of independence +from other powers, before opening the +conferences for peace.—His mission is a subject +of deliberation.—Taxation in America.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, May +24th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_15">15</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Proposition of Amsterdam in the States of Holland, +urging the speedy adoption of measures of defence +and protection.—The example of Amsterdam has +great influence on the rest of the country.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, May +25th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_21">21</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Enclosing the convention concerning recaptures between +France and Holland. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_VI" id="Page_VI">vi</a></span></p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, May +27th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_24">24</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Report of a Committee of the States-General on the +petition of the East India Company for convoy +and for the defence of the India possessions, recommending +aid.—Timidity and irresolution of +the Dutch government.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, May +29th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_29">29</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The English, by the capture of St Eustatia, break +up a trade in British manufactures to North America.—The +property seized there principally English.—Much +of it taken by the French on its passage +to England.—Inactivity of the Dutch naval +force.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, May +31st, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_30">30</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Memorial of the Danish Minister, requesting their +High Mightinesses to evacuate certain forts in the +vicinity of the Danish settlements in Africa.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, May +31st, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_32">32</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Declaration of Dort, approving the proposition of +Amsterdam to adopt measures of defence.—Note +of the Deputies of Haerlem, complaining of the +silence of the States of Holland in regard to the +proposition of Amsterdam.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of the Assembly of the States-General. +Amsterdam, June 1st, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_34">34</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Informing him of the final ratification of the +confederation by the Thirteen United States, and requesting +him to communicate it to their High +Mightinesses.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, June +5th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_35">35</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Declaration of the Deputies of Middleburg in the +States of Zealand, approving the proposed increase +of bounty to those engaged in the naval +service, and recommending measures to increase +the activity of the States-General in preparing +means of defence.—The States of Zealand recommend +to the States-General the erection of batteries +on the coast, and also resolve to raise a loan.</p></div> + +<p>To M. Berenger, Secretary of the French Embassy +at the Hague. Amsterdam, June 8th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_37">37</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Requests to be informed why his presence is required +at Paris by the Count de Vergennes.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, June +11th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_39">39</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Petition of the inhabitants of Antwerp, urging the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_VII" id="Page_VII">vii</a></span> +opening of the Scheldt.—Remarks of M. Cerisier +on the petition; true causes of the decline of the +Austrian Low Countries, and of the prosperity of +the Dutch Provinces; absurdity of the pretensions +of the Austrian Provinces to the free navigation +of the Scheldt; the other powers would oppose +the measure.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, June +12th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_49">49</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Petition of the Deputies of Dort, Haerlem, Amsterdam, +and Rotterdam, to the States of Holland and +West Friesland, with a petition of the same to the +States-General, praying for protection of the commerce +to Surinam.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, June +15th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_59">59</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Arrival at the Hague of a courier from St Petersburg, +supposed to bring despatches denying assistance +from the armed neutrality.—Probable +consequences.—Obstacles to an alliance between +Holland and France.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, June +23d, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_60">60</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Answer of Russia above referred to.—Remarks of +Mr Adams on the answer.—America must not +look to European negotiations for safety.</p></div> + +<p>To the President or Congress. Amsterdam, June +23d, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_63">63</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Advice of the Deputies of Zieriksee to the States +of Zealand, complaining of the inactivity of the +government.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, June +26th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_67">67</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The Emperor takes measures to revive commerce +in the Austrian Low Countries; grants privileges +to Nieuport; advantages of that city for foreign +and domestic trade.—Great quantities of British +manufactures are introduced into America in neutral +bottoms and by clandestine channels.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, June +26th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_69">69</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The Regency of Amsterdam in an interview with +the Stadtholder, charge the Duke of Brunswick +with hostility to the welfare of the country, and +devotion to the interests of England, and demand +his dismission.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, June +27th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_75">75</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Major Jackson's services in the purchasing and shipping +of goods for the United states. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_VIII" id="Page_VIII">viii</a></span></p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, June +29th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_76">76</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The Duke of Brunswick's reply to the memorial of +Amsterdam.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, July +5th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_83">83</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Speech of the Stadtholder to the States-General on +the subject of naval and military preparations.—Letter +from the same to the Provincial States, on +the same subject, recommending augmentations +of the land and sea forces for the purpose of extending +the protection of convoy to all vessels +whatsoever.—Answer of the States-General to +the proposition of the Stadtholder abovementioned.</p></div> + +<p>To the Count de Vergennes. Versailles, July 7th, +1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_92">92</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Informing him of his arrival, and requesting an +interview.—The Count refers him to M. de +Rayneval.—Conversation with M. de Rayneval on +the proposition of the mediation of Russia and +Austria.</p></div> + +<p>M. de Rayneval to John Adams. Versailles, July +9th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_93">93</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Appointing a time for an interview with Count de +Vergennes.</p></div> + +<p>To M. de Rayneval. Paris, July 9th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_94">94</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Interview with Count de Vergennes.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, July +7th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_94">94</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Report of a Committee on the Duke of Brunswick's +reply to the Amsterdam memorial, declaring that +there appears no ground for the charges made +against him.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, July +7th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_96">96</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Representations of the French Minister at Petersburg, +complaining of the violation of the principles +of the convention of neutrality, by the English.—Mr +Dana leaves Amsterdam for Petersburg.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, July +10th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_97">97</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The Duke of Brunswick requests a more formal examination +of the charges made against him.—The +request referred by the States-General to the +Provincial States.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Paris, July 11th, +1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_98">98</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Proposition of the mediation of Austria and Russia +between the European belligerents, the Americans +being left to treat separately.—The two preliminaries +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_IX" id="Page_IX">ix</a></span> +on condition of which England proposes +the mediation; a rupture of France with +America, and the return of the latter to obedience.</p></div> + +<p>To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, July 13th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_102">102</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Enclosing his remarks on the proposed articles of a +basis for the negotiations.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Paris, July 15th, +1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_107">107</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Thinks there is no objection to sending a Minister +of the United States to the proposed Congress at +Vienna, without a previous acknowledgment of +their independence.—Little prospect of obtaining +anything by negotiation without successes in +America, and the expulsion of the English from +the United States.</p></div> + +<p>To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, July 16th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_109">109</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Further remarks on the proposed basis of negotiation.—The +imperial Courts have omitted the two +preliminaries of the British Court, to which the +latter will probably adhere.—The English policy +is to amuse the powers with a pretended desire for +peace.—No objection to the presence of a Minister +of the United States at Vienna without a +previous acknowledgment of independence.—His +instructions forbid him to agree to the armistice +or <i>statu quo</i>.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, July +17th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_112">112</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Memorial of Amsterdam against the Duke of Brunswick.</p></div> + +<p>Count de Vergennes to John Adams. Versailles, +July 18th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_124">124</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The United States cannot appear in the proposed +negotiation until certain preliminaries are settled.</p></div> + +<p>To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, July 18th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_125">125</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Feels little disposed to engage in the proposed negotiations.—An +American Minister ought not to +appear at Vienna, unless the propositions of the +Imperial Courts are communicated to Congress.</p></div> + +<p>To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, July 19th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_127">127</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>An American Minister at Vienna, must be received +as Minister Plenipotentiary from the United +States, and by his commission can only treat +with Ministers vested with equal powers, which +would be a virtual acknowledgment of +independence.—Objects to the expression "American +Colonies" in the articles.—The United States +can never consent to appear as subjects of Great +Britain, nor allow their sovereignty to be called +in question by any Congress of Ministers.—No +such Congress has ever ventured to interfere in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_X" id="Page_X">x</a></span> +the domestic concerns of any power, or to aid a +sovereign in reducing his rebellious subjects.</p></div> + +<p>To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, July 21st, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_133">133</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>A proposition has been made, that each State of the +Union should send an agent to Vienna.—The +States have no authority to negotiate with foreign +powers.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, July +21st, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_135">135</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Sentiments of the Quarter of Westergo in regard +to the Amsterdam Memorial against the Duke of +Brunswick.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, August +3d, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_137">137</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Extract from the King's speech at the prorogation +of Parliament; the English Court will probably +insist on their two preliminaries, as conditions of +accepting the Imperial mediation.—Indications +of the Emperor's favorable disposition towards +America, while visiting the Low Countries.—Expressed +a desire to meet Mr Adams incog.</p></div> + +<p>B. Franklin to John Adams. Passy, Aug. 6th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_140">140</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Relative to Mr Adams's accounts.—The Ministers +will no longer be paid from the supplies furnished +by the French Court.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, August +6th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_141">141</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Courier from Petersburg to the English Court, supposed +to bear representations concerning the war +against Holland.—The answer of England to the +proposed preliminaries arrives in Russia; purport +unknown.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, August +6th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_142">142</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Quotes a paragraph from a London paper, stating +that Messrs Curson and Gouverneur are to be +tried for high treason.—Mr Adams's connexion +with them.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, August +8th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_144">144</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The Dutch privateers are permitted to co-operate +with the American in any joint enterprise.—This +amounts to a virtual acknowledgment of the independence +of America.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, August +16th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_145">145</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Mr Temple, his character, services, and sufferings.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, August +16th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_147">147</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Offer of the mediation of the two Imperial Courts, +made to the Dutch Ambassador at Petersburg. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_XI" id="Page_XI">xi</a></span></p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, August +18th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_149">149</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Admiral Parker's account of his action with Admiral +Zoutman.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, August +22d, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_150">150</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Favorable influence of Amsterdam in animating the +Dutch.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, August +22d, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_152">152</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Gradual progress of events in Holland.—The declaration +of the Stadtholder, that the vessels which +did not join the squadron of the Texel were detained +by the winds, and not by counter orders.—The +Prince's letter of thanks to the crews of Admiral +Zoutman's vessels.</p></div> + +<p>To B. Franklin. Amsterdam, Aug. 25th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_156">156</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Acknowledges the receipt of his new commission.—Proceedings +under his former commission.—Speculations +on the policy of the Courts at the proposed +Congress.</p></div> + +<p>James Lovell to John Adams. Philadelphia, September +1st, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_159">159</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Enclosing instructions from Congress.</p></div> + +<p>To B. Franklin. Amsterdam, Oct. 4th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_160">160</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>His correspondence has been interrupted by sickness.—Expresses +his satisfaction with the new +commission.—Recommends the official communication +of it to Count de Vergennes, and some intimation +of it in the French journals.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, October +15th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_161">161</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Loss of his despatches.—Difficulty of safe transmission.—Recent +interruption by sickness.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, October +15th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_163">163</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The English will not treat with America at present.—Has +been unsuccessful in his attempts to +obtain a loan.—It is held out to the public as +full.—Uncertainty and delays of Dutch politics.—Views +of the English party in Holland.—Obstacles +to their success.—Thinks his remaining longer +in Europe unnecessary.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, October +15, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_169">169</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Excitement in Holland.—Placard of the States of +Utrecht, offering reward for the discovery of +the author of a seditious pamphlet "To the People +of the Low Countries." +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_XII" id="Page_XII">xii</a></span></p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, +October 18th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_172">172</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Various petitions from the commercial interest in +Holland to the States-General; from certain fisheries; +from the merchants of Amsterdam, praying +indemnification for the loss occasioned by the +delay of the convoy; from the merchants of +Amsterdam and Rotterdam, trading to the Levant; +from the proprietors of plantations in Surinam +and Curaçao; from the East India Company, +praying assistance.</p></div> + +<p>Robert R. Livingston to John Adams. Philadelphia, +October 23d, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_178">178</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Informing Mr Adams of his appointment as Secretary +of Foreign Affairs.—Requests information.—Surrender +of Lord Cornwallis.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, October. +25th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_182">182</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Placard of Holland against the pamphlet "To the +People of the Low Countries."—Progress of democratical +principles in Europe, caused by the +American war.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, November +1st, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_187">187</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Debates in the States of Guelderland relative to +an alliance with France and America.—The Baron +Van der Cappellen in favor of acknowledging the +independence of America.</p></div> + +<p>Robert R. Livingston to John Adams. Philadelphia, +November 20th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_188">188</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Requesting information of the parties in Holland.—Has +received indirect information that Mr Adams +has presented his credentials to the States-General +and printed his memorial.—Advises him to conduct +as a private individual.</p></div> + +<p>To the Duc de la Vauguyon, Ambassador of France +at the Hague. Amsterdam, Nov. 24th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_192">192</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Requesting an interview with him for the purpose +of communicating despatches from Congress. +Account of the interview.</p></div> + +<p>Resolves of Congress, comprising the Instructions to +John Adams. In Congress, Aug. 16th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_194">194</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Instructions to Mr Adams, respecting a Treaty of +Alliance with the United Provinces.—Commission +to the same for the same object.</p></div> + +<p>To the Duc de la Vauguyon. Amsterdam, November +25th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_197">197</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Communicating the instructions and commission +above given.—Manner of proceeding in compliance +therewith. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_XIII" id="Page_XIII">xiii</a></span></p></div> + +<p>To John Jay, American Minister at Madrid. Amsterdam, +November 26th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_199">199</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Communicating his new instructions, and desiring +to open a correspondence with Mr Jay.—The +Dutch are well disposed, but cautious.</p></div> + +<p>To B. Franklin. Amsterdam, Nov. 26th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_200">200</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>His instructions have probably arrived in season to +prevent a separate peace between Holland and +England.—Capture of Cornwallis.—Co-operation +of Spain and Holland with France and America, +would quickly reduce England to submit.</p></div> + +<p>To John Jay. Amsterdam, Nov. 28th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_201">201</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The late successes in America have produced a great +impression in Europe. Prospect of a triple alliance.—General +Greene's successes in the South +have delivered Georgia and South Carolina.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, December +4th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_203">203</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Effect of the late successes in America.—General +desire in Holland for the triple alliance.—Remits +money to Mr Laurens in the Tower.—Has received +intimations that the English are secretly +supplied with masts from the United States.—The +Continental goods, left in Holland by Commodore +Gillon detained for freight and damages.</p></div> + +<p>The Duc de la Vauguyon to John Adams. The +Hague, December 7th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_205">205</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Waits for orders in regard to the proposed negotiations +in Holland.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, December +13th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_206">206</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Answer of Lord Stormont to M. Simolin, accepting +the mediation of Russia, in negotiating a peace +between England and Holland.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, December +14th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_209">209</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The proposition of the Quarter of Oostergo to the +States of Friesland, urging the acknowledgment +of the independence of the United States.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, December +18th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_212">212</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Interview with the Duc de la Vauguyon, who +recommends a visit to the Hague, and afterward +to the Regencies of the several cities.</p></div> + +<p>To the Duc de la Vauguyon. The Hague, December +19th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_214">214</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Requests to know if the Spanish Ambassador has +instructions to enter into a treaty with Holland.—Is +in favor of communicating the project of a triple +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_XIV" id="Page_XIV">xiv</a></span> +or quadruple alliance to some confidential members +of the States.—The mediation of Russia is +only a pretence of England, to prevent Holland +from joining the other belligerents.</p></div> + +<p>The Duc de la Vauguyon to John Adams. The +Hague, December 20th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_216">216</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Desires to see Mr Adams.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, December +25th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_216">216</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Ulterior declaration of Prussia concerning the navigation +of Prussian subjects.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, December +25th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_220">220</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Lord Stormont's answer to the Swedish Envoy, declining +the mediation of Sweden, and accepting +that of Russia.</p></div> + +<p>Robert R. Livingston to John Adams. Philadelphia, +December 26th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_223">223</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Military operations in the United States.—Encloses +resolutions of Congress, relating to captures and +recaptures, and prohibiting all commerce in British +manufactures.—Requests information from +Mr Adams.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, December +29th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_226">226</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Containing the act of accession to the armed neutrality +on the part of Austria, with the note of the +Imperial Minister to their High Mightinesses.—Strength +of the armed neutrality, if conducted +wisely and honestly.</p></div> + +<p>The Duc de la Vauguyon to John Adams. Versailles, +December 30th, 1781,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_230">230</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Count de Vergennes approves of Mr Adams's proposed +visit to members of government, on the subject +of his memorial, but advises that nothing be +done in writing.</p></div> + +<p>Robert R. Livingston to John Adams. Philadelphia, +January 9th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_231">231</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Military affairs.—The Marquis de Bouillé.—Contrast +of the conduct of the English and French in +America.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, January +14th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_233">233</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Interview with the President of their High Mightinesses, +in which Mr Adams demands a categorical +answer to his former request of an audience of +the States.—Visit to the Secretary of the States +on the same subject, who assures him that his request +had been taken <i>ad referendum</i>.—Similar +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_XV" id="Page_XV">xv</a></span> +visits to the Deputies of all the cities.—Constitutions +of the municipal governments in Holland.—The +nation favors the triple alliance; the policy +of the rulers is to propose the mediation of Russia +and the triple alliance at the same time.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, January +15th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_239">239</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Transmitting the note of the Russian Ambassador, +proposing to the States that the neutral powers +provide their Ministers at the belligerent Courts +with full powers, in regard to affairs arising under +the convention of neutrality.</p></div> + +<p>To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, January +16th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_240">240</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Memorial from the Swedish Envoy at London to +Lord Stormont, offering the mediation of Sweden +in negotiating a peace between Holland and +England.—The English Court complains of the +refusal of a Swedish captain to allow vessels under +his convoy to be visited.—The Swedish Court +approves the measure.—The same principle approved +by Russia.—The Russian Ministers at the +belligerent Courts are instructed, in similar cases, +to make immediate demands of reparation from +the offending party.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston, Secretary of Foreign Affairs. +Amsterdam, February 14th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_244">244</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Congratulates Mr Livingston on his appointment.—State +of affairs in Holland.—Difficult for an +American Minister to communicate with the Ministers +of other powers.—Mr Barclay purchases +goods for the United States in Holland.—British +manufactures bought without the knowledge of +Mr Adams.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. Amsterdam, February +19th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_248">248</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The English will not be easily discouraged by the +successes of the Americans.—Complicated state +of parties in Holland.—Inclinations of the Stadtholder +in favor of England.—Parties on subjects +of domestic policy.—Justification of the presentation +of his credentials.—Motives for printing his +memorial.—Conducts himself as a private individual.—The +States have accepted the mediation of +Russia.—Policy of France in relation to Holland +and Spain.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. Amsterdam, February +21st, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_255">255</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Unable to understand the cypher.—Recapitulation +of events in Holland before the presentation of his +memorial.—Great change produced by that paper.—It +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_XVI" id="Page_XVI">xvi</a></span> +has obtained universal approbation in Europe.—Mr +Adams's proposition to the Duc de la +Vauguyon, produced the offer from France to +Congress to assist in effecting a treaty between +Holland and the United States.—Influence of the +memorial on the policy and late measures of the +Emperor.—Other effects of the memorial.—Conversation +with the Duc de la Vauguyon on the +subject, previous to its presentation.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. Amsterdam, February +27th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_267">267</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The Province of Friesland acknowledges the independence +of the United States.—Holland will not +probably enter into an alliance with the belligerents.—Buys +a house at the Hague on the public +account.</p></div> + +<p>The Duc de la Vauguyon to John Adams. The +Hague, March 4th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_269">269</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Objects to a proposition of Mr Adams as impolitic.</p></div> + +<p>Robert R. Livingston to John Adams. Philadelphia, +March 5th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_270">270</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Holland can gain no advantage by a peace with +England.—Requests information on the naval +force; the public men and their sentiments in +Holland.—Recommends frequent visits to the +Hague.—Military operations in America.—Prosperous +state of the country.—Lord Cornwallis.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. Amsterdam, March 10th, +1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_275">275</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Resolution of the House of Commons, that an offensive +war in America against the sense of the +House would be highly criminal.—Other indications +of a disposition for peace.—Causes of this +state of feeling.—Probable policy of the British +Cabinet.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. Amsterdam, March 11th, +1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_277">277</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Transmitting the Resolution of Friesland, instructing +the Deputies in the States-General to receive +Mr Adams in his official capacity.—Causes of the +change of sentiments on this point in the Regency +of Amsterdam.—Character and influence of +Friesland.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. Amsterdam, March 19th, +1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_280">280</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Proceedings of the county of Zutphen, on the subject +of the official reception of Mr Adams.—Petition +of the merchants and manufacturers of Leyden +to the grand council of the city, representing +the languishing condition of their manufactures, +and urging a treaty with America as a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_XVII" id="Page_XVII">xvii</a></span> +means of reviving them.—Petition of the merchants +and manufacturers of Amsterdam to the +States-General, urging the speedy acknowledgment +of American independence.—Petition of the +same to the Regency of the city, soliciting the Regency +to exert itself in obtaining an immediate +decision of the States of the Province in favor of +America.—Petition of the commercial interest of +Rotterdam to the Regency of the city, praying +them to insist on a speedy decision in favor of a +treaty with the United States, by the States of the +Province.—Petition of the merchants and manufacturers +of Holland and West Friesland to the +States of the Province, for the adoption of measures +in the States-General, and for securing the +commerce of America.—Resolution of the States +of Holland and West Friesland, to insist on the +immediate reception of Mr Adams by the States-General.—Petition +of Zwoll.—Addresses of thanks +from the citizens of Amsterdam; from the commercial +interest of Leyden; and from that of +Utrecht, to the States of the Province, for their +abovementioned Resolution.</p></div> + +<p>To Peter Van Bleiswick, Grand Pensionary of Holland. +Amsterdam, March 31st, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_328">328</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Mr Adams acknowledges the Resolution of the +States of Holland and West Friesland, recommending +his official reception by the Generality.</p></div> + +<p>To the Duc de la Vauguyon. Amsterdam, April +10th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_329">329</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Lord Shelburne is not satisfied with the communication +of all subjects discussed, to the allies of +America.—Holland will not probably treat separately +with England.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. Amsterdam, April 19th, +1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_330">330</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Resolutions of the respective Provinces in favor of +the reception of Mr Adams, in his official capacity.—Resolutions +of the States-General, acknowledging +Mr Adams as Minister of the United States.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. The Hague, April 22d, +1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_339">339</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Presentation to the Prince of Orange.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. The Hague, April 23d, +1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_341">341</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>In a conference with the President of the States-General, +he proposes a treaty of amity and commerce +on the principle of reciprocity. Presents +a plan of a treaty to the committee of the States, +appointed to treat. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_XVIII" id="Page_XVIII">xviii</a></span></p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. The Hague, April 23d, +1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_342">342</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Is introduced to the foreign Ministers at a dinner +made in honor of the United States by the French +Ambassador.—Receives visits in a private character +from the Spanish Minister.</p></div> + +<p>To B. Franklin. Amsterdam, May 2d, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_344">344</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Considers it doubtful whether he shall be present at +the negotiations in Paris.—Difficulties in regard +to the loan.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. The Hague, May 16th, +1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_346">346</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Mr Adams removes to the Hague.—Great obstacles, +that have been surmounted in Holland.—Difficulties +in the way of a loan.—Recommends to +the attention of Congress Messrs Dumas, Thaxter, +Jennings, and Cerisier.</p></div> + +<p>Robert R. Livingston to John Adams. Philadelphia, +May 22d, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_351">351</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The change of Ministry and measures in England +will have no effect on the determination of America.—Congress +refuses General Carleton's request +of a passport for his Secretary.—The salaries +of the Ministers will be paid quarterly in +America.</p></div> + +<p>Robert R. Livingston to John Adams. Philadelphia, +May 29th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_353">353</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Complains of not receiving answers to his +communications.—The policy of England to separate +France and America.</p></div> + +<p>Robert R. Livingston to John Adams. Philadelphia, +May 30th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_354">354</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Acknowledges the receipt of several letters.—Transmits +a new cypher.—Victory of Admiral Rodney.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. Amsterdam, June 9th, +1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_356">356</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Report of the Admiralty on the plan of a treaty of +commerce, taken <i>ad referendum</i> by the Provinces.—Has +opened a loan, but with little prospect of +success.—Holland will not treat separately with +England.—Mr Laurens declines serving in the +commission for peace.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. The Hague, June 14th, +1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_358">358</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Answer of France to the request of Russia, not to +oppose a separate peace between Holland and +England.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. The Hague, June 15th, +1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_360">360</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Conference with the Grand Pensionary on the plan +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_XIX" id="Page_XIX">xix</a></span> +of a treaty of commerce.—Mr Adams proposes the +sending to the United States an Ambassador and +Consuls on the part of Holland.</p></div> + +<p>Robert R. Livingston to John Adams. Philadelphia, +July 4th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_361">361</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Recommends great precision in the terms of the +treaty with Holland.—Importance of securing the +West India trade.—Securities of a loan to the +United States.—Value of American commerce.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. The Hague, July 5th, +1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_363">363</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Desires the ratification by Congress of his contract +for a loan.—Terms of the loan.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. The Hague, July 5th, +1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_365">365</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Address of the merchants of Schiedam to Congress.</p></div> + +<p>To John Jay. The Hague, August 10th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_369">369</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Impolitic for the three American Ministers to appear +together at Paris, unless to meet an English +Minister with full powers to treat with the United +States as an independent nation.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. The Hague, August +18th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_371">371</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>M. Brantzen appointed Minister of Holland to negotiate +a treaty of peace.—The States of Holland +and West Friesland approve the project of a treaty +of commerce.—Instructions of the States-General +to their Ministers for negotiating a peace at Paris.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. The Hague, August +22d, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_376">376</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The States-General have received their instructions +relative to the treaty of commerce from all the +Provinces.</p></div> + +<p>Robert R. Livingston to John Adams. Philadelphia, +August 29th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_376">376</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Complains of the infrequency and delay of despatches +from Mr Adams.—Importance of the trade to the +West Indies.—Evacuation of Charleston.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. The Hague, September +4th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_380">380</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Sketches of the prominent characters in Holland.—The +Duc de la Vauguyon.—Sketches of the foreign +Ministers at the Hague.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. The Hague, September +6th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_394">394</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>State of the connexion between France and Holland.—Policy +of France toward the United States. +Influence of the memorial of Mr Adams to the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_XX" id="Page_XX">xx</a></span> +States-General.—The Count de Vergennes opposes +the proposition of the triple alliance.—The +American Ministers in Europe ought not to be +subject to the control of the French Court.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. The Hague, September +7th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_401">401</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Enclosing his accounts.</p></div> + +<p>Robert R. Livingston to John Adams. Philadelphia, +September 15th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_404">404</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Enclosing certain financial resolutions of Congress.—Recommends +the use of English language by +the American Ministers.—M. Dumas.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. The Hague, September +17th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_407">407</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Conference with the Secretary of the States-General +for correcting the treaty of commerce.—Conversation +with the French Ambassador on the +Dutch naval forces.</p></div> + +<p>Extracts from the Records of the Resolutions of +their High Mightinesses the States-General of the +United Netherlands,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_410">410</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Authorising the Deputies for Foreign Affairs to conclude +and sign the treaty of commerce, and the +convention on the subject of recaptures, with Mr +Adams.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. The Hague, September +17th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_412">412</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Probability of the continuance of the armed neutrality.—The +acknowledgment of American Independence +is not a violation of its principles.—Jealousies +of some powers against the House of +Bourbon.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. The Hague, September +23d, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_416">416</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Conversation with the Spanish Minister.—English, +Dutch, Spanish, and American Ministers at Paris, +without any appearance of a sincere desire to treat +on the part of England.—Visit to the Duc de la +Vauguyon.—The Duke instructed to propose the +concert of the Dutch naval forces with the +French, in intercepting the English West India +fleet.</p></div> + +<p>A Memorial concerning the Bank of Amsterdam,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_419">419</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Giving an account of its funds, mode of transacting +business, &c. Note on the above, correcting a +statement.</p></div> + +<p>To M. de Lafayette. The Hague, Sept. 29th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_429">429</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>State of American affairs in Holland.—Conduct of +the different foreign Ministers towards Mr Adams. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_XXI" id="Page_XXI">xxi</a></span></p></div> + +<p>To John Jay. The Hague, October 7th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_431">431</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Causes which delay his going to Paris.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. The Hague, October +8th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_432">432</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The treaty of commerce, and the convention concerning +recaptures executed.—Remarks on some +of the clauses, and some rejected articles.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. The Hague, October +12th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_435">435</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Preparing to set out for Paris.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. Paris, Oct. 31st, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_436">436</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Arrival in Paris.—Conference with Mr Jay.—Difference +of opinion as to the true sense of the instructions +to the Ministers, requiring them to act only +with the consent of the French Ministry.—Contested +points.—Visits the Dutch Minister, who informs +him that little progress has been made in +the negotiations between Holland and England.—M. +Rayneval's visit to England.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. Paris, Nov. 6th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_439">439</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Mr Jay and Mr Adams have declined treating without +a previous acknowledgment of independence.—Information +from Holland reaches America by +the way of France, before it can be transmitted +directly.—The affairs of the Foreign Department +ought to be kept secret from France.—Character +of the English agents for negotiating the peace.—Real +disposition of Lord Shelburne.—Have agreed +on boundaries, and the payment of British debts +due before the war.—Indemnification of tories +and Eastern boundary, points of dispute.—Secret +influence of France.—Negotiations at Versailles +secret.—The Dutch Ambassador suspects the sincerity +of the English.—Mr Oswald proposes that +the British army should be allowed to evacuate +New York unmolested.</p></div> + +<p>Robert R. Livingston to John Adams. Philadelphia, +November 6th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_445">445</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Military operations have ceased.—Mr Fitzherbert's +commission.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. Paris, Nov. 8th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_447">447</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Importance of insisting upon points of etiquette.—Thinks +the instructions to communicate everything +to the French Minister is not to be understood +literally.—Good effects which have been +produced by disobeying them.—Submission of +Dr Franklin.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. Paris, Nov. 11th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_451">451</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Conversation with Count de Vergennes on the controverted +points, Eastern boundary, compensation +to tories.—Suspicions of the motives of France.—All +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_XXII" id="Page_XXII">xxii</a></span> +points should be definitively settled, so as to +leave America totally unconnected with any European +power.</p></div> + +<p>Robert R. Livingston to John Adams. Philadelphia, +November 18th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_457">457</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Mr Jefferson added to the commission.—The resignation +of Mr Laurens not accepted by Congress.—Affair +of Captain Asgill.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. Paris, Nov. 18th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_459">459</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Embarrassments occasioned by the instruction to +communicate on all matters with the French Ministers.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. Paris, Nov. 24th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_462">462</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Speculations on the probable disposition of the British +Cabinet, in case of change.—The acknowledgment +of independence still leaves room for +disputes on other points.</p></div> + +<p>To Robert R. Livingston. Paris, Dec. 4th, 1782,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_464">464</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Transmits the preliminary treaty.—Desires to resign +his commission in Holland.—Recommends +Mr Laurens as his successor.</p></div> + +<p>Extracts from a Journal,<span class="page"><a href="#Page_465">465</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Propositions in regard to the Northern and Eastern +boundaries.—Mr Adams observes, that the questions +of compensation to the tories, and of allowing +the claims of British creditors are different +in principle.—Mr Jay refuses to treat with the +Spanish Minister without exchanging powers.—Mr +Jay's refusal to treat with the British, without +a previous acknowledgment of independence.—Mr +Jay thinks the French Court oppose the +claims of the American Ministers.—Visit to Count +de Vergennes.—Conversation with Mr Whiteford +on the policy of France.—Mr Adams called the +Washington of the negotiation.—Conversation +with Mr Oswald relative to the compensation of +the tories.—Conversation with Mr Vaughan on +the same subject.—Conversation with M. de Lafayette +on the subject of a loan.—Danger to America +from European politics.—Mr Strachey returns +from London with the adhesion of the Cabinet to +the compensation of the tories.—The fisheries.—Consultation +of the American Ministers.—Mr +Fitzherbert's negotiations concerning the fisheries.—Mr +Adams proposes an article relative to +the right of fishing and curing fish.—Discussion +of the article.—The American Ministers +propose restoration of all goods carried off or destroyed +in America, if the compensation is insisted +on.—The English Ministers assent to the +American ultimatum respecting the fishery and +the tories.—Final meeting.—Mr Laurens proposes +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_XXIII" id="Page_XXIII">xxiii</a></span> +an article, that the English should carry off no +American property.—Reflections on the negotiation.—State +of the Dutch negotiations.—"Letters +of a distinguished American," by Mr Adams.—Conversation +with Mr Oswald on the true policy +of England toward America.—Dr Franklin desires +to enter upon the negotiation of the definitive +treaty.—Mr Adams and Mr Jay prepare the joint +letter to Congress.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="section_break"></div> +<div class="section_head"> +<h2><span class="the">THE</span><br /> +<span class="correspondence">CORRESPONDENCE</span><br /> +<span class="of">OF</span><br /> +<span class="name">JOHN ADAMS,</span><br /> +<span class="sub_name">ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS TO FRANCE, MINISTER +PLENIPOTENTIARY TO HOLLAND, AND ONE OF THE +COMMISSIONERS FOR NEGOTIATING THE +TREATY OF PEACE.</span></h2> +</div> + +<div class="section_break"></div> +<div class="section_head"> +<h2><span class="the">THE</span><br /> +<span class="correspondence">CORRESPONDENCE</span><br /> + +<span class="of">OF</span><br /> + +<span class="name">JOHN ADAMS.</span></h2> +</div> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<h2><span class="correspondence">CORRESPONDENCE CONTINUED.</span></h2> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3"></a></span></p> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, May 16th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>There has been much said in the public papers concerning +conferences for peace, concerning the mediation +of the Emperor of Germany and the Empress of Russia, +&c. &c. &c.</p> + +<p>I have never troubled Congress with these reports, because +I have never received any official information or +intimation of any such negotiation, either from England or +France, or any other way. If any such negotiation has +been going on, it has been carefully concealed from me. +Perhaps something has been expected from the United +States, which was not expected from me. For my own +part, I know from so long experience, at the first glance of +reflection, the real designs of the English government, that +it is no vanity to say they cannot deceive me, if they can +the Cabinets of Europe. I have fully known, that all +their pretensions about peace were insidious, and therefore +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">4</a></span> +have paid no other attention to them, than to pity the nations +of Europe, who, having not yet experience enough +of British manœuvres, are still imposed on to their own +danger, disgrace, and damage. The British Ministry are +exhausting all the resources of their subtility, if not of their +treasures, to excite jealousies and diversions among the +neutral, as well as belligerent powers. The same arts +precisely, that they have practised so many years to +seduce, deceive, and divide America, they are now exerting +among the powers of Europe; but the voice of God +and man is too decidedly against them to permit them +much success.</p> + +<p>As to a loan of money in this Republic, after having +tried every expedient and made every proposition, that +I could be justified or excused for making, I am in absolute +despair of obtaining any, until the States-General +shall have acknowledged our independence. The bills +already accepted by me are paying off as they become +due, by the orders of his Excellency Dr Franklin; but he +desires me to represent to Congress the danger and inconvenience +of drawing before Congress have information that +their bills can be honored. I must entreat Congress not +to draw upon me, until they know I have money. At +present I have none, not even for my subsistence, but what +I derive from Paris.</p> + +<p>The true cause of the obstruction of our credit here is +fear, which can never be removed but by the States-General +acknowledging our independence; which, perhaps, in +the course of twelve months they may do, but I do not expect +it sooner. This country is indeed in a melancholy +situation, sunk in ease, devoted to the pursuits of gain, +overshadowed on all sides by more powerful neighbors, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">5</a></span> +unanimated by a love of military glory, or any aspiring +spirit, feeling little enthusiasm for the public, terrified at +the loss of an old friend, and equally terrified at the prospect +of being obliged to form connexions with a new one; +incumbered with a complicated and perplexed constitution, +divided among themselves in interest and sentiment, they +seem afraid of everything. Success on the part of +France, Spain, and especially of America, raises their +spirits, and advances the good cause somewhat, but reverses +seem to sink them much more.</p> + +<p>The war has occasioned such a stagnation of business, +and thrown such numbers of people out of employment, +that I think it is impossible things should remain long in the +present insipid state. One system or another will be pursued; +one party or another will prevail; much will depend +on the events of the war. We have one security, and I +fear but one, and that is the domineering character of the +English, who will make peace with the Republic upon no +other terms, than her joining them against all their enemies +in the war, and this I think it is impossible she ever +should do.</p> + +<p> +I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Amsterdam, May 21st, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>On the 30th of April, the King of Prussia published the +following ordinance, relative to the navigation and commerce +of his subjects, during the whole course of the present +war between the maritime powers. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">6</a></span></p> + +<h4>ORDINANCE OF PRUSSIA RELATIVE TO NAVIGATION.</h4> + +<p>"From the commencement of the maritime war, almost +generally spread through the southern part of Europe, the +King has applied himself with particular care to procure to +those of his subjects who traffic by sea, or who engage in +navigation, all the security possible, and to this end he has +caused to be required of the belligerent powers to give +exact orders to their vessels of war and privateers, to respect +the Prussian flag, and to suffer peaceably to pass all +the Prussian vessels, which should be loaded with merchandises, +which, according to the law of nations, are reputed +lawful and not contraband, and not cause to them +any damage or delay, and much less still to conduct them +without necessity or right into foreign ports; to which these +powers have answered by assurances friendly and proper +to make things easy in this regard. To attain still more +certainly to this end, his Majesty has ordered his Ministers, +residing near the belligerent powers, to interest themselves +as much as possible, and by representations the most energetic +in favor of Prussian subjects, who trade at sea, and +whose vessels might be taken, conducted into foreign ports, +or as has often happened, pillaged even upon the high seas, +and to insist on their speedy release, and that the processes +at law, occasioned by their capture, should be decided +without delay, and with the requisite impartiality. To the +end, therefore, that the Ministers of the King may be in a +condition to acquit themselves of these orders in this respect, +it is necessary that the subjects of his Majesty, who +find themselves in such a case, announce themselves, or by +attorney, to the Envoy of the King, at the Court where the +complaints ought to be carried, and that they may give +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">7</a></span> +him information in detail of their subjects of complaint, +that he may be able to support them there, where they belong. +They ought not, however, to repose themselves +entirely on a similar intercession, but carry also their complaints +themselves to the Admiralties, or Maritime Colleges +of the country, where their vessel has been conducted, or +in which they have caused him damage, support his complaints +with requisite proofs, follow the judiciary order, +and the different trials established in each country, and +solicit and pursue with diligence their causes by advocates +and attornies; by means of which, it is to be hoped, that +they will obtain a prompt and impartial decision; in default +of which, it shall be permitted to them to address themselves +to the Envoys of the King, to carry to each Court +the complaints, which the case may require, and obtain the +redress of it.</p> + +<p>"But to secure still more the navigation of his subjects, +the King has caused to be demanded by his Ministers, of +her Majesty the Empress of Russia, and the two other +Maritime Powers of the North, who, as is well known, +have united to maintain the maritime neutrality, to be so +good, as powers with whom the King has the satisfaction +to live in the strictest union, as to order the commanders +of their vessels of war, to take the Prussian merchant +vessels, which they may meet in their courses, in +their sight, and within reach of their cannon, under their +convoy and protection, in case they shall be attacked or +molested by the vessels of war, or privateers, of the belligerent +powers. Her Majesty, the Empress of Russia, +has assured the King, by a declaration written by her Ministry, +that she had not only given precise orders to the +commanders of her vessels of war, to protect, against all +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">8</a></span> +attacks and molestations, the vessels of Prussian merchants +and navigators, that they may encounter in their course, +as belonging to a power allied to Russia, and who observe +exactly the rules of the maritime neutrality founded upon +the law of nations, but that she would enjoin it also upon +her Ministers at the Courts of the belligerent powers, that +as often as the Envoys of the King of Prussia should have +claims and complaints to carry to the Courts where they +reside, relative to the hinderances occasioned to the maritime +commerce of the Prussian subjects, they should support +such complaints in the name of her Majesty, the +Empress of Russia, by their good offices, and that she +expected in return from his Majesty, the King, that he +would equally furnish his Ministers to the belligerent powers +with instructions, conformable to the maritime convention +of the Powers of the North, with orders to accede by +energetic representations to the complaints of the Ministers +of the powers allied for the defence of the maritime neutrality, +in case they shall have certain satisfaction to demand +for the subjects of their sovereigns.</p> + +<p>"The King has accepted this friendly declaration of her +Majesty, the Empress, with gratitude, and by a counter +declaration, which is conformable to it, he has caused his +Ministers to be instructed at foreign Courts. His Majesty +has before, on occasion of another negotiation with the +Court of Denmark, required his Danish Majesty to grant +to Prussian merchant vessels the protection of his military +marine, and has received the friendly assurances of it, that +the Danish vessels of war should take under convoy and +protection the Prussian merchant vessels, which should +conform themselves to the treaties, which subsist between +the Court of Denmark and the belligerent powers, with +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">9</a></span> +relation to merchandises of contraband. The King has +addressed the same demand to the Court of Sweden, and +promised himself from the friendship of his Swedish Majesty +an answer as favorable as that of their Majesties, the +Empress of Russia and the King of Denmark.</p> + +<p>"We give notice of those arrangements to all the subjects +of the King, who exercise navigation and maritime +commerce, to the end that they and their captains of vessels +and skippers may conform themselves to them, and in +case they shall be attacked, molested, or taken by the vessels +of war and privateers of the belligerent nations, address +themselves to the Russian, Swedish, or Danish vessels of +war, which may be found within their reach, demand their +protection and assistance, and join themselves as much as +possible to the fleets and convoys of these maritime powers +of the north.</p> + +<p>"But as the intention of his Majesty is simply to assure, +by the beforementioned arrangements, the lawful maritime +commerce of his subjects, and not to do any prejudice to +the rights of the belligerent powers with whom he is in +perfect harmony, or to favor an illicit commerce, which +might be dangerous to them, all the subjects of his Majesty +who exercise navigation and maritime commerce, ought to +conduct themselves in such a manner as to observe an exact +neutrality, such as is founded on the law of nature, and +in the general laws of nations almost universally acknowledged. +But the different treaties which several powers +have concluded with each other relative to maritime commerce, +occasioning a difference of law in this regard, it is +principally to the known declaration which her Majesty, +the Empress of Russia, caused to be presented the last +year to the belligerent powers, and to the ordinance which +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">10</a></span> +she caused to be addressed in consequence to her College +of Commerce on the 8th of March, 1780, that the subjects +of the King will have to conform themselves with regard to +their maritime commerce, the principles which are there +announced being those which his Majesty finds the most +conformable to the law of nations, and to his in particular. +It is in consequence ordained by the present edict to all the +subjects of the King, who exercise navigation or maritime +commerce,</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Article i.</span> Not to take any part, under any pretence +whatever, in the present war, and not to carry to any of the +belligerent powers, under the Prussian flag, merchandises, +generally acknowledged to be prohibited and contraband, +and which properly constitute warlike stores, as cannons, +mortars, bombs, grenades, fusils, pistols, bullets, flints, +matches, powder, saltpetre, sulphur, pikes, swords, and +saddles. The subjects of the King ought to have on board +their merchant vessels only so much of these articles as is +necessary for their own use.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Art. ii.</span> The subjects of the King may, on the contrary, +carry in Prussian vessels as well to belligerent as to +neutral nations, all the merchandises which are not comprehended +in the preceding article, and which not properly +belonging to warlike stores, are not prohibited, and particularly +the productions of all the Provinces of the States of +the King; his Majesty promising himself from the equity +and the friendship of the belligerent powers, that they will +not permit their armed vessels to molest or take the Prussian +vessels loaded with masts, timber, pitch, corn, and +other materials, which, without being warlike stores, may, +nevertheless, in the sequel be converted into such stores, +and which make the principal and almost the only object +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">11</a></span> +of Prussian commerce. These powers are too just to require +that the commerce of a neutral nation should cease, +or be entirely suspended on account of the war. After +these principles, it is hoped that the belligerent powers will +suffer freely to pass without seizure or confiscation, the +lawful merchandises and cargoes of the Prussian subjects, +which may be found on board the vessels of belligerent +nations, as also the lawful cargoes and merchandises of belligerent +nations loaded in Prussian vessels, and in all these +cases, his Majesty will interest himself effectually in favor +of his subjects trading by sea. It is, however, the part of +prudence for these last to load as much as possible their +merchandises and effects in Prussian vessels, and to transport +them under the Prussian flag; not to employ themselves +much in the coasting trade, but to apply themselves +principally to a Prussian commerce without mixture, the +better to avoid all accidents, misunderstandings, and difficulties.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Art. iii.</span> All the Prussian vessels which shall put to +sea, ought to furnish themselves with passports and attestations +of the Admiralties, Chambers of War, and the domains +of each Province, or of the magistrates of each city, +as also with charter-parties, recognizances, and other certificates +of common usage, which ought to express the quality +and the quantity of the cargo, the name of the proprietor, +and of him to whom the merchandises are consigned, as +well as the place of the destination. These sea-papers ought +to be clear, and to contain no equivocation. They ought to +be found on board every vessel, and they ought not, under +any pretence whatsoever, to throw them into the sea. The +captains of vessels and skippers will take care above all, +not to have in their vessels any sea-papers, double, equivocal, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">12</a></span> +or false, by which they would render themselves unworthy +of all protection.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Art. iv.</span> Every Prussian vessel loaded in a foreign +port, ought to furnish herself in the said port with sea-papers +necessary, and in the form used in the place where +she loads, to the end to be able to prove everywhere of +what nation she is, what is her cargo, from whence she +comes, and whither she goes.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Art. v.</span> There ought not to be found on board of +Prussian vessels, neither officers of marine, nor persons +employed in it of the belligerent nations, nor more than +one third of the crew of those nations.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Art. vi.</span> It is forbidden to Prussian navigators to +transport cargoes or merchandises of any sort whatever to +places or ports besieged, blocked, or shut up closely by +any one of the belligerent powers.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Art. vii.</span> It is forbidden to Prussian navigators, or +merchants, to lend their names to foreign nations, and they +ought to exercise commerce in general in a manner conformable +to the rights and customs of nations, so that they +commit no infringement of the rights of any of the belligerent +powers, and that they may have no just subject of complaint.</p> + +<p>"The subjects of the King who shall conform exactly to +the present edict, may promise themselves on the part of +his Majesty all possible protection and assistance, instead +of which, those who may contravene it, ought not to expect +it, but to attribute to themselves the dangers and damages, +which they may draw upon themselves, by a conduct contrary +to this ordinance. Given at Berlin, the 30th of +April, 1781.</p> + +<p>"By express order of the King.</p> +<p class="signed">HERTZBERG."</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">13</a></span></p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO B. FRANKLIN.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, May 23d, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I have the honor of your letter of the 19th with its enclosures, +and I thank your Excellency for the pains you +have taken to communicate the news from America, which +I think can scarcely be called bad, though General Greene +lost the field. I had before received and published in the +Amsterdam Gazette the same accounts. The gazetteers +are so earnest after American news, that I find it the shortest +method of communicating the newspapers to all.</p> + +<p>I have received from Congress their resolution of the 3d +of January, 1781, to draw bills upon me in favor of Lee & +Jones, at six months sight, for the full amount of the balance +due on the contract made with them for a quantity +of clothing for the army. I have also a letter from Mr +Gibson, of the treasury office, of January 28th, which informs +me that the amount of Jones & Lee's account is sixteen +thousand two hundred and fortyfour pounds one shilling +sterling.</p> + +<p>I have just received from Gottenburg the enclosed letters, +one to your Excellency and one to Mr Jay. I received +both unsealed, with a direction to take copies. I have put +my own seal upon that to your Excellency, and request the +favor of you to put yours upon that to Mr Jay, and to convey +it in the safest manner. It contains matter of great +importance, which ought to be carefully concealed from +every eye but yours and Mr Jay's; for which reason I +should be cautious of conveying it, even with the despatches +of the Spanish Ambassador, especially as there are +intimations in Mr Lovell's letter of too much curiosity with +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">14</a></span> +regard to Mr Jay's despatches, and as Mr Jay himself +complains that his letters are opened. I hope this instruction +will remove all the difficulties with Spain, whose accession +to the treaty would be of great service to the reputation +of our cause in every part of Europe.</p> + +<p>It seems to me of vast importance to us to obtain an +acknowledgment of our independence from as many other +Sovereigns as possible, before any conferences for peace +shall be opened; because, if that event should take place +first, and the powers at war with Great Britain, their armies, +navies, and people weary of the war, and clamoring +for peace, there is no knowing what hard conditions may +be insisted on from us, nor into what embarrassments British +arts and obstinacy may plunge us.</p> + +<p>By the tenth article of the Treaty of Alliance, the contracting +parties agree to invite or admit other powers who +may have received injuries from Great Britain, to accede +to that treaty. If Russia and the northern powers, or any +of them, should be involved in the war in support of the +Dutch, would it not be a proper opportunity for the execution +of this article? Or, why would it not be proper now +to invite the Dutch?</p> + +<p>I have the honor to enclose a memorial to their High +Mightinesses. My mission is now a subject of deliberation +among the Regencies of the several cities and the bodies +of nobles who compose the sovereignty of this country. +It is not probable that any determination will be had soon. +They will probably confer with Russia, and the northern +powers, about it first. Perhaps, if these come into +the war, nothing will be done but in concert with them. +But if these do not come into the war, this Republic, I +think, in that case will readily accede to the Treaty of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">15</a></span> +Alliance between France and America; for all ideas of +peace with England are false and delusive. England will +make peace with the Dutch upon no other condition than +their joining her in the war against all her enemies, which +it is impossible for them to do, even if their inclinations +were that way, which they are not. The public voice +here is well decided against England.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be much of your Excellency's opinion +respecting duties. I mentioned tobacco, to show what +duties America was able to bear. Whatever sums a people +are able to bear, in duties upon exports or imports upon +the decencies, conveniences, or necessaries of life, they are +undoubtedly able to raise by a dry tax upon polls and +estates, provided it is equally proportioned. Nay more, +because the expense of collecting and guarding against +frauds is saved.</p> + +<p>Our countrymen are getting right notions of revenue, +and whenever these shall become general, I think there can +be no difficulty in carrying on the war.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, May 24th, 1781.</p> + +<p>Sir,</p> + +<p>A proposition of very great consequence has been made +in the Assembly of the States of Holland, by the city of +Amsterdam. It is conceived in these words;</p> + +<p>"The gentlemen, the Deputies of the city of Amsterdam, +have, by the express orders of the gentlemen their +principals, represented in the Assembly, that the venerable +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">16</a></span> +magistrates had flattered themselves that they should see +the effects of the efforts attempted for some time by the +Admiralties, to put to sea a quantity of vessels of war capable +of protecting the commerce and the navigation of the +inhabitants of this State, or at least some branches of them; +that the gentlemen, their principals, had had reason to be +confirmed in their expectation, above all when they were +informed that a number sufficiently considerable of vessels +of war, provided with things necessary, were ready to put +to sea, and that orders had been positively given upon this +subject; but, to their extreme astonishment they had learned +some time after, that the officers who commanded the +said vessels, upon the point of executing the said orders, +had given notice that the want of stores, provisions, and +victuals put them out of a condition to obey the said orders, +that the gentlemen, their constituents, having considered +that not only this want of stores, &c., ought not to have existed, +but that it might have been seasonably obviated; +they had been so struck with this unexpected delay in an +affair, which they judged of the last importance for this +country, especially on account of certain particular circumstances, +that they could not refrain from declaring freely, +that they had lawful reasons to fear that such inactivity +left little hope of seeing effected a protection which is of +the last necessity for the commerce and navigation, the +total interruption of which cannot fail to occasion a great +dearness, and to bring on very soon a most sensible scarcity, +without speaking of the impossibility of striking blows +to an enemy who has for five months attacked this State +by an unjust war, and has already rendered himself master +by surprise of a great number of rich vessels of war, and +merchant ships, and of some of our distant possessions. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">17</a></span></p> + +<p>"That the gentlemen, the principals, in virtue of these +reasons, and of others not less pressing, have judged that +they could not longer delay to lay before the eyes of the +members of the Assembly of your Noble and Grand +Mightinesses, in a manner the most pressing and the most +lively, the terrible consequences, which this deplorable +state of things makes them apprehend for their dear +country. That the powers of the north, with whom the +Republic is entered into alliance, and from whom she has +sufficient reasons to expect succors, have marked more +than once their astonishment at our inactivity, and at the +affected tranquillity with which the Republic suffers all the +insults of her enemy, without making the least preparation +to repel them. That, from time to time, advices have +come from our Ambassadors Extraordinary to the Court +of Petersburg, that we had not to expect, neither from that +Court, nor from her allies, succors, but in proportion to the +efforts which the Republic should make on her part. +That these things have appeared to the gentlemen, the +principals, of so great importance, and of so extensive consequence, +that it is more than time, that this sovereign Assembly +pass, as soon as possible, to a scrupulous examination +of the true causes of such inactivity; that she cause to +be given instructions, and an explanation of the state of +defence of the country, relative to the necessary orders +which she has given; that she obtain information concerning +the reasons of the extreme sloth and lukewarmness, +with which they proceed to the protection of the country +against an enemy formidable, especially for his activity, +and concerning the means which we may and ought to +employ, to shut up the source of these evils, and make +them disappear. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">18</a></span></p> + +<p>"That the gentlemen, the constituents, have desired to +put themselves out of the reach of all reproach from the +inhabitants of this country, whose total ruin advances with +rapid strides, and who, to this day, have not ceased to +pour out with joy into the public treasury, the imposts and +taxes, which we have imposed on them, demanding in return, +with the greatest justice, to be protected by the +fathers of the country. To this end, and to ward off as +much as it is in their power, the ruin of this Republic, +formerly so flourishing and so respected by its neighbors, +they have charged in the manner the most express their +Deputies to these States to insist in the strongest manner, +that we proceed to the beforementioned examination, and +that on the part of this Province things be directed in the +generality in such a manner, that we demand, as soon as +possible, to enter into negotiation with the Court of France, +which has not ceased to give us such numerous and shining +marks of her good will, and of her inclination to succor +us against the common enemy, and has already shown us, +by the effects, that her offers of service do not consist in +vain words; to deliberate with this Court concerning the +manner in which it will be convenient and practicable to +act, by communicating to each other the reciprocal plans +of operation, which we may attempt during this summer.</p> + +<p>"That at the same time, it is not expedient to neglect +to instruct our Ministers at the Courts of Russia, +Sweden, and Denmark, of the state of things in this country, +and of the means of defence, which the Republic puts +in motion, with the express orders to make, without relaxation, +to the said Courts, pressing and redoubled instances +to send us a large number of vessels of war well +equipped, to which at least one of them has already shown +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">19</a></span> +herself disposed; representing to them, at the same time, +in a pressing manner, the present necessity of sending us, +conformably to the stipulations of the convention lately +concluded and ratified, as soon as possible, the succors +promised in the said convention.</p> + +<p>"That, besides the propositions, which we have pointed +out, and from the success of which the gentlemen, the +constituents, promise themselves all sorts of advantages, the +venerable magistrates are still in the opinion, that this State, +although abandoned to itself, against all expectation and all +hope, does not yet cease to have numerous and sufficient resources, +not to consider its defence as absolutely desperate; +for it is very true, that after a long peace, the first alarm of +a war, and of an unforeseen attack, may at first throw +men's minds into terror, disorder, and consternation; but +it is not less true, that the riches and the resources of the +nation in general, having received a considerable increase +by the enjoyment of the fruits of this peace, the supreme +government finds itself, by employing them in a useful +and salutary manner, in a condition to make head for a +long time against an enemy already exhausted by a long +and expensive war, and to take so good measures, that we +may force her to renew an honorable and advantageous +peace.</p> + +<p>"In fine, the gentlemen, the said constituents, are of +opinion, that, to give a ready effect to the resolutions tending +to the said objects, and which may serve for the protection +of the State, and of its establishments in the other +parts of the world, and to discuss the resolutions with all +the secrecy requisite, there be formed by the Lords the +States, a committee of some gentlemen of the respective +Provinces, giving them the power and instructions necessary +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">20</a></span> +to labor conjointly with his Highness, the Prince Hereditary +Stadtholder, to contrive, prescribe, and put in execution, +all the measures, which shall appear the most proper +and the most convenient, to the end that we may, under +the benediction of God Almighty, repair the past, and +wash out the shame and the dishonor, with which this Republic +is stained in the eyes of foreigners, and by a vigorous +defence of the country, and of all which it holds most +dear and precious, and to maintain it in the advantages +of a liberty purchased so dear, against all further evils and +calamities.</p> + +<p>"Finally, the gentlemen, the said Deputies, find themselves, +moreover, expressly charged to cause to be laid in +the records of Holland the said proposition for the apology +and the discharge of the gentlemen, their constituents, and +to insist in all the ways possible, that we take in this regard +prompt resolutions, whereof we may see the effects; in +the view of accomplishing their salutary designs, to pray in +the manner the most earnest and pressing the other members +to labor to obtain in favor of this proposition, the suffrage +of the gentlemen, their principals, to carry it into the +approaching Assembly."</p> + +<p>Thus ends this manly address, in which there is the +appearance of the old Batavian spirit. In my excursions +through the various parts of this country, I have found the +eyes of all parties turned towards Amsterdam, and all true +patriots said, that the salvation of this country depended +upon the firmness of that city. There has indeed been +in this city the appearance of feebleness and irresolution, +but it has stood its ground. The presentation and publication +of my Memorial to the States-General, which was +more universally and highly applauded than was expected +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">21</a></span> +by me or any one else, furnished the regency of the city +an opportunity to discover the general sense of the public +voice, and they have not failed to take an early advantage +of it. They have not mentioned a treaty with America, +the reason of which was, that this subject was already +taken <i>ad referendum</i>, and under the consideration of the +several branches of the sovereignty. They mention only +a negotiation with France, knowing very well, that this +would necessarily draw on the other; so that things seem +at present in a good train; but a long time will necessarily +be taken up, according to the constitution, and in the present +disposition of this country, before anything can be +done to effect.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, May 25th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>The following convention, concerning recaptures made +from the English, is, it is hoped, the first step towards +more intimate connexions between this Republic, on one +side, and France and the United States of America on +the other.</p> + +<h4>FRENCH AND DUTCH CONVENTION CONCERNING RECAPTURES.</h4> + +<p>"The Lords the States-General, having judged, that it +would be of reciprocal utility to establish between France +and the United Provinces of the Low Countries, uniform +principles with relation to captures and recaptures, which +their respective subjects might make upon those of Great +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">22</a></span> +Britain, their common enemy, they have proposed to the +Most Christian King to agree with them on a regulation +concerning this matter. His Most Christian Majesty, animated +with the same views, and desiring to consolidate +more and more the good correspondence, which subsists +between him and the United Provinces, has well received +the overture of the Lords the States-General. In consequence, +his said Most Christian Majesty, and the said +Lords the States-General have given their full powers, to +wit; His Most Christian Majesty to the Sieur Gravier, +Count de Vergennes, &c. his Counsellor of State of the +Sword, his Counsellor in all his Councils, Commander of +his Orders, Minister and Secretary of State, and of his +commands and finances; and the Lords the States-General +to the Sieur de Berkenrode, their Ambassador to the +Most Christian King, who, after having duly communicated +their respective powers, have agreed on the following +articles.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Article i.</span> The vessels of one of the two nations, +French and Dutch, retaken by the privateers of the other, +shall be restored to the first owner, if they have not been +in the power of the enemy during the space of twentyfour +hours, at the charge of the said owner, to pay one third of +the value of the vessel recaptured, as well as of her cargo, +cannon, and apparel, which shall be estimated by agreement +between the parties interested, and if they cannot +agree among themselves, they shall apply to the officers of +the Admiralty of the place where the recaptor shall have +conducted the vessel retaken.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Art. ii.</span> If the vessel retaken has been in the power +of the enemy more than twentyfour hours, it shall belong +entirely to the recaptor. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">23</a></span></p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Art. iii.</span> In case a vessel shall have been retaken +by a vessel of war belonging to the Most Christian King, +or to the United Provinces, it shall be restored to the first +proprietor, paying the thirtieth part of the value of the +vessel, of the cargo, cannon, and apparel, if it has been +retaken in twentyfour hours; and the tenth, if it has been +taken after the twentyfour hours; which sums shall be distributed +as a gratification to the crews of the vessels recaptured. +The estimation of the thirtieth and tenth, beforementioned +shall be regulated conformably to the tenor of +the article first of the present Convention.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Art. iv.</span> The vessels of war and privateers of the +one and the other of the two nations shall be admitted reciprocally +both in Europe, and in the other parts of the +world, in the respective ports with their prizes, which may +be there unloaded, and sold according to the formalities +used in the State where the prize shall have been conducted; +provided, nevertheless, that the lawfulness of the +prizes made by the French vessels shall be decided conformably +to the laws and regulations established in France +concerning this matter, in the same manner as that of +prizes made by Dutch vessels shall be judged according +to the laws and regulations established in the United Provinces.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Art. v.</span> Moreover, it shall be free to His Most +Christian Majesty, as well as to the Lords the States-General, +to make such regulations as they shall judge good +relative to the conduct, which their vessels and privateers +respectively shall hold in regard to the vessels, which they +shall have taken and carried into one of the ports of the +two dominions.</p> + +<p>"In faith of which, the aforesaid Plenipotentiaries of His +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">24</a></span> +Most Christian Majesty, and of the Lords the States-General, +in virtue of our powers respectively, have signed +these presents, and have hereunto affixed the seal of our +arms. Done at Versailles, the first of the month of May, +1781.</p> + +<p class="signed_long"> +GRAVIER DE VERGENNES,<br /> +LESTEVENON VAN BERKENRODE."</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, May 27th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>In the Assembly of the States-General, the following +Report has lately been made.</p> + +<p>"Messrs de Lynden de Hemmen, and other Deputies of +their High Mightinesses for Maritime Affairs, have, in consequence +of the commissorial Resolution of the 27th of the +last month, examined a letter of the Directors named in +the commission by the respective chambers of the granted +general company of the Dutch East Indies, to the Assembly +of Seventeen, held the 23d of the same month at Amsterdam, +representing the great inconveniences to which it +would be exposed by the delay of the expedition of the +vessels of the company, if it were not soon provided with +the customary provisions, at least as much as in ordinary +times, as well as the possibility that the enemy may attempt +an attack in that country, upon which the Directors would +be exposed to answer for it, having in the different chambers +seven vessels ready to put to sea, with the hope that +ere long this number will be still further augmented; soliciting +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">25</a></span> +to this end, a convenient number of vessels of war, to +give a safe escort to the ships of the company, while the +Directors on their parts will put all in motion to watch over +the safety of their vessels; wishing to this end to arm some +of these vessels in an extraordinary manner, to the end that +they may be able to oppose some resistance both for themselves +and for the others, scattered over the sea of the Indies. +That, nevertheless, if their High Mightinesses could +not determine themselves to this, they, the Directors, hoped +that they should not be responsible for the consequences +which might result. That on the contrary, all the sharers +in general, and their High Mightinesses in particular, would +agree that in this the Directors have done all that could be +required of persons to whom had been confided the direction +of the goods of so many widows and orphans, of persons +who, under the immediate auspices of their High +Mightinesses, had the honor to direct a Colony whose +prosperity is essentially connected with that of this country.</p> + +<p>"Upon which, having demanded and received the considerations +and the advice of the committees of the Colleges +of the respective Admiralties, which are at present +here, we have reported to the Assembly, that the gentlemen, +the Deputies, should be of opinion, that notwithstanding +the most ardent wishes to employ a sufficient number +of vessels of war, not only for the defence of the ships but +also that of the possessions of the company of the East +Indies of this country, it would, however, be impracticable +at this time, considering the present situation of the navy +of this State, universally known, which could not appear +strange to any one instructed in the natural representations +so often repeated from time to time by the Colleges of the +Admiralty in this respect; especially if he considers, that a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">26</a></span> +navy, fallen into so great a decay, could not be rebuilt so +suddenly, and placed so soon upon a respectable footing; +that, moreover, this navy already so enfeebled, was become +still more so by the surprise and capture of different vessels +of war, by casual disasters happened to others, and because +the rest were dispersed into so many different places, that +for the equipment projected for this year, there was wanting +a great quantity of vessels and frigates well equipped +and provided, at least such as in the case in question could +be used; that besides the vessels ready to act, which are +actually in the ports of the Republic, ought in the first +place, and before all things, to serve for the defence of the +coasts and harbors (or mouths of the rivers) as well as for +the protection of the navigation towards the North Sea and +the Baltic, and of the ships, which return from thence; +that principally by reason of the unheard of scarcity of seamen, +occasioned in a great measure by the capture of so +enormous a quantity of Dutch merchant ships, which had +been manned by the best seamen of the nation, it was +almost impossible to determine the time when the other +vessels of war in commissions should be able to act.</p> + +<p>"That, nevertheless, the Company of the East Indies was +of too great importance to this country, for us to be able to +reject entirely her demand; and by so much the less as the +Directors do not request to be protected to the detriment +of the Republic, but they demonstrate also that they are +really willing on their part to make their last efforts for +their own defence, and contented themselves to require the +suitable support of the State, to sustain the forces which +the company was about to put in action; that from the refusal +of a requisition of this nature it might result, that in +losing all hope in the protection of the State, they may +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">27</a></span> +neglect also those efforts, which otherwise might be employed +with some appearance of success; that, besides, the +national establishments in this distant part of the globe +would also fall, and without the least resistance, into the +hands of the enemy, and that this Republic at the end of +the present war would find itself destitute of all its resources; +that this presentiment, apparently, ought to effect +a close union of all the forces, to fulfil as far as possible the +desire of the said Directors, and that to the end to try all +practicable means, expecting at the same time the celestial +benediction, and the prompt and effectual succor of our +high allies, in default of ordinary remedies, it is necessary +to have recourse without the smallest loss of time to extraordinary +remedies, and to this effect his Most Serene Highness, +in his quality of Stadtholder and Admiral-General of +the Republic, ought to be solicited and authorised, if it was +possible, either by borrowing vessels of war, their equipages, +or by purchasing or hiring here or elsewhere, other +suitable ships, which might be appropriated to this, or +finally in every other practicable manner to reinforce at +the expense of the country, the marine of the State, with +the greatest celerity, and as much as possible; in consequence +of which, in concert with the said Directors of the +East India Company, we may regulate the time, the manner, +and the force of the protection to be procured for the +company in question; the whole, as his Most Serene Highness, +saving the sense of the resolution of their High Mightinesses +of the 26th of March last, shall judge the most convenient +for the greatest utility of the Republic, and of the +said Company. Finally, that it would be convenient also +to intimate to the Colleges of the Admiralty respectively of +this country, to co-operate as much as possible with his +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">28</a></span> +Most Serene Highness, not only to put and hold with the +greatest expedition in a convenient state the vessels of the +Republic, but also in particular for everything that may +contribute to accelerate their equipment and sailing, and to +the greatest success of the enrolments; with a promise, +that the extraordinary expenses which shall result from it +and be advanced with the advice of his Most Serene Highness, +shall be restored and made good to them.</p> + +<p>"Upon which, having deliberated, the Deputies of the +Province of Zealand have taken a copy of this report, to +be able to communicate more amply."</p> + +<p>I do myself the honor to transmit such state papers entire, +because Congress will be able from them to collect +the real state of things better than from any remarks of +mine. The state of the Republic is deplorable enough. +There is but one sure path for it to pursue, that is, instantly +to accede to the Treaty of Alliance between France and +America. They see this, but have not firmness to venture +upon the measure. Indeed, the military character +both at land and sea, seems to be lost out of this nation. +The love of fame, the desire of glory, the love of country, +the regard for posterity, in short, all the brilliant and sublime +passions are lost, and succeeded by nothing but the +love of ease and money; but the character of this people +must change, or they are finally undone.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">29</a></span></p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, May 29th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>The English, by the capture of St Eustatia, seem to +have committed the most complete blunder of all. There +was found in that Island a greater quantity of property +belonging to the Britons themselves, than to the French, +Dutch, or Americans. They have broken up a trade, +which was more advantageous to them, than to any of their +enemies, as it was a channel through which British manufactures +were conveyed to North America, and much provisions +and assistance to their fleets and armies in the West +Indies. As the British merchants were warranted by an +act of Parliament to trade to this Island, all those who are +sufferers by its capture are clamoring against government +and especially against Rodney and Vaughan, for illegally +seizing their property and threatening these commanders +with as many law-suits as there are <a name="losses" id="losses"></a>losses. But what +completes the jest is, that M. de la Motte Piquet has carried +safe into Brest two and twenty of the vessels loaded +with the spoils of St Eustatia, which Rodney had sent +under convoy of Commodore Hotham and four ships of +the line; so that Rodney after having lost his booty is +likely to have law-suits to defend, and very probably the +whole to repay to the owners.</p> + +<p>Thus the cards are once more turned against the gambler; +and the nation has gained nothing but an addition +to their reputation for iniquity. This is good justice. +There is room to hope for more instances of it; because +their fleets are coming home from the West Indies, and +the Spanish fleet of thirty sail of the line under Cordova is +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">30</a></span> +again at sea, and it is hoped the French fleet will soon go +out again.</p> + +<p>The English fleets are so fully employed by the French +and Spaniards, that the Dutch might do a great deal if +they would; but something in this machine is fatally amiss. +The patriots weep, but all in vain. The fleets and ships +that sail, are said to have orders to act only on the defensive. +The courtiers say, that Amsterdam is the cause of +the war; the friends of Amsterdam say, the courtiers are +corrupted by the English. Some say, the Prince declares +he will never do anything against the English; others say, +that he has authorised the French Ambassador to assure +the King his master, that he was ready to make arrangements +with him; others report sayings of the Princess, +that the conduct of some of the courtiers will be the ruin +of her family. All these reports serve to no purpose, but +to show the confusion and distraction of the country. +However, there must be a change soon for the better or +worse, for hunger will break down all ordinary fences.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, May 31st, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>The following memorial lays open a dispute between +two nations.</p> + +<p>"High and Mighty Lords,</p> + +<p>"It is well known to your High Mightinesses, with what +constancy and for how long a time, the subscriber has had +the honor to lay before you, by order of his Court, how +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">31</a></span> +much she desires to accomplish a settlement of the differences, +which exist upon the Rio Volta between her subjects +and yours, who have by little and little wrongfully +occupied and fortified the posts of Creve Cœur and of +Good Hope, which at present incommode and restrain the +Danish establishments upon that coast to a degree almost to +destroy the existence of them, to put them to expenses for +their maintenance, which absorb their utility, and to render +more and more necessary measures, which his Majesty +would desire not to be obliged to think of. In consequence, +although the subscriber has rendered a faithful +account of the assurances, which have been repeatedly +given him, of the desire, which your High Mightinesses +have to take away even from its source all subject of misunderstanding +reciprocally, a desire very conformable with +that of the King his master; nevertheless, as nothing has +resulted from these general assurances he finds himself at +present obliged to execute the orders, which he has received; +to demand of your High Mightinesses to cause to be +evacuated the said forts of Creve Cœur and Good Hope, +the existence of which cannot consist with that of the +establishment of Denmark. He has express orders to +make this requisition, and to give to understand, that as +his Majesty will be very sensible of this friendly manner of +terminating the present differences upon the coast of +Guinea, so will he see with sincere regret that you will +oblige him to give to this affair a more serious attention. +The Hague, April 28th.</p> + +<p class="signed">ST SAPHORIN."</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">32</a></span></p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, May 31st, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>The cities of Haerlem and Dort have seconded Amsterdam, +although the other cities of Holland have hitherto +been silent, as appears by the following declarations.</p> + +<p>"A declaration of the gentlemen, the Deputies of Dort, +concerning the proposition of the city of Amsterdam, made +at the assembly of their Noble and Grand Mightinesses on +the 18th of May, 1781.</p> + +<p>"The gentlemen, the Deputies of Dort, have declared +to the assembly, that they had been earnest to transmit to +the Regency of their city the propositions of the gentlemen, +the Burgomasters and Counsellors of Amsterdam, +communicating to them at the same time, that with regard +to the matter, which makes the object of it, the gentlemen, +the Deputies, had beforehand declared, that since the substance +of the said proposition was entirely conformable to +that, which for some time had formed among the gentlemen, +the Constituents, the object of preliminary deliberations, +the Deputies had believed themselves tacitly authorised +to adopt immediately the said proposition in all its +points, which determined them also to testify their very +sincere gratitude to the gentlemen, the Deputies of Amsterdam, +and in their persons to the gentlemen, the Burgomasters +and Regents of the same city, for the enlightened +and vigilant zeal with which these gentlemen in taking this +step, so salutary and so necessary, had shown that they +have at heart the true interests of their dear country, +which had already experienced so many injuries. That at +present, the gentlemen, the Deputies, after the communications +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">33</a></span> +alleged, found themselves expressly instructed to +cause to be inserted in the minutes of their Noble and +Grand Mightinesses, for the justification of the Regency of +their city before posterity, that the venerable Magistracy +of Dort, approving what is before mentioned, had learned +with a lively satisfaction the proposition before mentioned; +that it was ready and disposed in the name of that city, to +concur efficaciously in all the means, which may be judged +the most convenient, to save with alacrity this country, now +threatened and surrounded with the greatest and most terrible +dangers; that to this end the venerable Regents of +Dort would not fail to deliberate immediately upon the particular +points, which the proposition in question presents, +and to cause in course their resolution to be transmitted to +the assembly of their Noble and Grand Mightinesses."</p> + +<p>Note of the Deputies of Haerlem, touching the provisional +resolution taken by their Noble and Grand Mightinesses, +upon the proposition of Amsterdam.</p> + +<p>"The gentlemen, the Deputies of the city of Haerlem, +resuming the extension of the 18th of May, have declared, +that in accepting the proposition of the gentlemen, the +Deputies of the city of Amsterdam, their advice had been, +that since the said proposition ought to be attributed to a +laudable desire to watch over the common interests, the +gentlemen, the Deputies of Amsterdam, and in their persons, +the gentlemen their constituents, ought to be thanked +for the zeal and marked attention upon this occasion for the +utility of their dear country. But, as at that time almost +all the members relished this advice in such a manner, that +the assembly had converted it into a provisional resolution, +the gentlemen, the Deputies, had a good right to presume, +that, in imitation of many antecedent facts, this advice would +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">34</a></span> +have become an essential measure, to cause to be passed +the beforementioned provisional resolution. But the gentlemen, +the Deputies, seeing the contrary, and their remarks +made in this regard, answered by a frozen silence +on the part of the other members, they have, both on account +of this circumstance, and to ascertain what really +passed in consequence of the proposition in question, and +to justify the report made to the gentlemen, their principals, +upon this object, judged necessary to cause this note +to be inserted in the minutes of their Noble and Grand +Mightinesses."</p> + +<p>With hearty wishes that this dumb spirit may be soon +cast out, I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE STATES-GENERAL.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, June 1st, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I have received from my Sovereign, the United States +of America, in Congress assembled, their express instructions +to notify to their High Mightinesses, the States-General, +the complete and final ratification of the confederation +of the Thirteen United States, from New Hampshire to +Georgia, both included, on the 1st day of March last.</p> + +<p>I do myself the honor to enclose an authentic copy of +this important act, and to request the favor of you, Sir, to +communicate it to their High Mightinesses in such a manner +as you shall judge most convenient; as in the present +circumstances of affairs I know of no more proper mode +of discharging this part of my duty.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">35</a></span></p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, June 5th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>The Deputies of Middleburg, in the assembly of the +States of Zealand, on the 14th of May, consented to the +petition for granting larger bounties to those who shall engage +in the service of the Republic by sea. Their advice +has been given in this manner;</p> + +<p>"The gentlemen, the Deputies of Middleburg, have said +that they were authorised by the gentlemen, their principals, +to conform themselves to the report in question, in all +its parts. They are further specially instructed and ordered, +(renewing the advice of their city, communicated +with their consent to the two States of war of the 9th of +last month,) to represent upon this occasion, in the name +of the gentlemen, their principals, and to insist strongly, +that without delay it should be deliberated by a committee, +concerning the measures the most prompt and the +most efficacious to be taken by this Province, to direct +things in course in the generality, in such a manner, that in +the critical and disastrous situation in which the Republic +is, we should apply our attention conjointly, with redoubled +zeal, activity, and wisdom, in defence of the territory, commerce, +and possessions of the Republic; that we finally +awake out of that unexpected inaction, in which as is too +apparent the Republic is still found, the causes of which +cannot, and ought not in any degree, to be attributed to +this Province; or that at least, without delay and without +reserve, the true reasons of this dangerous and disgraceful +situation should be communicated to the Lords, the States +of Zealand, from whom nothing, which concerns the Union +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">36</a></span> +ought to be concealed; to the end, that in course they may +deliberate sincerely with the other confederates upon the +means of deliverance and of precaution, the most prompt, +and the most convenient for the common advantage, safety, +and preservation.</p> + +<p>"The Lords, the States of Zealand, have also represented +to their High Mightinesses, the propriety of establishing +batteries upon the coast of Flanders, upon the +places the most exposed, and to provide them with cannon +and necessary stores, that they may be able to act, with +the armed vessels stationed upon the river, against any enterprises +which may be attempted by the enemy's vessels.</p> + +<p>"On the 22d of last month, their Noble and Grand +Mightinesses deliberated upon the proposition of the Counsellor +Pensionary, made on the 18th of the same month, +in the name of the gentlemen, the counsellors' committees, +viz. that it having been resolved, by a resolution of their +Noble and Grand Mightinesses of the 16th of January, to +negotiate a sum of eight millions, at two and a half per +cent interest, this negotiation had had so happy a success, +that it was almost filled up, as the treasury general and the +other treasuries of the quarter of the south of this Province +have received seven millions fortysix thousand six hundred +and fifty florins, and those of the quarter of the north, five +hundred and seventyeight thousand eight hundred florins. +That the Counsellor Pensionary, seeing that the present +situation of affairs requires in all respects, that the treasury +of the State should be provided of a larger quantity of +money, has proposed to the consideration of their Noble +and Grand Mightinesses, whether they did not judge it +convenient to augment the negotiation in question by four +other millions, and, consequently, to extend it to twelve +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">37</a></span> +millions, upon the same footing and with the same interest, +as determined by their resolution of the 16th of January +last.</p> + +<p>"Upon which it was thought fit, and resolved, to consent +to the negotiation of these eight millions, and to increase it +with four others, so as to make twelve millions upon the +same footing. The Prince has made a tour to the Brille, +Helvoetsluys, Goeree, and Willemstadt, where he has reviewed +the troops and vessels of war, and returned to the +Hague on the third of this month."</p> + +<p>I send to Congress an account of these faint and feeble +symptoms of life, because there is no appearance of any +more vigorous. I am told that this <i>vis inertiæ</i> is profound +policy. If it is policy at all, it is so profound, +as to be perfectly incomprehensible. However, their +property and dominion, their honor and dignity, their sovereignty +and independence are their own, and if they +choose to throw them all away, for aught I know, they +have a right to do it. There is one comfort, if other nations +have nothing to hope, they have nothing to fear from +such policy.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO M. BERENGER, SECRETARY OF THE FRENCH EMBASSY +AT THE HAGUE.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, June 8th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I have received the letter, which you did me the honor +to write me, on the 5th of this month, informing me, that +you have received a letter from the Count de Vergennes, +by which his Excellency directs you to tell me, that the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">38</a></span> +interests of the United States require my presence at Paris, +and that he should desire that I should go there, as soon +as my affairs in Holland will permit me.</p> + +<p>I should be extremely obliged to you, Sir, if you would +confide to me the nature of the business that requires me +at Paris, that I might be able to form some judgment, +whether it is of so much importance, and so pressing, as to +make it necessary for me to go forthwith.</p> + +<p>His Excellency Dr Franklin, and Colonel Laurens, +have arranged affairs in such a manner, that the accounts +of the Indian are to be produced to me, and I am to draw +bills to discharge them, so that it would retard the departure +of that interesting vessel, if I were to go now; and it +is of some importance to the public that I should complete +my despatches to go to Congress by her. I am also unfortunately +involved in a good deal of business, in accepting +and discharging bills of exchange, a course of business +which would be put into some confusion, if I were to go +immediately; and the general affairs of Congress in this +Republic might suffer somewhat by my absence. But +notwithstanding all, if I were informed that it is anything +respecting a general pacification, or an invitation of this +Republic to accede to the alliance between France and +the United States, or any other affair of sufficient weight +to justify my quitting this port immediately, I would do it. +Otherwise it would, as I humbly conceive, be more for the +public interest, that I should wait until some of the business +that lies upon me here is despatched, and the rest put +into a better order. Let me beg the favor of your sentiments, +Sir. Whenever I go, I must beg the favor of you +to furnish me with a passport.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">39</a></span></p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, June 11th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>The following petition is too curious in itself, and too +much attended to by the public at this time, to be omitted.</p> + +<p>"To the Gentlemen, the Burgomasters, Sheriffs and +Counsellors of the city of Antwerp.</p> + +<p>"The inhabitants of the city of Antwerp in general, and +those who are there concerned in commerce, in particular, +should think that they injured their own interests, if they neglected, +at a time when all Europe talks of the advantages, +which the opening of the Scheldt would produce, to address +themselves to you, Gentlemen, to make known their desire, +that you would please to take the necessary measures for +this purpose. While all nations fix at present their attention +upon the liberty of navigation, shall we be the only +people, who, although having a greater interest in it than +others, should remain quiet, and suffer to pass away, unimproved, +the moment, which appears to be now arrived +to deliver ourselves from the yoke, which the Republic of +Holland imposed upon us in the days of their first celebration? +No! It is time that we awake! Since the treaty of +Munster, this city and its commerce are fallen into a great +decay, but we have still the means in our hands to revive +them, because the inhabitants have ever continued to have +an indirect portion in commerce. It was they, who after +the suppression of the Company of Ostend, have assisted in +the establishment of the East India Companies of Sweden +and Denmark; and it would not be difficult to prove, that +projects of all sorts have taken place in their speculations. +What could they not do, therefore, when it shall be free to +them to make a direct and unrestrained commerce? The +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">40</a></span> +simple hope, which they have of it, causes among them a +revival of the spirit of commerce. When we compare the +situation of the cities of Amsterdam and Antwerp, we shall +find that that of the latter has many advantages over the +former. The commerce of corn, which makes of Holland +the factory of Europe, and all the trade of the North, offers +itself to the city of Antwerp. We should soon find there +magazines provided with everything necessary to extend +commerce, and equal that of Amsterdam. This commerce +alone would be sufficient to make a revival of the +bright days, which preceded the peace of Munster.</p> + +<p>"But what afflicts us, Gentlemen, is, that there are persons +who would divide the interests of provinces, and give +birth to a rivalry between the ports of Ostend and Antwerp, +as if one port the more would be too much for the +States of his Majesty. If this could be a question, no man +could doubt that the city of Antwerp is much better situated +to make an extensive commerce, than the city of Ostend. +Experience alone is sufficient to demonstrate it. The +commerce, which Antwerp has made heretofore, came +there naturally of itself, although it had been formerly at +Bruges, because the port of Antwerp was better, and in all +respects more advantageous. But these cities have nothing +in common, and if the Scheldt was open, and remained +open, Ostend would not suffer any damage from it. We +have the advantage to have in our Sovereign a Prince, +whose whole application tends to render his subjects happy; +nothing can contribute more to their prosperity than +commerce. The fine arts, which have supported themselves +at Antwerp, in spite of the decay of commerce, for +near one hundred and forty years, would acquire here a +new degree of perfection and lustre. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">41</a></span></p> + +<p>"We hope, Gentlemen, that your care and zeal for +everything, which can contribute to the prosperity of a +city, which you have already lately delivered from beggary, +will make you discover, with particular satisfaction, +new means of procuring labor for the poor and needy, +diminish thereby the expense of their maintenance, without +reckoning all the other advantages, and especially the +augmentation of our population, which would be the result +of our demand."</p> + +<p>This petition discloses objects of so much weight in +those scales, in which the political and commercial interests +of the nations of Europe are now balancing, that it is +worth while to transmit some observations, which have +been made upon it, which will lay open the whole subject, +with all its connexions. They were written in French by +M. Cerisier.</p> + +<p>"It is to have a false idea of things, to think and to say, +that Holland and Zealand, taking an unjust advantage of +their victories, and of the weakness of their enemies, have +dictated, with arms in their hands, the outrageous and despotic +conditions of holding their ports shut up. We have +only to cast our eyes upon the geographical situation of +Antwerp, we have only to recollect the first events of the +Belgic Revolution, to acknowledge this error. The city +of Antwerp for a long time made a part of the Belgic +confederation; she entered into the union of Utrecht, as +she had entered into the pacification of Ghent, she was +even for several years the centre of the new Republic; it +was not until 1585, that she fell back under the yoke of +the Spaniards. But the Duke of Parma, in retaking +Antwerp, could not equally make himself master of all the +forts situated below that city, towards the mouth of the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">42</a></span> +Scheldt. The confederates continued masters of these, +and even retook some places, which had been taken from +them in the course of the war. Thus they remained +masters of the lower navigation of this river, an advantage, +which they caused to be confirmed to them in the treaty +of peace. In casting our eyes on the other hand, on the +memorable siege of Antwerp, it is to this city that it is +necessary to impute the misfortune of having an useless +port, since, by a more vigorous and wise defence, she +would have remained in the union, with all the advantages +which resulted from it.</p> + +<p>"Zealand and the city of Amsterdam, have always held +the slavery of the port of Antwerp of much importance. But +it is very far from being true, that this city, by recovering +the liberty of her navigation, would be able to draw away +any considerable part of their commerce. The maritime +places of the United Provinces have had for several ages, +and many years before the revolution, a great navigation +and a flourishing commerce; this has been demonstrated +by modern authors. See the <i>Tableau de l'Histoire des +Provinces Unies, et la Richesse de la Hollande</i>. It is +an error then to believe, that they were raised upon the +ruins of Ghent, Bruges, and Antwerp; although we cannot +deny, that they have received some augmentation from +them.</p> + +<p>"But it is England, which has drawn the greatest advantages +from them. The cause is evident; it is, that the +same troubles, which chased commerce from these cities, +agitated at the same time Holland, Zealand, Friesland, +and the neighboring Provinces. The factions of the +Houcks and the Cabeliaux, the Schieringers, and the +Vetkopers, the Litchembergs, and the Gunterlings, the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">43</a></span> +Hekeren, and the Bronkhorst, have nearly at the same time +for many years, torn almost the whole country, which +forms at this day the Republic of the United Provinces, in +the times when Flanders was a prey to the most violent +intestine dissensions, when Ghent and Bruges held the +Emperor Maximilian in prison; and when the chastisements +inflicted on these two cities, drove out the industry, +and commerce, which enriched them. The United Provinces +were the centre of the rebellion and the theatre of the +most afflicting calamities, when the cruelties of the Spaniards +chased commerce from the city of Antwerp. The +most violent causes, in fact, are necessary to drive commerce +from a country where she has fixed her residence. +The powerful houses of commerce, the immense funds +necessary to carry it on, the credit, the industry, do not +transplant themselves easily from one country to another.</p> + +<p>"We ought not to impute to slavery the fall of the commerce +of the Austrian Low Countries. We must ascend +to that epocha, when the fiscal and religious despotism of +Spain carried into the Low Countries the yoke of civil servitude +and the flames of the Inquisition. Commerce cannot +harmonise with slavery, with the tyrannical exaction of +imposts, with persecutors, or with hangmen. It was principally +to London, that industry, and the merchants of Louvain, +Ghent, Bruges, and Antwerp, fled. Although Holland +and Zealand were at the same time a prey to similar +misfortunes, and even still more terrible, they found themselves +in a condition to raise a powerful marine, to beat +their ancient masters, and to seize upon their spoils in the +Indies. It was upon their courage, upon their navigation, +upon their establishments in the Indies, and not upon +the mouth of the Scheldt, that they laid the foundations +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">44</a></span> +of a commerce, the richest and most extensive that ever +was.</p> + +<p>"If all the Low Countries had remained attached to the +confederation, they would all have partaken of the riches, +the industry, the power, and the grandeur of the United +Provinces. The Austrian Low Countries were not able +to recover their brilliant commerce, because they had lost +it. To repair this loss, it would have been necessary, that +Holland and England, filled with their manufactures, +should have had the complaisance to send them back all +these manufactures with their riches, their workmen, and +their raw materials. It was only Louis the Fourteenth +who could in this respect take Philip the Second for a +model. If the Flemish and the Brabantians, should have +again a source of raw materials, and of workmen, would it +be easy to recall industry and naturalise it there, after so +long an exile? The little progress of commerce in those +countries has many other causes, besides the subjugation of +one of its brooks. It is necessary to look for them in the +multitude and enormity of the duties imposed upon merchandises, +which enter, or go out of the Austrian dominions, +duties, which are repeated from one Province, and +even from one city to another; it is necessary to look for +them in the tyrannical and insolent inquisition of officers, +with whom the frontiers are covered, in the fiscal and iniquitous +subjection, to which packages and travellers are +exposed; the former to a search, which exposes the goods +to be spoiled, and the other to an indecent and odious inspection. +They have forced women to strip themselves, +even to their shifts, to discover, with a scandalous avidity, +effects subject to these odious taxes.</p> + +<p>"A part of the commerce of Germany, and several +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">45</a></span> +Provinces of France with Holland, would have no other +market than the Low Countries, if the imposts and the +collection of them were not tyrannical. The merchants of +St Quentin, of Rheims, of Paris, will all tell you, that the +lawns, wines, and modes, which they send into the countries +situated upon the Baltic, would be embarked at Ostend, +without those armies of inquisitors like highwaymen, +who drive away, by a perpetual restraint, commerce, the +friend of liberty. Add to this, the delays, and the dearness +of land-carriage, interrupted with barriers, in the +countries, where there are no canals; all these obstacles +do not only hurt the commerce of transportation, but also +that of importation and exportation. The foreigner, finding +so many difficulties in spreading his superfluities in +those countries, is the less capable of taking off theirs.</p> + +<p>"Moreover, how many ameliorations may be made in +the natural resources of that country? Before they allow +themselves in uncertain speculations abroad, they should +carry to the highest point, industry at home. There are +even reformations, which are very difficult, and without +which these countries will never hold the balance against +countries, in which the number, the celibacy, the riches, +and the laziness of the clergy, do not devour the industry +of the people. Is the slavery of the Scheldt then the +cause, that Louvain is peopled only with students and professors? +Malines filled with attornies and judges? That +Mons, Tournay, Ypres, Ghent, and Bruges, are no longer +more than carcasses? If there were a means of reviving +these cities, would it not be by the enlargement and the +safety of the port of Ostend?</p> + +<p>"Even if the ports of Ostend, of Nieuport, and Antwerp +offered roads free, safe, and commodious, would +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">46</a></span> +business fly to them for refuge, and abandon the ports of +Hamburg, Dantzick, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Middleburg, +Dunkirk, Rouen, Nantes, Rochelle, Bordeaux, the +Elbe, the Somme, the Seine, the Loire, the Garonne, and +the ports of the three kingdoms of Great Britain, where it +enjoys all the advantages and facilities, which it can desire? +The English themselves, who dazzle at this day the Austrian +Low Countries with the hope of a free and flourishing +commerce, would not they be the first to oppose this +revolution, if it had any appearance of success? It is their +jealousy of the prosperity of Amsterdam, which makes +them clamor against the subjection of the Scheldt. But +they would clamor much louder, if the liberty of the +Scheldt should restore to the Low Countries the hope of +recovering their ancient commerce. All States seek with +emulation to augment the national industry. Russia, and +even other northern States, are making efforts and sacrifices +to procure for themselves manufactures. All countries, +even Spain and Portugal, begin to perceive that +these things are more useful than <i>autos-da-fe</i>. The Austrian +Low Countries have them also. But could they +augment them at the expense of other countries; especially +at a time, when so many States pique themselves in +having a warlike marine to maintain their commerce and +their national industry?</p> + +<p>"But, it will be said, is it not manifest that the navigation +of Antwerp being opened, commerce, by reascending +the river, would diffuse her benign influence throughout all +the extent of an agreeable, and fertile territory, full of +canals and great roads, &c.? I answer again, why would +not the ports of Bruges, Ghent, Ostend, and Nieuport +produce the same effect? It is even apparent, that these +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">47</a></span> +ports would lose by the new outlet of Antwerp, the little +commerce which remained to them. In that case, Brabant +would only raise itself on the ruins or at the expense +of Flanders. The liberty of this river would enrich perhaps +the interior of the country, but it would certainly impoverish +the coasts of the sea. They say it is unjust to +hold the Scheldt shut up; but would it not, on the contrary, +be the height of injustice to open again a navigation, +assured to the Hollanders by the natural consequence of a +revolution universally ratified, and by a long possession? +What man, what State, would be authorised to appropriate +a thing to itself because it was for his convenience? This +rule, it is true, has in our days effected the dismemberment +of Poland, the invasion of Silesia, and the present +war of England against Holland. But in taking away the +property of the Dutch, with what right can one find fault +with the violence of Russia?</p> + +<p>"It will be said, that the restraint of a river dug by +nature, for the use of the inhabitants who live upon the +banks, is contrary to natural right, against which no prescription +ever runs. But do not the turnpikes, or fall-stops, +with which these rivers are thickset, contravene also +the rights of nature? The house of my neighbor intercepts +the light, of which I have great occasion; have I the right +for this reason to pull it down?</p> + +<p>"In one word, the mouth of the Scheldt is in the territory +of the United Provinces. The Republic, according +to received principles, may interdict the navigation of it +to foreigners, as well as to its own subjects. She excludes +only the former; because she finds her advantage in it, as +the English find theirs in their famous act of navigation, +much more tyrannical than the subjection of the Scheldt. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">48</a></span> +The Belgians will say, the waters of this river wash and +fertilize our country in passing through it. But have not +the French still a better right to the same navigation, because +this river takes its rise in France? The Swiss would +have a good grace to wish to arrogate to themselves the +free navigation of the whole course of the Rhone, the Po, +the Danube, and the Rhine, because these rivers flow from +the mountains of Helvetia. The subjection of the Scheldt +was ratified in 1648, in the famous treaty of Munster, or +Westphalia, whereof all the powers of Europe are warranties, +and which still passes for the basis of the political +system of Europe, and for a fundamental law of the empire. +We have seen in 1778, the Emperor himself obliged +to renounce a succession supported upon authentic +titles, because the powers, warranties of the peace of +Westphalia, sustained, that this succession was contrary to +that treaty. And yet it is wished, that in full peace, without +title, without pretence, the Emperor should wrest from +the Dutch a property, the fruits of which will never indemnify +them for the sacrifices they have made for his house.</p> + +<p>"They would have the Emperor an ambitious Prince, +rolling the vastest projects in his head. But with what +eye will the other powers view an usurpation, which they +ought to seek to prevent by all the motives of honor and +of interest; even although it should be from the ambitious +idea of acting their part in the affairs of Europe? How? +Shall he expose himself in the present moment to spread +the flames of a general war in Europe, and to lose perhaps +the Low Countries, which would be from that moment +surrounded by inimical powers. For what? To procure +to the inhabitants of Antwerp, the facility of conducting a +few ships into the German ocean. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">49</a></span></p> + +<p>"Holland is in the last degree of weakness, embarrassment, +and disunion; she has fear. Oh! yes; but the +King of Prussia, but the electors of Saxony and Palatine, +but the King of France, would have fear also; fear would +unite them; and when one has a great deal, he begins to +have less fear.</p> + +<p>"That which would make of Antwerp a new Sidon, or +a new Carthage, which would render this city the rival of +Bordeaux, of Rouen, of Amsterdam, and of London, +would be infinitely prejudicial to the French and the Russians. +Either this business would be a part detached from +that of the ports of the channel, and of the Baltic sea, and, +in that case, France and Russia would not consent to build +up a place of commerce, which would flourish at their expense; +they would oppose the opening of a port, which +would draw away the inhabitants from those, which they +are laboring to make flourish; or it would be composed of +branches torn from that which is done at the Texel, +upon the Meuse, and the Thames, and, in that case, they +will refuse their consent to this transplantation. If it is +necessary, that the commerce of the Dutch and the English +should fall, Russia and France will choose to take +advantage of its decay, to transport it into their harbors."</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, June 12th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>The States of Holland and West Friesland are adjourned +to the 27th. In their last session, they consented to +the augmentation of seventeen thousand six hundred and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">50</a></span> +eightysix land forces, according to the plan, which the +Council of State, in concert with the Stadtholder, had +formed, on the 18th of April, and which had been carried +on the 19th of the same month, to the Assembly of the +States of the Province. They have also taken the resolution +to lend to the East India Company the sum of one +million two hundred thousand florins, at three per cent interest, +to be reimbursed in thirtythree years, in payments +of thirtysix thousand florins. The affairs of the Colony of +Surinam are about to engage the attention of government, +according to a petition, which the Deputies of the merchants +of Dort, Haerlem, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam, +presented on the 6th, to the States of Holland and West +Friesland, and for which the merchants have demanded, in +an audience, which they have had of the Stadtholder, the +support of His Most Serene Highness. This petition was +conceived in these terms.</p> + +<h4>PETITION FROM THE DEPUTIES OF DORT, HAERLEM, AMSTERDAM, +AND ROTTERDAM, TO HOLLAND AND WEST +FRIESLAND.</h4> + +<p>"The merchants, deputies of the cities of Dort, Haerlem, +Amsterdam, and Rotterdam, represent in the most +respectful manner, that the mortal stagnation of navigation +and of commerce, which cannot preserve their well-being +but by continual activity, has forced the petitioners not to +disguise any longer the fatal effects, and in circumstances, +when the naval force of the Republic is not yet in a state +to procure them a sufficient protection, to seek for themselves +a succor, which, in the extreme danger in which the +colonies, which yet remain to the State, and even the State +itself, are found at this day, may serve apparently to advance +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">51</a></span> +in more than one manner, the general interest of +this Republic; that the supplicants, both for themselves, +and speaking in favor and in the name of several thousands +of their fellow-citizens, have taken the part to present +to their High Mightinesses the States-General of the +United Provinces, the petition, a copy of which is here +joined, and to which they respectfully refer, as follows.</p> + +<h4><i>Petition.</i></h4> + +<p>"That as your Noble and Grand Mightinesses, have always +testified, that the well-being of your fellow-citizens in +general, and that of merchants in particular, ought to be +supported in every manner, the petitioners assure themselves, +that the more the danger becomes imminent, the +more the zeal of your Noble and Grand Mightinesses will +animate itself to prevent, under the divine blessing, the +total ruin of the essential sources of the existence of the +country; so that this danger being at present so great, and +becoming from day to day more pressing, the petitioners +dare to promise themselves, on the part of your Noble and +Grand Mightinesses, all the succor and assistance requisite, +and to hope, that they shall not invoke in vain their powerful +support, relative to the prayer beforementioned. It +is for this, that the petitioners address themselves to this +Sovereign Assembly, in the manner the most respectful, +and in a confidence the most entire in the inclination of +your Noble and Grand Mightinesses for the protection of +the citizens of the Republic, seriously praying, that it may +please your Noble and Grand Mightinesses, to authorise +your Deputies in the Assembly of the States-General to +concur in directing, with all the earnestness possible, things +in such a manner, that there be given to the petition aforesaid +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">52</a></span> +a prompt and favorable answer, and that measures be +taken, to the end that the petitioners and those who are +otherwise interested with them, may enjoy without delay +the effect of a definitive determination, &c.</p> + +<p>"To their High Mightinesses, the States-General of the +United Provinces give respectfully to understand, the undersigned +proprietors, and owners of vessels navigating to +the Colony of Surinam, owners of plantations, situated +there, merchants and others interested in the commerce of +the said colony;</p> + +<p>"That this Colony, independently of the interest, which +the undersigned, and a great number of others equally interested, +take in it, may be regarded as of the greatest +importance for the Republic itself, by reason of the very +considerable revenues, which, for a long course of years, +it has procured, not only to the direction privileged by +grant, but also to the Republic itself, and which become +every day more lucrative, by the enormous expenses, +which the proprietors of plantations have made to cultivate +new lands, and to improve the culture of several territorial +productions.</p> + +<p>"To this effect, the petitioners refer to the estimate annexed, +containing the quantity of productions, which for +some years have been transported from the Colony into the +ports of the country. That these productions, after having +been transported from this country, some wrought up +here, and others as they were received, procure continually +to the treasury of the Republic very important sums, +proceeding from different duties, which are directly or indirectly +relative to them. That the necessity to go in +search of all these productions of the Colony, and that of +transporting thither provisions and other effects, employs +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">53</a></span> +annually a large number of great ships, which are for the +most part fine frigates, solidly built, the number of which +amounted to more than fourscore, which all pay every +voyage the duties of lest, which are considerable, and +serve, at the same time, for the maintenance of a numerous +body of navigators, which amount to about three thousand +well experienced seamen. That, moreover, the importance +of this Colony does not fall short in point of utility +of any other, both with relation to what has been alleged, +and because, in exchange for its productions, we receive +here the precious metals, and the cash of other nations, +which remain in the bosom of the United Provinces; +while, on the contrary, it is necessary to export them to +the East Indies, there to pay for territorial productions, the +manufactures of the Indies; and the payments, which +foreigners make to us, to procure themselves merchandises, +must equally return to the Indies for new purchases. That +thus the navigation and the commerce with this Colony +serve not only to the amelioration of the finances of the +Republic, and to the augmentation of the national cash; +but they are still an abundant source of general prosperity +for the inhabitants, scattered in the Seven Provinces.</p> + +<p>"Many, by means of the free property of their plantations, +draw from thence important revenues, and encouraged +by success make them largely circulate; while a +much larger number of our countrymen are the bearers of +obligations, carrying large interests negotiated upon mortgages, +the preservation of which is of the greatest weight, +considering that the sustenance of so many thousands of +our fellow-citizens depends upon them. That, moreover, +all which serves for housekeeping, all which is wanted for +the culture of the land, the building and repairing of edifices, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">54</a></span> +and even eatables, must be transported from hence +into this Colony. This commerce, therefore, cannot fail +to procure to a great number of manufacturers, mercers, +and traders, a continual outlet, which even surpasses all +belief, and which is by so much the more useful, as this +commerce consists for the most part in objects furnished +by our territory, either in raw materials, or in things manufactured +here. This article alone procures the maintenance +of an infinite number of artisans in the cities, and of +the cultivators of the field; without mentioning the construction +and repairs of a great number of vessels employed +in this navigation; of their provisions, both for the voyage +and the return, which gives a living to several thousands of +men.</p> + +<p>"That thus the public prosperity and that of individuals, +so intimately connected together, would both receive an +irreparable blow, if they were deprived of the advantages, +which they draw from this abundant source. That this +misfortune has already denounced itself, and in the most +sensible manner from the commencement of this war, the +further consequences of which are so alarming, that they +deserve to be warded off or prevented by all means imaginable. +That, nevertheless, the petitioners on their part +cannot otherwise obviate them, than by putting the vessels +they use in this navigation, in a necessary state of defence, +and in equipping them sufficiently for the war; which will +render them strong enough to repel all the enemy's privateers, +of whatever size, and that they may be able to defend +themselves even against the English men-of-war, and +thereby assist and relieve the military marine of the Republic.</p> + +<p>"But that the excessively increased prices of everything, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">55</a></span> +which concerns the equipment of vessels, the bounties +and the pay, risen to near double, which must now be +given to seamen, would render an equipment of this nature +so expensive, that the charges would never be repaid by +the freight. That, nevertheless, without an equipment of +such vessels, we should risk too much; this consideration +has even determined the owners, whose vessels were +loaded before the hostile attack of the English, to unload +them and suspend the voyages, to the great prejudice of +the Colony, of themselves, and of their freighters. That, +moreover, they still find great difficulties to expedite their +ships; on the one hand, from the certainty that the passage +to the Colony and in the West Indies themselves, is infested +with the enemy's vessels of war and privateers, who by +surprise have already made themselves masters of a great +number of our merchant vessels, and have even invaded +the defenceless possessions of the State, such as St Eustatia, +St Martins, Essequebo, and Demerara; on the other +hand, in the uncertainty whether this excellent Colony, in +the neighborhood of which, as they have learned, the enemy's +squadrons cruise without opposition, has not undergone +the same fate; in which case their valuable vessels with +their rich cargoes, would fall into the power of an enemy, +who from the heights of fortresses, taken by surprise, continue +to display the Dutch flag, under shelter of which, +and by means of a certain number of vessels of war, he +seizes upon merchant ships destitute of defence, who, confiding +in the public faith, go in there without fear.</p> + +<p>"That, nevertheless, if by these considerations and others +of the same nature, the navigation to this Colony is longer +suspended, the well-being of the Republic cannot avoid the +most sensible prejudice, and the Colony must be considered +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">56</a></span> +as abandoned; her inhabitants will see themselves even +reduced to deliver themselves into the hands of their enemies, +to the ruin and total loss not only of the classes the +most at their ease, but of all the inhabitants whatsoever of +the United Provinces; so that we ought not to delay a +single moment, nor neglect any means of encouragement +or precaution to preserve them; so much the rather, as it +appears scarcely convenient under this embarrassment, to +invoke the assistance of foreign nations, to make the transportation, +and to go to the Colony and to return; because, +that in that case, we should lose this navigation, and we +should lend our own hand to the entire declension, not only +of the aid furnished to the treasury of the Republic, by the +activity of this commerce and this navigation, but also to +the interruption of the sales of so many manufacturers, +mercers, and traders, and even to the entire privation of +the sustenance of an immense number of workmen and +artisans, to whom this construction of vessels and this navigation +so extended, procured their daily gain, which they +cannot forego without being reduced to the most deplorable +situation. That this repugnance to navigate on one's own +account will be further followed by the desertion of a great +number of sailors, who for want of finding employment +here, and tempted by the advantageous promises of the +enemy, will go there in search of service, to the double +detriment of the public interest of the Republic. That the +respectable fleet, composed of valuable vessels destined to +this navigation, would rot in our ports, and the officers who +command them, many of whom have not been thought unworthy +to be called to the service of their country, would +be obliged to abandon with their families this country, +where all the other means of gaining a livelihood fail more +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">57</a></span> +and more; and as they have solely applied themselves to +navigation, they would go in search of their subsistence into +places, where, by our interruption, navigation makes new +advances every day. That this method, indicated by necessity, +of recurring to foreign flags, by the more considerable +expenses which arise from it, would so absorb the +revenues, that not only no planter would be able, with the +little which should remain to him, to support his plantation, +but, moreover, there would remain no well-grounded hope +for the great number of bearers of obligations to flatter +themselves with obtaining any payment, still less the entire +payment of the interests promised them; since without +having yet supported these additional expenses, and notwithstanding +the excessive prices at which the productions +have been sold, they have seen themselves forced to diminish +considerably the interests, and in some cases to suspend +even the entire payment; without mentioning so +many other political considerations relative to this object, +which cannot escape the penetrating eye of the Sovereign, +so that without hope of a full protection, this single means +of obtaining something, in ever so small a degree, is even +considered as very precarious, and as augmenting more +and more an inaction so fatal to a country, which under +the divine blessing, owes its prosperity so envied, to its +application, its valor, and the fortitude of its inhabitants. +Time may pass away, (and certainly the moments are too +precious) before they may dare to flatter themselves with a +protection so efficacious, as the danger of the crews, the +valuable cargoes, and the pressing necessity of the Colony +require.</p> + +<p>"That to this effect, the pensioners take the liberty to +solicit your High Mightinesses with profound respect, in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">58</a></span> +case it is impossible to grant immediately a sufficient escort +to go to the Colony and return, that in that case, as upon +other occasions, it has been graciously granted by your +High Mightinesses, for the support of trade, the equipment +of vessels, societies, &c., to be so good also, as to grant generously +in favor of the equipments to make for this Colony, +Berbicia, and the interesting establishment of Curaçao, an +encouragement equivalent to the design of the considerable +disbursements, which they will be obliged to make, to put +their vessels in a certain state of defence; and, moreover, +for better order and direction, to cause to be escorted, +their ships sailing in company, by as many vessels of war +as it will be possible to spare for this expedition. In fine, +that under the good pleasure of your High Mightinesses, +and that these ships well armed may also serve to molest +as much as possible the enemy, there may be granted them +letters of marque and reprisals, under the customary condition, +to the end that they make use of them upon occasion, +by the brave officers, which the subscribers dare boast +that they will employ in their ships."</p> + +<p>This petition has been referred to the respective Deputies +of the Colleges of the Admiralty, to make report on it +as soon as possible. The Deputies of the merchants having +beforehand solicited, in the most pressing manner, the +Prince Stadtholder, to support with his powerful recommendation +an affair of so great importance.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">59</a></span></p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, June 15th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>The long expected courier has at last arrived at the +Hague from St Petersburg. The contents of his despatches +are not public, but all hopes of assistance from the armed +neutrality seem to be dissipated. The question now is, what +is to be done next. Some are for alliances with the house +of Bourbon and America, but a thousand fears arise. +France, the Emperor, and the Republic, have Provinces +so intermixed together in Brabant and Flanders, that it is +supposed the Emperor would be much alarmed at an alliance +between France and Holland, lest they should soon +agree to divide his Provinces between them. The people +in these Provinces would, it is supposed, have no objection. +They all speak the French language, are of the same religion, +and the policy of France in governing conquered +Provinces, according to their ancient usages, and with +great moderation, has taken away all aversion to a change +of masters.</p> + +<p>Some people think, that an alliance between France and +Holland would occasion a general war. This I think +would be an advantage to America, although philanthropy +would wish to prevent the further effusion of human blood.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">60</a></span></p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, June 23d, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>The answer from St Petersburg, as it is given to the +public, is this;</p> + +<p>"Her Majesty, the Empress of all the Russias, declares, +That as much as she has been satisfied with the zeal with +which their High Mightinesses have accepted her mediation, +so much and more has her compassionate heart been +affected with the difficulties formed by the Court of London, +in referring the reconciliation with the Republic to a +subsequent and general negotiation of peace between all +the belligerent powers, under the combined mediation of +Her Imperial Majesty, and His Majesty, the Roman Emperor. +As soon as this negotiation shall take place, her +Majesty promises beforehand to the Republic, all the assistance, +which depends upon her, to the end, that the +Republic may without delay, return into the rank of neutral +powers, and thereby enjoy entirely, and without restraint, +all the rights and advantages, which her accession +to the engagements between Her Imperial Majesty and the +Kings, her high allies, ought to assure to her.</p> + +<p>"In this expectation, the intention of Her Imperial Majesty +is, conjointly with their Majesties, to persuade that +Court to that moderation, and those pacific sentiments, +which their High Mightinesses, on their part have manifested. +The Empress flatters herself, that the times and +the events, which may unexpectedly happen, will bring +forth circumstances of such a nature, as will put her in a +situation to make appear, in a manner the most efficacious, +her good will and her affection, of which she sincerely +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">61</a></span> +desires to be able to give proof to their High Mightinesses."</p> + +<p>This answer gives great scope to speculation and conjecture, +but I shall trouble Congress with a very few remarks +upon it.</p> + +<p>1. In the first place, and without insinuating her opinion +concerning the justice or injustice of the war, between +Great Britain and the United Provinces, she imputes the +ill success of her mediation between them, to the Court of +London, and not at all to the Republic.</p> + +<p>2. She applauds the moderation and pacific sentiments +of their High Mightinesses, and implicitly censures the +Court of London, for opposite dispositions.</p> + +<p>Thus far the declaration is unfavorable to the English, +and a pledge of her Imperial honor, at least not to take +any part in their favor.</p> + +<p>3. It appears, that the Court of London has proposed +a negotiation for peace between all the belligerent powers, +under the mediation of the Empress and the Emperor. +But, as it is certain the Court of London does not admit +the United States of America to be one of the belligerent +powers, and as no other power of Europe, except France, +as yet admits it to be a power, it is very plain to me, that +the British Ministry mean nothing but chicanery, to unman +and disarm their enemies with delusive dreams of peace, or +to intrigue them, or some of them, into a peace separately +from America, and without deciding our question.</p> + +<p>4. The declaration says not, that the Empress has accepted +this mediation, nor upon what terms she would +accept it. Here we are left to conjecture. The Dutch +Ambassadors at St Petersburg wrote last winter to the +Hague, that the Empress would not accept of this mediation +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">62</a></span> +with the Emperor, but upon two preliminary conditions, +viz. that the Court of London should acknowledge +the independence of America, and accede to the principles +of the late marine treaty, concerning the rights of neutrals. +To this she may have since added, that Holland +should previously be set at peace, and become a neutral +power, or she may have altered her sentiments. Here we +can only conjecture.</p> + +<p>5. It appears, that the Kings of Denmark and Sweden +have joined, or are to join, the Empress in a new effort +with the Court of London, to persuade it to make peace +with Holland. But how vigorous, or decisive this effort is +to be, or what will be their conduct, if they should still be +unsuccessful, is left only to conjecture.</p> + +<p>6. There are hints at future events, and circumstances, +which her Majesty foresees, but the rest of the world do +not, which may give her occasion to show her good will. +Here is nothing declared, nothing promised, yet it leaves +room to suppose, that her Majesty and her high allies may +have insisted on conditions from the Court of London, +which accepted, may give peace to the Republic, or rejected, +may oblige Russia, Sweden, and Denmark, to join +Holland in the war. But all this is so faint, reserved, and +mysterious, that no dependence whatever can be placed +upon it. I am sorry to see the idea of a negotiation for a +general peace held up, because I am as well persuaded it +is only an insidious manœuvre of the British Ministry, as I +am that many powers of Europe, and especially Holland, +will be the dupe of it. I confess I should dread a negotiation +for a general peace at this time, because I should +expect propositions for short truces, <i>uti possidetis</i>, and +other conditions, which would leave our trade more embarrassed, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">63</a></span> +our union more precarious, and our liberties at +greater hazard, than they can be in a continuance of the +war, at the same time it would put us to as constant, and +almost as great an expense. Nevertheless, if proposals of +peace, or of conferences and negotiations to that end, +should be proposed to me, which they have not as yet +from any quarter, it will be my duty to attend to them +with as much patience and delicacy too, as if I believed +them sincere.</p> + +<p>Americans must wean themselves from the hope of any +signal assistance from Europe. If all the negotiations of +Congress can keep up the reputation of the United States +so far as to prevent any nation from joining England, it +will be much. But there are so many difficulties in doing +this, and so many deadly blows are aimed at our reputation +for honor, faith, integrity, union, fortitude, and power, +even by persons who ought to have the highest opinion of +them, and the tenderest regard for them, that I confess +myself sometimes almost discouraged, and wish myself +returning through all the dangers of the enemy to America, +where I could not do less, and possibly might do more for +the public good.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, June 23d, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>The Deputies of the city of Zieriksee have presented +to their Noble Mightinesses, the Lords, the States of +Zealand, on the 12th of this month, their advice concerning +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">64</a></span> +the report of the State, of the 19th of April last, +relative to the building of vessels of war, to be done by +the College of the Admiralty of this Province, in these +words, viz.</p> + +<p>"That the venerable Regency having seen, by the Memorial +of the gentlemen, the committees of the Admiralty of +this Province, annexed to the said report, the serious difficulties +which appear to oppose themselves to the resolution +of building a larger number of vessels of war and frigates, +has thought itself obliged to declare, that it is greatly +afflicted at the dangerous situation in which the Republic +and this Province are at present, being involved in a ruinous +war, and almost entirely destitute of all convenient +means, which could be employed for the safety and defence +of the country; that this great distress might furnish +to the venerable Regency, one of the best occasions to enlarge +in reflections, how, by prompt directions and active +foresight, in case that the re-establishment of our marine +had really been taken to heart, the greatest obstacles alleged +in the Memorial in question might have been prevented +in time; but, that a repetition of what ought to +have been executed in time, would in no degree ameliorate +the present situation of affairs; and so much the more, as +it is indispensably necessary that the deliberations concerning +the further building of ships, should be at length terminated; +the venerable Regency, then, for the present, +would abstain from making even well founded observations, +which, nevertheless, they might allege, both with regard to +the contents of the Memorial in question, and to the means +of advancing with greater vigor the construction, or to put +the marine upon a more respectable footing by another +way; they content themselves then, with declaring simply, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">65</a></span> +that they are ready to concur in the completion of the +aforesaid point of construction, either by conforming to the +disposition of this report, or in any other manner whatsoever, +that a general deliberation of all the members of the +State may find the most convenient.</p> + +<p>"That, nevertheless, the venerable Regency cannot abstain +from remarking further here, that at the beginning of +this war, they had always been persuaded that the other +confederates, whose sentiments concerning the first causes +of this war have continually influenced those of Zealand, +had taken the precautions necessary to be able to oppose +the enemy conveniently, either by the national forces, or +by the efficacious assistance of their allies, but that the +issue of affairs already shows visibly with how much lukewarmness +and levity, notwithstanding the serious exhortations +and informations repeatedly made by this Province, +we have conducted ourselves both with regard to the one +and the other. The venerable Regency now sees the Republic +at this moment deprived of all foreign succor, and +abandoned to herself against a formidable enemy.</p> + +<p>"That, as such a dangerous situation ought naturally to +excite in all those who participate in the public government, +and really take to heart the true interests of their country, +a redoubled zeal to set immediately at work, and in +proportion to the danger, all the means of defence imaginable, +and to employ them to protect, in the most effectual +manner, their country, her commerce and possessions, and +to annoy the enemy; the venerable Regency, seeing on +the contrary, that the indolence, the inactivity, and even +the continual indifference, are only increasing more and +more, and that public affairs are administered in a manner, +which cannot be reconciled with the danger to which the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">66</a></span> +Republic is exposed, judge, in consequence, that the +Lords, the States of this Province, will not be able longer +to see, without speaking out, a situation so perilous; but +that they ought to examine seriously the true causes and +reasons of all this, to the end, that when we have obtained +the explanations which we have a right to require, we may +take, with the most serious zeal, the resolutions proper to +maintain the excellent prerogatives, which we yet possess, +and to guard against such misfortunes.</p> + +<p>"That the venerable Regency, having learnt with a great +deal of satisfaction that similar observations have been +made by other members of the body politic, hope that the +deliberations concerning an object of this importance will +be no longer delayed; but they trust that the affair, for +which the advice of the gentlemen of Middleburg carried +on the 15th of May to the Assembly of the States has been +sent back, will be discussed as soon as possible, and without +delay. The venerable Regency declaring, that they +shall be always disposed to co-operate in taking every +measure proper to obtain an end so salutary."</p> + +<p>Thus we see, that two cities of Zealand, Middleburg +and Zieriksee, are co-operating with Amsterdam, Haerlem, +Dort, Delft, &c. in order to arouse the Republic to action; +how many months or years may roll away before +they succeed, it is impossible for me to say, because it will +depend upon events of war, reports of peace, and the +councils of other sovereigns in Europe, as yet inscrutable, +but it will depend upon nothing more than the fate of Clinton +and Cornwallis in America.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">67</a></span></p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, June 26th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>The Emperor appears to be more intent at present +upon taking a fair advantage of the present circumstances, +to introduce a flourishing commerce into the Austrian +Flanders, than upon making treaties with England, or +waging war in its favor. His Imperial, Royal, and Apostolical +Majesty, has condescended to take off and break the +shackles, which restrained the commerce and the communication +of the port of Nieuport, in the interior of the country, +and to discharge by his gracious decree, the commerce +from the charges and impositions which were raised on the +lands bordering upon the said port, under the denomination +of Vate, Geld, Hast-Geld, Myle-Geld, &c. The frequentation +of the port of Nieuport presents all the facilities +which the merchants can require. Thus the city of Nieuport +enjoys the most extensive privileges, both for storage +and transportation to foreigners.</p> + +<p>We find there good magazines, merchants, factors, and +commissioners, who will all serve punctually. The communications, +both to the interior parts of the country and +to foreigners, are free and easy, both by land, by means of +the new causeway of Nieuport, which communicates with +all the roads, and by water by means of the direct canals +of Nieuport, to Bruges, to Ostend, to Ypres, to Dixmuide, +to Furnes, and to Dunkirk, and from thence further on. +One passes by the canal from Nieuport to Bruges, nearly +in the same space of time, that we pass by the canal from +Ostend to Bruges. All these canals have daily barks +ready, easy and convenient for travellers, merchandises, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">68</a></span> +and effects. The fishery of the sea, both of fresh fish, and +of all sorts of herring and cod, is at Nieuport, in the most +flourishing state, and enjoys there every privilege and exemption. +The distillery of gin in the Dutch way, established +at Nieuport, makes excellent gin, the transportation +and expedition of which enjoys the greatest facilities. +And the government of his Imperial Majesty, in the Low +Countries, does not cease to grant all the privileges and +facilities, which can tend to the well-being of the inhabitants, +and of the commerce of the city and port of Nieuport. +I should rejoice at these measures, for the benefit which +American commerce would receive from them, provided +the Emperor could oblige Americans to take their goods +from Germany and not from England; but immense quantities +of British manufactures will go to America from +Nieuport, Ostend, and Bruges.</p> + +<p>This is a subject, which deserves the serious consideration +of every American. British manufactures are going +in vast quantities to America, from Holland, the Austrian +Flanders, France, and Sweden, as well as by the way of +New York and Charleston, &c. Whether it is possible to +check it, much less to put a stop to it, I know not; and +whether it would be good policy to put an end to it, if that +were practicable, is made a question by many. If the +Germans, the Dutch, the French, and Spaniards, or any +other nations, would learn a little commercial policy, and +give a credit to Americans, as the British merchants do, +and encourage in their own countries manufactures, adapted +to the wants and tastes of our countrymen, it is certain +that in such a case, it would be our interest and duty to +put an end to the trade in British goods, because nothing +would weaken and distress the enemy so much, and therefore +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">69</a></span> +nothing would contribute more to bring the war to a +conclusion. At present manufactures flourish in England, +and the duties paid at the custom houses have been +increasing these two or three years, merely owing to their +recovering more and more of the American trade by neutral +bottoms, and by other clandestine channels.</p> + +<p>Any American merchant by going over to London, obtains +a credit. The language of the London merchants to +the American merchants is, "Let us understand one another, +and let the governments squabble." But Americans +ought to consider, if we can carry on the war forever, our +allies cannot, and without their assistance we should find it +very difficult to do it.</p> + +<p>I wish the taste for British manufactures may not cost +us more blood, than the difference between them and +others is worth.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, June 26th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>The rubicon is passed. A step has been at last taken +by the Regency of Amsterdam, which must decide the +fate of the Republic. The city of Amsterdam, finding +that their proposition of the 18th of last month was not sufficient +to change the conduct of administration, have ventured +on another manœuvre. On the 8th of this month, as +soon as the States of Holland were separated, two Burgomasters +of Amsterdam, M. Tenminck and M. Rendorp, +accompanied with M. Vesser, the Pensionary of the city, +demanded an audience of the Prince Stadtholder, who +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">70</a></span> +granted it, at his house in the grove. In this audience, +they made to the Prince, by word of mouth, a representation, +which they repeated in a memorial sent on the 14th, +to the Counsellor Pensionary of the Province, the substance +of which is as follows. The gentlemen of Amsterdam, +said,</p> + +<p>"That their proposition of the 18th of May last, founded +perhaps upon former examples, did not result from any +suspicions with regard to the good dispositions and intentions +of his Most Serene Highness, which they had no reason +to distrust, although the Regency of the city of Amsterdam +had learned with the most profound grief, that evil +minded persons had endeavored to insinuate the contrary +to his Most Serene Highness; but that their distrust fell +solely upon him, whose influence over the mind of his Most +Serene Highness was held for the most immediate cause, +of the sloth and weakness in the administration of affairs, +which as they could not but be extremely prejudicial to +the well-being of the public, they had a long time expected, +but in vain, that the dangerous circumstances in which the +Republic found itself involved, would have, in the end, +given rise to serious deliberations upon the means, which +we ought to employ in their order and with more vigor; +but that these hopes had hitherto been fruitless, and, that +as the question now in agitation was concerning the safety +of their dear country, of her dear bought liberty, of that of +his Most Serene Highness and his house, in one word, of +everything which is dear to the inhabitants of the Republic, +the Regency of Amsterdam had judged, that they ought +not any longer to render themselves guilty by their silence, +of a neglect of their duty.</p> + +<p>"That, although with regret, they see themselves obliged +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">71</a></span> +to take this step, and to represent to his Highness with all +due respect, but at the same time with all that frankness +and freedom, which the importance of the affair requires, +and to declare to him openly, that, according to the general +opinion, the Field Maréchal, the Duke Louis of Brunswick +Wolfenbuttel, is held for the primary cause of the +miserable and defective state in which this country finds +itself, in regard to its defence, of all the negligence of duty, +which has taken place with respect to this subject, and of +all the perverse measures, which have been taken for a +long time, with all the fatal consequences which have proceeded +from them; and that they could assure his Highness, +that the hatred and aversion of the nation for the person +and administration of the Duke, were risen to such a +height, that there was reason to apprehend from them, +events the most melancholy, and the most disagreeable for +the public prosperity and the general tranquillity.</p> + +<p>"That there was no doubt that the same assertion had +been made to his Highness from other quarters; but that in +case this had not been, it ought to be attributed solely to +the fear of the effects of the resentment of the Duke, +while, at the same time, they dared to appeal in this respect, +with the firmest confidence, to the testimony of all +the members of government, gentlemen of honor and +frankness, that his Serene Highness would interrogate +upon this subject, after having assured them of the necessary +liberty of speaking without reserve, and after having +exhorted them to tell him the truth, according to their duty +and their conscience.</p> + +<p>"That the Regents of Amsterdam, had learned more +than once with grief, that the Counsellor Pensionary of the +Province had complained, in presence of divers members +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">72</a></span> +of the Regency of Holland, of the misunderstanding which +took place between him, the Counsellor Pensionary, and +the Duke, as also of the influence which the Duke has +upon the spirit of his Highness, and by which his efforts for +the good of the country had often been rendered fruitless.</p> + +<p>"That this discord, and this difference of views and sentiments +between the principal Counsellor of his Serene +Highness and the first Minister of this Province, might not +only have consequences the most prejudicial, but that it +furnished also a motive sufficient to make the strongest instances, +to the end, to remove the source of this distrust +and discord, while that, without the previous re-establishment +of confidence and unanimity, there remained no +longer any means of saving the Republic.</p> + +<p>"That nothing was more necessary for the well-being of +the illustrious House of his Highness, to maintain his authority, +to preserve to him the esteem and the attachment +of the nation, and for his own reputation with the neighboring +powers, since they could assure, and they ought to advertise +his Highness, that it is possible he may become one +day the object of the indifference and distrust of the public, +instead of being and continuing always the worthy +object of the love and esteem of the people; and the Regencies, +as they made the sincerest wishes, that his Highness +and his illustrious posterity might constantly enjoy +them, considering, that thereon depended in a great measure, +the conservation of the well-being of their country, and +of the House of Orange.</p> + +<p>"That although they know very well, that the members +of the sovereignty have always a right, and that their duty +requires them even to expose their sentiments to his Highness +and their co-regents, concerning the state and administration +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">73</a></span> +of public affairs, they should, however, have now +voluntarily spared the present measure, if there had been +only the smallest hope of amendment or alteration, but that +from the aforesaid reasons, they dared not longer flatter +themselves, and that the necessity having arisen to the +highest point, it appeared that there was no other part to +take, but to lay open in this manner to his Highness the real +situation of affairs, praying him most earnestly to take it +into serious consideration, and no longer listen to the counsels +and insinuations of a man, upon whom the hatred of +the great and the little was accumulated, and whom they regard +as a stranger, not having a sufficient knowledge of our +form of government, and not having a sincere affection for +the Republic.</p> + +<p>"That the Regents of Amsterdam were very far from +desiring to accuse this nobleman of that of which, however, +he was too publicly charged; or to consider as well +founded, the suspicions of an excessive attachment to the +Court of London, of bad faith and of corruption, that they +assure themselves, that a person of so illustrious a birth and +so high rank, is incapable of such baseness; but that they +judge, that the unfortunate ideas, which have been unhappily +conceived with regard to him, and which have caused +a general distrust, have rendered him absolutely useless +and hurtful to the service of the country, and of his Highness.</p> + +<p>"That thus it was convenient to dismiss him from the +direction of affairs, from the person and Court of his Highness, +as being a perpetual obstacle to the re-establishment +of that good harmony, so highly necessary between his +Highness and the principal members of the State, while +his continuance would but too much occasion the distrust +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">74</a></span> +conceived of his counsels, to fall, whether with or without +reason, upon the person, and the administration of his +Highness himself.</p> + +<p>"That these representations did not proceed from a +principle of personal hatred or private rancor against the +Duke, who, in former times, has had reason to value himself +on the benevolence and real proofs of the affection of +the Regency of Amsterdam; but that they ought to protest +before God and the world, that the conservation of +their country, and of the illustrious House of his Highness, +and the desire to prevent their approaching ruin, had been +the only motives of these representations.</p> + +<p>"That they had seen themselves obliged to them, both in +quality of citizens of the country, and as an integral member +of its sovereign Assembly, to the end to make by this +step one last effort, and to furnish yet, perhaps in time, a +means of saving, under the blessing of the Almighty, the +vessel of the State from the most imminent dangers, and +conduct it to a good port, or at least, in every case, to +acquit themselves of their duty, and to satisfy their consciences, +and to place themselves in safety from all reproach +from the present age, and from posterity."</p> + +<p>To this representation, the Duke has made an answer +to their High Mightinesses, in which he demands an inquiry +and a vindication of his honor, as dearer to him than his +life. This answer will be transmitted as soon as possible. +The transaction will form a crisis, but what will be the result +of this, or any other measure taken in this country, I +cannot pretend to foretel.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">75</a></span></p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, June 27th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>Major Jackson has been some time here, in pursuance of +instructions from Colonel Laurens, in order to despatch the +purchase of the goods, and the shipping of the goods and +cash, for the United States, which are to go by the South +Carolina.</p> + +<p>But when all things appeared to be ready, I received a +letter from his Excellency Dr Franklin, informing me that +he feared his funds would not admit of his accepting bills +for more than fifteen thousand pounds sterling, the accounts +of the Indian and the goods amounted to more than fifty +thousand pounds, which showed that there had not been +an understanding sufficiently precise and explicit between +the Doctor, and the Colonel. There was, however, no +remedy but a journey to Passy, which Major Jackson undertook, +despatched the whole business, and returned to +Amsterdam in seven days, so that I hope now there will +be no more delays.</p> + +<p>Major Jackson has conducted, through the whole of his +residence here, as far as I have been able to observe, with +great activity and accuracy in business, and an exemplary +zeal for the public service.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">76</a></span></p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, June 29th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>On the 21st of this month, the Field Maréchal, Duke +Louis, of Brunswick, presented to the States-General the +following paper.</p> + +<p>"High and Mighty Lords,</p> + +<p>"It is not without the greatest reluctance, that I see myself +forced to interrupt the important deliberations of your +High Mightinesses, and to have recourse to you in an +affair, which indeed regards me personally, but the simple +explanation of which, I assure myself, will prove, that if I +should neglect this step, I should be essentially wanting to +the dignity of character, with which your High Mightinesses +have clothed me.</p> + +<p>"After having passed in 1750 into the service of the +State, it pleased your High Mightinesses, by your resolution +of the 13th of November of the same year, to create +me Field Maréchal of your troops. When, afterwards, +the arrangements for the tuition of the Stadtholder in his +minority were resolved on, by express resolutions of all the +High Confederates, and it was resolved, that his Highness +should be represented in the administration of his military +employments, your High Mightinesses then condescended, +by honoring me with their distinguished confidence, to confer +upon me, by your resolution of the 13th of January, +1759, the title of the representative of the Prince Stadtholder, +as Captain-General during the time of his minority.</p> + +<p>"I shall say nothing of the resolutions, which your High +Mightinesses and the respective Provinces took on the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">77</a></span> +8th of March, 1766, the day of the majority of the Prince, +and in the sequel, under different dates, relative to the +manner in which I had answered to the confidence, which +you had condescended to put in me. These resolutions +are too flattering to be recited here; they are, however, +sure pledges, that at that time, at least, I had the good +fortune to see my conduct and my services rendered to +the State, approved by the high government. In fine, +your High Mightinesses continued to honor me with your +confidence, even after the time of the minority of the +Stadtholder. You took on the same 8th of March, 1766, +the resolution to cause to be solicited by your Envoy Extraordinary +at the Court of Vienna, the consent of her Imperial +and Royal Majesty, in whose service I was also engaged +as Field Maréchal, to continue me still in the same +quality in the service of your High Mightinesses. The +pleasure of her Majesty being obtained, I did not refuse +this honor, but continued vested with the character of +Field Maréchal of the troops of the State, in the service +of your High Mightinesses.</p> + +<p>"Having thus filled for more than thirty years, under the +eyes of their High Mightinesses, and in a manner which is +sufficiently known to you, the employments which you +had confided to me, could I have expected that they +would one day render my person the object of the public +hatred to such a degree, that I could be exposed to the +step which they have taken upon my subject; a step the +most dishonorable to the character, with which your High +Mightinesses have condescended to invest me, and which +puts me in the absolute necessity of addressing myself this +day to you.</p> + +<p>"In effect, High and Mighty Lords, after having seen +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">78</a></span> +myself in public, the object of accusations and calumnies +the most atrocious, (but which I have always despised +as such, and of which I shall never take notice, while no +one presents himself to support them) after that they had +excited against me a general cry, as if my person could be +no longer endured, it was necessary for me still further to +suffer, that the gentlemen, the Deputies of the city of Amsterdam, +and namely the two reigning Burgomasters, Messieurs +Temminck and Rendorp, accompanied with the +Pensionary Vischer, should have addressed themselves to +my Lord, the Prince of Orange, and in presence of the +Counsellor Pensionary of Holland, should have read to +him a certain memorial, in the name and by the order of +their constituents, who are therein throughout introduced +as speaking in the name of the Regency of Amsterdam, +and in which I receive an affront the most sensible for an +upright heart. It is true, that the Deputies whom I have +just named, took back with them this memorial; but, +since, changing their plan, they have thought fit to transmit +it, on the 14th of the month, by the Burgomaster Rendorp, +not indeed in the name of the Regency of Amsterdam, +but in that of the gentlemen the Burgomasters to the +Counsellor Pensionary, praying him to transmit it to the +Prince, to whom they left the liberty to make such use of +it as should seem to him convenient.</p> + +<p>"Informed in this way, and by the communication which +his Highness made to me of it, of the contents of this memorial, +I there found so long a concatenation of expressions +and reasonings, each more insulting than the other, against +my person, which I should be afraid to abuse the attention +of your High Mightinesses by inserting them here; lest, +however, I should represent them out of their order, and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">79</a></span> +the chain which connects them together, your High Mightinesses +will pardon me, I hope, if I transcribe from the +memorial, the periods which relate to me, and by which I +am attacked.</p> + +<p>"After having made several reflections, which in nowise +concern me, and which I ought, consequently, to leave to +be answered by those who are attacked by them, but which +tend to justify the proposition, which the gentlemen, the +Deputies of the city of Amsterdam, made the 18th of May +last, in the Assembly of the States of Holland in particular, +to join to his Highness a privy council or committee, the +gentlemen, the Burgomasters, continue to address themselves +to the Prince literally in these terms."</p> + +<p>[Here follows the substance of the representations of the +Burgomasters, contained in my letter to Congress, of the +26th of June, 1781.]</p> + +<p>"In those pieces, which I have just now literally related, +your High Mightinesses will perceive, and probably +not without indignation, that after a train of reflections, +each more injurious than the other, in which there is no +accusation against me as Field Maréchal, and which, +moreover, are only grounded upon pretended public sentiments +and reports artfully circulated, that nevertheless the +gentlemen, the Burgomasters, have judged it necessary to +insist that his Highness would remove me from his person +and Court, in a manner the most disgraceful, and condemn +me without further examination, as a criminal attainted and +convicted to dishonorable exile.</p> + +<p>"I cannot then but consider a proceeding, accompanied +with so many odious and humiliating expressions, which is +not made by simple individuals, but a deputation of two +reigning Burgomasters, with the Pensionary of one of the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">80</a></span> +most considerable cities of Holland, in the name and by +the order of the Regency of that city, (according to the +terms of the memorial, although according to the letter +whereof I have spoken of the Burgomaster Rendorp, it +was only in the name of the gentlemen, the Burgomasters +of that city) and that in a formal manner, after mature +deliberation, and after having confirmed this action in the +most injurious manner, by taking back the memorial, and +causing it to be sent to his Highness, I cannot, I say, +but consider this proceeding as wounding, in the most +violent manner, my character and my person; and in +this same writing, where they dare not specify any crime +to my charge, and where they are obliged to acknowledge +the falsity of the reports which have circulated +against me, and of the suspicions of an excessive and +illicit attachment to the English Court, of bad faith and +of corruption, they appear, notwithstanding, to give credit +to these calumnies, and to be willing to cast upon me +the blame of the evils of the times, to the end, to exculpate +those who are the true causes of it. I should think +myself unworthy of bearing any longer the character that +your High Mightinesses have confided to me, if I testified +upon this article an indifference or an insensibility.</p> + +<p>"I dare also assure myself, that your High Mightinesses +will consider my proceeding in the same point of light, and +that they will agree with me, that it is of the highest importance +to know, if he, whom your High Mightinesses +have clothed with the dignity of Field Maréchal, whom +they have engaged and continued in their service in the +manner abovementioned, is in fact the true cause of the +deplorable state of the weakness of the Republic, of all +the negligence they suppose to have taken place, of all the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">81</a></span> +false steps, that they say have been taken, and of all +the unhappy consequences, that have resulted from them. +Your High Mightinesses are to examine in the most exact +manner, things so interesting, and to see if this person is +the source of the distrust and disunion; for what reasons +he would be totally unuseful and prejudicial to the service +of the State and of his Highness; what are the proofs of +his want of affection to the country; in one word, for what +reason he should be hereafter unworthy of the confidence +of the Prince, who is placed at the head of this Republic, +to whose testimony I here take the liberty of appealing; +finally, for what reason he hath merited to be removed +from the person of his Highness, and of his Court, as a +perpetual obstacle to the good intelligence between his +Highness and the Court.</p> + +<p>"And as my honor is more dear to me than life, and as +I am attacked in a part so sensible, it is also for this reason, +and in consideration of that, which I owe to myself even, +and to the relations, which I have as well with this State +and to your High Mightinesses, as to those which I still +have with his Imperial and Royal Majesty, to which otherwise +I should be too much wanting, that I see myself +obliged to address myself to your High Mightinesses, and +by them to all the confederates, to supplicate them respectfully, +and to insist in the most express manner, that your +High Mightinesses would deign, after the most severe and +scrupulous examination, to take such measures in protecting +efficaciously the character, which your High Mightinesses +have confided to me, that I may be justified in a proper +manner from the blame, that the abovementioned proceeding +hath cast upon me, and that so sensible an affront as +hath been offered me by it, may be suitably repaired; that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">82</a></span> +to this end it may please your High Mightinesses to direct +things in such a manner, that the four reigning Burgomasters +of Amsterdam, who have caused to be delivered in +their name the said Memorial, according to the letter of +Burgomaster Rendorp, be obliged, as well as the Pensionary +Vischer, to allege the reasons they have had of injuring +me so grievously as they have done by the said proceeding, +and by the accusation, therein contained, and to +verify the whole in a suitable manner, which I cannot but +consider all that, which is there said as calumnies, and that +they may be obliged, moreover, to specify more precisely +the other heads of accusation, that they pretend to allege +to my charge, and to bring the requisite judiciary proofs of +them; and in case that they can specify nothing, or that +they cannot prove sufficiently their allegations, that the +authors of the infamous reports circulated against me may +be sought out, to the end, that they may be punished as +calumniators, according to their deserts; finally, that your +High Mightinesses will then, conjointly with all the confederates, +take such justificatory resolutions, as will save my +honor and my reputation in the nation, and in the eyes of +all Europe; that thus I may be placed in a situation to +support with proper dignity the character, which your +High Mightinesses have given me, and that I may obtain +the satisfaction, that your High Mightinesses, according to +their profound wisdom and known equity, shall judge equivalent +to the affront offered to my character and my relations.</p> + +<p>"I have the honor to be, with the most sincere and respectful +attachment, High and Mighty Lords, your High +Mightinesses' most humble, most obedient, and faithful +servant,</p> +<p class="signed">L. DUC DE BRUNSVIC."</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">83</a></span></p> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, July 5th, 1781.<a name="FNanchor_1" id="FNanchor_1" href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>The following is an extract from the registry of the +resolutions of their High Mightinesses, the States-General +of the United Provinces of the Low Countries.</p> + +<p><i>Thursday, June the 20th, 1781.</i> His Serene Highness, +the Prince of Orange and Nassau, having appeared +in the Assembly, made to their High Mightinesses the following +proposition.</p> + +<p>"High and Mighty Lords,</p> + +<p>"I have judged necessary to propose to your High +Mightinesses to examine, with the greatest care, if, since +the present troubles have arisen, proper attention has been +paid to the placing the marine of the State in that situation, +that it had been able to act efficaciously against an +enemy, particularly one so strongly armed by sea as the +kingdom of Great Britain is, or if any negligence or supineness +hath had place in that respect, and in that case, +to what it ought to be attributed; and to the end to receive +the necessary information on that head, to write to +the respective Colleges of Admiralty, that they may make +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">84</a></span> +report, and declare how many vessels they had in 1776, +and how many were then equipped, and with how many +men, what they have done since the English have begun to +molest the ships of the inhabitants of this country, employed +in the West India trade under pretext of the disputes +arisen with their colonies in North America, and by +consequence from the end of 1776 and the beginning of +1777, to place themselves as much as was possible and in +their power, in a state to protect the commerce of this +country, and what they have done since the troubles have +begun in Europe, and that it was to be feared, that the Republic +would have a share in them, for to put it as much +as depended on them, in a state of not only protecting her +commerce, but also to be able to assist in defending the +country, and in attacking the enemy; if they have been +active to effect that, which hath been resolved by your +High Mightinesses for this object, or if there has been a +negligence in this respect; and in that case, for what reason +they have not executed these resolutions; if it has +been possible for them to furnish the ships put in commission +and equip them, to the end, that it may appear from +whence it arises, that the Republic finds itself in so deplorable +a state of defence by sea, which is certainly the +point the most interesting in this war, and upon which all +the inhabitants of this country have an eye. Although +on this occasion I make only mention of the defence by +sea, I esteem it necessary to represent to your High +Mightinesses, that I am very far from avowing by that, that +the land forces of this State are sufficient to assure us, +that the country is in a respectable state of defence by +land.</p> + +<p>"I do not think myself under the necessity of justifying +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">85</a></span> +my conduct, and that your High Mightinesses are ignorant +of the efforts I have made since my majority to place everything, +which regards this Republic, in a respectable posture +of defence; nevertheless, I have thought it in my +power to represent to your High Mightinesses, that I have +on more than one occasion, given it as my opinion, that this +Republic ought to be placed not only by land but also by +sea, in a proper state of defence, to the end to be able to +maintain its liberty and independence, and not to be obliged +to take measures contrary to the true interests of the country; +but conformable to those of a power from whose menaces +it has at length more to fear, because it is not in a +state to resist it.</p> + +<p>"It is for that reason that even in the beginning of 1771, +I have given to understand, that the Deputies of the Province +of Holland and West Friesland had proposed in the +assembly of your High Mightinesses, by the express orders +of the gentlemen, the States their constituents, to cause to +be formed a petition for the construction of twentyfour vessels +of war; that I have not neglected to insist upon all +occasions, as well upon the re-establishment of the marine +as upon the augmentation of the land forces, and to press +particularly more than once the conclusion of the petition +for the construction of vessels.</p> + +<p>"It is for the same reason, that in the beginning of the +year 1775, upon occasion of the exertions made by the +gentlemen, the Commissaries of your High Mightinesses +for the affairs of war, with some members of the Council +of State, to conciliate the different sentiments of the respective +confederates, in regard to the plan of augmentation +of the land forces, proposed by the Council of State, the +19th of July, 1773, I have made a conciliatory proposition +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">86</a></span> +to this purport, viz. 'that the sum for the department of +war should be fixed at six hundred thousand florins for the +marine, and to make amends for that, that the sum of one +million five hundred thousand florins demanded in 1773, +for an augmentation to be made of the land forces, should +be reduced to nine hundred thousand florins;' which proposition +was embraced at that time by the gentlemen, the +States of Guelderland, Friesland, Overyssel, and Gronigen, +but hath had no further operation.</p> + +<p>"I shall not allege here the entreaties that I have annually +made with the Council of State by the general petition; +but shall communicate only to your High Mightinesses +the proposition that I have made to the assembly +of the gentlemen, the States of Holland and West Friesland, +the 10th of March, 1779, which is of the same tenor +with the letter I wrote the same day to the gentlemen, the +States of Guelderland, Zealand, Utrecht, Friesland, Overyssel, +and Groningen, a copy of which I have the honor +to remit to your High Mightinesses. I cannot disguise +that in my opinion it was to have been wished, that what +I then proposed had been more attended to, since I dare +assure myself that if the republic had found it good at that +time to have caused to be armed fifty or sixty vessels well +equipped, and provided with every necessary, whereof not +less than twenty or thirty should have been of the line, +and to have augmented the land forces to fifty or sixty +thousand men of foot, it would not have found itself in its +present unhappy circumstances, but it would have been +respected as an independent State by all the powers, it +would have been able to maintain the system of neutrality, +which it had embraced; and it would have seen itself in a +state to promise itself with reason, under the divine benediction, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">87</a></span> +that in giving great weight to the party to which it +should be joined, it would not have been to be feared that +any power whatsoever would have attacked it, but that it +would have been managed by each, and that her friendship +being sought by all, and not giving to any one of them just +causes of complaint, it would have obtained the esteem and +confidence of all the powers, which would have produced +the best effects for the true interests of this State, certainly +and in every case, if it had been attacked by an unjust +war, to which a State is always exposed, it would have +seen itself in a state to make an opposition with hopes of +success, and of obliging the enemy to seek the friendship +of this State, upon honorable terms for the Republic."</p> + +<p>The following is the letter from his Serene Highness to +the Lords, the States of Guelderland, Zealand, Utrecht, +Friesland, Overyssel, and Groningen, dated March 10th, +1779.</p> + +<p>"Noble and Mighty Lords, intimate and good Friends;—We +think ourselves obliged to communicate to your Noble +Mightinesses our sentiments respecting one of the most important +objects of your deliberations, viz. we are very far +from judging that it would be expedient that this Republic +should renounce the lawful rights, which appertain to its inhabitants +in virtue of solemn treaties; we think, on the +contrary, that they ought to be maintained by all the means +that Providence hath placed in the hands of this Republic, +but that it belongs only to your Noble Mightinesses, and to +the Noble Mighty Lords, the States of the other Provinces +to decide, when it is time that their High Mightinesses +ought to take the resolution of granting an unlimited protection +to their commercial inhabitants, and that their High +Mightinesses not having engaged themselves by any treaty +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">88</a></span> +whatsoever with any foreign power, to protect all branches +of commerce without distinction, no one hath a right to +exact from them, that, in granting protection, they ought to +grant it to all vessels without distinction, without leaving to +their prudence to decide if they are in a condition to protect +all the branches of commerce; and if they can do it in +the present moment without hazarding important interests, +and exposing themselves to the greatest danger.</p> + +<p>"We think, then, that in this case it will be proper to +pay no regard to anything else than the true interests of +the Republic, and it is for this reason that before a final +resolution is taken to convoy vessels loaded with wood, it +would be necessary to examine the state of the Republic, +both by land and sea. In our opinion, nothing will be more +expedient for this Republic than an exact and punctual +neutrality, without prejudicing the treaties which it has with +foreign powers, but we think that to maintain and support +it efficaciously, and not only for so long a time as it may +please one of the belligerent powers to require of the Republic, +in a violent and threatening manner, that it takes a +part, that it will be proper that the Republic be put in +an armed state, that to this end it will be necessary to +equip at least fifty or sixty vessels, not less than twenty or +thirty of them of the line, and to augment the land forces +to fifty or sixty thousand men, and that the frontier places +should be put in a proper state of defence, and the magazines +provided with the requisite munitions of war. In +which case we are of opinion, that the Republic would be +respected by all the powers, and could do, without obstacle, +what is permitted it by the treaties, or would not be +prevented from doing and acting what it should judge proper +to its true interests. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">89</a></span></p> + +<p>"For these reasons we judge, that the fidelity we owe +to our country requires us to offer this consideration to the +enlightened minds of your Noble Mightinesses, and to +give your Noble Mightinesses the deliberation of it, to take +a resolution, to the end that by the construction of a considerable +number of vessels, and particularly of the line, +the marine may be reinforced, and that by the augmentation +of the monthly pay or premiums, or by such other +arrangements as your Noble Mightinesses, and the Lords, +the States of the other Provinces, shall judge proper, it may +be effected that the sailors necessary to equip them be +procured, and that at the same time your Noble Mightinesses +grant the sums for the necessary augmentation, to +the end to carry the land forces to the number of fifty or +sixty thousand men, and for the petitions respecting the +fortifications and magazines.</p> + +<p>"When your Noble Mightinesses and the Lords the +States of the other Provinces shall have done that, and this +reinforcement, both by sea and land, shall have been carried +into execution, we think that this is the epoch when +the Republic may with advantage, and as an independent +State, take the resolution of maintaining the rights which +appertain to their inhabitants according to the treaties, and +particularly that of Marine, in 1674. But before the Republic +is put in a respectable state of defence, we should +fear, that a resolution to take under convoy all vessels indiscriminately, +according to the letter of the said treaty, +and particularly vessels loaded with ship timber, might +have very bad consequences for the true interests of this +State, and expose the honor of its flag to an affront. And +is for this reason we are of opinion, that it would be proper, +that it should be resolved by an ulterior resolution, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">90</a></span> +that the vessels loaded with masts, knees, beams, and other +kinds of wood necessary to the construction of ships of war +should not be taken under convoy, before an equipment of +fifty or sixty vessels, (not less than twenty or thirty of them +of the line,) is ready, and before having augmented the +land forces to fifty or sixty thousand men of foot; but that +in the meantime, to the end to protect as much as possible, +the general commerce of this country, without exposing +the important interests of the State, the necessary convoys +as they were announced, shall be granted to all other vessels +not loaded with contraband effects, to the end that all +the branches of commerce may not be suspended and left +without protection, during the time of the deliberation upon +the protection of one branch only. We expect, that when +the Republic shall be put into this armed state, all the +powers will leave her to exercise the right which belongs +to her of keeping an exact neutrality, and of observing also +on their part, everything which the treaties it hath made +may require, &c."</p> + +<p>Which having been deliberated, their High Mightinesses +have thanked his Serene Highness for the said proposition.</p> + +<p>"They regard it as a new mark of his assiduous zeal +and solicitude for the interests of the State, in declaring +that their High Mightinesses acknowledged with gratitude, +all the efforts that his Serene Highness hath employed +since his majority, and in particular since the commencement +of the war between the two neighboring kingdoms, to +put the Republic in a proper state of defence, both by sea +and land, and could have wished that these efforts might +have had the desired effect in every respect; and besides, +it has been found good and resolved, that conformably to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">91</a></span> +the proposition of his Serene Highness, it shall be notified +to the respective Colleges of the Admiralty, (in sending to +them a copy of the said proposition,) that they make report +and render an account how many vessels they had in +1776; in what condition they were, and how many of them +were equipped with the number of men; afterwards what +they have done since the English have begun to molest the +ships of the inhabitants of this country trading to the West +Indies, under pretext of disputes arisen with their Colonies +in North America, and thus from the end of the year 1776, +and at the beginning of 1777, to put themselves in a condition, +as much as was possible and in their power, to protect +the commerce of this country, and what they have done +since the troubles have begun in Europe, and that it was +to be feared that the Republic would become a party, to +put themselves in a condition for what depended upon +them, to protect not only their commerce, but also to be +able to aid in defending the country and attacking the enemy; +if they have been active to carry into effect what your +High Mightinesses have resolved upon this subject, and if +any negligence hath had place in this regard, and in this +case, for what reasons they have not executed those resolutions; +if they have been in a possibility of supporting and +equipping the vessels put in commission, to the end that it +may appear to what we ought to attribute the present situation."</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">92</a></span></p> + +<h3>TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Versailles, July 7th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I have the honor to inform your Excellency, that upon +an intimation from you, signified to me by M. Berenger, +and afterwards by the Duc de la Vauguyon, that the interest +of the United States required me here, I arrived last night +in Paris, and am come today to Versailles, to pay +my respects to your Excellency, and receive your further +communications. As your Excellency was in council +when I had the honor to call at your office, and as it is +very possible that some other day may be more agreeable, +I have the honor to request you to appoint the time, which +will be most convenient for me to wait on you.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, with great respect, Sir, your +most obedient, and most humble servant,</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<p>The foregoing letter I sent by my servant, who waited +until the Count descended from council, when he delivered +it into his hand. He broke the seal, read the letter, and +said he was very sorry he could not see Mr Adams, but he +was obliged to go into the country immediately after dinner; +that Mr Adams, <i>seroit dans le cas de voir M. de +Rayneval</i>, who lived at such a sign in such a street. After +dinner, I called on M. Rayneval, who said; M. le Duc de +la Vauguyon has informed me, that there is a question of +a pacification, under the mediation of the Emperor of Germany +and the Empress of Russia, and that it was necessary +that I should have some consultations at leisure with the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">93</a></span> +Count de Vergennes, that we might understand each +other's views; that he would see the Count tomorrow +morning, and write me when he would meet me; that they +had not changed their principles nor their system; that +the treaties were the foundation of all negotiation. I said, +that I lodged at the hotel de Valois, where I did formerly; +that I should be ready to wait on the Count when it would +be agreeable to him, and to confer with him upon everything +relative to any proposition, which the English might +have made. He said the English had not made any propositions, +but it was necessary to consider certain points, and +make certain preparatory arrangements; to know +whether we were British subjects, or in what light we were +to be considered, &c. Smiling, I said, I was not a British +subject, that I had renounced that character many years +ago, forever; and that I should rather be a fugitive in +China or Malabar, than ever reassume that character.</p> + +<p>On the 9th, was brought me by one of the Count de +Vergennes' ordinary commissaries the following billet.</p> + +<h3>M. DE RAYNEVAL TO JOHN ADAMS.</h3> + +<p class="translation">Translation.</p> + +<p class="letter_head">Versailles, July 9th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I have had the honor to inform you, that the Count de +Vergennes desired to have an interview with you, and it +will give him pleasure if you can meet him on Wednesday +next, at nine o'clock in the morning.</p> + +<p>Meantime, I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">GERARD DE RAYNEVAL.</p> + +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">94</a></span></p> + +<h3>TO M. DE RAYNEVAL.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Paris, July 9th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I have this moment the honor of your billet of this day's +date, and will do myself the honor to wait on his Excellency +the Count de Vergennes at his office, on Wednesday +next, at nine of the clock in the morning according to his +desire.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<p>Accordingly on Wednesday I went to Versailles, and met +the Count at his office, with M. de Rayneval, at nine +o'clock, who communicated to me the following articles +proposed by the two Imperial Courts. That Spain had +prepared her answers; that of France was nearly ready; +but did not know that England had yet answered.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, July 7th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>The following Resolution was passed at the Hague, the +2d of this month, by their High Mightinesses the States-General, +respecting the Duke of Brunswick.</p> + +<p>"Heard the report of Messrs de Lynden, de Hemmen, +and other deputies of their High Mightinesses for marine +affairs, who, in consequence and conformably to a commissorial +resolution of their High Mightinesses of the 21st of +last month, have examined a letter of the Duke of Brunswick, +dated at the Hague the same day, and containing +serious complaints upon the proposition, that the gentlemen, +the Deputies of the city of Amsterdam, have made to his +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">95</a></span> +Highness, after that many calumnies and atrocious accusations +had been circulated against him in public; upon +which, having deliberated, it hath been found good and +resolved,</p> + +<p>"That, saving the deliberations of the Lords, the States +of the respective Provinces, upon the complaints relative +to the proceeding of the gentlemen, the Deputies of Amsterdam, +their High Mightinesses, not being able to see +with indifference, that my Lord the Duke of Brunswick, +in quality of Field Maréchal of this State, be publicly +accused in so enormous a manner, it may from this time +be declared, and it is declared by the present, that it is +not manifest to their High Mightinesses that there are any +reasons, which could furnish any ground for such accusations +and suspicions of bad faith and of corruption as have +been alleged to the charge of my Lord the Duke, and that +have been circulated abroad in anonymous writings, defamatory +libels, and dishonorable reports; that, on the contrary, +their High Mightinesses regard them as false and +injurious calumnies, spread with design to disgrace and +wound the honor and reputation of my Lord the Duke; +whilst that their High Mightinesses hold the said Lord the +Duke entirely innocent and exempt from the blame, with +which the libels and reports alleged endeavor to disgrace +him.</p> + +<p>"That in consequence, the gentlemen, the States of the +respective Provinces, should be required by writing, and +that it should be submitted to their consideration, if they +could not find it good each in their Provinces, conformably +to the placards of the country, to make the necessary regulations +to restrain the authors, printers, and distributors of +such like defamatory libels and malicious and calumnious +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">96</a></span> +writings, by which the said Lord the Duke is so sensibly +attacked and wounded in his honor and reputation."</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, July 7th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>Under the head of St Petersburg is the following article.</p> + +<p>"On the 8th of June, the Minister of the Court of Versailles +had a conference with the Count Osterman, Vice +Chancellor of the empire, and remitted to him a memorial, +containing representations upon the continued proceedings +of the English against the commerce and navigation of +neuters; upon the little activity of these last to prevent +these arbitrary proceedings, and supporting thereby the +principles of their declarations made to the belligerent powers, +and the convention of neutrality which has been agreed +upon between them; upon the prejudice which ought naturally +to result from it to the whole world, and upon the +desire which the king his master has that it should be +remedied by the vigorous co-operation of her Imperial +Majesty, seeing that without that the said association of +neutrality would turn only to the advantage of the enemies +of France, and that the King, who to this moment has confined +himself exactly to the principle of the abovementioned +declaration and convention of neutrality, would see himself, +although with regret, in the indispensable necessity of changing +in like manner the system which he had hitherto followed, +with respect to the commerce and navigation of neuters, and +of measuring and regulating it upon the conduct +which the English shall allow themselves, and which was +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">97</a></span> +so patiently borne by the neuters. Objects, in regard to +which his Majesty has nevertheless judged it his duty to +suspend his final resolution, until he can concert upon this +subject with her Imperial Majesty."</p> + +<p>Mr Dana left Amsterdam this day, and is gone to +Utrecht and from thence he will proceed on his journey +to Petersburg without delay. Mr Jennings does not accompany +him.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, July 10th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>On Wednesday, the 4th of July, M. de Lynden Blitterswyk, +presiding in the Assembly, hath related and acquainted +their High Mightinesses, that the Duke of Brunswick +had been with him that morning and given him to understand,</p> + +<p>"That he had been informed of the resolution, that their +High Mightinesses had taken the 2d of July upon the letter, +that he had the honor of remitting to them, the 21st of +June last; that He was extremely sensible of the marks of +confidence and affection, that their High Mightinesses had +been pleased to give him on this occasion, and that in an +affair, to the subject of which he had not directly carried +his complaints to their High Mightinesses; that he was +nevertheless not less persuaded, that the intention of their +High Mightinesses could not be by that to let the affair +rest provisionally, much less that thereby they should have +satisfied the respectful demand and requisition contained in +his said letter, by which he had required an exact and vigorous +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">98</a></span> +examination, and demanded for that purpose of their +High Mightinesses such steps as had been more amply +mentioned in the said letter; and that then only he had +required such a justificatory resolution and satisfaction as +had been afterwards demanded by that letter; that he +ought to insist upon that so much the more, as by that provisional +resolution, as taken without previous inquiry, one +could by no means think him cleared from the blame and +affront, which had been offered him, for which reason he +had conceived that he could and ought to implore the resolution +of all the High Confederates themselves, as he still +continued to implore it with earnestness;" praying M. de +Lynden, as President of the Assembly of their High Mightinesses, +to be pleased to acquaint them therewith.</p> + +<p>Which having been deliberated, it hath been resolved +and concluded,</p> + +<p>"To pray by the present, the gentlemen, the Deputies of +the respective Provinces, to be pleased to acquaint the gentlemen, +the States, their principals, with the above, to the +end that in the deliberations upon the letter of the Duke of +Brunswick, such reflections may be made upon the above +as they shall judge proper."</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Paris, July 11th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I have only time by Major Jackson, to inform Congress, +that upon information from the Count de Vergennes, that +questions concerning peace under the mediation of the +two Imperial Courts were in agitation, that required my +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">99</a></span> +presence here, I undertook the journey, and arrived here +last Friday night, the 6th of the month, and have twice +waited on the Count de Vergennes at Versailles, who +this day communicated to me the enclosed propositions.</p> + +<p>These propositions are made to all the belligerent powers, +by the Courts of Petersburg and Vienna, in consequence +of some wild propositions made to them by the +Court of London, "that they would undertake the office of +mediators upon condition, that the league as they call it, +between France and their rebel subjects in America should +be dissolved, and these left to make their terms with Great +Britain, after having returned to their allegiance and obedience."</p> + +<p>France and Spain have prepared their answers to these +propositions of the Empress and Emperor, and I am desired +to give my answer to the articles enclosed. It is +not in my power at this time to enclose to Congress my +answer, because I have not made it, nor written it, +but Congress must see, that nothing can come of this +manœuvre, at least for a long time. Thus much I may +say to Congress, that I have no objection to the proposition +of treating with the English separately in the manner proposed, +upon a peace, and a Treaty of Commerce with +them, consistent with our engagements with France and +Spain; but that the armistice never can be agreed to by +me. The objections against it are as numerous as they +are momentous and decisive. I may say further, that as +there is no judge upon earth, of a Sovereign Power, but +the nation that composes it, I can never agree to the mediation +of any powers, however respectable, until they +have acknowledged our sovereignty, so far at least as to +admit a Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States, as +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">100</a></span> +the representative of a free and independent power. After +this, we might discuss questions of peace or truce with +Great Britain, without her acknowledging our sovereignty, +but not before.</p> + +<p>I fancy, however, that Congress will be applied to for +their sentiments, and I shall be ever ready and happy to +obey their instructions, because I have a full confidence, +that nothing will be decided by them, but what will be +consistent with their character and dignity. Peace will +only be retarded by relaxations and concessions, whereas +firmness, patience, and perseverance will ensure us a good +and lasting one in the end. The English are obliged to +keep up the talk of peace, to lull their enemies, and to +sustain their credit. But I hope the people of America +will not be deceived. Nothing will obtain them real peace +but skilful and successful war.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h4>ARTICLES</h4> + +<p class="center"><i>To serve as a Basis to the Negotiation for the Re-establishment +of Peace.</i></p> + +<p class="translation">Translation.</p> + +<h4>ARTICLE I.</h4> + +<p>The re-establishment of peace in America shall be negotiated +between Great Britain and the American Colonies, +but without the intervention of any of the other belligerent +parties, nor even with that of the two Imperial Courts, +unless their mediation should be formally asked and granted +upon this object. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">101</a></span></p> + +<h4>ARTICLE II.</h4> + +<p>This separate peace cannot, however, be signed, but +conjointly, and at the same time with that of those powers +whose interests shall have been negotiated by the mediating +Courts, for this reason, although each peace may be +separately treated, yet they cannot be concluded without +each other. Care shall be taken to inform the mediators +with certainty of the measures and state of that, which +regards Great Britain and the Colonies, to the end, that the +mediation may be able to regulate the measures intrusted +to it, by the state of the negotiation relating to the colonies, +and both of the pacifications, which shall have been concluded +at the same time, although separately, shall be solemnly +guarantied by the mediating Courts, and every +other neutral power, whose guarantee the belligerent parties +may think proper to claim.</p> + +<h4>ARTICLE III.</h4> + +<p>To render the negotiations for peace independent of the +events of war, always uncertain, which may put a stop to, +or at least retard their progress, there shall be a general +armistice between all parties during the term of a year, +reckoning from —— of the month of —— of the +present year, or of —— years, reckoning from —— of the +month of —— of the year 1782, should it happen that +peace should not be re-established in the first period, and +whilst the duration of either of these periods continue, +everything shall remain in the state in which they shall be +found at signing the present preliminary articles. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">102</a></span></p> +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<h3>TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Paris, July 13th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency some +remarks upon the articles, to serve as a basis of the negotiation +for the re-establishment of peace, which you did +me the honor to communicate to me.</p> + +<p>As I am unacquainted, whether you desired my sentiments +upon these articles merely for your own government, +or with a design to communicate them to the Imperial +Courts, I should be glad of your Excellency's advice +concerning them. If your Excellency is of opinion +there is anything exceptionable, or which ought to be +altered, I should be glad to correct it; or if I have not +perceived the points, or questions, upon which you desired +my opinion, I shall be ready to give any further answers.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h4>ANSWER</h4> + +<p><i>Of the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States +of America, to the Articles to serve as a Basis to the +Negotiation for the Re-establishment of Peace.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Article i.</span> The United States of America have no +objection, provided their allies have none, to a treaty with +Great Britain, concerning the re-establishment of peace in +America, or to another concerning the re-establishment of +commerce between the two nations, consistent with their +obligations to France and Spain, without the intervention +of any of the other belligerent parties, and even without +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">103</a></span> +that of the two Imperial Courts, at least, unless their mediation +should be formally demanded and granted upon this +object, according to the first article communicated to me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Art. ii.</span> The United States have nothing to say, provided +their allies have not, against the second article.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Art. iii.</span> To the armistice, and the <i>statu quo</i>, in the +third article, the United States have very great objections, +which indeed are so numerous and decisive, and at the +same time so obvious, as to make it unnecessary to state +them in detail.</p> + +<p>The idea of a truce is not suggested in these articles; +but as it is mentioned in some observations shown me by +his Excellency, the Count de Vergennes, it may be necessary +for me to add, that the United States are so deeply +impressed with an apprehension, that any truce whatsoever +would not fail to be productive of another long and +bloody war at the termination of it, and that a short truce +would be in many ways highly dangerous to them, that it +would be with great reluctance that they should enter into +any discussion at all upon such a subject.</p> + +<p>Two express conditions would be indispensable preliminaries +to their taking into consideration the subject of a +truce at all. The first is, that their allies agree, that the +treaties now subsisting remain in full force during and after +the truce, until the final acknowledgment of their independence +by Great Britain. The second is, the antecedent +removal of the British land and naval armaments from +every part of the United States. Upon these two express +conditions as preliminaries, if a truce should be proposed +for so long a period, or for an indefinite period, requiring +so long notice, previous to a renewal of hostilities, as to +evince that it is on the part of Great Britain a virtual relinquishment +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">104</a></span> +of the object of the war, and an expedient +only to avoid the mortification of an express acknowledgment +of the independence and sovereignty of the United +States, they, with the concurrence of their allies, might +accede to it.</p> + +<p>It is requisite, however, to add; first, that the United +States cannot consider themselves bound by this declaration, +unless it should be agreed to before the opening of +another campaign. Secondly, that it is not in the power +of the Crown of Great Britain, by the constitution of that +kingdom, to establish any truce, or even armistice with the +United States, which would not be illusory without the intervention +of an act of Parliament, repealing or suspending +all their statutes, which have any relation to the United +States, or any of them. Without this, every officer of the +navy would be bound by the laws, according to the maxims +of their constitution, to seize every American vessel +that he should find, whose papers and distinction should +not be found conformable to those statutes, and every +French, Spanish, Dutch, or other foreign vessel, which he +should find going to, or coming from America; notwithstanding +any convention that is in the power of the Crown +to make.</p> + +<p>After all, the greatest difficulty does not lie in anything +as yet mentioned. The great question is, in what character +are the United States to be considered? They +know themselves to be a free, sovereign, and independent +State, of right and in fact.</p> + +<p>They are considered and acknowledged as such by +France. They cannot be represented in a Congress of +Ministers from the several powers of Europe, whether +their representative is called Ambassador, Minister, or +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">105</a></span> +Agent, without an acknowledgment of their independence, +of which the very admission of a representative from them +is an avowal. Great Britain cannot agree with their representative +upon a truce, or even an armistice, without +admitting their freedom and independence.</p> + +<p>As there is upon earth no judge of a sovereign State, +but the nation that composes it, the United States can +never consent, that their independence shall be discussed +or called in question by any sovereign or sovereigns, however +respectable, nor can their interests be made a question +in any Congress, in which their character is not acknowledged, +and their Minister admitted. If, therefore, +the two Imperial Courts would acknowledge and lay down +as a preliminary, the sovereignty of the United States, +and admit their Minister to a Congress, after this, a treaty +might be commenced between the Minister of Great +Britain and the Minister of the United States, relative to +a truce, or peace and commerce, in the manner proposed, +without any express acknowledgment of their sovereignty +by Great Britain, until the treaty should be concluded.</p> + +<p>The sovereigns of Europe have a right to negotiate +concerning their own interests, and to deliberate concerning +the question, whether it is consistent with their dignity +and interests, to acknowledge expressly the sovereignty +of the United States, and to make treaties with them, by +their Ministers in a Congress, or otherwise; and America +could make no objection to it; but neither the United +States nor France can ever consent, that the existence +of their sovereignty shall be made a question in such +Congress; because, let that Congress determine as it +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">106</a></span> +might, their sovereignty, with submission only to Divine +Providence, never can, and never will be given up.</p> + +<p>As the British Court, in first suggesting the idea of a +Congress to the Imperial Courts, insisted upon the annihilation +of the league, as they were pleased to call it, between +France and their rebel subjects, as they were +pleased again to phrase it, and upon the return of these to +their allegiance and obedience, as preliminaries to any +Congress or mediation; there is too much reason to fear, +that the British Ministry have no serious intentions or sincere +dispositions for peace, and that they mean nothing but +amusement. Because, the support of the sovereignty of +the United States was the primary object of the war, on +the part of France and America; the destruction of it, +that of Great Britain. If, therefore, the treaty between +France and America were annulled, and the Americans +returned to the domination and monopoly of Great Britain, +there would be no need of troubling all Europe with a +Congress to make peace. All points between France, +Spain, and Great Britain, might be easily adjusted among +themselves. Surely the affairs of Great Britain are, in no +part of the world so triumphant, nor those of any of their +enemies so adverse, as to give this Ministry any serious +hopes, that France and America will renounce the object +of the war. There must, therefore, be some other view.</p> + +<p>It is not difficult to penetrate the design of the British +Ministry upon this, any more than upon many former occasions. +They think that a distrust of them, and a jealousy +that they would not adhere with good faith to the propositions +of reconciliation, which they have made from time to +time, were, in the minds of the Americans, the true cause +why these propositions were not accepted. They now +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">107</a></span> +think, that by prevailing on the two Imperial Courts, and +other Courts, to warranty to the Americans any similar +terms they may propose to them, they shall remove this +obstacle; and by this means, although they know that no +public authority in America will agree to such terms, they +think they shall be able to represent things in such a light, +as to induce many desertions from the American army, +and many apostates from the American independence and +alliance. In this way, they pursue their long practised arts +of seduction, deception, and division. In these again, as in +so many former attempts, they would find themselves disappointed, +and would make very few deserters or apostates. +But it is to be hoped, that the powers of Europe +will not give to these superficial artifices, with which that +Ministry have so long destroyed the repose of the United +States, and of the British dominions at home and abroad, +and disturbed the tranquillity of Europe, so much attention +as to enable them to continue much longer such evils to +mankind.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Paris, July 15th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I have the honor to enclose a copy of a letter to the +Count de Vergennes, and of certain articles and their answers. +The British Court proposed to the Imperial +Courts, a Congress, upon two preliminary conditions, the +rupture of the treaty with France, and the return of America +to their obedience. The two Imperial Courts have +since proposed the enclosed articles. Spain and France +have prepared their answers. England has not answered +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">108</a></span> +yet, and no Ministers are yet commissioned or appointed +by any power. If she accepts the terms, I should not +scruple to accept them too, excepting the armistice and +the <i>statu quo</i>. I mean I should not insist upon a previous +explicit acknowledgment of the sovereignty of the United +States, before I went to Vienna. I see nothing inconsistent +with the character or dignity of the United States, in +their Minister going to Vienna, at the same time when +Ministers from the other powers are there, and entering +into treaty with a British Minister without any explicit acknowledgment +of our independence, before the conclusion +of the treaty. The very existence of such a Congress +would be of use to our reputation.</p> + +<p>But I cannot yet believe that Britain will wave her preliminaries. +She will still insist upon the dissolution of the +treaty, and upon the return of the Americans under her +government. This, however, will do no honor to her +moderation or pacific sentiments, in the opinion of the +powers of Europe.</p> + +<p>Something may grow out of these negotiations in time, +but it will probably be several years before anything can be +done. Americans can only quicken these negotiations by +decisive strokes. No depredations upon their trade, no +conquests of their possessions in the East or West Indies +will have any effect upon the English to induce them to +make peace, while they see they have an army in the +United States, and can flatter themselves with the hope of +conquering or regaining America; because they think that +with America under their government, they can easily regain +whatever they may lose now in any part of the world. +Whereas, the total expulsion of their forces in the United +States would extinguish their hopes, and persuade them to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">109</a></span> +peace, sooner than the loss of everything less. The belligerent +powers and the neutral powers may flatter themselves +with the hopes of a restoration of peace, but they +will all be disappointed while the English have a soldier in +America. It is amazing to me that France and Spain do +not see it, and direct their forces accordingly.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Paris, July 16th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>Since my letter of the 13th, upon further reflection, I +have thought it necessary to explain myself a little more, +particularly in some points, to your Excellency. If I comprehend +the facts, the British Court first proposed to the +Imperial Courts a Congress and a mediation, upon two +conditions. 1st. The dissolution of the treaties between +France and the United States. 2d. The return of the +Americans under the British government.</p> + +<p>In consequence of this proposal from the Court of St +James, the two Imperial Courts have made the proposition +of the articles, which were shown to me, to the Courts of +France, Spain, and England, neither of which has yet +given its answer. Their Imperial Majesties have omitted +the two conditions, which the British Court insisted on as +preliminaries, and mean to admit a representative of the +United States to the Congress, to negotiate separately with +the British Minister, without ascertaining the title or character +of the American representative, until the two pacifications +shall be accomplished. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">110</a></span></p> + +<p>I am in my own mind apprehensive, though I devoutly +wish I may be mistaken, that the British Court in their +answer to the articles, will adhere to their two preliminaries. +It is very convenient for the English to hold up the +idea of peace; it serves them to relieve their credit at certain +times when it is in distress; it serves to disconcert the +projects of the neutral powers to their disadvantage; it +enables their friends in the United Provinces, to keep the +Dutch nation in that state of division, sloth and inactivity, +from which they derive so much plunder, with so much +safety. But I cannot persuade myself, that the English +will soberly think of peace, while they have any military +force in the United States, and can preserve a gleam of +hope of conquering or regaining America. While this +hope remains, no depredations on their commerce, no loss +of dominions in the East or West Indies, will induce them +to make peace; because they think, that with America reunited +to them they could easily regain whatever they may +now lose. This opinion of theirs may be extravagant and +enthusiastical, and they would not find it so easy to recover +their losses; but they certainly entertain it, and while it +remains, I fear they will not make peace.</p> + +<p>Yet it seems they have negotiated themselves into a +delicate situation. If they should obstinately adhere to +their two preliminaries, against the advice of the two Imperial +Courts, this might seriously affect their reputation, if +they have any, for moderation and for pacific dispositions, +not only in those Courts, but in all the Courts and countries +of Europe, and they would not easily answer it to +their own subjects, who are weary of the war. Peace is +so desirable an object, that humanity, as well as policy, +demands of every nation at war a serious attention to every +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">111</a></span> +proposition, which seems to have a tendency to it, although +there may be grounds to suspect, that the first proposer of +it was not sincere. I think, that no power can judge the +United States unreasonable in not agreeing to the <i>statu +quo</i>, or the armistice. But perhaps I have not been sufficiently +explicit upon another point.</p> + +<p>The proposal of a separate treaty between the British +Minister and the Representative of the United States, +seems to be a benevolent invention to avoid several difficulties; +among others, first, that England may be allowed to +save her national pride, to think and to say, that the independence +of America was agreed to voluntarily, and was +not dictated to her by France and Spain; secondly, to +avoid the previous acknowledgment of American independence, +and the previous ascertaining the title and character +of the American Representative, which the Imperial +Courts may think would be a partiality inconsistent with +the character of mediators, and even of neutrals, especially +as England has uniformly considered any such step +as a hostility against them; though I know not upon what +law of nations, or of reason.</p> + +<p>I cannot see, that the United States would make any +concession, or submit to any indignity, or do anything inconsistent +with their character, if their Minister should appear +at Vienna, or elsewhere, with the Ministers of other +powers, and conduct any negotiation with a British Minister, +without having the independence of the United States +or his own title and character acknowledged or ascertained, +by any other power, except France, until the pacification +should be concluded. I do not see, that America would +lose anything by this, any more than by having a Minister +in any part of Europe, with his character unacknowledged +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">112</a></span> +by all the powers of Europe. In order to remove every +embarrassment, therefore, as much as possible, if your Excellency +should be of the same opinion, and advise me to +it, I would withdraw every objection to the Congress on +the part of the United States, and decline nothing but the +<i>statu quo</i>, and the armistice, against which such reasons +might be given, as I think would convince all men, that the +United States are bound to refuse them. If your Excellency +should think it necessary for me to assign these reasons +particularly, I will attempt some of them; but it is +sufficient for me to say to your Excellency, that my positive +instructions forbid me to agree either to the armistice, +or <i>statu quo</i>.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, July 17th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>Since my letter of the 26th of June last, the Memorial +of the Deputies of the City of Amsterdam, of the 8th of +June, has appeared entire, and is conceived in the following +terms.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">"Most Serene and Illustrious Prince and Lord,</p> + +<p>"The gentlemen, the Deputies of the City of Amsterdam, +in the name and by the order of the gentlemen, +their constituents, have the honor to represent to your +Most Serene Highness, that the said constituents having +learnt, with much uneasiness the discontent, that your +Highness had taken, on the subject of their last proposition, +made in the Assembly of their Noble and Grand +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">113</a></span> +Mightinesses, although it had been contrary to their intention +to give your Highness the least offence, or to offer +him any insult or displeasure, they have seized with great +satisfaction, an opportunity to give your Highness the most +sincere assurances of it; that they flatter themselves, that, +from what they shall have the honor of laying before you +your Highness will be able to deduce the reasons, for +which they have not previously acquainted him with the +contents of the said proposition, before it hath been remitted +to the Assembly of their Noble and Grand Mightinesses; +that they should feel a real chagrin, if your Highness +attributed this silence to any particular distrust towards +his person; they declare, that they are absolutely divested +of it, and that they have nothing so much at heart as to +excite and cherish between your Highness and their City +that confidence, that the well-being and advancement of +the public cause render inevitably necessary; that by their +proposition they have only wished to open a way to find +out and carry into execution, such measures as the critical +situation of affairs most pressingly requires for the safety +and preservation of their dear country.</p> + +<p>"That placed at the head of the government of a very +populous city, in which the lower class of the people begin +already to feel that indigence, which results from a want +of business, they are obliged to show in effect, and in the +best manner possible, that they desire not to let any opportunity +escape of encouraging and promoting the well-being +of the country, and of its good citizens, unless they +would run the risk of entirely destroying the proper authority, +and the good order, which in a popular government +are founded only upon the confidence of the people, +and of the Burgesses in its Regents, and of seeing in a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">114</a></span> +little time a total anarchy, that they had thought that affairs +had, for a long time, and particularly since the rupture +with England, appeared in the eyes of the whole nation, +and not without reason, to be administered in a strange +and inconceivable manner, seeing, that notwithstanding the +extreme condescendence to the wishes of England, we +had only experienced from that kingdom, each year contempt, +affronts, and insults, which have been lately crowned +by an open war, commenced by the capture of a considerable +number of our vessels, and the invasion of our +foreign possessions, and that, nevertheless, we had remained +in a defenceless state, and taken no sufficient steps +to place the Republic in a situation to protect its liberty, its +well acquired rights, its extensive navigation, and its lawful +commerce.</p> + +<p>"That, nevertheless, it is an incontestible truth, that the +members of government have for a long time been of +opinion, that it is principally by sea, that it is necessary to +place themselves upon a respectable footing, as it evidently +appears by the different resolutions taken in the year 1778, +and following, by different reports, petitions, and assents to +augment and reinforce the equipages of vessels of war, +and particularly by the report of the 30th of March, 1779, +that notwithstanding the said opinions and resolutions of the +confederates, to equip all the vessels of war of the State, +and to construct new ones, yet at this moment, after so +much time has elapsed, and some things have taken so +disadvantageous a turn, there hath not been put to sea the +thirtytwo vessels stipulated in the month of April, 1779, +much less still the fiftytwo, whose armament had been resolved +upon the last year, so that to this moment none of +the precautions proposed in the month of March, 1779, to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">115</a></span> +the generality for the defence of our coasts, and the mouths +of our rivers, have been taken.</p> + +<p>"That the regency of our city, with all the good citizens +of the Republic, who discover the best disposition possible +to pay the ordinary and extraordinary imposts, has been +much surprised at the little promptitude and at the slowness +in the executions of resolutions so important for the Sovereign; +for it is impossible to believe that the situation in +which the respective admiralties found themselves, should +be so bad that they could not effect in two years the equipments +that they themselves had proposed; as they had no +want of money, and as the necessity of them became more +and more pressing daily; that in consequence, one could +not conceive what were the causes of this slowness and +inactivity no more than of the non-execution of the resolutions +and orders to secure the coasts and harbors, and +above all, one could not form an idea of the unforeseen +obstacles and difficulties which have prevented the sailing +of few vessels, which had been supposed perfectly in a +state of putting to sea, even when your Highness after a +suitable examination of things, had given the necessary +orders to this effect.</p> + +<p>"That seeing it is to this state of inactivity and incapacity +of defending themselves, that it is necessary to attribute +in the greatest measure the evils and calamities which have +happened to the Republic, and which still threaten it, and that +to this moment we have not been able to observe that any +vigorous measures are taken to prevent future misfortunes, +and to repair those already suffered, (without which we +ought soon to expect the total ruin of the Republic,) we +have judged it the indispensable duty of the brave regents, +and that they cannot dispense themselves from searching +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">116</a></span> +out to what one ought to attribute this inexcusable negligence? +And by what means one may remedy it, and +direct and re-establish still affairs, as much as possible, for +the safety of the State?</p> + +<p>"That this having been attempted from time to time, +privately, but in vain, and affairs becoming more and more +disadvantageous and critical, it was so much the more +necessary to take vigorous resolutions, and one could not +longer defer the concerting of suitable measures; that from +a mature and deliberate consideration of the whole of this +had resulted the proposition, made by order of the Regency +of Amsterdam the 18th of May last to the Assembly +of Holland, and submitted to the judgment and deliberations +of the other members, to the end that these deliberations +might give rise to resolutions the most useful and the +most salutary to the country; that the said Regency are +still of opinion, that duty to themselves, to their country, +and to its good citizens, who for a long time had expected +a similar measure on their part, required them to make the +said proposition.</p> + +<p>"That, nevertheless, it was very far from their intention +to give your Highness any uneasiness or discontent, or to +introduce innovations, or to diminish and circumscribe in +more narrow limits the authority lawfully acquired of my +Lord the Stadtholder; that on the contrary, they could +assure solemnly, that they would assist constantly with all +their power, to maintain the present constitution of government +with which they judge the well-being of the Republic +is intimately connected; that they considered at the +same time, that in the present circumstances of affairs +nothing would be more necessary or more useful, for the +direction and execution of the operations of the present +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">117</a></span> +war, and for to combine them with more secrecy and despatch +than to form and establish a small council or committee, +composed of the regencies of the respective Provinces, +to assist your Highness with the advice and labors, +and to co-operate conjointly to the preservation of the +country.</p> + +<p>"That this proposition, (founded perhaps upon former +examples,) proceeded not from any motive of distrust of +the good intentions and designs of your Serene Highness, +of which there is no reason to suspect their purity, although +according to the information of the Regency of that city, +some evil minded persons have endeavored to insinuate the +contrary to your Serene Highness.</p> + +<p>"That such a distrust fell only upon him, whose influence +over the mind of your Serene Highness is regarded +as the first cause of the slowness and indolence in the +administration of affairs, and as that cannot but be very +prejudicial to the general good, one had in vain expected +for a long time, that the dangerous circumstances in which +the Republic finds itself at present, would at length have +given rise to serious deliberations upon the measures necessary +to be employed in future, and with more vigor than +the past; but that this expectation having been vain to the +present moment, and as the question in agitation was concerning +the preservation of the country, of its dear bought +liberty, of your Serene Highness, of his illustrious House, +in one word, of everything dear and precious to the inhabitants +of the Republic, it is for these reasons that the Regency +of Amsterdam have judged that they could no longer +by silence be wanting in their duty, but saw themselves +forced, although with regret, to the present measure.</p> + +<p>"It is therefore with all the respect that they owe to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">118</a></span> +your Serene Highness, but at the same time with the candor +and honest freedom that the importance of the affair +requires, that they represent to your Serene Highness, and +declare to him expressly, that, according to the general +opinion, the Lord the Duke is regarded as the principal +cause of the deplorable state of weakness in which the Republic +finds itself at this day, of all the negligence which +hath had place, of all the false measures that have been +taken for a long time, and of all the fatal consequences that +have resulted from them; that your Serene Highness may +be assured that the aversion and hatred of the nation against +the person and administration of the Duke, are arisen to +such a degree that one ought to dread an event the most +grievous and the most disagreeable for the public tranquillity.</p> + +<p>"That without doubt your Serene Highness has been +already informed by others of all these things; but in case +your Serene Highness is still ignorant of them, it is necessary +to attribute it solely to a fear of the effects of the resentment +of the Duke. We dare, nevertheless, to appeal +with confidence upon everything now advanced, to the testimony +of all the honest and sincere members of the Regency, +that your Serene Highness shall deign to interrogate, +after granting them full liberty of speech, and summoning +them to answer according to their duty and their +conscience.</p> + +<p>"That they had heard many times with much regret, +M. the Counsellor Pensionary, complain, in presence of +divers members of the Province of Holland, of the misunderstanding +which existed between him and the Lord +the Duke, as well as of the ascendancy that the said Lord +has over the mind of your Serene Highness, whereby +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">119</a></span> +all his effects for the good of the country were rendered +fruitless.</p> + +<p>"That this disunion and this diversity of sentiments and +views between the principal Counsellor of your Serene +Highness and the first Minister of this Province must have +not only consequences the most fatal, but furnished also a +sufficient motive to make the strongest instances to remove +the source of that distrust and of that discord; seeing it is +only a previous re-establishment of confidence and concord +that can save the Republic; that nothing is also more +necessary for the happiness of your Most Serene House, +for the support of your authority, the preservation of the +esteem and confidence of the nation, and of your consideration +among the neighboring powers; for we can assure +your Serene Highness, and we are obliged to apprise him, +that he might indeed lose one day the esteem and confidence +of the people, instead of being and continuing the +worthy object of the love and the veneration of this people, +and of its Regents; which we pray and wish ardently that +your Serene Highness may ever experience, seeing upon +that depends, in a great measure, the preservation and the +happiness of our dear country and of the House of Orange.</p> + +<p>"That as well persuaded as we may be, that the members +of the sovereignty have always the liberty, and that +it is sometimes even their duty to communicate to your +Serene Highness and to the other members, their sentiments +upon the state and administration of public affairs, +we should have preferred, nevertheless, to have abstained +from the present measure, if we had been able to conceive +any hope, amelioration, and change; but since we can no +longer flatter ourselves with that, for the reasons above +alleged, and the danger has arisen to its highest degree, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">120</a></span> +there remains no other part to take than that of laying before +your Serene Highness the true state of things, of praying +him, in the most solemn manner, to reflect seriously upon +them, and of no longer listening to the councils and insinuations +of a man loaded as he is with the hatred of the +great and the small, regarded as a stranger destitute of a +sufficient knowledge of the form of our government, and +not possessed of a true affection to our country.</p> + +<p>"That we are very far from wishing to accuse this Lord +of what he is but too openly charged, or of considering as +founded, the suspicions circulated against him of an excessive +and illicit attachment to the Court of England, or of +bad faith and corruption; that we believe, that a Lord of +so high a birth and so distinguished a rank, is incapable of +such baseness, but that we think, that the unhappy ideas +that have been unfortunately entertained of him, and which +have caused a general distrust, render him totally unuseful +and pernicious, even to the service of the State and of your +Serene Highness, that he consequently be removed from +the direction of affairs, and from the Court of your Serene +Highness, as being a perpetual obstacle to the re-establishment +of the good intelligence so necessary between your +Serene Highness and the principal members of the State; +seeing that on the contrary, his presence cannot but for the +future, occasion the distrust conceived, whether with or +without reason, of his counsels to fall upon your Serene +Highness.</p> + +<p>"That these representations do not spring from a principle +of hatred or of ill will against the Lord, the Duke, +who has formerly had occasion to be well satisfied, even +with the benevolence and the real marks of affection of +the Regency of Amsterdam, but that we protest before +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">121</a></span> +God and the whole world, that the only motives which have +dictated them to us, are the preservation of the country and +of the illustrious House of your Most Serene Highness, and +to prevent their approaching total ruin; that the Regency of +our city have seen themselves obliged to take this measure, +both in quality of inhabitants of this country, and as a +member of its sovereign Assembly; to the end to make +by this means the last effort, and to point out, perhaps, +yet in time, a means of saving, with the blessing of the +Almighty, the vessel of State from the most imminent +danger, and of conducting it into a safe port, or of acquitting +themselves at least in every case of their duty, and of +exculpating themselves in the eyes of their fellow citizens +and posterity.</p> + +<p>"That, in truth, it is not necessary to despair of the safety +of the country; but that, nevertheless, affairs appear to have +arrived to such an extremity, that it cannot be saved without +the use of extraordinary means, and that for this reason, +we ought still, with the approbation of your Serene Highness, +to take the liberty to submit to his consideration, if +the best means of managing hereafter affairs with success +would not be, that your Serene Highness should associate +to himself a small number of persons, chosen from among +the most distinguished and the most experienced citizens +born in the country, to concert assiduously with them +everything which should be the most necessary or the most +useful for the preservation and the service of the country +during the present war, with such powers and such restrictions, +as should be judged requisite to fulfil effectually +the object of this commission; that we expect therefrom +the two following effects, as important as useful.</p> + +<p>"1st. That, in a conjuncture like the present, in which +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">122</a></span> +every moment is precious, no delay occasioned by deliberations +of long duration shall take place, and the requisite +despatch would be given to the execution of that which +shall have been resolved.</p> + +<p>"2dly. That thereby the confidence of the nation would +be re-established, an universal tranquillity and content promoted, +and each one would be encouraged and animated +to contribute with joy everything in his power to the execution +of the measures of the sovereign, whilst, that at +present, we see the contrary take place, and hear everywhere +of the general complaints of the division and of the +inactivity of the government.</p> + +<p>"That this proposition appears of the highest necessity, +not only to the Regency of Amsterdam, but we have reason +to think, that it is considered in the same point of +light by the principal members of this Province, and of all +the others.</p> + +<p>"Besides, nothing is more necessary than to adopt a +fixed system and plan of conduct, seeing that the Republic +ought to choose between two conditions; either to re-establish +the peace with England, or to prosecute the war +with all our forces, to the end to accelerate by this means +an honorable peace; which ought to be the sincere wish +of every good citizen, and to which alone, without any +further views, (as we can assure your Serene Highness in +the most serious manner) has tended the overture made +by our proposition of concerting with France the operations +for this campaign. We desire nothing more +ardently on our part, than to deliberate seriously with your +Serene Highness upon the option between the two conditions +alleged, and what means it will be necessary to +employ to arrive at the end which shall be chosen; but we +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">123</a></span> +are absolutely of opinion, that above all things, we must +never lose sight, although a reconciliation may be preferred, +that nothing ought to be neglected or omitted, to +place in every respect, the Republic in such a position that +it has nothing to fear from its enemies, but, on the contrary, +that it may be in a state to force them to wish the +re-establishment of that peace, which, without any lawful +cause, they have so unjustly and wickedly broken.</p> + +<p>"That the above piece is word for word the same without +any addition or omission, as that which has been read +to his Serene Highness, the 8th of June, 1781, by the +order of the gentlemen, the Burgomasters, by the Pensionary +Vischer, in presence of the Counsellor Pensionary of +Holland, and which is written with the hand of the said +Pensionary, is that which we attest.</p> +<p class="letter_open">"Amsterdam, June 12th, 1781.</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Burgomasters"> +<tr> +<td class="ltext" valign="middle" > +E. DE VRY TEMMINCK,<br /> +J. RENDORP,<br /></td> +<td valign="middle" class="bracket"> +}</td> +<td valign="middle" class="rtext"> +<i>Reigning</i><br /> +<i>Burgomasters.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td>C. W. VISCHER, <i>Pensionary.</i></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p>"Deposed in the cabinet of the gentlemen, the Burgomasters, +the said 12th of June, 1781."</p> + +<p>"The original of this memorial, which after the reading +has been put into the hands of his Most Serene Highness, +but taken back during the audience, has been sent, the +14th of June, to the Counsellor Pensionary, accompanied +with a letter in the name of the Burgomasters, written by +the Burgomaster Rendorp to the said Counsellor Pensionary."</p> + +<p>"By a resolution of the 6th of this month, the States-General +have revoked the order, that their High Mightinesses +had given, at the beginning of the war, to all captains +or patrons of merchant-ships belonging to the subjects +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">124</a></span> +of this Republic, to remain in the ports where they found +themselves, and not to make sail from them, either for their +destination or to return into this country. Their High +Mightinesses have this day given to the proprietors and +captains of these vessels, the liberty of navigating and employing +them in such a manner, and when they shall judge +proper.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>COUNT DE VERGENNES TO JOHN ADAMS.</h3> + +<p class="translation">Translation</p> + +<p class="letter_head">Versailles, July 18th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I have received the letter, which you did me the honor +to write to me the 13th instant. It was owing to the confidence +I placed in your judgment and zeal for your country, +that I intrusted to you the propositions of the two Imperial +Courts, and requested that you would make such +observations as you might think them susceptible of. +Things are not yet sufficiently advanced to admit of communicating +them to the two mediating Courts. As you +have seen in the sketch of our answer, there are preliminaries +to be adjusted with respect to the United States, and +until they are adjusted you cannot appear, and consequently +you cannot transact anything officially with respect +to the two mediators. By so doing you would hazard +and expose the dignity of the character with which you +are invested.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">DE VERGENNES.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">125</a></span></p> + +<h3>TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Paris, July 18th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I have received the letter, which your Excellency did +me the honor to write me this day. I assure your Excellency, +I never had a thought of appearing upon the scene, +or of taking ministerially or otherwise any step towards the +two mediators. I must confess to your Excellency that I +have too many jealousies of the motives, and too many +apprehensions of the consequences of this negotiation to be +willing to take any part in it, without an express vocation. +The English are tottering on such a precipice, and are in +such a temper, that they will not hesitate at any measure, +which they think can move every latent passion, and awaken +every dormant interest in Europe, in order to embroil +all the world. Without looking much to consequences, or +weighing whether the quarrels they wish to excite will be +serviceable to them or not, they seem to think the more +confusion they can make the better; for which reason my +fears from the proposed mediation are greater than my +hopes.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, if properly called upon, it will be my duty +to attend to every step of it; but there are many questions +arise in my mind, upon which in due time I should wish to +know your Excellency's opinion.</p> + +<p>The two Imperial Courts have proposed, that there +should be an American Representative at the Congress. +This is not merely by implication, but expressly acknowledging, +that there is a belligerent power in America, of +sufficient importance to be taken notice of by them and +the other powers of Europe. One would think after this, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">126</a></span> +that the two Imperial Courts would have communicated +their propositions to Congress. The propositions they +have made and communicated to the Courts of France, +Spain and England, imply that America is a Power, a free +and Independent Power, as much as if they had communicated +them also to Congress at Philadelphia. Without +such a formal communication and an invitation to the +United States in Congress, or to their Representative here +by the two Imperial Courts, I do not see how an American +Minister can with strict propriety appear at the proposed +Congress at Vienna at all. I have never heard it intimated, +that they have transmitted their propositions to Philadelphia; +certainly I have received no instructions from +thence, nor have I received any intimation of such propositions +from any Minister of either of the mediating Courts, +although as my mission has been long public and much +talked of, I suppose it was well known to both that there +was a person in Europe vested by America with power to +make peace.</p> + +<p>It seems, therefore, that one step more might have been +taken, perfectly consistent with the first, and that it may +yet be taken, and that it is but reasonable to expect that it +will be. How is the American Minister to know that +there is a Congress, and that it is expected that he should +repair to it? And that any Minister from Great Britain +will meet him there? Is the British Court, or their Ambassador, +to give him notice? This seems less probable, +than that the mediators should do it.</p> + +<p>The dignity of North America does not consist in diplomatic +ceremonials, or any of the subtleties of etiquette; it +consists solely in reason, justice, truth, the rights of mankind, +and the interests of the nations of Europe; all of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">127</a></span> +which well understood, are clearly in her favor. I shall +therefore never make unnecessary difficulties on the score +of etiquette, and shall never insist upon anything of this +sort, which your Excellency or some other Minister of our +allies does not advise me to as indispensable; and therefore +I shall certainly go to Vienna or elsewhere, if your +Excellency should invite or advise me to go. But as +these reflections occurred to me upon the point of propriety, +I thought it my duty to mention them to your Excellency.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Paris, July 19th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>In my letter of the 18th, I had the honor to mention +some things, which lay upon my mind; but still I am apprehensive, +that in a former letter, I have not conveyed +my full meaning to your Excellency.</p> + +<p>In my letter of the 16th, I submitted to your Excellency's +opinion and advice, whether an American Minister +could appear at the Congress at Vienna, without having +his character acknowledged by any power, more expressly +than it is now. This was said upon the supposition, and +taking it for granted, that it was the intention of the mediating +Courts to admit a representative of the United +States to the Congress, with such a commission and such +a title as the United States should think fit to give him, +and that during his whole residence and negotiations at +Vienna, whether they should terminate in peace or not, he +should enjoy all the prerogatives, which the law of nations +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">128</a></span> +has annexed to the character, person, habitation, and attendants +of such a Minister. It is impossible that there +should be a treaty at Vienna between Great Britain and +the people of America, whether they are called United +States or American Colonies, unless both nations appear there +by representatives, who must be authorised by commissions +or full powers, which must be mutually exchanged, +and consequently admitted to be, what upon the face of +them they purport to be. The commission from the +United States for making peace, which has been in Europe +almost two years, is that of a Minister Plenipotentiary, +and it authorises him to treat only with Ministers vested +with equal powers. If he were to appear at Vienna, he +would certainly assume the title and character of a Minister +Plenipotentiary, and could enter into no treaty or conference +with any Minister from Great Britain, until they had +mutually exchanged authentic copies of their full powers. +This it is true, would be an implied acknowledgment of his +character and title, and of those of the United States too; +but such an acknowledgment is indispensable, because +without it there can be no treaty at all. In consequence he +would expect to enjoy all the prerogatives of that character, +and the moment they should be denied him, he must +quit the Congress, let the consequences be what they +might.</p> + +<p>And I rely upon it, this is the intention of the two Imperial +Courts; because otherwise, they would have proposed +the Congress upon the basis of the two British preliminaries, +a rupture of the treaty with France, and a return of +the Americans to their submission to Great Britain; and +because I cannot suppose it possible, that the Imperial +Courts could believe the Americans capable of such infinite +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">129</a></span> +baseness, as to appear upon the stage of the universe, +acknowledge themselves guilty of rebellion, and supplicate +for grace; nor can I suppose they meant to fix a brand of +disgrace upon the Americans in the sight of all nations, or +to pronounce judgment against them; one or all of which +suppositions must be made, before it can be believed, that +these Courts did not mean to protect the American Representative +in the enjoyment of the privileges attached to the +character he must assume; and because, otherwise, all +their propositions would be to no effect, for no Congress at +Vienna can make either the one or the other of the two +proposed peaces, without the United States. But upon +looking over again the words of the first article, there +seems to be room for dispute, of which a British Minister, +in the present state of his country, would be capable of +taking advantage. The terms used seems to be justly exceptionable. +There are no "American Colonies" at war +with Great Britain. The power at war is the United +States of America. No American Colonies have any +Representative in Europe, unless Nova Scotia or Quebec, +or some of the West India Islands, may have an agent in +London. The word Colony, in its usual acceptation, implies +a metropolis, a mother country, a superior political +Governor, ideas which the United States have long since +renounced forever.</p> + +<p>I am therefore clear in my opinion, that a more explicit +declaration ought to be insisted on, and that no American +Representative ought to appear, without an express assurance, +that while the Congress lasts, and in going to it, and +returning from it, he shall be considered as a Minister +Plenipotentiary from the United States of America, and +entitled to all the prerogatives of such a Minister from a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">130</a></span> +sovereign power. The Congress might be to him and to +his country but a snare, unless the substance of this is <i>bona +fide</i> intended, and if it is intended, there can be no sufficient +reason for declining to express it in words.</p> + +<p>If there is a Power upon earth, that imagines that America +will ever appear at a Congress, before a Minister of +Great Britain, or any other power in the character of repenting +subjects, soliciting an amnesty, or a warranty of an +amnesty, that Power is infinitely deceived. There are few +Americans who would hold their lives upon such terms. I +know of none who would not rather choose to appear upon +a scaffold in their own country, or in Great Britain. All +such odious ideas ought to be laid aside by the British +Ministry, before they propose mediations. The bare mention +of such a thing to the United States by Great Britain +would be considered only as another repetition of injury +and insult. The proposal of a rupture of the treaty is little +less to France. But it is possible, that in the future course +of this negotiation, there may be a proposal of a Congress +of Ministers of the several mediating and belligerent powers, +exclusive of the United States, to deliberate on the +question, in what character the United States are to be +considered, whether a Representative of the people of +North America can be admitted, and what shall be his +title and privileges.</p> + +<p>All that I can say to this case at present is this. The +United States have assumed their equal station among the +nations. They have assumed a sovereignty, which they +acknowledge to hold only from God and their own swords. +They can be represented only as a sovereign; and, therefore, +although they might not be able to prevent it, they +can never consent that any of these things shall be made +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">131</a></span> +questions. To give their consent, would be to make the +surrender of their sovereignty their own act.</p> + +<p>France has acknowledged all these things, and bound +her honor and faith to the support of them, and, therefore, +although she might not be able to prevent it, she can never +consent that they should be disputed. Her consent would +make the surrender of the American sovereignty her act. +And what end can it answer to dispute them, unless it be +to extend the flames of war? If Great Britain had a +color of reason for pretending, that France's acknowledgment +of American independence was a hostility against +her, the United States would have a stronger reason to +say, that a denial of their sovereignty was a declaration of +war against them. And as France is bound to support +their sovereignty, she would have reason to say, that a +denial of it is a hostility against her. If any power of +Europe has an inclination to join England, and declare +war against France and the United States, there is no need +of a previous Congress to enable her to do it with more +solemnity, or to furnish her with plausible pretexts. But +on the other hand, if the powers of Europe are persuaded +of the justice of the American pretensions, and think it +their duty to humanity to endeavor to bring about peace, +they may easily propose, that the character of the United +States shall be acknowledged, and their Minister admitted.</p> + +<p>I cannot but persuade myself, that the two Imperial +Courts are convinced of the justice of the American cause, +of the stability of the American sovereignty, and of the +propriety and necessity of an acknowledgment of it by all +the powers of Europe. This, I think, may be fairly and +conclusively inferred from the propositions themselves. +Was there ever an example of a Congress of the powers +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">132</a></span> +of Europe to exhort, to influence, to overawe the rebellious +subjects of any one of them into obedience? Is not +every sovereign adequate to the government, punishment, +or pardon of its own criminal subjects? Would it not be +a precedent mischievous to mankind, and tending to universal +despotism, if a sovereign, which has been proved to +be unequal to the reformation or chastisement of the pretended +crimes of its own subjects, should be countenanced +in calling in the aid of all or any of the other powers of +Europe to assist them? It is quite sufficient, that England +has already been permitted to hire twenty thousand German +troops, and to have the number annually recruited for +seven years, in addition to her own whole force; it is quite +sufficient, that she has been permitted to seduce innumerable +tribes of savages, in addition to both, to assist her in +propagating her system of tyranny, and committing her +butcheries in America, without being able to succeed.</p> + +<p>After all this, which is notorious to all Europe, it is +impossible to believe, that the Imperial Courts mean to +give their influence in any degree towards bringing America +to submission to Great Britain. It seems to me, therefore, +most certain, that the Imperial Courts perceive, that +American independence must be acknowledged; and if this +is so, I think there can be no objection against ascertaining +the character of the American Minister before any Congress +meets, so that he may take his place in it as soon as +it opens.</p> + +<p>But if any sentiments of delicacy should induce those +Courts to think it necessary to wait for Great Britain to set +the example of such acknowledgment, one would think it +necessary to wait until that power shall discover some +symptoms of an inclination that way. A Congress would +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">133</a></span> +have no tendency, that I know of, to give her such a disposition; +on the contrary, a Congress in which Great +Britain should be represented, and France and the United +States not, would only give her an opportunity of forming +parties, propagating prejudices and partial notions, and +blowing up the coals of war.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Paris, July 21st, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>Since my letter of the 19th, another point has occurred +to me, upon which it seems necessary, that I should say +something to your Excellency, before my departure for +Holland, which will be on Monday morning.</p> + +<p>An idea has, I perceive, been suggested of the several +States of America choosing agents separately to attend the +Congress at Vienna, in order to make peace with Great +Britain; so that there would be thirteen instead of one. +The constitution of the United States, or their confederation, +which has been solemnly adopted and ratified by each +of them, has been officially and authentically notified to +their Majesties, the Kings of France and Spain, and to their +High Mightinesses, the States-General of the United +Provinces of the Low Countries, and communicated to all +the Courts and nations of the world, as far as all the gazettes +of Europe are able to spread it; so that it is now as +well and universally known as any constitution of government +in Europe. By this constitution, all power and +authority of negotiating with foreign powers is expressly +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">134</a></span> +delegated to the United States in Congress assembled. It +would, therefore, be a public disrespect and contempt offered +to the constitution of the nation, if any power should +make any application whatever to the Governors, or Legislature +of the separate States. In this respect, the American +Constitution is very different from the Batavian. If +the two Imperial Courts should address their articles to the +States separately, no Governor or President of any one +of those Commonwealths could even communicate it to +the Legislature. No President of a Senate could lay it +before the body over which he presides. No Speaker of +a House of Representatives could read it to the House. +It would be an error, and a misdemeanor in any one of +these officers to receive and communicate any such letter. +All that he could do would be, after breaking the seal and +reading it, to send it back. He could not even legally +transmit it to Congress. If such an application, therefore, +should be made and sent back, it would consume much +time to no purpose, and perhaps have other worse effects.</p> + +<p>There is no method for the Courts of Europe to convey +anything to the people of America but through the Congress +of the United States, nor any way of negotiating with +them but by means of that body. I must, therefore, entreat +your Excellency, that the idea of summoning Ministers +from the thirteen States may not be countenanced +at all.</p> + +<p>I know very well, that if each State had in the confederation +reserved to itself a right of negotiating with foreign powers, +and such an application should have been made to them +separately upon this occasion, they would all of them separately +refer it to Congress, because the people universally +know and are well agreed, that all connexions with foreign +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">135</a></span> +countries must, in their circumstances, be made under one +direction.</p> + +<p>But all these things were very minutely considered in +framing the confederation, by which the people of each +State have taken away from themselves even the right of +deliberating and debating upon these affairs, unless they +should be referred to them by Congress for their advice, +or unless they should think proper to instruct their delegates +in Congress of their own accord.</p> + +<p>This matter may not appear to your Excellency in so +important a light as it does to me, and the thought of such +an application to the United States may not have been +seriously entertained; but as it has been mentioned, although +only in a way of transient speculation, I thought I +could not excuse myself from saying something upon it, +because I know it would be considered in so unfavorable a +light in America; that I am persuaded Congress would +think themselves bound to remonstrate against it in the +most solemn manner.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, July 21st, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>From the Hague, there is an article of the following +tenor.</p> + +<p>"As to the affair of the Field Maréchal, the Duke of +Brunswick, which makes an object of deliberation in the +Assemblies of the Provinces, one sees in public a copy of +the opinion of the Quarter of Westergo, (one of the four +Chambers which form the States of Friesland,) in which +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">136</a></span> +it is joined by four Manors or Intendancies of the Quarter +of Sevenwonde, which have protested against the opinion of +the plurality of their Chamber; this opinion is of the following +tenor."</p> + +<p>"The Quarter having examined with all due attention the +memorial, presented by the Duke to their High Mightinesses, +is of opinion, that the paragraphs of the memorial, +remitted to his Highness in the name of the Burgomasters +of Amsterdam, of which the said Lord the Duke complains, +contain not the least thing by which the Lord the +Duke may be considered to have been any way hurt in his +character; but rather, that the paragraphs or complaints +contained in the said Memorial, exhibit an accusation +against the Duke in his quality of Counsellor of his Highness, +and that they express the sentiments of the people, +which the gentlemen, the Burgomasters of Amsterdam, +have infused into the breast of our well beloved hereditary +Stadtholder; by means of which, they have manifested an +evident proof of their sincere attachment to his Highness +and to his illustrious House. The Quarter is therefore of +opinion, that in case the Lord Duke thinks himself aggrieved +by the Burgomasters of Amsterdam, he ought to +address himself to their ordinary and competent judge, +seeing that this Assembly of their High Mightinesses is not +a competent judge in this matter; and that, therefore, it is +proper to charge the gentlemen, the Deputies in the Assembly +of the States-General, not to enter into any deliberations +upon this matter."</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">137</a></span></p> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, August 3d, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I have the honor to enclose copies of some papers, +which passed between the Count de Vergennes and me, +lately at Paris. The conjecture, that the British Court +would insist upon their two preliminaries, is become more +probable by the publication of the King's speech at the +prorogation of Parliament.</p> + +<p>"The zeal and ardor, which you have shown for the +honor of my Crown," says the King, "your firm and steady +support of a just cause, and the great efforts you have +made to enable me to surmount all the difficulties of this +extensive and complicated war, must convince the world, +that the ancient spirit of the British nation is not abated or +diminished.</p> + +<p>"While I lament the continuance of the present troubles, +and the extension of the war, I have the conscious satisfaction +to reflect, that the constant aim of all my counsels +has been to bring back my deluded subjects in America to +the happiness and liberty they formerly enjoyed, and to +see the tranquillity of Europe restored.</p> + +<p>"To defend the dominions, and to maintain the rights of +this country, was on my part the sole cause, and is the +object of the war. Peace is the earnest wish of my +heart, but I have too firm a reliance on the spirit and resources +of the nation, the powerful assistance of my Parliament, +and <i>the protection of a just and all ruling Providence</i>, +to accept it upon any other terms or conditions than +such as may consist with the honor and dignity of my +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">138</a></span> +Crown, and the permanent interest and security of my +people."</p> + +<p>We all know very well what his meaning is when he +mentions "the honor and dignity of his Crown, and the permanent +interest and security of his people." Could the +Minister who composed this speech expect that anybody +would believe him when he said, that the constant aim of +all his counsels had been to bring back the Americans to +the happiness and liberty they formerly enjoyed?</p> + +<p>The whole of this speech is in a strain, which leaves no +room to doubt that the cabinet of St James is yet resolved +to persevere in the war to the last extremity, and to insist +still upon the return of America to British obedience, and +upon the rupture of the treaty with France, as preliminaries +to the Congress at Vienna. Thus the two Imperial +Courts will find themselves trifled with by the British. It +is not to be supposed that either will be the voluntary bubble +of such trickish policy. The Empress of Russia is +supposed to be as sagacious as she is spirited; yet she +seems to have given some attention to the pacific professions +of the English. If she could see herself intentionally +deceived, she will not probably be very patient.</p> + +<p>The Emperor, in his late journey through Holland, made +himself the object of the esteem and admiration of all; +affable and familiar, as a great sovereign can ever allow +himself to be with dignity, he gave to many persons unequivocal +intimations of his sentiments upon public affairs. +Patriotism seemed to be the object which he wished to distinguish. +Whoever espoused with zeal the honor and +interest of his own country, was sure of some mark of his +approbation; whoever appeared to countenance another +country in preference to his own, found some symptom of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">139</a></span> +his dislike; even the ladies, French or Dutch, who had +any of the English modes in their dress, received from his +Majesty some intimation of his disapprobation of their +taste. Everybody here, since his departure, is confident +of his entire detestation of the principles on which the +English have conducted this war, and of his determination +to take no part in it, in their favor. His sentiments concerning +America are inferred from a very singular anecdote, +which is so well attested, that it may not be improper +to mention to Congress.</p> + +<p>His Majesty condescended, in a certain company, to +inquire after the Minister of the United States of America +to their High Mightinesses, said he was acquainted with +his name and character, and should be glad to see him; a +lady in company, asked his Majesty if he would drink tea +with him at her house? He replied in the affirmative, in +the character of the Count of Falkenstein. A lady in +company undertook to form the party; but upon inquiry, +the American was at Paris. It is supposed with good reason, +that there could be nothing personal in this curiosity, +and therefore that it was intended as a political signification +of a certain degree of complaisance towards America.</p> + +<p>Thus it is, that the words, gestures, and countenances of +sovereigns are watched, and political inferences drawn from +them; but there is too much uncertainty in this science, to +depend much upon it. It seems, however, that the Emperor +made himself so popular here, as to excite some +appearance of jealousy in Prussia. For my own part, I +think that the greatest political stroke which the two Imperial +Courts could make, would be upon receiving the answer +from England adhering to her preliminaries, immediately +to declare the United States independent. It would +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">140</a></span> +be to their immortal honor; it would be in the character +of each of these, extraordinary geniuses; it would be a +blessing to mankind; it would even be friendship to England.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>B. FRANKLIN TO JOHN ADAMS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Passy, August 6th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I sometime since gave orders, as you desired, to Mr +Grand to furnish you with a credit in Holland for the remainder +of your salary to November next. But I am now +told that your account having been mixed with Mr Dana's, +he finds it difficult to know the sum due to you. Be +pleased therefore to state your account for two years, giving +credit for the sums you have received, that an order +may be made for the balance. Upon this occasion, it is +right to acquaint you that I do not think we can depend on +receiving any more money here, applicable to the support +of the Congress Ministers.</p> + +<p>What aids are hereafter granted, will probably be transmitted +by the government directly to America. It will, +therefore, be proper to inform Congress, that care may be +taken to furnish their servants by remittances from thence.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">B. FRANKLIN.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">141</a></span></p> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, August 6th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>In the Utrecht Gazette of this morning is an article from +Petersburg, of the 13th of July, in these words.</p> + +<p>"Saturday last, the government despatched a courier for +London. He carries, it is assured, instructions to M. +Simolin, our Minister to the King of England, to make to +his Britannic Majesty, conjointly with the Ministers of +Sweden and Denmark, certain representations concerning +the war, which he has thought fit to declare against the +Republic of the United Provinces.</p> + +<p>"The Minister of England, at our Court, received a +courier from London, the day before yesterday, with the +answer of the British Ministry to the preliminary articles +of a Treaty of Peace to be concluded between the belligerent +powers of Europe under the high mediation of her +Majesty, the Empress, our Sovereign, and of his Majesty, +the Emperor, King of Hungary and Bohemia; but nothing +has transpired of the contents of this answer."</p> + +<p>"It is said, that the Grand Duke and the Grand +Dutchess of Russia, will set off from hence for the Courts +of Europe, which their Imperial Highnesses propose to +visit, about the end of August or the beginning of September."</p> + +<p>A man, who is master of the history of England for the +last twenty years, would be at no loss to conjecture the answer +to the preliminary articles of the two Imperial Courts. +Indeed the King's speech has already answered them before +all the world. The King has not probably given one +answer to Parliament, and his Ministers another to the +mediating Courts. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">142</a></span></p> + +<p>Thus all Europe is to be bubbled by a species of chicanery, +that has been the derision of America for a number +of years. In time, the Courts of Europe will learn the +nature of these British tricks by experience, and receive +them with the contempt or the indignation they deserve.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, August 6th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>In several of the London newspapers of July the 26th, +appeared the following paragraph.</p> + +<p>"An order has been sent from Lord Hillsborough's office +for bringing Curson and Gouverneur, (whom we sometime +ago mentioned to have been confined by command of +Sir George Rodney, and General Vaughan, for having carried +on a traitorous correspondence with the enemy at St +Eustatia,) to town, to be confined in Newgate, to take their +trial for the crime of high treason. The whole circumstances +of their case, and all their correspondence has been submitted +to the inspection of the Attorney and Solicitor-General, +and they consider the offence in so serious a light, that a +direct refusal has been given to a petition from Mr Curson +to be indulged with the privilege of giving bail for appearance, +on account of the ill-health, which he has experienced +on board the Vengeance, where he and his colleague +have been for some months confined, and which is +now lying at Spithead. It has been discovered, from an +inspection of their papers, that Mr Adams, the celebrated +negotiator to Holland, was the man, with whom they held +their illicit correspondence, and it is said, that the appearance +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">143</a></span> +of proof against them, has turned out much stronger +than was originally supposed."</p> + +<p>Last fall Mr Searle informed me, that Messrs Curson +and Gouverneur were Continental Agents at Eustatia, and +advised me to send my despatches to their care, as worthy +men, a part of whose duty it was to forward such things to +Congress. I accordingly sent several packets of letters, +newspapers, and pamphlets to their address, accompanied +only with a line, simply requesting their attention to forward +them by the first safe opportunity. I never saw +those gentlemen, or received a line from either. It must +have been imprudence, or negligence, to suffer my letters +to fall into the hands of the enemy. I have looked over all +the letters, which I wrote about that time, and I find no +expression in any, that could do harm to the public, if +printed in the gazettes, yet there are some things, which +the English would not choose to publish, I fancy. What +other correspondences of Messrs Curson and Gouverneur +might have been discovered, I know not.</p> + +<p>The British Ministry seem to be growing outrageous. +The more they despair, the more angry they are. They +think not at all of peace. America should think of it as +little; sighing, and longing for peace, will not obtain it. No +terms short of eternal disgrace and irrecoverable ruin +would be accepted. We must brace up our laws and our +military discipline, and renounce that devoted and abandoned +nation for ever. America must put an end to a +foolish and disgraceful correspondence and intercourse, +which some have indulged, but at which all ought to blush, +as inconsistent with the character of man.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">144</a></span></p> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, August 8th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>This people must have their own way. They proceed +like no other. There cannot be a more striking example +of this, than the instructions given to privateers and letters +of marque.</p> + +<p>The commander is ordered to bring his prizes into some +port of the United Provinces, or into the ports or roads +of the allies and friends of this Republic, especially France, +Sweden, North America, or Spain; and the ship shall be +at liberty to join, under a written convention, with one or +more privateers or other similar ships of war, belonging to +Hollanders, Zealanders, French, Americans, or Spanish, +to undertake jointly anything advantageous, &c. This is +not only an acknowledgment of the independence of North +America, but it is avowing it to be an ally and friend. +But I suppose, in order to elude and evade, it would be +said, that these are only the instructions given by owners +to their commanders; yet these instructions are required +to be sworn to, and produced to the Admiralty for their +approbation.</p> + +<p>It is certain, that the King of Spain, when he declared +war against Great Britain, sent orders to all his officers to +treat the Americans, as the best friends of Spain, and +the King's pleasure, being a law to his subjects, they are +bound by it. But what is there to oblige a citizen of the +United Provinces to consider the Americans as the friends +of the Republic? There is no such law, and these instructions +cannot bind. Yet it is very certain, that no +Dutchman will venture to take an American.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">145</a></span></p> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, August 16th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>Mr Temple has held offices of such importance, and a +rank so considerable in America, before the revolution, +that his return to his native country at this time, cannot fail +to cause much speculation, and it is to be feared some diversity +of sentiments concerning him. As he came from +London to Amsterdam, and did me the honor of a visit, in +which he opened to me his design of returning, and his +sentiments upon many public affairs, it will be expected in +America by many, although it has not been requested by +Mr Temple, that I should say something concerning him.</p> + +<p>I was never before personally acquainted with this gentleman, +but I have long known his public character and +private reputation. He was ever reputed a man of very +delicate sentiments of honor, of integrity, and of attachment +to his native country, although his education, his long residences +in England, his numerous connexions there, and +the high offices he held under the British government, did +not even admit of a general opinion, that his sentiments +were in all respects perfectly conformable to those of the +most popular party in the Colonies. Nevertheless, he was +never suspected, to my knowledge, of concurring in, or +countenancing any of those many plots which were laid by +other officers of the Crown, against our liberties, but on the +contrary, was known to be the object of their jealousy, revenge, +and malice, because he would not. He was, however, +intimate with several gentlemen, who stood foremost +in opposition, particularly Mr Otis, who has often communicated +to me intelligence of very great importance, which +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">146</a></span> +he had from Mr Temple, and which he certainly could +have got no other way, as early I believe as 1763 and +1764, and onwards.</p> + +<p>I cannot undertake to vindicate Mr Temple's policy in +remaining so long in England; but it will be easily in his +power to show what kind of company he has kept there; +what kind of sentiments and conversation he has maintained, +and in what occupations he has employed his time. +It is not a view to recommend Mr Temple to honors +or emoluments, that I write this. It would not be proper +for me, and Congress know very well, that I have not ventured +upon this practice, even in cases where I have much +more personal knowledge than in this. But it is barely to +prevent, as far as my poor opinion may go, jealousies and +alarms upon Mr Temple's arrival. Many may suspect +that he comes with secret and bad designs, in the confidence +of the British Ministry, of which I do not believe +him capable.</p> + +<p>Mr Temple it is most certain, has fallen from high rank +and ample emoluments, merely because be would not join +in hostile designs against his country. This I think should +at least entitle him to the quiet enjoyment of the liberties of +his country, and to the esteem of his fellow-citizens, provided +there are no just grounds of suspicion of him. And +I really think it a testimony due to truth, to say, that after +a great deal of the very freest conversation with him, I see +no reason to suspect his intentions.</p> + +<p>I have taken the liberty to give Mr Temple my own sentiments +concerning the suspicions which have been, and +are entertained concerning him, and the causes of them, +and of all parts of his conduct, which have come to my +knowledge, with so little disguise, that he will be well apprised +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">147</a></span> +of the disappointments he may meet with, if any. +I hope, however, that he will meet a more friendly reception +in America, and better prospects of a happy life there, +than I have been able to assure him. Whether any services +or sufferings of Mr Temple could support any claim +upon the justice, gratitude, or generosity of the United +States, or of that of Massachusetts in particular, is a question +upon which it would be altogether improper for me to +give my opinion, as I know not the facts so well as they +may be made known, and as I am no judge, if I knew the +facts. But this I know, that whenever the facts shall be +laid before either the great Council of the United States, +or that of Massachusetts, they will be judged of by the +worthy Representatives of a just, grateful, and generous +people, and therefore Mr Temple will have no reason to +complain if the decision should be against him.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, August 16th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>The following verbal insinuation, made to the Ambassador +of Holland at the Court of Russia, was transmitted to +Congress in my absence, and is now repeated by me, in +order to complete the setts already forwarded.</p> + +<p>"The affection of the Empress to the interests of the +Republic of the United Provinces, and her desire to see +re-established, by a prompt reconciliation, a peace and +good harmony between the two maritime powers, have +been sufficiently manifested by the step, which she has +taken, in offering them her separate mediation. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">148</a></span></p> + +<p>"If she has not had the desired success, her Imperial +Majesty has only been for that reason the more attentive to +search out the means capable of conducting her to it. +One such means offers itself in the combined mediation of +the two Imperial Courts, under the auspices of which it is +to be treated at Vienna of a general pacification of the +Courts actually at war.</p> + +<p>"It belongs only to the Republic to regulate itself in the +same manner. Her Imperial Majesty by an effect of her +friendship for it, imposing upon herself the task to bring +her co-mediator into an agreement to share with her the +cares and the good offices, which she has displayed in its +favor. As soon as it shall please their High Mightinesses +to make known their intentions in this regard to the Prince +de Gallitzin, the Envoy of the Empress at the Hague, +charged to make to them the same insinuation, this last will +write of it immediately to the Minister of her Imperial +Majesty at Vienna, who will not fail to take with that +Court the arrangements, which are prescribed to him, to the +end to proceed in this affair by the same formalities, which +we have made use of with the other powers.</p> + +<p>"Her Imperial Majesty flatters herself, that the Republic +will receive this overture, as a fresh proof of her benevolence, +and of the attention, which she preserves, to cultivate +the ties of that friendship, and of that alliance, which +subsists between them."</p> + +<p>It does not appear by this insinuation, that the articles +proposed by the two Imperial Courts, to serve as a basis +for the negotiations of peace at Vienna, were communicated +to the Dutch Minister at Petersburg, or the Russian +Minister at the Hague, or by either to their High Mightinesses; +as the word, Courts at war, is used, and no hint +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">149</a></span> +about the United States in it, the probability is that the +articles are not communicated.</p> + +<p>I must confess, I like the insinuation very much, because +it may be in time an excellent precedent for making such +an insinuation to the Minister of the United States of America.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, August 18th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>We have received at last, Parker's account of the action +with Admiral Zoutman; according to which, the battle +was maintained with a continual fire for three hours and +forty minutes, when it became impossible to work his ships. +He made an attempt to recommence the action, but found +it impracticable. The Bienfaisant had lost her maintopmast, +and the Buffalo her mizzen-yard, and the other vessels +were not less damaged in their masts, rigging, and +sails. The enemy did not appear in a better condition. +The two squadrons remained some time over against each +other; at length the Dutch retired, taking with their convoy +the course to the Texel. He was not in a condition +to follow them. The officers and all on board behaved +with great bravery, and the enemy did not discover less +courage. He encloses the particulars of the number +killed and wounded, and of the damages which the vessels +have sustained. The last is prudently suppressed by the +Ministry.</p> + +<p>The following is a list of the killed and wounded in the +action of the 5th of August. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">150</a></span></p> + +<table summary="English"> +<caption><i>English.</i></caption> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<th>Killed.</th> +<th>Wounded.</th> +<th>Total.</th> +</tr> +<tr> +<td>Fortitude,</td> +<td class="rt">20</td> +<td class="rt">67</td> +<td class="rt">87</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td>Bienfaisant,</td> +<td class="rt">6</td> +<td class="rt">21</td> +<td class="rt">27</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td>Berwick,</td> +<td class="rt">18</td> +<td class="rt">58</td> +<td class="rt">76</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td>Princess Amelia,</td> +<td class="rt">19</td> +<td class="rt">56</td> +<td class="rt">75</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td>Preston,</td> +<td class="rt">10</td> +<td class="rt">40</td> +<td class="rt">50</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td>Buffalo,</td> +<td class="rt">20</td> +<td class="rt">64</td> +<td class="rt">84</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td>Dolphin,</td> +<td class="rtu">11</td> +<td class="rtu">33</td> +<td class="rtu">44</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td class="rt">104</td> +<td class="rt">339</td> +<td class="rt">443</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<table class="p2" summary="Dutch"> +<caption><i>Dutch.</i></caption> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<th>Killed.</th> +<th>Wounded.</th> +<th>Total.</th> +</tr> +<tr> +<td>Admiral de Ruyter,</td> +<td class="rt">43</td> +<td class="rt">90</td> +<td class="rt">133</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td>Admiral-General,</td> +<td class="rt">7</td> +<td class="rt">41</td> +<td class="rt">48</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td>Batavier,</td> +<td class="rt">18</td> +<td class="rt">48</td> +<td class="rt">66</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td>Argo,</td> +<td class="rt">11</td> +<td class="rt">87</td> +<td class="rt">98</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td>Holland,</td> +<td class="rt"> </td> +<td class="rt"> </td> +<td class="rt">64</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td>Admiral Ret Hein,</td> +<td class="rt">9</td> +<td class="rt">58</td> +<td class="rtu">67</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td class="rt"> </td> +<td class="rt"> </td> +<td class="rt">476</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, August 22d, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>The late glorious victory, obtained by Admiral Zoutman +over Admiral Parker, is wholly to be ascribed to the +exertions of Amsterdam. Pretences and excuses would +have been devised for avoiding to send out the fleet, and +indeed for avoiding an action when at sea, if it had not +been for the measures which have been taken to arouse the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">151</a></span> +attention and animate the zeal of the nation. The officers +and men of the army, and especially of the navy, appear to +have been as much affected and influenced by the proceedings +of the Regency of Amsterdam, as any other parts of +the community. Notwithstanding the apparent ill success +of the enterprises of the great city, it is certain that a flame +of patriotism and of valor has been kindled by them, which +has already produced great effects, and will probably much +greater.</p> + +<p>It is highly probable, however, that if the Regency of +Amsterdam had taken another course, they would have +succeeded better. If instead of a complaint of sloth in the +Executive department, and a personal attack upon the +Duke, they had taken the lead in a system of public measures, +they would have found more zealous supporters, +fewer powerful opposers, and perhaps would have seen the +ardor of the nation increase with equal rapidity. For example, +as the sovereignty of the United States was a question +legally before them, they might have made a proposition +in the States of Holland to acknowledge it, and make +a treaty with them. This measure would have met with +general applause among the people, throughout the Seven Provinces, +and their example would have been followed by +the Regencies of other cities, or they might have proposed +in the States to accede to the treaty of alliance between +France and America. However, we ought to presume, +that these gentlemen know their own countrymen, and their +true policy, better than strangers, and it may be their intention +to propose other things in course. It is certain, +that they have animated the nation to a high degree, so +that a separate peace, or any mean concessions to Great +Britain, cannot now be made. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">152</a></span></p> + +<p>The good party have the upperhand, and patriotic counsels +begin to prevail.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS,</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, August 22d, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>The constitution of this country is such, that it is difficult +to discover the general sense. There have been all +along circumstances in which it might be discerned, but +these were so feeble, and so susceptible of contradiction +and disguise, that some extraordinary exertions were necessary +to strike out unquestionable proofs of the temper +and opinion of the nation.</p> + +<p>Last spring, the part of this people, which was most +averse to war, was for making propositions and concessions +to England, in order to obtain peace. This policy +was not only injudicious, but would have been fruitless, +because the English would have made peace upon no +other terms, than this nation's joining them against France, +Spain, and America, which would have been its ruin. +Nevertheless, if the party had prevailed, and sent Ambassadors +to London to solicit peace, the Court of London +would have found so many arts and pretences for spinning +out the negotiation, and would have obstructed the commerce +of Holland so much, as to bring on a discouragement +and despair among the people.</p> + +<p>In these critical circumstances, something uncommon +was necessary to arouse the nation, and bring forth the +public voice. The first step of this kind, was the proposition +of the United States of America to their High +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">153</a></span> +Mightinesses, which being taken <i>ad referendum</i>, became a +subject of deliberation in every city of the Republic, and +the publication of the memorial of the 19th of April, 1781, +which made the American cause, the primary object and +main spring of the war, the topic of conversation in every +private circle, as well as in every public assembly.</p> + +<p>This memorial gave all parties an opportunity to know +with certainty the public opinion; and accordingly, such a +general and decided approbation was discovered everywhere, +that the few who detested it in their hearts, never +dared to open their mouths. Emboldened by this, M. +Van Berckel came forward with his application to the +States for a vindication of his character, and although he +has not obtained an answer, yet it has been discovered +that his enemies have not been powerful enough either to +condemn or to censure him. Not long after, followed +the manly proposition of the Regency of Amsterdam for +an inquiry into the causes of the inactivity of the State, +and, in course, their direct attack upon the Duke of Brunswick.</p> + +<p>The American memorial has not obtained, and probably +will not obtain for a long time, an acknowledgment of +American independence, but it discovered with absolute +certainty the sentiments of the nation. M. Van Berckel's +petition has not procured him a formal justification, but it +has proved that his enemies are too weak to punish or +to censure him. The proposition of Amsterdam has not +obtained an inquiry into the causes of the sloth of the +State, nor the appointment of a committee to assist the +Prince; but it has occasioned a universal declaration of +the people's sentiments, that the State has been too inactive, +and the counsels of the Court too slow. The application +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">154</a></span> +of Amsterdam against the Duke has not procured +his removal, but it has procured a universal avowal, that +the public counsels have been defective, and a universal +cry for an alteration, and has obliged the Court to adopt a +different system. When the public counsels of a country +have taken a wrong bias, the public voice, pronounced +with energy, will sometimes correct the error, without any +violent remedies. The voice of the people, which had +been so often declared, by the late sea action was found to +be so clear, that it has produced many remarkable effects. +Among which, none deserve more attention than the following +declarations of the Prince. The first was inserted +by order in the newspapers in these words.</p> + +<p>"As pains are taken to draw the public into an opinion, +that the vessels of the Meuse, (Rotterdam) and of +Middleburg, (Zealand) which at first had orders to join the +squadron of the Texel, (only those of Amsterdam) had +afterwards received counter orders, as it is given out in +some cities almost in so many words, and which is propagated, +(God knows with what design) it is to us a particular +satisfaction to be able to assure the public, after authentic +information, and even from the supreme authority, that +such assertions are destitute of all foundation, and absolutely +contrary to the truth; that the orders, given and +never revoked, but, on the contrary, repeated more than +once to the vessels of the Meuse, to join the convoy of the +Texel, could not be executed, because it did not please +Providence to grant a wind and the other favorable circumstances +necessary to this effect, while the Province of +Zealand, threatened at the same time with an attack from +an English squadron, would not willingly have seen diminished +the number of vessels, which lay at that time in their +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">155</a></span> +Road. It is, nevertheless, much to be regretted, that circumstances +have not permitted us to render the Dutch +squadron sufficiently strong, to have obtained over the +enemy a victory as useful as it was glorious."</p> + +<p>On the 14th of August, the Prince wrote the following +letter to the crews of the vessels of the State.</p> + +<p>"Noble, respectable, and virtuous, our faithful and well +beloved; We have learned with the greatest satisfaction, +that the squadron of the State, under the command of +Rear Admiral Zoutman, although weaker by a great deal +in ships, guns, and men, than the English squadron of Vice +Admiral Parker, has resisted so courageously on the 5th +of this month his attack, that the English squadron, after +a most obstinate combat, which lasted from eight o'clock +in the morning to half past eleven, has been obliged to desist +and to retire. The heroic courage, with which Vice Admiral +Zoutman, the captains, officers, petty officers, and common +sailors and soldiers, who have had a part in the action, and +who, under the blessing of God Almighty, have so well +discharged their duty in this naval combat, merits the +praises of all, and our particular approbation; it is for this +cause, we have thought fit by the present, to write to you, +to thank publicly in our name, the said Vice Admiral, +captains, officers, petty officers, and common sailors and +soldiers, by reading this letter on board of each ship, which +took part in the action, and whose captains and crews have +fought with so much courage and valor, and to transmit by +the Secretary of the fleet of the State an authentic copy, +as well to the said Rear Admiral Zoutman, as to the commanders +of the ships under his orders, of the conduct of +whom the said Rear Admiral had reason to be satisfied; +testifying, moreover, that we doubt not, that they and all +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">156</a></span> +the other officers of the State, and soldiers, in those occasions, +which may present, will give proofs that the State is +not destitute of defenders of our dear country and of her +liberty, and that the ancient heroic valor of the Batavians +still exists, and will not be extinguished. Whereupon, +noble, respectable, virtuous, our faithful and well beloved, +we recommend you to the divine protection."</p> + +<p>"Your affectionate friend,</p> + +<p class="signed_long">WILLIAM, <i>Prince of Orange</i>.</p> + +<p>Thus, although the enemies of England in this Republic +do not appear to have carried any particular point against +the opposite party, yet it appears that they have forced into +execution their system by means of the national voice, and +against all the measures of the Anglomanes. The national +spirit is now very high; so high that it will be dangerous to +resist it. In time, all things must give way to it. This +will make a fine diversion, at least for America and her +allies. I hope in time we may derive other advantages +from it. But we must wait with patience here, as we are +still obliged to do in Spain, and as we were obliged to do +in France, where we waited years before we succeeded.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO B. FRANKLIN.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, August 25th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>Last evening I received your Excellency's letter of the +16th of this month, accompanied with a letter from the +President of Congress, containing the commissions you +mention. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">157</a></span></p> + +<p>You desire to know what steps have already been taken +in this business. There has been no step taken by me in +pursuance of my former commission, until my late journey +to Paris, at the invitation of the Count de Vergennes, who +communicated to me certain articles proposed by the mediating +Courts, and desired me to make such observations +upon them as should occur to me. Accordingly, I wrote a +number of letters to his Excellency of the following dates; +July 13th, enclosing an answer to the articles sixteen, eighteen, +nineteen, twentyone. I would readily send you +copies of the articles, and of those letters, but there are +matters in them, which had better not be trusted to go so +long a journey, especially as there is no necessity for it. +The Count de Vergennes will readily give you copies of +the articles and of my letters, which will prevent all risk.</p> + +<p>I am very apprehensive that our new commission will +be as useless as my old one. Congress might very safely, +I believe, permit us all to go home, if we had no other +business, and stay there some years; at least, until every +British soldier in the United States is killed or captivated. +Till then, Britain will never think of peace, but for the purposes +of chicanery.</p> + +<p>I see in the papers, that the British Ambassador at Petersburg +has received an answer from his Court to the articles. +What this answer is, we may conjecture from the +King's speech. Yet the Empress of Russia has made an +insinuation to their High Mightinesses, which deserves +attention. Perhaps you may have seen it; but, lest you +should not, I will add a translation of it, which I sent to +Congress in the time of it, not having the original at hand.<a name="FNanchor_2" id="FNanchor_2" href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></p> + +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">158</a></span></p> + +<p>I must beg the favor of your Excellency to communicate +to me whatever you may learn, which has any connexion +with this negotiation; particularly the French, Spanish, +and British answers to the articles, as soon as you can obtain +them. In my situation, it is not likely that I shall obtain +any information of consequence, but from the French +Court. Whatever may come to my knowledge, I will +communicate to you without delay.</p> + +<p>If Britain persists in her two preliminaries, as I presume +she does, what will be the consequence? Will the two +Imperial Courts permit this great plan of a Congress at +Vienna, which is public and made the common talk of Europe, +to become another sublime bubble, like the armed +neutrality? In what a light will these mediating Courts +appear, after having listened to a proposition of England, +so far as to make propositions themselves, and to refer to +them in many public acts, if Britain refuses to agree to +them? and insists upon such preliminaries as are at least +an insult to France and America, and a kind of contempt +to the common sense of all Europe? I am weary of +such round-about and needless negotiations, as that of the +armed neutrality, and this of the Congress at Vienna. I +think the Dutch have at last discovered the only effectual +method of negotiation, that is, by fighting the British fleets +until every ship is obliged to answer the signal for renewing +the battle by the signal of distress. There is no room for +British chicanery in this. If I ever did any good, it was +in stirring up the pure minds of the Dutchmen, and setting +the old Batavian spirit in motion, after having slept so long.</p> + +<p>Our dear country will go fast asleep, in full assurance +of having news of peace by winter, if not by the first vessel. +Alas! what a disappointment they will meet. I believe +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">159</a></span> +I had better go home, and wake up our countrymen +out of their reveries about peace. Congress have done +very well to join others in the commission for peace, who +have some faculties for it. My talent, if I have one, lies +in making war. The Grand Seignior will finish the <i>procès +des trois rois</i>, sooner than the Congress of Vienna will +make peace, unless the two Imperial Courts act with dignity +and consistency upon the occasion, and acknowledge +American independency at once, upon Britain's insisting +on her two insolent preliminaries.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>JAMES LOVELL TO JOHN ADAMS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Philadelphia, September 1st, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>Enclosed you have some important instructions, passed +in Congress upon the 16th of last month.<a name="FNanchor_3" id="FNanchor_3" href="#Footnote_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> They will +probably reach you first through our Minister at Versailles, +an opportunity to France having earliest presented itself. +Should that not be the case, you will be careful to furnish +copies to Dr Franklin and Mr Jay.</p> + +<p>I remain, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed_long">JAMES LOVELL,<br /> +<i>For the Committee of Foreign Affairs.</i></p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">160</a></span></p> + +<h3>TO B. FRANKLIN.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, October 4th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>Since the 25th of August, when I had the honor to +write to you, this is the first time I have taken a pen in +hand to write to anybody, having been confined and reduced +too low, to do any kind of business, by a nervous +fever.</p> + +<p>The new commission for peace has been a great consolation +to me, because it removed from the public all danger +of suffering any inconvenience, at a time, when, for many +days together, there were many chances to one, that I +should have nothing more to do with commissions of any +sort. It is still a great satisfaction, because I think it a +measure essentially right, both as it is a greater demonstration +of respect to the powers, whose Ministers may assemble +to make peace, and as it is better calculated to give +satisfaction to the people of America in all parts, as the +Commissioners are chosen from the most considerable +places in that country.</p> + +<p>It is probable, that the French Court is already informed +of the alteration. Nevertheless, I should think it proper, +that it should be officially notified to the Count de Vergennes, +and, if you are of the same opinion, as you are +near, I should be obliged to you if you would communicate +to his Excellency an authentic copy of the new commission.</p> + +<p>I should think, too, that it would be proper to give some +intimation of it to the public, in the Gazette, or <i>Mercure +de France</i>, the two papers, which are published with the +consent of the Court, and, if you are of the same opinion, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">161</a></span> +upon consulting the Count de Vergennes, I should be glad +to see it done.</p> + +<p>Have you any information concerning Mr Jefferson, +whether he has accepted the trust? Whether he has embarked? +Or proposes soon to embark? I saw a paragraph +in a Maryland paper, which expressed an apprehension, +that he was taken prisoner, by a party of horse, in +Virginia.</p> + +<p>I feel a strong curiosity to know the answer of the +British Court, to the articles to serve as a basis, &c. and +should be much obliged to your Excellency for a copy of +it, if to be procured, and for your opinion, whether there +will be a Congress or not.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, October 15th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I am very sorry to learn, that Congress have received +no letters from me from October to June. It is not that +I wrote less than usual in that period, but that I was more +unfortunate. Two vessels, which sailed from hence for +Boston, each of which had despatches from me for Congress, +destroyed them, one upon being taken, and the other +upon being chased. But the most of my despatches were +lost at St Eustatia, I fear.</p> + +<p>While that island was in the possession of the Dutch, I +sent a great number of letters, packets of papers, &c. by +several vessels, to the care of Curson and Gouverneur, to +be forwarded to Congress. It is very certain, the enemy +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">162</a></span> +have got possession of some, one very short and insignificant +one they have published, and the London papers give +intimations of more; but I fancy they will not choose to +publish them.</p> + +<p>I hope Commodore Gillon has arrived before this day, +who had letters from me, and all the public papers for +some time. I sent despatches also by several other vessels, +which have sailed from hence. It is extremely difficult +for me to send letters by the way of Nantes, L'Orient, +&c. or by the way of Spain. There is so much bad faith +in the public posts, that it would not be possible for me to +write without having my letters opened, perhaps copied, +and there is scarcely ever an opportunity by a private hand +to any sea-port in France.</p> + +<p>But I have a further apology to make to Congress for +the few letters I have lately written. On the 2d of July +I left Amsterdam at the invitation of the Count de Vergennes +for Paris, for a conference upon the subject of +peace, at the mediation of the two Imperial Courts, and +the Congress at Vienna. After despatching all that was +necessary relative to these sublime bubbles, I returned to +Amsterdam. Not long after I got home, I found myself +attacked by a fever, of which at first I made light, but +which increased very gradually and slowly, until it was +found to be a nervous fever of a very malignant kind, and +so violent as to deprive me of almost all sensibility for four +or five days, and all those who cared anything about me, +of the hopes of my life.</p> + +<p>By the help, however, of great skill, and all powerful +bark, I am still alive; but this the first time I have felt the +courage to attempt to write to Congress. Absence and +sickness are my apologies to Congress for the few letters +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">163</a></span> +they will receive from me since June. Whether it was +the uncommon heat of the summer, or whether it was the +mass of pestilential exhalations from the stagnant waters of +this country, that brought this disorder upon me, I know +not; but I have every reason to apprehend, that I shall +not be able to re-establish my health in this country. A +constitution ever infirm, and almost half a hundred years +old, cannot expect to fare very well amidst such cold +damps and putrid steams as arise from the immense quantities +of dead water, that surround it.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, October 15th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I wish it were possible to communicate to Congress the +present state of every affair, which they have been pleased +to confide in any measure to me. I have received the +new commission for peace, and the revocation of my commission +and instructions of the 29th of September, 1779.<a name="FNanchor_4" id="FNanchor_4" href="#Footnote_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> +To both of these measures of Congress, as to the commands +of my sovereign, I shall pay the most exact attention. +The present commission for peace, is a demonstration +of greater respect to the powers of Europe, and must +be more satisfactory to the people of America, than any +former one; besides that it guards against accidents, which +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">164</a></span> +in my late sickness I had reason to think may well happen. +I am, however, apprehensive that this commission will lie +a long time neglected, and as useless as the former one.</p> + +<p>I am myself seriously of opinion, that the English will +not treat with the United States for many years. They +will see all their dominions in the East and West Indies +conquered by the French and Spaniards; they will see +their government reduced to the limits of their own island +before they will do it. The present Ministers must die +off, and the King too, before there will be any treaty between +Britain and America. The nation will stand by the +King and Ministry through every loss, while they persevere; +whereas both would sink into total contempt and +ridicule, if they were to make peace. While they persevere, +they are masters of the purses and commerce too of +the whole nation. Make peace and they lose a great part +of this influence. National pride, when it has become a +habitual passion by long indulgence, is the most obstinate +thing in the world; and this war has been made so completely, +though so artfully the national act, as well as that of +King and Ministers, that the pride of the nation was never +committed more entirely to the support of anything. It is +not to be supposed that the present Ministry will treat with +America, and if there should be a change, and the leaders +of opposition should come in, they will not treat with America +in any character, that she can with honor or safety +assume. They might propose a peace separate from +France, or they might withdraw their troops from the +United States, but they would not make a general peace. +The Congress at Vienna will prove but a magnificent +chimera, as the British Ministry ever intended it should +be. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">165</a></span></p> + +<p>It has already answered their insidious ends, and now +they are giving it a dismission, by insisting upon their two +preliminaries; so that upon the whole, according to the +best judgment I can form, it will not be worth while for +Congress to be at the expense of continuing me in Europe, +with a view to my assisting at any conferences for peace, +especially as Dr Franklin has given me intimations, that I +cannot depend upon him for my subsistence in future.</p> + +<p>My commission for borrowing money has hitherto been +equally useless. It would fill a small volume to give a +history of my negotiations with people of various stations +and characters, in order to obtain a loan, and it would +astonish Congress to see the unanimity with which all have +refused to engage in the business, most of them declaring +they were afraid to undertake it. I am told that no new +loan was ever undertaken here, without meeting at first +with all sorts of contradiction and opposition for a long +time; but my loan is considered not only as a new one, +but as entering deep into the essence of all the present political +systems of the world, and no man dares engage in it, +until it is clearly determined what characters are to bear +rule, and what system is to prevail in this country.</p> + +<p>There is no authority in Europe more absolute, not even +that of the two empires, not that of the simple monarchies, +than that of the States-General is in their dominions, and +nobody but M. de Neufville dares advance faster in a political +manœuvre than the States. M. de Neufville has +done his utmost, and has been able to do nothing; three +thousand guilders, less than three hundred pounds, is all +that he has obtained. Notwithstanding this, there is a +universal wish that the world may be made to believe that +my loan is full. It is upon 'Change, by a unanimous dissimulation, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">166</a></span> +pretended to be full, and there are persons, +(who they are I know not,) who write to London, and fill +the English papers with paragraphs that my loan is full. +M. de Neufville has advertised in the customary form, for +all persons possessed of American <i>coupons</i>, to come and +receive the money at the end of the first six months. +These persons cannot be more than three in number.</p> + +<p>My letters of credence to their High Mightinesses have +been taken <i>ad referendum</i> by the several Provinces, and +are now under consideration of the several branches of the +sovereignty of this country; but no one city or body of +nobles has as yet determined upon them. None have +declared themselves in favor of my admission to an audience, +and none have decided against it; and it is much +to be questioned whether any one will determine soon.</p> + +<p>I have often written to Congress, that I never could pretend +to foretell what the States-General would do. I never +found anybody here who guessed right; and upon reading +over all the negotiations of Jeannin, Torcy, d'Avaux, and +d'Estrades, in this country, I found every one of those +Ministers were, at the several periods of their residence +here, in the same uncertainty. It appears to have been +for this century and a half, at least, the national character, +to manage all the world as long as they could, to keep +things undetermined as long as they could, and finally to +decide suddenly upon some fresh motive of fear. It is +very clear to me, that I shall never borrow money until I +have had an audience; and if the States pursue their old +maxims of policy, it may be many years before this is +agreed to. I am much inclined to believe that nothing decisive +will be done for two or three years, perhaps longer; +yet it may be in a month. Parties are now very high, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">167</a></span> +and their passions against each other warm; and to all appearance, +the good party is vastly the most numerous; but +we must remember, that the supreme Executive is supposed +to be determined on the other side, so that there is +real danger of popular commotions and tragical scenes.</p> + +<p>The question really is, whether the Republic shall make +peace with England, by furnishing her ships and troops +according to old treaties, and joining her against all her +enemies, France, Spain, America, and as many more as +may become enemies in the course of the war? The English +party dare not speak out and say this openly; but if +they have common sense they must know that England +will make peace with them upon no other terms. They +pretend that upon some little concessions, some trifling condescendencies, +England would make peace with Holland +separately. Some pretend that a separate peace might be +had upon the single condition of agreeing not to trade with +America; others upon the condition of considering naval +stores as contraband goods; but the commercial cities are +almost unanimously against both of these articles. The +English party are sensible of this, yet they entertain hopes +by keeping the Republic in a defenceless state, that commerce +will be so far ruined, and the common people in +the great trading cities reduced to such want and misery, +as to become furious, demand peace at any rate, and fall +upon the houses and persons of those who will not promote +it.</p> + +<p>The English party, I think, will never carry their point +so far as to induce the nation to join the English. There +are three considerations, which convince me of this beyond +a doubt. First, corrupted and abandoned as a great part +of this nation, as well as every other in Europe is, there is +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">168</a></span> +still a public national sense and conscience, and the general, +the almost universal sense of this nation is, that the English +are wrong and the Americans right in this war. The conduct +of the Americans is so like that of their venerable and +heroic ancestors, it is evidently founded in such principles +as are uniformly applauded in their history, and as every +man has been educated in a habitual veneration for, that +it is impossible for them to take a part in the war against +America. This was universally conspicuous upon the +publication of my memorial to the States. Secondly; the +commercial part of these Provinces, I think, will never +give up the American trade. Thirdly; England is so exhausted +and so weak, and France, Spain, and America so +strong, that joining the former against the three latter, +would be the total ruin of the Republic. Nevertheless, +the court party will find means of delay, and will embarrass +the operations of war in so many ways, that it will be long +before any decisive measures will be taken in favor of +America.</p> + +<p>Whether, under all these circumstances, Congress will +think proper to continue me in Europe, whether it will be +in their power to furnish me with the means of subsistence, +as Dr Franklin in his letter to me thinks I cannot depend +upon him, and I have no hopes at all of obtaining any +here, I know not, and must submit to their wisdom. +But after all, the state of my health, which I have little +reason to hope will be restored without a voyage home, and +more relaxation from care and business than I can have in +Europe, makes it very uncertain whether I shall be able +to remain here. In short, my prospects both for the public +and for myself are so dull, and the life I am likely to +lead in Europe so gloomy and melancholy, and of so little +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">169</a></span> +use to the public, that I cannot but wish it may suit with +the views of Congress to recall me.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, October 17th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>There is at present a fermentation in this nation, which +may arise to violent extremities. Hundreds of pamphlets +have appeared, all of which must be adjudged to be seditious +libels; some against the Court, and some against +the city and sovereign magistrates of Amsterdam. At +length, a large pamphlet has appeared in Dutch, and been +distributed through the streets of the Hague, Leyden, Rotterdam, +and other cities, which has occasioned a great +alarm to the government, and a great agitation of spirits +among the people. All parties speak of it as a composition, +in the strongest terms of admiration. The substance +of it will appear from the following placard against it.</p> + +<p>"We, the Deputies of the States of Utrecht, make +known, that as it is come to our knowledge, that, notwithstanding +the strong and serious advertisements and publications +against the composition, sale, and distribution of +lampoons, scandalous pamphlets, or libels, and defamatory +writings of whatever sort, or in whatever form they may +be, to the prejudice of the high sovereignty of these Provinces, +and of those who are placed in any administration or +direction of public affairs already, heretofore, and lately +promulgated, both by the Lords, the States of this Province, +and by others, and the rigorous penalty therein decreed +against transgressors; nevertheless, the spirit of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">170</a></span> +discord, of wickedness, of calumny, and of sedition has +burst forth, and spread itself in this State so far, that it +has not been possible, hitherto to restrain it by such advertisements, +but, on the contrary, it has arrived at such +a height, that there has been printed and dispersed +within a few days a most pernicious libel, under the title of +Aan het Volkvan Nederland, (to the people of the Low +Countries) containing a great number of wicked and slanderous +imputations against the Most Serene Person of his +Most Serene Highness, our Lord, the Prince of Orange +and Nassau, Hereditary Stadtholder, Captain and Admiral-General +of these Provinces, against his Most Serene +father and mother of glorious memory, as also our Lords, +the Princes of Orange, William the First, Maurice, Frederick, +Henry, William the Second, and William the Third, +illustrious predecessors of his Most Serene Highness, and +interspersing efforts the most seditious, tending to overturn +not only the present form of the Regency, but even to introduce, +instead of the Regency in the State, which also is +therein painted, in the most hateful manner, a democracy, +or Regency of the people, and thus to cause the Republic +to fall into an entire anarchy, which would increase and +multiply still more extremely, the dangers to which the +dear country is exposed at present by a foreign war, joined +to an intestine division; and taking into consideration that +such most detestable wickedness, if not restrained, can +have no other consequences, than the total ruin and destruction +of the dear country, if God by his grace does not +prevent it, and that it is incumbent on us to employ all the +means possible to hinder it, and to punish offences according +to their demerit; for these causes, we renew that which +has been heretofore and lately ordained in this respect by +the publication of their Noble Mightinesses, of the 4th of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">171</a></span> +July of the present year, 1781, and not only the punishments +by fine, but also of discretionary correction, according +to the exigence of the case against the transgressors +there mentioned, to discover the author or the authors, +and the distributor or the distributors of such a dangerous +libel as that before mentioned, and to the end that they be +punished, as examples to others, according to the magnitude +of such a crime, tending to the ruin of the country; +we have thought fit to promise, as we do by these presents, +a premium of a hundred ryders (fourteen hundred guilders) +in favor of those who may discover or make known, +the author or authors, distributor or distributors, in such +manner that they may be juridically convicted and punished, +concealing the name of the informer if he requires +it. And we ordain, moreover, to all the officers and +judges in the city, cities, and countries of this Province, to +make all possible search, and to endeavor, without any +negligence, dissimulation, or connivance, to discover and +arrest the aforesaid malefactor, or malefactors, and to proceed +and to cause to be proceeded, as is convenient, +against them, as seditious persons, and disturbers of the +public repose, guilty of overturning the foundations of the +government of these Provinces, and of the sovereignty of +the Lords, the States of the Provinces respectively, and as +the enemies the most dangerous of the country; and to +the end, that no man may pretend ignorance, these presents +shall be published and posted up in convenient places.</p> + +<p>"Done at Utrecht, the 3d of October, 1781.</p> + +<p class="signed_long">I. TACTS VAN AMERONGEN.</p> + +<p>"By order of the said Lords Deputies,</p> + +<p class="signed">C.A. VOS."</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">172</a></span></p> +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, October 18th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>The Committees of the Fisheries of Vlaardingen and +Maaslleys have presented to their High Mightinesses a petition +to give them to understand, "that they learned with +the most lively sensibility that the gentlemen, the committees +of the respective colleges of Admiralty had proposed +to their High Mightinesses to permit the free navigation of +the ports of the Republic, with or without convoy, excepting, +nevertheless, until further order, the vessels destined to +the greater and lesser fisheries. The petitioners represent +the inevitable losses, with which they are more and more +threatened, in case that all the fishery, without exception, +remain longer suspended; that they might very well find a +remedy in a certain manner by excepting from this prohibition +the ships employed in taking fish for salting, and in +the fishery of fresh cod. They solicit, that it may please +their High Mightinesses to revoke in this regard the placard +of the 26th of January, 1781, or at least to make in it such +alteration as their High Mightinesses may find convenient."</p> + +<p>This petition, accepted by the Province of Holland, has +been rendered commissorial, and sent to the colleges of the +Admiralty respectively.</p> + +<h4>ANOTHER PETITION,</h4> + +<p class="center"><i>From divers Merchants, Bookkeepers, and Owners of +Ships of Amsterdam, containing in substance</i>,</p> + +<p>"That the petitioners having caused their vessels and +cargoes, for the most part loaded beforehand, to sail under +the escort of the convoy, there has resulted from it on the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">173</a></span> +5th of August, the famous rencounter between this convoy, +commanded by the Vice Admiral Zoutman, and the British +Vice Admiral Parker; a rencounter, which in truth had +covered the naval forces of the Republic with immortal +glory, but at the same time given to commerce a terrible +blow, the merchant vessels having seen themselves obliged +to return into the ports of the State. That the petitioners +seeing themselves disappointed of their just and equitable +expectation, of being able to obtain an escort sufficient and +seasonably ready, found themselves forced to submit to +necessity, and consequently to call back their ships, which +without running the greatest danger, could not remain longer +in their then station; that the petitioners could not refrain +from representing to their High Mightinesses in the +most pressing manner, the enormous prejudice which resulted +from it to the petitioners and the freighters of vessels, +who, after having for so many months held their vessels +and crews ready, must now pay the expense of equipping +them, the wages, the monthly pay and subsistence of +their crews, as well as all the other charges that result from +them.</p> + +<p>"But as all these disbursements are lost, the petitioners +for the causes alleged, and others particularised in the petition, +pray that it may please their High Mightinesses to +assign to the petitioners, and especially to the proprietors +and freighters of vessels, a convenient indemnification and +sufficient for the cost, damages, and interest borne and suffered, +because the said convoy has not set sail; from +whence it has resulted, that they have detained the vessels +belonging to the petitioners, who, at the first requisition, +are ready to produce the particulars to their High Mightinesses, +that it may also please their High Mightinesses to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">174</a></span> +give the necessary orders, to the end that the convoy destined +for this purpose may be ready early enough to be +able to set sail next spring, even by the month of March, +to the end that by accelerating their departure, the loss of +time suffered in the current year may be, at least in some +degree, compensated, and that there may be an opportunity +that the ships which are now in Norway and at Elsinore; +supposing they should be obliged to pass the winter +there, may then profit of this convoy for their return. +Finally, that they would please to give, concerning all +these objects, precise orders, and such as their High +Mightinesses may judge the most proper to fulfil the wishes +of the petitioners, and for the greatest utility of commerce."</p> + +<p>This petition has been rendered commissorial for the +respective Admiralties.</p> + +<h4>ANOTHER PETITION.</h4> + +<p>"The undersigned, merchants trading to the Levant, living +at Amsterdam and Rotterdam, give respectfully to understand, +that the petitioners acknowledge with the most +lively gratitude the paternal care which your High Mightinesses +have always manifested for the prosperity of the +commerce of the Levant, and particularly the advantages +procured to the Belgic navigation by the resolutions of +your High Mightinesses of the 21st of May, 1770, and of +the first of April, 1776; the first of which authorises the +directors of the commerce of the Levant, and of the navigation +of the Mediterranean, besides the accustomed imposition +of six per cent of freight, to require of all foreign +vessels coming from the Levant, five per cent of the value +of the effects; and the second of which tends to raise considerably +the tariff, after which they always tax the abovementioned +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">175</a></span> +effects; which has also fully answered to the +salutary end of your High Mightinesses, to wit, to inspire +a general aversion in foreign ships to suffer themselves to +be employed in the transportation of productions from the +Levant into the ports of these countries. But, the situation +of the navigation of this country by the unfortunate +and cruel war, which the King of England unjustly makes +upon our dear country, is in fact entirely changed, and +almost entirely interrupted and ruined, in such sort, that +by the present impossibility to make use of those ships +which have not been taken, business in general, and that of +the Levant in particular, is in the deplorable condition, +even for the account of neutral foreigners, (for that upon +our own account is entirely stopped) either to be wholly +abandoned, or to be carried on by the means of foreign +vessels.</p> + +<p>"The petitioners think it unnecessary to enumerate, particularly +the disadvantages of the first points alleged, that is +to say, the abandoning of this commerce, because in all +times the considerable importance of the Levant trade has +been universally acknowledged, and your High Mightinesses +yourselves have always shown that you have been intimately +persuaded of it. It is then manifest, that in the present +situation of affairs there remains only the second means, +which is to employ foreign ships; nevertheless, as the small +quantity of these vessels joined to the inclination on all +sides to employ them, has already occasioned an enormous +rise of their freights, and since moreover they cannot be +ensured, but by paying a premium three times larger than +in past times, we encounter here obstacles the most discouraging +and invincible, considering, that besides all this, the +extraordinary imposition beforementioned of five per cent +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">176</a></span> +of the value of the merchandises calculated after the augmented +tariff renders almost impracticable this manner of +negotiating, and deprives it of all advantage; which in this +critical situation of affairs, must ruin absolutely the commerce +of the Levant; for since at this time it cannot be carried +on, but for the account of neutral foreigners, it is incontestible +that their enterprises being in all cases so much +confined, they will find themselves in the indispensable +necessity to suspend this commerce with us, and to transmit +it to other places; besides this, there will be found +many foreigners, who for these causes will excuse themselves +from remitting to the petitioners what they justly owe +because at present, by the enormous rise of bills of exchange +this cannot be effected but by sending merchandises, which +still augments and extends, in an aggravating manner, the +risk of the petitioners.</p> + +<p>"But finally to ward off this misfortune in season, if +possible, the petitioners take the liberty respectfully to +address themselves to your High Mightinesses, praying that +you would please, during the course of this war, consequently +as long as the Belgic vessels cannot be employed, +to exempt the effects, loaded upon foreign ships and coming +from the Levant to the ports of this country, from the said +extraordinary imposition of five per cent of their value, and +that you would also give the same advantages to the merchandises +loaded on board the Pisano, a Venetian vessel, +commanded by Captain Antonio Ragusin, from Smyrna, +and lately arrived at the Texel; to the end that this branch +of Commerce, so important, may not perish entirely, and +that it may be preserved for the general well-being of the +dear country.</p> + +<p>"Divers freighters and part owners of vessels, fitted out +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">177</a></span> +for the Colony of Surinam, by the proprietors of plantations, +merchants, and others interested in this commerce, as +well as that of Curaçao, have addressed a petition to their +High Mightinesses, and laid open the "deplorable condition +of the two Colonies; that in consequence of the Resolution +of the 14th of last June, in virtue of the petition, which they +then presented, they equipped their vessels with despatch, +and that in two months they had put in order a fleet of +seventeen vessels, armed with four hundred guns, and +manned with twelve hundred men, expecting a suitable +convoy; but that several circumstances having without +doubt hindered it from being ready, they pray first, their +High Mightinesses, that they would prepare as soon as possible +a convenient convoy, to go out with their ships, at a +certain day, and conduct them to the West Indies; secondly, +that their High Mightinesses, in case of delay, would +be so good as to grant them an indemnification; thirdly, +that their High Mightinesses, upon the exhibition of a certificate, +as it was stipulated by their resolution of the 31st +of July last, would be so good as to cause to be given to those +who shall have made the armaments required, the bounties +which they shall judge convenient, the petitioners being +ready to give convenient sureties, and even to engage their +vessels, in case they are not ready to sail at the time appointed."</p> + +<p>At the requisition of his Highness, the request has been +rendered commissorial in the respective Admiralties.</p> + +<p>The representative and the directors of the East India +Company have notified to their High Mightinesses, "that +their finances are diminished, and that they are in the indispensable +necessity of demanding of their High Mightinesses +a succor of at least 550,000 florins; adding, that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">178</a></span> +if some favorable change does not take place, they will +soon be obliged to have again recourse to their High +Mightinesses."</p> + +<p>This petition has been rendered commissorial.</p> + +<p>These papers will sufficiently show Congress how much +the trade of this country is affected by the war, and what +discontents must arise from it. Yet the British Ministry +are amusing the government with their delusive ideas of +mediation, armistices, Congresses, peace, and anything to +lay them asleep.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO JOHN ADAMS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Philadelphia, October 23d, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Dear Sir,</p> + +<p>The enclosed resolution will inform you that Congress +have thought it advisable to new model their department of +foreign affairs, by the appointment of a Secretary, through +whose hands the communications with their Ministers +abroad are to pass. Though they did me the honor to +elect me so long since as August last, I but lately determined +to accept, and did not enter upon business till two +days ago, so that you must not expect those minute communications, +which I shall think it my duty to make to you +when I have had leisure to arrange my department, and to +acquaint myself more fully with the sentiments of Congress, +which must upon the whole be my direction.</p> + +<p>I can only say in general, that we consider your situation +as extremely delicate, the state you are in, divided by +powerful parties, and the bias that every man has to his +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">179</a></span> +own country, naturally gives him a predilection for that +which most favors its interests. But this, though the child +of virtue, is often the greatest obstacle to successful negotiations; +it creates distrust and jealousies; it excites prejudices, +which unfit us for conciliating the affections of those +whose assistance we require, and induce too fond a reliance +upon the information of those who wish to serve us. +Aristocratic governments are, of all others, the most jealous +of popular commotions; the rich and the powerful are +equally engaged to resist them, and nothing will, in my +opinion, so soon contribute to a peace between England +and the United Provinces as the commotions which now +clog the government of the latter.</p> + +<p>You must, Sir, be infinitely better acquainted with the +interior of the State you are in than I can pretend to be, +and I rely much on your information for light, which I cannot +attain here. If I venture to give you my sentiments, +it is with the hope that you will correct my errors when I +have discovered them by my freedom.</p> + +<p>The United Provinces appear to me one of those governments +whose very constitution disposes them to peace; +the ambition of making conquests, either is or ought to be +unknown to them. A war for the extension of commerce +is a solecism in politics, since the shocks that the established +trade sustains, infinitely overbalance any new accession +that may be made by it. War, then, while the true interest +of the United Provinces is considered, will be the child +of necessity. That necessity happily exists at present, and +will exist till Great Britain ceases to be the tyrant of the +ocean. We are greatly interested in its continuance; but +let us always bear in mind that the moment Great Britain +makes the sacrifices, which prudence and justice require, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">180</a></span> +the United Provinces will be drawn by the interest of commerce +and the love of peace to close with them. Their +acknowledgment of our independence would be an important +and a leading object. Success here, and the injustice +and cruelty of the British may affect it, but do not let +us appear to be dissatisfied if it is delayed. They have a +right to judge for themselves; from the very nature of their +government, they must be slow in determining. Every +appearance of dissatisfaction on our part, gives room to the +British to believe the United Provinces disinclined to us, +and paves the way to negotiations, which may end in a +peace, which we are so much interested in preventing.</p> + +<p>Your first object, then, if I may venture my opinion, is to +be well with the government; your second, to appear to +be so, and to take no measures, which may bring upon you +a public affront. You will naturally treat the friends we +have with the politeness and attention that they justly merit, +and even with that cordiality which your heart must feel +for those who wish your country well, but your prudence +will suggest to you to avoid giving offence to government, +by the appearance of intrigue. I know nothing of the refinements +of politics, nor do I wish to see them enter into +our negotiations. Dignity of conduct, the resources of our +country, and the value of our commerce, must render us +respectable abroad. You will not fail to lay the foundation +of your alliances in these, by displaying them in the strongest +point of view. The spirit of injustice and cruelty, which +characterise the English, must also afford you advantages, +of which I dare say you avail yourself.</p> + +<p>I make no apology for the length or freedom of this; it +is of the last importance to you (and I am satisfied you will +think it so,) to be intimately acquainted with the sentiments +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">181</a></span> +entertained on this side of the water. In return, Sir, you +will let me know, minutely, everything that can in any way +be of use to us, particularly if either of the belligerent powers +takes measures that may tend to establish a partial or +general peace. At your leisure, acquaint me with the interior +of the government you are in, and everything else +interesting, which you may learn relative to others. Remember +that Ministers are yet to be formed in this country, +and let them want no light, which your situation enables +you to afford them.</p> + +<p>I would submit it to you, whether it would not be most +advisable to spend as much time as possible at the Hague, +and to form connexions with the Ministers of the powers +not interested in our affairs. They are frequently best +informed, because least suspected, and while your public +character is unacknowledged, and you can visit without the +clog of ceremony, I should conceive it no difficult task to +engage the friendship of some among them.</p> + +<p>But it is time to let you breathe; this I shall do without +closing my letter, reserving the remainder of it for the communication +of the most agreeable intelligence you ever received +from America. The enclosed prints will announce +one important victory to you, and we are in hourly expectation +of the particulars of another, which will enable you +to open your negotiations this winter with the utmost advantage.</p> + +<p><i>October 24th.</i> I congratulate you, Sir, upon the pleasing +intelligence which, agreeable to my hopes, I am enabled +to convey to you; enclosed you have a letter from +General Washington to Congress; the terms granted to +Lord Cornwallis, his fleet and army, and the letters that +passed previous to the surrender of both. I make no comments +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">182</a></span> +upon this event, but rely upon your judgment to improve +it to the utmost; perhaps, this is the moment in +which a loan may be opened with most advantage. The +want of money is our weak side, and even in the high day +of success we feel its pressure.</p> + +<p>As you may not perhaps be fully acquainted with the +steps that led to this important victory, I enclose also an +extract of my last letter to Dr Franklin. The British fleet +consisting of twentysix sail of the line, including three fifties +as such, with five thousand land forces, and General Clinton +himself on board, sailed the 19th for the relief of +Cornwallis. Count de Grasse is also out with thirtyfour +sail of the line. I shall keep this open as long as possible, +from the hopes of communicating an interesting account of +their meeting.</p> + +<p><i>November 1st.</i> I am under the necessity of closing this +without being able to give you any other account of the +fleets, than that the British have not yet returned to New +York; nor are we certain that the Count de Grasse has +yet left the Chesapeake. If anything in the nature of a +Court calendar is published at the Hague, you will be +pleased to send me one or two impressions of it, as it may +be of use to us.</p> + +<p>I am, Sir, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed_long">ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, October 25th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I see in the London Courant, which arrived today, an +advertisement of a translation into English of the address +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">183</a></span> +to the people of the Netherlands; so that this work is likely +to be translated into all languages, and read by all the +world, notwithstanding the placards against it. I have before +sent that of Utrecht; that of Holland is as follows.</p> + +<p>"The States of Holland and of West Friesland, to all +those who shall see these presents, or hear them read, +Greeting. As it is come to our knowledge, that notwithstanding +the placards and ordinances, from one time to another, +issued against the impression and dissemination of +seditious and slanderous writings, there has been lately dispersed +in various places of this Province, a certain very +seditious and slanderous libel, entitled <i>Aan het Volk van +Nederland</i>, (To the People of the Low Countries) in which +the supreme government of this country, his Most Serene +Highness, our Lord the Prince Hereditary Stadtholder, as +well as his illustrious predecessors, to whom under God, +we are indebted for the foundation and maintenance of our +Republic, as well as of its liberty, are calumniated in the +most scandalous and enormous manner, and in which the +good people are invited to an insurrection and to seditious +commotions.</p> + +<p>"For these causes, being desirous to make provision in +this case, without derogating from our former placards against +lampoons, and other defamatory and scandalous writings, +issued from time to time, and in particular from our renovation +of the 18th of January, 1691, and our placard of the +17th of March, 1754, we have thought fit for the discovery +of the author or authors of the said seditious and slanderous +libel, entitled <i>Aan het Volk van Nederland</i>, and of his or +their accomplices, to promise a reward of a thousand +ryders of gold, (fourteen thousand florins) to him who shall +give the necessary indications by which the author, writer, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">184</a></span> +or printer of the said libel, or all those who may have had a +part in it in any other manner, may fall into the hands of +justice, and may be convicted of the fact; and in case +that the informer was an accomplice in it, we declare by +these presents, that we will pardon him for whatever upon +this occasion he may have done amiss against his sovereign; +moreover, he shall also enjoy the reward in question, and +his name shall not be pointed out, but kept secret.</p> + +<p>"Forbidding, consequently, in the most solemn manner +by these presents, every one of what estate, quality or condition +soever he may be, to reprint in any manner the said +seditious and slanderous libel, to distribute, scatter, or spread +it, upon pain of the confiscation of the copies, and a fine +of six thousand florins, besides at least, an everlasting +banishment from the Province of Holland and West Friesland, +which fine shall go, one third to the officer who shall +make the seizure; another third to the informer; and +the remaining third to the use of the poor of the place +where the seizure shall be made. And whereas, some +persons, to keep their unlawful practices concealed, may be +tempted to pretend, that the libel in question had been addressed +to them under a simple cover, they know not by +whom, nor from what place, we ordain and decree, that all +printers, booksellers, and moreover all and every one, to +whom the said seditious and slanderous libel, entitled <i>Aan +het Volk van Nederland</i>, may be sent, whether to be sold, +given as a present, distributed, lent or read, shall be held +to carry it forthwith; and deliver it to the officer or the +magistrate of the place of their residence, or of the place +where they may receive it, under penalty of being held for +disseminators of it, and as such punished in the manner before +pointed out. Ordaining most expressly to our Attorney-General, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">185</a></span> +and to all our other officers, to execute strictly +and exactly the present placard, according to the form +and contents of it, without dissimulation or connivance, +under pain of being deprived of their employments. And +to the end, that no one may pretend cause of ignorance, +but that every one may know how he ought to conduct +himself in this regard, we order that these presents be published, +and posted up everywhere, where it belongs, and +where it is customary to do it.</p> + +<p>"Done at the Hague, under the small seal of the country, +the 19th of October, 1781. By order of the States.</p> + +<p class="signed"> +C. CLOTTERBOOKE."</p> + +<p>Such are the severe measures, which this government +think themselves bound to take to suppress this libel. They +will have, however, a contrary effect, and will make a pamphlet, +which otherwise perhaps would have been known in +a small circle, familiar to all Europe. The press cannot +be restrained; all attempts of that kind in France and Holland +are every day found to be ineffectual.</p> + +<p>I consider the disputes in the city of Geneva as arising +from the progress of democratical principles in Europe. I +consider this libel as a demonstration that there is a party +here, and a very numerous one, too, who are proselytes to +democratical principles. Who and what has given rise to +the assuming pride of the people, as it is called in Europe, in +every part of which they have been so thoroughly abased? +The American revolution. The precepts, the reasonings, +and example of the United States of America, disseminated +by the press through every part of the world, have convinced +the understanding, and have touched the heart. +When I say democratical principles, I do not mean that +the world is about adopting simple democracies, for these +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">186</a></span> +are impracticable, but multitudes are convinced that the +people should have a voice, a share, and be made an integral +part; and that the government should be such a +mixture, and such a combination of the powers of one, the +few and the many, as is best calculated to check and control +each other, and oblige all to co-operate in this one democratical +principle, that the end of all government is the +happiness of the people; and in this other, that the greatest +happiness of the greatest number is the point to be obtained. +These principles are now so widely spread, that despotisms, +monarchies, and aristocracies must conform to them in +some degree in practice, or hazard a total revolution in religion +and government throughout all Europe. The longer +the American war lasts, the more the spirit of American +government will spread in Europe, because the attention of +the world will be fixed there, while the war lasts. I have +often wondered that the Sovereigns of Europe have not +seen the danger to their authority, which arises from a +continuance of this war. It is their interest to get it finished, +that their subjects may no longer be employed in +speculating about the principles of government.</p> + +<p>The people of the Seven United Provinces appear to +me of such a character, that they would make wild steerage +at the first admission to any share in government; and +whether any intimations of a desire of change at this time +will not divide and weaken the nation, is a problem. I +believe rather it will have a good effect, by convincing +the government that they must exert themselves for the +good of the people, to prevent them from exerting themselves +in innovations.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">187</a></span></p> +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, November 1st, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>It is still as problematical as ever, what is the political +system of this Republic, and indeed whether it has any +system at all. They talk much, and deliberate long, but +execute nothing. By the violence with which they speak +and write of each other, a stranger would think them ripe +for a civil war. In the Assembly of the States of Guelderland, +held to consider the requisition of the King of +France of a negotiation of five millions of florins, under the +warranty of the Republic, the debates were sustained with +great warmth. Some were for an alliance with France. +The Baron de Nagel, Senechal of Zutphen, evaded the +putting of the question, and said among other things, "that +he had rather acknowledge the independence of the Americans, +than contract an alliance with France."</p> + +<p>The Baron Van der Cappellen de Marsch, was for an +alliance with France and America too. He observed, +"that nothing being more natural, than to act in concert +with the enemies of our enemy, it was an object of serious +deliberation to see if the interest of the Republic did not +require to accept, without further tergiversation, the invitations +and offers of the Americans; that no condescension +for England could hinder us at present from uniting ourselves +against a common enemy, with a nation so brave +and so virtuous, a nation, which, after our example, owes +its liberty to its valor, and even at this moment, is employed +in defending itself from the tyranny of the enemy of the +two nations; that, consequently, nothing could restrain us +from acknowledging the independence of this new Republic; +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">188</a></span> +that our conduct differed very much from that held +by our ancestors, who allied themselves to the Portuguese, +as soon as they shook off the yoke of the Spaniards; that +there was no doubt that the said alliances with the enemies +of our enemy would soon restrain his fury, and operate a +general peace advantageous for us."</p> + +<p>As this is the first opinion given openly, which has been +published, in favor of acknowledging American independence, +it deserves to be recorded, but it will be long, very +long, before the Republic will be unanimously of this +opinion.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO JOHN ADAMS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Philadelphia, November 20th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>Since my last of the 23d of October, nothing material +has happened here, unless it be the return of Digby to +New York, where he has relanded great part of his +troops, and, as is said, proceeded to the West Indies with +the fleet, though this is not fully ascertained. Nor have +we any authentic account, that the Count de Grasse sailed +from the Chesapeake on the 4th instant.</p> + +<p>It gives me pleasure, however, to mention an incident +to you, which shows how much the yeomanry of this +country have improved in military discipline, and must +defeat every hope that Britain entertains of conquering a +country so defended. It has been the custom of the +enemy to move a large body of troops every fall, from +Canada to Ticonderoga, while a light corps, with a number +of Indians, entered the State from the westward, and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">189</a></span> +destroyed the frontier settlements, burning the houses and +barns, and scalping the old men, women, and children. +Last year, they effected the destruction of Scoharie, and +most of the settlements on the Mohawk River, before the +militia could assemble to oppose them. This year, a small +body of State troops, drafted from the militia for three +months, about sixty New Hampshire levies, part of the +militia of the country, and forty Oneida Indians, to the +number of four hundred and eighty in all, under the command +of Colonel Willet, hastily collected, upon the report +of the enemy's coming from the westward to oppose them, +while the rest of the militia, and some Continental troops +marched upon Hudson's River, (the enemy having about +two thousand men at Ticonderoga.) Willet met the +enemy, who consisted of a picked corps of British troops, +to the amount of six hundred and six, besides a number of +Indians and tories; he fought and defeated them twice with +his militia, killed their leader, Major Ross, and young Butler, +as is said, made a number of prisoners, and pursued +them three days, till he had driven them into the thickest +part of the wilderness, whence fatigue and want of provision +will prevent many of them from returning. Those at +Ticonderoga have remained inactive ever since.</p> + +<p>It must be a mortifying circumstance to the proudest +people in the world, to find themselves foiled, not only by +the American regular troops, but by the rough undisciplined +militia of the country.</p> + +<p>Admiral Zoutman's combat must also, I should imagine, +have some effect in humbling their pride, and, what is of +more consequence, in raising the spirits of the Dutch.</p> + +<p>We find from your letters, as well as from other accounts +of the United Provinces, that they are divided into +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">190</a></span> +powerful parties for and against the war, and we are sorry +to see some of the most distinguished names among what +you call the Anglomanes. But your letters leave us in the +dark relative to the principles and views of each party, +which is no small inconvenience to us, as we know not +how to adapt our measures to them. It is so important to +the due execution of your mission, to penetrate the views +of all parties, without seeming to be connected with either, +that I have no doubt you have insinuated yourself into the +good graces and confidence of the leaders, and that you +can furnish the information we require; you may be persuaded +no ill use will be made of any you give, and that it +is expected from you.</p> + +<p>We learn from M. Dumas, that you have presented +your credentials to the States-General; we are astonished, +that you have not written on so important a subject, and +developed the principle, that induced you to declare your +public character before the States were disposed to acknowledge +it. There is no doubt from your known prudence +and knowledge of the world, that some peculiarity in your +situation, or that of the politics and parties in the United +Provinces, furnished you with the reasons, that overbalanced +the objections to the measure, which arise from the +humiliating light in which it places us. Congress would, +I believe, wish to have them explained, and particularly +your reason for printing your Memorial. I may form improper +ideas of the government, interest, and policy of the +United Provinces, but I frankly confess, that I have no +hope, that they will recognise us as an independent State, +and embarrass themselves in making their wished for peace, +with our affairs. What inducements can we hold out to +them? They know, that our own interest will lead us to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">191</a></span> +trade with them, and we do not propose to purchase their +alliance, by giving them any exclusive advantage in commerce.</p> + +<p>Your business, therefore, I think lies in a very narrow +compass; it is to conciliate the affection of the people, +to place our cause in the most advantageous light, to remove +the prejudices, that Britain may endeavor to excite, +to discover the views of the different parties, to watch +every motion, that leads to peace between England and +the United Provinces, and to get the surest aid of government +in procuring a loan, which is almost the only thing +wanting, to render our affairs respectable at home and +abroad. To these objects I am satisfied you pay the +strictest attention, because I am satisfied no man has more +the interest of his country at heart, or is better acquainted +with its wants. As our objects in Holland must be very +similar to those of France, I should suppose it would be +prudent for you to keep up the closest connexion with her +Minister; to advise with him on great leading objects, and +to counteract his opinion only upon the most mature deliberation.</p> + +<p>You were informed, before I came into office, that Mr +Jay and Mr Franklin are joined in commission with you, +and have received copies of the instructions, that Congress +have given their commissioners; this whole business being +terminated before I came down, I make no observations +upon it, lest I should not enter fully into the views of Congress, +and by that means help to mislead you in so important +a subject. I enclose you a resolution, discharging the +commission for <i>establishing a Commercial Treaty with +Britain</i>. This also being a business of long standing, I +for the same reason, transmit it without any observations +thereon. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">192</a></span></p> + +<p>I would recommend it to you, to be, in your language +and conduct, a private gentleman. This will give you +many advantages in making connexions, that will be lost on +your insisting upon the assumption of a public character, +and the rather, as this sentiment prevails generally among +the members of Congress, though, for reasons of delicacy +with respect to you, I have not chosen to ask the sense of +Congress, to whom it is my sincere wish, as well as my +leading object, in the free letters I wrote you, to enable you +to render your measures acceptable. A number of your +letters, written last winter and spring, have this moment +come to hand.</p> + +<p>This letter will be sent to Europe by the Marquis de +Lafayette, who has obtained leave of absence during the +winter season. He wishes to correspond with you, and +as from his connexion, his understanding, and attachment +to this country he may be serviceable to you, I would wish +you to write as freely to him, as you conceive those considerations +may render prudent.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed_long">ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYON, AMBASSADOR OF FRANCE +AT THE HAGUE.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, November 24th, 1781.</p> + +<p>Mr Adams presents his most respectful compliments to +his Excellency the Duc de la Vauguyon, and begs leave +to acquaint him, that by the last night's post he received +from Congress some important despatches, which it is his +duty to communicate to the Ambassador of France. Mr +Adams requests his Excellency to inform him, what hour +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">193</a></span> +will be most convenient for him to wait on him at the +Arms of Amsterdam. Meantime, he most sincerely congratulates +his Excellency on the glorious news from America +by the Duc de Lauzun, of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis +with his whole army, to the arms of the allies.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<p>This card I sent by my secretary Mr Thaxter. The +Duke returned for answer, that he would call upon me at +my house, between twelve and one, to congratulate me on +the news from America. Accordingly about one, he came +and spent with me about an hour and a half.</p> + +<p>I communicated to him my fresh instructions, and agreed +to send him a copy of them tomorrow or next day, by the +post waggon (<i>chariot-de-poste</i>.) He said he had not +received any instructions from Versailles, upon the subject; +but might receive some by next Tuesday's post. He asked +me, what step I proposed to take in consequence of these +instructions? I answered none, but with his participation +and approbation; that I would be always ready to attend +him at the Hague, or elsewhere, for the purpose of the most +candid and confidential consultations, &c. He said that he +thought that the subject was very well seen (<i>très bien vû</i>) +and the measure very well concerted, (<i>très bien combiné</i>) +and that it would have a good effect at this time, to counteract +the artifice of the British Ministry, in agreeing to the +mediation of Russia, for a separate peace with this Republic.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">194</a></span></p> + +<h3>RESOLVES OF CONGRESS, COMPRISING THE INSTRUCTIONS +TO JOHN ADAMS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">In Congress, August 16th, 1781.</p> + +<p>On the Report of the Committee, to whom was recommitted +their report on the communications from the Honorable +the Minister of France, and who are instructed to +report instructions to the Honorable John Adams, respecting +a Treaty of Alliance with the United Provinces of the +Netherlands,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the Minister Plenipotentiary of these +United States at the Court of Versailles, be directed to inform +His Most Christian Majesty, that the tender of his +endeavors to accomplish a coalition between the United +Provinces of the Netherlands, and these States, has been +received by Congress, as a fresh proof of his solicitude for +their interests. That previous to the communication of +this His Most Christian Majesty's friendly purpose, Congress, +impressed with the importance of such a connexion, +had confided to Mr John Adams full powers to enter, on +the part of the United States, into a Treaty of Amity and +Commerce with the United Provinces, with a special instruction +to conform himself therein to the treaties subsisting +between His Most Christian Majesty and the United +States. That Congress do, with pleasure, accept His +Most Christian Majesty's interposition, and will transmit +further powers to their Minister at the Hague, to form a +Treaty of Alliance between His Most Christian Majesty, +the United Provinces, and the United States, having for +its object, and limited in its duration to, the present war +with Great Britain. That he will be enjoined to confer, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">195</a></span> +on all occasions, in the most confidential manner, with His +Most Christian Majesty's Minister, at the Hague; and that +provisional authority will also be sent to admit his Catholic +Majesty as a party.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the Minister Plenipotentiary of these +United States at the Hague, be, and he is hereby instructed +to propose a Treaty of Alliance between His Most +Christian Majesty, the United Provinces of the Netherlands, +and the United States of America, having for its +object, and limited in its duration to, the present war +with Great Britain, and conformed to the treaties subsisting +between His Most Christian Majesty and the United +States.</p> + +<p>That the indispensable conditions of the Alliance be, +that their High Mightinesses, the States-General of the +United Provinces of the Netherlands, shall expressly recognise +the sovereignty and independence of the United +States of America, absolute and unlimited, as well in matters +of government as of commerce. That the war with +Great Britain shall be made a common cause, each party +exerting itself according to its discretion in the most effectual +hostility against the common enemy; and that no party +shall conclude either truce or peace with Great Britain, +without the formal consent of the whole first obtained; +nor lay down their arms, until the sovereignty and independence +of these United States shall be formally or tacitly +assured by Great Britain, in a Treaty, which shall terminate +the war.</p> + +<p>That the said Minister be, and he hereby is further instructed, +to unite the two Republics by no stipulations of +offence, nor guaranty any possessions of the United Provinces. +To inform himself, from the Minister of these +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">196</a></span> +United States at the Court of Spain, of the progress of his +negotiations at the said Court; and if an alliance shall +have been entered into between his Catholic Majesty and +these United States, to invite his Catholic Majesty into the +Alliance herein intended; if no such alliance shall have +been formed, to receive his Catholic Majesty, should he +manifest a disposition to become a party to the alliance +herein intended, according to the instructions given to the +said Minister at the Court of Spain.</p> + +<p>That in all other matters, not repugnant to these instructions, +the said Minister at the Hague do use his best discretion.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the Minister Plenipotentiary of these +United States at the Hague, be, and he hereby is instructed +to confer in the most confidential manner with His Most +Christian Majesty's Minister there.</p> + +<p><i>Ordered</i>, That the foregoing resolutions be communicated +to our Ministers at the Courts of Versailles and Madrid, +that they may furnish every information and aid in +their power to our Minister at the Hague, in the accomplishment +of this business.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the following commission be issued to +Mr John Adams, for the purpose aforesaid.</p> + +<p>The United States in Congress assembled, to all who +shall see these presents, send, greeting.</p> + +<p>Whereas a union of the force of the several powers +engaged in the war against Great Britain may have a +happy tendency to bring the said war to a speedy and +favorable issue; and it being the desire of these United +States to form an alliance between them and the United +Provinces of the Netherlands; know ye, therefore, that +we, confiding in the integrity, prudence, and ability of the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">197</a></span> +Honorable John Adams, have nominated, constituted, and +appointed, and by these presents do nominate, constitute, +and appoint him, the said John Adams, our Minister +Plenipotentiary, giving him full powers, general and special, to +act in that quality, to confer, treat, agree, and conclude, with +the person or persons vested with equal powers, by His Most +Christian Majesty, and their High Mightinesses, the States-General +of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, of +and concerning a Treaty of Alliance between His Most +Christian Majesty, the United Provinces of the Netherlands, +and the United States of America; and whatever +shall be so agreed and concluded for us, and in our name, +to sign, and thereupon to make such treaty, convention, +and agreements as he shall judge conformable to the ends +we have in view; hereby promising, in good faith, that we +will accept, ratify, and execute, whatever shall be agreed, +concluded, and signed by him our said Minister.</p> + +<p>In witness whereof we have caused these presents to be +signed by our President, and sealed with his seal.</p> + +<p>Done at Philadelphia, this sixteenth day of August, in +the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and +eightyone; and in the sixth year of our independence, by +the United States in Congress assembled.</p> + +<p class="signed"> +THOMAS M'KEAN,<br /> +<i>President</i>.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYON,</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, November 25th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency a copy +of the fresh instructions of Congress of the 16th of August +last, which I received by the post on the 23d instant. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">198</a></span> +I have also received a further commission from Congress, +with full powers to confer, treat, agree, and conclude, with +the person or persons vested, with equal powers by His +Most Christian Majesty, and their High Mightinesses, the +States-General of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, +of and concerning a Treaty of Alliance between His +Most Christian Majesty, the United Provinces of the Netherlands, +and the United States of America.</p> + +<p>This measure was apparently concerted between the +Congress and the French Minister residing near them, and +seems to be very happily adapted to the present times and +circumstances.</p> + +<p>I beg leave to assure your Excellency, that I shall be at +all times ready to attend you, at the Hague, or elsewhere, +to confer with you, in the most entire confidence, respecting +this negotiation, and shall take no material step in it, +without your approbation and advice.</p> + +<p>There are three ways of proposing this business to their +High Mightinesses; 1st, your Excellency may alone propose it +in the name of His Most Christian Majesty; 2dly, +it may be proposed jointly by the Minister of his Majesty, +and the Minister of the United States; or 3dly, it may +be proposed by the Minister of the United States alone, +and as a consequence of his former proposal of a Treaty +of Commerce. I beg leave to submit these three measures, +to your Excellency's consideration, and shall very +cheerfully comply with any, which you may most approve.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">199</a></span></p> + +<h3>TO JOHN JAY, AMERICAN MINISTER AT MADRID.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, November 26th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>By the last post, I received from L'Orient a set of fresh +instructions from Congress, dated the 16th of August, and +with the more pleasure, as I am enjoined to open a correspondence +with your Excellency upon the subject of them.</p> + +<p>I presume you have a copy by the same vessel; but as +it is possible it may have been omitted, I shall venture to +enclose a copy, and hope it may pass unopened. I have +communicated it to the French Ambassador here, who says +it is "<i>très bien vû; très bien combiné</i>." I shall take no +step in it, without his knowledge and approbation. I shall +hope for your Excellency's communications as soon as convenient.</p> + +<p>The Dutch have an inclination to ally themselves to +France and America, but they have many whimsical fears, +and are much embarrassed with party quarrels. In time, +I hope, they will agree better with one another, and see +their true interests more clearly. This measure of Congress +is very well timed.</p> + +<p>I congratulate you on the glorious news of the surrender +of Cornwallis. Some are of opinion it will produce a Congress +at Vienna; but I cannot be of that sentiment. The +English must have many more humiliations before they +will agree to meet us upon equal terms, or upon any +terms, that we can approve.</p> + +<p>What is the true principle of the policy of Spain, in delaying +so long to declare themselves explicitly? Her delay +has a bad effect here.</p> + +<p>Mr Dana has been gone northward these four months, but +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">200</a></span> +I have no letters from him. Whether the post is unfaithful, +or whether he chooses to be talked about as little as +possible at present, which I rather suspect, I do not know.</p> + +<p>My respects to Mr Carmichael, and to your family, if +you please.</p> + +<p>With great esteem, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO B. FRANKLIN</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, November 26th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I presume you have a copy from Congress of their instructions +to me of the 16th of August; but, as it is possible +it may be otherwise, I have enclosed one. I have communicated +them to the Duc de la Vauguyon. I shall do +nothing in the business without communicating it beforehand +to him, with the most entire confidence, and receiving +his approbation and advice. He informs me, that he has +not yet received any instructions from his Court respecting +it.</p> + +<p>These instructions have arrived at a very proper time to +counteract another insidious trick of the British Ministry, +in agreeing to the mediation of Russia for a separate peace +with Holland.</p> + +<p>With unfeigned joy I congratulate your Excellency on +the glorious news of the surrender of Cornwallis to the +arms of the allies. How easy a thing would it be to bring +this war to a happy conclusion, if Spain and Holland would +adopt the system of France, and co-operate in it with the +same honor and sincerity. There is nothing wanting but a +constant naval superiority in the West Indies, and on the +coast of the United States, to obtain triumphs upon triumphs +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">201</a></span> +over the English, in all quarters of the globe. The +allies now carry on the war in America with an infinite +advantage over the English, whose infatuation, nevertheless, +will continue to make them exhaust themselves there, +to the neglect of all their possessions in other parts of the +world.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO JOHN JAY.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, November 28th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I had the honor to write to you on the 26th instant by the +post, a conveyance which I am determined to try until I +am certainly informed of its infidelity; in which case I will +ask the favor of the French or Spanish Ambassador, to enclose +my despatches.</p> + +<p>I received, by the last post, a duplicate of despatches +from Congress, the originals of which I received some time +ago. I presume you have received the same from Congress, +or from Passy; but, if otherwise, I will enclose in a +future letter a commission and instructions for assisting at +the conferences for peace, at Vienna or elsewhere, whenever +they may take place. In this commission, Congress +have added Mr Franklin, President Laurens, your Excellency, +and Mr Jefferson; a measure which has taken off +my mind a vast load, which, if I had ever at any time expected +I should be called to sustain alone, would have been +too heavy for my forces.</p> + +<p>The capture of Cornwallis and his army is the most +masterly measure, both in the conception and execution, +which has been taken this war. When France and Spain +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">202</a></span> +shall consider the certain triumphant success, which will +ever attend them while they maintain a naval superiority +in the West Indies and on the coast of North America, +it is to be hoped, they will never depart from that +policy. Many here are of opinion, that this event will +bring peace; but I am not of that mind, although it is very +true that there are distractions in the British Cabinet, a +formidable faction against Lord G. Germain, and, it is said, +the Bedford party are determined to move for peace.</p> + +<p>Our late triumphs have had an effect here. I have received +several visits of congratulation, in consequence of +them, from persons of consequence, from whom I did not +expect them. But they are invisible fairies, who disconcert +in the night all the operations of the patriots in the +day.</p> + +<p>There will, probably, be a proposal soon of a triple alliance +between France, America, and Holland. If Spain +would join, and make it quadruple, it would be so much +the better.</p> + +<p>General Green's last action in South Carolina, in consequence +of which, that State and Georgia have both re-established +their governments, is quite as glorious for the +American arms as the capture of Cornwallis. The action +was supported even by the militia, with a noble constancy. +The victory on our side was complete, and the English lost +twelve hundred men.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">203</a></span></p> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, December 4th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I have received those instructions, with which I was +honored by Congress on the 16th of August, and communicated +them forthwith to the French Ambassador, to +their High Mightinesses, and to the American Ministers at +Versailles and Madrid.<a name="FNanchor_5" id="FNanchor_5" href="#Footnote_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> The Duc de la Vauguyon was +of opinion, that they were very well considered and very +well timed, to counteract another trait of British policy, in +agreeing to the mediation of Russia for a separate peace +with Holland. The British Ministry mean only to aid the +stocks, and lull the Dutch.</p> + +<p>There is no longer any talk of a Congress at Vienna. +The late news of General Washington's triumphs in Virginia, +and of the friendly and effectual aid of the Counts +de Rochambeau and de Grasse, have made a great impression +here, and all over Europe. I shall punctually observe +my instructions, and consult in perfect confidence +with the Duc de la Vauguyon, in the execution of my late +commission. A quadruple alliance, for the duration of the +war, would, probably, soon bring it to a conclusion; but +the Dutch are so indolent, so divided, so animated with +party spirit, and above all so entirely in the power of their +Chief, that it is very certain that they will take the proposition +<i>ad referendum</i> immediately, and then deliberate +upon it a long time.</p> + +<p>This nation is not blind; it is bound and cannot get +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">204</a></span> +loose. There is great reason to fear, that they will be +held inactive, until they are wholly ruined. Cornwallis' +fate, however, has somewhat emboldened them, and I have +received unexpected visits of congratulation from several +persons of note; and there are appearances of a growing +interest in favor of an alliance with France and +America. If I were now to make the proposition, I think +it would have a great effect. I must, however, wait for +the approbation of the Duke, and he, perhaps, for instructions +from Versailles, and, indeed, a little delay will perhaps +do no harm, but give opportunity to prepare the way. +The general cry at this time in pamphlets and public +papers, is for an immediate connexion with France and +America.</p> + +<p>The consent of Zealand is expected immediately to the +loan of five millions for his Most Christian Majesty. My +loan rests as it was, at a few thousand guilders, which, by +the advice of Dr Franklin, I reserve for the relief of our +countrymen, who escape from prison in England in distress. +I have ordered a hundred pounds for President Laurens +in the Tower, at the earnest solicitation of his daughter, +who is in France, and of some of his friends in England; +but for further supplies have referred them to Dr Franklin. +I some time since had an intimation that the British +Ministry were endeavoring to form secret contracts with +traitorous Americans to supply the masts for the royal +navy. According to my information, the British navigation +in all parts of the world is at present distressed for +masts, especially those of the largest size. Congress will +take such measures as to their wisdom shall appear proper +to prevent Americans from this wicked and infamous commerce, +I wrote to Dr Franklin upon the subject, who +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">205</a></span> +communicated my letter, as I requested, at Court, and his +Excellency supposes that the Count de Vergennes will +write to Congress, or to the Chevalier de la Luzerne upon +the subject.</p> + +<p>The Continental goods left here by Commodore Gillon, +are detained for freight and damages, and very unjustly as +I conceive. I am doing all in my power to obtain +possession of them, and send them to America, or dispose of +them here, at as little loss as possible, according to the +desire and advice of Dr Franklin. It is not necessary to +trouble Congress to read a volume of letters upon the subject +of these goods. All that can be done by me, has +been and shall be done to save the public interest. This +piece of business has been managed as ill as any that has +ever been done for Congress in Europe, whether it is +owing to misfortune, want of skill, or anything more disagreeable.</p> + +<p>The Court of Russia does not at present appear to be +acting that noble part, which their former conduct gave +cause to expect. Mr Dana is at Petersburg, but he prudently +avoids writing. If he sees no prospect of advantage +in staying there, he will be very silent, I believe, +and not stay very long.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYON TO JOHN ADAMS.</h3> + +<p class="translation">Translation.</p> + +<p class="letter_head">The Hague, December 7th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I have received the letter you did me the honor to +write me, and the copy of the resolutions of Congress, of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">206</a></span> +the 16th of August last. I flatter myself, that you will not +doubt of my zeal to concert with you the ulterior measures, +which they may require, as soon as the King has authorised +me. But until his Majesty has transmitted to me his +orders on this point, I can only repeat to you the assurances +of my zeal for everything interesting to the common +cause of France and North America, and the peculiar satisfaction +I shall derive from my connexions with you in all +circumstances.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">DE LA VAUGUYON.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, December 13th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>The answer of my Lord Stormont to M. Simolin is as +follows.</p> + +<p>"The alliance, which has subsisted so many years between +Great Britain and the States-General, has always been +considered by his Majesty as a connexion founded on the +most natural relations, and which was not only conformable +to the interests of the two nations, but as essential to their +mutual well-being. The King has done everything on his +part to maintain these connexions and to strengthen them; +and if the conduct of their High Mightinesses had been answerable +to that of his Majesty, they would have subsisted +at this hour in all their force. But from the commencement +of the present troubles, the single return with which +the Republic has requited the constant friendship of the +King, has been the renunciation of the principles of an alliance, +the primary object of which was the mutual defence +of the two nations; an obstinate refusal to fulfil the most +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">207</a></span> +sacred obligations; a daily violation of the most solemn +treaties; an assistance given to those very enemies against +whom the King had a right to demand succor; an asylum +granted to American pirates in the ports of Holland, in +public violation of the clearest stipulations; and to fill up +the measure, a denial of justice and of satisfaction for the +affront offered to the dignity of the King by a secret league +with his rebel subjects.</p> + +<p>"All these accumulated grievances have not permitted +the King to act any other part, than that which he has taken +with the most sensible reluctance. When we laid before +the public the motives which had rendered this rupture inevitable, +the King attributed the conduct of the Republic +to its true cause, viz. the unfortunate influence of a faction, +which sacrificed the interest of the nation to private views; +but the King at the same time manifested the sincerest desire +to be able to draw back the Republic to a system of +strict union, efficacious alliance and reciprocal protection, +which has so greatly contributed to the well-being and to +the glory of the two nations.</p> + +<p>"When the Empress of Russia offered her good offices +to effectuate a reconciliation by a particular peace, the +King testified his gratitude for this fresh proof of a friendship, +which is to him so precious, and avoided to expose +the mediation of her Majesty to the danger of a fruitless +negotiation; he explained the reasons which convinced +him, that in the then prevailing disposition of the Republic, +governed by a faction, any reconciliation during the war +with France, would be but a reconciliation in appearance, +and would give to the party which rule in the Republic, an +opportunity to re-assume the part of a secret auxiliary of +all the King's enemies, under the mask of a feigned alliance +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">208</a></span> +with Great Britain. But if there are certain indications +of an alteration in this disposition; if the powerful intervention +of her Imperial Majesty can accomplish this +change, and reclaim the Republic to principles, which the +wisest part of the nation has never abandoned; his Majesty +will be ready to treat of a separate peace with their High +Mightinesses; and he hopes that the Empress of all the +Russias may be the sole mediatrix of this peace. She +was the first to offer her good offices; and an intervention +so efficacious and so powerful as her's, cannot gain in +weight and influence by the accession of the most respectable +allies. The friendship of the Empress towards the +two nations, the interest which her empire has in their reciprocal +welfare, her known impartiality, and her elevated +views, are so many securities for the manner in which she +will conduct this salutary work, and in a negotiation, which +has for its end the termination of a war, caused by the +violation of treaties, and an affront offered to the Crown of +a King, his Majesty refers himself with equal satisfaction +and confidence to the mediation of a Sovereign, who holds +sacred the faith of treaties, who knows so well the value of +the dignity of Sovereigns, and who has maintained her +own, during her glorious reign, with so much firmness and +grandeur."</p> + +<p>Thus the mediation of Russia is accepted, and that of +Sweden and Denmark refused. The instructions of Congress +and their new commission of last August are arrived +in most happy time, to counteract this insidious manœuvre, +and I hope the Duc de la Vauguyon will receive his instructions +on the same subject before it be too late.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">209</a></span></p> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, December 14th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>The first public body, which has proposed a connexion +with the United States, is the Quarter of Oostergo, in the +Province of Friesland. The proposition is in these words;</p> + +<p>"Every impartial patriot has a long time perceived, that +in the direction of affairs relative to this war with England, +there has been manifested an inconceivable lukewarmness +and sloth; but they discover themselves still more at this +moment, by the little inclination which in general the Regencies +of the Belgic Provinces testify to commence a +treaty of commerce and friendship with the new Republic +of the Thirteen United States of North America; and to +contract engagements, at least during the continuance of this +common war with the Crowns of France and Spain. Nevertheless, +the necessity of these measures appears clearly, +since according to our judgments, nothing was more natural, +nor more conformable to sound policy, founded upon +the laws of nature the most precise, than that this Republic +immediately after the formal declaration of war by the +English, (not being yet able to do anything by military exploits, +not being in a state of defence sufficiently respectable +to dare at sea to oppose one fleet or squadron to our +perfidious enemy,) should have commenced by acknowledging, +by a public declaration, the independence of North +America.</p> + +<p>"This would have been from that time the greatest step +to the humiliation of England, and our own re-establishment, +and by this measure, the Republic would have +proved her firm resolution to act with vigor. Every one +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">210</a></span> +of our inhabitants, all Europe, who have their eyes fixed +upon us, the whole world expected, with just reason, this +measure from the Republic. It is true, that before the +formal declaration of war by England, one might perhaps +have alleged some plausible reasons to justify in some degree +the backwardness in this great and interesting affair. +But, as at present Great Britain is no longer our secret, +but our declared enemy, which dissolves all the connexions +between the two nations; and as it is the duty not only of +all the Regencies, but also of all the citizens of this Republic +to reduce by all imaginable annoyances this enemy, so +unjust to reason, and to force him if possible, to conclude +an honorable peace; why should we hesitate any longer +to strike, by this measure so reasonable, the most sensible +blow to the common enemy? Will not this delay occasion +a suspicion, that we prefer the interest of our enemy, to +that of our country? North America, so sensibly offended +by the refusal of her offer; France and Spain, in the midst +of a war supported with activity, must they not regard us +as the secret friends and favorers of their and our common +enemy? Have they not reason to conclude from it, +that our inaction ought to be less attributed to our weakness, +than to our affection for England? Will not this opinion +destroy all confidence in our nation heretofore so renowned +in this respect? And our allies, at this time natural, +must they not imagine, that it is better to have in us declared +enemies, than pretended friends; and shall we not +be involved in a ruinous war, which we might have rendered +advantageous, if it had been well directed?</p> + +<p>"While, on the other hand, it is evident that by a new +connexion with the States of North America, by engagements +at least during this war with France and Spain, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">211</a></span> +we shall obtain not only the confidence of these formidable +powers instead of their distrust, but by this means we shall, +moreover, place our Colonies in safety against every insult; +we shall have a well-grounded hope of recovering with the +aid of the allied powers, our lost possessions, if the English +should make themselves masters of them, and our +commerce, at present neglected and so shamefully pillaged, +would reassume a new vigor, considering that in such case +as it is manifestly proved by solid reasons, this Republic +would derive from this commerce the most signal advantages. +But since our interest excites us forcibly to act in +concert with the enemies of our enemy; since the Thirteen +United States of North America invited us to it long ago; +since France appears inclined to concert her military operations +with ours, although this power has infinitely less interest +to ally itself with us, whose weakness manifests itself +in so palpable a manner than we are to form an alliance +the most respectable in the universe; it is indubitably the +duty of every regency to promote it with all its forces, and +with all the celerity imaginable.</p> + +<p>"To this effect we have thought it our duty to lay before +your Noble Mightinesses, in the firm persuasion that the +zeal of your Noble Mightinesses will be as earnest as ours, +to concur to the accomplishment of this point, which is for +us of the greatest importance; that consequently, your +Noble Mightinesses will not delay to co-operate with us, +that upon this important object there may be made to their +High Mightinesses a proposition so vigorous, that it may have +the desired success; and that this affair, of an importance +beyond all expression for our common country, +may be resolved and decided by unanimous suffrages, and +in preference to every particular interest." +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">212</a></span></p> + +<p>M. Van der Capellan de Marsch was the first individual +who ventured to propose in public a treaty with the United +States, and the Quarter of Oostergo the first public +body. This, indeed, is but a part of one branch of the +sovereignty. But these motions will be honored by posterity. +The whole Republic must follow. It is necessitated +to it by a mechanism, as certain as clockwork; but +its operations are and will be studiously and zealously +slow. It will be a long time before the measure can be +completed.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, December 18th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>Having received an invitation to the Hague, in order to +have some conversation with some gentlemen in the government, +concerning the further steps proper for me to +take in the present conjuncture, I had determined to have +undertaken the journey today; but the arrival in town of +the Duc de la Vauguyon, determined me to postpone it +until tomorrow.</p> + +<p>At noon, today, his Excellency did me the honor of a +visit, and a long conversation upon the state of affairs at my +house. He informed me, that upon the communication I +had made to him, when he was here last, in person, and +afterwards by letter, of my new commission and instructions, +he had written to the Count de Vergennes; that he +had explained to that Minister his own sentiments, and expected +an answer. His own idea is, that I should go to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">213</a></span> +the Hague in some week, when there is a President whose +sentiments and disposition are favorable, and demand an +answer to my former proposition, and afterwards, that I +should go round to the cities of Holland, and apply to the +several Regencies.</p> + +<p>He thinks that I may now assume a higher tone, which +the late <i>Cornwallization</i> will well warrant. I shall, however, +take care not to advance too fast, so as to be unable to +retreat. His advice is, to go to the Hague tomorrow, and +meet the gentlemen who wish to see me there; this I +shall do.</p> + +<p>I have been very happy hitherto, in preserving an entire +good understanding with this Minister, and nothing shall +ever be wanting on my part, to deserve his confidence and +esteem.</p> + +<p>I have transmitted by two opportunities, one by Captain +Trowbridge, from hence, another by Dr Dexter by the +way of France, despatches from Mr Dana, at Petersburg, +by which Congress will perceive that material advantages +will arise from that gentleman's residence in that place, +whether he soon communicates his mission to that Court +or not.</p> + +<p>The English papers, which I forward by this opportunity, +will inform Congress of the state of things and parties +in England. The Ministry talk of a new system. Perhaps +they may attempt Rhode Island once more in exchange +for Charleston, and try their skill in intercepting +our trade.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">214</a></span></p> + +<h3>TO THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">The Hague, December 19th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>It has been insinuated to me, that the Spanish Ambassador +here has instructions from his Court to enter into a +negotiation with their High Mightinesses, concerning an +alliance between Spain and the Republic. If this fact has +come to your Excellency's knowledge, and there is no +inconvenience nor impropriety in communicating it to me, +I should be very much obliged to you for the information; +not from curiosity merely, but for my government, in the +steps I may have to take.</p> + +<p>By my late instructions, of which your Excellency has +a copy, I am to inform myself concerning the progress of +American negotiations at the Court of Spain, and, if an +alliance shall have been entered into between his Catholic +Majesty and the United States, to invite his Catholic Majesty +into the alliance proposed between France, their High +Mightinesses, and the Congress. If no such alliance shall +have been formed, to receive his Catholic Majesty, should +he manifest a disposition to become a party, &c.</p> + +<p>Congress have wisely enjoined it upon me, to confer in +the most confidential manner with your Excellency, and I +have made it a law to myself, to take no material step in +this negotiation without your approbation; but my instructions +seem to make it necessary to take some measures, at +least, to sound the disposition of the Spanish Ambassador. +I would, therefore, beg leave to propose to your consideration, +and to request your opinion, whether you think it +advisable for me to do myself the honor of making a visit +to the Spanish Ambassador, and communicating to him +the substance of my instructions, as far as it relates to the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">215</a></span> +Court of Madrid; or whether it would be better to communicate +it by letter; or whether your Excellency will be +so good as to take upon yourself this communication, and +inform me of the result of it?</p> + +<p>I am advised here to wait on the President of their High +Mightinesses as soon as possible, and demand a categorical +answer to my former proposition, and then to wait on the +Grand Pensionary and Mr Secretary Fagel, and, in turn, +upon the Pensionaries of all the cities of Holland, to inform +them of the demand made to the President. But I submit +to your consideration, whether it will not be expedient to +communicate the project of a <a name="triple" id="triple"></a>triple or quadruple alliance +to some confidential members of the States; as to the Pensionary +of Dort, Haerlem, and Amsterdam, for example, +with permission to them to communicate it, where they +shall think it necessary, in order to give more weight to my +demand?</p> + +<p>The Court of Great Britain are manifestly availing themselves +of the mediation of Russia, in order to amuse this +Republic, and restrain it from exerting itself in the war, +and forming connexions with the other belligerent powers, +without intending to make peace with her upon any conditions, +which would not be ruinous to her. It is, therefore, +of the last importance to Holland, as well as of much consequence +to the other belligerent powers, to draw her out +of the snare, which one should think might be now easily +done by a proposition of a triple or quadruple alliance.</p> + +<p>Tomorrow morning at ten, I propose to do myself the +honor of waiting on your Excellency, if that hour is agreeable, +in order to avail myself more particularly of your +sentiments upon these points.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">216</a></span></p> + +<h3>THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYON TO JOHN ADAMS.</h3> + +<p class="translation">Translation.</p> + +<p class="letter_head">The Hague, December 20th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I have received the letter you did me the honor to address +me. I shall be impatient to converse with you on +the subject to which it relates, and shall expect to see you +at ten o'clock tomorrow morning, as you desire.</p> + +<p>Receive, Sir, my renewed assurances of the profound +respect with which I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">DE LA VAUGUYON.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, December 25th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>There has appeared an ulterior declaration, in addition +to the ordinances of the 30th of April and the 3d of November, +concerning the navigation and the maritime commerce +of the subjects of Prussia during the present war.</p> + +<p>"The ordinances, which the King has caused to be published +of the 30th of April and 3d of November of this +year, have, in truth, already prescribed to the subjects of +his Majesty, the manner in which they ought, for their +greatest safety, to direct their navigation and their commerce; +nevertheless, as several doubts have arisen in this +regard, his Majesty, in order to obviate them, and to direct +his subjects who trade by sea, has thought fit to establish, +ordain, and declare, as follows.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Article i.</span> It cannot be doubted, and it is understood, +that the Prussian vessels, which have put to sea before +the publication of the ordinance of the 3d of November, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">217</a></span> +and which, by consequence, could not be furnished +with passports expedited by the Minister of foreign affairs, +which are therein prescribed, cannot be taken or molested, +by reason of the want of such passports, but that the passports +heretofore in use, which they have taken at their departure, +ought to have, until their return, their force and +value, and to procure them, until that time, a sufficient security. +To remove, however, still more effectually, all +difficulties, which might exist in this regard, the obligation +to furnish themselves with immediate passports from Berlin, +is not to commence until after the 1st of January, +1782, to the end that every one may have time to take his +measures in consequence.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Art. ii.</span> It is repeated and ordained, that small +vessels, which do not carry more than fifty lasts, as well as +those which navigate only in the Baltic Sea, and in the +North Sea, and which do not pass the Channel, which +separates France and England, are not obliged, at least if +they do not themselves think it proper, to take passports +from Berlin; but to gain time, it is permitted to them to +take them as heretofore, at their convenience, from the +Admiralties, the Chambers of War, and of the Domains of +each Province, and from the magistrates of the cities. In +consequence of which, it is ordained to these Colleges +in the most express manner, not to grant these passports +but to the real and actual subjects of the King, with the +greatest precaution, providing carefully against all abuses +which may be made of them, and observing strictly the +ordinances published upon this object. The end which +his Majesty proposed to himself in publishing the declaration +of the 3d of November, has been, and is, singly, to +procure to Prussian vessels, which navigate beyond the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">218</a></span> +Channel in the ocean or the Atlantic Sea, and which carry +their commerce into these distant seas and regions, a safety +so much the greater against all prejudicial accidents, in +causing to be expedited to them passports by his Minister +of Foreign Affairs, who, by his knowledge of the state of +public affairs, is the most in a condition to take the necessary +precautions.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Art. iii.</span> The navigators, not being able to send to +Berlin complete bills of lading of the cargoes of their +vessels, before they are entirely loaded, there is not required +of those who have occasion for immediate passports of the +Court, any other thing, except that they produce certificates, +and general attestations from the Admiralties, the +Chambers of Domains, or the magistrates of the cities, +concerning the property of the vessel, and when the passport +should express also the cargo, concerning the quality +of the cargo, that is to say, in what it consists; which is +sufficient to judge, whether the merchandises are lawful, +and whether the passports requested can be granted. The +bills of lading, and complete and specific attestations of +the quantity of each merchandise may be expedited as +heretofore, in the usual manner, to places where the loading +is made by the Admiralties, the Chambers of Finances, +or the magistrates of the cities.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Art. iv.</span> In the ordinance of the 30th of April, his +Majesty has been pleased, to encourage his subjects to the +national commerce, to advise them to engage in maritime +commerce as much as possible upon their own account, +and with their own merchandises; and it has been established +in consequence, in the declaration of the 3d of +November, that to obtain passports from the Court, it was +necessary to prove, by requisite certificates, that the owners +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">219</a></span> +both of the vessel and the cargo were Prussian subjects; +nevertheless, all this was done properly in the form of +advice, and to render them so much the more attentive to +the precautions which they ought to take; it is not, for +this the less free and lawful to the subjects of the King, +who have obtained requisite passports, to transport also in +their vessels, in conformity to the ordinance of the 30th of +April, to places and ports which are not besieged, nor +close blocked, merchandises and effects belonging to foreign +nations, and even to belligerent nations, provided that +these merchandises are of the nature of those, which, according +to the 2d article of the declaration of the 30th of +April, and conformably to the customs and rights of +nations, are permitted and not of contraband; his Majesty +will not fail to protect them, in such cases according to the +principles which he has adopted and established in this regard +with other powers, allies, and friends, and he has +judged necessary to declare all which goes before, for +preventing all abusive interpretation of the declaration of +the 3d of November.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Art. v.</span> The captains and commanders of Prussian +vessels ought, when they arrive in ports or places, where +reside consuls of the King, to present to them their passports, +and demand of them attestations, which certify that +their vessels are still furnished with passports expedited to +them.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Art. vi.</span> The commanders of these vessels would do +well also, to take with them the ordinances of the 30th of +April and the 3d of November, and the present declaration, +to follow so much the better the precepts of it, and to +be able, in case of need, to show them, and justify their +conduct by them. Nevertheless, those two ordinances, as +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">220</a></span> +well as this, which renews them and serves to explain +them, have not been published but for the direction of +Prussian subjects, who exercise navigation and maritime +commerce; and in cases even where they may fail in +some point of their observation, and where they may not +be furnished with passports requisite, they are not responsible +for their negligence, but to his Majesty, their lawful +sovereign, and the commanders of armed vessels of the +belligerent powers cannot think themselves authorised +thereby to stop them, or to take them, when they have not +acted openly in a manner contrary to the principles of the +maritime neutrality, adopted by his Majesty.</p> + +<p>"Given at Berlin, the 8th of December, 1781, by express +order of the King.</p> + +<p class="signed">DE HERTZBERG."</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, December 25th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>On the 11th of September, Lord Stormont delivered to +the Baron de Noleken, Envoy of Sweden, the following +notification of the refusal of the mediation of the Court of +Stockholm, and the acceptation of that of Russia.</p> + +<p>"The conservation of the public tranquillity has been the +first object of the care of his Majesty, during the whole course +of his reign. The commencement of this reign +has been signalised by the return of peace. The King has +made great sacrifices to procure this blessing to humanity, +and he had reason to flatter himself, that, by this moderation +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">221</a></span> +in the midst of victory, he was establishing the public +tranquillity upon solid and durable foundations; but these +hopes have been disappointed, and these foundations have +been shaken by the ambitious policy of the Court of Versailles. +This Court, after having secretly fomented the +rebellion enkindled in America, has leagued herself openly +with the rebel subjects of his Majesty; and by this violation +of the public faith, by this direct act of hostility, she +began the war.</p> + +<p>"The conduct of the Republic of Holland, during the +whole course of this war, has excited a general indignation. +This nation presents itself under an aspect very different +from that of a nation simply commercial. It is a +respectable power, connected for a long time with Great +Britain by the strictest alliance. The principal object of +this alliance was their common safety, and especially their +mutual protection against the ambitious designs of a dangerous +neighbor, which their united efforts have so often +defeated, to their mutual prosperity, and that of all Europe.</p> + +<p>"The desertion of all the principles of this alliance, +which the King on his part had constantly maintained; an +obstinate refusal to fulfil the most sacred engagements; a +daily infraction of the most sacred treaties; succors furnished +to those very enemies, against whom the King had +a right to demand succor; an asylum and protection +granted in the ports of Holland to American pirates, in +direct violation of stipulations, the most clear and the most +precise; and, to fill up the measure, a denial of satisfaction +and of justice, for the affront committed to the dignity of +the King, by a clandestine league with his rebel subjects; +all these accumulated grievances have not left to the King +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">222</a></span> +any other part to take, than that which he has taken with +the most sensible reluctance. In laying before the public +the reasons, which have rendered this rupture inevitable, +his Majesty attributed the conduct of the Republic to its +true cause, the fatal influence of a faction, which sacrificed +the national interest to private views; but the King has +marked at the same time, the most sincere desire to draw +back the Republic to the system of strict union, of efficacious +alliance, and of mutual protection, which has so +much contributed to the prosperity and the glory of the +two States.</p> + +<p>"When the Empress of all the Russias offered her good +offices to effectuate a reconciliation by a separate peace, +the King signifying his just gratitude for this new proof of +a friendship, which is so precious to him, avoided to involve +the mediation of her Imperial Majesty in a fruitless +negotiation; but at present, as there are certain indications +of an alteration of disposition in the Republic, some marks +of a desire to return to those principles, which the wisest +part of the Batavian nation has never forsaken, a negotiation +for a separate peace between the King and their +High Mightinesses, may be opened with some hopes of +success under the mediation of the Empress of all the +Russias, who was the first to offer her good offices for this +salutary work. If his Majesty did not at first take advantage +of it, it was because he had every reason to believe, +that the Republic at that time sought only to amuse, by an +insidious negotiation; but the King would think, that he +answered ill the sentiments, which dictated those first offers, +and that he was wanting to those regards so justly due +to her Imperial Majesty, and to the confidence, which she +inspires, if he associated in this mediation any other, even +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">223</a></span> +that of an ally most respectable, and for whom the King +has the sincerest friendship."</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO JOHN ADAMS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Philadelphia, December 26th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>It is very long since we had the pleasure of hearing +from you. Before this you will probably have received +two letters of mine; a duplicate of the last goes with this.</p> + +<p>Nothing material has happened since the date of that, +except the evacuation of Wilmington, which was, as you +know, a very important post, as it checked the trade of +North Carolina, and kept up a dangerous connexion with +almost the only tories on the Continent, who have shown +spirit enough to support their principles openly.</p> + +<p>This new sacrifice by Britain of their partizans, conspiring +with that made by the capitulation of York, must +open their eyes, and teach them what the experience of +ages should have taught, that those friendships are weak, +which arise, from a fellowship in guilt.</p> + +<p>Our army, and the French troops are in quarters. The +first in the Jerseys, and upon the Hudson river; the last in +Virginia. General Greene will be reinforced by about +eighteen hundred men, under St Clair. The enemy +are shut up in New York, Savannah, and Charleston, +though I believe they may yet have one or two posts, near +the latter, which they will keep till St Clair joins Greene. +Count de Grasse is in the West Indies, with so formidable +an armament as promises the most important successes, +during the winter; when joined by the force, that has sailed +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">224</a></span> +from Brest, and so many of the Spanish fleet as are prepared +to co-operate with him, he will have about fifty sail +of the line under his command.</p> + +<p>I enclose several resolutions of Congress, which will +convince you that their late successes have not rendered +them supine or negligent. The spirit which animates them +will pervade most of the States. I need not suggest to +you, the use that should be made of this information. I +am persuaded, that your own knowledge of the world, and +the particular situation of the government you are in, will +direct you to the best means of rendering them useful to +this country. I also enclose an ordinance relative to captures +and recaptures lately passed by Congress. You will +observe, that it is formed upon the plan recommended by +the armed neutrality. It does credit in that view to our +moderation. Perhaps the conduct of Britain, and the +neglect of the neutral powers to enforce their own regulations, +may render the policy of the measure doubtful. +This, however, gives new force to the deductions drawn +from it in favor of our moderation and justice.</p> + +<p>You will also observe, that it uses means to put an entire +stop to all kind of commerce with Britain, or in British +manufactures. In consequence of this, new habits and new +fashions must be introduced. Wise nations will not neglect +this favorable moment to render them subservient to the +interest of their own commerce and manufactures. This +affords you a topic which need not be urged to enlarge +upon. I am very fearful that you will not fully understand +the cyphers in which my last letters are written. I had +them from the late committee of Foreign Affairs, though +they say they never received any letters from you in them. +Mr Lovell has enclosed what he thinks may serve as an +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">225</a></span> +explanation. I would recommend it to you to write to me +in M. Dumas's cypher, till I can send you, or you send +me one, by a safe hand. Should you be at Paris, Dr +Franklin has Dumas's cypher.</p> + +<p>And now, Sir, for all this American intelligence, let me +receive from you a full return in European commodities of +the like kind. I do not hesitate to impose this task upon +you, because I know it is one that you have never neglected, +and that you are fully impressed with the idea of +its importance to us. Among other things, I am persuaded +Congress would wish to know the success of your loan, +and your prospects; the disposition of the government, and +the strength of the Marine of the United Provinces; its +objects and preparations for the ensuing campaign; the +negotiations which may be carrying on at present, either +for peace or war; the designs, finances, and Marine of +Russia. I shall also apply to Mr Dana for information on +this subject, as it will be much more practicable to correspond +with him through you, than to get letters to him at +this season of the year from here. I shall, however, attempt +both.</p> + +<p>I am too well acquainted with your industry and patriotism +to think that you will repine at any trouble that this +may give you. You know that Congress have a right to +the fullest information from their Ministers, and that their +Ministers have similar demands upon them. I shall endeavor, +as far as lies in my power, to satisfy the last in future, +since that charge has devolved upon me.</p> + +<p>I enclose a number of newspapers that may afford you +some information and amusement, and have the honor to +be, Sir, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed_long">ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">226</a></span></p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, December 29th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>The Minister of the Court of Vienna has announced to +their High Mightinesses, the accession of the Emperor to +the armed neutrality, in the following manner.</p> + +<h4>ACCESSION OF AUSTRIA TO THE ARMED NEUTRALITY.</h4> + +<p>"The Emperor having been invited by her Imperial +Majesty of all the Russias, to accede to the principles of +neutrality, which have been laid down in her declaration of +the 28th of February, 1780, transmitted to the belligerent +powers, his Majesty has accepted of this invitation, so much +the more willingly, as he is convinced of the justice and +equity of these principles. In consequence, their Imperial +Majesties have resolved between themselves, and caused to +be exchanged at St Petersburg, acts of accession on one +part, and of acceptation on the other, of which the subscriber, +Envoy Extraordinary, has the honor to transmit copies, +by order of his Court, to their High Mightinesses, requesting +them to accept of this communication, as a fresh testimony +which the Emperor is pleased to give them of his +affection, and of his most perfect confidence.</p> + +<p>"His Imperial Majesty hopes that this step will be considered +as a new proof of his sincere and unalterable intentions +to observe the strictest neutrality, and the most +exact impartiality towards the belligerent powers. And as +he has not ceased to give proofs of it through the whole +course of this war, he flatters himself he shall be able to +find in it sufficient pledges of that attention and regard, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">227</a></span> +which he has a right to require in return on their part for +the rights and liberties of neutral nations.</p> + +<p>"Done at the Hague, this 11th day of December, 1781.</p> + +<p class="signed_long">THE BARON DE KEISCHACH."</p> + +<p>The act of accession, presented with the foregoing note, +is of the following tenor.</p> + +<p>"Joseph the Second, by the grace of God, &c. having +been invited amicably by her Majesty, the Empress of all +the Russias, to concur with her in the consolidation of the +principles of the neutrality upon the sea, tending to the +maintenance of the liberty of the maritime commerce, and +of the navigation of neutral powers, which she has laid +down in her declaration of the 28th of February, 1780, +presented on her part to the belligerent powers, which +principles imply in substance,</p> + +<p>"1. That neutral vessels may navigate freely from port +to port, and upon the coasts of the nations at war;</p> + +<p>"2. That effects belonging to the subjects of powers at +war be free upon neutral vessels, excepting merchandises +of contraband;</p> + +<p>"3. That no merchandises be considered as such, but +those enumerated in the tenth and eleventh articles of the +Treaty of Commerce, concluded between Russia and +Great Britain the 28th of June, 1766;</p> + +<p>"4. That to determine what characterises a port blocked, +this denomination is only to be given to that, where, +by the disposition of the power, which attacks it, with +vessels sufficiently near, there is an evident danger of +entering;</p> + +<p>"5. Finally, that these principles serve as rules in proceedings +and judgments concerning the legality of prizes. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">228</a></span></p> + +<p>"And her said Imperial Majesty of all the Russias, having +proposed to us, to this effect, to manifest by a formal +act of accession, not only our full adhesion to these same +principles, but also our immediate concurrence in the measures +to assure the execution of them, that we would adopt +on our part, by contracting reciprocally with her said Majesty, +the engagements and stipulations, following, viz.</p> + +<p>"I. That on one part and on the other, we will continue +to observe the most exact neutrality, and will carry into the +most rigorous execution the prohibitions declared against +the commerce of contraband of their respective subjects, +with any of the powers already at war, or which may enter +into the war in the sequel;</p> + +<p>"II. That if, in spite of all the cares employed to this +effect, the merchant vessels of one of the two powers +should be taken, or insulted, by any vessels whatsoever of +the belligerent powers, the complaints of the injured power +shall be supported in the most efficacious manner by the +other; and that, if they refuse to render justice upon these +complaints, they shall concert immediately upon the most +proper manner of procuring it by just reprisals;</p> + +<p>"III. That if it should happen, that one or the other of +the two powers, or both together, on occasion, or in resentment +of this present agreement, should be disturbed, molested, +or attacked, in such case they shall make common +cause between themselves for their mutual defence, and +labor in concert to procure themselves a full and entire +satisfaction, both for the insult offered to their flag, and for +the losses caused to their subjects;</p> + +<p>"IV. That these stipulations shall be considered on one +part, and on the other, as permanent, and as making a rule, +whenever it shall come in question to determine the rights +of neutrality; +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">229</a></span></p> + +<p>"V. That the two powers shall communicate amicably +their present mutual concert to all the powers who are +actually at war.</p> + +<p>"We, willing, by an effect of the sincere friendship, +which happily unites us to her Majesty, the Empress of all +the Russias, as well as for the well-being of Europe in +general, and of our countries and subjects in particular, to +contribute on our part to the execution of views, of principles, +and measures, as salutary as they are conformable +to the most evident notions of the law of nations, have +resolved to accede to them, as we do formally accede to +them, in virtue of the present act, promising and engaging +solemnly, as her Imperial Majesty of all the Russias engages +herself to us, to observe, execute, and warrant all +the foregoing points and stipulations. In faith of which, +we have signed these presents with our own hand, and +have hereto affixed our seal.</p> + +<p>"Given at Vienna, the 9th of October, 1781.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOSEPH."</p> + +<p>The Prince de Gallitzin has notified the acceptation of +Russia nearly in the same words. By the fifth article +the two Imperial Courts ought to notify this to Congress, +for it is most certain that the United States are one of the +powers actually at war. Whether they will or no, time +must discover; but by the articles, to serve as a basis of +peace at the proposed Congress at Vienna, these two +Courts have certainly acknowledged the American Colonies +to be a power at war, and a power sufficiently free to +appear at Vienna, and make peace with Great Britain.</p> + +<p>The confederation for the liberty of navigation of neutral +nations, is now one of the most formidable that ever was +formed in the world. The only question is, whether it is +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">230</a></span> +not too complicated and various to be managed to effect. +The conduct of the Empress of Russia towards this Republic, +and especially in offering her mediation for a separate +peace between England and Holland, has excited +some jealousies of her sincerity or her constancy. But I +think it will appear in the end, that she intends that Holland +shall enjoy the full benefit of this confederation, which +will effectually deprive England of that sovereignty of the +sea, which she so presumptuously claims and boasts. But +if it should appear, which I do not expect, that the Empress +should advise the Dutch to give up the right of carrying +naval stores, after the example of Denmark, her glory +will suffer no small diminution, and I presume that Holland, +humble as she is, will not submit to it, but make immediately +common cause with the enemies of her enemy.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYON TO JOHN ADAMS.</h3> + +<p class="translation">Translation.</p> + +<p class="letter_head">Versailles, December 30th, 1781.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>You desired that on my arrival at Versailles, I should +communicate to the Count de Vergennes your disposition +to adopt the measure you have been advised to pursue by +several well disposed members of the States of Holland, +and that I should at the same time make known to him +your determination not to take that step without his approbation.</p> + +<p>The Minister directs me to inform you, that he sees no +objection to the visit, which you wish to make to the President +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">231</a></span> +of the Assembly of the States-General, to the Ministers of +the Republic, and to the deputies of the principal +cities of the Province of Holland, provided that, without +leaving with either of them any official writing, you limit +yourself to the inquiry, whether the memorial, which you +transmitted to them several months since has been made +the subject of deliberation by their High Mightinesses, and +what answer you may communicate to the Congress of +the United States of North America.</p> + +<p>I do not know the precise time of my return to the +Hague, but see no reason to suppose that my absence will +be longer than I expected.</p> + +<p>Receive, Sir, my renewed assurance of the profound +respect with which I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">DE LA VAUGUYON.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO JOHN ADAMS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Philadelphia, January 9th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Dear Sir,</p> + +<p>I write merely to put you on your guard against any +falsehood the enemy may think it necessary to publish +about the time of opening their budget. All is well here. +There has been no action to the southward. Many of the +tories in North Carolina, enraged at being deserted, have +joined our army, and, as is said, executed some of their +leaders. The enemy have drawn all their troops into +Charleston, and our advanced parties are as low down as +Haddell's point.</p> + +<p>I congratulate you upon the brilliant expedition of the +Marquis de Bouillé. It does him the highest honor, and +his subsequent conduct forms such a contrast to that of the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">232</a></span> +English, as must, I should suppose, have great influence +upon the minds of the people with you, and forward your +negotiations. The one fighting to oppress and enslave a +free people, the other to establish their rights; the one +attempting to tyrannize over the ocean, and fetter the commerce +of the world, the other resisting that tyranny, and rendering +trade as free as nature made it; the one insulting, +plundering, and abusing an old friend, an ally, in the +midst of profound peace, the other extending in war mercy +to their bitterest enemies, and marching to conquest with +domestic peace in their train; the one burning defenceless +towns and peaceful villages, where they have been hospitably +entertained, the other guarding from violence with +scrupulous attention the firesides of their inveterate foes; +the one murdering in cold blood, or more cruelly by want +and misery in prison ships, those who speak the same language, +profess the same religion, and spring from the same +ancestors; the other forgetting difference of religion, language, +and hereditary enmity, spare the vanquished, administer +to their wants, offer consolation tn their distress, and +prove more by their conduct than by their professions, that +they are armed in the cause of humanity.</p> + +<p>The one, without regard to truth or decency, boasts +of victories never gained, and ostentatiously exaggerates +the little advantages, which superior numbers have sometimes +given, while the other leaves the debility of their enemy +to express the brilliancy of their actions. The one—but +I should never have done if I were to mark the points +in which the British differ from a brave, humane, and polished +nation. The recapture of St Eustatia in all its circumstances, +and the disgraceful defence of Yorktown, +prove that they are no longer the people we once thought +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">233</a></span> +them; if ever they were brave and generous, they have +lost those virtues with the spirit of freedom. Adieu, my +Dear Sir, may your exertions in the cause of your country +be attended with all the success they merit.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed_long">ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, January 14th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>Having received the advice of several gentlemen, members +of the States, and also of the opinion of the Duc de +la Vauguyon and the Count de Vergennes, I went to the +Hague on Tuesday, the 8th day of this month, and the +next morning at ten, waited on the President of their High +Mightinesses, M. Van der Sandheuvel of Dort, a city of +Holland, to whom I made a verbal requisition in the following +words.</p> + +<p>"The 4th of May last I had the honor of a conference +with the President of their High Mightinesses, in which I +informed him that I had received a commission from the +United States of America, with full powers and instructions +to propose and conclude a treaty of amity and commerce +between the United States of America and the United +Province of the Netherlands. I had the honor in the +same conference to demand an audience of their High +Mightinesses, for the purpose of presenting my credentials +and full powers. The President assured me, that he would +report everything that I had told him, to their High Mightinesses, +so that the matter might be transmitted to the several +members of the sovereignty, to be submitted to their +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">234</a></span> +deliberation and decision. I have not yet been honored +with an answer, and for this reason I have the honor of +addressing myself to you, Sir, to demand from you as I do +demand, a categorical answer, which I may transmit to my +sovereign."</p> + +<p>The President assured me, that he would not fail to +make report to their High Mightinesses. After this, I sent +a servant to the Grand Pensionary Bleiswick, to know at +what hour I should have the honor of a conversation with +him. The answer returned to me, with the compliments +of the Grand Pensionary, was, that he was sick, unable to +attend the Assembly of the States, and to receive any +visits at home from anybody; but if my business was of a +public nature, I might communicate it to his Secretary, +which would be as well as to himself. Upon this, I requested +M. Dumas to call upon the Secretary, and communicate +my intentions to him, which he did.</p> + +<p>I went next morning at ten, to the Secretary of their +High Mightinesses, M. Fagel, and communicated to him +the step I had taken the day before, who told me that +he had already been informed of it, for that the President, +according to his promise, had made his report to their +High Mightinesses; that it was true, that the Baron de +Lynden de Hemmen had made his report to their High +Mightinesses, on the 4th of last May, of my proposition to +him, and that it had been forthwith taken <i>ad referendum</i> +by all the Provinces, but that no member of the sovereignty +had yet returned any answer at all, either in the +affirmative or negative; that my proposition of yesterday +had in like manner been taken <i>ad referendum</i> by all the +Provinces, and that it was necessary to wait to see what +answer they would give. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">235</a></span></p> + +<p>The Secretary, who is perfectly well with the Court, as +his ancestors and family have been for a long course of +years, and who is as complaisant to England as any man +in this country, received me with perfect politeness, and, +when I took leave, insisted upon accompanying me through +all the anti-chambers and long entries quite to my chariot +door in the street, where he waited until we entered and +drove off.</p> + +<p>After this, I went to the House of Dort, the Pensionary +of which city, M. Gyselaer, received me with confidence +and affection; told me, that all he could say to me in his +public character was, that he thanked me for the communication +I had made to him, and would communicate it +to the deputation and to the Regency of his city, and that he +hoped I should have as friendly an answer as I desired, +for that he personally saw me with great pleasure, and +very readily acknowledged my character, and that of my +country.</p> + +<p>I went next, at the hour agreed on, to the House of +Haerlem, where I was received by the whole deputation, +consisting of two Burgomasters, two Schepins, and a Pensionary. +Here passed a scene, which really affected my +sensibility, and gave me great pleasure. The five gentlemen +were all aged and venerable magistrates, who received +me with an affection and cordiality, which discovered, +in their air and countenance, the sincerity and satisfaction +they felt in the word of their Pensionary when he told me, +that they were only Deputies; that by the constitution of +Haerlem, like all the others in the Republic, the sovereignty +resided in their constituents, the Regency; that they +thanked me for the communication I had made to them, +that they would communicate it to the Regency of their +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">236</a></span> +city, and that for themselves, they heartily wished it success; +for that the United States, as sufferers for, and defenders +of the great cause of liberty, might depend upon +the esteem, affection, and friendship, of the city of Haerlem, +and that they heartily wished a connexion between +the two Republics, and they congratulated us on the capture +of Lord Cornwallis, to which we returned to them a +congratulation for the recapture of St Eustatia, and took +our leave.</p> + +<p>At the House of Leyden, we were received by the +Pensionary, who told us he had the orders of his Burgomasters +to receive me, to thank me for the communication, +and to promise to communicate it to their Regency.</p> + +<p>At the House of Rotterdam, we were received by the +whole deputation, consisting of two Burgomasters, two +Schepins, or Judges, and the Pensionary. We received +thanks for the communication, and a promise to lay it +before the Regency.</p> + +<p>At the House of Gouda and the Brille, the same reception +and the same answer. At another House, where +the Deputies of five small cities lived together, the same +answer. At the House, where the Deputies of Alcmaer +and Enkhuisen reside, we were received by the whole +deputations, obtained the same answers, with the addition +of professions of esteem and wishes, that in time there +might be a closer connexion between the two nations.</p> + +<p>Thus I had been introduced to the Ministers of the Republic, +and to the Deputies of all the cities of Holland, +except Amsterdam. In my messages to the deputations, +I had followed the order of the cities, according to the +rank they held in the confederation. I had sent to the +House of Amsterdam in its course. The messenger, the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">237</a></span> +first time, found only one of the Burgomasters at home, +M. Rendorp, who returned for answer, that the gentlemen +were not then together, but that they would send me word +at what time they would receive me; but no answer came +for a day or two. I sent again. The messenger found +only the same Burgomaster, who returned the same answer. +On Friday morning, having no answer, I sent a third time. +The answer from the same Burgomaster was, that the +gentlemen were then setting off for Amsterdam, being +obliged to return upon business, and could not then see me, +but would send me word. Upon this, I concluded to return +to Amsterdam too, and to make the communication +there in writing to the Regency; but reflecting that this +step would occasion much speculation and many reflections +upon Amsterdam, I desired M. Dumas to wait on M. +Vischer, the Pensionary, who remained in town, and consult +with him. The result was, that I made my visit to +the House of Amsterdam, and made the communication to +M. Vischer, who received me like a worthy Minister of +the great city.</p> + +<p>It may not be amiss to conclude this letter by observing, +that every city is considered as an independent Republic. +The Burgomasters have the administration of the executive, +like little kings. There is in the great council, consisting +of the Burgomasters and Counsellors, a limited legislative +authority. The Schepins are the judges. The Deputies +are appointed by the Regency, which consists of the Burgomasters, +Counsellors, and Schepins; and in the large +cities, the Deputies consist of two Burgomasters, two +Schepins or Counsellors, and one Pensionary. The Pensionary +is the Secretary of State, or the Minister of the +city. The Pensionaries are generally the speakers upon +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">238</a></span> +all occasions, even in the Assembly of the States of the +Province.</p> + +<p>These operations at the Hague have been received by +the public with great appearance of approbation and pleasure, +and the gazettes and pamphlets universally cry against +the mediation of Russia, and for an immediate alliance with +France and America. But the leaders of the Republic, +those of them I mean who are well intentioned, wish to +have the two negotiations, that for peace under the mediation +of Russia, and that for an alliance with France, Spain, +and America, laid before the States and the public together, +not so much with an expectation of accomplishing +speedily an alliance with Bourbon and America, as with a +hope of checking the English party, and preventing them +from accepting a peace with England, or the mediation of +Russia to that end, upon dangerous or dishonorable terms. +If it was in any other country, I should conclude from all +appearances, that an alliance with America and France, at +least would be finished in a few weeks; but I have been long +enough here to know the nation better. The constitution +of government is so complicated and whimsical a thing, and +the temper and character of the nation so peculiar, that this +is considered everywhere as the most difficult embassy in +Europe. But at present it is more so than ever; the +nation is more divided than usual, and they are afraid of +everybody, afraid of France, afraid of America, England, +Russia, and the Northern powers, and above all of the +Emperor, who is taking measures, that will infallibly ruin +the commerce of this country, if they do not soon change +their conduct.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">239</a></span></p> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, January 15th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>The following note was presented to the Secretary Fagel +by the Prince Gallitzin, and by the Secretary to the +Assembly of their High Mightinesses, the 10th of this +month.</p> + +<p>"Her Imperial Majesty of all the Russias, having reflected +upon the loss of time, which is occasioned by a correspondence +relative to complaints formed by the subjects +of neutral powers, her allies, concerning the vexations and +violations which they may suffer sometimes in their commercial +navigation, has perceived that it will be essential to +provide the Ministers of the allied powers with instructions +sufficient for all cases of this nature. To this effect, her +Imperial Majesty has thought fit to propose also to their +High Mightinesses, the necessity and utility of general orders +and instructions upon this object, with which they +ought to provide their Ministers residing near the belligerent +powers. Her Imperial Majesty is even of opinion that +it will be indispensably necessary to detail the instructions +in question in a manner so ample, that the Ministers may +never be reduced to wait for ulterior orders; but on the +contrary, that in all cases of this nature, they may be authorised +to sustain each other efficaciously in their complaints +and operations in making a common cause, and in +interesting themselves without hesitation in the first complaints +of the respective subjects of their Sovereigns, who +claim their assistance.</p> + +<p>"Her Imperial Majesty has already exerted herself to +despatch to her Ministers residing at the belligerent Courts, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">240</a></span> +the necessary instructions to this effect. Certainly none of +them will fail to contribute to the good of the common +cause, conformably to mutual engagements, and to that +which her Imperial Majesty has caused to be proposed to +her other allies."</p> + +<p>I have transmitted this, as well as all other State papers, +relative to the maritime confederation, because I hope it +will be finally established, as it appears to be for the good +of mankind in general, and of the United States in particular. +The Dutch are so attached to it, that I think they +will not give it up, and if the Empress has it sincerely at +heart, she will not consent that the Dutch should relinquish +it.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, January 16th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>The following verbal insinuation made by the Baron de +Noleken, Envoy of Sweden at London, to my Lord Stormont, +the 31st of August, 1781, is of importance to show +the intentions of the maritime confederacy.</p> + +<p>"The King has no occasion at this time to declare the +principles, which have determined his conduct, from the +time when he ascended the throne of his ancestors. He +has been guided by the love of peace; and he would have +wished to see all the powers of Europe enjoy the same +happiness, equally constant and durable. These wishes +dictated by the sentiments of humanity, which are natural to +him, have not been satisfied. The flames of war, enkindled +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">241</a></span> +in another hemisphere, have communicated themselves to +Europe, but the King still flattered himself that this conflagration, +would not pass the bounds to which it was confined, +and above all that a nation merely commercial, which +had announced a neutrality as an invariable foundation of +her conduct, would not be involved in it. Nevertheless, +the contrary has happened almost at the very moment, +when this power had contracted the most innocent engagements +with the King and his two allies in the north.</p> + +<p>"If a neutrality the most exact, which was ever observed +has not been able to warrant the King from feeling at first +the inconveniences of the war, by the considerable losses, +which were sustained by his trading subjects; by a +stronger reason he was able to foresee the vexatious consequences +when these disorders should become more +extensive, when an open war, between Great Britain and +the Republic of Holland should multiply them; finally, +when the commerce of neuters was about to suffer new +shackles by the hostilities, which were to be committed +between these two powers. Accordingly the King did +not fail soon to perceive it, and sincerely to wish, that the +measures taken by the Empress of Russia, for extinguishing +in its beginning the flame of this new war, had been followed +with a perfect success. But as this salutary work +has not been carried to perfection, the King has resolved +to join himself to his allies, the Empress of Russia and +the King of Denmark, to endeavor to dispose his Britannic +Majesty to adopt those pacific sentiments, which their +High Mightinesses, the States-General, have already manifested +by their consent, to open a negotiation of peace.</p> + +<p>"If such were the dispositions of this monarch, as it +ought not to be doubted, it seems that a suspension of hostilities +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">242</a></span> +should be a preliminary, by so much the more +essential to their accomplishment, as military operations +necessarily influencing a negotiation of this nature, would +only serve to embarrass and to prolong it, while the +allied Courts would not wish for anything so much, as to +be able to accelerate it by all the means, which might serve +for the satisfaction and advantage of the two belligerent +parties. In the sincerity and the rectitude of the intentions, +which animate his Majesty, as well as his allies, he +cannot conceal the apprehension he is in, with regard to the +continuation of the war, from whence may arise vexatious +incidents, capable of exciting all sorts of wrangles and most +disagreeable disputes.</p> + +<p>"This motive, and still more, that of preventing a still +greater effusion of blood, are proper to operate upon the +heart of the King of Great Britain; and in the entire confidence, +which his Majesty places in it, he would feel a +real satisfaction, if by his good offices and by his mediation +joined to that of his allies, he could succeed in terminating +the differences, which have arisen between his Britannic +Majesty and the States-General of the United Provinces."</p> + +<p>They write from Stockholm, that the Court of London +has thought proper to make representations to that of Sweden, +concerning the rencounter which a convoy of merchant +ships, under the escort of the Swedish frigate, the +Jaramas, had with the English squadron of Commodore +Stewart, who would have visited these merchant ships. +The Court of London pretends, that he was authorised to +make such a visit, even in virtue of the articles of the convention +of the armed neutrality, concluded between the +three powers of the north; but that the Court of Stockholm, +far from blaming the refusal of the Captain of the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">243</a></span> +Jaramas, to permit the visit, had highly approved his conduct, +and answered, "that this officer had acted, conformably +to his duty, for that the regulation in one of the articles +of the convention of the armed neutrality in regard to +the visits of merchant ships, respected only the vessels, +which navigated without convoy, but not at all those which +should be found under convoy, and consequently under the +protection of a sovereign flag (Pavillon,) the warranty of +the nature of their cargo, and of the property."</p> + +<p><i>Petersburg, December 14th, 1781.</i> "The Minister of +Sweden having communicated, by express order of the +King his master, to our Court, the complaints which that of +London had made, concerning the rencounter of the Swedish +frigate, the Jaramas, with the squadron of Commodore +Keith Stewart, as well as the answer, which had been given +to those complaints, the Vice Chancellor, the Count d'Ostermann, +declared the day before yesterday to this Minister, +'that her Imperial Majesty highly approved the answer of +the Court of Stockholm, and found it in all points conformable +to the principle, which she herself would follow in +a parallel case. In consequence, if contrary to all appearance, +the Court of London should not be satisfied with it, +and should pretend to be able to visit neutral merchant +ships, which should be found under the protection of the +King, or under that of the sovereign flag of one of the +allies, her Imperial Majesty would be always ready to concur, +and to co-operate with his Swedish Majesty and the +other allies, to oppose themselves to it, as well as to maintain +the independence and respect due to their respective +flags.' At the same time, orders have been sent to all the +Ministers of the Empress, at the belligerent powers, that +'in case there should arise just complaints or difficulties, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">244</a></span> +with relation to the detention, the capture, the carrying off, +or the ill treatment, which merchant ships, navigating under +the flag of this empire, or under that of one of the allies of +the convention of neutrality, shall have suffered, from ships +of war or armed vessels, of one or another of the belligerent +powers, they should make at first, in such case, every one +in his place, the necessary representations and requisitions, +for reclaiming the said vessels, the reparation of losses, &c. +and concur and concert to this effect with the other Ministers +of the contracting Courts, without asking or waiting for +further orders. The allied Courts will be requested, +moreover, to give the orders to their respective Ministers +residing near the belligerent powers.' A courier, despatched +this day to the Hague and to London, carries +these orders to the Ministers of the Empress, as well as the +acts of accession of the Emperor to the principles of the +convention of neutrality. The day before yesterday, the +usual day of the conferences with the Vice Chancellor, he +communicated the same acts to the foreign Ministers."</p> + +<p>With great respect, I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON, SECRETARY OF FOREIGN +AFFAIRS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, February 14th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Dear Sir,</p> + +<p>Yesterday the duplicate of your letter of the 23d of October +was brought to me, the original is not yet arrived. It +is with great pleasure I learn, that a Minister is appointed +for foreign affairs, who is so capable of introducing into that +department an order, a constancy, and an activity, which +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">245</a></span> +could never be expected from a committee of Congress, so +often changing, and so much engaged in other great affairs, +however excellent their qualifications or dispositions. Indeed, +Sir, it is of infinite importance to me to know the +sentiments of Congress; yet I have never known them in +any detail or with any regularity, since I have been in Europe. +I fear Congress have heard as little from me since +I have been in Holland. My despatches by the way of +St Eustatia, and by several private vessels, and by the +South Carolina, have been vastly unfortunate.</p> + +<p>My situation, Sir, has been very delicate; but as my +whole life from my infancy has been passed through an +uninterrupted series of delicate situations, when I find myself +suddenly translated into a new one, the view of it neither +confounds nor dismays me. I am very sensible, however, +that such a habit of mind borders very nearly upon +presumption, and deserves very serious reflections. My +health is still precarious. My person has been thought by +some to have been in danger; but at present I apprehend +nothing to myself or the public.</p> + +<p>This nation will have peace with England, if they can +obtain it upon honorable terms; but upon no other. They +cannot obtain it upon any other, without giving offence to +France, and England will not make peace upon such conditions. +I shall, therefore, probably remain here in a very +insipid and insignificant state a long time, without any +affront or answer. In the parties, which divide the nation, +I have never taken any share. I have treated all men of +all parties whom I saw alike, and have been used quite as +well by the Court party as their antagonists. Both parties +have been in bodily fear of popular commotions, and the +politics of both appear to me to be too much influenced by +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">246</a></span> +alternate fears, and I must add, hopes of popular commotions. +Both parties agree in their determinations to obtain +peace with England, if they can; but Great Britain will +not cease to be the tyrant of the ocean until she ceases to +be the tyrant of America. She will only give up her claims +of empire over both together.</p> + +<p>The Dutch have an undoubted right to judge for themselves, +whether it is for their interest to connect themselves +with us or not. At present I have no reason to be dissatisfied. +I have, in pursuance of the advice of the Count de +Vergennes and the Duc de la Vauguyon, added to that of +several members of the States, demanded an answer. I +was received politely by all parties, though you will hear +great complaints from others that I am not received well. +They have their views in this; they know that this is a good +string for them to touch. I stand now in an honorable +light, openly and candidly demanding an answer in my +public character. But it is the Republic that stands in a +less respectable situation, not one member of the Sovereignty +having yet ventured to give an answer in the negative. +The dignity of the United States is, therefore, perfectly +safe, and if that of this Republic is questionable, +this is their own fault, not ours. Your advice, to be well +with the government, and to take no measures which may +bring upon me a public affront, is perfectly just. All appearance +of intrigue, and all the refinements of politics, +have been as distant from my conduct as you know them +to be from my natural and habitual character.</p> + +<p>Your advice to spend much of my time at the Hague, +I shall in future pursue, though I have had reasons for a +different conduct hitherto. As to connexions with the +Ministers of other powers, it is a matter of great delicacy. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">247</a></span> +There is no power but what is interested directly or indirectly +in our affairs at present. Every Minister has at his +own Court a competitor, who keeps correspondences and +spies, to be informed of every step; and open visits to or +from any American Minister are too dangerous for them to +venture on. It must be managed with so much art, and +be contrived in third places, and with so much unmeaning +intrigue, that it should not be too much indulged, and after +all, nothing can come of it. There is not a Minister of +them all, that is intrusted with anything, but from time to +time to execute positive instructions from his Court.</p> + +<p>A loan of money has given me vast anxiety. I have +tried every experiment and failed in all; and am fully of +opinion, that we never shall obtain a credit here until we +have a treaty. When this will be, I know not. If France +has not other objects in view of more importance, in my +opinion she may accomplish it in a short time. Whether +she has or not, time must discover.</p> + +<p>Mr Barclay is here doing his utmost to despatch the +public effects here; but these will turn out the dearest +goods that Congress ever purchased if they ever arrive +safe. It has been insinuated, I perceive, that I was +privy to the purchase of a parcel of English manufactures +among these goods. This is a mistake. It was carefully +concealed from me, who certainly should not have countenanced +it, if I had known it. Mr Barclay will exchange +them all for the manufactures of Germany or Holland, or +sell them here. The ordinance of Congress against British +manufactures, is universally approved as far as I know, +as a hostility against their enemies of more importance +than the exertions of an army of twenty thousand men.</p> + +<p>With great esteem, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">248</a></span></p> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, February 19th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>On the 14th instant, I had the honor to acknowledge +the receipt of your duplicate of the 23d of October. +Today Major Porter brought me your favor of the 20th of +November, and the original of that of the 23d of October.</p> + +<p>I congratulate you, Sir, on the glorious news contained +in these despatches; but I cannot be of your opinion, that, +great as it is, it will defeat every hope that Britain +entertains of conquering a country so defended. Vanity, Sir, +is a passion capable of inspiring illusions, which astonish +all other men; and the Britons are, without exception, the +vainest people upon earth. By examining such a witness +as Arnold, the Ministry can draw from him evidence, +which will fully satisfy the people of England, that the +conquest of America is still practicable. Sensible men +see the error; but they have seen it these twenty years, +and lamented it till their hearts are broken. The intention +of government seems to be to break the spirit of the +nation, and to bring affairs into so wretched a situation, +that all men shall see that they cannot be made better by +new Ministers, or by the punishment of the old ones.</p> + +<p>It is suggested, that some plan of conciliation will be +brought into Parliament; but it will be only as deceitful as +all the former ones. They begin to talk big, and threaten +to send Arnold with seventeen thousand men to burn and +destroy in the northern States; but this will prove but an +annual vapor. I rejoice the more in Colonel Willet's glorious +services, for a personal knowledge and esteem I have +for that officer. Zoutman's battle on Doggerbank shows +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">249</a></span> +what the nation could do. But ... It is somewhat dangerous +to write with perfect freedom concerning the views +and principles of each party, as you desire. Indeed, the +views of all parties are enveloped in clouds and darkness. +There are unerring indications, that all parties agree +secretly in this principle, that the Americans are right if +they have power. There is here and there an individual +who says the Americans are wrong; but these are +very few. The English party are suspected to have it +in view to engage the Republic to join the English in +the war against France, Spain, and America.</p> + +<p>The Prince is supposed to wish that this were practicable, +but to despair of it. Some of the great proprietors +of English stocks, several great mercantile houses in +the service of the British Ministry, are thought to wish it +too; but if they are guilty of wishes so injurious to their +country and humanity, none of them dares openly avow +them. The Stadtholder is of opinion, that his house has +been supported by England; that his office was created, +and is preserved by her. But I do not see why his office +would not be as safe in an alliance with France as with +England, unless he apprehends that the republican party +would in that case change sides, connect itself with +England, and by her means overthrow him. There are +jealousies that the Stadtholder aspires to be a sovereign; +but these are the ordinary jealousies of liberty, and I +should think, in this case, groundless. The opposite, +which is called the republican party, is suspected of desires +and designs of introducing innovations. Some are supposed +to aim at the demolition of the Stadtholdership; +others, of introducing the people to the right of choosing +the Regencies; but I think these are very few in number, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">250</a></span> +and very inconsiderable in power, though some of them +may have wit and genius.</p> + +<p>There is another party, at the head of which is Amsterdam, +who think the Stadtholdership necessary, but wish to +have some further restraints or check upon it. Hence the +proposition for a committee to assist his Highness. But +there is no appearance that the project will succeed. All +the divisions of the Republican party are thought to think +well of America, and to wish a connexion with her and +France. The opposite party do not openly declare themselves +against this; but peace is the only thing in which all +sides agree. No party dares say anything against peace; +yet there are individuals very respectable, who think that it +is not for the public interest to make peace.</p> + +<p>As to Congress' adapting measures to the views and interest +of both parties, they have already done it in the most +admirable manner. They could not have done better if +they had been all present here, and I know of nothing to +be added. They have a Plenipotentiary here, with +instructions; they have given power to invite the Republic +to accede to the alliance between France and America, +with a power to admit Spain. All this is communicated to +the Count de Vergennes and the Duc de la Vauguyon, +and I wait only their advice for the time of making the +proposition. I have endeavored to have the good graces of +the leaders, and I have no reason to suspect that I do not +enjoy their esteem, and I have received from the Prince +repeatedly, and in strong terms by his Secretary the Baron +de Larray, assurances of his personal esteem.</p> + +<p>I wrote, Sir, on the 3d and 7th of May, as full an account +of my presenting my credentials, as it was proper to +write, and am astonished that neither duplicates nor triplicates +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">251</a></span> +have arrived. I will venture a secret. I had the +secret advice of our best friends in the Republic to take +the step I did, though the French Ambassador thought the +time a little too early. My situation would have been +ridiculous and deplorable indeed, if I had not done it, and +the success of the measure, as far as universal applause +could be called success, has justified it. Those who +detested the measure, Sir, were obliged to applaud it in +words. I am surprised, to see you think it places us in a +humiliating light. I am sure it raised me out of a very +humiliating position, such as I never felt before, and shall +never feel again, I believe. I have lately by the express +advice of all our best friends, added to that of the Duc de +la Vauguyon and the Count de Vergennes, demanded a +categorical answer. I knew very well I should not have +it; but it has placed the United States and their Minister +in a glorious light, demanding candidly an answer, and the +Republic has not yet equal dignity to give it.</p> + +<p>In this manner we may remain with perfect safety to the +dignity of the United States, and the reputation of her +Minister, until their High Mightinesses shall think fit to +answer, or until we shall think it necessary to repeat the +demand, or make a new one, which I shall not do without +the advice of the French Ambassador, with whom I shall +consult with perfect confidence.</p> + +<p>My motives for printing the Memorial were, that I had +no other way to communicate my proposition to the Sovereign +of the country. The gentlemen at the Hague, who +are called their High Mightinesses, are not the Sovereign, +they are only Deputies of the States-General, who compose +the Sovereignty. These joint Deputies form only a +diplomatic body, not a legislative nor an executive one. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">252</a></span> +The States-General are the Regencies of cities and bodies +of nobles. The Regencies of cities are the Burgomasters +and Schepins, or Judges and Counsellors, composing in +the whole a number of four or five thousand men, scattered +all over the Republic. I had no way to come at them but +by the press, because the President refused to receive my +memorial. If he had received it, it would have been transmitted +of course to all the Regencies; but in that case it +would have been printed; for there is no memorial of a +public Minister in this Republic, but what is printed.</p> + +<p>When the President said, "Sir, we have no authority to +receive your memorial until your title and character are +acknowledged by our constituents and sovereigns; we are +not the sovereign;" I answered, "In that case, Sir, it will +be my duty to make the memorial public in print, because +I have no other possible way of addressing myself to the +sovereign, your constituents."</p> + +<p>The President made no objection, and there has been +no objection to this day. Those who dreaded the consequence +to the cause of Anglomany, have never ventured to +hint a word against it. The Anglomanes would have had +a triumph if it had not been printed, and I should before +this day have met with many disagreeable scenes, if not +public affronts. This openness has protected me. To +conciliate the affections of the people, to place our cause in +an advantageous light, to remove the prejudices that Great +Britain and her votaries excite, to discover the views of the +different parties, to watch the motives that lead to peace +between England and Holland, have been my constant aim +since I have resided here. The secret aid of government +in obtaining a loan, I have endeavored to procure, but it +can never be obtained until there is a treaty. I have +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">253</a></span> +hitherto kept a friendly connexion with the French Ambassador, +and that without interruption. The new commission +for peace, and the revocation of that for a treaty of +commerce with Great Britain I have received.</p> + +<p>My language and conduct are those of a private gentleman; +but those members of Congress who think this proper, +know that I have held public places in Europe, too +public and conspicuous for me to be able to remain incognito +in this country, nor is it for the interest of the public +that I should attempt it.</p> + +<p>I should be extremely obliged to you, Sir, if you would +let me know the dates of all the letters that have been received +from me, since I have been in Holland, that I may +send further copies of such as have miscarried. The +States of Holland have accepted the mediation of Russia, +on condition of saving the rights of the armed neutrality. +There has been a balancing between a treaty with France, +and the acceptance of this mediation. Amsterdam said +nothing. The mediation was accepted; but several provinces +have declared for a treaty with France. People of +the best intentions are jealous of a peace with England +upon dishonorable terms; but France will prevent this, +though she does not choose to prevent the acceptance of +the mediation, as she might have done by consenting to my +making the proposition of a triple or quadruple alliance. +Her Ambassador says, the King must not oppose the Empress +of Russia, who will be of importance in the final settlement +of peace.</p> + +<p>France has never discovered much inclination to a treaty +with the Republic. The demolition of the barrier towns +may explain this, as well as the Ambassador's opinion +against presenting my memorial at the time it was done. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">254</a></span> +I believe that France too can explain the reason of the delay +of Spain, where we make a less respectable appearance +than in this Republic. The delay of Spain is fatal to our +affairs. Yet I know the American Minister there to be +equal to any service, which makes me regret the more the +delay of that kingdom. The constant cry is, why is Spain +silent? We must wait for Spain. Nothing gives greater +advantage to the English party.</p> + +<p>The nature of the government in an absolute monarchy, +would render it improper to make any application or memorial +public. The nature of this government rendered it +indispensably necessary. The business must begin in the +public, that is in all the Regencies. De Witt and Temple +it is true, made a treaty in five days; but De Witt risked his +head by it, upon the pardon and confirmation of the Regencies. +But it was a time and a measure, which he knew +to be universally wished for. The case at present is different. +M. Van Bleiswick, though he told me he thought +favorably of my first application, would not have dared to +take a single step without the previous orders of his masters, +as he told me.</p> + +<p>It is the United States of America, which must save this +Republic from ruin. It is the only power that is externally +respected by all parties, although no party dares as yet +declare openly for it. One half the Republic nearly declares +every day very indecently against France, the other +against England; but neither one nor the other declares +against America, which is more beloved and esteemed than +any other nation of the world.</p> + +<p>We must wait, however, with patience. After oscillating +a little longer, and grasping at peace, finding it unattainable, +I think they will seek an alliance with America, if not with +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">255</a></span> +France. I had a week ago a visit from one of the first +personages in Friesland, who promised me that in three +weeks I should have an answer from that Province.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, February 21st, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I know very well the name of the family where I spent +the evening with my worthy friend Mr —— before we set +off, and have made my alphabet accordingly; but I am, +on this occasion, as on all others hitherto, utterly unable to +comprehend the sense of the passages in cypher. The +cypher is certainly not taken regularly under the two first +letters of that name. I have been able sometimes to decypher +words enough to show that I have the letters right; +but, upon the whole, I can make nothing of it, which I +regret very much upon this occasion, as I suppose the +cyphers are a very material part of the letter.</p> + +<p>The friendly and patriotic anxiety with which you inquire +after my motives and reasons for making the proposition +of the 4th of May, and for printing the memorial, has +put me upon recollecting the circumstances. If the series of +my letters had arrived, I think the reasons would have appeared, +but not with that force in which they existed at the +time. I have never expressed in writing those reasons so +strongly as I felt them. The hopes have never been +strong in anybody of inducing the Republic to a sudden +alliance with France and America. The utmost expectation, +that many of the well intentioned have entertained +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">256</a></span> +has been to prevent the government from joining England. +I am sorry to be obliged to say it, and if it ever should be +made public, it might be ill taken. But there is no manner +of doubt, that the most earnest wish of the cabinet has +been to induce the nation to furnish the ships and troops +to the English according to their interpretation of the +treaty. Amsterdam distinguished itself, and its ancient +and venerable Burgomaster, Temmink, and its eldest +Pensionary, Van Berckel, have distinguished themselves in +Amsterdam.</p> + +<p>When Mr Laurens's papers were discovered, they were +sent forthwith to the Hague. The Prince, in person, laid +them before the States. Sir Joseph Yorke thundered with +his memorials against Amsterdam, her Burgomasters, and +Pensionary. The nation was seized with amazement, +and flew to the armed neutrality for shelter against the +fierce wrath of the King. Instantly Sir Joseph Yorke is +recalled, and a declaration of war appears, levelled against +the city, against the Burgomasters, and M. Van Berckel. +Sir George Rodney, in his despatches pursues the same +partiality and personality against Amsterdam. What was +the drift of all this? Manifestly to excite seditions against +Temmink and Van Berckel. Here then, is a base and +scandalous system of policy, in which the King of Great +Britain, and his Ministry and Admiral, all condescended to +engage, manifestly concerted by Sir Joseph Yorke, at the +Hague; and I am sorry to add, too much favored by the +cabinet, and even openly by the Prince, by his presenting +Laurens's papers to the States, to sacrifice Temmink and +Van Berckel to the fury of an enraged populace.</p> + +<p>This plan was so daringly supported by writers of the +first fame on the side of the Court, that multitudes of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">257</a></span> +writings appeared, attempting to show that what Temmink +and Van Berckel had done was high treason. All this +had such an effect, that all the best men seemed to shudder +with fear. I should scarcely find credit in America, if +I were to relate anecdotes. It would be ungenerous to +mention names, as well as unnecessary. I need only say, +that I was avoided like a pestilence by every man in government. +Those gentlemen of the rank of Burgomasters, +Schepins, Pensionaries, and even lawyers, who had treated +me with great kindness and sociability, and even familiarity +before, dared not see me, dared not be at home when I +visited at their houses; dared not return my visit; dared not +answer in writing, even a card that I wrote them. I had +several messages in a roundabout way, and in confidence, +that they were extremely sorry they could not answer my +cards and letters in writing, because "<i>on fait tout son possible +pour me sacrifier aux Anglomanes</i>."</p> + +<p>"Not long after, arrived the news of the capture of St +Eustatia, &c. This filled up the measure. You can have +no idea, Sir; no man, who was not upon the spot, can +have any idea of the gloom and terror that was spread by +this event. The creatures of the Court openly rejoiced in +this, and threatened some of them in the most impudent +terms. I had certain information, that some of them +talked high of their expectations of popular insurrections +against the Burgomasters of Amsterdam, and M. Van +Berckel, and did Mr Adams the honor to mention him as +one, that was to be hanged by the mob in such company.</p> + +<p>In the midst of this confusion and terror, my credentials +arrived from Paris, through a hundred accidents and +chances of being finally lost. As soon as I read my despatches, +and heard the history of their escape by post, diligence +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">258</a></span> +and treck-schoots, it seemed to me as if the hand +of Providence had sent them on purpose to dissipate all +these vapors.</p> + +<p>With my despatches, arrived from Paris intimations of +their contents, for there are no secrets kept at Paris. The +people, who are generally eager for a connexion with +America, began to talk, and paragraphs appeared in all the +gazettes in Dutch, and French, and German, containing +a thousand ridiculous conjectures about the American Ambassador +and his errand. One of my children could +scarcely go to school without some pompous account of it +in the Dutch papers. I had been long enough in this country +to see tolerably well where the balance lay, and to know +that America was so much respected by all parties, that no +one would dare to offer any insult to her Minister, as soon +as he should be known. I wrote my memorial and presented +it, and printed it in English, Dutch, and French. +There was immediately the most universal and unanimous +approbation of it expressed in all companies, pamphlets +and newspapers, and no criticism ever appeared against it. +Six or seven months afterwards a pamphlet appeared in +Dutch, which was afterwards translated into French, called +<i>Considerations on the Memorial</i>; but it has been read by +very few, and is indeed not worth reading.</p> + +<p>The proposition to the President being taken <i>ad referendum</i>, +it became a subject of the deliberation of the sovereignty. +The Prince, therefore, and the whole Court, are +legally bound to treat it with respect, and me with decency, +at least it would be criminal in them to treat me or the +subject with indecency. If it had not been presented and +printed, I am very sure I could not long have resided in +the Republic, and what would have been the consequence +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">259</a></span> +to the friends of liberty, I know not. They were so disheartened +and intimidated, and the Anglomanes were so +insolent, that no man can say, that a sudden frenzy might +not have been excited among the soldiery and people, to +demand a junction with England, as there was in the year +1748. Such a revolution would have injured America and +her allies, have prolonged the war, and have been the total +loss and ruin of the Republic.</p> + +<p>Immediately upon the presentation of my memorial, M. +Van Berckel ventured to present his <i>requête</i> and demand +for a trial. This contributed still further to raise the spirits +of the good people, and soon after the Burgomasters of +Amsterdam appeared with their proposition for giving the +Prince a committee for a council, and in course their +attack upon the Duke; all which together excited such an +enthusiasm in the nation, and among the officers of the +navy, as produced the battle of the Doggerbank, which +never would have happened, in all probability, but would +have been eluded by secret orders and various artifices, if +the spirit raised in the nation by the chain of proceedings, +of which the American memorial was the first and an +essential link, had not rendered a display of the national +bravery indispensable for the honor of the navy, and perhaps +for the safety of the Court.</p> + +<p>The memorial as a composition, has very little merit; +yet almost every gazette in Europe has inserted it, and +most of them with a compliment, none without any criticism. +When I was in Paris and Versailles afterwards, no +man ever expressed to me the smallest disapprobation of +it, or the least apprehension that it could do any harm. +On the contrary, several gentlemen of letters expressed +higher compliments upon it than it deserved. The King +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">260</a></span> +of Sweden has done it a most illustrious honor, by quoting +one of the most material sentiments in it, in a public answer +to the King of Great Britain; and the Emperor of +Germany has since done the author of it the honor to desire +in the character of Count Falkenstein to see him, and +what is more remarkable, has adopted the sentiments of it +concerning religious liberty into a code of laws for his dominions; +the greatest effort in favor of humanity, next to +the American revolution, which has been produced in the +eighteenth century.</p> + +<p>As my mission to this Republic was wisely communicated +to the Court of Versailles, who can say that this +transaction of Congress had not some influence in bringing +De Grasse into the Chesapeake Bay? Another thing +I ought to mention; I have a letter from Mr Jay, informing +me that in the month of June last M. Del Campo was +appointed by the Court of Madrid to treat with him; the +exact time when my memorial appeared at Madrid. You +may possibly say, that my imagination and self-love carry +me extraordinary lengths; but when one is called upon to +justify an action, one should look all round. All I contend +for is, that the memorial has certainly done no harm; that +it is probable it has done some good, and that it is possible +it has done much more than can be proved. A man always +makes an awkward figure when he is justifying himself and +his own actions, and I hope I shall be pardoned. It is +easy to say, "<i>il abonde trop dans son sens; il est vain et +glorieux; il est plein de lui-même; il ne voit que lui</i>;" +and other modest things of that sort, with which even your +Malesherbes, your Turgots, and Neckers, are sometimes +sacrificed to very small intrigues.</p> + +<p>Your veterans in diplomacy and in affairs of State, consider +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">261</a></span> +us as a kind of militia, and hold us, perhaps, as is +natural, in some degree of contempt; but wise men know +that militia sometimes gain victories over regular troops, +even by departing from the rules. Soon after I had presented +the memorial, I wrote to the Duc de la Vauguyon +upon the subject of inviting or admitting in concert, the +Republic to accede to the alliance between France and +America. The Duke transmitted that letter to the Count +de Vergennes, which produced the offer to Congress from +the King, to assist us in forming a connexion with the Republic, +and the instructions upon the subject, which I shall +execute as soon as the French Ambassador thinks proper. +With him it now lies, and with him, thank God, I have +hitherto preserved a perfectly good understanding, although +I differed from him in opinion concerning the point of time +to make the former proposition.</p> + +<p>The evacuation of the barrier towns has produced an +important commentary upon the conversation I had with +the Duke, and his opinion upon that occasion. How few +weeks was it, after the publication of my memorial, that the +Roman Emperor made that memorable visit to Brussels, +Ostend, Bruges, Antwerp, and all the considerable maritime +towns in his Provinces of Brabant and Flanders? How +soon afterwards his memorable journies to Holland and to +Paris? Was not the American memorial full of matter +for the Emperor's contemplation, when he was at Ostend, +Antwerp, and Bruges? Was it not full of matter, calculated +to stimulate him to hasten his negotiations with +France concerning the abolition of the barrier towns? +Was not the same matter equally calculated to stimulate +France to finish such an agreement with him, as we have +seen the evidence of in the actual evacuation of those +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">262</a></span> +towns? If this evacuation is an advantage to France +and to America, as it undoubtedly is, by putting this Republic +more in the power of France, and more out of a +possibility of pursuing the system of Orange by joining +England, and my memorial is supposed to have contributed +anything towards it, surely it was worth the while.</p> + +<p>The period since the 4th of May, 1781, has been +thick sown with good events, all springing out of the American +revolution, and connected with the matter contained +in my memorial. The memorial of M. Van Berckel, +the proposition of the Burgomasters of Amsterdam, their +attack upon the Duke of Brunswick, and the battle of +Doggerbank, the appointment of Señor del Campo, to +treat with Mr Jay; the success of Colonel Laurens, in +obtaining orders for the French fleet to go upon the coast of +America; their victory over Graves, and the capture of +Cornwallis; the Emperor's journey to his maritime towns, +to Holland, and to Paris; his new regulations for encouraging +the trade of his maritime towns; his demolition of the +barrier fortifications; and his most liberal and sublime +ecclesiastical reformation; and the King of Sweden's reproach +to the King of England for continuing the war, in +the very words of my memorial; these traits are all subsequent +to that memorial, and they are too sublime and +decisive proofs of the prosperity and glory of the American +cause, to admit the belief, that the memorial has done +it any material harm.</p> + +<p>By comparing facts and events, and dates, it is impossible +not to believe, that the memorial had some influence in +producing some of them. When Courts, Princes, and +nations, have been long contemplating a great system of +affairs, and their judgments begin to ripen, and they begin +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">263</a></span> +to see how things ought to go, and are going, a small publication, +holding up these objects in a clear point of view, +sometimes sets a vast machine in motion at once like the +springing of a mine. What a dust we raise, said the fly +upon the chariot wheel? It is impossible to prove, that +this whole letter is not a similar delusion to that of the fly. +The Councils of Princes are enveloped in impenetrable +secrecy. The true motives and causes, which govern their +actions, little or great, are carefully concealed. But I +desire only that these events may be all combined together, +and then, that an impartial judge may say, if he can, that +he believes that that homely, harmless memorial had no +share in producing any part of this great complication of +good.</p> + +<p>But be all these speculations and conjectures as they +will, the foresight of which could not have been sufficiently +clear to have justified the measure, it is sufficient for me to +say, that the measure was absolutely necessary and unavoidable. +I should have been contemptible and ridiculous +without it. By it I have secured to myself and my mission +universal decency and respect, though no open acknowledgment +or avowal. I write this to you in confidence. +You may entirely suppress it, or communicate it +in confidence, as you judge, for the public good.</p> + +<p>I might have added, that many gentlemen of letters, of +various nations, have expressed their approbation of this +measure, I will mention only two. M. d'Alembert and M. +Raynal, I am well informed, have expressed their sense of +it in terms too flattering for me to repeat. I might add +the opinion of many men of letters in this Republic.</p> + +<p>The charge of vanity is the last resource of little wits +and mercenary quacks, the vainest men alive, against men +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">264</a></span> +and measures, that they can find no other objection to. +I doubt not but letters have gone to America, containing +their weighty charge against me; but this charge, if supported +only by the opinion of those who make it, may be +brought against any man or thing. It may be said, that +this memorial did not reach the Court of Versailles, until +after Colonel Laurens had procured the promise of men +and ships. But let it be considered, Colonel Laurens +brought with him my credentials to their High Mightinesses, +and instructions to Dr Franklin, to acquaint the +Court of Versailles with it, and request their countenance +and aid to me. Colonel Laurens arrived in March. On +the 16th of April, I acquainted the Duc de la Vauguyon +at the Hague, that I had received such credentials, and +the next day waited on him in person, and had that day +and the next two hours' conversation with him each day +upon the subject, in which I informed him of my intention +to go to their High Mightinesses. All this he transmitted to +the Count de Vergennes; and though it might procure me +the reputation of vanity and obstinacy, I shall forever believe, +that it contributed to second and accelerate Colonel +Laurens's negotiations, who succeeded to a marvel, though +Dr Franklin says he gave great offence.<a name="FNanchor_6" id="FNanchor_6" href="#Footnote_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a></p> + +<p>The earnest opposition made by the Duc de la Vauguyon, +only served to give me a more full and ample +persuasion and assurance of the utility and necessity of the +measure. His zeal convinced me, that he had a stronger +apprehension, that I should make a great impression somewhere, +than I had myself. "Sir," says he, "the King and +the United Slates are upon very intimate terms of friendship. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">265</a></span> +Had not you better wait until we can make the proposition +in concert?" "God grant they may ever continue +in perfect friendship," said I; "but this friendship does not +prevent your Excellency from conducting your negotiations +without consulting me. Why then am I obliged, in +proposing a simple treaty of commerce, which the United +States have reserved the entire right of proposing, to consult +your Excellency? If I were about to propose an +alliance, or to invite or admit the Dutch to accede to the +alliance between the King and the States, I should think +myself obliged to consult your Excellency." "But," said +he, "there is a loan talked of, to be opened by the United +States here, under the warranty of the King. How will it +look for you to go to the States without my concurrence?" +"Of this I know nothing," said I, "but one thing I know, +that if such a loan should be proposed, the proposition I +design to make to the States, instead of obstructing, will +facilitate it, and your proposal of a loan will rather countenance +me."</p> + +<p>"Is there not danger," said he, "that the Empress of +Russia, and the other northern powers, will take offence at +your going to the States-General before them?" "Impossible," +said I; "they all know, that the Dutch have +been our old friends and allies, that we shall have more +immediate connexions of commerce with Holland than +with them. But what is decisive in this matter is, America +and Holland have now a common enemy in England +at open war, which is not the case with the northern +powers."</p> + +<p>"Had you not better wait, until I can write to the Count +de Vergennes, and have his opinion?" "I know already +beforehand," said I, "what his opinion will be." "Aye, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">266</a></span> +what?" "Why, directly against it." "For what reason?" +"Because the Count de Vergennes will not commit the +dignity of the King, or his own regulation, by advising me +to apply until he is sure of success; and in this he may +be right; but the United States stand in a different predicament. +They have nothing to lose by such a measure, +and may gain a great deal."</p> + +<p>"But," said he, "if Holland should join England in the war, +it will be unfortunate." "If there was danger of +this," said I, "a proposition from the United States would +be one of the surest means of preventing it; but the situation +of Holland is such, that I am persuaded they dare +not join England. It is against their consciences, and they +are in bodily fear of a hundred thousand men from +France." "True," said he, "you have used an argument +now, that you ought to speak out boldly, and repeat, +peremptorily in all companies, for this people are governed +very much by fear." "I have, however, spoken upon this +subject with delicacy, upon all occasions, and shall continue +to do so," said I, "but shall make no secret, that I am +sensible of it."</p> + +<p>After turning the subject in all the lights it could bear +I told him, that I believed he had urged every objection +against the measure, that could be thought of, but that I +was still clear in my former opinion. "Are you decided +to go to the States?" "Yes, Sir. I must think it my +duty." "Very well; in that case," said he, "you may +depend upon it, I will do all in my power, as a man, to +countenance and promote your application."</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">267</a></span></p> +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, February 27th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>Friesland has at last taken the provincial resolution to +acknowledge the independence, of which United America +is in full possession. It is thought that several cities of +Holland will soon follow this example, and some say it will +be followed forthwith by the whole Republic. The first +Burgomaster of this city has said, within a few days past, +that in six weeks at farthest the independence of America +would be acknowledged by all seven of the United Provinces; +but I have no expectation of such haste. This government +does nothing with such celerity.</p> + +<p>By what I hear and read of their speculations, it seems +to me, that the general sense is at present not to shackle +themselves with any treaties either with France or Spain, +nor to make any treaty of alliance with America, nor to +make even a treaty of commerce with America, as yet for +a considerable time, but for the several members of the +Sovereignty, one after another, to acknowledge the Independence +of America in the manner that Friesland has +done; and for the States, the Prince and the Admiralties +to exert themselves in preparing a fleet to command the +North Sea, and wash out some of the stains in their character, +which the English have so unjustly thrown upon it in +their blood. There is a loud cry for vengeance, a stern +demand of a fleet and battle with the English; and if the +Court contrive to elude it, the Stadtholder will run a great +risk of his power.</p> + +<p>Sensible and candid men tell me, "we wait for Spain, +and we wait for Russia. We will not make any treaty +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">268</a></span> +with you. It is of no great importance to us or to you. We +see there is a tremendous power arising in the West. We +cannot meddle much; but we will at all events be your +good friends. Whoever quarrels with you, we will not."</p> + +<p>In short I expect no treaty. I do not expect that our +independence will be acknowledged by all the Provinces for +a long time. Nevertheless, it appears to me of indispensable +importance that a Minister should reside constantly +here, vested with the same powers from Congress, with +which they have honored me; for which reason, having +the offer of a large and elegant house in a fine situation, on +a noble spot of ground at the Hague, at a very reasonable +rate, I have, in pursuance of the advice of Mr Barclay, M. +Dumas, and other friends, purchased it and shall remove +into it on or before the first of May. In case I should be +recalled, or obliged to go away upon other services, any +Minister that Congress may appoint here in my room, will +find a house furnished at the Hague ready for him.</p> + +<p>The negotiation for the purchase was conducted secretly, +but when it came to be known, I am informed, it gave a +great deal of satisfaction in general.</p> + +<p>To pay for it, I have applied all the money I had of M. +de Neufville's loan, and some cash of my own, which I +brought with me from America; and for the second payment, +I must borrow of a friend, if Dr Franklin cannot +furnish the money, for which indeed I do not love to ask +him, he has so many demands upon him from every quarter. +The house, including purchase charges, &c. will +amount to about sixteen thousand guilders, ten thousand of +which I paid yesterday. I have been obliged to take the +title in my own name, but shall transfer it to the United +States as soon as they are acknowledged and the account +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">269</a></span> +settled, provided Congress approve of the transaction; otherwise +I shall take the risk upon myself, and sell it again. I +shall live hereafter at a smaller rent than I ever did before, +though in a house much superior.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYON TO JOHN ADAMS.</h3> + +<p class="translation">Translation.</p> + +<p class="letter_head">The Hague, March 4th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I have received the letter you did me the honor to address +to me from Amsterdam, the 1st instant. I cannot +answer it officially, in the capacity of King's Minister, not +having any ulterior instructions on the subject to which it +relates; but as you request my private opinion, I will give +it to you with the greatest sincerity.</p> + +<p>"After having seriously reflected on the views, which you +have communicated to me, whatever inclination I may have +to adopt your opinions, I cannot conceal from myself the +inconveniences attending the plan, which you appear disposed +to follow. I think and I believe, that I have sufficient +reason to lead me to the conclusion, that it will retard +rather than accelerate the ultimate success. I shall have +the honor of explaining myself more fully by word of +mouth, if, as M. Dumas gives me to hope, you visit the +Hague in the course of a few days.</p> + +<p> +Receive, Sir, my renewed assurances of inviolable +attachment, and profound respect, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">DE LA VAUGUYON.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">270</a></span></p> +<h3>ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO JOHN ADAMS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Philadelphia, March 6th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Dear Sir,</p> + +<p>I have now before me your letters of the 15th, 17th, +and 18th of October last. I am sorry to find that your +health has suffered by the climate, but hope that the setting +in of the winter has ere this re-established it. I am +not directed to return any answer to your request to come +home. Should I obtain the sense of Congress upon it before +this is closed, it will be transmitted by this conveyance.</p> + +<p>The success of the allied arms in America, the recovery +of the Dutch Islands, and the avowed superiority of the +French in the West Indies, have so changed the face of +affairs, that there is strong reason to believe negotiations +will be set on foot this winter. Whether Britain is yet +sufficiently humbled to desire peace is still doubtful; but +whether she is or is not, she will probably negotiate, in +which case your presence in Europe will be necessary; so +that I believe you cannot at the most flatter yourself with +anything more than a conditional leave to return.</p> + +<p>Your statement of the decline of commerce in the United +Provinces, agrees exactly with that which we have received +from other hands. I lament that a nation, which has such +important reasons for exertion, and such means in their +power, should want vigor to call them forth. They must +and will, however, sooner or later, be brought to it. A +separate peace with England is now impossible, without +degrading the character of the nation, and exposing it to +greater evils than they are threatened with from England. +Besides, what advantages are to be derived from such a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">271</a></span> +peace? Can Britain restore her conquests, now in the +hands of the French? Can she give back the plunder of +St Eustatia, or the cargoes of the Indiamen divided among +the captors? Can she afford them a compensation for the +loss of last year's commerce? Or can she draw from her +exhausted purse sufficient sums to defend the barrier +against the troops of France, who would certainly avenge +herself for such ingratitude?</p> + +<p>The distress of the nation, then, must in the end force +them to exertions, and however reluctantly they may go +into the war, they must still go into it with vigor. But, +Sir, though your letters detail the politics of the country, +though they very ably explain the nature and general principles +of the government, they leave us in the dark with +respect to more important facts. They have not led us +into the dock yards or arsenals; they have not told us what +ships are prepared for sea, what are preparing, what the +naval force will be this spring, or how it is to be applied. +You have not yet introduced us to any of the leading members +of the great council; you have not repeated your +private conversations with them from which infinitely more +is to be collected, than from all the pamphlets scattered +about the streets of Amsterdam.</p> + +<p>If they avoid your company and conversation, it is a +more unfavorable symptom than any you have mentioned; +and shows clearly that your public character should have +been concealed till your address had paved the way for its +being acknowledged. If you have formed connexions with +any of these people, and I cannot but presume that you +have attended to so important a point, it will be very interesting +to us to have their most striking features delineated, +their sentiments with respect to us and to our opponents +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">272</a></span> +detailed, and the influence of each in the Assembly of the +States. This will best acquaint us with the principles of +the government, and direct our course towards them.</p> + +<p>Among other things, I wish to know in what light they +view our cause, as just or unjust? What influence they +imagine our independence will have upon the general system +of Europe, or their own States? What expectations +they form from our commerce; whether the apprehension +of its being altogether thrown into another channel, if infused +with address, would not awaken them into action? +What are their ideas of the comparative power of France +and Britain, so far as it may affect them? Whether they +have entered into any treaty with France since the war; if +they have, what are its objects? If they have not, whether +any such thing is in contemplation?</p> + +<p>None of your letters takes the least notice of the French +Ambassador at the Hague; is there no intercourse between +you? If not, to what is it to be attributed? It appears +to me, that our interests in Holland are similar to +those of France. They are interested with us in forwarding +our loans; in procuring a public acknowledgment of +our independence; in urging the States to exertion. They +have considerable influence on the government, as appears +from the success that the loan, opened under their guarantee +met with.</p> + +<p>I must again, therefore, request you to spend much of +your time at the Hague, that great centre of politics, to +cultivate the acquaintance and friendship of the French +Ambassador, to confer with him freely and candidly upon +the state of our affairs; and by his means, to extend your +acquaintance to the other representatives of crowned heads +at the Hague. Your having no public character, together +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">273</a></span> +with our avowed contempt for rank and idle ceremony, +will greatly facilitate your intercourse with them, and enable +you to efface the ill impressions they daily receive of +us from our enemies.</p> + +<p>You see, Sir, I rely so much upon your good sense, as +to write with freedom to you, and to mark out that line, +which I conceive will best tend to render your mission useful. +Should I suggest anything, which you may not approve, +I should be happy to be informed of it, and the +reasons upon which you act; so that I may be able fully +to justify your measures, if, at any time, they should not be +entirely approved on this side of the water. I communicated +to Congress the letter of Dr Franklin, relative to +your salary, in consequence of which, they have directed +the superintendent of the finances to make provision for it +in future.</p> + +<p>We have no intelligence of importance at this time, but +have our eyes fixed with anxious expectation on the +West Indies, whence we hourly expect to hear the particulars +of the engagement between the Count de Grasse and +Hood; and the issue of the attack upon St Christopher's.</p> + +<p>To the southward, things remain in the state they were, +though we have some reason to believe the enemy entertain +serious thoughts of withdrawing their troops from +Charleston. Thirty empty transports have sailed from +New York, with a view, as is said, to fetch them to that +place, which will be the last they quit on the Continent. +This we ought not to lament, since there is no situation +better adapted to concentre our force, and no part of +America so easily defended with inferior force, as the +ridge of hills which shut it in, at the same time that it is +totally indefensible against a combined attack by land and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">274</a></span> +water. So that we may reasonably hope, that York will +again be fatal to the British arms. Every preparation +is making to render it so.</p> + +<p>I write nothing to you on the subject of a negotiation, +conveyances to Dr Franklin being more easily obtained, +as well as more secure. Every instruction on that head +is sent to him, and will, of course, be communicated to +you by the time you need it.</p> + +<p>Nothing can be more pleasing, after the chaos into +which our affairs were plunged, than the order which +begins now to be established in every department. Paper +ceases to be a medium, except the bank paper, which is +in equal credit with specie; gold and silver have found +their passage into the country; restrictions on commerce +are removed; it flows in a thousand new channels, and has +introduced the greatest plenty of every necessary, and even +every luxury of life. Our harvests have been so abundant, +that provisions are in the utmost plenty. All the supplies +of the army are procured by contracts, and the heavy load +of purchasing and issuing commissaries is discharged. In +short, our affairs wear such a face here, at present, that if +we are only supported this year by foreign loans, we shall +not be under the necessity of calling for them again. +Would to heaven, that the present aspect of affairs might +render your endeavors on this head successful. The use +it would be of to the community, would amply compensate +you for all the pain and distress, which your fruitless endeavors +have occasioned you.</p> + +<p>Among other articles of intelligence, I ought to inform +you, that Burgoyne is exchanged, and that an exchange +is now on foot for Cornwallis, in which it is +designed that Mr Laurens shall be included. The British +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">275</a></span> +seem extremely anxious to have him, and to give him +the command of their army in America. We, who know +him best, have no objection to the measure. If they wish +to carry on an active war, his precipitation will lead them +into new difficulties. If to defend particular posts, they +cannot put them into the hands of a man who knows less +about the matter. His defence of York was a most +contemptible series of blunders. We shall, besides these, +derive two decisive advantages from his command; while +a detestation of his cruelty has united the whigs, the tenth +article of the capitulation at York has destroyed the +confidence of the tories.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed_long">ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, March 10th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>By the address of the House of Commons to the King, +his Majesty's answer, and the resolution of the House in +consequence of it, "that he would be highly criminal and an +enemy to his country, who should attempt to carry on an +offensive war in America against the sense of the House;" +by the surrender of Minorca, and the disastrous face of +British affairs in Ireland, as well as in the East and West +Indies, and by the uncommon difficulties which my Lord +North finds in raising the loan, I think we may fairly +conclude that the United States are not to expect those horrid +scenes of fire and sword in future, which they have so often +seen heretofore.</p> + +<p>Among the causes, which have operated to this effect, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">276</a></span> +may be reckoned the late ordinance of Congress against +British manufactures, and the prospect which has been +opened to them, in Holland, of a sudden revival of the +Dutch manufactures of Delft, Leyden, Utrecht, and +indeed all the other cities of the Republic. The English +have found all their artifices to raise mobs in their favor, +in the Republic, to be vain; they found that there began +to be an appearance of danger of popular tumults against +them; they have seen their friends in this country driven +out of all their strong holds, and forced to combat on the +retreat; they have found that the American cause gained +ground upon them every day, and that serious indications +were given of a disposition to acknowledge our independence, +for the sake of reviving their manufactures and +extending their commerce, all which together has raised a +kind of panic in the nation, and such a fermentation in +Parliament, as has produced a formal renunciation of the +principles of the American war.</p> + +<p>The question now arises, what measures will the +Cabinet of St James pursue? Will they agree to the Congress +at Vienna? I believe not. Will they treat with the American +peace Ministers now in Europe? I fancy not. They +will more probably send agents to America, to propose +some bad plan of American viceroys, and American +nobility, and what not, except common sense and common +utility.</p> + +<p>I presume, with submission, however, that Congress will +enter into no treaty or conference with them, but refer +them to their Ministers in Europe.</p> + +<p>France and Spain, I think, cannot mistake their interest +and duty upon this occasion, which is, to strike the most +decided strokes, to take the British armies in New York +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">277</a></span> +and Charleston prisoners. Without this, in all probability, +before another revolution of the seasons, all the United +States will be evacuated, the British forces sent to Quebec, +Halifax and the West India Islands, where it will cost +France and Spain more time, blood, and treasure to dispose +of them than it will this campaign to capture them in +New York and Charleston.</p> + +<p>With the greatest respect and esteem, I have the honor +to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, March 11th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>The promise, which was made me by M. Bergsma, that +I should have an answer from the Province of Friesland in +three weeks, has been literally fulfilled. This gentleman, +who, as well as his Province, deserves to be remembered +in America, sent me a copy of the resolution in Dutch as +soon as it passed. It is now public in all the gazettes, and +is conceived in these terms;</p> + +<p>"The requisition of Mr Adams, for presenting his letters +of credence from the United States of North America to +their High Mightinesses, having been brought into the Assembly +and put into deliberation, as also the ulterior Address +to the same purpose, with a demand of a categorical +answer made by him, as is more amply mentioned in the +minutes of their High Mightinesses of the 4th of May, +1781, and the 9th of January, 1782, whereupon, it having +been taken into consideration, that the said Mr Adams +would probably have some propositions to make to their +High Mightinesses, and to present to them the principal +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">278</a></span> +articles and foundations upon which the Congress, on their +part, would enter into a treaty of commerce and friendship, +or other affairs to propose, in regard to which despatch +would be requisite;</p> + +<p>"It has been thought fit and resolved, to authorise the +gentlemen, the Deputies of this Province at the generality, +and to instruct them to direct things at the table of their +High Mightinesses in such a manner, that the said Mr +Adams be admitted forthwith as Minister of the Congress +of North America, with further order to the said Deputies, +that if there should be made, moreover, any similar propositions +by the same, to inform immediately their Noble +Mightinesses of them. And an extract of the present resolution +shall be sent them for their information, that they +may conduct themselves conformably.</p> + +<p>"Thus resolved at the Province House, the 26th of February, +1782.</p> + +<p class="signed">A. I. V. SMINIA."</p> + +<p>This resolution has, by the Deputies of Friesland, been +laid before their High Mightinesses at the Hague, and after +deliberation, the Deputies of the Provinces of Guelderland, +Zealand, Utrecht, and Groningen, have taken copies of it, +to be communicated more amply to their constituents. In +the States of the Province of Holland and West Friesland, +the requisition of the 9th of January had been committed +to the Committee of Grand Affairs, and taken into deliberation +by the body of Nobles, and <i>ad referendum</i> by all the +eighteen cities.</p> + +<p>The sovereignty of the United States of America would +undoubtedly be acknowledged by the Seven United Provinces, +and their Minister received to an audience in state +in the course of a few weeks, if the Regency of the city +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">279</a></span> +of Amsterdam had not visibly altered its sentiments, but all +things are embroiled. The opposition to M. Van Berckel, +and the glittering charms of an embassy to Petersburg or +Vienna, which have been artfully displayed, as it is said, +before the eyes of one man, and many secret reasonings of +similar kind with others, have placed the last hopes of the +English and Dutch Courts in a city, which had long been +firm in opposition to the desires of both. The public in +general, however, expect that the example of the Friesians +will be followed. Wherever I go, everybody, almost, congratulates +me upon the prospect of my being soon received +at the Hague. The French gazettes all give their opinions +very decidedly that it will be done, and the Dutch gazettes +all breathe out, God grant that it may be so. I confess, +however, that I doubt it, at least I am sure that a very little +thing may prevent it. It is certain, that the Court will +oppose it in secret with all their engines, although they are +already too unpopular to venture to increase the odium, by +an open opposition.</p> + +<p>Friesland is said to be a sure index of the national +sense. The people of that Province have been ever +famous for the spirit of liberty. The feudal system never +was admitted among them; they never would submit to it, +and they have preserved those privileges, which all others +have long since surrendered. The Regencies are chosen +by the people, and on all critical occasions the Friesians +have displayed a resolution and an activity beyond the +other members of the State. I am told that the Friesians +never undertake anything but they carry it through, and, +therefore, that I may depend upon it, they will force their +way to a connexion with America. This may be the +case if the war continues, and the enemies of Great Britain +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">280</a></span> +continue to be successful; but I have no expectations of +anything very soon, because I have much better information +than the public, of the secret intrigues both at the +Hague and Amsterdam. Patience, however. We have +nothing to fear. Courtiers and aristocrats, as well as the +people, all say, "you know very well we love the Americans, +and will ever be their good friends." This love and +friendship consists, however, rather too much in mere +words, "Be ye warmed," &c.; and a strong desire of +gain by your commerce.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, March 19th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I have before transmitted to you the resolution of Friesland +of the 26th of February, 1782, by which that Province +acknowledged the independence of the United States, and +directed their Minister to be received; but some proceedings +in Guelderland deserve to follow. In an extraordinary +assembly of the county of Zutphen, held at Nimeguen the +23d of February, the following measures were taken.</p> + +<p>"After the report of the committees of this Province to +the generality, laid this day upon the table, relative to what +passed in the precedent assembly, and after an examination +of an extract of the register of the Resolutions of +their High Mightinesses the States-General of the Low +Countries, of the 9th of last month, in relation to the ulterior +address of Mr Adams to the President of their High +Mightinesses, concerning the presentation of his letters of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">281</a></span> +credence to their High Mightinesses, in behalf of the +United States of North America, for, and demanding a +categorical answer, whereof the gentlemen, the Deputies +of the respective Provinces, have taken copies, the Baron +Robert Jasper Van der Capellan de Marsch, first by word +of mouth, and afterwards in writing, proposed and insisted +at the Assembly of this Quarter, that at present and without +delay, we should make a point of deliberation, and that +we should make upon the table the necessary overture, +conceived more at length in the advice of this nobleman, +inserted in these terms;</p> + +<p class="letter_open"> +"Noble and Mighty Lords,</p> + +<p>"The subscriber judges, upon good grounds, and without +fear of being contradicted, that he is able to affirm, that it +is more than time that we should give a serious attention +to the offer and invitation, in every sense honorable and +advantageous for the Republic, of friendship and reciprocal +connexions with the Thirteen American Provinces, now +become free at the point of the sword; in such sort that +the categorical answer demanded by their Minister, Mr +Adams, may become a subject of the deliberations of your +High Mightinesses, and that they may decide as soon as +possible concerning their respective interests. He judges +that he ought not to have any further scruple in this regard, +and the uncertain consequences of the mediation offered by +Russia cannot, when certain advantages for this Republic +are in question, hinder that out of regard for an enemy, +with whom we (however salutary the views of her Imperial +Majesty are represented) cannot make any peace at the +expense of a negligence so irreparable; that the longer +delay to unite ourselves to a nation already so powerful, +will have for its consequence, that our inhabitants will +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">282</a></span> +lose the means of extending, in a manner the most advantageous, +their commerce and their prosperity; that by the +rigorous prohibition to import English manufactures into +America, our manufactures, by means of precautions taken +in time, will rise out of their state of languor; and that, +by delaying longer to satisfy the wishes of the nation, her +leaders will draw upon them the reproach of having neglected +and rejected the favorable offers of Providence; +that, on the contrary, by adopting these measures, the +essential interests of this unfortunate people will be taken +to heart.</p> + +<p>"The subscriber declaring, moreover, that he will abandon +this unpardonable negligence of an opportunity favorable +to the Republic, to the account of those whom it may +concern; protesting against all the fatal consequences, that +a longer refusal of these necessary measures will certainly +occasion. Whereupon he demanded that for his discharge, +this note should be inserted in the registers of the +Quarter.</p> + +<p class="signed_long"> +R. I. VAN DER CAPELLAN."</p> + +<p>"This advice having been read, Jacob Adolf de Heeckeren +d'Enghuisen, Counsellor, and First Master of Accounts +in Guelderland, President at this time of the Assembly of +the Quarter, represented to the said Robert Jasper Van +der Capellan de Marsch, 'that although he must agree to +the justice of all that he had laid down, besides several +other reasons equally strong, which occurred to his mind, +the deliberation upon the point in question appeared to him +premature; considering that the Lords, the States of Holland, +of West Friesland, and Zealand, as the principal +commercial Provinces, who are directly interested, had +not, nevertheless, as yet explained themselves in this regard; +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">283</a></span> +consequently, that it would not be so convenient for +the States of this Dutchy and County, who are not interested +in it, but in a consequential and indirect manner, to +form the first their resolutions in this respect. For this +reason he proposed to consideration, whether it would not +be more proper to postpone the deliberations upon this +matter to a future opportunity?</p> + +<p>"Nevertheless, the beforementioned Robert Jasper Van +der Capellan de Marsch, insisting that the voices should +be collected upon the proposition and advice in question, +and thereupon having deliberated, their Noble Mightinesses +have thought fit to resolve, that although the motives alleged +by this nobleman in his advice, appear to merit a +serious consideration, nevertheless, for the reasons before +alleged, they judge that they ought to suspend the decision +of it, until the commercial Provinces have formed their +resolutions concerning it, and that upon the requisition of +Robert Jasper Van der Capellan de Marsch, there be delivered +to him an extract of the present, upon one as well +as the other.</p> + +<p class="signed">HERM. SCHOMAKER."</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h4>LEYDEN.</h4> + +<p class="letter_open"> +"To the Noble, Great, and Venerable Lords of the +Grand Council of the city of Leyden.</p> + +<p>"The undersigned, all manufacturers, merchants, and +other traders, interested in the manufactures of this city, +most respectfully give to understand, that it is a truth as +melancholy as it is universally known, that the declension +of the said manufactures, which all the well disposed citizens +have remarked with the most lively grief, from the beginning +of this century, has increased more and more for +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">284</a></span> +several years; and that this principal branch of the subsistence +of the good citizens has fallen into such a state of +languor, that our city, once so flourishing, so populous, so +celebrated on account of its commerce, and of its traders, +appears to be threatened with total ruin; that the diminution +of its merchant houses, on one hand, and, on the other, +the total loss or the sensible decrease of several branches +of commerce, furnish an evident proof of it; which the +petitioners could demonstrate by several examples, if there +were need of them to convince your Noble and Grand +Lordships, to whom the increase of the multitude of the +poor; the deplorable situation of several families, heretofore +in easy circumstances; the depopulation of the city, +which we cannot observe without emotion, in the ruins of +several streets, once neat and well inhabited, are fully +known, will recollect no doubt upon this occasion, with +grief, that this state of languor must appear so much the +more desperate, if your Noble and Grand Lordships will +take into consideration, that in this decay of trades and +manufactures, we find a new reason of their further fall, +considering, that from the time, that there is not continual +employment, and an uninterrupted sale, the workmen +desert in such a manner, that when considerable commissions +arrive, we cannot find capable hands, and we see +ourselves entirely out of a condition to execute these +orders.</p> + +<p>"That the petitioners, with all the true friends of their +country, extremely affected with this alarming situation of +so rich a source of the public prosperity, have, indeed, +sought the means of a remedy, in amending some defects +from which it seemed to arise, at least in part; but that +the measures taken in this view, as is well known to your +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">285</a></span> +Noble and Grand Lordships, have not had the desired +effect; at least, that they have not produced a re-establishment +so effectual, that we have been able to observe a +sensible influence in the increase of the sales of the manufactures +of Leyden, as appears most evidently by a comparison +of the pieces fabricated here, which have been +heretofore carried to the divers markets of this city, with +those, which are carried there at this day; a comparison +which a true citizen cannot consider without regret.</p> + +<p>"That experience has also taught the petitioners, that +the principal cause of the decay of the manufactures of +Holland, particularly those of Leyden, is not to be found +in any internal vice, either in the capacity or the economy +of the inhabitants, but in circumstances, which have happened +abroad, and to which it is, consequently, beyond +the power of the petitioners, or of any citizen whatever, to +provide a remedy; that we might cite, for example, the +commerce of our manufactures with Dantzick, and, through +that commercial city, with all Poland; a commerce which +was carried on with success and advantage heretofore in +our city, but is absolutely interrupted at this day, and vanished +by the revolution, which has happened in that kingdom, +and by the burthensome duties, to which the navigation +of the Vistula has been subjected, but that, without +entering into a detail of similar particular shackles, of +which we might reckon a great number, the principal cause +of the languishing state of our manufactures, consists in the +jealous emulation of the neighboring nations, or rather of +all the people of Europe, considering that in this age, the +several Princes and governments, enlightened in the real +sources of the public prosperity and the true interests of +their subjects, attach themselves with emulation, to revive +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">286</a></span> +in their kingdoms and states, the national industry, commerce, +and navigation; to encourage them and promote +them, even by exclusive privileges, or by heavy impositions +upon foreign merchandises, which lend equally to the prejudice +of the commerce and manufactures of our country, +as your Noble and Grand Lordships will easily recollect +the examples in the Austrian States and elsewhere; that +in the midst of these powers and nations, emulous, or +jealous, it is impossible for the citizens of our Republic, +however superior their manufactures may be in quality and +fineness, to resist a rivalry so universal, especially considering +the dearness of labor, caused by that of the means +of subsistence, which, in its turn, is a necessary consequence +of the taxes and imposts, which the inhabitants of +this State pay in a greater number and a higher rate, than +in any other country, by reason of her natural situation, +and of its means to support itself; so that, by the continual +operation of this principal, but irreparable cause of decline, +it is to be feared, that the impoverishment and the diminution +of the good citizens increasing with want of employment, +the Dutch nation, heretofore the purveyor of all Europe, +will be obliged to content itself with the sale of its +own productions in the interior of the country; (and how +much does not even this resource suffer by the importation +of foreign manufactures?) and that Leyden, lately so rich +and flourishing, will furnish in its declining streets, desolated +quarters, and its multitude disgraced with want and +misery, an affecting proof of the sudden fall of countries +formerly overflowing with prosperity.</p> + +<p>"That, if we duly consider these motives, no citizen, +whose heart is upright, (as the petitioners assure themselves) +much less your Noble and Great Mightinesses, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">287</a></span> +whose good dispositions they acknowledge with gratitude, +will take it amiss, that we have fixed our eyes, in the present +conjuncture of affairs, to inquire, whether these times +might not furnish them some means of reviving the languishing +manufactures of Leyden; and that, after a consideration +well matured, they flatter themselves with a +hope, (a hope, which unprejudiced men will not regard as +a vain chimera) that in fact, by the present circumstances, +there opens in their favor an issue for arriving at the re-establishment +desired.</p> + +<p>"That from the time, when the rupture between Great +Britain and the Colonies upon the Continent of North +America, appeared to be irreparable, every attentive spectator +of this event perceived, or at least was convinced, +that this rupture, by which there was born a Republic, as +powerful as industrious, in the new world, would have the +most important consequences for commerce and navigation, +and that the other commercial nations of Europe would +soon share in a very considerable commerce, whereof the +kingdom of England had reserved to itself, until that time, +the exclusive possession by its act of navigation, and by +the other acts of Parliament prescribed to the colonies; +that, in the time of it, this reflection did not escape your +petitioners, and that they foresaw from that time the advantage, +which might arise in the sequel from a revolution +so important for the United Provinces in general, and for +their native city in particular; but they should have been +afraid to place this favorable occasion before the eyes of +your Noble and Grand Lordships at an epoch, when the +relations, which connected our Republic with Great Britain, +her neighbors seemed to forbid all measures of this +nature, or at least ought to make them be considered as out +of season. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">288</a></span></p> + +<p>"That, in the meantime, this reason of silence has entirely +ceased, by the hostilities, which the said kingdom +has commenced against our Republic, under pretences, +and in a manner, the injustice of which has been demonstrated +by the supreme government of the State, with an +irrefragable evidence in the eyes of impartial Europe; +whilst the petitioners themselves, by the illegal capture of +so large a number of Dutch ships, and afterwards by the +absolute stagnation of navigation, and of voyages to foreign +countries, have experienced in the most grievous manner, +the consequences of this hostile and unforeseen attack, and +feel them still every day, as is abundantly known to your +Noble and Grand Lordships; that, since that epoch, a +still more considerable number of workmen must have remained +without employment, and that several fathers of +families have quitted the city; abandoning to the further +expense of the treasury of the poor, their wives and their +children, plunged in misery.</p> + +<p>"That during this rupture which has subsisted now for +fifteen months, there has occurred another circumstance, +which has encouraged the petitioners still more, and which +to them appears to be of such a nature, that they would be +guilty of an excessive indifference, and an unpardonable +negligence towards the city, towards the lower class of +inhabitants, towards their own families, and towards themselves, +if they should delay any longer to lay open their +interests to your Noble and Grand Lordships, in a manner +the most respectful, but the most energetic, to wit, that +the United States of America have very rigorously forbid, +by a resolution of Congress, agreed to in all the Thirteen +States, the importation of all English manufactures, and, +in general all the merchandises fabricated in the dominions, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">289</a></span> +which yet remain to Great Britain; that the effect of this +prohibition must necessarily be a spirit of emulation between +all the commercial nations, to take place of the +British merchants and manufacturers in this important +branch of exportation, which is entirely cut off from them +at this day; that, nevertheless, among all the nations, there +is none which can entertain a hope better founded, and more +sure in this respect, than the citizens of this free Republic, +whether on account of the identity of religion, the +fashion of living, the manners, whether because of the +extent of its commerce, and the convenience of its navigation, +but above all, by the reason of the activity and the +good faith, which still at this day distinguishes (without +boasting too much) the Dutch nation, above all other people; +qualities, in consideration of which the citizens of United +America are inclined, even, at present, to prefer, in +equal circumstances, the citizens of our free States to +every other nation.</p> + +<p>"That, nevertheless, all relations and connexions of +commerce between the two people cannot but be uncertain +and fluctuating, as long as their offers and reciprocal engagements +are not fixed and regulated by a Treaty of +Commerce, that, at this day, if ever, (according to the +respectful opinion of the petitioners) there exists a necessity +the most absolute for the conclusion of a similar Treaty +of Commerce, there, where we may say with truth, that +there arises for the Republic, for our Leyden, especially, a +moment, which, once escaped, perhaps never will return; +since the National Assembly of Great Britain, convinced +by a terrible and fatal experience, of the absolute impossibility +of re-attaching United America to the British Crown, +has laid before the Throne its desire to conclude a necessary +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">290</a></span> +peace with a people, free at this day at the price of +their blood, so that, if this peace should be once concluded, +the Dutch nation would see itself perhaps excluded +from all advantages of commerce with this new +Republic; or, at least would be treated by her with an indifference, +which the small value, which we should have +put upon its friendship in former times, would seem to +merit.</p> + +<p>"That, supposing for a moment a peace between England +and United America were not so near as we have +reason to presume not without probability, there would be +found, in that case, nations enough, who will be jealous of +acquiring, after the example of France, the earliest right +to commerce with a country, which, already peopled by +several millions of inhabitants, augments every day in +population, in a manner incredible; but, as a new people, +unprovided as yet with several necessary articles, will procure +a rich, even an immense outlet for the fabrics and +manufactures of Europe. That, however manifest the +interest, which the petitioners and all the citizens of Leyden +would have in the conclusion of such a treaty of commerce, +they would, however, have made a scruple to lay +before the paternal eyes of your Noble and Grand Lordships +the utility, or rather the necessity of such a measure +in respect to them, if they could believe, that their +particular advantage would be in anywise contrary to the +more universal interests of all the Republic; but, as far as +the petitioners may judge, as citizens, of the situation and +the political existence of their country, they are ignorant of +any reasons of this kind; but, on the contrary, they dare +appeal to the unanimous voice of their fellow-citizens, well +intentioned in the other cities and provinces, even of the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">291</a></span> +Regents of the most distinguished, since it is universally +known, that the Province of Friesland has already preceded +the other confederates, by a resolution for opening +negotiations with America; and that in other provinces, +which have an interest less direct in commerce and manufactures, +celebrated Regents appear to wait merely for the +example of the commercial Provinces for taking a similar +resolution.</p> + +<p>"That the petitioners will not detain the attention of your +Noble and Grand Mightinesses, by a more ample detail of +the reasons and motives, since on one hand, they assure +themselves that these reasons and motives will not escape +the enlightened and attentive judgment of your Noble and +Grand Lordships; and on the other, they know by experience +that your Noble and Grand Lordships are disposed +not to suffer any occasion to pass for promoting the well-being +of their city, for advancing the prosperity of the citizens, +to render their names dear to their contemporaries, +and make them blessed by posterity.</p> + +<p>"In which firm expectation the petitioners address themselves +to this Grand Council, with the respectful, but serious +request, that it may please your Noble and Grand Lordships +to direct by their powerful influence, things in such +sort, that in the Assembly highly respected of their Noble +and Grand Mightinesses, the Lords the States of Holland +and West Friesland, there be opened deliberations, or if +already opened, carried as speedily as possible to an effectual +conclusion, such as they shall find the most proper for +obtaining the lawful end, and fulfilling the desires of the +petitioners, or as they shall judge conformable to the general +interest." +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">292</a></span></p> + +<h4>AMSTERDAM.</h4> + +<p class="letter_open"> +"To their High Mightinesses, the States-General of the +United Provinces,</p> + +<p>"The undersigned, merchants, manufacturers, and other +inhabitants living by commerce in this country, give respectfully +to understand;</p> + +<p>"That although the petitioners have always relied with +entire confidence upon the administration and the resolutions, +of your High Mightinesses, and it is against their inclinations +to interrupt your important deliberations, they +think, however, that they ought at this time to take the liberty +and believe, as well-intentioned inhabitants, that it is +their indispensable duty in the present moment, which is +most critical for the Republic, to lay humbly before your +High Mightinesses their interests.</p> + +<p>"What good citizen in the Republic, having at heart the +interest of his dear country, can dissemble, or represent to +himself without dismay, the sad situation to which we are +reduced by the attack, equally sudden, unjust, and perfidious +of the English? Who would have dared two years ago +to foretell, and, notwithstanding the dark clouds, which even +then began to form themselves, could even have imagined +that our commerce and our navigation, with the immense +affairs which depend upon it, the support and the prosperity +of this Republic, could have fallen and remained in +such a terrible decay? That in 1780 more than two thousand +of Dutch vessels having passed the Sound, not one +was found upon the list in 1781? That the ocean, heretofore +covered with our vessels, shall see at present scarcely +any, and that we may be reduced to see our navigation, +formerly so much respected, and preferred by all the +nations, pass entirely into the hands of other powers? +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">293</a></span></p> + +<p>"It would be superfluous to endeavor to explain at +length, the damages, the enormous losses, which our inhabitants +experienced by the sudden invasion and pillage of +the Colonies, and of their ships; disasters, which not only +fall directly upon the merchant, but which have also a general +influence, and make themselves felt in the most melancholy +manner, even upon the lowest artisans and laborers, +by the languor which they occasion in commerce. But +how great soever they may be, it might perhaps be possible, +by the aid of the paternal cares of your High Mightinesses, +and by opposing a vigorous resistance to the enemy, +already enervated, to repair in time all the losses, +(without mentioning indemnifications,) if this stagnation of +commerce was only momentary, and if the industrious +merchant did not see beforehand the sources of his future +felicity dried up. It is this gloomy foresight, which in this +moment afflicts in the highest degree the petitioners; for it +would be the height of folly and inconsideration to desire +still to flatter ourselves, and to remain quiet in the expectation +that after the conclusion of the peace, the business at +present, turned out of its direction, should return entirely +into this country, for experience shows the contrary, in a +manner the most convincing, and it is most probable that +the same nations, who are actually in possession of it, will +preserve at that time the greatest part of it. The petitioners, +terrified, throw their eyes round everywhere to discover +new sources, capable of procuring them more success +in future; they even flatter themselves, that they have +found them upon the new theatre of commerce, which the +United States of America offer them, a commerce of which +in this moment, but in this moment only, they believe themselves +to be in a condition, to be able to assure to themselves +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">294</a></span> +a good share, and the great importance of which, +joined to the fear of seeing escape from their hands this +only and last resource, has induced them to take the resolution +to lay open respectfully their observations concerning +this important object, to your High Mightinesses, with +the earnest prayer, that you would consider them with a +serious attention, and not interpret in ill part this measure +of the petitioners, especially, as their future well-being, +perhaps even that of the whole Republic, depends on the +decision of this affair.</p> + +<p>"No man can call in question, that England has derived +her greatest forces from her commerce with America. +Those immense treasures, which that commerce has thrown +into the coffers of the State, the uncommon prosperity of +several of her commercial houses, the extreme reputation +of her manufactures, the consumption of which, in quantities +beyond all bounds, contributes efficaciously to their +perfection, are convincing proofs of it. However it may +be, and notwithstanding the supposition too lightly adopted, +that we cannot imitate the British manufactures, the manufacture +of painted linens of Rouen, those of wool of Amiens, +of Germany, of Overyssel, the pins of Zwoll, prove visibly, +that all things need not be drawn from England; that, +moreover, we are as well in condition, or shall be soon, +to equal them in several respects.</p> + +<p>"Permit us, High and Mighty Lords, to the end to +avoid all further digression, to request, in this regard, the +attention of your High Mightinesses to the situation of +commerce in France at the beginning of the war. Continual +losses had almost ruined it altogether, like ours; +several of her merchants failed of capitals, and others +wanted courage to continue their commerce; her manufactures +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">295</a></span> +languished; the people groaned; in one word, +everything marked out the horrors of war; but, at present, +her maritime towns overpeopled, have occasion to be enlarged; +her manufactures, having arrived at a degree of +exportation unknown before, begin to perfect themselves +more and more; in such a degree, that the melancholy +consequences of the war are scarcely felt in that kingdom. +But since it is incontestible, that this favorable alteration +results almost entirely from its commerce with America; +that even this has taken place in time of war, which, moreover, +is ever prejudicial, we leave it to the enlightened +judgment of your High Mightinesses to decide, what it is +we may expect from a commerce of this nature, even at +present, but especially in time of peace.</p> + +<p>"In the meantime, we have had the happiness to make +a trial of short duration, it is true, but very strong in +proportion to its continuance, in our Colony of St Eustatia, +of the importance of the commerce, though not direct, +with North America. The registers of the West India +Company may furnish proofs of it very convincing to your +High Mightinesses. In fact, their productions are infinitely +beneficial to our markets; whilst, on our side, we have +to send them several articles of convenience and of necessity, +whether from our country, or from the neighboring +States of Germany. Moreover, several of our languishing +manufactures, scattered in the Seven United Provinces, +may perhaps be restored to their former vigor, by +the means of bounties, or the diminution of imposts. The +importance of manufactures for a country is sufficiently +proved, by the considerable gratifications promised and +paid by British policy for the encouragement of manufactures, +which that kingdom has procured to itself, beyond +even what had been expected. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">296</a></span></p> + +<p>"The petitioners know perfectly well the obstacles almost +insurmountable, which always oppose themselves to +the habitual use of new manufactures, although certainly +better in quality; and they dare advance, without hesitation, +that several of our manufactures are superior to those +of the English. And for this end, a moment more favorable +can never offer itself than the present, when, by a resolution +of Congress, the importation of all the effects of the +produce of Great Britain, and of her Colonies, is forbidden, +which reduces the merchant and purchaser to the necessity +of recurring to other merchandises, the use of which will +serve to dissipate the prejudice conceived against them. It +is not only the manufactures, High and Mighty Lords, +which promise a permanent advantage to our Republic; +the navigation will derive also great advantages; for it is +very far from being true, (as several would maintain,) that +the Americans, being once in the tranquil possession of +their independence, would exercise themselves with vigor +in these two branches, and that in the sequel, we shall be +wholly frustrated of them. Whoever has the least knowledge +of the country of America, and of its vast extent, +knows that the number of inhabitants is not there in proportion; +that the two banks of the Mississippi, even the +most beautiful tract of this country, otherwise so fertile, +remain still uncultivated; and as there are wanted so many +hands, it is not at all probable to presume, that they will, +or can occupy themselves to establish new manufactures, +both in consequence of the new charges, which are thereto +attached, and because of the shackles, which they would +put upon the augmentation and exportation of their productions.</p> + +<p>"It is then for this same reason, (the want of population,) +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">297</a></span> +that they will scarcely find the hands necessary to +take advantage of the fisheries, which are the property of +their own country; which will certainly oblige them to +abandon to us the navigation of freight. There is not, +therefore, any one of our Provinces, much less any one of +our cities, which cannot enjoy the advantage of this commerce. +No, High and Mighty Lords, the petitioners are +persuaded, that the utility and the benefit of it will spread +itself over all the Provinces and countries of the Generality. +Guelderland and Overyssel cannot too much extend +their manufactures of wool, of mouleton, and other +things; even the shoemakers of La Maire and of Lang +Straat, will find a considerable opening; almost all the +manufactures of Utrecht, and those of Leyden, will flourish +anew; Haerlem will see revive its manufactures of stuffs, +of laces, of ribbands, of twist (<i>de cordons</i>), at present in +the lowest state of decay; Delft will see vastly augmented +the sale of its (<i>porcelaine</i>) earthen ware, and Gouda, that +of its tobacco pipes.</p> + +<p>"However great may be the advantages foreseen by the +petitioners from a legal commerce duly protected with America, +their fear is not less, lest we should suffer to escape +the happy moment of assuring to themselves, and to all the +Republic, these advantages. The present moment would +determine the whole. The English nation is weary of the +war; and, as that people run easily into extremes, the petitioners +are afraid, with strong probable appearances, that +a complete acknowledgment of Independence will soon +take place; above all, if the English see an opportunity of +being able still to draw from America some conditions favorable +for them, or, at least, something to our disadvantage. +Ah! what is it which should instigate the Americans, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">298</a></span> +in making peace and renewing friendship with Great +Britain, to have any regard for the interests of our Republic? +If England could only obtain for a condition, that we +should be obliged to pay duties more burthensome for our +vessels, this would be not only a continual and permanent +prejudice, this would be sufficient to transmit to posterity, +a lamentable proof of our excessive deference for unbridled +enemies.</p> + +<p>"The petitioners dare flatter themselves, that a measure, +so frank in this Republic, may powerfully serve, for the +acceleration of a general peace. A general ardor to extinguish +the flames of war reigns in England; an upright +and vigorous conduct, on the part of this Republic, will +contribute to accelerate the accomplishment of the wishes +for peace.</p> + +<p>"We flatter ourselves, High and Mighty Lords, that we +have in this regard alleged sufficient reasons for immediate +decision, and that we have so visibly proved the danger of +delay, that we dare to hope, from the paternal equity of +your High Mightinesses, a reasonable attention to the respectful +proposition which we have made. It proceeds +from no other motive than a sincere affection for the precious +interests of our dear country, since we consider it as +certain, that as soon as the step taken by us shall be known +by the English, and that they shall have the least hope of +preventing us, they will not fail, as soon as possible, to acknowledge +American Independence. Supported by all +these reasons, the petitioners address themselves to your +High Mightinesses, humbly requesting that it may please +your High Mightinesses, after the occurrences and affairs +abovementioned, to take for the greatest advantage of this +country, as soon as possible, such resolution as your High +Mightinesses shall judge most convenient." +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">299</a></span></p> + +<h4>PETITION TO THE BURGOMASTERS AND REGENTS OF +AMSTERDAM.</h4> + +<p>"The subscribers, all merchants and manufacturers of +this city, with all due respect, give to understand, that the +difference arisen between the kingdom of Great Britain +and the United States of America, has not only given +occasion for a long and violent war, but that the arms of +America have covered themselves with a success so happy, +that the Congress, assisted by the Courts of France and +Spain, have so well established their liberty and independence, +and reduced Great Britain to extremities so critical, +that the House of Commons in England, notwithstanding +all the opposition of the British Ministry, have +lately formed the important resolution to turn the King +from an offensive war against America, with no other design +than to accelerate, if it is possible, a reconciliation with +America.</p> + +<p>"That, to this happy revolution in the dispositions of the +English in favor of the liberty and independence of America, +according to all appearances, the resolution taken by +Congress towards the end of the last year, to wit, to forbid +in all America the importation of British manufactures and +productions, has greatly contributed; a resolution, of which +they perceive in England, too visibly, the consequences +ruinous to their manufactures, trades, commerce, and navigation, +to be able to remain indifferent in this regard; for +all other commercial nations, who take to heart ever so +little of their own prosperity, will apply themselves ardently +to collect from it all the fruit possible. To this effect, it +would be unpardonable for the business and commerce of +this Republic in general, and for those of this city in particular, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">300</a></span> +to suffer to escape this occasion, so favorable for +the encouragement of our manufactures, so declined and +languishing in the interior cities, as well as that of the commerce +and of navigation in the maritime cities; or to suffer +that other commercial nations, even with a total exclusion +of the mercantile interests of this Republic, should profit +of it, and this upon an occasion, when by reason of the +war equally unjust and ruinous, in which the kingdom of +Great Britain has involved this Republic, we cannot and +ought not to have the least regard or condescension for +that jealous State, being able to oblige this arrogant neighbor +in the just fear of the consequences, which a more intimate +connexion between this Republic and North America +would undoubtedly have, to lay down the sooner her +arms, and restore tranquillity to all Europe.</p> + +<p>"That the petitioners, notwithstanding the inclination +they have for it, ought not, nevertheless, to explain themselves +further upon this object, nor make a demonstration +in detail of the important advantages, which this Republic +may procure itself by a connexion and a relation more intimate +with North America, both because no well informed +man can easily call the thing in question, but also because +the States of Friesland themselves have very lately explained +themselves in a manner so remarkable in this respect; +and which is still more remarkable, because in very +different circumstances, with a foresight, which posterity +will celebrate by so much the more, as it is attacked in +our time by ill designing citizens, the gentlemen, your predecessors, +thought four years ago upon the means of hindering +this Republic from being excluded from the business +of the new world, and falling into the disagreeable situation +in which the kingdom of Portugal is at present; considering, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">301</a></span> +that, according to the information of your petitioners, +the Congress has excluded that kingdom from all commerce +and business with North America, solely because it +had perceived that it suffered itself to be too strongly +directed by the influence of the British Court. But this +example makes us fear with reason, that if the propositions +made in the name of America by Mr Adams to this Republic, +should remain as they still are, without an answer, +or if, contrary to all expectation, they should be rejected, +in that case, the Republic ought not to expect a better +treatment.</p> + +<p>"That, for these reasons and many others, the petitioners +had flattered themselves, that we should long ago have +opened negotiations, and a closer correspondence with the +United States of America; but that this important work +appeared to meet with difficulties with some, as incompatible +with the accession of this Republic to the armed neutrality, +and in course with the accepted mediation; whilst +others cannot be persuaded to make this, so necessary +step, in the opinion that we cannot draw any advantage, or, +at least, of much importance, from a more strict connexion +with America; reasons, according to the petitioners, the +frivolty of which is apparent to every one, who is not filled +with prejudice, without having occasion to employ many +words to point it out; for as to the first point, supposing +for a moment that it might be made a question, whether +the Republic, after her accession to the armed neutrality +before the war with England, could take a step of this nature +without renouncing at the same time, the advantages +of the armed neutrality, which it had embraced, it is, at +least, very certain that every difficulty concerning the competency +of the Republic to take a similar step, vanishes +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">302</a></span> +and disappears of itself at present, when it finds itself +involved in a war with Great Britain, since from that +moment she could not only demand the assistance and +succor of all the confederates in the armed neutrality, but +that thereby she finds herself authorised, for her own defence, +to employ all sorts of means, violent and others, +which she could not before adopt and put in use, while she +was in the position of a neutral power, which would profit +of the advantages of the armed neutrality.</p> + +<p>"This reasoning, then, proves evidently that in the present +situation of affairs, the Republic might acknowledge +the independence of North America, and notwithstanding +this, claim of full right the assistance of her neutral +allies, at least, if we would not maintain one of the following +absurdities; that, notwithstanding the violent aggression +of England, in resentment of our accession to the armed +neutrality, we dare not defend ourselves, until our confederates +should think proper to come to our assistance; or, +otherwise, that being attacked by the English, it should be +permitted us, conformably to the rights of the armed neutrality, +to resist them in arms, either on the Doggerbank or +elsewhere, but not by contracting alliances; which certainly +do no injury or harm to the convention of the armed +neutrality, notwithstanding even the small hope we have of +being succored by the allies of the armed confederation.</p> + +<p>"The argument of the mediation is still more contrary to +common sense in this, that it supposes the Republic, by +accepting the mediation, to have also renounced the employment +of all the means, by way of arms, of alliances, or otherwise, +which it must judge useful or necessary to annoy her +enemy; a supposition, which certainly is destitute of all +foundation, and which would reduce itself simply to a real +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">303</a></span> +suspension of hostilities on the part of the Republic only; +to which the Republic can never have consented, neither +directly, nor indirectly. Besides this last argument, the +petitioners must still observe, in the first place, that by +means of a good harmony and friendship with the United +States of America, there will spring up, not only different +sources of business for this Republic, founded solely on +commerce and navigation, but, in particular, the manufactures +and trade will assume a new activity in the interior +cities, for they may consume the amount of millions of our +manufactures, in that new country of so vast extent. In +the second place, abstracted from all interests of commerce, +the friendship or the enmity of a nation, which, +after having made prisoners of two English armies, has +known how to render herself respectable and formidable, +if it were only in relation to the western possessions of this +State, is not, and cannot be, in any manner indifferent for +our Republic.</p> + +<p>"In the last place, it is necessary, that the petitioners +remark further in this respect, that several inhabitants of +this Republic, in the present situation of affairs, suffer very +considerable losses and damages, which might be wholly +prevented, or in part, at least, hereafter, in case we should +make with the United States of America, in relation to +vessels and effects recaptured, a convention similar to that, +which has been made with the Crown of France the last +year; for, Venerable Regents, if a convention of this nature +had been contracted in the beginning of this war, the +inhabitants of the Republic would have already derived +important advantages from it, considering, that several +ships and cargoes, taken by the English from the inhabitants +of this State, have fallen into the hands of the Americans, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">304</a></span> +among others, two vessels from the West Indies, richly +loaded, and making sail for the ports of the Republic, and +both estimated at more than a million of florins of Holland; +which, captured by the English at the commencement of +the year past, were carried into North America, where, +after the capitulation of General Cornwallis, they passed +from the hands of the English into others. That, although +the petitioners are fully convinced, that the interests of +the commerce of this common country, and of this city, +have constantly, but especially in these last years, attracted, +and still attract every day, a great part of the cares of the +Venerable Regency; nevertheless, having regard to the +importance of the affair, the petitioners have thought, that +they could, and that they ought to take the liberty to address +themselves with this petition to you, Venerable Regents, +and to inform you, according to truth, that the +moments are precious; that we cannot lose any time, how +little soever it may be, without running the greatest risk of +losing all; since, by hesitating longer, the Republic, according +to all appearances, would not derive any advantage, +not even more than it has derived from its accession +to the armed neutrality, because in the fear of British +menaces, we did not determine to accede to it, until the +opportunity of improving the advantage of it was passed.</p> + +<p>"For these causes, the petitioners address themselves to +you, Venerable Regents, respectfully soliciting, that your +efficacious influence may condescend, at the Assembly of +their Noble and Grand Mightinesses, the States of this +Province, to direct affairs in such a manner, that upon this +important object there may be taken, as soon as possible, +and, if possible, even during the continuance of this Assembly, +a final and decisive resolution, such as you, Venerable +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">305</a></span> +Regents, and their Noble and Grand Mightinesses, +according to their high wisdom shall judge the most convenient; +and if, contrary to all expectation, this important +operation may meet with any obstacle on the part of one +or more of the confederates, that, in that case, you, Venerable +Regents, in concert with the Province of Friesland, +and those of the other Provinces, who make no difficulty +to open a negotiation with America, will condescend to +consider the means, which shall be found proper and convenient, +to effectuate, that the commerce of this Province, +as well as that of Friesland, and the other members adopting +the same opinion, may not be prejudiced by any dilatory +deliberations, nor too late resolved for the conclusion +of a measure, as important as necessary."</p> + +<h4>ROTTERDAM.</h4> + +<p>"The petition of the merchants, ensurers, and freighters +of Rotterdam to the Regency of that city, gives to understand, +in the most respectful manner; that it is sufficiently +notorious, that the inhabitants of this Republic have, as well +as any other nation, an interest, that they give us an opportunity +to open a free correspondence with the inhabitants +of America, by making a Treaty of Commerce, as Mr +Adams has represented in his Memorial; to which they +add, that the advantages, which must result from it, are +absolutely the only means of reviving the fallen commerce +of this country, for re-establishing the navigation, and for +repairing the great damages, which the perfidious proceedings +of the English have, for so many years, caused to the +commercial part of this country.</p> + +<p>"That, with all due respect, they represent to the Venerable +Regency the danger we run in prolonging further +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">306</a></span> +the deliberations concerning the article of an alliance of +commerce with North America; being, moreover, certain, +that the interposition of this State cannot add anything +more to the solidity of its independence; and that the +English Ministry have even made to the Deputies of the +American Congress propositions to what point they would +establish a correspondence there to our prejudice, and +thereby deprive the inhabitants of this country of the certain +advantages, which might result from this reciprocal +commerce; and that thus we ought not to delay one day, +nor even one hour, to try all efforts, that we may pursue +the negotiation offered by Mr Adams, and that we may +decide finally upon it.</p> + +<p>"Whereupon, the petitioners represent, with all the respect +possible, but at the same time with the strongest +confidence, to the venerable Regency of this city, that they +would authorise and qualify the gentlemen, their Deputies +at the Assembly of their Noble and Great Mightinesses, +to the end, that in the name of this city they insist, in a +manner the most energetic, at the Assembly of their Noble +and Great Mightinesses, that the resolution demanded may +be taken without the least delay, to the end, that on the +part of this Province, it be effected at the Assembly of the +States-General, that the American Minister, Mr Adams, +be, as soon as possible, admitted to the audience, which he +has demanded, and that they take, with him, the determinations +necessary to render free and open to the reciprocal +inhabitants, the correspondence demanded."</p> + +<p>The petitions of the merchants and manufacturers of +Haerlem, Leyden and Amsterdam, which have been presented, +on the 20th of March, to their High Mightinesses, +were accompanied by another for the States of Holland +and West Friesland, conceived in these terms; +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">307</a></span></p> + +<p>"The subscribers, inhabitants of this country, merchants, +manufacturers, and others, living by commerce, give, with +all respect, to understand, that they, the petitioners, have +the honor to annex hereto a copy of a petition presented +by them to their High Mightinesses, the States-General +of the United Low Countries. The importance of the +thing which it contains, the considerable commerce, which +these countries might establish in North America; the +profits, which we might draw from it, and the importance +of industry and manufactures, in the relation which they +have with commerce in general, as well as the commerce +of that extensive country; all these objects have made +them take the liberty to represent, in the most respectful +manner, this great affair for them, and for the connexions, +which the petitioners may have in quality of manufacturers +with the merchants; most humbly praying your Noble and +Grand Mightinesses, for the acquisition of those important +branches of commerce, and for the advantage of all the +manufactures and other works of labor and traffic, to be so +good as to take this petition, and the reasons which it contains, +into your high consideration, and to favor it with +your powerful support and protection, and by a favorable +resolution, which may be taken at the Assembly of their +High Mightinesses, to direct, on the part of this Province, +things in such a manner, that, for obtaining this commerce, +so desired and so necessary for this Republic, there +be concerted such efficacious measures, as the high wisdom +and patriotic sentiments of your Noble and Grand +Mightinesses may find convenient for the well-being of so +great a number of inhabitants, and for the prejudice of their +enemies." +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">308</a></span></p> + +<h4>DORT.</h4> + +<p>At Dort, there has not been presented any petition; +but in a letter written from that city, on the 20th of March, +it is observed, "that the merchants, convinced by redoubled +proofs of the zeal and of the efforts of their Regency for +the true interests of commerce, had judged it necessary to +present a petition, after the example of the merchants of +other cities; that they had contented themselves with testifying +verbally their desire, that there might be contracted +connexions of commerce with the United States of America; +that this step had been crowned with such happy +success, that the same day, the 20th of March, it was resolved +by the ancient council, to authorise their Deputies +at the Assembly of Holland, to concur in every manner +possible, that without delay, Mr Adams be acknowledged +in his quality of Minister Plenipotentiary; that his letters +of credence be accepted, and conferences opened upon +this object."</p> + +<p>Resolution of their Noble and Grand Mightinesses, the +Lords the States of Holland and West Friesland, March +29th, 1782.</p> + +<p>"It has been judged fit and resolved, that the affair be +directed, on the part of their Noble and Grand Mightinesses +at the Generality, to such an end, and that they there insist +in the strongest manner, that Mr Adams be admitted and +acknowledged, as soon as possible, by their High Mightinesses, +as the Ambassador of the United States of America; +and the Counsellor Pensionary is charged to give +knowledge, under hand, to the said Mr Adams, of this +resolution of their Noble and Grand Mightinesses." +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">309</a></span></p> + +<h4>ZWOLL, IN OVERYSSEL.</h4> + +<p>"The subscribers, all merchants, manufacturers, and +factors of the city of Zwoll, give respectfully to understand; +that every one of them in his private concerns, finds by +experience, as well as the inhabitants of the Republic in +general, the grievous effects of the decay into which the +commerce and the manufactures of this country are fallen +by little and little, and, above all, since the hostile attack of +the kingdom of England against this State; that it being +their duty to their country, as well as to themselves, to +make use of all the circumstances, which might contribute +to their re-establishment, the requisition made not long +since, by Mr Adams to the Republic, to wit, to conclude a +Treaty of Commerce with the United States of North +America, could not escape their attention; an affair, whose +utility, advantage, and necessity, for these Provinces are +so evident, and so often proved in an incontestible manner, +that the petitioners will not fatigue your Noble Lordships, +by placing them before you, nor the general interests of +this city, nor the particular relations of the petitioners, considering +that they are convinced in the first place, that +England, making against the Republic the most ruinous +war, and having broken every treaty with her, all kind of +complaisance for that kingdom is unreasonable.</p> + +<p>"In the second place, that America, which ought to be +considered as become free at the point of the sword, being +willing, by the prohibition of all the productions and +manufactures of England, to break absolutely with that +kingdom; it is precisely the time, and perhaps the only +time, in which we may have a favorable opportunity to enter +into connexion with this new and powerful Republic; a +time which we cannot neglect, without running the greatest +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">310</a></span> +risk of being irrevocably prevented by the other powers, +and even by England. Thus we take the liberty respectfully +to supplicate your Noble Lordships, that having +shown, for a long time, that you set a value upon the +formation of alliances with powerful States, you may have +the goodness, at the approaching Assembly of the Nobility, +and of the cities forming the States of this Province, to redouble +your efforts; to the end, that in the name of this +country, it may be decided at the Generality, that Mr +Adams be acknowledged, and the proposed negotiations +opened as soon as possible."</p> + +<h4>AMSTERDAM.</h4> + +<p class="center"><i>Request of the Merchants, &c. to their Regency.</i></p> + +<p class="letter_open"> +"Noble, Great, and Venerable Lords,</p> + +<p>"It is 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 request, that a multitude +of our most respectable fellow-citizens have signed. +It was already ready and signed by many, when we learnt, +as well by the public papers, as otherwise, the propositions +of a particular peace, with an offer of an immediate suspension +of hostilities on the part of Great Britain, made +to this State by the mediation of the Russian Ambassador. +This is the only reason why no immediate mention was +made of it in the address itself; it is by no means the idea, +that these offers would have made any impression upon +the merchants, since we can, on the contrary, in truth, +assure your Noble and Great Lordships, that the unanimous +sentiment, nearly, of the exchange of Amsterdam, at +least, as much as that interests it, is entirely conformable to +that, which the merchants of Rotterdam have made known +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">311</a></span> +in so energetic a manner. That we have, consequently, +the greatest aversion to like offers, as artful as dangerous, +which being adopted, would very probably throw this Republic +into other situations very embarrassing, the immediate +consequences of which would be to ruin it utterly; +whereas, on the other hand, these offers show, that we +have only to deal with an enemy exhausted, that we could +force to a general and durable peace in the end, by following +only the example of France, Spain, and North +America, and by using the means, which are in our own +hands.</p> + +<p>"It is improper for us, however, to enlarge further upon +this project, important as it may be, being well assured, +that your Noble and Grand Lordships see those grievous +consequences more clearly than we can trace them.</p> + +<p>"The merchants continue to recommend the commerce +and the navigation to the constant care and protection of +your Noble and Great Lordships, and to insist only, that in +case, that these offers of the Court of England should be +at any time the cause, that the affair of the admission of +Mr Adams, in quality of Minister Plenipotentiary of the +United States of North America, met with any difficulty +or delay, on the part of the other confederates, that your +Noble and Great Lordships, according to the second article +of our requisition inserted in this request, would have +the goodness to think upon measures, which would warrant +this Province from the ruinous consequences of such a +proceeding."</p> + +<p>To this request was joined the address presented to the +Burgomasters, and to the Council, which is of the following +tenor. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">312</a></span></p> + +<p class="letter_open"> +"Noble, Great, Venerable, and Noble and Venerable +Lords,</p> + +<p>"The undersigned, merchants, citizens, and inhabitants +of the city of Amsterdam, have learnt, with an inexpressible +joy, the news of the resolution taken the 28th of March +last, by their Noble and Grand Mightinesses, the Lords, +the States of Holland and West Friesland. Their Noble +and Grand Mightinesses have, thereby, not only satisfied the +general wishes of the greatest and best part of the inhabitants +of this Province, but they have laid the foundations of +ulterior alliances and correspondences of friendship and of +good understanding with the United States of North America, +which promise new life to the languishing state of +our commerce, of our navigation, and of our manufactures.</p> + +<p>"The unanimity, with which the resolution was decided +in the Assembly of Holland, gives us a well founded hope, +that the States of the other Provinces will not delay +to take a similar resolution; whilst that the same unanimity +fills with the most lively satisfaction the well-intentioned +inhabitants of this city, and, without doubt, those of the +whole country, in convincing them fully, that the union +among the sage and venerable fathers of the country increases +more and more; whilst that the promptness and +activity, with which it has been concluded, make us hope, +with reason, that we shall reap in time, from a step so important +and so necessary for this Republic, the desired +fruits. Who then can call in question or disavow, that the +moment seems to approach nearer and nearer, when this +Republic shall enter into new relations with a people, +which finds itself in circumstances, which differ but little +from those in which our ancestors found themselves two +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">313</a></span> +centuries ago, with a people, which conciliates, more and more, +general affection and esteem?</p> + +<p>"The conformity of religion and government, which is +found between us and America, joined to the indubitable +marks, that she has already long since given, of the preference, +that she feels for our friendship, makes the undersigned +not only suppose, but inspires them with a confidence +even, that our connexions with her will be as solid as +advantageous, and salutary to the interests of the two nations. +The well-being and the prosperity, which will very +probably result from them, the part which you, Noble, +Great, Venerable, and Noble and Venerable Lords, have +had in the conclusion of a resolution so remarkable; the +conviction, that the Venerable Council of this city already +had of it, upon the proposition of the Noble, Great, and +Venerable Lords, almost consented to, before the request +relative to this project, presented not long since to you, +Noble, Great, and Venerable Lords, had come to the +knowledge of the Council; finally, the remembrance of +that, which was done upon this matter in the year 1778, +with the best intentions and most laudable views, finding +itself at present crowned with an approbation as public as +general, indispensably oblige the undersigned to approach +you, Noble, Great, Venerable, and Noble and Venerable +Lords, with this address, not only to congratulate them +upon so remarkable an event, but to thank them at the +same time, with as much zeal as solemnity, for all those +well intentioned cares, and those well concerted measures, +for that inflexible attachment, and that faithful adherence +to the true interests of the country in general, and of this +city in particular, which manifest themselves in so striking +a manner in all the proceedings and resolutions of your +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">314</a></span> +Noble, Great, and Venerable Lordships, and of the Venerable +Council of this city, and which certainly will attract +the esteem and veneration of the latest posterity, when, +comparing the annals and events of the present, with those +of former times, it shall discover, that Amsterdam might +still boast itself of possessing patriots, who dare sacrifice +generously all views of private interest, of grandeur, and +of consideration, to the sacred obligations, that their country +requires of them.</p> + +<p>"We flatter ourselves, Noble, Great, and Venerable, Noble +and Venerable Lords, that the present public demonstration +of our esteem and attachment will be so much the +more agreeable, as it is more rare in our Republic, and +perhaps even it is without example, and as it is more proper +to efface all the odious impressions that the calumny +and malignity of the English Ministry, not long ago so servilely +adored by many, but whose downfall is at present +consummated, had endeavored to spread, particularly a +little before, and at the beginning of this war, insinuations, +which have since found partizans in the United Provinces, +among those who have not been ashamed to paint the Exchange +of Amsterdam, (that is to say, the most respectable +and the most useful part of the citizens of this city, and at +the same time the principal support of the well-being of +the United Provinces,) as if it consisted, in a great part, of +a contemptible herd of vile interested souls, having no +other object than to give loose to their avidity and to their +desire of amassing treasures, in defrauding the public +revenues, and in transporting contraband articles against +the faith of treaties; calumniators, who have had at the +same time, and have still, the audacity to affront the most +upright Regency of the most, considerable city of the Republic, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">315</a></span> +and to expose it to public contempt, as if it participated +by connivance and other ways, in so shameful a commerce; +insinuations and accusations, which have been +spread with as much falsehood as wickedness, and which +ought to excite so much the more the indignation of every +sensible heart, when one considers with all this, that not +only the merchants of this city, but also those of the whole +Republic, have so inviolably respected the faith of treaties, +that, to the astonishment of every impartial man, one cannot +produce any proofs, at least no sufficient proofs, that there +has ever been transported from this country contraband +merchandises; whilst that the conjuncture, in which imputations +of this kind have been spread, rendered a like proceeding +still more odious, seeing that one has done it at +an epoch, when the commerce and navigation of Amsterdam, +and of the whole Republic, would have experienced +the first and almost the only attack of an unjust and perfidious +ally, for want of necessary protection, upon which +you, Noble, Great, Venerable, and Noble and Venerable +Lords, have so often and so seriously insisted, even before +the commencement of the troubles between Great Britain +and the United States of North America; at an epoch, +when the merchant, formed for enterprises, was obliged to +see the fruit of his labor and of his cares, the recompense +of his indefatigable industry, and the patrimony destined to +his posterity, ravished from his hands by foreign violence, +and unbounded rapacity; at an epoch, finally, when the +wise and prudent politicians, who had exhausted themselves, +and spared no pains for the public good, saw their +patriotic views dissipate, and their projects vanish.</p> + +<p>"Receive, then, Noble, Great, and Venerable, Noble and +Venerable Lords, this solemn testimony of our lively gratitude, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">316</a></span> +as graciously as it is sincere on our part; receive it +as a proof of our attachment to your persons; an attachment +which is not founded upon fear, nor an exterior representation +of authority and grandeur, but which is founded +upon more noble and immovable principles, those of +esteem and respect, arising from a sentiment of true greatness +and of generosity. Be assured, that when contemptible +discord, with its odious attendants, artifice and imposture, +could effectuate nothing, absolutely nothing, at the +moment when the present war broke out, to prejudice in +the least the fidelity of the citizens of the Amstel, or to +shake them in the observation of their duties, the inconveniences +and the evils that a war naturally and necessarily +draws after it, will not produce the effect neither; yes, we +will submit more willingly to them, according as we shall +perceive, that the means that God and nature have put into +our hands, are more and more employed to reduce and +humble a haughty enemy. Continue, then, Noble, Great, +and Venerable, Noble and Venerable Lords, to proceed +with safety in the road you follow, the only one, which in +our opinion, can, under divine benediction, tend to save the +country from its present situation. Let nothing divert or +intimidate you from it; you have already surmounted the +greatest difficulties and most poignant cares. A more +pleasing perspective already opens.</p> + +<p>"Great Britain, not long since so proud of its forces, that +she feared not to declare war against an ancient and faithful +ally, already repents of that unjust and rash proceeding; +and succumbing under the weight of a war, which +becomes more and more burdensome, she sighs after +peace, whilst the harmony among the members of the +supreme government of this country increases with our +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">317</a></span> +arms, according as your political system, whose necessity +and salutary influence were heretofore less acknowledged, +gains every day more numerous imitators. The resolution +lately taken by the States of Friesland, and so +unanimously adopted by our Province, furnishes, among many +others, one incontestable proof of it, whilst that the naval +combat, delivered last year on the Doggerbank, has shown +to astonished Europe that so long a peace has not made +the Republic forget the management of arms, but that on +the contrary, it nourishes in its bosom warriors, who tread +in the footsteps of the Tromps and Ruiters, from whose +prudence and intrepidity, after a beginning so glorious, we +may promise ourselves the most heroic actions; that their +invincible courage, little affected with an evident superiority, +will procure one day to our country an honorable and +permanent peace, which, in eternizing their military glory, +will cause the wise policy of your Noble, Great, and Venerable, +Noble and Venerable Lordships to be blessed by the +latest posterity."</p> + +<h4>LEYDEN.</h4> + +<p class="letter_open">"To the Noble, Great and Venerable Lords, the Great +Council of the city of Leyden.</p> + +<p>"The undersigned, manufacturers, merchants, and other +traders, interested in the manufactures and fabrics of this +city, give respectfully to understand; that a number of +the undersigned, having taken on the 18th of March, the +liberty to present to your Noble and Great Lordships a respectful +request, 'to obtain the conclusion of connexions +of commerce with United America,' the petitioners judge, +that they ought to hold it for a duty, as agreeable as indispensable, +to testify their sincere gratitude, not only for the +gracious manner in which your Noble and Great Lordships +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">318</a></span> +have been pleased to accept that request, but also for the +patriotic resolution, that your Noble and Great Lordships +have taken upon its object; a resolution in virtue of which +the city of Leyden (as the petitioners have the best reasons +to suppose) has been one of the first cities of this province, +from whose unanimous co-operation has originated +the resolution of their Noble and Grand Mightinesses, of +the date of the 28th of March last, 'to direct things on the +part of their Noble and Grand Mightinesses in the Assembly +of the States-General, and to make there the strongest +instances, to the end that Mr Adams may be admitted and +acknowledged, as soon as possible, by their High Mightinesses, +as Minister of the United States of America.'</p> + +<p>"That the petitioners regard, with all honest hearted citizens, +the present epoch as one of the most glorious in the +annals of our dear country, seeing that there has been +manifested in a most signal manner, on one hand, a confidence +the most cordial of the good citizens towards their +Regents; on the other, a paternal attention and deference +of the Regents to the respectful, but well founded prayers +of their faithful citizens, and, in general, the most exemplary +unanimity throughout the whole nation, to the confusion +of those, who, having endeavored to sow the seeds of +discord, would have rejoiced if they could say with truth, +that a dissension so fatal had rooted itself to the ruin of the +country and of the people.</p> + +<p>"That the petitioners, feeling themselves penetrated with +the most pleasing emotions by a harmony so universal, +cannot pass over in silence the reflection, that your Noble +and Great Lordships, taking a resolution the most favorable +upon the said request, have discovered thereby, that +they would not abandon the footsteps of their ancestors, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">319</a></span> +who found in the united sentiments of magistrates and citizens, +the resources necessary to resist a powerful oppressor, +who even would not have undertaken that difficult, +but glorious task, if they had not been supported by the +voice of the most respectable part of the nation.</p> + +<p>"That, encouraged by this reflection, the petitioners +assure themselves, that your Noble and Great Lordships +will honor with the same approbation the step, which they +take to day, to recommend to your Noble and Great Lordships, +in a manner the most respectful, but at the same +time the most pressing, the prompt and efficacious execution +of the aforesaid resolution of their Noble and Grand +Mightinesses, of the 28th of March last, with everything +which depends thereon, a proceeding, which does not spring +from a desire, on the part of the petitioners, to raise themselves +above the sphere of their duties and vocations, or to +interfere indiscreetly in the affairs of government; but only +from a conviction, that it cannot but be agreeable to well-intentioned +Regents (such as your Noble and Grand Lordships +have shown yourselves by deeds to the good citizens) +to see themselves applauded in their salutary efforts +and patriotic designs, and supported against the perverse +views and secret machinations of the ill disposed, who, +however small their number, are always found in a nation.</p> + +<p>"That, although the petitioners may be convinced, that +their Noble and Grand Mightinesses, having taken a resolution +so agreeable to all true patriots, will not neglect to +employ means to carry it to an efficacious conclusion +among the other confederates, and to procure to the good +citizens the real enjoyment of the commerce with United +America, they cannot, nevertheless, dissemble, that lately +some new reasons have arisen, which make them conceive +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">320</a></span> +some fears respecting the prompt consummation of this desirable +affair.</p> + +<p>"That the probability of an offer of peace, on the part of +Great Britain, to United America, whereof the petitioners +made mention in their former request, having at present +become a full certainty, by the revolution arrived since in +the British Ministry, they have not learnt without uneasiness, +the attempt made at the same time by the new Ministers +of the Court of London, to involve this State in a +negotiation for a separate peace, the immediate consequence +of which would be (as the petitioners fear) a cessation of +all connexions with the American Republic; whilst, that +in the meantime, our Republic, deprived on the one hand +of the advantages, which it reasonably promises itself from +those connexions, might, on the other, be detained by negotiations, +spun out to a great length, and not effect till late, +perhaps after the other belligerent powers, a separate +peace with England.</p> + +<p>"That, in effect, the difficulties which oppose themselves +to a like partial pacification, are too multiplied for one to +promise himself to see them suddenly removed; such as +the restitution of the possessions taken from the State, and +retaken from the English by France, a restitution, which +thereby is become impracticable; the indemnification of +the immense losses, that the unexpected and perfidious +attack of England has caused to the Dutch nation in general, +to the petitioners in particular; the assurance of a +free navigation for the future, upon the principles of the +armed neutrality, and conformably to the law of nations, +the dissolution of the bonds, which, without being productive +of any utility to the two nations, have been a source of +contestations always springing up, and which in every war +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">321</a></span> +between Great Britain and any other power, have threatened +to involve our Republic in it, or have, in effect, done it; +the annihilation (if possible) of the act of navigation, an act, +which carries too evident marks of the supremacy affected +by England over all other maritime people, not to attract +attention at the approaching negotiation of peace; finally, +the necessity of breaking the yoke, that Great Britain would +impose upon our flag, to make hers respected in the Northern +Ocean, as the seat of her maritime empire; and other +objects of this nature, which, as the petulant proceedings +of the Court of London even have given rise to them, with +certainty furnish matter for claims and negotiations.</p> + +<p>"That, as by these considerations, even a speedy consummation +of a separate peace with England is out of all +probability, especially when one compares with them the +dubious and limited manner in which it is offered; on the +other hand, a general peace appears not to be so far distant, +as that to obtain a more prompt reconciliation with +England, the Republic has occasion to abandon its interests +relative to North America, seeing that the British government +has resolved, upon the request of the National +Assembly, even to discontinue offensive hostilities against +the new Republic, and that even under the present administration +of the Ministers, it appears ready to acknowledge +positively its independence; an acknowledgment, +which, in removing the principal stumbling block of a negotiation +of a general peace, will pave the way to a prompt +explication of all the difficulties between the belligerent +powers.</p> + +<p>"That the petitioners should exceed much the bounds +of their plan, if they entered into a more ample detail of +the reasons, which might be alleged upon this subject, and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">322</a></span> +which certainly will not escape the political penetration of +your Noble and Great Lordships; among others, the engagements +recently entered into with the Court of France, +and which will not be violated by our Republic, which acknowledges +the sanctity of its engagements and respects +them, but which will serve much rather to convince the +Empress of Russia of the impossibility of entering, in the +present juncture of affairs, into such a negotiation as the +Court of London proposes, when it will not be permitted +to presume, but that sovereign will feel herself the change +of circumstances, which have happened with regard to +America, since the offer of her mediation, by the revolution +of the British Ministry; and that she ought even to regard +a separate peace between our States and England, as the +most proper mean to retard the general tranquillity, that +she has endeavored to procure to all the commercial +nations now at war.</p> + +<p>"That, from these motives, the petitioners respectfully +hope, that the aforesaid offer of England will occasion no +obstacle, which may prevent, that the resolution of their +Noble and Grand Mightinesses, 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 suffer itself to be diverted thereby, from the design of +opening unanimously with this Province and the others, +which have declared themselves conformably to Holland, +negotiations with the United States, and of terminating +them as soon as may be.</p> + +<p>"That the favorable resolutions already taken for this +effect in Zealand, Utrecht, Overyssel, and at present (as +the petitioners learn) in the Province of Groningen, after +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">323</a></span> +the example of Holland and Friesland, confirm them in +that hope, and seem to render entirely superfluous a request, +that in every other case the petitioners would have +found themselves obliged to make with the commercial +citizens of the other cities, to the end, that by the resistance +of one Province, not immediately interested in commerce +and navigation, they might not be deprived of the +advantages and of the protection, that the Sovereign Assembly +of their proper Province had been disposed to procure +them without that; but that to the end to provide for +it, their Noble and Grand Mightinesses, and the States of +the other Provinces, in this respect unanimous with them, +should make use of the power, which belongs to each +free State of our Federative Republic, at least in regard +to treaties of commerce, of which there exists an example +in 1649, not only in a treaty of redemption of the toll of +the Sound, but also in a defensive treaty, concluded with +the Crown of Denmark by the three Provinces of Guelderland, +Holland, and Friesland.</p> + +<p>"But as every apprehension of a similar dissension +among the members of the confederation appears at present +absolutely unseasonable, the petitioners will confine +themselves rather to another request, to wit, that after the +formation of connexions of commerce with North America, +the effectual enjoyment of it may be assured to the +commercial citizens of this country by a sufficient protection +of the navigation, seeing, that without the protection of +the navigation, the conclusion even of such a treaty of +commerce would be absolutely illusory; that since a long +time, especially last year, the petitioners have tasted the +bitter fruits of the defenceless state in which the Dutch +flag has been incessantly found, as they have already said, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">324</a></span> +conformably to the truth, in their first request, 'that by the +total stagnation of the navigation and of expeditions, they +have felt in the most painful manner the effects of the hostile +and unforeseen attack of Great Britain, and that they +feel them still every day;' that in the meantime this stagnation +of commerce, absolutely abandoned to the rapacity +of an enemy, greedy of pillage, and destitute of all protection +whatsoever, has appeared to the petitioners, as well +as to all the other commercial inhabitants, yes, even to all +true citizens, so much the more hard and afflicting, as they +not only have constantly contributed with a good heart all +the public imposts, but that, at the time even that commerce +was absolutely abandoned to itself, and deprived of +all safeguard, it supported a double charge to obtain that +protection, which it has never enjoyed, seeing that the +hope of such a protection, (the Republic not being entirely +without maritime force) has appeared indeed more than +once, but has always vanished in the most unexpected +manner, by accidents and impediments, which if they have +given rise, perhaps wrongfully, to discontent and to distrust +among the good citizens, will not, nevertheless, be read +and meditated by posterity, without surprise.</p> + +<p>"That, without intention to legitimate in any fashion the +suspicions arising from this failure of protection, the petitioners +believe themselves, nevertheless, with all proper +respect, warranted in addressing their complaints on this +head to the bosoms of your Great and Noble Lordships, +and (seeing the commerce with North America cannot +subsist without navigation, no more than navigation without +a safeguard) of reckoning upon the active direction, the +useful employment, and prompt augmentation of our naval +forces, in proportion to the means, which shall be the most +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">325</a></span> +proper effectually to secure, to the commerce of this Republic, +the fruits of its connexions with United North +America.</p> + +<p>"For which reasons, the petitioners, returning to your +Noble and Great Lordships their solemn thanks for the +favorable resolution taken upon their request, the 18th of +March last, address themselves anew to them on this occasion, +with the respectful prayer, that it may graciously +please your Noble and Great Lordships to be willing to +effectuate, by your powerful influence, whether in the illustrious +Assembly of their Noble and Grand Mightinesses, +whether among the other confederates, or elsewhere, there, +and in such manner as your Noble and Great Lordships +shall judge the most proper, that the resolution of their +Noble and Grand Mightinesses, of the date of the 28th of +March last, for the admission of Mr Adams in quality of +Minister of the United States of America, be promptly +executed, and that the petitioners, with the other commercial +citizens, obtain the effectual enjoyment of a treaty of +commerce with the said Republic, as well by the activity +of the marine of the State, and the protection of the commerce +and of the navigation, as well as by all other measures, +that your Noble and Great Lordships, with the other +members of the sovereign government of the Republic, shall +judge to tend to the public good, and to serve to the prosperity +of the dear country, as well as to the maintenance +of its precious liberty."</p> + +<h4>UTRECHT, APRIL 28TH, 1782.</h4> + +<p>Wednesday last, was presented to their Noble Mightinesses, +the Lords the States of this Province, the following +address of thanks, signed by a considerable number of +merchants, &c. of this city. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">326</a></span></p> + +<p class="letter_open">"To their Noble Mightinesses, the Lords the States of +the country of Utrecht.</p> + +<p>"The undersigned, manufacturers, merchants, and other +traders of this city give, with due respect, to understand, +that the petitioners, placing their confidence in the interest +that your Noble Mightinesses have always appeared to +take in the advancement of manufactures and commerce, +have not been at all scrupulous to recommend to the vigilant +attention of your Noble Mightinesses, the favorable +occasion that offers itself in this moment, to revive the +manufactures, the commerce, and the trade, fallen into +decay in this city and Province, in case that your Noble +Mightinesses acknowledged, in the name of this city, Mr +Adams as Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of +North America, to the end that there might be formed +with them a treaty of commerce for this Republic. As +the petitioners founded themselves thus upon the intimate +sentiment of the execution of that, which your Noble +Mightinesses judged proper to the advancement of the +well-being of the petitioners and of their interests, the petitioners +have further the satisfaction of feeling the most +agreeable proofs of it, when your Noble Mightinesses, in +your last Assembly, resolved unanimously to consent, not +only to the admission of the said Mr Adams, in quality of +Minister of the Congress of North America, but to authorise +the gentlemen, the Deputies of this Province at the +Generality, to conform themselves, in the name of this +Province, to the resolutions of the Lords, the States of +Holland and West Friesland, and of Friesland, and +doing this, to consent to the acknowledgment and admission +of Mr Adams as Minister of the United States of +North America; or, as that resolution furnishes the proofs +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">327</a></span> +the best intentioned, the most patriotic for the advancement +of that, which may serve to the well-being, to the +encouragement of manufactures, of commerce, and of decayed +trades, as well in general, as of this city and Province +in particular, and which had been so ardently desired; +the petitioners think themselves indispensably +obliged to testify, in the most respectful manner, their gratitude +for it, to your Noble Mightinesses.</p> + +<p>"The petitioners find themselves absolutely unable to +express in words, the general satisfaction that this event +has caused, not only to them, but also to the great and +small of this Province; joined to the confirmation of the +perfect conviction, in which they repose themselves also +for the future upon the paternal care of your Noble +Mightinesses, that the consummation of the desired treaty of +commerce with the Americans may be soon effected. The +petitioners attest by the present before your Noble Mightinesses, +their solemn and well meant gratitude, that they +address also at the same time to your Noble Mightinesses, +as the most sincere marks of veneration and respect for +the persons and the direction of public affairs of your +Noble Mightinesses; wishing that Almighty God may deign +to bless the efforts and the councils of your Noble Mightinesses, +as well as those of the other confederates; that, +moreover, this Province, and our dear country, by the +propositions of an armistice and that which depends upon +it, should not be involved in any negotiations for a particular +peace with our perfidious enemy, but that we obtain no +other peace than a general peace, which (as your Noble +Mightinesses express yourselves in your resolution) may +be compatible with our honor and dignity; and serve, not +only for this generation, but also for the latest posterity, as +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">328</a></span> +a monument of glory, of eternal gratitude to, and esteem +for, the persons and public administration of the present +time."</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO PETER VAN BLEISWICK, GRAND PENSIONARY OF +HOLLAND.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, March 31st, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I have received the letter, which you did me the honor +to write me on the 30th, enclosing the resolution of the +States of Holland and West Friesland, taken on the 28th +of this month, upon the subject of my admission to the +audience demanded on the 4th of May, and 9th of January +last.</p> + +<p>I am very sensible of the honor that is done me, by this +instance of personal attention to me in their Noble and +Grand Mightinesses, and I beg of you, Sir, to accept of +my acknowledgments for the obliging manner, in which +you have communicated to me their resolution.</p> + +<p>But my sensibility is above all affected by those unequivocal +demonstrations, which appear everywhere, of national +harmony and unanimity in this important measure; which +cannot fail to have the happiest effects in America, and in +all Europe; even in England itself, as well as in this Republic, +and which there is great reason to hope, will forcibly +operate towards the accomplishment of a general +peace.</p> + +<p>In the pleasing hope, that all the other Provinces will +soon follow the examples of Holland and Friesland, I have +the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed"> +JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">329</a></span></p> + +<h3>TO THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, April 10th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I have this moment received the letter, which you did +me the honor to write me yesterday, with a letter enclosed +from Dr Franklin.</p> + +<p>The approbation of the Count de Vergennes is a great +satisfaction to me, and I shall be very happy to learn from +you, Sir, at Amsterdam, the details you allude to.</p> + +<p>I have a letter from Digges, at London, 2d of April, +informing me, that he had communicated what had passed +between him and me, to the Earl of Shelburne, who did +not like the circumstance, that everything must be communicated +to our allies. He says, that Lord Carmaerthen is +to be sent to the Hague, to negotiate a separate peace with +Holland. But, according to all appearances, Holland, as +well as America, will have too much discretion to enter +into any separate negotiations.</p> + +<p>I have the pleasure to inform you, that Gillon has arrived +at the Havana, with five rich Jamaica ships as prizes. M. +Le Roy writes, that the English have evacuated Charleston.</p> + +<p>The enclosed fresh <i>requête</i> of Amsterdam will show +your Excellency, that there is little probability of the +Dutchmen being deceived into separate conferences.</p> + +<p>With the most profound respect and esteem, I have the +honor to be, Sir, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed"> +JOHN ADAMS. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">330</a></span></p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam. April 19th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I have the honor to transmit you the following Resolutions +of the respective Provinces, relative to my admission +in quality of Minister Plenipotentiary, together with two +Resolutions of their High Mightinesses, upon the same subject, +all in the order in which they were taken.</p> + +<h4>FRIESLAND.</h4> + +<p>Extract from the Register Book of the Lords, the States +of Friesland.</p> + +<p>"The requisition of Mr Adams, for presenting his letter +of credence from the United States of North America +to their High Mightinesses, having been brought into the +assembly and put into deliberation, as also the ulterior address +to the same purpose, with a demand of a categorical +answer, made by him, as is more amply mentioned in the +minutes of their High Mightinesses, of the 4th of May, +1781, and the 9th of January, 1782, whereupon, it having +been taken into consideration, that the said Mr Adams +would have, probably, some propositions to make to their +High Mightinesses, and to present to them the principal +articles and foundations, upon which the Congress, on their +part, would enter into a treaty of commerce and friendship, +or other affairs to propose, in regard to which, despatch +would be requisite,</p> + +<p>"It has been thought fit and resolved, to authorise the +gentlemen, the Deputies of this Province at the Generality, +and to instruct them to direct things, at the table of their +High Mightinesses, in such a manner that the said Mr +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">331</a></span> +Adams be admitted forthwith, as Minister of the Congress +of North America, with further order to the said Deputies, +that if there should be made, moreover, any similar propositions +by the same, to inform immediately their Noble +Mightinesses of them. And an extract of the present +Resolution shall be sent them for their information, that +they may conduct themselves conformably.</p> + +<p>"Thus resolved, at the Province House, the 26th of +February, 1782.</p> + +<p> +"Compared with the aforesaid book, to my knowledge.</p> + +<p class="signed">A. J. V. SMINIA."</p> + +<h4>HOLLAND AND WEST FRIESLAND.</h4> + +<p>Extract of the Resolutions of the Lords, the States of +Holland and West Friesland, taken in the assembly of +their Noble and Grand Mightinesses. Thursday, March +28th, 1782.</p> + +<p>"Deliberated by resumption upon the address and the +ulterior address of Mr Adams, made the 4th of May, 1781, +and the 9th of January, 1782, to the President of the +States-General, communicated to the assembly, the 9th of +May, 1781, and the 22d of last month, to present his letters +of credence, in the name of the United States of America, +to their High Mightinesses, by which ulterior address +the said Mr Adams has demanded a categorical answer, +that he may acquaint his constituents thereof; deliberated +also upon the petitions of a great number of merchants, +manufacturers, and others, inhabitants of this Province interested +in commerce, to support their request presented +to the States-General the 20th current, to the end that efficacious +measures might be taken to establish a commerce +between this country and North America, copies of which +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">332</a></span> +petitions have been given to the members the 21st; it has +been thought fit, and resolved, that the affairs shall be +directed, on the part of their Noble and Grand Mightinesses, +at the Assembly of the States-General, and that +there shall be there made the strongest instances that Mr +Adams be admitted and acknowledged, as soon as possible, +by their High Mightinesses, in quality of Envoy of the +United States of America. And the Counsellor Pensionary +has been charged to inform under his hand the said Mr +Adams of this Resolution of their Noble and Grand Mightinesses."</p> + +<h4>ZEALAND.</h4> + +<p>Extract of the Resolutions of their High Mightinesses +the States-General of the United Provinces. Monday, +April 8th, 1782.</p> + +<p>"The Deputies of the Province of Zealand have brought +to the Assembly and caused to be read there the Resolution +of the States of the said Province, their principals, to +cause to be admitted as soon as possible, Mr Adams, in +quality of Envoy of the Congress of North America in the +following terms.</p> + +<p>"Extract from the Register of the Resolutions of the +Lords the States of Zealand. April 4th, 1782.</p> + +<p>"It has been thought fit and ordered, that the gentlemen, +the ordinary Deputies of this Province at the Generality, +shall be convoked and authorised, as it is done by the +present, to assist in the direction of affairs at the Assembly +of their High Mightinesses, in such a manner, that Mr +Adams may be acknowledged as soon as possible, as Envoy +of the Congress of North America; that his letters of +credence be accepted, and that he be admitted in that +quality according to the ordinary form, enjoining further +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">333</a></span> +upon the said Lords, the ordinary Deputies, to take such +propositions as should be made to this Republic, by the said +Mr Adams, for the information and the deliberation of their +High Mightinesses, to the end to transmit them here as +soon as possible. And an extract of this Resolution of +their Noble Mightinesses shall be sent to the gentlemen, +their ordinary Deputies, to serve them as an instruction.</p> + +<p class="signed"> +J. M. CHALMERS."</p> + +<p>"Upon which, having deliberated, it has been thought fit +and resolved to pray, by the present, the gentlemen, the +Deputies of the Provinces of Guelderland, Utrecht, and +Groningen, and Ommelanden, who have not as yet explained +themselves upon this subject, to be pleased to do it, as +soon as possible."</p> + +<h4>OVERYSSEL.</h4> + +<p>Extract from the Register of the Resolutions of the +Equestrian order, and of the cities composing the States +of Overyssel. Zwoll, 5th of April, 1782.</p> + +<p>"The Grand Bailiff de Sallande, and the other commissions +of their Noble Mightinesses for the affairs of +finance, having examined, conformably to their commissorial +resolution of the 3d of this month, the addresses of Mr +Adams, communicated to the Assembly the 4th of May, +1781, and the 22d of February, 1782, to present his letters +of credence to their High Mightinesses, in the name +of the United States of North America; as well as the +resolution of the Lords, the States of Holland and West +Friesland, dated the 28th of March, 1782, carried the +29th of the same month, to the Assembly of their High +Mightinesses, for the admission and acknowledgment of +Mr Adams, have reported to the Assembly, that they +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">334</a></span> +should be of opinion, that the gentlemen, the Deputies of +this Province in the States-General, ought to be authorised +and charged to declare in the Assembly of their High +Mightinesses, that the Equestrian Order and the cities +judge, that it is proper to acknowledge, as soon as possible, +Mr Adams, in quality of Minister of the United States of +North America, to their High Mightinesses. Upon which, +having deliberated, the Equestrian Order and the cities +have conformed themselves to the said report.</p> + +<p> +"Compared with the aforesaid Register.</p> + +<p class="signed">DERK DUMBAR."</p> + +<h4>GRONINGEN.</h4> + +<p>Extract from the Register of the Resolutions of their +Noble Mightinesses, the States of Groningen and Ommelanden. +Tuesday, 9th of April, 1782.</p> + +<p>"The Lords, the States of Groningen and Ommelanden, +having heard the report of the Gentlemen, the Commissioners +for the Petitions of the Council of State, and +the Finances of the Province, and having carefully examined +the demand of Mr Adams, to present his letters of +credence from the United States of North America, to +their High Mightinesses, have, after deliberation upon the +subject, declared themselves of opinion, that in the critical +circumstances, in which the Republic finds itself at present, +it is proper to take, without loss of time, such efficacious +measures as may not only repair the losses and damages, +that the kingdom of Great Britain has caused, in a manner, +so unjust, and against every shadow of right, to the +commerce of the Republic, as well before as after the war, +but particularly such as may establish the free navigation +and the commerce of the Republic, for the future, upon +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">335</a></span> +the most solid foundations, as may confirm and re-assure +it by the strongest bonds of reciprocal interest, and that, in +consequence, the Gentlemen, the Deputies at the Assembly +of their High Mightinesses, ought to be authorised on the +part of the Province, as they are by the present, to admit +Mr Adams to present his letters of credence from the +United States of North America, and to receive the propositions, +which he shall make, to make report of them to +the Lords, the States of this Province.</p> + +<p class="signed"> +E. LEWE, <i>Secretary</i>."</p> + +<p>The States-General, having deliberated the same day +upon this Resolution, have resolved, "that the Deputies of +the Province of Guelderland, which has not yet declared +itself upon the same subject, should be requested to be +pleased to do it as soon as possible."</p> + +<h4>UTRECHT.</h4> + +<p>Extract of the Resolutions of their Noble Mightinesses +the States of the Province of Utrecht. 10th of April, +1782.</p> + +<p>"Heard the report of M. de Westerveld, and other +Deputies of their Noble Mightinesses for the Department +of War, who, in virtue of the commissorial resolutions, of +the 9th of May, 1781, the 16th of January, and the 20th +of March, of the present year, 1782, have examined the +resolution of their High Mightinesses of the 4th of May, +1781, containing an overture, that the President of the +Assembly of their High Mightinesses had made, 'that +a person, styling himself J. Adams, had been with him, and +had given him to understand, that he had received letters +of credence for their High Mightinesses from the United +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">336</a></span> +States of North America, with a request, that he would be +pleased to communicate them to their High Mightinesses,' +as well as the resolution of their High Mightinesses, of +the 9th of January, containing an ulterior overture of the +President, 'that the said Mr Adams had been with him, +and had insisted upon a categorical answer, whether his +said letters of credence would be accepted, or not;' finally, +the resolution of their High Mightinesses, of the 5th of +March last, with the insertion of the resolution of Friesland, +containing a proposition 'to admit Mr Adams in quality +of Minister of the Congress of North America.'</p> + +<p>"Upon which, having deliberated, and remarked, that +the Lords, the States of Holland and West Friesland, by +their resolution, carried the 29th of March to the States-General, +have also consented to the admission of the said +Mr Adams, in quality of Minister of the Congress of North +America, it has been thought fit, and resolved, that the +Gentlemen, the Deputies of this Province in the States-General, +should be authorised, as their Noble Highnesses +authorise them by the present, to conform themselves, in the +name of this Province, to the resolution of the Lords, the +States of Holland and West Friesland, and of Friesland, and +to consent, by consequence, that Mr Adams be acknowledged +and admitted as Minister of the United States of +North America, their Noble Mightinesses being at the same +time of opinion, that it would be necessary to acquaint her +Majesty, the Empress of Russia, and the other neutral +powers, with the resolution to be taken by their High +Mightinesses, upon this subject, in communicating to them +(as much as shall be necessary) the reasons, which have +induced their High Mightinesses to it, and in giving them +the strongest assurances, that the intention of their High +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">337</a></span> +Mightinesses is by no means to prolong thereby the war, +which they would have willingly prevented and terminated +long since; but that, on the contrary, their High Mightinesses +wish nothing with more ardor, than a prompt re-establishment +of peace, and that they shall be always +ready, on their part, to co-operate in it, in all possible +ways, and with a suitable readiness, so far as that shall be +any way compatible with their honor and their dignity. +And to this end, an extract of this shall be carried by missive +to the Gentlemen, the Deputies at the Generality."</p> + +<h4>GUELDERLAND.</h4> + +<p>Extract from the <i>Précis</i> of the ordinary Diet, held in the +city of Nimeguen in the month of April, 1782. Wednesday, +17th of April, 1782.</p> + +<p>"The requisition of Mr Adams to present his letters of +credence to their High Mightinesses, in the name of the +United States of North America having been brought to +the Assembly and read, as well as an ulterior address +made upon this subject, with the demand of a categorical +answer by the said Mr Adams, more amply mentioned in +the registers of their High Mightinesses, of the date of +the 4th of May, 1781, and the 9th of January, 1782, +moreover, the resolutions of the Lords, the States of the +six other Provinces, carried successively to the Assembly +of their High Mightinesses, and all tending to admit Mr +Adams, in quality of Envoy of the United States of North +America, to this Republic; upon which their Noble Mightinesses, +after deliberation, have resolved to authorise the +Deputies of this Province, as they authorise them by the +present, to conform themselves in the name of this Province, +to the resolution of the Lords, the States of Holland +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">338</a></span> +and West Friesland, and to consent, by consequence, that +Mr Adams may be acknowledged and admitted, in quality +of Envoy of the United States of North America, to this +Republic. In consequence, an extract of the present shall +be sent to the said Deputies, to make, as soon as possible, +the requisite overture of it to the Assembly of their High +Mightinesses.</p> + +<p class="signed"> +J. INDE BETOUW."</p> + +<p>This resolution of Guelderland was no sooner remitted, +on the 19th, to their High Mightinesses, than they took immediately +a resolution conformable to the unanimous wish of +the Seven Provinces, conceived in the following terms;</p> + +<p>"Extract from the register of the resolutions of their +High Mightinesses, the States-General of the United Provinces. +Friday, April 19th, 1782.</p> + +<p>"Deliberated by resumption upon the address and the +ulterior address, made by Mr Adams, the 4th of May, +1781, and the 9th of January of the current year, to +the President of the Assembly of their High Mightinesses, +to present to their High Mightinesses his letters of credence, +in the name of the United States of North America, +and by which ulterior address the said Mr Adams has +demanded a categorical answer, to the end to be able to +acquaint his constituents thereof; it has been thought fit +and resolved, that Mr Adams shall be admitted and acknowledged +in quality of Envoy of the United States of +North America to their High Mightinesses, as he is admitted +and acknowledged by the present."</p> + +<p class="signed"> +W. BOREEL.</p> + +<p>"Compared with the aforesaid register.</p> + +<p class="signed"> +H. FAGEL." +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">339</a></span></p> + +<h4>THE FORMAL RESOLUTION OF THEIR HIGH MIGHTINESSES.</h4> + +<p>Extract from the register of the resolutions of their +High Mightinesses, the States-General of the United +Provinces. Monday, April 22d, 1782.</p> + +<p>"M. Boreel, who presided in the Assembly the last +week, has reported to their High Mightinesses and notified +them, that Mr John Adams, Envoy of the United +States of America, had been with him last Saturday, and +had presented to him a letter from the Assembly of Congress, +written at Philadelphia, the 1st of January, 1781, +containing a credence for the said Mr Adams, to the end +to reside in quality of its Minister Plenipotentiary near +their High Mightinesses. Upon which having deliberated, +it has been thought fit and resolved, to declare by the +present, that the said Mr Adams is agreeable to their High +Mightinesses; that he shall be acknowledged in quality of +Minister Plenipotentiary, and that there shall be granted +to him an audience, or assigned Commissioners, when he +shall demand it. Information of the above shall be given +to the said Mr Adams by the agent, Van der Burch de +Spieringshoek.</p> + +<p class="signed"> +W. VAN CITTERS.</p> + +<p>"Compared with the aforesaid register.</p> + +<p class="signed"> +H. FAGEL."</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">The Hague, April 22d, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>On the 22d day of April I was introduced, by the +Chamberlain, to His Most Serene Highness, the Prince +of Orange. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">340</a></span></p> + +<p>Knowing that his Highness spoke English, I asked his +permission to speak to him in that language, to which he +answered, smiling, "if you please, Sir." Although French +is the language of the Court, he seemed to be pleased, and +to receive as a compliment my request to speak to him in +English.</p> + +<p>I told him I was happy to have the honor of presenting +the respects of the United States of America, and a letter +of credence from them to his Most Serene Highness, and +to assure him of the profound veneration in which the +House of Orange had been held in America, even from its +first settlement, and that I should be happier still to be the +instrument of further cementing the new connexions between +two nations, professing the same religion, animated +by the same spirit of liberty, and having reciprocal interests +both political and commercial, so extensive and important; +and that in the faithful and diligent discharge of the duties +of my mission, I flattered myself with hopes of the approbation +of His Most Serene Highness.</p> + +<p>His Highness received the letter of credence, which he +opened and read. The answer that he made to me was in +a voice so low and so indistinctly pronounced, that I comprehended +only the conclusion of it, which was, that "he +had made no difficulty against my reception." He then +fell into familiar conversation with me, and asked me many +questions about indifferent things, as is the custom of +Princes and Princesses upon such occasions. How long I +had been in Europe? How long I had been in this country? +Whether I had purchased a house at the Hague? +Whether I had not lived some time at Leyden? How long +I had lived at Amsterdam? How I liked this country? &c.</p> + +<p>This conference passed in the Prince's chamber of audience +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">341</a></span> +with his Highness alone. I had waited some time +in the antichamber, as the Duc de la Vauguyon was in +conference with the Prince. The Duke, on his return +through the antichamber, meeting me unexpectedly, presented +me his hand with an air of cordiality, which was +remarked by every courtier, and had a very good effect.</p> + +<p>The Prince has since said to the Duc de la Vauguyon, +that he was obliged to me for not having pressed him upon +the affair of my reception in the beginning. He had reason; +for if I had, and he had said or done anything offensive +to the United States or disagreeable to me, it would +now be remembered much to the disadvantage of the +Court.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">The Hague, April 23d, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>On the 23d of April I had the honor of a conference +with M. Van Citters, President of their High Mightinesses, +to whom I presented the following Memorial.</p> + +<p>"High and Mighty Lords;—The underwritten, Minister +Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, has the +honor to inform your High Mightinesses, that he is charged +by the instructions of his sovereign to propose to the States-General +of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, a +treaty of amity and commerce between the two Republics, +founded upon the principle of equal and reciprocal advantage, +and compatible with the engagements already entered +into by the United States with their allies, as also with +such other treaties, which they design to form with other +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">342</a></span> +powers. The undersigned has therefore the honor to propose, +that your High Mightinesses would nominate some +person or persons with full power, to confer and treat with +him on this important subject.</p> + +<p class="signed"> +JOHN ADAMS."</p> + +<p>Their High Mightinesses, on the same day, appointed a +grand committee to treat, to whom I was introduced with +great formality by two noblemen, and before whom I laid +a project of a treaty,<a name="FNanchor_7" id="FNanchor_7" href="#Footnote_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> which I had drawn up conformable +to the instructions of Congress. I prayed the gentlemen +to examine it, and propose to me their objections, if they +should have any, and to propose any further articles, which +they should think proper. It has been examined, translated, +printed, and sent to the members of the sovereignty.</p> + +<p>The greatest part of my time, for several days, has been +taken up in receiving and paying of visits, from all the +members and officers of government, and of the Court, +to the amount of one hundred and fifty or more.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">The Hague, April 23d, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I ought not to omit to inform Congress, that on the 23d +of April, the French Ambassador made an entertainment +for the whole Corps Diplomatique, in honor of the United +States, at which he introduced their Minister to all the +foreign Ministers at this Court.</p> + +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">343</a></span></p> + +<p>There is nothing, I suppose, in the whole voluminous +ceremonial, nor in all the idle farce of etiquette, which +should hinder a Minister from making a good dinner in +good company, and therefore I believe they were all present, +and I assure you I was myself as happy as I should +have been, if I had been publicly acknowledged a Minister +by every one of them; and the Duc de la Vauguyon more +than compensated for all the stiffness of some others, by +paying more attention to the new brother than to all the old +fraternity.</p> + +<p>Etiquette, when it becomes too glaring by affectation, +imposes no longer either upon the populace or upon the +courtiers, but becomes ridiculous to all. This will soon +be the case everywhere with respect to American Ministers. +To see a Minister of such a State as —— and —— assume +a distant mysterious air towards a Minister of the +United States, because his Court has not yet acknowledged +their independence, when his nation is not half equal to +America in any one attribute of sovereignty, is a spectacle +of ridicule to any man who sees it.</p> + +<p>I have had the honor of making and receiving visits in a +private character from the Spanish Minister here, whose +behavior has been polite enough. He was pleased to +make me some very high compliments upon our success +here, which he considers as the most important and decisive +stroke which could have been struck in Europe.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">344</a></span></p> + +<h3>TO B. FRANKLIN</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, May 2d, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I am honored with your favor of the 20th of April, and +Mr Laurens's son proposes to carry the letter to his father +forthwith. The instructions by the courier from Versailles +came safe, as all other despatches by that channel no +doubt will do. The correspondence by Mr Hartley I received +by Captain Smedley, and will take the first good +opportunity by a private hand to return it, as well as that +with the Earl of Shelburne.</p> + +<p>Mr Laurens and Mr Jay will, I hope, be able to meet at +Paris, but when it will be in my power to go, I know +not. Your present negotiation about peace falls in very +well to aid a proposition, which I am instructed to make, +as soon as the Court of Versailles shall judge proper, of a +triple or quadruple alliance. This matter, the treaty of +commerce, which is now under deliberation, and the loan, +will render it improper for me to quit this station, unless in +case of necessity. If there is a real disposition to permit +Canada to accede to the American association, I should +think there could be no great difficulty in adjusting all +things between England and America, provided our allies +also are contented. In a former letter, I hinted that I +thought an express acknowledgment of our independence +might now be insisted on; but I did not mean, that we +should insist upon such an article in the treaty. If they +make a treaty of peace with the United States of America, +this is acknowledgment enough for me.</p> + +<p>The affair of a loan gives me much anxiety and fatigue. +It is true, I may open a loan for five millions, but I confess +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">345</a></span> +I have no hopes of obtaining so much. The money is not +to be had. Cash is not infinite in this country. Their +profits by trade have been ruined for two or three years; +and there are loans open for France, Spain, England, Russia, +Sweden, Denmark, and several other powers as well +as their own national, provincial, and collegiate loans. The +undertakers are already loaded with burthens greater than +they can bear, and all the brokers in the Republic are so +engaged, that there is scarcely a ducat to be lent, but what +is promised. This is the true cause why we shall not succeed; +yet they will seek a hundred other pretences. It +is considered such an honor and such an introduction to +American trade to be the house, that the eagerness to +obtain the title of American banker, is prodigious. Various houses +have pretensions, which they set up very +high; and let me choose which I will, I am sure of a cry +and clamor. I have taken some measures to endeavor to +calm the heat, and give general satisfaction, but have as +yet small hopes of success. I would strike with any house +that would ensure the money, but none will undertake it, +now it is offered, although several were very ready to +affirm that they could, when it began to be talked of. +Upon inquiry, they do not find the money easy to obtain, +which I could have told them before. It is to me, personally, +indifferent which is the house, and the only question +is, which will be able to do best for the interests of the +United States. This question, however simple, is not easy +to answer. But I think it clear, after very painful and +laborious inquiries for a year and a half, that no house +whatever will be able to do much. Enthusiasm, at some +time and in some countries, may do a great deal; but +there has as yet been no enthusiasm in this country for +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">346</a></span> +America, strong enough to untie many purses. Another +year if the war should continue, perhaps we may do +better.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">The Hague, May 16th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>On the 12th of this month, I removed into the <i>Hôtel +des Etats-Unis de l'Amérique</i>, situated upon the canal, +called the Fleweele Burgwal, at the Hague, where I hope +the air will relieve my health in some degree from that +weak state, to which the tainted atmosphere of Amsterdam +has reduced it.</p> + +<p>The American cause has gained a signal triumph in this +country. It has not persuaded an ancient rival and an +avowed natural hereditary enemy to take a part against +Great Britain; but it has torn from her bosom an intimate +affectionate friend, and a faithful ally, of a hundred years +continuance. It has not persuaded an absolute monarchy +to follow the dictates of its own glory and interest, and the +unanimous wish of the people, by favoring it; but, availing +itself only of the still small voice of reason, urging general +motives and national interests, without money, without intrigue, +without imposing pomp, or more imposing fame, it +has prevailed against the utmost efforts of intrigue and corruption, +against the almost universal inclination of persons +in government, against a formidable band of capitalists and +the most powerful mercantile houses in the Republic, interested +in English funds, and too deeply leagued in English +affairs. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">347</a></span></p> + +<p>Although these obstacles are overcome so far, as to +have obtained an acknowledgment of our independence, +yet it is easy to see, that they are not annihilated, and, +therefore, we cannot expect to receive such cordial and +zealous assistance, as we might receive, if the government +and the people had but one heart.</p> + +<p>I wish it were in my power to give Congress, upon this +occasion, assurances of a loan of money, but I cannot. I +have taken every measure in my power to accomplish it, +but I have met with so many difficulties, that I almost +despair of obtaining anything. I have found the avidity of +friends as great an obstacle as the ill will of enemies, I can +represent my situation in this affair of a loan, by no other +figure than that of a man in the midst of the ocean +negotiating for his life among a shoal of sharks. I am +sorry to use expressions, which must appear severe to you; +but the truth demands them.</p> + +<p>The title of American banker, for the sake of the distinction +of it, the profit of it, and the introduction to American +trade, is solicited with an eagerness beyond description. +In order to obtain it, a house will give out great +words, and boast of what it can do; but not one will contract +to furnish any considerable sum of money; and I +certainly know, let them deceive themselves as they will, +and deceive as many others as they may by their confident +affirmations, that none of them can obtain any considerable +sum. The factions that are raised here about it between +the French interest, the Republican interest, the Stadtholderian +interests, and the Anglomane interest, have been +conducted with an indecent ardor, thwarting, contradicting, +calumniating each other, until it is easy to foresee the +effect will be to prevent us from obtaining even the small +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">348</a></span> +sums, that otherwise might have been found. But the true +and decisive secret is, there is very little money to be had. +The profits of their trade have been annihilated by the +English for several years. There is, therefore, no money +but the interest of their capitalists, and all this is promised +for months and years beforehand, to book-keepers, brokers, +and undertakers, who have in hand loans open for France, +Spain, England, Russia, Sweden, Denmark, for the States-General, +the States of Holland, the States of Friesland, +the East and West India Companies, &c. &c. &c.</p> + +<p>But the circumstance, which will be fatal to my hopes +at this time, is this; there is just now unexpectedly +opened a loan of nine millions for the India Company, +under the warranty of the States, in which they have +raised the interest one per cent above the ordinary rate. +I had obtained an agreement of the undertakers for two +millions; but before it was completed, this loan appeared, +which frightened the undertakers, so as to induce them to +fly off. I must, therefore, entreat Congress to make no dependence +upon me for money.</p> + +<p>There is one subject more, upon which I beg leave to +submit a few hints to Congress. It is that of M. Dumas, +whose character is so well known to Congress, that I need +say nothing of it. He is a man of letters, and of good +character; but he is not rich, and his allowance is too +small at present for him to live with decency. He has +been so long known here to have been in American affairs, +although in no public character, that I know of, but that of +an agent or correspondent appointed by Dr Franklin, or +perhaps by a committee of Congress, that, now our +character is acknowledged, it will have an ill effect, if M. +Dumas remains in the situation he has been in. To prevent +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">349</a></span> +it, in some measure, I have taken him and his family +into this house; but I think it is the interest and duty of +America, to send him a commission as Secretary to this +Legation, and Chargé des Affaires, with a salary of five +hundred a year sterling, while a Minister is here, and at +the rate of a thousand a year, while there is none.</p> + +<p>There is another gentleman, whose indefatigable application +to the affairs of the United States, and whose faithful +friendship for me in sickness and in health, demand of me, +by the strongest claims of justice and of gratitude, that I +should mention him to Congress, and recommend him to +their favor. This gentleman is Mr Thaxter, whose merit, +in my opinion, is greater than I dare express.</p> + +<p>Edmund Jennings, of Brussels, has honored me with his +correspondence, and been often serviceable to the United +States, as well as friendly to me. His manners and disposition +are very amiable, and his talents equal to any service, +and I cannot but wish that it might be agreeable to the +views of Congress to give him some mark of their esteem.</p> + +<p>How shall I mention another gentleman, whose name, +perhaps, Congress never heard, but who, in my opinion, +has done more decided and essential service to the American +cause and reputation within these last eighteen months, +than any other man in Europe.</p> + +<p>It is M. A. M. Cerisier, beyond all contradiction one of +the greatest historians and political characters in Europe, +author of the <i>Tableau de l'Histoire des Provinces Unies +des Pays Bas</i>, of the <i>Politique Hollandois</i>, and many other +writings in high esteem. By birth a Frenchman, educated +in the University of Paris, but possessed of the most +genuine principles and sentiments of liberty, and exceedingly +devoted by principle and affection to the American +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">350</a></span> +cause. Having read some of his writings, and heard +much of his fame, I sought and obtained an acquaintance +with him, and have furnished him with intelligence and information +in American affairs, and have introduced him to +the acquaintance of all the Americans who have come to +this country, from whom he has picked up a great deal of +true information about our affairs, and, perhaps, some mistakes. +His pen has erected a monument to the American +cause, more glorious and more durable than brass or marble. +His writings have been read like oracles, and his +sentiments weekly echoed and re-echoed in gazettes and +pamphlets, both in French and Dutch, for fifteen months. +The greatest fault I know in him, is his too zealous friendship +for me, which has led him to flatter me with expressions +which will do him no honor, however sincerely and +disinterestedly they might flow from his heart.</p> + +<p>Congress must be very sensible, that I have had no +money to lay out in secret services, to pay pensions, to put +into the hands of Continental agents, or in any other way, +to make friends. I have had no money but my salary, +and that has never been paid me without grudging. If I +have friends in Europe, they have not most certainly been +made by power, nor money, nor any species of corruption, +nor have they been made by making promises, or holding +out alluring hopes. I have made no promises, nor am +under any obligation, but that of private friendship and +simple civility to any man, having mentioned such as have +been my friends, because they have been friends to the +United States, and I have no other in Europe at least, and +recommended them to the attention of Congress, as having +rendered important services to our country, and able to +render still greater. I have done my duty, whatever effect +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">351</a></span> +it may have. If some small part of those many millions, +which have been wasted by the most worthless of men, +could have been applied to the support and encouragement +of men of such great value, it would have been +much better. It is high time; it is more than time, that +a proper discernment of spirits and distinction of characters +were made; that virtue should be more clearly +distinguished from vice, wisdom from folly, ability from +imbecility, and real merit from proud imposing impudence, +which, while it pretends to do everything, does nothing +but mischief.</p> + +<p>The treaty of commerce is under consideration, and +will not, that I foresee, meet with any obstacle.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO JOHN ADAMS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Philadelphia, May 22d, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Dear Sir,</p> + +<p>It is so important to let you know that the late change in +the British Ministry, and the conciliatory measures they +propose, have occasioned no alteration in the sentiments +of the people here; that though I am too much hurried +(this conveyance going sooner than was intended) to take +particular notice of the letters we have received from you, +and which remain unanswered, yet I cannot but avail myself +of it to inform you, that it will not have the least effect +upon the sentiments or wishes of our people, who remain +invariably attached to their independence, and to the alliance, +as the best means to obtain it.</p> + +<p>Sir Guy Carleton has written to General Washington a +very polite letter, complaining of the manner in which the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">352</a></span> +war has been carried on, proposing to conduct it in future +upon more liberal principles, and observing, that "they were +both equally concerned to preserve the character of Englishmen;" +and concluding with the request of a passport +for Mr Morgan, his Secretary, to carry a similar letter of +compliment to Congress. Congress have directed that no +such passport be given. The State of Maryland, whose +legislature happened to be sitting, have come to resolutions, +which show their determination not to permit any negotiation +except through Congress; and their sense of the importance +of the alliance.</p> + +<p>No military operations are carrying on at present. The +enemy, having received no reinforcements, and growing +weaker every day, of course afford us a fine opportunity of +striking to advantage, if we are not disappointed in our expectations +of a naval armament, or even without such armament, +if we have sufficient vigor of mind to rely on our +own strength.</p> + +<p>I commit the enclosed for Mr Dana to your care; I +wish it could get to him, if possible, without inspection.</p> + +<p>Congress have determined in future to pay your salaries +here quarterly. I shall consider myself as your agent, unless +you should choose to appoint some other, and make +out your account quarterly, and vest the money in bills +upon Dr Franklin, to whom I will remit them, giving you +advice thereof, so that you may draw on him. By the +next vessel I shall send bills for one quarter, commencing +the 1st of January last. I wish to have a statement of your +account previous to that, so that I may get it settled, and +remit the balance.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed_long">ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">353</a></span></p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO JOHN ADAMS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Philadelphia, May 29th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Dear Sir,</p> + +<p>It is with equal surprise and concern that I find not the +least attention paid to the several letters I have written you, +since I have had the honor to be in office. I attribute this +to their not having reached you, till I saw an extract of a +letter written to M. Dumas, that went by the same conveyance +with one to you, published in the <i>Courier de l'Europe</i>, +from which circumstance I conclude it must have +been received. It would give me pleasure to learn that I +had been deceived in this particular, because the punctuality, +with which your correspondence with Congress had +hitherto been maintained, would otherwise lead me to conclude, +that you were not satisfied with the present arrangement +of the Department of Foreign Affairs, a reflection +which would be painful to me in proportion to the value I +put upon your esteem.</p> + +<p>I have seen your letter of the 26th of March to Dr +Franklin, in which you speak of the application you have +had on the score of your power to treat of a truce; this, +together with similar applications to Dr Franklin, and the +proposals made at the Court of Versailles, convinces me +that it is their wish to endeavor to detach us from each +other. What an insult it is to our intellect to suppose, that +we can be catched by this cabinet system of politics. I +entertain hopes that your answer, together with that of the +Count de Vergennes, will teach them to think more honorably +of us. Our expectations with respect to the success +of your mission are considerably raised, as well by your +letter as by other circumstances, that we have learned +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">354</a></span> +through different channels; by this time I hope you are in +full possession of your diplomatic rights.</p> + +<p>I wrote to you three days ago; since which we have +nothing that deserves your attention, except what you will +learn by reading the enclosed to Mr Dana, sent you under +a flying seal. It may be well to take notice of this affair +in the Leyden Gazette, as I doubt not if Asgill is executed, +that it will make some noise in Europe. We are distracted +here by various relations of a battle fought between +the fleets in the West Indies, on the 12th of April. The +Antigua and New York account is, that the British have +been victorious, that the Ville de Paris, and six other ships, +were taken or destroyed; the French account is, that +Rodney was defeated, and that Count de Grasse had gone +to leeward with his transports. Though it is six weeks +since the action, we have nothing that can be depended +upon.</p> + +<p>I am, Sir, with great respect, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed_long">ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO JOHN ADAMS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Philadelphia, May 30th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>After I had written the letter of yesterday, and sent it off, +I received your favors of the 4th, 21st, and 27th of February; +and the 10th and 11th of March. The three last +I laid before Congress this morning, that of the 21st I have +kept by me, for further consideration; though I think, upon +the whole, as you have submitted this to my discretion, +that I shall lay it also before Congress.</p> + +<p>I know they have been solicitous to have some explanations +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">355</a></span> +of the reasons, which induced you to take the step +you did. Those you assign in your letter are very full, +and I see nothing in it, which it will not be proper for you +to state to them; and it may remove some objections, that +have been raised to the measure.</p> + +<p>I frankly confess to you, that the style of that letter +pleases me better than any other you have written, so far +as it goes into minutiæ, which we ought to exact from all +our Ministers, since nothing short of this can give us a just +idea of our foreign politics. As for a general state of +them, it may be got through various channels. But every +word or look of a foreign Minister, or popular leader, may +serve to explain matters, which are otherwise inexplicable.</p> + +<p>I am sorry for the difficulty the cypher occasions you. +It was one found in the office, and is very incomplete. I +enclose one, that you will find easy in the practice, and +will therefore write with freedom, directing that your letter +be <i>not</i> sunk in case of danger, as many are lost by that +means. Want of time induces me to send you a set of +blanks for Mr Dana, which you will oblige me by having +filled up from yours with some cyphers, and transmitted by +a careful hand to him. This will make one cypher common +to all three, which I think will, on many occasions, be +of use to you and Mr Dana.</p> + +<p>I am very glad to hear of your proposed removal to the +Hague, as it is the proper stage on which to display your +abilities and address. I cannot hope to get any determination +of Congress on the subject of your purchase, in time +to be transmitted by this conveyance. When another +offers, you shall hear from me. Can nothing be done +towards procuring a loan from Holland on account of the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">356</a></span> +public. Ten millions of livres would set our affairs here +on the most respectable footing.</p> + +<p>We have received an account from Charleston, of the +victory obtained by Rodney. This is a severe blow, but I +hope will come too late to affect the politics of the United +Provinces.</p> + +<p>In the United States, it will, I hope, have no other +effect than to urge us to greater exertions, and a reliance +upon our own strength, rather than on foreign aid. You +will be pleased to furnish me with the most minute details +of every step, that Britain may take towards a negotiation +for a general or partial peace.</p> + +<p>I am, Sir, with great respect,</p> + +<p class="signed_long">ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head"> +Amsterdam, June 9th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>The Admiralty have reported to their High Mightinesses +their remarks upon the plan of a treaty of commerce, +which I had the honor to lay before them, together with +such additions and alterations as they propose. This report +has been taken <i>ad referendum</i> by all the Provinces, +except Overyssel, which has determined to vote as Holland +shall vote, this being the principal maritime Province, and +the other inland.</p> + +<p>The forms of proceeding according to this constitution, +are so circuitous, that I do not expect this treaty will be +finished and signed in less than three months, though some +of the most active members of the government tell me, +they think it may be signed in six weeks. I have not +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">357</a></span> +yet proposed the Treaty of Alliance, because I wait for the +advice of the Duc de la Vauguyon. His advice will not +be wanting in the season for it, for his Excellency is extremely +well disposed.</p> + +<p>I have, after innumerable vexations, agreed with three +houses, which are well esteemed here, to open a loan. +The extreme scarcity of money will render it impossible to +succeed to any large amount. I dare not promise anything, +and cannot advise Congress to draw. I shall transmit +the contract, for the ratification of Congress, as soon +as it is finished, and then I hope to be able to say at what +time, and for how much Congress may draw.</p> + +<p>The nation is now very well fixed in its system, and +will not make a separate peace. England is so giddy with +Rodney's late success in the West Indies, that I think she +will renounce the idea of peace for the present. The +conduct of Spain is not at all changed. This is much to +be lamented on public account, and indeed on account of +the feelings of my friend, Mr Jay; for I perfectly well +know the cruel torment of such a situation, by experience, +and I know too, that he has done as much, and as well as +any man could have done in that situation.</p> + +<p>The late President Laurens made me a visit at the +Hague last week, in his way to his family in France. He +informed me, that he had written from Ostend to Dr +Franklin, declining to serve in the commission for peace. +I had great pleasure in seeing my old friend perfectly at +liberty, and perfectly just in his political opinions. Neither +the air of England, nor the seducing address of her inhabitants, +nor the terrors of the Tower, have made any change +in him.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">358</a></span></p> + +<p><i>P. S.</i> I hope Congress will receive a collection of all +the resolutions of the Provinces, and the petitions of the +merchants, manufacturers, &c. respecting the acknowledgment +of American independence, and my reception as +Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States, by their +High Mightinesses. I shall transmit duplicates and triplicates +of them as soon as health will permit. But Mr +Thaxter has been ill of a fever, and myself with the influenza, +ever since our removal from Amsterdam to the +Hague. This collection of resolutions and petitions, is +well worth printing together in America. It is a complete +refutation of all the speculations of the small half-toryfied +politicians among the Americans, &c. of the malevolent insinuations +of Anglomanes through the world, against the +American cause. The partisans of England, sensible of +this, have taken great pains to prevent an extensive circulation +of them.</p> + +<p class="signed"> +J. A.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">The Hague, June 14th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>The Court of Petersburg, is very industrious in its endeavors +to accomplish a separate peace between England +and Holland. Her Minister at Versailles has made an insinuation +to the French Court, that her Majesty would be +much obliged to the King, if he would not make any further +opposition to such a separate peace. To this insinuation, +the following wise and firm answer has been given +by the Court of France.</p> + +<p>"The King is sensibly impressed with the fresh proof of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">359</a></span> +confidence, which the Empress has given in communicating +to him her measures and ideas respecting a separate +peace between England and the States-General. His +Majesty perceives therein the sentiments of humanity, +which actuate her Imperial Majesty, and he takes the +earliest opportunity to answer, with the same degree of +freedom, what particularly concerns him in the verbal insinuations +communicated by Prince Baratinski.</p> + +<p>"Faithful to the rule he has established, of never <a name="controlling" id="controlling"></a>controlling +the conduct of any power, the King has not sought +to direct the deliberations of the States-General, either to +incline them to war, or to prevent them from making a +separate peace; England having unexpectedly attacked +the Provinces of the United Netherlands, his Majesty hastened +to prevent the ill consequences by every means in +his power; his services have been gratuitous, his Majesty +has never exacted any acknowledgment on their part. +Should the States-General think that the obligations they +owe to his Majesty, as well as the interest of the Republic, +impose it on them as a duty, not to separate their cause +from the King's and his allies, the Empress of Russia is +too wise and too just not to acknowledge, that it is not for +his Majesty to divert them from such a resolution, and that +all that he can do, is to refer to their wisdom, to conclude +on what best suits with their situation.</p> + +<p>"The Empress is not ignorant, that circumstances have +induced the States-General to concert operations with the +King. His Majesty flatters himself, that this Princess has +no views of prevailing on them to desist from this arrangement, +which necessarily results from the position of the two +powers with respect to England, and which must naturally +contribute to the re-establishment of the general tranquillity, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">360</a></span> +the object both of her Imperial Majesty's and the King's +wishes."</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">The Hague, June 15th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>This morning I made a visit to the Grand Pensionary, +M. Van Bleiswick, and had a long conference with him +concerning the plan of a treaty of commerce, which is now +under consideration, and endeavored to remove some of +his objections, and to explain to him the grounds and +reasons of certain articles, which have been objected to by +others; particularly the article which respects France, and +that which respects Spain. He made light of most of the +objections, which had been started to the plan, and thought +it would be easy to agree upon it; but there must be time +for the cities to deliberate.</p> + +<p>I asked him, if they did not intend to do us the honor +soon, of sending an Ambassador to Congress, and consuls, +at least, to Boston and Philadelphia? He thought it would +be very proper, but said they had some difficulty in finding +a man who was suitable, and, at the same time, willing to +undertake so long a voyage. I asked him, if it would not +be convenient to send a frigate to America to carry the +treaty, their Ambassador, and consuls, all together, when +all should be ready? He said, he could not say whether a +frigate could be spared.</p> + +<p>"Very well," said I, smiling, and pointing to the Prince's +picture, "I will go and make my Court to his Highness, +and pray him to send a frigate to Philadelphia, with a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">361</a></span> +treaty, an Ambassador, and two consuls, and to take under +her convoy all merchant vessels ready to go." "Excellent," +said he, smiling, "I wish you good luck."</p> + +<p>We had a great deal of conversation, too, concerning +peace, but as I regard all this as idle, it is not worth while +to repeat it. When a Minister shall appear at Paris, or +elsewhere, with full powers from the King of England, to +treat with the United States of America, I shall think there +is something more than artifice to raise the stocks, and lay +snares for sailors to be caught by press gangs.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO JOHN ADAMS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Philadelphia, July 4th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Dear Sir,</p> + +<p>By every late advice from Holland, we learn their disposition +to enter into a treaty with us; and though we have +no intelligence from you since the 11th of March, we still +presume, that you have, ere this been received in your +public character. No wise government, constituted as +that of the United Provinces is, will venture long to oppose +the wishes of the people. I am very solicitous to know +how you have availed yourself of the opening this has +afforded.</p> + +<p>If you have been unconditionally received, it will give +you more leisure, to mature the plan of a subsequent +treaty, which is too important in all its consequences to be +hurried. If possible, it were to be wished, that the heads +of it, as proposed on either side, could be sent here and +submitted to the judgment of Congress, before anything +was absolutely agreed. The independency, to which each +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">362</a></span> +of the States is entitled, renders great caution in all commercial +engagements, not provided for particularly by the +confederation, absolutely necessary, for which reason, I +should prefer definite articles, to loose expressions of +standing on the same ground with the most favored nations.</p> + +<p>Our connexion with the West Indies, renders it proper +to lay that trade as open to us as possible. Great benefit +would result both to us and the Dutch from giving us one +or two free ports in such of their Colonies as raise sugars, +where we could exchange the produce of both countries, +and check that monopoly, which other nations will endeavor +to create at our expense. Nothing will encourage the +growth of such colony, or enable it to raise sugars to more +advantage than the cheap and easy rates, at which they +would thereby receive the produce of this country.</p> + +<p>I need not urge the propriety of availing yourself of your +present situation to procure a loan. You may easily convince the +government of the validity of the security, which +it is in the power of a growing country, as yet very little +incumbered with debt to give. That security will derive +new force from our being a commercial people, with whom +public credit is almost invariably preserved with the most +scrupulous attention. And such is our present situation, +that a twentieth part of what Great Britain expends annually +in her attempt to enslave us, would be more than sufficient +to enable us to defeat all her attempts, and to place +our affairs on the most respectable footing.</p> + +<p>I see the people of the United Provinces are struck +with the importance of forming a commercial connexion +with us, when ours with Great Britain is dissolved. Not +only Congress, as appears by their public acts, but the +whole body of the people, are strongly opposed to the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">363</a></span> +least intercourse with Britain. This opposition would +effectually prevent it, if in addition thereto three or four +large frigates, or two fifties, could be stationed in the Delaware, +or Chesapeake, so as to protect our commerce +against the British frigates from New York. In such a +case, a voyage to this country, and from thence to the +Islands, where our flour and lumber command the highest +price, either in money or produce, affords the fairest prospect +to the European merchants of the most profitable +returns. Tobacco and bills offer a more direct return to +those, whose capitals will not permit them to engage in the +circuitous commerce I have mentioned.</p> + +<p>This letter is hastily written, as the express that carries +it is to go off this evening, and I have several others to +write. I mention this, that you may not consider anything +it contains as an instruction from Congress, to whom it has +not been submitted.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed_long">ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">The Hague, July 5th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I have the honor to enclose copies in Dutch and English +of the negotiation, which I have entered into for a loan of +money. My commission for borrowing money, promises +to ratify what I should do; and the money lenders require +such a ratification, which Messrs Willinks, Van Staphorsts +and De la Lande and Fynjè, have engaged shall be transmitted. +Authentic copies of the original contracts, in +Dutch and English, are enclosed for the ratification of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">364</a></span> +Congress, which I must entreat them to transmit forthwith +by various opportunities, that we may be sure of receiving +it in time, for I suppose the gentlemen will not think it safe +for them to pay out any considerable sum of the money, +until it arrives.</p> + +<p>Although I was obliged to engage with them to open the +loan for five millions of guilders, I do not expect we shall +obtain that sum for a long time. If we get a million and +a half by Christmas, it will be more than I expect. I +shall not venture to dispose of any of this money, except +for relief of escaped prisoners, the payment of the bills +heretofore drawn on Mr Laurens, which are every day +arriving, and a few other small and unavoidable demands, +but leave it entire to the disposition of Congress, whom I +must entreat not to draw, until they receive information +from the directors of the loan, how much money they are +sure of; and then to draw immediately upon them. +These directors, are three houses, well esteemed in this +Republic, Messrs Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholas and +Jacob Van Staphorsts, and De la Lande and Fynjè.</p> + +<p>I have made the contract, upon as good terms as I could +obtain. Five per cent interest. Two per cent to the +House, or rather to the Society of Houses. Two per cent +to the undertakers; and half per cent for brokerage and +other charges. This four and a half per cent, together +with one per cent for receiving and paying off the annual +interest, is to include all the expenses of the loan of every +sort. These are as moderate terms as any loan is done +for. France gives at least as much, and other powers +much more.</p> + +<p>I must beg that the ratifications of the obligations may +be transmitted immediately by the way of France, as well +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">365</a></span> +as Holland, by several opportunities. The form of ratification +must be submitted to Congress; but would it not be +sufficient to certify by the Secretary in Congress, upon +each of the copies enclosed in English and Dutch, that they +had been received and read in Congress, and thereupon +resolved that the original instruments, executed by me +before the said notary, be and hereby are ratified and +confirmed?</p> + +<p>The form of the obligation is such as was advised by +the ablest lawyers and most experienced notaries, and is +conformable to the usage when loans are made here, for +the Seven Provinces. It is adapted to the taste of this +country, and therefore lengthy and formal, but it signifies +no more in substance, than, "that the money being borrowed +must be paid."</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">The Hague, July 5th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>Soon after my public reception by their High Mightinesses, +the body of merchants of the city of Schiedam, +were pleased to send a very respectable deputation from +among their members, to the Hague, to pay their respects +to Congress, and to me, as their representative, with a very +polite invitation to a public entertainment in their city, to +be made upon the occasion. As I had several other invitations +from various places and Provinces about the same +time, and had too many affairs upon my hands to be able +to accept of them, I prevailed upon all to excuse me, for +such reasons as ought to be, and, I suppose, were satisfactory. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">366</a></span></p> + +<p>The Deputies from Schiedam requested me to transmit +from them to Congress, the enclosed compliment, which, +with many other things of a similar kind, convinced me that +there is in this nation a strong affection for America, and a +kind of religious veneration for her just cause.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<h4>ADDRESS,</h4> + +<p>Of the merchants of the town of Schiedam in Holland, to +his Excellency John Adams, after their High Mightinesses +the Lords, the States-General of the United Provinces +of the Netherlands, had acknowledged the freedom and +Independency of the United States of North America, and +admitted the said John Adams, as Minister Plenipotentiary +and Envoy of the Congress of the said United States.</p> + +<p>"If ever any circumstances were capable of recalling to +the minds of the people of these Provinces, the most lively +remembrance of the cruel situation to which their forefathers +found themselves once reduced, under the oppressive yoke +of Spanish tyranny, it was, no doubt, that terrible and +critical moment, when the Colonies of North America, +groaning under the intolerable weight of the chains, with +which the boundless ambition of Great Britain had loaded +them, were forced into a just and lawful war, to recover +the use and enjoyment of that liberty, to which they were +entitled by the sacred and unalienable laws of nature.</p> + +<p>"If ever the citizens of this Republic have had an occasion +to remember, with sentiments of the liveliest gratitude, +the visible assistance and protection of a Being, who, after +having constantly supported them during the course of a +long, bloody war, which cost their ancestors eighty years' +hard struggles and painful labors, deigned by the strength +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">367</a></span> +of his powerful arm to break the odious fetters under +which we had so long groaned, and who, from that happy +era to the present time, has constantly maintained us in the +possession of our precious liberties; if ever the citizens of +these Provinces have been bound to remember those unspeakable +favors of the Almighty, it was no doubt at that +moment when haughty Britain began to feel the effects of +divine indignation, and when the vengeance of heaven defeated +her sanguinary schemes; it was, when, treading +under foot the sacred ties of blood and nature, and meditating +the destruction of her own offspring, her arms were +everywhere baffled in the most terrible and exemplary +manner, her troops defeated, and her armies led into captivity, +and at last, that haughty power, humbled by that +heaven, which she had provoked, saw the sceptre, which +she had usurped, fall from her enfeebled hands; and America, +shaking off the cruel yoke, which an unnatural stepmother +had endeavored to impose forever upon her, +thanked bounteous heaven for her happy deliverance.</p> + +<p>"If ever the inhabitants of this country, and those of +this city in particular, have had a just cause for joy, and +good grounds to conceive the highest hopes of prosperity +and happiness, it was undoubtedly at that so much wished-for +moment, when, with a unanimous voice, the fathers of +the country declared the United States of America to be +free and independent, and acknowledged your Excellency +as Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy of the illustrious +Congress.</p> + +<p>"Impressed with the various sentiments of respect, joy, +and gratitude, with which the unspeakable favors of the +Almighty towards both countries must inspire every feeling +and sensible mind; encouraged besides, by so many happy +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">368</a></span> +omens, the subscribers, in behalf of the merchants and inhabitants +of this city, have the honor to congratulate your +Excellency as the Representative of the illustrious American +Congress, and to assure you in the strongest terms, +that if any event, recorded in the annals of our country, is +capable of impressing us with the liveliest joy, and of opening +to our minds the happiest prospect, it is that glorious +and ever memorable day, when our august sovereigns, the +Lords States-General of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, +solemnly acknowledged the independence of the +United States of America; a step which, under the pleasure +of God, must become the foundation of an unalterable +friendship, and the source of mutual prosperity to the two +Republics, whose union being cemented by interests henceforth +common and inseparable, must forever subsist, and be +constantly and religiously preserved by our latest posterity.</p> + +<p>"Allow us then, ye deliverers of America, ye generous +defenders of her infant liberties, to congratulate your illustrious +Envoy, and to express to him the liveliest satisfaction +that we feel for an event, which crowns the wishes of +the nation. Accept also of the fervent prayers, which we +address to heaven, beseeching the Almighty to shower +down his blessings on your Republic and her allies.</p> + +<p>"Permit us also to recommend to you, in the strongest +manner, the interests of our country, and of this city in particular. +Let those of our citizens who have been the most +zealous in promoting the acknowledgment of your independence, +enjoy always a particular share of your affection.</p> + +<p>"That among those who may follow our example, no one +may ever succeed in detracting from the good faith and +integrity of Holland, or causing the sincerity of our efforts +to advance our mutual interests to be suspected, which +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">369</a></span> +are founded on the unalterable principles of pure virtue, +and a religion common to both of us.</p> + +<p>"Permit us, in fine, that faithful to ourselves, and attentive +to whatever can interest our commerce, the only +source of our prosperity, we may flatter ourselves, that the +produce of this flourishing city, our distilled liquors and +other merchandise, may be freely imported to your States +without any hinderance, or without being subjected to heavy +duties; and may the protection, with which you shall honor +us and the privileges that you shall grant us, rivet the +bonds of our mutual friendship, and be to both nations the +source of an unceasing prosperity."</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO JOHN JAY.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">The Hague, August 10th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>It was with very great pleasure that I received, this +morning, your kind favor of the 2d. I am surprised to +learn, that yours and Mr Jay's health have been disordered +in France, where the air is so fine.</p> + +<p>That your anxieties have been very great, I doubt not. +That most of them were such as you ought not to have +met with, I can easily conceive. I can sincerely say, that +all mine, but my fever, were such as I ought not to have +had. Thank God they are passed, and never shall return, +for nothing that can happen shall ever make me so anxious +again. I have assumed the <i>felicis animi immota tranquilitas</i>.</p> + +<p>Nothing would give me more satisfaction, than a free +conversation between you and me upon the subjects you +mention, and all others directly or indirectly connected +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">370</a></span> +with it, or with any of our affairs; but I do not see a possibility +of taking such a journey. The march of this people +is so slow, that it will be some time before the treaty +of commerce can be finished, and after that I have other +orders to execute, and must be here in person to attend +every step. But besides this, I think I ought not to go to +Paris, while there is any messenger there from England, +unless he has full powers to treat with the Ministers of +the United States of America. If the three American +Ministers should appear at Paris, at the same time, with a +real or pretended Minister from London, all the world +would instantly conclude a peace certain, and would fill at +once another year's loan for the English. In Lord Shelburne's +sincerity, I have not the smallest confidence, and I +think that we ought to take up Fox's idea, and insist upon +full powers to treat with us in character, before we have a +word more to say upon the subject. They are only amusing +us. I would rather invite you to come here. This +country is worth seeing, and you would lay me under great +obligations to take your residence, during your stay, in the +<i>Hôtel des Etats-Unis</i>. Many people would be glad to see +you. I should be very glad, however, to be informed, +from step to step, how things proceed.</p> + +<p>As you justly observe, further accessions of power to the +House of Bourbon may excite jealousies in some powers +of Europe, but who is to blame but themselves? Why +are they so short sighted or so indolent, as to neglect to +acknowledge the United States, and make treaties with +them? Why do they leave the House of Bourbon to content +so long and spend so much? Why do they leave +America and Holland under so great obligations? France +has, and ought to have, a great weight with America and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">371</a></span> +Holland, but other powers might have proportionable +weight if they would have proportional merit.</p> + +<p>If the powers of the neutral maritime confederation, +would admit the United States to accede to that treaty, +and declare America independent, they would contribute +to prevent America at least from being too much under +the direction of France. But if any powers should take +the part of England, they will compel America and Holland +too, to unite themselves ten times more firmly than +ever to the House of Bourbon.</p> + +<p>I do not know, however, that America and Holland are +too much under the direction of France, and I do not believe +they will be, but they must be dead to every generous +feeling as men, and to every wise view as statesmen, +if they were not much attached to France, in the circumstances +of the times.</p> + +<p>I received two letters from you in the spring, one I +answered, but have not the dates at present; the other +kindly informed me of the arrival of my son in America, +for which I thank you.</p> + +<p>With great regard and esteem, I am, dear Sir, your +most obedient, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed"> +JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">The Hague, August 18th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>I have the honor to enclose, for the information of Congress, +a copy of Mr Fitzherbert's commission.</p> + +<p>The States-General have appointed M. Brantzen their +Minister Plenipotentiary to treat concerning peace, and he +will set off for Paris in about three weeks. His instructions +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">372</a></span> +are such as we should wish. The States of Holland +and West Friesland have determined the last week upon +our project of a treaty of commerce, and I expect to enter +into conferences with the States-General this week, in +order to bring it to a conclusion. I hope for the ratification +of the contract for a loan, which has been sent five +different ways. Upon the receipt of this ratification, there +will be thirteen or fourteen hundred thousand guilders +ready to be paid to the orders of Congress by Messrs Wilhem +and Jean Willink, Nicholas and Jacob Van Staphorst, +and De la Lande and Fynjè.</p> + +<p>The States and the Regencies are taking such measures +with the Stadtholder, by demanding his orders and correspondence +about naval affairs, and by re-assuming their +own constitutional rights in the appointment of officers, &c. +as will bring all things right in this Republic, which we +shall find an affectionate and a useful friend. The communication +of the following instructions to me is such a +piece of friendship and such a mark of confidence, as +makes it my duty to request of Congress that it may be +kept secret.</p> + +<h4>INSTRUCTIONS,</h4> + +<p class="center"><i>Projected and passed for the Ambassador Lestevenon de +Berkenrode, and M. de Brantzen.</i></p> + +<p>"1. His Most Christian Majesty, having manifested in +the most obliging manner by his Ambassador Extraordinary, +the Duc de la Vauguyon, who resides here, his +favorable intention to have an eye to the interests of the +Republic in the negotiation for a general peace, the aforesaid +Ministers will neglect nothing, but, on the contrary, +will employ all their diligence and all their zeal to preserve +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">373</a></span> +and fortify more and more this favorable disposition of his +Majesty towards this State.</p> + +<p>"2. To this end those gentlemen, in all which concerns +the objects of their commission, or which may have any +relation to them, will act in a communicative manner, and +in concert with the Ministry of his said Majesty, and will +make confidential communications of all things with them.</p> + +<p>"3. They will not enter into any negotiation of peace +between the British Court and the Republic, nor have any +conferences thereupon with the Ministers of the said Court, +before they are assured beforehand, in the clearest manner, +and without any equivocation, that his British Majesty has +in fact, and continues to have, a real intention to acquiesce, +without reserve, that the Republic be in full possession and +indisputable, enjoyment of the rights of the neutral flag, +and of a free navigation, in conformity to, and according to +the tenor of, the points enumerated in the declaration of +her Imperial Majesty of Russia, dated the 28th of February, +1780.</p> + +<p>"4. When these gentlemen shall be certain of this, and +shall have received the requisite assurances of it, they shall +conduct in such a manner in the conferences, which shall +then be held thereupon with the Ministers of his Britannic +Majesty, as to direct things to such an end, that, in projecting +the treaty of peace and friendship between his said +Majesty and the Republic, all the points concerning the +free navigation be adopted word for word, and literally +from the said declaration of her Imperial Majesty, and +inserted in the said treaty; and, moreover, in regard to +contraband, (upon the subject of which the said declaration +refers to the treaties of commerce then subsisting +between the respective powers) that they establish henceforward +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">374</a></span> +a limitation, so precise and so distinct, that it may +appear most clearly in future, that all naval stores, (<i>les +munitions ou matières navales</i>) be held free merchandises, +and may not by any means be comprehended under the +denomination of contraband; as also, that with regard to +the visitation of merchant vessels, they establish the two +following rules as perpetual and immutable, viz; first, that +the masters (<i>patrons</i>) of merchant ships shall be discharged +upon exhibiting their documents, from whence their +cargoes may be known, and to which faith ought to be +given, without pretending to molest them by any visitation; +secondly, that when merchant ships shall be convoyed by +vessels of war, all faith shall be yielded to the commanding +officers, who shall escort the convoy, when they shall declare +and affirm, upon their word of honor, the nature of +their cargoes, without being able to require of vessels convoyed, +any exhibition of papers, and still less to visit them.</p> + +<p>"5. These gentlemen shall insist also, in the strongest +manner, and as upon a condition <i>sine qua non</i>, upon this, +that all the possessions conquered from the Republic by +the ships of war or privateers of his British Majesty, or by +the arms of the English East India Company during the +course of this war, or which may be further conquered +from it before the conclusion of the peace, be restored to +it, under the eventual obligation of reciprocity; and this, +as far as possible, in the same state in which they were at +the time of the invasion. And, whereas the greatest part +of these possessions have been retaken from the common +enemy, by the arms of His Most Christian Majesty, these +gentlemen will insist in the strongest manner, with his +Majesty and his Ministry, that, by the promise of restitution +of these possessions to the State, immediately after the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">375</a></span> +conclusion of the peace, the Republic may receive real +proofs of the benevolence and of the affection, which his +Majesty has so often testified for it.</p> + +<p>"6. These gentlemen will insist also, in the strongest +manner, upon the just indemnification for all the losses unjustly +caused by Great Britain, to the State and to its inhabitants, +both in Europe and elsewhere.</p> + +<p>"7. In the affairs concerning the interest of the Company +of the East Indies of this country, these gentlemen +ought to demand and receive the considerations of the +commissaries, who are now at Paris on the part of the +Company, and act in concert with them in relation to these +affairs.</p> + +<p>"8. In all respects, these gentlemen will hold a good +correspondence with the Ministers of the other belligerent +powers; and it is very specially enjoined upon them, and +recommended, to direct things to this, that in the said negotiations, +there be given no room to be able to conclude or +resolve either treaty or cessation of hostilities, if it be not +with the common and simultaneous concurrence of all the +belligerent powers.</p> + +<p>"9. Finally, and in general, these gentlemen, during +the course of all this negotiation, will have always before +their eyes, that the conferences at Paris, at least for the +present, ought to be looked upon but as preparatory and +preliminary; and that the decision of points, which may +remain in litigation, ought to be reserved to a general +Congress, together with the final adjustment of the definitive +treaty of peace; the whole, at least, until their High +Mightinesses, further informed of the success of these negotiations, +and of the inclination of the belligerent powers, +shall find good to qualify these gentlemen for the final and +peremptory conclusion of a treaty." +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">376</a></span></p> + +<p>These instructions will show Congress, in a clear light, +the disposition of this Republic to be as favorable for us +and our allies as we could wish it.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">The Hague, August 22d, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>Their High Mightinesses have at length received their +instructions from all the Provinces, and I have this day +been in conference with the Grand Committee, who communicated +to me the remarks and propositions on their +part. To this, I shall very soon give my replication, and I +hope the affair will be soon ended.</p> + +<p>I was received in State by two of the Lords at the head +of the stairs, and by them conducted into the committee +room, where the business is transacted. The committee +consisted of one or more Deputies from each Province, together +with the Grand Pensionary, Bleiswick, and the +Secretary Fagel.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO JOHN ADAMS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Philadelphia, August 29th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Dear Sir,</p> + +<p>Near five months have elapsed, since I have been +favored with a line from you. Your letter of the 4th of +March, is the last that has as yet found its way to America.</p> + +<p>Let me entreat you, Sir, to reflect on the disgrace and +discredit it brings upon this department, to be kept thus in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">377</a></span> +the dark relative to matters of the utmost moment, and +how impossible it is, without better information, to declare +the designs or wishes of Congress, since they must be in +some measure directed by the state of their affairs in Europe; +and, yet, Sir, they have hitherto been left, in a great +measure, to collect that state from private letters, common +newspapers, or the communications of the Minister of +France.</p> + +<p>There is another circumstance, in which the reputation +of our Ministers themselves, is materially concerned. Letters, +announcing a fact, that is well known before their +arrival, lose half their force and beauty. They cease to +be interesting, and are read with indifference. You have +done yourself great injustice frequently in this way, for +though your letters have generally been particular, yet, +from not being sufficiently attentive to the means of conveyance, +we frequently have had the facts they related, +published in the newspapers a month before their arrival. +As one instance out of many, we received with your letter +of the 11th of March, Amsterdam papers of the 30th, +which informed us of the determination of Holland relative +to your reception. We are told that you were received +in your public character the 19th of April, and yet, Sir, +we have not to this hour had any official information on +that head. I am ready to make every allowance for the +miscarriage of letters; but this should only urge our Ministers +to multiply the number of their copies, particularly +where the subject of them is important. I feel myself so +hurt at this neglect, Congress are so justly dissatisfied at +seeing vessels arrive every day from France without public +letters at this very critical period, from any of our +Ministers, that I fear I have pressed the subject further +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">378</a></span> +than I ought to have done. If so, be pleased to pardon +my earnestness, and to impute it to my wish, as well to +render this office more useful to the public, as to enable +you to give Congress more ample satisfaction.</p> + +<p>The advantages, which will be derived to these States +from the acknowledgment of their political existence, as an +independent nation, are too many and too obvious, not to +be immediately and sensibly felt by them. I sincerely +congratulate you on having been the happy means of +effecting this beneficial connexion. We may reasonably +hope, that your official letters will detail the progress of so +interesting an event, and thereby enable us to form some +judgment of the nature and principles of the government +of the United Provinces. From the zeal they manifest to +us, I should hope, that you would find no great difficulty +in the accomplishing of one great object of your mission, +the procuring a loan, which neither the probability or the +conclusion of a peace will render unnecessary. On the +contrary, I am inclined to believe, that our wants will be more +pressing at the close of the war, when our troops +are to be paid and disbanded, than at any other period; +and as it seems to have been your sentiment hitherto, that +money could be procured when our political character was +fully known, I venture to hope, that you have availed +yourself of your present situation to obtain it.</p> + +<p>General Carleton and Admiral Digby, presuming, I +suppose, that our Ministers were not the most punctual +correspondents, have been pleased to inform us, through the +commander-in-chief, that negotiations for a general peace +are on foot. If so, I presume this will find you in France. +In addition to the great objects, which will become the +subjects of discussion, and on which you are fully instructed, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">379</a></span> +I could wish again to repeat one, that I have +mentioned in my last to you, which materially interests us. +I mean the procuring a market for lumber and provisions +of every kind in the West Indies. Should France pursue +her usual system with respect to her Colonies, and England +follow her example, the shock will be severely felt +here, particularly in the States, whose staples are flour, +beef and pork. But should either of them be so fully +apprised of their true interest as to set open this market, +at least for these articles, the advantage, they will derive +from it must compel the others to adopt the same +system.</p> + +<p>I need only mention this matter to you. The arguments +to show the mutual advantage of this commerce to +this country, the Colonies and the parent States will suggest +themselves readily to you, and be suggested by you +to those we are interested in convincing. The turtle and +fruit of the Bahama Islands have formed powerful connexions +among the good eaters and drinkers of this country. +I recommend their interests to your care. They +flatter themselves their friends, the Spaniards, will not interrupt +their ancient alliance, if these islands should remain +in their hands.</p> + +<p>I have already transmitted you an account of the evacuation +of Savannah. The enclosed papers contain a proclamation +of General Scott, announcing that of Charleston, +and generously offering to provide for the transportation +of the royalists to East Florida, where the climate will +doubtless aid administration, in the proposed reduction of +the list of pensioners. The fleet under the Marquis de +Vaudreuil has unfortunately lost a seventy four, by striking +a rock in the harbor of Boston. Congress have endeavored +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">380</a></span> +to compensate this loss, by presenting His Most +Christian Majesty with the America.</p> + +<p>I have caused two quarters' salary to be remitted to Dr +Franklin on your account, for which you will be so obliging +as to send me your receipt. I must again press you +to appoint an agent to receive your money here, as I act +without any authority at present, which I must decline the +hazard of doing in future.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed_long">ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">The Hague, September 4th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>Your triplicate of the 5th of March, No 5, triplicate of +the 22d of May, No. 6, duplicate of the 29th of May, +No. 7, and duplicate of May the 30th, No. 8, together +with the despatches for Mr Dana, came to hand yesterday.</p> + +<p>The judicious inquiries in that of the 5th of March, are +chiefly answered by the enclosed pamphlet, which I have +caused to be printed, in order to be sent into England, +Scotland, and Ireland, as well as America. You will find +most of your questions answered by great bodies of merchants, +manufacturers, and others, in the first instance, and +by the States of the several separate Provinces in the +next place, and lastly by their High Mightinesses.</p> + +<p>I wish the truth would warrant a more satisfactory +account of the ships prepared, and preparing for sea. +Those prepared are employed by concert with France, in +the North Sea, where they make a useful diversion, having +lately obliged Lord Howe to detach a considerable number +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">381</a></span> +of ships, and the last accounts say, to go himself with fourteen +ships of the line, in order to protect their trade from +the Baltic, which has certainly retarded, possibly wholly +prevented, the relief of Gibraltar. This, however, is not +certain. I cannot assure Congress of more than twelve +Dutch ships of the line, ready for sea. Some of that +number are not in a good condition; not more than two +or three can be depended on to be added, in the course of +this season.</p> + +<p>As to the leading members of the Great Council, we +must distinguish between the Assembly of the Deputies of +the States-General, and the Assembly of the Deputies of +Holland and West Friesland. The Grand Pensionary of +Holland, who is always a member of the Assembly of +their High Mightinesses, is constitutionally the most leading +member. M. Van Bleiswick is the present Grand +Pensionary. With him I have frequent conferences, and +they have always been agreeable; but the situation of this +Minister is at present extremely critical and embarrassing. +In former times, when there was no Stadtholder, or at +least when his authority was less extensive, the Grand +Pensionaries of Holland have been in effect Stadtholders. +They have been a centre of union for all the Provinces; +but being more immediately connected with, and dependent +on, the Province of Holland, they have been suspected +by the other Provinces to give too much weight to that, +which has caused them to attach themselves to the Stadtholders, +as a more impartial support to the whole States.</p> + +<p>To speak candidly, a competition between these two +great interests and these two high offices, seems to have +been the cause of the violent storms in this country; but +as the Stadtholders have had the military power by sea +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">382</a></span> +and land at their disposal, and by the pomp and splendor +of a Court, have had the means of imposing more upon +the nation, they have by decrees prevailed. At critical, +dangerous times, tragical scenes have been exhibited, and +Barnevelt's head was struck off at one time, Grotius escaped +by a kind of miracle, and the De Witts were torn in +pieces, it is scarcely too bold to say by the open or secret +commands, or connivance of the Stadtholders. The +Stadtholder's power, since 1758, until this year, has been +so augmented, and the Grand Pensionary's so diminished, +that M. Van Bleiswick is to be pitied. More is expected +of him than he can perform. He is between two fires. +The Stadtholderian party on the one side, and the Republican +on the other. The consequence is, that he manages +both as well as he can; is extremely cautious and reserved, +never explains himself, but in cases of absolute +necessity, and never attempts to assume the lead. If +he were to attempt to act the part of some former Grand +Pensionaries, the consequence would be, either he would +not be supported, and would perish like Barnevelt, or De +Witt, or being supported, the Stadtholdership must give +way, and the Prince fly to his estates, in Germany. M. +Van Bleiswick is a great scholar, linguist, natural philosopher, +mathematician, and even physician; has great experience +in public affairs, and is able and adroit enough in +the conduct of them; but not having a temper bold and +firm enough, or perhaps loving his ease too much, or not +having ambition, or patriotism, or zeal, or health enough, +to assume a great and decided conduct, he is fallen in his +reputation. They suspect him of duplicity, and in short, +measures are prepared and brought into the States of +Holland without his consent, or previous knowledge, and +there carried; a thing unknown until these days. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">383</a></span></p> + +<p>Another great officer of state, who constitutionally has +influence in the Assembly of their High Mightinesses, is +the Secretary M. Fagel. This gentleman is of a family, +which has ever been zealously attached to the Stadtholder, +and consequently to England, and strongly +prejudiced against France. His ancestor was made Grand +Pensionary, in place of the murdered and immortal De +Witt; and from that time to this, the family have been +invariably friends to the Princes of Orange, and to England, +and enemies to France. The present Secretary does not +belie his lineage. He is supposed to be the least satisfied +with the new conventions with us and with France, of any +man. I have had several conferences with him. He is a +venerable man of seventy, is polite, and has always been +complaisant enough to me; but Congress will easily see, +from this sketch of his character, that he is not the man +for me to be intimate with. There is a new President of +their High Mightinesses every week. I have had conferences +with several, M. Ijassens, M. Van Citters, M. Boreel, +M. Van den Sandheuvel, and the Baron Lynden de +Hemmen; but this continual variation prevents any one +from acquiring esteem and weight from the office; so +that they are to be considered only as common members of +the Assembly.</p> + +<p>There is a nobleman, the Baron de Lynden, who belongs +to the Province of Zealand, and who was formerly +Ambassador in Sweden, and afterwards appointed to +Vienna, but refused to go. I have had the pleasure of a +great deal of conversation with him, and his advice has +been useful to me. He is a sensible and worthy man, and +his sentiments are very just. He has been now for some +months in Zealand, and the world has seen several striking +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">384</a></span> +effects of his presence in that Province. He is much in +opposition to the Duke of Brunswick, and consequently +to the Court, to whose cause this nobleman's rank, former +offices, and connexions, have done much damage. There +are several other members of the Assembly of their High +Mightinesses, that I have some acquaintance with, the +Baron Van Schwartenbourg, M. Kuffeler of Friesland, +M. Brantzen of Guelderland, and others, whom it is not +necessary to name at present. But Holland, being full +half the nation, the Assembly of that Province gives always, +sooner or later, the tone to the whole. The Pensionaries +of the cities are the principal speakers, and most +active members of this Assembly, for which reason I have +cultivated the acquaintance of these gentlemen, and will +continue to do so more and more. There are three among +them, with whom I have been the most conversant, M. +Gyzelaer of Dort, M. Visscher of Amsterdam, and M. +Van Zeeberg, of Haerlem.</p> + +<p>M. Gyzelaer is a young gentleman of about thirty; but +of a genius and activity, a candor and prudence, which, if +his health is not too delicate, must make him the man of +the first consideration in this Republic. I am happy in a +friendly and familiar acquaintance with him, and shall certainly +continue it, because his abilities and integrity, his industry, +his great and growing popularity, and his influence +in the Assembly of the States of Holland, as well as in all +the provinces and cities, will render him an important +man, in spite of all the opposition of the Court.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, although I cultivate the friendship of the +patriots, I shall not give offence to the Court. The friendship of +this Court we never had, and never shall have, +until we have that of England. This gentleman's friendship +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">385</a></span> +has already been of vast service to the cause of Congress +as well as to me, and will continue to be so. There +is no intelligence in a political line, which I ought to know, +but what I can easily obtain in this way. To detail the +conversations, would be to relate all the measures taken or +proposed, relative to the negotiations for a separate peace, +to the concert with France, the general peace, &c. as well +as from step to step, the advancement to the acknowledgment +of our independence. There are some of these +conversations, which ought never to be put on paper, +until the measures and events, which are the fruit of them, +have taken place.</p> + +<p>M. Visscher is a respectable character, an amiable +man, and steady in the good system. With him also, I +have been invariably upon good terms; but I cannot but +lament the absence of M. Van Berckel, an excellent +character, of solid judgment, sound learning, great experience, +delicate honor, untainted virtue, and steady firmness, +sacrificed to the most frivolous whimsies, and miserable +intrigues of private pique, the jealousy and envy of +weak, I cannot here add wicked old age, and individual +ambition. Van Berckel and Visscher together would be +noble Ministers for Amsterdam; but the elder of the "<i>Par +nobile fratrum</i>" is wanting.</p> + +<p>M. Van Zeeberg is another excellent character; of +great reputation as a lawyer, a man of integrity, and a +patriot, with whom I have been, and am, upon the best +terms. It is odd enough, that most of these Pensionaries +have been deacons of the English church in this place, +Dr Mc Lane's. <i>En passant</i>, young lawyers seek an election +to be deacons in the churches, as a first step to advancement +in their profession, as well as in the State. M. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">386</a></span> +Van Berckel, M. Van Zeeberg and others, have been deacons +of this church, yet neither speaks English; nor is any +of them less an enemy to England for having passed +through this stage in their career of life, and I shall be +the more so, for hearing once a week, an admirable <i>moral</i> +lecture in the English language, from one of the best +preachers in Europe.</p> + +<p>I hope this will be sufficient at present as a sample of +sketches of characters that you demand of me, among the +leading members of the Assembly. I might mention several +Burgomasters, as M. Hooft, of Amsterdam, Van +Berckel, of Rotterdam, &c. &c. &c.; but I must not give +too much at once.</p> + +<p>You inquire whether there is no intercourse between the +French Ambassador and me? I answer, there is a constant, +uninterrupted harmony and familiarity between the +Duc de la Vauguyon and his family, and me. I visit him, +and he visits me. I dine with him, and he and his family +dine with me as often as you can wish; and he is ever +ready to enter into conversation and consultation with me +upon public affairs. He is an amiable man, whom I esteem +very much. He is able, attentive, and vigilant, as a +Minister; but he has been under infinite obligations to +the United States of America and her Minister, for the +success he has had in this country. Nothing on this earth +but the American cause, could ever have prevented this +Republic from joining England in the war, and nothing but +the memorial of the 19th of April, 1781, and the other innumerable +measures taken in consequence of it by the +same hand, could ever have prevented this Republic from +making a separate peace with England. The American +cause and Minister have done more to introduce a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">387</a></span> +familiarity between the French Ambassador and some +leading men here, than any other thing could; and if anybody +denies it, it must be owing to ignorance or ingratitude. +It is at the same time true, and I acknowledge it with +pleasure and gratitude, that our cause could not have succeeded +here without the aid of France. Her aid in the +East Indies, West Indies, and upon the barrier frontiers, +her general benevolence, and concert of operations, as +well as the favorable and friendly exertions of her Ambassador, +after the decisive steps taken by me, contributed +essentially to the accomplishment of the work. I have an +opportunity of meeting at his house, too, almost as often as +I desire, the other foreign Ministers; but of this more +hereafter.</p> + +<p>You desire also to know the popular leaders I have +formed acquaintance with. The two noblemen, the Baron +Van der Capellan de Pall, of Overyssel, and the Baron +Van der Capellan de Marsch, of Guelderland, I have +formed an acquaintance with; the former, very early after +my first arrival. I have had frequent and intimate conversations +with him, and he has been of the utmost service to +our cause. His unhappy situation, and unjust expulsion +from his seat in government, the opposition of the Court, +and of his colleagues in the Regency, make it delicate to +write freely concerning this nobleman. He has an independent +fortune, though not called rich in this country. +His parts and learning are equal to any, his zeal and activity +superior. I dare not say in what a multitude of ways +he has served us; posterity will, perhaps, know them all.</p> + +<p>Two years ago, upon my first arrival at Amsterdam, I +fell acquainted, at M. Van Staphorst's, with M. Calkoen, the +first gentleman of the bar, at Amsterdam; a man of letters, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">388</a></span> +well read in law and history, and an elegant writer. He +desired to be informed of American affairs. I gave him a +collection of our constitutions, and a number of pamphlets +and papers, and desired him to commit to writing his questions. +In a few days, he sent me thirty questions in +Dutch, which show him to be a man of profound reflection +and sagacity. I got them translated, and determined to +seize the opportunity to turn his attention to our affairs, +and gain his confidence. I wrote him a distinct letter +upon each question, and endeavored to give him as comprehensive +an insight into our affairs as I could.<a name="FNanchor_8" id="FNanchor_8" href="#Footnote_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> He was +much pleased with the answers, and composed out of them +a comparison between the American and Batavian Revolutions, +which he read with applause to a society of forty +gentlemen of letters, who meet in a club at Amsterdam. +I lent him Burgoyne's and Howe's pamphlets in vindication +of themselves, which he communicated also. By this +means, this society, whose influence must be very extensive, +were made hearty converts to the opinion of the impracticability +of a British conquest, and the certainty of +American success; points very dubious in the minds of +this nation in general, when I first came here, as I can +easily prove. With this gentleman, I have ever preserved +an agreeable acquaintance. It was he who drew up the +petition of the merchants of Amsterdam in favor of American +independence.</p> + +<p>About the time of presenting my memorial, I became +acquainted with another lawyer at the Hague, M. Van +Zoon, who has been also from time to time active in our +favor, and drew up the petitions of Rotterdam.</p> + +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">389</a></span></p> + +<p>The gazetteers of this country are not mere printers, +they are men of letters; and as these vehicles have a vast +influence in forming the public opinion, they were not to +be neglected by me, whose only hopes lay in the public +opinion, to resist the torrent of a court and government. I +therefore became naturally acquainted with the family of +the Luzacs, in Leyden, whose gazette has been very useful +to our cause, and who are excellent people. M. John +Luzac, drew up the two petitions of Leyden to their Regency.</p> + +<p>At Amsterdam, my acquaintance with M. Cerisier enabled +me to render the <i>Politique Hollandais</i>, and the +French Gazette of Amsterdam, useful on many occasions; +and by means of one friend and another, particularly M. +Dumas, I have been able to communicate anything that +was proper to the public, by means of the Dutch gazettes +of Amsterdam, Haerlem, and Delft. By means of these +secret connexions with printers and writers, I have had an +opportunity to cause to be translated and printed, many +English pamphlets tending to elucidate our affairs, particularly +those valuable documents of Howe and Burgoyne, +than which nothing has contributed more to fortify our +cause. They are considered as the decisive testimonies +of unwilling witnesses and cruel enemies. With these persons, +and others whom I could not have conversations +with, I have had correspondence as frequent as my time +would allow.</p> + +<p>At Amsterdam, I was acquainted with several mercantile +houses, M. de Neufville & Son, M. Crommelin & Sons, +Messieurs Van Staphorsts, De la Lande & Fynjè, Madame +Chabanel & Son & Nephew, M. Hodshon, M. Van Arp, +M. Teagler, and several others, who, in their several ways, +were useful to our affairs. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">390</a></span></p> + +<p>I come now to the most difficult task of all, the description +of the foreign Ministers. The Minister of the Emperor +is ninety years of age, and never appears at Court, or +anywhere else. I have never seen him or his secretary. +The Ministers from Russia, Sweden, Denmark, Portugal, +Sardinia, and Liege, I see every week at Court, where I +sup regularly when the others do, though it is very visible +that I am not the guest the most favored by the Prince. +I dine with them all, sometimes at the French Ambassador's +and Spanish Minister's, but have not dined at any of +their houses, nor they at mine. Not one of them would +dare to give or receive an invitation, except France, +Spain, and Liege. The Minister from Sweden, the Baron +d'Ehrenswerd, is lately removed to Berlin, to my great +regret, as he appeared to me a very good character, and +behaved very civilly to me several times when I met him +at Court and at the French Ambassador's. The Secretary +of Legation does the business, now M. Van Arp, +who appears to be a worthy man, and is not afraid to +converse with me. The Minister from Prussia, M. de +Thulemeyer, is very civil, attacks me, (as he expresses +it) in English, and wishes to meet me on horseback, being +both great riders; will converse freely with me upon astronomy, +or natural history, or any mere common affairs; +will talk of news, battles, sieges, &c.; but these personages +are very reserved in politics and negotiations. They +must wait for instructions.</p> + +<p>M. de St Saphorin, the Envoy from Denmark, is a personage +of very odd behavior; a Swiss by birth, but an +open and not very discreet advocate for England. It +should be observed, that the Queen Dowager of Denmark, +is sister to the Duc Louis de Brunswick; and as +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">391</a></span> +the King is not a distinguished character among crowned +heads, she is supposed to have much influence at Court, +and the Minister here may be complaisant to her. But +neither that power nor its Minister is able to do more than +influence a gazette or two, to publish some very injudicious +speculations. I am not the only foreign Minister that +converses or corresponds with gazetteers; though it at +least is certain, that I never give them money. I hope +I am not singular in this. This gentleman has been +much with another since his arrival, M. Markow, the +adjoint Minister from Russia, another advocate for the +English, without being able to do them any service. He +was never more than a Secretary of Legation before. He +has been here formerly in that character, and in the partition +of Poland. He was preceded here, by reports of +his great talents at negotiations and intrigue, and it was +said, that he had never failed of success; but his residence +here has made no sensation or impression at all. +He talks in some companies indiscreetly in favor of England, +but is not much attended to. His behavior to me, +is a distant bow, an affected smile sometimes, and now +and then, a "<i>Comment vous portez-vous?</i>" One evening +at Court, when the Northern Epidemy was here, he put +me this question after supper, in great apparent good humor; +"<i>terriblement affligé de l'influença</i>," said I; "<i>C'est +en Angleterre</i>." says he, laughing, "<i>qu'on a donné ce nom, +et il ne feroit point du mal, si vous voudriez vous laisser +gagner un peu par l'influence de l'Angleterre</i>." I had at +my tongue's end to answer, "<i>C'est assez d'être tourmenté +de l'influence qui vient de Russie!!</i> but I reflected very +suddenly, if he is indiscreet, I will not be; so I contented +myself to answer, very gravely, "<i>jamais, Monsieur, jamais</i>." +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">392</a></span></p> + +<p>The Prince de Gallitzin, his colleague, is of a different +character; a good man, and thinks justly; but his place +is too important to his family to be hazarded; so he keeps +a great reserve, and behaves with great prudence. Knowing +his situation, I have avoided all advances to him, lest +I should embarrass him. The Sardinian Minister is very +ready to enter into conversation at all times; but his Court +and system are wholly out of the present question. The +Portuguese Envoy Extraordinary, D. Joas Theolonico +d'Almeida, is a young nobleman glittering with stars, and, +as they say, very rich. He has twice, once at Court, and +once at the Spanish Minister's, entered familiarly into conversation +with me, upon the climates of America and Portugal, +and the commerce that has been, and will be between +our countries, and upon indifferent subjects; but +there is no appearance that he is profoundly versed in political +subjects, nor any probability that he could explain +himself, until all the neutral powers do, of whom Portugal +is one.</p> + +<p>The Spanish Minister, D. Llano, Count de Sanafée, has +at last got over all his punctilios, and I had the honor to +dine with him, in company with all the foreign Ministers +and four or five officers of rank in the Russian service, on +Tuesday last. He and his Secretary had dined with me +some time ago. I shall, therefore, be upon a more free, +if not familiar, footing with him in future. He has indeed +been always very complaisant and friendly, though embarrassed +with his punctilios of etiquette. There is one anecdote, +that in justice to myself and my country I ought not +to omit. The first time I ever saw him was at his house, +a day or two after my reception by the States. He sent +for me. I went, and had an hour's conversation with him. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">393</a></span> +He said to me, "Sir, you have struck the greatest blow of +all Europe. It is the greatest blow that has been struck in +the American Cause, and the most decisive. It is you +who have filled this nation with enthusiasm; it is you who +have turned all their heads." Next morning he returned +my visit at my lodgings, for it was before my removal to +this house. In the course of conversation upon the subject +of my success here, he turned to a gentlemen in company, +and said to him, "this event is infinitely honorable to +Mr. Adams. It is the greatest blow (<i>le plus grand coup</i>) +which could have been struck in all Europe. It is he, +who has filled this nation with enthusiasm; it is he, who +has disconcerted the admirers of England (<i>Anglomanes</i>); +it is he, who has turned the heads of the Hollanders. It +is not for a compliment to Mr Adams that I say this, but +because I believe it to be his due."</p> + +<p>I wish for some other historiographer, but I will not, for +fear of the charge of vanity, omit to record things, which +were certainly said with deliberation, and which prove the +sense, which the Ministers of the House of Bourbon had of +the stream of prejudice here against them, and of the +influence of America and her Minister, in turning the tide.</p> + +<p>I hope, Sir, that these sketches will satisfy you for the +present; if not, another time I will give you portraits at +full length. In the meantime, I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed"> +JOHN ADAMS. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">394</a></span></p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">The Hague, September 6th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>In your letter of the 5th of March, you ask "whether +this power has entered into any treaty with France since +the war, and whether any such thing is in contemplation?"</p> + +<p>They have made no treaty, but a convention concerning +recaptures, which you must have seen in the papers. +The East India Company have concerted operations with +France in the East Indies, and the Prince, by the resolution +of the States, has concerted operations in these European +seas for this campaign, and the city of Amsterdam +has lately proposed in the States of Holland, to renew the +concert for next year, and to revive an old treaty of commerce +with France. In my letter of the 18th of August, +I have sent you a copy of the instructions to their Ministers +for peace, "not to make peace, truce, or armistice, +but with the simultaneous concurrence of all the belligerent +powers," among whom the United States of America are +certainly one in the sense and meaning of their High +Mightinesses.</p> + +<p>You observe, Sir, "that France is interested with us, in +procuring a public acknowledgment of our independence." +You desire me to write freely, and my own disposition +inclines me to do so. This is a delicate subject, and +requires to be cautiously handled. Political jealousy is +very different from a suspicious temper. We should contemplate +the vices naturally allied to the greatest virtues. +We should consider the fevers that lie near a high state of +health. We should consider the maxim that is laid down +by all the political writers in the world, and the fact that is +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">395</a></span> +found in all histories, "that in cases of alliance between +unequal powers, almost all the advantages ever did and +ever will accrue to the greatest." We should observe in +the Abbé Raynal's history of this revolution, that there is a +party in France that blames the Ministry for putting themselves +into the chains (<i>fers</i>) of Congress, and for not keeping +us dependent enough upon them. Is it not natural for +them to wish to keep us dependent upon them, that we +might be obliged to accept such terms of peace as they +should think would do for us? If the House of Bourbon +should be suspected by any neutral power to grow too fast +in wealth and force, and be disposed to form a league +against it, is it not natural for it to wish that we may be +kept from any connexions with such powers, and wholly +connected with it, so as to be obliged to engage with it in +all its wars.</p> + +<p>It is impossible for me to prove, that the delay of Spain +to acknowledge our independence, has been concerted between +the French and Spanish Ministry; but I candidly +ask any man, who has attended to the circumstances of +this war, if he has not seen cause to suspect it! For my +own part, I have no doubt of it, and I do not know that +we can justly censure it. I have ten thousand reasons, +which convince me that one Minister at least has not +wished that we should form connexions with Holland, even +so soon as we did, or with any power; although he had +no right, and therefore would not appear openly to oppose +it. When I took leave of that Minister to return to America, +in the spring of 1779, he desired me expressly to +advise Congress to attend to the affairs of the war, and +leave the politics of Europe to them, (<i>et laisser la politique +à nous</i>). In 1778 or 1779, when Mr Lee and I proposed +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">396</a></span> +to Dr Franklin to go to Holland, or to consent that +one of us should go, the Doctor would not, but wrote to +that Minister upon it, and received an answer, which he +showed me, advising against it; and when I received my +letter of credence here, the Minister here, who follows +the instructions communicated by that Minister, took all +possible pains to persuade me against communicating it; +and Dr Franklin, without reserve in word or writing, has +constantly declared, that Congress were wrong in sending +a Minister to Berlin, Vienna, Tuscany, Spain, Holland, +and Petersburg, and Dr Franklin is as good an index of +that Minister's sentiments as I know.</p> + +<p>Now I avow myself of a totally opposite system, and +think it our indispensable duty, as it is our undoubted +right, to send Ministers to other Courts, and endeavor to +extend our acquaintance, commerce, and political connexions +with all the world, and have pursued this system, +which I took to be also the wish of Congress and the sense +of America, with patience and perseverance against all +dangers, reproaches, misrepresentations, and oppositions, +until, I thank God, he has enabled me to plant the standard +of the United States at the Hague, where it will wave +forever.</p> + +<p>I am now satisfied, and dread nothing. The connexion +with Holland is a sure stay. Connected with Holland and +the House of Bourbon, we have nothing to fear.</p> + +<p>I have entered into this detail, in answer to your inquiry, +and the only use of it I would wish to make is this, to +insist upon seeing with our own eyes, using our own judgment, +and acting an independent part; and it is of the last +importance we should do it now thus early, otherwise we +should find it very difficult to do it hereafter. I hope I +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">397</a></span> +have given you my sentiments, as you desired, with freedom, +and that freedom, I hope, will give no offence, either +in America or France, for certainly none is intended.</p> + +<p>In your favor of the 22d of May, you direct me to draw +upon Dr Franklin for my salary, and to send my accounts +to you. My accounts, Sir, are very short, and shall be +sent as soon as the perplexity of the treaty is over. As to +drawing on Dr Franklin, I presume this was upon supposition, +that we had no money here. There is now near +a million and a half of florins, so that I beg I may be permitted +to receive my salary here.</p> + +<p>I have transmitted to Mr Dana your despatches, as +desired in yours of the 29th of May, reserving an extract +for publication in the gazettes, which the French Ambassador +is of opinion, as well as others, will have a great +effect in Europe. Your letter is extremely well written, +and M. Dumas has well translated it, so that it will appear +to advantage. Yours of the 30th of May affords me the +pleasure of knowing, that you have received some letters +from me this year, and I am glad you are inclined to lay +that of the 21st of February before Congress. By this +time I hope that all objections are removed to the memorial; +but in order to judge of the full effect of that memorial, +three volumes of the <i>Politique Hollandais</i>, several volumes +of <i>De Post Van Neder Rhin</i>, all the Dutch gazettes for a +whole year, and the petitions of all the cities should be +read, for there is not one of them but what clearly shows +the propriety of presenting that memorial, whose influence +and effect, though not sudden, has been amazingly extensive. +Indeed the French Ambassador has often signified +to me lately, and more than once in express words, <i>Monsieur +votre fermeté a fait un très bon effet ici</i>. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">398</a></span></p> + +<p>The cypher was not put up in this duplicate, and I suppose +the original is gone on to Mr Dana in a letter I transmitted +him from you sometime ago, so that I should be +obliged to you for another of the same part.</p> + +<p>Rodney's victory came, as you hoped it would, too late +to obstruct me. I was well settled at the Hague, and publicly +received by the States and Prince before we received +that melancholy news. If it had arrived sooner, it might +have deranged all our systems, and this nation possibly +might have been now separately at peace, which shows the +importance of watching the time and tide, which there is +in the affairs of men.</p> + +<p>You require, Sir, to be furnished with the most minute +detail of every step, that Britain may take towards a negotiation +for a general or partial peace. All the details +towards a partial peace, are already public in the newspapers, +and have all been ineffectual. The States-General +are firm against it, as appears by their instructions to +their Ministers. Since the conversations between me and +Digges first, and Mr Laurens afterwards, there has never +been any message, directly or indirectly, by word or +writing, from the British Ministry to me. It was my decided +advice, and earnest request by both, that all messages +might be sent to Paris to Dr Franklin and the +Count de Vergennes, and this has been done. Dr Franklin +wrote me, that he should keep me informed of everything +that passed by expresses; but I have had no advice +from him since the 2d of June. Your despatches have all +gone the same way, and I have never had a hint of any of +them. I hope that Dr Franklin and Mr Jay have had +positive instructions to consent to no truce or armistice, +and to enter into no conferences with any British Minister, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">399</a></span> +who is not authorised to treat with the United States of +America.</p> + +<p>Some weeks ago I agreed with the Duc de la Vauguyon +to draw up a project of a memorial to their High Mightinesses, +proposing a triple or quadruple alliance, according +to my instructions to that purpose. The Duke, in his private +capacity, has declared to me often that he is of opinion, +that it would be advisable to make this proposition as +soon as the treaty of commerce is signed; but could not +give me any ministerial advice without consulting the +Count de Vergennes. We agreed that he should transmit +the project to the Count. Two days ago, the Duke called +upon me, and informed me, that he had the Count's answer, +which was, that he did not think this the time, because it +would tend to throw obscurity upon the instructions lately +given by the States-General to M. Brantzen, not to make +any treaty or armistice, but simultaneously with all the +belligerent powers.</p> + +<p>By the tenth article of the Treaty of Alliance, the invitation +or admission is to be made by concert. From my +instructions, I supposed, and suppose still, that the concert +was made at Philadelphia, between Congress and the +Chevalier de la Luzerne, by the order of the King, his +master; and my instructions being positive and unconditional +to make the proposition, I shall be somewhat embarrassed. +On the one hand, I would preserve not only a +real harmony, but the appearance of it, between all steps +of mine, and the Councils of the French Ministers. On +the other, I would obey my instructions, especially when +they are so fully agreeable to me, at all events. The proposition +would have a good effect in England, in Holland, +in France, America, and in all the neutral countries, as I +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">400</a></span> +think, and it could do no harm, that I can foresee. Nay, +further, I am persuaded, that the French Ministry themselves, +if they were to give me their private opinions, as +the Duc de la Vauguyon does, would be glad if I should +make the proposition against their advice.</p> + +<p>It is possible, however, that they may secretly choose +(notwithstanding the offer made at Philadelphia) not to be +bound in an alliance with America and Holland. They +may think they shall have more influence with their hands +unbound, even to a system that they approve and mean +to pursue. It is amidst all these doublings and windings of +European politics, that American Ministers have to decide +and act. The result is clear in my mind, that although it +is proper to be upon good terms, and be communicative +and confidential with the French Ministers, yet we ought to +have opinions, principles, and systems of our own, and that +our Ministers should not be bound to follow their advice, +but when it is consonant to our own; and that Congress +should firmly support their own Ministers against all secret +insinuations. They must see, that a Minister of theirs, +who is determined, as he is bound in honor, to be free and +independent, is not in a very delectable or enviable situation +in Europe, as yet.</p> + +<p>There is but one alternative. Either Congress should +recall all their Ministers from Europe, and leave all negotiations +to the French Ministry, or they must support their +Ministers against all insinuations. If Congress will see with +their own eyes, I can assure them, without fear of being +contradicted, that neither the color, figure, nor magnitude of +objects will always appear to them exactly as they do to +their allies. To send Ministers to Europe, who are supposed +by the people of America to see for themselves, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">401</a></span> +while in effect they see, or pretend to see nothing, but +what appears through the glass of a French Minister, is +to betray the just expectations of that people.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed"> +JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">The Hague, September 7th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>In answer to your letters, demanding my accounts, I +have the honor to enclose the three numbers, 1, 2, 3.</p> + +<p>No 1, is the account of my salary for two years and a +half, and the payment of it by Dr Franklin, in obedience +to the orders of Congress, the whole amounting to £6,250 +sterling.<a name="FNanchor_9" id="FNanchor_9" href="#Footnote_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a></p> + +<p>No 2, is the account for the purchase of the <i>Hôtel des +Etats-Unis de l'Amérique</i>, which amounts to fifteen thousand +two hundred and seven florins, seven stivers, and +eight duits. Over against it I have given credit for the +cash I received of Messrs de Neufvilles' loan, six thousand +six hundred and fifty florins. I have also given credit for +twelve thousand four hundred and twentyeight French +livres and five sols, which I received of M. Lagoanère in +Spain. I have been informed, it was the intention of Congress, +that the expenses of their Ministers to the places of +their destination should be borne in addition to their salaries. +The expenses, made by the Continental Navy +Board, for the accommodations of the voyage, were, no +doubt, intended to be so, for which reason I have taken no +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">402</a></span> +notice of them in my accounts, either of the first or second +voyage. But whether the expenses of our horrid journey +through Spain come within the intention of Congress or +not, I cannot tell. It was our misfortune to be cast, in a +leaky ship, on the Spanish coast, and to make a very distressing, +and very expensive journey by land to Paris; but +whether it is the design of Congress to allow us this expense +or not, I know not, and very cheerfully submit to +their decision. If they should allow it, they will erase it +from this account, No. 2. But in that case they should +erase another article from No. 3.</p> + +<p>No. 3. That article is the first; four hundred dollars +stolen out of my chest at Dr Franklin's. After I received +my commission from Congress to borrow money in Holland, +Mr Thaxter was obliged to come to assist me; but +as it was not certain I should stay in Holland, it was not +proper to remove my baggage from Paris. Accordingly, +I wrote to Dr Franklin, requesting him to give house-room +to my chests, which he was kind enough to agree to. They +were all accordingly carried there; but while there, some +thief broke out the bottom of one of my chests and carried +off four hundred dollars, which I could never hear of. Mr +Dana and Mr Thaxter knew, that the money was there, +and Dr Franklin knows it was stolen; and as this misfortune +has happened from my having two commissions, that +called my attention different ways, and from no fault of +mine, I think it is but reasonable I should be allowed it, +provided Congress shall charge me with the whole sum of +money received of M. Lagoanère. If they allow me that +sum, I do not desire to be allowed this four hundred +dollars.</p> + +<p>The second article in No. 3, is my journey to Paris. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">403</a></span> +As this was an additional and double expense, arising +necessarily from my having two departments, one for +peace, and one for Holland; and as it was a heavy expense, +I submit to Congress the propriety of allowing it.</p> + +<p>The other articles in No. 3, are deductions from my +salary, which Dr Franklin wrote me ought to be allowed +me by Congress, but he did not think himself authorised +to pay any more than my net salary; so that all charges +must fall upon me; whereas I apprehended the intention +of Congress was, that the net salary should be paid me, +and all necessary charges attending the payment of it, to +be borne by the public. I submit it, however, to their +decision.</p> + +<p>The other articles, of house rent, stationary, salaries of +clerks, postage of letters, and extra entertainments, are +articles, which Dr Franklin wrote me he had charged to +Congress, and since told me, that Mr Jay was of the same +opinion with him and me, that they ought to be. I +have not sent any particular account of these things, and +shall not, until I know the determination of Congress; +because it is extremely difficult for me to make out an +account of them. My life has been such a wandering +pilgrimage, that I have not been able to keep any distinct +account of them. They are scattered about in thousands +of receipts, with other things, which will require more time +to bring together than I will spend upon it, until I know +the pleasure of Congress. My house rent has, on an +average, cost me more than one hundred and fifty pounds +sterling a year, although mostly I have lived in furnished +lodgings. I have had but one clerk, Mr Thaxter, to +whom I hope Congress will make some compensation for +his faithful and industrious services, in addition to what I +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">404</a></span> +have paid him, which has been only one hundred pounds +sterling a year. If Congress will allow this to me, it may +be easily added by them to the account.</p> + +<p>The purchase of the house is a very good bargain. If +Congress should pay the house rent of their Ministers, it +will be cheaper here than anywhere, by reason of this purchase; +if not, their Minister here may pay interest of the +purchase money for rent, to Congress, as well as another. +But in that case he will live at a cheaper rate than any +other Minister. I have been at a small additional expense +for repairs, which has put the house in order; but as the +accounts are not yet brought in, I cannot exactly tell the +sum. When they come in, I shall draw on the Messrs. +Willinks, Van Staphorsts, and de la Lande and Fynjè, for +the money, unless I shall have contrary orders from Congress.</p> + +<p>I have ever made a large expense for newspapers, for +the sake of public intelligence, and have sent them as +often as I could, and in great numbers, to America. As I +ever have, I ever shall send them all there, and if Congress +shall think this a proper charge to the public, it may be +added hereafter.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.,</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO JOHN ADAMS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Philadelphia, September 15th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Dear Sir,</p> + +<p>I have been favored with your letters from the 19th of +April to the 5th of July, by the <i>Heer Adams</i>. How impatiently +they have been expected, you will be able to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">405</a></span> +judge, by mine of the 29th ult. which you will receive +with this. The events they announce, are considered of +the utmost importance here, and have been directed to be +officially communicated to the different States.</p> + +<p>Your loan is approved, and the ratification herewith +transmitted. The resolution, which will accompany this, +will be a sufficient spur to induce you to extend every +nerve to get it filled; for if the war continues, it will be +essential to our exertions; if it should terminate, it will not +be less necessary to enable us to discharge our army; in +every view it is necessary. In the present situation of the +States, money can be raised but slowly by taxation. New +systems must be introduced, which cannot without difficulty +be adopted in the hurry, confusion, and distress of a war. +They will, however, be adopted. Congress are constantly +employed in discussing the means for a regular payment of +the interest, and the gradual discharge of the principal +of their debt.</p> + +<p>The other resolution arises from the difficulty of ascertaining +what are really the funds of the United States in +Europe, when more than one person can dispose of them. +I am satisfied this resolution will meet your approbation, +from the rule which you say you have prescribed to yourself. +It will, I dare say, be equally agreeable to our Ministers +to be released from the troublesome task of bankers +to the United States.</p> + +<p>You mention the negotiations on the tapis in Paris, but +so slightly, as to leave us in the dark concerning their progress, +presuming, (as, indeed, you might have done, on +probable grounds) that we should receive information on +that subject from Dr Franklin, but, unfortunately, we have +learnt nothing from him. I must beg, therefore, in order +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">406</a></span> +to open as many channels of information as possible, that +you would give me, not only the state of your own affairs, +but every other information, which you may receive from +our other Ministers, or through any other authentic channel.</p> + +<p>I observe your last memorial, or note, is in French. +Would it not be expedient, and more for our honor, if +all our Ministers at every Court were to speak the language +of our own country, which would at least preserve +them from errors, which an equivocal term might lead +them into. I mention this, merely as a hint, which is submitted +to your judgment.</p> + +<p>We are informed that the <i>Aigle</i> and <i>Gloire</i>, two frigates +from France, have just entered the Capes, closely pursued +by a British ship of the line, and three frigates. It +is strongly apprehended from the situation in which they +were left, that they must either be destroyed, or fall into +the enemy's hands.</p> + +<p>Pigot is arrived at New York, with twentysix sail of the +line. The late changes in administration seem to have +made such a change here, that I much doubt whether they +will quit us this fall, at least, till they hear again from England, +though they certainly were making every disposition +for it before. I will keep this letter open till I hear the +fate of the frigates, and know whether our despatches by +them can be preserved.</p> + +<p>M. Dumas's application is before Congress. They may +possibly appoint him Secretary to the Legation, which I +heartily wish they may, as he certainly has been an assiduous +and faithful servant. But there is no probability of +their going further, as they would not choose to appoint +any but an American to so important an office, as that of +<i>Chargé des Affaires</i>. Nor will their present system of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">407</a></span> +economy permit them to make so great an addition to his +salary as you mention, which is much greater than is +usually allowed to secretaries, as their circumstances require +it to be less.</p> + +<p><i>September 18th.</i> The Aigle, Captain La Fouche, has +been driven on shore, and is lost within the Capes; her +despatches, money, and passengers, have, however, happily +been saved. The Gloire, the other frigate, has arrived +at Chester. I find no despatches from you among the +letters that have come to hand; nor anything from Holland, +but duplicates of letters from M. Dumas. Congress +yesterday passed the annexed resolution, which needs no +comment.</p> + +<p> +I am, Sir, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed_long">ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">The Hague, September 17th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>This morning, I was in conference with M. Fagel, in +order to make the last corrections in the language of the +treaty, which is to be executed in English and Dutch, as +that with the Crown of France, was in English and French. +We have now, I hope, agreed upon every word, if not +every point, and nothing remains, but to make five fair +copies of it for signature, which, however, is no little labor. +The Secretary thinks he shall accomplish them in the +course of this week, and part of the next, so that they +may be signed by the latter end of next week, or perhaps +the middle. The Secretary, who has always been complaisant, +was more so than ever today. He congratulated +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">408</a></span> +me, upon the prospect of a speedy conclusion of this +matter; hoped it would be highly beneficial to both +nations; and that our posterity might have cause to rejoice +in it even more than we. He says the usage is, for two +Deputies to sign it, on the part of Holland, and one on the +part of each other Province, so that there will be eight +signers in behalf of the Republic.</p> + +<p>It is now nearly five months since I was publicly received, +and proposed a project of a treaty. All this time +it has taken the several Provinces and cities to examine, +make their remarks, and fresh propositions, and bring +the matter to a conclusion. It would not have been so +long, however, if the Court had been delighted with the +business. But, in a case where unanimity was requisite, +and the Court not pleased, it was necessary to proceed +with all the softness, caution, and prudence, possible, that +no ill humors might be stirred. Yet, in a case, where the +nation's heart is so engaged, in which its commerce and +love of money is so interested, what wretched policy is it +in this Court, to show even a lukewarmness, much more +an aversion. Yet, such is the policy, and such it will be. +The Prince of Orange is, to all appearance, as incurable +as George the Third, his cousin.</p> + +<p>I was afterwards an hour with the French Ambassador, +at his house. He tells me, his last letters from the Count +de Vergennes say, that he has yet seen no appearance of +sincerity on the part of the British Ministry, in the negotiations +for peace. Of this, Congress will be easily convinced +by the copies I have transmitted of the commissions +of Mr Fitzherbert and Oswald.</p> + +<p>The subject of our conversation was the means of getting +out the Dutch fleet, which is now in the Texel, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">409</a></span> +although the British fleet, under Milbank, is returned to +Portsmouth, and probably sailed with Lord Howe for Gibraltar. +I asked the Duke, where was the combined fleet? +His last accounts were, that they were off Cape Ortegal, +endeavoring to get round Cape Finisterre to Cadiz. He +speaks of it, as doubtful, whether they will give battle to +Lord Howe, because the Spanish ships, with an equal +number of guns, are of a smaller caliber than the English; +but hopes that the blow will be struck before Howe arrives. +The means of getting the fleet out of the Texel to intercept +a fleet of English ships from the Baltic, came next +under consideration. But the wind is not fair. It might +have gone out, but they had not intelligence.</p> + +<p>I asked, who it was that governed naval matters? He +answered, the Prince. But surely the Prince must have +some assistance, some confidential minister, officer, clerk, +secretary, or servant. If he were a Solomon, he could +not manage the fleet, and the whole system of intelligence, +and orders concerning it, without aid. He said, it is the +College of the Admiralty, and sometimes M. Bisdom, who +is a good man, and sometimes M. Van der Hope, who +may be a good man, he has sense and art, but is suspected. +Very well, said I, M. Bisdom and M. Van der +Hope ought to be held responsible, and the eyes of the +public ought to be turned towards them, and they ought to +satisfy the public. The Duke said the Prince is afraid of +the consequences. He knows that the sensations of the +people are very lively at present, and nobody knows what +may be the consequence of their getting an opinion, that +there has been negligence, or anything worse, which may +have prevented them from striking a blow. I asked, if +they had any plan for obtaining intelligence, the soul of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">410</a></span> +war, from England? And he said the Grand Pensionary +told him, he paid very dear for intelligence.</p> + +<p>However, I cannot learn, and do not believe that they +have any rational plan for obtaining intelligence necessary +from every quarter, as they ought. They should have intelligence +from every seaport in France, England, Scotland, +Germany, and all round the Baltic, and they should +have light frigates and small vessels out. But when war +is unwillingly made, everything is not done. The next +subject was the proposition from Amsterdam, for renewing +the concert of operations for the next campaign.</p> + +<p>Congress may hear of some further plans for a separate +peace between Holland and England, but they will not +succeed. The Republic will stand firm, though it will +not be so active as we could wish, and the concert of operations +will be renewed.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3> +<i>Extract from the Records of the Resolutions of their +High Mightinesses the States-General of the United +Netherlands.</i></h3> + +<p><i>Tuesday, September 17th, 1782.</i> "The Lord Van Randwyk +and others, Deputies of their High Mightinesses for +the Department of Foreign Affairs, in obedience to, and in +compliance with their resolution of the 23d of April of the +present year, having conferred with Mr Adams, Minister +Plenipotentiary from the United States of America, respecting +the entering into a treaty of amity and commerce +with the said States, reported to this Assembly, that the +said Mr Adams, on the 26th of April thereafter, did deliver +to them a plan of such a treaty, requesting the same +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">411</a></span> +might be examined, and that such articles might be added, +as might be deemed most serviceable. That the said gentlemen, +Deputies, after having consulted and advised with +the committees of the respective colleges of the Admiralty +upon the said plan or sketch of a treaty, made sundry observations +thereon, and also sundry separate propositions, +all which on the 26th of August last they communicated +to the said Mr Adams, who, on the 27th following, returned +his answer thereto; which having compared with +the said propositions, and finding the same in substance +conformable thereto, and all difficulties that had occurred +entirely removed, they drew up a new treaty, and also a +new convention on the subject of retaken prizes, in conformity +to the determination that has been previously +adopted and resolved on, and the treaties so prepared, they +handed to Mr Adams, on the 6th of this current month, +who, since, has declared himself perfectly satisfied therewith.</p> + +<p>"Wherefore, the said gentlemen, Deputies for Foreign +Affairs, submit it to the consideration of their High Mightinesses +to determine, whether it would not be proper and +necessary to authorise them to conclude and sign with Mr +Adams, the treaty and convention aforesaid.</p> + +<p>"Whereupon having deliberated, it is found and judged +right, that the said treaty and convention be drawn out +afresh, and fair copies thereof made, in order that the +finishing hand may be put thereto; and the said Lord Van +Randwyk, and others, their High Mightinesses' Deputies +for Foreign Affairs, are hereby requested and authorised to +conclude and sign the said treaty and convention with the +aforesaid Mr Adams.</p> + +<p class="signed"> +W. Z. VAN BORSSELE.</p> + +<p>Compared with the record.</p> + +<p class="signed"> +H. FAGEL." +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">412</a></span></p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">The Hague, September 17th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>You will naturally inquire, whether the neutral powers +will continue their neutrality, or whether the neutral confederacy +will be broken?</p> + +<p>No certain answer can be given to these questions. We +must content ourselves with probabilities, which are strong +for the continuance of the neutrality. Who indeed should +break it? The Emperor was thought to be the most +unlikely potentate to accede to it; but he has acceded and +has taken several steps, which prove that he will not break +it, at least by leaning towards England. Sweden is the +steady friend to France. The King of Prussia, whose +affections and inclinations are certainly towards France and +Holland, and alienated from England, would certainly at +this age of life be too cautious a politician to wage war for +England, against the Houses of Bourbon and Austria, +Holland and America.</p> + +<p>There remains only Russia and Denmark. What can +Russia do? This is a maritime war. She cannot assist +the English with land forces; a hundred thousand men +would do no good to England, on land. Her boasted +fleet, added to that of England, would only weaken it for +several reasons. Among the rest, because England must +maintain it with money, if not with officers and men, for +cash is wanting in Russia. Denmark remains, but what +can she do? Her Islands in the West Indies, and her +trade are at our mercy, and she would not have force +enough to defend her own, much less to assist England, if +she should declare war. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_413" id="Page_413">413</a></span></p> + +<p>A doctrine prevails that the acknowledgment of the +independence of America, is a hostility against England, +and consequently a breach of the neutrality. Our friends +have sometimes favored this idea. The Duc de la Vauguyon +has often expressed this sentiment to me; and if I +am not mistaken, the Marquis de Verac has said the same +to Mr Dana. If this opinion is not clear, it is very impolitic +to favor it. The Court of France, in their public +memorials, have denied it, and it would be difficult to +prove it, either by the law or practice of nations. Sending +or receiving Ambassadors, entering into peaceful commercial +treaties, or at least negotiating at Philadelphia, the +rights of neutral nations, is not taking arms against Great +Britain.</p> + +<p>But if an acknowledgment of our independence is a +hostility, a denial of it is so too, and if the maritime confederation +forbids the one, it forbids both. None of the +neutral nations can take the part of Great Britain, therefore, +without breaking to pieces that great system, which +has cost so much negotiation, and embraces so great a part +of mankind.</p> + +<p>The neutral powers set so high a value upon it, and +indeed make so great profit by it, that I think none of them +will take the part of Great Britain. The connexions of +the Duke Louis of Brunswick in Denmark and Russia, +have set some little machines in motion, partly to favor him, +and partly to hold out an appearance of something fermenting +for the benefit of Great Britain. But these will never +succeed so far as to draw any nation into the war, or to +incline this Republic to make a separate peace.</p> + +<p>It is to this source that I attribute certain observations +that are circulated in pamphlets and in conversation, "that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_414" id="Page_414">414</a></span> +there is at present an incoherence in the general system of +Europe. That the Emperor has deranged the whole system +of the equilibrium of Europe, so that if ever the Northern +Powers should think of stopping by a confederation +the preponderance of the Southern Powers, Holland will +be unable, on account of the demolition of the barriers, to +accede to that confederation."</p> + +<p>M. Magis, who has been eight and twenty years Envoy +at the Hague from the Bishop of Liege, and who converses +more with all the foreign Ministers here, than any other, +has said to me, not long since, "Sir, the wheel rolls on too +long and too rapidly one way; it must roll back again, +somewhat, to come to its proper centre. The power of +the House of Bourbon rises, and that of Great Britain sinks +too fast, and I believe, the Emperor, although he seems +perfectly still at present, will come out at length, and take +the greatest part of any power in the final adjustment of +affairs."</p> + +<p>The Count de Mirabel, the Sardinian Minister, said to +me, upon another occasion, "your country, Sir, will be +obliged in the vicisitudes of things, to wheel round, and +take part with England, and such allies, as she may obtain, +in order to form a proper balance in the world." My +answer to both was, "these sentiments betray a jealousy +of a too sudden growth of the power of the House of Bourbon; +but whose fault is it, if it is a fact, (which it does not +appear to be as yet) and whose fault will it be, if it should +hereafter become a fact? Why do the neutral powers +stand still and see it, or imagine they see it, when it is so +easy to put a stop to it? They have only to acknowledge +American independence, and then, neither the House of +Bourbon nor England will have a colorable pretence for +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_415" id="Page_415">415</a></span> +continuing the war, from which alone the jealousy can +arise."</p> + +<p>The Prince de Gallitzin said, not long since, that the +conduct of this Republic, in refusing a separate peace, &c. +he feared would throw all Europe into a war, there were +so many pretensions against England. I quote these sayings +of foreign Ministers, because you express a desire to +hear them, and because they show all the color of argument +in favor of England that anybody has advanced. All +these Ministers allow that American independence is decided, +even the Ministers from Portugal, within a few +days said it to me expressly. It is therefore very unreasonable +in them to grumble at what happens, merely in +consequence of their neutrality.</p> + +<p>It is the miserable policy of the Prince of Orange's +counsellors, as I suppose, which has set a few springs in +motion here. M. Markow, one of the Ministers of Russia, +and M. St Saphorin, the Minister from Denmark, are +the most openly and busily in favor of England. But if, +instead of endeavoring to excite jealousies and foment prejudices +against the House of Bourbon, or compassion towards +England, they would endeavor to convince her of +the necessity of acknowledging American independence, +or to persuade the neutral powers to decide the point, by +setting the example, they would really serve England, and +the general cause of mankind. As it goes at present, their +negotiations serve no cause whatever, that I can conceive +of, unless it be that of the Duke of Brunswick, and, in the +end, it will appear that even he is not served by it.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed"> +JOHN ADAMS. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_416" id="Page_416">416</a></span></p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">The Hague, September 23d, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>As this is a moment of great expectation, news of the +greatest importance from the East Indies, from the West +Indies and North America, from Gibraltar, from Lord +Howe's fleet, and the combined fleet, being hourly looked +for, I took this opportunity to return to the Spanish Minister +a visit, which I owed him.</p> + +<p>He told me, that he trembled for the news we should +have from Gibraltar. I asked him if he thought there +would be a battle at sea. He answered, yes. He believed +the combined fleet would meet Lord Howe, and +give him battle. I said, in this case it will probably be but +a running fight. His Lordship's object was to protect his +convoy and get into the port, and he would not stop to +fight more than should be unavoidable. D. Llano, however, +said, that he believed the fate of Gibraltar would be +decided before Howe could arrive, either the place taken, +or the assault given over. By his advices, the attack was +to begin the 4th or 5th of September. Howe sailed the +12th, and would be probably twenty days at least on his +way, which would leave a space of twentyseven or twentyeight +days for the attack, which would decide it one way +or the other.</p> + +<p>I did not think proper to tell him my own apprehensions, +and I wish I may be mistaken, but I have no expectation +at all, in my own mind, that the combined fleet will +meet Howe; that there will be any naval engagement; or +that Gibraltar will surrender. They will make a horrid +noise with their artillery against the place; but this noise +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417">417</a></span> +will not terrify Elliot, and Gibraltar will remain to the English +another year, and Lord Howe return to England, +and all Europe will laugh. England, however, if she were +wise, would say, what is sport to you, is death to us, who +are ruined by these expenses. The earnest zeal of Spain +to obtain that impenetrable rock, what has it not cost the +House of Bourbon this war? And what is the importance +of it? A mere point of honor! a trophy of insolence to +England, and of humiliation to Spain! It is of no utility, +unless as an asylum for privateers in time of war; for it is +not to be supposed, that the powers of Europe, now that +the freedom of commerce is so much esteemed, will permit +either England or Spain to make use of this fortress +and asylum as an instrument to exclude any nation from +the navigation of the Mediterranean.</p> + +<p>From the <i>Hôtel d'Espagne</i>, I went to that of France, +and the Duc de la Vauguyon informed me that he had a +letter from the Count de Vergennes, informing him that he +had received, in an indirect manner, a set of preliminary +propositions, as from the British Ministry, which they were +said to be ready to sign, that he had sent M. de Rayneval +to London, to know with certainty whether those +preliminaries came from proper authority or not.</p> + +<p>Thus we see, that two Ministers from England, and +another from Holland, are at Paris to make peace. The +Count d'Aranda is said to have powers to treat on the part +of Spain. Mr Franklin and Mr Jay are present on the part +of the United States, and M. Gerard de Rayneval is at +London. Yet, with all this, the British Ministry have never +yet given any proof of their sincerity, nor any authority +to any one to treat with the United States. I believe the +British Ministry, even my Lord Shelburne would give such +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_418" id="Page_418">418</a></span> +powers if he dared. But they dare not. They are afraid +of the King, of the old Ministry, and a great party in the +nation, irritated every moment by the refugees, who spare +no pains, and hesitate at no impostures, to revive offensive +hostilities in America. If Gibraltar should be relieved, +and their fleets should arrive from the West Indies and the +Baltic, and they should not have any very bad news from +the East Indies, the nation will recover from its fright, +occasioned by the loss of Cornwallis, Minorca, and St +Kitts, and the Ministry will not yet dare to acknowledge +American independence. In this case, Mr Fox and Mr +Burke will lay their foundation of opposition, and the state +of the finances will give them great weight. But the Ministry +will find means to provide for another campaign.</p> + +<p>But to return to the Duc de la Vauguyon, who informed +me further, that he had received instructions to propose +to the Prince of Orange a new plan of concert of operations, +viz; that the Dutch fleet, or at least a detachment +of it, should now, in the absence of Lord Howe, sail from +the Texel to Brest, and join the French ships there, in a +cruise to intercept the British West India fleet. The +Prince does not appear pleased with the plan. He has +not yet accepted it. The Grand Pensionary appears to +approve it, and support it with warmth. There is now a +fine opportunity for the Dutch fleet to strike a blow, either +alone, upon the Baltic fleet, or in conjunction with the +French, or even alone upon the West India fleet. But +the main spring of the machine is broken or unbent. +There is neither capacity nor good will among those that +direct the navy.</p> + +<p>At dinner, in the course of the day, with M. Gyzelaar, +M. Visscher, and a number of the co-patriots, at the <i>Hôtel</i> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_419" id="Page_419">419</a></span> +<i>de Dort</i>, they lamented this incurable misfortune. Some +of them told me, that the sums of money, granted and expended +upon their marine, ought to have produced them +a hundred and twenty vessels of war of all sizes; whereas +they have not one quarter of the number. They have no +more than twelve of the line in the Texel, reckoning in the +number two fifties; and they have not more than six or +seven in all the docks of Amsterdam, Zealand, the Meuse +and Friesland, which can be ready next year.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>A MEMORIAL CONCERNING THE BANK OF AMSTERDAM.<a name="FNanchor_10" id="FNanchor_10" href="#Footnote_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a></h3> + +<p>The Bank of Amsterdam is much more simple than the +denomination implies, in general, in the ideas of foreigners.</p> + +<p>It differs widely from those of Venice, London, and +others, which have a capital, formed by proprietors (actionaries) +to whose profit these banks operate. That of +Amsterdam makes neither commerce nor loan, but upon +real specie, upon their intrinsic value, and upon matters in +bars (ingots) of gold and silver.</p> + +<p>This bank was erected in 1609. The magistrates of +the city opened the project of the bank for the convenience +of the merchants; but it is probable it was +invented by the merchants themselves, as a remedy for the +difficulty of payments, which became more and more considerable +and embarrassing.</p> + +<p>1. Because there was a great deal of foreign money in +the city, with which they made payments reciprocally, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_420" id="Page_420">420</a></span> +amidst eternal disputes, concerning the value to be given +or received.</p> + +<p>2. Because, in the great number of coins struck by the +States, diversely altered, and singularly divided, they had +not all a constant circulation, notwithstanding the orders of +the sovereign. Some were declined, even below the fixed +value, and others were worth more.</p> + +<p>3. The external cashiers, which the merchants employed +in those times, as they do at present to receive the +money, which is due to them in the city, and to pay in +their turn what they owe, profited, of the two inconveniences +beforementioned to make to themselves gain, +which augmented the disorder and the vexation of payments, +as well as in writings.</p> + +<p>The merchants contrived then to make reciprocal payments, +by a simple transposition of debit from one, to the +credit of the other; but to this end, it was necessary to +assure the validity of payments made in this manner, by a +known and real value, and solidly placed under the +authority and warranty of the city. The magistracy lent +themselves to arrangements, which answered to all these +conditions, so that a number of merchants and cashiers +deposited at first at their pleasure, a sum in specie, more +or less considerable, which was then designated by the +commissaries of the bank, as ducats, or rix dollars and +others, which money was placed in one of the vaults of the +State-House, under the departments assigned for the carrying +on of this bank. Those, who carried there their +money, were credited for it, upon a leaf of the great book, +which was shown to them, and from that time they might +make reciprocal payments, as is practised at this day, +without handling any cash, with this simple formula, viz. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_421" id="Page_421">421</a></span></p> + +<p>"Gentlemen, the commissioners of the bank; please to +pay N. N. five thousand florins.</p> + +<p class="signed">P. G.</p> + +<p>Amsterdam, this ——."</p> + +<p>By means of which, the book-keepers had not, and +have not still, anything to do, but to debit P. G. with five +thousand florins, and credit N. N. for the same sum; so +that, if they had deposited each one ten thousand florins in +cash, there would remain of it, to the credit of P. G. only +five thousand florins, and N. N. would have fifteen thousand +florins to his, whereof he might dispose, in his turn, +the next day, in favor of one or more others having accounts +open in the bank. This manner of making payments +was found so convenient, and they took such a confidence +in it, that all the bankers and merchants, even down to the +petty traders, made haste to open an account, and to carry +there money, more or less, relatively to approaching payments, +which they had to make in bank; so that there was +soon a sufficiency of specie deposited for a foundation of +all the payments, which were from that time designed to +be made in bank, viz. all the bills of exchange of above +three hundred florins, drawn by foreigners upon Amsterdam, +and in Amsterdam upon foreigners, all the merchandises +of the East Indies, the wools of Spain, and some +other articles.</p> + +<p>It happened then, that they ceased to carry thither the +monies of Holland, because the merchants, having occasion +alternately, some of the money in bank for current +money, and others, of current money for money in bank, +they found a great facility in selling one for the other. +From thence arose a commerce of agiotage, (<i>pour l'agio</i>) +which had been already prepared, because it had been +resolved, for good reasons without doubt, as in case of a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_422" id="Page_422">422</a></span> +flood of specie, &c. that the bank would not receive the +monies, which they would deposit, but at five per cent +below the current value; so that to have one thousand +florins in bank to one's credit, it was necessary to deposit +one thousand and fifty florins in current cash. Behold +thus this agio establishment, and the money of the bank, +worth five per cent more than the current money. This +value of five per cent soon varied, because some one, who +found that he had too much money in bank, and was in +want of current, sought to sell the first for the second, +found a purchaser, who would not give him more than four +seveneighths per cent; that is to say, one thousand and +fortyeight florins and fifteen stivers, for one thousand in +bank. Thus of the rest in such sort, that at all times, +when one would buy or sell the money in bank, there is no +question but to agree upon the price of the agio, which is +subject to a perpetual variation, and which is more or less +high, according to the wants of epochs; as for example, +when the company makes its sales, the merchants have +greater want of money in bank to pay their purchases, +which raises the agio, which falls again, when the company +would sell that, which is come into them for current +money, in which all payments are made for fitting out of +vessels.</p> + +<p>The payments of bills of exchange, being to be made, +as it has been said, in bank money, the price of all exchanges +of current money, which were heretofore fixed in +bank money, for example, a crown tournois, of sixty sols, +the intrinsic value of which, founded upon the price of the +money mark, amounted to fiftyseven sols and threefourths, +current money of Holland, was placed at fiftyfive sols of +bank money; and thus of all the exchanges with all +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_423" id="Page_423">423</a></span> +foreign countries; from whence it results, that having sold +merchandises of a man of Bordeaux, the amount of +which produces net one thousand and fifty florins current, +or the credit of one thousand bank, the agio at one +hundred and five, when they make him a remittance, or +when he draws, they purchase so many crowns as are +necessary for the one thousand florins bank, at fiftyfive sols +fifteen derniers, which comes to the same thing as if they +bought crowns for one thousand and fifty florins current, at +fiftyseven and threefourths sols current. When any one +would open himself an account in the bank, he goes there +himself, and puts his signature upon a book to make it +known, and they give him the page upon which his account +shall be opened, which he ought always to place at the +head of the billet, by which he pays.</p> + +<p>They begin with debiting him with ten florins, once for +all, after which he pays no more to the bank, but two sols +for each bill that he writes, with which they debit him +twice a year, when they make the balance of the books, +viz. in January and July, at which epochs, each one is +obliged to settle accounts with the bank, and to go and demand +his pay, to see if they accord with the bank, under +the penalty, after six weeks, if they fail or neglect, of paying +a fine of twentyfive florins. The bank is shut at these +epochs, and continues shut during fourteen or fifteen +days, during which time, the bills of exchange sleep, and +although they fall due the first day of the shutting, or any +day following, they cannot be protested until the second or +third day after the opening. There are other little shuttings +of the bank, at the feasts, Christmas, Lent, Pentacost; +and at the fair, which continue but a few days. One cannot +dispose, till the next day, of the money, which enters +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_424" id="Page_424">424</a></span> +by the bank, except the second days of the openings, and +that of Pentacost. They call these days, the "returns of +bills" (<i>revirement de parties</i>) or the "recounting," because +they pay with that which they receive. One ought to +take care, not to dispose beyond one's credit, for not only +all the drafts whereof one has disposed are that day stopped, +that is to say they are invalid, but one is condemned +and obliged to pay a fine of triple of the whole, +which one has disposed of more than that which one has +in bank.</p> + +<p>The person who writes, ought himself to carry his draft +to the bank, or at least his attorney, between eight and +eleven o'clock in the morning; those who come after until +three o'clock, pay six sols fine for each draft. The merchants +ordinarily pass a procuration, which it is necessary +to renew once a year, to one of their clerks to carry their +drafts and demand their payments, which no other person +can do.</p> + +<p>They transfer every day in the week, except Sunday, +and during the shuttings, which are announced some weeks +beforehand.</p> + +<p>For arranging the merchants, and also for maintaining +and favoring the price of matters, and specie of gold and +silver, both foreign and that of the country, which are in +strictness only of mere commerce, as our ducats and rix +dollars, the bank receives them at a value determined and +relative to the weight and the title known by the pay-master +of the bank, but the sum which they there receive +ought not to be below two thousand five hundred florins. +The bank gives receipts for the specie, &c. which they +deposit there for six months, which are to the bearer; so +that, within the time, if the specie or matters exceed, the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_425" id="Page_425">425</a></span> +proprietor may sell his receipt to another, who pays him +the surplus of what they are worth of the price at which +the bank has received them, and this receipt may thus +pass through several hands, as often happens by the idea +which they form of the excess or of the deficiency. He +who is the bearer of this receipt, may go and take away +these matters or specie when he will, in paying at the +bank, the value which it has advanced to him who has deposited +them, and, moreover, half of a florin for the keeping +of them the six months, both upon gold and upon bars of +silver, and quarter of a florin upon Mexican dollars, rix +dollars, and some other species of money. When this +term is expired, one may cause to be renewed the receipts, +in paying at the bank the half or quarter florin due thus +from six months to six months; but if one let pass that +time without taking away his deposit, or without renewing +it, it is devolved to the bank, which keeps it to its profit.</p> + +<p>The bank is governed under the inspection of the Burgomasters, +by six commissaries, chosen and named by the +Burgomasters from among the magistrates and principal +merchants, under the care of whom is the deposited treasure. +They furnish every year in the month of February, +a balance of the bank to the Burgomasters, the youngest of +whom goes down with them into the vaults, to verify and +take account of the number of sacks, and of the specie +contained in said balance, and forming the real and effective +fund that each one has in the bank; and whatever +may have been said or suspected upon this subject, it is +very certain, that the fund rolling through the bank, is +really there deposited in specie, ingots, and bars of gold +and silver. This treasure is not, moreover, so immense as +many people imagine. Some authors have written, (without +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_426" id="Page_426">426</a></span> +doubt by estimation) that it went as far as three hundred +millions of florins, which is not credible, when we consider +the returns of the bills (<i>revirements de parties</i>) which +are continually made, between those who have reciprocal +payments to make among themselves. We know very +nearly, that there are scarcely more than two thousand +accounts open upon the books of this bank; so that in +order to make three hundred millions of florins, it is necessary +that these two thousand persons should have, one with +another, one hundred and fifty thousand florins each in +bank, which is beyond all probability, especially, if we +consider that A and B having there each one, ten thousand +florins, might reciprocally pay themselves sixty thousand +florins per week, and thus make a circulation of transposition +of one hundred and twenty thousand per week, with +twenty thousand of <i>sign effective</i>. So that reducing the +year to forty weeks of payment, with regard to the intervals +which take place in the times of the shuttings, which +is too large an allowance, it would result, that with fifty millions, +there might be made twelve thousand millions of florins +of payments per annum. According to this, and considering +that the money in bank brings in no benefit, it is easy +to imagine, that there is not much more than is necessary +for the circulation of payments in bank, and that its treasure +cannot be so considerable as many people imagine.</p> + +<p>The bank never lends upon any species of merchandise, +nor discounts any paper, nor makes any other profit than +the half or quarter of a florin upon the gold and silver +there deposited, and which, added to the ten florins for the +opening of accounts, and two stivers for each draft of +which I have spoken, serves to pay all the expenses of +clerks and others, which is occasioned by the bank. The +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_427" id="Page_427">427</a></span> +overplus, which is not very considerable, goes to the profit +of the city.</p> + +<p>No arrest or attachment can be made of any moneys +which are in bank, under any pretext; the commissaries, +book keepers, and others, who are in the service of the +bank, are bound by oath to say nothing of what passes +there. No man has a right to require of the bank, the reimbursement +in specie of the sum with which he is credited; +(<i>a</i>) each one having his account only in the receipts +of the commissaries, which are in the term of six months. +It is certain, that the primitive fund, the receipts for which +they have suffered to be extinguished, is no longer demandable, +and that one cannot force the commissioners to +give specie, but it is not, therefore, the less true, that this +fund exists really, and one ought not, and cannot doubt, +that if the city was threatened with an inevitable invasion, +and if the merchants should require their money, to place +it elsewhere in safety, that the Burgomasters would cause +it to be paid, by giving so many florins in current money, +or value in bars or ingots, with which one should be +credited.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<p>(<i>a</i>) The author is here mistaken. All those who have +an account in bank, may demand to be paid in ready +money, but they cannot require the agio. By consequence, +while the bank shall have credit, and there shall +be commerce at Amsterdam, which cannot be carried on +without the money of the bank, and while there shall be, +consequently, an agio, no man will go and demand in +ready money, a sum which is worth five per cent more. +The author has not well distinguished between the sum of +money, or rather the specie, which one may redemand in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_428" id="Page_428">428</a></span> +the term of six months, by means of a receipt, and the +money for which one is credited in bank. Behold the +difference.</p> + +<p>When they have received at the bank a certain quality +of gold or silver, whether in money or in bars, for the +value of which the bank has credited upon its books the +proprietor, (not according to the value which this money +has in commerce, but according to its weight and denomination,) +in this case, the depositor, or he who holds the +receipt, has the right, by means of this receipt, and in restoring +to the bank the sum for which the first depositor +had been credited, to withdraw this gold or silver, paying +one half per cent for the keeping. But, the six months +elapsed, the receipt becomes useless, the gold or silver remains +in propriety to the bank, and the depositor must +content himself to have received in its place, the sum +which this gold or silver has been valued at, by which sum +he has been credited upon the books, and whereof he +might have disposed as he saw good. It is this sum that +he has the faculty of redemanding in ready money, when, +and as often as he judges proper, and as he is acknowledged +upon the books to be a creditor for that sum; but +they are not bound to restore him more than the net sum +without agio.</p> + +<p>No man will be, by consequence, mad enough to cause +himself to be paid four or five per cent less than the money +of the bank is worth in commerce. But if the money of +the bank should be so discredited, that there should be no +longer an agio, in that case, all the world would have a right +to come and demand at the bank, the amount of the sums +for which they are credited; and the bank, whose credit +would be ruined, would be obliged, without controversy +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_429" id="Page_429">429</a></span> +to make this payment, or to commit bankruptcy. It can +never acquire a right of propriety in the capitals for which +it has credit upon its books; but in case of restitution, it is +not obliged to restore the same matters, or the same +money for which it originally gave these credits. Over +these the right is lost, with the expiration of the time established +for the duration of the receipts, but it is held to +the restitution of the amounts of the credits, such as they +appear upon the books.</p> + +<p>September 26th, 1782.</p> + +<p> +For the use of Congress, from</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3> +TO M. DE LAFAYETTE.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">The Hague, September 29th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">My Dear General,</p> + +<p>I should have written you since the 29th of May, when +I wrote you a letter, that I hope you received, if it had not +been reported sometimes that you were gone, and at other +times, that you were upon the point of going to America.</p> + +<p>This people must be indulged in their ordinary march, +which you know is with the slow step. We have at length, +however, the consent of all the cities and Provinces, and +have adjusted and agreed upon every article, word, syllable, +letter, and point, and clerks are employed in making +out five fair copies for the signature, which will be done +this week.</p> + +<p>Amidst the innumerable crowd of loans, which are open +in this country, many of which have little success, I was +much afraid that ours would have failed. I have, however, +the pleasure to inform you, that I am at least one +million and a half in cash, about three millions of livres, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_430" id="Page_430">430</a></span> +which will be a considerable aid to the operations of our +financier at Philadelphia, and I hope your Court, with +their usual goodness, will make up the rest that may be +wanting.</p> + +<p>I am now as well situated as I ever can be in Europe. I +have the honor to live upon agreeable terms of civility with +the Ambassadors of France and Spain; and the Ministers +of all the other powers of Europe, whom I meet at the +houses of the French and Spanish Ministers, as well as at +Court, are complaisant and sociable. Those from Russia +and Denmark are the most reserved. Those from Sardinia +and Portugal are very civil. The Ministers of all +the neutral powers consider our independence as decided. +One of those even from Russia, said so not long ago, and +that from Portugal said it to me within a few days. You +and I have known this point to have been decided a long +time; but it is but lately, that the Ministers of neutral +powers, however they might think, have frankly expressed +their opinions; and it is now an indication, that it begins +to be the sentiment of their Courts, for they do not often +advance faster than their masters, in expressing their sentiments +upon political points of this magnitude.</p> + +<p>Pray what are the sentiments of the <i>Corps Diplomatique</i>, +at Versailles? What progress is made in the negotiation for +peace? Can anything be done before the British Parliament, +or at least the Court of St James, acknowledge the +sovereignty of the United States, absolute and unlimited?</p> + +<p>It would give me great pleasure to receive a line from +you, as often as your leisure will admit.</p> + +<p> +With great esteem, I have the honor to be, Sir, your +most obedient servant,</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_431" id="Page_431">431</a></span></p> + +<h3>TO JOHN JAY.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">The Hague, October 7th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Dear Sir,</p> + +<p>Your favor of the 28th ultimo, was brought me last +night. On Friday last I was notified, by the messenger of +their High Mightinesses, that the treaties would be ready +for signature on Monday, this day. I am, accordingly, at +noon, to go to the Assembly, and finish the business. But +when this is done, some time will be indispensable, to prepare +my despatches for Congress, and look out for the +most favorable conveyances for them. I must also sign +another thousand of obligations at least, that the loan may +not stand still. All this shall be despatched with all the +diligence in my power, but it will necessarily take up some +time, and my health is so far from being robust, that it will +be impossible for me to ride with as much rapidity as I +could formerly, although never remarkable for a quick +traveller. If anything in the meantime should be in agitation, +concerning peace, in which there should be any difference +of opinion between you and your colleague, you +have a right to insist upon informing me by express, or +waiting till I come.</p> + +<p><i>8th.</i> The signature was put off yesterday until today, +by the Prince being in conference with their High Mightinesses, +and laying his orders to the navy before them.</p> + +<p> +With great regard, your humble servant,</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_432" id="Page_432">432</a></span></p> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">The Hague, October 8th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>At twelve o'clock today I proceeded, according to +appointment, to the State-House, where I was received +with the usual formalities, at the head of the stairs, by M. +Van Santheuvel, a Deputy from the Province of Holland, +and M. Van Lynden, the first noble of Zealand, and a Deputy +from that Province, and by them conducted into the +Chamber of Business, (<i>chambre de besogne</i>) an apartment +belonging to the Truce Chamber, (<i>chambre de trêve</i>) where +were executed the Treaty of Commerce and the convention +concerning recaptures, after an exchange of full +powers.</p> + +<p>The Treaty and Convention are both closed, or at least +an authentic copy of each. If the copy should arrive +before the original, which I shall reserve to be sent by the +safest opportunity I can find, it will be a sufficient foundation +for the ratification of Congress. I hope the treaty +will be satisfactory to Congress. It has taken up much +time to obtain the remarks and the consent of all the members +of this complicated sovereignty. Very little of this +time has been taken up by me, as Congress will see by the +resolution of their High Mightinesses, containing the power +to the Deputies to conclude the treaty; for although all +communications were made to me in Dutch, a language in +which I was not sufficiently skilled to depend upon my own +knowledge, M. Dumas was ever at hand, and ever ready +to interpret to me everything in French, by which means +I was always able to give my answers without loss of time. +The papers, in which the whole progress of this negotiation +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_433" id="Page_433">433</a></span> +is contained in Dutch, French, and English, make a +large bundle, and after all, they contain nothing worth +transmitting to Congress. To copy them would be an +immense labor, to no purpose, and to send the originals, at +once would expose them to loss.</p> + +<p>Several propositions were made to me, which I could +not agree to, and several were made on my part, which +could not be admitted by the States. The final result +contained in the treaty, is as near the spirit of my instructions +as I could obtain, and I think it is nothing materially +variant from them. The Lords, the Deputies, proposed +to me to make the convention a part of the treaty. My +answer was, that I thought the convention, which is nearly +conformable with that lately made with France, would be +advantageous on both sides; but as I had no special +instructions concerning it, and as Congress might have objections, +that I could not foresee, it would be more agreeable +to have the convention separate; so that Congress, if +they should find any difficulty, might ratify the treaty without +it. This was accordingly agreed to. It seemed at +first to be insisted on, that we should be confined to the +Dutch ports in Europe, but my friend, M. Van Berckel, +and the merchants of Amsterdam, came in aid of me, in +convincing all, that it was their interest to treat us upon +the footing <i>gentis-amicissimæ</i>, in all parts of the world.</p> + +<p>Friesland proposed, that a right should be stipulated for +the subjects of this Republic to purchase lands in any of +our States; but such reasons were urged as convinced +them, that this was too extensive an object for me to agree +to; 1st. It was not even stipulated for France. 2dly. If +it should be now introduced into this treaty, all other +nations would expect the same, and although at present it +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_434" id="Page_434">434</a></span> +might not be impolitic to admit of this, yet nobody would +think it wise to bind ourselves to it forever. 3dly. What +rendered all other considerations unnecessary, was, that +Congress had not authority to do this, it being a matter of +the interior policy of the separate States. This was given +up. A more extensive liberty of engaging seamen in this +country was a favorite object; but it could not be obtained. +The <i>refraction</i>, as they call it, upon tobacco, in the weigh-houses, +is a thing, that enters so deeply into their commercial +policy, that I could not obtain anything, more particular +or more explicit, than what is found in the treaty. +Upon the whole, I think the treaty is conformable to the +principles of perfect reciprocity, and contains nothing, that +can possibly be hurtful to America, or offensive to our +allies, or to any other nation, except Great Britain, to +whom it is indeed, without a speedy peace, a mortal +blow.</p> + +<p>The rights of France and Spain are sufficiently secured +by the twentysecond article; although it is not in the very +words of the project, transmitted me by Congress, it is +the same in substance and effect. The Duc de la Vauguyon +was very well contented with it, and the States were +so jealous of unforeseen consequences from the words +of the article as sent me by Congress, and as first proposed +by me, that I saw it would delay the conclusion without +end. After several conferences, and many proposals, we +finally agreed upon the article as it stands, to the satisfaction +of all parties.</p> + +<p>The clause reserving to the Dutch their rights in the +East and West Indies, is unnecessary, and I was averse +to it, as implying a jealousy of us. But as it implies too +a compliment to our power and importance, was much +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_435" id="Page_435">435</a></span> +insisted on, and amounted to no more than we should have +been bound to without it, I withdrew my objection.</p> + +<p>The proviso of conforming to the laws of the country, +respecting the external show of public worship, I wished +to have excluded; because I am an enemy to every appearance +of restraint in a matter so delicate and sacred as +the liberty of conscience; but the laws here do not permit +Roman Catholics to have steeples to their churches, and +these laws could not be altered. I shall be impatient to +receive the ratification of Congress, which I hope may be +transmitted within the time limited.<a name="FNanchor_11" id="FNanchor_11" href="#Footnote_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a></p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">The Hague, October 12th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>Yesterday afternoon M. Van der Burg Van Spieringshock, +the Agent of their High Mightinesses, brought me +the enclosed resolution, relative to a vessel of M. Dubbledemuts. +I promised to enclose it to Congress. I would +have it translated here, but I have not time. I presume +Congress has, or will have, an interpreter for the Low +Dutch.</p> + +<p>It is much to be desired, that Congress would take some +measures to inquire into this matter. The cause for my +being so pressed for time, is, that I am preparing to set +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_436" id="Page_436">436</a></span> +off for Paris, and have not only all my despatches to make +up, to send the treaty, but have obligations to sign respecting +the loan, that so essential a business may not stand +still in my absence.</p> + +<p>Mr Jay writes me, that Mr Oswald has received a commission +to treat of peace with the Commissioners of the +United States of America. I shall set off for Paris next +week.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Paris, October 31st, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>Having executed the treaty of commerce at the Hague, +and despatched four copies of it, by four different vessels +bound to America from the Texel, and having signed a +sufficient number of obligations to leave in the hands of +Messrs Willinks, Van Staphorsts, and de la Lande and +Fynjè, and having received information from Mr Jay, that +Mr Oswald had received a commission from the King his +master, under the Great Seal of Great Britain, to treat +with the Commissioners of the United States of America, +I set off for Paris, where I arrived on Saturday, the 26th +of this month, after a tedious journey; the roads being, on +account of long continued rains, in the worst condition I +ever knew them.</p> + +<p>I waited forthwith on Mr Jay, and from him learned the +state of the conferences. It is not possible, at present, to +enter into details. All I can say is in general, that I had +the utmost satisfaction in finding, that he had been all along +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_437" id="Page_437">437</a></span> +acting here upon the same principles upon which I had +ventured to act in Holland, and that we were perfectly +agreed in our sentiments and systems. I cannot express +it better than in his own words; "to be honest and grateful +to our allies, but to think for ourselves." I find a construction +put upon one article of our instructions by some +persons, which I confess I never put upon it myself. It +is represented by some, as subjecting us to the French +Ministry, as taking away from us all right of judging for +ourselves, and obliging us to agree to whatever the French +Ministers shall advise us to, and to do nothing without +their consent. I never supposed this to be the intention +of Congress; if I had, I never would have accepted the +commission, and if I now thought it their intention, I +could not continue in it. I cannot think it possible to be +the design of Congress; if it is, I hereby resign my place +in the commission, and request that another person may +be immediately appointed in my stead.</p> + +<p>Yesterday we met Mr Oswald at his lodgings; Mr Jay, +Dr Franklin, and myself, on one side, and Mr Oswald, assisted +by Mr Strachey, a gentleman whom I had the honor +to meet in company with Lord Howe upon Staten Island +in the year 1776, and assisted also by a Mr Roberts, a +clerk in some of the public offices, with books, maps, and +papers, relative to the boundaries.</p> + +<p>I arrived in a lucky moment for the boundary of the +Massachusetts, because I brought with me all the essential +documents relative to that object, which are this day to be +laid before my colleagues in conference at my house, and +afterwards before Mr Oswald.</p> + +<p>It is now apparent, at least to Mr Jay and myself, that, +in order to obtain the western lands, the navigation of the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_438" id="Page_438">438</a></span> +Mississippi, and the fisheries, or any of them, we must act +with firmness and independence, as well as prudence and +delicacy. With these, there is little doubt we may obtain +them all.</p> + +<p>Yesterday I visited M. Brantzen, the Dutch Minister, +and was by him very frankly and candidly informed of the +whole progress of the negotiation on their part. It is very +shortly told. They have exchanged full powers with Mr +Fitzherbert, and communicated to him their preliminaries, +according to their instructions, which I have heretofore +transmitted to Congress. Mr Fitzherbert has sent them +to London and received an answer, but has communicated +to them no more of this answer than this, that those preliminaries +are not relished at St James'. He excused his +not having seen them for six or seven days, by pretence of +indisposition, but they are informed that he has made frequent +visits to Versailles during these days, and sent off +and received several couriers.</p> + +<p>How the negotiation advances between Mr Fitzherbert, +and the Count de Vergennes, and the Count d'Aranda, we +know not.</p> + +<p>The object of M. de Rayneval's journey to London, is +not yet discovered by any of us. It is given out, that he +was sent to see whether the British Ministry were in +earnest.<a name="FNanchor_12" id="FNanchor_12" href="#Footnote_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> But this is too general. It is suspected that he +went to insinuate something relative to the fisheries and +the boundaries, but it is probable he did not succeed respecting +the former, and perhaps not entirely, with respect +to the latter.</p> + +<p> +With great respect, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_439" id="Page_439">439</a></span></p> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Paris, November 6th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>Two days ago arrived by Captain Barney, the letters +you did me the honor to write me, the 22d, 29th, 30th, +triplicate of May, 4th of July, 29th of August, and 15th of +September.</p> + +<p>I was unconditionally received in Holland, and promised +upon record conferences and audiences, whenever I should +demand them, before I entered into any treaty, and without +this I should never have entered into any; and full +powers were given to the Committee of Foreign Affairs, +before I entered into any conferences with them. I have +ventured upon the same principle in the affair of peace, and +uniformly refused to come to Paris, until our independence +was unconditionally acknowledged by the King of Great +Britain. Mr Jay has acted on the same principle with +Spain, and with Great Britain. The dignity of the United +States, being thus supported, has prevailed in Holland and +Great Britain; not indeed as yet in Spain, but we are in a +better situation in relation to her, than we should have been +if the principle had been departed from. The advice of +the Count de Vergennes has been contrary; but however +great a Minister he may be in his own department, his +knowledge is insufficient and his judgment too often erroneous +in our affairs, to be an American Minister.</p> + +<p>Intelligence from Holland is impossible through France. +Events in Holland can seldom be foreseen one day. When +they happen, they are inserted in the gazettes, transferred +to the <i>Courier de l'Europe</i>, the English and French gazettes, +and get to America before it is possible for me to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_440" id="Page_440">440</a></span> +transmit them directly. Besides, Sir, I have sometimes +thought, that my time was better employed in doing business, +that might produce other events, than in multiplying +copies and conveyances of despatches, which would contain +nothing, but what I knew the newspapers would announce +as soon; my reputation may not be so well husbanded by +this method, but the cause of my country is served. I am +not insensible to reputation; but I hope it has not been a +principal object. Perhaps it has not been enough an +object. I see so much of the omnipotence of reputation, +that I begin to think so. I know very well, however, that +if mine cannot be supported by facts, it will not be by +trumpeters.</p> + +<p>If it were in my power to do anything for the honor of +the department or Minister of Foreign Affairs, I would +cheerfully do it, because I am a friend to both; and to this +end, you will, I am sure, not take it amiss if I say, that it is +indispensably necessary for the service of Congress, and +the honor of the office, that it be kept impenetrably secret +from the French Minister in many things. The office will +be an engine for the ruin of the reputation of your Ministers +abroad, and for injuring our cause in material points, the +fishery, the western lands, and the Mississippi, &c. if it is +not.</p> + +<p>I thank you, Sir, for the hint about the English language. +I think with you, that we ought to make a point +of it, and after some time, I hope it will be an instruction +from Congress to all their Ministers.</p> + +<p>As to the negotiations for peace, we have been night and +day employed in them ever since my arrival on the 26th +of October. Doctor Franklin, without saying anything to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_441" id="Page_441">441</a></span> +me, obtained of Mr Jay a promise of his vote<a name="FNanchor_13" id="FNanchor_13" href="#Footnote_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> for Mr W. +T. Franklin, to be Secretary to the commission for peace; +and as the Doctor and his Secretary are in the same house, +and there are other clerks enough, I suppose he will transmit +to Congress details of the negotiations. I shall be +ready to lend them any assistance in my power; and I will +endeavor as soon as I can to transmit them myself; but +after spending forenoon, afternoon, and evening, in discussions, +it is impossible to transmit all the particulars. No +man's constitution is equal to it.</p> + +<p>The English have sent Mr Oswald, who is a wise and +good man, and, if untrammelled, would soon settle all, and +Mr Strachey, who is a keen and subtle one, although not +deeply versed in such things; and a Mr Roberts, who is a +clerk in the Board of Trade, and Mr Whithead, who is private +Secretary to Mr Oswald. These gentlemen are very +profuse in their professions of national friendship; of earnest +desires to obliterate the remembrance of all unkindnesses, +and to restore peace, harmony, friendship, and make them +perpetual, by removing every seed of future discord. All +this, on the part of Mr Oswald personally, is very sincere. +On the part of the nation, it may be so in some sense at +present; but I have my doubts, whether it is a national +disposition, upon which we can have much dependence, +and still more, whether it is the sincere intention of the +Earl of Shelburne.</p> + +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_442" id="Page_442">442</a></span></p> + +<p>He has been compelled to acknowledge American independence, +because the Rockingham Administration had +resolved upon it, and Carleton and Digby's letter to General +Washington, had made known that resolution to the +world; because the nation demanded that negotiations +should be opened with the American Ministers, and they +refused to speak or hear, until their independence was acknowledged +unequivocally and without conditions, because +Messrs Fox and Burke had resigned their offices, pointedly, +on account of the refusal of the King, and my Lord +Shelburne, to make such an acknowledgment; and these +eloquent senators were waiting only for the session of Parliament +to attack his Lordship on this point; it was, therefore, +inevitable to acknowledge our independence, and no +Minister could have stood his ground without it. But still +I doubt, whether his Lordship means to make a general +peace. To express myself more clearly, I fully believe he +intends to try another campaign, and that he will finally +refuse to come to any definitive agreement with us, upon +articles to be inserted in the general peace.</p> + +<p>We have gone the utmost lengths to favor the peace. +We have at last agreed to boundaries with the greatest moderation. +We have offered them the choice of a line through +the middle of all the great lakes, or the line of 45 degrees +of latitude, the Mississippi, with a free navigation of it at +one end, and the river St Croix at the other. We have +agreed, that the courts of justice be opened for the recovery +of British debts due before the war, to a general amnesty +for all the royalists, against whom there is no judgment +rendered, or prosecution commenced. We have agreed, +that all the royalists, who may remain at the evacuation of +the States, shall have six months to sell their estates, and to +remove with them. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_443" id="Page_443">443</a></span></p> + +<p>These are such immense advantages to the Minister, +that one would think he could not refuse them. The +agreement to pay British debts, will silence the clamors of +all the body of creditors, and separate them from the +tories, with whom they have hitherto made common cause. +The amnesty and the term of six months will silence all +the tories, except those who have been condemned, banished, +and whose property has been confiscated; yet I do +not believe they will be accepted.</p> + +<p>I fear they will insist a little longer upon a complete indemnification +to all the refugees, a point, which, without +express instructions from all the States, neither we nor +Congress can give up; and how the States can ever agree +to it, I know not, as it seems an implicit concession of all +the religion and morality of the war. They will also insist +upon Penobscot as the eastern boundary. I am not +sure that the tories, and the Ministry, and the nation, are +not secretly stimulated by French emisaries, to insist upon +Penobscot, and a full indemnification to the tories. It is +easy to see, that the French Minister, the Spanish and the +Dutch Ministers would not be very fond of having it +known through the world, that all points for a general +peace were settled between Great Britain and America, +before all parties are ready. It is easy to comprehend, +how French, Spanish, and Dutch emisaries, in London, +in Paris, and Versailles, may insinuate, that the support of +the tories is a point of national and royal honor, and propagate +so many popular arguments in favor of it, as to embarrass +the British Minister. It is easy to see, that the +French may naturally revive their old assertions, that Penobscot +and Kennebec are the boundary of Nova Scotia, +although against the whole stream of British authorities, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_444" id="Page_444">444</a></span> +and the most authentic acts of the Governors, Shirley, +Pownal, Bernard, and Hutchinson. Mr Fitzherbert, who +is constantly at Versailles, is very sanguine for the refugees. +Nevertheless, if my Lord Shelburne should not +agree with us, these will be only ostensible points. He +cares little for either. It will be to avoid giving any certain +weapons against himself, to the friends of Lord North, +and the old Ministry.</p> + +<p>The negotiations at Versailles between the Count de +Vergennes and Mr Fitzherbert, are kept secret, not only +from us, but from the Dutch Ministers, and we hear nothing +about Spain. In general, I learn, that the French +insist upon a great many fish. I dined yesterday with M. +Berkenrode, the Dutch Ambassador, and M. Brantzen, +his colleague. They were both very frank and familiar, +and confessed to me, that nothing had been said to them, +and that they could learn nothing as yet of the progress of +the negotiation. Berkenrode told me, as an honest man, +that he had no faith in the sincerity of the English for +peace as yet; on the contrary, he thought that a part of +Lord Howe's fleet had gone to America, and that there +was something meditated against the French West India +Islands. I doubt this, however; but we shall soon know +where my Lord Howe is. That something is meditating +against the French or Spaniards, and that they think of +evacuating New York for that end, I believe. Berkenrode +seemed to fear the English, and said, like a good +man, that in case any severe stroke should be struck +against France, it would be necessary for Holland and +America to discover a firmness. This observation had my +heart on its side; but without an evacuation of New York, +they can strike no blow at all, nor any very great one +with it. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_445" id="Page_445">445</a></span></p> + +<p>Mr Oswald has made very striking overtures to us; to +agree to the evacuation of New York, to write a letter to +General Washington, and another to Congress, advising +them to permit this evacuation, to agree, that neither the +people nor the army should oppose this evacuation, or +molest the British army in attempting it; nay, further, that +we should agree, that the Americans should afford them all +sorts of aid, and even supplies of provisions. These propositions +he made to us, in obedience to an instruction from +the Minister, and he told us their army were going against +West Florida, to reconquer that from the Spaniards. +Our answer was, that we could agree to no such things; +that General Washington could enter into a convention +with them, for the terms upon which they should surrender +the city of New York, and all its dependencies, as Long +Island, Staten Island, &c. to the arms of the United States. +All that we could agree to was, that the effects and persons +of those, who should stay behind, should have six months +to go off, nor could we agree to this, unless as an article +to be inserted in the general peace.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO JOHN ADAMS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Philadelphia, November 6th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>The scene of action is so entirely transferred to your +side of the Atlantic, that scarce any occurrence among us +at present is sufficiently interesting to furnish matter for a +public letter.</p> + +<p>The resolutions, which have from time to time evinced +the steady determination of Congress, in no event to relinquish +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_446" id="Page_446">446</a></span> +the great object of the war, or think of peace but +in connexion with their allies, have been already transmitted +to you. The military force on both sides is perfectly +inactive. By the enclosed extracts from General Carleton's, +and General Washington's letters, you will see that +the first is so bent on peace, that, notwithstanding the opinion +of his superiors, he does not see that the war has any +longer an object. It is high time that he disavows them, +for their conduct is a direct disavowal of him.</p> + +<p>The clauses of the commission to Mr Fitzherbert, which +are designed to include us, are strong indications of the +extreme reluctance of the British to give up their supposed +dominion over this country. You have great credit +with me for the judgment you have formed, from time to +time, of the Court of Great Britain; though your opinions +sometimes run counter to those generally received.</p> + +<p>Nothing can be more conformable to our wishes, than +the instructions you have transmitted; keep up that spirit +in —— and we have nothing to fear from that quarter, but +lengthy negotiations, even after they shall commence in +earnest.</p> + +<p>We have yet no accounts of the evacuation of Charleston, +and that event begins daily to grow more uncertain. +Such is the inconstancy of the enemy, that one may as +well predict what appearances a cloud will put on two +hours hence, by our knowledge of the wind, as reduce +their conduct to any settled shape, by knowing their professions. +Our troops have gone into winter quarters at +West Point.</p> + +<p>The French have marched to the eastward to be nearer +their fleet, which lies at Boston. Part of the British fleet, +consisting of fourteen sail of the line, and eight frigates, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_447" id="Page_447">447</a></span> +including a ship of forty guns, sailed from New York the +26th ultimo. They have such a decided superiority in +the American seas, that if they had correspondent land +forces, or even knew how to apply those they keep cooped +up in America, they might render themselves very formidable +in the West Indies. This however is, I hope, an +evil, which will be ere long remedied.</p> + +<p>Bills for the amount of your salary from January last +have been regularly transmitted to Dr Franklin. You will +receive with this the amount of the last quarter, ending the +first of October. Mr Morris, my Secretary, will enclose +you a state of your accounts. I should be glad if you +would acknowledge the receipt of these moneys, as they +come to hand, since I stand charged with them in the +Treasury books.</p> + +<p>The enclosed resolution will show you, that Mr Boudinott +has succeeded Mr Hanson, as President of Congress.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed_long">ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Paris, November 8th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>In one of your letters you suppose, that I have an open +avowed contempt of all rank. Give me leave to say, you +are much mistaken in my sentiments. There are times, +and I have often seen such, when a man's duty to his +country demands of him the sacrifice of his rank, as well +as his fortune and life, but this must be an epoch, and +for an object worthy of the sacrifice. In ordinary times, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_448" id="Page_448">448</a></span> +the same duty to his country obliges him to contend for his +rank, as the only means indeed, sometimes, by which he +can do service, and the sacrifice would injure his country +more than himself. When the world sees a man reduced +to the necessity of giving up his rank, merely to serve the +public, they will respect him, and his opinions will have the +more weight for it; but when the same world sees a man +yield his rank for the sake of holding a place, he becomes +ridiculous. This, you may depend upon it, will not be my +case.</p> + +<p>Ranks, titles, and etiquettes, and every species of punctilios, +even down to the visits of cards, are of infinitely +more importance in Europe, than in America, and therefore +Congress cannot be too tender of disgracing their +Ministers abroad in any of these things, nor too determined +not to disgrace themselves. Congress will, sooner +or later, find it necessary to adjust the ranks of all their +servants, with relation to another, as well as to the magistrates +and officers of the separate governments.</p> + +<p>For example, if, when Congress abolished my commission +to the king of Great Britain, and my commission for +peace, and issued a new commission for peace, in which +they associated four other gentlemen with me, they had +placed any other at the head of the commission, they +would have thrown a disgrace and ridicule upon me in +Europe, that I could not have withstood. It would have +injured me in the minds of friends and enemies, the French +and Dutch, as well as the English.</p> + +<p>It is the same thing with the States. If Mr Jay and I +had yielded the punctilio of rank, and taken the advice of +the Count de Vergennes and Dr Franklin, by treating +with the English or Spaniards, before we were put upon +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_449" id="Page_449">449</a></span> +the equal footing, that our rank demanded, we should have +sunk in the minds of the English, French, Spaniards, +Dutch, and all the neutral powers. The Count de Vergennes +certainly knows this; if he does not, he is not even +an European statesman; if he does know it, what inference +can we draw, but that he means to keep us down if +he can; to keep his hand under our chin to prevent us +from drowning, but not to lift our heads out of water?</p> + +<p>The injunctions upon us to communicate, and to follow +the advice that is given us, seem to be too strong, and too +universal. Understood with reasonable limitations and +restrictions, they may do very well. For example, I +wrote a speculation, and caused it to be printed in the +<i>Courier du Bas Rhine</i>, showing the interest, policy, and +humanity of the neutral confederation's acknowledging +American independence, and admitting the United States +to subscribe to the principles of their Marine Treaty. +This was reprinted in the Gazette of Leyden, the <i>Politique +Hollandais</i>, the <i>Courier de l'Europe</i>, and all the Dutch +gazettes. At the same time I caused to be transmitted to +England some pieces on the same subject, and further +showing the probability, that the neutral powers might +adopt this measure, and the impolicy of Great Britain, in +permitting all the powers of Europe to get the start of her, +and having more merit with America than she, by acknowledging +her independence first. These pieces were +printed in the English papers, in the form of letters to the +Earl of Shelburne, and can never be controverted, because +they are in writing, and in print, with their dates. These +fears thus excited, added to our refusal to treat on an +unequal footing, probably produced his Lordship's resolution, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_450" id="Page_450">450</a></span> +to advise the King to issue the commission, under the +great seal, to Mr Oswald; by which Great Britain has got +the start, and gone to the windward of the other European +powers. No man living, but myself, knew, that all these +speculations, in various parts of Europe, came from me. +Would it do for me to communicate all this to the French +Ministers? Is it possible for me to communicate all these +things to Congress? Believe me it is not, and give me +leave to say it will not do to communicate them to my +friend, the Chevalier de la Luzerne, nor my friend, M. +Marbois. If they should be, long letters will lay all open +to the Count de Vergennes, who, I assure you, I do not +believe will assist me, or anybody else, in such measures +of serving our country. When the French Ministers in +America, or Europe, communicate everything to us, we +may venture to be equally communicative with them. But +when everything is concealed from us, more cautiously +than it is from England, we shall do ourselves injustice, if +we are not upon our guard.</p> + +<p>If we conduct ourselves with caution, prudence, moderation, +and firmness, we shall succeed in every great point; +but if Congress, or their Ministers abroad suffer themselves +to be intimidated by threats, slanders, or insinuations, +we shall be duped out of the fishery, the Mississippi, much +of the western lands, compensation to the tories, and +Penobscot at least, if not Kennebec. This is my solemn +opinion, and I will never be answerable to my country, +posterity, or my own mind, for the consequences, that might +happen from concealing it.</p> + +<p>It is for the determinate purpose of carrying these +points, that one man, who is submission itself, is puffed up +to the top of Jacob's ladder in the clouds, and every other +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_451" id="Page_451">451</a></span> +man depressed to the bottom of it in the dust. This is +my opinion, let me be punished for it, for assuredly I am +guilty.</p> + +<p> +With great respect, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Paris, November 11th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>On my first arrival at Paris, I found my colleagues engaged +in conferences with Mr Oswald. They had been +before chiefly conducted by Mr Jay, Dr Franklin having +been mostly confined for three months, by a long and +painful illness. At this time, however, he was so much +better, although still weak and lame, as to join us in most +of our subsequent conferences, and we were so constantly +engaged forenoon, afternoon, and evening, that I had not +been out to Versailles, nor anywhere else.</p> + +<p>On Saturday last, the Marquis de Lafayette called upon +me, and told me he had been to Versailles, and the Count +de Vergennes had said to him, that he had been informed +by the returns of the Police, that I was in Paris, but not +officially, and he should take it well if I would come to +see him.</p> + +<p>I went out to dine with Dr Franklin the same day, who +had just returned from delivering his memorial, and repeated +to me the same message. I said to both, I would +go the next morning, and, accordingly, on Sunday, the +9th, I went to make my court to his Excellency. He received +me politely, and asked me questions about our progress. +I answered him, that the English Minister appeared +to me to divide with us upon ostensible points; that I still +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_452" id="Page_452">452</a></span> +doubted his intentions to make a universal peace; that the +cry of the nation was for something to be done or said +with the American Ministers; and to satisfy this, the King +of Great Britain had been advised to be the third power +in Europe to acknowledge our independence. As this +was a royal act, and under the great seal of his kingdom, +it would never be denied or revoked; but still it did not +render the nation unanimous, and to avoid, finally, disgusting +any great party, the Minister would still pursue his +usual studied obscurity of policy. Points must be conceded +to the Americans, before a complete agreement +could be made with them, even on terms to be inserted in +the universal peace, which would open the full cry of a +powerful party upon him, among which were the refugees. +It could not be supposed, that the refugees and Penobscot +were such points with the nation or Minister, that they +would continue the war for them only, if they were ready +to strike with France, Spain, and Holland.</p> + +<p>The Count then asked me some questions respecting +Sagadehock, which I answered, by showing him the +records, which I had in my pocket, particularly that of +Governor Pownal's solemn act of possession in 1759; the +grants and settlements of Mount Desert, Machias, and all +the other townships east of Penobscot river; the original +grant of James the First, to Sir William Alexander of +Nova Scotia, in which it is bounded on St Croix river; +(this grant I had in Latin, French, and English) the dissertations +of Governor Shirley, and Governor Hutchinson, +and the authority of Governor Bernard, all showing the +right of Massachusetts to this tract to be incontestable. I +added, that I did not think any British Minister would +ever put his hand to a written claim of that tract of land, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_453" id="Page_453">453</a></span> +their own national acts were so numerous, and so clear +against them. The Count said, Mr Fitzherbert had told +him, that it was for the masts, that a point was made of +that tract. But the Count said, Canada was an immense +resource for masts. I said, there were few masts there; +that this could not be the motive; that the refugees were +still at the bottom of this; several of them had pretensions +to lands in Sagadehock, and the rest hoped for grants +there.</p> + +<p>The Count said, it was not at all surprising, that the +British Ministry should insist upon compensation to the +tories, for that all the precedents were in their favor; in +the case of the United Provinces with Spain, all were restored +to their possessions, and that there never had been an +example of such an affair terminated by treaty, but all +were restored. He said, it was a point well settled by +precedents. I begged his Excellency's pardon for this, +and thought there was no precedent in point. A restitution +of an estate not alienated, although confiscated to a +Crown or State, could not be a precedent in point, because, +in our case, these estates had not only been confiscated, +but alienated by the State, so that it was no +longer in the power of the State to restore them. And +when you come to the question of compensation, there +is every argument of national honor, dignity of the State, +public and private justice and humanity, for us to insist +upon a compensation for all the plate, negroes, rice, and tobacco +stolen, and houses and substance consumed, as there +is for them to demand compensation to the tories; and +this was so much the stronger in our favor, as our sufferers +were innocent people, and theirs guilty ones.</p> + +<p>M. Rayneval, who was present, said something about +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_454" id="Page_454">454</a></span> +the King and nation being bound to support their adherents. +I answered, that I could not comprehend this +doctrine. Here was a set of people, whose bad faith and +misrepresentations had deceived the King and deluded the +nation, to follow their all-devouring ambition, until they had +totally failed of their object; had brought an indelible reproach +on the British name, and almost irretrievable ruin +on the nation, and yet that nation is bound to support their +deceivers and ruiners. If the national honor was bound at +all, it was bound still to follow their ambition, to conquer +America, and plant the refugees there in pomp and power, +and in such case, we all know whose estates would be +confiscated, and what compensation would be obtained. +All this M. Rayneval said was very true.</p> + +<p>The Count asked me to dine, which I accepted, and +was treated with more attention and complaisance than +ever, both by him and the Countess. As it is our duty to +penetrate, if we can, the motives and views of our allies, as +well as our enemies, it is worth while for Congress to consider +what may be the true motives of these intimations +in favor of the tories. History shows, that nations have +generally had as much difficulty to arrange their affairs +with their allies as with their enemies. France has had as +much this war with Spain as with England. Holland and +England, whenever they have been allies, have always +found many difficulties, and from the nature of things, it +must ever be an intricate task, to reconcile the notions, +prejudices, principles, &c. of two nations in one concert of +councils and operations.</p> + +<p>We may well think, that the French would be very glad +to have the Americans join with them in a future war. +Suppose, for example, they should think the tories men of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_455" id="Page_455">455</a></span> +monarchical principles, or men of more ambition than principle, +or men corrupted and of no principle, and should, +therefore, think them more easily seduced to their purposes +than virtuous Republicans, is it not easy to see the +policy of a French Minister in wishing them amnesty and +compensation? Suppose that a French Minister foresees, +that the presence of the tories in America will keep up +perpetually two parties, a French and an English party, +and that this will compel the patriotic and independent +men to join the French side, is it not natural for him to +wish them restored? Is it not easy too to see, that a +French Minister cannot wish to have the English and +Americans perfectly agreed upon all points, before they +themselves, the Spanish and the Dutch are agreed too? +Can they be sorry then to see us split upon such a point as +the tories? What can be their motives to become the advocates +of the tories? It seems the French Minister, at Philadelphia, +has made some representations to Congress, in +favor of a compensation to the royalists, and that the Count +de Vergennes' conversation with me was much in favor of +it. The Count probably knows, that we are instructed +against it, or rather, have not a constitutional authority to +make it; that we can only write about it to Congress, and +they to the States, who may, and probably will, deliberate +upon it a year or eighteen months before they all decide, +and then every one of them will determine against it. In +this way, there is an insuperable obstacle to any agreement +between the English and Americans, even upon +terms to be inserted in the general peace, before all are +ready, and, indeed, after. It has been upon former occasions +the constant practice of the French, to have some of +their subjects in London, and the English some of theirs in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_456" id="Page_456">456</a></span> +Paris, during conferences for peace, in order to propagate +such sentiments as they wished to prevail. I doubt not +there are such there now. M. Rayneval has certainly been +there. It is reported, I know not how truly, that M. Gerard +has been there, and probably others are there, who can +easily prompt the tories to clamor, and to cry that the +King's dignity and nation's honor are compromised, to +support their demands.</p> + +<p>America has been long enough involved in the wars of +Europe. She has been a football between contending +nations from the beginning, and it is easy to foresee, that +France and England both will endeavor to involve us in +their future wars. It is our interest and duty to avoid them +as much as possible, and to be completely independent, and +to have nothing to do with either of them, but in commerce. +My poor thoughts and feeble efforts, have been +from the beginning constantly employed to arrange all our +European connexions to this end, and will continue to be +so employed, whether they succeed or not. My hopes of +success are stronger now than they ever have been, because +I find Mr Jay precisely in the same sentiments, after all the +observations and reflections he has made in Europe, and +Dr Franklin at last, at least appears to coincide with us. +We are all three perfectly united in the affair of the tories, +and of the Sagadehock, the only points in which the British +Minister pretends to differ from us.</p> + +<p>The enclosed papers will show Congress the substance +of the negotiation. The treaty, as first projected between +Mr Oswald on one side, and Dr Franklin and Mr Jay on +the other before my arrival; the treaty as projected after +my arrival, between Mr Oswald and the three American +Ministers, my Lord Shelburne having disagreed to the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_457" id="Page_457">457</a></span> +first; Mr Oswald's letter and our answer; Mr Strachey's +letter and our answer.<a name="FNanchor_14" id="FNanchor_14" href="#Footnote_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> Mr Strachey has gone to London +with the whole, and we are waiting his return, or the arrival +of some other, with further instructions.</p> + +<p>If Congress should wish to know my conjecture, it is, +that the Ministry will still insist upon compensation to the +tories, and thus involve the nation every month of the war +in an expense sufficient to make a full compensation to all +the tories in question. They would not do this, however, +if they were ready with France and Spain.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO JOHN ADAMS.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Philadelphia, November 18th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>Since my letter of the 6th, Congress have been pleased +to appoint Mr Jefferson one of their Ministers Plenipotentiary +for negotiating peace. I have not yet received an +answer to my letter informing him of this event, though I +have some reason to believe he will accept the appointment.</p> + +<p>I believe I mentioned to you, that Congress had refused +to accept Mr Laurens' resignation. Many members have +since seen with great pain, the petition published in the +Parliamentary debates as his. I sincerely wish, that it +may prove to be a forgery, since the language it speaks does +not consist with the dignified character he holds. He has +since informed Congress, that he purposes to return to +England, and come out to this country by the way of New +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_458" id="Page_458">458</a></span> +York. I hope the determination of Congress will reach +him before he leaves France, as it will have an awkward +appearance to send to England for an American Minister.</p> + +<p>All the contracts we have received from you, have been +sent back with the ratification endorsed. Some of them +have, I hope, reached you before this. So that the last +hand may be put to the important business of the loan.</p> + +<p>So much has been said of Captain Asgill, upon whom, +as you have been informed, the lot fell, when it was determined +to avenge the death of Captain Huddy, that I should +let you know the issue of this business, which you may in +part collect, from the enclosed resolve, though you may be +ignorant of the reasons which induced Congress to pass it, +and again render abortive their determination to punish the +unexampled cruelty of the enemy. Mrs Asgill, the mother +of this unfortunate young man, had sufficient influence at +the Court of France to obtain its interposition in his favor; +a letter was written on the subject by Count de Vergennes +to General Washington, enclosing one from Mrs Asgill to +the Count, which was extremely pathetic. The Minister +of France had orders from his master to support this application. +It was thought advisable, that this should not be +formally done, but that the discharge of Asgill, should be +grounded upon the reasons expressed in the preamble of the +resolution. Congress the more readily acquiesced in this +measure, as there is ground to hope, from the late conduct +of the enemy, that they have determined to adopt a more +civilized mode of carrying on the war in future. They +have called off the savages, and a large number of prisoners +have returned on parole from Canada.</p> + +<p>We have yet no certain account of the evacuation of +Charleston, though we know that the first division of the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_459" id="Page_459">459</a></span> +troops, and a considerable number of the inhabitants sailed +on the 19th ultimo, as is said, for Augustine; it is probably +evacuated by this time.</p> + +<p>It would give me pleasure to receive from you an accurate +account of the differences, which have arisen between +the Court of Denmark and the United Provinces, and the +effects they may probably produce. We are imperfectly +acquainted with facts here, and still less with the politics of +the Northern Courts; you will sometimes extend your +observations to them.</p> + +<p>I confide too much in the wisdom of the States-General +to believe, that they will omit any honorable means +to prevent an accession of strength to Great Britain, at this +critical moment.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed_long">ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Paris, November 18th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>The instructions from Congress, which direct us to pay +so strict an attention to the French Ministry, and to follow +their advice, are conceived in terms so universal and unlimited, +as to give a great deal of anxiety to my mind.</p> + +<p>There is no man more impressed with the obligation of +obedience to instructions; but, in ordinary cases, the principal +is so near the Deputy, as to be able to attend to the +whole progress of the business, and to be informed of +every new fact, and every sudden thought. Ambassadors +in Europe can send expresses to their Courts, and give +and receive intelligence in a few days, with the utmost +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_460" id="Page_460">460</a></span> +certainty. In such cases there is no room for mistake, +misunderstanding, or surprise. But, in our case, it is very +different. We are at an immense distance. Despatches +are liable to foul play, and vessels are subject to accidents. +New scenes open, the time presses, various nations are in +suspense, and necessity forces us to act.</p> + +<p>What can we do? If a French Minister advises us to +cede to the Spaniards the whole river of the Mississippi, +and five hundred miles of territory to the eastward of it, +are we bound by our instructions to put our signature to +the cession, when the English themselves are willing we +should extend to the river, and enjoy our natural right to +its navigation? If we should be counselled to relinquish +our right to the fishery on the Grand Bank of Newfoundland, +when the British Ministry are ready, by treaty, to +acknowledge our right to it, are we obliged to relinquish it? +If we are advised to restore and compensate the tories, are +we to comply? If we know, or have reasons to believe, +that things, which will have weight upon the minds of the +British Ministry against us upon some points, will be communicated +to them in some way or other, secret or open, +if we communicate it to this Court, are we bound to +do it?</p> + +<p>I cannot think, that a construction, so literal and severe, +was ever intended to be put upon it; and, therefore, I see +no way of doing my duty to Congress, but to interpret the +instruction, as we do all general precepts and maxims, by +such restrictions and limitations, as reason, necessity, and +the nature of things demand.</p> + +<p>It may sometimes be known to a deputy, that an instruction +from his principal was given upon information of mistaken +facts, what is he to do? When he knows, that if +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_461" id="Page_461">461</a></span> +the truth had been known, his principal would have given +a directly contrary order, is he to follow that, which issued +upon mistake? When he knows, or has only good reason +to believe, that, if his principal were on the spot, and fully +informed of the present state of facts, he would give contrary +directions, is he bound by such as were given before? +It cannot be denied, that instructions are binding, that it is +a duty to obey them, and that a departure from them cannot +be justified; but I think it cannot be denied on the +other hand, that in our peculiar situation, cases may happen, +in which it might become our duty to depend upon +being excused, (or, if you will, pardoned) for presuming, +that if Congress were upon the spot, they would judge as +we do.</p> + +<p>I presume not to dictate, nor to advise, but I may venture +to give my opinion, as I do freely, and with much real +concern for the public, that it would be better, if every +instruction in being were totally repealed, which enjoins +upon any American Minister to follow, or ask the advice, +or even to communicate with any French, or other Minister, +or Ambassador in the world. It is an inextricable +embarrassment everywhere. Advice would not be more +seldom asked, nor communication less frequent. It would +be more freely given. A communication of information, +or a request of council would then be received as a compliment, +and a mark of respect; it is now considered as +a duty and a right. Your Ministers would have more +weight, and be the more respected through the world. +Congress cannot do too much to give weight to their own +Ministers, for, they may depend upon it, great and unjustifiable +pains are taken to prevent them from acquiring +reputation, and even to prevent an idea taking root in any +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_462" id="Page_462">462</a></span> +part of Europe, that anything has been, or can be done +by them. And there is nothing, that humbles and depresses, +nothing that shackles and confines, in short, nothing +that renders totally useless all your Ministers in +Europe, so much as these positive instructions, to consult +and communicate with French Ministers, upon all occasions, +and follow their advice. And I really think it would +be better to constitute the Count de Vergennes, our sole +Minister, and give him full powers to make peace and +treat with all Europe, than to continue any of us in the +service, under the instructions in being, if they are to be +understood in that unlimited sense, which some persons +contend for.</p> + +<p>I hope, that nothing indecent has escaped me upon this +occasion. If any expressions appear too strong, the great +importance of the subject, and the deep impression it has +made on my mind and heart, must be my apology.</p> + +<p> +I am, Sir, your humble servant,</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Paris, November 24th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>We live in critical moments. Parliament is to meet, and +the King's speech will be delivered on the 26th. If the +speech announces Mr Oswald's commission, and the two +Houses in their answers thank him for issuing it, and there +should be no change in the Ministry, the prospect of peace +will be flattering. Or if there should be a change in the +Ministry, and the Duke of Portland, with Mr Fox and Mr +Burke, should come in, it will be still more so. But if +Richmond, Cambden, Keppel, and Townshend should retire, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_463" id="Page_463">463</a></span> +and my Lord North and company come in, with or +without the Earl of Shelburne, the appearances of peace +will be very unpromising. My Lord North, indeed, cannot +revoke the acknowledgment of our independence, and +would not probably renounce the negotiations for peace, but +ill will to us is so habitual to him and his master, that he +would fall in earnestly with the wing-clipping system; join +in attempts to deprive us of the fisheries and the Mississippi, +and to fasten upon us the tories, and in every other +measure to cramp, stint, impoverish and enfeeble us. +Shelburne is not so orthodox as he should be, but North is +a much greater heretic in American politics.</p> + +<p>It deserves much consideration what course we should +take, in case the old Ministry should come in wholly, or in +part. It is certain, at present, that to be obnoxious to the +Americans, and their Ministers, is a very formidable popular +cry against any Minister or candidate for the Ministry +in England, for the nation is more generally for recovering +the good will of the Americans than they ever have been. +Nothing would strike such a blow to any Ministry, as to +break off the negotiations for peace; if the old Ministry +come in, they will demand terms of us, at first, probably, +that we can never agree to.</p> + +<p>It is now eleven or twelve days, since the last result of +our conferences were laid before the Ministry in London. +Mr Vaughan went off on Sunday noon, the 17th. So +that he is, no doubt, before this time with my Lord Shelburne. +He is possessed of an ample budget of arguments +to convince his Lordship, that he ought to give up all the +remaining points between us. Mr Oswald's letters will +suggest the same arguments in a different light, and Mr +Strachey, if he is disposed to do it, is able to enlarge upon +them all in conversation. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_464" id="Page_464">464</a></span></p> + +<p>The fundamental point of the sovereignty of the United +States being settled in England, the only question now is, +whether they shall pursue a contracted, or a liberal, a +good natured, or an ill natured plan towards us. If they +are generous, and allow us all we ask, it will be the better +for them; if stingy, the worse. That France does not wish +them to be very noble to us, may be true. But we should +be dupes indeed, if we did not make use of every argument +with them, to show them that it is their interest to +be so. And they will be the greatest bubbles of all, if +they should suffer themselves to be deceived by their passions, +or by any arts, to adopt an opposite tenor of conduct.</p> + +<p>I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.</h3> + +<p class="letter_head">Paris, December 4th, 1782.</p> + +<p class="letter_open">Sir,</p> + +<p>It is with much pleasure, that I transmit you the preliminary +treaty between the King of Great Britain and the +United States of America. The Mississippi, the western +lands, Sagadehock, and the fisheries, are secured as +well as we could, and I hope what is done for the refugees +will be pardoned.</p> + +<p>As the objects, for which I ever consented to leave my +family and country, are thus far accomplished, I now beg +leave to resign all my employments in Europe. They are +soon enumerated; the first, is my commission to borrow +money in Holland, and the second, is my credence to their +High Mightinesses. These two should be filled up immediately, +and as Mr Laurens was originally designed to that +country, and my mission there was merely owing to his +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_465" id="Page_465">465</a></span> +misfortune, I hope that Congress will send him a full +power for that Court.</p> + +<p>The commission for peace I hope will be fully executed +before this reaches you. But, if it should not, as the +terms are fixed, I should not choose to stay in Europe, +merely for the honor of affixing my signature to the definitive +treaty, and I see no necessity of filling up my place; +but if Congress should think otherwise, I hope they will +think Mr Dana the best entitled to it.</p> + +<p>With great esteem, I have the honor to be, &c.</p> + +<p class="signed">JOHN ADAMS.</p> + +<div class="thought_break"></div> + +<h3>EXTRACTS FROM A JOURNAL.</h3> + +<p><i>Saturday, November 2d, 1782.</i>—Almost every moment +of this week has been employed in negotiation with the +English gentlemen, concerning peace. We have two +propositions, one, the line of fortyfive degrees, the other, a +line through the middle of the Lakes. And for the boundary +between Massachusetts and Nova Scotia, a line from +the mouth of St Croix to its source, and from its source +to the Highlands.</p> + +<p><i>Sunday, November 3d.</i>—In my first conversation with +Dr Franklin, on Tuesday last, he told me of Mr Oswald's +demand of the payment of debts, and compensation to the +tories; he said their answer had been, that we had not +power, nor had Congress. I told him, I had no notion of +cheating anybody. The question of paying debts, and +compensating tories, were two. I had made the same observation +that forenoon to Mr Oswald and Mr Strachey, in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_466" id="Page_466">466</a></span> +company with Mr Jay, at his house. I saw it struck Mr +Strachey with peculiar pleasure; I saw it instantly smiling +in every line of his face. Mr Oswald was apparently +pleased with it too. In a subsequent conversation with my +colleagues, I proposed to them, that we should agree that +Congress should recommend it to the States, to open their +courts of justice for the recovery of all just debts. They +gradually fell into this opinion, and we all expressed these +sentiments to the English gentlemen, who were much +pleased with it, and with reason; because it silences the +clamors of all the British creditors against the peace, and +prevents them from making common cause with the refugees. +Mr Jay came in and spent two hours in conversation +upon our affairs, and we attempted an answer to Mr +Oswald's letter. He is perfectly of my opinion, or I am +of his, respecting Mr Dana's true line of conduct, as well +as his with Spain, and ours with France, Spain, and England.</p> + +<p>Vergennes has endeavored to persuade him to treat +with d'Aranda, without exchanging powers. He refuses. +Vergennes also pronounced Oswald's first commission sufficient, +and was for making the acknowledgment of American +independence, the first article of the treaty. Jay +would not treat; the consequence was, a complete acknowledgment +of our independence by Oswald's new commission, +under the great seal of Great Britain, to treat +with the Commissioners of the United States of America. +Thus a temperate firmness has succeeded everywhere, but +the base system nowhere.</p> + +<p>D'Estaing has set off for Madrid and Cadiz; <i>reste à +savoir</i> what his object is, whether to take the command +of a squadron, and in that case, where to go, whether to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_467" id="Page_467">467</a></span> +Rhode Island, to join Vaudreuil, and go against New +York, or to the West Indies. Will they take New York, +or only prevent the English from evacuating it? Oswald +proposed solemnly to all three of us yesterday, at his +house, to agree not to molest the British troops in the +evacuation; but we did not. This, however, shows they +have it in contemplation. Suppose they are going against +West Florida. How far are we bound to favor the Spaniards? +Our treaty with France must, and shall be sacredly +fulfilled, and we must admit Spain to accede when she +will; but until she does, our treaty does not bind us to +France to assist Spain.</p> + +<p>The present conduct of England and America, resembles +that of the eagle and cat. An eagle, scaling over a +farmer's yard, espied a creature that he thought a hare. +He pounced upon and took him up in the air, the cat +seized him by the neck with her teeth, and round the body +with her fore and hind claws. The eagle, finding himself +scratched and pressed, bids the cat let go, and fall down. +No, says the cat, I will not let go and fall, you shall stoop +and set me down.</p> + +<p><i>Monday, November 4th.</i>—All the forenoon, from eleven +till three, at Mr Oswald's, Mr Jay and I. In the evening +there again, until near eleven. Strachey is as artful and +insinuating a man as they could send; he pushes and +presses every point as far as it can possibly go; he has a +most eager, earnest, pointed spirit.</p> + +<p><i>Tuesday, November 5th.</i> Mr Jay told me our allies +did not play fair. They were endeavoring to deprive us +of the fishery, the western lands, and the navigation of the +Mississippi. They would even bargain with the English, +to deprive us of them. They want to lay the western +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_468" id="Page_468">468</a></span> +lands, Mississippi, and the whole Gulf of Mexico into the +hands of Spain.</p> + +<p>Oswald talks of Pultney, and a plot to divide America +between France and England. France to have New +England. They tell a story about Vergennes, and his +agreeing that the English might propose such a division, +but reserving a right to deny it all. These whispers ought +not to be credited by us.</p> + +<p><i>Saturday, November 9th.</i>—M. de Lafayette came in, +and told me he had been at Versailles, and in consultation +about the affair of money, as he and I agreed he should. +He said he found, that the Count de Vergennes and their +Ministry were of the same opinion with me, that the English +were determined to evacuate New York. After +some time, he told me, in a great air of confidence, that +he was afraid the Count took it amiss, that I had not been +to Versailles to see him. The Count told him, that he +had not been officially informed of my arrival, he had only +learned it from the returns of the police. I went out to +Passy to dine with Dr Franklin, who had been to Versailles, +and presented his Memorial, and the papers accompanying +it. The Count said he would have the papers +translated to lay them before the King, but the affair +would meet with many difficulties. Franklin brought the +same message to me from the Count, and said he believed +it would be taken kindly if I went. I told both the +Marquis and the Doctor, that I would go tomorrow morning.</p> + +<p><i>Sunday, November 10th.</i>—Accordingly, at eight this +morning, I went and waited on the Count. He asked me +how we went on with the English. I told him we divided +upon two points, the tories and Penobscot, two ostensible +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_469" id="Page_469">469</a></span> +points; for it was impossible to believe, that my Lord +Shelburne, or the nation, cared much about such points. +I took out of my pocket, and showed him, the record of +Governor Pownal's solemn act of burying a leaden plate, +with this inscription; 'May 23d, 1759. Province of Massachusetts +Bay. Penobscot dominions of Great Britain. +Possession confirmed by Thomas Pownal, Governor.' +This was planted on the east side of the river of Penobscot, +three miles above marine navigation. I showed him +also all the other records, the laying out of Mount Desert, +Machias, and all the other towns to the east of Penobscot +river, and told him, that the grant of Nova Scotia, by +James the First, to Sir William Alexander, bounded it on +the river St Croix, and that I was possessed of the authorities +of four of the greatest Governors the King of +England ever had, Shirley, Pownal, Bernard, and Hutchinson, +in favor of our claim, and of learned writings of +Shirley and Hutchinson in support of it. The Count said, +that Mr Fitzherbert told him they wanted it for the masts. +But the Count said, that Canada had an immense quantity. +I told him I thought there were few masts there, but, +that I fancied it was <i>not masts, but tories</i>, that again made +the difficulty. Some of them claimed lands in that territory, +and others hoped for grants there.</p> + +<p>The Count said, it was not astonishing, that the British +Ministry should insist upon compensation to them, for +that all the precedents were in favor of it; that there had +been no example of an affair like this terminated by a +treaty, without re-establishing those who had adhered to +the old government, in all their possessions. I begged +his pardon in this, and said, that in Ireland at least +there had been a multitude of confiscations without restitution. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_470" id="Page_470">470</a></span> +Here we ran into some conversation concerning +Ireland, &c. M. Rayneval, who was present, talked about +the national honor, and the obligation they were under to +support their adherents. Here I thought I might indulge +a little more latitude of expression, than I had done with +Oswald and Strachey, and I answered, if the nation +thought itself bound in honor to compensate these people, +it might easily do it, for it cost the nation more money to +carry on this war one month, than it would cost it to compensate +them all. But I could not comprehend this doctrine +of national honor. Those people, by their misrepresentations +had deceived the nation, who had followed the +impulsion of their devouring ambition, until it had brought +an indelible stain on the British name, and almost irretrievable +ruin on the nation, and now that very nation was +thought to be bound in honor to compensate its dishonorers +and destroyers. Rayneval said it was very true.</p> + +<p>The Count invited me to dine; I accepted. When I +came, I found M. de Lafayette in conference with him. +When they came out, the Marquis took me aside, and told +me he had been talking with the Count upon the affair of +money. He had represented to him Mr Morris's arguments, +and the things I had said to him, as from himself, +&c. That he feared the arts of the English, that our +army would disband, and our governments relax, &c. +That the Count feared many difficulties; that France had +expended two hundred and fifty millions in this war, &c. +That he talked of allowing six millions, and my going to +Holland with the scheme I had projected, and having the +King's warranty, &c. to get the rest; that he had already +spoken to some of M. de Fleury's friends, and intended to +speak to him, &c. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_471" id="Page_471">471</a></span></p> + +<p>We went up to dinner. I went up with the Count +alone. He showed me into the room where were the +ladies and the company. I singled out the Countess, and +went up to her to make her my compliment. The Countess, +and all the ladies rose up. I made my respects to +them all, and turned and bowed to the rest of the company. +The Count, who came in after me, made his bows +to the ladies, and to the Countess last. When he came to +her, he turned round and called out, <i>Mons. Adams, +venez ici, voilà la Comtesse de Vergennes</i>. A nobleman +in company said, Mr Adams has already made his court +to Madame la Comtesse. I went up again, however, and +spoke again to the Countess, and she to me. When dinner +was served, the Count led Madame de Montmorin, and +left me to conduct the Countess, who gave me her hand +with extraordinary condescension, and I conducted her to +table. She made me sit next to her, on her right hand, +and was remarkably attentive to me the whole time. The +Count, who sat opposite, was constantly calling out to me, +to know what I would eat, and to offer me <i>petits gateaux</i>, +claret, and Madeira, &c. &c. In short, I was never +treated with half the respect at Versailles in my life. In +the antichamber, before dinner, some French gentlemen +came to me, and said they had seen me two years ago, +and that I had shown in Holland, that the Americans understood +negotiation, as well as war.</p> + +<p><i>Monday, November 11th.</i> Mr Whiteford the Secretary +of Mr Oswald, came a second time, not having found me +at home yesterday, when he left a card, with a copy of Mr +Oswald's commission, attested by himself (Mr Oswald). +He delivered the copy, and said Mr Oswald was ready to +compare it with the original with me. I said Mr Oswald's +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_472" id="Page_472">472</a></span> +attestation was sufficient, as he had already shown me the +original. He sat down, and we fell into conversation about +the weather, and the vapors and exhalations from Tartary, +which had been brought here last spring by the winds, +and given us all the influenza. Thence to French fashions +and the punctuality, with which they insist upon people's +wearing thin clothes in spring and fall, though the +weather is ever so cold, &c. I said it was often carried to +ridiculous lengths, but that it was at bottom an admirable +policy, as it rendered all Europe tributary to the city of +Paris, for its manufactures.</p> + +<p>We fell soon into politics. I told him, that there was +something in the minds of the English and French, which +impelled them irresistibly to war every ten or fifteen years. +He said the ensuing peace would, he believed, be a long +one. I said it would, provided it was well made, and +nothing left in it to give future discontents. But if anything +was done, which the Americans should think hard or +unjust, both the English and French would be continually +blowing it up, and inflaming the American minds with it, +in order to make them join one side or the other in a +future war. Suppose for example, they should think the +tories men of monarchical principles, or men of more ambition +than principle, or men corrupted and of no principle, +and should therefore think them more easily seduced to +their purposes, than virtuous republicans, is it not easy to +see the policy of a French Minister in wishing them amnesty +and compensation? Suppose a French Minister +foresees, that the presence of the tories in America will +keep up perpetually two parties, a French party, and an +English party, and that this will compel the patriotic and +independent party to join the French party, is it not natural +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_473" id="Page_473">473</a></span> +for him to wish them restored? Is it not easy to see, that a +French Minister cannot wish to have the English and Americans +perfectly agreed upon all points before they themselves, +the Spaniards and the Dutch are agreed too? Can +they be sorry then to see us split upon such a point as the +tories? What can be their motives to become the advocates +of the tories?</p> + +<p>The French Minister at Philadelphia has made some +representations to Congress, in favor of a compensation to +the royalists, and the Count de Vergennes no longer than +yesterday said much to me in their favor. The Count +probably knows, that we are instructed against it, that Congress +are instructed against it, or rather have not constitutional +authority to do it; that we can only write about it to +Congress, and they to the States, who may, and probably +will, deliberate upon it eighteen months before they all decide, +and then every one of them will determine against it. +In this way there is an insuperable obstacle to any agreement +between the English and Americans, even upon terms +to be inserted in the general peace, before all are ready. +It was the constant practice of the French to have some of +their subjects in London during the conferences for peace +in order to propagate such sentiments there as they wished +to prevail. I doubted not such were there now; M. Rayneval +had been there. M. Gerard, I had heard, is there +now, and probably others. They can easily persuade the +tories to set up their demands, and tell them and the Ministers, +that the King's dignity and nation's honor are compromised +in it.</p> + +<p>For my own part, I thought America had been long +enough involved in the wars of Europe. She had been a +football between contending nations from the beginning, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_474" id="Page_474">474</a></span> +and it was easy to foresee, that France and England both +would endeavor to involve us in their future wars. I +thought it our interest and duty, to avoid them as much +as possible, and to be completely independent, and have +nothing to do but in commerce with either of them; that +my thoughts had been from the beginning to arrange all +our European connexions to this end, and that they would +continue to be so employed. And I thought it so important +to us, that if my poor labors, my little estate, or (smiling) +sizy blood, could effect it, it should be done. But I +had many fears.</p> + +<p>I said, the King of France might think it consistent with +his station to favor people, who had contended for a Crown, +though it was the Crown of his enemy. Whiteford said, +they seem to be through the whole of their course, fighting +for reputation. I said, they had acquired it, and more, they +had raised themselves high from a low estate by it, and +they were our good friends and allies, and had conducted +generously, and nobly, and we should be just and grateful, +but they might have political wishes, which we were not +bound by treaty, nor in justice or gratitude to favor, and +these we ought to be cautious of. He agreed that they +had raised themselves very suddenly and surprisingly by it.</p> + +<p><i>Tuesday, November 12th.</i>—The compliment of "<i>Monsieur, +vous êtes le Washington de la négotiation</i>," was repeated +to me, by more than one person. I answered, +"<i>Monsieur, vous me faites le plus grand honneur, et le compliment +le plus sublime possible</i>." "<i>Eh! Monsieur, en +vérité, vous l'avez bien mérité.</i>"</p> + +<p><i>Friday, November 15th.</i>—Mr Oswald came to visit me, +and entered with some freedom, into conversation. I said +many things to him to convince him, that it was the policy +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_475" id="Page_475">475</a></span> +of my Lord Shelburne, and the interest of the nation, to +agree with us upon the advantageous terms, which Mr +Strachey carried away on the 5th; showed him the advantages +of the boundary, the vast extent of land, and the +equitable provision for the payment of debts, and even the +great benefits stipulated for the tories.</p> + +<p>He said he had been reading Mr Paine's answer to the +Abbé Raynal, and had found there an excellent argument +in favor of the tories. Mr Paine says, that before +the battle of Lexington, we were so blindly prejudiced in +favor of the English, and so closely attached to them, that +we went to war at any time, and for any object, when they +bid us. Now this being habitual to the Americans, it was +excusable in the tories to behave on this occasion, as all of +us had ever done upon all others. He said, if he were a +member of Congress, he would show a magnanimity upon +this occasion, and would say to the refugees, take your +property, we scorn to make any use of it in building up +our system.</p> + +<p>I replied, that we had no power, and Congress had no +power, and, therefore, we must consider how it would be +reasoned upon in the several Legislatures of the separate +States, if, after being sent by us to Congress, and by them +to the several States, in the course of twelve or fifteen +months, it should be there debated. You must carry on +the war six or nine months certainly, for this compensation; +and consequently spend, in the prosecution of it, six +or nine times the sum necessary to make the compensation; +for I presume this war costs every month to Great +Britain, a larger sum than would be necessary to pay for +the forfeited estates.</p> + +<p>"How," said I, "will an independent man in one of our +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_476" id="Page_476">476</a></span> +Assemblies consider this? We will take a man, who is no +partisan of England or France, one who wishes to do justice +to both, and to all nations, but is the partisan only of +his own." "Have you seen," said he, "a certain letter +written to the Count de Vergennes, wherein Mr Samuel +Adams is treated pretty freely?" "Yes," said I, "and +several other papers, in which Mr John Adams has been +treated so too. I do not know what you may have heard +in England of Mr Samuel Adams. You may have been +taught to believe, for what I know, that he eats little children. +But I assure you, he is a man of humanity and +candor, as well as integrity; and further, that he is devoted +to the interest of his country, and, I believe, wishes +never to be, after a peace, the partisan to France or England, +but to do justice and all the good he can to both. +I thank you for mentioning him, for I will make him my +orator. What will he say, when the question of amnesty +and compensation to the tories comes before the Senate +of Massachusetts, and when he is informed, that England +makes a point of it, and that France favors her? He will +say, here are two old sagacious Courts, both endeavoring to +sow the seeds of discord among us, each endeavoring to +keep us in hot water; to keep up continual broils between +an English party and a French party, in hopes of obliging +the independent and patriotic party to lean to its side. +England wishes them here, and compensated, not merely +to get rid of them, and to save herself the money, but +to plant among us instruments of her own, to make divisions +among us, and between us and France, to be continually +crying down the religion, the government, the manners +of France, and crying up the language, the fashions, the +blood, &c. of England. England also means, by insisting +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_477" id="Page_477">477</a></span> +on our compensating these worst of enemies, to obtain +from us a tacit acknowledgment of the right of the war, an +implicit acknowledgment, that the tories have been justifiable, +or at least excusable, and that we, only by a fortunate +coincidence of events, have carried a wicked rebellion +into a complete revolution. At the very time, when +Britain professes to desire peace, reconciliation, perpetual +oblivion of all past unkindnesses, can she wish to send in +among us a number of persons, whose very countenances +will bring fresh to our remembrance the whole history of +the rise and progress of the war, and of all its atrocities? +Can she think it conciliatory, to oblige us to lay taxes upon +those, whose habitations have been consumed, to reward +those who have burned them? Upon those, whose relations +have been cruelly destroyed, to compensate the murderers? +What can be the design of France, on the other hand, by espousing +the cause of those men? Indeed, her motives may +be guessed at. She may wish to keep up in our minds a +terror of England, and a fresh remembrance of all we +have suffered. Or she may wish to prevent our Ministers +in Europe from agreeing with the British Ministers, until +she shall say, that she and Spain are satisfied in all points."</p> + +<p>I entered largely with Mr Oswald into the consideration +of the influence this question would have upon the councils +of the British cabinet, and the debates in Parliament. +The King and the old Ministry might think their personal +reputations concerned, in supporting men who had gone +such lengths, and suffered so much in their attachment to +them. The King may say, "I have other dominions +abroad, Canada, Nova Scotia, Florida, the West India +Islands, the East Indies, Ireland. It will be a bad example +to abandon these men. Others will lose their +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_478" id="Page_478">478</a></span> +encouragement to adhere to my government." But the +shortest answer to this is the best, let the King by a message +recommend it to Parliament to compensate them.</p> + +<p>But how will my Lord Shelburne sustain the shock of +opposition, when Mr Fox and Mr Burke shall demand a +reason, why the essential interests of the nation are sacrificed +to the unreasonable demands of those very men, +who have done this great mischief to the empire? Should +these orators indulge themselves in Philippics against the +refugees, show their false representations, their outrageous +cruelties, their innumerable demerits against the nation, +and then attack the First Lord of the Treasury for continuing +to spend the blood and treasure of the nation for +their sakes?</p> + +<p><i>Sunday, November 17th.</i>—Mr Vaughan came to me +yesterday, and said, that Mr Oswald had that morning +called upon Mr Jay, and told him, if he had known as +much the day before, as he had since learned, he would +have written to go home. Mr Vaughan said, Mr Fitzherbert +had received a letter from Mr Townshend, that the +compensation would be insisted on. Mr Oswald wanted +Mr Jay to go to England; thought he could convince the +Ministry. Mr Jay said, he must go with or without the +knowledge and advice of the Court, and, in either case, it +would give rise to jealousies. He could not go. Mr +Vaughan said, he had determined to go, on account of the +critical state of his family, his wife being probably abed. +He should be glad to converse freely with me, and obtain +from me all the lights and arguments against the tories, +even the history of their worst actions. That, in case it +should be necessary to run them down, it might be done, +or at least expose them, for their true history was little +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_479" id="Page_479">479</a></span> +known in England. I told him, I must be excused, it was +a subject that I had never been desirous of obtaining information +upon; that I pitied those people too much, to be +willing to aggravate the sorrows and sufferings, even of +those who had deserved the worst. It might not be amiss +to reprint the letters of Bernard, Hutchinson, and Oliver, +to show their rise. It might not be amiss to read the history +of Wyoming, in the annual register for 1778 or 9, to +recollect the prison ships, and the churches at New York, +where the garrison of Fort Washington were starved, in +order to make them enlist in refugee corps, it might not +be amiss to recollect the burning of cities, and the thefts of +plate, negroes, and tobacco.</p> + +<p>I entered into the same arguments with him that I had +used with Mr Oswald, to show that we could do nothing; +Congress nothing; the time it would take to consult the +States, and the reason to believe, that all of them would at +last decide against it. I showed him, that it would be a +religious question with some; a moral one with others; +and a political one with more; an economical one with +very few. I shewed him the ill effect which would be +produced upon the American mind by this measure; how +much it would contribute to perpetuate alienation against +England, and how French emissaries might, by means of +these men, blow up the flames of animosity and war. I +showed him how the whig interest, and the opposition, +might avail themselves of this subject in Parliament, and +how they might embarrass the Minister.</p> + +<p>He went out to Passy for a passport, and in the evening +called upon me again; he said he found Dr Franklin's +sentiments to be the same with Mr Jay's and mine, and +hoped he should be able to convince Lord Shelburne. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_480" id="Page_480">480</a></span> +He was pretty confident it would work right. The Ministry +and nation were not informed upon the subject. Lord +Shelburne had told him, that no part of his office gave him +so much pain, as the levee he held for these people, and +hearing their stories of their families and estates, their +losses, sufferings, and distresses. Mr Vaughan said, he +had picked up here a good deal of information about +these people from Mr Allen, and other Americans.</p> + +<p>In the evening, M. de Lafayette came in and told me +he had been to see M. de Fleury on the subject of a +loan. He told him, he must afford America this year a +subsidy of twenty millions. M. de Fleury said, France +had already spent two hundred and fifty millions in the +American war, and that they could not allow any more +money to her; that there was a great deal of money in +America; that the King's troops had been paid and subsisted +there; that the British army had been subsisted +and paid there, &c. The Marquis said, that little of the +subsistence or pay of the British had gone into any hands, +but those of the tories within the lines. I said, that more +money went in for their goods, than came out for provisions, +or anything. The Marquis added to M. de Fleury, +that Mr Adams had a plan for going to the States-General +for a loan, or a subsidy. M. de Fleury said, he did not +want the assistance of Mr Adams, to get money in Holland, +he could have what he would. The Marquis said, +Mr Adams would be glad of it, he did not want to go, +but was willing to take the trouble, if necessary.</p> + +<p>The Marquis said, that he should dine with the Queen +tomorrow, and would give her a hint to favor us, that he +should take leave in a few days, and should go in the fleet +that was to sail from Brest; that he wanted the advice of Dr +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_481" id="Page_481">481</a></span> +Franklin, Mr Jay, and me, before he went, &c. said that +there was a report, that M. Gerard had been in England, +and that M. de Rayneval was gone. I told him, I saw M. +Gerard at Mr Jay's a few evenings ago. He said, he did +not believe M. Gerard had been; that he had mentioned +it to Count de Vergennes, and he did not appear confused +at all, but said M. Gerard was here about the limits of +Alsace. The Marquis said, that he believed the reason +why Count de Vergennes said so little about the progress +of Mr Fitzherbert with him was, because the difficulty +about peace was made by the Spaniards, and he was +afraid of making the Americans still more angry with +Spain. He knew the Americans were very angry with +the Spaniards.</p> + +<p><i>Monday, November 18th.</i>—Returned Mr Oswald's visit. +He says, Mr. Strachey, who sat out the 5th, did not reach +London until the 10th. Couriers are three, four, or five +days in going, according as the winds are.</p> + +<p>We went over the old ground concerning the tories. He +began to use arguments with me to relax. I told him, he +must not think of that; but must bend all his thoughts to +convince and persuade his Court to give it up; that if the +terms now before his Court were not accepted, the whole +negotiation would be broken off, and this Court would +probably be so angry with Mr Jay and me, that they +would set their engines to work upon Congress, get us recalled, +and some others sent, who would do exactly as this +Court would have them. He said, he thought that very +probable. In another part of his conversation he said, we +should all have gold snuff boxes, set with diamonds; you +will certainly have the picture. I told him no, I had dealt +too freely with this Court, I had not concealed from them +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_482" id="Page_482">482</a></span> +any useful and necessary truth, although it was disagreeable. +Indeed, I neither expected, or desired any favors +from them, nor would I accept any; I should not refuse +any customary compliment of that sort, but it never had +been, or would be offered to me. My fixed principle, +never to be the tool of any man, nor the partisan of any +nation, would forever exclude me from the smiles and +favors of Courts.</p> + +<p>In another part of the conversation I said, that when +I was young and addicted to reading, I had heard about +dancing upon the points of metaphysical needles; but, +by mixing in the world, I had found the points of political +needles finer and sharper than the metaphysical ones. +I told him the story of Josiah Quincy's conversation with +Lord Shelburne, in 1774, in which he pointed out to him +the plan of carrying on the war, which has been pursued +this year, by remaining inactive on land, and cruising upon +the coast to distress our trade.</p> + +<p>He said he had been contriving an artificial truce, since +he found we were bound by treaty not to agree to a separate +truce. He had proposed to the Ministry, to give +orders to their men-of-war, and privateers, not to take any +unarmed American vessels.</p> + +<p>I said to him, supposing the armed neutrality should acknowledge +American independence, by admitting Mr Dana, +who is now at Petersburg with a commission in his pocket +for that purpose, to subscribe to the principles of their marine +treaty; the King of Great Britain could find no fault +with it; he could never hereafter say it was an affront or +hostility; he had done it himself. Would not all neutral +vessels have a right to go to America? And could not all +American trade be carried on in neutral bottoms? I said +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_483" id="Page_483">483</a></span> +to him, that England would always be a country, which +would deserve much of the attention of America, independently +of all consideration of blood, origin, language, morals, +&c.; merely as a commercial people, she would forever +claim the respect of America, because a great part of her +commerce would be with her, provided she came to her +senses, and made peace with us, without any points in the +treaty, that should ferment in the minds of the people. +If the people should think themselves unjustly treated, they +would never be easy, and they are so situated as to be +able to hurt any power. The fisheries, the Mississippi, the +tories, were points that would rankle, and that nation that +should offend our people in any of them, would sooner or +later feel the consequences.</p> + +<p>Mr Jay, M. Couteulx, and Mr Grand, came in. Mr +Grand says there is a great fermentation in England, and +that they talk of uniting Lord North and Mr Fox in administration; +the Duke of Portland to come in, and Keppel to +go out. But this is wild.</p> + +<p>You are afraid, said Mr Oswald today, of being made +the tools of the powers of Europe. Indeed I am, said I. +What powers, said he? All of them, said I. It is obvious +that all the powers of Europe will be continually manœuvring +with us, to work us into their real or imaginary balances +of power. They will all wish to make of us a makeweight +candle, when they are making out their pounds. Indeed +it is not surprising; for we shall very often, if not always +be able to turn the scale. But I think it ought to be our +rule not to meddle, and that of all the powers of Europe, +not to desire us, or perhaps even to permit us to interfere, if +they can help it. I beg of you, said he, to get out of your +head the idea, that we shall disturb you. What, said I, do +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_484" id="Page_484">484</a></span> +you yourself believe, that your Ministers, Governors, and +even nation, will not wish to get us of your side in any future +war? As for the Governors, said he, we will take off +their heads if they do an improper thing towards you. +Thank you for your good will, said I, which I feel to be +sincere. But nations do not feel as you and I do. And +your nation, when it gets a little refreshed from the fatigues +of the war; when men and money are become plenty, and +allies at hand, will not feel as it does now. We never can +be such sots, said he, as to think of differing again with +you. Why, said I, in truth I have never been able to comprehend +the reason, why you ever thought of differing +with us.</p> + +<p><i>Monday, November 25th.</i> Doctor Franklin, Mr Jay, +and myself, at 11 o'clock, met at Mr Oswald's lodgings. +Mr Strachey told us, he had been to London, and waited +personally on every one of the King's cabinet council, and +had communicated the last propositions to them. They +every one of them unanimously condemned that respecting +the tories, so that that unhappy affair stuck, as he foresaw +and foretold it would.</p> + +<p>The affair of the fishery too was somewhat altered. +They could not admit us to dry on the shores of Nova +Scotia, nor to fish within three leagues of the coast of +Cape Breton. The boundary they did not approve. They +thought it too extended, too vast a country; but they would +not make a difficulty. That if these terms were not admitted, +the whole affair must be thrown into Parliament, +where every man would be for insisting on restitution to +the refugees. He talked about excepting a few, by name, +of the most obnoxious of the refugees.</p> + +<p>I could not help observing, that the ideas respecting the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_485" id="Page_485">485</a></span> +fishery appeared to me to come piping hot from Versailles. +I quoted to them the words of our treaty with France, in +which the indefinite and exclusive right to the fishery on +the western side of Newfoundland was secured against us, +according to the true construction of the treaties of Utrecht +and Paris. I showed them the 12th and 13th articles of +the treaty of Utrecht, by which the French were admitted +to fish from Cape Bonavista to Point Riche. I related to +them the manner in which the cod and haddock came into +the rivers, harbors, creeks, and up to the very wharves, on all +the northern coasts of America, in the spring, in the month +of April, so that you have nothing to do, but step into a +boat, and bring in a parcel of fish in a few hours. But +that in May they began to withdraw. We have a saying +in Boston that, "when the blossoms fall, the haddock begin +to crawl," i.e. to move into deep water; so that in summer +you must go out some distance to fish; at Newfoundland +it was the same. The fish in March and April were in +shore, in all the creeks, bays, and harbors, i.e. within +three leagues of the coasts or shores of Newfoundland and +Nova Scotia; that neither French nor English, could go +from Europe and arrive early enough for the first fare; +that our vessels could, being so much nearer, an advantage +which God and nature had put into our hands; but this +advantage of ours had been an advantage to England; because +our fish had been sold in Spain and Portugal for +gold and silver, and that gold and silver sent to London +for manufactures; that this would be the course again; +that France foresaw it, and wished to deprive England of +it, by persuading her to deprive us of it; that it would be a +master stroke of policy if she could succeed; but England +must be completely the dupe before she could succeed. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_486" id="Page_486">486</a></span></p> + +<p>There were three lights in which it might be viewed. +1st. As a nursery for seamen. 2d. As a source of profit. +3d. As a source of contention. As a nursery of seamen, +did England consider us as worse enemies than France? +Had she rather France should have the seamen than America? +The French marine was nearer and more menacing +than ours. As a source of profit, had England rather +France should supply the markets of Lisbon and Cadiz +with fish, and take the gold and silver, than we? France +would never spend any of that money in London. We +should spend it all there, very nearly. As a source of contention, +how could we restrain our fishermen (the boldest +men alive) from fishing in prohibited places? How could +our men see the French admitted to fish, and themselves +excluded by the English? It would then be a cause of +disputes, and such seeds France might wish to sow. That +I wished for two hours' conversation on the subject with +one of the King's council. If I did not convince him he +was undesignedly betraying the interest of his Sovereign; I +was mistaken. Strachey said, perhaps I would put down +some observations in writing upon it; I said, with all my +heart, provided I had the approbation of my colleagues; +but I could do nothing of the kind without submitting it to +their judgments; and, that whatever I had said or should +say, upon the subject, however strongly I might express +myself was always to be understood, with submission to my +colleagues. I showed them Captain Coffin's letter, and +gave them his character. His words are;</p> + +<p>"Our fishermen from Boston, Salem, Newbury, Marblehead, +Cape Ann, Cape Cod, and Nantucket, have frequently +gone out on the fisheries to the Straits of Belleisle, +north part of Newfoundland, and the banks adjacent +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_487" id="Page_487">487</a></span> +thereto, there to continue the whole season, and have +made use of the north part of Newfoundland, the Labrador +coast, in the Straits of Belleisle, to cure their fish, +which they have taken in and about those coasts. I have +known several instances of vessels going there to load in +the fall of the year, with the fish taken and cured at these +places, for Spain, Portugal, &c. I was once concerned in +a voyage of that kind myself, and speak from my own +knowledge.</p> + +<p>"From Cape Sables, to the Isle of Sables, and so on to +the Banks of Newfoundland, are a chain of banks, extending +all along the coast, and almost adjoining each +other, and those banks are where our fishermen go for the +first fare, in the early part of the season. Their second +fare is on the Banks of Newfoundland, where they continue +to fish, till prevented by the tempestuous and boisterous +winds, which prevail in the fall of the year on that +coast. Their third and last fare is generally made near +the coast of Cape Sables, or banks adjoining thereto, +where they are not only relieved from those boisterous +gales, but have an asylum to fly to in case of emergency, +as that coast is lined, from the head of Cape Sables to +Halifax, with most excellent harbors. The sea-cow fishery +was, before the present war, carried on to great advantage, +particularly from Nantucket and Cape Cod, in and +about the river St Lawrence, at the Island St Johns and +Anticosti, Bay of Chaleurs, and the Magdalen Islands, +which were the most noted of all for that fishery. This +oil has the preference to all others, except spermaceti."</p> + +<p>Mr Jay desired to know whether Mr Oswald had now +power to conclude and sign with us. Strachey said he +had, absolutely. Mr Jay desired to know if the propositions +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_488" id="Page_488">488</a></span> +now delivered us, were their ultimatum. Strachey +seemed loath to answer, but at last said, no. We agreed +these were good signs of sincerity. Bancroft came in this +evening, and said, it was reported, that a courier had arrived +from M. Rayneval, in London, and that after it, the +Count de Vergennes told the King, that he had the peace +in his pocket, that he was now master of the peace.</p> + +<p><i>Tuesday, November 26th.</i> Breakfasted at Mr Jay's, +with Dr Franklin, in consultation upon the propositions +made to us yesterday, by Mr Oswald. We agreed unanimously, +to answer him, that we could not consent to the +article respecting the refugees, as it now stands. Dr +Franklin read a letter upon the subject, which he had prepared +to Mr Oswald, upon the subject of the tories, which +we had agreed with him, that he should read, as containing +his private sentiments. We had a vast deal of conversation +upon the subject. My colleagues opened themselves, +and made many observations concerning the conduct, +crimes, and demerits of those people. Before dinner Mr +Fitzherbert came in, whom I had never seen before, a +gentleman of about thirtythree; seems pretty discreet and +judicious, and did not discover those airs of vanity, which +are imputed to him. He came in consequence of the +desire I expressed yesterday, of knowing the state of the +negotiation between him and the Count de Vergennes, respecting +the fishery. He told us, that the Count was for +fixing the boundaries where each nation should fish; he +must confess he thought the idea plausible, for that there +had been great dissensions among the fishermen of the +two nations; that the French Marine Office had an apartment +full of complaints and representations of disputes; +that the French pretended, that Cape Ray was the Point +Riche. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_489" id="Page_489">489</a></span></p> + +<p>I asked him, if the French demanded of him an exclusive +right to fish and dry between Cape Bonavista and the +Point Riche. He said they had not expressly, and he intended +to follow the words of the Treaty of Utrecht and +Paris, without stirring the point. I showed him an extract +of a letter from the Earl of Egremoot, to the Duke of Bedford, +of March the 1st, 1763, in which it is said, that, by +the 13th article of the Treaty of Utrecht, a liberty was +left to the French to fish, and to dry their fish on shore; +and for that purpose to erect the necessary stages and +buildings, but with an express stipulation, "<i>de ne pas +sejourner dans la dite Isle, au delà du dit tems nécessaire +pour pêcher et sécher les poissons</i>." That it is a received +law among the fishermen, that whoever arrives first shall +have his choice of the stations; that the Duc de Nivernois +insisted, that by the Treaty of Utrecht, the French had an +exclusive right to the fishery, from Cape Bonavista to +Point Riche; that the King gave to his Grace, the Duke +of Bedford, express instructions to come to an eclaircissement +upon the point with the French Ministry, and to +refuse the exclusive construction of the Treaty of Utrecht. +I also showed him a letter from Sir Stamier Porteen, Lord +Weymouth's Secretary, to Lord Weymouth, enclosing an +extract of Lord Egremont's letter to the Duke of Bedford, +by which it appears, that the Duc de Nivernois +insisted "that the French had an exclusive right to the +fishery, from Cape Bonavista to point Riche, and that they +had, on ceding the island of Newfoundland to Great Britain, +by the thirteenth article of the Treaty of Utrecht, +expressly reserved to themselves such an exclusive right, +which they had constantly been in possession of till they +were entirely driven from North America, in the last war." +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_490" id="Page_490">490</a></span></p> + +<p>For these papers I am obliged to Mr Izard. Mr Fitzherbert +said it was the same thing now, word for word; +but he should endeavor to have the treaty conformable +to those of Utrecht and Paris. But he said we had given +it up by admitting the word "<i>exclusive</i>" into our treaty. I +said, perhaps not; for the whole was to be conformable to +the true construction of the treaties of Utrecht and Paris, +and that if the English did not now admit the exclusive +construction, they could not contend for it against us. We +had only contracted not to disturb them, &c. I said it +was the opinion of all the fishermen in America, that England +could not prevent our catching a fish, without preventing +themselves from getting a dollar; that the first fare was +our only advantage; that neither the English nor French +could have it; it must be lost if we had it not. He said, +he did not think much of the fishery, as a source of +profit, but as a nursery of seamen. I told him, the English +could not catch a fish the more, or make a sailor the +more, for restraining us; even the French would rival +them in the markets of Spain and Portugal. It was our +fish they ought to call their own; because we should spend +the profit with them; that the Southern States had staple +commodities; but New England had no other remittances +than the fishery, no other way to pay for their clothing; +that it entered into our distilleries and West India trade, as +well as our European trade, in such a manner, that it +could not be taken out or diminished without tearing and +rending; that, if it should be left to its natural course, we +could hire or purchase spots of ground, on which to erect +stages and buildings; but if we were straitened by treaty, +that treaty would be given in instructions to Governors +and Commodores, whose duty it would be to execute it; +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_491" id="Page_491">491</a></span> +that it would be very difficult to restrain our fishermen, +they would be frequently transgressing and making disputes +and troubles.</p> + +<p>He said, his principal object was to avoid sowing seeds +of future wars. I said, it was equally my object, and that +I was persuaded, that if the germ of a war was left anywhere, +there was the greatest danger of its being left in +the article respecting the fishery. The rest of the day +was spent in endless discussions about the tories. Dr. +Franklin is very staunch against them, more decided a +great deal on this point, than Mr. Jay or myself.</p> + +<p><i>Wednesday, November 27th.</i>—Mr. Benjamin Vaughan +came in, returned from London, where he had seen Lord +Shelburne. He says, he finds the Ministry much embarrassed +with the tories, and exceedingly desirous of saving +their honor and reputation in this point; that it is reputation +more than money, &c. Dined with Mr. Jay, and +spent some time before dinner with him and Dr. Franklin, +and all the afternoon with them and Mr. Oswald, endeavoring +to come together concerning the fisheries and the +tories.</p> + +<p><i>Thursday, November 28th.</i>—This morning I have drawn +up the following project.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Art. iii.</span> "That the subjects of his Britannic Majesty, +and the people of the said United States, shall continue to +enjoy, unmolested, the right to take fish of every kind, on +the Grand Bank, and on all the other banks of Newfoundland; +also in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and in all other +places, where the inhabitants of both countries used at any +time heretofore to fish; and the citizens of the said United +States, shall have liberty to cure and dry their fish on the +shores of Cape Sables, and of any of the unsettled bays, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_492" id="Page_492">492</a></span> +harbors, or creeks of Nova Scotia, or any of the shores of +the Magdalen Islands, and of the Labrador coast. And +they shall be permitted, in time of peace, to hire pieces of +land for terms of years, of the legal proprietors, in any of +the dominions of his said Majesty, whereon to erect the +necessary stages and buildings, and to cure and dry their +fish."</p> + +<p><i>Friday, November 29th.</i>—Met Mr Fitzherbert, Mr Oswald, +Dr Franklin, Mr Jay, Mr Laurens, and Mr Strachey, +at Mr Jay's, <i>Hôtel d'Orléans</i>, and spent the whole +day, in discussions about the fishery and the tories. I +proposed a new article concerning the fishery, it was discussed +and turned in every light, and multitudes of amendments +proposed on each side, and, at last, the article +drawn as it was finally agreed to. The other English +gentlemen being withdrawn upon some occasion, I asked +Mr Oswald, if he could not consent to leave out the limitation +of three leagues from all their shores, and the fifteen +from those of Louisbourg.</p> + +<p>He said, in his own opinion, he was for it; but his instructions +were such that he could not do it. I perceived +by this, and by several incidents and little circumstances +before, which I had remarked to my colleagues, who were +much of the same opinion, that Mr Oswald had an instruction, +not to settle the articles of the fishery and refugees, +without the concurrence of Mr Fitzherbert and Mr +Strachey.</p> + +<p>Upon the return of the other gentlemen, Mr Strachey +proposed to leave out the word <i>right</i> of fishing, and make +it <i>liberty</i>. Mr Fitzherbert said the word <i>right</i> was an obnoxious +expression. Upon this, I rose up and said, gentlemen, +is there, or can there be, a clearer right? In former +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_493" id="Page_493">493</a></span> +treaties, that of Utrecht, and that of Paris, France and +England have claimed the right, and used the word. +When God Almighty made the Banks of Newfoundland at +three hundred leagues distance from the people of America, +and at six hundred leagues distance from those of +France and England, did he not give as good a right to +the former as to the latter? If Heaven in the creation gave +a right, it is ours at least as much as yours. If occupation, +use, and possession give a right, we have it as clearly as +you. If war, and blood, and treasure give a right, ours is +as good as yours.</p> + +<p>We have constantly been fighting in Canada, Cape +Breton, and Nova Scotia, for the defence of this fishery, +and have expended beyond all proportion more than you; +if then the right cannot be denied, why should it not be +acknowledged, and put out of dispute? Why should we +leave room for illiterate fishermen to wrangle and chicane?</p> + +<p>Mr Fitzherbert said, the argument is in your favor. +I must confess your reasons appear to be good; but Oswald's +instructions were such, that he did not see how he +could agree with us; "and, for my part, I have not the +honor and felicity to be a man of that weight and authority +in my country, that you, gentlemen, are in yours; (this +was very genteely said) I have the accidental advantage of +a little favor with the present Minister, but I cannot depend +upon the influence of my own opinion, to reconcile a measure +to my countrymen. We can consider ourselves as +little more than pens in the hands of government at home, +and Mr Oswald's instructions are <i>so</i> particular."</p> + +<p>I replied to this; "the time is not so pressing upon us, +but that we can wait until a courier goes to London with +your representations upon this subject, and others that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_494" id="Page_494">494</a></span> +remain between us, and I think the Ministers must be convinced."</p> + +<p>Mr Fitzherbert said, "to send again to London, and +have all laid loose before Parliament, was so uncertain a +measure, it was going to sea again."</p> + +<p>Upon this, Dr Franklin said, that "if another messenger +was to be sent to London, he ought to carry something +more respecting a compensation to the sufferers in +America."</p> + +<p>He produced a paper from his pocket, in which he had +drawn up a claim, and he said the first principle of the +treaty was equality and reciprocity. Now they demanded +of us payment of debts, and restitution, or compensation +to the refugees. If a draper had sold a piece of cloth to +a man upon credit, and then sent a servant to take it from +him by force, and afterwards should bring his action for +the debt, would any court of law or equity give him his +demand, without obliging him to restore the cloth? Then +he stated the carrying off of goods from Boston, Philadelphia, +and the Carolinas, Georgia, Virginia, &c., and the +burning of the towns, &c. and desired, that this might be +sent with the rest.</p> + +<p>Upon this, I recounted the history of General Gage's +agreement with the inhabitants of Boston, that they should +remove with their effects, upon condition, that they would +surrender their arms; but as soon as the arms were +secured, the goods were forbid to be carried out, and were +finally carried off in large quantities to Halifax. Dr +Franklin mentioned the case of Philadelphia, and the carrying +off of effects there, even his own library. Mr Jay +mentioned several other things, and Mr Laurens added the +plunders in Carolina, of negroes, plate, &c. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_495" id="Page_495">495</a></span></p> + +<p>After hearing all this, Mr Fitzherbert, Mr Oswald, and +Mr Strachey retired for some time, and returning, Mr +Fitzherbert said, that upon consulting together, and weighing +everything as maturely as possible, Mr Strachey and +himself had determined to advise Mr Oswald to strike +with us, according to the terms we had proposed as our +ultimatum, respecting the fishery and the loyalists. Accordingly, +we all sat down, and read over the whole treaty, +and corrected it, and agreed to meet tomorrow, at Mr +Oswald's house, to sign and seal the treaties, which the +Secretaries were to copy fair in the mean time.</p> + +<p>I forgot to mention, that when we were upon the fishery, +and Mr Strachey and Mr Fitzherbert were urging us +to leave out the word <i>right</i>, and substitute the word <i>liberty</i>, +I told them at last, in answer to their proposal to +agree upon all other articles, and leave that of the fishery +to be adjusted at the Definitive Treaty, that I could +never put my hand to any articles, without satisfaction +about the fishery; that Congress had three or four years +ago, when they did me the honor to give me a commission +to make a Treaty of Commerce with Great Britain, +given me a positive instruction not to make any such +treaty, without an article in the Treaty of Peace, acknowledging +our right to the fishery; that I was happy Mr +Laurens was now present, who, I believed, was in Congress +at the time, and must remember it. Mr Laurens, +upon this, said with great firmness, that he was in the same +case, and could never give his voice for any articles without +this. Mr Jay spoke up, and said, it could not be a +peace, it would only be an insidious truce without it.</p> + +<p><i>Saturday, November 30th. St Andrews' Day.</i>—We +met first at Mr Jay's, then at Mr Oswald's, examined and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_496" id="Page_496">496</a></span> +compared the treaties. Mr Strachey had left out the limitation +of time, the twelve months, that the refugees were +allowed to reside in America, in order to recover their +estates, if they could. Dr Franklin said this was a surprise +upon us. Mr Jay said so too. We never had consented +to leave it out, and they insisted upon putting it in, +which was done.</p> + +<p>Mr Laurens said, there ought to be a stipulation, that +the British troops should carry off no negroes, or other +American property. We all agreed. Mr Oswald consented.</p> + +<p>Then the treaties were signed, sealed, and delivered, +and we all went out to Passy to dine with Dr. Franklin. +Thus far has proceeded this great affair. The unravelling +of the plot has been to me the most affecting and astonishing +part of the whole piece.</p> + +<p>As soon as I arrived in Paris, I waited on Mr Jay, and +learned from him the rise and progress of the negotiations. +Nothing, that has happened since the beginning of the +controversy in 1761, has ever struck me more forcibly, or +affected me more intimately, than that entire coincidence +of principles and opinions between him and me. In about +three days I went out to Passy, and spent the evening with +Dr Franklin, and entered largely into conversation with +him upon the course and present state of our foreign +affairs. I told him, without reserve, my opinion of the +policy of this Court, and of the principles, wisdom, and +firmness, with which Mr Jay had conducted the negotiation +in his sickness and my absence, and that I was determined +to support Mr Jay to the utmost of my power in +the pursuit of the same system. The Doctor heard me +patiently, but said nothing. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_497" id="Page_497">497</a></span></p> + +<p>The first conference we had afterwards with Mr Oswald, +in considering one point and another, Dr Franklin +turned to Mr Jay, and said, I am of your opinion, and will +go on with these gentlemen in the business, without consulting +this Court. He accordingly met with us in most of +our conferences, and has gone with us, in entire harmony +and unanimity throughout, and has been able and useful, +both by his sagacity and his reputation in the whole +negotiation.<a name="FNanchor_15" id="FNanchor_15" href="#Footnote_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a></p> + +<p>I was very happy, that Mr Laurens came in, although +it was the last day of the conferences, and wish he could +have been sooner. His apprehension, notwithstanding his +deplorable affliction under the recent loss of so excellent a +son, is as quick, his judgment as sound, and his heart as +firm as ever. He had an opportunity of examining the +whole, and judging and approving, and the article, which +he caused to be inserted at the very last, that no property +should be carried off, which would most probably in the +multiplicity and hurry of affairs have escaped us, was +worth a longer journey, if that had been all. But his +name and weight is added, which is of much greater consequence. +These miserable minutes may help me to +recollect, but I have not found time, amidst the hurry of +business and crowd of visits, to make a detail.</p> + +<p>I should have before noted, that at our first conference +about the fishery, I related the facts, as well as I understood +them; but knowing nothing myself, but as a hearsay +witness, I found it had not the weight of occular testimony; +to supply which defect, I asked Dr Franklin, if +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_498" id="Page_498">498</a></span> +Mr Williams of Nantes could not give us light. He said +Mr Williams was on the road to Paris, and as soon as he +arrived he would ask him. In a few days, Mr Williams +called on me, and said Dr Franklin had, as I desired him, +inquired of him about the fishery, but he was not able to +speak particularly upon that subject; but there was at +Nantes a gentleman of Marblehead, Mr Samuel White, +son-in-law to Mr Hooper, who was master of the subject, +and to him he would write.</p> + +<p>Mr Jeremiah Allen, a merchant of Boston, called on me +about the same time. I inquired of him. He was able +only to give such a hearsay account as I could give myself. +But I desired him to write to Mr White, at Nantes, +which he undertook to do, and did. Mr White answered +Mr Allen's letter by referring him to his answer to Mr +Williams, which Mr Williams received and delivered to +Dr Franklin, who communicated it to us, and it contained +a good account.</p> + +<p>I desired Mr Thaxter to write to Messrs Ingraham and +Bromfield, and Mr Storer to write to Captain Coffin at +Amsterdam. They delivered me the answers, both contained +information, but Coffin's was the most particular, +and of the most importance, as he spoke as a witness. +We made the best use of these letters with the English +gentlemen, and they appeared to have a good deal of +weight with them.</p> + +<p>From first to last, I ever insisted upon it with the English +gentlemen, that the fisheries and the Mississippi, if +America was not satisfied in those points, would be the +sure and certain sources of a future war, showed them the +indispensable necessity of both to our affairs, and that no +treaty we could make, which should be unsatisfactory to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_499" id="Page_499">499</a></span> +our people upon those points, could be observed; that the +population near the Mississippi would be so rapid, and the +necessities of the people for its navigation so pressing, that +nothing could restrain them from going down, and if the +force of arms should be necessary, it would not be wanting; +that the fishery entered into our distilleries, our +coasting trade, our trade with the Southern States, with +the West India Islands, with the coast of Africa, and with +every part of Europe in such a manner, and especially +with England, that it could not be taken from us, or +granted us stingily, without tearing and rending; that the +other States had staples, we had none but fish, no other +means of remittances to London, or paying those very +debts they had insisted upon so seriously; that if we were +forced off, at three leagues distance, we should smuggle +eternally, that their men-of-war might have the glory of +sinking, now and then, a fishing schooner, but this would +not prevent a repetition of the crime, it would only inflame, +and irritate, and enkindle a new war, that in seven years +we should break through all restraints, and conquer from +them the island of Newfoundland itself, and Nova Scotia +too.</p> + +<p>Mr Fitzherbert always smiled, and said it was very extraordinary +that the British Ministry and we should see it +in so different a light. That they meant the restriction, in +order to prevent disputes, and kill the seeds of war, and +we should think it so certain a source of disputes, and so +strong a seed of war; but that our reasons were such, that +he thought the probability on our side.</p> + +<p>I have not time to minute the conversation about the +sea-cow fishery, the whale fishery, the Magdalen Islands, +the Labrador coasts, and the coasts of Nova Scotia. It is +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_500" id="Page_500">500</a></span> +sufficient to say, they were explained to the utmost of our +knowledge, and finally conceded.</p> + +<p>I should have noted before, the various deliberations +between the English gentlemen and us, relative to the +words, "indefinite and exclusive right," which the Count +de Vergennes and M. Gerard had the precaution to insert +in our treaty with France. I observed often to the English +gentlemen, that, aiming at excluding us from fishing +upon the north side of Newfoundland, it was natural for +them to wish that the English would exclude us from the +south side. This would be making both alike, and take +away an odious distinction. French statesmen must see +the tendency of our fishermen being treated kindly and +hospitably, like friends, by the English on their side of the +Island, and unkindly, inhospitably, and like enemies, on the +French. I added, further, that it was my opinion, neither +our treaty with the French, nor any treaty or clause to the +same purpose, which the English could make, would be +punctually observed. Fishermen, both from England and +America, would smuggle, especially the Americans, in the +early part of the spring, before the Europeans could arrive. +This, therefore, must be connived at by the French, +or odious measures must be recurred to by them or us to +suppress it, and, in either case, it was easy to see what +would be the effect upon the American mind. They, no +doubt, therefore, wished the English to put themselves +upon as odious a footing at least as they had done.</p> + +<p>Dr Franklin said, that there was great weight in this observation, +and the Englishmen showed plainly enough that +they felt it.</p> + +<p>I have not attempted, in these notes, to do justice to the +arguments of my colleagues; all of whom were throughout +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_501" id="Page_501">501</a></span> +the whole business, when they attended, very attentive and +very able, especially Mr Jay, to whom the French, if they +knew as much of his negotiations as they do of mine, +would very justly give the title, with which they have inconsiderately +decorated me, that of "<i>Le Washington de la +négotiation</i>," a very flattering compliment indeed, to which +I have not a right; but sincerely think it belongs to Mr +Jay.</p> + +<p><i>Tuesday, December 3d.</i>—Visited M. Brantzen, <i>Hôtel +de la Chine</i>. M. Brantzen asked me, how we went on? +I told him we had come to a full stop, by signing and sealing +the preliminaries the 30th of November. I told him, +that we had been very industrious, having been at it forenoon, +afternoon, and evening, ever since my arrival, either +with one another, or with the English gentlemen. He +asked if it was definitive and separate? I said by no +means. They were only articles to be inserted in the definitive +treaty. He asked, if there was to be any truce or +armistice in the mean time? I said again, by no means.</p> + +<p>He then said, that he believed France and England had +agreed too; that the Count de Vergennes' son was gone +to England with M. de Rayneval; but he believed the +Spaniards had not yet agreed, and the Dutch were yet a +great way off, and had agreed upon nothing. They had +had several conferences. At the first, he had informed +Mr Fitzherbert, that their High Mightinesses insisted upon +the freedom of navigation as a preliminary and a <i>sine qua +non</i>. Mr Fitzherbert had communicated this to his Court, +but the answer received was, that his Court did not approve +of conceding this as a <i>sine qua non</i>, but chose to +have all the demands of their High Mightinesses stated +together. M. Brantzen answered, that his instructions +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_502" id="Page_502">502</a></span> +were, not to enter into any conferences upon other points, +until this was agreed. That it was the intention of the +British Court to agree to this. That he could not consider +any changes in the Ministry as making any alteration. +They were all Ministers of the same King, and servants +of the same nation. That Mr Fox, when he was +Secretary of State, by his letter to the Russian Minister, +had declared the intention of the King to consent to the +freedom of navigation, &c.</p> + +<p>M. Brantzen said, however, that he had in his private capacity +and without compromising his ministerial character, +entered into explanations with Mr Fitzherbert, and had told +him that he should insist upon three points, the freedom of +navigation, the restitution of territories in the East and +West Indies, and compensation for damages. The two +first points could not be disputed, and the third ought not be; +for the war against them had been unjust, the pretences for +it were groundless, their accession to the armed neutrality +must now be admitted, even by Britain's accession to it, to +have been an illegitimate cause of war, and the object of a +treaty with America could not be seriously pretended to +be a just cause of war; and many members of Parliament +had in the time of it declared the war unjust, and some of +those members were now Ministers; even the prime Minister, +my Lord Shelburne himself, had freely declared the +war unjust in the House of Peers; and if the war was unjust, +the damages and injustice ought to be repaired.</p> + +<p>Mr Fitzherbert said, that there was no precedent of +compensation for damages in a treaty of peace. M. Brantzen +begged his pardon, and thought there had been instances. +One example in particular, which the English themselves +had set against the Dutch, which just then came into +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_503" id="Page_503">503</a></span> +his head. Cromwell had demanded compensation of them, +and they had agreed, as now appears by the treaty, to pay +a hundred thousand pounds sterling as a compensation.</p> + +<p>M. Brantzen was not furnished with a full account of all +the losses of individuals, and therefore could not precisely +say what the amount would be. That perhaps they might +not insist upon prompt payment, nor upon a stated sum, but +might leave both the sum and time of payment to be ascertained +by commissioners at their leisure after the peace.</p> + +<p>I observed to him, that we intended to write to Mr +Dana, and send him a copy of our preliminaries, that he +might commence his negotiations with the neutral powers, +and if he succeeded we could then make common cause +with Holland, and insist on an article to secure the freedom +of navigation. This idea he received with great pleasure, +and said he would write about it to the States. Upon this +I asked him, with whom he and the other Dutch Ministers +abroad, held their correspondence? He answered, that the +Secretary Fagel was properly speaking the Minister of +Foreign Affairs. That their principal correspondence was +with him; but that they had a correspondence with the +Grand Pensionary Bleiswick too. That the letters received +by the Secretary were laid before the <i>Besogne Secrète</i>, +or Committee of Secresy. This committee consisted of so +many members, one at least for each Province, that it was +very difficult to keep anything secret. Foreign Ministers +were very inquisitive, and the Duc de la Vauguyon would +be likely to get at it. So that if they had any to write, +which they wished secret, they wrote it to the Grand +Pensionary, who is not obliged to lay before the States +letters entire. He selects such parts as he judges proper, +and prints them, to be taken <i>ad referendum</i>, and laid before +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_504" id="Page_504">504</a></span> +the Regencies of the cities. That they had sometimes +a little diffidence of this Court (<i>quelque méfiance</i>), for this +Court was very fine (<i>diablement fine</i>), and when this happened, +they wrote to the Grand Pensionary, that it might +not be communicated to the French Minister, and consequently +to his Court. "These people are vastly profound, +They will not favor the Spaniards in obtaining the Floridas. +They will play England against Spain, and Spain against +England. England against you, and you against England, +and all of you against us, and us against all of you, according +to their own schemes and interests. They are closely +buttoned up about Gibraltar, and as to Jamaica, they +will not favor Spain in that view. I expect they will get +their own affairs arranged, and then advise England to agree +to the freedom of navigation and a restitution of territory, +and then advise us to be very easy about compensation." +Thus M. Brantzen.</p> + +<p>I next visited Mr Jay, to talk about writing to Mr Dana, +and communicating to the neutral powers the preliminary +articles. Mr Jay says, that Mr Oswald is very anxious +that his Court should do that, and he has been writing to +the ministry to persuade them to it. Had a long conversation +with Mr Jay about the manner of settling the western +lands. This I cannot now detail.</p> + +<p>Went next to Mr Laurens, upon the subject of writing to +Mr Dana, and found him full in my sentiments, and at my +return found answers from Dr Franklin and Mr Laurens +to the letters I wrote them, both agreeing that this is the +critical moment for Mr Dana to commence his negotiations. +Doctor Franklin promises to have an authentic +copy made to send to Mr Dana.</p> + +<p>In the evening many gentlemen came in, among the rest +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_505" id="Page_505">505</a></span> +Mr Bourse, the agent of the Dutch East India company, +Who expressed a good deal of anxiety about their negotiations, +and feared they should not have justice in the East +Indies.</p> + +<p><i>Wednesday, December 4th.</i>—It is proper that I should +note here, that in the beginning of the year 1780, soon +after my arrival at Paris, Mr Galloway's pamphlets fell into +my hands. I wrote a long series of letters to a friend, in +answer to them. That friend sent them to England, but +the printers dared not publish them. They remained there +until last summer, when they were begun to be printed, +and are continued to this day, (not being yet quite finished,) +in Parker's General Advertiser, but with false dates, +being dated in the months of January and February last, +under the title of "Letters from a distinguished American." +They appear to have been well received, and to have contributed +somewhat to unite the nation in accelerating the +acknowledgment of American independence, and to convince +the nation of the necessity of respecting our alliances, +and making peace.</p> + +<p>I hope it will be permitted to me, or to some other who +can do it better, some ten or fifteen years hence, to collect +together in one view, my little negotiations in Europe. +Fifty years hence it may be published, perhaps twenty. I +will venture to say, however feebly I may have acted my +part, or whatever mistakes I may have committed, yet the +situations I have been in, between angry nations and more +angry factions, have been some of the most singular and +interesting, that ever happened to any man. The fury of +enemies, as well as of elements, the subtlety and arrogance +of allies, and, what has been worse than all, the jealousy, +envy, and little pranks of friends and copatriots, would form +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_506" id="Page_506">506</a></span> +one of the most instructive lessons in morals and politics, +that ever was committed to paper.</p> + +<p><i>Monday, December 9th.</i>—Visited Mr Jay. Mr Oswald +came in. We slided from one thing to another, into a +very lively conversation upon politics. He asked me what +the conduct of his Court and nation ought to be in relation +to America. I answered, the alpha and omega of British +policy towards America was summed up in this one +maxim, see that American independence is independent,—independent +of all the world,—independent of yourselves, +as well as of France,—and independent of both, as well +as the rest of Europe. Depend upon it, you have no +chance for salvation, but by setting up America very high; +take care to remove from the American mind all cause of +fear of you; no other motive but fear of you will ever +produce in the Americans any unreasonable attachment to +the House of Bourbon. "Is it possible," says he, "that +the people of America should be afraid of us, or hate us?" +"One would think, Mr Oswald," said I, "that you had +been out of the world for these twenty years past; yes, +there are three millions of people in America, who hate +and dread you more than anything in the world." "What," +said he, "now we have come to our senses?" "Your +change of system is not yet known in America," said I. +"Well," said he, "what shall we do to remove those fears +and jealousies?" "In one word," said I, "favor and promote +the interest, reputation, and dignity of the United +States, in everything that is consistent with your own. If +you pursue the plan of cramping, clipping, and weakening +America, on the supposition, that she will be a rival to +you, you will make her really so; you will make her the +natural and perpetual ally of your natural and perpetual +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_507" id="Page_507">507</a></span> +enemies." "But in what instance," said he, "have we +discovered such a disposition?" "In the three leagues +from your shores, and the fifteen leagues from Cape +Breton," said I, "to which your Ministry insisted so earnestly +to exclude our fishermen. Here was a point, that +would have done us great harm, and you no good; on the +contrary, harm; so that you would have hurt yourselves to +hurt us; this disposition must be guarded against." "I +am fully of your mind, about that," said he, "but what else +can we do?" "Send a Minister to Congress," said I, "at +the peace, a clever fellow, who understands himself, and +will neither set us bad examples, nor intermeddle in our +parties. This will show, that you are consistent with +yourselves; that you are sincere in your acknowledgment +of American independence; and that you do not entertain +hopes and designs of overturning it. Such a Minister +will dissipate many fears, and will be of more service +to the least obnoxious refugees, than any other measure +could be. Let the King send a Minister to Congress, and +receive one from that body. This will be acting consistently, +and with dignity, in the face of the universe." +"Well, what else shall we do?" said he. "I have more +than once already," said I, "advised you to put your Ministers +upon negotiating the acknowledgment of our independence +by the neutral powers." "True," said he, "and +I have written, about it, and in my answers," said he, +laughing, "I am charged with speculation; but I do not +care, I will write them my sentiments. I will not take +any of their money. I have spent already twelve or thirteen +hundred pounds, and all the reward I will have for it +shall be the pleasure of writing as I think. My opinion +is, that our Court should sign the armed neutrality, and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_508" id="Page_508">508</a></span> +announce to them what they have done with you, and negotiate +to have you admitted to sign too. But I want to +write more fully on the subject, I want you to give me +your thoughts upon it, for I do not understand it so fully +as I wish. What motives can be thrown out to the Empress +of Russia? Or what motives can she be supposed +to have to acknowledge your independence? And what +motives can our Court have to interfere, or intercede with +the neutral powers, to receive you into their confederation?"</p> + +<p>"I will answer all these questions," said I, "to the best +of my knowledge, and with the utmost candor. In the +first place, there has been, with very little interruption, a +jealousy between the Court of Petersburg and Versailles +for many years. France is the old friend and ally of the +Sublime Porte, the natural enemy of Russia. France, not +long since, negotiated a peace between Russia and the +Turks; but upon the Empress' late offers of mediation, +and especially her endeavors to negotiate Holland out of +the war, France appears to have been piqued, and, as the +last revolution in the Crimea happened soon after, there is +reason to suspect that French emissaries excited the revolt +against the new independent government, which the +Empress had taken so much pains to establish. Poland +has been long a scene of competition between Russian and +French politics, both parties having spent great sums in +pensions to partisans, until they have laid all virtue and +public spirit prostrate in that country. Sweden is another +region of rivalry between France and Russia, where both +parties spent such sums in pensions, as to destroy the principles +of liberty, and prepare the way for that revolution, +which France favored from a principle of economy, rather +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_509" id="Page_509">509</a></span> +than any other. These hints are sufficient to show the +opposition of views and interests between France and Russia, +and we see the consequence of it, that England has +more influence at Petersburg than France. The Empress, +therefore, would have two motives, one, to oblige +England, if they should intercede for an acknowledgment +of American independence, and another, to render America +less dependent upon France. The Empress, moreover +loves reputation, and it would be no small addition to +her glory to undertake a negotiation with all the neutral +Courts, to induce them to admit America into their confederacy. +The Empress might be further tempted; she +was bent upon extending her commerce, and the commerce +of America, if it were only in duck and hemp, +would be no small object to her. As to the motives of +your Court, Princes often think themselves warranted, if +not bound, to fight for their glory; surely they may lawfully +negotiate for reputation. If the neutral powers should acknowledge +our independence now, France will have the +reputation, very unjustly, of having negotiated it; but if +your Court now takes a decided part in favor of it, your +Court will have the glory of it, in Europe and in America, +and this will have a good effect upon American gratitude." +"But," said he, "this would be negotiating for the honor +and interest of France, for no doubt France wishes all the +world to acknowledge your independence." "Give me +leave to tell you, Sir," said I, "you are mistaken. If I +have not been mistaken in the policy of France, from my +first observation of it to this hour, they have been as averse +to other powers acknowledging our independence as you +have been." Mr Jay joined me in the same declaration. +"I understand it now," said he; "there is a gentleman +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_510" id="Page_510">510</a></span> +going to London this day, I will go home and write upon +the subject by him."</p> + +<p><i>Tuesday, December 10th.</i>—Visited Mr Oswald, to inquire +the news from England. He had the <i>Courier de +l'Europe</i>, in which is Mr Secretary Townshend's letter to +the Lord Mayor of London, dated the 3d instant, in which +he announces the signature of the preliminaries, on the 30th +of November, between the Commissioners of his Majesty, +and the Commissioners of the United States of America. +He had also the King's speech, announcing the same thing.</p> + +<p>Mr Oswald said, that France would not separate her +affairs from Spain; that he had hoped that America would +have assisted them somewhat, in compromising affairs with +France; and Dr Franklin, who was present, said he did +not know anything of the other negotiations. He said that +neither Mr Fitzherbert, nor the Count de Vergennes, nor +the Count d'Aranda, communicated anything to him, that +he understood the Dutch were farthest from an agreement. +Upon this, I said, "Mr Oswald, Mr Fitzherbert cannot, +I think, have any difficulty to agree with M. Brantzen. +There are three points, viz. the liberty of navigation; restitution +of possessions; and compensation for damages. +The liberty of navigation, I suppose, is the point that sticks. +But why should it stick? When all nations are agreed +in the principle, why should England stand out? England +must agree to it, she has already in effect agreed to it; as +it affects all nations but Holland and America, and, if she +were disposed, she could not prevent them from having +the benefit." Upon this, Dr Franklin said, "the Dutch +would be able in any future war, to carry on their commerce, +even of naval stores, in the bottoms of other neutral +powers." "Yes," said Mr Oswald, "and I am of opinion, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_511" id="Page_511">511</a></span> +that England ought to subscribe the armed neutrality." +"Very well," said I, "then let Mr Fitzherbert agree to this +point with M. Brantzen, and let Mr Harris, at Petersburg, +take Mr Dana in his hand, and go to the Prince Potemkin, +or the Count d'Ostermann, and say, the king, my master, +has authorised me to subscribe the principles of the armed +neutrality, and instructed me to introduce to you, Mr +Dana, Minister from the United States of America, to do +the same. Let him subscribe his name under mine."</p> + +<p>At this, they all laughed very heartily. Mr Oswald, +however, recollecting himself, and the conversation between +him and me, yesterday, on the same subject, very +gravely turned it off, by saying, "he did not see a necessity +to be in a hurry about that, America was well enough." +I said, "as to restitution of the Dutch territories, I suppose +your Court will not make much difficulty about that, if this +Court does not, as it is not probable they will, and as to +compensation for damages, the Dutch will probably be as +easy as they can about that."</p> + +<p>Dr Franklin said, he was for beginning early to think +about the articles of the definitive treaty. We had been so +happy as to be the first in the preliminaries, and he wished +to be so in the definitive articles. Thus we parted.</p> + +<p><i>Thursday, December 12th.</i>—Met at Mr Laurens', and +signed the letter I had drawn up to Mr Dana, which I sent +off, enclosed with a copy of the preliminaries, and consulted +about articles to be inserted in the definitive treaty. +Agreed that Mr Jay and I should prepare a joint letter to +Congress. At seven o'clock, I met Mr Jay at his house, +and we drew up a letter.</p> + +<p><i>Friday, December 13th.</i>—I went first to Mr Jay, and +made some addition to the joint letter, which I carried first +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_512" id="Page_512">512</a></span> +to Mr Laurens, who made some corrections and additions, +and then to Passy, to Dr Franklin, who proposed a few +other corrections, and showed me an article he had drawn +up for the definitive treaty, to exempt fishermen, husbandmen, +and merchants, as much as possible, from the evils +of future wars. This is a good lesson to mankind, at least. +All agreed to meet at my house, at eleven o'clock tomorrow, +to finish the joint letter.</p> + +<p class="volume_end"> +END OF THE SIXTH VOLUME.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4> + +<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_1" id="Footnote_1" href="#FNanchor_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> Mr Adams arrived at Paris on the 6th of July, and consequently +could not have written this letter in Amsterdam on the 5th, although +it is thus dated in the original. He was absent during the whole +month of July, and yet several letters, as will be seen, are dated at +Amsterdam in that time. These letters contain chiefly intelligence, +which was probably collected by his Secretary, under different dates +during Mr Adams' absence, and forwarded by him on his return without +altering the dates. This will account for the circumstance of letters +being dated throughout the month of July, both at Amsterdam and +Paris.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_2" id="Footnote_2" href="#FNanchor_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> See pp. <a href="#Page_147">147</a> and <a href="#Page_148">148</a>.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_3" id="Footnote_3" href="#FNanchor_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> See the <i>Secret Journals of Congress</i>, Vol. II. p. 470, 472.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_4" id="Footnote_4" href="#FNanchor_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> The new commission for negotiating peace was given to John Adams, +Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, Henry Laurens, and Thomas Jefferson. +See the Commission and Instructions in the <i>Secret Journals of +Congress</i>. Vol. II. pp. 445, 447.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_5" id="Footnote_5" href="#FNanchor_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> For these instructions, and Mr Adams' new commission to form a +treaty of alliance with the United Provinces, see the <i>Secret Journals of +Congress</i>, Vol. II pp. 470, 472.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_6" id="Footnote_6" href="#FNanchor_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> See Dr Franklin's letters to Major Jackson, on this subject, in +Franklin's Correspondence, Vol. III. pp. 227, 229.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_7" id="Footnote_7" href="#FNanchor_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> The plan of a treaty sent to Mr Adams by Congress, may be +found in the <i>Secret Journals of Congress</i>, Vol. II. p. 378.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_8" id="Footnote_8" href="#FNanchor_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> These letters were afterwards printed under the title of <i>Twentysix +Letters upon Interesting Subjects, respecting the Revolution in America</i>.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_9" id="Footnote_9" href="#FNanchor_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> The salary allowed the Ministers abroad at that time, was two +thousand five hundred pounds sterling a year.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_10" id="Footnote_10" href="#FNanchor_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> From Mr Adams's remarks, at the end of this Memorial, it would +seem to have been furnished him by another hand.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_11" id="Footnote_11" href="#FNanchor_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> The Treaty mentioned in this letter, and the Convention respecting +vessels recaptured, were ratified by Congress, on the 23d of January, +1783. The Treaty and Convention are printed at large, together +with the form of ratification, in the Journal of Congress under this +date.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_12" id="Footnote_12" href="#FNanchor_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> See Franklin's Correspondence, Vol. IV. p. 48. Also the North +American Review for January, 1830, p. 21.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_13" id="Footnote_13" href="#FNanchor_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> This proved to be an error. Mr Jay wrote to Doctor Franklin, on +the 26th of January, 1783, as follows, "It having been suspected, that +I concurred in the appointment of your grandson to the place of Secretary +to the American Commission for Peace, <i>at your instance</i>, I think it +right thus unsolicited to put it in your power to correct the mistake, &c." +See the whole letter in <i>Franklin's Correspondence</i>, Vol. IV. p. 73.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_14" id="Footnote_14" href="#FNanchor_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> These papers will be found in the Correspondence of the Ministers +for negotiating a peace.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a name="Footnote_15" id="Footnote_15" href="#FNanchor_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> For some account of the part taken by Dr Franklin, in regard to +the Treaty, before the arrival of Mr Jay and Mr Adams in Paris, see +the North American Review, for January, 1830, No. 66, p. 15.</p> +</div> + +<div class="section_break"></div> +<div id="trannote"> +<h2>TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE.</h2> + +<p>Omitted words, shown as blank spaces in the original, have been +transcribed as ——.</p> + +<p>Every effort was made to match the original text. Spelling +variations between letters have been preserved. The following +apparent typographical errors were corrected:</p> +<table summary="Transcriber's Note"> +<tr><td>"losses" for "losess"</td> +<td><a href="#losses">page 29</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td>"triple" for "tripple"</td> +<td><a href="#triple">page 215</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td>"controlling" for "controling"</td> +<td><a href="#controlling">page 382</a></td> +</tr> +</table> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Diplomatic Correspondence of the +American Revolution (Volume VI), by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DIPLOMATI CORR.--AMERICAN REVOLUTION *** + +***** This file should be named 39344-h.htm or 39344-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/9/3/4/39344/ + +Produced by Frank van Drogen, Melissa McDaniel and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by the Bibliothèque nationale de France +(BnF/Gallica) at http://gallica.bnf.fr) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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