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diff --git a/41833-0.txt b/41833-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..536a721 --- /dev/null +++ b/41833-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,16823 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41833 *** + + THE + DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE + OF THE + AMERICAN REVOLUTION. + + VOL. V. + + THE + DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE + OF THE + AMERICAN REVOLUTION; + + BEING + + 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; + + TOGETHER WITH + + THE LETTERS IN REPLY FROM THE SECRET COMMITTEE OF + CONGRESS, AND THE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. + + ALSO, + + THE ENTIRE CORRESPONDENCE OF THE FRENCH MINISTERS, + GERARD AND LUZERNE, WITH CONGRESS. + + 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. + + EDITED + BY JARED SPARKS. + + VOL. V. + + BOSTON: + NATHAN HALE AND GRAY & BOWEN; + G. & C. & H. CARVILL, NEW YORK; P. THOMPSON, WASHINGTON. + + 1829. + + + + + Steam Power Press--W. L. Lewis, Printer. + No. 6, Congress Street, Boston. + + + + +CONTENTS + +OF THE + +FIFTH VOLUME. + + +JOHN ADAMS' CORRESPONDENCE, + +CONTINUED. + + + Page. + To the President of Congress. Paris, April 17th, 1780, 3 + + Probable effects of the armed neutrality.--Critical situation of + England.--The opposition carry the resolution, that the influence + of the Crown is increasing, and ought to be diminished. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, April 18th, 1780, 6 + + Encloses a letter written from England on the subject of peace + with America.--Exposes the errors of the writer; on the + confederacy with France and Spain; on the probability of + America violating her treaty with France; on the notion that + the policy of France has been to expose the States in order to + exhaust them; on the plan of a reconciliation and reunion of + America with Great Britain. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, April 24th, 1780, 12 + + Proceedings of Russia in regard to the armed neutrality.-- + Proceedings in Holland in relation to the same subject. + + To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, April 25th, 1780, 18 + + Enclosing papers from America. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, April 25th, 1780, 18 + + State of Ireland. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, April 26th, 1780, 24 + + Debate in the House of Lords on the declaration of Russia; + Lord Camden expresses his astonishment at the doctrine of + free ships and free goods; Lord Shelburne's remarks on the + critical state of England.--Anti-English policy of Russia. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, April 28th, 1780, 27 + + Declaration of the English Council, placing the subjects + of the United Provinces on the footing of neutral powers, + not privileged by treaties.--Address of the States of + Groningen to the States-General, recommending the protection + of commerce by convoys.--Second Address of the States of the + same Province, proposing answers to the Memorials of Sir J. + Yorke.--The Province of Holland recommends the acceptance of + the invitation of Russia to accede to the armed neutrality. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, April 29th, 1780, 37 + + English naval expeditions. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, April 29th, 1780, 38 + + Mutiny in the English fleet.--County meetings adopt + resolutions censuring the war. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, May 2d, 1780, 41 + + Memorial of the French Ambassador to the States-General, + announcing the abolition of the duty of fifteen per cent + on Dutch merchandise entering France.--Decree of the French + Council on the same subject.--The Seven Provinces have + resolved to refuse the succors demanded by Great Britain; to + grant convoys; and to accept the invitation of Russia.-- + Instructions of the States of Holland and West Friesland to + their deputies in the States-General on the attack of the + Dutch convoy by the English. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, May 3d, 1780, 50 + + General exchange of prisoners agreed on between France and + England. + + From Elbridge Gerry to John Adams. Philadelphia, May 5th, + 1780, 52 + + Favorable effects of the resolutions of Congress for + cancelling the two hundred millions of dollars previously + emitted on the currency.--New emission of five millions.-- + Financial concerns of the confederacy. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, May 8th, 1780, 54 + + Instructions of the United Provinces to their Minister + at London, on the subject of Lord Stormont's answer + to former representations relative to the attack on the + Dutch convoy.--Resolutions of the States regulating the + trade of foreigners with the Dutch Colonies.--Proceedings + of the different Provinces relative to the Russian Memorial; + the granting of unlimited convoys; raising of subsidies. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, May 8th, 1780, 63 + + Enclosing the letter of the Count de Florida Blanca to the + Spanish Minister of the Marine, regulating the treatment + of neutrals. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, May 8th, 1780, 73 + + Copy of the Swedish ordinance providing convoys.--Answer + of the Court of St James to the Russian declaration.-- + Difference of the English and Russian doctrine of blockade + in these documents.--English recruits in Germany. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, May 8th, 1780, 79 + + The Russian declaration hostile to the policy of England.--Lord + Stormont's letter to the Dutch Envoy. + + To an unknown person. Paris, May 9th, 1780, 82 + + Observations on the Dean of Gloucester's proposals. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, May 9th, 1780, 84 + + The Dean of Gloucester's proposals for a general pacification. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, May 10th, 1780, 86 + + Proceedings in the Irish Commons relative to the sovereignty + of the Irish Parliament. + + Count de Vergennes to John Adams. Versailles, May 10th, 1780, 88 + + To the President of Congress. Paris, May 11th, 1780, 89 + + Motions of Mr Hartley in the House of Commons, on the subject + of reconciliation. + + To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, May 9th, 1780, 91 + + The American party in England hope to make a separate peace + with the United States.--The alliance with France will not + be violated.--Mr Adams always an advocate of the alliance. + + To John Jay. Paris, May 13th, 1780, 93 + + Difficulty of influencing the views and conduct of European + Ministers. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, May 13th, 1780, 94 + + Answer of France to the Russian declaration, approving the + doctrines of Russia.--Orders issued to the English commanders + to detain Dutch ships, having on board effects belonging to + the enemy, or which are considered as contraband by the law + of nations. + + To John Jay. Paris, May 15th, 1780, 98 + + Facility and importance of intercepting the English West + India fleet.--Policy to be observed towards Spain and Portugal. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, May 16th, 1780, 100 + + Rumor of opening the navigation of Antwerp.--Naval + preparations of Austria. + + To M. Genet, at Versailles. Paris, May 17th, 1780, 101 + + Objections to General Conway's assertion, that the alliance + between France and the United States is unnatural.--Habits; + language; religion.--These circumstances will rather tend + to separate America and England.--The commercial interests + of England and America different.--Boundaries will form + a source of dispute. + + To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, May 19th, 1780, 106 + + The Assembly of Pennsylvania cut to pieces the great seal + of the Province.--American privateers. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, May 19th, 1780, 107 + + Answer of Spain to the Russian declaration, approving + the principles therein contained.--Conversation between + Lord Stormont and the Count de Welderen on the attack on + the Dutch convoy.--Proceedings in Ireland. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, May 20th, 1780, 110 + + General Conway proposes a bill for reconciliation or + peace.--Debate on the subject in the House of + Commons.--Denmark accedes to the armed neutrality. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, May 20th, 1780, 116 + + General Conway's Speech on his bill for reconciliation. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, May 23d, 1780, 120 + + The different Powers accede to the armed neutrality. + + Count de Vergennes to John Adams. Versailles, May 24th, + 1780, 123 + + Expressing full confidence in his conduct in case of + overtures from England. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, May 26th, 1780, 124 + + Address of the Bar at Dublin to Mr Grattan.--Reply of Mr + Grattan.--Extracts from the journals.--Letter of M. de + Sartine, concerning the treatment of neutrals.--Letter + from the Count de Florida Blanca. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, May 27th, 1780, 133 + + Application of the principles of the British Constitutions + to external dominions, extensively studied in America.-- + Effects of the American publications on this subject, on + other foreign possessions of Great Britain. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, June 1st, 1780, 135 + + Indecisive engagement between the French and English + fleets.--Governor Pownal asks leave to bring in a bill + authorising a convention, truce, or peace with the + Colonies.--The House proceeds to the order of the day. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, June 1st, 1780, 137 + + Report of a Committee of the citizens of Dublin, declaring + the independence of the Irish Parliament, and returning + thanks to those members who have supported it. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, June 2d, 1780, 142 + + Petitions of the Dutch merchants to the States-General, + and to the States of Holland and West Friesland, praying + for a speedy protection of commerce. Answer of Spain to + the Russian declaration.--Extracts from the Journals, on + the destination of the naval forces of France.--Proceedings + of Congress kept more secret than the plans of the European + Courts. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, June 2d, 1780, 149 + + Declaration of Lord George Germain, that there is a prospect + of peace with America, on good and honorable terms for + England, not with the Congress, but with the people.--Fallacy + of these statements; America could not make peace with + England, without involving herself with France and Spain; + Congress cannot oppose the will of the people in America, + which is expressed through the press, the towns, the juries, + and the assemblies.--Other errors concerning the misery of + the people, the debt, dislike to France, &c. exposed.--Barriers + to a reconciliation or peace between England and America. + (_Note._) + + To the President of Congress. Paris, June 4th, 1780, 159 + + Extracts from numerous European journals. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, June 5th, 1780, 166 + + Extracts from the journals.--Petitions of the Corn + Merchants of Amsterdam to the States-General and to the + States of Holland and West Friesland, praying for + protection of the commerce. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, June 10th, 1780, 170 + + Preparations for supporting the armed neutrality.--An + East India company formed at Trieste.--English losses + in Africa.--Critical situation of the British power in + India.--Duty imposed on sugars imported from England, + by the Irish Parliament.--Violation of neutral ground on + the Dutch coast by the English.--Representations of the + States of Holland and West Friesland to the States-General, + and of the latter to the Dutch Minister at London on this + subject. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, June 12th, 1780, 181 + + Extract from Lord Shelburne's Speech, relating to the + policy of the Ministry towards Russia, Prussia, Austria, + and Turkey.--The American war was the true cause of that + policy. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, June 12th, 1780, 186 + + Copy of Governor Pownal's bill, empowering the King to make + peace with the United States.--Meeting of merchants at + Dublin to obtain a duty on sugars imported into the + kingdom.--Proceedings of the Irish House of Commons on + the same subject.--Port of Vendre on the Mediterranean + repaired. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, June 16th, 1780, 190 + + Extracts from pamphlets published under the name of Mr + Galloway, but probably written by the refugees.--Refutation + of the statements therein contained. + + To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, June 16th, 1780, 201 + + To the President of Congress. Paris, June 17th, 1780, 201 + + Governor Hutchinson's death and character.--Further extracts + from the pamphlets abovementioned. + + To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, June 20th, 1780, 207 + + On the paying off of the loan office certificates. + + Count de Vergennes to John Adams. Versailles, June 21st, + 1780, 208 + + Injustice of obliging the French holders of the American + paper money to suffer by the depreciation. + + To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, June 22d, 1780, 212 + + Requesting a delay of the orders instructing the French + Minister in America to make representations against the + resolutions of Congress for the paying off the paper money + at its depreciated value. + + To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, June 22d, 1780, 213 + + Defence of the resolutions of Congress above referred + to.--The holders have received the bills at the depreciated + value, and are not therefore entitled to the nominal + value.--The loss will not fall on French holders, who have + received them at their depreciated value.--The same + measure was adopted by the colony of Massachusetts Bay, + without being objected to by the English government or + merchants.--Very little of the paper in the hands of + French subjects. + + To B. Franklin. Paris, June 22d, 1780, 225 + + Suggesting the propriety of requesting a revocation of + the orders to the French Minister in America, + abovementioned.--Evils which they may produce in America. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, June 26th, 1780, 226 + + Clamor in Europe against the resolutions providing for + the paying off the paper bills.--Interview and + correspondence with Count de Vergennes on the + subject. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, June 29th, 1780, 228 + + Recommends the appointment of Consuls to relieve the + Minister.--Also, that strict instructions be given to + the commanders of ships-of-war, in which there has been + a want of subordination. + + To B. Franklin. Paris, June 29th, 1780, 231 + + Enclosing his correspondence with the Count de Vergennes, + relative to resolutions of Congress for paying off the + paper money. + + Count de Vergennes to John Adams. Versailles, + June 30th, 1780, 232 + + Adheres to his former opinions on the subject of the + paper money.--Expects the views of Congress in reply + to the representations. + + To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, July 1st, 1780, 233 + + To the President of Congress. Paris, July 6th, 1780, 234 + + Lists of French, Spanish, American, and English vessels + taken and destroyed. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, July 6th, 1780, 239 + + Regrets the American losses, and considers the causes. + Urges Congress to cherish the navy while it is in their + power. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, July 7th, 1780, 240 + + Rejection of Mr Hartley's proposal for a bill to empower + the King to make peace with America.--Abstract of the + bill.--Sir G. Saville's motion, that the American war + be declared unconstitutional and ruinous, rejected. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, July 7th, 1780, 243 + + Petition of the merchants of Amsterdam to the States-General, + for protection of commerce from the English. + + B. Franklin to Count de Vergennes. Passy, July 10th, 1780, 245 + + Agrees that foreign merchants ought not to suffer from + the depreciation of the paper money.--Assures him that + the sentiments of the Americans in general in regard to + the alliance, differ widely from those expressed by + Mr Adams. + + To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, July 13th, 1780, 247 + + Determination of the English to undertake a new campaign.-- + State of things in America.--The advantages which the + English derive from being masters of the American seas.--The + English in America have been for two years in the power of + their enemies.--Their possessions must be protected and + supplied by a naval power.--A naval superiority in those + seas is the true policy of America and France. The policy + of France has been suspected in America, and misrepresented + in England on this point.--The real importance of + America.--Prejudices against the Americans in France. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, July 14th, 1780, 259 + + Proposed congress at St Petersburg.--English accounts of + their successes in America.--Ignorance of the American + foreign envoys on these subjects. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, July 15th, 1780, 260 + + Preamble of the Russian ordinance relative to neutral + rights.--There is no appearance of favor to England + in the Russian Court. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, July 15th, 1780, 263 + + Attack on the French vessels in the neutral port of Milo + by the English.--Russian, Swedish, Danish, and Dutch + naval preparations. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, July 15th, 1780, 265 + + English, French, and Spanish forces at sea. + + To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, July 17th, 1780, 266 + + Reasons why his powers ought no longer to be concealed + from the English Court. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, July 19th, 1780, 270 + + Naval forces of the northern powers.--Russian ordinance + ascertaining the neutral rights of Russian commerce. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, July 19th, 1780, 276 + + Armed neutral forces.--Quotes speculations from the + Amsterdam Gazette relative to the effect of the conquest + of Mobile by the Spaniards. + + Count de Vergennes to John Adams. Versailles, July 20th, + 1780, 278 + + A French naval force has been sent to America, to co-operate + with the American military operations. + + To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, July 21st, 1780, 279 + + Expresses his satisfaction with the destination of the + armament abovementioned. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, July 22d, 1780, 280 + + Extract from the King's speech on the prorogation of + Parliament.--Extracts from the journals, showing + the state of the navies in Europe. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, July 23d, 1780, 285 + + Messengers pass between London and Madrid. + + Count de Vergennes to John Adams. Versailles, + July 25th, 1780, 287 + + Reasons for opposing Mr Adams' communication of his full + powers to the English Ministry. + + To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, July 26th, 1780, 294 + + Reply to the statements and arguments of the preceding + letter. + + To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, July 27th, 1780, 301 + + Observations on Count de Vergennes' assertion, that + the King had taken measures for sustaining America + without solicitations from Congress.--Solicitations + were made through the medium of the foreign Envoys + of Congress.--Expresses his fears that the French + have not a decided naval superiority in the American + seas. + + Count de Vergennes to John Adams. Versailles, + July 29th, 1780, 304 + + Expresses his dissatisfaction with the remarks of Mr + Adams.--Shall treat only with Mr Franklin on matters + concerning the United States. + + Count de Vergennes to B. Franklin. Versailles, + July 31st, 1780, 305 + + Transmitting his correspondence with Mr Adams with the + request that it may be laid before Congress. (Letter + from the President of Congress to Mr Adams on this + subject. _Note._) + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, August 14th, 1780, 307 + + Arrives in Amsterdam.--Importance of maintaining an official + agent in the United Provinces.--Probability of raising a + loan in Holland.--Declaration of Sweden in regard to + neutrality.--Declaration of Denmark on the same subject. + + To B. Franklin. Amsterdam, August 17th, 1780, 314 + + Absurd political speculations in Europe on the conditions + and prospects of America. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, August + 22d, 1780, 316 + + Answer of France to the Swedish declaration.--Questions + of Sweden relative to the proposals of Russia, for + reciprocal protection and mutual assistance of the + neutrals.--Russian answer. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, August + 23d, 1780, 321 + + The English mission to Madrid merely a cover.--Real + design of England to continue the war, and to separate + the House of Bourbon from America.--Urges the sending + a Minister to Holland. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, September + 4th, 1780, 323 + + Capture of the British West India fleet by the combined + fleets of France and Spain. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, September + 5th, 1780, 324 + + No measures ever taken in England to fix the English + language.--Proposes that Congress should effect this + object by erecting the American Academy for refining + and ascertaining the English language, and by + furnishing the necessary funds for a library and the + support of its officers. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, September + 19th, 1780, 327 + + Acknowledges the receipt of his commission for negotiating + a loan.--Difficulties of this charge.--Expediency of a + Minister Plenipotentiary to Holland, charged with this duty. + + Commission to John Adams, referred to in the preceding + letter, 329 + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, September + 16th, 1780, 330 + + Congress of St Petersburg.--The policy of Holland + doubtful. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, September + 24th, 1780, 332 + + Determines to negotiate a loan in a private character.--Little + reputation of the Dutch owing to their language.--Importance + of cultivating the English language in America. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, September + 25th, 1780, 334 + + General ignorance of America in Holland.--Predominance + of the English interest there.--Little prospect of + raising a loan. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, September + 28th, 1780, 338 + + The Dutch Ministers to St Petersburg have an audience + of the Empress.--Their address on this occasion. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, October + 5th, 1780, 340 + + The Dutch Ministers to St Petersburg have an audience + of the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess.--Their addresses + on the occasion.--Report of despatches from St + Petersburg, which will induce Holland to accede to the + armed neutrality. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, October + 5th, 1780, 342 + + Has effected nothing in regard to the loan. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, October + 11th, 1780, 342 + + Sketch of the constitution of the Dutch Republic in + respect to the powers of the Stadtholder, with the + history of the office.--Copy of the commission of + the Stadtholder.--Capture of Mr Laurens. + + To B. Franklin. Amsterdam, October 14th, 1780, 360 + + Thanks Dr Franklin for the communication of + intelligence.--Does not think it degrading to the + United States to ask for loans, or to seek the + friendship of the maritime powers. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, October + 14th, 1780, 362 + + Severe treatment of Mr Laurens.--Determination of + England to prosecute the war.--Superiority of the + United States to the United Provinces.--Forces of + the Dutch Republic.--Advantages of a naval power.--Prospect + of a rupture between England and Holland.--Proposals + for facilitating the loan. + + To B. Franklin. Amsterdam, October 24th, 1780, 365 + + Uncertainty of a loan in Holland. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, October + 24th, 1780, 366 + + Sufferings of Mr Laurens.--Recommends Congress to + send cargoes to Dutch ports for the payment of the + interest of the proposed loan. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, October + 27th, 1780, 367 + + The capture of Mr Laurens' papers has betrayed his + correspondence with Holland. + + James Lovell to John Adams. Philadelphia, October + 28th, 1780, 368 + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, October + 31st, 1780, 369 + + Influence of the refugees in England.--Cruel treatment + of Mr Laurens intended to intimidate the friends of + America.--Necessary to abandon all hope of reconciliation + with England. + + To B. Franklin. Amsterdam, November 4th, 1780, 371 + + Requests him to become responsible for certain bills of + exchange drawn on Mr Laurens. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, November + 16th, 1780, 372 + + Enclosing Sir J. Yorke's Memorial to the States-General.-- + Insolence of that document. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, November + 17th, 1780, 376 + + Difficulties in the way of obtaining a loan.--Remarks + on the proceedings of England in regard to Holland.--M. + Van Berckel. + + To B. Franklin. Amsterdam, Nov. 24th, 1780, 378 + + Little prospect of procuring a loan. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, November + 25th, 1780, 379 + + A plurality of Provinces declare for the armed neutrality.-- + Accepts the bills on Mr Laurens, under assurance from Dr + Franklin that he will meet them in case of Mr Adams' + disability.--The fear of the submission of America + discourages the loan.--The Stadtholder favorable to + England.--Sir J. Yorke's memorial injures the English + cause. + + To B. Franklin. Amsterdam, Nov. 30th, 1780, 382 + + Has accepted bills on Mr Laurens.--Prospect of a + loan doubtful. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, November + 30th, 1780, 383 + + The courier, despatched to St Petersburg by Holland, + countermanded.--Preponderance of the English interest + in Holland. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, December + 14th, 1780, 384 + + Requests that no more drafts be made on Holland.--Little + disposition in Holland to furnish a loan. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, December + 18th, 1780, 386 + + Memorial of Sir J. Yorke, threatening Amsterdam for + the plan of a treaty with the Americans, unless reparation + is made. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, December + 21st, 1780, 388 + + Influence of the English in Holland, shown by the + prayers in the English churches there, for the discomfiture + of the rebels. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, December + 25th, 1780, 389 + + Politics and disposition of the Prince of Orange.--England + will probably declare against the Dutch, on account of + their joining the armed neutrality. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, December + 25th, 1780, 391 + + Proceedings of the States-General in regard to Amsterdam.--They + determine to demand satisfaction for + the memorials of Sir J. Yorke. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, December + 25th, 1780, 393 + + Rumors of the recall of Sir J. Yorke and other hostile + indications. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, December + 26th, 1780, 394 + + Sir J. Yorke leaves Holland abruptly. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, December + 28th, 1780, 395 + + Holland will be supported by the armed neutrality in + case of war with England. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, December + 30th, 1780, 397 + + Explanation of the opposition of the Province of Zealand + to the measures of the States-General. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, December + 31st, 1780, 404 + + Holland will be supported in a war with England, + either by the armed neutrals, or by the other + belligerents.--Death of Maria Theresa. + + The President of Congress to John Adams. Philadelphia, + January 1st, 1781, 405 + + Enclosing his commission as Minister Plenipotentiary + to Holland, resolve of Congress on the Russian + Declaration (_Note_) and other documents. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, January + 1st, 1781, 406 + + British Manifesto against the States-General.--Orders + in Council directing the seizure of Dutch ships and + goods. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, January + 4th, 1781, 414 + + Popularity of the American cause in the Provinces.-- + Recommends M. Dumas to Congress. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, January + 5th, 1781, 416 + + Abstract of the proceedings in Holland, in consequence + of Sir J. Yorke's memorial. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, January + 14th, 1781, 418 + + Resentment in Holland against the English.--Unprepared + state of the country in case of war. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, January + 15th, 1781, 419 + + Declaration of the States-General on their accession to + the armed neutrality. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, January + 15th, 1781, 422 + + The Province of Zealand continues to oppose the rupture + with England.--State of the Dutch marine. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, January + 15th, 1781, 423 + + Address of the Stadtholder to the States-General, recommending + warlike preparations.--The States approve + the proposition and direct it to be communicated + to the Provinces. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, January + 15th, 1781, 425 + + Obstacles in the way of obtaining a loan in Holland. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, January + 18th, 1781, 425 + + Proclamation of the States-General for the encouragement + of privateers against the English.--Proclamation + granting indemnifications to those who shall be + wounded in the service of the Republic, in the war + at sea. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, February + 1st, 1781, 433 + + Treaty of Marine between Russia and Denmark.--A + similar treaty between Russia and Sweden, with + modifications.--The States-General accede to the treaty. + + To B. Franklin. Amsterdam, Feb. 15th, 1781, 443 + + Requesting funds to discharge bills drawn on him by + Congress. + + To B. Franklin. Amsterdam, Feb. 20th, 1781, 444 + + State of American affairs in Holland. + + To the Duc de la Vauguyon. Amsterdam, March + 1st, 1781, 446 + + The Province of Friesland resolves to acknowledge the + independence of America.--Considers it time to prepare + for the execution of his instructions.--Requests + his opinion on the enclosed project of a proposition + to the States. + + A Memorial to the States-General, 448 + + To the Prince de Gallitzin, Minister of the Empress + of Russia. Leyden, March 8th, 1781, 449 + + Transmitting a resolution of Congress, relative to the + rights of neutrals.--Would be happy to accede to + the Marine Treaty in the name of the United States. + + To M. Van Berckel, First Counsellor Pensionary of + the city of Amsterdam. Leyden, March 8th, 1781, 450 + + Enclosing a resolution of Congress on the rights of + neutrals. + + To the Duc de la Vauguyon, Ambassador of France + at the Hague. Leyden, March 8th, 1781, 450 + + Enclosing the resolution of Congress, referred to in + the preceding letters. + + From the Duc de la Vauguyon to John Adams. + Hague, March 14th, 1781, 451 + + Cannot interfere in the measures of Mr Adams in regard + to the neutral powers without instructions. + + To the President of Congress. Leyden, March 18th, + 1781, 451 + + Counter manifesto of Holland, in reply to the British + manifesto.--Memorial of Prince Gallitzin to the + States-General, offering the mediation of Russia. + + To the President of Congress. Leyden, March + 19th, 1781, 469 + + Acknowledges the reception of his commission as Minister + Plenipotentiary to Holland.--Division of sentiments + in that country. + + To the President of Congress. Leyden, March + 29th, 1781, 472 + + Memorial of the Dutch Minister to the King of Sweden, + demanding the protection of the armed neutrals. + + To the President of Congress. Leyden, March + 29th, 1781, 479 + + Additional taxes in Great Britain.--Comparison of Lord + North with M. Necker.--Necessity of creating a permanent + public credit in the United States.--Ways and means for + effecting it. + + To the Duc de la Vauguyon. Leyden, April 16th, 1781, 481 + + Acquainting him with the reception of his powers and + instructions. + + Memorial of Mr Adams to the States-General, 481 + + Memorial of Mr Adams to the Prince of Orange. Leyden, + April 19th, 1781, 493 + + Informing the Stadtholder of his appointment and powers. + + To B. Franklin. Amsterdam, April 27th, 1781, 494 + + Protesting a set of bills drawn by Congress, might enable + him to raise a loan. + + To the Duc de la Vauguyon, Ambassador of France at the + Hague. Leyden, May 1st, 1781, 496 + + Proposing that Holland be invited, according to the terms + of the treaty between France and America, to make common + cause with these powers. + + To the President of Congress. Leyden, May 3d, 1781, 497 + + Interview with the Grand Pensionary of Holland. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, May 7th, 1781, 498 + + In a second interview with the Grand Pensionary, he is + referred to the President of the States-General.--Interview + with the President, who declines receiving his commission + or memorial, and promises to report to the States.--Delivers + a letter to the Secretary of the Stadtholder for the Prince, + who declines receiving it.--The President reports to the + States, who take the subject _ad referendum_.--The French + Ambassador at the Hague disapproves of the proceedings of Mr + Adams, but promises his support. + + To B. Franklin. Amsterdam, May 8th, 1781, 501 + + Generous aid of France.--America might tax Europe, by + laying export duties.--Cannot accept bills drawn by + Congress, unless Dr Franklin will meet them. + + To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, May 16th, 1781, 503 + + Encloses his memorials to the States and the Stadtholder.-- + No probability of a speedy decision.--Dutch fleet sails.-- + Divided state of opinions in Holland. + + + + +THE + +CORRESPONDENCE + +OF + +JOHN ADAMS, + +ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS TO FRANCE, MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY TO +HOLLAND, AND ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS FOR NEGOTIATING THE TREATY OF +PEACE. + + + + +THE + +CORRESPONDENCE + +OF + +JOHN ADAMS. + +CORRESPONDENCE CONTINUED. + + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, April 17th, 1780. + + Sir, + +Late letters from Dantzic imply, that commerce was become very +languishing there for some time, excepting for ship timber, which bore +a very good price there, on account of the English, and which they +carried away, as well in their own vessels as those of Dantzic. + +The new face, which the affairs of Europe are about to take from the +alliance formed between the powers of the North for the maintenance of +an exact neutrality, and to which people here are fully persuaded that +the Republic of the United Provinces will agree, gives occasion to +conjectures, either, that the war will be pushed this year with more +vivacity than ever, both by land and sea, or that peace may be made +without delay. They say, even that there may have been already +negotiations commenced on this subject; that it is by the intervention +of the King of Sardinia, who would manage the accommodation between +the belligerent powers, and that his present Ambassador in France is +so much the better able to labor usefully towards this great work, +that having resided in England in the same quality he has the +advantage to know perfectly the Ministers and their system. However +this may be, if there are sometimes occasions in which one may judge +of future events by an examination of the present, and reflection upon +the past, might one be taxed with partiality or temerity, if one +ventured to lay it down as a fact, that, from the beginning of the +contest in which Great Britain is at present engaged, her situation +has never appeared so critical and so dangerous? In fact, as if it was +not enough, that she had quarrelled with her Colonies, as if it was +not enough, that she is at war with two powers so formidable as France +and Spain in consequence of the quarrel with the Colonies, as if her +intestine troubles were not enough, which, by dividing the nation, +contribute not a little to weaken it; and at the end of the +perspective, to see Ireland, at the first moment, make as much of it +as the Americans, in declaring herself also independent. In spite of +so many alarming considerations, England still seems to seek new +enemies, by attacking without distinction the vessels of all the +neutral nations, and even of her allies. Thus she has forced them by +this proceeding, not less arbitrary than inconceivable, especially in +her present circumstances, to make a league with each other for the +maintenance of the safety of the navigation of their respective +subjects, as well as of the honor of their flags, for which they +plainly acknowledge at this day, that they never could have hoped for +any safety, if the English, who, embarrassed as they are, treat them +nevertheless with so little ceremony, could ever recover that +superiority, whereof we cannot deny that they found means to put +themselves in possession at the end of the last war. + +But such is the fate of all human things; to have a commencement, to +acquire successively an augmentation, which ought to be expected up to +certain bounds, and beyond which they must necessarily begin to +decrease, until they descend again to the same point from whence they +began; and no human efforts can disturb this constant and immutable +order. After this declaration let us judge whether in fact, this is +not the case of England, and we may after this predict very nearly the +issue of the present events, or of those which may take place in the +course of the year. + +By the English papers, Congress will see the state of parties in +England, where the stubble is so dry, that the smallest spark thrown +into it may set the whole field in a blaze. Opposition have carried +triumphantly in the fullest House of Commons ever known, by a majority +of eighteen votes against the utmost efforts of the Ministry, the +resolution, that it is necessary to declare, that the influence of the +Crown has increased, increases, and ought to be diminished; that it is +in the power of the House to take cognizance of, and to reform the +abuses, which may exist in the employment of the civil list revenues, +as well as all other revenues; and that it is the duty of the House to +grant effectual redress to the grievances, exposed in the petitions +presented to the House by the different cities, counties, and towns of +the kingdom. By the speech of Mr Fox, it will be seen to what soaring +heights this young statesman aspires. + +Since my arrival the last time in Europe, I have had, six and forty +times, I think, the honor of writing to Congress; but it seems +impossible to get a letter across the Atlantic. Many of my letters +have been waiting long at the seaports for a passage, but when they +will obtain it, I know not; if they all arrive, and Congress should be +able to see at one view the vast chain that is binding almost all +mankind every day closer and faster together, in opposition to the +dangerous power, and the intolerable possessions of the English, they +will see how many of the wisest hands in the world are at work for +their safety and glory, and have the utmost cause of gratitude to +Heaven for ordering events in the course of his Providence so +decidedly in their favor. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, April 18th, 1780. + + Sir, + +It is my duty to transmit to Congress, as soon as prudence will admit, +everything which deserves consideration, as having either a direct, or +an indirect tendency to peace, or even to negotiations for that +important object. The enclosed letter has been transmitted to Paris +through such a channel, that I have reason to believe, that it was +particularly intended for my inspection. It is from a gentleman, who, +to do him justice, has long expressed an earnest desire for peace, but +who, nevertheless, has never yet reflected maturely enough upon the +state of America, of Great Britain, and of all Europe, to get into a +right way of thinking, concerning the proper means to his end. +Congress will perceive this from the letter itself, in which it is +obvious enough. + +The first remarkable sentiment is, "We must at all events support our +national honor, by the most vigorous exertions, without shrinking; but +surely, in such a complicated war as this is, if we can make any +equitable offers of a treaty to any of the parties, common prudence +calls upon us to use our endeavors to unravel by negotiation, the +combination of powers now acting against us." In this paragraph, I see +the manifest marks of a mind that has not yet mastered its subject. +True policy would have omitted everything in this letter, which should +call up to the minds of the people the ideas of national honor. Every +man in the world, who is thoroughly acquainted with the subject, knows +that Great Britain never can obtain a peace without a diminution of +her honor and dignity. It is impossible without miracles, and +therefore the Englishman, who undertakes to plan for peace, must be +convinced of this and take it into his plan, and consequently should +avoid with the utmost caution every word, which should excite these +ideas in the minds of the people. They stir passions which make them +mad. + +He should have avoided with equal solicitude every insinuation of a +design to unravel, by negotiation, the combination of powers now +acting against Great Britain. This combination is in fact much more +extensive, much more universal and formidable, than the letter writer +had any idea or suspicion of. But if it had been no more extensive +than France, Spain, and America, the impracticability of unravelling +it ought to have thrown out this sentiment. By it he proposes by +negotiation to bring those to dishonor themselves, who have certainly +no occasion for it; at the same time that he stimulates others to +cherish and preserve their honor, who have already lost it, and under +an absolute necessity, sooner or later, of sacrificing it. By this +means he only puts the confederates more upon their guard, and renders +the attainment of his professed object, peace, impossible. + +The next solecism in politics, which he commits, is undertaking to +vindicate America from the charge of having sought and formed this +confederacy. America wanted no such vindication; it is folly to +suppose it a fault, for all mankind will agree, even his +correspondents themselves, that it was wisdom and virtue. Surely +another term must be given to popular ideas, before they will be +brought to petition for peace. + +Nor do I think it was prudent in him to hold up the idea, that America +had proceeded with reluctance and regret to the Treaty. That this is +true, I know and feel to this very moment; for although I had no such +reluctance myself, those gentlemen with whom I had the honor to sit in +Congress at the time will remember, that I had very good reasons to be +sensible that others had. But how well soever he might be informed of +the fact, and from what source soever he might draw his information, +it was bad policy in him to hold it up, because he ought to have been +equally sure, that America has now no reluctance to the treaty, nor +any inclination to violate it. He ought not, therefore, to have held +up a hope of this to the people. + +Neither ought he to have flattered the people with hopes, that America +would not form any perpetual alliance with France, nor that their +limited alliance might be satisfied and discharged. The alliance +already made is limited, it is true, to a certain number of articles, +but not limited in its duration. It is perpetual, and he had no +grounds to sooth the people with hopes, either that France would give +up any of the articles of the treaty, or that America would violate +them. + +He ought also to have avoided his insinuations, that America has been +so much harassed by the war. This is an idea so refreshing to the +present passions of the people of England, that, instead of tending to +dispose them to peace, it only revives their hopes of success, and +inflames their ardor for war. That America has been harassed by the +war is true, and when was any nation at war without being so? +Especially, when did any nation undergo a revolution in government, +and sustain a war at the same time without it? Yet, after all, America +has not been so much harassed, or disastered, or terrified, or +panic-struck from the beginning, as Great Britain has been several +times in the course of it. + +But the most exceptionable passage of all, is this. "It is apparent to +all the world, that _France might long ago have put an end to that +part of the war, which has been most distressing to America_, if she +had chosen so to do. Let the whole system of France be considered, +from the very beginning, down to the last retreat from Savannah, and I +think it is impossible to put any other construction upon it, but +this, viz. that it has always been the deliberate intention and object +of France, for purposes of her own, to encourage the continuation of +the war in America, _in hopes of exhausting the strength and resources +of this country, and of depressing the rising power of America_." + +Upon this paragraph I scarcely know what remarks to make. But after +deliberating upon it, as patiently and maturely as I can, I will +clearly write my opinion of it; for my obligations to truth and to my +country are antecedent to all other ties. + +I am clearly and fully of the opinion, then, that the fact is true, +that France might put an end to that part of the war, which has been +most distressing to Americans; and I certainly know the means were +extremely simple and obvious, and that they were repeatedly proposed, +and explained, and urged to the Ministry; and I should have had a +terrible load of the guilt of negligence of my duty upon my +conscience, if it had not been done while I had the honor of a +commission to this Court. But, when the letter writer proceeds so far +as to say, that it was to _encourage_ the continuance of the war, in +order to exhaust the strength and resources of Great Britain, I cannot +accompany him, much less can I join with him in the opinion, that it +was to depress the rising power in America. I believe, on the +contrary, that France has not wished the continuance of the war, but +that she has wished for peace. The war has been attended with too much +loss and danger to France, to suppose, that she wished its +continuance, and if she did not wish its continuance at all, she could +not wish it to depress the power of America. + +She could not wish it, in my opinion, for this reason, because it is +not the means to this end. It has a contrary tendency. The longer this +war is continued in America, the more will America become habituated +to the characters of the soldier and the marine. Military virtues and +talents and passions will gain strength, and additional activity, +every year while the war lasts; and the more these virtues, talents, +and passions are multiplied, the deeper will the foundations of +American power be laid, and the more dangerous will it become to some +or other of the powers of Europe; to France, as likely as to any other +power, because it will be more likely to be ambitious and +enterprising, and to aspire at conquests by sea and land. + +This idea, however, deserves to be considered with all the attention +that Americans can give to it; although I am convinced by everything +I see and read and hear, that all the powers of Europe, except, +perhaps, the House of Austria, and I am not very clear in that +exception, rejoice in the American revolution, and consider the +independence of America as for their interest and happiness, in many +points of view, both respecting commerce and the balance of Europe; +yet I have many reasons to think, that not one of them, not even +Spain, nor France, wishes to see America rise very fast to power. We +ought, therefore, to be cautious how we magnify our ideas, and +exaggerate our expressions of the generosity and magnanimity of any of +these powers. Let us treat them with gratitude, but with dignity. Let +us remember what is due to ourselves and to our posterity, as well as +to them. Let us, above all things, avoid, as much as possible, +entangling ourselves with their wars or politics. Our business with +them, and theirs with us, is commerce, not politics, much less war. +America has been the sport of European wars and politics long enough. + +I think, however, that this letter writer was very much mistaken in +his judgment, when he threw out this language. It could be meant only +to excite a jealousy and a quarrel between France and America, or +rather feed the Yorkshire people, and the people of England with a +hope of exciting such a quarrel. This is not the way to come at a +peace. They will never succeed in such a plan, and every attempt +towards it is a false policy. + +The next mistake is, the idea of a reconciliation and federal union +with America. This must be intended to separate us from our allies, +which this gentleman ought, before now, to have known is totally +impracticable. + +I have very little more relish for the notion of a truce. We are in a +safer way at war. We cannot make a truce without France. She will +never consent, that we should make a truce, unless she makes a peace; +and such alterations may be made in the constitutions of the Courts of +France and Spain, and in the other Courts and political connexions in +Europe, before the expiration of the term of a truce, that it would be +attended with too much hazard to us. Neither France, nor Spain, nor +the other powers of Europe, might, after a truce, be ready to go to +war again; and unforeseen divisions may be excited among ourselves by +artful emissaries from England. We are going on now in a sure and +certain road. If we go out of it, we may be lost. + +Upon the whole, I think, that this letter writer should have stated +the true situation of Europe, of Great Britain, Ireland, and America. + +From this statement, his immediate conclusion should have been open +conferences for peace; make peace with all the world, upon the best +terms you can. This is the only chance you have for salvation. It must +come to this very soon; otherwise, there will be a total dissolution +of the British Empire. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, April 24th, 1780. + + Sir, + +There is intelligence from Stockholm of the 4th of this month, that +"the Envoy Extraordinary of the Empress of Russia has given notice to +that Court, of the declaration made by his sovereign, as well to the +States-General of the United Provinces as to the powers actually at +war, demanding, at the same time, that Sweden would accede to it, and +to this end join herself to Russia, by augmenting the Swedish marine, +to the end, to concur by this means, in the maintenance of a +neutrality. Although this Court appears very well inclined to enter +into the views of Russia, nevertheless, it is thought, that before +anything will be decided upon this object, she will previously give +notice of it to the Court of France. In the meantime, the Minister of +Russia at this Court has received orders to treat directly of this +affair, as well with the Prince de Gallitzin, Envoy Extraordinary of +her Imperial Majesty to their High Mightinesses, as with the other +Ministers of that Court residing at the neutral Courts." + +There is also intelligence from Ratisbon of the 13th of April, that +"M. Struxe, Counsellor of the Legislation from Russia, has +communicated there by order of his Court the declaration made by his +sovereign to the belligerent powers, to the end to make her flag be +respected, and to protect the commerce and navigation of her subjects; +and that, in consequence, orders had already been despatched to +Cronstadt and Archangel to equip there a sufficient number of ships of +the line." + +There is a paragraph in the Gazette of Amsterdam, of the 21st, from +Paris of the 14th of April. "It is only by conjecture, that we talk of +the plan of the next campaign in Europe; and it is also with the same +uncertainty, that we lend our ear to the report, which runs, that the +Count d'Estaing will command the combined fleet, and even, that the +Count du Chaffault, as well as the Spanish Admirals, have offered to +serve under him. It is pretended, besides, that there may very well be +also some alterations in the progress of our Ministry, if it is true, +as they continue to affirm, that the Count de Parades has been +arrested as a spy of the English Government, to whom he was, in fact, +in a capacity to discover important particulars upon this subject. But +there is another piece of news, to which we give more credit, because, +really, there is no good citizen, nor genuine friend of humanity, who +does not wish to hear it confirmed. It is, that there should be, as it +is said, upon the carpet, a plan concerted between all the maritime +powers of Europe, to the end to form and digest a universal code for +the sea, the laws of which no nation should attempt to infringe, +without devoting herself to the indignation, or exposing herself to +the vengeance, of all the others; an important project, if it could be +executed, which would insure the happiness and tranquillity of +nations, and would set bounds, which could not be passed, to the +audacity, as well as the avarice of any one, which, without any other +right than that of force, should pretend to arrogate to itself the +exclusive empire of the sea." + +There is also intelligence from the Hague of the 19th of April, that +there was sent on the 14th of the month to the Assembly of the +States-General of the United Provinces, a Memorial of the following +tenor. + +"Their Noble and Grand Mightinesses, the Commissioners of the affairs +of commerce and navigation, conjointly with some counsellors of +Holland, and Ministers of the College of Admiralty residing in this +Province, having, in consequence of a resolution of the 4th of this +month, examined the Memorial presented the day before to the +Generality, by the Prince Gallitzin, Envoy Extraordinary of her +Majesty, the Empress of all the Russias, by which the Minister has +communicated a declaration made by his sovereign to the Courts of +France, Spain, and England, that the neutral powers may protect by +common agreement the commerce and navigation of her subjects +respectively, as is more fully explained in the note of the 4th of +April. + +"Whereupon having deliberated, their Noble and Grand Mightinesses have +thought fit and resolved, that the affairs be proposed to the +Generality, and that they answer in turn to the before mentioned +Memorial of the Prince de Gallitzin, that their High Mightinesses have +received, with much satisfaction, the communication, which it has +pleased her Majesty, the Empress of Russia, to give them of her +designs, as well as of the declaration, which she has caused to be +made to the said Courts; that their High Mightinesses regard this +communication as the most convincing proof of the benevolence of her +Majesty for this Republic, and holding themselves honored by it, they +think themselves, consequently, obliged in all respects to give her a +cordial and positive answer; that their High Mightinesses put the +highest value on the new proof, which her Imperial Majesty gives on +this occasion of her generosity and acknowledged equity, as well as on +the project she has conceived, and the means which she has resolved to +employ to obtain the most exact neutrality in the present war with the +belligerent powers, and protect not only the honor of the Russian +flag, as well as the commerce and navigation of her subjects, in not +permitting them to be disturbed by any of the powers at war, but also +to assure the liberty and repose of Europe upon the solid foundations +of the justice of the law of nations and the treaties subsisting, and +thus to consolidate the equitable system of navigation and commerce of +the neutral powers; that their High Mightinesses having nothing more +at heart, than to observe a strict neutrality with her Majesty, the +Empress of Russia, in the present war, but instructed by experience, +in the losses which the commerce and navigation of the neutral powers +have suffered, by the fluctuations and uncertainty of the belligerent +powers in the state of the law of nations, from whence have resulted +to them many inconveniences and great damages occasioned by the +operations of the present war, their High Mightinesses have judged it +necessary, in concert with her Majesty, the Empress of Russia, to fix +this law upon a solid basis, and to request, for this end, the +concurrence of the neutral maritime powers; that, moreover, as to what +concerns the extent and limits of this law, their High Mightinesses +conform themselves wholly to the five points contained in the +declaration of her Imperial Majesty made to the Courts of Versailles, +Madrid, and London, communicated to their High Mightinesses by the +Prince de Gallitzin the third of April of this year, and are, +consequently, ready to make similar declarations to the belligerent +powers, their High Mightinesses being sincerely disposed to enter into +conferences with her Imperial Majesty of all the Russias, and other +neutral maritime powers, upon the measures which may be unanimously +taken, to the end to maintain effectually, both for the present era +and for the time to come, the liberty of navigation and commerce, by +observing an exact neutrality between the belligerent powers. + +"That the extract of the resolution to be taken be sent by the Agent, +Van den Burch Spuonings, back to the Prince de Gallitzin, Envoy +Extraordinary of her Imperial Majesty of all the Russias, to the end +to inform his sovereign, and to employ his good offices to lay before +her this answer in the manner the most favorable; that they ought +also to send a similar extract to M. de Swart, Resident of their High +Mightinesses at the Court of Petersburgh, for his information, with an +injunction to co-operate, as far as shall depend upon him, to the +success of the salutary intentions of their High Mightinesses; that +the same measures be taken with regard to the Ministers of the +Republic at the Courts of Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Lisbon, with +orders to act in concert, and to support the measures of the Russian +Ministers at the Courts where they reside." + +Their High Mightinesses having deliberated upon this object, the +Deputies of Provinces, which have not as yet declared themselves, have +been desired to pronounce as soon as possible the resolutions of the +States, their principals. The States of the Province of Groningen have +declared themselves authorised, during the suspension of the +deliberations, to confer on this subject with the Prince de Gallitzin +for a further explanation, saving the free deliberations of their +principals. + +_Amsterdam, 20th of April._ The College of Admiralty of West Friesland +and of the northern quarter have put in commission, with the +participation of His Most Serene Highness, the Prince Stadtholder, the +frigates of war, the Medemblick, of thirtysix guns, the Horn, +Enkhuisen, of twenty guns, which will be commanded by the Captain Van +Regneveld Heckers and Trykenius." + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Paris, April 25th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to inform your Excellency, that a small schooner has +arrived at Nantes from Baltimore, by which came the enclosed +newspapers, which I send to your Excellency without a moment's loss of +time. I hope, however, your Excellency has received these and many +more, and much fuller intelligence by the same vessel; but as it is +possible it may be otherwise, I think it my duty to send them. I have +no other news by this vessel as yet, excepting, that General Gates was +appointed to command the army in Charleston, an event which I esteem +of great importance, because there is in the mind of the American +soldier an affection for that officer, and a confidence in him, that +will show its effects. + +A vessel from Martinique had just arrived, with an account, that the +Dean frigate, Captain Nicholson, had sent in there an English frigate +sheathed with copper, mounting twentyeight guns, which struck after a +severe action. + +If I should be so happy as to receive any more news from this vessel, +I shall have the honor to transmit it to your Excellency. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, April 25th, 1780. + + Sir, + +A letter from Dublin, of the 18th of this month, gives us the +following account. "We wait with impatience for the meeting of +Parliament; the day approaches when the political destiny of this +kingdom will be decided. There is yet some softness in one party of +the Parliament, but there is none at all in the body of the people, +and especially in that of our brave volunteers, who are at once the +admiration and the firm hope of the nation, which seems now to spring +up, and out of chaos. One thing very extraordinary is, that among this +body of volunteers, exceeding in fact the number of fortysix thousand +men, (although in so innocent an army composed of so many discordant +parties, commanded by so many chiefs, some more powerful than the +others might be suspected of entertaining views a little opposite to +patriotism,) no ambitious ones, supported by popularity, have +undertaken anything, not only against the liberties, but even against +the tranquillity of the people; not the least disorder, not even the +appearance of disunion, or partial cabals. We contemplate with +astonishment, mixed with a joy most intimately felt, an armed +multitude proceeding to give, so to express myself, the island to the +civil power, and aiding it to protect and facilitate the execution of +its laws. Such are the advantages, which we ought always to provide +ourselves from an army, the humblest soldier of which finds his +interest in good order and good government. Mercenaries fight for +money; volunteers, proprietors of one part of the lands, which are +proposed to be defended, and of the rights, which are to be recovered +or protected, have a direct interest in preserving in all their vigor +the laws, which assure to them the property of those lands, and the +enjoyment of these rights. + +"While the nation busies itself about its political emancipation, and +already enjoys it, by anticipation, she does not neglect the +advantages already obtained by the firmness and the wisdom of her +conduct; all the objects of commerce fix the attendance of various +committees; the establishments are multiplied insensibly in proportion +to the rising occasions; where there were manufactories they are +busied about the means of improving them, where there were none, and +it appears convenient to establish them, societies of adventurers are +formed. We have a considerable number of woollen stuffs and cloths, we +have none of cotton. At this day Limerick proposes to become the rival +of Manchester; they are about making the beautiful velvets, and stuffs +of cotton. One company have appropriated to this undertaking a capital +of sixteen thousand pounds sterling, and they have brought over from +England a sufficient number of excellent workmen in this business. + +"In reading over my letter, I remark I have stated at fortysix +thousand the number of volunteers actually armed among us; we have not +yet an exact return, it is possible there may be four or five thousand +more, because at the end of last year we generally reckoned upon +fortyfive thousand, and there have been since formed five new corps, +commanded by officers as respectable for their personal courage, as +for their patriotism. If this martial ardor, which animates all the +orders of the community, has any inconvenience, it is, that it takes +away from the manufacturers a prodigious number of hands. +Independently of the time given to military exercise, you would not be +able to conceive how many people are employed in these melancholy but +necessary manufactures, which have no other use, end, or object, than +the destruction of men. The casting of cannon, the manufacture of arms +of every description, of tents, and other articles, which are +required for the preparation for a campaign, employ moreover several +thousands of hands; it is true, that the two levies divide the labor +between them. + +"They say, that the Duke of Leinster, on whom they had so unjustly +ventured to publish some offensive reflections, has declared publicly +and in the most solemn manner, that he will support the people in the +vindication of their rights to a free constitution absolutely +independent. If the serenity of our present situation is sometimes +interrupted, it is by those unlucky white boys, who, from time to +time, renew their atrocities. The 1st instant fifty of these banditti +well mounted met upon an eminence at Cloriseu, near to Feathard, where +they conducted themselves in an inhuman manner towards two +individuals." + +In the French Gazette is an article from London with regard to +Ireland. "They accuse the Ministry of holding relative to that kingdom +the same conduct, which they held in the beginning of the troubles of +America, that is to say, to leave the sovereign and the nation in +error, concerning all the facts, and endeavor to inspire into the +British Parliament the most sinister carelessness and inattention for +the most important of affairs. People hired to support among us the +blindest confidence write, that the Irish are very well pleased with +Lord Hillsborough, that the concessions made to Ireland satisfy all +its wishes, that even the associations enjoy in peace the good that +has been done to their country. We learn, however, that the city of +Dublin declares in her common council, that she cannot any longer +suspend her judgment upon the conduct of government, that to destroy +the false interpretations, which they have endeavored to give to the +joy, which the people of Ireland have testified upon the subject of +the act, which gives liberty to their commerce, several counties, and +the greatest part of the associations, have thought themselves obliged +to explain to the public, that the motive of this momentary joy +proceeded principally from this, that they regarded the liberty of +commerce as a commencement of the independence of the constitution. + +"The principal creatures of the English Ministry, in the Parliament of +Ireland, arrived the beginning of this month to receive instructions +relative to the approaching Assembly, but they say, that during their +absence the chiefs of the national party have been employed in +promoting the meetings of the counties, in cementing the military +associations, and encouraging the people to insist upon a declaration +of rights, so that nothing is yet finished in that respect. Mr +Yelverton proposes to make a motion in the House of Commons, that a +sum shall be voted sufficient to build four strong frigates, which +shall constantly cruise upon the coasts of this kingdom to protect +merchant fleets and convoys. This project announces but too plainly +the design of Ireland to separate herself from us as much as she can, +and to owe her safety only to herself. With what view should England +insist still with the Irish upon the pretension of supremacy? In +renouncing the advantages, which the monopoly of commerce procured, +she has destroyed the only obstacle, which could oppose itself to the +independence of Ireland." + +There is in the Leyden Gazette of the 21st another article from +London. "The Earl of Bellamont, who arrived here the 5th of this month +from Ireland, has had an audience of his Majesty, and several +conferences with his Ministers; as this nobleman is one of the +principal supporters of the party of the administration in that +country, it is supposed that his journey here was occasioned by the +crisis, in which affairs are there at this time. Mr Henry Flood, who +has come to Court on the same subject, as well as Mr Seaton Perry, the +speaker of the Irish Commons, and Sir Richard Heron, Secretary of the +Lord Lieutenant, have on the contrary returned to Dublin. As the +Parliament was to sit the 10th of this month, we expect immediately +interesting advices concerning the turn, which affairs may have taken +there, and so much the more as we know, that soon after the meeting, +Mr Yelverton intended to propose a bill, declaratory of the rights of +Ireland, as far as they respect Poyning's law, and the manner of +passing Irish bills in England. In the meantime, the leaders of the +two parties endeavored to increase their forces in the two houses, +although the preponderance in favor of the Court would scarcely have +any effect, in case the party the most considerable of the people +remain in the sentiments they appear to be in at this day. This +consideration they say, supported by the advice of Sir Richard Heron, +Mr Seaton Perry, and Mr Flood, has determined our government to give +way to the wishes of the Irish nation, by consenting to the revocation +of Poyning's law, if there are no other means of assuaging the +fermentation of spirits. It is true, that some cities, counties, and +boroughs, have lately assured the government of their attachment, and +of their gratitude for the favors granted to Ireland, but there is a +great deal wanting before all the people will be equally satisfied. +The most enlightened part of the nation regard these same favors as +granted to necessity, and purely precarious as long as the British +legislature shall have the right to make laws for Ireland. Some +magistrates have even already refused to execute the laws passed by +the Parliament of Great Britain; those of the county of Mayo, having +been among others required to put in force the act against desertions, +and to show that they acknowledge no others than those, which have +been made by their own legislative body. In general, according to the +last accounts received from that country, it appears, that of the four +parts of Ireland, the provinces of Leinster and Connaught are the most +tranquil, reposing themselves upon the assurances, which have been +given them by the respective Colonels of their volunteer associations, +the Duke of Leinster, and the Earl of Clanricarde; and that the Court +is disposed to grant to the nation all its demands. In the province of +Munster, they are less quiet, and they persuade themselves, that there +is little dependence upon a momentary benevolence, which is due only +to necessity. But the inhabitants of Ulster are, of all Ireland, those +who appear the most firmly determined to procure to themselves, at any +price, an entire independence of the British legislation, and the +formal renunciation of all acts, which are contrary to it. As this +province, where they reckon at least thirty thousand families of +Protestants, more than all the rest of the kingdom, distinguishes +itself by the courage of its inhabitants, they will risk a great deal +if they stir up discontents there." + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, April 26th, 1780. + + Sir, + +At last, even the Morning Post of the 18th of April confesses, that +the Memorial from the Empress of Russia to the States-General has +dissipated all their golden dreams of an alliance with the Czarina. +It was announced to us last week, that a Russian squadron had left +Cronstadt to sail to our assistance, nay, some of the public papers +went so far as to announce their arrival at Plymouth. How sadly are we +now disappointed! Instead of an alliance, we find her _Czarish_ +Majesty talks of neutrality, so that at present it is pretty clear, +that the various powers in Europe seem determined to stand off, and +leave us to our fate." + +In some confused minutes of a debate in the House of Lords on the 14th +of April, it is said, that Lord Camden expressed his astonishment and +regret at the Memorial from Russia, in which, contrary to the +established law of nations, the Empress insisted upon free ships and +free goods. He pointed out how injurious to the country it must be, if +neutral vessels were permitted to supply our enemies, whom we might +blockade, with everything they might want, and remarked, that the +queen of the seas was now deposed, and the Empress had taken +possession of her throne. In another paper, Lord Shelburne is +represented remarking the very dangerous and alarming situation they +stand in, with regard to their wars and foreign alliances. "Of the +former," said his Lordship, "we have three, of the latter none, even +the Empress of Russia, that great potentate, who was constantly held +out by the noble Lord with the green riband, (Lord Stormont,) to be +our principal ally, now shows to all Europe by her late maritime +manifesto, what sort of an ally she means to be to England. The +thought of that manifesto made him shudder when he first read it, +particularly, as he knew how this country stood in respect to other +powers, when Denmark must follow wherever Russia led, when Sweden was +ready at the nod of France; think of having the whole force of the +northern powers against us; already engaged in three wars, and +striving all we can to make a fourth with our old friends and neutral +allies, the States-General." + +There have appeared few other reflections as yet, upon this great +event, the Russian declaration. Even the opposition seems afraid to +lay it open, in all its terrors, to the people. They repeat the word +neutrality, neutrality, but it is as decisive a determination against +them, as a declaration of war would have been, perhaps more so, +because now there is a probability that the maritime powers will be +unanimous, whereas in the other case they might have been divided. It +is very surprising, that the peace between Russia and the Turk, and +that between the Emperor and the King of Prussia, (in which the +Empress of Russia took a part as spirited and decided as she has upon +this occasion, in both of which negotiations the British ministry +ought to have known that Russia and France acted in perfect concert,) +should not have earlier dissipated their golden visions, but so it is, +and so it has been; England, as Governor Pownal says, cannot or will +not see. The improvement in the law of nations, which the Empress aims +at, and will undoubtedly establish, is hurtful to England, it is true, +to a very great degree, but it is beneficial to all other nations, and +to none more than the United States of America, who will be carriers, +and I hope forever neutrals. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, April 28th, 1780. + + Sir, + +The news from Hamburg of the 11th of April is, that "the Sieur de +Geoss, the Minister of the Empress of Russia, near the circle of the +Lower Saxony, has communicated to the Magistracy of that city a +declaration, which his Sovereign has made to the three Courts at war, +for the maintenance of the free navigation of neutrals; and we learn, +that the same notification has been made to the Regencies of Lubec and +Bremen, on the part of this Sovereign; who, without ceasing to observe +a neutrality between the Courts actually at war, considers the liberty +of the seas as a common good of all nations, which different +particulars ought not to interrupt." + +The news from London of the 18th of April is, "the term of three weeks +is fixed for receiving an answer to the answer of the Memorial, which +Sir Joseph Yorke has presented to their High Mightinesses, the +States-General, expired last Thursday; they have published yesterday a +Declaration, against the United Provinces, of which here follows the +translation." + +"The Resolution taken at a Council held at St James the 17th of April, +1780, in presence of his Majesty. Since Great Britain has been brought +involuntarily into a war against France and Spain, the Ambassador of +the King to the States-General of the United Provinces has presented +several Memorials for demanding the succors stipulated by the +treaties. These representations, although repeated in the most +pressing manner by the Memorial of the 21st of March, have remained +without answer, and their High Mightinesses have not manifested an +intention to oppose them. By delaying thus to fulfil engagements the +most positive, she deserts the alliance, which has subsisted so long +between the Crown of Great Britain and the Republic, and places +herself on a level with neutral powers, which are not connected with +this kingdom by any treaty. The principles of wisdom and equity +prescribe, by consequence, to the King no longer to consider the +States but in the distant relation in which they have placed +themselves; and his Majesty having taken this subject into +consideration, has thought fit, by the advice of his privy council, to +put in execution immediately the measures, which have been formerly +annexed by the Memorial of the 21st of March last, and which had been +previously suggested to the Count de Welderen, the Envoy Extraordinary +and Plenipotentiary of the Republic, by a verbal declaration of Lord +Stormont, one of the Secretaries of State, nearly two months before +the presentation of said Memorial. For these causes the King, with the +advice of his Council, declares, that the subjects of the United +Provinces shall henceforward be considered on the footing of neutral +powers, who are not privileged by treaties. His Majesty suspends by +these presents, conditionally, and until further order, all the +particular stipulations designed to favor in time of war the liberty +of the navigation and commerce of the subjects of the States-General, +such as they are expressed in the different treaties, which subsist +between his Majesty and the Republic, and especially in the Marine +Treaty concluded between Great Britain and the United Provinces at +London on the 1st day of December, 1674. + +"His Majesty, animated by a sentiment of humanity, and willing to +spare the interest of individuals, and not seeking their damage by an +act of surprise, declares, moreover, with the advice of his Council, +that the execution of the present ordinances shall not take place but +at the following epochs, to wit; in the Channel and in the northern +seas, twelve days after this date; from the Channel and the northern +seas, as far as the Canary Islands, inclusively, both on the ocean and +in the Mediterranean; the term shall be six weeks, reckoning from the +date of these presents; it shall be of three months from the Canary +Islands to the equinoctial line or the equator; and, finally, of six +months to the parts situated beyond the equator, and, in general, in +all the other parts of the world without exception, and without any +more particular determination of time or place." + +_Hague, April the 23d._ The Report of the Committee of the Province of +Groningen, confirmed by the approbation of the States of the same +Province, has been presented to the Assembly of their High +Mightinesses. Here follow the contents. + + "Noble and Mighty Lords, + +"In compliance with the resolution of your Noble Mightinesses of the +31st of March last, in consequence of which was presented into the +hands of the Committee of your Noble Mightinesses, the Report +presented the 17th of February, by the deputies of their High +Mightinesses to their Assembly, who had examined that which passed +between Commodore Byland and the English Commodore Fielding, after the +relation sent the 5th of January, by the Count de Welderen to +Secretary Fagel, and after having heard and collected upon this +subject the opinions of the Committees present of the colleges of the +Admiralty respectively, purporting, among other things, that for the +future, all merchandises, which the treaties do not positively declare +to be contraband, ought, without any exception, to be under the convoy +and protection of the State; the Committees have the honor to report +to your Noble Mightinesses, that, + +"From the commencement of the present troubles, this State has not +only done all that which his Britannic Majesty, grounding himself upon +the law and the treaties, could require of the Republic, but, at the +same time, has relinquished some of the prerogatives, which +incontestably belonged to it; that, instead of experiencing on the +part of England the reciprocation of a treatment thus friendly, the +Republic has seen itself cruelly undeceived, as a great number of +ships belonging to its inhabitants have been seized by the privateers, +and even by the men-of-war of the King of England; ships with their +cargoes, or at least one of them, declared lawful prize; violence +having even been employed on many occasions against our crews, without +our having been able to obtain the least indemnification or +satisfaction for such grievances, notwithstanding all the repeated +complaints and representations to that effect; that the expedition of +Commodore Fielding appeared to have been made in conformity to +positive orders; that thereby the flags of the States had been +notoriously insulted, and the ships under the convoy of Commodore +Byland had been not only carried into England, but had been also there +detained, although it appeared, that their loading did not consist in +contraband goods; that this condescension, to which the Republic was +by no means obliged, had only had disagreeable and dangerous +consequences, both with regard to Great Britain and other powers, as +is proved by the considerations drawn up by the colleges of the +Admiralty respectively. The Committees of your Noble Mightinesses +would be, therefore, of opinion, that from this time forward and for +the future, we ought to take under convoy and the protection of the +State all the merchandises, which the treaties declare not to be +contraband, and that they be so effectually protected, that we may +have no further room to fear for the future, that the least insult +will be committed against the flag of the States, and that, in one +word, as to what remains, we ought, conformably to the treaties +subsisting, to observe an exact neutrality." + +The State of Groningen has entirely conformed to the foregoing Report. + + +_Second Report presented by the same Province._ + + "Noble and Mighty Lords, + +"The Committees of your Noble Mightinesses, in compliance with the +Resolution of the 26th of November and the 2d of December of the last +year, as well as of the 23d of March last, after an examination of the +three Memoirs presented by Sir Joseph Yorke, Ambassador Extraordinary +of his Britannic Majesty, on the 22d of July and the 26th of November, +1779, and on the 20th of March last, to their High Mightinesses, +demanding, by the first, the succors stipulated by the treaty of 1674; +insisting, in the second, on a catagorical answer; and finally complaining, +in the last, of the combat held by Commodore Byland; on occasion of what +passed with Commodore Fielding, adding thereto,---- instances to the end +to obtain before the expiration of three weeks a satisfactory answer +concerning the succors demanded, since otherwise, his Majesty would +regard this Republic on the footing of neutral powers no ways favored +by treaties, and would conditionally suspend all the treaties, and +particularly that of 1674, and would treat the Republic according to +the ordinary law of nations; after having also examined several +letters, and other pieces annexed, successively transmitted by the +Count de Welderen, Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of their +High Mightinesses to His Britannic Majesty, they have the honor to +report to your Noble Mightinesses, that after having maturely +reflected upon what relates to the points in question, their advice +will be, that in answer to the said three Memorials of Sir Joseph +Yorke, Ambassador Extraordinary, it ought to be replied, + +"That their High Mightinesses during the troubles subsisting, which +undoubtedly drew their origin from America, and from thence, by an +ulterior extension of the war, have spread themselves in Europe, have, +by observing an exact neutrality, giving to his Britannic Majesty the +most unfeigned proofs of their attachment and of their affection, even +beyond their obligations, by a condescension, to which they were by no +means obliged towards England, but the consequences of which have +been, besides the prejudice thereby occasioned to the commerce and +navigation of this country, that there has arisen a marked +dissatisfaction, although by no means provoked, of the belligerent +powers; and, in particular, the preparations made at the same time by +land could not but excite the most serious attention of their High +Mightinesses, to the end that they might, without interruption, not +deprive themselves of the means indispensably necessary, both for +their own preservation and defence, by granting the succors demanded; +that they ought rather to think of demanding themselves, in +consequence of the aforementioned treaties, the succors, which would +be so necessary to them, upon the least apprehension of the +continuance of the same preparations. That their High Mightinesses, +founded upon good reasons, as well as upon the favorable declarations +of his Majesty so often reiterated, ought to have expected a +reciprocal affection and a friendly treatment towards the Republic, at +least, that he would not have disputed a right, stipulated clearly by +the most solemn treaties, and of which, so soon after the conclusion +of the treaty of 1674, even before the war was entirely finished, the +subjects of his Majesty, to the detriment of this country, make so +free a use. + +"Their High Mightinesses, penetrated with the most lively grief, have +nevertheless perceived, that so far from their good intentions and +proceedings having operated to any happy effect, it has happened, on +the contrary, that several acts diametrically opposed to justice, have +been authorised and executed by connivance, under the illusory pretext +of opposition even to the same connivance, and this, in spite of +multiplied efforts employed by the Republic to obviate such abuses; +that, moreover, the rencounter between Commodore Fielding and +Commodore Byland is of a nature, that according to the law of nations, +the flag of a sovereign power being, in fact, everywhere sacred, the +declaration made by the Count de Byland, an officer commanding in +chief a squadron in the name of the Republic whereof he is a subject, +ought to have been regarded as authentic, and to have stopped at once +all suspicions, and destroyed the intelligence falsely given; from +whence it follows, that the said Commodore Byland has not undertaken +anything, but for the maintenance and protection of the honor and +respect due to the flag of the State; while the seizure and detention +of the ships are equally a part of those objects, concerning which, +their High Mightinesses ought also to demand a satisfaction convenient +to his Majesty, as well as a declaration unequivocal for the time to +come; adding, at the same time, that, after a mature consideration +upon the situation in which the Republic is at present, their High +Mightinesses are perfectly acquainted with the succors demanded by his +Britannic Majesty." + +The States of the Province of Groningen have conformed themselves to +the report before mentioned. + +_Hague, 22d of April._ "We learn that the Province of Gueldres has +determined to grant unlimited convoys, and, at the same time, to +refuse the succors demanded by Great Britain; by means of which, the +Seven United Provinces are actually of one unanimous sentiment upon +this object." + +_Hague, 23d of April._ "We learn, that the deputies of the Province of +Holland have already been instructed to carry to the Assembly of the +States-General, the opinion of their high constituents concerning the +invitation, which the Prince de Gallitzin, Envoy of the Empress of +Russia, has made in the name of her Majesty, to their High +Mightinesses, to protect in concert the navigation of the neuters; and +that this opinion, announced in a resolution of the State of the +Province, bearing date the 13th of April, tends to accept the +invitation in terms full of attachment and gratitude, declaring, 'that +their High Mightinesses regard the communication, which has been made +to them, as a signal token of the benevolence of her Majesty towards +the Republic; that they honor it, and believe it to be their duty to +answer it with sincerity and cordiality; that they consider it also as +a new proof of the magnanimity and the justice of her Majesty, which +are universally acknowledged, both the end which she proposes and the +measures she has projected to maintain in the present war, a +neutrality the most rigorous between the belligerent powers, and for +protecting, not only the honor of the Russian flag, and the safety of +the commerce and navigation of her subjects, in not permitting that +any of the belligerent powers should strike at it; but also, by +establishing by her cares the liberties and repose of Europe upon +foundations the most solid, of equity, the law of nations, and the +treaties subsisting, and to give validity to an equitable system of +navigation and of commerce in favor of the neutral powers; that their +High Mightinesses, desiring to observe with her Imperial Majesty in +the present war a scrupulous neutrality, have but too much experienced +the losses to which the navigation and commerce of neutral nations are +exposed by the uncertain and fluctuating ideas of the belligerent +powers with regard to the rights of neuters, in proportion as they are +guided by their private interest and by the operations of the war; +that their High Mightinesses judge with her Imperial Majesty, that it +is of the last necessity that this law should be fixed upon solid +principles, and maintained in concert by the neutral maritime powers; +that for what concerns the determination of the said right, their High +Mightinesses conform themselves entirely to the five points contained +in the declaration, which her Majesty has made to the Courts of +Versailles, Madrid, and London; that after her example, they are ready +to transmit parallel ---- to the belligerent powers, and that they are +very much disposed to enter into conferences with her Majesty and the +other neutral powers, upon the measures by which the liberty of +navigation and commerce may be maintained in concert, in a manner the +most efficacious, both for the future and for the present, observing, +at the same time, an exact neutrality among the belligerent powers.' + +"The same opinion tends also to cause to be transmitted the copy of +such a resolution, not only to the Prince de Gallitzin, Envoy of her +Majesty to the Republic, but also to M. de Swart, Resident of their +High Mightinesses at Petersburg, and to their Ministers at the Courts +of Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Lisbon, with orders to these last to +second, as far as possible, the proceedings of the Court of Russia, +and to act in concert with the Ministers of her Imperial Majesty, &c." + +Congress will be able to draw just inferences from these important +papers of State. + +The principle, which the English contend for, has no other foundation +but the insular situation of Great Britain, and the convenience of +that nation. The principle, which the neutral powers are contending +for, is evidently laid in the common good of nations; in the ease, +safety, convenience, happiness, and prosperity of mankind in general. +But we shall see, whether obstinacy and fierce passions will, at +length, give way in one instance. At present there is no appearance of +it. On the contrary, I see no way for the English to escape a war with +Holland and Russia, Denmark and Sweden, and, perhaps, Portugal, unless +they should be interrupted in their career by a war with one another +at home. + +When, where, or in what manner, we shall see the unravelling of the +vast plot, which is acting in the world, is known only to Providence. +Although my mind has been full twenty years preparing to expect great +scenes, yet I confess the wonders of this Revolution exceed all that +I ever foresaw, or imagined. That our country, so young as it is, so +humble as it is, thinking but lately so meanly of itself, should thus +interest the passions, as well as employ the reason of all mankind, in +its favor, and effect in so short a space of time, not only thirteen +revolutions of government at home, but so completely accomplish a +revolution in the system of Europe, and in the sentiments of every +nation in it, is what no human wisdom, perhaps, could foresee. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, April 29th, 1780. + + Sir, + +Walsingham sailed from St Helens the 8th with the Thunderer, the +Ramilies, the Berwick, and the Egmont, of seventyfour guns, the +Scarborough, of twenty, and the fire-ships, the Blast and the +Salamander; only four ships of the line. On the 11th Admiral Graves +followed him, with the London, of ninetyeight guns, the Bedford, the +Shrewsbury, the Royal Oak, of seventyfour, the Prudent, and the +America, of sixtyfour, and the Amphitrite, of twentyfour; these, with +the four of Admiral Rodney, make fourteen ships of the line. Admiral +Parker, it is said, has not more than nine fit for service, which will +make twentythree, supposing that Graves has the same destination. Many +people, however, believe he is going to Canada, in order to be +beforehand of the fleet of Brest, which the English suppose has +designs upon that Province. My intelligence from London is, however, +that Graves is intended for the North American station, perhaps New +York or Georgia. But the orders to Graves were so suddenly determined +on and given, that there has not yet been time to discover with +certainty his destination. + +The accounts are, that Walsingham returned on account of contrary +winds with his numerous fleet of merchant ships to Plymouth; that he +sailed again on the 13th, and after sailing twenty leagues, with a +good wind, he returned a second time, imagining that he saw a French +fleet of men-of-war. The winds have been generally contrary since, and +we have not yet a certain account of his sailing a third time. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, April 29th, 1780. + + Sir, + +The principal officers named for the command of the English fleet in +the English Channel, are Sir Charles Hardy, Admiral of the White, +Commander in Chief; Vice Admiral, Admiral Barrington, of the Blue, +second; Vice Admiral Darby, of the Blue, third; and Rear Admiral +Digby, of the Blue, fourth. + +The next day after the departure of the fleet of Commodore Walsingham, +the London, of ninetyeight guns, commanded by Admiral Graves, the +Shrewsbury, the Royal Oak, of seventyfour, the America, the Prudent, +of sixtyfour, and the Amphitrite, of twentyfour, having set sail from +St Helens, and the Resolution as well as the Invincible of +seventyfour, intended as part of the squadron, the crews of the two +last vessels refused to sail until they should be paid their wages, +and have received their shares of the prize of the Protée. The +eleventh of the month, the Resolution, Commodore Ogle, set sail to +join Admiral Graves, the crew having at length consented to serve, +when they saw their ship surrounded by other vessels, ready to fire +upon her by order of Lord Longford. The crew of the Invincible had +more obstinacy, and Admiral Pye was forced to send on board the +Captains Balfour, Duncan, Holt, and Barkner, to persuade them to +return to their duty. These officers called up upon deck the mutinous +sailors, whom they harangued, and to whom they represented, that the +act of Parliament, to regulate the payment of wages on board the +men-of-war, did not authorise them to require more than one month's +advance. They did not however submit, and the captains having +observed, that among them there were, above all, four more remarkably +obstinate, sent them to the Admiral, who put them in irons. The next +day the Admiral ordered Captain Faulkner to tell his people, that if +they would submit, he would restore the four men whom they had +arrested. This proposition was not listened to, and it was not until +the 14th, that Rear Admiral Graves set sail from St Helens, without +this last vessel. + +The Admiralty has sent orders to Portsmouth for a court martial upon +the most mutinous of the crew of the Invincible, and it is expected, +that as examples, some of them must lose their lives. + +I have before informed Congress of a resolution of the County of York +against the American war. This has been since repeated by the +freeholders of the County of Surry, at a meeting held at Epsom the +14th of April. Mr Nicholls, in an able speech, proposed the following +resolution, which was unanimously adopted. "That the American war +originating from the corrupt influence of the Crown, and the ill +founded assertions of the King's Ministers in Parliament, is the cause +of the present calamitous situation of this country." This resolution +was unanimously adopted. He then recommended a second resolution +similar to that of the freeholders of Yorkshire, condemning the +continuance of offensive operations in America, which was likewise +carried unanimously. + +Mr Budgen then moved a third resolution for thanking those members of +Parliament, who had uniformly reprobated the American war, which was +likewise carried without opposition. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + +_P. S._ Since the above was written, I have found a resolution of the +County of Hertford, of the 17th of April. + +"Resolved unanimously, that the opinion of the present assembly is, +that a war against North America is evidently a measure, which, by +obliging us to carry all our forces to that quarter, puts us out of a +condition to resist with vigor, as we might otherwise do, the united +efforts of France and Spain, while the said war produces no other +effect upon the Americans than to add to the enmity, which has but too +long subsisted between us. An enmity, of which we have felt the fatal +effects, and which, by putting an obstacle to our union, threatens +England with a ruin as complete as it is inevitable." + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, May 2d, 1780. + + Sir, + +On the twentysixth of April the Duc de Vauguyon, Ambassador of His +Most Christian Majesty to the States-General, presented a Memorial to +their High Mightinesses, announcing the abolition of the duty of +fifteen per cent, to which the greatest part of Dutch merchandises had +been subject on their entering into France, as well as the resolution +of the Council of State, taken upon this subject. The following are +the contents of the Memoir and the Resolution. + + "High and Mighty Lords, + +"The political system of the King is essentially founded upon the +invariable principles of justice and moderation. His Majesty has given +the most unequivocal proofs of it from the beginning of the troubles, +which have arisen between him and the King of England, in pre-engaging +all the neutral powers, by the display of a disposition the most +favorable to their prosperity, and by proposing to them no other +conditions than those of the most absolute impartiality. His Majesty +saw himself, with the most sincere regret, obliged not to acknowledge +this character in the resolution of the States-General, of the 19th of +November, 1778, by which your High Mightinesses suspended the effects +of your protection, relative to one branch of commerce, the liberty of +which was assured to you by the public laws of equity, and the most +precise stipulations of treaties. The King then instructed me to +announce to your High Mightinesses, that if you determined thus to +make the sacrifice of one part of your rights to his enemies, his +Majesty could not preserve to your subjects the advantages +conditionally promised by his last regulation, nor the ancient favors, +which their commerce enjoyed in his States, and which are not the +result of any treaty, but of a hereditary benevolence and affection. +Your High Mightinesses assured his Majesty with earnestness, that you +were decided to observe the most exact neutrality during the +continuance of the troubles between France and England. But if you +announced, that the act, which suspended the effects of the +efficacious protection of the Republic in favor of ships loaded with +ship timber, ought to be regarded as in force until it should be +afterwards confirmed, you declared at the same time, that all +discussion upon this matter ought to be suspended, until after the +deliberations which were to ascertain the convoys. + +"His Majesty not perceiving in this new disposition, any real +alteration of intention, thought that he could not avoid setting +bounds to the advantages granted in the different parts of his kingdom +to the Dutch commerce, whilst your High Mightinesses continued to +suspend, in favor of the enemies of his Crown, the exercise of the +rights the most solidly established; but he was pleased to preserve +them to the different members of the Republic in proportion as they +adopted a system, which at the same time that it is conformable to his +views is essentially just. He has applauded the remonstrances of your +High Mightinesses to the Court of London, and the efforts which you +have made to recover the means of restoring to the flag of the United +Provinces its ancient consideration, as well as the positive order, +which you have given to a squadron, to hold itself ready to convoy and +protect all vessels loaded with objects not comprehended among +merchandises of contraband, from the time that unlimited convoys +should be resolved on, and he has constantly desired, that your High +Mightinesses would cease to lay obstacles in the way of the +testimonies of his affection, by attaching yourselves entirely to the +fundamental principles of your interest, informed of your definitive +intentions, in this regard, and assured of the explanation, which your +High Mightinesses are determined to make of their neutrality, by +granting an efficacious and indefinite protection to the commerce and +navigation of your subjects. His Majesty has heard with pleasure the +several representations, which several members of the Union, and +especially the Prince, who is at the head of the Republic, have made +to him relative to the restraints, which the commerce of different +Provinces experiences in the ports of his kingdom, and his Majesty has +ordered me to declare to your High Mightinesses, that he has revoked +by a decree of his Council, of the 22d of April, 1780, an authentic +copy of which I have the honor to present, those of the 14th of +January, the 27th of April, the 5th of June, and the 18th of +September, 1779, but he would not confine himself to re-establish thus +the subjects of your High Mightinesses, in the enjoyment of favors, +which they experienced before the publication of those new laws; in +all the advantages conditionally promised by his regulation, +concerning the commerce and navigation of neuters, he would give them +a signal proof of his benevolence, and he orders me to declare to your +High Mightinesses, that he has ordered the return of all the sums +received by the overseers of his Farms, in virtue of the said decrees, +he flatters himself, that testimonies so important of his affection, +will convince your High Mightinesses, not only that he takes an +interest the most sincere in the prosperity of the United Provinces, +but also that justice, moderation and beneficence form the essential +and invariable basis of his conduct and of his proceedings." + +Decree of the King's Council of State of the 22d of April, mentioned +in the foregoing Memorial. + +"The King, being informed of the dispositions made by the +States-General of the United Provinces for complying with the +reciprocity required by his regulation of the 26th of July, 1778, +concerning the navigation of neutral vessels, and his Majesty, willing +in consequence of these same dispositions to give a new proof of his +affection to the said United Provinces, is determined to put an end to +the restraints, which the commerce of their subjects have experienced +in his States, to which end, the report being heard, the King being in +his Council, hath ordained, and ordains as follows. + +"ARTICLE I. His Majesty has revoked and revokes the decree of his +Council of the 14th January, 1779, which subjected to a duty of +freight the vessels of the said subjects of the States-General of the +United Provinces of the Low Countries; those of the 27th of April and +5th of June, 1779, which establish a new tariff for the objects +proceeding from their growth, fishery, manufacture, and commerce, and +that of the 18th of September, 1779, which prohibits the entry of the +cheeses of North Holland in the kingdom. + +"ARTICLE II. His Majesty confirms, in favor of the said subjects of +the States-General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries, the +advantages conditionally promised by the dispositions of his +regulation of the 26th of July, 1778, concerning the navigation of +neutral vessels in time of war. + +"ARTICLE III. His Majesty, willing to give to the said subjects of the +States-General a signal proof of his beneficence, has ordained and +ordains a restitution of the sums of money received by the overseers +of his Farms, in virtue of the decrees before mentioned. + +"Done in the King's Council of State, the 22d of April, 1780." + +The news from the Hague of the 26th of April is, "that the +deliberations of the different Provinces, which compose the Republic, +have been continued these last weeks without interruption, and all the +opinions are unanimously agreed upon three important objects, which +make the matter of them, viz. First, the succor demanded by Great +Britain; secondly, the convoys to be granted to merchant ships; +thirdly, the invitation of the Empress of Russia to accede to an armed +neutrality. The respective States of the seven Provinces have all been +of opinion, first; to excuse themselves from giving the succors +demanded. Secondly; to grant convoys to all merchant ships bearing the +flag of the Republic, whatever may be their cargoes, without any other +exception than that of contraband regulated by treaties. Thirdly; to +accept with gratitude the invitation, and to enter upon this subject +into negotiation, with the Prince de Gallitzin, Envoy Extraordinary of +Her Imperial Majesty. + +"We learn, even that the States-General have already taken resolutions +conformable to this opinion. The affair of the attack of the convoy, +commanded by the Count de Byland, does not less engage the attention +of the government of the Republic. The States of the Province of +Holland and of West Friesland have already formed upon this subject +the instruction, which they have directed their deputies to carry to +the Assembly of their High Mightinesses; it tends, in substance, to +represent to the Court of London, 'that their High Mightinesses are by +no means satisfied with the answer of Lord Stormont, given the 16th of +March, to the just representations of their High Mightinesses +concerning the violence done to their convoy, inasmuch as this answer +only serves to cast upon them, by strained arguments, the blame of +that which happened, and to represent, against all truth, their +officer as having been the aggressor. That their High Mightinesses, as +well to justify themselves in the eyes of all Europe, as to convince, +if it is possible, Great Britain, have thought it their duty to +represent further, that naval stores not being merchandises of +contraband according to the express letter of the treaties, their +visitation and detention, made by order, especially under the flag of +their High Mightinesses, is a direct attack of their flag, as well as +of their independence and sovereignty. That, as to the allegation of +the treaty of 1674, made by Lord Stormont, concerning the visit of +merchandises suspected, the contrary of what he advances appears in a +manner the most evident, by the simple reading of the treaty. That the +nature of a convoy rendering all visits unnecessary, the articles +fifth and sixth of this treaty confine themselves manifestly to single +ships, from which, nevertheless, they cannot in this require more than +the exhibition of their sea letters, and with regard to vessels +detained for an enemy's port, that of their passports; that thus the +conduct of Commodore Fielding, approved by his Majesty, implies an +open violation of this treaty; by consequence, neither the orders of +their High Mightinesses, nor the act of their officer charged with +their execution, having done any injury to the treaties, nor any +hostilities having been committed on their part, but Commodore +Fielding having employed, for the execution of his orders, the force +of arms against the convoy of the Republic, there does not exist the +least cause of complaint on the part of his Majesty; but on the part +of their High Mightinesses, they have had the most just reason of +complaint, and that they ought to insist still (as their High +Mightinesses do insist, in the manner the most serious,) upon a +satisfaction and a suitable reparation, as well as upon the release, +without further form of process, of the merchant ships and their +cargoes sailing under the convoy of the Republic, detained by force +and violence contrary to the tenor of treaties, and condemned by the +Judge of the Court of Admiralty with the same injustice, with which +they were attacked by Commodore Fielding, taken, and carried into +England. That conformably to these principles, the Count de Welderen +shall be charged to give a reply to Lord Stormont, and to support it +the most effectually, as often as he shall judge it to be further +useful, &c.' + +"If, on one side, the desire of the Republic to preserve an exact +impartiality in the present troubles of Europe, draws upon her the +displeasure of Great Britain, on the other side, she sees an end put +to those restraints which France had laid on her commerce. + +"The Royal College of the Admiralty of Stockholm, has sent to all the +agents and consuls, who reside in foreign countries, an ordinance, by +which it is announced to all masters of Swedish ships, that necessary +convoys would be given for the protection of the commerce of the +subjects of this kingdom." + +It is quite unnecessary for me to observe to Congress, that all these +political and maritime commotions tend either to peace, or to the full +employment of all the forces of our enemy, and, consequently, to our +liberty and tranquillity. + +The general run of speculations and of conversation throughout Europe +is upon peace. It seems the general opinion, that Great Britain will +not venture upon so many dangers as lie all around her. I wish I could +bring myself to think so, but I confess I cannot as yet. Signal +success on the part of the allies might compel them to it; but signal +success in favor of the English would urge them giddily on, no one can +say to what lengths. + +There is a speculative article from Brussels, the 25th of April, that +is worth transmitting to Congress. "The news from Holland speaks of +nothing but the sensation, which the declaration of Russia has +produced. The greatest part of the Provinces, which have already given +their opinions upon the Memorials of Sir Joseph Yorke, to excuse +themselves from furnishing England with the succors demanded, have +been eager to declare, that the proposition of the Court of Russia +could not be more advantageous than in the present circumstances, and +that it ought to be accepted. The English party is very much +disconcerted by this event, which brings forward a new order of +things; this party strives to excite a fear, that the difference of +the principles established by particular treaties among the neutral +powers respectively and the belligerent powers, will form an obstacle +to the execution of a plan so salutary, which may serve forever as a +rule in this matter. We know, that among the belligerent powers, +France has always thought that it was just to leave a freedom of +navigation to neutral powers; it is well known, that she has a long +time respected this liberty, and that if she has afterwards made +regulations, which restrain that of Holland, it was because she has +been forced to it, because it was very natural that she should seek to +stop the vessels bound to the ports of England, when this nation made +no scruple to stop those which were bound to hers. And it is well +known, too, that she never took his part until after she had employed +the method of representation to determine the Hollanders to protect +their own commerce. + +Spain appears equally determined to use no more methods of rigor and +severity towards the vessels of the Republic. There is only England, +who appears to oppose the general wish, and she ought to perceive, +that it is her own conduct, which has brought forth the events of +which she complains. If she had had more moderation and justice, the +project of an armed neutrality would not have taken place. + +They write from Holland; "We flatter ourselves, that the armed +neutrality may contribute to accelerate peace. It appears hitherto, +that it is England alone, which puts an obstacle to it, and it is +difficult for her to take her part in it. We doubt not that the +independence of America, which perhaps is already tacitly acknowledged +by all the Courts of Europe, will be the fundamental basis of an +accommodation. England at the same time will be forced to announce a +pretended pre-eminence of flag, equally contrary to the laws of +nations, and to the first notions of common sense. The general liberty +of the seas, the re-establishment of the respective possessions in the +State in which there were before hostilities, perhaps the restitution +of Gibraltar to its natural masters, and the adoption of the maritime +code proposed by Russia, will be most probably the necessary +consequences of the peace." + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, May 3d, 1780. + + Sir, + +The substance of a cartel for a general exchange of prisoners, made +upon the sea between France and England, has been published; it was +signed at Versailles the 12th of March last, by M. le Hor, one of the +principal clerks of the office of the Marine, authorised to this +purpose by the King, and at London the 28th of the same month, by +Messrs John Bell, Walter Farquharson, P. Corbett, and Robert Lulman, +Commissioners of the King of England. This treaty, equally useful to +the two nations, dictated by sentiments, which do honor to the powers +at war, and to humanity, will it is said be distinguished by the true +philosophers, who prefer a useful operation to folio volumes, which +talk of morals and humanity. The most perfect equality and reciprocity +is established. + +"The prisoners shall be exchanged man for man, according to their rank +and qualities, or for a certain number of men as equivalent, or for +certain sums of money in form of ransoms. A French Vice Admiral shall +be exchanged against an English Admiral, having command; a Lieutenant +General against an Admiral carrying his flag at ----. A Vice Admiral, +commanding a squadron, against a Rear Admiral; the Captains of ships +commanding divisions, or having the rank of Brigadiers against +Commodores; the Captains of ships having the rank of Colonels against +Post Captains of three years standing, whose rank answers to that of +Colonels; the Lieutenants of vessels commanding frigates, from twenty +to fifty guns, and having the rank of Lieutenant Colonels against all +other Post Captains who have the same rank; the Lieutenants of vessels +of the rank of Majors against the Masters and Commanders, or Captains +who are not Post Captains; all the other Lieutenants of vessels +against Lieutenants without distinction; the Captains of fire ships of +the rank of Captains of infantry, Ensigns of vessels of the rank of +Captains of infantry, Lieutenants of frigates, or Captains of pinks, +on establishment or for a campaign, and having the same rank, against +Lieutenants, and in want of these, against Midshipmen; the Gardes du +Pavillon against Midshipmen; the Marine officers and subalterns +against those of the same denomination or of equal rank; the +respective equivalent for all the ranks in men and in money, is from +sixty men, or sixty pounds sterling, descending to pence, to two men, +or two pounds sterling; the sailors are to be exchanged man for man, +and the equivalent is one pound sterling; the same gradation is to be +observed for the officers of the Marine, and officers of land forces +serving as marines, and land officers not serving on board the +vessels, but taken at sea, as well as the common soldiers. Every three +months there shall be stated accounts of exchanges, conformable to the +foregoing regulations." + +They have also ascertained the price per head of the transportation of +prisoners, as well as of their subsistence; they have also regulated +the conditions of the exchange of officers and other prisoners made in +merchant vessels, privateers, or others, which are not the King's +ships. Passengers, not being in the service of land or sea, when they +shall have been taken, no matter in what vessel, shall not be regarded +as prisoners, but shall be set at liberty, without being put into the +accounts of exchanges, when they shall have proved that they are in +the case of the exception. All persons, no matter of what +denomination, who shall be shipwrecked in any vessel whatsoever, at +least, if it is not in attempting to land, or in protecting some +depredation upon the coast or in the islands of one or the other of +the two kingdoms, shall be immediately set at liberty, and shall be +furnished with the means of returning to their respective countries, +as well as with clothing, if they have need of it, as soon as their +situation shall be known, and the measures necessary for the purpose +can be taken. + + I have the honor to be, with respect, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +FROM ELBRIDGE GERRY TO JOHN ADAMS. + + Philadelphia, May 5th, 1780. + + Dear Sir, + +The resolutions of Congress for calling in and cancelling the two +hundred millions of dollars emitted by them, have in general been well +received. The depreciation is stopped, and specie, which before the +passing of the Resolves, was sold for upwards of seventy for one, is +now current at sixty, and has been lately at fiftyfive. The advantage +of this plan will be greatest to the landholder, inasmuch as the +national debt, including certificates and foreign demands, does not +now exceed five millions sterling, which is but a trifling sum +compared with the £200,000,000 sterling due from Great Britain. + +Another benefit resulting from it, is a supply of five millions of +dollars, of the new emission, every dollar of which is equal to forty +dollars of the old emission. Indeed this must be called in before that +can be realised; nevertheless there is a greater demand among all +ranks for continental money, than there has been since the +commencement of the war, and specie is no longer hoarded by the +disaffected or timid. + +With respect to our resources, Congress are at present much in want of +money, and it is a happy circumstance, for their economy is in +proportion to their wants. The demands on the treasury are generally +answered by warrants on the several States, which are careful by some +means or other to discharge the drafts. The taxes are rendered very +heavy, but the collection goes on, and I doubt not the army will be +well fed and paid. Military stores and clothing must, however, be +procured on credit in Europe, as well as a considerable loan to serve +as a fund for drawing on in case of necessity. Trade and privateering +are brisk, and there is a plenty of goods of every kind excepting +military, but no money to purchase them. This is easily accounted for, +since the whole sum in circulation, as Congress have fixed it, is only +five million dollars. Our privateers and commerce have nevertheless +suffered much by the cruisers of the enemy, who have the command of +the seacoast. + +It is much to be wished, that the Court of France would order a +squadron superior to the enemy, to be stationed in some part of the +United States, as the best and only means of putting a speedy end to +the war. It is almost impossible to conceive the havoc, that our +privateers made of the enemy's cruisers and transports, during the +time that the Count d'Estaing was at Rhode Island and Charleston. But +our losses at present nearly equal our captures. Indeed that very +worthy officer, aware of those and other advantages, ordered the Count +de Grasse to be stationed at the Chesapeake, but his plan was defeated +by the tempestuousness of the weather. Had the latter arrived with his +squadron, Charleston would not have been besieged, and three or four +of our frigates, which are now in Ashley's River, and will probably be +destroyed, would have been employed in intercepting the enemy's +transports. + +I forgot to mention a resolution of Congress to pay off the +continental certificates, according to the value of money at the time +of their being respectively issued. This is but justice, and will +undoubtedly be satisfactory to foreigners. Bills of exchange are now +at fortyfive for one, and will be higher in consequence of the great +risk of sending vessels from the Eastern States to the Southern for +produce. + + I am, &c. + + ELBRIDGE GERRY. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, May 8th, 1780. + + Sir, + +The proceedings of the United Provinces of the Low Countries are at +this period so much attended to by mankind, and are likely to have +such extensive and lasting consequences to us as well as to Europe, +that Congress will excuse my troubling them with them in detail, +however dry and unentertaining they may be. + +_Hague, April 30th, 1780._ "We learn that their Noble and Grand +Mightinesses, the States of Holland and West Friesland, have taken a +resolution which had been universally adopted, and that it had been +written to the Count de Welderen, Minister of their High Mightinesses +at the Court of London, to there represent, + +"That their High Mightinesses had been by no means satisfied with the +answer given the 16th of March, by Lord Stormont, to the just +representations made in the name of their High Mightinesses, by M. de +Welderen, their Envoy, relative to the violences committed upon the +convoy of the Republic, inasmuch as this answer by arguments destitute +of all foundation, endeavors to cast the blame of what happened upon +their High Mightinesses, and to make the commandant of their squadron +be considered as the aggressor, which is absolutely false; that their +High Mightinesses as well for their own justification in the eyes of +all Europe, as to convince, as far as in their power, his Britannic +Majesty of the insolidity of the answer of Lord Stormont, and with +what _incredible contempt of treaties_ their convoy has been attacked, +without having on their part provoked so hostile an action, have +resolved in substance to represent;--That their High Mightinesses, +having always held in high estimation the declaration made by his +Britannic Majesty of the sentiments of affection for the Republic, +flatter themselves that they have given his Majesty, during the +continuance of the present troubles, convincing proofs of their +esteem, and of their sincere desire to maintain and strengthen the +ties of this friendship, which for so many years had not failed to +secure the reciprocal prosperity of the two nations; that still +animated with the same sentiments, persisting also in the same +principles, and having nothing so much at heart as the quiet and +undisturbed enjoyment of the rights, assured by the ancient treaties, +their High Mightinesses are intimately affected, that his Majesty will +consider as a provocation the necessity of that defence to which they +found themselves reduced, in consequence of positive orders given by +his Majesty himself, and not having been able to make their +representations upon this subject attended to, see themselves obliged +to declare that they can and ought to order to be convoyed by vessels +of war, all the materials for ship building, which shall not be +transported to the succor of the enemies of his Britannic Majesty, the +said materials forming one of the principal articles of the free +navigation and of the commerce stipulated by the treaties; but all the +merchandises of contraband being nevertheless to be excepted. That the +cargoes of materials for ship building not being considered as +contraband by the letter of the treaties, ought not to be subjected to +any visit or detention, above all when they are found under the flag +of their High Mightinesses; which, nevertheless, has been done in +consequence of orders given upon this subject, and cannot but be +regarded as a direct and unprovoked attack of their flag, as well as +of their independence and sovereignty. That as to what Lord Stormont +advances in saying, that in virtue of the treaty of 1674, all merchant +vessels loaded with suspected merchandises ought to be visited, to the +end to excuse by this assertion the conduct of Mr Fielding, it is but +a vain allegation, contradicted by the very words of the said treaty, +in which, in truth, there is no mention made of suspected +merchandises, but only in the third article of commodities of +contraband, which are particularly enumerated. That the convoy, by its +nature, rendering useless all visits, the fifth and sixth articles of +the said treaty of 1674, relative to rencounters at sea, explain +themselves upon the following case. We there find literally, + +'That when any private vessel, subject to one of the contracting +powers, shall meet in open sea a vessel of war, or other vessel +provided with a commission from the other power, and that the said +vessel shall not be under convoy, she shall not be held only barely to +the exhibition of her sea letters to justify the property of her +cargo, and this in consequence of the 8th article of said treaty, +except, nevertheless, when a merchant vessel shall be destined for an +enemy's port, she shall be obliged also to show her passport, +containing the list of effects which shall be on board, and to show +that she is not loaded with any of the articles prohibited by the 3d +article of the said treaty.' + +"That, consequently, their High Mightinesses ought to conclude, that +the assertion of Lord Stormont concerning the pretended exception of +the said treaty, is but an extension of a regulation which he alleges +for his justification, and that thus the conduct of Mr Fielding, +approved by his Majesty, is a blow direct and manifest struck at the +same treaty. That with regard to the property, as well as the nature +of the cargo of the vessels, which were under the convoy of the +Republic, Mr Fielding would have been able to have abundantly informed +himself by the Count de Byland, to whom their High Mightinesses, +although by no means obliged to this act of complaisance on their +part, had given permission to consent to this demand, provided always, +that the maintenance of the rights of the subjects of the Republic +should not have suffered by it, and that, moreover, all possible +moderation should be previously used. Their High Mightinesses could +not do any other, than approve in all its points the conduct of Count +de Byland. That thus, in contempt of all law and reason, the vessels +under convoy having been taken, and the judgment of the legality of +their detention sent to the decision of judges, who, as they ought not +to pronounce upon this fact but according to the regulations made by +his Majesty, are ready to declare lawful the confiscation of materials +of ship building. That notwithstanding this, no breach of treaties +having been made, either by the orders of their High Mightinesses, or +by the conduct of their officer charged to execute them, nor any +hostility committed, but, on the contrary, Mr Fielding, in consequence +of orders which he had received, having employed the violence of arms +against the convoy of the Republic, it is not certainly on the side of +his Majesty that there ought to exist the least right of complaint, +but rather on that of their High Mightinesses, who have subjects the +most lawful on which to make them, and to insist, in the strongest +manner, on obtaining a suitable satisfaction and reparation, as well +as the restitution of the merchant vessels and their cargoes, which, +being under the convoy of the State, have been, against the faith of +treaties, attacked and stopped by Mr Fielding, taken and carried into +England, and against all form of justice and equity, so unjustly +condemned by the Judges of the Admiralty; and that, finally, M. de +Welderen shall be charged to conform himself to the aforesaid +instructions, to demand a positive answer upon this subject from Lord +Stormont, and to do upon this object all that he shall judge suitable +to the circumstances, in employing to this effect his good offices and +all the efforts of the strictest duty." + +Their High Mightinesses have also taken the following resolution. +"Having received a letter from the representative of His Most Serene +Highness, and from the directors of the general and granted Company of +the West Indies, committees of the respective chambers to the +assembly of ten, sitting at Amsterdam, written from that city the 18th +of this month, and whereof the contents are, that in consequence of, +and to the end to satisfy the resolution of their High Mightinesses of +the 12th precedent, containing their report upon the petition of +divers merchants and proprietors of ships residing in this country, +and trading with the West Indies; shewing, thereby, to their High +Mightinesses, how it was prejudicial to the commerce and navigation of +this country; + +'1st. That when the vessels of other European nations transport to the +Colonies of this State, situated in the West Indies, and principally +at St Eustatia, merchandises, without paying the duties of lest and of +recognition, that the petitioners and other inhabitants of the +Republic, going from the ports of this country, were, nevertheless, +obliged to pay to the West India Company; + +'2dly. That if the said foreign vessels should enjoy an advantage so +notable, as to transport from America, even the merchandises and +productions of the country, in the ports of their habitation or others +situated in Europe, and without the limits of this Republic, without +paying any duty of lest or of recognition, while, nevertheless, the +petitioners see themselves not only obliged in going there and +returning to pay these duties to the West India Company, but also to +engage themselves under caution, not to return into any port of Europe +except those of this State. They pray that a remedy may be provided +for this inconvenience;' + +"Upon which having deliberated, it has been thought proper, +conditionally, and until a final decision of their High Mightinesses, +that it should be determined by these presents, that foreign European +vessels, importing merchandise of any sort to the islands of this +State in the West Indies, without having acquitted the sums due in +this country for the duties of lest and of recognition, shall be +subjected and obliged, after their arrival, to there pay exactly all +the duties, without exception, which the vessels of the Republic are +held to discharge before their departure from Europe; finally, that +conditionally, and until after an ulterior disposition of their High +Mightinesses, it should be seriously forbidden to these foreign +European vessels, to load in the Colonies of the State, merchandises, +except under the same obligations and restrictions imposed upon ships +of the Republic, to wit, to sail only from, and to return to the ports +of this country, and paying the same duties of lest, and sale, and +recognition, which the ships of the inhabitants of the State are +obliged to pay, on returning to the said ports of the Republic." + +_Hague, 3d of May._ "There has been sent to the Assembly of their High +Mightinesses, a resolution of the Province of Gueldres, conforming +wholly to that taken by the Province of Holland, touching the memorial +of the Prince Gallitzin, and which authorises at the same time their +committees to assist at the conferences and negotiations, to continue +them, and to transmit the result of them to the deliberations of their +Noble Mightinesses, to the end that they in course take a resolution +according to the exigence of the case, and the importance of this +object. + +"There have also been presented three resolutions of the Province of +Zealand; the first, concerning the requisition made by the Admiralty +of the quarter of the north, soliciting a subsidy of three hundred and +seventyfive thousand florins, and to be put in a state to be able +afterwards to pay the annual interest of it; in consequence of which, +the States of Zealand consent to the borrowing of the said sum upon an +interest of two and a half per cent, opposing themselves, +nevertheless, to the granting to the said College an annual subsidy, +to be divided in quotas on the respective Provinces. + +"The second of these resolutions contains an answer to a letter of the +Admiralty on the Meuse, concerning the indemnification of the losses +suffered for the transportation of the Ambassador Van Haefton, at +Constantinople. Finally the third resolution is relative to the Memoir +of the Prince Gallitzin, and has for its object to concur in the +opening of conferences, provided, that these do not in anything alter +the system of an exact neutrality, adopted by the Republic, nor the +treaties subsisting; with a further insinuation to the gentlemen, +their ordinary deputies, to abstain from concurring in any final +conclusion upon this object, without the consent of their Noble +Mightinesses and without having previously informed them of what may +be projected in this respect. + +"The States of Guilderland, in their resolution relative to the +granting of an unlimited convoy, have also declared, that they had +believed they had foundation to flatter themselves, that the +condescension of this State, upon the representations of the King of +Great Britain, to the effect to suspend conditionally the protection +due to their subjects, and which was assured to them by the treaty of +1674, would have sufficiently proved the desire, with which the +Republic was animated to testify to his Majesty as well as to Great +Britain, a deference the most marked, preserving always the +observation of an exact neutrality, but that convinced of the +contrary, as well by the declarations as by even the hostilities +committed against the subjects of the Republic, they have now thought +themselves founded in putting an end to the limitation of convoys, in +granting a free course to the protection of commerce, according to the +treaties and the law of nations. For which reason, the aforesaid +States would no more make any difficulty to concur to maintain with +the forces of the country, the right of the Republic, lawfully +acquired by solemn treaties, but that not being, nevertheless, +intimately convinced, that in case of a further opposition the +Republic is in a state of defence sufficient upon the sea, it would +consequently be to be feared, that such a part would not serve, but to +throw the State into still greater embarrassments, and operate an +effect contrary to the end proposed. Thus then, supposing that the +high confederates should judge it indispensably necessary to grant an +unlimited convoy, the intention of their Noble Mightinesses would not +be in any degree to retard or suspend such a resolution, but on the +contrary, to show their condescension and their desire to contribute +to the unanimity of this State, they would take away all reflections, +of what importance soever they may appear to them, submitting +themselves to the penetration of those of the confederates, who, being +more interested in navigation and maritime commerce, have already +authorised and instructed their committees, in the generality, to +consent with the concurrence of other Provinces to an unlimited +convoy." + +We read also in another resolution of the States of Friesland, these +remarkable words, "that the Empress of Russia has never given a more +shining proof, than in the present conjuncture, of her attachment to +this Republic, which ought to engage the State to correspond by +sentiments proportioned to those, which her Majesty has discovered, +both for the well being and the safety of her own States and subjects, +and to procure to all Europe a perfect tranquillity founded upon +motives the most equitable, and upon treaties, and to the end to +prevent and hinder for the future the damages, which commerce and +navigation have suffered until this time, and to maintain and cause to +be observed a perfect neutrality between the belligerent powers." + +I may conclude this letter by observing, that I am informed, they talk +in Holland of laying an embargo, to prevent the English from making +many prizes, and that there is another rumor of opening the harbor of +Antwerp. If there is any serious thought of this, it must be the fruit +of English intrigue with Austria. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, May 8th, 1780. + + Sir, + +At the same time that the conduct of Great Britain towards the neutral +powers is marked by a severity, that is without example, that of +France and Spain is distinguished by a moderation and liberality, that +deserves to be imitated. I have before transmitted to Congress the +declaration of the King of France, and the decree of his Council, +abolishing the restrictions on the Holland trade. In this letter I +shall give an account of the conduct of Spain. + +On the 13th of March, the Count de Florida Blanca wrote a letter to +the Marquis Gonzalez de Castigon, the Minister of the Marine, to serve +as a regulation for the navigation of neuters, as follows; + + "Most Excellent Lord, + +"From the commencement of the present war with Great Britain, the King +declared sincerely, and even in a manner that is unexampled, his +intentions of blockading Gibraltar, and his Majesty gave by me a +formal notification of it to all the foreign Ministers and +Ambassadors, to the end that they might be in a capacity to inform +their respective nations of it, and that these might avoid in their +navigation and in their conduct the consequences and procedures +authorised by the right of nations and the general laws of war. The +King declared at the same time by his ordinances concerning +privateering, published in the sight of all the world, 'that with +regard to the merchandises, productions, and effects of the English, +loaded on board of vessels bearing the flag of a friend or a neuter, +his Majesty would conduct himself according to the procedure, which +the English should adopt towards cargoes of the same kind, to the end +to avoid by this reciprocity of conduct, the enormous inequality, the +prejudice, and even the ruin to which the commerce and the subjects of +his Majesty would be otherwise exposed.' In spite of these +dispositions so full of equity, of frankness and good faith, the +captains and masters of neutral vessels have not ceased to abuse +without shame the impunity of their flags, whether by sliding +clandestinely into Gibraltar, with cargoes of provisions, even with +those which were destined for the fleets and armies of the King, +whether by concealing a great part of their loading, consisting in +powder and other merchandises of contraband, or by disguising (by +double and fictitious papers, which they cast into the sea, when they +saw themselves pursued) the property of their vessels and effects, as +well as their destination for persons and places different from those +to whom they really belonged, and to which they were bound, or whether +finally by making a formal resistance against the King's ships or his +privateers, when they endeavored to take a view of some vessels, which +they supposed neuter. + +"Although these facts are notorious, and have been proved by formal +processes, these men, greedy of gain, and perverse, have filled all +Europe with the noise of their clamors, propagating falsely, that +orders had been given to detain and to seize all neutral vessels, that +would pass the Straits, whilst in fact the orders were confined to the +detention of vessels suspected by their course, or their papers, and +which were loaded with provisions or effects of the enemy, a +moderation very different from the conduct which has been held by the +navy and the privateers of England, in detaining and declaring good +prize neutral vessels, not only when they carried Spanish productions, +but of whatever kind the merchandises were, which they had taken on +board in the ports of Spain, or although they were only bound to this +Peninsula, taking also and carrying to Gibraltar the neutral vessels, +which passed in their sight with cargoes of provisions, although the +whole was but a feint and a disguised agreement made beforehand with +persons interested in these frauds. These clamors have been +accompanied with several complaints, which have been made to the King, +filled with the exaggerations and falsehoods beforementioned, and the +complainants have addressed themselves in the same manner to their +respective Courts, without considering, that conformably to all the +treaties of peace and of commerce the royal tribunals of the marine of +the Admiralty, as well inferior as superior, were open to them to hear +their allegations and proofs, pronounce sentence upon the processes, +which they should institute, and repair the wrongs, which the detained +vessels should have suffered, in one case or the other, without +sufficient reason, although to this moment this point has never been +legally verified. But the captains and masters have always obstinately +insisted, that without other proofs than their relations and their +applications to the Ministry, they should be released, and the delays +and damages of their detention made good to them, and this solely +because the clemency, the equity, and even the indulgence of the King +recommended to the judges of the marine, had set several vessels at +liberty, which had been detained with justice, and which might have +been declared good prizes, conformably to law, and to the practice of +our enemies. + +"To dissipate even the very shadow of such like pretexts the Count de +Rechteren, Envoy of the United Provinces, and the other Ministers of +foreign Courts, were notified beforehand, that if they proposed any +means of preventing frauds, and causes of suspicion, the King, to give +a fresh proof of the good correspondence and friendship, which he +desired to maintain with these Courts, would adopt such of those means +as should be proper to produce such an effect; and as to this day they +have not proposed nor regulated any means of this sort, his Majesty +has judged proper to take by himself the measures, which are +consistent with his sovereignty, uniting to that end the substance of +those which have been communicated hitherto, and manifesting in a +manner, if possible, still more positive his intentions, so full of +justice, of equity, and of moderation, as being founded upon the +resolution of making them be observed with punctuality. + +"ARTICLE I. That the vessels with a neutral flag, making sail through +the Straits, whether on the side of the ocean, or on that of the +Mediterranean, may not be molested nor hindered in their navigation, +so long as they shall arrange themselves, as much as shall be possible +for them, along the coasts of Africa, and keeping as far as they can +from those of Europe, during the course of their passage, from their +coming into it to their going out, provided always, that their papers +and cargoes be regular, and they furnish no just cause to excite +suspicions, whether by flying away, or by resistance, or by an +irregular course, or other signs of correspondence with the place +blocked up, or with the ships of the enemy. + +"ARTICLE II. When the aforesaid vessels of a neutral flag shall be +destined, with their cargoes, for any ports, situated upon the Spanish +coast in the Straits, such as those of Algeziras or Tarifa, they must +lie to, and wait the arrival of a Spanish vessel, which making sail +towards them shall give them the signal, by firing a gun, and after +having received their declaration shall escort them, or will point out +to them, according to the circumstances, the way which they ought +strictly to pursue, for coming more readily, without any danger, and +without giving cause of any suspicion, to the place of their +destination. + +"ARTICLE III. In case the Spanish vessels cruising in the Straits, at +the entrance, or the outlet, according to the exigence of the case or +the place, and conformably to the orders, with which they may be +charged, should judge it necessary to convoy neutral vessels, which +are traversing the Straits, or even those which are coasting along +Africa, these neutral vessels shall not make opposition to submit to +the convoy, without going away from it, or furnishing reasons of +suspicion; nevertheless, as they, may arrive in great numbers, and at +different times, in such manner that it may become prejudicial to wait +for the time to be convoyed, and that, moreover, it would be extremely +embarrassing to escort each ship in particular, they shall direct +their course conformably to the first article, towards the coast of +Africa, and shall follow it until some Spanish vessel, stationed or +cruising in the Straits, presents itself to escort them out of sight +of the place of the enemy and its avenues; and to this end the +vessels, to which the signal shall be given, shall stop, as it was +said above, and shall conform themselves to the dispositions made in +respect to them, by producing without the smallest difficulty, or +resistance, their papers, and submitting to all that which is +prescribed by the treaties, and the common law of nations to the end +to prove the property of ships, the legality of their documents, as +well as of their cargoes and destination. + +"ARTICLE IV. When such vessels, under the appearance of neutrals, +shall come out of ports situated on the coast of Africa, in the +Straits, they shall be visited, and treated according to the nature of +their cargo, or the suspicions which they shall have excited, of +intentions to sail to carry succors to Gibraltar, supposing always +that the vessels coming out of the said ports with the design of going +into Gibraltar, have in fact hoisted, a neutral flag and abused it. + +"ARTICLE V. When neutral vessels shall not conform themselves to the +said dispositions, in whole or in part, in particular cases, they +shall be seized and carried into port, where they shall be declared +good prize with all their effects and cargoes, only for being loaded +with provisions, or with those sorts of effects specified by the +article 15th of the regulation for armed vessels, without there being +occasion for any other judicial proof; and, in case that the articles +before mentioned should not be found on board of these vessels, the +motives of their contravention of these articles shall be juridically +examined, and an account of them rendered to his Majesty by the +Secretary of State, and of the Department of the Marine, who shall +afterwards make known the resolution of his Majesty. + +"ARTICLE VI. In case, independently of the contravention of these +articles, it should be proved that a vessel under a neutral flag +should be entered into the place, or discovered going in (which would +manifest a visible and formal design of going there) without having +lain to, or waited for the Spanish vessel, which should have pursued +her and made her the signal, or should have gone far from the coast of +Africa, or finally, shall have separated herself from the convoy, she +shall be in all respects both in going in and in coming out treated as +an enemy's ship, declared according to the tenor of the laws of war to +be good prize, as well as all her cargo, and all the crew shall be +made prisoners of war; because that in such a case the flag and +documents ought to be supposed false, the ship and cargo to belong to +the enemy, or that one or the other is destined for his service. + +"ARTICLE VII. The neutral vessels, which shall be visited by the +King's ships, or privateers, upon other seas or coasts of the ocean, +and the Mediterranean, which have no communication with the Straits of +Gibraltar, shall neither be stopped nor brought into port except in +the cases specified by the royal regulation, made the 10th of July, +1779, for privateers; no vexation nor violence shall be exercised +against the masters of these ships, nor shall anything be taken away +from them, how small soever may be the value of it, under the penalty +established by the said regulation, extended even by article +nineteenth to that of death, according to the exigency of the case. + +"ARTICLE VIII. In case the vessels, stopped by the King's ships or +privateers, shall throw their papers into the sea, and this fact shall +be juridically proved, they shall, for this reason only, be declared +good prize; which has been sufficiently made known by the sixteenth +article of the regulation for privateers, which treats of this object. + +"ARTICLE IX. If it shall be proved that in the cargoes of vessels +stopped, there should be found some effects the property of the enemy, +in such case, if the captain shall have declared it freely, the said +effects shall be unloaded alone, the freight of them shall be paid, +without retaining long the masters or hindering in any manner their +navigation, always provided, that as far as possible the said vessels +shall not be put in a situation to run any risk by the taking out the +effects before mentioned; a receipt shall be given to the captain for +the effects discharged, of the condition they were in, as well as the +amount of their freight as far as the place of their destination; +which shall be proved by their charter parties or documents, to the +end to be able to be satisfied, what shall be their due from the +Commissary of the Marine of the first port they shall make, that of +which they shall give notice by the way of the Ministry, to the end +that if the receipt of which they are the bearers has been given them +by a privateer, the amount of it may be paid by the owners, and if it +has been furnished them by a King's ship, measures the most convenient +in this respect shall be taken, that in case it should be judged +absolutely necessary to conduct the said vessels into some port there +to discharge them, they may be indemnified for that which shall be +due to them, by reason of their freight, for so many days as it shall +be judged indispensably necessary for them to take up, both in going +to the said ports and in returning; but, nevertheless, in case the +captains should conceal the effects, the property of the enemy, or +deny that they belong to the enemy, they ought to be pursued +juridically, and the Judges of the Marine shall examine the case and +decide it, with liberty of appeal to a council of war, who, +conformably to the usage of the English tribunals, shall declare +lawful prize all these effects, which shall appear legally to belong +to an enemy, by means of which, considering the concealment and the +denial of the said effects, no account shall be made, neither of the +freight nor of the days lost to masters of vessels, since they will +have been themselves the causes of the delay occasioned to their +navigation. + +"ARTICLE X. When in the said case, or in others similar, the ships of +friends or of neutrals shall be stopped and brought into the ports, +other than those of their destination, contrary to the forms +prescribed or without having given cause for it by well founded +reasons, either by the direction of their course, or by the state of +their papers, by some resistance on their part, the nature of their +cargo, or by other legal causes, founded either on treaties or the +usages of nations universally adopted, the armed vessels, which shall +have seized such vessels, shall be condemned to make good the lost +days as well as the damages and prejudices caused to a seized ship; +this condemnation or justification shall be mentioned in the same +sentence, which shall contain the declarations of good or bad prize, +and to this end they shall proceed with the utmost despatch without +injuring however the privileges or principal points, whereof the +nature of the thing requires observance, and the decisions, whether of +condemnation or acquittal, ought to be executed under sureties, as it +is regulated for the advantage of privateers; and if it happens that +the vessels, which should have caused the damage, belong to the King, +in that case the tribunals or Judges of the Marine shall give notice +of it to the Secretary of your Excellency, sending to him at the same +time justifying pieces and their opinion, to the end that his Majesty +may ordain convenient damages, and what shall be judged necessary to +prevent or remedy like cases; and it is in this sense that the +fortieth and other articles of the regulation for privateering ought +to be understood. + +"ARTICLE XI. The sale of prizes and their cargoes, mentioned by the +thirtyseventh, fortyfourth, and other articles of the royal ordinance +for privateering, shall be made, not only after having prepared an +inventory of them, and in presence of the masters of the interested, +or of those who are legally authorised, but also skilful persons shall +have previously made a formal estimate, in which the causes of +avarice, or others influencing more or less upon the price of effects, +shall be examined and juridically proved, in such sort, that at all +times one may notoriously prove both the price of merchandises taxed +before the sale, and consequently the frauds which might be committed +during the said sale, as well as the prejudices that might result from +them. + +"ARTICLE XII. The intention of his Majesty being, that this royal +declaration be observed, as making part of his ordinances imprinted +and published in all his ports and maritime places, the King commands +me to transmit it to your Excellency, to have it published to this +end, and that you see to its punctual execution, while, on my part, I +shall communicate it to all the Ambassadors and foreign Ministers +residing in this Court, to the end that each one may give notice of it +to his respective nation. + +"ARTICLE XIII. In the meantime, his Majesty requires your Excellency +to give also the necessary orders to the tribunals and counsellors of +the Marine, that they may expedite, with the utmost diligence, the +processes begun relative to stopped vessels conformably to the spirit +of this royal declaration, which as to the essentials agrees with the +precedent ones successively published." + +Thus I have gone through these lengthy state papers, but am under +fearful apprehensions that Congress will find the translation +imperfect in some parts, for I have not time to revise it. I may take +this opportunity to observe, that I have sent many state papers to +Congress, which were originally in English, but which I have first +found in the foreign gazettes and translated from them; which will +account to Congress for the difference, which they will see between +some papers I have sent and the originals. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, May 8th, 1780. + + Sir, + +There is an article of news from the Hague of the 3d of May, that they +write from Dort, that the recruits of Anspach and of Hanover, in the +pay of England, are embarked there and sailed from that city the day +before yesterday, in order to go to their destination. + +There is news also from Stockholm of the 18th of April, that the +ordinance, which the College of the Admiralty has expedited to all the +agents and consuls, who reside in foreign countries, relating to the +convoys necessary to the protection of the commerce of the subjects of +this kingdom, is as follows, dated Stockholm, April 1st. + +"His Majesty having found it necessary to equip a certain number of +vessels of war and frigates, during this year, to the end to protect +the navigation of Swedish merchants, the College of the Admiralty, in +consequence, makes known, that besides the vessels of war, which are +to protect the vessels of other nations destined for the ports of this +kingdom, to the end, that no hostilities may be committed upon the +coasts of Sweden, the said College has further judged it necessary, +that some frigates ought to serve as convoys to the Swedish ships, +which go to navigate without the Baltic sea. To this purpose, the +Royal College of the Admiralty has judged proper to give notice, that +the Road of Elsinore will be the rendezvous of all the vessels, which +would take advantage of the convoys, and which will sail at four +different times, to wit; + +"The first convoy will sail the 29th of May, with the merchant +vessels, which may be ready, under the escort of the frigate the +Zwarte Orn, commanded by the Major Harald Christiernin, who has orders +to conduct them by the Canal, [?] as far as Cape Finisterre, and take +all possible care that the vessels arrive in safety in the ports of +their destinations, and afterwards to conduct under his convoy, +destined for the Mediterranean, with the same vigilance, through the +Strait of Gibraltar, as far as the latitude of Malaga. The second +convoy will sail the 14th of July, with the frigate Höken, under the +command of the Major and Chevalier Samuel Orrskiold, who is to convoy +with the same care the merchant ships as far as Cape Finisterre. + +"The third will put to sea the 31st of August under the protection of +the frigate Upland, commanded by the Major and Baron Solomon Christian +Von Kokler. Finally, the fourth convoy will sail on the 30th of +September, escorted by the frigates Sodermanland and the Jaramas, +commanded by the Majors and Chevaliers C. M. Wagenfelt and Herns +Frederic Watchmeister, who are to convoy with the same care the +merchant ships as far as Cape Finisterre, and afterwards those which +are destined for Portugal, Spain, and the Mediterranean, as well as +along the coast of Europe, as far as Leghorn; the commandant being to +consult with the consuls of their nation where they cruise during the +winter months, to the end to protect the ships of Swedish subjects, +which trade in the Mediterranean; after which, the said frigates are +to repair towards the middle of February to Malaga, and make in the +latitude of that port their cruises until the end of that month, to +return after that, taking under their convoy the vessels from thence, +and those coming from the Mediterranean, to reconduct them through the +channel into their country. + +"It ought not, however, to be forgotten, that no merchant ships will +be taken under convoy, but those only which shall conform themselves +to the ordinance Royal of the 18th of February, 1779, as well as to +the neutrality, which his Majesty would maintain with the strictest +exactness. Thus the masters of Swedish ships are advertised by these +presents, and it is even enjoined upon them not to carry any succors +into the places or ports, which may be blocked by one or another of +the powers now at war. + +"Nevertheless, notwithstanding this arrangement, his Majesty will +permit, to the end that commerce may have its course and not be +retarded, that liberty be given to merchant ships to sail without the +said convoys, according to the circumstances in which they may find +themselves, as well as the facility to separate themselves at sea from +the King's ships, if their advantage requires it, in which case the +masters of ships shall be obliged to give notice of it beforehand to +the commanders of frigates. In one word, the masters of ships shall be +held to conform themselves to the orders, which the chiefs of the +convoy shall give them, and, consequently, to the instructions which +shall be delivered them." + +Copies are circulated in London, of the answer which the Court has +made to the declaration of the Empress of Russia, presented the first +of April to the Ministry by M. de Simolin, Minister Plenipotentiary. +This piece, which was despatched the 13th of April to the Chevalier +Harris, Envoy Extraordinary of his Britannic Majesty to the Court of +Petersburg, is of the following tenor. + +"During the whole course of the war, in which the King of Great +Britain finds himself engaged by the aggression of France and Spain, +he has manifested those sentiments of justice, of equity, and +moderation, which govern all his proceedings. His Majesty has +regulated his conduct towards friendly and neutral powers according to +theirs towards him, conforming it to principles the most clear, and +the most generally acknowledged of the law of nations, which is the +only law between nations who have no treaties, and to the tenor of his +different engagements with other powers; which engagements have varied +this primitive law by mutual stipulations, and have varied it in a +great variety of different manners, according to the will and the +convenience of the contracting parties. Strongly attached to her +Majesty, the Empress of all the Russias, by the ties of a reciprocal +friendship and a common interest, the King, from the commencement of +the troubles, gave the most determinate orders to respect the flag of +her Imperial Majesty and the commerce of her subjects, according to +the law of nations and the tenor which he has contracted in this +treaty of commerce with her, and which he will fulfil with the most +scrupulous exactness. The orders on this subject have been renewed, +and the execution of them shall be strictly attended to. It is to be +presumed, that they will prevent all irregularity; but if it should +happen, that there should be the smallest violation of these repeated +orders, the tribunals of the Admiralty, which in this country, as in +all others, are established to take cognizance of such matters, and +which in all cases judge solely by the general law of nations, and by +the particular stipulations of different treaties, would redress the +injury in a manner so equitable, that her Imperial Majesty would be +satisfied entirely with their decisions, and would acknowledge in them +the same spirit of justice which animates herself." + +This is said to be the answer to the Empress, and to be sure it is +complaisant enough; but still there is a great question between the +King and the Empress to be decided. The King says, that all the ports +of France and Spain are blocked by his fleet. The Empress says, that +none of them are or will be, but such before which the King may send a +number of ships to guard the entrance into them, and make it +manifestly dangerous. She adds, that she has armed and will arm to +maintain this construction of the word, and invites all the other +maritime powers to make a league with her in support of this +interpretation; and Holland has already answered that she agrees to it +with gratitude, and all the other powers will answer the same. If the +King gives up his interpretation of the word, there is an end forever +to the naval superiority of Great Britain. If he maintains it, it must +be by a war against all the nations that use the seas. + +But the government and nation are not yet forsaken by their +infatuation. They do not see in the declaration of the Empress, that +she has taken a decided part against them. But all the rest of the +world sees, that a declaration of war against them would not have been +a more decisive indication of the Empress' judgment or affections. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + +_P. S._ There is an article in the Amsterdam Gazette of the 2d of May, +taken from the Hague of the 30th of April, that "Mr Faucet, General in +the service of the King of England, has set off from his residence, +and we learn from Dort, that the English vessels are at last arrived +there, and that the recruits of Anspach and Hanau will be embarked in +a little time to go to America." + +This Mr Faucet is the officer (they call him General in the papers, +but I believe he is not more than a Major or Lieutenant Colonel) whose +whole time and service are devoted to picking up the recruits for the +German regiments in the British service. He constantly fills all the +newspapers of Europe with his motions from place to place, and gives +his accounts an air of mystery, which leaves the world, both in Europe +and America, to magnify the numbers he raises at discretion, or +rather according to their imaginations. But Congress may rely upon +this, that the service is very unpopular and odious in Germany; that +they are put to great trouble and expense, annually, to raise the +recruits whom they have sent, who have never been enough to repair the +breaches, and that this year they have not been able to get more than +last, and these will arrive as late as those last year, and in all +probability as sickly. + + J. A. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, May 8th, 1780. + + Sir, + +The English have a faculty of deceiving themselves, which has lost +them thirteen colonies, has brought them into a war, first with France +and then with Spain, has nearly lost them Ireland, and has at last put +them in a fair way of uniting all the other maritime powers of Europe +against them. Yet they are still able to deceive themselves. + +There is an example of this in the Hague Gazette of the 1st of May, in +the article Great Britain. + +"They make here a thousand conjectures concerning the declaration of +this Court of the 17th of this month, and the consequences which may +result from it. The declaration of Russia does not afford less matter +of speculation. It is agreed that it will render the three belligerent +powers very circumspect in their conduct relative to the commerce of +neutral powers, but the more moderate politicians cannot persuade +themselves, that this declaration is more hostile towards England than +towards the other powers at war, although our patriots, as they call +themselves, exert themselves to give it a turn, as if Russia had it in +view to break with England. + +"Since the unfortunate contest between Great Britain and her colonies +of America, the balance of commerce between Russia and England has +been, one year with another, more than five hundred thousand pounds in +favor of Russia, and there is also a very considerable balance in +favor of the other northern powers. But these moderate English +politicians ought to consider, whether this balance of commerce is +enough to prevent a great and able princess from seizing an +opportunity of distinguishing her character with the world and in +history, for wisdom, equity, and magnanimity, by rendering to mankind +a most essential service, by introducing into the law and practice of +nations a reformation of those errors, which the English chiefly had +attempted to establish; a reformation which the interest and rights of +humanity so loudly and manifestly call for, and by assisting in the +separation of the new world from the domination and monopoly of +England, which is also so obviously for the honor, the prosperity, and +the happiness of mankind in general. The English should further +consider, whether this balance of trade is likely to be less in favor +of Russia, for the independence of America, and for the security which +is aimed at for neutral powers. All the world out of England sees that +it will not." + +I will conclude this letter, by adding the letter of Lord Stormont, of +the 17th of April, to the Count de Welderen, Envoy Extraordinary of +their High Mightinesses. + +"The King has always hoped, that the faith of treaties and the ties of +an alliance, which has subsisted for more than a century, as well as +those of a reciprocal friendship, and a common interest joined to the +evidence of the danger, which threatens the Republic herself, if +France and Spain accomplish their ambitious designs, would have +induced their High Mightinesses to assist his Majesty to frustrate +these designs by furnishing him the succors stipulated by treaties the +most solemn. + +"But since their High Mightinesses have adopted another system, as +contrary to the interests of the Republic as to those of Great +Britain, since they have not made any answer to the repeated demand of +these succors, and have not even shown the least intention to fulfil +engagements so clear and so formal, his Majesty has found himself +necessitated to execute his intentions, which have been so clearly +announced in the Memorial, which his ambassador presented the 21st of +March last, and in the verbal declaration, which I had the honor to +make to you, by express order of the King. As you are perfectly +informed, Sir, of the sentiments of his Majesty, it only remains for +me to communicate to you, ministerially, the order which the King has +given in his Council, and to pray you to inform their High +Mightinesses of it. In reading this order, you will there see, Sir, a +particular attention to the interests of the commercial subjects of +their High Mightinesses. The publication of the memorial presented by +the Ambassador of the King, as well as that of the verbal declaration, +will, without doubt, render all further advertisements unnecessary. +But the King desires, that individuals should suffer as little as +possible from the consequences of a system, which their High +Mightinesses have adopted, and which appears as opposite to the +sentiments of the Dutch nation as it is to the interests of the +Republic." + +How confident these people are, that no other nation of Europe +understands its own interest. According to them, France, Spain, +Holland, Russia, and the other maritime powers and the United States +of America, are all acting, shedding their blood, and spending their +money for objects directly opposite to their proper interests. But it +is much to be wished that the English, for the sake of their own +preservation, as well as the report of mankind, could be brought to +think, that other nations understand their own interests very well. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO AN UNKNOWN PERSON.[1] + + [1] The name of the person to whom this letter was sent is not + mentioned in the original. + + Paris, May 9th, 1780. + + Dear Sir, + +I thank you for your note of yesterday, and the papers enclosed. + +The proposals for a general pacification, by the Dean of Gloucester, +whether they were written by him, or by another, were probably +intended to feel the pulse of France, or Spain, or America. Nay, it is +not impossible, that they might be intended to sound even so +inconsiderable a portion of existence as Mr John Adams. But it must be +something rather more plausibly written; something a little more +consonant to reason, and to common sense, which will draw out of Mr +Adams his sentiments on the great work of pacification, if ever he +should enter into any detail upon this subject, before general +conferences take place, which he at present believes he shall not do. + +Concealing, however, my name, you may take these few observations upon +these proposals. + +1. England may be heartily sick of the imprudent part she has taken. +This point I shall not dispute with the Dean of Gloucester. Yet I wish +she would give some better proof of it, than she has done hitherto. +But of Americans I can speak with confidence and certainty; and so far +from being sick of the part they have taken, they look upon the past +madness of Great Britain, which has compelled them to overcome all the +prejudices and weak passions, which heretofore bound them to her, and +to become independent, as the greatest blessing which Providence ever +bestowed upon them, from the first plantation in the new world. They +look upon it, that a council of the wisest statesmen and legislators, +consulting together on the best means of rendering America happy, +free, and great, could not have discovered and digested a system so +perfectly adapted to that end, as this one, which the folly and +wickedness of Great Britain has contrived for them. They not only see, +and feel, and rejoice in the amelioration of their forms of +government, but in the improvement of their agriculture and their +manufactures, and in the discovery, that all the omnipotence of +British fleets has not been able to prevent their commerce, which is +opening and extending every year, as their population is increasing in +the midst of the war. + +2. To suppose that France is sick of the part she has taken, is to +suppose her to be sick of that conduct, which has procured her more +respect and consideration in Europe, than any step she ever took. It +is to suppose her sick of that system, which enabled her to negotiate +the peace between Russia and the Ottoman Porte, as well as the peace +of Teschen; that system, which has enabled her to unite, in sentiment +and affection, all the maritime powers, even the United Provinces, in +her favor, and against England. It is to suppose her sick of that +system, which has broken off from her rival and natural enemy the most +solid part of his strength, a strength that had become so terrible to +France, and would have been so fatal to her. I do not mean to enlarge. + +As to the propositions themselves, it would be wasting time to +consider them. Of all the malicious plans of the English against +America, none has ever been more so than this. It is calculated only +to make America the sport of Britain in future; to put it in her power +to be forever fomenting quarrels and wars; and, I am well persuaded, +that America would sooner vote for a hundred years' war. + +I may be thought again too sanguine. I have been too sanguine these +twenty years, constantly too sanguine; yet eternally right. + + Adieu, + + JOHN ADAMS. + +_P. S._ I do not see Captain Waters's engagement yet in any of the +papers. I would have sent it to England and Holland for publication, +if I had known it could not be printed here. + + J. A. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, May 9th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to enclose to Congress proposals for a general +pacification, by the Dean of Gloucester. + +"Proposals to the English, Americans, French, and Spaniards, now at +war. + +"First. That Great Britain shall retain Newfoundland, with the desert +coasts of Labradore; also Canada, Nova Scotia, and the country +bordering on the Bay of Fundy, as far as the bay and river of +Penobscot. + +"Secondly. That all the country from the Penobscot river to the river +Connecticut, containing almost all the four populous Provinces of New +England, shall be ceded to the Americans. + +"Thirdly. That all the country from the Connecticut to the river +Delaware, containing the whole of New York, Long Island, and the +Jerseys, with some parts of two other Provinces indenting with them, +shall return to Great Britain. + +"Fourthly. That all the country from the Delaware to the northern +boundary of South Carolina, containing the greatest part of +Pennsylvania, all Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina, shall be +ceded to the Americans. + +"Fifthly. That all the country from the northern boundary of South +Carolina to the extreme point of the eastern Florida, containing three +whole Provinces, shall be retained by Great Britain. + +"Sixthly. That West Florida, chiefly barren sand, and the Fortress of +Gibraltar (totally useless,) shall be ceded to Spain, in order to +satisfy the punctilio of that nation, and that the Spaniards shall +give Porto Rico in exchange, an island on which they seem to set no +value and which indeed is of no use to them, though large in itself, +stored with good ports, well situated, and capable (in the hands of +the English) of great improvements. + +"Seventhly. Lastly, that the English shall give up the conquests they +have made on the French in the East Indies, who shall do the like to +the English in the West Indies." + +I shall make no remarks upon this plan, but there is no Englishman who +thinks of a wiser, or at least who dares propose one. All, who talk of +propositions, throw out something as absurd and idle as this, which +will convince Congress that we shall have no peace for some time. + +The French armament, which sailed from Brest the 2d of May, under the +command of M. de Rochambeau, of the troops, and M. de Ternay, of the +fleet, and the armament from Cadiz, of twelve ships of the line, +besides frigates and other armed vessels, with eleven thousand five +hundred land forces, with a fine train of artillery, which were to +sail about the same time, or earlier, both destined for America, as it +is supposed, will I hope bring the English to think of some plan a +little more rational. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, May 10th, 1780. + + Sir, + +On the 19th of April, Mr Grattan, in the House of Commons of Ireland, +moved a resolution, "That the King's Most Excellent Majesty, Lords and +Commons of Ireland, are the only powers competent to make laws to bind +this Kingdom." Mr Stewart seconded the motion. + +The Attorney General moved an amendment to adjourn the question until +the 1st day of September next. + +Mr Burgh moved another amendment, "That there being an equal +resolution on the books (in the journals in the month of July, 1641) +with the one now moved, the same may be, for that reason, adjourned to +the 1st day of September next." + +The House divided at a late hour on the original amendment, when there +appeared, ayes, ninetyseven; noes, one hundred and thirtysix; +majority, thirtynine. + +Thus the House of Commons have refused to pursue the sense of the +people, but these are so unanimous and so determined, that no +magistrate will venture to execute any act of the English Parliament. + +Philip and Mary, 4. chap. 4th, thus explains Poyning's law. "And this +act of the 10th of Henry the Seventh, shall be expounded and taken as +followeth, that is to say, that no Parliament be holden or summoned +within this realm of Ireland, until the Lieutenant, Chief Governor, or +Governors, and the Council of Ireland, shall have certified the King +and Queen's Majesties, her heirs and successors under the great seal +of the realm, the considerations, causes, and articles of such acts, +as by them shall be thought meet to be enacted and passed here by +Parliament, and shall also have received again their Majesties' answer +under the great seal of England, declaring their pleasure, either for +the passing of the said acts in such form as they should be sent into +England, or else for the alteration of them, or any part of the same." + +"Section 2d. After such return made, and after license and authority +to summon a Parliament within the said realm of Ireland, granted under +the great seal of England unto the said lieutenant, or chief governors +of the same realm, the same lieutenant, chief governor or governors, +may summon and hold a Parliament for passing and agreeing upon such +acts, and no other, as shall be so returned under the great seal of +England." + +"6 of George 1, chap. 5, sec. 1. The kingdom of Ireland has been, is, +and of right ought to be, subordinate unto, and dependent upon the +Imperial Crown of Great Britain, as being inseparably united and +annexed thereunto; and the King, with the consent of the Lords and +Commons of Great Britain, in Parliament, hath power to make laws of +sufficient force to bind the kingdom and people of Ireland." + +"Section 2d. The House of Lords of Ireland have not, nor of right +ought to have, any jurisdiction to judge of, affirm, or reverse any +judgment or decree made in any court within the said kingdom; and all +proceedings before the said House of Lords upon any such judgment or +decree are void." + +These are the political shackles, which the people of Ireland are +endeavoring to shake off; and if the war continues long, they will +succeed; otherwise, not entirely, although the authority of the +British Parliament will, undoubtedly, be much weakened. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +COUNT DE VERGENNES TO JOHN ADAMS. + +Translation. + + Versailles, May 10th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I owe you thanks for the different communications, which you have been +so good as to make to me. If the views contained in the letter, which +you have confided to me, are exact, you ought not to delay in +obtaining a proof; and in such case, it would be expedient for you to +ascertain what overtures it is expected you will make. I think you +should not refuse to listen to them. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + DE VERGENNES. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, May 11th, 1780. + + Sir, + +On Monday, the first of May, Mr David Hartley explained what was the +substance of his intended motion for Friday, respecting the state of +the war. In the course of his speech, he moved for a copy of the +French Memorial, entitled _Observations on the justifying Memorial of +Great Britain_, which contains many points of serious information +respecting France, Spain and America. He then read to the House the +three following motions; the first of which, originating in the county +of York, is to be made jointly by Mr Hartley and his friend Sir George +Saville. + +"1st. That it is the opinion of this House, that the prosecution of an +offensive war in America is most evidently a measure, which, by +employing our great and enormously expensive military operations +against the inhabitants of that country, prevents this from exerting +its united, vigorous, and firm efforts against the powers of France +and Spain, and has no other effect upon America, than to continue, and +thereby increase the enmity, which has so long subsisted between the +arms of both, can be productive of no good whatever, but by preventing +conciliation, threatens the accomplishment of the final ruin of the +British Empire. + +"2dly. That an address be presented to his Majesty, stating the +matter of the foregoing resolution, and entreating him to concur +therewith; representing, at the same time, that they think that they +should betray his Majesty and their constituents, if they did not +distinctly state to his Majesty, that nothing less than a total change +of councils, proceeding from the conviction of past errors, can +prevent the consummation of public ruin; but, at the same time, to +express their fullest confidence, that with a speedy and fundamental +reformation of councils, under a prudent and vigilant administration, +they shall be enabled to maintain the honor and dignity of this +country against any confederacy of France and Spain, and to effect a +reconciliation with America, upon beneficial, just, and honorable +terms. + +"3dly. That leave be given to bring in a bill, to enable his Majesty +to appoint Commissioners with sufficient power to treat, consult, and +finally agree upon the means of restoring peace with the Provinces in +North America." + +After which, General Conway rose to declare, that he had a bill to +propose on the subject of the American war, which he would lay before +the House tomorrow. He gave a general hint of the ideas he entertained +on this subject. He thought that Parliament ought to come to some +resolutions to agree on certain propositions, which should be held out +to the Americans as the foundation of a treaty of peace and +reconciliation. + +I shall give an account of the debates and decisions on the motions +when the papers arrive. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Paris, May 9th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have received the letter, which you did me the honor to write to me, +on the 10th of this month. + +Although the writer of the letter, an extract of which I had the honor +to enclose to you, may be right in his conjectures, that the British +administration wish to know more than they do at present of my +sentiments upon the great subject of a pacification, yet I have had +too long experience of their principles, views, and tempers, and I +know that they are too well acquainted with mine, for me to expect, +that they will directly convey any proposition to me. When we hear +them affirm in Parliament, that America is upon the point of returning +to an allegiance to the King of England, and that they seriously +believe, that America will return to such an allegiance; when the +members of the opposition, even those who are the most inclined to +peace, such as Mr Hartley, General Conway, &c. discover plainly, by +their motions and arguments, that their object is a separate peace +with America, in order to be the better able to gratify their revenge +against France and Spain, I can have no expectations, that they think +of applying to me, because I think they must be convinced of this, at +least, that I shall make no separate peace. I thank your Excellency, +however, for your sentiments, that I ought to hear them, in case any +overtures should be made to me. I should, in such a case, endeavor to +hear them with decency and respect; but it would require much +philosophy to hear, with patience, such absurd and extravagant +propositions, as are published in pamphlets and newspapers, and made +in Parliament, even by the members of the opposition, who profess to +be most zealous for peace. + +Our alliance with France is an honor and a security, which have ever +been near to my heart. After reflecting long upon the geographical +situation of the old world and the new, the agriculture, commerce, and +political relations of both, upon the connexions and oppositions among +the nations of the former, and the mutual wants and interests of both, +according to such imperfect lights as I was able to obtain, the result +has long since been this, that my country, in case she should be +compelled to break off from Great Britain, would have more just +reasons to depend upon a reciprocity of the good offices of friendship +from France, Spain, and the other sovereigns, who are usually in their +system, than upon those in the opposite scale of the balance of power. +I have ever thought it, therefore, a natural alliance, and contended +for it as a rock of defence. + +This object I pursued in Congress, with persevering assiduity for more +than a year, in opposition to other gentlemen of much greater name and +abilities than mine, and I had at length the satisfaction to find my +countrymen very generally fall in with the same sentiment, and the +honor to be appointed to draw the first treaty, which was sent to this +Court. These facts have been well known in America, even to the +tories, and the utility and importance of this alliance being known to +be deeply imprinted in my mind and heart, I suppose was a principal +cause why the present trust was confided to me by my countrymen. These +facts, although they may have been unknown in France, yet having been +known to the tories in America, I cannot suppose they are ignorant of +them at the Court of St James; I therefore think, that neither the +administration nor opposition in England will ever think of applying +to me, until they are brought into such a situation as shall compel +them to sue for peace with all the powers at war, which, to be sure, +does not appear to be the case at present, nor likely to be, at least +before the end of this campaign; nor then either, without some notable +good fortune on the part of the allies in the progress of the war. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO JOHN JAY. + + Paris, May 13th, 1780. + + Dear Sir, + +I had two days ago the pleasure of yours of the 26th of April, and am +very happy to have at last received from your hand an account of your +safe arrival in Madrid. + +The Count de Florida Blanca is allowed to be a man of abilities, but +somehow or other there is something in the European understanding +different from those we have been used to. Men of the greatest +abilities and the most experience are with great difficulty brought to +see what appears to us as clear as day. It is habit, it is education, +prejudice, what you will, but so it is. + +I can state a very short argument, that appears to me a demonstration +upon French and Spanish principles alone, that it is more for their +interest to employ their naval force in America than in Europe; yet it +is in vain, that you state this to a Minister of State. He cannot see +it or feel it, at least, in its full force, until the proper point of +time is past and it is too late. So I think it may be demonstrated, +that it is the interest of France and Spain to furnish America with a +handsome loan of money, or even to grant her subsidies; because a sum +of money thus expended would advance the common cause, and even their +particular interests, by enabling the Americans to make greater +exertions than the same sums employed in any other way. But it is in +vain to reason in this manner with a European Minister of State. He +cannot understand you. It is not within the compass of those ideas, +which he has been accustomed to. + +I am happy, however, that at length we have a Minister at Madrid; I am +persuaded, that this will contribute vastly to opening the eyes both +of France and Spain. I shall be always obliged to you for +intelligence, especially concerning your progress in your affair. + + I am, with much esteem, dear Sir, your servant, + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, May 13th, 1780. + + Sir, + +The answer of the King of France to the declaration of the Empress of +Russia is as follows, dated April 25th, 1780. + +"The war in which the King finds himself engaged, having no other +object than the attachment of his Majesty to the principles of the +liberty of the seas, he could not but see with a true satisfaction the +Empress of Russia adopt this same principle, and show herself resolved +to maintain it. That which her Imperial Majesty requires of the +belligerent powers, is nothing more than the rules already prescribed +to the French marine, the execution of which is supported with an +exactness that is known and applauded by all Europe. + +"The liberty of neutral vessels, restrained in a small number of cases +only, is a direct consequence of the law of nature, the safeguard of +nations, the solace even of those, who are afflicted with the scourge +of war; thus the King has desired to procure, not only to the subjects +of the Empress of Russia, but to those of all the States who have +embraced a neutrality, the liberty of navigating upon the same +conditions, which are announced in the declaration to which his +Majesty answers this day. + +"He thinks he has made a great step towards the general good, and +prepared an epoch glorious to his reign, in fixing by his example, the +rights, which every belligerent power may and ought to acknowledge to +be acquired to neutral vessels. His hope has not deceived him, since +the Empress, in determining on the most exact neutrality, has declared +herself for the system which the King supports, at the expense of the +blood of his people, and since she demands the rights, which his +Majesty would make the basis of the maritime code. If there were +occasions for fresh orders, whereby the vessels of her Imperial +Majesty should have no room to fear being disturbed in their +negotiation, by the subjects of the King, his Majesty would make haste +to give them; but the Empress will, no doubt, repose herself upon the +dispositions of his Majesty, contained in the regulations, which he +has published. They are not accommodated to present circumstances, +they are founded upon the law of nations, and they are consistent with +the character of a Prince, sufficiently happy to find always in the +general prosperity the measure of that of his own kingdom. The King +wishes that her Imperial Majesty would add to the means, which she +may take to fix the nature of merchandises, the commerce of which is +reputed contraband in time of war, precise rules concerning the form +of sea papers, with which the Russian vessels shall be furnished. + +"With this precaution, his Majesty is assured, that no incident will +arise, which will occasion any regret in any of the parties concerned, +at the measures taken for rendering the condition of Russian vessels +as advantageous as possible in time of war. Happy circumstances have +already more than once put the two Courts in a situation to experience +of how much importance it was, that they should explain themselves +with openness upon their interests respectively. + +"His Majesty felicitates himself, upon having an opportunity to +express to her Imperial Majesty his manner of thinking upon a point +interesting to Russia, and the commercial powers of Europe. His +Majesty applauds so much the more sincerely the principles and views +which direct the Empress, as his Majesty enjoys in common with her the +same sentiment, which has prompted this Princess to measures, from +whence must result equal advantages to their subjects and to all +nations." + +No state paper, that I have seen this war, has struck me more forcibly +than this. The simplicity, openness, sincerity, and truth of it, form +a striking contrast to the dissimulation and insincerity, which are so +grossly remarkable in the answer of the Court of St James to the same +declaration. The one is perfectly becoming the character of an august +King, the other is what I shall leave others to name. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + +_P. S. Copenhagen, 29th of April._ "There have arrived here, within a +little time, several couriers from Petersburg, some of whom have been +sent back, and others have continued their route for Holland, France, +&c. Since the arrival of the last, it is thought that our Court has +acceded to the project of an armed neutrality, and that it has already +agreed with that of Russia, upon the equipments to be made for this +purpose; at least orders have been given to arm as soon as possible +two ships of the line, the Princess Sophia Frederica, of seventyfour +guns, and the Danebrog, of sixty. These ships, commanded by Krieger +and Ellebracht, will go out into the Road immediately. The government +have determined not to keep the fleet stationed at Fredericksham, as +it has been for five years past; and the Vice Admiral Fischer, who +commanded there, having been recalled, will be relieved only by a +Captain." + +The following orders have been given by the King of England. + +"Whereas, after our Order in Council of the 17th of April, 1780, the +several treaties, which granted particular privileges to the subjects +of the States-General of the United Provinces, relative to their +commerce and navigation in time of war, are suspended, and the +subjects of the States-General ought to be considered upon the same +footing with other neutral States not privileged by treaties, until it +shall please us formally to signify the contrary; the commanders of +our vessels of war, and those of all ships and vessels of war, which +have letters of marque and reprisals, are authorised by these presents +and required to seize and detain all ships and vessels, belonging to +the subjects of the States-General, when they shall be found to have +on board any effects belonging to the enemies of his Majesty, or +effects which are considered as contraband, by the general law of +nations." + +The declaration made to the States-General of the United Provinces by +the Court of St James has been followed by prompt effects. The +privateer, the Neptune, has carried into Margate, the Grede Vizwagten, +going from Amsterdam to Nantes with a load of pitch and tar. This is +the fifth vessel taken from the Hollanders by the 5th of May, in +consequence of this declaration, which makes so much noise. + + J. A. + + * * * * * + +TO JOHN JAY. + + Paris, May 15th, 1780. + + Dear Sir, + +I shall not always stand upon ceremonies, nor wait for answers to +letters, because useful hints may be given, which would be lost if one +were to wait returns of posts. + +The British Channel fleet is reckoned this year at from thirtyfour to +thirtyseven ships of the line; but it is well known, that they depend +upon seamen to be pressed from their first West India fleet, in order +to make up this computation, without which they cannot make thirty. It +is, therefore, of great importance that this first West India fleet +should be intercepted. It will come home the latter end of June, or +the beginning of July; certainly not before the middle of June. A ship +or two of the line, with a fifty gun ship or two and five or six +frigates, would have a great probability of intercepting this fleet. +Is there any service upon which such a number of vessels could be +better employed, than in cruising pretty far in the Bay of Biscay, and +somewhat north of Cape Clear with this view? It is really astonishing +that France and Spain should be so inattentive to the English convoys. +The safest, easiest, and surest way of reducing the power and the +spirits of the English is to intercept their trade. It is every year +exposed, yet every year escapes; by which means they get spirits to +indulge their passions, money to raise millions, and men to man their +ships. + +Pray is it not necessary to think a little of Portugal? Should not +Spain, France, and America too, use their influence with Portugal, to +shut her ports against the armed vessels of all nations at war, or +else admit freely the armed vessels of all? Under her present system +of neutrality, as they call it, the ports of Portugal are as +advantageous to England as any of her own, and more injurious to the +trade of Spain and America if not of France, while they are of no use +at all to France, Spain, or America. This little impotent morsel of a +State ought not to do so much mischief so unjustly. If she is neutral, +let her be neutral; not say she is neutral, and be otherwise. + +Would it not be proper for Congress to discover some sensibility to +the injuries, which the United States receive from these States, such +as Denmark and Portugal? I think they should remonstrate coolly and +with dignity; not go to war, nor be in a passion about it; but show +that they understand their behavior. Denmark restored Jones' and +Landais' prizes to England, without knowing why. Why would it not do +to remonstrate; then prohibit any of the productions of Portugal from +being consumed in America? + +The prospect brightens in the West Indies. De Guichen has arrived. De +la Motte Piquet has defended himself very well, secured his convoys, +fought the English, even with inferior force, and got the better. De +Guichen's appearance dissipated all thoughts of their expedition, and +threw the English Islands into great consternation; but you will see +in the public prints all the news. + +The force from Brest, which sailed on the 2d, and that from Cadiz, +which I hope sailed as soon or sooner, will not diminish the terror +and confusion of the English in America and the islands. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, May 16th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have delivered to the Chevalier de la Colombe, formerly aid-de-camp +to the Marquis de Lafayette, and afterwards to the Baron de Kalb, and +one of my fellow passengers in the leaky Sensible to Ferrol, a number +of letters and three packets of newspapers. He goes in the Alliance. + +In a private letter, which I have received from Brussels, I am +informed there is a talk of opening the navigation of Antwerp. This is +a hint. And in the Gazette of France of this day, is a paragraph from +Vienna of the 14th of April, which is another. This Court (Vienna) not +having yet made any maritime treaty with the States of Barbary, and as +its commerce in the Mediterranean may be exposed to their corsairs, +their Imperial and Royal Majesties have resolved in their Council, +that there shall be this year equipped at Trieste and at Fiume one +ship and two frigates of war, for the protection of the commerce of +their subjects. + +Time will discover whether there is any English politics in either of +them. Two and twenty millions a year is enough, without sending +additional millions in subsidies. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO M. GENET, AT VERSAILLES. + + Paris, May 17th, 1780. + + Sir, + +General Conway, in his speech in the House of Commons, on the 6th of +May, affirms, that the alliance between France and the United States +is not natural. Whether it is or not, is no doubt a great question. In +order to determine whether it is or not, one should consider what is +meant by a natural alliance; and I know of no better rule than this; +when two nations have the same interests in general, they are natural +allies; when they have opposite interests, they are natural enemies. +The General observes, first, that nature has raised a barrier between +France and America; but nature has raised no other barrier than the +ocean; and the distance and this barrier are equally great between +England and America. The General will not pretend that nature, in the +constitution of American minds or bodies, has laid any foundation for +friendship or enmity towards one nation more than another. The General +observes, further, that habit has raised another barrier between +France and America. But he should have considered, that the habits of +affection or enmity between nations are easily changed, as +circumstances vary, and as essential interests alter. Besides, the +fact is, that the horrible perfidy and cruelty of the English towards +the Americans, which they have taken care to make universally felt in +that country for a long course of years past, have alienated the +American mind and heart from the English; and it is now much to be +doubted, whether any nation of Europe is so universally and heartily +detested by them. On the contrary, most of the other nations of Europe +have treated them with civility, and France and Spain with esteem, +confidence, and affection, which has greatly changed the habits of the +Americans in this respect. + +The third material, of which the general barrier is created, is +language. This, no doubt, occasions many difficulties in the +communication between the allies; but it is lessening every day. +Perhaps no language was ever studied at once by so many persons at a +time, in proportion, as the French is now studied in America. And it +is certain, that English was never so much studied in France as since +the revolution; so that the difficulties of understanding one another +are lessening every day. + +Religion is the fourth part of the barrier. But let it be considered, +first, that there is not enough of religion of any kind among the +great in England to make the Americans very fond of them. Secondly, +that what religion there is in England, is as far from being the +religion of America as that of France. The hierarchy of England is +quite as disagreeable to America as that of any other country. +Besides, the Americans know very well, that the spirit of propagating +any religion by conquest, and of making proselytes by force or by +intrigue, is fled from all other countries of the world, in a great +measure, and that there is more of this spirit remaining in England +than anywhere else. And the Americans had, and have still, more reason +to fear the introduction of a religion that is disagreeable to them, +at least as far as bishops and hierarchy go, from a connexion with +England, than with any other nation of Europe. + +The alliance with France has no article respecting religion. France +neither claims nor desires any authority or influence over America in +this respect; whereas, England claimed and intended to exercise +authority and force over the Americans; at least, so far as to +introduce bishops; and the English Society for Propagating Religion in +Foreign Parts, has, in fact, for a century, sent large sums of money +to America to support their religion there, which really operated as a +bribe upon many minds, and was the principal source of toryism. So +that upon the whole, the alliance with France is in fact more natural, +as far as religion is concerned, than the former connexion with Great +Britain, or any other connexion that can be formed. + +Indeed, whoever considers attentively this subject, will see, that +these three circumstances of habit, language, and religion, will for +the future operate as natural causes of animosity between England and +America, because they will facilitate migration. The loss of liberty, +the decay of religion, the horrible national debt, the decline of +commerce, and of political importance in Europe, and of maritime +power, which cannot but take place in England, will tempt numbers of +their best people to emigrate to America; and to this, fashion, +language, and religion will contribute. The British government will, +therefore, see themselves obliged to restrain this by many ways; and +among others, by cultivating an animosity and hatred in the minds of +their people against the Americans. Nature has already sufficiently +discovered itself, and all the world sees, that the British government +have for many years, not only indulged in themselves the most unsocial +and bitter passions against Americans, but have systematically +encouraged them in the people. + +After all, the circumstances of modes, language, and religion, have +much less influence in determining the friendship and enmity of +nations, than other more essential interests. Commerce is more than +all these and many more such circumstances. Now it is easy to see, +that the commercial interests of England and America will forever +hereafter be incompatible. America will take away, or at least +diminish, the trade of the English in ship building, in freight, in +the whale fisheries, in the cod fisheries, in furs and skins, and in +other particulars, too many to enumerate. In this respect, America +will not interfere with France, but on the contrary, will facilitate +and benefit the French commerce and marine, to a very great degree. +Here, then, will be a perpetual rivalry and competition between +England and America, and a continual source of animosity and war. +America will have occasion for the alliance of France, to defend her +against this ill will of England, as France will stand in need of that +of America, to aid her against the natural and continual jealousies +and hostility of England. + +The boundaries of territory will also be another constant source of +disputes. If a peace should unhappily be made, leaving England in +possession of Canada, Nova Scotia, the Floridas, or any one spot of +ground in America, they will be perpetually encroaching upon the +States of America; whereas, France, having renounced all territorial +jurisdiction in America, will have no room for controversy. + +The people of America, therefore, whose very farmers appear to have +considered the interests of nations more profoundly than General +Conway, are universally of the opinion, that from the time they +declared themselves independent, England became their natural enemy +and as she has been for centuries, and will be the natural enemy of +France, and the natural ally of other natural enemies of France, +America became the natural friend of France, and she the natural +friend of the United States; Powers naturally united against a common +enemy, whose interests will long continue to be reciprocally secured +and promoted by mutual friendship. + +It is very strange, that the English should thus dogmatically judge of +the interests of all other nations. According to them, the Americans +are, and have been for many years, acting directly against their own +interest; France and Spain have been acting against their own +interests; Holland is acting against her own interest; Russia and the +Northern Powers are all acting against their own interests; Ireland is +acting against hers, &c.; so that there is only that little island of +the whole world, that understands their own interest; and of the +inhabitants of that, the committees, and associations, and assemblies, +are all in the same error with the rest of the world; so that there +remains only the Ministry and their equivocal and undulating majority, +among all the people upon the face of the earth, who act naturally, +and according to their own interests. The rest of the world, however, +think that they understand themselves very well, and that it is the +English or Scottish majority who are mistaken. + + Your friend, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Paris, May 19th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to enclose a few newspapers, received by the last +post from Boston, by the way of Bilboa. There is very little news. I +have letters as late as the 27th of March. + +The most remarkable thing in the Pennsylvania Gazette is, that the +great seal of the Province of Pennsylvania was brought into the House +of the Assembly of that State, and by order of the House defaced and +cut to pieces, which, to be sure, is no proof of a desire to go back +to their old government. I do not see how they could have expressed a +stronger contempt of it. + +In the Independent Chronicle of the 9th of March is a list of prizes, +made by the privateers of the middle district of the Massachusetts +Bay, only since the last session of the Court of Admiralty. They +amount to nineteen vessels; which shows that privateering flourishes +in those seas, and also shows what havoc may, and probably will be +made among the English transports, provision vessels, and +merchant-men, when the superiority of the French and Spanish fleets +comes to be as clear, as it soon will be; perhaps, as it is now, and +has been, since the arrival of M. de Guichen. + +In a private letter of the 27th of March I am told, that two prizes +had just then arrived, one with four hundred hogsheads of rum, and +another with four thousand barrels of flour, pork, and beef, articles +much wanted by the enemy, and not at all amiss in Boston. + +The convention had gone through the constitution of government, and +had accepted the report of the committee with some few unessential +amendments. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, May 19th, 1780. + + Sir, + +The answer of the King of Spain to the declaration of the Empress of +Russia, is said to be in substance, + +"That the King has received with pleasure the overtures, which have +been made to him on the part of her Majesty, the Empress of Russia, +relative to the measures which this Princess proposes to follow, both +with regard to the Courts actually at war and the neutral powers; that +these principles are precisely the same which have governed the King +heretofore, and which he has endeavored to recommend to Great Britain; +that from the beginning of the troubles, his Catholic Majesty has not +departed from the system of equity and of moderation, of which he has +given proofs to all the powers of Europe, and that he is solely upon +the arbitrary proceedings of England, that he determined upon more +vigorous measures; that since the English, far from respecting the +neutral flags, have even allowed themselves to attack vessels, the +cargoes of which are authorised by treaties, it became necessary, that +Spain on her part should take care of her interests; that the King, +not content to confine himself to the frequent marks which he has +given of his equity, declares, moreover, that he is ready to show all +possible deference for those of the neutral powers, who shall +determine to protect their flags, and that he will continue faithful +to his engagement, until England shall put an end to those exactions, +which her ships do not cease to commit; that in fine, his Catholic +Majesty accedes to the other articles of the declaration presented the +15th of April, by the Sieur de Sinovief, but flatters himself at the +same time, that for what concerns the blockade of Gibraltar, her +Imperial Majesty will prescribe to her subjects to conform themselves +to the restrictions proposed by the ordinance issued at Madrid the +13th of March last." + +It is said, that in conformity to the resolutions taken by their High +Mightinesses the 25th of last month, the Count de Welderen has +presented a Memorial to Lord Stormont, who after having run it over +answered, "that he would lay it before his Majesty, and request his +orders upon the subject; although beforehand he could assure him, that +the King highly approved the conduct held by Mr Fielding, as well as +the manner in which he had executed his orders," adding, "that at +London we think that Mr Fielding conducted himself according to the +tenor of treaties, and that it was the Count de Byland that violated +them." + +This answer having given rise to an animated conversation between the +Count de Welderen and Lord Stormont, the latter employed all possible +arguments to prove, that it was the Count de Byland who had been the +aggressor, while, on the contrary, the Minister of their High +Mightinesses had asserted, and incontestably proved, "that their High +Mightinesses had never consented, that any ship found under the convoy +of one of their vessels of war should be visited; and that, +consequently, Commodore Fielding, who ought not to have been ignorant +of the treaties, and who, nevertheless, had so manifestly infringed +them, had been truly the aggressor, in sending out his armed boat." + +That as to the last point of the said Memorial, relative to the +liberation, without any form of process, of the vessels seized sailing +under convoy of the Count de Byland, Lord Stormont answered, "the way +of appeal lay open to the parties interested, but that it was not in +the power of his Majesty to transgress the ordinary forms, by making +any alteration in the decrees pronounced upon this occasion." + +Ireland, although her Parliament has discovered symptoms of timidity +or diffidence in postponing the great question to September, has not +yet finished her roll upon the stage. It should be remembered, first, +that she has postponed, not determined, the controversy. Secondly, +that all parties in the House united in declaring their sentiments, +that Ireland was not subject to any foreign legislation. In this, even +Mr Foster, who is reputed the Ministerial agent in the House of +Commons, and the Attorney General himself, concurred. Thirdly, that it +is still in contemplation to pass a mutiny act through the Irish +Parliament, which must be grounded upon the supposition, that the +English mutiny act is not binding; and whether such a bill shall pass +or not, many magistrates will not execute the English act. Fourthly, +the volunteers of the liberty of Dublin have resolved unanimously, on +the 26th of April, that it is inexpedient to remain any longer under +the command of his Grace the Duke of Leinster. Fifthly, the body of +lawyers, on the 30th of April, admitted Mr Grattan as an honorary +member of their society, and unanimously voted an address to him, +which, with his answer, Congress will see. + +I am very sorry it is not in my power to enclose to Congress the +English papers later than the 5th, because they contain intelligence +of importance, which is favorable to us from the West Indies. But the +packet from London to Ostend was taken by a French privateer and +carried into Dunkirk, after the mail had been cast into the sea. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, May 20th, 1780. + + Sir, + +In the House of Commons on the 6th of May, General Conway read the +title, and explained the clauses, of his proposed bill for +reconciliation or peace with America. It consisted in the repeal of +all the acts, which have revolted America. He desired, that the House +would receive it, add to it, subtract from it, modify and alter it, as +they pleased. + +Lord Nugent agreed to the necessity of doing something, which should +give Great Britain a hope of reconciliation with America; he did not +approve the tenor of the bill, although he seconded the motion, but +invited the House to prepare one. + +"It is certain," said Lord Nugent, "that in the alarming situation we +are in, it is of decisive importance to make peace with America, for +in fact we having nothing but her, there does not remain to us one +power in Europe, and what is worse, an armed neutrality against the +spirit of treaties, speaking the language of neutral powers, seconds +efficaciously the powers who are our enemies. It is about twenty +years, that the state of affairs is considerably changed in Europe; it +is the King of Prussia, who has effected this revolution. Considering +the turn, which affairs have taken under his reign, Prussia gives +actually as much umbrage to the House of Austria, as the House of +Bourbon gave it heretofore; so that on one hand the difference of +interests, on the other the influence of certain Courts, and in +several other Cabinets a profound indifference, have totally turned +what is called the balance of power; nevertheless, if those of the +Princes of Europe, who ought to sustain us, contemplate coldly our +fall, they have not only renounced the principles of honor, but they +have even lost out of sight their proper interests; for if they suffer +the House of Bourbon to become the first maritime power of Europe, +their States must in their turn partake of our fall; but they occupy +themselves with momentary interests, and sacrifice to transient +considerations those solid and permanent interests, which wise men +never lose sight of." + +By comparing this speech with the declaration of Lord Nugent's +repentance for having called us rebels, and the Ode to Mankind, and +altogether with the true state of facts and political interests of the +world at present, we shall see, that his Lordship is more of a poet +and an honest man, than he is of a great statesman; for in the first +place the armed neutrality is not against the spirit of treaties. In +the next place, it is not in fact the King of Prussia, but the United +States of America, who have effected the revolution in the political +system and the variation in the balance of power. Thirdly, it is not +because certain powers contemplate coldly the fall of England, but +because they see England is unable to stand in the rank she once held, +and that there is a new power arising in the West, in which they are +all interested, who will not only maintain her ground, but advance +with a rapidity, that has no example, and that it is the interest of +all the powers, that no one of them should have an exclusive monopoly +of the commerce or political weight of this rising State, that +stimulates them to favor it. + +But it is really surprising to observe how few persons there are in +England, who have reflected upon the present state of the world, and +have had sagacity enough to penetrate the true principles of its +policy. + +Mr Eden followed Lord Nugent in the debate, and indulged himself in +sporting with the flowers of rhetoric, and pleasantries of wit, +without many solid observations that deserve notice. It may not be +improper to remark two or three things however. "In general," says he, +"the object of the honorable member, General Conway, is extremely +praiseworthy; but the present moment is not proper for the pursuit of +it; it is not at present, that Parliament can say, we will grant this, +or will refuse that, because they ask nothing of us. Every unsolicited +offer will be regarded as a tacit confession of our weakness; a +useless instrument in the hands of the well intentioned inhabitants, +it will become an offensive and dangerous arm in the hands of +Congress. It is important for the present, to leave the scales in the +equilibrium where they are. The return of the Americans to the +suggestions of duty and loyalty now divides the Continent, by +diminishing the number of the supporters of rebellion, now shaken to +its centre. In such circumstances a manly confidence, wisdom, and +moderation may make the balance incline to our side. Precipitation in +our councils, superfluous discussions, domestic divisions, premature +and imprudent overtures, may draw it over to the other forever. I say +superfluous discussions, this is the most dangerous of all those that +I comprehend in the number, and consequently to put an end to it, I +demand the order of the day." + +Lord George Gordon seconded the motion of Mr Eden, not because he was +of his opinion, for he ridiculed it with all the wit imaginable, but +because the General's bill appeared to him to announce a commission as +ridiculous as that of 1780,[2] since probably they would not begin by +acknowledging the independence of America. Mr Cruger said, that if +peace with America could not be obtained without acknowledging her +independence, they ought not to hesitate a moment. Mr W. Pitt said, +that neither conciliatory bills, nor peace making commissioners, would +make peace with America. The Ministry must retire. The Americans will +never listen to any propositions until the present Ministers resign +their places to men, who have not lost the confidence of America by +deceiving them, and the confidence of the nation by imposing upon +Parliament. + + [2] It is thus in the manuscript, but it should probably be 1778. + +Here is another proof among many, that are given every day by the +opposition themselves, of their hunger for the loaves and fishes, and +that they do not mean with good faith to make peace, America would as +readily make peace upon proper terms with the present Ministry as any +other, and she would not make peace upon improper terms--with any +other Ministry sooner than with the present. + +Lord George Germain said, "If our reconciliation with America depended +upon the resignation of the present Ministers, and they were convinced +of the efficacy of this measure, I am persuaded they would take it +unanimously forthwith. Most certainly all good men in the kingdom +ought to wish, that peace may be made upon honorable and advantageous +terms. This is the wish of my heart, and I flatter myself, that its +accomplishment is not far off. This is not speculation, my opinion is +founded upon fresh advices. I firmly believe, that the moment of +reconciliation is not far distant. The state of profound distress, to +which the Americans find themselves reduced, has brought them back, if +not to duty in general, at least to reflection, and to a knowledge of +their true interests; and I can assure the House, that the greatest +number not only desire to return to their allegiance, but express the +desire of it, and testify that they are ready to seize a favorable +opportunity, and would not wait for any opportunity, if they were not +held in by the tyranny of those, who have made themselves masters of +power. I do not think, that the Congress will ever appear disposed to +enter into treaty, but the misery of the people, but the depreciation +of the paper money, but the burden of debt, under which the community +staggers, but the repugnance, which all orders of the people testify +for the alliance, which they have made them contract with France, the +little utility, which this alliance has been of to America, all +announce in time, that the different assemblies of that Continent will +not be long before they come to terms." + +It is really difficult to say what epithets ought to be given to this +speech. When a Minister of a great nation can rise in its great +Council, and with so much cold blood, so much solemnity, and such +appearance of reflection and deliberation affirm such things, what +shall we say? + +The absurdity of his distinctions is not less remarkable, than the +grossness of his misinformation respecting facts, that Congress will +not treat, but the several Assemblies will. Is not Congress the +creature of the Assemblies? Do not the Assemblies create the members +of Congress every year? Cannot they annihilate them every moment? +Cannot the Assemblies instruct their members of Congress? Cannot the +people instruct their members of Assembly? But it is endless to +remark. The same system of fraud and misrepresentation, which first +deceived Great Britain into this controversy and war with America, +still deceives them into the continuance of it, and will deceive them +to their ruin. This should be the less afflicting to America, as, +since there is every reason to think, that Great Britain will be +hereafter our natural and habitual enemy, disposed to war with us +whenever she can, the more completely she is exhausted, humbled, and +abased before the peace, the securer we shall be forever after. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + +_P. S._ The Chargé des Affaires of Denmark has notified to the +Ministry at Stockholm, the 28th of April, that this Court had acceded +to the armed neutrality, to which the Empress of Russia had invited +it, and he has requested, in consequence, in the name of his +sovereign, his Swedish Majesty, to enter into the same confederation. +Although no positive answer has as yet been given him, it is +nevertheless not at all doubted, that Sweden will concur with the +other neutral maritime powers, to restrain the excesses of the armed +ships and cruisers of the belligerent powers; an excess of which the +rencounter of the frigate Illerim, with a cruiser from Mahon, +furnished a new example, as was remarked at the head of the relation, +which the Court has published of it. + + J. A. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, May 20th, 1780. + + Sir, + +As my English papers, containing the debates on the 6th of this month +on General Conway's motion, are lost in the sea, I shall give Congress +the several accounts of them from the foreign gazettes. That of the +Hague gives the following account of the General's discourse. + +"Two powerful motives have induced me to undertake the formation of +this bill; the indispensable necessity in which we find ourselves to +make peace with America, and the favorable disposition in which I +suppose America to be. + +"To show the nature of the horrible war, which I propose to put an end +to, it is necessary to go back to its origin. I find it in that +committee of darkness, which met in this house fifteen years ago at +midnight. This company of black conspirators, who plotted in their +conventicle the destruction of the British empire, and sowed the seed +of all the evils, of all the disgraces, and of all the insults under +which England and America have groaned, from the fatal moment in which +this senseless committee conceived the extravagant idea of drawing a +revenue from the colonies, by taxing subjects in a house where they +had no representatives. Thank heaven I have no reproach to make to +myself. I opposed, in the time of it, this horrible measure, and +predicted the fatal effects, and I have the chagrin to see all my +predictions accomplished; from error to error, from one false measure +to another, we are arrived to the brink of a precipice, down to the +bottom of which we feel ourselves irresistibly hurried by the weight +of our debts. + +"From the time that the word independence, coming from America, +resounded in this house, we have endeavored to evince that the +Americans had originally this independence in view. Nevertheless, the +events have demonstrated that nothing was further from their idea. +When I express myself thus, I speak of Americans in general. I pretend +not to insinuate, that there were not among them some men of inferior +rank, who have thought that they saw their present interest in the +independence of their country. In so vast a country it is impossible, +that there should not be found some such senseless men, and I should +be more senseless, more absurd, than the absurdest of them all, if I +could doubt of it a moment. But again, once more; the mass of the +nation did not aim at independence; when we had forced this peaceable +people to a just resistance, what happened here? Our lawyers opened +the road of error; we never inquired how we could appease these rising +troubles. Grave men, distinguished by the most eminent talents, and by +the most influential offices, talked of conquest and submission; 'The +Rubicon is passed,' said they, 'the sword is drawn, it you do not kill +them they will kill you.' The lawyers were powerfully seconded by the +reverend ministers of a religion, which teaches peace and recommends +brotherly love. The robe and the mitre, animating us in concert to +massacre, we plunged ourselves into rivers of blood, spreading terror, +devastation, and death over the whole continent of America, exhausting +ourselves at home both of men and money, dishonoring forever our +annals, we became the objects of horror in the eyes of indignant +Europe! It was our reverend prelates who led on this dance, which may +be justly styled the dance of death! These reverend prelates have a +terrible account to give to their country and to their consciences; +they have opened upon them the eyes of the nation, who have justly +styled them the rotten part of the constitution. + +"Such is the horrid war, which we have maintained for five years. What +have been its horrible fruits! a ruinous war to sustain against the +two branches of the House of Bourbon; we are crushed under the burden +of an immense debt; at war with America; at war with France; at war +with Spain, without having a single ally or a single power for our +friend. On the contrary, seeing distinctly and without doubt, that all +foreign powers act directly or indirectly, in a manner absolutely +contrary to our interests, not to say in a hostile manner, there are +none, even down to the little inhabitants of Lubeck, of Dantzic, and +of Hamburg, who are not against us! This is not all. What is much +worse still, we see Holland, our natural ally, opposed to our +interests, and refusing us the slightest succor. We are precisely at +this moment the deer marked out for the chase, detached by the blood +hounds from the rest of the flock which abandons us! If our situation +is terrible, we need not believe, that the Americans repose themselves +upon beds of roses; far from it, and it is from the bosom of their +distress that the ray of hope issues, which in my opinion shines upon +us at this day. We have forced them to contract an alliance with +France; this alliance was not natural; nature, habit, language, and +religion, all conspire to raise a barrier between France and America; +all tend to bind again, between England and America, the natural ties +heretofore fortunate and happy. The Americans have not found in their +great and good ally, the friend that they sought in him; they have a +natural aversion even for the title of a King. They prefer the +republican institutions to absolute monarchy; they are overloaded with +an immense debt, the burden of which France has not appeared forward +to lighten for them. Their paper money is fallen to such a degree of +depreciation, that they have given forty dollars in paper for one +dollar in silver, worth four shillings and sixpence. The greatest part +among them, groan under the tyranny of those, who have made themselves +masters of power, desiring ardently the restoration of the ancient +form of government; their troops ill paid, and still worse clothed, +have been reduced to such dreadful extremities, that the last summer, +in the course of a fatiguing march, they saw themselves reduced to the +ration of a handful of pease a day; as for the rest, their allies know +as much upon this point as we. A Frenchman, distinguished by his +talents, sent some years ago by his Court to America to observe the +disposition of the people and the state of things, &c. in a letter, +which he wrote from the place of his destination, serves himself of +these remarkable expressions; 'one shall find in a coffee-house of +Paris a great deal more enthusiasm for the cause of liberty, than in +any part of America.' + +"Let us take advantage of these circumstances. Let us put an end to +the war of America, to the end that we may unite more efficaciously +all our efforts against the House of Bourbon. I believe we shall not +find much hostility. France has not gained, Spain has considerably +lost, let us strike both the one and the other more decisive blows. We +cannot do this without making peace with America. We cannot obtain +this peace but by offering reasonable terms of reconciliation. I have +maturely examined all which has been proposed before me. I have come +as near as possible to the plan of conciliation, drawn by the Earl of +Chatham. I may say, indeed, that I have taken it for my model. But I +have departed from it in the most essential point. The Earl of +Chatham's bill had for its foundation this express condition, that +America should acknowledge the sovereignty of Great Britain, and that +each assembly should furnish to the mass of the public revenue a +certain quota. Certainly, if we were to make at this day to America a +similar proposition, they would laugh in our faces, and would treat +those who should dare to make it, as smartly as they treated the +Commissioners, who visited her in 1778. The great object of my bill +is, that something certain should be done, which may be proper to +convince America of the sincerity of those views, with which we invite +her to enter into some conciliatory convention with his Majesty. In +one word, the title of my bill is an analysis of it;--_A Bill to +appease the Troubles, which have sometime subsisted between Great +Britain and America, and to authorise his Majesty to send +Commissioners, clothed with full Powers to treat with America._"[3] + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + [3] See Mr Adam's remarks on this speech, in a letter to M. Genet, + above, p. 101. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, May 23d, 1780. + + Sir, + +The public papers announce, that all the maritime powers have acceded +to the proposition of Russia respecting an armed neutrality. + +The following article from Stockholm is of the 2d of May. "Our Court +has accepted the plan of an armed neutrality, which the Empress of +all the Russias has proposed to it; and in consequence has given +orders to equip six more ships of the line; so that our naval force +will consist, like that of Denmark, of six ships of the line and six +frigates, whereof six vessels of war will remain in the port of +Carlserona, equipped and ready to be employed, on the first order." + +The article from Copenhagen is of the 9th of May. "The Court has +acceded to the proposition of her Majesty the Empress of Russia, in +regard to an armed neutrality, and in consequence, they are busy in +taking measures for the armament. Besides the four vessels of the line +and the two frigates, which they equipped, the Court have further put +in commission two other ships of the line, the Jylland of ten guns, +and the Mars of sixty, and they are taking all possible pains both +here and in Norway, and in the other Provinces of this kingdom, to +recruit the number of men necessary for this armament. Two of our +ships of the line, the Wagrien and the Infods, passed into the Road +last Saturday. The same day Captain Ziervogel, commanding a frigate, +set sail with the officers and crews necessary to bring here the two +frigates, which are at Fredericksham in Norway. The Russian ships of +war, Captain Spendof, who has wintered here, and the frigate of the +same nation, which was upon its return from Norway, set sail yesterday +for Petersburg." + +There is another article from Paris of the 12th of May. "The Court of +Portugal," they say, "has given assurance to ours of arming if +necessary to maintain the neutrality, and by means of the accession of +this Power to the system it appears, that there can remain little hope +to England of finding an ally, who will make a common cause with her, +and aid her to preserve the empire of the seas, of which she flattered +herself she would never be dispossessed." + +Another article from Hamburg of the 12th of May. "At a time, when +there is an extraordinary dearth of news, our politicians occupy +themselves about the declaration of the Court of Russia to the +belligerent Powers, and the proposition of this same Court to the +neutral Powers. Already, they say, it is no longer doubtful, that the +Courts of Sweden, of Denmark, and the States-General of the United +Provinces, have acceded to the proposition of the Empress of Russia, +and that they arm themselves. It is now the problem, to know if the +Court of Portugal will follow their example. In the meantime, our +speculators appear in general very curious to know, what will be the +measures, which the neutral Powers will take for the execution of +their designs, and at what time the plan of this armed neutrality can +have its effect." + +Another is an article from London of the 12th of May. "The day before +yesterday, the Court received despatches from its Ministers in the +Northern Courts, which confirm the news of a plan of confederation +formed by the Powers of that part of Europe, for the protection of +their respective subjects against the attacks of the belligerent +Powers. The despatches of Sir Joseph Yorke announce, they say, an +approaching negotiation between the Court of London and the +States-General, to the end to adjust amicably the difference arisen +between the two nations, relative to the capture of some Dutch +vessels, and the insult offered to the flag of the Republic, by +Commodore Fielding. It is believed, that this affair will be +terminated to the mutual satisfaction of the two parties, and that +this negotiation may well serve to pave the way to a reconciliation +among the Powers at war, to which there is no doubt England would +sincerely agree, upon honorable conditions." + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + +_P. S._ A second division is said to be preparing at Brest, of several +ships of the line and several thousand men. + + J. A. + + * * * * * + +COUNT DE VERGENNES TO JOHN ADAMS. + +Translation. + + Versailles, May 24th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have received the two letters, which you have done me the honor to +write to me on the 12th and 19th of the present month. I had no need +of your apology to induce me to render justice to the patriotic +sentiments with which you are animated. You understand the interests +and engagements of your country, and I am persuaded you will never +have any other object, than to consolidate both the one and the other. +You can judge by this, Sir, what confidence we place in your +principles, and what security we feel beforehand, as to the conduct +you will hold, in case the Court of London should propose to you +overtures of conciliation. + +I offer you many thanks for the American gazettes, which you have been +so kind as to send me. I will take care that they shall all be +returned. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + DE VERGENNES. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, May 26th, 1780. + + Sir, + +At a numerous assembly of gentlemen of the law in Dublin, held the +30th of April, Captain Henry Hewart in the chair, after having +collected the votes, Henry Grattan was unanimously admitted an +honorary member; and it was agreed with the same unanimity, that the +following address should be presented to him. + +"Sir;--The body of the gentlemen of the law, ambitious of associating +to themselves a man, whom they consider as an ornament of his country, +and as the firm support of her rights, unanimously prays you to accept +the title of honorary member of the society, as an unequivocal +testimony of their admiration of vast talents when they are displayed +in the cause of liberty and virtue. They request you, particularly, to +accept of their most affectionate thanks for the noble effort, that in +concurrence with several of the most respectable persons in the +kingdom, you made on Wednesday, the 19th current, in defence of the +rights of the people, and in endeavoring to unite the British Empire; +they assure you, that although the event has not entirely answered, +either to their expectations or to the nobleness of your efforts, they +are firmly determined to sustain their rights, such as they are laid +down in the resolutions, which you have proposed. They esteem it happy +to see, that without excepting even the servants of the Crown, all the +members of the House have acknowledged the truth of the principle upon +which those resolutions stood, although the majority has not accepted +them, alleging, that at this critical time it was not necessary to +renew the declarations already standing on the journals of the House +and subsisting in full force." + +To this address, Mr Grattan made the following reply. + +"Gentlemen;--I esteem myself infinitely honored to be a member of an +association, which has merited for a long time my attention and my +admiration. By declaring that there is no power capable of subjecting +this country, but the King, the Peers, and Commons of Ireland, you +render a great service to this nation, because you give to all the +other corps of volunteers the great example, to make the same +declaration of their rights under the sanction of your corps, who not +only protect the nation in arms, but by your knowledge and authority, +propagate the great principles of law and liberty. + +"In a country which possesses laws like ours, and men of your merit +agitate the great question of liberty, it is to be free. I rejoice +then that the rights of Ireland have been discussed. This discussion +has opened the eyes of a people, who had slept during the course of a +century, and forced almost all the representatives of this people, who +are susceptible of principle, to deny that any foreign legislature has +rights over Ireland; and makes this declaration circulate through all +the great associations of the kingdom, and will finally extirpate all +that remains of authority usurped by the British Parliament. + +"I observe, with satisfaction, that you think like me, that liberty is +the tie which preserves the union of Great Britain and Ireland. We are +attached to Great Britain, but not to its yoke. Common privileges +formed originally our connexion with Great Britain; these same +privileges will render this connexion indissoluble. If Ireland +acknowledged as a slave the supremacy of the British Parliament, she +would be the enemy of British liberty, because in that case she would +league herself with the Ministers to annihilate the system of +government, and precipitate all the subjects of his Majesty into a +state of equality. + +"I regard the liberty of Ireland as adding to the safety of that of +Great Britain, which, instead of protestations of loyalty extorted +from a Province devoted to pillage, will actually receive a tribute of +affection sensibly felt on the part of a free people. As a friend of +the constitutions of the two kingdoms, as desirous of an honorable and +permanent union, I esteem myself happy to see myself enrolled among +men, who have your courage and your principles." + +On the 13th of April, the British frigate the Hyæna, Captain Thompson, +arrived at Gibraltar at midnight, having escaped the fire of three +batteries, three chebecs of twentyeight guns each, and a frigate of +thirtytwo. Don Barcelo, in the Spanish Admiral, pursued him in a fifty +gun ship. The Don's squadron consists of six ships of the line, one +frigate of thirtytwo guns, three chebecs of twentyeight guns each, and +a number of fire-ships and gallies, which intercept all which pass the +Gut, and completely blockade Gibraltar, and the squadron of Commodore +Elliot, reduced to the Panther, the Enterprise, and three smaller +vessels. The garrison is said to be in good spirits, although a +malignant fever brought in by the Spanish prisoners has carried off a +great many men, particularly in the regiment of Highlanders. The wants +of the garrison, however, will soon be very great, particularly of +fuel. Captain Thompson carried the news, that they are soon to have a +powerful succor from Admiral Graves. It is very probable, that the +Ministry may send Graves to attempt to act over again the part of +Admiral Rodney, and after throwing assistance into Gibraltar, pass on +to America. It is to be hoped, that Graves will not have Rodney's +luck. It is pretty certain he has not all his dexterity. Yet I cannot +but think the Spaniards are imprudently exposed in that part. The +English have filled all the newspapers of Europe for three weeks, with +lists of ships of the line to compose the grand fleet in the channel, +which they have made amount to forty. But at last comes out a frank +and honest confession in the Courier de l'Europe, that they can muster +but twenty. + +On the 16th, Admiral Edwards hoisted his flag at Portsmouth, on board +the Portland, of fifty guns, and made the signal of departure for all +the merchant ships which he is to convey to the Banks of Newfoundland. +Sir Charles Hardy, commander-in-chief of the channel fleet, Governor +of Greenwich hospital, and a representative of Plymouth, is dead. +Rivingston is next in command, but it is said the place of +commander-in-chief will be offered to Admiral ---- who refused it +before Hardy was appointed. + +We read from Hamburg, 19th of May. "Conversation here turns wholly +upon the plan of an armed neutrality, proposed by the Empress of +Russia, and the more we examine, the more we are convinced of the +great advantages, which this plan will procure, not only for the +present, but the future. In the meantime we learn, that the neutral +powers will not delay to put to sea strong squadrons to protect their +commerce, and it is even pretended, that if the English continue to +molest neutral ships, it may well happen in a little time, that they +may form against them some enterprise of consequence. It is assured, +that the Hanseatic towns have acceded to the armed neutrality +proposed. It is reported, that conferences between the maritime powers +will be held at the Hague, and that they will be opened as soon as the +Baron d'Erensworth, the new Minister of the King of Sweden to their +High Mightinesses, shall arrive there. They say in London, that the +Baron de Nolker, Minister of Sweden, has presented to the Court a +memorial containing very lively complaints, touching the hostilities +committed by an English vessel against the Swedish vessel the Illerim, +commanded by the Chevalier d'Ankerlo, in which this Minister demands +satisfaction for the violences committed against the said ship. They +add, that his Excellency at the same time declared, that the King, his +master, was resolved to defend and maintain with his arms in his hand +the system of neutrality adopted by his Majesty." + +They say too, in London 16th of May, that government have had the +satisfaction to learn, that the convoy from Cork and from Plymouth, +consisting in merchant ships, and a considerable reinforcement of +troops, although dispersed after their departure, had arrived in the +West India Islands. + +_Paris, 16th of May._ "Divers advices announce, that the English, +since the declaration made to the States-General of the United +Provinces, have already stopped several Dutch ships, loaded only with +innocent merchandises, and whereof the transportation has never been +prohibited to neutrals by the treaties. This arbitrary proceeding will +appear, without doubt, so much the more surprising to the maritime +powers of the North, as at the same time his Majesty, always guided by +the principles of wisdom and the most exact equity, has sent the +strictest orders to all the commandants and captains of his vessels +of war, and privateers of his kingdom, to let pass freely and without +any hinderance all the neutral vessels, without distinction, even +although bound to an enemy's port, provided they are not loaded with +any arms, or warlike stores, whereof the transportation is forbidden +by the treaties. Of this we may be assured more authentically by a +letter written by M. de Sartine to M. de Mistral, Commissary General +of the ports and arsenals of the Marine of the King, and Ordonnateur +of the port of Havre, which is of the following tenor. + +'You know, Sir, that the war undertaken by the King has no other end +but the desire, with which his Majesty feels himself animated for the +maintenance of the liberty of navigation. In consequence, he has seen +with a great deal of pleasure, that the greatest part of the powers of +the North incline, and have taken the resolution to co-operate in it +already, by regulations relative to it, as his Majesty has made known +to the commanders of his squadrons, his intentions relative to the +measures and precautions, which the captains of his vessels of war, +and other vessels ought to observe towards ships belonging to the +subjects of the neutral powers, and which the former may meet at sea. + +'His Majesty then has charged me to repeat his orders given in this +regard, and to order you to exhort the captains and other officers of +vessels armed as privateers to conform themselves with more attention +than ever to the tenor of the regulations relative to neutral vessels, +and in particular to those belonging to the Russians. To this end, his +Majesty orders the captains of vessels armed for privateering, and +others, to use the greatest circumspection toward all neutral vessels, +and according to the exigence of the case, to afford them all the +assistance of which they may stand in need, not to give the least +hinderance to their navigation, although their cargoes may be destined +for the enemy's ports, nor to stop them, except in cases in which the +captains of French armed vessels shall have well founded reasons to +believe, that the said vessels navigate for the subjects of the King +of England, under the shelter of the flag of a neutral power, to the +end to avoid by this way the being visited according to the usages +established in such cases, or in which they shall attempt to transport +to the enemy the effects of contraband, such as arms of all kinds, and +other warlike stores. + +'The intention of the King is, that you give notice of these presents +to the Commissaries of the Department of Havre de Grace, ordering +them, at the same time, to send copies to all the captains of vessels +armed as privateers, and other vessels ready to go out, or who come +in, to the end that they conform themselves with the greatest +circumspection to what is here prescribed in regard to neutral +vessels, and in particular to those belonging to Russia.'" + +They write from Brest the 8th of this month, that they expected a +fleet from Bordeaux, loaded with stores, provisions, and wine, the +arrival of which was very necessary for the prompt equipment of a +squadron destined to transport a second division of troops, of four or +five thousand men. They add, that they expect also, with no less +impatience in the same port, the convoy, which went out from St Malo, +the 23d of March, which is still detained at Cherbourg, which consists +in a great measure in cast cannon and artillery stores, which are to +serve, they say, for a descent, which is projected in England, and +which it is strongly asserted the government has by no means +renounced. The latter part is probably only what we call a scarecrow. + +_Hague, 21st of May._ "We see here a copy of a letter written by his +Excellency the Count de Florida Blanca, Secretary of State of his +Catholic Majesty, to the Count de Rechteren, Minister of their High +Mightinesses at the Court of Spain, dated at Aranjues, the 1st of May, +1780, which is of the following tenor. + +"Sir;--His Majesty has learned, that the boat of a chebeck, commanded +by Don Barthelemi Rosello, having seized a Dutch vessel, named the +Spaar, Captain John Tierds Wagenaar, coming out of Gibraltar, where he +had unloaded a cargo of flour, which he was carrying from Ferrol to +Cadiz; on account of the purveyors of our Marine the said vessel has +been set at liberty, upon the declaration which he made, that he had +been taken under Cape Espartel, by the English privateer, the +Maidstone, who had conducted him to that place. Nevertheless, we have +proofs that the vessel has been met at the entrance of the port of +Cadiz, having at that time her cargo; that by consequence, her +pretended capture by the English privateer is a pure fiction, and the +introduction into Gibraltar of a load of five thousand one hundred and +sixtytwo and a quarter quintals of castile of flour, a manifest theft +committed upon the provisions of the Marine of the King; and to the +end that such villanies may be punished and prevented hereafter, his +Majesty has ordained, that a prosecution be commenced against the said +Wagenaar, and that I give you notice of it, to the end, that you may +inform their High Mightinesses, to whom his Minister at the Hague has +orders to complain highly of a theft, which ought not to have been the +fruit of the complaisance, which the King has used towards the flag +of the Republic. I shall add, that his Majesty hopes that their High +Mightinesses by the remedy, which they shall provide, and by the +severe punishment of the guilty, will spare him the pain of taking +himself the precautions necessary to suppress such crying excesses." + +In the Hague Gazette of the 24th of May, is the following article from +London, of the 19th of May. "On the 17th, the King returned from +Windsor to St James, and assisted at a great council. The conduct of +several Courts of Europe, in the present conjuncture, excites all the +attention of our Ministry; we foresee here what will be the effects of +an armed neutrality, and we fear that there will result from it +consequences dangerous to the general repose of Europe. There are +persons, nevertheless, who pretend to foresee, that this decision of +the neutral powers will produce events, which will facilitate an +accommodation between the belligerent powers, but that there will be +no question about it, until after that France and Spain shall have +made all their efforts to take away from England the empire of the +seas, and procure to Europe an entire liberty of commerce, two points +on which they found their present hostilities, and which serve as +attractions to excite other powers to enter into their views. England, +on her part, will employ all her forces to maintain her superiority at +sea, on which depends the prosperity of this country, and the safety +of its detached dominions; and although her enemies are numerous and +formidable, she is not without hopes, that the present campaign will +bring back the Colonies of America to their ancient relations of +interest, and dispose the powers at war to hearken to conditions of +accommodation." + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, May 27th, 1780. + + Sir, + +In the beginning of this controversy with Great Britain, the Americans +made such extensive researches into the principles of the British +constitution, and into those controversies which had taken place in +former ages, concerning their application to external dominions in +Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Gascoine, Guienne, Jersey, Guernsy, Man, &c. +and published the result of their inquiries to the world, which were +read with avidity everywhere, that I consider those publications as +having laid the foundation of most of the events that have happened +since. The proceedings of Ireland in 1779 and 1780 may be read in some +publications made in America in 1774 or 1775. I have long expected to +see something produced by the same principles in the East Indies, and +at last I find I am not disappointed. In the General Advertiser of May +13th is this paragraph. + +"We are authorised to correct the account, that appeared in this paper +on last Thursday, concerning the petitions lately arrived from the +East Indies. It is not true, that the British inhabitants of Bengal +have sent over a petition to his Majesty to abolish the Court of +Judicature established there. Their petition is addressed, and will +shortly be presented to Parliament; and so far from wishing to abolish +the court of justice, they only pray that its constitutional powers +may be restrained. The grand object of their petition is, to obtain 'a +trial by jury in all cases, where it is by law established in +England,' which they conceive is one of those inherent, unalienable, +and indefeasible rights, of which neither time nor circumstance can +deprive a British subject, living, under British laws, and which the +Judges in Bengal have lately ventured to declare they are not entitled +to, except in criminal cases. + +"The prayer of the Persian petitions already presented to one of the +Secretaries of State, from the natives of different districts in the +provinces of Bengal, Bahar, and Orissa, is, we understand, to be +relieved from the hardships they suffer by the establishment of the +English Court of Judicature. They express, in the strongest language, +their distress and terror at the extraordinary powers assumed and +exercised by the judges. They pray to be exempted from the +jurisdiction of a court, to whose rules they are utter strangers, and +from the control of laws, which they consider as calculated for a +different state of society, and which are abhorrent to the manners, +institutions, and religion of their forefathers." + +If this war continues, we shall hear more of the East Indies and their +claims. Great Britain holds them by a slender thread, and by the good +will only of a few individuals. + +Among the English papers, which I enclose to Congress, will be found a +Dialogue in the Shades between the Duke of Devonshire, the Earl of +Chatham, and Mr Charles York. It was written by Edward Jennings, of +Maryland, now residing at Brussels, a gentleman of great merit. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, June 1st, 1780. + + Sir, + +This morning a friend at Versailles sent me two English papers of the +26th and 27th of May, containing Rodney's account of an action between +the French and English fleets on the 17th of April. At the conclusion +of the battle, says Rodney, the enemy might be said to be completely +beat. How easy it is to say and write this! Much easier than to find a +sufficient number of persons ready to believe it. Such was the +distance of the van and the rear from the centre, and the crippled +condition of several ships, particularly the Sandwich, which for +twentyfour hours was with difficulty kept above water, that it was +impossible to pursue them that night without the greatest +disadvantage. He found it in vain to follow them with his Majesty's +fleet, in the condition they were in, to Guadaloupe, and accordingly +put away to Fort Royal Bay, Martinique, there to wait for them. + +The French Admiral appeared to Rodney a brave and gallant officer, and +was nobly supported during the whole action. The killed on board the +English fleet were one hundred and twenty, the wounded, three hundred +and fiftythree; four hundred and seventythree in all. These +circumstances are very far from giving authenticity to the idea, that +the French were beaten. It has every appearance of a third general +drawn battle, in which the English have ultimately the worst. Drawn +battles do not maintain the empire, the dominion, the sovereignty, the +mastership of the seas. To all these they pretend, and they must make +good their pretensions by clear victories, or they are undone. The +French Court has not yet received any account. + + +ENGLISH LINE OF BATTLE. + +The Sterling Castle to lead with the starboard tack, the Magnificent +with the larboard tack. + + _Rear Admiral Parker's Division._ + Guns. Men + + Sterling Castle, Captain Caskett, 64 500 + Ajax, Uvedale, 74 600 + Elizabeth, Maitland, 74 600 + Princess Royal, { R. A. Parker, } + { C. Hammond, } 90 770 + Albion, Bawyer, 74 600 + Terrible, Douglas, 74 600 + Trident, Malloy, 64 500 + Greyhound frigate. + + _Sir G. Rodney's Division._ + + Grafton, Com. Collingwood, Capt. Newnham, 74 617 + Yarmouth, Bateman, 64 500 + Cornwall, Edwards, 74 600 + Sandwich, Sir G. Rodney, C. Young, 90 732 + Suffolk, Crespin, 74 600 + Boyne, Cotton, 68 520 + Vigilant, Home, 64 500 + Venus, to repeat signals, Deal Castle, Pegasus, frigates. + + _Rear Admiral Rowley's Division._ + + Vengeance, Com. Hotham, Capt. Holloway, 74 617 + Medway, Capt. Affleck, 60 420 + Montague, Houlton, 74 600 + Conqueror, R. A. Rowley, Watson, 74 617 + Intrepid, St John, 64 500 + Magnificent, Elphinstone, 74 600 + +Andromeda frigate. Centurion to assist the rear in case of need. + +On the 24th of May, Governor Pownal moved in the House of Commons for +leave to bring in a bill, "to enable the King to make a Convention or +Truce, or to conclude a Peace with the Colonies, on Terms convenient +and necessary." This motion was seconded by Mr Dunning, and after +debate the order of the day was moved, which was carried by 113 +against 52. + +It is said, that Johnstone despatched C. Maclawrin from Lisbon to S. +G. Rodney with advice, that fourteen sail of the line, with ten +thousand troops, sailed from Cadiz to the westward the 28th of April. + +The Hudson's Bay fleet, consisting of the Beaver, Captain Moore, the +Sea Horse, Christopher, the Prince Rupert, Prichards, and the King +George, Fowler, have completed their lading at Gravesend, and will +soon sail. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, June 1st, 1780. + + Sir, + +In consequence of an advertisement published to this effect, the +corporation of the citizens of Dublin, having assembled on the 11th of +May, at Thalsel, the committee named the 29th of February last, to +prepare and present resolutions relative to the affairs of the times, +made the following report, which was unanimously approved. + +"We, members of the committee appointed at a general meeting of the +citizens; held the 29th of last February, having taken into +consideration the objects, the examination of which was committed to +us, submit to our fellow citizens the following resolution. + +"That we think, that it is the absolute duty of every virtuous citizen +to declare, in the most explicit manner, what he thinks relatively to +the great constitutional objects, which have been suspended in the +moment when we expected it the least, as well as to co-operate with +courage and unanimity in everything which can tend to the acquisition +of these same objects. That our sincere desire is, to maintain an +inviolable connexion between Great Britain and Ireland, to establish +and fix this connexion upon the only basis which can render it stable +and permanent; that of a royalty inseparable from the common rights of +an equal liberty. That it is at this time necessary to declare, that +the King, the Peers, and Commons of Ireland, are the only powers to +which it belongs to make laws for binding this kingdom. + +"That in putting in use all the constitutional means, whatever be the +public or private character with which we may be clothed, whether we +are magistrates, jurors, or simple individuals, we will maintain and +propagate these principles, and we will adhere invariably to the great +and important objects of our instructions, those of establishing the +independence of the Parliament of Ireland, and of obtaining a +modification of Poyning's law. + +"That all the plans of reformation, which may be proposed, are +necessarily vain and of no effect, while the influence of the Crown, +arising from the profusion with which the people bestow their grants, +and from the imprudent prodigality of Ministers, shall not be +diminished; and that we ought constantly to employ our efforts to +obtain a system of retrenchment and economy, to the end the better to +diminish the means of corruption. + +"That the independent electors of Ireland, are particularly called +upon to make their efforts to procure for the nation more virtuous +representatives, more equality in the representation of the people in +Parliament, and to study the most effectual measures to obtain these +desirable ends. We think that the said electors cannot better succeed, +than by refusing with firmness to vote for any man, provided either +with places or pensions, or who shall have acted in any manner +contrary to the inherent rights or manifest sentiments of the people; +and by giving for instructions to their representatives to make all +their exertions to obtain an augmentation in the number of members, +who represent the counties, the populous cities, and the independent +towns. + +"That we pledge ourselves to each other, and all to our country, by +all which men know that is sacred, to take the foregoing resolutions +for the rule of our conduct, and that at all opportunities, and by all +constitutional means, we will support the spirit and principles of +them. In testimony of this solemn declaration, we have all signed the +said resolutions. + +"_Resolved unanimously_, That the said resolutions thus signed by the +members of the committee, shall be deposited in the coffee-house, at +the Royal Exchange, there to receive the signatures of the citizens." + + +_Continuation of said Report._ + +"We, members of the committee, &c. propose further to our +fellow-citizens the following resolutions. + +"That our sincere thanks be presented, in the most respectful manner +to Henry Grattan, for the motion, excellently well conceived, which he +has made in Parliament the 19th of April last, tending to a +declaration, that his most excellent Majesty the King, the Peers, and +Commons of Ireland, are the only power to which it belongs to make +laws capable of binding this kingdom. + +"That thanks also be presented to the ninetyeight members, which +supported this great constitutional assertion; passed unanimously. + +"That our sincere thanks be presented, in the most respectful manner, +to Barry Yelverton, for the patriotic motion which he made in +Parliament the 25th of last April, to the end to introduce regulations +concerning the manner in which bills are transmitted from this kingdom +to England. The object of this motion being to hinder the +unconstitutional interposition of the privy council, in obtaining the +modification so much desired of Poyning's law. + +"That thanks be given also to the one hundred and six members who +seconded this manly effort; passed unanimously. + +"That our sincere thanks be presented to our worthy representatives, +Doctor William Clement and Sir Samuel Bradstreet, Baronet, on account +of the uniformity of their conduct in Parliament, and particularly for +the zeal with which they have supported the two important motions +aforesaid; conforming themselves in this to the late instructions, +which they have received from us, and seconding the general wish of +this kingdom; passed unanimously. + +"That our sincere thanks, and full of gratitude, be presented in the +most respectful manner to the noble Lords who have opposed, and to +those who had the courage to protest against the last paragraph of +the address, which the House of Peers presented to the throne, the 2d +of March, last. The said paragraph containing insinuations, which were +neither founded upon facts nor authorised by actions, implying +reproaches, which the people of Ireland have not merited, and +contained in these words; 'that they would use all possible endeavors +to discourage and disappoint all endeavors, which ill advised men may +employ to the end to excite ill founded fears in the minds of the +people of his Majesty, or to divert their attention from those +advantages relative to commerce, which have been granted to us in so +great an extent;' passed with three negatives. + +"That we earnestly request our magistrates not to give, in any manner +nor on any occasion, any effect to any law, which does not proceed +from, or has not received the sanction of the King, the Peers, and +Commons of Ireland. That while they conduct themselves thus, they +shall receive from us the most constant and the most firm support, to +the end to annihilate the ill founded hope, which may have been +conceived, of subjecting Ireland in any case to a foreign legislation; +passed unanimously. + +"That it is the opinion of this committee, that the two great and +favorite objects of the people, viz. a declaration of its rights and a +modification of Poyning's law, having been suspended in Parliament in +a manner so unexpected, it appears at this time of absolute necessity +to form a committee of correspondence, to the end to co-operate with +such other committees of the same nature as may be formed in the +kingdom, in the measures the most proper to give extension and safety +to the advantages relative to commerce, which we have at last +obtained; to restore still further our rights and liberties, and to +preserve the constitution of Ireland free and independent; passed +with one negative." + +The committee of correspondence was named upon the spot, and formed of +fifteen members. + +Thus a new epoch is formed in the politics of Ireland; hitherto they +had left the supreme direction of affairs in the hands of Parliament. +The people have now taken it into their own hands. The committee of +Dublin, by communicating with other committees through the kingdom, +will be able to conduct the body of the kingdom, and unite the various +parts of it in certain principles, which will by degrees work +themselves into a system, and complete the independence of Irish +legislation. This will depend, however, upon the continuance of the +war; for if England should be wise enough to make peace, of which +there is little probability, the spirit of Ireland will evaporate, and +their beautiful edifice dissolve, like the fabric of a vision. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, June 2d, 1780. + + Sir, + +We are informed from the Hague, of the 28th of May, that the merchants +of the Republic have presented two petitions, one to their High +Mightinesses, and the other to their Noble and Grand Mightinesses. The +tenor of the first is as follows. + +"To their High Mightinesses, our Lords, the States-General of the +United Provinces. + +"The undersigned, merchants, assurers, and owners of vessels, and +freighters, established in these Provinces, give respectfully to +understand, that it is with sentiments of the most sensible gratitude, +that the Commerce has been informed of the affectionate resolution +taken by your High Mightinesses to equip a number of vessels of war to +the end to protect the free navigation of the subjects of this State. +But as the petitioners were ignorant, that the activity of the +progress of the said equipment has to this time been retarded, both by +the sickness, which prevails among the crews of the vessels ready to +put to sea, and by the want of experienced seamen, necessary to the +equipment of vessels put into commission, and by other causes; while +in this interval the most favorable season for navigation slips away, +many ships loaded with merchandises dare not set sail from the ports +of this country, for want of the necessary protection; while they +cannot find means here, nor elsewhere, of insuring but a small portion +of those vessels and their cargoes, and that, even at enormous +premiums, such as have never before been demanded, being from twenty +to thirty per cent, which occasions an interruption and an inactivity +to their navigation so excessive as well as to their commerce, that +their total ruin must necessarily result from it; all the commissions +for merchandises passing elsewhere, without a hope of being able ever +to see them return here, which an unfortunate experience has already +many times proved. For these causes, the petitioners humbly pray, that +it may please your High Mightinesses, to grant and effectuate as soon +as possible the protection necessary; as the commercial interest on +their part are ready to co-operate effectually, to complete the crews, +and to submit to all prompt and convenient measures, which, according +to the exigence of the case, and the urgent circumstances your High +Mightinesses, according to your enlightened wisdom, shall judge to be +the most proper for the preservation of the commerce and the +navigation of your subjects." + +The second petition is as follows. + +"To their Noble and Grand Mightinesses, our Lords, the States of +Holland and West Friesland. + +"The subscribing merchants, assurers, owners of ships, and freighters, +all living in these Provinces, give respectfully to understand, that +the petitioners pressed by the urgent necessity, and to the end to +ward off the total ruin of commerce and navigation, without which +neither they nor the greater part of the inhabitants of the Republic +can subsist, have addressed themselves to your High Mightinesses, our +Lords, the States-General of the United Provinces, to solicit a prompt +protection, by the way of petition, of which the petitioners have the +honor to annex a copy. + +"Nevertheless, although the petitioners have every reason to flatter +themselves, that an arrangement equally ready and efficacious, will +soon fulfil their wishes; nevertheless, the better to complete their +views, and for the preservation of commerce and navigation, the soul +and the nerve of the prosperity of the Republic, and to the end to +prevent its inaction, as well as the total ruin of the petitioners, +which would infallibly follow, they think that it would be very +necessary, that it may please your Noble and Grand Mightinesses, to +second in this the petitioners, as in your high wisdom you shall judge +expedient and convenient." + +I have before sent a copy of what was published for the answer of the +Court of Madrid to the Russian Declaration. But, as that Court has now +published an authentic copy, which is a little different from that, +although more clear and better, I beg leave to trouble Congress with +a translation of it. + +"The King has been informed of the fashion of thinking of the Empress +of Russia, in regard to the powers, both belligerent and neuter, by a +Memorial, which M. Stephen de Zinowioff, Minister of that sovereign, +has presented on the 15th of this month, to the Count de Florida +Blanca, first Secretary of State. The King considers this act of the +Empress, as an effect of the just confidence, which his Majesty has +merited on his part; and it is to him so much the more agreeable, as +the principles adopted by this sovereign are those which have ever +governed the King, and which his Majesty endeavored, by all possible +means, although without effect, to induce England to observe, during +the time that Spain herself was neuter. These principles are those of +justice, of equity, and of moderation; these same principles in fine, +Russia, and all the powers have acknowledged in the resolutions of his +Majesty; and it is only by the conduct, which the English navy has +established, both in the last and present war, (a conduct, which +subverts the rules the most constantly observed in regard to neutral +powers) that his Majesty has seen himself under the necessity of +imitating it; because the English not respecting the neutral flag, +when it had on board the effects of an enemy, although they were not +contraband, and this flag not defending itself against these +violences, they could not, with justice, hinder Spain from using equal +reprisals, to secure herself from the enormous prejudice, which would +result from an inequality in this respect. + +"The neutral powers, on their side, have also given occasion to the +inconveniences, which they have suffered, by having served themselves +with double papers, and other artifices, to the end to prevent the +capture of their vessels. From this have followed the numerous +captures and detentions, as well as the consequences, which have +resulted from them; although in truth, these have not been so +prejudicial as has been pretended. On the contrary, we know, that some +of these detentions have turned to the advantage of the owners of the +cargoes; the provisions, of which they were composed, having been sold +in the port where the ships were tried, at a price higher than the +price current at the place of their destination. + +"The King, nevertheless, not content with these proofs of his +justification, manifested to the eyes of all Europe, would at this day +have the glory of being the first to give the example of respecting +the neutral flag of all the Courts, which have consented, or which +shall consent, to defend it, until his Majesty shall see the part, +which the English navy shall take, and until he shall discover, by +experience, whether this navy will restrain itself or not, as well as +the English privateers. And to this end to make it appear to all the +powers how ready Spain is to observe, now she is at war, the same +rules, which she desired while she was neuter, his Majesty conforms +himself to the other points contained in the declaration of Russia, it +being well understood, that what concerns the place blockaded, of +Gibraltar, the danger of entering into that subsists in the manner in +which this point is ascertained by the fourth article of the said +declaration, by the means of the number of vessels stationed there to +form the blockade; a danger, however, which the neutral vessels may +avoid, by conforming to the rules of precaution established in the +declaration of his Majesty, of the 13th of March last, which has been +communicated to the Court of Petersburg by the means of its Minister. + + "Aranjuez, the 18th of April, 1780. + + DE FLORIDA BLANCA." + + * * * * * + +There are two articles worth translating from the foreign gazettes, if +it were only as specimens of the art, which is employed to keep the +enemy in uncertainty about the designs of this Court, and the +destinations of their fleets, whether successfully or not. + +The first is, Amsterdam, 29th of May. A letter from Toulon, of the 8th +of this month, contains the following details. "Orders have arrived +here from Court, to send out into the Road, as soon as may be, the +ships of the line, the Zélé and the Marseillois; but as the +destination of these two ships is kept extremely secret, we exhaust +ourselves in conjectures concerning the object of the operations, +which they are ordered to execute. Some will have it, that they have +orders to go and join the squadron of Don Solano, which sailed from +Cadiz the 28th of last month, which it is pretended is bound to Brest. +Others presume, that they have no other commission, than to go and +cruise in the neighborhood of Mahon, to keep in the privateers, which +frequently come out from thence, and which give extreme trouble to the +navigation of the ports of the Mediterranean; in fine, there are some +who believe that these vessels are to co-operate in an important +enterprise, which is to be attempted in that sea. However this may be, +as we know that a number of vessels have been taken up upon freight, +on account of the King, and that they may easily embark in our port +eleven or twelve thousand men; as moreover, it is more than probable +that on the one hand, the entrance of the Straits of Gibraltar being +sufficiently guarded by the Spaniards, so that there will not be +occasion for a strong squadron to protect the transport vessels, which +may be employed in an expedition against Mahon; and that on the other +hand, the English being sufficiently occupied on diverse sides, may +not be able easily to send to the relief of this island, we conclude +from the combination of these different circumstances, that it may +very well happen, that they may attempt this conquest, the success of +which does not appear in effect to present any very insurmountable +difficulties, and which would procure, after all, an advantage +sufficiently important to the good of our commerce in general to merit +that at least we should make the essay." + +The other article is in the Amsterdam Gazette of the 30th of May, and +from Paris the 23d of May, 1780. + +"We are of opinion here, that M. de Ternay is ordered to conduct the +division of M. de Rochambeau to Canada, and that with so much the more +foundation, as we see everywhere what M. de Sartine has published of +the despatches of the Count de Guichen, that the arrival of his +squadron in the seas of the Antilles, was sufficient to give us there +a decided superiority. We cannot, moreover, but applaud the prudence +of M. de Guichen and M. de Bouillé, in not sacrificing, perhaps in +vain, a great many lives, to expel the English from the island of St +Lucia, these two Generals having, without doubt, designs more +important, and the success of which appears to them more certain, +which naturally raises conjectures, that M. de Guichen proposed very +soon to put to sea. However this may be, there are, nevertheless, +other people who presume, that if the Count de Rochambeau does not go +directly to Canada, he may very well go and disembark at Rhode +Island, where he may make a place of arms, in order to go from thence, +and join himself to General Washington, and attack New York together, +while it is unfurnished with a strong garrison." + +In this manner it is, that some person or other is employed to give +scope to the speculations and conjectures of the public, while the +Courts of Europe flatter themselves, that their real Councils are kept +secret. There is reason, however, to believe that, in fact, the +Councils of all the Courts of Europe are penetrated by their enemies. +The Councils of Congress, in many striking and important instances, +although necessarily confided to such numbers, have been much more +inviolably kept, without the aid of hired paragraph writers to +disguise them. Our character and interest depend upon improving this +fidelity, as well as upon discountenancing both by manners and +authority, that base art so prevalent in Europe, that of political +lying. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, June 2d, 1780. + + Sir, + +When a Minister of an ancient nation, which has been renowned for its +wisdom and virtue, as well as power, rises in a popular assembly, +which is the most conspicuous theatre in Europe, and declares, as it +were, in the face of all the world, and with an air of reflection, of +deliberation, and of solemnity, that such and such are his own +opinions, concerning the truth of facts, and the probability of future +events, one cannot call in question his good faith, although we may +know his information to be false, and his judgment erroneous. + +Lord George Germain, in the debate in the House of Commons, on the 6th +of May, declared, that "he flattered himself the completion of the +chief wish of his heart, peace with America, on what he thought good +and honorable terms for Great Britain, was not far off. He verily +believed, and his belief was not merely speculative, but founded on +recent information, that the moment of conciliation was near. His +Lordship described the misery, which the Americans felt at this time, +and stated, that the greatest majority of the people there were ready +and desirous to return to their allegiance, but that they were +prevented by the tyranny of those, who had got the power of government +into their own hands. He did not believe the Congress would ever treat +for peace, but from the condition of affairs in America, from the +depreciation of their paper currency, from the poverty and distress of +the country, from the great debt it groaned under, from the +dissatisfaction, which all ranks of people expressed at the alliance +with France, from the little benefit America had derived from that +alliance; from all these considerations he did believe, that the +people of America and the Assemblies of America would soon come to +terms." + +There may be some ambiguity in the phrase, "good and honorable terms +for Great Britain;" but there can be no reasonable doubt, that his +Lordship meant either to return to their allegiance to Great Britain, +or at least to make a peace with her, separate from France. Whether +the Americans ever will agree to such terms or not, being a question +concerning a future event, cannot be decided by witnesses, nor any +other way, but by probable arguments. There is one argument, which his +Lordship does not appear to have considered. It is of some weight. It +is this, that in order to return to their allegiance to the King of +England, or make a peace with him, separate from France, they must +involve themselves in a certain war with France and Spain, at least, +and indeed, according to present appearances, with Russia, Sweden, +Denmark, Holland, and Portugal, for every one of these powers appear +to be as decided against the claims, pretensions, and usurpations of +Great Britain upon the seas, as France and Spain are. There is not an +American merchant, yeoman, tradesman, or seaman, but knows this, or +will know it very soon. Americans must therefore be destitute of that +common share of reason, which God has given to men, to exchange the +friendship of all the nations of the world for their enmity, merely +for the sake of returning to a connexion with Great Britain, which +could not protect them, and which they have the best reasons to dread +as the greatest evil that could befal them, from the unheard of +tyrannies and cruelties they have already experienced from her. His +Lordship is desired to consider this, and to ask himself if he was an +American, whether he would wish to run under the broken fragments of +an empire, that is dashed in pieces, like a china vase, and commence a +fresh war against a combination of all the nations of the world, who +discover a degree of esteem and regard for America. + +If the Americans are as miserable as his Lordship represents them, +will they be likely to increase that misery tenfold, and make it +perpetual, by exposing the cause of a ruined empire, and going to war +with half a dozen that are not ruined? + +If we believe the testimonies of witnesses, who come from all parts of +America, we shall be convinced, that his Lordship deceives himself. +Every man from that country, who knows the principles and opinions of +the people, declares, that they are, with an unanimity, that is +unexampled in any other revolution, firmly determined to maintain +their sovereignty and their alliances, and that there is nobody there +who utters a wish of returning to the government of Great Britain, or +even of making a separate peace. + +But if his Lordship was a candid inquirer after truth, and had a mind +sufficiently enlightened to discover the means, that are in the power +of all men, of obtaining it, he might have seen his error. There are +certain marks, by which the opinions, principles, inclinations, and +wishes of a people, may be discovered with infallible certainty, +without recurring to witnesses, or to far fetched arguments. + +The press, the towns, the juries, and the Assemblies, are four +sources, from whence an unerring demonstration of the true sentiments +of the people of America may be drawn. There is not in any nation of +the world so unlimited a freedom of the press as is now established in +every State of America, both by law and practice. Every man in Europe, +who reads their newspapers, must see it. There is nothing that the +people dislike, that they do not attack. They attack officers of every +rank in the militia, and in the army; they attack judges, governors, +and magistrates, of every denomination. They attack Assemblies, and +Councils, members of Congress, and Congress itself, whenever they +dislike their conduct. But I appeal to every newspaper upon the +Continent, whether one paragraph, one wish, or hint of returning to +the government of Great Britain, or of making a separate peace, has +ever appeared. + +The towns in many parts of America are small districts of territory, +on an average perhaps six miles square. By the ancient laws of the +country, which are still in force, any seven inhabitants of one of +these towns have a right to demand of the magistrates a public +assembly of all. There are necessarily several of these town meetings +every year, and generally a great number of them. In these assemblies, +every man, high and low, every yeoman, tradesman, and even day +laborer, as well as every gentleman and public magistrate, has a right +to vote, and to speak his sentiments upon public affairs, to propose +measures, to instruct their representatives in the Legislature, &c. +This right was constantly and frequently used under the former +government, and is now much more frequently used under the new. The +world has seen some hundreds of sets of instructions to +representatives under the former government, wherein they enjoined an +open opposition to judges, governors, acts of Parliament, King, Lords, +and Commons of Great Britain. What is there now to prevent them from +opposing Congress? Nothing. Has a single vote of any one of these +towns been read, or one speech heard, proposing, or uttering a wish to +return to the government of Great Britain? Not one. Is not this a +demonstration of the sentiments of the people? + +Juries in America were formerly another organ, by which the sentiments +of the people were conveyed to the public. Both Grand Juries and Petit +Juries, have expressed themselves in language sufficiently bold and +free, against acts of Parliament, and the conduct of Great Britain. +But has any one ever uttered a word against Congress, or the +Assemblies, or the judges, under their new governments? or a wish to +return to the obedience of England? Not one. But it is said, the paper +money embarrasses Congress. What then? Does this tend to make them +dissolve their union? To violate their alliances? Would the paper +money embarrass Congress less if they had a war to maintain against +France and Spain, than it does now? Would not the embarrassment be +much greater? Does the paper money prevent the increase and the +population of the States? No. Does the war prevent it? No. Both the +population and the property of the States have increased every year, +since this war began. And all the efforts of Great Britain cannot +prevent it. On the contrary, has the wealth and population of Great +Britain increased? Has her commerce increased? Has the political +weight of the nation in the scales of Europe increased? Let a +melancholy Briton tell. + +His Lordship talks about the misery of the people in America. Let him +look at home, and then say, where is misery! where the hideous +prospect of an internal civil war is added to a war with all the +world. The truth is, that agriculture and manufactures, not of +luxuries, but of necessaries, have been so much increased by this war, +that it is much to be doubted, whether they ever fed or clothed +themselves more easily or more comfortably. But, besides this, the +immense depredations they have made upon the British trade, have +introduced vast quantities of British merchandises of every sort. And +in spite of all the exertions of the British fleet, their trade is +opening and extending with various countries every year, and Britain +herself is forced to aid it, and will be more and more; a recent proof +of which, is the permission to import American tobacco into the +kingdom from any part of the world in neutral bottoms. + +The great debt is also mentioned. Do they pay an interest for this +debt? Is every necessary and convenience of life taxed to perpetuity, +to pay this interest? Is the whole equal in proportion to their +abilities to the debt of England? Would the debt be rendered less, by +joining Great Britain against France and Spain? Would the war against +France and Spain be shorter, less expensive, or less bloody, than the +war against England? By returning to England, would not their debt be +ten times more burdensome? This debt is as nothing to America, once +give her peace, let the Americans trade freely with one another, and +with all other nations, and this debt would be but a feather. Let them +come under Great Britain again, and have the communication between one +Colony and another obstructed, as heretofore, and their trade confined +to Great Britain, as heretofore, and this debt would be a heavier +millstone about their necks, than that of England is about theirs. + +A general repugnance to the alliance with France, is mentioned. A +greater mistake was never made. On the contrary, every step of +Congress, every proceeding of every Assembly upon the continent, every +prayer that is made in the pulpit, and every speculation in the +newspapers, demonstrates the high sense they have of the importance of +this alliance. It is said, that this alliance has been of little +utility. Has it not employed the British army? has it not cut out work +enough for the British navy? has it not wasted for England her annual +twenty millions? has it not prevented these from being employed +against America? has it not given scope to American privateers? has it +not protected the American trade? has it not hurt that of Great +Britain? has it not engaged Russia, Holland, Sweden, Denmark, and +Portugal, at least to a neutrality? at least has it not contributed +much to these vast advantages to America? has it not taken away from +Great Britain the dominion of the sea, so far as to allow liberty of +navigation to others? It is true, the alliance might have been of more +utility to all the allies with the same expense, if France and Spain +had sooner adopted the policy of sending more of their forces to +America. But they are now so well convinced of it, that unless +miracles are wrought to prevent it, America and England too will soon +see more of the effects of this alliance. Let Britain tremble at the +consequences of her own folly and her own crime. + +His Lordship says, that the people would return to their allegiance, +if they were not restrained by the tyranny of those who have got the +powers of government. These are the Assemblies, Senates, Governors, +and Congress. Now what power have any of these, but what the people +please to allow them? By what engine is this tyranny exercised? Is it +by the militia? In order to judge of this, let us consider the +constitution of the militia. The militia, is in fact the whole people, +for by the laws of every State, every man from sixteen to sixty years +of age, belongs to the militia, is obliged to be armed, to train and +march upon occasion, or find a substitute. The officers are chosen by +the men, except the General officers, who are appointed by the +Assemblies. It is this very militia which forms the body of voters, +who annually choose the members of the Assembly, and the senators, and +governors. Is it possible these men should tyrannise over men upon +whom they are so entirely dependent? As well might it be reproached to +his Lordship and his colleagues in administration, that they +tyrannised over their royal master, who can displace them at his +pleasure. The Assemblies thus annually chosen by the people, or +militia, annually choose the delegates in Congress, and have power to +recall them at pleasure. Will the militia then obey either Assemblies +or Congress in the execution of tyrannical orders, or any orders that +are not generally agreeable to them? The thing speaks for itself. Is +it the Continental army then, that is the instrument of their own +servitude and that of their country? Every officer holds his +commission at the pleasure of Congress. But his Lordship and his +colleagues often represent the Continental army as so small and +feeble, as to be unable to make head against the British troops, and +it is true that they are constantly employed in that service, and it +is true that they are nothing in comparison with the militia. What +would become of them then, if the militia or any considerable number +of them were to join the British troops? + +There has never been any part of the Continental army in more than +three or four of the thirteen States at a time, watching the motions +of the British army and confining them to the protection of their +men-of-war. What has there been then in the remaining nine or ten +States for an instrument of tyranny? This is too ridiculous to need +many words. + +His Lordship concludes, with a distinction, if possible, less grounded +than his assertions. He says, that Congress will never treat, but that +the people and the Assemblies will. Where does his Lordship find the +ground of his difference between the Congress and the Assemblies? Are +not the members of Congress made of the same clay? Are they not +themselves members of the Assemblies? Are they not the creatures of +the Assemblies? Are they not annually created? Are they not dependent +every moment upon the Assemblies for their existence? Have not the +Assemblies a right to recall them when they please, and appoint others +by law and the constitution? Have not the Assemblies a right to +instruct them how to act? If they do not obey these instructions, +cannot the Assemblies displace them and appoint others who will be +more obedient? If the Assemblies desired a reconciliation with +England, would not they appoint a Congress who desired it too? If the +people desired it, could not they appoint Assemblies who would soon +make a Congress suitable for their purpose? But I have been too long; +his Lordship betrays such misinformation of facts, such an inattention +to those obvious marks of the feelings of a people, as are infallible +indications of their designs, and such a want of knowledge of the laws +and constitution of the United States, as excite astonishment in an +impartial examiner, and a real commiseration for the unhappy nation, +who are devoted to destruction from his errors and delusions.[4] + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + [4] _Barriers between Great Britain and the United States of America + to a Reconciliation, Alliance, or even Peace._ + + 1. The malice, revenge, pride, obstinacy, and absurdity of the King + and royal family. + + 2. The guilt and danger of the Ministry, danger to their lives and + present safety, as well as of ruin to their fortunes, characters, and + reputations. + + 3. The ambition and avarice of the Ministry, whose chiefs have the + same hunger for the loaves and fishes as the Ministers; as little + attention to, and affection for the public as they; and, therefore, + dare not displease the King, and so give up their hopes of his favor, + by adopting any principles, or espousing any system, that could lead + to reconciliation, or to peace. + + 4. The general prevalence of profligacy. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, June 4th, 1780. + + Sir, + +We learn from the Hague, the 30th of May, that their Noble and Grand +Mightinesses have resolved since the offer of the Commerce, to take +for the equipment of the vessels of war put into commission a certain +portion of the crews of merchant ships. + +As I wish to inform Congress at some time or other of all the +conspicuous characters in Europe, who have penetrated enough of the +system of events, that compose the present great epoch, and have had +sufficient firmness to resist the unnatural efforts and solicitations, +which Great Britain has made to disturb it, I think it is proper to +take notice, that the Count de Panin, who has been very ill of a +chronical disorder, was on the 2d of May much better, and made his +appearance at the Court of St Petersburg. This Minister, I fancy, will +have great merit with posterity, for the part he has acted for several +years in the politics of Europe. + +Extract of a letter from Cadiz, 2d of May. "The convoy under the +escort of Messrs de Thomasco and de Solano, continued in sight all +day, the 28th of April; the 29th it went off with a fair wind, which +continues to this time. We expect the division of Toulon in fifteen +days. Then Don Gaston will go out with a squadron of twelve ships, and +all the French vessels, which may be collected in Cadiz. If the +thirteen vessels, which are ready at Ferrol, join this commander, his +fleet will be very respectable, and will not fear that the enemy +should oppose his junction with that of Brest." + +_Toulon, 10th of May._ "The order, which the King's ships, the Zélé +and the Marseillois, of seventyfour guns, have received unexpectedly +to sail, gives place to several conjectures. The most probable is, +that they are to join the division of French vessels, which are in the +bay of Cadiz; and that after they shall be united, they will go in +concert with a Spanish squadron to Brest, to form a part of the fleet +destined to cruise in the English Channel. There have been taken up in +our port, several merchant vessels on account of the King, to the end +to go and carry to Cadiz the provisions of the French division, +commanded by the Chevalier Beausset. It is confirmed, that the +Experiment, commanded by M. de Martelly Chautard, is arrived at +Marseilles, to escort from thence in concert with the frigate the +Graciente, and the cutter the Naiade, a considerable convoy of +vessels, bound for the islands in America." + +_Brest, 15th of May._ "The convoy, which was coming here from +Bordeaux, to form the second division of the expedition under the +command of Messrs de Ternay and de Rochambeau, escaped the gale of +wind by taking shelter in L'Orient. The Magnanime, which was coming +here from Rochfort, having lost an anchor, was obliged to return +thither." + +_Paris, 25th of May._ "Letters from Cadiz, dated the 5th of this +month, announce the departure of the French squadron, which was in the +Road, under the command of M. de Beausset. It was furnished with +provisions for six months, and before it put to sea it took in more, +for six weeks; it was to have sailed the 6th. We are absolutely +ignorant of the object of his expedition. M. Beausset has despatches, +which he is not to open until he arrives at a certain latitude. This +squadron, composed of five ships of the line, and loaded with +provisions for seven and a half months, is it bound to the Indies? We +do not believe that it is. But to combine with M. de Ternay at a +certain latitude? Some persons presume so. Others maintain, that this +squadron is to make part of the fleet of observation in the Channel, +and that the circumstance of seven and a half months' provision is a +falsity, which ought not to be believed." + +They write from Rochfort, that the Invincible, a new ship, of one +hundred and four guns, is actually in the Road. The command of this +vessel has been given to M. de la Cary. The following article shows, +that some foreign merchants are enterprising a trade towards America. + +_Ostend, 23d of May._ "The ship, the City of Brussels, Captain Peter +Voughen, of five hundred tons, belonging to merchants of Brussels, who +had loaded her for St Eustatia, has had the misfortune to strike, the +20th of this month, in going out of the basin. In spite of the +alacrity with which they labor to get her afloat, and repair the +damage she has sustained on the occasion, we think she cannot again be +put in a condition to proceed to her destination." + +_Leyden, 30th of May, 1780._ "The convoy of troops, which has arrived +so apropos, at Barbadoes, and from thence to St Lucia, at the very +instant that the Count de Guichen conducted to the Antilles a +considerable reinforcement for the French troops, is that which sailed +from Portsmouth the 27th, and from Plymouth the 30th of January, +under convoy of the Intrepid, of sixtyfour guns, with some frigates, +and which was dispersed upon the coast of Ireland. An officer of the +sixtyeighth regiment, (one of the four regiments embarked upon this +convoy,) writes from Antigua, the 19th of March. 'We have been arrived +here two days; we sailed from Plymouth the 30th of January, in concert +with the eightyseventh, ninetieth, and ninetyfirst regiments, under +convoy of the Intrepid, of sixtyfour guns. The next day we were +separated from the convoy by a great storm, which lasted six days, and +we saw nothing more of any vessel. Having no orders concerning our +destination, as we were not to receive them till we had doubled Cape +Lizard, we were in great pain concerning the part we should take. +Commanding eighty soldiers on board this vessel, it fell to me to +direct their route. I ordered the master to conduct us to the first of +our West India Islands, which we could gain, and in consequence we +arrived here safe and sound. God knows what is become of the rest of +the convoy; I hope that it will join us soon.'" + +The following article I add, from the Mercury of France, of the 3d of +June. I cannot answer for the truth of it, nor do I know that it is +false. + +"They write from London the 11th of May, that a courier despatched +from the Hague, by Sir Joseph Yorke, had arrived with the following +news. In consequence of the permission granted by the States-General +for the passage of the recruits from Brunswick, Hesse, Hanau, &c. in +the pay of Great Britain, through the territory of the Republic, and +for their embarkation in one of their ports, one ship of war and +transports have sailed from England, to take on board these recruits +destined for the army in Canada. But scarcely were the troops and +their baggage embarked, when there arrived an order of the +States-General to stop their departure. They attribute this conduct of +the States-General to the formal demand, which they have made upon +Great Britain, of the restitution of the Dutch vessels taken by +Commodore Fielding. In consequence, the transports and recruits would +remain in Holland, until entire satisfaction should be given to the +States-General upon this object." + +_Brussels, 30th of May._ "The arrival of extraordinary couriers +continually from Versailles and Madrid to Lisbon, gives rise to +conjectures, that the good intelligence, which reigns between this +Court and that of London, may very well change in part, and that at +least his Most Faithful Majesty is not far from adopting the system of +Holland and the Northern powers, the effect of which must be the +maintenance of the liberty of the navigation and of the commerce of +their respective subjects, against the continual depredations of +privateers." + +_Paris, 30th of May._ "We learn by letters from Ferrol, that the +Intendant of the Marine in that port had received orders to send out +without delay, eight ships of the line and four frigates, and to +deliver them packets, which are sent him, not to be opened but in a +certain latitude. They write from Brest, that they continue to work at +the armament of the vessels intended for the fleet; there are several +of them already in the Road. The Actif of seventyfour guns came in on +the 17th. They expected in that port the fleet from Bordeaux, loaded +with stores, provisions, and wine. Their arrival is necessary to equip +completely the squadron destined to transport a second division of +troops of four or five thousand men. The convoy, which sailed from St +Malo on Good Friday, was still at Cherbourg. It is so much the more +valuable, as it consists partly of cast cannons, and other pieces of +artillery, brought in wagons from the arsenals, for the descent which +was to have been made last year. The English who know its value, do +not lose sight of it, as they say. And it is said, if they were not +restrained by a calculation of the expense, they would bombard +Cherbourg, if they could not come at the vessels in port to burn them. +It is believed that a few ships of the line may soon go out of Brest, +to give chase to the English and scatter them from Cherbourg. + +_London, 20th of May._ "The despatches, which the Court has received +from its Ministers in the Northern Courts, confirm the plan of +confederation of the powers of this part of Europe to protect the +commerce of their subjects against the attacks of the belligerent +powers, and we cannot dissemble that more moderation on our part would +have hindered this event, which is about to strike the last blow to +our maritime supremacy, and snatch from us forever the empire of the +seas, which are about to become again free as they ought to be." + +_Cadiz, 5th of May._ "The fleet which sailed from this port the 28th +of last month, has been met in the latitude of Lagos, by a vessel +which arrived yesterday. Since that time, the progress of it has not +been retarded. The wind is changed, and is favorable. It is composed +of twelve ships of the line, five frigates, seven privateers armed by +the trade, sixtyfour transport vessels, with twelve thousand land +forces, artillery, and warlike stores, and fiftynine merchant vessels, +three of which are French and three American. There remain in this +port fifteen ships of the line, whereof ten are ready to go to sea, +the five others will be immediately. There are eight at Corunna, five +frigates and one cutter, in condition to sail at the first orders. The +convoy which sailed from Brest on the 14th is arrived there with the +frigate, the Leocadia. We have seen come to anchor in this bay, the +flag of truce, the Sartine, which brings from the Indies M. de +Bellecombe, formerly governor of Pondicherry, and the other officers. +This vessel being off St Vincent, had the misfortune to meet the +squadron of Commodore Johnstone. He made the signals of a flag of +truce, and seeking to fly, when in contempt of the law of nations, +Commodore Johnstone who was in the Romney, sent him two broadsides, +which killed and wounded twentyfive persons on board the Sartine. The +Captain and two officers are in the number of the slain. They expected +so little such an attack, that the people were all upon the tillace, +and one bullet fell dead at the feet of M. de Bellecombe. Johnstone, +knowing his error, or at least pretending to have been mistaken, +ceased firing, and wrote a letter of excuse. One would think he should +not come off so easily, and that his nation should not even content +herself to disavow his conduct. + +"M. de Beausset set sail yesterday with his five vessels; he goes to +cruise in the latitude of Lisbon, and he may very well combine himself +with the seven vessels, which were to go out of Ferrol. It is believed +he will return here as soon as the squadron of Toulon shall arrive." + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, June 5th, 1780. + + Sir, + +The fleets of Graves and Walsingham are real objects of humor. All +Europe was amused with Walsingham's squadron, and assured that it was +to sail as long ago as last January or February. There has scarcely a +newspaper appeared in Europe since that time but has had some article +respecting it, all tending to show that it was ready, or nearly ready, +to sail. This is in order to keep up the spirits of friends, and at +the same time play upon the fears of enemies. The last Courier de +l'Europe has the following article. + +_Torbay, 20th of May._ "Although the wind had been favorable for ten +days past, Walsingham's fleet could not have taken advantage of them, +the Commodore having received, on the 10th, orders from the Admiralty +to wait for the rest of the transports bound to Quebec, and the East +India ships, which now lie at Portsmouth. He will escort them without +altering his course as far as Madeira." + +_Plymouth, 9th of May._ "The squadron of Admiral Graves, sailed from +hence this morning, is destined for Jamaica. It consists of four ships +of the line, two frigates, and transports, having on board three +thousand land forces. This fleet is the reinforcement which the +armament, which was in preparation at Jamaica for an expedition, +waited for the sixth of April last, when the packet boat sailed. The +passage of such a fleet cannot take less than two months; so that it +cannot arrive at Jamaica until the end of July. Never was there such +confusion and timidity, and irresolution and unsteadiness in the naval +and maritime affairs of England. Witness the following paragraph." + +_Portsmouth, 22d of May._ "The following vessels of war had come to +sail with their respective convoys, but they have returned here again. +The Endymion, of fortyfour guns, Captain Cartaret; the Beaver's prize +of sixteen, Captain Drummond, and the Zephyr, of fourteen, Captain +Inglis, for the coast of Guinea. The frigate Aurora for Plymouth, the +sloops Swallow and Wasp. + +_May 25th._ "It is said, the regiment of Colonel Rainsford passed +through London to go to Portsmouth, destined to Jamaica. It will be +escorted out of the Channel by the Grand Fleet, then it will make a +common course up to a certain latitude, with the fleet destined for +the East Indies." + +_Petersburg, 9th of May._ "Our fleet, destined to maintain the +neutrality at sea, is ready to sail from Cronstadt. They say, that +after having passed the Sound, it will clear off all cruisers +whatsoever, not only in the Baltic Sea, but those which are in the +neighborhood of Norway, as far as Archangel. The report prevails, even +that we shall equip immediately a second squadron, destined to +reinforce the first." + +_Hague, 31st of May._ "The corn merchants living in Amsterdam, +presented last Friday two petitions, the first of which is of the +following tenor. + +"To their High Mightinesses, our Lords the States-General of the +United Provinces. + +"The subscribing merchants, trading chiefly in grain, at the Exchange +of the Corn Merchants of the city of Amsterdam, respectfully make +known, that the scarcity of grain among foreigners having been the +cause that they have been charged, for sometime, and from all parts +with very considerable commissions for sending off theirs, which +cannot but give a new activity to this important branch of commerce; +the difficulties, which in the present situation of affairs embarrass +navigation, have raised the price of freight to such a degree, that +several masters of ships have entirely refused to navigate towards the +south, considering that they could not expose themselves to execute +the commissions of the said merchants in grain, without running the +risk of being seized and taken, which became extremely prejudicial to +the corn, which is liable to take hurt and to corrupt; from whence it +must necessarily result, that for want of sales the petitioners see +themselves on one hand deprived of a reasonable profit, and on the +other find themselves forced to keep their grain in their magazines +for a longer space of time, while, moreover, the importation by the +Baltic, which diminishes by this means considerably, cannot fail also +to give to this branch of commerce, so interesting for the Republic, a +most sensible blow, to the great prejudice of the petitioners, as well +as to the agriculture of these provinces, the advantage of which +increases in proportion to the augmentation of the export of corn. + +"For these causes, the petitioners address themselves in all humanity +to your High Mightinesses, respectfully praying, that according to +your known wisdom and foresight, it may please your High Mightinesses +to grant them a remedy, and grant them a protection as prompt as +convenient to commerce and to the navigation of the petitioners, to +the end, that their vessels loaded with corn may, without any +impediment, make sail toward all places that are free. The +petitioners, on their part, will be zealous to second vigorously all +the measures, which in this respect your High Mightinesses may judge +convenient and necessary." + +The second of the petitions contains as follows. + +"To their Noble and Grand Mightinesses, our Lords, the States of the +Province of Holland and of West Friesland, + +"The undersigned, merchants dealing chiefly in grain, at the exchange +of the corn merchants of the city of Amsterdam, give respectfully to +understand, that to the end to preserve and maintain this branch of +commerce so important for them, they had found it of the last +necessity to address themselves by the way of a petition, to their +High Mightinesses the States-General of the United Provinces, tending +to request a prompt, convenient, and sufficient protection in favor of +their navigation, for the reasons more fully particularised in the +said petition, of which they take the liberty to annex a copy; humbly +requesting your Noble and Grand Mightinesses to cast a propitious eye +upon the address of the petitioners, and to be so good as to favor it +with your powerful protection, that they may be at length remedied +against the unjust vexations, and the ruinous seizure of their ships, +and against all the shackles, which have been put upon their commerce, +while the petitioners on their part offer to concur with all their +hearts, and with zeal, in all convenient measures, which, in this +respect your Noble and Grand Mightinesses shall judge to be necessary, +to come at the end proposed." + +_Hamburg, 26th of May._ "They write from Stockholm, that the Court of +Sweden had positively accepted the plan of an armed neutrality, +proposed by Russia, and given orders to equip six more ships of the +line, so that at present the naval forces of Sweden, like those of +Denmark, consist in ten ships of the line and six frigates, whereof +six ships of the line are ready to make sail from the port of +Carslscroon. + +"We learn from the Sound, that the 21st of this month the English +ship the Chatham, of fifty guns, commanded by Captain G. Altan, was +arrived there, as well as the frigates the Siren, the Lizard, and the +Lynx, under the command of the Captains Dodde, Parry, and Britton, of +twentyfour and twenty guns. The cutters, the Bussy, Captain Coaths, of +twelve guns, and the Frederick, C. Pasechall, of eight. These two last +have sustained in the North Sea a brisk action with two French +cutters, one of which was named the Alexander, of fourteen guns, which +they have conducted to the Sound. It is not known what is become of +the other prize, which they think is sunk, or carried to Norway." + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, June 10th, 1780. + + Sir, + +We read, under the head of Hamburg, of the 20th of May, that the +project of a confederation, armed for the maintenance of the +navigation of the neutral powers, appears every day to assume more +consistency. The fleet armed in Russia for the protection of her +neutrality, and of her commerce, is composed of fifteen ships of the +line, four frigates, and a large number of smaller vessels. Their +orders are to sweep, not only the Baltic Sea, but the Swedish Sea, and +the neighborhood of Archangel, of all the corsairs of the belligerent +powers. They assure us at the same time, that orders are given to +equip at Revel and at Archangel a second fleet of twenty ships of the +line; Sweden arms ten, and six frigates. She will send out at first +but four of the former, the six others will remain at Carslscroon, +but in a condition to sail at the first signal. They are busy in +Denmark in arming a like number. They assure us even that there are +orders to augment it. + +The opinion the most general is, that the powers, which are to enter +into the armed neutrality, will confine themselves at first to make +their navigation to be respected, and will not appear as mediators, +but when they shall see that the fate of arms shall make the balance +incline too much to one side, to the disadvantage of the other. It +will be then, that they will intervene for a re-establishment of the +equilibrium, by moderating the too excessive pretensions of some, and +by repairing the losses, which the misfortune, the negligence, or the +unskilfulness of others shall have occasioned them. One does not know, +which we ought to admire most, the immutability of the English, in the +midst of all the movements, which they excite, or the movements +themselves, which they are no doubt themselves astonished to have +excited. This recalls the saying of an Englishman, who seeing a +magnificent chapel built for the accomplishment of a vow, made in the +midst of a battle, cried, "When the Emperor made this great vow, he +had great fear." Is it not astonishing, that the most formidable +maritime powers of Europe should have believed their rights so much in +danger, as to make it their duty to confederate against the arbitrary +pretensions of England? It would be much more astonishing, if she +should be able to realise them, but this is not to be presumed. + +Under the head of Italy, Genoa, the 10th of May, we read, "They write +from Trieste, that they are actively employed there in arming a +company of commerce for the East Indies. The grant (charter, patent, +octroi) is very soon to appear in print, that every one may have +shares in it, and have a part in the advantages that shall result +from it. As it is of importance to our Court, that the productions of +the country should be transported to foreigners, this company will +obtain all the privileges necessary to put it upon a flourishing +footing. They are taking all possible measures, that the funds +advanced should produce to the proprietors a considerable interest. +Austria proposes to observe the most exact neutrality with all the +maritime powers, and to form alliances with the States of Barbary. In +the meantime, that we may have nothing to fear from these last, our +vessels will be partly armed for war, and partly loaded with +merchandises." + +A sensible letter from London (real or fictitious I know not) says, +"The armed neutrality engages still the attention of our Court. We do +not cease to dread here, that it will have melancholy consequences. If +some persons flatter themselves, that it may lead to peace, others +think that we cannot make an advantageous one. France and Spain appear +determined not to lay down their arms until they shall have taken away +from us the empire of the seas, and rendered commerce and navigation +free. We are not ignorant, that the wish of Europe is in their favor, +and the armed neutrality has sufficiently demonstrated it. Our +Ministry well convinced, that it is upon a superiority at sea, that +depends the safety of our possessions in the four quarters of the +world, will neglect nothing to preserve it. But it is at least +necessary, that by a prudent conduct towards the neutral powers, we +should engage them to permit us to enjoy it. The part which we act +cannot but alienate them. Far from retracting, we go directly on." + +According to the account of the officers arrived in the cartel ship, +the Sartine, the squadron of Admiral Hughes, in its passage from +Europe to the Cape of Good Hope, has suffered considerable losses, +which have very much diminished it. They are persuaded, that it has +not suffered less in its route to the Indies, during which it has had +constantly contrary winds, and that it has been scarcely able to land +in Asia a number of troops sufficient to put the English forces there +in the condition they were in before the war. Admiral Hughes had said +to the Governor of the Cape, that his orders were to go and attack +Manilla. But it is most probable, that at his arrival at Madras, he +found himself in an impossibility of undertaking anything this year. +He has not a sufficient number of troops with him, and far from being +able to take any in India, those already there are sufficiently +occupied with the chiefs of the country, and have occasion for +reinforcements. Nadgiskan, General of the Emperor of Mogul, threatens +them in Bengal. The Marattas disturb them at Bombay; and Hyder Aly +Khan upon the coast of Coromandel. The English, troubled in their own +possessions, have more cause to think of preserving them than of +attempting elsewhere expeditions, that would weaken them. + +The last letters from the gold coast of Africa contain the following +details. "One of our out-forts, called Succondée, has been attacked +sometime since by a French frigate, of forty guns. She cast anchor in +the Bay within cannon-shot of the fort, which was falling in ruins, +defended solely by some pieces of artillery, almost out of a condition +for service, and in which was a garrison of four men, to wit; the +commandant, one sergeant, and two soldiers, which in such a situation +could not make a long resistance. Nevertheless, before they +surrendered, they killed six Frenchmen, and wounded twelve. The +sergeant of the fort was killed; and the commandant, seeing that the +enemy had effected their landing with two hundred men, saved himself +by retreating back into the country. The French have derived neither +honor nor profit from the expedition; they have found nothing but the +effects of the commandant, valued at eight hundred pounds sterling, +which they destroyed. The fort contained nothing valuable. They spiked +the cannon, which they found upon carriages, and broke off the +trunnions; after which they went off without attempting anything +against the other forts. The same letters add, that the Governor of +Cape Coast Castle, and those of the other forts, were preparing to +quit a service, in which they could not long remain, the company +having stopped the arrearages which were due to them, as well as to +those in general who have been employed since the month of December, +1778, and having refused to reimburse them the sums, which they have +advanced out of their pockets for the maintenance of the forts of the +government, and which amount to half of their private fortunes. By a +conduct so unjust, and without example, the principal officers find +themselves ruined, and the inferior officers and soldiers are dying +with hunger. There was scarcely an English vessel upon the coast, and +the price of all the necessaries of life were raised more than an +hundred per hundred. What defence could be made by people in such a +situation, if attacked by the French, who burn with a desire of +forming an establishment upon that coast." + +The losses in Africa are considerable, and the English are threatened +with more considerable in India, where the natives of the country +begin to be weary of the vexation of foreigners, who come from Europe +to subject them to the yoke. The Emperor of Mogul threatens them in +Bengal, the Marattas at Bombay, and the famous Hyder Aly upon the +coast of Coromandel, and the domestic troubles which have arisen in +the bosom of their establishments, may put them out of a condition to +defend them. All Europe prays for the liberty of the seas, and waits +with impatience the effects of the union of the maritime powers, which +must put a bridle upon the violent and arbitrary proceedings of the +English. + +On the 18th and 19th of May there were warm debates in the House of +Commons of Ireland, where the patriotic party carried a duty of twelve +shillings per quintal on sugars imported from England. On the 22d, it +was resolved by an hundred and forty voices against eighteen, that a +bill should be brought in for the punishment of mutiny and desertion, +and to establish better regulations for the land forces. This is a +decisive measure, and if it is admitted, it concedes the principle, +that the British Parliament has no authority over Ireland. + +_Hague, 4th of June._ "M. de Nowicoff, Secretary of the Prince de +Gallitzin, Envoy Extraordinary of the Empress of Russia, being +returned here the first of this month at night, from Petersburg, where +he has been as express some weeks ago, the Prince de Gallitzin had the +next day a conference with some members of government. A second +express, sent to Petersburg by the same Minister about the middle of +April, returned last night. We flatter ourselves, that the despatches +which they bring will contribute to accelerate the execution of the +project of an armed neutrality, for which her Imperial Majesty +continues to testify the most favorable dispositions, provided that +the other neutral powers act readily in concert with her. The +merchants of Dort and Rotterdam have followed the example of those of +Amsterdam, by presenting on the 2d a petition to the States-General, +to the end to supplicate them to hasten the equipment of the vessels, +which it has been resolved to arm, and to give to commerce the +effectual enjoyment of the protection of the State. According to the +ordinance projected to accelerate this equipment, 'no merchant vessel +belonging to the subjects of the Republic can put to sea, without +voluntarily delivering to the college of the Admiralty at least the +third man of her crew, under penalty of six hundred florins per head, +upon the captains and freighters of the vessel, which shall attempt to +go out without having made the said delivery.' It will not, however, +take place but twice a year, viz. the two first voyages which a vessel +shall make, and from this will be excepted those upon which there +shall be but two men besides the master, the vessels employed in the +different fisheries, the ships of the East India Company, and those of +the West Indies; in fine, the foreign vessels manned with crews of +their own nation, &c." + +_April 21st, 1780._ "It happened that the French privateer, the +Spring, commanded by Captain John Huë, and mounted with four guns, +which had anchored in the Road of Helvoetsluys, put to sea in company +with some Dutch vessels, bound to the Greenland Fishery. Three Scotch +coal vessels put to sea at the same time, and soon after two others, +somewhat larger. The three largest having come just opposite the point +of Westland, the French privateer, which was not at the distance of +more than four yards from the shore, opposite the Cape of the Isle of +Goree, wore round to return into port; the three coal vessels +perceiving it, made the same manoeuvre, and bore down upon the French +privateer, upon which the latter approaching nearer and nearer the +coast, and passing along very near it under the city of Goree, to +enter into the port, they began to fire upon him with ball, and they +continued to cannonade him incessantly, although this little vessel, +which in truth carried French colors, did not answer them with more +than one gun. They pursued him quite up to the lighthouse of Goree, +only at the distance of about six yards (I suppose ship's yards) west +of the place, where they forced her to run ashore. The vessel was +there stopped upon the sand, and the crew crawling along upon the +bowsprit in the sea, saved themselves at land. Meantime, the three +coalmen did not cease to fire upon the little privateer, without +regarding even a large number of workmen who were about their business +on shore. So that the bullets passed through the midst of these +people, and just over their heads, and they were very happy to run off +and save themselves in the Downs. The three coalmen, not content to +have pushed thus far their enterprise, continued not only to fire upon +the privateer stopped in the sand, without any crew, but in fine, they +came to anchor at the distance of about forty yards from this vessel, +while the two smaller coalmen were come out of the Bay of +Helvoetsluys, and were under sail near and round it, firing upon it +until noon, when the tide began to set afloat the privateer, which had +been stopped for two hours. Then the English went on board with their +boats, took down the French flag, took the vessel off the shore, and +attached her broadside and broadside to the largest of the coalmen. +They took away from her many effects, under the eyes of the Dutch +coasting pilots, who having asked in English, what was their design in +regard to the privateer, and having cautioned them to take care what +they did, the captain of the largest of the coalmen answered, "We will +take her, we are also privateers." + +Their Noble and Grand Mightinesses, the States of Holland and West +Friesland, after having stated these circumstances to the +States-General, have adopted in their report; "that they considered +this excessive audacity of the English or Scotch coalmen, as a +manifest and voluntary violation of the territory of the Republic, +accompanied with circumstances the most aggravated, as having been +committed in going out of a harbor of this country, and in a place +where it could not be doubtful that they were within reach of the +cannon of the shore, since their own balls reached the land, without +the least provocation from the French privateer, which did not fire a +single gun. So that this action of the coalmen, has had no other cause +than a premeditated hostility, whilst there was not the least reason +to fear that the privateer, after having got to sea, would interrupt +one of them, considering that the attack was begun on their part, in +the very moment when the privateer had tacked about to quit the open +sea and return into port, besides, that he was pursued for two hours +after that he was indubitably aground upon the shore, and that the +enterprise was finished by taking away the French privateer from the +Dutch shore, contrary to the exhortation and warnings of the coasting +pilots. That in the judgment of their Noble and Grand Mightinesses, +the States-General had not only a right to complain of the insolence +so excessive on the part of the English or Scotch masters, which their +High Mightinesses admit into the ports of the Republic, but that they +cannot even suffer them without wounding the neutrality, which they +have embraced in the present troubles, and without prejudicing the +dignity, the sovereignty, and the independence of the State; and +having been under obligation effectually to have opposed and hindered +them, even by force, if they could have been informed in time of these +violences, they cannot excuse themselves from demanding, in a manner +the most serious, the vessel which was taken, and from demanding of +his Britannic Majesty, a suitable satisfaction for this conduct of his +subjects." + +After this report, the States-General have resolved, the 13th of May, +"that advice of these facts should be sent to the Count de Welderen, +Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of their High Mightinesses at +the British Court, by sending him copies of the depositions joined to +the letter of the Receiver-General of the Customs of their Noble and +Grand Mightinesses, in the country of Voorne, dated the 4th day of May +last, by which he has informed of the facts the Lords, the Deputy +Counsellors of Holland, as the said depositions are annexed to the +letter, which the said counsellors have addressed to their Noble and +Grand Mightinesses the 5th of the same month, concerning this affair; +and at the same time, the Count de Welderen should be instructed to +give notice, in the manner that he shall judge the most convenient and +the most effectual, of the said insolences committed by the masters of +the English or Scotch coal vessels, and to complain, in the name of +their High Mightinesses, of a violation so incontestible of their +territory and of the law of nations, by the way of open force; that +their High Mightinesses cannot think, that his Britannic Majesty can +or will suffer that his subjects should allow themselves in such +excesses; that in consequence, the Count de Welderen should demand a +suitable satisfaction; that the masters of the coal vessels should +undergo a correction, and that the French vessel taken should be +brought back to the place from whence she has been taken, or at least, +that she should be restored to their High Mightinesses, to the end +that they may dispose of her in the manner they shall judge proper; +and that the damages caused to this vessel, directly upon the +territory of their High Mightinesses, where she ought to have enjoyed +the same safety as the coal vessels in the Road of Helvoetsluys, and +through all the extent of the territory of their High Mightinesses, +should be made good." + +The English frigate, the Ambuscade, Captain Phipps, has taken, on the +24th of April last, in the Bay of Biscay, four Dutch ships, which have +made some resistance, so that there were some men killed and wounded +on both sides. One of the Dutch captains was killed. They were bound, +it is said, from Helvoetsluys to Spain. They have been carried into +Plymouth, where arrived at the same time a Spanish frigate of thirty +guns, taken, they say, by the English frigate, the Medea, off the port +of Brest, where she was going with despatches from the Court of +Madrid, relative to the junction of the French and Spanish fleets. +This is not likely, since the despatches go by land from Court to +Court. + +I shall finish this tedious letter, by enclosing a letter from the +Count d'Urre Molans, proposing to raise some horse at the expense of +himself and his officers. I promised to enclose it to Congress, which +was all I could do. But I hope, before an answer can come, the +American States will have no more occasion for cavalry. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, June 12th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I cannot omit to request the attention of Congress to a debate in the +House of Peers on the 1st of June, upon Lord Shelburne's motion for a +variety of State papers to be laid before the House. I have had the +honor to transmit these papers to Congress before. His Lordship in his +speech upon this occasion has displayed more knowledge of the affairs +of Europe, than all the debates in the two Houses, and all the +newspapers and pamphlets have contained for a long time. I will +translate from a French translation, not having the original before +me, what he says of Russia. + +"With regard to the papers, which concern Russia, I see in the first +place, in the declaration made by that Court in 1779, that under +pretence of some disorders committed in the Baltic Sea by an American +privateer, (Captain McNeal, I suppose,) the Empress announces to Great +Britain, that she is about to form a league with the Kings of Sweden +and Denmark, for the protection of commerce in that sea. This Princess +must have known our Ministers perfectly well, to hope that they would +fall into the snare. Yes, she knew that they would bite at the hook, +when it was covered with the bait of some appearance of hostility +against the Americans. While they were running after the dainty worm, +all Europe saw clearly that this exclusion from the Baltic Sea was +general for all armed vessels, whether American or English; but Russia +was too wise to begin by speaking of English vessels. It is, +nevertheless, curious to consider the nature of the right alleged by +the Courts of Petersburg, Stockholm, and Copenhagen, to arrogate to +themselves the dominion of the Baltic; a dominion no mention of which +is made in any treaty existing, and of which no one ever heard any +mention made. They say to you, that God Almighty intended that these +three powers should govern exclusively over this vast sea. The terms +of the declaration say expressly, that nature has given them this +right; if this declaration is extraordinary, and without example, the +last declaration of the Empress of Russia is much more astonishing. +This Princess dares to announce a maritime code, which will serve as a +rule for all Europe. I will acknowledge, that when this Imperial +decree for the first time fell into my hands, I was confounded; I felt +in a moment, that Russia, this Empire coming out of the cradle, +scarcely reckoned a few years ago in the number of maritime powers, +this Russia, which the Ministers declared to us was our friend and our +ally, was disposed not only to refuse us assistance, but moreover to +contribute to the annihilation of the maritime power of Great Britain. +The Empress declares in this Manifesto, that free ships render the +effects free, that they have on board; she does not confine herself to +establish this principle in favor of the vessels of her nation, she +makes it general, she invites all the States of Europe, whether +neutral or belligerent, to unite with her to maintain it, and to set +them an example she informs them, that to maintain it effectually she +equips a powerful squadron. What has given occasion to this +astonishing measure? The infraction of treaties on the part of Great +Britain. By the treaties of 1673 and 1674, Holland had a right to +carry all, which was not expressly declared contraband; in spite of +the existence of these treaties, Commodore Fielding received the +extravagant orders to seize a Dutch convoy. This act of madness +alarmed Russia, who forthwith published her Manifesto, which Holland, +France, and Spain have received, with all the marks of the most +perfect satisfaction. France has not failed to seize this opportunity +to press the completion of the maritime code announced by the Empress, +promising to adopt it, and to unite with her to support it. + +"Such is the situation in which we find ourselves; not a single ally! +there did remain to us one friend; Administration has found the secret +to break with him. Is it not the most consummate madness not to have +sought to insure a single ally? Opportunities have presented +themselves more than once, more than twice, more than four times. If +at the end of the war Administration was weary of the connexion with +the King of Prussia; if they preferred the friendship, or even the +alliance of the House of Austria, the opportunity of making sure of it +presented itself a few years ago. In 1773, the epocha of the troubles +in Poland, Great Britain would have made a friend of this House, by +interposing its authority; this measure would have been agreeable to +more than one power of Europe. If we had preferred the alliance of the +King of Prussia, an opportunity has presented more recently of +procuring it, that of the death of the Elector of Bavaria; sometime +before this event, France foresaw it with terror. She perceived how +much it might turn to the advantage of Great Britain, and how much the +war, that it would infallibly occasion between the Courts of Vienna +and Berlin, would be contrary to her interests. What parts have our +Ministers acted in this circumstance? They let it escape like the +first; instead of conciliating the friendship of Austria, or renewing +that of Prussia, they have discovered the secret of disgusting these +two powers, as well as nearly all those of Europe; they have suffered +that France should be the mediator between them, and make their peace. + +Their conduct in regard to the Court of Petersburg, has been equally +chargeable with negligence; they have let slip one or two occasions of +conciliating the friendship of that Court. At the time of her rupture +with the Porte, what part have they acted? They did not enter into the +negotiation; but, which they will perhaps have cause to repent, they +sent vessels to the Russians to teach them how they might obtain and +preserve that domination of the seas, to which they pretend at this +day. Such are the fruits of the prudence and wisdom of our Ministers. +They have lost America, the most beautiful half of the Empire, and +against the half that remains to us, they have excited all the powers +of Europe. I say decidedly, that they have lost America, because, +after what has passed in Holland and in Russia, one must be very short +sighted not to see, that in fine, and at present, the independence of +America is consummated. The maritime code confirms the rest. France +and the other maritime powers, whose interest it is, that America +should never return to the domination of England, will take care to +comprehend her in the code; but I forewarn the Administration, that +this code will soon be in force; that if they do not speedily make +arrangements with Holland, there will be soon held at the Hague a +Congress, to the effect to give the sanction of maritime Europe to the +law which establishes, that free ships shall make free goods." + +I cannot say that his Lordship is perfectly fair in this speech, nor +that he has been much wiser than the Minister. The true cause why the +Minister suffered France to make the peace between Russia and the +Turk, and between Austria and Prussia, was the American war. While +they pursued that phantom, all their men, all their ships, and all +their money were necessary, and the whole not enough; so that they had +not the power to lend troops, ships, or guineas to the Emperor, the +King of Prussia, the Grand Seignior, nor the Empress of Russia. If +they had been wise, made peace with America, acknowledged her equal +station with the powers of the earth, and conciliated as much as they +then might have done, her affection and her commerce, they might have +preserved their importance in Europe at the peace of Teschen and the +other peace. But my Lord Shelburne should have remembered, that he was +at that time as much against acknowledging American independence, and +as much for prosecuting the war against America as the Ministers; so +that it does not appear, that his wisdom was so much greater than +theirs. I am glad, however, that his Lordship is convinced, and I hope +some time or other the Minister will be; but they have all called us +rebels, till they have turned their own heads. This word rebellion +makes Englishmen mad; they still continue to use it, and by this means +as well as many others, to nourish and cherish the most rancorous and +malignant passions in their own bosoms against us, and they will +continue to do so a long time to come. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, June 12th, 1780. + + Sir, + +The following is given in the public papers; as a copy of the bill +proposed by Governor Pownal, on the 24th of May, for putting Great +Britain in a situation for making peace with America. + +"In order to remove all doubts or disabilities, which may prevent, +obstruct, or delay the happy work of peace, may it please your +Majesty, that it may be declared and enacted, and it is hereby +declared and enacted, &c. &c. + +"That his Majesty is empowered to make a convention or truce, or to +conclude a peace with the inhabitants of New Hampshire, Massachusetts +Bay, Rhode Island, and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, +New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the three Delaware Counties, Maryland, +Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, in North America, +convened in Congress, or in any other Assembly or Assemblies, or with +any person or persons authorised to act for, and in behalf of the +same, in such form and manner as he, by virtue of the prerogative of +his Crown hath power to do in all other cases, and on such terms and +conditions, as in the course of events shall become convenient and +necessary for the honor and welfare of his Majesty and his people. And +in order thereto, be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that from +and after the passing of this act, it shall, and may be lawful, for +his Majesty to appoint such person or persons (subjects of Great +Britain) as his Majesty in his wisdom shall think fit, and fully to +authorise and empower the same to treat, consult, and agree with the +said Americans, or with any part of them, or with any person or +persons acting for and in their behalf to the said purpose of +convention, truce, or peace. And be it further enacted, that from and +after the passing of this act, it shall, and may be lawful, for his +Majesty to grant safe conduct to any such person or persons +whatsoever, as his Majesty shall see cause and judge proper to receive +on the ground of treaty for such convention, truce, or peace, in like +manner as he is by divers ancient statutes empowered to do in the +cases therein specified." + +On the 19th of May, at a meeting of the wholesale merchants of Dublin, +and several merchants of the out-ports, convened by the committee of +merchants, the following resolutions were unanimously agreed to. + +"_Resolved_, That this kingdom cannot possibly derive any material +advantages from a free trade with the British Islands in the West +Indies, without securing a market here for raw sugar; that being the +capital article here of the produce of those Islands, and the +principal return to be obtained for any manufactures of Ireland, which +may be exported to the British Colonies. + +"_Resolved_, That a market here for our raw sugar, can only be secured +in a tolerable degree, by laying an additional duty on refined sugar, +of sixteen shillings and seven pence half penny per hundred weight, +being three times the additional duty to which the raw material is +intended to be subjected. + +"_Resolved_, That we view with the utmost concern and astonishment, a +measure likely to be adopted, not only destructive of the sugar +refinery of this kingdom, but, consequently, frustrating the professed +benefits held out to Ireland on laying open to her the Colony trade. + +"_Resolved_, That we verily believe this to be the insidious intention +of those in Great Britain who have suggested the measure. + +"_Resolved_, That we cannot but hold in the utmost contempt and +detestation, every Irishman of whatever rank or station, who, from +private and selfish considerations, shall prove base enough to be +subservient to the insidious purpose of those, who aim at baffling and +defeating the commercial interests of this too long oppressed and +unkindly treated country. + +"_Resolved_, That if we find the commercial interests of our country +deserted, where we have and ought to expect guardianship, whether from +ignorance of the subject, misrepresentations received and too easily +listened to, or any other cause, it will then be incumbent on us, as +the only remedy for self preservation, to enter along with our +fellow-citizens and countrymen, of whose general concurrence on such a +necessary occasion we entertain no doubt, into such an effectual +association against the importation and use of the manufactures of +this kingdom, as may secure to the industry of Irishmen, the benefits +at least of their own consumption. + +"_Resolved_, That a committee be appointed to transmit copies of these +resolutions to the merchants of the principal trading towns in this +kingdom, and that the said committee do consist of Mr Hartley, &c. + +"_Resolved_, That the committee be empowered to convene a general +meeting when they shall think fit." + +On the 15th of May, Mr. Martin, in the House of Commons of Ireland, +after having laid open in great detail, the increase which had crept +in by degrees upon the civil establishment of Ireland, proposed that a +committee should be appointed, and especially instructed to examine +into this alarming augmentation, and to propose a plan of economy, by +means of which they might lighten the burden of the civil +establishment of Ireland of the useless weight, which overloaded it; +but he withdrew his motion on account of the shortness of the time and +the assurance that was given him, that this object should be one of +the first attended to next session. + +On the 17th, the House in a committee of ways and means, resolved upon +a duty of five shillings and tenpence per hundred weight to be laid on +refined sugar, imported from England. + +On the 18th, they were about to confirm the resolution, when an +opposition arose, and Mr Yelverton spoke with so much energy, that the +next day, the 19th, the House resolved upon a duty of twelve +shillings, to the great detriment of the refiners of sugar at London. +Mr Yelverton's oratory was neither more nor less, than that he would +head the people, the only argument which carries any decisive weight +in that House, and this very seldom fails. + +Nothing which is now, or will soon be interesting to the commerce and +navigation of the United States, is improper for me to send to +Congress. + +The port Vendres, situated in Roussillon, twenty leagues from +Barcelona and four from Roses, upon the coast of the Mediterranean, +having been a long time filled up and abandoned, the King has ordered +the reparation of it, and it is now in a condition to receive not only +merchant vessels of any size, but frigates, and will very soon be fit +for ships of the line. This port, the position of which forms the +centre of the coast of the Mediterranean, receives by its right all +that comes out of the Straits, and by its left what comes from the +Levant and the coast of Italy, at the passage of the Gulf of Lyon; and +it presents to all the commercial nations, not only a center of union, +the most advantageous for reciprocal commerce, but at the same time a +mart, and an asylum so much the more safe, as this port is sheltered +from all the winds by the mountains, which surround it, and as vessels +are there as quiet as in a canal, and as it is not yet known but to +those who within a year past have taken refuge in bad weather, and +have owed their safety to it, several having perished for want of +knowing it, they have given two points by which to know it, by +painting white the fort St Elme, and the tower of Massane, placed upon +the highest mountain of the Pyrenees, which are seen at the distance +of fifteen or twenty leagues at sea, and they have placed at the +entrance of the port a lighthouse, which throws its light more than +five leagues in the night. Roussillon, moreover, can furnish by itself +wines of the first quality, oils, iron, silks, and wools, almost as +beautiful as those of Spain, and many other productions. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, June 16th 1780. + + Sir, + +I have lately obtained a sight of a number of pamphlets, published in +London, which are given out as written by Mr Galloway, but there are +many circumstances in them which convince me they are written in +concert by the refugees. I see many traces, which appear unequivocal, +of the hand of Governor Hutchinson in some of them. I have read them +with pleasure and surprise, because it seems to me, that if their +professed intention had been to convince America, that it is both her +interest and duty to support her sovereignty and her alliance, they +could not have taken a method so effectual. + +"Such treaties" says he, (that is an offensive and defensive alliance +between France and America) "will naturally coincide with their +several views and interests, as soon as American Independence shall be +acknowledged by the powers of Europe. America will naturally wish, +while she is rising from her infant state into opulence and power, to +cover her dominions under the protection of France, and France will +find new resources of strength in American commerce, armies and naval +force. + +"The recovery of America from the disasters and distresses of war will +be rapid and sudden. Very unlike an old country whose population is +full, and whose cultivation, commerce and strength, have arrived at +their height, the multiplication of her numbers, and the increase of +her power will surpass all expectation. If her sudden growth has +already exceeded the most sanguine ideas, it is certain, that the +increase of her strength, when supported and assisted by France, and +pushed forward by the powerful motives arising from her separate +interest, her own preservation, and the prospect of her own arising +glory and importance among nations, will far outrun any idea we have +had of her late population. Nor will it be the interest of America to +check the ambition of France, while confined to Europe. Her distance, +and the safety arising from it, will render her regardless of the fate +of nations on this side of the Atlantic, as soon as her own strength +shall be established. The prosperity or ruin of kingdoms, from whose +power she can have nothing to fear, and whose assistance she can +never want, will be matters of equal indifference. She can wish for no +other connexion with Europe than that of commerce, and this will be +better secured in the hands of an ally than in those with whom she +holds _no_ other connexion. (The word _no_ is an evident error in the +press.) So that it will be of little concern to her whether Great +Britain, Spain, Holland, Germany, or Russia, shall be ruled by one or +more monarchs. The new States are and will continue the allies of +France, our natural enemy, unless reduced, and although at this time +by far the greater part of the people wish and hope for an union with +this country, and are ready to unite with us in reducing the power of +their tyrants, in the moment the least encouragement shall be given +for that purpose, which the infatuated policy of every commander has +hitherto withheld, yet should they be disappointed in their hope, it +will compel them to unite with the enemies of this kingdom. + +"The mode of carrying on the war, more cruel to friends than to foes, +added to the inhumanity and treachery of this country, in not exerting +its powers for their relief, will not fail to create permanent enmity +and resentment, and the obligations of gratitude to the nation, which +shall save them from our ravages, will stamp impressions never to be +effaced. Advantage will be taken of these dispositions by the policy +of France, to establish treaties of alliance and commerce with them, +which will be founded on two great principles, their own mutual +interest and the subduing the power of Great Britain; and if she +should be permitted to trade with them at all, it will only be to +share with other nations in the worthless remains, after their own and +the purposes of their allies are served." + +Here Congress will see the extreme ignorance or deception of the +writer, in affirming, that the "far greater part of the people wish +and hope for a union with Great Britain, and are ready to unite in +reducing," &c. But notwithstanding the bad faith of the writer, we see +that such is the force of truth, that he cannot adduce an argument to +persuade the English to continue the war, without producing at the +same time a much stronger argument to persuade the Americans to adhere +to the last to their sovereignty and their alliances. Of this nature +are all his other arguments. + +"With the Independence of America," says he, "we must give up our +fisheries on the Bank of Newfoundland, and in the American seas." +Supposing this to be true, which it is in part, but not in the whole, +if Great Britain loses her fisheries, does not America gain them? Are +they not an object then to America, as important and desirable as to +Great Britain? Has not America then at least as strong and pressing a +motive to fight for them as Great Britain? The question then is +reduced to another, which has the best prospect of contending for them +successfully? America, favored by all the world, or Great Britain +thwarted and opposed by all the world. And to whom did God and nature +give them? The English lay great stress upon the gifts of God and +nature, as they call the advantage of their insular situation, to +justify their injustice and hostilities against all the maritime +powers of the world. Why should the Americans hold the blessings of +Providence in a lower estimation, which they can enjoy, without doing +injury to any nation or individual whatsoever? + +"With American independence, we must give up thirtyfive thousand +American seamen, and twentyeight thousand more bred and maintained in +those excellent nurseries the fisheries. Our valuable trade, carried +on from thence with the Roman Catholic States, will be in the hands of +America. These nurseries and this trade will ever remain the natural +right of the people who inhabit that country. A trade so profitable, +and a nursery of seamen so excellent and so necessary for the support +of her naval force, will never be given up, or even divided by America +with any power whatsoever." + +If Great Britain loses sixtythree thousand seamen by our independence, +and I believe she will not lose much less, I mean in the course of a +few years, will not America gain them? Are sixtythree thousand seamen +a feebler bulwark for America than Great Britain? Are they weaker +instruments of wealth and strength, of power and glory, in the hands +of Americans, than in those of the English; at the command of Congress +than at the command of the King of England? Are they not then as +strong a temptation to us to continue the war, as to them? The +question then recurs again, which has the fairest prospect of success? +America, which grows stronger every year, or England, which grows +weaker? + +"The British islands," he adds, "in the West Indies must fall of +course. The same power that can compel Great Britain to yield up +America, will compel her to give up the West Indies. They are +evidently the immediate objects of France." + +The true political consequence from this is to stop short, make peace, +and save the British islands while you can; once taken, it will be +more difficult to get them back. The whole returns again to the +question, are you able to keep peace at home and in Ireland, and the +East Indies, to settle matters with the maritime powers, and go on +with the war long enough to beat France and Spain, make them renounce +the war, and after that reduce the United States of America to +submission? Will your soldiers, your seamen, and your revenues hold +out till this is done, and after it shall be done, be sufficient to +keep up a force sufficient to keep down France, Spain, and America? + +"France," he subjoins, "expects from the independence of America, and +the acquisition of the West India Islands, the sovereignty of the +British seas, if not of Great Britain itself." + +Is not this the strongest of all arguments for putting an end to the +war? Now you may make peace, and keep the West India Islands, and +secure the neutrality at least of America for the future; and in this +case you may at least maintain your own sovereignty, and the freedom +of the British seas. France at present claims no more than freedom on +any seas. If you make peace at present, you may have more of American +trade in future than France, and derive more support to your navy than +she will to her marine from that country, and consequently may +preserve your liberty upon all seas; but by pushing the war you will +weaken yourselves and strengthen France and Spain to such a degree, +that they will have in the end such a superiority as may endanger your +liberty. But if Great Britain is to lose the West India Islands, and +the sovereignty of the seas, by the independence of America, surely +France, Spain, or America, or all three together are to gain them. And +are not these advantages as tempting to these powers as to England, +and as urgent motives to pursue the war? + +So that we come again to the old question, which is likely to hold it +out longest? The immense inexhaustible resources of France, Spain, and +America together, or the ruined, exhausted, or distracted kingdom of +Great Britain. The writer goes on. "France has long struggled to rival +us in our manufactures in vain; this will enable her to do it with +effect." If England were to make peace now, it is very doubtful +whether France would be able to rival her in manufactures, those I +mean which are most wanted in America, of wool and iron. But if she +continues the war, France will be very likely to rival her, to effect, +as it is certain she is taking measures for the purpose and the longer +the war continues, the more opportunity she will have of pursuing +those measures to effect. + +"We receive," says he, "from the West India Islands, certain +commodities absolutely necessary to carry on our manufactures to any +advantage and extent, and which we can procure from no other country. +We must take the remains from France or America, after they have +supplied themselves and fulfilled their contracts with their allies, +at their own prices, and loaded with the expense of foreign +transportation, if we are permitted to trade for them at all." Is it +possible to demonstrate the necessity of making peace, now while we +may, more clearly? We may now preserve the West India Islands, but +continuing the war we lose them infallibly. + +"But this is not all we shall lose with the West Indies," says the +writer. "We must add to our loss of seamen sustained by the +independence of America, at least twenty thousand more, who have been +bred and maintained in the trade from Great Britain to the West +Indies, and in the West India trade among themselves, and with other +parts, amounting in the whole to upwards of eighty thousand; a loss, +which cannot fail to affect the sensibility of every man who loves +this country, and knows that its safety can only be secured by its +navy." + +Is not this full proof of the necessity of making peace? These seamen +may now be saved, with the islands whose commerce supports them. But +if we continue the war, will France and Spain be less zealous to +conquer your islands? Because, by this means they will certainly take +away from you, and divide among themselves, twenty thousand seamen. +Taking these islands from you, and annexing them to France and Spain, +will in fact increase the trade of France, Spain, the United Provinces +of the Low Countries, the United States of America, and Denmark; and +the twenty thousand seamen will be divided in some proportion among +all these powers. The Dutch and the Americans will have the carriage +of a good deal of this trade, in consequence of their dismemberment +from you, and annexion to France and Spain; do you expect to save +these things by continuing the war? Or that these powers will be less +zealous to continue it, by your holding out to them such temptations? + +"Will not Great Britain lose much of her independence in the present +state of Europe," continues the writer, "while she is obliged to other +countries for her naval stores? In the time of Queen Anne, we paid at +Stockholm three pounds per barrel for pitch and tar, to the +extortionate Swede; and such was the small demand of those countries +for the manufactures of this, that the balance of trade was greatly in +their favor. The gold which we obtained in our other commerce, was +continually pouring into their laps. But we have reduced that balance, +by our importation of large quantities of those supplies from +America." + +But what is there to hinder Great Britain from importing pitch, tar, +and turpentine from America, after her independence? She may be +obliged to give a somewhat higher price, because France, Spain, +Holland, and all other nations will import them too. But will this +higher price induce America to give up her independence? Will the +prospect which is opened to the other maritime powers of drawing these +supplies from America, in exchange for their productions, make them +less zealous to support American independence? Will the increase of +the demand upon the northern powers for these articles, in consequence +of the destruction of the British monopoly in America, make these +powers less inclined to American independency? The British monopoly +and British bounties, it was in fact, which reduced the price of these +articles in the northern markets. The ceasing of that monopoly and +those bounties, will rather raise the price in the Baltic, because +those States in America in which pitch and tar chiefly grow, have so +many articles of more profitable cultivation, that without bounties it +is not probable that trade will flourish to a degree, to reduce the +prices in the north of Europe. Should a war take place between us and +the northern powers, where are we to procure our naval stores? +inquires the pamphleteer. + +I answer, make peace with America, and procure them from her. But if +you go to war with America and the Northern Powers at once, you will +get them nowhere. This writer appears to have had no suspicion of the +real intentions of the Northern Powers, when he wrote his book. What +he will say now after the confederation of all of them against Great +Britain, for I can call it no otherwise, I am at a loss to +conjecture. + +"Timber of every kind, iron, saltpetre, tar, pitch, turpentine, and +hemp, are raised and manufactured in America. Fields, of a hundred +thousand acres, of hemp, are to be seen spontaneously growing between +the Ohio and the Mississippi, and of a quality little inferior to the +European." + +Are not these articles as precious to France, Spain, and Holland as to +England? Will not these powers be proportionably active to procure a +share of them, or a liberty to trade in them, as England will be to +defend her monopoly of them? And will not America be as alert to +obtain the freedom of selling them to the best advantage in a variety +of markets as other nations will for that of purchasing them? + +Will the coasting trade, and that of the Baltic and Mediterranean, +with the small intercourse we have in our bottoms with other nations, +furnish seamen sufficient for a navy necessary for the protection of +Great Britain and its trade? Will our mariners continue as they are, +when our manufactures are laboring under the disadvantage of receiving +their materials at higher and exorbitant prices, and selling at +foreign markets at a certain loss. Will these nurseries of seamen, +thus weakened, supply the loss of eighty thousand, sustained by the +independence of America, and the conquest of the West Indies? + +But what is the tendency of this? If it serves to convince Britain +that she should continue the war, does it not serve to convince the +allies that they ought to continue it too? For they are to get all +that Britain is to lose, and America is to be the greatest gainer of +all; whereas she is not only to lose these objects, but her liberties +too, if she is subdued. France, Spain, and all the other maritime +powers, are to gain a share of these objects, if Britain loses them; +whereas they not only lose all share in them, but even the safety and +existence of their flags upon the ocean may be lost, if America is +reduced, and the British monopoly of American trade, fisheries, and +seamen is revived. + +"It does not require the spirit of divination to perceive that Great +Britain, robbed of her foreign dominions and commerce, her nurseries +of seamen lost, her navy weakened, and the power of her ambitious +neighbors thus strengthened and increased, will not be able to +maintain her independence among the nations." + +If she would now make peace, she might preserve not only her +independence, but a great share of her present importance. If she +continues this war but a year or two longer, she will be reduced to +the government of her own island, in two independent kingdoms, +Scotland and England probably. As to conquest and subordination to +some neighboring power, none that has common sense would accept the +government of that island, because it would cost infinitely more to +maintain it than it would be worth. + +Thus I have given some account of these "cool thoughts on the +consequences of American independence," which I consider as the result +of all the consultations and deliberations of the refugees upon the +subject. + +I think it might as well have been entitled, an Essay towards +demonstrating that it is the clear interest and the indispensable duty +of America, to maintain her sovereignty and her alliances at all +events, and of France, Spain, Holland, and all the maritime powers to +support her in the possession of them. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Paris, June 16th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have just received a letter from Nantes, brought in a ship from New +London. I enclose your Excellency a newspaper enclosed in it, and an +extract of the letter, which is from a gentleman who is a member of +the assembly, and one of the judges of Boston. This is all the news I +have. I hope your Excellency has more by the same vessel. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + +_P. S._ I have mislaid the letter from Boston. The extract informed, +that a bill had passed the two Houses of Assembly, adopting the +resolution of Congress of the 18th of March, and establishing an +annual tax for seven years, for the redemption of their part of the +bills payable in silver and gold, or in produce at the market price, +in hard money. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, June 17th, 1780. + + Sir, + +The refugees in England are so great an obstacle to peace, that it +seems not improper for me to take notice of them to Congress. Governor +Hutchinson is dead. Whether the late popular insurrections, or whether +the resolutions of Congress of the 18th of March, respecting their +finances, by suddenly extinguishing the last rays of his hopes, put a +sudden end to his life, or whether it was owing to any other cause, I +know not. He was born to be the cause and the victim of popular fury, +outrage, and conflagrations. Descended from an ancient and honorable +family, born and educated in America, professing all the zeal of the +congregational religion, affecting to honor the characters of the +first planters of the new world, and to vindicate the character of +America, and especially of New England, early initiated into public +business, industrious and indefatigable in it, beloved and esteemed by +the people, elected and trusted by them and their representatives, his +views opened and extended by repeated travels in Europe, engaged in +extensive correspondence in Europe as well as in America, favored by +the Crown of Great Britain, and possessed of its honors and +emoluments; possessed of all these advantages and surrounded by all +these circumstances, he was perhaps the only man in the world who +could have brought on the controversy between Great Britain and +America, in the manner and at the time it was done, and involved the +two countries in an enmity, which must end in their everlasting +separation. Yet this was the character of the man, and these his +memorable actions. An inextinguishable ambition and avarice, that were +ever seen among his other qualities, and which grew with his growth +and strengthened with his age and experience, and at last predominated +over every other principle of his heart, rendered him credulous to a +childish degree, of everything that favored his ruling passion, and +blind and deaf to everything that thwarted it, to such a degree, that +his representations, with those of his fellow-laborer, Bernard, drew +on the King, Ministry, Parliament, and nation, to concert measures, +which will end in their reduction and the exaltation of America. + +I think I see visible traces of his councils in a number of pamphlets, +not long since published in London, and ascribed to Mr Galloway. It is +most probable, that they were concerted between the Ministry and the +refugees in general, and that Mr Galloway was to be given out as the +ostensible, as he probably was the principal author. + +"The cool thoughts on the consequences of American independence," +although calculated to inflame a hasty warlike nation to pursue the +conquest of America, are sober reasons for defending our independence +and our alliances, and therefore proper for me to lay before my +countrymen. The pamphlet says, "it has been often asserted, that Great +Britain has expended in settling and defending America, more than she +will ever be able to repay, and that it will be more to the profit of +this kingdom to give her independence, and to lose what we have +expended, than to retain her as a part of her dominions." To this he +answers, "that the bounties on articles of commerce, and the expense +of the last war, ought not to be charged to America, and that the sums +expended in support of Colonial governments, have been confined to New +York, the Carolinas, Georgia, Nova Scotia, and East and West Florida. +That New England, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and +Virginia, have not cost Great Britain a farthing, and that the whole +expense of the former is no more than £1,700,000, and when we deduct +the £700,000, extravagantly expended in building a key at Halifax, we +can only call it one million." He concludes, "that posterity will feel +that America was not only worth all that was spent upon her, but that +a just, firm, and constitutional subordination of the Colonies, was +absolutely necessary to the independence and existence of Great +Britain." Here I think I see the traces of Mr Hutchinson. + +Another argument, he says, much relied on by the advocates for +American independence is, "that a similarity of laws, religion, and +manners, has formed an attachment between the people of Great Britain +and America, which will ensure to Great Britain a preference in the +commerce of America." He agrees, "that a uniformity of laws and +religion, united with a subordination to the same supreme authority, +in a great measure forms and fixes the national attachment. But when +the laws and the supreme authority are abolished, the manners, habits, +and customs derived from them will soon be effaced. When different +systems of laws and governments shall be established, other habits and +manners must take place. The fact is, that the Americans have already +instituted governments, as opposite to the principles upon which the +British government is established as human invention could possibly +devise. New laws are made, and will be made in conformity to, and in +support of their new political systems, and of course destructive to +this national attachment. Their new States being altogether popular, +their essential laws do already, and will continue to bear a greater +resemblance to those of the democratical Cantons of Switzerland, than +to the laws and policy of Great Britain. Thus we find, in their first +acts, the strongest of all proofs of an aversion in their rulers to +our national policy, and a sure foundation laid to obliterate all +affection and attachment to this country among the people. How long +then can we expect that their attachment, arising from a similarity of +laws, habits, and manners, if any such should remain, will continue? +No longer than between the United Provinces and Spain, or the +Corsicans and the Genoese, which was changed, from the moment of their +separation, into an enmity, which is not worn out to this day." + +How it is possible for these rulers, who are the creatures of the +people, and constantly dependent upon them for their political +existence, to have the strongest aversion to the national policy of +Great Britain, and at the same time the far greater part of the people +wish and hope for a union with that country, and are ready to unite in +reducing the powers of those rulers, as this author asserts, I know +not. I leave him to reconcile it. If he had been candid, and confessed +that the attachment in American minds in general is not very strong to +the laws and government of England, and that they rather prefer a +different form of government, I should have agreed with him, as I +certainly shall agree, that no attachment between nations arising +merely from a similarity of laws and government, is ever very strong, +or sufficient to bind nations together, who have opposite or even +different interests. + +"As to attachments," says he, "arising from a similarity of religion, +they will appear still more groundless and ridiculous. America has no +predominant religion. There is not a religious society in Europe, +which is not to be found in America. If we wish to visit the churches +of England, or the meetings of the Lutherans, Methodists, Calvinists, +Presbyterians, Moravians, Menonists, Swinfielders, Dumplers, or Roman +Catholics, we shall find them all in America. + +"What a motley, or rather how many different and opposite attachments, +will this jumble of religions make. + +"Should there be any remains of this kind of national attachment, we +may conclude, that the Lutherans, Calvinists, Menonists, Swinfielders, +Dumplers, and Moravians, will be attached to Germany, the country from +whence they emigrated, and where their religions are best tolerated; +the Presbyterians and Puritans to Ireland, and the Roman Catholics to +France, Spain, and the Pope, and the small number of the Church of +England to Great Britain. + +"Do we not daily see, Monarchies at war with Monarchies, Infidels with +Infidels, Christians with Christians, Catholics with Catholics, and +Dissenters with Dissenters? What stress then can be justly laid on an +attachment arising from a similarity of laws, government, or religion? + +"It has also been asserted, that America will be led from motives of +interest, to give the preference in trade to this country, because we +can supply her with manufactures cheaper than she can raise them or +purchase them from others. + +"But a commercial alliance is already ratified, greatly injurious to +the trade of Great Britain, and should France succeed in supporting +American independence, no one can doubt but other treaties, yet more +injurious, will be added; and as to the ability of America to +manufacture, she possesses, or can produce a greater variety of raw +materials, than any other country on the globe. When she shall have a +separate and distinct interest of her own to pursue, her views will be +enlarged, her policy exerted to her own benefit, and her interest +instead of being united with, will become not only different from, but +opposite to that of Great Britain. She will readily perceive, that +manufactures are the great foundation of commerce, that commerce is +the great means of acquiring wealth, and that wealth is necessary to +her own safety. With these interesting prospects before her, it is +impossible to conceive, that she will not exert her capacity to +promote manufactures and commerce. She will see it to be clearly her +interest not only to manufacture for herself but others. Laws will be +made granting bounties to encourage it, and duties will be laid to +discourage or prohibit foreign importations. By these measures her +manufactures will increase, her commerce will be extended; and feeling +the benefits of them as they rise, her industry will be excited, until +she shall not only supply her own wants, but those of Great Britain +herself, with all the manufactures made with her own materials. The +nature of commerce is roving; she has been at different periods in +possession of the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, and the Venetians; +Germany and France lately enjoyed her, and supplied Great Britain with +their manufactures. Great Britain at present folds her in her arms." + +Surely it was never intended that any American should read this +pamphlet, it contains so many arguments and motives for perseverance +in our righteous and glorious cause. It is astonishing, however, that, +instead of stimulating England to pursue their unjust and inglorious +enterprise, it does not convince all of the impracticability of it, +and induce them to make peace. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Paris, June 20th, 1780. + + Sir, + +Last evening I received the letter, an extract of which I have the +honor to enclose. It is from Mr Gerry, a member of Congress, who has +been a member of their Treasury Board from the beginning of the year +1776.[5] + + [5] See this letter above, dated May 5th, 1780, p. 52. + +It is much to be regretted, that the Congress did not publish their +resolution to pay off the loan office certificates, according to the +value of money, at the time of their being respectively issued, with +their resolutions of the 18th of March; because this I think would +have prevented the alarm, that has been spread in Europe. It will be +found, that almost all the interest that European merchants or others +have in our funds, lies in these certificates, and that almost all the +paper bills now in possession of their factors in America, have been +received within a few months; immediately before the 18th of March, +and consequently received at a depreciation of forty for one, at +least, perhaps at a much greater. + +Although some Europeans may have considerable sums in loan office +certificates, yet I have reason to believe, that the whole will be +found much less than is imagined. They have realized their property +generally as they went along. Some may have purchased land, others +have purchased bills of exchange, others have purchased the produce of +the country, which they have exported to St Eustatia, to the French +West India Islands, and to Europe. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +COUNT DE VERGENNES TO JOHN ADAMS. + +Translation. + + Versailles, June 21st, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have received the letter, which you did me the honor to write me on +the 16th of this month, and also the extract of the letter addressed +to you from Boston, dated the 26th of April. + +From this it appears, that the Assembly of Massachusetts has +determined to adopt the resolution of Congress, fixing the value of +the paper money at forty for one in specie. On reading that +resolution, I was persuaded, that it had no other object than that of +restoring the value of the paper money by lessening its quantity, and +that in consequence of that operation the paper not brought in would +take its course according to the circumstances, that would give it a +greater or less degree of credit. What confirmed me in this opinion, +was the liberty given to the possessors of the paper money to carry it +to the treasury of their State, or to keep it in their own possession. +But from the information I have since received, and the letter, which +you have been pleased to communicate to me, I have reason to believe, +that it is the intention of Congress to maintain the paper money +invariably at the exchange of forty for one, and to settle on that +footing all the paper money, which has been thrown into circulation, +in order to reduce insensibly the two hundred millions of dollars, for +which it is indebted, to five millions. + +I will not presume, Sir, to criticise upon this operation, because I +have no right to examine or comment upon the internal arrangements, +which Congress may consider as just and profitable; and moreover I +readily agree, that there may be some situations so critical as to +force the best regulated and best established governments to adopt +extraordinary measures to repair their finances, and put them in a +condition to answer the public expenses; and this I am persuaded has +been the principal reason, that induced Congress to depreciate the +money, which they themselves have emitted. + +But while I admit, Sir, that that Assembly might have recourse to the +expedient abovementioned in order to remove their load of debt, I am +far from agreeing, that it is just, or agreeable to the ordinary +course of things to extend the effect to strangers, as well as to +citizens of the United States. On the contrary, I think it ought to be +confined to Americans, and that an exception ought to be made in favor +of strangers, or at least, that some means ought to be devised to +indemnify them, for the losses they may suffer by the general laws. + +In order to make you sensible of the truth of this observation, I will +only remark, Sir, that the Americans alone ought to support the +expense, which is occasioned by the defence of their liberty, and that +they ought to consider the depreciation of their paper money, only as +an impost which ought to fall upon themselves, as the paper money was +at first established only to relieve them from the necessity of paying +taxes. I will only add, that the French, if they are obliged to submit +to the reduction proposed by Congress, will find themselves victims of +their zeal, and I may say of the rashness, with which they exposed +themselves in furnishing the Americans with arms, ammunition, and +clothing; and in a word, with all things of the first necessity, of +which the Americans at the time stood in need. You will agree with me, +Sir, that this is not what the subjects of the King ought to expect, +and that after escaping the dangers of the sea, the vigilance of the +English, instead of dreading to see themselves plundered in America, +they ought on the contrary, to expect the thanks of Congress, and of +all the Americans, and believe, that their property will be as secure +and sacred in America as in France itself. + +It was with this persuasion, and in a reliance on public faith, that +they received paper money in exchange for their merchandise, and kept +that paper with a view to employ it in new speculations of commerce. +The unexpected reduction of this paper overturns all their +calculations at the same time that it ruins their fortune. I ask, Sir, +if these consequences can induce you to believe, that this act of +Congress is proper to advance the credit of the United States, to +inspire a confidence in their promises, to invite the European nations +to run the same risks, to which the subjects of his Majesty have +exposed themselves? + +These, Sir, are the principal reflections occasioned by the resolution +of Congress of the 18th of March. I thought it my duty to communicate +them to you with an entire confidence, because you are too enlightened +not to feel their force and justice, and too much attached to your +country, not to use all your endeavors to engage it to take steps to +do justice to the subjects of the King. + +I will not conceal from you, that the Chevalier de la Luzerne has +received orders to make the strongest representations on this subject, +and that the King is firmly persuaded, that the United States will be +forward to give to him, on this occasion, a mark of their attachment +by granting to his subjects the just satisfaction, which they solicit +and expect, from the wisdom and justice of the United States. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + DE VERGENNES. + + * * * * * + +TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Paris, June 22d, 1780. + + Sir, + +I received this day the letter, which your Excellency did me the honor +to write me on the 21st of this month. + +I thank your Excellency for the confidence, which induced you to +communicate this letter to me, and the continuance of which I shall +ever study to deserve. + +When your Excellency says, that his Majesty's Minister at Congress has +already received orders to make representations against the +resolutions of Congress of the 18th of March, as far as they effect +his subjects, I am at a loss to know with certainty, whether your +Excellency means only, that such orders have lately passed, and are +sent off to go to America, or whether you mean, that such orders were +sent so long ago as to have reached the hand of the Chevalier de la +Luzerne. + +If the latter is your Excellency's meaning, there is no remedy; if the +former, I would submit it to your Excellency's consideration, whether +those orders may not be stopped and delayed a little time, until his +Excellency Mr Franklin may have opportunity to make his +representations to his Majesty's Ministers, to the end, that if it +should appear, that those orders were issued in consequence of +misinformation, they may be revoked, otherwise sent on. + +I will do myself the honor to write fully to your Excellency upon this +subject without loss of time, and although it is a subject on which I +pretend not to an accurate knowledge in the detail, yet I flatter +myself I am so far master of the principles as to demonstrate, that +the plan of Congress is not only wise, but just. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Paris, June 22d, 1780. + + Sir, + +I this day acknowledge the receipt of the letter, which you did me the +honor to write to me on the 21st. + +I have the honor to agree with your Excellency in opinion, that it is +the intention of Congress to redeem all their paper bills which are +extant, at an exchange of forty for one, by which means, the two +hundred millions of dollars, which are out, will be reduced to about +five millions. + +I apprehend, with your Excellency, that it was necessary for the +Congress to put themselves in a condition to defray the public +expenses. They found their currency to be so depreciated, and so +rapidly depreciating, that a further emission sufficient to discharge +the public expenses another year, would have, probably, depreciated it +to two hundred for one; perhaps, would have so totally discredited it, +that nobody would have taken it at any rate. It was absolutely +necessary, then, to stop emitting. Yet it was absolutely necessary to +have an army to save their cities from the fire, and their citizens +from the sword. That army must be fed, clothed, paid, and armed, and +other expenses must be defrayed. It had become necessary, therefore, +at this time, to call in their paper; for there is no nation that is +able to carry on war by the taxes, which can be raised within the +year. But I am far from thinking, that this necessity was the cause of +their calling it in at a depreciated value, because I am well +convinced that they would have called it in at a depreciated value, if +the British fleet and army had been withdrawn from the United States, +and a general peace had been concluded. My reason for this belief is, +the evident injustice of calling it in at its nominal value, a silver +dollar for a paper one. The public has its rights as well as +individuals; and every individual has a share in the rights of the +public. Justice is due to the body politic, as well as to the +possessor of the bills; and to have paid off the bills at their +nominal value, would have wronged the body politic of thirtynine +dollars in every forty, as really as if forty dollars had been paid +for one, at the first emission in 1775, when each paper dollar was +worth, and would fetch a silver one. + +I beg leave to ask your Excellency, whether you judge that the +Congress ought to pay two hundred millions of silver dollars, for the +two hundred millions of paper dollars which are abroad? I presume your +Excellency will not think that they ought; because I have never met +with any man in America or in Europe, that was of that opinion. All +agree, that Congress ought to redeem it at a depreciated value. The +only question then, is, at what depreciation? Shall it be at +seventyfive, forty, thirty, twenty, ten, or five, for one? After it is +once admitted, that it ought to be redeemed at a less value than the +nominal, the question arises, at what value? What rule? I answer, +there is no other rule of justice than the current value, the value at +which it generally passes from man to man. The Congress have set it at +forty for one; and they are the best judges of this, as they represent +all parts of the continent where the paper circulates. + +I think there can be little need of illustration; but two or three +examples may make my meaning more obvious. A farmer has now four +thousand dollars for a pair of oxen, which he sells to a commissary to +subsist the army. When the money was issued in 1775, he would have +been glad to have taken one hundred. A laborer has now twenty dollars +a day for his work; five years ago, he would have been rejoiced to +have received half a dollar. The same with the artisan, merchant, and +all others, but those who have fixed salaries, or money at interest. +Most of these persons would be willing to take hard money for his work +and his produce, at the rate he did six years ago. Where is the +reason, then, that Congress should pay them forty times as much as +they take of their neighbors in private life? + +The amount of an ordinary commerce, external and internal, of a +society, may be computed at a fixed sum. A certain sum of money is +necessary to circulate among the society, in order to carry on their +business. This precise sum is discoverable by calculation, and +reducible to certainty. You may emit paper, or any other currency for +this purpose, until you reach this rule, and it will not depreciate. +After you exceed this rule, it will depreciate; and no power, or act +of legislation hitherto invented, will prevent it. In the case of +paper, if you go on emitting forever, the whole mass will be worth no +more than that was, which was emitted within the rule. When the paper, +therefore, comes to be redeemed, this is the only rule of justice for +the redemption of it. The Congress have fixed five millions for this +rule. Whether this is mathematically exact, I am not able to say; +whether it is a million too little, or too much, I know not. But they +are the best judges; and by the accounts of the money being at seventy +for one, and bills of exchange at fiftyfive for one, it looks as if +five millions was too high a sum, rather than too small. + +It will be said, that the faith of society ought to be sacred, and +that the Congress have pledged the public faith for the redemption of +the bills, at the value on the face of them. I agree that the public +faith ought to be sacred. But who is it that has violated this faith? +Is it not every man, who has demanded more paper money for his labor +or his goods than they were worth in silver? The public faith, in the +sense these words are here used, would require that Congress should +make up to every man, who for five years past has paid more in paper +money for anything he has purchased, than he could have had it for in +silver. The public faith is no more pledged to the present possessor +of the bills, than it is to every man, through whose hands they may +have passed, at a less value than the nominal value. So that according +to this doctrine, Congress would have two hundred millions of dollars +to pay to the present possessors of the bills, and to make up to every +man, through whose hands they may have passed, the difference at which +they passed between them and silver. + +It should be considered, that every man, whether native or foreigner, +who receives or pays this money at a less value than the nominal +value, breaks this faith. For the social compact being between the +whole and every individual, and between every individual and the +whole, every individual, native or foreigner, who uses this paper, is +as much bound by the public faith to use it according to the terms of +its emission as the Congress is. And Congress have as good a right to +reproach every individual, who now demands more paper for his goods +than silver, with a breach of the public faith, as he has to reproach +the public or their representatives. + +I must beg your Excellency's excuse for calling your attention a +little longer to this head of public faith, because I cannot rest +easy, while my country is supposed to be guilty of a breach of their +faith, and in a case where I am clear they have not been so, +especially by your Excellency, whose good opinion they and I value so +much. This public faith is in the nature of a mutual covenant, and he +who would claim a benefit under it, ought to be careful in first +fulfilling his part of it. When Congress issued their bills, declaring +them, in effect, to be equal to silver, they unquestionably intended +that they should be so considered, and that they should be received +accordingly. The people, or individuals covenanted, in effect, to +receive them at their nominal value; and Congress, in such case, +agreed on their part to redeem them at the same rate. This seems to be +a fair and plain construction of this covenant, or public faith; and +none other I think can be made, that will not degenerate into an +unconscionable contract, and so destroy itself. + +Can it be supposed, that Congress ever intended, that if the time +should come when the individual refused to accept and receive their +bills at their nominal value, and demanded, and actually received them +at a less value, that, in that case, the individual should be entitled +to demand, and receive of the public, for those very bills, silver +equal to their nominal value? The consideration is, in fact, made by +the public at the very instant the individual receives the bills at a +discount; and there is a tacit and implied agreement springing from +the principles of natural justice or equity, between the public and +the individual; that as the latter has not given to the former a +consideration equal to the nominal value of the bills, so in fact, the +public shall not be held to pay the nominal value in silver to the +individual. Suppose it otherwise, and how will the matter stand? The +public offers to an individual a bill, whose nominal value is, for +example, forty dollars, in lieu of forty silver dollars; the +individual says, I esteem it of no more value than one silver dollar, +and the public pays it to him at that value; yet he comes the next +day, when the bill may be payable, and demands of the public forty +silver dollars in exchange for it. And why? Because the bill purports +on the face of it, to be equal to forty silver dollars. The answer is +equally obvious with the injustice of the demand. Upon the whole, as +the depreciation crept in gradually, and was unavoidable, all +reproaches of a breach of public faith ought to be laid aside; and the +only proper inquiry now really is, what is paper honestly worth? What +will it fetch at market? And this is the only just rule of redemption. + +It becomes me to express myself with deference, when I am obliged to +differ in opinion from your Excellency; but this being a subject +peculiar to America, no example entirely similar to it, that I know +of, having been in Europe, I may be excused, therefore, in explaining +my sentiments upon it. + +I have the misfortune to differ from your Excellency, so far as to +think, that no general distinction can be made between natives and +foreigners. For, not to mention that this would open a door to +numberless frauds, I think, that foreigners when they come to trade +with a nation, make themselves temporary citizens, and tacitly consent +to be bound by the same laws. And it will be found, that foreigners +have had quite as much to do, in depreciating this money, in +proportion, as natives, and that they have been in proportion much +less sufferers by it. I might go further and say, that they have been +in proportion greater gainers by it, without suffering any +considerable share of the loss. + +The paper bills out of America, are next to nothing. I have no reason +to think, that there are ten thousand dollars in all Europe; indeed, I +do not know of one thousand. The agents in America of merchants in +Europe, have laid out their paper bills in lands, or in indigo, rice, +tobacco, wheat, flour, &c.; in short, in the produce of the country. +This produce they have shipped to Europe, sold to the King's ships, +and received bills of exchange, or shipped to the West India Islands, +where they have procured cash, or bills of exchange. The surplus they +have put into the loan offices from time to time, for loan offices +have been open all along, from 1776, I believe, to this time. Whenever +any person lent paper bills to the public, and took loan office +certificates, he would have been glad to have taken silver in exchange +for the bills, at their then depreciated value. Why should he not be +willing now? Those who lent paper, when two paper dollars were worth +one in silver, will have one for two; those who lent, when forty were +worth one, will have one for forty; and those who lent, when paper was +as good as silver, will have dollar for dollar. + +Your Excellency thinks it would be hard, that those who have escaped +the perils of the seas and of enemies, should be spoiled by their +friends. But Congress have not spoiled any; they have only prevented +themselves and the public from being spoiled. No agent of any European +merchant, in making his calculations of profit and loss, ever +estimated the depreciated bills at the nominal value; they all put a +profit upon their goods sufficient to defray all expenses of +insurance, freight, and everything else, and had a great profit +besides, receiving the bills at the current, not the nominal value. + +It may not be amiss to state a few prices current at Boston the last +and the present year, in order to show the profits which have been +made. Bohea tea, forty sous a pound at L'Orient and Nantes, fortyfive +dollars; salt, which costs very little in Europe, and used to be sold +for a shilling a bushel, forty dollars a bushel, and in some of the +other States, two hundred dollars, at times; linens, which cost two +livres a yard in France, forty dollars a yard; broadcloths, a louis +d'or a yard here, two hundred dollars a yard; ironmongery of all +sorts, one hundred and twenty for one; millinary of all sorts, at an +advance far exceeding. These were the prices at Boston. At +Philadelphia, and in all the other States, they were much higher. +These prices, I think, must convince your Excellency that allowing one +half, or even two thirds of the vessels to be taken, there is room +enough for a handsome profit, deducting all charges, and computing the +value of bills at the rate of silver at the time. + +There are two other sources from which foreigners have made great +profits. The difference between bills of exchange and silver. During +the whole of our history, when a man could readily get twentyfive +paper dollars for one in silver, he could not get more than twelve +paper dollars for one, in a bill of exchange. Nearly this proportion +was observed all along, as I have been informed. The Agent of a +foreign merchant had only to sell his goods for paper, or buy paper +with silver at twentyfive for one, and immediately go and buy bills at +twelve for one. So that he doubled his money in a moment. + +Another source was this; the paper money was not alike depreciated in +all places at the same time. It was forty for one at Philadelphia, +sometimes, when it was only twenty at Boston. The agent of a foreign +merchant had only to sell his goods, or send silver to Philadelphia, +and exchange it for paper, which he could lay out at Boston for twice +what it cost him, and in this way again double his property. + +This depreciating paper currency being, therefore, such a fruitful +source for men of penetration to make large profits, it is not to be +wondered that some have written alarming letters to their +correspondents. + +No man is more ready than I am to acknowledge the obligations we are +under to France; but the flourishing state of her marine and commerce, +and the decisive influence of her councils and negotiations in Europe, +which all the world will allow to be owing in a great measure to the +separation of America from her inveterate enemy, and to her new +connexions with the United States, show that the obligations are +mutual. And no foreign merchant ought to expect to be treated in +America better than her native merchants, who have hazarded their +property through the same perils of the seas and of enemies. + +In the late Province of the Massachusetts Bay, from the years 1745 to +1750, we had full experience of the operation of paper money. The +Province engaged in expensive expeditions against Louisburg and +Canada, which occasioned a too plentiful emission of paper money, in +consequence of which, it depreciated to seven and a half for one. In +1750, the British Parliament granted a sum of money to the Province to +reimburse it, for what it had expended more than its proportion in the +general expense of the empire. This sum was brought over to Boston in +silver and gold, and the Legislature determined to redeem all their +paper with it at the depreciated value. There was a similar alarm at +first, and before the matter was understood, but after the people had +time to think upon it, all were satisfied to receive silver at fifty +shillings an ounce, although the face of the bills promised an ounce +of silver for every six shillings and eight pence. At that time, the +British merchants were more interested in our paper money, in +proportion, than any Europeans now are; yet they did not charge the +Province with a breach of faith, or stigmatise this as an act of +bankruptcy. On the contrary, they were satisfied with it. + +I beg leave to remind your Excellency, that at that time, the laws of +Massachusetts were subject not only to the negative of the King's +Governor, but to a revision by the King in Council, and were there +liable to be affirmed or annulled. And from the partial preference, +which your Excellency well knows, was uniformly given to the subjects +of the King, within the realm, when they came in competition with +those of the subjects of the Colonies, there is no reason to doubt, +that if that measure, when thoroughly considered, had been unjust in +itself, but the merchants in England would have taken an alarm, and +procured the act to be disallowed by the King in Council. Yet the +merchants in England, who well understood their own interests, were +quite silent upon this occasion, and the law was confirmed in the +Council; nor can it be supposed to have been confirmed there in a +manner unnoticed. It had met with too much opposition among a certain +set of interested speculators in the then Province, for that +supposition to be made. And the case of the British merchants, at that +time, differed in no respect from the present case of the French, or +other foreign merchants, except that the credits of the former were +vastly greater, and they must have, consequently, been more deeply +interested in that measure of government, than the latter are in the +present one. Their acquiescence in the measure, and the confirmation +of that act, must have rested upon the full conviction of the British +administration and of the merchants, of the justice of it. Your +Excellency will agree, in the difficulty of making any distinction +between the French merchant and the Spanish or Dutch merchant, by any +general rule; for all these are interested in this business. + +Your Excellency is pleased to ask, whether I think these proceedings +of Congress proper to give credit to the United States; to inspire +confidence in their promises, and to invite the European nations to +partake of the same risks, to which the subjects of his Majesty have +exposed themselves? + +I have the honor to answer your Excellency, directly and candidly, +that I do think them proper for these ends, and I do further think +them to be the only measures that ever could acquire credit and +confidence to the United States. I know of no other just foundation of +confidence in men, or bodies of men, than their understanding and +integrity; and Congress have manifested to all the world by this plan, +that they understand the nature of their paper currency, that its +fluctuation has been the grand obstacle to their credit; and that it +was necessary to draw it to a conclusion, in order to introduce a more +steady standard of commerce; that, to this end, the repeal of their +laws, which made the paper a tender, and giving a free circulation to +silver and gold, were necessary. They have further manifested by +these resolutions, that they are fully possessed of the only principle +there is in the nature of things for doing justice in this business, +to the public and to individuals, to natives and foreigners, and that +they are sufficiently possessed of the confidence of the people; and +there is sufficient vigor in their government to carry it into +execution. + +Notwithstanding all, if any European merchant can show any good reason +for excepting his particular case from the general rule, upon a +representation of it to Congress, I have no doubt they will do him +justice. + +Moreover, if his Excellency the Chevalier de la Luzerne can show, that +the sum of five millions of dollars is not the real worth of all the +paper money that is abroad, and that ten millions of dollars is the +true sum, I doubt not Congress would alter their rule, and redeem it +at twenty for one. But I doubt very much whether this can be shown. +But I cannot see that any distinction could be made between French +merchants and those of other nations, but what would be very invidious +and founded upon no principle. I cannot see that any distinction can +be made between natives and foreigners, but what would have a most +unhappy effect upon the minds of the people in America, and be a +partiality quite unwarrantable; and, therefore, your Excellency will +see, that it is impossible for me to take any steps to persuade +Congress to retract, because it would be acting in direct repugnance +to the clearest dictates of my understanding and judgment, of what is +right and fit. + +I cannot excuse myself from adding, that most of the arms, ammunition, +and clothing for the army, have been contracted for here, by the +Ministers of Congress, and paid for, or agreed to be paid for here, +in silver and gold. Very little of these articles have been shipped by +private adventurers. They have much more commonly shipped articles of +luxury, of which the country did not stand in need, and upon which +they must have made vast profits. + +Thus have I communicated to your Excellency my sentiments, with that +freedom, which becomes a citizen of the United States, intrusted by +the public with some of its interests. I intreat your Excellency to +consider them as springing from no other motive, than a strong +attachment to the union of the States, and a desire to prevent all +unnecessary causes of parties and disputes; and from a desire not only +to preserve the alliance in all its vigor, but to prevent everything, +which may unnecessarily oppose itself to the affection and confidence +between the two nations, which I wish to see increased every day; as +every day convinces me more and more of the necessity, that France and +America will be under, of cherishing their mutual connexions. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Paris, June 22d, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have this day the honor of a letter from his Excellency the Count de +Vergennes, on the subject of the resolutions of Congress, of the 18th +of March, concerning the paper bills, in which his Excellency informs +me, that the Chevalier de la Luzerne has orders to make the strongest +representations upon the subject. I am not certain whether his +Excellency means, that such orders were sent so long ago as to have +reached the hand of the Minister at Congress, or whether they have +been lately expected. If the latter, I submit to your Excellency, +whether it would not be expedient to request, that those orders may be +stopped until proper representations can be made at Court, to the end, +that if it can be made to appear, as I firmly believe that it may, +that those orders were given upon misinformation, they may be revoked, +otherwise sent on. + +Your Excellency will excuse this, because it appears to me a matter of +very great importance. The affair of our paper is sufficiently +dangerous and critical, and if a representation from his Majesty +should be made, advantages will not fail to be taken of it by the +tories, and by interested and disappointed speculators, who may spread +an alarm among many uninformed people, so as to endanger the public +peace. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, June 26th, 1780. + + Sir, + +The resolutions of Congress, of the 18th of March, respecting the +paper bills, appeared first in Europe, as recited in the act of the +Assembly of Pennsylvania; they were next published in the English +newspapers, as taken from a Boston paper published by the Council; at +last the resolutions appeared in the Journals of Congress. + +A great clamor was raised, and spread, that the United States had +violated their faith, and had declared themselves bankrupts, unable to +pay more than two and a half per cent. A gentleman soon after called +on me, and told me, that the Court was alarmed, and that the Count de +Vergennes would be glad to consult me upon the subject. I then +received a letter from Boston, acquainting me, that the Legislature of +Massachusetts had adopted the plan. Of this letter I sent an extract +immediately to the Count, and waited on him at Versailles, where I had +the honor of a long conversation with his Excellency on the subject. +He desired me to converse with his first Secretary, which I did +particularly. + +His Excellency told me he had written to me on the subject, and that I +should receive the letter the next day. On my return from Versailles, +I received a letter from Mr Gerry, informing me of the resolutions to +pay the Loan Office certificates, at the value of money at the time +when they were issued. I had before told the Count, that I was +persuaded this was a part of the plan. I sent an extract of this +letter also to the Count, without loss of time. The next day I +received the letter from his Excellency, the copy of which, and of my +answer, are enclosed. Yesterday, Mr Trumbull of Connecticut, favored +me with a law of the State, respecting this matter, and an estimate of +the gradual progress of depreciation. These papers I forthwith +transmitted to his Excellency. I am determined to give my sentiments +to his Majesty's Ministers whenever they shall see cause to ask them, +although it is not within my department, until I shall be forbidden by +Congress; and to this end I shall go to Court often enough to give +them an opportunity to ask them, if they wish to know them. + +The clamor that has been raised, has been so industriously spread, +that I cannot but suspect, that the motive at bottom has either been +a wish to have an opportunity of continuing the profitable +speculations, which artful men are able to make in a depreciating +currency, or else by spreading a diffidence in American credit, to +discourage many from engaging in American trade, that the profits of +it may still continue to be confined to a few. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, June 29th, 1780. + + Sir, + +The disputes about the Alliance, have been so critical and +disagreeable, that Congress will pardon me for making a few +observations upon our arrangements here. + +I apprehend, that many of the disputes, delays, and other +inconveniences, that have attended our affairs in this kingdom, have +arisen from blending the offices of political Minister, Board of +Admiralty, Chamber of Commerce, and Commercial Agent together. The +business of the Minister is to negotiate with the Court, to propose +and consult upon plans for the conduct of the war, to collect and +transmit intelligence from other parts, especially concerning the +designs and the forces of the enemy. This is business enough for the +wisest and most industrious man the United States have in their +service, aided by an active, intelligent, and laborious secretary. But +added to all this, our Ministers at the Court of Versailles, have ever +been overloaded with commercial and Admiralty business, complicated +and perplexed in its nature, and endless in its details. But for this, +I am persuaded much more might have been done in the conduct of the +war, and the United States might have had more effectual assistance, +and France and Spain too fewer misfortunes to bewail. + +I would, therefore, beg leave to propose, to appoint a consul without +loss of time to reside at Nantes, and to him consign all vessels from +the United States. I think it should be an American, some merchant of +known character, abilities, and industry, who would consent to serve +his country for moderate emoluments. Such persons are to be found in +great numbers in the United States. There are many applications from +French gentlemen. But I think that a want of knowledge of our +language, our laws, customs, and even the humors of our people, for +even these must be considered, would prevent them from giving +satisfaction, or doing justice. Besides, if it is an honor, a profit, +or only an opportunity to travel and see the world for improvement, I +think the native Americans have a right to expect it; and further, +that the public have a right to expect that whatever advantages are +honestly to be made in this way, should return sometime or other to +America; together with the knowledge and experience gained at the same +time. + +These consuls, as well as the foreign Ministers, should all be +instructed to transmit to Congress, written accounts of the civil and +military constitutions of the places where they are, as well as all +the advantages for commerce with the whole world, especially with the +United States. These letters preserved, will be a repository of +political and commercial knowledge, that in future times may be a rich +treasure to the United States. To these consuls, the commercial +concerns of the public should be committed, and the vessels of war. It +will be necessary sometimes to send a frigate to Europe to bring +intelligence, to bring passengers, even, perhaps, to bring +commodities, or fetch stores. But I hope no frigate will ever again be +sent to cruise, or be put under the command of anybody in Europe, +consul or Minister. They may receive their orders from the Navy Board +in America, and be obliged to obey them. I have had a great deal of +experience in the government of these frigates, when I had the honor +to be one of the Ministers Plenipotentiary at the Court of Versailles, +and afterwards at Nantes, L'Orient, and Brest, when I was seeking a +passage home. Disputes were perpetually arising between officers and +their crews, between captains and their officers, and between the +officers of one ship and another. There were never officers enough to +compose a court martial, and nobody had authority to remove or suspend +officers without their consent; so that in short, there was little +order, discipline, subordination, or decency. + +Another thing, when frigates are under the direction of an authority +at a distance of three or four hundred miles, so much time is lost in +writing and sending letters and waiting for answers, it has been found +an intolerable embarrassment to the service. It is now two years since +consuls were expected, and a secretary to this mission. It is a great +misfortune to the United States that they have not arrived. Every man +can see that it has been a great misfortune, but none can tell how +great. There is much reason to believe, that if our establishments +here had been upon a well digested plan and completed, and if our +affairs had been urged with as much skill and industry as they might +in that case have been, that we should at this moment have been +blessed with peace, or at least with tranquillity and security, which +would have resulted from a total expulsion of the English from the +United States and the West India Islands. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Paris, June 29th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to enclose a copy of a letter of the Count de +Vergennes to me, of the 21st of this month, and a copy of my answer to +his Excellency, of the 22d. + +This correspondence is upon a subject that has lain much out of the +way of my particular pursuits, and, therefore, I may be inaccurate in +some things; but, in the principles, I am well persuaded I am right. I +hope that things are explained so as to be intelligible, and that +there is nothing inconsistent with that decency, which ought in such a +case to be observed. + +If your Excellency thinks me materially wrong in anything, I should be +much obliged to you to point it out to me, for I am open to +conviction. + +This affair, in America, is a very tender and dangerous business, and +requires all the address, as well as all the firmness of Congress, to +extricate the country out of the embarrassment arising from it; and +there is no possible system, I believe, that could give universal +satisfaction to all; but this appears to me, to promise to give more +general satisfaction, than any other that I have ever heard suggested. +I have added copies of the whole correspondence. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +COUNT DE VERGENNES TO JOHN ADAMS. + +Translation. + + Versailles, June 30th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have received the letter, which you did me the honor to write me on +the 22d inst. on the subject of the resolution of Congress of the 18th +of March last. I have already informed you, that it was by no means my +intention to analyse this resolution, as it respects the citizens of +the United States, nor examine whether circumstances authorise the +arrangement or not. I had but one object in writing to you with the +confidence I thought due to your knowledge and your attachment to the +alliance, which was to convince you that the French ought not to be +confounded with the Americans, and that there would be a manifest +injustice in making them sustain the loss with which they are +threatened. + +The details into which you have thought proper to enter have not +changed my sentiments; but I think that all further discussion on this +subject will be needless, and I shall only observe, that if the King's +Council considers, as you pretend, the resolution of Congress in a +wrong point of view, the Chevalier de la Luzerne, who is on the spot, +will not fail to elucidate the matter; and if Congress on their part +shall not adopt the representations, which that Minister is charged to +make to them, they will undoubtedly communicate to us their reasons to +justify their refusal. + +Should they be well founded the King will take them into +consideration, his Majesty demanding nothing but the most exact +justice. But should they be otherwise, he will renew his instances to +the United States, and will confidently expect from their penetration +and wisdom a decision conformable to his demand. His Majesty is the +more persuaded that Congress will give their whole attention to this +business, as this Assembly, which has frequently renewed the +assurance, values, as well as yourself, Sir, the union which subsists +between France and the United States, and that they will assuredly +perceive that the French deserve a preference before other nations, +who have no treaty with America, and who even have not, as yet, +acknowledged her Independence. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + DE VERGENNES. + + * * * * * + +TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Paris, July 1st, 1780. + + Sir, + +I had this morning the honor of your letter of the 30th of June. + +It is very certain, that the representations from his Majesty, which +may be made by his Minister, the Chevalier de la Luzerne, will be +attended to by Congress with all possible respect; and its due weight +will be given to every fact and argument, that he may adduce; and I am +well persuaded, that Congress will be able to give such reasons for +their final result, as will give entire satisfaction to his Majesty, +and remove every color of just complaint from his subjects. + +As in my letter of the 22d of last month, I urged such reasons as +appeared to me incontestible, to show that the resolution of Congress +of the 18th of March, connected with the other resolution, to pay the +loan office certificates, according to the value of money at the time +they were emitted, being a determination to pay the full value of all +the bills and certificates, which were out; and the depreciation of +both being more the act and fault of their possessors than of +government, was neither a violation of the public faith, nor an act of +bankruptcy. I have the honor to agree with your Excellency in opinion, +that any further discussion of these questions is unnecessary. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, July 6th, 1780. + + Sir, + +In the public papers of the latter end of June, are lists of the +vessels of war and privateers taken and destroyed by the powers at +war. + + +VESSELS TAKEN FROM FRANCE. + + Vessels. Guns. + + Protée, 64 Taken by Admiral Digby, + Fortune, 42 " " " Rowley, + Blanche, 36 " " " " + Prudente, 36 Ruby, Everett, + Danaë, 34 Experiment, Wallace, + Sartine, 32 Admiral Vernon, + Licorne, 32 " " + Alcmène, 30 Proserpine, Sutton, + Oiseau, 26 Apollo, Pownal, + Adventure, 26 Admiral Arbuthnot, + Pilote, 14 Commodore Reynolds, + Mutin, 14 Commodore Reynolds, + Coureur, 14 Admiral Keppel. + + +_Destroyed._ + + Valeur, 26 Experiment, Wallace, + Recluse, 24 " " + + +VESSELS TAKEN BY FRANCE. + + Ardent, 64 D'Orvilliers, + Experiment, 50 D'Estaing, + Minerva, 32 + Montreal, 32 Le Bourgoyne, + Fox, 28 La Junon, + Active, 28 + Ariel, 20 D'Estaing, + Lively, 20 D'Orvilliers, + Ceres, 18 D'Estaing, + Weazel, 16 + Senegal, 16 + Zephyr, 14 + Alert, 10 D'Orvilliers, + Thunder Bomb, 8 D'Estaing. + + +_Destroyed._ + + Juno, 32 At Rhode Island, + Flora, 32 + Lark, 32 + Orpheus, 32 + Quebec, 32 By the Surveillante, + Cerberus, 28 At Rhode Island, + Rose, 20 At Savannah, + Falcon, 18 At Rhode Island, + King Fisher, 16 " " " + + +PRIVATEERS TAKEN FROM FRANCE. + + Lion, 40 + Monsieur, 40 + Duc de Cogny, 36 + Belhune, 30 + Ménagère, 30 + Hercule, 30 + Comte d'Artois, 28 + Lis, 28 + Sphinx, 20 Retaken by the French, + Helena, 16 " " " + Jackall, 10 " " " + + +VESSELS TAKEN FROM SPAIN. + + Phoenix, 80 By Admiral Rodney, + Monarca, 70 + Princessa, 70 + Ammonica, 32 Pearl, Montagu, + Margarita, 28 Johnstone. + + +_Destroyed._ + + S. Domingo, 70 By Admiral Rodney, + S. Eugenio, 70 + S. Julian, 70 + + +PRIVATEERS TAKEN FROM THE SPANIARDS. + + Guipuscoa, 64 + San Carlos, 52 + San Carlos, 32 + San Rafael, 30 + Sta Teresa, 28 + Sta Bruna, 26 + Solidad, 26 + + +VESSELS OF WAR TAKEN FROM CONGRESS. + + Hancock, 32 Rainbow, Sir George Collier, + Raleigh, 32 Experiment, Wallace, + Providence, 32 Admiral Arbuthnot, + Boston, 32 " " + Delaware, 30 Lord Howe, + Virginia, 30 St Albans, Onslow, + Oliver Cromwell, 24 Beaver Sloop, Jones, + Hampden, 20 Sir George Collier, + Trumbull, 20 Venus, Ferguson, + Cumberland, 20 Pomona, Waldgrove, + Ranger, 20 Admiral Arbuthnot, + Alfred, 20 Ariadne, Pringle, + Hunter, 18 Sir George Collier, + Cabot, 18 Hope, Dawson, + Lexington, 16 Alert, Bazeley. + + +_Destroyed._ + + Bricole, pierced for + 60, mounting 40 Admiral Arbuthnot, + Bon Homme Richard, 44 Serapis, Pearson, + Randolph, 36 Yarmouth, Vincent, + Warren, 32 Sir George Collier, + Washington, 32 Captain Henry, + Effingham, 28 " " + Queen of France, 28 Admiral Arbuthnot, + Fruit, 26 " " + General Moultrie, 20 " " + Notre Dame, 16 " " + +_N. B._ Seventeen armed ships, from fourteen to twentyfour guns, +destroyed by Sir George Collier, at Penobscot; three frigates, and +two sloops destroyed by the same, upon the stocks at Portsmouth, the +gallies destroyed upon Lake Champlain, in Georgia, &c., the ships +destroyed in Egg Harbor, at Bedford, &c. + + +VESSELS OF WAR TAKEN BY CONGRESS. + + Vessels. Guns. + + Serapis, 44 Paul Jones, + Drake, 18 Ranger, Paul Jones, + Thorn, 16 Boston, Tucker, + Countess of Scarborough, 22 Paul Jones. + + +_Destroyed._ + + Augusta, 64 At Mud Fort, + Acteon, 28 At Fort Sullivan, + Mermaid, 21 Off Cape Henlopen, + Merlin, 18 At Mud Fort. + + +VESSELS OF WAR DESTROYED BY ACCIDENT. + +_English._ + + Somerset, 64 + Repulse, 32 + Arethusa, 32 + Liverpool, 28 + Syren, 28 + Leviathan, 26 + Grampus, 26 + Tortoise, 26 + Glasgow, 24 + Vestal, 20 + Mercury, 20 + Cruiser, 16 + Otter, 16 + Pomona, 16 + Zebra, 16 + Cupid, 16 + Savage, 16 + Pegasus, 14 + Spy, 14 + Swallow, 14 + Viper, 14 + + +_French._ + + Roland, 64 + Zephyr, 32 + Monarque, 64 + Fox, 28 + + +_Spanish._ + + Pondersoso, 70 + Notre Dame, + St Joseph, 70 + Rosa, 30 + Congres, + Carmes, 36 + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, July 6th, 1780. + + Sir, + +In looking over the long list of vessels belonging to the United +States, taken and destroyed, and recollecting the whole history of the +rise and progress of our navy, it is very difficult to avoid tears. +Nevertheless, what we have done and lost, shows what we can do. Our +resources of materials, artists, and seamen, are not exhausted. But it +is impossible not to inquire, whether we have not committed errors in +the destination of our vessels? Whether our navy is equal to the +attack or defence of places? Whether our articles of war for the +government of the marine, are adequate to the introduction of that +obedience and discipline that are necessary? Whether cruising for the +protection of our own trade, against the depredations of privateers +and smaller vessels of war of our enemies, and for the purpose of +making prizes of transports and merchant ships, is not the object +fittest in the present stage of our naval history, to encourage seamen +to engage in our service, to form officers, to supply the United +States with many things, and to weaken and distress our foes? Officers +who have a thirst for glory, and wish to distinguish themselves by +brilliant battles, ought not to be discouraged, but I cannot but +think, that at this period they would do more essential service to +their country, by a line of conduct leading to fewer laurels, but more +wealth. + +In all events, however, it is to be hoped and presumed, that Congress +will give great attention to their navy, to the augmentation of ships, +the multiplication of seamen, the improvement of discipline, and the +formation of officers. Americans, I see, must cherish their own navy. +I fear that no other nation would grieve very much at the total +destruction of it, before the conclusion of a peace. I am sorry to say +this; but I have heard such hints as convince me, that it is my duty +to put Congress on their guard, and to entreat them to leave nothing +unattempted to put their marine upon the best footing in their power. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, July 7th, 1780. + + Sir, + +On the 27th of June Mr Hartley, after a speech of an hour long, moved, +that the House would give him leave to bring in a bill, to the end to +empower the Court, to adopt the most proper means to make peace with +America. After a short debate, the question being put, the majority +was for the negative. This motion is said to have had the less +success, because it is founded on a principle absolutely false and +derogatory to the royal prerogative. The King of England, to make +peace, wants nothing but the will. It is in this case only that he is +absolute. The American war was commenced without the participation of +Parliament. Why should they give the King new powers to bring it to a +conclusion? There is but one means of forcing him to it, and that is +by refusing him the necessary subsidies; and they are now further from +this than ever. But it is ridiculous to labor to clothe the King with +powers, which are inherent in his title. It is, in other words, to +permit him to be a King. + +The bill is of the following tenor. "Whereas for some years there have +arisen unfortunate disputes between Great Britain and several +Provinces of North America, which have occasioned the calamities of +war; to the end to prevent a greater effusion of blood, and to +re-establish peace, be it enacted, that his Majesty be permitted by +virtue of letters patent, to nominate Commissioners with power to +treat, consult, and agree upon the means of restoring peace, in +concert with persons authorised for this purpose by the said Provinces +of North America. That, to facilitate the good intentions of this +bill, be it enacted, that the King give power to the said +Commissioners, to cause to be suspended all hostilities by land and by +sea, for so long a time and under such conditions and restrictions as +they shall judge proper. That, to the end to establish upon a good +foundation, a cordial reconciliation and a durable peace between Great +Britain and the said Provinces, by reinstating them in their ancient +friendship, his Majesty may legally permit his said Commissioners to +grant and to ratify, from time to time, any article of pacification, +which thus granted and ratified, shall have its full and entire +effect for ten years, to be dated from the 1st of August of the +present year. That, for removing every obstacle, which may oppose +itself, to the full execution of any article of pacification, his +Majesty shall be at liberty, by any order in writing, signed with his +hand and countersigned by one or more Secretaries of State, to +authorise the said Commissioners to suspend, during ten years, to be +dated from the 1st of August of the present year, the execution of any +act of Parliament, which concerns the said Provinces, so far as the +said acts, their clauses or conditions, may put any obstacle to the +full effect, and to the execution of any article of pacification +between Great Britain and the said Provinces. That, to the end to +establish a durable reconciliation, and a perpetual peace between +Great Britain and the said Provinces, be it enacted, that all and +every article of pacification, resolved and ratified for ten years as +aforesaid, shall be from time to time communicated to both Houses of +Parliament, to be by them examined, as forming the base of a sincere +and durable union; and that every one of the said articles having been +once approved in Parliament, shall have forever its full and entire +effect. That the present act shall remain in force until the 31st of +December." + +Having been disappointed, by another accident, of my English papers, I +have been obliged to translate this bill from the Courier de l'Europe, +I hope to transmit the original in a few days. It is however of so +little consequence, that it is scarce worth transcribing. Other +grounds must be taken than that of General Conway, Governor Pownal, or +Mr Hartley, before anything will be done in earnest towards peace. The +history of Charleston, and the numberless fictions with which the +stockjobbers have decorated it, have raised the stocks three and a +half per cent, and have given such a temporary intoxication to the +people, that scarce anything is talked of but unconditional +submission. + +The affair of Mobile, the dispersion of both the outward and homeward +bound Quebec fleet, the indecisive battles between de Guichen and +Rodney, and the anxiety for Walsingham's fleet, and twenty other +fears, begin now to sink their spirits again. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + +_N. B._ Sir George Saville moved on the same day a resolution, that +the American war was unconstitutional, expensive, and ruinous, but +this motion was rejected by nearly the same majority. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, July 7th, 1780. + + Sir, + +On the 21st of last month, the merchants of the city of Amsterdam +arrived at the Hague, and presented to their High Mightinesses a +petition, conceived in these terms. + +"To their High Mightinesses, our Lords, the States-General of the +United Provinces. + +"The subscribers, all merchants, trading to the West Indies, and +established under the jurisdiction of this State, give respectfully to +understand, that, to their great regret, the petitioners have learned, +by the way of a ship, lately arrived from Curaçoa, the unheard of ill +treatment exercised by the English in taking the barques belonging to +the subjects of their High Mightinesses, which trade with the French +possessions in the said countries, and which, loaded with the +productions of the said countries, purchased or consigned, make sail +to return to the islands or places which belong to the dominions of +their High Mightinesses, without having even to this time, that your +petitioners know of, returned either the barques or cargoes; but so +far from it, that the cargoes of some of them have been already +condemned, and the barques restored empty; a fate which the +petitioners fear to see others undergo likewise. And as by these +vexations and unparalleled ill treatment, the subjects of your High +Mightinesses, contrary to all kinds of right, are deprived of their +property and effects embarked, as well as of the liberty which is +assured to them by the treaties subsisting between the Crown of +England and this State, and by these means see themselves reduced to +an impossibility of being able to procure for the ships sent from home +to the West Indies, the cargoes necessary for their return, all +expeditions and adventures of merchandises from our countries to these +places must absolutely cease, and draw after it the inevitable ruin of +this branch of commerce, so important as well as that of many of the +subjects of your High Mightinesses, both in this country and in the +West Indies." + +"For these causes, the petitioners pray, in all humility, that your +High Mightinesses would be pleased to take this navigation and +commerce, forming an object so considerable, under your effectual +protection, in the first place, by granting the necessary convoy to +ships which go to the West Indies, or which return from thence, and in +the next place, to order to cruise in those seas a sufficient number +of vessels of war, or even to order them to escort the barques in +question, and other trading ships, loaded with productions and +effects permitted by the treaties, and making sail for the French +Colonies, or returning from them, to the end to secure them from all +further insult; which will preserve at the same time the petitioners, +as well as many other subjects of the Republic from total ruin. That +it may, moreover, please your High Mightinesses to charge the Count de +Welderen, your Envoy Extraordinary to the British Court, to make the +necessary representations touching the seizure of these barques, to +seek to obtain of the English Ministry, that the requisite orders may +be sent to the Colonies of his Britannic Majesty, for releasing the +aforesaid barques with their cargoes, paying, at the same time, the +expenses occasioned by their seizure; in fine, that by the good and +efficacious offices of his Excellency, things may be directed in such +a manner, that on the part of the Court of St James, they may write to +Jamaica and elsewhere, and not interrupt for the future, the subjects +of their High Mightinesses in the exercise of this lawful commerce, +but to permit them to enjoy a free navigation and commerce, such as +have been solemnly accorded and guaranteed to them by the treaty of +1674." + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +B. FRANKLIN TO COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Passy, July 10th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I received the letter your Excellency did me the honor of writing to +me, dated June 30th, together with the papers accompanying it, +containing the correspondence of Mr Adams.[6] I have taken some pains +to understand the subject, and obtain information of facts from +persons recently arrived, having received no letters myself that +explain it. I cannot say, that I yet perfectly understand it, but in +this I am clear, that if the operation directed by Congress in their +resolution of March the 18th occasions, from the necessity of the +case, some inequality of justice, that inconvenience ought to fall +wholly on the inhabitants of the States, who reap with it the +advantages obtained by the measure; and that the greatest care should +be taken that foreign merchants, particularly the French, who are our +creditors, do not suffer by it. This I am so confident the Congress +will do, that I do not think any representations of mine necessary to +persuade them to it. + +I shall not fail, however, to lay the whole before them; and I beg +that the King may be assured that their sentiments, and those of the +Americans in general, with regard to the alliance, as far as I have +been able to learn them, not only from private letters but from +authentic public facts, differ widely from those that seem to be +expressed by Mr Adams in his letter to your Excellency, and are filled +with the strongest impressions of the friendship of France, of the +generous manner in which his Majesty was pleased to enter into an +equal treaty with us, and of the great obligations our country is +under for the important aids he has since afforded us. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + [6] This letter is printed in Franklin's Correspondence. Vol. III. p. + 152. + + * * * * * + +TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Paris, July 13th, 1780. + + Sir, + +By the treaty of alliance of the 6th of February, 1778, his Majesty +and the United States agreed, in case of war, to join their councils +and efforts against the enterprises of the common enemy; to make it a +common cause, and aid each other mutually with their good offices, +their councils, and their forces, according to the exigencies of +conjunctures; and each of the contracting parties, in the manner it +may judge most proper, is to make all the efforts in its power against +the common enemy. + +I have cited these clauses from the treaty, not as foundations of any +demand that I have to make, because they are neither proper to support +any demand, nor have I authority to make any if they were, but as an +apology for the liberty I take of requesting your Excellency's +attention to a few observations upon the present conjuncture of +affairs. + +It is certain, from the best intelligence from London, as well as from +the debates in Parliament, on the several motions which have been made +for a pacification, that the British Ministry are inflexibly +determined to pursue the war another campaign in America, to send more +troops and ships there, if they possibly can obtain them, and to put +to the hazard not only the national credit, but their maritime power, +and even their political existence, rather than give up their designs +of domination over America; and indeed this is not at all to be +wondered at, that the Ministers and the nation, who have so far lost +their justice, their humanity, and policy, as to deliberately form and +pursue the plan of changing the foundations of the laws and +governments of thirteen Colonies, and reducing them to slavery, and +who have pursued this object with such sanguinary fury for so many +years, should persist so as to bury themselves in the ruins of their +empire, rather than to fail of their purpose, when it is plain they +consider, and that not without reason, the same ruin in the +independence of America, and her connexion with France. + +The conduct of Count de Guichen, on the 17th of April, and the 15th +and 19th of May, in the West Indies, does great honor to the national +bravery, as well as to their science in naval tactics, and shows that +there is no cause to fear that the enemy will obtain any advantage +there. Yet nothing has yet been done on either side that seems +decisive. + +The advantages, which Spain has gained in West Florida, and +particularly of late at Mobile, and the probability that she will +succeed in gaining both the Floridas, show that the English are on the +losing hand in that quarter; but it is not the loss of both the +Floridas, nor of all the West India Islands, in my opinion, that will +induce them to make peace, and acknowledge the independence of America +in alliance with France. They will see every possession they have +beyond the island lopped off, one after another, before they will do +this. + +I pretend not to know, to what part of America M. de Ternay and M. de +Rochambeau are destined, but to whatever part it is, whether Canada, +Nova Scotia, New York, Carolina, or Georgia, I have no hopes of +anything decisive from their operations, although they should be +instructed to co-operate with General Washington. If they should be +destined against Canada or Nova Scotia, they may succeed; but this +success will not be decisive. If they are intended against New York, +I have no hopes of their success. The naval force is not sufficient to +command the seas. Admiral Graves, added to the ships before at New +York, will be superior; and I shall venture to give my opinion, that +without a superiority of naval force, clear and indisputable, New York +will never be taken. It is so situated, so fortified, it is garrisoned +with troops so accustomed to war, and so embittered and inflamed by +cruel passions, carefully nursed up in their breasts by their King and +their Generals, and it is universally regarded by them a port of such +essential importance, that I confess I should despair of success +against it, with an army twice as numerous as that of the Generals +Washington and Rochambeau united, while the English are masters of the +seas, or even while they have there an equality of naval power. + +Most people in Europe have wondered at the inactivity of the American +army, for these two years past; but it is merely from want of +knowledge and attention. The true cause of it is, the English have +confined themselves to their strong holds in seaport towns, and have +been sheltered from all attacks and insults by the guns of their +men-of-war, and forever will be so, while they have the superiority at +sea. If our army had been three times as numerous as it was, it must +have remained inactive, without a fleet to co-operate with it; for an +attack upon New York without a fleet, would have been only sacrificing +the lives of thousands of brave men, without a possibility of +succeeding. + +Had the English two years ago marched into the country from +Philadelphia, instead of retreating back with precipitation to New +York, Europe would have heard more of the exertions of the American +army, so much more, that in my serious opinion, you would have heard +of their total destruction. As it was, they were closely pursued, +attacked, and if not beaten, they had much the worst of the action, +for besides their loss in killed and wounded, and in those who +perished under the fatigue and heat of the day, not less than five +hundred deserted from them, and their desertions would have been +multiplied in every unsuccessful engagement within the country. + +If in the last year the British army had marched out into the country, +instead of remaining under cover of their men-of-war, I am equally +clear, that they would have been ruined. The English, ever since the +alliance, have been fearfully apprehensive of an attack upon their +strong holds upon the coast by the French. This it was that induced +them to retreat from Philadelphia to New York, and this has kept them +almost wholly confined to that garrison the last year. I mention this, +merely to wipe off the imputations said to result from the inactivity +of our army, since the alliance, by showing the true cause of it, that +it proceeds not from any change of sentiments in the Americans, but +from the change of the mode of prosecuting the war on the part of our +enemies. + +I am, however, clearly of opinion, and I know it to be the general +sense of America, that the English, both in North America and in the +West India Islands, have been for these two years past absolutely in +the power of their enemies; and that they are so now, and will +continue to be so, in such a degree, that nothing will be wanting but +attention to their situation, and a judicious application of the +forces of the allies to accomplish the entire reduction of their power +in America. In order to show this, let me beg your Excellency's +attention to a few remarks upon the situation of the English, and +upon the method of applying the force of the allies so as to reduce +them. + +The English are in possession of Canada, a province vastly extensive, +and in which there is a great number of ports, at a great distance +from each other, necessary to be maintained among a people too, who +are by no means attached to them, but who would readily afford all the +assistance in their power to the united forces of France and the +United States, and who would join them in considerable numbers. In +this whole province, the English have not, comprehending the garrisons +of all their ports, more than four thousand men. + +The English are in possession of Nova Scotia; they have in Halifax and +the other parts of the province, and at Penobscot, about three +thousand men. But the people of this province being descendants and +emigrants from New England, chiefly, are discontented with the British +government, and desirous of joining the United States. They are in +possession of New York Island, Staten Island, and Long Island, where +they have in all of regular British troops, ---- thousand men. The +militia, volunteers, &c. of whom they make such an ostentatious +display in the despatches of their Generals, and in the gazette of St +James, are of very little consideration; their numbers are much +exaggerated; it is force, fear, and policy, that enrol the greater +part of them; there are perhaps fifteen thousand inhabitants of the +city. These, together with the army and navy, are fed and supplied +with provisions, and stores, and fuel, and their cattle and horses +with forage, brought by sea from Quebec, Halifax, Ireland, and the +West Indies, except the small quantity, which they draw from Long +Island and Staten Island. + +They are now in possession of Charleston, in South Carolina, and +Savannah, in Georgia. Their armies and navies in these places, as well +as the inhabitants, must be chiefly supplied by sea in the same +manner. They are still perhaps in possession of St Augustine, in East +Florida, and Pensacola, in the west. From these places, they have +drawn of late years great supplies of lumber and provisions for their +West India Islands. The number of troops in Georgia and Carolina may +amount to ---- thousands. They are in possession of Jamaica, +Barbadoes, Antigua, St Christophers, and St Lucia, and other islands. +These draw supplies of provisions and lumber, &c. from Quebec, +Halifax, Pensacola, and Augustine, that is from the Floridas. The +number of troops they have in each island, I am not able to ascertain; +but certainly they are not strong in any of them; and the climate in +the West Indies, and in Georgia and Carolina, is making a rapid +consumption of their men. + +From this sketch, it will be easily seen, what a great number of posts +they have to sustain; how these are mutually connected with, and +dependent on each other, and that their existence in all of them +depends upon their superiority at sea, and that to carry on the +intercourse and communication between these various places, a vast +number of transports, provision vessels and merchant ships are +necessary. This is so much the fact, that the English nation has now +little navigation left, but what is employed in maintaining the +communication of these places with one another and with Europe. Here +then it is, that the English commerce and navy is vulnerable; and this +it is, which clearly points out to their enemies the only sure and +certain way of reducing their power in that quarter of the world; and +if it is reduced there, it is brought into a narrow compass +everywhere. + +The policy and necessity of keeping always a superior fleet both in +the West India Islands and on the coast of the continent of North +America, is from all this very obvious. The English are so sensible of +this, that they dread it as the greatest evil that can befall them. +The appearance of the Count d'Estaing upon the coast of North America, +never failed to throw the English into the utmost terror and +consternation. + +The appearance of a French fleet upon our coasts has repeatedly +compelled, and ever must compel, the English to call off from their +cruises all their frigates and other ships, and to assemble them at +New York, for their security and the defence of that place. These are +among the happy effects of such a measure, the communication of the +United States not only with each other but with the West Indies, with +France, and all other parts of Europe, with which they have any +concern, is immediately opened, and they are thereby easily furnished, +in all parts, with everything fitting and necessary to carry on the +war with the greatest vigor. His Majesty's fleets and armies will be +amply and much more cheaply supplied, and his subjects will reap, in +common with the inhabitants of the United States, the benefits of this +free commerce. It will give free sea-room to the few frigates +belonging to Congress and the several States to cruise for the +merchant ships, provision vessels, and transports of the enemy. It +gives opportunity also to the privateers to do the same. There are at +this day, notwithstanding the dreadful sacrifices made at Charleston +and Penobscot, sacrifices, the necessity of which would have been +entirely prevented by a few ships of the line, the Continental +frigates, the Confederacy, which is arrived at Philadelphia, the +Alliance which will soon be there, the Trumbull, the Deane, the +Bourbon, and also a ship of fiftysix guns which is nearly ready for +sea. The State of Massachusetts has two frigates and smaller vessels. +There are besides these, now in being, belonging to Newburyport, +Beverly, Salem, Marblehead, Portsmouth, Boston and Rhode Island, about +forty privateers. There are several belonging to Philadelphia. + +If a French fleet should constantly remain upon that coast, the number +of these privateers would be doubled in a very few months. What havoc +then must these armed vessels make, especially if a few French +frigates should be also ordered to cruise for prizes among the +provision vessels, merchant ships, and transports, passing and +repassing to and from America and the West India Islands to Europe, +and to and from America and the West Indies, and to and from Quebec, +Nova Scotia, New York, Charleston, Savannah, and the Floridas. Such +depredations have several times been made by our cruisers alone, as to +reduce the English at New York to very great distress, and it would be +very easy in this way to reduce them to such misery as to oblige them +to surrender at discretion. + +I therefore beg leave to submit it to your Excellency's consideration, +whether there is any possible way that a marine force can be employed +against the English, so much to the advantage of France and the +disadvantage of England, as in this way, and whether upon the +principles of French interest and policy alone, even without taking +into consideration that of the United States, a fleet ought not to be +constantly kept in North America. The advantages they will there have +in artists, supplies, accommodations, &c. above the English, are +obvious. + +But the question will arise, where shall they winter? I answer, they +can winter with perfect security and advantage, either at Boston, +Rhode Island, Delaware, or Chesapeake Bays. + +Another question will arise, whether they should all winter together +in one port, or be separated to several ports? I apprehend, however, +that it would be most prudent to leave it to the discretion of the +commander-in-chief of the squadron, to keep the squadron together, or +to detach parts of it, according to the exigencies of the service, +advising with Congress, or with the Chevalier de la Luzerne, from time +to time. + +Two ships of the line, with three frigates, stationed at Boston, with +orders to cruise occasionally for the protection of French and +American trade, and the annoyance of the enemy, the same number at +Rhode Island with the same orders, the same number at Delaware river, +with similar orders, and a like number in Chesapeake bay, with like +orders, which would make eight ships of the line and twelve frigates, +I have a moral certainty would, in one year, reduce the power of the +English in North America, to absolute annihilation, without striking a +blow on land. These ships would make a diversion of an equal force of +the English, from the West India Islands, so that they would be in +that respect as usefully employed for his Majesty there as anywhere. +Eight ships of the line, and twelve frigates, stationed together at +Rhode Island, with orders to cruise for the same purposes, would do +the same thing. + +Which plan would do best, I dare not undertake to say, but until +further informed and instructed by Congress I should think however +that the best plan would be to station the fleet for the winter, +either in Delaware or Chesapeake Bay; and as the war has lately turned +to the southward, I am inclined to think that Chesapeake Bay would be +the most proper. + +But in all events, I beg leave to entreat in the most earnest manner, +that a powerful fleet may be ordered to winter somewhere in North +America. By this means I think there is a moral certainty, the English +will be ruined there, whereas if dependence is had upon the assault +and attack of their strong holds, without the most absolute command of +the sea, I fear it will end in disappointment and disgrace. + +There is the more urgent reasons for laying these considerations +before your Excellency, because there is a portion of the people in +America who wish to return to the domination of Great Britain, many of +whom are artful and sensible men. They take notice of every +circumstance of the conduct of France, and represent it in such a +light as they think will throw a prejudice against the alliance into +the minds of the people. They represent the affair of Rhode Island and +of Savannah, and of some other things, as proofs that the Court of +France do not mean to give any effectual aid to America, but only to +play off her strength against that of Britain, and thus exhaust both. +The refugees in England concur with them in these representations, and +the Ministry and the members of Parliament in their public speeches +represent the same thing. + +Even Mr Hartley, who is more for peace than any man in that kingdom, +in a printed letter to the inhabitants of the county of York, says, +"It is our duty to unravel by negotiation, the combination of powers +now acting against us;" and he says further, in express words, that +"It is apparent to all the world, that France might long ago have put +an end to that part of the war, which has been most distressing to +America, if they had chosen so to do." He must mean here the war of +their frigates and privateers upon our trade. "Let the whole system of +France be considered," says he, "from the beginning down to the late +retreat from Savannah, and I think it is impossible to put any other +construction upon it but this, viz. that it has always been the +deliberate intention and object of France, for purposes of their own, +to encourage the continuation of the war in America, in hopes of +exhausting the strength and resources of this country, and of +depressing the rising power of America." This is not only the language +of Mr Hartley, but the general language of newspapers and pamphlets, +and, I am well informed, of conversation in England. These are very +industriously sent to America, through various channels, which cannot +be stopped by laws, art, or power. + +The body of the people have great confidence in the sincerity of +France; but if these contrary opinions should be suffered to gain +ground, as they most assuredly will if something is not done to +prevent it, when all the world sees and declares as they do, that it +is the best policy of France, if she considered her own interest alone +in the conduct of the war, to keep a superior naval force upon the +coast of the continent of North America, I leave your Excellency to +judge what a melancholy effect it will have upon our affairs. There is +no event, in my opinion, which would have so direct a tendency to give +force and extent to opinions so dangerous to both nations, as the +calling off from the continent your naval force, during the winter, +and not keeping a superiority there through the year. I scruple not to +give it as my opinion, that it will disunite, weaken, and distress us +more than we should have been, disunited, weakened, or distressed, if +the alliance had never been made. + +The United States of America are a great and powerful people, whatever +European statesmen may think of them. If we take into our estimate the +numbers and the characters of her people, the extent, variety, and +fertility of her soil, her commerce, and her skill, and materials for +shipbuilding, and her seamen, excepting France, Spain, England, +Germany, and Russia, there is not a state in Europe so powerful. +Breaking off such a nation as this from the English so suddenly, and +uniting it so closely with France, is one of the most extraordinary +events that ever happened among mankind. The prejudices of nations in +favor of themselves, and against all other nations, which spring from +self-love, and are often nurtured by policy for unworthy purposes, and +which have been ever certainly cultivated by the English with the +utmost care in the minds of the Americans, as well as of the people of +every other part of their dominions, certainly deserve the attention +of the wisest statesmen, and as they are not to be eradicated in a +moment, they require to be managed with some delicacy. + +It is too often said in France, where the prejudice against the +English has not been fostered into so much rancor, because France +never had so much to fear from England, as England has from France, +"That the Americans and the English are the same thing," not to make +it appear, that there are some remnants of prejudices against the +Americans among the French, and it must be confessed there are some in +America against France. It is really astonishing, however, that there +are so few, and it is the interest and duty of both to lessen them as +fast as possible, and to avoid with the nicest care, every colorable +cause of reviving any part of them. + +I beg your Excellency to excuse this trouble, because the state of +things in North America has really become alarming, and this merely +for the want of a few French men-of-war upon that coast. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, July 14th, 1780. + + Sir, + +The advices from the Hague of the 9th of this month are, that the talk +had been of a Congress to be held in that place; but as her Majesty, +the Empress of Russia, had given to understand, that she desired that +the conferences should be held at Petersburg, the States-General have +consequently named, upon the proposition of his Serene Highness, the +Prince Stadtholder, the Baron de Waassenaar Starrenburg, and the Baron +Van Heckeren de Brantzenburg, Deputies to the Assembly of their High +Mightinesses, on the part of the Provinces of Holland, West Friesland, +and Utrecht, Ministers Plenipotentiaries to go to Petersburg, to the +end to assist there at the conferences, which are to be held for the +protection of the commerce of neutrals. + +And that the Chevalier Llano, now Minister Plenipotentiary of his +Catholic Majesty to their High Mightinesses, had arrived at that +residence. + +The English continue to fill all the newspapers of Europe with the +despatches of Clinton, Cornwallis, Tarleton, &c. of their triumphant +progress in Carolina, and we are unable to obtain a syllable from any +part of America to contradict it, or explain it. It is devoutly to be +wished, that Congress would appoint some active and intelligent +Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and make it his duty to transmit the +journals, newspapers, and other intelligence, and duplicates and +triplicates of them, to their servants abroad. Vessel after vessel +arrives, even directly from Philadelphia, and we cannot get the +journals, papers, and scarcely a private letter by them. Surely, the +department of foreign affairs is of some importance to the United +States, and their most important officers abroad ought not to be less +informed, than every private merchant. The successes of the English in +Carolina have filled them with the most ridiculous exultations. They +have thrown off the mask entirely, and talk now almost universally of +nothing but unconditional submission; not an idea of peace is +entertained. They are perfectly confident the Congress will not +maintain their authority three months. They have filled the world with +histories of insurrections at Philadelphia, which drove the Congress +to Lancaster, killed the French Minister, &c. &c. &c. The stocks rose +three and threefourths per cent. This is the wise nation, that is to +govern America, as they think, at their pleasure. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, July 15th, 1780. + + Sir, + +The news from Petersburg of the 13th of June is, that the last advices +received from Mohilew have confirmed the news, that the Empress would +return sooner than was at first expected, and that the Emperor, under +the name of the Count de Falckenstein, would arrive at the same time, +at Petersburg. That the fleet of Cronstadt had been eight or ten days +in the road, waiting only for their final instructions to put to sea. +It will be separated into three divisions, each of five ships of the +line, under the command of the Rear Admirals Barisson, Cruse, and +Polibin. Since the departure of a courier, which Mr Harris, the +British Envoy, has expedited to his Court, the 26th of last month, a +report has been spread, that he has demanded his recall. + +The ordinance, which the Empress has passed at Czarsko-Zelo, on the +19th of May, to the end to ascertain the rights and duties of her +subjects relative to the neutrality, is too remarkable, in the present +conjuncture, not to be given entire to the public. The following is +the preamble. + +"The maritime war, subsisting for some time between Great Britain, on +the one part, and France and Spain on the other, has begun lately to +do equal injury to the commerce and the navigation of our faithful +subjects. We have not in consequence failed to employ for their +protection and indemnification from all the losses, which have been +occasioned to them, our most efficacious intercession; in consequence +of which several merchants have already obtained, in proportion to +their demands, a considerable indemnification. Nevertheless, although +we doubt not, that all the others will be equally indemnified by the +belligerent powers, yet we cannot regard the particular compensation +of individuals, as a sufficient pledge of the safety upon which +neutral nations may hereafter depend. From this motive, we have +resolved not only to take measures the most effectual for the +maintenance of the maritime commerce of our subjects, but to put them +in execution, in case of need. They have already been announced to all +Europe, by a declaration delivered in the same terms to the three +belligerent powers, by which we fix expressly and with precision, the +rights and prerogatives of a commercial neutral flag. The one and the +other are founded either upon the proper terms of our Treaty of +Commerce with the Crown of Great Britain, or upon the evident and +immutable principles of the law of nature and nations. But while we +require of other nations, for our proper utility the entire and +unlimited accomplishment of their duties, we are not less fixed in the +intention on our part to observe inviolably, in regard to them, the +obligations of the strictest neutrality. Thus it is necessary, that +all our subjects should conform themselves vigorously in their +maritime commerce, and in the enterprises relative to it, to this our +will. In default of which, they will render themselves unworthy of our +protection and of our succor. But to the end, that no man may fall +into error by ignorance, we order our College of Commerce to notify +the Russian merchants trading in our ports, that while they enjoy an +entire liberty of trading and sending their vessels to all parts of +Europe, they are bound to observe, conformably to our treaties with +different powers, and to the ordinances of each place, that which +follows." + +This is the preamble; the purview shall be sent to Congress as soon as +it appears. + +It seems that the Empress, as well as the Ottoman Porte, has not a +little resented the indecent and groundless assertions, with which +England has filled Europe and America, that the Empress would take +part with them, and that there were misunderstandings subsisting +between Petersburg and Constantinople. I think it can be no longer +doubted, that Russia will never take part with England, and that while +she is determined upon a neutrality, every other maritime power of +Europe must do the same, or join against England. It is equally plain, +that England must come into the system of rights preparing for +neutrals, or go to war with all the maritime powers of the world. This +is too decisively and obviously advantageous to North America, to need +any comments. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, July 15th, 1780. + + Sir, + +The news from Constantinople is, "that upon the advice, that a fleet +of French merchant-men from Marseilles, was blocked up by the English +cruisers in the port of Milo, the Count de St Priest, Ambassador of +France, presented a Memoir to the Porte, complaining of this last +violation of the last agreement made between the Ottoman government +and the Ambassadors of the belligerent powers, for the maintenance of +the neutrality. In consequence, the Reis Effendi requested Mr Ainslie, +the British Ambassador, to give orders conformably to the said +agreement, to the cruisers of his nation, to respect the coasts, +forts, and havens of the Ottoman Empire, and not to commit hostilities +but in open sea. The Ambassador answered, "that he approved the +requisitions of the Porte too much, not to contribute all that lay in +his power, to make the English cruisers observe the orders which had +been before given them." Nevertheless, the Count de St Priest judged +proper, by way of further precaution, to send the consul of his +nation, who resides at the Dardanelles, to the Capitan Pacha, who is +now in the Archipelago with his fleet, to desire him to have a care +that the French fleet should suffer no insult. The Ottoman Admiral +immediately complied with this requisition; and we learn by the French +consul, who is returned here, that having found this commandant at +Metelin, he had no sooner learned the object of his commission, than +he detached some to go to the succor of the fleet blocked at Milo. But +his assistance will not have been necessary, because, according to +letters from Smyrna, the six English cruisers, which held the French +fleet shut up, having had the audacity to attack this convoy even in +the port, the Chevalier d'Entrecasteux, who commanded it, had +shattered them, after an engagement of several hours, in such a +manner, that he had put them out of a condition to keep the sea, and +that they must have retired to Paros." + +_Stockholm, 27th of June._ "The King having judged proper to name an +Admiral General of his fleet, has chosen for this eminent post, the +Major-General and Commander of the Grand Cross of the Order of the +Sword, Henry de Trolle. M. de Moussin Puschkin, Envoy from Russia, is +arrived here from Petersburg." + +_Hague, 10th of July._ "The Admiralty of Amsterdam has put in +commission, with the advice of the Prince Stadtholder, the vessels, +the Admiral de Reister, of sixtyeight guns, and the Hereditary Prince, +of fiftysix." + +_Hamburg, 23d of June._ The Mars, a Danish man-of-war of fifty guns, +commanded by Captain Luken, and three frigates, with seventyeight +merchant ships of different nations, under convoy, sailed from the +Sound the 18th of this month." + +It thus appears, that Russia, Holland, Sweden, and Denmark, are +proceeding in earnest to convoy their trade, and increase their naval +force, to protect the confederacy in favor of the rights of +neutrality. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, July 15th, 1780. + + Sir, + +It is worth while to lay before Congress the following statement, +which is lately published in the papers. + + +_English Ships of the Line._ + + Now under Rodney, including the Triumph of + seventyfour guns, arrived from Cork, the beginning + of May, 22 + + _N. B._ The Fame, of seventyfour guns, was + taken to pieces last winter, to repair the other + vessels of Jamaica. The Sultan from St Lucia, + and the Hector from Europe joined, in March, the + two sixtyfours which were at that station. Jamaica, 4 + + They say that Arbuthnot has sent to Jamaica + the Russell and Robust, 2 + + The 15th of May, sailed with Graves, 7 + + The 3d of June, sailed with Walsingham, 4 + -- + 39 + + +_French and Spaniards._ + + With De Guichen, 23 + + Left at Martinique, the Dauphin Royal, of + seventyfour guns, to protect the port, 1 + + At the Havana, under D. Bonnet, 8 + + At St Domingo, under De la Motte Piquet, 5 + + Sailed from Cadiz, the 28th of April, under D. + Solano, 12 + + M. de Ternay, the 3d of May, 7 + -- + 56 + +A superiority, against which, all the events of the war evidently show +that it is impossible to resist. But the ministerial people have made +Rodney take Don Solano with his twelve ships, which shifts the balance +to--English, fiftyone, French and Spaniards, fortyfour. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Paris, July 17th, 1780. + + Sir, + +In your Excellency's letter to me of the 24th of February last, I was +honored with your opinion in the following words. + +"With regard to the full powers, which authorise you to negotiate a +treaty of commerce with the Court of London, I think it will be +prudent not to communicate them to any body whatever, and to take +every necessary precaution, that the British Ministry may not have a +premature knowledge of them. You will no doubt readily feel the +motives, which induce me to advise you to take this precaution, and it +would be needless to explain them." + +1. I should have been very happy if your Excellency had hinted at the +reasons, which were then in your mind, because after reflecting upon +this subject, as maturely as I can, I am not able to collect any +reasons, which appear to me sufficient for concealing the nature of my +powers in their full extent, from the Court of London. On the +contrary, many arguments have occurred to me, which seem to show it to +be both the policy of the United States, and my particular duty, to +communicate them. + +2. Your Excellency will recollect that my commissions empower me to +join with the Ministers of the belligerent powers in making peace; to +make a treaty of commerce with the Ministers of his Britannic Majesty, +and to represent the Congress as their Minister Plenipotentiary, at +the Court of London. It seems to me then, inconsistent with the design +and nature of my appointments, to conceal them from the Court of +London. + +3. I think also, that announcing my powers to the Court of London, +would have a tendency to draw out from them some proofs of their +present designs, and it is always important to discover early the +intentions of the enemy, that the people may be prepared, both with +councils and forces, to resist them if hostile. + +4. The English nation would expect of the Ministers, that some answer +should be given to me. If it should be an insolent one, as there is +too much cause to expect, it will prepare the minds of the Americans, +and of the other belligerent powers, for what they are to expect, and +it will alarm and arouse, if anything can, the people of England. + +5. At this particular time, when an election approaches, it would +throw the Ministry into some embarrassment, for the people of England +sigh for peace. + +6. Another consideration has weight with me; a great part of Europe, +as well as the people of England, are amused by the English Ministers +and their emissaries, with reports that there is some secret treaty +between France and the United States, by which the former has secured +to themselves exclusive privileges in some branches of the American +commerce, which misrepresentations, as they are at present an +obstruction to peace, would be cleared up by the communication of my +powers. + +7. There are at present many persons of consideration in England, who +have long followed the Ministry in the war against America, who begin +to see the impracticability of succeeding, and now vote for peace, and +will lay hold of every occurrence that favors its accomplishment. + +8. At this moment, under the wild impression, that the surrender of +Charleston has made, it might be improper to make the communication, +but upon the news coming of M. de Ternay's arrival, of Don Solano's, +or both, or upon the receipt of some intelligence, which may take off +a part of this impression, I submit it to your Excellency's +consideration, whether it would not be proper to communicate my +appointments to Lord George Germain. It seems to be most proper that +it should be done, so that the nation may consider them before the +meeting of Parliament, and that those who are for peace may digest +their plans accordingly. + +9. Notwithstanding the suppression of the late riots, and the +consequent temporary relaxation of the committees and associations, +the nation is in a most critical situation. Those disturbances were +not simply the effect of fanaticism and bigotry, but of deep and +general discontent and distress among the people; and although the +Ministry may at present be confident they have suppressed them +forever, they will surely find themselves mistaken if they pursue this +war. I know of no measure, that will be more likely to increase the +opposition against Administration than communicating my powers. It +will at least show all the world, that the continuance of the war and +the consequent ruin of England is their own fault, not that of the +Americans, who are ready to make peace upon terms honorable and +advantageous to Great Britain. + +10. I am the more confirmed in those opinions, by the communication +your Excellency made to me yesterday of the message sent by the Court +of London to the Court of Madrid. I am convinced in my own mind, that +that message is insidious in the last degree, and that it is intended +to answer two ends only; first, to spy out what they can of the +political and military plans of Spain; secondly, and principally, to +amuse France, Spain, and America too, with false ideas of pacific +inclinations, simply in order to slacken and enervate their +preparations for the next campaign. + +11. Sincere intentions of making peace upon any terms, which France or +America can agree to, consistent with subsisting treaties, I am as +sure they have not, as I am of their existence. Now I think there is +no way of counteracting this insidious policy so honorably and so +effectually, as by a frank and decent communication of my full powers. +This will necessitate them to come to an explanation of their real +intentions concerning America; for there, Sir, lies the obstacle to +peace; all other questions would be soon arranged if that was settled. + +I hope your Excellency will pardon the long letters I write you, +because it is really a voluminous subject we have in contemplation, +and mankind in general are little less interested in it, than our +particular countries. I shall hope for the honor of your Excellency's +answer upon these subjects. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, July 19th, 1780. + + Sir, + +The news from Petersburg of the 16th of June, is, that the fleet +destined for the protection of the commerce of that empire was ready +to sail. Of the three squadrons of which it is composed, one is to +cruise, as they learn, in the North Sea, the other upon the coast of +Portugal, and the third in the Mediterranean. This last will winter at +Leghorn, and the two first in some port of a friendly power, upon the +North Sea, or in the Baltic. + +The news from Copenhagen of the 4th of July, is, that "the maritime +forces of the northern powers begin to put themselves in motion for +the protection of their commerce, in regard to the belligerent powers. +The vessels, the King of Jutland, and the Prince Frederick, of seventy +guns, commanded by the Captains de Kaas, and Lous, have put into the +Road, the 30th of June. The better to man them, as well as the other +vessels of our squadron, we have embarked several detachments of the +regiments of infantry of Holstein, Falster, and Jutland. The first of +July we saw pass by here, towards the Sound, three Swedish ships of +the line, coming from the Baltic; and the next day the Russian fleet, +composed of fifteen ships of the line, and of several frigates, came +to anchor in our Road, separated into three divisions under the +command of Vice Admirals de Borislow, de Kruse, and de Polibin. They +say, that is to be followed by the Admiral's vessel, commanded by Vice +Admiral Greigh, in quality of Commander-in-Chief of all the fleet." + +The following are the articles of the Ordinance of the Empress of +Russia, concerning the navigation of the merchant flag of Russia. + +"ARTICLE I. They may not take any part in the war, directly nor +indirectly, or under any pretext whatsoever; and they may not even +give succor to any of the powers at war by carrying them merchandises +of contraband under the Russian flag. These consist namely, in cannon, +mortars, muskets, pistols, bombs, grenades, bullets, or balls, proper +to fire, fusils, flints, matches, powder, saltpetre, sulphur, +cutlasses, pikes, swords, scabbards, gibernes, saddles, and bridles. +They ought also to take special care, that there be not found on board +of any vessel more of these warlike stores, than they have occasion +for, for their own use, and so much that each sailor or passenger may +be sufficiently provided. + +"ARTICLE II. All other merchandises, whoever may be the owners, and +even although they belong to the subjects of one or another of the +belligerent powers, may be freely embarked upon Russian vessels, and +shall enjoy on board of them equally with the merchandises of our +subjects, the protection of the Russian flag, excepting those, which +are contained in the first article, under the name of contraband, as +in fact they are declared such in the eleventh article of our Treaty +of Commerce with England. By means of this safety of merchandises +permitted in neutral vessels, our subjects ought also to have a care +not to embark effects which belong to them, upon vessels of nations +engaged in the war, to the end to avoid thus all disagreements and +disagreeable rencontres. + +"ARTICLE III. Every vessel going out of the port of this city, or of +any other of our empire, ought to be furnished with sufficient proofs, +that she belongs to Russian subjects; to wit, with sea-letters, as is +the usage, and with a certificate of the custom-house, in which it may +be declared first, with what merchandises she is loaded, and how much; +secondly, on the account of whom they have been purchased, and to whom +the vessel and the cargo are addressed. For the greater safety, the +certificates sent by the custom-house shall be inspected by the +Admiralty, or in his default by the magistrate of the place. + +"ARTICLE IV. Not only our native subjects shall enjoy these +prerogatives, but also strangers who are settled in our dominions, and +who bear like them the public burdens; that is to say, during the time +that they shall sojourn in our country, since, in no other case can it +be permitted them to employ the merchant flag of Russia. + +"ARTICLE V. Each Russian vessel, even in case one single owner +expedites two or three vessels at a time for the same place, ought to +be provided in particular with the documents mentioned in the third +article, which may serve to justify their property in case that these +ships should separate during the voyage, or be obliged to pursue +different routes. + +"ARTICLE VI. It is forbidden to every Russian vessel to have +connoissements, charter parties, or other sea papers double, or +doubtful, much less false declarations, inasmuch as these always +expose to an inevitable danger. Thus they should give their principal +attention, that their documents be in good order and prove clearly, as +it is said before, the true destination of the vessel, and the nature +of her cargo. It is also necessary, that the contract between the +owner of the merchandises and the master of the vessel, or the +agreement known under the name of charter party, be always on board. +But as it happens very often, that the owner of merchandises, in +making his adventure, whether in his own vessel, or whether in a +neutral vessel freighted by him, fixes the sale of them solely by +speculation, by preference in some port, and in case the price in this +port is too low, in some port more distant; in this case they ought +not to fail to name and settle the two ports, according to the order +of the route and their situation in one single connoissement, and not +in two. They ought also to observe the same precautions in regard to +the charter parties, to the end, that there may be no difference +between them and the connoissements; and in case that any one of our +subjects, in contempt of these dispositions, shall allow himself in +artifice and duplicity, he may assure himself, that he shall never +enjoy our protection, which is granted only to lawful and innocent +commerce, and by no means to illicit and fraudulent traffic. + +"ARTICLE VII. Every Russian vessel, which, after having unloaded her +cargo in any foreign port, has a design to return into her country, or +to proceed further in another foreign place, ought to provide herself +in this port and in every other, at which she may stop to trade, with +the documents required by the usages of the country, to the end, that +they may prove at all times the nation to which the ship belongs, the +port from which she comes, that to which she is bound, and the +merchandises with which she has been loaded anew. + +"ARTICLE VIII. Forasmuch as the aforesaid documents are indispensably +necessary to prove the neutral property of effects, which are found on +board the ship, they ought particularly to take care not to throw them +into the sea, no more than any other writings or papers, without any +exception upon any occasion whatever, especially on the rencontre of +any other vessel, inasmuch as by such a step one might expose himself +to well founded suspicions, and to disagreeable consequences. + +"ARTICLE IX. It is necessary to have a scrupulous attention, that +there be not on board of any Russian vessel any merchant, clerk, and +never more than one third of the seamen, subjects of the belligerent +powers, because by conducting differently such vessel might expose +herself to sustain disagreeable disappointments. But as a similar +inconvenience may easily happen to those sorts of ships, which in time +of war are purchased of the subjects of the belligerent powers, for +this reason, from this time, and as long as the present maritime war +shall last, the said vessels may not be purchased, unless under +condition, that they shall be solely employed in the Baltic, or the +Black Sea. + +"ARTICLE X. The carriage of all merchandise whatsoever, into places +blocked or besieged by sea and by land, is entirely prohibited, in +consequence of which, if any of the merchants of this empire, engaged +by the hope of gain, shall intermeddle in any such traffic, whatever +loss he may sustain, he cannot ever have the right of demanding our +protection. + +"ARTICLE XI. All our subjects who, by reason of their commerce, find +themselves in foreign countries, ought to conform themselves exactly +to the civil and mercantile laws, which shall there subsist, as well +as to the ordinances of every place where they live, or to which they +may send their vessels. Nevertheless, to the end that they may, as +much as possible, be instructed in those laws and ordinances, the +College of Foreign Affairs will communicate to that of Commerce, all +the writings that have relation thereto, that they may be able to give +notice of them to the merchants by the means of the public papers. + +"ARTICLE XII. Although our intention is, to protect efficaciously and +vigorously the navigation and the commerce of our faithful subjects, +nevertheless, we intend not by any means to permit that there result +from it the least prejudice to one or the other of the belligerent +powers, or that individual merchants should profit of it to make +unlawful gain. To this effect, we forbid expressly any of our +merchants and trading subjects to permit strangers to negotiate, or +send ships to sea, under his name. Every person who shall in this +respect transgress our will, shall be deprived forever of our imperial +protection for his vessels, as well as of the right of fitting them +out in future. If our subjects, interested in maritime commerce, +follow exactly this ordinance in all its points, they may be assured +of our entire and unlimited protection concerning their affairs in +foreign countries, as well as of a zealous and affectionate +intervention on the part of the Ministers, Agents, and Consuls, who +reside there on our part. To this end, our College of Foreign Affairs +will communicate to them in sufficient season the most precise +instructions. But those among our subjects who shall depart from these +regulations, ought not to expect the least protection on our part, +whatever unfortunate accidents and other damages they may sustain, by +their voluntary transgression of the orders which they shall have +received, and not to depart from the requisite circumspection +recommended to them. The College of Commerce, in notifying this +ordinance to the body of Russian merchants trading in our ports, shall +at the same time be held to furnish the custom-houses with the +necessary instructions relative to this order, as well as to +communicate our will to the Governors of Provinces where there are +ports, that at the same time they may be observed in all the tribunals +which may concern them." + +Czarsko-Selole, 19th of May, 1780. The original is thus subscribed by +the hand of her Imperial Majesty, Catterine. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS + + Paris, July 19th, 1780. + + Sir, + +There is an article of news from Copenhagen of the 4th of July. "The +vessels of war, the Prince Frederick and the Jutland, each of seventy +guns, and the frigates, the Pearl and the Alsen, are in the Road. The +Admiral's flag will be hoisted on the 6th on board the Justitia, of +seventyfour guns, and all the Dutch fleet will consist, this year, of +ten ships of the line, from seventyfour to fifty guns, and six +frigates, thirtysix to thirty. There has already sailed of this fleet, +one ship of sixty guns, for the coast of Guinea; one of fifty is in +the north sea; another is in the Road of Elsinore, for a guard ship, +and three frigates have sailed for America. Thus the squadron will +remain composed of seven ships of the line and three frigates, which +are to join the Russian fleet. Yesterday and the day before, arrived +in the Road of this city a Russian fleet, consisting of fifteen ships +of the line and four frigates, under the command of Admiral Borislow, +of Vice Admiral Kruse, and of the commandant, Polibin; and on the 1st +of this month, there passed before the port of this city, the Swedish +ships of war, coming from the Baltic Sea, and making sail toward the +Sound." + +_Elsinore, 27th of June._ "There has sailed from this port a convoy of +eighteen merchant ships, destined for the North Sea, under the convoy +of a Swedish ship of the line and a frigate." + +There is a paragraph in the Amsterdam Gazette of the 14th, which is +worth translating, because these paragraphs oftentimes betray a great +deal of politics. It is this; "the conquest of Mobile, made by the +Spaniards, the news of which has lately arrived here, appears so much +the more important, as it leads infallibly to that of Pensacola, by +which the Spaniards may cut off one of the principal avenues of +Jamaica, and may, in time, intercept the commerce and the provisions +of this Island, from whence they are much annoyed at Mexico by the +English, who sufficiently incline to extend themselves when they can, +and had made since the peace so great progress in this part of the +world, that to stop them, the war was become almost indispensable to +Spain." It might have been added, that it was become indispensable to +France too; for the English have ever made it a maxim to go to war +with France, as she had a fine fleet and a flourishing commerce. Burn, +sink, and destroy, were the words with England whenever a formidable +navy appeared upon the ocean, belonging to any other nation. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +COUNT DE VERGENNES TO JOHN ADAMS. + +Translation. + + Versailles, July 20th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have received the letter, which you did me the honor to write me on +the 13th of this month. I am very sensible of the confidence with +which you have communicated your ideas on the present situation of the +United States, and the need they have of the immediate assistance of +some ships of the line and some frigates. The Chevalier de Ternay and +the Count de Rochambeau, are sent with the express design, which is +the subject of your letter. They will concert their operations with +Congress and with General Washington. And as the King has given them +no precise orders with regard to their return to Europe, but has left +them at liberty to act as they shall judge proper for the relief of +America, there is every reason to believe, that they will take their +station during next winter in North America, if that shall be +agreeable to Congress, and that they will employ the ships and troops +under their command, according to the plan that shall be settled +between them and the American Generals. + +You will perceive, Sir, by this detail, that the King is far from +abandoning the cause of America, and that his Majesty, without having +been solicited by Congress, has taken effectual measures to support +the cause of America. I flatter myself, Sir, that these generous +proceedings will excite suitable sensations in America, and that they +will prevail over the falsehoods, which the common enemy and their +wicked adherents propagate there, in order to raise suspicions of +France, and to induce the Americans to take resolutions, which will +terminate in their slavery and dishonor. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + DE VERGENNES. + + * * * * * + +TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Paris, July 21st, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have received the letter you did me the honor to write me yesterday, +and am extremely sensible of your Excellency's confidence in +communicating to me the destination of the armament under M. de Ternay +and the Count de Rochambeau, and the probability that the ships will +winter in North America. + +I assure your Excellency, that scarcely any news I ever heard, gave me +more satisfaction; and nothing, in my opinion, can afford a more +effectual assistance to America, or make deeper or more grateful +impression on the minds of her inhabitants. + +I am infinitely mistaken, if the service of the King in the conduct of +the war, both in the West Indies and North America, does not derive +such essential advantages from this measure, as will demonstrate its +wisdom to all the world, as well as to the English and Americans the +King's determined benevolence to the American cause. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, July 22d, 1780. + + Sir, + +The King of England's speech at the prorogation of Parliament, +contains nothing remarkable, worth the attention of America, except +compliments to the two Houses upon their magnanimity and perseverance +in the pursuits of this just and necessary war, which he says, has put +it in his power to make such efforts, that he dares hope, with the aid +of Divine Providence, to disconcert the violent and unjust designs of +his enemies, and induce them to listen to equitable and honorable +terms of peace. These efforts have already been followed by success +both by sea and land, and the happy and important turn, which affairs +have lately taken in North America, makes me conceive the best founded +hopes of the return of the affection and loyalty of my subjects of the +Colonies, and of their happy reunion with their mother country. + +There is one more sentence, which deserves attention. "Exert +yourselves to inculcate this important truth, that rebellious +insurrections to resist or reform the laws, cannot fail to terminate +in the destruction of those who have made the attempt, or by the +subversion of our happy and free constitution." Americans will make +their own reflections on this speech. It is very certain, that it has +not the air nor the spirit of peace. + +_Madrid, the 27th of June._ "We expect to learn in a few days, the +formation of the combined fleet in the Bay of Cadiz. The following is +the state of the Spanish vessels which are now there, ready to go out +under the command of Lieutenant General Don Louis de Cordova; La Tres +Sainte Trinite, of one hundred and twenty guns; the Foudre and S. +Ferdinand of eighty; the Sainte Isabelle, the Ange Gardien, the +Serieux, the Atlas, the St Pierre Apotre, the Orient, the St Raphael, +the St Joachim, the St Damase, the St Isidore, the St Eugene, and the +St Laurent of seventy; the Mino of fiftysix; the frigates, the Ste +Lucie of thirtysix, the Ste Rufine of twentyeight, the Ste Barbe, and +the Assomption of twentysix; the chebecs, the Majorquais, and the +Murcien of thirtysix; the St Sebastian of twentyfour, and the +corvette, the Ste Catharine of eighteen. To these vessels must be +added the squadron of Ferrol, which entered on the 23d of May in the +Bay of Cadiz, under the command of Don Athanasio Baranda, and composed +of the vessels, the Conception of ninety; the St Charles and the St +Vincent of eighty; the Ferme, the Galice, the St Paschal, and the +Brilliant of seventy; the Septentrion of sixtyfour; the frigates, El +Carmen and the Perpetua of thirtysix; as well as the corvette, the Ste +Helene of twentytwo guns; making thus a total of twentyfour ships of +the line, six frigates, four chebecs, and two cutters." + +_Cadiz, the 24th of June._ "The squadron of M. de Beausset, composed +of seven ships of the line, anchored on the 18th in this Bay. His +frigates brought in two small ships loaded with corn and flour, and a +cutter of twelve guns. The cruise of this squadron has served very +much to keep the enemy's cruisers at a distance; and the neutrals not +fearing to be disturbed, have come here in great numbers. The 19th, +the Protector, commanded by M. D. Achen, arrived here; she fell into +the midst of the Quebec fleet; but as she sailed ill and had no +frigate, (the Galatea having been separated from her) she was not able +to take more than two vessels, the cargoes of which were rich enough, +and which she sent into Lisbon." + +Thus the French and Spanish ships at Cadiz amount to thirty of the +line. This fleet, combined with that of Brest, and with the Active, +the Guerrier and the Cæsar, gone to convoy merchantmen to a certain +latitude, and to a ship of one hundred and ten guns, from Rochfort, +and all commanded by the Count d'Estaing, would give a good account of +the English. + +_Petersburg, 23d of June._ "The squadron equipped at Cronstadt, having +received its last orders, sailed from thence the 19th of this month. +As the service to which it is destined will not permit it to return +before winter in the ports of this empire, the Court has sent to its +Ministers in Holland, England, France, Spain, Portugal, Sweden and +Denmark, orders to request of those respective powers, that there may +be granted to this squadron a free entry into their ports, and all the +succor of which they may have occasion, in case they should be obliged +to put in there by any accident," &c. + +_Copenhagen, 4th of July._ "The arrival of the fleet of fifteen +Russian ships of the line in our port, is soon to be followed by the +departure of the Danish fleet. The Justice, of seventyfour guns, the +last of the vessels that we have armed to form it, will go tomorrow +into the Road; and the day after, the Vice Admiral de Schindel will +hoist his flag on board of her. We shall then have in service eight +ships of the line, two of fifty guns, and six frigates, to wit, the +Justice, and the Princess Sophia Frederick, commandant Krieger, of +seventyfour; the Jutland, and the Prince Frederick, Commandants de +Kaas and Lous, of seventy; the Droit d'Indigénat and the Wagrie, +Captains Gormar and Bille, of sixtyfour; the Dannebrog and the +Holstein, Captains Ellebracht and U. C. Kaas, of sixty; the Mars and +the Greenland, Captains Lutken and Knudsen, of fifty; the Bornholm +and the Riel, Captains Schaning and Tender, of thirtysix; the Moen, +Captain Budde, of thirtyfour; the Cronberg, Captain Ziervogel, of +thirtytwo; the Alsen, Captain Count de Reventlau, of twentyfour, and +the Christian, Captain Stockflelk, of twenty guns. Of these, +nevertheless, the Holstein sailed the 30th for Guinea; the Bornholm, +the Moen, and the Christian, are in the islands of America, and the +Greenland serves as a guard ship in the Road of Helsingore." + +Whatever may be the part that either powers will take in regard to the +project of an armed neutrality, the three Crowns of the North appear +uniform in their measures for the protection of the commerce of their +subjects, and these measures have already the effect, that their +ships, particularly the Swedish and Danish, are already sought for +freight in the Baltic, in preference to all others, while on the other +side there arrives no neutral vessels from the North Sea, in the +Sound, which does not make the most bitter complaints concerning the +ill treatment received from English privateers. A Dutch ship has had +nineteen of them on board of him since his departure from the coast of +France, and a Russian ship has been robbed of all his victuals by +these pirates, who had left him nothing but Gruau-Water, and eighteen +pounds of bread, upon which eight men were to subsist during three +weeks. + +_Hague, 17th of July._ "Affairs between our Republic and the Court of +London are still in the same state of indecision. We learn, that the +latter has answered, by the Viscount Stormont to the different Memoirs +presented during some weeks, by the Envoy, the Count de Welderen, in +which, he insisted upon the stipulations of the treaty of 1674. 'That +in answer to these Memorials, and to all those, which could be +presented of the same nature, he, Lord Stormont, observed that the +Count de Welderen insisted upon that, which at this time no longer +existed; that it would be superfluous to repeat what had passed upon +this subject, that he should confine himself, therefore, to remind him +of the order, which the King had given in his Council, on the 17th of +last April, and of which he had had the honor to give him official +information.'" + +I am thus particular in laying before Congress a state of the navies +of Europe, because they show the unanimity and ardor, with which all +the maritime powers are intent upon their commercial and naval +interests, upon the freedom of commerce and navigation, and upon the +rights of neutral nations, and to show, that America is universally +considered by them as such a magazine of raw materials for +manufactures, such a source of commerce, and such a nursery of seamen, +and naval power, that they are determined, that no one power in Europe +shall ever again monopolise it. We must, however, fight our own +battles, and bear our own expenses; for the slow march of those +powers, their maxims of dignity and systems of etiquette are such, +that they must have their own way, and operate in their own time. +England has hints and warnings enough, but she will not take them. +These events, however, all show the wisdom of Congress, in planning +the first treaty, which was first sent to the Court of Versailles, +upon the principle of perfect equality and reciprocity, granting no +exclusive privileges, and binding herself to no obligation not to +admit any other, and all other nations to the same; principles from +which it is to be presumed we shall not depart. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, July 23d, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have been amused some time with dark and unintelligible hints in +letters from London, of some messenger sent from Lord North to Madrid. + +Three weeks ago I waited on the Count de Vergennes, at Versailles, to +acquaint him, that I had an intention of making a journey to Amsterdam +for a few weeks, as I flattered myself I might form some +acquaintances, or correspondences there, and collect some +intelligence, that might be useful to the United States. His +Excellency desired me to wait some time, for that in eight or ten days +he believed he should have something to communicate to me. I assured +him, that I would not go till I saw him again, or heard further from +him. This day sevennight, his Excellency informed me, that he was +ready to let me know, that a messenger from the Court of London had +arrived at Madrid, that the Spanish Ministry had demanded the +sentiments of the British Court concerning America. He said he was not +instructed. He was told he must previously explain himself upon that +subject. He determined to send an express to London for instructions. +This the Count de Vergennes said would take up two months, and +consequently leave me time enough to go to Holland, but if anything +should happen in the meantime, he would give me the earliest +information of it. + +In the Courier de l'Europe of the 14th of July, is this paragraph. + +"The report runs, that a person who has been Secretary of the Marquis +d'Almodavar, during his embassy from the Court of Madrid to that of +London, arrived here, (London,) some weeks ago, on board the Milford, +coming from Oporto, that after a stay of eight days, this frigate had +orders to transport to Lisbon this person, accompanied by Mr +Cumberland, Secretary of Lord George Germain, whose instructions +imply, that if at the end of twenty days he is not called to Madrid, +he is to return here immediately. As soon as this person arrived at +Lisbon, he set out for Madrid, where fifteen days after, Mr Cumberland +was invited to go, and where he is at present." + +There is a body of people in England who are zealous and clamorous for +peace, and the Ministry find their account in amusing and silencing +them by equivocal appearances of negotiations. They have ever made it +a part of their political system, to hold out to America some false +hopes of reconciliation and peace, in order to slacken our nerves and +retard our preparations. They think also, that they can amuse the +Courts of France and Spain, with a talk about conferences and +negotiations, while they are secretly concerting measures to succor +Gibraltar, and carry on their operations the next campaign. But +serious thoughts of peace upon any terms that we can agree to, I am +persuaded they never had; but if they ever did entertain any thoughts +of negotiation, it must have been at the time of their consternation +for Sir Henry Clinton, and their despair of his success. + +The total and absolute suppression of the tumults in London, and the +triumphant success of Clinton, beyond their most sanguine +expectations, has now given them such confidence and exaltation that +the people of America will dethrone Congress, and, like the Israelites +of old, demand a king, that they now think of nothing but +unconditional submission, or at least of delusive proffers of terms, +which they know the majesty of the people in America will not agree +to, in order to divide us, to make a few gentlemen apostates, and some +soldiers deserters. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +COUNT DE VERGENNES TO JOHN ADAMS. + +Translation. + + Versailles, July 25th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have received the letter, which you have done me the honor to write +to me on the 17th of this month. I have read it with the most serious +attention, and in order to give you an answer with greater exactness, +I have placed in the margin every paragraph which seemed to require +observations on my part. You will there see, Sir, that I continue to +be of opinion, that the time to communicate your Plenipotentiary power +to Lord Germain is not yet come, and you will there find the reasons +on which I ground my opinion. I have no doubt you will feel the force +of them, and that they will determine you to think as I do. But if +that should not be the case, I pray you, and in the name of the King +request you, to communicate your letter and my answer to the United +States, and to suspend until you shall receive orders from them, all +measures with regard to the English Ministry. I shall on my part, +transmit my observations to America, that M. de la Luzerne may +communicate them to the members of Congress, and I am persuaded that +that assembly will think the opinion of the Ministry of France worthy +some attention, and that they will not be afraid of neglecting or +betraying the interests of the United States, by adopting it as a rule +of their conduct. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + DE VERGENNES. + + * * * * * + +_Observations on Mr Adams's Letter of July 17th, 1780._ + +Translation. + +I. The reasons, which determined the Count de Vergennes to give Mr +Adams that advice are so plain, that they must appear at first view. + +1st. To be solicitous about a Treaty of Commerce, before peace is +established, is like being busy about furnishing a house, before the +foundation is laid. + +2d. In the situation in which America stands at present with regard to +England, to announce to that power that they have forgotten her system +of tyranny, her cruelties, and her perfidy, is discovering too great a +degree of weakness, or at least too much good nature, and inviting her +to believe, that the Americans have an irresistible predilection for +her, and to fortify her in the opinion she entertains, that the +American patriots will submit through weariness, or the preponderating +influence of the tories. + +3d. To propose a Treaty of Commerce, which must be founded on +confidence, and on a union equivalent to an alliance, at a time when +the war is raging in all its fury, when the Court of London is wishing +to ruin or to subjugate America, what is it but to give credit to the +opinion, which all Europe entertains, conformable to the assertions of +the English Ministers, that the United States incline towards a +defection, and that they will be faithful to their engagements with +France, only till such time as Great Britain shall furnish a pretext +for breaking them. + +II. A person may be furnished eventually with plenipotentiary powers, +without being under the necessity of publishing them, until +circumstances permit him to use them. This happens every day. Mr Adams +is charged with three distinct commissions. 1. To take a share in the +future negotiations for peace. 2. To conclude a treaty of commerce +with Great Britain. 3. To represent the United States at the Court of +London. It requires no great effort of genius to show, that these +three objects cannot be accomplished at the same moment of time, nor +that the two last cannot serve as an introduction to the first. It is +necessary first of all to obtain from England an acknowledgment of the +Independence of America, and that acknowledgment must serve as a +foundation for a treaty of peace. Until this is obtained, Mr Adams +cannot talk of a treaty of commerce. To propose one while the Court of +London is flattering itself with the hopes of subduing America, and +while with that view it is making the most strenuous efforts, would in +the view of that Court be to propose what was chimerical, and would be +taking a step which it would hold in derision. + +The case would be the same, were one at this time to talk of a +Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States appointed to reside at +the Court of his Britannic Majesty. The only powers, therefore, which +circumstances permit Mr Adams to announce, are those which authorise +him to take a part in the negotiations for peace. The two other powers +can be of no avail until the conclusion of that peace, so that it +would be at least useless to produce them at present; and +consequently Mr Adams will not act inconsistent with the design and +nature of his appointment by concealing them from the Court of London. +Although the Count de Vergennes is unacquainted with the instructions +of Mr Adams, yet he is persuaded that they are conformable to the +foregoing reflections, and that they do not direct him to make an +immediate communication of his powers relative to a treaty of +commerce, any more than they order him to make a separate peace with +Great Britain. This opinion is founded on that which the King's +Ministry entertain of the wisdom, prudence and fidelity of Congress. + +III. It is to be observed, that the English Ministry would consider +that communication as ridiculous; so that it is deceiving one's self +to suppose, that it will engage them to enter into any conference, or +so say anything more than what is contained in the resolutions of +Parliament, namely, that they will listen to the Americans and receive +them into favor, when they return to their former allegiance. It can +answer no good purpose to draw from them such an answer, nor can the +United States want such an answer, to inform them of the present +sentiments of the Court of London, and much less to prepare with +councils and arms to resist them. It is astonishing to talk of +preparations of councils and arms, when the war is raging in all its +fury, when it has now lasted six years, and England has not yet made +one overture to the Americans, that can authorise them to believe that +she would agree to their independence. + +IV. The English Ministry would either return no answer, or if they did +it would be an insolent one. In case of the latter, why should a man +needlessly expose himself to insult, and thereby make himself the +laughing-stock of all the nations who have not yet acknowledged the +independence of the United States? But there is reason to believe that +Mr Adams would receive no answer, because the British Ministry would +not think themselves bound to return one to a man who assumes a +character, which the Court of London must consider as an insult. It +should not be forgotten, that that Court always considers the +Americans as rebellious subjects. With such an opinion, how could Lord +Germain receive a letter from Mr Adams, taking upon himself the +character of Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of North +America? How could that Minister bear the mention of a treaty of +commerce, which can only take place between independent nations? These +observations will convince Mr Adams, that France has no occasion for +the expedient which he proposes, to discover the sentiments and +dispositions of the Court of London, and that we are already perfectly +acquainted with what we ought and may expect from it, in the present +situation of affairs. + +V. The silence, or the answer of the English Ministry, let which will +happen, will neither alarm nor arouse the people of England. That +people, without doubt, desire peace and an accommodation with America. +But we find that only some individuals talk of independence, and +these, more from a spirit of opposition than from conviction. There +never has been a single motion made in Parliament tending to grant +that independence. Yet the people have friends and protectors in +Parliament. From this, Mr Adams may judge into what embarrassment the +announcing his powers would throw the Ministry. + +VI. England, as well as the rest of Europe, is perfectly acquainted +with the nature of the engagements, which subsist between France and +the United States. The King caused a declaration to be made by his +Ministry on the 13th of March, 1778, that he had not secured to +himself any exclusive privilege by the treaty of commerce of the 6th +of February of the same year, and his Majesty has confirmed that +declaration in a writing published by his order. So that the +plenipotentiary powers of Mr Adams can disclose nothing new, either to +England or to the other powers of Europe, and the false opinion of the +Court of London in this matter can be no obstacle to a peace. If any +such obstacle existed, the English Ministry would themselves find +means to remove it, if they were determined to make peace; depend upon +that. + +VII. It is certain that the whole English nation, and even the +Ministers themselves, wish for peace. But it has been observed, that +there has not been a single motion made in favor of the independence +of America. Certainly the plenipotentiary powers of Mr Adams will not +change the present dispositions of the people in that respect, and +consequently the communication that might be made of them, will +neither facilitate nor accelerate the conclusion of peace. + +VIII. This is a sensible reflection. It proves that Mr Adams is +himself convinced that there are circumstances, which may induce him +to conceal his powers. The King's Ministry think that such +circumstances will continue till the English nation shall show a +disposition to acknowledge the independence of the United States. That +acknowledgment will not be facilitated by proposing a treaty of +commerce. For the English are at present well persuaded, that they +will have such a treaty with America when they shall judge it proper. +They have besides, as Mr Adams has himself mentioned in his letter of +the 19th of February last, a full knowledge of his commission, so +that the communication of his full powers will teach them nothing new +in this respect. + +IX. In answer to this paragraph it may be observed, that there is not +an Englishman who is not persuaded that the United States are disposed +to grant the advantages of commerce to their ancient metropolis; but +it would be a very difficult task to persuade an Englishman or any +thinking being, that by granting independence in exchange for these +advantages, the Court of London would make an honorable and +advantageous peace. If this was the real sentiment of the people of +England, why have they for these six years past, without murmuring, +furnished ruinous supplies for subduing America? + +X. The English Ministry either have sincere intentions of making +peace, or they mean to amuse and penetrate the designs of Spain. In +the first case, they will express the conditions on which they desire +to treat; they will then be obliged to explain their views and their +demands with regard to America. They assuredly forget nothing which +they think will forward peace, and upon agreeing to her independence, +their first care will be to demand equal privileges with France in +regard to commerce. On the contrary, if the English Ministry only +means to amuse Spain, to penetrate her designs and to slacken her +preparations for war, Mr Adams should do the Ministry of Madrid +justice to believe that they will have sagacity enough to discover +their views, and have understanding and prudence sufficient to +determine on the conduct they ought to pursue. + +XI. If Mr Adams is as sure as he is of his existence, that the English +Ministry have no intention of making peace on terms which France and +America can agree to, to what purpose communicate to them at present +powers, which cannot be made use of until after the peace. How can Mr +Adams persuade himself, that the Court of London will be seduced by +the bait of a treaty of commerce, while it still manifests an +invincible repugnance to acknowledge the independence of America. +Whenever it shall be disposed to acknowledge that independence, it +will of itself propose the conditions on which it will be then proper +to grant it, and Mr Adams may rest assured, that it will not forget +the article of commerce. Then will be the proper time for him to +produce his plenipotentiary powers. In the meantime, it is necessary +to pursue measures for the establishing the foundation of that +negotiation, namely, the independence of America, and that can only be +effected by carrying on the war with vigor and success. + + * * * * * + +TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Paris, July 26th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have received the letter, which your Excellency did me the honor to +write me on the 25th of this month. + +The sincere respect I entertain for your Excellency's sentiments would +have determined me, upon the least intimation, to have communicated my +letter and your answer to Congress, and to suspend, until I should +receive orders on their part, all measures towards the British +Ministry, without your Excellency's requisition in the name of the +King. + +I shall transmit these papers to Congress, and I doubt not the +reasons your Excellency has adduced will be sufficient to induce them +to suspend any communication to the British Ministry, as it is +undoubtedly their wisdom to conduct all such measures in concert with +their allies. + +There is a great body of people in America, as determined as any to +support their independence, and their alliances, who notwithstanding +wish that no measure may be left unattempted by Congress, or their +servants, to manifest their readiness for peace, upon such terms as +they think honorable and advantageous to all parties. Your +Excellency's arguments, or indeed your authority, will probably be +sufficient to satisfy these people, and to justify me, whereas without +them I might have been liable to the censure of numbers. For it is +most certain, that all due deference will be shown by the people of +the United States and their servants, both in and out of Congress, to +the sentiments of the Ministry of France. + +This deference, however, by no means extends so far as to agree in all +cases to those sentiments without examination. I cannot, therefore, +agree in the sentiment, that proposing a treaty of peace and commerce, +is discovering a great deal of weakness, or that the Americans have +forgotten the British system of tyranny, cruelty, or perfidy, or to +invite her to believe the Americans have an irresistible predilection +for England, or to fortify her in the opinion that the American +patriots will submit through weariness, or through fear of the +preponderant influence of the tories. + +And so far from thinking it would give credit to the opinion, if there +be such a one in all Europe, that the United States incline towards a +defection, and that they will not be faithful to their engagements, it +seems to me on the contrary, it would discredit the opinion which +prevails too much in Europe, that there is some secret treaty between +France and the United States, by which the former is entitled to +exclusive privileges in the American trade. + +It is very true, that the independence of America must be acknowledged +before a treaty of peace can be made. But a prospect of a free trade +with America, upon principles of perfect equality and reciprocity, +like that between France and the United States, might be a powerful +inducement with the people of England, to acknowledge American +independence. Indeed I do not see any other considerable motive, that +England can ever have to make that acknowledgment. The Congress have +given no positive instructions respecting the time or manner of making +these powers known to one Court or another. All this is left at +discretion, and to a construction of the Commissioners themselves. It +is very certain, that all the belligerent powers are busily occupied +every winter in their councils, and preparations for the ensuing +campaign. And it is also certain, that the artifice of the British +Ministry, in holding up to view every winter some semblance of a +design of reconciliation formerly, and of peace latterly, has been a +real engine of hostility against America, equal to a considerable part +of the British army. Neither the people of America, nor Mr Adams, have +the least dread upon their minds, of an insolent answer from one of +the British Ministers, nor of the ridicule of those nations who have +not yet acknowledged the independence of America. No man of any +knowledge, justice, or humanity, in any of those nations, would laugh +upon such an occasion, on the contrary, he would feel a just +indignation against a Minister who should insult a message so +obviously calculated for the good of England, and of all Europe, in +the present circumstances of affairs. + +I am very much mistaken, for I speak upon memory, if the Duke of +Richmond did not make a motion two years ago in the House of Lords, +and if Mr Hartley did not make another about a year ago, which was +seconded by Lord North himself, in the House of Commons, tending to +grant independence to America. And it is very certain, that a great +part of the people of England think that peace can be had upon no +other terms. It is most clear, that the present Ministry will not +grant independence; the only chance of obtaining it is by change of +that Ministry, The King is so attached to that Ministry, that he will +not change them, until it appears that they have so far lost the +confidence of the people, that their representatives in Parliament +dare no longer to support them, and in the course of the last winter +the weight and sentiment of the people were so considerable, as to +bring many great questions nearly to a balance, and particularly to +carry two votes, one against the increase of the influence of the +Crown, and another against the Board of Trade and Plantations, a vote +that seemed almost to decide the American question, and they came +within a very few votes of deciding against the American Secretary. +Now where parties are approaching so near to a balance, even a small +weight thrown into either scale may turn it. + +In my letter of the 19th of February, I said, that my appointment was +notorious in America, and that therefore it was probably known to the +Court of London, although they had not regular evidence of it. The +question then, was more particularly concerning a commission to assist +in the pacification. This was published in the American newspapers, +in a general way, but I have no reason to think they are particularly +informed of these matters; if they were, no evil that I am aware of +could result from giving them the information officially. Certainly +they have no official information, and it is denied, that they know +the nature of Mr Adams' commission. + +Without any great effort of genius, I think it is easy to demonstrate +to any thinking being, that by granting American independence, and +making a treaty of commerce upon principles of perfect reciprocity, +England would in the present circumstances of affairs make an +honorable and an advantageous peace. It would have been more for their +honor and advantage never to have made this war against America, it is +true, but having made it, all the dishonor and disadvantage there is +in it are indelible, and after thirteen colonies have been driven to +throw off their government and annihilate it in every root and branch, +becoming independent in fact, maintaining this independence against a +force of forty thousand men and fifty ships of war, that would have +shaken most of the States of Europe to the foundation, after +maintaining this independence four years, and having made an honorable +treaty with the first power in Europe, after another power had fallen +into the war in consequence of the same system, after the voice of +mankind had so far declared against the justice of their cause, that +they could get no ally, but on the contrary all the maritime powers +are entering into a confederacy against them, upon a point which has +been a principal source of their naval superiority in Europe; in these +circumstances, the only honorable part they can act, is to conform to +the opinion of mankind, and the dishonorable and ruinous part for them +to act is to continue the war. For the principle, that the people +have a right to a form of government according to their own judgments +and inclinations, is, in this intelligent age so well agreed on in the +world, that it would be thought dishonorable by mankind in general, +for the English to govern three millions of people against their wills +by military force, and this is all they can ever hope for, even +supposing they could bribe and tempt deserters enough from our army +and apostates from our cause to make it impossible for us to carry on +the war. This, however, I know to be impossible, and that they never +will get quiet possession again of the government of any one whole +State in the thirteen; no, not for an hour. If England considers +further, that America is now known all over Europe to be such a +magazine of raw materials for manufactures, such a nursery of seamen, +and such a source of commerce and naval power, that it would be +dangerous to all the maritime powers to suffer any one of them to +establish a domination and a monopoly again in America. + +I know there exists in some European minds, a prejudice against +America, and a jealousy that she will be hurtful to Europe, and +England may place some dependence upon this prejudice and jealousy, +but the motions of the maritime powers begin to convince her, that +this jealousy and prejudice do not run so deep as they thought, and +surely there never was a more groundless prejudice entertained among +men, and it must be dissipated as soon as the subject is considered. +America is a nation of husbandmen, planted on a vast continent of wild +uncultivated land, and there is, and will be for centuries, no way in +which these people can get a living, and advance their interest so +much as by agriculture. They can apply themselves to manufactures, +only to fill up interstices of time, in which they cannot labor on +their lands, and to commerce, only to carry the produce of their +lands, the raw materials of manufactures, to the European market. + +Europe is a country whose land is all cultivated nearly to perfection, +where the people have no way to advance themselves but by manufactures +and commerce; here are two worlds then, fitted by God and nature, to +benefit each other, one by furnishing raw materials, the other +manufactures, and they can never interfere. The number of States in +America, their position and extension over such a great continent, and +their fundamental constitution that nine States must concur to war, +show that nine of these States never can agree in any foreign war, or +any other, but for self defence, if they should ever become powerful. +But in this case, however disagreeable a prospect it may open to +Americans, Europe has an everlasting warranty against their becoming +dangerous to her in the nature of men, the nature of her governments, +and their position towards one another. + +All these circumstances serve to show, and the people of England begin +to be sensible of it, that Europe will never suffer them to regain +their domination and monopoly, even if the English were able to extort +a forced submission. In this situation then, the only honorable and +advantageous course for England is to make peace, and open commerce +with America, in perfect consistency with her independence and her +alliances. The people of England cannot be said to furnish subsidies +without murmuring, for it is certain there never was so much murmuring +and such radical discontent in that nation nor any other, but at the +eve of a revolution. + +I very cheerfully agree with your Excellency in opinion, that the +Court of Spain has sagacity enough to penetrate and to defeat the +deceitful designs of the English, and am not under other apprehensions +from thence, than that the report of a negotiation with Spain will +leave some impressions in America, where I believe the English +Ministry chiefly intend it. I have already said, that from the present +British Ministry I expect no peace. It is for the nation and for the +change of Ministry, as a step towards peace, that I thought it might +have some effect to make the communication, and to satisfy those +people in America, who without the most distant thought of departing +from their independence or their alliances, wish still to take every +reasonable measure towards peace. Your Excellency's letter will +convince them, that my apprehensions were wrong, and your advice will +undoubtedly be followed, as it ought to be; for they cannot promise +themselves any advantages from the communication equivalent to the +inconveniency of taking a measure of this kind, which ought not to be +done but in concert, against the opinion of the Ministry of France. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Paris, July 27th, 1780. + + Sir, + +Since my letter of the 21st, and upon reading over again your +Excellency's letter to me of the 20th, I observed one expression, +which I think it my duty to consider more particularly. The expression +I have in view, is this, "that the King without having been solicited +by the Congress, had taken measures the most efficacious to sustain +the American cause." + +Upon this part of your letter, I must entreat your Excellency to +recollect, that the Congress did as long, ago as the year 1776, before +Dr Franklin was sent off for France, instruct him, Mr Deane, and Mr +Lee, to solicit the King for six ships of the line, and I have reason +to believe, that the Congress have been from that moment to this, +persuaded that this object has been constantly solicited by their +Ministers at this Court. + +In addition to this, I have every personal, as well as public motive +to recall to your Excellency's recollection, a letter or memorial, +which was presented to your Excellency in the latter end of the month +of December, 1778, or the beginning of January, 1779, in which a great +variety of arguments were adduced to show, that it was not only good +policy, but absolutely necessary, to send a superiority of naval force +to the coasts of the Continent of America.[7] This letter, together +with your Excellency's answer, acknowledging the receipt of it, I +transmitted to Congress myself, and their Journals show, that they +received them near a year ago, so that Congress I am persuaded, rest +in the most perfect security in the persuasion, that everything has +been done by themselves and their servants at this Court, to obtain +this measure, and that the necessary arrangements of the King's naval +service have hitherto prevented it. + +But if it was only suspected by Congress, that a direct application +from them to the King was expected, I am assured they would not +hesitate a moment to make it. I am so convinced by experience, of the +absolute necessity of more consultations and communications between +his Majesty's Ministers and the Ministers of Congress, that I am +determined to omit no opportunity of communicating my sentiments to +your Excellency, upon everything that appears to me of importance to +the common cause, in which I can do it with propriety. And the +communications shall be direct in person, or by letter to your +Excellency, without the intervention of any third person. And I shall +be very happy, and think myself highly honored, to give my poor +opinion and advice to his Majesty's Ministers upon anything that +relates to the United States, or the common cause, whenever they shall +be asked. + +I wish I may be mistaken, but it could answer no good purpose to +deceive myself; and I certainly will not disguise my sentiments from +your Excellency. I think that Admiral Graves, with the ships before in +America, will be able to impede the operations of M. de Ternay, of M. +de Rochambeau, and of General Washington, if their plan is to attack +New York. + +If there should be a naval battle between M. de Ternay and Admiral +Graves, the event is uncertain. From the near equality of force, and +the equality of bravery and of naval science which now prevails +everywhere, I think we cannot depend upon anything decisive in such an +engagement, unless it be from the particular character of Graves, whom +I know personally to be neither a great man, nor a great officer. If +there should be no decision in a naval battle, Graves and his fleet +must lay at New York, and M. de Ternay and his, at Rhode Island. I +readily agree, that this will be a great advantage to the common +cause, for the reasons mentioned in my letter to your Excellency of +the 13th of this month. But still I beg leave to suggest to your +Excellency, whether it would not be for the good of the common cause +to have still further resources in view, whether circumstances may not +be such in the West Indies, as to enable M. de Guichen to despatch +ships to the reinforcement of M. de Ternay, or whether it may not +consist with the King's service to despatch ships from Europe for that +purpose, and further, whether the Court of Spain cannot be convinced +of the policy of keeping open the communication between the United +States and the French and Spanish Islands in the West Indies, so as to +co-operate with France and the United States in the system of keeping +up a constant superiority of naval power, both upon the coasts of +North America and in the West India Islands. This is the true plan +which is finally to humble the English, and give the combined forces +the advantage. + +The English, in the course of the last war, derived all their +triumphs, both upon the Continent of America and the Islands, from the +succors they received from their Colonies. And I am sure that France +and Spain, with attention to the subject, may receive assistance in +this war, from the same source equally decisive. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + [7] See this memorial, or letter, in the Commissioners' + Correspondence, Vol. I. page 500. + + * * * * * + +COUNT DE VERGENNES TO JOHN ADAMS. + +Translation. + + Versailles, July 29th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have received the letter, which you did me the honor to write me on +the 27th of this month. When I took upon myself to give you a mark of +my confidence, by informing you of the destination of Messrs de Ternay +and Rochambeau, I did not expect the animadversion, which you have +thought it your duty to make on a passage of my letter of the 20th of +this month. To avoid any further discussions of that sort, I think it +my duty to inform you, that Mr Franklin being the sole person who has +letters of credence to the King from the United States, it is with him +only that I ought and can treat of matters, which concern them, and +particularly of that which is the subject of your observations. + +Besides, Sir, I ought to observe to you, that the passage in my +letter, which you have thought it your duty to consider more +particularly, relates only to sending the fleet commanded by the +Chevalier de Ternay, and had nothing further in view, than to convince +you, that the King did not stand in need of your solicitations to +induce him to interest himself in the affairs of the United States. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + DE VERGENNES. + + * * * * * + +COUNT DE VERGENNES TO B. FRANKLIN. + +Translation. + + Versailles, July 31st, 1780. + + Sir, + +The character with which you are invested, your wisdom, and the +confidence I have in your principles and sentiments, induce me to +communicate to you a correspondence, which I have had with Mr Adams. + +You will find, I think, in the letters of that Plenipotentiary, +opinions and a turn, which do not correspond either with the manner +in which I explained myself to him, or with the intimate connexion +which subsists between the King and the United States. You will make +that use of these pieces, which your prudence shall suggest. As to +myself, I desire, that you will transmit them to Congress, that they +may know the line of conduct, which Mr Adams pursues with regard to +us, and that they may judge whether he is endowed, as Congress no +doubt desires, with that conciliating spirit, which is necessary for +the important and delicate business, with which he is intrusted.[8] + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + DE VERGENNES. + + [8] A copy of the Correspondence between Count de Vergennes and Mr + Adams, respecting the communication of his powers to the British + Ministry, being forwarded to Congress, a committee was appointed to + consider the subject. Conformably to their report, the President wrote + to Mr Adams the following letter in the name of Congress, on the 10th + of January, 1781. + + "Sir, + + "Congress considers your correspondence with the Count de Vergennes, + on the subject of communicating your Plenipotentiary powers to the + Ministry of Great Britain, as flowing from your zeal and assiduity in + the service of your country; but I am directed to inform you, that the + opinion given to you by that Minister, relative to the time and + circumstances proper for communicating your powers, and entering upon + the execution of them, is well founded. + + "Congress have no expectations from the influence, which the people + may have on the British counsels, whatever may be the dispositions of + that nation or their magistrates towards these United States, nor are + they of opinion, that a change of Ministry would produce a change of + measures. They therefore hope, that you will be very cautious of + admitting your measures to be influenced by presumptions of such + events, or their probable consequences. + + "I am, &c. + + S. HUNTINGTON, + + _President of Congress._ + + + + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, August 14th, 1780. + + Sir, + +On the 27th of July I set out from Paris on a journey to Amsterdam. I +left Mr Dana, and Mr Thaxter at Paris, who will regularly transmit to +Congress whatever shall occur of importance to the United States to +know. They will also enclose all the English, French, and Dutch +gazettes. They are exerting themselves in this Republic to man their +ships of war, in which they have great success, as they give very +great premiums for seamen, as far as sixty ducats a man. The Russian +men-of-war are arrived and anchored in sight of the Texel, and several +of their officers have been ashore in this city. The Plenipotentiaries +are gone to Petersburg. Sweden and Denmark have adopted the +declaration of Russia. It is whispered, that the Dutch Ministers to +the Congress at Petersburg are shackled with instructions, to insist +on a warranty of their possessions in the East and West Indies, +previous to their acceding to the confederation of the maritime +powers, but this instruction produced a protest of the city of +Amsterdam, with such reasons against it, that it is thought the +opposite party will not venture to take upon themselves the +consequences of a refusal to join in the confederation; so that it is +expected the treaty will take place. + +It is universally considered as a great misfortune to us, by all whom +I converse with here, that Mr Laurens is not arrived. Some prudent +person, authorised by Congress, is earnestly desired here. He would +not be publicly received, at least until the States shall take a +decided part with the other maritime powers against England; this +case, however, may soon happen. But there is not in Europe a better +station to collect intelligence from France, Spain, England, Germany, +and all the northern parts, nor a better situation, from whence to +circulate intelligence through all parts of Europe than this. And it +may be depended on, that our cause has never suffered from anything +more than from the failure of giving and receiving intelligence. A +Minister here, from Congress, would be considered as the centre of +communication between America and this, and many other parts of +Europe; and I have since my arrival here, been more convinced than +ever, that Congress might open a considerable loan here, and be +supplied from hence with stores and with clothing, and at the same +time be gradually extending the commerce between this country and +America, to the great advantage of both. I have had a great deal of +conversation upon the subject of a loan, and shall have more. I am +sure that a loan might be obtained by any one with powers from +Congress. But there are no powers as yet arrived in Europe that will +ever succeed here. + +We are still in daily hope and expectation that Mr Laurens will +arrive; but should he decline to come, or in case any accident has +befallen him, I most earnestly recommend to Congress the appointment +of some other gentleman, with a proper commission, with full powers +and especially to borrow money, and to sign proper promissory notes +for the payment of it. + +The King of Sweden is at Spa, from whence in the letter of the 30th of +July the public are informed, that his Majesty, the first who during +the present maritime war has given validity to the rights of neuters, +by means of the declaration which he caused to be made the last year +to the belligerent powers, and by means of the protection which he +granted from that time to the commerce and the navigation of his +subjects, in sending out from his ports a numerous squadron, has +manifested the consistency of his sentiments and disposition in this +respect, by a new declaration, lately made to the Courts of Madrid, +Versailles, and London, an authentic copy of which here follows. + + +DECLARATION OF SWEDEN. + +"From the commencement of the present war, the King has taken care to +make known his fashion of thinking to all Europe; he has prescribed to +himself a perfect neutrality; he has discharged the duties of it with +scrupulous exactness; he has thought himself entitled to enjoy in +consequence of it the rights attached to the quality of a sovereign +absolutely neuter. Notwithstanding his trading subjects have been +obliged to demand his protection, and his Majesty has found himself +under a necessity of granting it to them. To fulfil this object, the +King caused to be armed the last year a certain number of vessels; one +part of them he employed upon the coasts of his kingdom, and the other +has served to convoy the Swedish merchant vessels, in the different +seas where the commerce of his subjects called them to navigate; he +communicated these measures to the belligerent powers, and he prepared +himself to continue them in the course of the present year, when other +Courts, which had equally adopted a neutrality, communicated to him +the dispositions which they had made, conformable with those of the +King, and tending to the same end. The Empress of Russia caused to be +presented a declaration to the Courts of London, Versailles, and +Madrid, by which she informed them of the resolution she had taken to +defend the commerce of her subjects, and the universal rights of +neutral nations. This declaration was founded upon principles so just, +that it did not appear possible to call them in question. The King has +found them entirely conformable to his own cause, to the treaty +concluded in 1666, between Sweden and England, and to that between +Sweden and France; and his Majesty has not been able to excuse himself +from acknowledging and adopting these same principles, not only with +regard to the powers with whom the said treaties are in force, but +also with relation to those who are already involved in the present +war, or who may become so in the sequel, and with whom the King has no +treaty to appeal to. It is the universal law, and in default of +particular engagements, this becomes obligatory upon all nations. In +consequence of which, the King declares once more, that he will +observe in future the same neutrality, and with the same exactness, +which he has observed heretofore. He will forbid his subjects, under +severe penalties, to deviate in any manner whatsoever from the duties +which a similar neutrality imposes; but he will protect their lawful +commerce by all means possible, when they shall conduct it conformably +to the principles abovementioned." + +From Hamburg, the 1st of August, we have the following article. "All +nations and all commercial cities being interested in the liberty of +the seas and the safety of navigation, attacked and violated in our +days, in a manner whereof history furnishes few examples, we have not +learned here with less joy than in the rest of Europe, (if we except +perhaps Great Britain,) the generous resolution which the three Powers +of the North have taken to protect, by an armed neutrality, the +commerce of their subjects, and at the same time the rights of all +nations; rights immemorial, which honor and justice alone ought to +cause to be respected, without having occasion to recur to the +sanction of treaties. The Court of Denmark has adopted these +principles into the declaration, which, after the example of Russia, +she has made to the belligerent powers, and which is conceived in +these terms." + + +DECLARATION OF DENMARK. + +"If a neutrality the most exact and the most perfect, with a +navigation the most regular, and an inviolable respect for treaties +had been sufficient to place the freedom of commerce of the subjects +of the King of Denmark and Norway in a state of safety from these +misfortunes, which ought to be unknown to nations which are at peace, +and who are free and independent, it would not be necessary to take +new measures to insure them this liberty to which they have a right +the most incontestible. + +"The King of Denmark has always founded his glory and his grandeur +upon the esteem and the confidence of other people; he has made it a +law to himself, from the commencement of his reign, to manifest to all +the powers, his friends, a conduct the most capable of convincing them +of his pacific sentiments, and of his sincere desire to contribute to +the general prosperity of Europe. His proceedings, the most uniform +and which nothing can conceal, are a proof of this. He has not +hitherto addressed himself, but to the belligerent powers themselves, +to obtain the redress of his grievances; and he has never failed of +moderation in his demands, nor of gratitude when they have had the +success, which they ought to have. But the neutral navigation has been +too often molested, and the most innocent commerce of his subjects +too frequently disturbed, for the King not to think himself obliged to +take at present measures proper to assure to himself and to his +allies, the safety of commerce and navigation, and the maintenance of +the indispensable rights of liberty and independence. If the duties of +neutrality are sacred, if the law of nations has also its decrees +adopted by all impartial nations, established by custom, and founded +in equity and reason, an independent and neutral nation does not lose +by the war of another the rights which it had before that war, because +that peace continues for her with all the belligerent people, without +receiving, and without having to follow, the laws of any of them. She +is authorised to make in all places, (the contraband excepted) the +traffic, which she would have a right to make if peace existed in all +Europe, as it exists for her. The King pretends to nothing beyond that +which neutrality entitles him to. Such is his rule and that of his +people, and his Majesty not being able to avow the principle, that a +belligerent nation has a right to interrupt the commerce of his +States, he has thought it a duty, which he owed to himself and to his +people, faithful observers of his regulations, and to the powers at +war themselves, to lay open to them the following principles, which he +has always had, and which he will always avow, and maintain in concert +with her Majesty the Empress of all the Russias, whose sentiments he +acknowledges to be entirely conformable to his own. + +"1st. That neutral vessels may navigate freely from port to port, and +upon the coasts of nations at war. + +"2d. That the effects belonging to the subjects of the powers at war +may be free upon neutral vessels, excepting merchandises of +contraband. + +"3d. That nothing be understood by this denomination of contraband, +but that which is expressly defined as such in the third article of +the Treaty of Commerce with Great Britain, in 1770, and in the +twentysixth and twentyseventh articles of his treaty of commerce with +France, in 1742; and the King will equally avow that, which is fixed +in these articles towards the powers, with which he has no treaty. + +"4th. That we should consider as a port blocked, that into which no +vessel can enter without an evident danger, by reason of ships of war, +stationed to form very near an effectual blockade. + +"5th. That these principles serve as a rule, in all proceedings, and +that justice be rendered with despatch and according to the documents +of the sea, conformably to treaties and to received usages. + +"His Majesty does not hesitate to declare, that he will maintain these +principles, as well as the honor of his flag, and the liberty and +independence of commerce, and of the navigation of his subjects; and +it is to this end, that he has caused to be armed a part of his fleet, +although he desires to preserve with all the powers at war, not only +the good intelligence, but even all the intimacy, which a neutrality +can admit. The King will never deviate from this, without being +forced; he knows the duties and the obligations of it; he respects +them as much as his treaties, and desires nothing but to maintain +them. His Majesty is also persuaded, that the belligerent powers will +do justice to these motives; that they will be as far as he is himself +from everything, which oppresses the natural liberty of men, and that +they will give to their Admiralties and to their officers, orders +conformable to the principles here announced, which evidently tend to +the prosperity and the interest of all Europe. + +"Copenhagen, July the 8th, 1780." + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Amsterdam, August 17th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I was never more amused with political speculations, than since my +arrival in this country. Every one has his prophecy, and every +prophecy is a paradox. One says, America will give France the go-by. +Another, that France and Spain will abandon America. A third, that +Spain will forsake France and America. A fourth, that America has the +interest of all Europe against her. A fifth, that she will become the +greatest manufacturing country, and thus ruin Europe. A sixth, that +she will become a great military and naval power, and will be very +ambitious, and so terrible to Europe. In short, it seems, as if they +had studied for every impossibility, and agreed to foretell it, as a +probable future event. + +I tell the first, that if the King of France would release America +from her treaty, and England would agree to our independence, on +condition we would make an alliance offensive and defensive with her, +America ought not to accept it, and would not, because she will in +future have no security for peace, even with England, but in her +treaty with France. I ask the second, whether he thinks the connexion +of America of so little consequence to France and Spain, that they +would lightly give it up. I ask the third, whether the family compact +added to the connexion with America, is a trifling consideration to +Spain. To the fifth, I say, that America will not make manufactures +enough for her own consumption these thousand years. And to the sixth, +that we love peace, and hate war so much, that we can scarcely keep up +an army necessary to defend ourselves against the greatest of evils, +and to secure our independence, which is the greatest of blessings; +and, therefore, while we have land enough to conquer from the trees +and rocks and wild beasts, we shall never go abroad to trouble other +nations. + +To the fourth I say, that their paradox is like several others, viz, +that Bacchus and Ceres did mischief to mankind, when they invented +wine and bread; that arts, sciences, and civilization have been +general calamities, &c. That upon their supposition, all Europe ought +to agree to bring away the inhabitants of America, and divide them +among the nations of Europe, to be maintained as paupers, leaving +America to be overgrown again with trees and bushes, and to become +again the habitations of bears and Indians, forbidding all navigation +to that quarter of the world in future. That mankind in general, +however, are probably of a different opinion, believing that Columbus, +as well as Bacchus and Ceres, did a service to mankind, and that +Europe and America will be rich blessings to each other, the one +supplying a surplus of manufactures, and the other a surplus of raw +materials, the productions of agriculture. + +It is very plain, however, that speculation and disputation can do us +little service. No facts are believed, but decisive military +conquests; no arguments are seriously attended to in Europe but force. +It is to be hoped, our countrymen, instead of amusing themselves any +longer with delusive dreams of peace, will bend the whole force of +their minds to augment their navy, to find out their own strength and +resources, and to depend upon themselves. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, August 22d, 1780. + + Sir, + +In a letter of the 14th instant, I had the honor to transmit to +Congress the declaration of the Courts of Sweden and Denmark, +conformable to that of Russia, which have been presented to the +belligerent powers. I now send the answer of the King of France to the +declaration of Sweden. It is conceived in these terms. + + +_Answer of France to the Declaration of Sweden._ + +"The King has constantly desired, that the neutral powers should not +receive any damage by the war in which his Majesty is engaged; his +orders have assured to the vessels belonging to these powers the +enjoyment of all the liberty, which the laws of the sea allow them; +and if any individual navigators have had cause to complain of having +suffered by the violence of the subjects of his Majesty, he has +rendered them immediate and ample justice. + +His Majesty has seen with satisfaction in the declaration which has +been presented to him, on behalf of the King of Sweden, that it was +the intention of this Prince, to continue to protect the navigation of +his subjects against all violence; that even his Swedish Majesty had +resolved to take measures, in concert with other Courts, and +especially with the Empress of Russia, to accomplish more effectually +this purpose. The King cannot but wish, that the confederation of his +Swedish Majesty with those powers, may produce the benefit which they +promise themselves from it; that the ocean may be free, conformably to +the law of nations and to treaties, which are known to be nothing more +than explanations of that law; and, in fine, that all the nations who +have no part in the war, may not suffer the evils of it. His Majesty +has renewed to the officers of his marine, and to the privateers which +carry his flag, orders entirely conformable to the principles, upon +which must depend the safety and tranquillity of all neutral vessels. +For a stronger reason still, the subjects of the King of Sweden ought +to be assured, that they will meet with no obstruction from those of +his Majesty, since there is no Frenchman, who is ignorant of the +alliance and friendship, which has so long subsisted between the two +Crowns. + +"The precautions which his Swedish Majesty has taken, as they must +confine the Swedish navigators within the bounds of the most exact +neutrality, so they will be a new motive for them to demand the +execution of those laws, of which their master discovers himself to be +a zealous defender; laws, which the King ardently wishes to see +adopted by the unanimous concurrence of all the powers, in such a +manner, that no one may have to suffer by the war, if his sovereign +does not take a part in it, provided he shall conform to the rules +prescribed, to prevent all abuse of the neutral flag. Versailles, 4th +of August, 1780." + +In a London paper of the 15th of August, are the following queries of +the Court of Sweden, relative to the proposal, which the Court of +Russia has made for the reciprocal protection and navigation of their +subjects. + + +_Queries of the Court of Sweden._ + +"1st. How, and in what manner, a reciprocal protection and mutual +assistance shall be given? + +"2d. Whether each particular power shall be obliged to protect the +general commerce of, the whole, or if, in the meantime, it may employ +a part of its armament in the protection of its own particular +commerce? + +"3d. If several of their combined squadrons should meet, or, for +example, one or more of their vessels, what shall be the rule of their +conduct towards each other, and how far shall the neutral protection +extend? + +"4th. It seems essential to agree upon the manner, in which +representations shall be made to the powers at war, if, +notwithstanding our measures, their ships of war, or armed vessels, +should continue to interrupt our commerce in any manner; must these +remonstrances be made in the general name of the united powers, or +shall each particular power plead its own cause only? + +"5th. Lastly, it appears essentially necessary to provide against this +possible event, where one of the united powers seeing itself driven to +extremities, against any of the powers actually at war, should claim +the assistance of the allies in this convention to do her justice, in +what manner can this be best concerted? A circumstance, which equally +requires a stipulation that the reprisals in that case shall not be at +the will of such party injured, but that the common voice shall +decide; otherwise, an individual power might at its pleasure draw the +rest against their inclinations and interests into disagreeable +extremities, or break the whole league, and reduce matters into their +original state, which would render the whole fruitless and of none +effect." + + +_Answer of the Court of Russia._ + +"1st. As to the manner in which protection and mutual assistance shall +be granted, it must be settled by a formal convention, to which all +the neutral powers will be invited, the principal end of which is, to +ensure a free navigation to the merchants ships of all nations. +Whenever such vessel shall have proved from its papers, that it +carries no contraband goods, the protection of a squadron or vessels +of war shall be granted her, under whose care she shall put herself, +and which shall prevent her being interrupted. From hence it follows; + +"2d. That each power must concur in the general security of commerce; +in the meantime, the better to accomplish this object, it will be +necessary to settle, by means of a separate article, the places and +distances which may be judged proper for the station of each power. +From that method will arise this advantage, that all the squadrons of +the allies will form a kind of chain, and be able to assist each +other; the particular arrangements to be confined only to the +knowledge of the allies, though the convention in all other points +will be communicated to the powers at war, accompanied with all the +protestations of a strict neutrality. + +"3d. It is undoubtedly the principle of a perfect equality which must +regulate this point. We shall follow the common mode with regard to +safety; in case the squadrons should meet and engage, the commanders +will conform to the usages of the sea service, because, as is observed +above, the reciprocal protection under these conditions should be +unlimited. + +"4th. It seems expedient, that the representations mentioned in this +article be made by the party aggrieved, and that the Ministers of the +other confederate powers support those remonstrances in the most +forcible and efficacious manner. + +"5th. We feel all the importance of this consideration, and to render +it clear, it is necessary to distinguish the case. If any one of the +allied powers should suffer itself to be drawn in by motives contrary +to the established principles of a neutrality and perfect +impartiality, should injure its laws, or extend their bounds, it +cannot certainly be expected that others should espouse the quarrel; +on the contrary, such a conduct would be deemed an abandoning the ties +which unite them. But if the insult offered to one of the allies +should be hostile to the principles adopted and announced in the face +of all Europe, or should be marked with the character of hatred and +animosity, inspired by resentment at these common measures of the +confederacy, which have no other tendency than to make, in a precise +and irrecoverable manner, laws for the liberty of commerce, and the +rights of every neutral nation, then it shall be held indispensable +for the united powers to make a common cause of it, (at sea only) +without its being a groundwork for other operations, as these +connexions are purely maritime, having no other object than naval +commerce and navigation. From all that is said above, it evidently +results, that the common will of all, founded upon the principles +admitted and adopted by the contracting parties, must alone decide, +and that it will always be the fixed basis of the conduct and +operations of this union. Finally, we shall observe, that these +conventions suppose no other naval armament than what shall be +conformable to circumstances, according as these shall render them +necessary, or as may be agreed. It is probable, that this agreement, +once ratified and established, will be of the greatest consequence; +and that the belligerent powers will find in it sufficient motives to +persuade them to respect the neutral flag, and prevent their provoking +the resentment of a respectable communion, founded under the auspices +of the most evident justice, and the sole idea of which is received +with the universal applause of all impartial Europe." + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, August 23d, 1780. + + Sir, + +The errand of Mr Cumberland to Madrid is a mere finesse of the British +Ministry, intended to aid the stockjobbers to keep up the stocks, aid +the loan, and the canvass for an election, and lull the belligerent +powers, while they prepare their measures for future enterprises and +another campaign. They have carried this plot so far, that I see some +paragraphs in the foreign papers, which seem intended to counteract +it. + +The truth is, according to my information, that orders are already +sent out by the British cabinet to prosecute the war with vigor in +North Carolina and Virginia, the ensuing fall, winter, and spring. +General Prevost is about to sail with some frigates to aid their +operations on Cape Fear river. It is said at the same time, that they +are sounding the House of Bourbon through Sardinia, and have made some +loose propositions of accommodation, the groundwork of which is the +sacrifice of America; and there is no doubt they would yield to +France and Spain very great things to carry their point against +America, who may depend upon the utmost exertions of their malice and +revenge. But all this will not do. France and Spain are now +responsible for their conduct to the rest of Europe, especially the +Northern powers; and besides this, the separation between America and +England is an object of more pressing importance to France and Spain, +than any concessions that England can make them. So that America need +not be under any apprehensions of being deserted. + +If, however, she were to be deserted by all the world, she ought +seriously to maintain her resolution to be free. She has the means +within herself. Her greatest misfortune has been, that she has never +yet felt her full strength, nor considered the extent of her +resources. + +I cannot but lament, however, that there is no representation of +Congress in this Republic, vested with powers to borrow money. This +would be a double advantage. We should avail ourselves of a loan, and +at the same time lessen the loan of England. A loan once begun here, +would rapidly increase, so as to deprive the English of this resource. +This is the method in which commerce may be extended between the two +Republics, and the political sentiments and system of Holland changed. +I fancy that several very heavy and solid houses here might be +persuaded to become security for the payment of interest, and that +contracts might be made with them to send them remittances in produce, +either to Europe, St Eustatia, St Thomas, &c., to enable them to +discharge the interest. Might not merchants be found in Philadelphia, +Boston, and many other places, who would enter into contract with the +public to remit such a sum as should be agreed on, in the produce of +the country to such houses here? This method, if Congress should think +it expedient to fall into the way of sending fleets of merchantmen +under convoy, would easily succeed. The safe arrival of the Fier +Roderique, with so large a number of vessels under her care, gives +great encouragement to the plan. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, September 4th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have the pleasure to write to Congress news, which I hope they will +receive many other ways before this letter can arrive, viz.; that the +outward bound British West India fleet of fiftytwo sail and five East +Indiamen, on the 9th of August, fell in with the combined French and +Spanish fleets, about sixty leagues from Cape St Vincents, and were +most of them taken; the frigates which composed the convoy and four of +the West Indiamen alone having escaped. This is the account. We may +possibly hear of some deductions, but the account in general is +authentic, and of very great importance, as the value of the property +is large, the number of soldiers and seamen considerable, and the +disappointment to the fleets and armies of our enemies in the East and +West Indies and in North America, not to be repaired. + +This news has been from the 22d of August to the 3d of September in +travelling from London to Amsterdam, where it makes a very great +sensation indeed. We had, at the same time, news of the capture of +most of the Quebec fleet by an American frigate and two brigantines. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, September 5th, 1780. + + Sir, + +As eloquence is cultivated with more care in free Republics than in +other governments, it has been found by constant experience that such +Republics have produced the greatest purity, copiousness and +perfection of language. It is not to be disputed, that the form of +government has an influence upon language, and language in its turn +influences not only the form of government, but the temper, the +sentiments, and manners of the people. The admirable models which have +been transmitted through the world, and continued down to these days, +so as to form an essential part of the education of mankind from +generation to generation, by those two ancient towns, Athens and Rome, +would be sufficient without any other argument to show the United +States the importance to their liberty, prosperity, and glory, of an +early attention to the subject of eloquence and language. + +Most of the nations of Europe have thought it necessary to establish +by public authority, institutions for fixing and improving their +proper languages. I need not mention the academies in France, Spain, +and Italy, their learned labors, nor their great success. But it is +very remarkable, that although many learned and ingenious men in +England have from age to age projected similar institutions for +correcting and improving the English tongue, yet the government have +never found time to interpose in any manner; so that to this day there +is no grammar nor dictionary extant of the English language, which has +the least public authority, and it is only very lately, that a +tolerable dictionary has been published, even by a private person, and +there is not yet a passable grammar enterprised by any individual. + +The honor of forming the first public institution for refining, +correcting, improving, and ascertaining the English language, I hope +is reserved for Congress; they have every motive that can possibly +influence a public assembly to undertake it. It will have a happy +effect upon the union of the States to have a public standard for all +persons in every part of the Continent to appeal to, both for the +signification and pronunciation of the language. The constitutions of +all the States in the Union are so democratical, that eloquence will +become the instrument, for recommending men to their fellow citizens, +and the principal means of advancement through the various ranks and +offices of society. + +In the last century, Latin was the universal language of Europe. +Correspondence among the learned, and indeed among merchants and men +of business, and the conversation of strangers and travellers, was +generally carried on in that dead language. In the present century, +Latin has been generally laid aside, and French has been substituted +in its place; but has not yet become universally established, and +according to present appearances, it is not probable that it will. +English is destined to be, in the next and succeeding centuries more +generally the language of the world, than Latin was in the last, or +French is in the present age. The reason of this is obvious, because +the increasing population in America, and their universal connexion +and correspondence with all nations will, aided by the influence of +England in the world, whether great or small, force their language +into general use, in spite of all the obstacles that may be thrown in +their way, if any such there should be. + +It is not necessary to enlarge further, to show the motives which the +people of America have to turn their thoughts early to this subject; +they will naturally occur to Congress in a much greater detail than I +have time to hint at. I would therefore submit to the consideration of +Congress, the expediency and policy of erecting, by their authority, a +society under the name of "The American Academy, for refining, +improving, and ascertaining the English Language." The authority of +Congress is necessary to give such a society reputation, influence, +and authority, through all the States, and with other nations. The +number of members of which it shall consist, the manner of appointing +those members, whether each State shall have a certain number of +members, and the power of appointing them, or whether Congress shall +appoint them, whether after the first appointment, the society itself +shall fill up vacancies, these, and other questions, will easily be +determined by Congress. + +It will be necessary, that the society should have a library, +consisting of a complete collection of all writings concerning +languages of every sort, ancient and modern. They must have some +officers, and some other expenses, which will make some small funds +indispensably necessary. Upon a recommendation from Congress, there is +no doubt but the Legislature of every State in the confederation would +readily pass a law, making such a society a body politic, enable it to +sue, and be sued, and to hold an estate, real or personal, of a +limited value in that State. I have the honor to submit these hints to +the consideration of Congress. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, September 19th, 1780. + + Sir, + +The day before yesterday, Mr Dana arrived here from Paris, with the +despatches which came by Mr Searle. + +I am very sensible of the honor that is done me by this appointment, +and yesterday morning I set myself seriously about discharging the +duties of it, and this day I have been some leagues into the country +upon the same service. There are good reasons for concealing the names +of the gentlemen to whom I have applied for advice and assistance, but +they are such as Congress, I think, would have approved if they had +themselves been here. + +I was told very candidly, that I might possibly be much mistaken in my +information; that, possibly, I might think that money was more plenty +here than it is; that America had more friends than she has; and that +the difficulty of negotiating a loan here was less than it is; that it +was mysterious that Congress should empower any gentleman to negotiate +a loan, without, at the same time, empowering the same, or some other, +to negotiate a political treaty of alliance and commerce, consistent +with the treaties already made with other powers; that a Minister +Plenipotentiary here, would be advised to apply directly to the Prince +and the States-General; that he would not be affronted or ill treated +by either, and whether received publicly or not, would be courted by +many respectable individuals, and would greatly facilitate a loan. + +I was, however, encouraged to hope, that I might have some small +success, and was advised to a particular course in order to obtain it, +that cannot as yet be communicated. I must, however, apprize Congress, +that there are many delicate questions, which it becomes my duty to +determine in a short time, and perhaps none of more difficulty than +what house shall be applied to, or employed. I have no affections or +aversions to influence me in the choice. And shall not depend upon my +own judgment alone, without the advice of such persons as Congress +will one day know to be respectable. But offence will probably be +taken, let the choice fall upon whom it may, by several other houses, +that have pretensions and undoubted merit. As this may occasion +censure and complaints, I only ask of Congress not to judge of those +complaints without hearing my reasons, and this request I presume I +need not make. I have only to add, that the moment Mr Laurens shall +arrive, or any other gentleman, vested with the same commission, I +will render him every service in my power, and communicate to him +every information I may possess. + +But I ought not to conclude without giving my opinion, that it is +absolutely necessary that Mr Laurens, or whoever comes in his place, +should have a commission of Minister Plenipotentiary. If that +gentleman was now here with such a commission, it would have more +influence than perhaps anybody in America can imagine, upon the +conduct of this Republic, upon the Congress at Petersburg, and upon +the success of Mr Jay, at Madrid. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +_Commission to John Adams, referred to in the preceding Letter._ + +Whereas, by our commission to Henry Laurens, bearing date the 30th day +of October, in the year of our Lord 1779, we have constituted and +appointed him, the said Henry Laurens, during our pleasure, our agent +for and on behalf of the said United States, to negotiate a loan with +any person or persons, bodies politic and corporate; and whereas the +said Henry Laurens has, by unavoidable accidents, been hitherto +prevented from proceeding on the said agency, we, therefore, reposing +especial trust and confidence in your patriotism, ability, conduct, +and fidelity, do by these presents, constitute and appoint you, the +said John Adams, until the said Henry Laurens, or some other person +appointed in his stead, shall arrive in Europe, and undertake the +execution of the aforesaid commission, our agent for and on behalf of +the said United States, to negotiate a loan with any person or +persons, bodies politic and corporate, promising in good faith to +ratify and confirm whatsoever shall by you be done in the premises, or +relating thereunto. + +Witness his Excellency, Samuel Huntington, President of the Congress +of the United States of America, at Philadelphia, the 20th day of +June, in the year of our Lord, 1780, and in the fourth year of our +independence. + + SAMUEL HUNTINGTON, _President_. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, September 16th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to send by this opportunity a few pamphlets and +papers. The pamphlets relate to subjects which interest the United +States, and therefore ought to be communicated to Congress for their +consideration. + +The attention of mankind is now turned, next to the Congress of +America, upon that at Petersburg. The last letters from London say +that they have information, that one of the first measures of this +confederation will be an acknowledgment of American independence. +Whether this is true or not, I am not able to say. The councils of the +sovereigns of Europe are not easily penetrated; but it is our duty to +attend to them, and throw into view such information as may be in our +power, that they take no measures inconsistent with their and our +interest for want of light, a misfortune that may easily happen. In +this view, I could wish that the United States had a minister at each +of the maritime Courts, I mean Holland, Russia, Sweden, and Denmark, +and, as the Cabinet of Berlin has much influence in the politics of +Europe, Prussia. I say this upon supposition, that Congress can devise +means of defraying the expense, which to be sure amounts to a large +sum. + +I have heard that Mr Searle has arrived at Brest, but am not informed +of his destination, nor whether he has despatches for me. I am anxious +to learn from Congress what their intentions may be respecting me, I +have as yet received no authority to draw upon any fund whatsoever for +my subsistence, nor to borrow money for that or any other purpose. I +see no prospect of my commission being of any utility. Although many +persons here think that peace will be made in the course of the +ensuing winter or spring, yet I must confess I am of a different +opinion. The idea, that France will dictate the conditions of peace, +if it is made now, cannot be borne by Englishmen as yet, they are not +yet sufficiently humbled, although probably every year will add some +fresh humiliation to the demands upon their country. The English +privateers have taken some Russian vessels loaded with hemp and iron, +which must bring the question to a legal decision. The Admiralty will +probably discharge them, and the Ministry will give up the point of +free ships making free goods, provided the Dutch agree with the +Northern Powers, for they will not venture upon a war with all the +world at once. Besides the military force, which they could not stand +against, they would not be able to obtain any stores for their navy. +But the great question now is, whether the Dutch will agree. Their +deputies are instructed to insist upon a warranty of their East and +West India dominions. Whether the Northern Powers will agree to this +condition, is a question. The States-General, however, are sitting, +and will wait for despatches from Petersburg, and will probably be +much governed by events. What events have happened in the West Indies +and North America we shall soon learn. + +Digby has sailed with a part of Geary's late fleet, whether for +another expedition to Gibraltar, or whether for the West Indies or +North America, is unknown. The success of these operations will +probably influence much the deliberations both at Petersburg and the +Hague. This time only can discover. It is said, however, that M. Le +Texier will be exempted by the States-General from the payment of +duties upon his masts, hemp, iron, and other naval stores that he is +sending over land, to the French Marine. The capture of fiftyfive +ships at once, so much wealth, so many seamen and soldiers, and such +quantities of stores, is a severe stroke to the English, and cannot +but have the most excellent effects for us, both in the West Indies +and North America. The right vein is now opened, and I hope that the +Courts of France and Spain will now be in earnest in convoying their +own commerce and cruising for that of their enemies. This is a short, +easy, and infallible method of humbling the English, preventing the +effusion of an ocean of blood, and bringing the war to a conclusion. +In this policy, I hope our countrymen will join, with the utmost +alacrity. Privateering is as well understood by them as any people +whatsoever; and it is by cutting off supplies, not by attacks, sieges, +or assaults, that I expect deliverance from enemies. And I should be +wanting in my duty, if I did not warn them against any relaxation of +their exertions by sea or land, from a fond expectation of peace. They +will deceive themselves if they depend upon it. Never, never will the +English make peace while they have an army in North America. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, September 24th, 1780. + + Sir, + +Since the receipt of the despatches from Congress, brought by Mr +Searle, I have been uninterruptedly employed in attempting to carry +into execution their designs. + +The first inquiry which arose in my own mind was, whether it was +prudent to make any communication of my business to the States-General +or to the Prince. Considering that my errand was simply an affair of +credit, and that I had no political authority whatsoever, I thought, +and upon consulting gentlemen of the most knowledge, best judgment, +and most undoubted inclination for a solid and lasting connexion +between the two Republics, I found them of the same opinion, that it +was best to keep my designs secret as long as I could. + +I then inquired whether it would be proper to communicate anything to +the Regency of Amsterdam, or any branch of government whatsoever; and +I was advised against it, and to proceed to endeavor to effect a loan +upon the simple foundation of private credit. I have accordingly made +all the inquiries possible, for the best and most unexceptionable +House. Tomorrow I expect an answer to some propositions which I made +yesterday. + +This business must all be settled with so much secrecy and caution, +and I am under so many difficulties, not understanding the Dutch +language, and the gentlemen I have to do with not being much more +expert in French than I am myself, and not understanding English at +all, that the business goes on slower than I could wish. Commodore +Gillon, by his knowledge of Dutch and general acquaintance here, has +been as useful to me as he has been friendly. + +I never saw the national benefit of a fine language generally read and +spoken in so strong a light as since I have been here. The Dutch +language is understood by nobody but themselves, the consequence of +which has been, that this nation is not known. With as profound +learning and ingenuity as any people in Europe, they have been +overlooked, because they were situated among others more numerous and +powerful than they. I hope that Congress will take warning by their +example, and do everything in their power to make the language they +speak, respectable throughout the world. Separated as we are from the +Kingdom of Great Britain, we have not made war upon the English +language any more than against the old English character. An academy +instituted by the authority of Congress for correcting, improving, and +fixing the English language, would strike Great Britain with envy, and +all the rest of the world with admiration. The labors of such a +society would unite all America in the same language, for thirty +millions of Americans to speak to all the nations of the earth by the +middle of the nineteenth century. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, September 25th, 1780. + + Sir, + +There are some persons in this Republic who have been attentive to +this war, and who know somewhat of the history of the rise and +progress of the United States of America, but it is astonishing that +the number should be so small. Even in the city of Amsterdam, which is +the most attentive to our affairs, and the best inclined towards us, +there are few persons who do not consider the American resistance as a +desultory rage of a few enthusiasts, without order, discipline, law, +or government. There are scarcely any that have an adequate idea of +the numbers, the increasing population, or the growing commerce of +America. + +Upon my arrival here, some gentlemen were inquisitive about our forms +of government. I asked if they had seen them in print; I was answered, +no. Upon this I made it my business to search in all the booksellers' +shops for a collection of American Constitutions, which was published +in French two or three years ago, but could find only two copies, +which I presented to the gentlemen who made the inquiry. Nothing would +serve our cause more than having a complete edition of all the +American Constitutions correctly printed in English at Philadelphia, +by order of Congress, and sent to Europe, as well as sold in America. +The Rhode Island and Connecticut Constitutions ought not to be +omitted, although they have undergone no alteration; and it would be +well to print the Confederation in the same volume. This volume would +be read by everybody in Europe who reads English, and could obtain it, +and some would even learn English for the sake of reading it; it would +be translated into every language of Europe, and would fix the opinion +of our unconquerability more than anything could, except driving the +enemy wholly from the United States. + +There has been nobody here of sufficient information and consideration +to turn the attention of the public towards our affairs, to +communicate from time to time to the public, in a language that is +understood, intelligence from England, France or America; but on the +contrary, there have been persons enough employed and well paid by our +enemies, to propagate misinformation, misrepresentation, and abuse. + +The ancient and intimate connexion between the Houses of Orange and +Brunswick, the family alliances, and the vast advantage which the +Princes of Orange have derived in erecting, establishing, and +perpetuating the Stadtholder against the inclination of the republican +party, and the reliance which this family still has upon the same +connexion to support it, have attached the executive power of this +government in such a manner to England, that nothing but necessity +could make a separation. On the contrary, the republican party, which +has heretofore been conducted by Barnevelt, Grotius, the De Witts and +other immortal patriots, have ever leaned towards an alliance with +France because she has ever favored the republican form of government +in this nation. All parties however agree, that England has been ever +jealous and envious of the Dutch commerce, and done it great injuries; +that this country is more in the power of France if she were hostile, +than of England, and that her trade with France is of vastly greater +value than that with England. Yet England has more influence here than +France. The Dutch, some of them at least, now see another commercial +and maritime power arising, which it is their interest to form an +early connexion with. All parties here see that it is not their +interest that France and Spain should secure too many advantages in +America, and too great a share in her commerce, and especially in the +fisheries in her seas. All parties too see that it would be dangerous +to the commerce, and even Independence of the United Provinces, to +have America again under the dominion of England, and the republicans +see, or think they see, that a change in this government and a loss of +their liberties would be the consequence of it too. + +Amidst all these conflicts of interests and parties, and all these +speculations, the British Ambassador, with his swarms of agents, is +busily employed in propagating reports, in which they are much +assisted by those who are called here Stadtholderians, and there has +been nobody to contradict or explain anything. This should be the +business in part of a Minister Plenipotentiary. Such a Minister, +however, would not have it in his power to do it effectually, without +frequent and constant information from Congress. At present this +nation is so ignorant of the strength, resources, commerce, and +constitution of America, it has so false and exaggerated an +imagination of the power of England, it has so many doubts of our +final success, so many suspicions of our falling finally into the +hands of France and Spain, so many jealousies that France and Spain +will abandon us, or that we shall abandon them, so many fears of +offending the English Ministry, the English Ambassador, the great +mercantile houses, that are very profitably employed by both, and +above all, the Stadtholder and his friends, that even a loan of money +will meet with every obstruction and discouragement possible. These +chimeras, and many more, are held up to the people, and influence +their minds and conduct to such a degree, that no man dares openly and +publicly disregard them. + +I have this day received an answer to some propositions, which I made +last Saturday to a very respectable house, declining to accept the +trust proposed. I do not, however, despair; I still hope to obtain +something; but I am fully persuaded, that without a commission of +Minister Plenipotentiary, and without time and care to lead the public +opinion into the truth, no man living will ever succeed, to any large +amount. Those persons, who wish to lend us money, and are able to lend +us any considerable sum, are the patriots, who are willing to risk the +resentment of the British and the Stadtholder, for the sake of +extending the commerce, strengthening the political interest, and +preserving the liberties of their country. They think, that lending us +money without forming a political connexion with us will answer these +ends. That cause stands very insecurely, which rests on the shoulders +of patriotism in any part of Europe. But in such case, if patriotism +is left in a state of doubt whether she ought to sustain it, the cause +must fall to the ground. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, September 28th, 1780. + + Sir, + +On the 5th of this month, the Barons of Wassenaar and Heekeren, +Ministers Plenipotentiary of the States-General, had their first +audience of the Empress of Russia, presented their letters of credit, +and were graciously received. The Baron de Wassenaar, in presenting +his letters of credit, addressed to the Empress the following speech. + + "Madam, + +"The States-General, our masters, having received with a lively +gratitude the invitation, which your Imperial Majesty has been so good +as to make to them to take in concert with you the measures the most +proper and the most effectual for the maintenance of the rights of +their respective subjects, and of the dignity of their States, have +thought, that they could not answer thereto with more promptitude than +by ordering us to your Court, to the end to endeavor to conclude a +project as great as it is just and equitable, the honor of which is +solely due to your Imperial Majesty, and which apparently must +complete the glory of your reign, already famous by so many +illustrious events, and immortalise your name, by rendering you the +support and the protectress of the most sacred rights of nations. + +"Their High Mightinesses will esteem themselves happy, if they may, on +this occasion, strengthen still further, and by indissoluble ties the +union, which already subsists between your empire and their Republic, +and make themselves regarded by you as your most faithful and sincere +allies, while they shall always esteem it an honor to give marks of +the respectful regard and perfect veneration, which they have for your +person, and eminent qualities. Our wishes will be complete, Madam, if +in succeeding to serve our masters in so desirable an object, and upon +which they have founded the greatest hopes, our Ministry might be +agreeable to you, and procure us the approbation and the high +benevolence of your Imperial Majesty." + +The Empress made to this discourse a very gracious answer, in saying, +that it was very agreeable to her, that their High Mightinesses +considered the project upon this footing, and that she should act, in +this affair, by giving proofs of the rectitude of which she discovered +in all her actions. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, October 6th, 1780. + + Sir, + +On the 6th of September, the Baron de Wassenaar Starenburg, and the +Baron de Heekeren Brantzenburg, Ministers Plenipotentiary of their +High Mightinesses, the States-General of the United Provinces, had +their first audience of their Imperial Highnesses, the Grand Duke and +the Grand Duchess, and the Baron de Wassenaar Starenburg had the honor +to address, on this occasion, to the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess +the following discourse. + + "My Lord Duke, + +"The States, our masters, in sending us to the Court of her Imperial +Majesty, your august mother, have directed us at the same time, to +renew to your Imperial Highness the assurances of their most perfect +consideration, and their respectful regards. The harmony and good +understanding, which have subsisted between this Empire and their +Republic, make them hope, that your Imperial Highness will be so good +as to support with your credit the object, which makes the subject of +their Mission, and thereby give to their High Mightinesses a new mark +of the friendship, with which you have always honored them, and of +which they will be zealous in all circumstances to ensure the +continuance. Permit, My Lord Duke, that after having acquitted +ourselves of these orders of our masters, we may have the honor to +recommend our Ministry and our persons to the high benevolence of your +Imperial Highness." + +The Baron de Wassenaar then addressed himself to the Grand Duchess in +the following terms. + + "Madam, + +"Their High Mightinesses the States-General, our masters, in +accrediting us at the Court of her Imperial Majesty, your august +mother, have also commanded us to assure your Imperial Highness of +their most respectful sentiments, and of the interest, which they will +not cease to take in everything, which may contribute to your +prosperity, and that of your Imperial House. Permit us, Madam, to +recommend ourselves to the precious benevolence of your Imperial +Highness." + +The Grand Duke answered, "that nothing could be more agreeable to him, +than to see those Ministers Plenipotentiary acquit themselves happily +of their commission, that to this end he should not fail to support it +as far as should be in his power, as he considered the Republic as the +first ally of the Empire; charging them to write this to their High +Mightinesses as his sincere sentiments." + +On the 6th of September the Prince of Prussia arrived, and made a +magnificent entry into the city of Petersburg. + +Last night I had a letter from M. Dumas, at the Hague, dated the 3d of +October, in which he writes, that a courier had arrived from their +Plenipotentiaries at Petersburg, with despatches, which take away all +plausible pretext from the temporisers, for delaying the accession of +the Republic to the armed neutrality; that according to appearances, +the Emperor, the Kings of Prussia and Portugal would accede to it +likewise, and that all would agree in a maritime code, which should be +useful to all for the future. + +But this intelligence is so general, and has the air of being so +conjectural, that I know not how much dependence is to be had upon it. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, October 5th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have no other information to give Congress respecting the execution +of my new commission, except that I have been busily occupied ever +since my receipt of it, in making the most particular inquiries I +could concerning the best house, the best terms, &c. I shall delay +finishing any contracts with any house for a little while, in hopes of +Mr Laurens' arrival with a commission as Minister Plenipotentiary. If +he does not arrive in a reasonable time, I shall proceed as well as I +can. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, October 11th, 1780. + + Sir, + +It may serve to let Congress into the springs and motives which +actuate this Republic, to be furnished with the following sketch of +the Constitution, so far as it respects the authority of the +Stadtholder. + +"The seven Provinces of the Low Countries, formerly fiefs of the +German Empire, but now for near two centuries so strictly united and +confederated by the celebrated treaty of Utrecht, were before their +union long governed by Dukes, Earls, Bishops, and other Lords, who +with a limited power were the sovereigns of them. When this country +fell to the house of Burgundy, and afterwards to that of Austria, +these princes in their own absence, established here Stadtholders or +Governors, to whom they were obliged to give ample powers. These +Stadtholders or Lieutenants had the administration of government, and +presided in the courts of justice, the department of which was not +then confined to judge of the law-suits of the citizens, but extended +itself to affairs of State, in which the States themselves had little +to do under the last Earls, who did not consult them, but when there +was a question concerning taxes, or the safety of navigation and the +fishery, and when it was necessary for such purposes to raise money. + +"The Stadtholders also took an oath to the States, by which they +promised to maintain their fundamental laws and their privileges; at +the inauguration of Princes, they received their oath at the same time +with the States of the Provinces of which they were Stadtholders. + +"It was upon this footing that William the First, Prince of Orange, +was made Governor and Lieutenant-General of Holland, Zealand, and +Utrecht, by Philip the Second, when he was upon his departure for +Spain. This commission is dated the 9th of August, 1559. It contains +among other things, 'We establish him in the state of Governor and +Lieutenant-General of our counties of Holland, of Zealand, of the +country of Utrecht, West Friesland, Voorne and the Brille, lands +adjacent and annexed to our said Earldoms of Holland and Zealand.' The +troubles arising soon after, he accomplished in 1576 a particular +union between Holland and Zealand, the States of which conferred upon +him as far as in them lay, the sovereign authority for all the time +that these two Provinces should be at war and in arms, as the former +had invested him with the same authority the year before. + +"In 1581, the same thing was repeated by Holland, and soon after by +Zealand; and in 1584, already elected Earl of Holland upon certain +conditions, ---- he would have been invested with the sovereignty in +all its forms, if he had not been assassinated by a villain hired and +set to work by the Court of Spain. During the troubles, the States +declared more than once, that they acknowledged the Prince of Orange +in quality of their Governor-General, and Lieutenant of the King, in +the Provinces of Holland, Zealand, West Friesland, and Utrecht, upon +the same footing as these offices had been conferred upon him by his +Majesty, there having been since no change or alteration of anything, +which was conformable to the laws and customs of the country. Holland +was the first, which in 1575, gave him a greater authority, but we do +not find anywhere that the States ever declared him Stadtholder in +their name; and Maurice, his son, ought to be considered as the first +Governor and Stadtholder of their creation. His first instructions are +extant; they were very confined; but they gave him more authority in +1587, after the departure of the Earl of Leicester. His successors in +the Stadtholdership have had no instructions, but only commissions, +and since that time their authority is very much augmented. + +"The commission given the 12th of May, 1747, to his Serene Highness, +William the Fourth, father of the present Stadtholder, by the States +of Holland, who conferred upon him, 'The power, the authority, and the +command, to exercise the office of Governor, Captain-General, and +Admiral; to protect, to advance, and to maintain the rights, the +privileges, and the well being of the Province and of its members, +cities and inhabitants, as well as the worship of the true reformed +Christian religion, such as it is taught in the public churches, and +to preserve and defend it against all molestation, oppression, +disorder, disunion, detriment and damage. Moreover, to administer +justice in the said Province of Holland and West Friesland, to obtain +and duly to grant the provisions of justice to all those who shall +require it, and to put them in execution, the whole, as far as regards +the affairs of justice, by the advice of the President and Counsellors +of the Court of Holland and West Friesland. To him, moreover, is given +the power of granting, after having taken the advice of the Court of +Justice, letters of grace, remission, pardon, and abolition, provided +the said letters be duly ---- it being well understood, nevertheless, +that they shall not be granted for murders, unpardonable in their +nature, or for enormous crimes committed, ---- or by premeditated +design; and for what concerns the military and the police, to act in +this respect with the approbation of the States and the advice of +their Counsellors and Deputies, conformably to their instructions; to +change the Burgomasters and the Sheriffs of the cities and places of +the Province, as may be convenient, conformably to the privileges of +each city and of each place; moreover, both by land and sea, to watch +over the safety and the good order of places and fortresses of the +Province where there shall be occasion.' + +"The conditions upon which William the First was elected Earl of +Holland, are related in the seventh volume of the history of the +country, according to the resolutions of the States of Holland of that +time. The Prince had agreed to them. All the cities of Holland, +excepting Amsterdam and Gonda, had consented to them; and the +Provinces of Zealand and Utrecht would without doubt have followed +this example. These conditions contained among others, + +First, That if the Prince contravened in any points, and did not +redress the grievances at the requisitions of the States, these should +be free from all engagements to him, and should have a right to +provide of themselves for the government. Secondly, That after the +death of the Prince, such of his sons as the States should judge the +most capable, should be made Earl on the same footing. Thirdly, That +the Prince should engage himself by oath to the observation of these +conditions stipulated, and that the States on their part should do the +same towards him. + +"In the preamble of the acts, by which the States confer the sovereign +authority upon Prince William the First, is found these remarkable +words, which are there laid down for a fundamental rule. 'That all +Republics and communities ought to preserve and maintain themselves, +and fortify themselves by unanimity, which cannot take place among so +many members often different in will and in sentiments; it was by +consequence necessary that the government should be conferred upon one +single chief.' From the establishment of the Republic, the good +politicians and the greatest part of the inhabitants of these +Provinces have regarded the Stadtholderian government as an essential +part of the constitution. Accordingly, it has not been but twice +without a Stadtholder, that is to say, from the year of 1650 to 1672, +and again from the month of March, 1702, to April, 1747. + +"The Stadtholdership has not been interrupted in Friesland, nor in the +Provinces of Groningen and Ommelanden; but heretofore, the power of +the Stadtholders of these two Provinces whose ancient instructions are +to be found in Aitzema and elsewhere, although they have no place at +present, was confined in more narrow bounds, and until William the +Fourth, there never was a Stadtholder of all the seven Provinces +together. + +"The Stadtholdership, and the offices of Captain-General and +Admiral-General of each of the seven Provinces of the country of +Drenthe, and of the generality, are at present hereditary, not only in +the male line, but also in the female. The Stadtholder cannot declare +war, nor make peace, but he has, in quality of Captain-General, the +command in chief of all the forces of the State, and the military men +are obliged to obey him in all that regards the military service. He +is not restrained by instructions, and he disposes of the patents, an +article very important in all that concerns the military. + +"In this Republic, they call patents the orders in writing, which the +Captain-General sends to the troops to march. He orders the marches, +provides for the garrisons, and changes them at his pleasure. The +ordinances and military regulations proceed from him alone; it is he, +who constitutes and authorises the High Council of War of the United +Provinces, and who, as Captain-General of each Province, disposes of +all military offices as far as that of Colonel, inclusively. The +highest posts, as those of Field Marshals, of Generals and +Lieutenant-Generals, are given by the States-General, who choose those +to fill them whom his Highness recommends. It is he also, who gives +the governments, commandants, &c. of cities and places of arms of the +Republic, and those of the barrier. The persons named, present their +acts to their High Mightinesses, who provide them with commissions. In +disposing of civil employments, which are in their departments, the +States-General have always a great deal of regard also to the +recommendations of his Highness. The power of the Stadtholder, as +Grand Admiral, extends itself over everything which regards the naval +forces of the State, and the other affairs of the departments of the +Admiralties. These councils, called the Admiralties, preside over the +perception [?] of the duties of entries, inwards and outwards, and +have the direction of the custom-house, as well as that of the +Admiralty. He presides here in person or by his representatives; and +as chief of all these councils in general and of each one in +particular, he is able to cause to be observed and executed their +instructions, both by themselves, and what concerns them. He disposes +of the employs of Lieutenant-Admirals and others, who command under +him, and creates also the captains (_de haut bord_). The Grand +Admiral, who has his part in all the prizes which are made, both by +the vessels of the State and by privateers, establishes, when it is +necessary, maritime councils of war, who do right in the name of their +High Mightinesses, and of his Highness, but whose sentences are not +executed until after he has approved and confirmed them. It is the +same in those of the High Council of War of the United Provinces. + +"Here follows the COMMISSION of the Prince, exactly translated from +the Dutch. + +"The States-General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries, to +all those who shall see or hear these presents, greeting. We make +known, that it being necessary to authorise and establish one person +capable and qualified as Captain-General and Admiral-General of the +people of war, by sea and land, who are in our service, for the +maintenance of the State and of the government of this country, and +for the direction of the affairs of war; for these causes, considering +the good qualities and the capacity of his Highness, the Prince +William Charles Henry Friso, by the Grace of God, Prince of Orange and +of Nassau, Earl of Catzeneltebogen, Vianden, Dietz, &c. &c. &c. and +relying upon his firmness, valor, and inclination, for the prosperity +of these countries, we have established and authorised, and we do +establish and authorise his Most Serene Highness, the said Prince +William Charles Henry Friso, Captain and Admiral-General over the +people of war, who are in our service by sea and by land, giving to +his Highness full power and authority to command, in that quality, all +the said troops, and order them all that is convenient for the +conservation and the maintenance of the union, for the safeguard and +the defence of the State, for the tranquillity, the rights and the +privileges of the country, both in general, and of each Province in +particular; and for the protection of the inhabitants, as also for the +conservation of the true reformed religion, in the manner that it is +at present exercised, and under the public authority in the associated +Provinces and cities; in fine, for the maintenance of the present form +of government; the whole with the authority, the rights, the honors, +and pre-eminence, thereto annexed. We have, moreover, conferred on his +Serene Highness, as we hereby confer upon him, by these presents, +until we shall have made known that we have disposed otherwise, the +free power to dispose of patents and other things which relate to war, +as the Lords, Princes of Orange, glorious ancestors of his Serene +Highness have done, in quality of Stadtholders with relation to the +troops. We command and ordain, most expressly, to all and every one, +particularly to the officers of the troops, Colonels, Captains of +Cavalry and of Infantry, and of other people of war in our service +and pay, to acknowledge, respect, and obey his Serene Highness in +that quality, giving him all succor, favor, and assistance, in +executing his orders. His Serene Highness, as Captain-General of the +State, shall take the ordinary oath to us, or to those whom we shall +depute for that end, upon the instructions[9] which we shall judge +proper to prepare in this respect. Done, in our Assembly at the Hague, +the 4th of May, 1747. + + [9] No such instructions exist. + +"The Sladtholder grants likewise, letters of grace, of pardon, and +abolition, both of the crimes which they call _communia delicta_, and +of military offences. In Holland and Zealand, these letters are made +out for the former, in the name of the States, with the advice of his +Highness; in cases of common crimes, he consults the courts of +justice, the counsellors deputies of the Provinces, the Council of +State, and the tribunals of justice of the cities respectively, +according to the nature of the case, and concerning the others, the +High Council of War, &c. + +"In the Provinces of Holland and Zealand, the Stadtholder makes every +year an election of the magistrates of the cities, upon a +representation or nomination of a double number, which the cities +themselves send to him. He has the choice of two, and in some cases, +of three candidates, whom the States of Holland name to fill the +offices, which their Noble and Grand Mightinesses, and formerly the +Chamber of Accounts of their dominions had the disposition or election +of, when there was no Governor. In some cities, the Stadtholder elects +only the sheriffs, in others the burgomasters and sheriffs, and in +some, the counsellors of the cities also. The magistrates, in taking +possession of their offices, promise by oath, to maintain the rights, +privileges, and immunities of their cities and citizens; and they take +an oath also of fidelity to the States of Holland and Friesland. In +1672, the magistrates of Dort, added 'as also to his Serene Highness, +the Prince of Orange, Stadtholder of the Province,' and the same thing +was done in 1747, but only in Dort. When the States, in extraordinary +cases which require it, judge proper to invest him with an act of +authority, he can dismiss all these magistrates and replace them by +others. This was done upon this footing, in 1672 and 1748. 'Saving +their honor, and without its being permitted to suspect them of having +ill conducted in the exercise of their offices, the Stadtholder +promising to take, in case of need, their persons and their families +under his protection and safeguard, &c.' The Prince of Maurice having +changed in 1718 the magistrates of the greatest part of the cities, +was thanked for it by the States of Holland, who, by their resolution +of the 16th of November of the same year, approved unanimously of what +his Excellency had done. + +"There are some few offices, which, by the constitution, the States +have the disposal of, but in effect, the Stadtholder disposes of all +offices, and is by this means in a capacity to oblige and attach to +him, the magistrates of the cities, and other persons whom he pleases +to gratify with them. He elects the counsellors and inspectors of the +dykes of Rhynland, of Delfland, and of Schieland, &c. upon a +presentation of three persons which these Colleges, established in +Holland for many centuries, send directly to him. Philip the Good, +Duke of Burgundy, in an old ordinance, calls these officers +Counsellors of the Dykes. Their offices are for life; and besides +these three Colleges, there are still several others in Holland, but +the three abovementioned are the most considerable. + +"In virtue of the regulations made in 1674 and 1675, and renewed since +the accession of the Prince to the Stadtholdership, he has a great +power in the Provinces of Guelderland, Utrecht, and Overyssel. The +decision of the differences, which may there arise among the +respective members and quarters belong to him; all the offices and +commissions, which are exercised both in the Provinces and without. +The States of Guelderland had, in 1748, conferred on the Prince +Stadtholder the power of correcting, changing, and augmenting the +regulation of the Regency of the year 1675, as his Highness should +judge necessary for the good and advantage of the Province, in case +that in this regulation he should find articles, which, according to +the constitution of the present form of government, have occasion to +be altered. But his Highness, in re-establishing it, did not judge +proper to avail himself of this concession, which he nevertheless +accepted in 1750. See the last article of the regulation published +that year. In 1748, the Quarter of Nimeguen made a present to the +Prince of the Earldom of Culembourg, and the States of Overyssel did +the same with regard to the lands, which they possessed in the Earldom +of Bantheim. By this he is the First Member of the States, and +Sovereign Lord of the Lower Earldom. + +"He has at his disposal all the offices and commissions in the +Provinces of Groningen and Ommelanden, since the regulation of the +year 1748, and the Prince Stadtholder has also acquired the greatest +prerogatives in Friesland, by the regulation of December, 1748. As +Stadtholder of the country of Drenthe and of the territory of the +Generality, he has also very fair prerogatives, and annual +appointments. The Council of State of the United Provinces, as well +as the Councils Deputies of Holland and West Friesland, have, of their +own motion offered, and at last conceded to his Highness all the +employments which were in their disposal. By the articles ninth, +sixteenth, and twentyfirst of the Treaty of Union of Utrecht, the +Stadtholders of that time had been named provisionally, arbiters of +the differences, which contrary sentiments and opposite views might +occasion among the confederates, who, in thus submitting to an +arbitration of points so important, had considered no doubt, that in +fact there could not be any union or confederation among allies, who +united themselves so closely, without agreeing upon means of coming to +a conclusion, in cases, in which the plurality of voices did not take +place. + +"Since the re-establishment of the Stadtholdership on the footing +where it is at present, similar differences between the Provinces are +no longer to be feared; the Prince Stadtholder, being fortified with a +power sufficiently great to maintain the union, by preventing the +consequences of all which might disturb it, or being a prejudice to +the State in general, or to the Provinces, or their Quarters, or their +members in particular; finally to take and put in execution the +measures and resolutions necessary, &c. His Highness presides in the +Court of Holland, and in the Courts of Justice of the other Provinces, +and his name is placed at the head of their commandments, ordinances, +and bills. In Overyssel and in the Province of Utrecht, the fiefs are +held in the name of the Prince Stadtholder. He is supreme curator of +the Universities of Guelderland, of Friesland, and Groningen, Grand +Forrester and Grand Hunter in Guelderland, Holland, and other places. + +"In the Province of Utrecht, his Highness, by virtue of the regulation +of the year 1674, disposes of the provostship, and other benefices, +which have remained attached to the chapters, as also the canonical +prebends, which have fallen vacant in the months which were formerly +called Popish. + +"Conformably to the first article of the instructions of the Council +of State of the United Provinces, the Stadtholder is the first member +of it, and has there the right of suffrage, with an appointment of +twentyfive thousand florins a year. In virtue of a resolution of the +States-General, of the 27th of February, the Prince of Orange had +enjoyed it before his elevation to the Stadtholdership, having been +placed, from the year 1670, in the Council of State. The 26th of July, +1746, their High Mightinesses granted the same appointments to the +Prince Stadtholder. + +"He assists also, whenever he judges proper for the service of the +State, at the deliberations of the States-General, there to make +propositions, &c. and sometimes also at the conferences held by the +Deputies of their High Mightinesses in the several departments, +according to the order established at the Assemblies of the States of +particular Provinces, and at those of their Counsellors, or States +Deputies. In Guelderland, in Holland, and in the Province of Utrecht, +his Highness participates of the sovereignty, as Chief, or President +of the body of Nobles; and in Zealand, where he possesses the +Marquisate of Veere and of Flessingue as First Noble, and representing +alone all the nobility. In his absence, he has in Zealand his +representatives, who hold the first place, who have the first voice in +all the councils, and the first of whom is always First Deputy from +this Province at the Assembly of their High Mightinesses. The three +quarters of the Province of Guelderland conferred the dignity of +Chief, or President of the Body of Nobles, on his Serene Highness, in +1750. None of his predecessors had it, but Basnage says, in his Annals +of the United Provinces, that the Prince William the Second, a little +before his death, had a design to get himself elected First Noble in +Guelderland, where the nobility had been at all times devoted to him. + +"The Body of Nobles of Holland, having prayed in 1635, the Prince +Frederick Henry to do them the honor of being their Chief, his +Highness, who as Stadtholder had neither seat nor voice in the +Assembly of the States of the Province, graciously accepted of this +offer, and became thereby a permanent member of it. The Body of Nobles +have done the same with regard to the successors of this Prince. + +"Veere and Flessingue are two of the six cities, which, with the First +Noble compose the Assembly of the States of Zealand. The councils in +Zealand, in which the Prince or his representatives have the first +voice, are the Assembly of the States, and of the Counsellors +Deputies; in the Council of the Admiralty, in the Chambers of +Accounts, and in the Assembly, that they name the States of Walcheren, +a College, which has the care of the dykes of this part of the +Province. It appears, that under the precedent Stadtholders, the +Assembly of the States of Zealand, composed, as at present, of the +First Noble, and the six cities, disposed of all provincial offices +and commissions, and one may see, by the resolution of the States of +Zealand of the 15th of June, 1751, how this affair has been +regulated. + +"In 1749, the Prince Stadtholder was created by the States-General, +Governor-General and Supreme Director of the Companies of the East and +West Indies, dignities which gave him a great deal of authority and +power, and which had not been conferred upon any of his predecessors. +They have not yet been rendered hereditary. He has his representatives +in the respective chambers, and chooses the Directors of the two +companies, upon a nomination of three persons, who have the +qualifications necessary to be elected. From his elevation to the +Stadtholdership, the Prince enjoyed in Zealand this prerogative. His +Serene Highness enjoys, without paying taxes, as the precedent +Stadtholder might have enjoyed, the thirtieth part of all the +divisions, which the East India Company makes; that is to say, the +dividends of sixtysix actions and two thirds, each action being +reckoned at three thousand florins, old capital. See the resolutions +of their High Mightinesses, of the twentyseventh of November, 1747, +when the company gives to the interested a dividend of fifty per cent, +the portion of the Stadtholder amounts to fifty thousand florins. The +Prince Stadtholder represents the dignity and the grandeur of the +Republic, and without bearing the name of sovereign, and doing all in +the name of the States, of which he is the Lieutenant-General, he +enjoys in several respects, even the effects of the sovereignty. We +have already seen what are his principal prerogatives, his authority, +his great credit, and his influence in all affairs. + +"The Ambassadors and other Ministers in foreign Courts hold their +commissions and receive their instructions from the States-General, +who nevertheless do not name to these employs, excepting such as are +agreeable to the Prince Stadtholder, and recommended by his Highness. +These Ministers address their despatches to their High Mightinesses, +or to their Register, and correspond also with the Counsellor +Pensionary of Holland. They also render an account to the Prince +Stadtholder of the negotiations with which they are charged, and of +all important and secret affairs. + +"Treaties, alliances, conventions, &c. are negotiated, signed, and +ratified in the name of the States-General, after having been +communicated to the Provinces and ratified by them. The name of the +Prince Stadtholder does not appear, but he can, when there is a +question concerning his particular affairs, enter into negotiation +with foreign Courts, and conclude with them treaties, as it was done +with Spain in 1646 and 1647. + +"Some of the foreign Ministers who reside at the Hague, are also +accredited with the Prince Stadtholder. The prerogatives of the Prince +Stadtholder of the Republic are at present sufficiently fixed; but +they are not precisely the same in all the Provinces. The appointments +and revenues of the Stadtholder and Captain-General, to consider them +even in proportion, cannot be put in parallel with those of a King of +England. Nevertheless, it is reckoned that the revenues of the +Stadtholdership of the Seven United Provinces, of the country of +Drenthe and the Territory of the Generality, comprehending the +twentyfive thousand florins which the Prince enjoys annually as First +Member of the Council of State, and the dividends of the company of +the East Indies, amount to three hundred thousand florins a year. The +Stadtholder pays neither imposts nor taxes, excepting those which they +call in Holland _Odinarés Verponding_, which is raised in this +Province upon the lands and upon the houses, &c. The body guards and +the aid-de-camp of his Most Serene Highness are entertained at the +expense of the union. Holland alone pays the company of a hundred +Swiss, and makes good the hire of the houses, which the Prince +Stadtholder and some of the principal officers of his house occupy at +the Hague, who enjoy also a freedom from excises. On some occasions, +the Counsellors Deputies of Holland and West Friesland, dispose, upon +the proposition of the Stadtholder, or of the Counsellor Pensionary in +his behalf, of certain sums necessary for the service of the State; +and upon an act of this Council, they pass them in account at the +Receiver-General of the Province. + +"As Captain-General of the union, his Highness has a hundred thousand +florins of appointments a year, besides twentyfour thousand from +Friesland, and twelve thousand from Groningen, in quality of +Captain-General of these two Provinces. In time of war, the State +grants extraordinary sums to the Captain-General, for the expense of +each campaign. + +"The Prince Stadtholder, as the eminent head of the Republic, is +revered, honored, and respected by all the world. The Princes of +Orange, by the great revenues of their patrimonies, both of their +principalities and of their signorial lands in France, Germany, and +Burgundy, and in divers places of the United Provinces, have +frequently been a great support to the State. William the First, the +father of his country, who always preferred the prosperity of the +Republic to his own and that of his house, raised twice, and led an +army, in a great part at his own expense, as we may see by the public +declaration, which the States-General made of it, in the inscription +of the mausoleum, which they raised to the memory of this great man, +in one of the churches of Delft. + +"Offers the most tempting for them and for their houses have been made +to the Stadtholders, provided they would depart ever so little from +the engagements which they had taken with their country; but they have +rejected them all with disdain, and would not have other friends nor +other enemies than those of the Republic. As she was in some sort +their daughter, they could not but have a lively affection for her, to +such a degree as to be at all times ready to sacrifice their lives and +all things to her defence. Thus they have been the authors and +conservators of her liberties, in the first place against the Spanish +tyranny, and since against an enemy still more formidable, who opened +to himself in 1672 a passage into the heart of the Republic. The same +thing was near happening in 1748." + +I have translated this from the French, because it is not often to be +found, and is the shortest and best account of the Stadtholdership I +can find. It is full of instruction to the United States of America, +and will serve to explain many political phenomena. As all these +powers are in possession of a family connected by blood and by ancient +habits and political alliances to that of Hanover, we may easily see, +that the American cause will meet with powerful obstacles. I am still, +however, of opinion, that it would be good policy to send a Minister +Plenipotentiary here, accredited both to the States-General and to the +Prince Stadtholder, without this even a loan of money will scarcely +succeed. Mr Laurens is taken and carried to England. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Amsterdam, October 14th, 1780. + + Sir, + +The extracts of letters you were so good as to send me, have been +inserted in the papers, and I should be obliged to you for future +communications of the same kind. Notwithstanding the flow of spirits, +and the vigorous exertions of our countrymen this year, I am sorry to +say I cannot see a prospect of anything decisive this campaign. The +fatal defect in the plan of the campaign in not sending a sufficient +number of ships with M. de Ternay, or soon after him, will render +abortive all the great exertions and immense expenses of the year. +And, at the same time, Cornwallis will spread too much devastation at +the southward, where the want of numbers of whites, the great numbers +of blacks, and above all the want of discipline and experience, will +make the people long unhappy and unfortunate. + +The ill luck of Carolina, pursues her citizens even to sea, and to +Europe, I think. Can nothing be done for the relief of Mr Laurens. +Will you be so good as to apply to Court, and see if they will send us +somebody suitable to exchange for him? After exchanging so many +military men as prisoners of war, it is pitiful to use Mr Laurens as +they do. + +I have felt the mortification of soliciting for money as well as you. +But it has been because the solicitations have not succeeded. I see no +reason at all that we should be ashamed of asking to borrow money, +after maintaining a war against Great Britain and her allies for about +six years, without borrowing anything abroad, when England has been +all the time borrowing of all the nations of Europe, even of +individuals among our allies, it cannot be unnatural, surprising, or +culpable, or dishonorable for us to borrow money. When England +borrows, annually, a sum equal to all her exports, we ought not to be +laughed at for wishing to borrow a sum, annually, equal to a twelfth +part of our annual exports. We may, and we shall wade through, if we +cannot obtain a loan; but we could certainly go forward with more +ease, convenience, and safety by the help of one. I think we have not +meanly solicited for friendship anywhere. But to send Ministers to +every great Court in Europe, especially the maritime Courts, to +propose an acknowledgment of the independence of America, and treaties +of amity and commerce, is no more than becomes us, and in my opinion +is our duty to do. It is perfectly consistent with the genuine system +of American policy, and a piece of respect due from new nations to old +ones. The United Provinces did the same thing, and were never censured +for it, but in the end they succeeded. It is necessary for America to +have agents in different parts of Europe, to give some information +concerning our affairs, and to refute the falsehoods that the hired +emissaries of Great Britain circulate in every corner of Europe, by +which they keep up their own credit and ruin ours. I have been more +convinced of this, since my peregrinations in this country than ever. +The universal and profound ignorance of America here, has astonished +me. It will require time and a great deal of prudence and delicacy to +undeceive them. The method you have obligingly begun of transmitting +me intelligence from America, will assist me in doing, or at least +attempting, something of this kind, and I therefore request the +continuance of it, and have the honor to be, with respectful +compliments to Mr Franklin and all friends, Sir, your most obedient +servant, + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, October 14th, 1780. + + Sir, + +Repeated letters from London confirm the account of Mr Laurens being +confined in the Tower; so close a prisoner, that neither his old +correspondents, nor even his refugee relations, are suffered to speak +to him. + +There have been so many precedents of exchanges, Mr Lovell, as well as +the Major-Generals, Sullivan, Stirling, Lee, and others, having been +exchanged as prisoners of war, that it is very extraordinary they +should now treat Mr Laurens as a prisoner of State. It is not, +however, merely a proof that passion and caprice govern their +councils. I conceive it is intended to signify to the tories in +America, whom they believe to be more numerous than they are, and to +their officers and troops serving in that country, that now they have +obtained an election of Parliament to their minds, they are determined +to prosecute the war with vigor, and to bring America still to +unlimited submission. For, however, our countrymen may have flattered +themselves with hopes of peace, there is nothing further from the +thoughts of the King of England, his Ministers, Parliament, or nation, +(for they are now all _his_,) than peace, upon any terms that America +can agree to. There is no future event more certain in my mind, than +that they never will acknowledge American independence while they have +a soldier in the United States. Nay, they would not do it, even after +their troops should be driven from the continent. + +I think I see very clearly, that America must grow up in war. It is a +painful prospect, to be sure. But when I consider, that there are more +people in America than there are in the United Provinces of the Low +Countries, that the earth itself produces abundance in America, both +for consumption and exportation, and that the United Provinces produce +nothing but butter and cheese, and that the United Provinces have +successfully maintained wars against the formidable monarchies of +Spain, France, and England, I cannot but persuade myself, it is in the +power of America to defend herself against all that England can do. + +The Republic, where I now am, has maintained an army of a hundred and +twenty thousand men, besides a formidable navy. She maintains at this +day a standing army of thirty thousand men, which the Prince is +desirous of augmenting to fifty thousand, besides a considerable navy; +all this in a profound peace. What cause, physical or political, can +prevent three millions of people in America from maintaining for the +defence of their altars and fireside, as many soldiers as the same +number of people can maintain in Europe, merely for parade, I know +not. + +A navy is our natural and our only adequate defence. But we have only +one way to increase our shipping and seamen, and that is privateering. +This abundantly pays its own expenses, and procures its own men. The +seamen taken, generally enlist on board of our privateers, and this is +the surest way of distressing their commerce, protecting our own, +increasing our seamen, and diminishing those of the enemy. And this +will finally be the way, by capturing their supplies, that we shall +destroy, or captivate, or oblige to fly, their armies in the United +States. + +A loan of money in Europe would assist privateering, by enabling us to +fit out ships the more easily, as well as promote and extend our +trade, and serve us in other ways. I fear that Cornwallis' account of +his defeat of General Gates, whether true or false, will extinguish +the very moderate hopes which I had before, for a time. + +There is a prospect, however, that the English will force this +Republic into a war with them, and in such case, or indeed in any +case, if there were a Minister here accredited to the States-General +and to the Prince Stadtholder of the United Provinces of the Low +Countries, he would assist a loan. There is another measure which may +be taken by Congress to the same end; that is, sending some cargoes of +produce, upon account of the United States directly here, or to St +Eustatia, to be sold for the payment of interest. The sight of a few +such vessels and cargoes would do more than many long reasonings and +negotiations. + +Another method may be taken by Congress. Make a contract with private +merchants in Philadelphia, Boston, Maryland, Virginia, or elsewhere, +to export annually produce to a certain amount, to Amsterdam or St +Eustatia, or both, to be sold for the payment of interest. The +merchants, or houses contracted with should be responsible, and known +in Europe, at least some of them. + +This country has been grossly deceived. It has little knowledge of the +numbers, wealth, and resources of the United States, and less faith in +their finally supporting their independence, upon which alone a credit +depends. They have also an opinion of the power of England, vastly +higher than the truth. Measures must be taken, but with great caution +and delicacy, to undeceive them. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Amsterdam, October 24th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have this moment the honor of your letter of the 20th of this month, +and it is as cold water to a thirsty soul. I have been busily employed +in making inquiries, in forming acquaintances, and in taking advice. +In hopes of Mr Laurens' arrival, and wishing him to judge for himself, +I have not decided upon some questions that necessarily arise. I am +not able to promise anything, but I am led to hope for something. The +contents of Mr Jay's letters will certainly be of great weight and +use. I am assured of the good will of a number of very worthy and +considerable people, and that they will endeavor to assist a loan. + +Let me entreat your Excellency to communicate to me everything you may +further learn respecting the benevolent intentions of the Court of +Madrid, respecting this matter. I will do myself the honor to acquaint +you with the progress I make. I was before in hopes of assisting you +somewhat, and your letter has raised these hopes a great deal, for the +English credit certainly staggers here a little. + +The treatment of Mr Laurens is truly affecting. It will make a deep +and lasting impression on the minds of the Americans; but this will +not be a present relief to him. You are, no doubt, minutely informed +of his ill usage. Can anything be done in Europe for his comfort or +relief? + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, October 24th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have received several letters from London concerning Mr Laurens. It +is certain, that he has been treated with great insolence by the +populace, in his journey from Dartmouth to London, and that he is +confined to a mean apartment in the Tower, denied the use of pen and +ink, and none of his friends has been able to obtain leave to visit +him, excepting his son and Mr Manning, and these positively limited to +half an hour. He is sick with a cholera, much emaciated, and very much +incensed against the authors of his ill usage. I saw last night a +letter from Mr Manning himself, so that there is no doubt of the truth +of this account. This deliberate, this studied manifestation to all +the world, of their contempt and hatred of all America, and of their +final determination to pursue this war to the last extremity, cannot +be misunderstood. The honor, the dignity, the essential interests, and +the absolute safety of America, requires that Congress should take +some notice of this event. I presume not to propose the measures that +might be taken, because Congress are in a much better situation to +judge. + +I have waited in hopes of Mr Laurens' arrival, but now all hopes of it +are extinguished. I must fix upon a house, and settle the conditions, +in pursuance of my commission. No time has been lost; it has all been +industriously spent in forming acquaintances, making inquiries, and +taking advice of such characters as it is proper to consult. The +present state of things affords no hopes, but from a particular order +of men. These I have endeavored to gain, without giving offence to any +others, and I am not without hopes of obtaining something, though I +much fear it will be short of the expectations of Congress. I am not +at liberty yet to mention names, hereafter they will be known. I +cannot with too much earnestness recommend it to Congress, to take +measures if possible to send some cargoes of produce to Amsterdam, or +St Eustatia, for the purpose of paying interest; a little of this +would have a great effect. + +I ought not to conclude without repeating my opinion, that a +commission to some gentleman, of Minister Plenipotentiary, is +absolutely necessary. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, October 27th, 1780. + + Sir, + +It seems to be now certain, that some of Mr Laurens' papers were taken +with him. + +There have been sent to His Most Serene Highness, the Prince of +Orange, copies of letters from M. de Neufville, Mr Gillon, Mr +Stockton, and Colonel Derrick, and a copy of the plan of a treaty +projected between the city of Amsterdam and Mr William Lee. + +The Prince was much affected at the sight of these papers, and laid +them before their Noble and Grand Mightinesses, the States of Holland +and West Friesland. One gentleman, at least, was present, who was +concerned in the transaction with Mr Lee, who handsomely avowed the +measure. The Regency of Amsterdam have since given in writing a +unanimous avowal of it, and of their determination to support it. The +letters of M. de Neufville and Mr Gillon are said to be decent and +well guarded. So that upon the whole it seems to be rather a fortunate +event, that these papers have been publicly produced. I wish I could +say the same of Mr Laurens' captivity, but I cannot. The rigor of his +imprisonment, and the severity of their behavior towards him, are not +at all abated. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +JAMES LOVELL TO JOHN ADAMS. + + Philadelphia, October 28th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I shall endeavor to write largely to you, but I will not at this +moment risk the sailing of the vessel for that purpose. It is +reported, that Mr Searle is taken. Our affairs in Holland must in such +case be very bad, as you will not have received any powers for acting +instead of Mr Laurens, who is too probably taken and carried to +England, from Newfoundland. And I also know of other fatalities of my +letters. + + Your obedient servant, + + JAMES LOVELL, + + _For the Committee of Foreign Affairs._ + +_N. B._ Copies of your commission and instructions for a loan are +enclosed. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, October 31st, 1780. + + Sir, + +The British Ministry, by the terrible examples of the rioters, have so +intimidated the nation, and by their success in the late elections +have so great a majority in Parliament, that they think themselves +secure for seven years, and seem determined to go on with more vigor +than ever. + +The letters from their Generals Clinton, Cornwallis, &c. show, they +are now adopting a new system. These letters are full of panegyrics +upon the tories and refugees. Gage, and the two Howes, and Burgoyne, +made light of these auxiliaries, which made Mr Galloway their enemy, +who has been very industrious in exposing their characters. Indeed the +Ministry seem to be wholly governed now by Mr Galloway, and their +Generals seem to have adopted the same sentiments. The consequence is, +that in America, at least where the British army rules, the refugees +are cherished. Cornwallis, in his last letter, in which he gives an +account of his battle with General Gates, assures the Ministry, that +he is determined to make some examples among his prisoners. But none +of these are more decisive proofs of their present system, than their +treatment of Mr Laurens, whom they are holding up to that nation in +the frightful character of a rebel, knowing that this word, and this +idea, is enough to inflame them beyond all degrees of reason. + +It is not only in England and America, that they mean to spread a +terror; they think, that they can terrify all nations, this in +particular. They have sent over to His Most Serene Highness, the +Prince of Orange, some copies of letters taken with Mr Laurens. I +cannot learn, that there are any, but from M. de Neufville and Mr +Gillon, who are here. But it is propagated, that there are many more, +and M. Van Berckel and the Baron Van der Capellan are named. But I +have very good reason to believe, that they have not a line of either. + +The English are giving out, as is their practice every fall, that they +are determined to send great forces to America. Fourteen regiments are +talked of, ten thousand men, but these threats will be executed as +usual. Fourteen regiments, if they send them, will not produce four +thousand men in America, to repair all their losses in North America +and the West Indies. + +We have one enemy more pernicious to us than all their army, and that +is an opinion, which prevails in too many American minds, that there +is still some justice, some honor, some humanity, and some reason in +Great Britain, and that they will open their eyes and make peace. That +there are individuals who have these virtues cannot be doubted. Rome +had many such, even after the _ultimi Romanorum_. But they were so +few, in comparison to the whole, and had so little share in +government, that they only served, by their endeavors to bring things +back, to make the nation more miserable. + +I am so fully convinced, that peace is a great way off, and that we +have more cruelty to encounter than ever, that I ought to be explicit +to Congress. We shall be forced to wean ourselves from the little +remainder of affection and respect for that nation. Nay, even from our +curiosity. I cannot think it decent, that any American should +voluntarily set his foot on British ground, while we are treated as +we are. The practice is too common to step over, upon motives of +curiosity, pleasure, or business, and I cannot but think it ought to +be discountenanced. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Amsterdam, November 4th, 1780. + + Sir, + +M. de Neufville this morning brought me a number of bills of exchange, +drawn upon Mr Laurens, in the month of July, amounting to seven or +eight hundred pounds sterling, and informed me that your Excellency +had declined becoming responsible for them and referred him to me. I +have inquired of Mr Searle, who informs me there are about twenty +thousand pounds in such bills now on their way. If there were only +seven or eight hundred pounds, I would accept them, for the honor of +the United States, and run the venture of being able to pay them, by +borrowing, or some way or other; but twenty thousand pounds is much +beyond my private credit. I have been and am pursuing all those +measures, to which I am advised by gentlemen, in whose judgment I can +justify placing confidence, and am not without hopes of succeeding in +some measure; but I have not as yet been able to obtain any money, nor +any certainty of obtaining any in future. I write this, therefore, to +your Excellency, that if you could see your way clear to become +responsible for these bills, for the present, I will engage to see +them paid with the money I may borrow here, if I borrow enough before +the term for their payment expires, or as much of them as I shall be +able to borrow; but in this case, if I should not succeed in +obtaining the money, your Excellency will be answerable. I should be +sorry that the credit of the United States should suffer any stain, +and would prevent it if I could; but at present it is not in my power. + +The successes of the English at the southward, added to the many +causes that obstructed our credit in this Republic before, some of +which it would not be prudent to explain, will render a loan here +difficult; but I still hope not quite impracticable. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, November 16th, 1780. + + Sir, + +On the 10th of this month, Sir Joseph Yorke presented to the +States-General the following + + +MEMORIAL. + + "High and Mighty Lords, + +"The King, my master, has discovered during the whole course of his +reign the most sincere desire to maintain the union, which has +subsisted for more than a century between his Crown and this Republic. +This union rests upon the immovable basis of reciprocal interest; and +as it has contributed much to the prosperity of the two nations, the +natural enemy of both employs all the resources of his policy to +destroy it. For sometime past, this enemy has not labored but with too +much success, being supported by a faction, which seeks to govern the +Republic, and which is always ready to sacrifice the general interest +to private views. The King has seen with as much surprise as regret, +the little effect which has been produced by his repeated demands of +the succors stipulated by the treaties, and the representations of his +Ambassadors, concerning the daily violations of engagements the most +solemn. + +"The moderation of the King has induced him to attribute this conduct +of your High Mightinesses, to the intrigues of an _overbearing cabal_; +and his Majesty would still persuade himself, that your justice and +your intelligence will determine you to fulfil your engagements +towards him, and to prove by all your proceedings your resolution to +put in vigor the system formed by the wisdom of your ancestors, and +the only one which can ensure the safety and glory of the Republic. +The answer of your High Mightinesses to this declaration, which the +subscriber makes by the express order of his Court, will be the +touchstone of your sentiments and intentions towards the King. + +"His Majesty has had for sometime indications without number of the +dangerous designs of an _unbridled cabal_. But the papers of Mr +Laurens, who calls himself a President of a pretended Congress, have +made a discovery of a conspiracy without example in the annals of the +Republic. It appears by these papers, that the gentlemen of Amsterdam +have commenced a clandestine correspondence with the rebels of +America, from the month of August, 1778, and that there were +instructions and full powers given by them, relative to the conclusion +of an indissoluble treaty of amity with these rebels, subjects of a +sovereign, to whom the Republic is bound by engagements the most +strict. The authors of this conspiracy pretend not to deny it; on the +contrary, they avow it, and endeavor in vain to justify it. It is in +these circumstances, that his Majesty, depending on the equity of your +High Mightinesses, demands a formal disavowal of a conduct so +irregular, not less contrary to your engagements the most sacred, than +to the fundamental laws of the Batavian Constitution. The King demands +also, a prompt satisfaction proportioned to the offence, and an +exemplary punishment of the Pensionary, Van Berckel, and of his +accomplices, as disturbers of the public peace, and violators of the +law of nations. + +"His Majesty persuades himself, that the answer of your High +Mightinesses will be prompt and satisfactory in all respects. But if +the contrary should happen, if your High Mightinesses refuse a demand +so just, or endeavor to evade it by silence, which will be considered +as a refusal, in that case, the King will not be able to consider the +Republic itself but as approving of misdemeanors, which it refuses to +disavow and to punish; and after such a conduct, his Majesty will see +himself in the necessity of taking such measures, as the maintenance +of his dignity and the essential interests of his people demand. + + "Done at the Hague, the 10th of November, 1780. + + JOSEPH YORKE." + +Whether Sir Joseph Yorke, after twenty years' residence in this +Republic, is ignorant of its Constitution, or whether, knowing it, he +treats it in this manner, on purpose the more palpably to insult it, I +know not. The sovereignty resides in the States-General; but who are +the States-General? Not their High Mightinesses, who assemble at the +Hague to deliberate; these are only deputies of the States-General. +The States-General are the Regencies of the cities, and the bodies of +nobles in the several Provinces. The Burgomasters of Amsterdam, +therefore, who are called the Regency, are one integral branch of the +sovereignty of the Seven United Provinces, and the most material +branch of all, because the city of Amsterdam is one quarter of the +whole Republic, at least in taxes. + +What would be said in England if the Count de Welderen, Ambassador at +the Court of London, had presented a Memorial to the King, in which he +had charged any integral part of their sovereignty, as the whole House +of Lords, or the whole House of Commons, with conspiracies, factions, +cabals, sacrificing general interests to private views, and demanded +exemplary punishment upon them? The cases are in nature precisely +parallel, although there are only three branches of the sovereignty in +England, and there are a greater number than three in Holland. + +There are strong symptoms of resentment of this outrageous Memorial in +Amsterdam; but whether the whole will not evaporate, I know not. Many +persons, however, are of opinion that a war is inevitable, and +ensurance cannot be had even to St Eustatia, since this Memorial was +made public, under twenty or twentyfive per cent. + +This Memorial is so like the language of Lord Hillsborough and +Governor Bernard, that I could scarcely forbear substituting Boston +for Amsterdam, and Otis, or Hancock, or Adams, for Van Berckel, as I +read it. I should not wonder if the next Memorial should charge the +Republic with rebellion, and except two or three from pardon. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, November 17th, 1780. + + Sir, + +From the time of the arrival of my commission, I have been constantly +employed in forming acquaintances, making inquiries, and asking +advice; but am sorry to be obliged to say, that hitherto I see no +certain prospect of borrowing any money at all. + +For some years past, all the information I could obtain from this +country, led me to think that America had many friends in this +Republic, and that a considerable sum might be borrowed here, provided +application was made to Dutch houses, of old families and numerous +connexions. And after my arrival here, I had the opinion of persons +whom I had every reason to think knew best, that if proper powers +should arrive from the thirteen United States, money might be had. But +now that all agree, that full powers have arrived, I do not find the +same encouragement. This nation has been so long in the habit of +admiring the English, and disliking the French, so familiarized to +call England the natural ally, and France the natural enemy of the +Republic, that it must be the work of time to eradicate these +prejudices, although the circumstances are greatly altered. Add to +this the little decision and success which has appeared in the conduct +of the affairs of America and her allies, and the series of small +successes which the English have had for the last twelve months; the +suspense and uncertainty in which men's minds have been held +respecting the accession of the Dutch to the armed neutrality; and at +last the publication of some papers taken with Mr Laurens, the part +the Stadtholder has acted, and the angry Memorial of Sir Joseph Yorke +concerning them; all these things together have thrown this nation +into a state of astonishment, confusion, and uncertainty, to such a +degree, that no house that I have as yet thought it prudent to apply +to, dares to undertake the trust. The times are now critical indeed. +The question will be decided in a few days, whether the Republic shall +join the armed neutrality or not. Four Provinces have voted for it; +two others have voted in such a manner that their deputies may agree +to it; and most men say it will be decided by the plurality. + +The King of England demands a disavowal of the Amsterdam Treaty, and +the punishment of the Regency. They will not be punished, nor their +conduct disavowed. The King of England, therefore, must take such +measures as he shall think his dignity, and the essential interests of +his people require. What these will be, time alone can discover. Many +think he will declare war, but more are of a different opinion. + +Congress, who have been long used to contemplate the characters and +the policy of this King and his Ministers, will see that they are now +pursuing towards this Republic, the same maxims which have always +governed them. Their measures in America, for many years, were +calculated to divide the many from the few in the towns of Boston, New +York, Philadelphia, and Charleston; next, to divide the Provinces from +their capitals, and then to divide the rest of the Continent from +those Provinces, which took the earliest a decided part. + +Their plan now is, to divide the people of Amsterdam from their +Burgomasters, and to single out M. Van Berckel, for the fate of +Barnevelt, Grotius, or De Witt; to divide the other cities of Holland +from Amsterdam, and the other Provinces of the Republic from Holland. +But they will succeed no better in Holland than in America, and their +conduct bids fair to make M. Van Berckel the most respected and +esteemed of all the citizens. + +In the present critical state of things, a commission of a Minister +Plenipotentiary would be useful here. It would not be acknowledged, +perhaps not produced, except in case of war. But if peace should +continue, it would secure its possessor the external respect of all. +It would give him the right to claim and demand the prerogatives and +privileges of a Minister Plenipotentiary, in case anything should turn +up which might require it. It would make him considered as the center +of American affairs, and it would assist, if anything would, a loan. + +I cannot conclude without observing, that I cannot think it would be +safe for Congress to draw for money here, until they shall receive +certain information that their bills can be honored. There are bills +arrived, which if Mr Franklin cannot answer, must, for what I know be +protested. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Amsterdam, November 24th, 1780. + + Sir, + +The letter which your Excellency did me the honor to write me on the +13th is received, and I have accordingly accepted the bills, and shall +draw upon your Excellency about the time they become payable, for +money to enable me to discharge them, provided I should not succeed in +my endeavors to borrow it here. + +I have hitherto no prospect at all. When I first arrived here, I had +such informations as made me believe that a sum of money might be had +upon the credit of the United States. But the news from Carolina, and +New York and the West Indies, but above all, the affair of the +Burgomasters and Sir Joseph Yorke's Memorial, have struck a panic +which must have time to wear off. At present I meet with only one +gentleman who thinks anything can be done, and I fear that he deceives +himself. + + I hope by this time your Excellency's health is restored, + and have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, November 26th, 1780. + + Sir, + +It is now certain that the States-General have, by a plurality of five +Provinces, determined to accede to the armed neutrality. Zealand and +Guelderland have agreed to it likewise; but upon condition of a +warranty of the possessions of the Republic. If the intention of Sir +J. Yorke's memorial was to intimidate their High Mightinesses from +this measure, he has missed his aim. Nor will the conduct of the +Burgomasters of Amsterdam be disavowed, nor M. Van Berckel, nor his +accomplices, punished. We shall see how the British Ministry will +disentangle themselves from this perplexity. + +All these things, however, so far from aiding our affairs in this +nation, seem to have put an entire stop to them for the present. The +nation is trembling for their commerce, their money in the British +funds, their East and West India possessions, and no man dares engage +in a measure that may in some degree increase the alarm. + +The bills upon Mr Laurens I have accepted, those of them at least that +have arrived, upon an assurance from Dr Franklin, that in case I +should not be able to borrow the money by the time they become +payable, that I may draw upon him for it. I think Congress will +perceive the danger of drawing any more, until they shall receive +intelligence from me that the money is ready. + +The choice of a house is a point of so much importance, that I could +not justify making it, without the most mature inquiry and reflection. +Not only the success of the negotiation will depend upon it, but the +political consequences of it will be important. I have made every +inquiry and several proposals, but all have been politely declined. +There are two houses which I believe would accept it, but these, +although respectable, are so far from the first rank that I should be +sorry to fix upon either, if I could see a prospect of gaining one of +higher rank. I am told, that opening the loan now would injure us +exceedingly; but I know not what to judge. I have found so many +opinions mistaken, that in this country I cannot judge which are well +founded. + +Fear is ever the second passion in minds governed by avarice. As long, +therefore, as the English misrepresentations can make people here +believe that there is a possibility of conquering America, or of our +returning to the government of England, so long we shall find little +credit here. + +The Prince was ill advised when he undertook what he was not obliged +to do, in producing Mr Laurens' papers, which he did too, in a manner +justly offensive to the United States. It was the part of Sir Joseph +Yorke to have produced them, not to the Prince, but to their High +Mightinesses. His Serene Highness, therefore, in this work of +supererogation, gave himself the air of an instrument of Sir Joseph, +which has not at all recommended him to the Dutch nation. + +But Sir Joseph, or his master, has committed a greater mistake in +presenting that intemperate memorial. It is said, that he pleads +positive orders; but many believe that if he had such orders, he +procured them from his Court, and that the memorial was prepared at +the Hague, and adjusted to the state of parties and politics in the +Republic. Be this as it may, both the Prince and the Ambassador have +missed their aim, and the publication of Mr Laurens' papers has had a +contrary effect from what they expected and intended. + +The Republic, however, is in an embarrassed situation. The Prince has +a decided inclination for England. He has the command of armies and +navies, and the gift of so many offices, that his influence is +astonishing among the nobility, and all the higher families. Besides +this, the clergy are very generally devoted to him, and their +influence among the populace is very great; so that there is great +danger that the Republic will not be able to exert its real strength, +even in case England should continue their hostilities. I say +continue, because it is certain that by repeated violations of +territory, as well as by innumerable captures of innocent vessels, +hostilities have been long since begun. + +It is the opinion of many here, that without the discovery of Mr +Laurens' papers, the Republic would not have acceded to the armed +neutrality. As this great confederation is now determined on, we +shall see what will be its effects. The Empress of Russia is not of a +character to be trifled with; yet I think the English will not respect +the new arrangement. They will violate the principles of it, at least +towards the Dutch, and risk a war with all the maritime powers of the +world at once, rather than relinquish America, and agree to the +principle of free ships, free goods. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Amsterdam, November 30th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have already accepted bills drawn upon Mr Laurens, to the amount of +thirtyfour thousand three hundred and fiftyeight guilders. How many +more will arrive, I know not. I shall inform your Excellency from time +to time, as they appear, and I accept them. + +This Republic is in a violent crisis. If a certain party prevails, we +shall raise no money here; if they do not, we shall raise very little. +Patience is recommended to me, and delay in hopes of a turn of +affairs. I am advised to do nothing, to attempt nothing, not even to +choose a house, at present. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, November 30th, 1780. + + Sir, + +The state of parties in this Republic is still critical. Many +anonymous pamphlets appear on both sides. Those which proceed from the +English party, are virulent against M. Van Berckel. The Republic +itself wavers, according to events and causes, which are impenetrable. +A few days ago, the plan appeared to be, to accede to the armed +neutrality, in order to satisfy one party, and to disavow the conduct +of Amsterdam, in forming with Mr Lee, the project of a treaty, in +order to appease the other.[10] Fifteen cities, even in the Province +of Holland, have disavowed this measure; Haerlem and Dort are the only +two, which have approved it. The Grand Pensionary of Holland has sent +after the courier, who had been despatched to the Plenipotentiaries at +Petersburg, and brought him back to the Hague. What alteration is to +be made, is unknown. It is now given out, that they have determined to +increase the fortifications of the maritime towns, and augment their +garrisons. + +I see every day more and more of the inveterate prejudices of this +nation in favor of the English, and against the French; more and more +of the irresistible influence of the Stadtholder, and more and more of +the irresolution, uncertainly, and confusion of the nation. How the +whole will conclude, I know not. One thing, however, is certain, that +Congress can depend upon no money from hence. I have, confiding in the +assurances of Dr Franklin, accepted all the bills drawn upon Mr +Laurens, which have yet been presented to me, amounting to thirtyfour +thousand three hundred and fiftyeight guilders; but I have no prospect +of discharging them, or even of deriving my own subsistence from any +other source than Passy. Congress, will, therefore, I presume, desist +from any further drafts upon Holland, at least until they receive +certain information that money has been borrowed, of which I see no +present prospect. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + [10] See this project of a treaty in William Lee's Correspondence, + Vol. II. pp. 310, 313. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, December 14th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I am every day accepting the bills of exchange, which were drawn upon +Mr Laurens; but I have no prospect of obtaining money to discharge +them, from any other person than Dr Franklin. + +For some years before I came to Holland, every person I saw from this +place assured me, that in his opinion, money might be borrowed, +provided application was made with proper powers directly from +Congress to solid Dutch houses. After my arrival here, these +assurances were repeated to me, by persons whose names I could +mention, and who I thought could not be deceived themselves, nor +deceive me. But now that powers have arrived, and application has been +made to Dutch houses undoubtedly solid, these houses will not accept +the business. In short, I cannot refrain from saying, that almost all +the professions of friendship to America, which have been made, turn +out, upon trial, to have been nothing more than little adulations to +procure a share in our trade. Truth demands of me this observation. +Americans find here the politeness of the table, and a readiness to +enter into their trade, but the public finds no disposition to afford +any assistance, political or pecuniary. They impute this to a change +in sentiments, to the loss of Charleston, the defeat of General Gates, +to Arnold's desertion, to the inactivity of the French and Spaniards, +&c. &c. &c. But I know better. It is not the love of the English, +although there is a great deal more of that than is deserved, but it +is fear of the English and the Stadtholderian party. + +I must, therefore, entreat Congress to make no more drafts upon +Holland, until they hear from me that their bills can be accepted, of +which, at present, I have no hopes. + +People of the first character have been, and are still constantly +advising, that Congress should send a Minister Plenipotentiary here, +and insist upon it that this would promote a loan. It is possible it +may; but I can see no certainly that it will. Sending a few cargoes of +produce, would do something. + +The Dutch are now felicitating themselves upon the depth and the +felicity of their politics. They have joined the neutrality, and have +disavowed Amsterdam, and this has appeased the wrath of the English, +the appearance of which, in Sir Joseph Yorke's Memorial, terrified +them more than I ever saw any part of America intimidated in the worst +crisis of her affairs. The late news we have of advantages gained by +our arms in several skirmishes in Carolina, contributes a little to +allay the panic. But all in Europe depends upon our success. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, December 18th, 1780. + + Sir, + +War is to a Dutchman the greatest of evils. Sir Joseph Yorke is so +sensible of this, that he keeps alive a continual fear of it, by +memorials after memorials, each more affronting to any sovereignty of +delicate notions of dignity than the former. By this means he keeps up +the panic, and while this panic continues, I shall certainly have no +success at all. No man dares engage for me; very few dare see me. + +On Tuesday last, the 12th of December, the British Ambassador had a +conference with the President of the States-General, and upon that +occasion presented to their High Mightinesses the following Memorial. + + "High and Mighty Lords, + +"The uniform conduct of the King towards the Republic, the friendship +which has so long subsisted between the two nations, the right of +sovereigns, and the faith of engagements the most solemn, will, +without doubt, determine the answer of your High Mightinesses to the +Memorial, which the subscriber presented some time ago, by the express +order of his Court. It would be to mistake the wisdom and the justice +of your High Mightinesses to suppose, that you could balance one +moment to give the satisfaction demanded by his Majesty. As the +resolutions of your High Mightinesses, of the 27th of November, were +the result of a deliberation, which regarded only the interior of your +government, and it was not then in question to answer the said +Memorial, the only remark which we shall make upon those resolutions +is, that the principles which dictated them, prove evidently the +justice of the demand made by the King. In deliberating upon this +Memorial, to which the subscriber hereby requires, in the name of his +Court, an answer immediate and satisfactory in all respects, your High +Mightinesses will recollect, without doubt, that the affair is of the +last importance; that the question is concerning a complaint made by +an offended sovereign; that the offence, of which he demands an +exemplary punishment and complete satisfaction, is a violation of the +Batavian constitution, whereof the King is the warranty, an infraction +of the public faith, an outrage against the dignity of his Crown. The +King has never imagined that your High Mightinesses would have +approved of a treaty with his rebel subjects. This would have been on +your part a commencement of hostilities, and a declaration of war. But +the offence has been committed by the magistrates of a city, which +makes a considerable part of the State, and it is the duty of the +sovereign power to punish and repair it. His Majesty, by the +complaints made by his Ambassador, has put the punishment and the +reparation into the hands of your High Mightinesses, and it will not +be but in the last extremity, that is to say, in the case of a denial +of justice on your part, or of silence, which must be interpreted as a +refusal, that the King will take this charge upon himself. + +"Done at the Hague, the 12th of December, 1780." + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, December 21st, 1780. + + Sir, + +The sentiments and affections of a people may be learned from many +little circumstances, which few people attend to. The poets and +orators are generally considered as the surest repositories of popular +ideas, both in ancient and modern nations. The clergy may be classed +among the latter, and it is very certain, that most public preachers +accommodate both their sermons and their prayers, in some degree, to +the general taste of their hearers, and avoid everything which will +unnecessarily give them offence. + +At Rotterdam, there are several English churches. The Presbyterian +church, which would be the least likely, one should think, to be +bigotted by England, I attended. The parson in his prayer, after +petitioning heaven for the States of Holland and West Friesland, the +States-General and Council of State, and for the Prince of Orange, +their hereditary Stadtholder, and Governor, &c. added a petition for +England, for the King, Queen, and royal family, for their health, long +life, and prosperity, and added, that he might triumph over all his +enemies in the four quarters of the world. + +At Amsterdam, I have attended both the Episcopal and Presbyterian +churches, and heard similar supplications to heaven in both. At +Utrecht, I attended the Presbyterian church, and there heard a prayer +for the English, with much more fervor and in greater detail. The +parson was quite transported with his zeal, and prayed that the +rebellion, which has so long prevailed, might be suppressed, and hide +its head in shame. At Leyden there is another English church. The +parson, I am told, is a tory, but prudently omits such kind of +prayers. + +This is quite a work of supererogation in the reverend zealots, and +is, therefore, a stronger proof that such sentiments are popular. The +English, who are very numerous in all these cities, are universally in +favor of the British Ministry. But there are so many Dutch families +who worship in these churches, that the parsons would not give them +offence, if such prayers were offensive. This is the more remarkable, +as the religion of North America is much more like that of this +Republic, than like that of England. But such prayers recommend the +parson to the Prince of Orange, and to the English party, and no other +party or person has influence or courage enough to take offence at +them. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, December 25th, 1780. + + Sir, + +It is very difficult to discover with certainty the secret spring, +which actuates the Courts of Europe; but whatever I can find, with any +degree of probability, I shall transmit to Congress at one time or +another. + +The Prince of Orange is himself of the royal family of England; his +mother was a daughter of King George the Second, and this relation is +no doubt one among the several motives, which attach the Stadtholder +to England. His Princess is a niece of the King of Prussia, and it is +believed is not perfectly agreed with His Most Serene Highness, in +his enthusiasm for the English Court. The King of Prussia has a great +esteem and affection for his niece, with whom he frequently +corresponds. In some of his letters he is supposed to have expressed +his sentiments freely upon the Prince's conduct, intimating, that his +Highness would take too much upon himself, and make himself too +responsible, if he persevered in a resolute opposition to the armed +neutrality. The Empress of Russia, who possesses a masterly +understanding, and a decided inclination for America, is thought too, +to have expressed some uneasiness at the Prince's political system. +The King of Sweden, who was lately at the Hague, is reported to have +had free conversation with the Prince upon the same subject. All these +intimations together, are believed to have made His Most Serene +Highness hesitate a little, and consider whether he was not acting too +dangerous a part, in exerting all his influence in the Republic, to +induce it to take a part in opposition to the general sense and +inclination of the people, and to all the maritime powers of Europe. + +The English Court is undoubtedly informed of all this. They dread the +accession of the Dutch to the armed neutrality, more than all the +other branches of that confederation, because of the rivalry in +commerce, and because the Dutch will assist the Royal Marines of +France and Spain, more than all the others. The present conduct of the +English indicates a design to go to war with the Dutch, on pretence of +an insult to their Crown, committed two years ago, by a treaty with +America, in hopes, that they will not be supported in this quarrel by +the confederated neutral powers. But they will be mistaken. The +artifice is too gross. The confederated powers will easily see, that +the real cause of offence is the accession to the armed neutrality, +and the conduct of Amsterdam, in projecting a treaty with America, +only a pretence. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, December 25th, 1780. + + Sir, + +The dispute between Great Britain and the United Provinces is now +wrought up to a crisis. Things must take a new turn in the course of a +few days, but whether they will end in a war, or in the retraction of +one party or the other, time alone can determine. + +I have before transmitted to Congress the two Memorials of Sir Joseph +Yorke, against M. Van Berckel, and the Burgomasters of Amsterdam. The +language of both is conformable to that domineering spirit, which has +actuated the Councils of St James, from the beginning of this reign, +and they have committed the honor and dignity of the King, and engaged +the pride of the nation so far, that there is no room left for a +retreat, without the most humiliating mortification. On the other +hand, there is authentic information, that the States proceeding in +their usual forms, have determined to refer the conduct of Amsterdam +to a committee of lawyers, who are to consider and report, whether the +Burgomasters have done anything, which they had not by law and the +Constitution authority to do. It is universally known and agreed, that +the report must and will be in favor of the Burgomasters. This report +will be accepted and confirmed by the States, and transmitted to all +the neutral Courts, in order to show them, that neither the Republic +in general nor the city of Amsterdam in particular, have done anything +against the spirit of the armed neutrality. The States have also +determined to make an answer to the British Ambassador's Memorials, +and to demand satisfaction of the King his master, for the indignity +offered to their sovereignty, in those memorials. In this resolution, +the States have been perfectly unanimous, the Body of Nobles, for the +first time, having agreed with the Generality. The question then is, +which power will recede. I am confidently assured, that the States +will not; and indeed if they should, they may as well submit to the +King, and surrender their independence at once. I am not, however, +very clear what they will do. I doubt whether they have firmness to +look a war in the face. Will the English recede, if the Dutch do not? +If they should, it would be contrary to the maxims, which have +invariably governed them during this reign. It will humble the +insolent overbearing pride of the nation; it will expose the Ministry +to the scoffs and scorn of opposition; it will elevate the courage of +the Dutch, the neutral powers, and the House of Bourbon, not to +mention the great effect it will have in America, upon the whigs and +tories, objects which the British Court never loses sight of. + +This Republic is certainly, and has been for several weeks, in a very +violent struggle. It has every symptom of an agony, that usually +precedes a great revolution. The streets of the city swarm with libels +of party against party. Some masterly pamphlets have been written in +favor of the Burgomasters. Thousands of extravagant and incredible +reports are made and propagated. Many new songs appear among the +populace, one particularly adapted for the amusement of the sailors, +and calculated to inspire them with proper sentiments of resentment +against the English. A woman, who sung it in the streets, the day +before yesterday, sold six hundred of them in an hour, and in one +spot. These are symptoms of war. But it is not easy to conquer the +national prejudices of a hundred years' standing, nor to avoid the +influence of the Stadtholder, which is much more formidable. In this +fermentation, the people can think of nothing else, and I need not +add, that I have no chance of getting a ducat of money, but I think +Congress will see the necessity of having here in these critical times +more ample powers. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, December 25th, 1780. + + Sir, + +Affairs are still in suspense. This day being Christmas, and yesterday +a Sunday, there was no public Exchange held on either. But business, +and especially stockjobbing, goes on without ceasing, being done at +the coffee-houses on Sundays, and holy-days, when it cannot be held +upon 'Change. + +The English mail, which had been interrupted by contrary winds for +three posts, arrived on Saturday. The English gazettes of the 19th +announced, that Sir Joseph Yorke was recalled, and a Dutch war was +inevitable. Private letters informed, that the Count de Welderen was +about leaving the British Court, and that an embargo was laid on all +Dutch ships in Great Britain; that the stocks had fallen two per cent, +and that a war was inevitable. The stock-jobbers, Englishmen, and +others at the coffee-houses, had melancholy countenances, and uncommon +anxiety. News was also propagated from the Hague, that Sir Joseph +Yorke was gone. Others said he had received his orders to go. As there +was no Exchange, the public judgment is not made up, whether there +will be war or not. Some gentlemen of knowledge and experience think +all this a farce, concerted at the Hague, between Sir Joseph and his +friends there, and the Ministry in England, in order to spread an +alarm, intimidate the States into an answer, which may be accepted +with a color of honor, &c. or to do something worse, that is, rouse a +spirit among the mobility against the Burgomasters of Amsterdam. I +cannot, however, but be of opinion, that there is more in this, and +that the Ministry will carry their rage to great extremities. They +have gone too far to look back, without emboldening their enemies, +confounding their friends, and exposing themselves to the contempt and +ridicule of both. A few hours, however, will throw more light upon +this important subject. The plot must unravel immediately. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, December 26th, 1780. + + Sir, + +The public papers of this morning inform me, that Sir Joseph Yorke +left the Hague on the morning of the 24th, without taking leave of +anybody, and bent his way to London by the way of Antwerp and Ostend. + +Sometime in the month of April last, a certain British Ambassador, who +had an inclination to take a few of the pleasures of Paris in his way +to Germany, said in that city, where I received the information in the +time of it, "to be sure the Americans will carry their point, and +establish their independence, for there will infallibly be a war +between England and Holland before Christmas." + +If the war is considered to commence from the departure of the +Ambassador, Sir Joseph went off exactly in time to accomplish the +prophecy. Since the departure of Sir Joseph has been generally known, +the city has been in a fermentation. The English Ministry are cursed +here as heartily as anywhere in general. Things are said by our +friends to be in a very good situation, but I never know what to +believe. The English are very bold I think; they are very +enthusiastic, they are sure of the assistance of Providence, as sure +of success against all their enemies as the old lady was of relief +from want, and making her fortune by drawing a prize in the lottery. +"But have you bought a ticket, mamma?" said her daughter. "No, my +child," replied the old lady, "I have no ticket, but Providence is +Almighty, and therefore I am sure of the highest prize, ticket or no +ticket." + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, December 28th, 1780. + + Sir, + +The Dutch say, that the English are acting the part of the sailor, who +having quarrelled with three others, as stout as himself, and got his +bones broken and eyes beat out in the squabble, challenged four more +to fight him at the same time, that he might have it in his power to +make up with all seven _with honor_. + +If the English are not actuated by the same blind and vindictive +passions, which have governed them so many years, it is impossible to +see through their policy. I think it is impossible they should be +ignorant of the articles of confederation of the neutral powers. These +articles as I am informed, warrant to all the neutral powers their +treaties with England, and stipulate that if either is attacked after +the 20th of November last, it shall be made a common cause. + +If the English should issue letters of marque against the Dutch, the +States-General will not immediately issue letters of marque in return, +but will represent the facts to the Congress at Petersburg, and demand +the benefit of the treaty of armed neutrality, and all the powers who +are parties to that confederation will join in demanding of England +restitution, and in case of refusal, will jointly issue letters of +marque and reprisal. + +The political machine that is now in motion, is so vast, and +comprehends so many nations, whose interests are not easy to adjust, +that it is perhaps impossible for the human understanding to foresee +what events may occur to disturb it. But at present there is no +unfavorable appearance from any quarter. We are in hourly expectation +of interesting news from the English, French, and Spanish fleets, from +Petersburg, from London and the Hague, and especially from North +America. Every wheel and spring in the whole political system of +Europe would have its motions rapidly accelerated by certain news from +America, of any decisive advantage obtained over Cornwallis, in South +Carolina; so true it is, that America is the very centre and axis of +the whole. + +The death of the Empress Queen it is generally thought will make no +alteration in the system of Europe. Yet it is possible after some time +there may be changes, none, however, which can be hurtful to us. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, December 30th, 1780. + + Sir, + +The Province of Zealand having been opposed to the other Provinces in +so many instances, and having lately protested against the resolution +of the States-General, which begin to be thought spirited, it may be +useful to explain to Congress the causes which influence that Province +to a conduct which is generally thought to be opposite to the true +interest of the Republic in general. + +In the States of Zealand there are only five voices, three of which +are absolutely in the discretion of the Prince of Orange, who has one +voice as Stadtholder of the Province, another as Marquis of Veere, and +a third as First Noble. The Stadtholder is therefore absolute in this +Province, which accounts at once for its conduct upon every occasion. +The friends, however, of the Prince, of England, and of Zealand, are +not willing that the world should believe that the Prince's power in +this Province, and his attachment to England are the sole causes of +its conduct upon every occasion, and therefore they enlarge upon +several topics, as apologies and excuses for a behavior, which cannot +wholly be justified. The arguments in justification or excuse of +Zealand are drawn from four principal sources. First, the situation of +the islands, which compose the Province. Secondly, the interests of +its particular commerce. Thirdly, the weakness of its interior forces. +Fourthly, the state of its finances. + +1. The territory of Zealand consists of five or six islands, two of +which are moderately large, and the rest very small. These islands are +formed in the mouth of the (Escaut) Scheldt, by the sea, or by the +different branches of the Scheldt itself. In case of a sudden +invasion, these islands separated from the Province of Holland by an +arm of the sea, are too unconnected to receive any immediate +assistance. Such an invasion is so much the more easy for the English, +as Zealand is very near them. They may invade this Province even +before a suspicion should be conceived that the project had been +formed. Who shall oppose their enterprise? Shall it be the French, who +are now friendly? Dunkirk, it is true, is near enough, but what forces +are there at Dunkirk? The only naval force there, consists of a few +privateers, who could neither oppose an armament escorted by British +men-of-war, nor venture to transport troops to oppose it, even +supposing the invasion was not made by surprise. Shall the Zealanders +themselves make a resistance to the English? But separated from one +another by waters, which would necessarily retard their junction, the +island of Walcheren, the principal of all, would be in possession of +the enemy before they could put themselves in a posture to repel force +by force. It is, moreover, not only possible but easy to make a +descent upon Zealand by so many places, that the Zealanders with their +own forces alone could not defend effectually all the passages. Eight +thousand English, or even a smaller number would force the Zealanders +everywhere, because there is nowhere a fortress capable of holding out +twelve hours. The ports of Flushing and Veere are the only ones which +have any defence; but they are very far from the state in which they +ought to be, to stop an enemy determined upon pillage, animated by +revenge, and whom the pleasure of doing mischief instigates forcibly. +It is conceded that if the English descended in Zealand, they would be +constrained to abandon it very soon; that they might and would be +driven from it in a few days; that the figure which they would make +would be neither glorious nor honorable, and that their temerity would +cost them dear; but the disorder caused by an invasion remains after +the expulsion of the invaders. The people invaded are always the +victims of the evils which they have suffered, and these evils, always +considerable to the individuals, are seldom compensated entirely. When +an incendiary has burned my house, whether he is punished or not, my +house is consumed and lost to me. The exactions, the pillage, and all +the abominations which follow the _coups de main_ of an unbridled +soldiery, would be cruelly felt by the unfortunate Zealanders, even +after the perpetrators should be driven out, or sacrificed to the +public resentment. + +2. The peculiar commerce of Zealand. This Province has no other than +that small commerce, which is known by the name of the coasting trade. +This kind of trade is considerable in the Provinces of Holland, North +Holland, and Friesland. The number of vessels employed in these three +Provinces in this kind of trade is inconceivable, and the greatest +part of them is destined for the service of France. All which France +receives from foreigners, and all which it furnishes to foreigners, is +carried in these Holland vessels, and if there was no other than the +freight for the masters and owners of these vessels, this profit would +still be of the greatest consideration. Thus it is not surprising that +the Province of Holland has taken such strong measures in favor of +France. Its particular commerce would naturally determine it this way. +On the contrary, Zealand employs the small number of her merchant +ships in a commerce with England, a commerce so much the more +lucrative, as it is almost entirely contraband or smuggled. + +The profits to be made on brandy and other spirituous liquors, +imported clandestinely into England, are very considerable; and it is +Zealand that makes these profits, because they are her subjects who +entertain a continual correspondence with the English smugglers. The +proximity of the coasts of Zealand to those of England, renders this +commerce, which is prohibited to English subjects, sure for the +inhabitants of Zealand. Fishing barks are sufficient to carry it on, +and these barks are rarely taken, whether it is that they are +difficult to take, or whether there is not much desire to take them. +These barks, arrived upon the coasts of England, find others which +come to take what they bring. The place where this traffic is held, is +generally some creek upon the coast of England, where the vessel may +be loaded and unloaded in secrecy. Moreover, those whom the English +Ministry appoint to prevent this commerce at sea, are those who favor +it. We know very well the decided inclination of the English in +general, and, above all, of their seamen for strong liquors. Zealand, +concurring openly in the measures, which the Republic is now taking +against England, or, if you will, against the powers at war, would +draw upon itself particularly the hatred, anger, and vengeance of a +nation, without which it is impossible to sustain its trade, and this +Province would, by this means, deprive a great number of its subjects +of a source of gain, which places them in a condition to furnish the +imposts which they have to pay. Is it not then the part of prudence in +the States of Zealand, to avoid with care everything that might +embroil them, particularly with England? Is it not also the wisdom of +the States-General to have a regard to the critical situation of one +of the Seven Provinces which compose the union? + +3. The weakness of her internal forces. Zealand is open on all sides +to the English. To set them at defiance, she ought to have in herself +forces capable of intimidating Great Britain. But where are such +forces to be found? In the garrisons, which the Republic maintains +there? Two or three thousand men dispersed at Flushing, at Veere, and +in some other cities, are but a feeble defence against a descent of +six or seven thousand English, well determined. Will these troops of +the Republic be supported by armed citizens? Suppose it; their defeat +will be not less certain. These citizens, who have never seen a loaded +musket discharged, are more proper to carry an empty fusil, to mount +guard at a state-house, which is never to be attacked, than to march +to the defence of a coast threatened with a descent, or to present +themselves upon the parapet of a fort, battered with machines that +vomit forth death. These citizens, or rather these soldiers of a +moment, would carry disorder into the ranks, and do more injury than +service, by giving countenance to the flight of those brave warriors, +who make it a point of honor to combat with a steadfast foot. +Moreover, who are these citizens, which might be joined to the regular +troops? Are they the principal inhabitants? Those who have the most +to lose? Those to whom birth and education have given sentiments of +honor and of glory? No. These have, by paying sums of money, +exemptions, which excuse them from taking arms, to defend the country +in time of peace. Is it credible that in the most critical moments +they will generously renounce these exemptions? It will be, then, the +citizens of the second order, the artisans, or people who have little +or nothing to lose, who will serve for the reinforcement to the +veterans. Experience demonstrates what dependence is to be placed at +this day upon such militia. It would be in vain to oppose to this the +time of the revolution, those times of the heroism of the ancestors of +the Dutch. The cause is not the same; they attack at this day in a +different fashion, and perhaps the defence too would be made in a very +different manner. It might be otherwise, if the coasts of Zealand were +fortified with good forts, or if the cities of Flushing and Veere were +in a condition to sustain a siege of some months, and with their +little garrisons stop the assailants, until the arrival of succors. +But one must be very little informed not to know that the English, +although they should be incommoded in their landing, would +nevertheless effect it with little loss. + +4. The state of her finances. Zealand, of all the Seven Provinces, is +that which costs the most for the maintenance of her dykes. More +exposed than all the others to be drowned by the sea, her coasts +require continual repairs. These reparations cannot be made, but at +great expense. Unprovided with wood suitable for the construction of +ramparts capable of stopping the waves, which beat upon her +continually, she is obliged to import from foreigners those numberless +and enormous timbers, which art substitutes in the place of those +rocks, which nature has granted to other countries, for holding in the +ocean and restraining its fury. It is necessary, therefore, that a +great part of the public revenue of the Province should go to +foreigners. She must, moreover, furnish her quota to the general +treasury of the Republic; from whence it follows, that she cannot +expose herself to the indispensable necessity of increasing her +imposts, to furnish the new expenses, which an extraordinary armament +would bring upon all the State. More than once, in time of peace, the +public coffers of the State have been obliged to furnish to the +Province of Zealand, the succors which she could not find at home, +without reducing her subjects to the most horrible distress. To what +condition, then, would those subjects be reduced, if in the progress +of the armed neutrality, such as is proposed, or in a war with +England, they should still be obliged to pay new contributions? All +the world agrees that Zealand is poor; it must be acknowledged then +that she will be plunged in the lowest indigence, if the expenses of +the country are augmented, although there are many individuals in +Zealand who are very rich and grand capitalists, and luxury among the +great is carried to excess as immoderate as it is in Holland. Zealand +has so long embarrassed the Republic in all their deliberations +concerning the armed neutrality, and lately concerning the serious +quarrel, that England has commenced against her, that I thought it +would at least gratify the curiosity of Congress to see the causes +which have governed, laid open, as I find them explained in +conversation and in public writers. Zealand's reasons seem to be now +overruled, and the Prince's absolute authority there of little avail. +To all appearances, the English must recede, or contend with a bitter +enemy in this Republic. Old prejudices seem to wear off, and it is +now said publicly, that the friendship between the English and Dutch +has been like the brotherly love between Cain and Abel; yet I can +never depend upon anything here until it is past, I have been so often +disappointed in my expectations. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, December 31st, 1780. + + Sir, + +It will scarcely be believed in Congress, that at a time when there +are the strongest appearances of war, there has not been a newspaper +nor a letter received in this city from London, since the 19th or 20th +of the month. There are symptoms of a more general war. If Britain +adheres to her maxims, this Republic will demand the aid of Russia, +Sweden, Denmark, and Prussia, in pursuance of the treaty of armed +neutrality. These powers will not be duped by the artifice of the +British Court, and adjudge this war not a _casus foederis_, when all +the world agrees, that the accession of the Republic to the armed +neutrality is the real cause of it, and the treaty between Mr Lee and +M. de Neufville, only a false pretence. If the armed neutral +confederacy takes it up, as nobody doubts they will, all these powers +will be soon at war with England, if she does not recede. If the +neutral powers do not take it up and England proceeds, she will drive +this Republic into the arms of France, Spain, and America. In this +possible case, a Minister here from Congress would be useful. In case +the armed neutrality take it up, a Minister authorised to represent +the United States to all the neutral Courts, might be of use. + +The Empress Queen is no more. The Emperor has procured his brother +Maximilian, to be declared coadjutor of the bishopric of Munster and +Cologne, which affects Holland and the Low Countries. He is supposed +to have his eye on Liege; this may alarm the Dutch, the King of +Prussia and France. The war may become general, and the fear of it may +make peace, that is, it might if the King of England was not the most +determined man in the world. But depressed, and distracted, and ruined +as his dominions are, he will set all Europe in a blaze before he will +make peace. His exertions, however, against us cannot be very +formidable. Patience, firmness, and perseverance are our only +remedies; these are sure and infallible ones, and with this +observation, I beg permission to take my leave of Congress for the +year 1780, which has been to me the most anxious and mortifying year +of my whole life. God grant that more vigor, wisdom, and decision may +govern the councils, negotiations, and operations of mankind in the +year 1781. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO JOHN ADAMS. + + Philadelphia, January 1st, 1781. + + Sir, + +You will receive herewith enclosed, a commission as Minister +Plenipotentiary to the United Provinces of the Low Countries, with +instructions for your government on that important mission, as also a +plan of a treaty with those States,[11] and likewise a resolve of +Congress relative to the declaration of the Empress of Russia, +respecting the protection of neutral ships, &c.[12] + +Proper letters of credence on the subject of your mission will be +forwarded by the next conveyance; but it is thought inexpedient to +delay the present despatches on that account. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + SAMUEL HUNTINGTON, _President_. + + [11] See this commission, the instructions, and the plan of a treaty, + in the _Secret Journals, Vol. II. pp. 376 et. seqq._ + + [12] The following is the resolve of Congress here alluded to. + + "In Congress, October 5th, 1780. Her Imperial Majesty of all the + Russias, attentive to the freedom of commerce and the rights of + nations, in her declaration to the belligerent and neutral powers, + having proposed regulations, founded upon principles of justice, + equity, and moderation, of which their Most Christian and Catholic + Majesties, and most of the neutral maritime powers of Europe, have + declared their approbation, Congress, willing to testify their regard + to the rights of commerce, and their respect for the sovereign who has + proposed, and the powers who have approved the said regulations, + + "_Resolved_, That the Board of Admiralty prepare, and report + instructions for the commanders of armed vessels, commissioned by the + United States, conformable to the principles contained in the + declaration of the Empress of all the Russias, on the rights of + neutral vessels. + + "That the Ministers Plenipotentiary from the United States, if invited + thereto, be, and hereby are, respectively empowered to accede to such + regulations conformable to the spirit of the said declaration, as may + be agreed upon by the Congress expected to assemble, in pursuance of + the invitation of her Imperial Majesty." + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, January 1st, 1781. + + Sir, + +The mail from London, arrived this morning, brought us, for a new +years' entertainment, the following + + +MANIFESTO. + +"George R.--Through the whole course of our reign, our conduct towards +the States-General of the United Provinces, has been that of a sincere +friend and faithful ally. Had they adhered to those wise principles, +which used to govern the Republic, they must have, shown themselves +equally solicitous to maintain the friendship, which has so long +subsisted between the two nations, and which is essential to the +interests of both; but from the prevalence of a faction devoted to +France, and following the dictates of that Court, a very different +policy has prevailed. The return made to our friendship, for sometime +past, has been an open contempt of the most solemn engagements, and a +repeated violation of public faith. + +"On the commencement of the defensive war, in which we found ourselves +engaged by the aggression of France, we showed a tender regard for the +interests of the States-General, and a desire of securing to their +subjects every advantage of trade, consistent with the great and just +principles of our own defence. Our Ambassador was instructed to offer +a friendly negotiation, to obviate everything that might lead to +disagreeable discussion; and to this offer, solemnly made by him to +the States-General the 2d of November, 1778, no attention was paid. +After the number of our enemies was increased by the aggression of +Spain, equally unprovoked with that of France, we found it necessary +to call upon the States-General for the performance of their +engagements. The 5th article of the perpetual defensive alliance +between our Crown and the States-General, concluded at Westminster, +the 3d of March, 1678, besides the general engagement for succors, +expressly stipulates, 'That that party of the two allies that is not +attacked, shall be obliged to break with the aggressor in two months +after the party attacked shall require it.' Yet two years have passed, +without the least assistance given to us, without a single syllable in +answer to our repeated demands. So totally regardless have the States +been of their treaties with us, that they readily promised our enemies +to observe a neutrality in direct contradiction to those engagements, +and whilst they have withheld from us the succors they were bound to +furnish, every secret assistance has been given to the enemy; and +inland duties have been taken off, for the sole purpose of +facilitating the carriage of naval stores to France. + +"In direct and open violation of treaty, they suffered an American +pirate to remain several weeks in one of their ports, and even +permitted a part of his crew to mount guard in a fort in the Texel. + +"In the East Indies, the subjects of the States-General in concert +with France, have endeavored to raise up enemies against us. In the +West Indies, particularly at St Eustatia, every protection and +assistance has been given to our rebellious subjects. Their privateers +are openly received in the Dutch harbors, allowed to refit there, +supplied with arms and ammunition, their crews recruited, their prizes +brought in and sold; and all this in direct violation of as clear and +solemn stipulations as can be made. + +"This conduct, so inconsistent with all good faith, so repugnant to +the sense of the wisest part of the Dutch nation, is chiefly to be +ascribed to the prevalence of the leading magistrates of Amsterdam, +whose secret correspondence with our rebellious subjects was suspected +long before it was made known by the fortunate discovery of a treaty, +the first article of which is, 'That there shall be a firm, +inviolable, and universal peace and sincere friendship between their +High Mightinesses the Estates of the Seven United Provinces of +Holland, and the United States of North America, and the subjects and +people of the said parties; and between the countries, islands, +cities, and towns, situated under the jurisdiction of the said United +States of Holland, and the United States of America, and the people +and inhabitants thereof, of every degree, without exception of persons +or places.[13] + + [13] See the whole of this treaty in William Lee's Correspondence, + Vol. II. p. 313. + +"This treaty was signed in September, 1778, by the express order of +the Pensionary of Amsterdam, and other principal magistrates of that +city. They now not only avow the whole transaction, but glory in it, +and expressly say, even to the States-General, that what they did was +what their indispensable duty required. In the meantime, the +States-General declined to give any answer to the Memorial presented +by our Ambassador; and this refusal was aggravated by their proceeding +upon other business, nay, upon the consideration of this very subject +to internal purposes; and while they found it impossible to approve +the conduct of their subjects, they still industriously avoided to +give us the satisfaction so manifestly due. We had every right to +expect, that such a discovery would have roused them to a just +indignation at the insult offered to us and to themselves, and that +they would have been eager to give us full and ample satisfaction for +the offence, and to inflict the severest punishment upon the +offenders. The urgency of the business made an instant answer +essential to the honor and safety of this country. The demand was +accordingly pressed by our Ambassador, in repeated conferences with +the Ministers, and in a second Memorial; it was pressed with all the +earnestness, that could proceed from our ancient friendship, and the +sense of recent injuries; and the answer now given to a Memorial on +such a subject, presented more than five weeks ago, is, that the +States have taken it _ad referendum_. Such an answer, upon such an +occasion could only be dictated by the fixed purpose of hostility +meditated and already resolved by the States, induced by the offensive +Councils of Amsterdam, thus to countenance the hostile aggression, +which the magistrates of that city have made in the name of the +Republic. + +"There is an end of the faith of all treaties with them, if Amsterdam +may usurp the sovereign power, may violate these treaties with +impunity, by pledging the States to engagements directly contrary, and +leaguing the Republic with the rebels of a sovereign to whom she is +bound by the closest ties. An infraction of the law of nations, by the +meanest member of any country, gives the injured State a right to +demand satisfaction and punishment; how much more so, when the injury +complained of is a flagrant violation of public faith, committed by +leading and predominant members of the State? Since then the +satisfaction we have demanded is not given, we must, though most +reluctantly, do ourselves that justice, which we cannot otherwise +obtain. + +"We must consider the States-General as parties in the injury, which +they will not repair, as sharers in the aggression, which they refuse +to punish, and must act accordingly. We have, therefore, ordered our +Ambassador to withdraw from the Hague, and shall immediately pursue +such vigorous measures as the occasion fully justifies, and our +dignity and the essential interest of our people require. From a +regard to the Dutch nation at large, we wish it were possible to +direct those measures wholly against Amsterdam; but this cannot be, +unless the States-General will immediately declare, that Amsterdam +shall upon this occasion receive no assistance from them, but be left +to abide the consequences of its aggression. + +"Whilst Amsterdam is suffered to prevail in the general councils, and +is backed by the strength of the State, it is impossible to resist the +aggression of so considerable a part, without contending with the +whole. But we are too sensible of the common interests of both +countries not to remember, in the midst of such a contest, that the +only point to be aimed at by us, is to raise a disposition in the +Councils of the Republic to return to our ancient union, by giving us +that satisfaction for the past, and security for the future, which we +shall be as ready to receive, as they can be to offer, and to the +attainment of which we shall direct all our operations. We mean only +to provide for our own security by defeating the dangerous designs +that have been formed against us. We shall ever be disposed to return +to friendship with the States-General, when they sincerely revert to +that system, which the wisdom of their ancestors formed, and which has +now been subverted by a powerful faction, conspiring with France +against the true interests of the Republic, no less than against those +of Great Britain. + + "St James, December 20th, 1780." + + "At the Court at St James, the 20th of December, + 1780. + + "Present,--The King's most Excellent Majesty in + Council. + +"His Majesty having taken into consideration the many injurious +proceedings of the States-General of the United Provinces and their +subjects, as set forth in his Royal Manifesto of this date, and being +determined to take such measures as are necessary for vindicating the +honor of his Crown, and for procuring reparation and satisfaction, is +pleased, by and with the advice of his Privy Council, to order, and it +is hereby ordered, that general reprisals be granted against the +ships, goods, and subjects of the States-General of the United +Provinces, so that, as well his Majesty's fleet and ships, as also all +other ships and vessels that shall be commissioned by letters of +marque, or general reprisals, or otherwise, by his Majesty's +commissioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral of Great +Britain, shall, and may lawfully seize all ships, vessels, and goods +belonging to the States-General of the United Provinces, or their +subjects, or others, inhabiting within any of the territories of the +aforesaid States-General, and bring the same to judgment in any of the +Courts of Admiralty within his Majesty's dominions. And to that end, +his Majesty's Advocate-General, with the Advocate of the Admiralty, +are forthwith to prepare the draft of a commission, and present the +same to his Majesty at this Board, authorising the commissioners for +executing the office of Lord High Admiral, or any person or persons by +them empowered and appointed, to issue forth and grant letters of +marque and reprisals to any of his Majesty's subjects, or others whom +the said commissioners shall deem fitly qualified in that behalf, for +the apprehending, seizing, and taking the ships, vessels, and goods +belonging to the States-General of the United Provinces, and their +vassals and subjects, or any inhabiting within the countries, +territories, or dominions of the aforesaid States-General; and that +such powers and clauses be inserted in the said commission as have +been usual, and are according to former precedents; and his Majesty's +said Advocate-General, with the Advocate of the Admiralty, are also +forthwith to prepare the draft of a commission, and present the same +to his Majesty at this Board, authorising the said commissioners for +executing the office of Lord High Admiral, to will and require the +High Court of Admiralty of Great Britain and the Lieutenant and judge +of said Court, his surrogate or surrogates, as also the several Courts +of Admiralty within his Majesty's dominions, to take cognisance of, +and judicially proceed upon all manner of captures, seizures, prizes, +and reprisals of all ships and goods that are, or shall be taken, and +to hear and determine the same; and according to law to judge and +condemn all such ships, vessels, and goods, as shall belong to the +States-General of the United Provinces, or their vassals and subjects, +or to any others inhabiting within any of the countries, territories, +and dominions of the aforesaid States-General; and that such powers +and clauses be inserted in said commission as have been usual, and are +according to former precedents; and they are likewise to prepare, and +lay before his Majesty at this Board, a draft of such instructions as +may be proper to be sent to the Courts of Admiralty in his Majesty's +foreign governments and plantations, for their guidance herein; as +also another draft of instructions for such ships as shall be +commissioned for the purposes aforementioned." + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, January 4th, 1781. + + Sir, + +Notwithstanding the influence of the English nation, notwithstanding +the influence of old prejudices and habits, notwithstanding the +apprehensions that are entertained for immense sums in the English +funds, and for the sudden destruction of an innumerable navigation at +the commencement of a war; and above all, notwithstanding the +authority and influence of the Stadtholder, I am confidently assured +by several gentlemen, that the national opinion and affection is with +us. The Baron Van der Capellan, with whom I have the honor of an +agreeable acquaintance, is of opinion, that four fifths of the nation +wish us success in our enterprise. + +The symptoms of popularity in this city are decisive. The Sunday +before last, in the Presbyterian meeting, the parson, beginning as +usual to pray for the King of England, was absolutely interrupted by a +general murmur. On Christmas day, he attempted to repeat his +imprudence, and was interrupted by still greater confusion; so that +last Sunday he had learned discretion to leave out wholly this +offensive clause. On the evening of new year's day, at the theatre, +the public were entertained with the national tragedy, as it is +called, _Gysbrecht Van Amstel_, after which the actors, as is +customary, addressed the audience. There were many strokes in this +address, which sufficiently indicated the spirit of the times, +particularly a solemn injunction, that "they must not be slaves," and +a quotation from a very popular song, with which the streets have rung +these ten days, which were deeply and universally applauded. + +The presses swarm with pamphlets, handbills, songs, and poems, +generally much against the English, and commonly with some favorable +hints to Americans. The conversation in private families, and the +toasts in jovial circles, indicate a tremendous spirit in the body of +this people, which, if once let loose from restraint, and properly +directed, would make this nation the worst enemy that England ever +had. It is essential to attend to these symptoms of popularity at this +time, and in this country, because it is manifest, that the whole +system of the English, in concert with their faction in the Republic, +is now bent to excite the populace against the burgomasters of +Amsterdam. They succeeded in 1748, and accomplished a change in the +Regency. If they could succeed in the same manner now, they would +change the political system of this nation entirely, and by this +means, in the present situation of affairs in Europe and America, it +is plain, they would work its entire and irretrievable ruin. + +Yet the course is so circuitous, to apply to the Courts of Russia, +Sweden, and Denmark, to induce them to join in demanding satisfaction +of England, the shocks upon 'Change will be so great, by the sudden +capture of so many ships, so many ensurers, merchants, &c. will be +ruined, and there will be so many arts to divide and discourage this +people, that I cannot pretend to foresee what will happen. The +confusion is yet so great, that I have no hopes at present of +obtaining money. There must be time for the fermentation to go off; +and the quarrel with England must become in the minds of all +irreconcilable, before we can try the experiment whether we have any +credit or not. + +If Congress should think proper to send powers here to treat with the +States-General, I beg leave to submit to their consideration the case +of M. Dumas. He was early employed in our affairs here, has neglected +all other business, has been attentive and industrious, and is a +gentleman of extensive learning and amiable character. I believe he is +not ambitious or avaricious, but moderate in his expectations. Whoever +shall be honored with powers from Congress to reside here would find +his assistance useful, for he is much devoted to the American cause; I +hope, therefore, that Congress will pardon me if I venture to +recommend him to their attention. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, January 5th, 1781. + + Sir, + +On the 10th of November, 1780, the Memorial of Sir Joseph Yorke to the +States-General was presented, for a disavowal, satisfaction +proportioned to the offence, and punishment of the guilty. + +November 28th. A formal disapprobation of the States-General of the +conduct of the Regency of Amsterdam. + +December 12th. Second Memorial of Sir Joseph Yorke, for a satisfaction +proportioned to the offence, and the punishment of the guilty. + +14th. Answer of the States-General despatched by express to London, +importing, that their High Mightinesses had taken the said Memorials +_ad referendum_. + +16th. Order of his Britannic Majesty to Sir Joseph Yorke to withdraw +from the Hague, without taking leave, despatched by express; arrived +at the Hague on the 23d. + +19th. Letter of the Count de Welderen to the States-General, +acknowledging the receipt of those of the 12th and of the 15th; +Declaration of the States-General, touching their accession to the +confederation of the North. + +20th. Signature of the Manifesto of his Britannic Majesty, published +the 21st in the London Gazette extraordinary. + +21st. Expedition of an express to Sir Joseph Yorke, arrived at the +Hague on the night of the 23d, with the Manifesto published the 21st. + +22d. Resolution of the States-General to refer the affair of the +satisfaction and punishment of the guilty, to the Provincial Court of +Justice. + +25th. The departure of Sir Joseph Yorke for Antwerp. + +26th. Expedition of an express to the Count de Welderen, with orders +to present the Declaration touching the Confederation of the North, +and to withdraw from London, without taking leave. + +28th. The ordinary packet from London not yet arrived, and the last +letters from London are of the 19th. + +In this rapid succession have events rolled one after another, until +the war has seemingly become inevitable. + +The Prince of Orange has made a requisition or proposition to the +States-General, to augment their navy with fifty or sixty vessels of +war, and their army to fifty or sixty thousand men. The ships of war +will be agreed to, but the troops not, as I am told. Once more I beg +leave to say, I can believe nothing until it is past. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, January 14th, 1781. + + Sir, + +In an excursion, which I have lately made through the principal cities +of this Province, Haerlem, Leyden, the Hague, and Rotterdam, I have +had an opportunity of perceiving that there is a spirit of resentment +against the English very general among the people. Notwithstanding +this, everything is so artfully retarded, the manifesto, the letters +of marque, and above all, the decision of the Court of Justice of +Holland is so studiously delayed, while the English are making such +vast depredations upon the defenceless merchant vessels, that I cannot +yet be sure that war is decided. The counsels of the Prince, united +with those of the proprietors in British funds, and the distresses of +merchants may yet induce the Republic, against the general sense of +the nation, to sue for a dishonorable peace. + +I have received a letter, however, since my return, from M. Dumas of +last Friday, which informs me that a letter is received from the +Plenipotentiaries at Petersburg, dated the 19th of December, +announcing that the Empress of Russia was well satisfied with all that +had passed; that she had seen the two last Memorials presented by Sir +Joseph Yorke to their High Mightinesses, and that she had more +indignation than surprise at the sight of them; (it may be doubted, +however, whether this is not a mistake, as the last Memorial was dated +the 12th, and the letter of the Minister the 19th,) that the signature +was to be on the 23d, after which, these Ministers were to display the +character of Ambassadors Extraordinary, and that they would forthwith +despatch another express with the convention signed. This express is +now expected every moment, and as soon as he arrives, their High +Mightinesses will publish the Manifesto. This little delay is but a +pure formality. In the meantime, they resolved on the 12th of this +month to distribute letters of marque to privateers, and orders to the +ships of the State, to seize everything they can belonging to the +English. + +Notwithstanding this, there are no privateers ready, and I fear there +are fewer ships of war ready than there ought to be. It will be long +before the Dutch can do any great things, and they must suffer very +severely. Such are the effects of blind and mistaken policy. War is so +new and so terrible a thing to this people, they are so divided in +sentiment, their minds are so agitated with uncertainty, irresolution, +and apprehension, that there is as yet no possibility of borrowing any +money. + +I must therefore repeat the request, that Congress would not think +upon drawing for any more money here, until they receive certain +advices from me, that there is some in hand. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, January 15th, 1781. + + Sir, + +The following is the declaration of the States-General, of their +accession to the armed neutrality. + + +DECLARATION. + +"Their High Mightinesses, the States-General of the United Provinces +of the Low Countries, having had nothing more at heart, since the +commencement of the present war, and having desired nothing more +earnestly, than to observe invariably the most strict and the most +perfect neutrality between the belligerent powers, and to fulfil at +the same time their essential and indispensable obligations by +granting a convenient protection to the commerce and the navigation of +their subjects, and by maintaining and defending the rights and +liberties of their neutral flag, have learned with the highest +satisfaction, that her Majesty, the Empress of all the Russias, +constantly animated with noble and generous sentiments, which must +transmit to the latest posterity the immortal lustre and renown of her +glorious reign, has thought fit to declare to the belligerent powers, +'That being in the intention to observe during the present war the +most exact impartiality, she is determined to maintain, by all the +means the most efficacious, the honor of the Russian flag, as well as +the safety of the commerce and the navigation of her subjects, and not +to suffer any of the belligerent powers to give them any +interruption.' The sentiments and the views of their High Mightinesses +answer perfectly, and are entirely conformable to the principles, +which make the basis of the declaration of her Imperial Majesty; and +they consequently do not hesitate to lay open, after her example, to +the belligerent powers, the same principles, which they are determined +to follow, and to maintain in concert with her Imperial Majesty; viz. + +"1st. That neutral vessels may freely navigate from port to port, and +upon the coasts of the powers at war. + +"2dly. That the effects belonging to the subjects of the powers at +war, shall be free upon neutral vessels, excepting only merchandises +of contraband. + +"3dly. That with regard to contraband, their High Mightinesses adhere +to what is stipulated by the treaties concluded between them and the +belligerent powers, and more expressly, by the sixth article of the +treaty of marine with the Crown of Spain of the 17th of December, +1650; the third article of the treaty of marine with the Crown of +England of the 1st of December, 1674; and the sixteenth article of the +treaty of commerce, of navigation and of marine with the Crown of +France of the 1st of December, 1739, for twentyfive years. The +dispositions and determinations of which treaties, in their full +extent relative to merchandises of contraband, their High Mightinesses +consider as entirely founded on natural equity and the law of nations. + +"4thly. That no place shall be adjudged blockaded, but when ships of +war, stationed in the neighborhood, shall hinder, that no vessel can +enter without evident danger. + +"5thly. That these principles shall serve as rules to judge of the +lawfulness or the unlawfulness of prizes. + +"As these principles form and constitute the universal rights of +neutral powers, and as they are, moreover, confirmed by treaties which +can never be lawfully annulled or altered, or suspended but by a +common act, and reciprocal consent of the contracting parties, their +High Mightinesses flatter themselves, that the belligerent powers will +acknowledge and respect the justice of them, by giving no obstruction +to the commerce of the subjects of their High Mightinesses, and by not +troubling them in the free enjoyment of rights, the propriety of which +cannot be contested, to the flag of neutral and independent powers." + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, January 15th, 1781. + + Sir, + +Zealand is still endeavoring to divert the Republic from its interest +and its duty, to embarrass its operations, and involve it in disgrace +and ruin. + +The Directors of the Company of Commerce, and that of Ensurance, and a +great number of merchants, established at Middleburg, in Zealand, have +presented a petition to the States-General, to supplicate their High +Mightinesses to try again the way of negotiation, and to endeavor to +prevent by this means the damages with which the subjects of the +Republic are still threatened, by a war with England, and to come to a +friendly accommodation. This petition has been supported by a +resolution of the States of Zealand, transmitted to the Assembly of +the States-General; but it is said, that this petition has been +rendered commissorial, and will not be taken into consideration, +unless the English should make some propositions of peace. The state +of the Marine of this Republic, during the year 1781, as it has been +proposed by the petition of the Council of State, is, two vessels of +seventy guns, and five hundred and fifty men; nine of sixty guns, and +four hundred and fifty men; fifteen of fifty guns, and three hundred +men; two of forty guns, and two hundred and seventy men; one of forty +guns, and two hundred and fifty men; fourteen of thirtysix guns, and +two hundred and thirty men; thirteen of twenty guns, and one hundred +and fifty men; five sloops, one hospital ship, four packet boats, +twelve large armed vessels, sixteen smaller; making in the whole +ninetyfour ships, and eighteen thousand four hundred and ninety men. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, January 16th, 1781. + + Sir, + +The Prince, on the 26th of December, made a proposition to the +States-General, viz. in substance, "That His Most Serene Highness had +already communicated the last year to the respective Provinces his +advice, to equip fifty or sixty vessels of war, and to augment the +land forces to fifty or sixty thousand men, to put the frontier places +in a good state of defence, and to provide necessary magazines of +warlike stores, to the end, to be in a condition to defend the lawful +rights of the Republic; that His Most Serene Highness had seen with +satisfaction, that as far as respected the marine, it had been made +better in some degree; and that he flattered himself, that the States +of all the Provinces would reinforce it for the ensuing year, with +redoubled zeal, since they could not be too much upon their guard in +the present conjuncture; that it was equally necessary to put the +Republic in a convenient state of defence, on the land side; and that +he hoped, that they would at this day think seriously of it; that they +would augment the fortifications, and supply the magazines, since, if +they failed in this, His Most Serene Highness would not be responsible +for the events, &c." + +The States-General, after having thanked the Stadtholder, for his +assiduous zeal and solicitude to maintain the Republic in the +enjoyment of its liberty and independence, resolved, "That the +proposition of His Most Serene Highness should be communicated to the +respective Provinces, and that it should be represented to them, that +His Most Serene Highness, animated with the purest love of his +country, insists with reason (at this day when the danger is +immediate, and war appears inevitable) upon the necessity of making +unanimous efforts, to the end to resist this danger, and to preserve +the Republic, by joining courage to prudence; that the maritime forces +of the Republic are not yet sufficient to protect the commerce, the +source of the well being of the public in all its branches, and to +ensure from all invasion the possessions of the Republic, both in the +East and the West Indies; that, therefore, their High Mightinesses +think themselves under obligation to pray the members of the union, in +a manner the most friendly and the most pressing, to fix their +attention as soon as possible upon these objects, and to accomplish +them with vigor, since the storm, which approaches at sea, may easily, +by a sudden revolution, discharge itself upon the continent, so that +an augmentation of land forces is as indispensably necessary, as the +armament by sea; that from these motives, their High Mightinesses +assure themselves, that since there no longer remains for the Republic +a choice between peace and war, the respective members of the union +will endeavor, as far as possible to defend their country, and all +which is dear to them, by acting with unanimity, courage, and candor." + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, January 15th, 1781. + + Sir, + +Congress will not expect me to write upon the subject of peace at this +time, when the flames of war are spreading far and wide, with more +rapidity than ever, and I have no comfortable tidings on the subject +of money. + +In the first place, I believe there is not so much money here as the +world imagines; in the next place, those who have what there is, have +now no confidence in any nation or individual. All credit seems at a +stand. + +The Republic will want a loan; the northern neutral powers will want +loans, and even a loan will be wanted to support the credit of a +number of houses in the mercantile way, which are affected by the +violent and sudden revolution of the times, and by the piratical +depredations of the English. I hope, therefore, that Congress will not +venture to draw here, until they have certain information that they +may draw with safety. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, January 18th, 1781. + + Sir, + +At length one act has appeared, which looks like war. The following +placard was resolved on the 12th of this month. + +"The States-General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries to +all those who shall see, hear, or read these presents. Greeting. Know +ye, that the King of Great Britain having thought proper, without any +lawful cause, to attack in a hostile manner this Republic, and as we +are obliged to neglect nothing, which can serve for our defence, and +to use at the same time the right, the example of which the conduct of +the said Crown has commenced by setting us, and to act against it, in +the same manner as they act against us, and consequently to do to the +said King, and to his subjects, all the prejudice, which shall be in +our power; for these causes, and for the protection of the commerce +and of the navigation of this country, we have thought fit to +establish, and to permit to all the subjects of these States, who +shall take or destroy any English vessels of war, or privateers, the +following rewards. + +I. "All those who shall fit out a privateer, and shall have obtained +of his Highness the Prince of Orange and Nassau, in quality of +Admiral-General of these countries, suitable commissions, after having +given beforehand the requisite securities, shall not be held to +furnish the third man of their crew, as it is ordained by the placard +of their High Mightinesses, of the 26th of June, 1780, excepting those +who will load with merchandises, and take at the same time the said +letters of marque. Those, who shall have taken and conducted into one +of the ports, or roads, within the jurisdiction of one of the Colleges +of Admiralty of this country, a vessel of war or privateer of the King +of Great Britain, shall draw, moreover, a bounty of one hundred and +fifty florins for each man, who shall be found at the commencement of +the combat on board of the said vessel of war, or privateer, as also a +like sum for each pound of ball which the artillery, which shall be +found on board the said vessel at the time aforesaid, can discharge +at one time, not including the swivels, or the balls of the new +artillery, called carronades, valued only at one quarter of their +weight; in such sort, that if one of our privateers shall make herself +master of an English vessel of war, or privateer mounted, for example, +with forty pieces of cannon, carrying altogether three hundred and +fifty pound weight of ball, that is to say, forty carronades, and +fourteen hundred balls of eight pound, and the crew of which shall be +two hundred and twenty men, shall receive for bounty or reward, by +calculating each man and each pound of ball upon the footing of one +hundred and fifty florins, the sum of eightyfive thousand eight +hundred florins, and thus more or less in proportion to the crew; and +the caliber of the cannon, which shall be found at the time of the +combat, upon the English ship, besides the booty and the prize, and +all the effects which shall be found on board, without any other +deduction to be made from it, than the tenth for the Admiral. + +II. "The said recompenses assigned for prizes shall also take place in +case the English vessel of war, or privateer, shall be totally +destroyed, whether our armed vessel shall have sunk her, or burnt her, +or shipwrecked her, or whether the said vessel shall have perished in +any other manner, after having been taken; provided, nevertheless, +that this recompense is not to be claimed in the whole, at least if +the crew of the vessel destroyed has not been taken or killed. And if +it should happen, that they have only driven the enemy's vessel on +shore, so that the vessel has perished, but the crew has saved itself, +our letters of marque shall not enjoy, in this case, but one half of +the bounty or reward promised; so that in the case last mentioned they +shall receive only fortytwo thousand nine hundred florins, instead of +eightyfive thousand eight hundred. + +III. "Provided, nevertheless, that neither the prize nor the bounty +shall ever be adjudged to any of our letters of marque, until after +the affair shall have been carried before one of the Colleges of the +Admiralty of this country, and the sentence shall have been there +pronounced in her favor. + +IV. "The said Colleges of the Admiralty may not adjudge these rewards, +until after the Captain, Lieutenant, and Pilot of the privateer, as +well as those who shall have freighted her, their book-keepers, and +others authorised, shall have declared by a solemn oath, that the +vessel of war, or privateer, of which they have made themselves +masters, has been duly taken without any collusion directly or +indirectly with the English, or with any other known to them. In case +the freighters, who claim the adjudication of prizes and bounties, are +out of the country, absent, or hindered by some other obstacle, it +shall suffice, that the book-keepers, or some other authorised, take +the oath, but so far as it is of his knowledge for himself, and for +his freighters, conformably to the special procuration, which he shall +have for this effect; the freighters nevertheless shall be obliged to +take an oath beforehand before the magistrate of their residence, or +before other persons competent, whose testimonies they shall send. + +V. "And for the better encouragement of the said ships, which shall +have armed as privateers, we ordain, that those who shall have been +wounded in a combat with the English ship, shall be maintained at the +expense of the State, without its costing anything to the proprietors +of the privateers, or those who shall be on board. We ordain also, +that those who shall be maimed in fighting an English ship, shall be +gratified on the part of the State, and without its costing anything +to the freighters, with the moiety of the recompense granted by the +Republic to those who serve on board vessels of war; they shall not, +however, have a right but to those rewards which are given once, and +not to those which shall be granted weekly, or monthly, or otherwise. +As to what respects the maintenance of the wounded, the account of it +shall be presented to the competent College of the Admiralty, to be +there examined and duly regulated, so that the maimed, to the end that +they may enjoy the moiety of the recompense proposed, may procure +themselves an act of the said College of the Admiralty, after having +furnished it the necessary proofs. + +VI. "For the encouragement of the ships of war, as well as the +merchant vessels, which may be provided with commissions to make use +of, in case of need, to cause to the English ships all the prejudice +possible, we intend that the English ship of which they may make +themselves masters, of what nature or denomination soever it may be, +shall be given them entire, the tenth for the Admiral excepted, +without pretending, however, to any further recompense. + +VII. "If it should happen, that our privateers, merchant vessels, or +others armed for a cruise at the expense of individuals of this +country, should retake any vessels or effects belonging to the +subjects of the State, and that such recapture shall be made in the +space of fortyeight hours after they shall have been in the hands of +the enemy, they shall enjoy in that case one fifth of the just value +of the vessels or effects, which they shall have delivered; but if the +recapture shall be made in the space of four days after the vessel +shall have been in the hands of the English, they shall have one +third of the said value; and if the recapture shall be made after four +days, they shall have the moiety of it, without having any further +regard to the greater or lesser time, that the said vessels or effects +retaken shall have been in the hands of the English, after the +expiration of the four days. + +VIII. "The adjudication of any one of the said recompenses, as well as +the acts of the respective Colleges of the Admiralty in favor of the +maimed or wounded, being shown to the Receiver-General of the duties +of entry and clearance, to receive the appointed recompense, the +payment of it shall be promptly made by the said Receiver-General at +the Hague, or in the place of the College of Admiralty, in which the +sentence or the taxation shall have been pronounced, as it shall be +most convenient for the said Receiver-General. + +IX. "Which Receiver-General shall be provided with sufficient sums of +money to satisfy the said payments, and he shall always take care, +that after having paid some bounties, he has always wherewith to +satisfy promptly those which may be demanded of him in the sequel, +either by the second moiety of the duties of Last and Vielgeld, or by +negotiating successively the sums which he shall have occasion for, +for a supply. + +X. "In all cases, the privateer, who shall have taken or destroyed any +English vessel, ought to take care to give without delay, and as soon +as he arrives, notice to the said Receiver-General of the value of the +bounties, which he has a right to claim, to the end that the said +Receiver-General may be in a condition to make prompt payment. + +XI. "And in all the respective Colleges of Admiralty, where the case +shall be brought, they shall take care to render prompt sentences, +even by postponing to other times the other affairs which may be +before them. + +XII. "And in case an appeal or revision should be demanded, and by +this means the sentences of the said Colleges shall be annulled, we +have desired that in this case, the recompenses assigned by the +sentences of the Admiralty should be delivered to the said privateers, +so that the demand of revision may not suspend or hinder the payment; +we mean at the same time, that the sureties, which the ships going to +cruise ought to furnish, shall be obliged in that case to augment the +surety, and to promise a prompt restitution of what shall have been +paid to the said privateers in consequence of sentences of the +Admiralty, in case that these sentences shall be reversed in the +revision, and the privateers denied their demand. And to be the more +sure that the sums delivered in such cases be restored, we have +declared, and do declare by these presents, that the vessels and all +which belongs to them, with which the said prizes shall have been +made, shall be held judicially to make restitution of the bounties +received; and that the said juridical obligation shall commence from +the day that the said privateers shall have received their +commissions, and shall go upon a cruise. + +XIII. "And this placard shall have its effects from the day of this +publication; and that nobody may pretend ignorance, we request and +demand the Lords, the States, the Stadtholder, the Counsellors, +Committees, and the Deputies of the States of the respective Provinces +of Guelderland, and the Earldom of Zutphen, of Holland, and West +Friesland, of Zealand, of Utrecht, of Friesland, of Overyssel, and of +Groningen and Ommelanden, and all other members and officers of +justice, that they announce, publish, and post up this ordinance +immediately, in all the places of this country, where it is customary +to make such annunciations, publications, and postings; we charge and +enjoin moreover, the Counsellors of the Admiralty, the Advocates of +the Treasury, Secretaries-General of Convoys, and Licensers, +Receivers, Masters of Convoys, Controllers, and Searchers, and at the +same time the Receiver-General of the augmentation of the duty of Last +and Vielgeld, and to all others to whom it belongs, to govern +themselves exactly according to the tenor of these presents." + +Their High Mightinesses have also published the following. + +"The States-General of the United Provinces to all those who shall +see, hear, or read these presents. Greeting. We make known, that to +the end to encourage the loyal inhabitants of this State, we have +thought proper by the present publication, to notify to all and every +one, and to assure them that all those who, employed in the service of +the Republic, in the war at sea, may be maimed in such a manner as to +become incapable of gaining their livelihood by labor, and shall +desire to be assisted by a sum of money, payable once for all, shall +receive in proportion to the importance of their wounds, that which +follows. + +1. "For the loss of two eyes, fifteen hundred florins; for the loss of +one eye, three hundred and fifty florins; as to other accidents, which +may happen under the case mentioned, gratifications shall be given +according to the good pleasure of the respective Colleges of the +Admiralty. + +2. "For the loss of two arms, fifteen hundred florins; for the loss of +the right arm, four hundred and fifty florins; for that of the left +arm, three hundred and fifty florins; and for other accidents and +wounds in these members, at the discretion of the Colleges of the +Admiralty, upon which each one depends. + +3. "For the loss of two hands, twelve hundred florins; for the loss of +the right hand, three hundred and fifty florins; for that of the left +hand, three hundred and fifty florins; as to lesser accidents, +valuable at sums less considerable, at the discretion aforementioned. + +4. "For the loss of two legs, seven hundred florins; for the loss of +one leg, three hundred and fifty florins; for accidents less serious, +the gratification shall be fixed by the Colleges of the Admiralty. + +5. "For the loss of two feet, four hundred and fifty florins; for that +of one foot, two hundred florins; and for smaller wounds, at the +discretion of the respective Colleges. + +6. "Moreover, all those who in the service of the Republic shall be +maimed to such a degree as to be no longer able to gain a living by +labor, nor to provide in any manner for their subsistence, shall +receive during their lives, one ducatoon a week; and all other wounds +or mutilations less considerable shall be paid in proportion." + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, February 1st, 1781. + + Sir, + +One of the most brilliant events, which has yet been produced by the +American Revolution, is the following Treaty of Marine, concluded at +Copenhagen, the 28th of June, 1780, old style, between her Majesty, +the Empress of Russia, and his Majesty, the King of Denmark and of +Norway, for the maintenance of neutral mercantile navigation, and in +which his Majesty, the King of Sweden, as well as their High +Mightinesses, the States-General of the United Provinces, have taken +part and acceded, and which has been signed respectively, at St +Petersburg, the 21st of July, 1780, and the 5th of January, 1781. + + +TREATY OF MARINE BETWEEN RUSSIA AND DENMARK. + +"As by the war by sea, which has actually broken out between Great +Britain, on one side, and France and Spain on the other, the commerce +and the navigation of neutral powers suffer considerable damages, her +Majesty, the Empress of Russia, and his Majesty, the King of Denmark +and of Norway, in consequence of their assiduous attention to unite +their proper dignities, and their cares for the safety and the well +being of their subjects, from the regard which they have so often +testified for the rights of nations in general, have found it +necessary, in the present circumstances, to determine their conduct +according to those sentiments. + +"Her Majesty, the Empress of Russia has, by her declaration, dated the +28th of February, 1780, to the belligerent powers, exposed to light, +in the face of all Europe, the fundamental principles, which spring +from the original law of nations, which she claims, and which she +adopts as a rule of her conduct in the present war. As this attention +of the Empress, to watch over the reciprocal rights of nations, has +united the suffrages of all the neutral powers, so she has engaged +herself in it, as an affair, which concerns the most essential of her +interests, and she has carried it to that length, that we may +seriously consider it as a subject worthy of the times present and to +come, considering that it is to bring into one system, and establish +permanently, the rights, prerogatives, and engagements of neutrality. + +"His Majesty, the King of Denmark and of Norway, convinced of these +principles, has likewise established and demanded them in the +declaration of the 8th of July, 1780, which he has caused to be +presented, as well as that of Russia, to the belligerent powers; and +to give them support, he has caused to be equipped a part of his +fleet. From hence has arisen the harmony and unanimity, with which her +Majesty, the Empress of Russia, and his Majesty, the King of Denmark +and of Norway, have judged necessary, by a reciprocal friendship and +confidence, and conformably to the interests of their subjects, to +confirm these common engagements, to be concluded by a formal +convention. In this view, their said Imperial and Royal Majesties have +chosen and named for their Plenipotentiaries, viz. her Majesty, the +Empress of Russia, M. Charles Van Osten, named Saken, present +Counsellor of State, Knight of the Order of St Anne, Minister +Plenipotentiary of her said Majesty to the Court of Denmark, &c. &c.; +and his Majesty, the King of Denmark and of Norway, M. Otton, Count de +Thott, Privy Counsellor, Knight of the Order of the Elephant, &c.; M. +Joachim Otton de Schack-Reventlaw, Privy Counsellor, Knight of the +Order of the Elephant, &c.; M. Jean Henri d'Eichstedt, Privy +Counsellor, Governor of his Royal Highness, the Hereditary Prince, +Knight of the Order of the Elephant, &c.; and M. André Pierre, Count +de Bernstorff, Privy Counsellor, Secretary of State of the Department +of Foreign Affairs, Director of the Royal German Chancery, and Knight +of the Order of the Elephant, &c.; who, after having exchanged their +full powers, which are found in good and due form, have agreed and +resolved upon the Articles following. + +"ARTICLE I. That their said Majesties have sincerely resolved to +maintain constantly the most perfect friendship and concord with the +powers actually engaged in the war, and to observe the most scrupulous +neutrality; that they declare, in consequence, to hold themselves +exactly to this, that the prohibition to carry on commerce of +contraband with the powers actually at war, or with those, who may in +the sequel be engaged in it, shall be strictly observed by their +subjects. + +"ART. II. To avoid all error and misunderstanding concerning the +subject of the name of contraband, her Majesty, the Empress of Russia, +and his Majesty, the King of Denmark and Norway declare, that they +acknowledge only as effects of contraband, those which are +comprehended in the treaties subsisting between the said Courts, and +one or the other of the belligerent powers. + +"Her Majesty, the Empress of Russia, conforms herself entirely to the +tenth and eleventh articles of her treaty of commerce with Great +Britain, and extends also the engagements of this treaty, which are +entirely founded upon natural law, to the Crowns of France and Spain, +which at the date of the present convention, have no treaty of +commerce with her empire. His Majesty, the King of Denmark and Norway +conforms himself, on his part, principally to the second article of +his treaty of commerce with Great Britain, and to the twentysixth and +twentyseventh articles of his treaty of commerce with France, and +extends also the engagements of this latter to Spain, considering +that he has not with this last Crown any treaty, which determines any +conditions upon this subject. + +"ART. III. As by this means the contraband is determined and fixed, +conformably to special treaties and conventions subsisting between the +high contracting parties and the belligerent powers, and principally +in the treaty between Russia and Great Britain, of the 20th of June, +1766, as well as by that between Denmark and Great Britain, dated the +11th of July, 1670, and by that concluded between Denmark and France, +the 23d of August, 1742, the will and intention of her Russian +Imperial Majesty, and his Majesty the King of Denmark and Norway are, +that all other commerce shall be, and remain free. + +"Already their Majesties, in their declarations presented to the +belligerent powers, have grounded themselves upon the general +principles of the law of nature, from whence are derived the liberty +of commerce and of navigation, the rights of neutral nations, and have +resolved to depend no longer upon the arbitrary interpretations, that +partial advantages and momentary interests may dictate. In this view, +they have agreed upon the following articles. + +"1. That it shall be lawful for every vessel to navigate from one port +to another, and upon the coasts of the belligerent powers. + +"2. That the effects belonging to the subjects of the belligerent +powers shall be free upon neutral vessels, except merchandises of +contraband. + +"3. That to determine what ought to be held a port blocked, that alone +can be considered as such, in which the vessels, which would enter, +shall be exposed to an evident danger, by the force, which with this +view attacks it, and by its vessels, which shall have taken a station +sufficiently near. + +"4. That neutral vessels may only be stopped for just causes, and upon +evident proofs; that, without loss of time, right shall be done them, +and the procedures shall be always uniform, prompt, and according to +the laws; and that every time, besides reparation to those who shall +have suffered without cause, there shall be also given a complete +satisfaction for the insult committed against the flags of their +Majesties. + +"ART. IV. To the end to protect the general commerce of their +subjects, supported by the fundamental rules above laid down, her +Majesty, the Empress of all the Russias, and his Majesty, the King of +Denmark and Norway, have thought fit, each one in particular, in order +to obtain these ends, to equip a proportional number of vessels of war +and frigates. The squadron of each one of these respective powers +shall be stationed in a certain latitude, and shall be employed in +convoys, according to the exigence of the case, in which the commerce +and the navigation of each nation may be. + +"ART. V. If the merchant ships of one of the contracting powers shall +be in a part of the sea where the ships of war of their own nation are +not stationed, and, for this reason, cannot enjoy their protection; in +that case, the commander of the vessels of war of the other power, +being thereto required, shall grant them, with good faith and +sincerity, the necessary assistance; and in this case, the vessels of +war and frigates of one of the two powers, shall protect and support +the merchant vessels of the other; provided, nevertheless, that, under +the shelter of the protection demanded, there be not exercised any +prohibited commerce, contrary to the laws adopted by the neutrality. + +"ART. VI. The present convention cannot be retroactive, and, by +consequence, we cannot take part in differences, which have arisen +before its conclusion; at least, if these affairs do not concern the +violences which continue still, and which tend to oppress all the +neutral nations of Europe. + +"ART. VII. If, in spite of the vigilant and friendly care of the two +powers, and the exact observation of the neutrality on their part, the +Russian or Danish merchant vessels are insulted, or taken by the +vessels of war, or privateers, of one or the other of the belligerent +powers, in that case, the Minister of the party offended shall make +representations to the Court, whose vessels of war or privateers shall +have been guilty of this act, shall demand the restoration of the +vessel taken, and shall insist upon a suitable reparation, without +ever losing sight of the satisfaction for the insult done to the flag. +The Minister of the other contracting party shall second efficaciously +and seriously these representations, and shall thus continue them +conjointly and unanimously; but if they refuse, or put off from time +to time to do right, touching such grievances, in this case, their +Majesties shall make reprisals against the power which refuses to do +them right, and shall unite themselves forthwith, in the most +efficacious measures for this just reprisal. + +"ART. VIII. If one or the other of the contracting powers, or both +together, in virtue of this convention, or any other which may be +made, which may have relation to it, are disturbed, molested, or +attacked, it is agreed that the two powers shall act in concert, to +defend themselves reciprocally, and to procure themselves, by united +efforts, an entire and satisfactory reparation, both for the insult +done to the flag, and for the loss caused to their subjects. + +"ART. IX. This Convention is resolved and fixed for all the time that +the present war shall continue, and shall serve as the basis of all +the engagements which may be contracted in the sequel, according to +the circumstances of the times, and upon occasion of new wars at sea, +which may unfortunately trouble the repose of Europe; besides, these +conditions shall be regarded as subsisting, and shall have a legal +validity in the affairs both of commerce and navigation, and in the +determination of the rights of neutral nations. + +"ART. X. As the end and the principal motive of this Convention is, to +assure the general liberty of commerce and of navigation, her Majesty, +the Empress of Russia, and his Majesty, the King of Denmark and of +Norway, agree and engage beforehand, to permit that other neutral +powers accede to this convention, and by taking cognizance of these +principles, to partake also of the obligations and advantages of the +said convention. + +"ART. XI. To the end that the belligerent powers may not pretend a +cause of ignorance of these said engagements between the said Courts, +the high contracting parties will communicate in a manner the most +friendly to all the belligerent powers these maxims, in which they +have united, which measures are so much the less hostile, as they are +not hurtful to any other power; but have solely for their object the +safety of the commerce and of the navigation of their respective +subjects. + +"ART. XII. The present Convention shall be ratified by the two +contracting parties, and the ratifications shall be exchanged in good +form in the term of six weeks, to be computed from the signatures, or +even sooner; if it may be. In faith of which we have, in virtue of our +full powers, signed the present, and, sealed it with our seals. Done +at Copenhagen, the nineteenth of July, 1780. + + CHARLES VAN OSTEN, named SAKEN, + O. THOTT, + I. SCHACK REVENTLAW, + A. P. COMTE DE BERNSTORFF, + H. EICHSTEDT." + +The ratifications of this Convention were exchanged at Copenhagen the +16th of September, 1780, by the same Ministers Plenipotentiary who +signed it, and as to this end, the Ministers Plenipotentiary named to +this purpose, viz. on the part of her Imperial Majesty, the Count +Nikia Panin, actually Privy Counsellor, Senator, Chamberlain in +Exercise, and Knight of the Orders of St Andrew, St Alexander Newsky, +and St Anne, and the Count John Osterman, Vice Chancellor, Privy +Counsellor, and Knight of the Orders of St Alexander Newsky and St +Anne; and on the part of his Majesty the King of Sweden, the Baron +Frederick Van Nalken, Envoy Extraordinary of his Swedish Majesty at +the Court of her Imperial Majesty, Chamberlain, Commandant of the +Order of the Polar Star, Knight of the Orders of the Sword and of St +John, have signed, the 21st of July, 1780, at St Petersburg, a similar +Convention, conceived in the same form, and word for word, of the same +tenor with that signed at Copenhagen, except the second article, in +which the stipulations of contraband being resolved and ratified, to +which they are to adhere, in consequence of treaties subsisting +between the Crown of Sweden and the other powers, we have to this +purpose, to avoid the repetition of what has been already said, added +here, literally, the said second article. + +We ought further to recollect, that the two Kings, who have joined in +this affair to her Imperial Majesty, have acceded as principal +contracting parties to the treaties concluded between her Imperial +Majesty and the said Courts, and have signed with their own hands upon +this subject on one part and the other, an act, which has been +exchanged at St Petersburg by the Ministry of her Imperial Russian +Majesty. + +Here follows the second article of the treaty concluded and signed at +Petersburg, the 21st of July, 1780, between her Imperial Majesty and +his Majesty the King of Sweden. + +"ART II. To avoid all error and misunderstanding on the subject of the +name of contraband, her Imperial Majesty of Russia and his Majesty the +King of Sweden declare, that they acknowledge only as effects of +contraband those which are contained in the treaties subsisting +between the said courts and one or other of the belligerent powers." + +Her Majesty the Empress of Russia conforms herself in this entirely to +the tenth and eleventh articles of her Treaty of Commerce with Great +Britain, and extends also the engagements of this treaty, which are +entirely founded upon the law of nature, to the Crowns of France and +Spain, which at the date of the present Convention have no Treaty of +Commerce with her empire. His Majesty the King of Sweden refers +himself principally on his part to the eleventh article of his Treaty +of Commerce with Great Britain, and to the tenor of the preliminary +Treaty of Commerce concluded in the year 1741, between the Crowns of +Sweden and France, although, in this last, the contents of contraband +are not expressly determined, but as the two Powers have therein +understood to consider one another as _Gens amicissima_, and that as +Sweden has therein reserved the same advantages, which the Hanseatic +cities enjoy in France, from the most remote times to the present. The +advantages, which are comprehended in the Treaty of Utrecht, being +confirmed, the King has not found anything necessary to be added. With +regard to Spain, the King finds himself in the same case as the +Empress, and after her example he extends to this Crown the +engagements of the said treaties, wholly founded on natural law. + +Their High Mightinesses, the States-General of the United Provinces of +the Low Countries, have acceded the 20th of November, 1780, upon the +same footing to the said Convention, and it has been signed the 5th of +January, 1781, at St Petersburg, only with the addition of a +thirteenth article, which with relation to command, in case of +rencounter or combination of the squadrons and the vessels of war of +the two parties, there shall be observed what has been the usage +between crowned heads and the Republic. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Amsterdam, February 15th, 1781. + + Sir, + +This morning the house of Botereau & Co. of this city, presented to me +sixtysix bills of exchange, drawn by Congress on the 26th day of +October last, in favor of Nathaniel Tracy, of Newburyport, amounting +to the sum of ten thousand pounds sterling, payable at ninety days +sight. I was obliged to ask the favor of the house to wait until I +could write to your Excellency, to see if you can furnish the funds to +discharge the bills. Without your warranty they must be protested, for +I have not yet obtained a single ducat, nor any certain assurances of +one. + +I have at length fixed my plan, and when it shall be made certain that +the war with England is to continue, the prospectus will be published +and the experiment tried. Some persons think I shall get some money; +but there is no certainly of it. If this people should make peace with +England, which they will if they can, we shall get no money at all. I +think, however, that a peace is impossible, and therefore am not +without hopes of borrowing some money. I must request the honor of +your Excellency's answer by the return of post, because at that time +M. Botereau will expect an answer from me. + + With great respect, I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Amsterdam, February 20th, 1781. + + Sir, + +Yesterday I had the honor of yours of the 12th, and will take an early +opportunity to send you all the lights I can obtain, by inferences +from the numbers of the bills. Those already presented, I shall +accept, according to your advice. + +The Duc de la Vauguyon is returned. I had the honor to make my +compliments to him on Saturday at the Hague, where I attended Dr +McLane's Church on Sunday, and the Prince's review upon the parade +afterwards, and where I propose in future to spend more of my time. + +You need not be anxious about the result of my demand of an answer. It +was a measure, to which I was advised by the Duc de la Vauguyon, and +by the Count de Vergennes, and by several worthy gentlemen in the +government here. It was intended to bring necessarily into +deliberation a connexion with France and America, on one side, at the +same time when they considered the mediation of Russia, on the other, +in order to prevent their accepting the mediation without limitations. + +The great city has lately faultered very much in point of firmness. I +cannot but wish, that the proposition for an accession to the alliance +between France and America, could have been made last week, the +critical moment when it would have infallibly, I think, prevented the +acceptation. But France did not think it politic to do anything +against the views of Russia. But nothing but delay will come of this +mediation. The United States, however, stand here in a more +respectable light than in Spain. Here they are openly and candidly +demanding an answer. If they receive one in the negative, it will be +no more than the Republic has a right to give, and we shall lose +nothing, but remain exactly where we were. If they give no answer for +a year to come, the dignity of the United States is safe; that of the +United Provinces will be hurt by the delay, if any. In Spain, the +United States have been waiting in the person of one of their +presidents, now going on three years, and have no answer. Now, I say, +it is better to be open. Here the constitution demanded publicity. In +Spain it forbid it. But the dignity of the United States is injured +more than it would have been, if the demand to that Court could have +been made public. For my own part, I own, as a private citizen, or as +a public man, I would not advise the United States to wait for ever, +either in Spain or Holland. If it does not suit their affairs to make +a bargain with us, let them tell us so candidly, and let us all go +home, that at least we may not be under the necessity of calling upon +your Excellency for water to drink, which had much better quench the +thirst of our army. + +I should be very much obliged to you for a copy of the replication of +the two Imperial Courts, and of the new proposition of the Court of +London, of which I have only had a confused intimation. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYON. + + Amsterdam, March 1st, 1781. + + Sir, + +As Friesland has taken the Provincial Resolution to acknowledge the +independence of America, it seems to be high time for me to prepare +for the execution of my instructions from Congress of the 16th of +August, which I had the honor to communicate to you on the 25th of +November, and which had been previously communicated to the Minister +of Foreign Affairs at Versailles. + +From these instructions it appears, that His Most Christian Majesty +had made, by his Minister, to Congress, a tender of his endeavors to +accomplish a coalition between the United Provinces of the Netherlands +and the United States, and that this tender was accepted by Congress +as a fresh proof of his Majesty's solicitude for their interests. + +By another Resolution, I am 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. + +The system of operations was thus settled at Philadelphia between the +King, by his Minister, and the Congress, and for obvious and wise +reasons, the Minister of Congress at the Hague was to make the +proposition to their High Mightinesses, and the Ambassador of his +Majesty was to countenance and support it either publicly or +privately, as he should judge proper, until the States-General should +listen to it, so far as to enter into the negotiation. + +In pursuance of these propositions, it seems to be necessary for me to +go to the President of their High Mightinesses, and without offering +him anything in writing, to make him the proposition, in the words of +the enclosed project, or others equivalent. + +Friesland has taken so decided a part, and the other Provinces, +especially Holland, are animated with such a spirit, that I cannot but +flatter myself such a proposition would now run with rapidity through +the seven Provinces, and contribute very much to accelerate the period +of this bloody and ruinous war. + +I have the honor to request your Excellency's sentiments upon the +subject, and to be, with the most sincere and inviolable attachment, +your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant, + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +A MEMORIAL TO THE STATES-GENERAL. + +To their High Mightinesses, the States-General of the United Provinces +of the Low Countries. + + High and Mighty Lords, + +The subscriber, a Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of +America, has the honor to lay before your High Mightinesses, as one of +the high contracting parties to the Marine Treaty, lately concluded, +relative to the rights of neutral vessels, a resolution of Congress of +the 5th of October last, concerning the same subject. + +As the American revolution furnished the occasion of a reformation in +the maritime law of nations, of so much importance to a free +communication among mankind by sea, the subscriber hopes it may not be +thought improper that the United States should become parties to it, +entitled to its benefits and subjected to its duties. To this end, the +subscriber has the honor of requesting that the resolution of Congress +may be taken into the consideration of your High Mightinesses, and +transmitted to the Courts of Russia, Sweden, and Denmark. + +The subscriber begs leave to subjoin, that he should esteem it one of +the most fortunate events of his life, if this proposition should meet +with the approbation of your High Mightinesses, and the other powers +who are parties to the neutral confederacy, and he be admitted, as the +instrument of pledging the faith of the United States to the +observance of regulations, which do so much honor to the present age. + + The Hague, March 8th, 1781. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRINCE DE GALLITZIN, MINISTER OF THE EMPRESS OF RUSSIA. + + Leyden, March 8th, 1781. + + Sir, + +I have lately received from Congress, as one of their Ministers +Plenipotentiary, their resolution of the 5th of October last, relative +to the rights of neutral vessels, a copy of which I do myself the +honor to enclose to your Excellency, as the Representative of one of +the high contracting parties to the Marine Treaty, lately concluded +concerning this subject. As I am fixed by my duty for the present to +this part of Europe, I have no other way of communicating this measure +of Congress to the Northern Courts, but by the favor of their +Ministers in this Republic. I must, therefore, request of your +Excellency, if there is no impropriety in it, to transmit the +resolution to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of her Imperial Majesty. + +Your Excellency will permit me to add, that I should esteem myself +very fortunate to be the instrument of pledging, in form, the faith of +the United States of America to a reformation in the maritime law of +nations, which does so much honor to the present age. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + +Transcripts of the above letter were sent on the same day to the Baron +de Sapherin, Envoy of the King of Denmark at the Hague; and to the +Baron d'Ehrenswerd, Envoy of the King of Sweden at the same place. + + * * * * * + +TO M. VAN BERCKEL, FIRST COUNSELLOR PENSIONARY OF THE CITY OF +AMSTERDAM. + + Leyden, March 8th, 1781. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to enclose a Resolution of Congress of the fifth of +October last, and to inform you, that I have this day communicated it +to their High Mightinesses, the States-General, and to the Ministers +of Russia, Sweden, and Denmark, at the Hague. + + With the greatest respect I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYON, AMBASSADOR OF FRANCE AT THE HAGUE. + + Leyden, March 8th, 1781. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to enclose a copy of a Resolution of Congress of the +5th of October last, and to inform your Excellency, that I have this +day communicated it to their High Mightinesses, the States-General of +the United Provinces, and to the Ministers of the Courts of Russia, +Sweden, and Denmark, at the Hague. + +Your Excellency will permit me to hope for your concurrence in support +of this measure, as there may be occasion, and to assure you of the +great respect and consideration with which I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +FROM THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYON TO JOHN ADAMS. + +Translation. + + Hague, March 14th, 1781. + + Sir, + +I have received the letter, which you did me the honor to write to me, +as also the copy of the resolution of Congress of the United States of +North America, thereto annexed. You announce to me, that you have made +an official communication thereof to the President of the Assembly of +the States-General, as also to the Envoys of the Courts of Petersburg, +Stockholm, and Copenhagen, and you request me to support this step +with my good offices. I am persuaded, Sir, that you clearly perceive +the impossibility of my seconding this measure, without the express +order of the King, whatever may be my personal zeal for the true +interests of North America. + +Receive, Sir, the very sincere assurance of the sentiments of the most +distinguished respect with which I have the honor to be, &c. + + THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYON. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Leyden, March 18th, 1781. + + Sir, + +At length, notwithstanding the mediation of the Empress of Russia, the +States-General have published the following Manifesto. It is entitled, +the Counter Manifesto of the States-General of the United Provinces of +the Low Countries. + + +COUNTER MANIFESTO. + +"If ever the annals of the world have furnished an example of a free +and independent State, hostilely attacked in the manner the most +unjust, and without the least appearance of justice or equity, by a +neighboring power, long in alliance, and strictly connected by ties +founded upon common interests, it is, without contradiction, the +Republic of the United Provinces of the Low Countries, which finds +itself in this case, in relation to his Majesty, the King of Great +Britain, and his Ministry. + +"From the commencement of the troubles arisen between that Kingdom and +its Colonies in America, their High Mightinesses, by no means obliged +to take the smallest part in them, had formed the firm and invariable +design to adopt and to follow in relation to these troubles, the +system of the most perfect and the most exact neutrality; and when the +same troubles had afterwards enkindled a war, which extended itself to +more than one power, and spread itself to more than one part of the +world, their High Mightinesses have constantly observed and maintained +the same system, while at the same time they have not neglected to +give, on more than one occasion, and relative to the most essential +objects, the most convincing proofs of their sincere disposition to +satisfy the desires of his Majesty, as far as they could advance, +without wounding the rules of impartiality, and without compromising +the rights of their sovereignty. It was in these views and to this +end, that their High Mightinesses at first, and at the first +requisition of his Britannic Majesty, published prohibitions the most +express against the exportation of military stores to the Colonies of +his Majesty in America, and against all fraudulent commerce with the +same Colonies; and to the end, that those prohibitions should be +executed the more effectually, their High Mightinesses did not +hesitate, moreover, to take measures which did not fail to restrain +and confine very greatly, the navigation and the commerce of their own +subjects with the Colonies of the State in the West Indies. + +"It was, moreover, in the same views, and to the same end, that their +High Mightinesses sent orders the most precise to all the Governors +and Commanders of their Colonies and of their establishments, as well +as to all the officers, commanders of their vessels of wars, to take +special care to do nothing towards the flag of the American Congress, +from whence they might lawfully infer or deduce an acknowledgment of +the independence of the said Colonies. And it was above all in these +views and to this end, that their High Mightinesses having received a +memorial, which was presented to them by the Ambassador of England, +containing complaints the most spirited against the Governor of St +Eustatia, condescended to deliberate concerning this memorial, +although conceived in terms little accommodated to those respects, +which sovereign powers reciprocally owe to each other. + +"This deliberation was soon followed by the recall of the said +Governor, whom their High Mightinesses ordered to render an account of +his conduct, and whom they did not permit to return to his residence +until after he had exculpated himself of all the accusations brought +against him by a justification of himself in detail, a copy of which +was transmitted without delay to the Ministry of his Britannic +Majesty. It was by means of these measures, that their High +Mightinesses, having always had it at heart to avoid giving the +smallest cause of dissatisfaction to his Britannic Majesty, have +constantly endeavored to entertain and to cultivate his friendship and +good understanding. But the conduct of his Britannic Majesty towards +the Republic has been diametrically opposite. + +"The troubles between the Courts of London and Versailles had scarcely +broken out, when we saw the ports of England filled with Dutch ships +unjustly taken and detained. These vessels navigated under the faith +of treaties, and were not loaded with other merchandises than with +those which the express tenor of treaties declared free and lawful. We +saw those free cargoes forced to submit to the law of an arbitrary and +despotic authority. The Cabinet of St James knowing no other rules +than a pretended right of temporary conveniency, thought proper to +appropriate those cargoes to the Crown by a forced purchase, and to +employ them to the profit of the royal navy. The representations the +most energetic, and the most serious on the part of their High +Mightinesses against such proceedings were to no purpose, and it was +in vain that we demanded in the strongest manner the treaty of +commerce, which subsisted between England and the Republic; by this +treaty the rights and liberties of the neutral flag were clearly +defined and stated. The subjects of Great Britain have enjoyed the +full advantage of this treaty in the first and the only case, in which +it pleased the Court of London to remain neuter, while the Republic +was at war; at present in the reciprocal case, this Court cannot +without the greatest injustice refuse the enjoyment of the same +advantages to the Republic; and as little as his Britannic Majesty had +a right to take away the advantageous effects of this treaty from +their High Mightinesses, as little foundation had he to pretend to +turn them from a neutrality, which they had embraced, and to force +them to plunge themselves into a war, the causes of which had an +immediate relation to rights and to possessions of his Britannic +Majesty, originating without the limits of defensive treaties. + +"And, nevertheless, it was this treaty, which his Majesty, from the +commencement of the troubles with the Crown of France, made no scruple +to infringe and violate. The contraventions and infractions of this +treaty on the part of Great Britain, and the arbitrary decisions of +the courts of justice of that kingdom, directly contrary to the +express sanction of this same treaty, multiplied from day to day; the +merchant vessels of the Republic became the innocent victims of +exactions and accumulated violences of the English men-of-war and +privateers. Not content with this, even the flag of the State was not +spared, but openly insulted and outraged by the hostile attack of the +convoy under the command of the Rear Admiral, the Count de Byland. The +strongest representations on the part of the State to his Britannic +Majesty were useless. The vessels taken from this convoy were declared +lawful prizes; and this insult committed to the flag of the Republic +was soon followed by the open violation of its neutral territory, both +in Europe and in America. We shall content ourselves to cite two +examples of it. At the Island of St Martins, the vessels of his +Britannic Majesty attacked and took by force several vessels, which +were in the Road, under the cannon of the fortress, where, according +to the inviolable law of nations, these vessels ought to have found a +safe asylum. The insolences committed by an English armed vessel upon +the coast of the Republic, near the Island of Goedereede, furnish a +second example of these violences; these insolences were pushed to +such a degree, that several inhabitants of the Island, who were upon +the shore, where they ought to have thought themselves sheltered from +all insult, were exposed by the fire of this vessel to the most +imminent danger, which they could not avoid but by retiring into the +interior part of the Island. Unheard of proceedings, for which the +Republic, notwithstanding the strongest and best founded +representations, has not been able to obtain the smallest +satisfaction. + +"While affairs were thus in a situation, which left to their High +Mightinesses no other alternative, but to see the navigation and the +commerce of their subjects, upon which depend the prosperity or the +ruin of the Republic, wholly annihilated, or to come to violent +measures against their ancient friend and ally, the magnanimous heart +of her Majesty, the Empress of Russia, engaged her to invite the +Republic with equal affection and humanity, to take measures the most +just, and entirely conformable to the treaties which subsist between +them and the other powers, to the end to defend and to maintain, +conjointly with her Imperial Majesty and the other powers of the +north, the privileges and the immunities, which the law of nations and +the most solemn treaties assure to the neutral flag. This invitation +could not but be infinitely agreeable to their High Mightinesses, +considering that it offered them a means of establishing the +protection of the commerce of their subjects upon the most solid +foundation, and opened a way to place their independence in safety +from all infraction, without derogating in the least from the +alliances contracted, both with his Britannic Majesty and with the +other belligerent powers. + +"But it is this same means, which the Court of London has endeavored +to take away from the Republic, by proceeding with precipitation to +extremities the most outrageous, by the recall of her Ambassador, by +the publication of a Manifesto containing pretended grievances, and by +granting letters of marque and of pretended reprisals against the +State, its subjects, and their goods; by which, this Court has but too +plainly discovered her designs long since formed, of laying aside the +essential interests which united the two nations, and of breaking the +ties of ancient friendship, by attacking this State by a war the most +unjust. + +"It will not be necessary to refute at length the reasons and +pretended griefs alleged in the Manifesto, to convince every impartial +man of their insolidity. It is sufficient to observe, in a few words, +relative to the offer made by his Britannic Majesty, to open friendly +conferences, that it was the abovementioned Treaty of Marine, which +alone could make the object of those conferences; that the +dispositions of this treaty, conceived in the most expressive terms, +could not be liable to any doubt nor equivocation, that this treaty +gives neutral powers the right of transporting freely in the ports of +the belligerent powers all sorts of naval stores; that the Republic +proposing to itself no other end, and desiring of his Britannic +Majesty no other thing, than the quiet and peaceable enjoyment of the +rights stipulated by this treaty, a point so evidently clear, and so +incontestably just could not become the object of a negotiation, or of +a new convention derogatory to this treaty, so that their High +Mightinesses could not persuade themselves nor show themselves +disposed to renounce, voluntarily, rights justly acquired, and to +desist from these rights from regard to the Court of England; a +renunciation, which, being advantageous to one of the belligerent +powers, would have been little compatible with the principles of the +neutrality, and by which their High Mightinesses would have exposed, +on the other hand, the safety of the State to dangers, which they were +obliged carefully to avoid; a renunciation, moreover, which would have +caused to commerce and navigation, the principal support of the +Republic, and source of her prosperity, an irreparable prejudice; +since the different branches of commerce, strictly connected with each +other, form a whole, whereof it is impossible to cut off so principal +a part, without necessarily causing the destruction and ruin of the +whole body; not to mention, that at the same time that their High +Mightinesses made, with reason, a difficulty to accept the proposed +conferences, they have not a little modified and tempered the actual +exercise of their right by a provisional resolution. + +"And as to what relates to the succors demanded, their High +Mightinesses cannot dissemble, that they have never been able to +conceive how his Britannic Majesty has thought, that he could insist, +with the least appearance of justice or of equity, upon the succors +stipulated by the treaties, at a time when he had already beforehand +withdrawn himself from the obligation, which those treaties imposed +upon him towards the Republic. Their High Mightinesses have not been +less surprised to see, that while the troubles in America, and their +direct consequences could not concern the Republic in virtue of any +treaty, and that the succor had not been demanded, until after the +Crown of Spain had augmented the number of belligerent powers, his +Britannic Majesty has, nevertheless, taken the occasion of this event +to insist upon his demand with so much earnestness, and such an ardor, +as if his Majesty thought himself to have a right to pretend and to +maintain, that a war, once enkindled between him and any other power, +was alone sufficient to oblige the State to grant forthwith, and +without any anterior examination, the succors stipulated. + +"The Republic, it is true, had obliged itself by the treaties to +assist Great Britain at all times, when this kingdom should find +itself attacked, or threatened with an unjust war; and what is more, +the Republic ought in this case, according to the same treaties, to +declare war against the aggressor; but their High Mightinesses never +pretended to abdicate the right, which flows necessarily from the +nature of every offensive alliance, and which cannot be contested to +allied powers, to examine in the first place, and before the granting +of succors, or taking part in the war, the principle of the +dissensions which have arisen, and the nature of the difference, which +has given occasion to it, as well as also to examine and weigh +thoroughly the reasons and the motives, which may establish the _casus +foederis_, and which ought to serve as a basis of the justice and the +lawfulness of the war, on the part of that one of the confederated +powers, who demands the succor. And there exists no treaty, by which +their High Mightinesses have renounced the independence of the State, +and sacrificed their interests to those of Great Britain, to such a +degree, as to deprive themselves of the right of examination, so +necessary and so indispensable, by engaging themselves to measures, by +which they may be considered as obliged in duty to submit to the good +pleasure of the Court of England, by granting the succors demanded, +even where this Court, engaged in a quarrel with another power, judges +proper to prefer the way of arms to that of a reasonable satisfaction +upon just complaints. + +"It was not then by a spirit of party, or by the device of a +predominant cabal, but after a mature deliberation, and in a sincere +desire to maintain the most precious interests of the Republic, that +the States of the respective Provinces have all unanimously testified, +that they were of opinion, that the succor demanded ought to be +refused in a manner the most polite; and their High Mightinesses would +not have failed to have transmitted to his Britannic Majesty +conformable to these resolutions, an answer to the repeated demands of +succors, if they had not been prevented by the violent and unheard of +attack of the flag of the State under the command of Rear Admiral +Byland, by the refusal to give satisfaction upon a point so grave, and +by the declaration not less strange than unjust, which his Majesty +thought fit to make relative to the suspension of the treaties, which +subsisted between him and the Republic. Also many events, which by +requiring deliberations of quite another nature, put an end to those, +which had taken place on the subject of the said requisition. + +"It is in vain, and contrary to all truth, that they have endeavored +to multiply the number of grievances, by alleging the suppression of +the duties of exportation as a measure tending to facilitate the +transportation of naval stores to France; for besides, that this +suppression forms an object, which regards the interior direction of +commerce, to which all the sovereigns have an incontestible right, and +whereof they are not obliged to give an account to any body, this +point has, it is true, been taken into consideration, but has never +been concluded; so that these rights are still received upon the +ancient footing; and that which is advanced in this regard in the +manifesto, is found destitute of all foundation, although we cannot +refrain from saying, that the conduct of his Britannic Majesty +towards the Republic, furnished but too many motives to justify a +similar measure on the part of their High Mightinesses. + +"The discontent of his Britannic Majesty, on the subject of what +passed with the American, Paul Jones, is also quite as ill grounded. +Already for several years, their High Mightinesses had resolved, and +published everywhere, precise orders concerning the admission of +privateers and armed vessels of foreign nations with their prizes, in +the ports of their domination, orders, which to that time had been +observed and executed without the least exception. In the case in +question, their High Mightinesses could not depart from those orders, +in regard to an armed vessel, who, furnished with a commission of the +American Congress, was found in the Road of the Texel, combined with +frigates of war of a sovereign power, without erecting themselves into +judges, and pronouncing a decision upon matters, in which their High +Mightinesses were in nowise obliged to take any part, and in which it +did not appear to them convenient to the interests of the Republic to +meddle in any manner. Their High Mightinesses then thought fit not to +depart from the orders given so long ago, but they resolved to give +the most express prohibition to hinder the said armed vessel from +providing herself with warlike stores, and enjoined upon her to quit +the Road as soon as possible, without remaining there longer than the +time absolutely necessary to repair the damages suffered at sea, with +the formal denunciation, that in case of a longer delay we should be +obliged to compel his departure, to which end the officer of the +State, commanding at the said Road, took care to make the requisite +dispositions, whereof this armed vessel had scarcely the time to +prevent the effects. + +"In regard to what has passed in the other parts of the world, the +informations which their High Mightinesses have received from time to +time from the East Indies, are directly opposite to those, which +appear to have come under the eyes of his Britannic Majesty. The +repeated complaints, which the directors of the East India Company +have addressed to their High Mightinesses, and which the love of peace +has made them stifle in their bosoms, are incontestible proofs of it. +And the measures taken with regard to the West Indies, enumerated +heretofore, ought to serve in all times as an irrefragable proof of +the sincerity, the zeal, and the attention with which their High +Mightinesses have taken it to heart, to maintain in those countries +the most exact and the most strict neutrality; and their High +Mightinesses have never been able to discover the smallest legal proof +of any infraction of their orders in this respect. + +"As to what concerns the project of an eventual treaty with North +America, conceived by a member of the government of the Province of +Holland, without any public authority, and the memorials presented +upon this subject by Sir Joseph Yorke, the affair happened in the +following manner. As soon as the Ambassador had presented the memorial +of the 10th of November of the last year, their High Mightinesses, +without stopping at expressions little suitable among sovereigns, with +which this memorial was filled, did not delay to commence a +deliberation the most serious upon this subject, and it was by their +resolution of the 27th of the same month, that they did not hesitate +to _disavow_ and to _disapprove_ publicly all which had been done in +this respect; after which, they had all reason to expect that his +Britannic Majesty would have acquiesced in this declaration, since he +could not be ignorant that their High Mightinesses exercise no +jurisdiction in the respective Provinces, and that it was to the +States of the Province of Holland to whom, as clothed like the States +of the other Provinces, with a sovereign and exclusive authority over +their subjects, ought to be remitted an affair relatively to which +their High Mightinesses had no reason to doubt, that the States of the +said Province would act according to the exigence of the case, and +conformably to the laws of the State and the rules of equity. + +"The earnestness with which Sir Joseph Yorke insisted, by a second +memorial, upon the article of the punishment, cannot therefore but +appear very strange to their High Mightinesses, and their surprise +increased still more when three days afterwards, this Ambassador +declared, verbally, to the President of their High Mightinesses, that +if he did not receive that day an answer entirely satisfactory to his +memorial, he should be obliged to inform his Court of it by an +express; their High Mightinesses, informed of this declaration, +penetrated the importance of it, as manifesting visibly the measure +already resolved in the Council of the King; and although the +established customs admit not of deliberations upon verbal +declarations of foreign Ministers, they judged it nevertheless proper +to depart from them on this occasion, and to order their Secretary to +wait on Sir Joseph Yorke, and give him to understand that his memorial +had been taken _ad referendum_ by the Deputies of the respective +Provinces conformably to received usages, and to the constitution of +the government; adding, what appears to have been omitted with design +in the manifesto, that they would endeavor to complete an answer to +his memorial as soon as possible, and as soon as the constitution of +the government would permit. Accordingly, a few days after, the +Deputies of Holland notified to the assembly of their High +Mightinesses, that the States of their Province had unanimously +resolved to require the advice of their Court of Justice, on the +subject of demand of punishment, charging the said Court to give their +opinion the soonest possible, laying aside all other affairs. Their +High Mightinesses did not fail to transmit forthwith this resolution +to Sir Joseph Yorke; but what was their surprise and their +astonishment, when they learned that this Ambassador, after having +reviewed his instructions, had addressed a billet to the Secretary, by +which, in accusing this resolution with being evasive, he refused to +transmit it to his Court; which obliged their High Mightinesses to +send the said resolution to the Count de Welderen, their Minister at +London, with orders to present it as soon as possible to the Ministry +of his Britannic Majesty; but the refusal of this Ministry threw an +obstacle in the way of the execution of these orders. + +"After this explanation of all the circumstances of this affair, the +impartial public will be in a condition to set a just value upon the +principal motive, or rather pretext which his Britannic Majesty has +used to let loose the reins of his designs against the Republic. The +affair reduces itself to this. His Majesty was informed of a +negotiation which should have taken place in the year 1778, between a +member of the government of one of the Provinces and a representative +of the American Congress, which negotiation would have had for its +object to project a treaty of commerce, to be concluded between the +Republic and the said Colonies, _casu quo_, viz. in case the +independence of these Colonies should have been acknowledged by the +Crown of England; this negotiation, although conditional, and annexed +to a condition, which depended upon an act to be antecedently +performed by his Majesty himself; this negotiation, which without this +act, or this anterior declaration, could not produce the smallest +effect, was taken in so ill a part by his Majesty, and appeared to +excite his discontent in such a degree, that he thought fit to require +of the State a disavowal and a public disapprobation, as well as a +complete punishment and satisfaction. It was forthwith, and without +the least delay, that their High Mightinesses granted the first part +of the requisition, but the punishment demanded was not in their +power, and they could not agree to it, without flying in the face of +the fundamental constitution of the State. The States of the Province +of Holland were the only tribunal to which it belonged to take legal +cognizance, and to provide for the case by the ordinary and regular +ways. + +"This Sovereign, constantly attached to the maxims, which obliged it +to respect the authority of the laws, and fully convinced that the +maintenance of the department of justice in all the integrity and +impartiality which are inseparable from it, ought to form one of the +firmest supports of the supreme Power; this Sovereign, constrained by +everything which is most sacred to defend, and to protect the rights +and the privileges of its subjects, could not forget itself to such a +degree as to subscribe to the will of his Britannic Majesty, by giving +a blow to these rights and privileges, and by overleaping the bounds +prescribed by the fundamental laws of the government. These laws +required the intervention of the judiciary department, and this was +accordingly the means which the said States resolved to employ, by +requiring upon this object the advice of the Court of Justice +established in their Province. It is by following this course that +they have displayed before the eyes of his Britannic Majesty, of the +English nation, and of all Europe, the unalterable principles of +justice and equity, which characterise the Batavian Constitution, and +which in a part so important of the public administration as is that +which regards the exercise of the judiciary power, ought forever to +serve as a buckler and a rampart against everything which could hurt +the safety and the independence of a free nation; it was also by this +means, and by following this course, that very far from shutting the +road of justice, or evading the demand of punishment, they have on the +contrary, left a free course to the way of regular proceeding, and +conformable to the constitutional principles of the Republic; and it +is finally by the same means, that by taking away from the Court of +London all pretence of being able to complain of a denial of justice, +they have prevented even to the smallest shadow or appearance of +reason, which could authorise this Court to use reprisals to which, +nevertheless, it has made no scruple to recur in a manner equally +odious and unjust. + +"But while the State took measures so just and so proper to remove all +subject of complaint, the measure which was the epoch of the +commencement of the rupture had already been resolved and concluded in +the Council of the King. This Council had resolved to try all sorts of +means to traverse and hinder, if it had been possible, the accession +of the Republic to the convention of the Powers of the North, and the +event has clearly demonstrated, that it is in hatred and resentment of +this convention that the said Court has suffered itself to be drawn +into the part, which it has been pleased to take against the Republic. +For these causes, and since that after the repeated outrages and +immense losses, which the subjects of the Republic must have sustained +on the part of his Majesty, the King of Great Britain, their High +Mightinesses find themselves moreover provoked and attacked by his +said Majesty, and forced to employ the means which they have in hand, +to defend and avenge the precious rights of their liberty and +independence, they assure themselves with the firmest confidence, that +the God of armies, the God of their fathers, who by the visible +direction of his Providence sustained and delivered their Republic in +the midst of the greatest dangers, will bless the means, which they +have resolved to put in operation for their lawful defence, in +crowning the justice of their arms, by the succors always triumphant +of his Almighty protection, while that their High Mightinesses will +desire with ardor the moment, when they shall see their neighbor and +their ally, now their enemy, brought back to moderate and equitable +sentiments; and at this epoch, their High Mightinesses will seize with +earnestness all events, which, compatible with the honor and +independence of a free State, may tend to reconcile them with their +ancient friend and ally. + +"Thus done and resolved at the Assembly of their High Mightinesses, +the Lords the States-General of the United Provinces of the Low +Countries, at the Hague, the 12th of March, 1781." + +It is remarkable, that their High Mightinesses, after so many delays, +have chosen for the publication of this Manifesto, a time when the +mediation of the Empress is depending. This mediation appears in a +memorial, presented the 1st of March to the States-General, in these +words. + +"High and Mighty Lords.--As soon as her Majesty, the Empress, was +informed of the sudden departure from the Hague of the Ambassador of +his Britannic Majesty to your High Mightinesses, guided by the +sentiments of friendship and benevolence, which she professes towards +the two powers, she did not wait for further explanations, concerning +the consequences, which might be produced by a procedure so alarming +for their reciprocal tranquillity and well-being, to make by her +Minister at the Court of London representations the most pressing, to +the end to divert it, if it were possible, from coming to violent +measures, and to induce it rather to prefer those of softness and +conciliation, offering herself to co-operate in everything which might +depend upon her. Although her Majesty has not yet had the time to +receive the answer of the Court of London, she has, nevertheless, +reason to presume, that her insinuations there will be received with +pleasure. + +In this confidence, the Empress does not hesitate to give a new proof +of her salutary intentions in favor of the reunion of two States, for +whom she has an equal affection, and whom she has seen for so long a +time live together in an intelligence the most perfect, and the most +natural to their respective interests, by proposing to them formally +her good offices and her mediation, to interrupt and put an entire end +to the discord and the war, which has broken out between them. While +M. Simolin, the Minister of the Empress at the Court of London, +acquits himself of the orders, which she has given him concerning this +object, the undersigned has the honor to fulfil the same task, on his +part, towards your High Mightinesses, and to assure you of the zeal +and earnestness with which he should desire to labor at the precious +work of the re-establishment of the repose and the tranquillity of +your State. The disinterestedness, the impartiality, and the views of +general beneficence, which have instamped their seal upon all the +actions of her Imperial Majesty, preside equally in this. The wisdom +and the prudence of your High Mightinesses will know how to +acknowledge in her these august characters, and will dictate the +answer, which the subscriber will have to transmit to her, concerning +the execution of his orders. + + "The Hague, March 1st, 1781. + + THE PRINCE DE GALLITZIN." + +The offer of mediation was accepted by their High Mightinesses with +gratitude. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Leyden, March 19th, 1781. + + Sir, + +I have received your Excellency's letter of the 1st of January, with +the commission and instructions enclosed.[14] I am very sensible of +this fresh instance of the confidence of Congress, and shall do +everything in my power to discharge the duties of this new trust; but +I am obliged to say, that no commission that ever was given, required +more patience, fortitude, and circumspection than this, virtues which +I much fear have not fallen in sufficient quantities to my share. + + [14] Appointing him Minister Plenipotentiary to the States-General of + Holland and the Prince of Orange. See the Commission, Instructions, + and Letters of Credence, in the _Secret Journals of Congress_. Vol. + II. pp. 376, 377, 391. + +I have experienced since my residence in this Republic, a great change +in the external behavior of several persons of rank, who upon my first +arrival received me with distinction, but from the moment of the +publication of the papers taken with Mr Laurens, have been afraid to +see me. The nation has indeed been in a violent fermentation and +crisis. It is divided in sentiments. There are Stadtholderians and +Republicans; there are proprietors in English funds, and persons +immediately engaged in commerce; there are enthusiasts for peace and +alliance with England; and there are advocates for an alliance with +France, Spain, and America; and there is a third sort who are for +adhering in all things to Russia, Sweden, and Denmark; some are for +acknowledging American independence, and entering into treaties of +commerce and alliance with her; others start at the idea with horror, +as an everlasting impediment to a return to the friendship and +alliance with England; some will not augment the navy without +increasing the army; others will let the navy be neglected rather than +augment the army. + +In this perfect chaos of sentiments and systems, principles and +interests, it is no wonder there is languor, a weakness and +irresolution, that is vastly dangerous in the present circumstances of +affairs. The danger lies not more in the hostile designs and exertions +of the English, than in the prospect of seditions and commotions among +the people, which are every day dreaded and expected. If it were not +for a standing army, and troops posted about in several cities, it is +probable there would have been popular tumults before now; but +everybody that I see, appears to me to live in constant fear of mobs, +and in a great degree of uncertainty whether they will rise in favor +of war or against it; in favor of England or against it; in favor of +the Prince or of the city of Amsterdam; in favor of America or against +it. I have ventured in the midst of these critical circumstances, +pressed as I am to get money to discharge the bills of exchange, which +Congress have drawn and I have accepted, to open a loan; but this is +looked upon as a very hardy and dangerous measure, which nobody but an +American would have risked, and I am obliged to assure Congress, that +people are as yet so much afraid of being pointed out by the mob or +the soldiery, as favorers of this loan, that I have no hopes at all of +succeeding for several months, if ever. + +I have been advised to do nothing, in consequence of my commission, to +the States at present, for fear of throwing before the people new +objects of division and dissension. I have, however, communicated to +their High Mightinesses, and to the Ministers of Russia, Denmark, +Sweden, and France, the resolution of Congress, of the 5th of October, +relative to the principles of the neutral confederation. The memorial +and letters I have transmitted to Congress.[15] + + [15] See the Memorial and these Letters above, pp. 448, 449, 450. + +Whenever I shall communicate to their High Mightinesses the full +powers of Congress, the course will be this. They will lie long upon +the table, then taken _ad referendum_, that is, sent to the several +Provinces, cities, and bodies of nobles, who compose the sovereignty, +or as some say, the deputies of the sovereignty; these will +deliberate, and deliberate, and deliberate, and probably some will be +for, and some against making a treaty, at least it is supposed that +Zealand and one or two other Provinces will be against it. But in the +meantime, there will be much communication and negotiation among +individuals at least, between this country and Russia, Sweden and +Denmark upon the subject; and if it is true, as I am informed in a +letter from Mr Gerry, that a Minister is appointed to the Court of +Petersburg, as I hope it is, and that the same Minister, or some +other, is empowered to treat with Sweden and Denmark, it is not +impossible, I think it indeed probable, that we may succeed with these +four nations at once; for let me add, there is not in my apprehension +the least prospect of a general peace. England is at her old game of +seduction and division, and is laboring under the pretence of +employing the Emperor of Germany and the Empress of Russia in +mediations for peace, insidiously to embroil all Europe in the war. + +From motives of philanthropy, I hope she will not succeed, unless the +same feelings of humanity should prompt me to wish all mankind at war +with that nation, for her humiliation, which is at this time, if ever +one was, _Hostis humani generis_. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Leyden, March 29th, 1781. + + Sir, + +The Baron de Lynden, Envoy Extraordinary from their High Mightinesses +at the Court of Stockholm, had, about the 28th of February, a +conference with the Count Ulrich Scheffer, to whom he presented, on +the part of his masters, a Memorial too important to be omitted. It is +as follows. + +"The subscriber, Minister Extraordinary of their High Mightinesses, +the States-General of the United Provinces, to his Majesty, the King +of Sweden, by express orders received from his masters, has the honor +to propose to his Majesty, + +"That their High Mightinesses, by their resolution of the 20th of +November, having acceded to the confederation of the armed neutrality, +according to the invitation given by the powers of the North, placing +the most perfect confidence in the power, the magnanimity, and the +fidelity of their Imperial and Royal Majesties, for fulfilling their +engagements, and maintaining their dignity, by completing a work so +gloriously undertaken, to wit, the liberty of the seas for neutral +nations, did not suffer themselves to be diverted by the consideration +of the consequences, which this accession and this declaration might +draw upon the Republic from the part of the belligerent powers; but +their High Mightinesses declared themselves for this accession and +this declaration, relying, without reserve, upon the sentiments of +their Imperial and Royal Majesties, which they manifested in the +season, by the steps taken in this respect. + +"That the event has entirely justified the instances of their High +Mightinesses in regard to the British Court, since its Minister, after +several vain attempts tending to impede the accession to the alliance +in question, resolved, from the time when he had the first intimation +of it, to speak a language altogether unheard of, and such as is +scarcely agreeable to those respects, which sovereigns respectively +owe each other, without allowing to the Republic the time necessary to +take the affair into deliberation, conformably to a political system, +which his Britannic Majesty fully understands; the Minister, +nevertheless, insisting on a prompt and immediate satisfaction, and +the punishment of a pretended offence, occasioned by the discovery of +a negotiation with North America, without being satisfied by the +provisional answer, or by the formal disavowal of their High +Mightinesses touching the said negotiation, in which, as his Britannic +Majesty has acknowledged, they had in nowise participated, nor had any +knowledge of it; a negotiation relative to a pretended treaty, which, +at the first glance of the eye, indicates sufficiently by its proper +terms, to be nothing more than a project of an eventual treaty made by +certain individuals, without being formally authorised thereto by the +magistrates of Amsterdam, as a body, nor by the States of the +Provinces of Holland, and still less by the States-General, who alone +are authorised to contract engagements in the name of the Republic. +The Minister in question refused even to accept the resolution, which +enjoined on the Court of Holland, (the Province, which alone this +affair concerns,) to deliberate, whether the laws of the country could +authorise to pursue in justice the persons accused, and to punish +them? A formality, without which no punishment can be inflicted, +either in England, in this Republic, or in any other country. This +Minister added menaces, that his Sovereign would procure for himself +the satisfaction demanded; he was, at the same time, determined to +attack the Republic by surprise, and to precipitate so violently the +measures taken to commence hostilities, that my Lord Stormont, making +use of vain pretences, would not even accept, on the part of the Count +de Welderen, the said declaration, and answered him in writing, that +he could not consider him any longer as the Minister of a friendly +power, after having announced to him officially the manifesto of the +King; while the same manifesto, which is remarkable, was sent to the +Count do Welderen one hour before the time fixed the evening before by +Lord Stormont, after repeated requests to have a conversation with +him. + +"Besides, although in the manifesto in question, they make no mention +of the accession of the Republic to the armed confederacy, (which it +was necessary most carefully to pass over in silence,) it appears, +however, distinctly to the penetrating eye of your Majesty, as well as +to that of all Europe, if they will compare together the whole +progress of this action, the time and the manner, in which the +Manifesto was published, that the hatred occasioned by the accession +of the Republic to the armed neutrality, is the true motive of the +resentment of his Britannic Majesty, and has prompted him to a +manifest aggression against the Republic, by capturing immediately a +great number of merchant vessels belonging to her subjects, as well as +some vessels of war. Besides, that this same Manifesto, known to your +Majesty, discovers sufficiently the original of this hatred; +considering, that among the pretended causes of offence serving to +justify the hostile measures against the Republic, they there allege, +that she has declared herself neuter. The Cabinet of St James, +disdaining to observe, that this answer ought to offend the Powers of +the North, to whom the treaties subsisting between England and the +Republic are perfectly known, and that these powers could not be taxed +with concluding a treaty of neutrality with a power, which they had +not judged to be lawfully neuter in the present war, and without +observing, that this liberty of negotiating has been by England +herself put out of all doubt, since by her suspension of the treaty +of 1674, made the 17th of April, 1780, she has declared, that she +would hereafter regard the Republic as a neutral power, not advantaged +by any treaty. + +"That in virtue of the reasons alleged, the hatred of Great Britain +pierces, still more visibly, through the reproach inserted in the said +Manifesto against the Republic, that she has advanced and favored the +transportation of naval stores to France, by the suspension of duties +upon those effects; at the same time, that it appears, that this +suspension has never taken place, and that the Republic has a well +founded right to make this transportation, not only during the +continuance of the treaty of 1674, but also according to the principle +prescribed to the neutral powers by the convention of the +confederation; that a further examination of this manifesto should be +superfluous, since his Majesty may himself estimate its value, and +must, moreover, be convinced, that the conduct of their High +Mightinesses, observed from the commencement of the troubles in regard +to America, has evidently proved, that they have in nowise favored the +revolted Colonies of America; witness the condescension in favor of +England, to which the Republic was not obliged by the shackles imposed +upon the commerce of her Colonies, by the prohibition to take under +convoy vessels loaded with ship-timber, and by the recall of the +Governor of St Eustatia, upon the ill founded complaints of the +British Ministry; condescensions, which have been rewarded by the +attack and capture of the convoy sailing under the command of Count de +Byland, by a violation of the territory of the Republic, and by the +capture of American ships under the cannon of St Martins. That since +their High Mightinesses have faithfully observed this system of +moderation, it is manifest, that the resentment of his Britannic +Majesty cannot be regarded, but as an effect of a resentment +occasioned by the engagement taken for the neutrality, and to this +effect their High Mightinesses are well founded to claim the tenor and +the sense of the articles seventh, eighth, and ninth of that alliance, +which forms the basis of the union of the neutrality contracted with +their Imperial and Royal Majesties; that thus, there ought not to +exist any further difficulty in fulfilling towards their High +Mightinesses, become allies, the engagements, which are contracted in +virtue of the known convention, of which they ought to be regarded as +members, at the very moment even when this convention has been formed +and concluded by their High Mightinesses at the Hague, and when their +declaration has been despatched to the belligerent powers, conformably +to the said accession and convention. + +"That if their High Mightinesses had occasion to complain of a single +act of offence, or attack committed against them, and liable to be +redressed upon general representations to their allies, they would +have demanded their intervention for the redress of such a grievance, +rather than to have recourse to arms; but as at present their High +Mightinesses see themselves positively attacked by his Britannic +Majesty, on occasion and in resentment of the aforesaid alliance, they +find themselves obliged to defend themselves, and to repel the attack +in the same manner in which it has been made, by returning hostilities +for hostilities; being moreover persuaded, that the allied powers will +not make any difficulty to make common cause with them, to procure to +the Republic the satisfaction and indemnification of the losses +sustained, by an attack as unjust as it is violent, and that the +allies will concur with their High Mightinesses, in taking such +further arrangements as the present circumstances require. This is +what their High Mightinesses solicit earnestly, expecting it with so +much more confidence, as they are intimately convinced that the +generous and equitable sentiments which animate their Imperial and +Royal Majesties will prevent them from suffering the Republic to +become the victim of a political system as glorious as it is +equitable, conceived for the maintenance of the safety and the right +of neuters, while the Republic alone exposed to all the violence of +this unjust attack of England, might with difficulty make head against +it, and thereby run the risk of becoming entirely useless to the +confederation. + +"For these causes, the undersigned insisted upon the motives alleged +above, fully convinced that the ratifications of the treaty signed at +Petersburg will be made as soon as possible, and he has the honor, in +the name and by the express order of his masters to demand the +accomplishment of the articles seventh, eighth, and ninth of the said +treaty, and to require in virtue of it a prompt and sufficient succor +of his Majesty, whose equitable and magnanimous sentiments, known to +all Europe, will not permit him to abandon a work worthy of all +praise. + +"The friendship and affection of your Majesty towards their High +Mightinesses, appear to assure them beforehand of the succors which +they expect from his Majesty, and to promise to the subscriber an +answer as prompt as satisfactory, which he ought to press with so much +the more zeal, as every moment of delay occasions great and +irreparable losses to the Republic. + + D. W. VAN LYNDEN." + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Leyden, March 29th, 1781. + + Sir, + +It is of importance to the people of America to observe how much +lighter their own burthens are than those of their enemies, and for +this reason I have every year since I have been in Europe taken notice +of the new taxes laid, annually, in perpetuity upon the people of +Great Britain by Parliament, in support of tyranny, in addition to all +former debts and taxes. One sixth part of the new taxes of this year +would be more than sufficient to pay the interest of the whole sum +which America will expend this year in support of liberty. The new +taxes consist in an additional duty of five per cent upon all articles +subject to the duty of excise, except malt, soap, and candles, and +green leather, + + valued at £150,000 sterling. + + Seven per cent upon the drawbacks + at the custom-house, 167,000 + + An additional duty of one penny three + farthings upon each pound of tobacco, 61,000 + + A duty of a halfpenny upon each pound + of sugar, 326,000 + ------- + 704,000 + + The interest of the new loan is said to + amount only to 660,000 + ------- + Which leaves a surplus of 44,000 + +There cannot be a more striking contrast than that between the conduct +of Lord North and M. Necker. The abilities of the former as a +financier consist wholly in laying new taxes without end; those of the +other lie in finding resources for vast expenses, without laying any +new burthens on the people. M. Necker is laying a foundation for a +credit in France as solid as that of Great Britain, by stating to the +public the expenses and revenues. This is the only solid foundation of +public credit. America will never obtain a credit of any consequence +in Europe until she has a credit at home. It is demonstrable that the +people of America are able to lend to Congress every year more than +money enough to carry on the war, and pay all expenses. What is the +reason they do not. The reasons are plain; first, they have not known +that their public money was expended by any fixed rule, so that they +could judge how much it amounted to; secondly, they did not see any +certain prospect of the punctual payment of interest or principal at a +fixed value. All the art of financiering in America lies in +ascertaining with precision by a fixed standard, how much our expenses +are; next ascertaining what our income is; thirdly, how much must be +borrowed; fourthly, how to assure the payment of interest and +principal. + +If taxes could be laid by Congress upon exports and imports, and upon +the consumption of articles of luxury, convenience, and necessity, as +they are in Europe, America would be able to raise more every year in +taxes than she has ever spent in one year. Nay, we might oblige +foreigners to pay all the expenses of the war, and establish a credit +much more solid than that of Great Britain, because we have not such a +debt to begin with. But without recurring to this system, which might +injure our commerce as well as our liberties, it is unquestionably +owing entirely to regulations of prices, embargoes, and stamping an +arbitrary value upon what had no value, that has hitherto ruined our +credit. But when all these systems shall be totally abolished in the +several States, and measures shall be taken to lay annual taxes of a +certain value, and these taxes mortgaged for the payment of interest, +there is not a doubt but every State may obtain credit enough for the +necessities of its own inhabitants. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYON. + + Leyden, April 16th, 1781. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to acquaint your Excellency, that I have received +from Congress full powers and instructions to treat with the +States-General, and to conclude a treaty of amity and commerce +consistent with the relations already formed between the United States +and France; and that I have also received a letter of credence, as a +Minister Plenipotentiary to their High Mightinesses, and another to +His Most Serene Highness the Prince of Orange. + + With the greatest respect, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +MEMORIAL TO THE STATES-GENERAL. + +To their High Mightinesses, the States-General of the United Provinces +of the Low Countries. + + High and Mighty Lords, + +The subscriber has the honor to propose to your High Mightinesses, +that the United States of America in Congress assembled, have lately +thought fit to send him a commission (with full powers and +instructions) to confer with your High Mightinesses, concerning a +treaty of amity and commerce; an authentic copy of which he has the +honor to annex to this memorial. + +At the time, when the treaties between this Republic and the Crown of +Great Britain were made, the people who now compose the United States +of America, were a part of the English nation; as such, allies of the +Republic and parties to those treaties; entitled to all their +benefits, and submitting cheerfully to all their obligations. + +It is true, that when the British administration, renouncing the +ancient character of Englishmen, for generosity, justice, and +humanity, conceived the design of subverting the political systems of +the Colonies; depriving them of the rights and liberties of +Englishmen, and reducing them to the worst of all forms of government; +starving the people by blockading the ports, and cutting off their +fisheries and commerce; sending fleets and armies to destroy every +principle and sentiment of liberty, and to consume their habitations +and their lives; making contracts for foreign troops and alliances +with savage nations, to assist them in their enterprize; casting +formally, by act of Parliament, three millions of people at once out +of the protection of the Crown; then, and not till then, did the +United States of America, in Congress assembled, pass that memorable +act, by which they assumed an equal station among the nations. + +This immortal Declaration, of the 4th of July, 1776, when America was +invaded by a hundred vessels of war, and, according to estimates laid +before Parliament, by fiftyfive thousand of veteran troops, was not +the effect of any sudden passion, or enthusiasm; but a measure which +had been long in deliberation among the people, maturely discussed in +some hundreds of popular assemblies and by public writings in all the +States; it was a measure which Congress did not adopt, until they had +received the positive instructions of their constituents in all the +States; it was then unanimously adopted by Congress, subscribed by all +its members, transmitted to the Assemblies of the several States, and +by them respectively accepted, ratified, and recorded among their +archives; so that no decree, edict, statute, placard or fundamental +law of any nation was ever made with more solemnity, or with more +unanimity or cordiality adopted, as the act and consent of the whole +people, than this; and it has been held sacred to this day by every +State with such unshaken firmness, that not even the smallest has ever +been induced to depart from it; although the English have wasted many +millions, and vast fleets and armies, in the vain attempt to +invalidate it. On the contrary, each of the thirteen States instituted +a form of government for itself, under the authority of the people; +has erected its legislature in the several branches; its executive +authority with all its offices; its judiciary departments and judges; +its army, militia, revenue, and some of them their navy; and all these +departments of government have been regularly and constitutionally +organised under the associated superintendency of Congress now these +five years, and have acquired a consistency, solidity, and activity, +equal to the oldest and most established governments. + +It is true, that in some speeches and writings of the English, it is +still contended, that the people of America are still in principle and +affection with them; but these assertions are made against such +evident truth and demonstration, that it is surprising they should +find at this day one believer in the world. One may appeal to the +writings and recorded speeches of the English for the last seventeen +years, to show that similar misrepresentations have been incessantly +repeated through that whole period, and that the conclusion of every +year has in fact confuted the confident assertions and predictions of +the beginning of it. The subscriber begs leave to say from his own +knowledge of the people of America, (and he has a better right to +obtain credit, because he has better opportunities to know, than any +Briton whatsoever,) that they are unalterably determined to maintain +their independence. He confesses, that, notwithstanding his confidence +through his whole life, in the virtuous sentiments and uniformity of +character among his countrymen, their unanimity has surprised him; +that all the power, arts, intrigues and bribes, which have been +employed in the several States, should have seduced from the standard +of virtue so contemptible a few, is more fortunate than could have +been expected. + +This independence stands upon so broad and firm a bottom of the +people's interests, honor, consciences, and affections, that it will +not be affected by any successes that the English may obtain, either +in America or against the European powers at war, or by any alliances +they can possibly form, if indeed in so unjust and desperate a cause +they can obtain any. Nevertheless, although compelled by necessity, +and warranted by the fundamental laws of the Colonies and of the +British constitution; by principles avowed in the English laws, and +confirmed by many examples in the English history; by principles +interwoven into the history and public right of Europe, in the great +examples of the Helvetic and Batavian confederacies and many others, +and frequently acknowledged and ratified by the diplomatic body; +principles founded in eternal justice and the laws of God and nature; +to cut asunder forever all the ties which had connected them with +Great Britain; yet the people of America did not consider themselves +as separating from their allies, especially the Republic of the United +Provinces, or departing from their connexions with any of the people +under their government; but, on the contrary, they preserved the same +affection, esteem, and respect for the Dutch nation in every part of +the world, which they and their ancestors had ever entertained. + +When sound policy dictated to Congress the precaution of sending +persons to negotiate natural alliances in Europe, it was not from a +failure in respect that they did not send a Minister to your High +Mightinesses with the first whom they sent abroad; but instructed in +the nature of the connexions between Great Britain and the Republic, +and in the system of peace and neutrality, which she had so long +pursued, they thought proper to respect both so far, as not to seek to +embroil her with her allies, to excite divisions in the nation or lay +embarrassments before it. But since the British administration, +uniform and persevering in injustice, despising their allies, as much +as their colonists and fellow-subjects; disregarding the faith of +treaties, as much as that of royal charters; violating the law of +nations, as they had before done the fundamental laws of the Colonies +and the inherent rights of British subjects; have arbitrarily set +aside all the treaties between the Crown and the Republic, declared +war and commenced hostilities, the settled intentions of which they +had manifested long before, all those motives, which before restrained +the Congress, cease, and an opportunity presents of proposing such +connexions as the United States of America have a right to form, +consistent with those already formed with France and Spain, which they +are under every obligation of duty, interest, and inclination to +observe sacred and inviolate, and consistent with such other treaties +as it is their intention to propose to other sovereigns. + +A natural alliance may be formed between the two Republics, if ever +one existed among nations. The first planters of the four northern +States, found in this country an asylum from persecution, and resided +here from the year 1608 to the year 1620, twelve years preceding their +migration. They have ever entertained, and have transmitted to +posterity, a grateful remembrance of that protection and hospitality, +and especially of that religious liberty they found here, though they +had sought them in vain in England. + +The first inhabitants of two other States, New York and New Jersey, +were immediate emigrants from this nation, and have transmitted their +religion, language, customs, manners, and character; and America in +general, until her relations were formed with the House of Bourbon, +has ever considered this nation as her first friend in Europe, whose +history and the great characters it exhibits in the various arts of +peace, as well as achievements in war by sea and land, have been +particularly studied, admired, and imitated in every State. + +A similitude of religion, although it is not deemed so essential in +this as it has been in former ages to the alliance of nations, is +still, as it ever will be thought, a desirable circumstance. Now it +may be said with truth, that there are no two nations whose worship, +doctrine, and discipline, are more alike, than those of the two +Republics. In this particular, therefore, as far as it is of weight, +an alliance would be perfectly natural. + +A similarity in the forms of government is usually considered as +another circumstance, which renders alliances natural; and although +the constitutions of the two Republics are not perfectly alike, there +is yet analogy enough between them to make a connexion easy in this +respect. + +In general usages, and in the liberality of sentiments in those +momentous points, the freedom of inquiry, the right of private +judgment, and the liberty of conscience, of so much importance to be +supported in the world, and imparted to all mankind, and which at this +hour are in more danger from Great Britain, and that intolerant +spirit, which is secretly fermenting there, than from any other +quarter, the two nations resemble each other more than any other. + +The originals of the two Republics are so much alike, that the history +of one seems but a transcript from that of the other; so that every +Dutchman instructed in the subject must pronounce the American +revolution just and necessary, or pass a censure upon the greatest +actions of his immortal ancestors; actions which have been approved +and applauded by mankind, and justified by the decision of Heaven. + +But the circumstance, which, perhaps in this age, has stronger +influence than any other in the formation of friendships between +nations, is the great and growing interest of commerce, of the whole +system of which through the globe, your High Mightinesses are too +perfect masters for me to say anything, that is not familiarly known. +It may not, however, be amiss to hint, that the central situation of +this country, her extensive navigation, her possessions in the East +and West Indies, the intelligence of her merchants, the number of her +capitalists, and the riches of her funds, render a connexion with her +desirable to America. And on the other hand, the abundance and variety +of the productions of America, the materials of manufactures, +navigation, and commerce, the vast demand and consumption of the +manufactures of Europe, of the merchandises from the Baltic, and from +the East Indies, and the situation of the Dutch possessions in the +West Indies, cannot admit of a doubt, that a connexion with the United +States would be useful to this Republic. The English are so sensible +of this, that, notwithstanding all their professions of friendship, +they have ever considered this nation as their rival in the American +trade; a sentiment which dictated and maintained their severe act of +navigation, as injurious to the commerce and naval power of this +country, as it was both to the trade and the rights of the Colonies. +There is now an opportunity offered to both to shake off this shackle +for ever. If any consideration whatever could have prevailed with the +English to have avoided a war with your High Mightinesses, it would +have been an apprehension of an alliance between the two Republics; +and it is easy to foresee, that nothing will contribute more to oblige +them to a peace than such a connexion once completely formed. + +It is needless to point out particularly what advantages might be +derived to the possessions of the Republic in the West Indies, from a +trade opened, protected, and encouraged between them and the Continent +of America, or what profits might be made by the East India Company, +by carrying their effects directly to the American market; how much +even the trade of the Baltic might be secured and extended by a free +intercourse with America, which has ever had so large a demand, and +will have more, for hemp, cordage, sailcloth, and other articles of +that commerce; how much the national navigation would be benefitted, +by building and purchasing ships there; how much the number of seamen +might be increased, or how much advantage to both countries to have +their ports mutually opened to their men-of-war and privateers, and +their prizes. + +If, therefore, analogy of religion, government, original manners, and +the most extensive and lasting commercial interests, can form a ground +and an invitation to political connexions, the subscriber flatters +himself, that in all these particulars the union is so obviously +natural, that there has seldom been a more distinct designation of +Providence to any two distant nations to unite themselves together. + +It is further submitted to the wisdom and humanity of your High +Mightinesses, whether it is not visibly for the good of mankind, that +the powers of Europe, who are convinced of the justice of the American +cause, (and where is one to be found that is not) should make haste to +acknowledge the independence of the United States, and form equitable +treaties with them, as the surest means of convincing Great Britain of +the impracticability of her pursuits? Whether the late Marine Treaty, +concerning the rights of neutral vessels, noble and useful as it is, +can be established against Great Britain, who never will adopt it nor +submit to it, but from necessity, without the independence of America? +Whether the return of America, with her nurseries of seamen, and +magazines of materials for navigation and commerce, to the domination +and monopoly of Great Britain, if that were practicable, would not put +the possessions of other nations beyond seas wholly in the power of +that enormous Empire, which has long been governed wholly by the +feeling of its own power; at least without a proportional attention to +justice, humanity, or decency? When it is obvious and certain, that +the Americans are not inclined to submit again to the British +government, on one hand; and that the powers of Europe ought not, and +could not, with safety consent to it, if they were, on the other; why +should a source of contention be left open for future contingencies to +involve the nations of Europe in still more bloodshed, when, by one +decisive step of the maritime powers, in making treaties with a nation +long in possession of sovereignty, by right and in fact, it might be +closed? + +The example of your High Mightinesses would, it is hoped, be followed +by all the maritime powers, especially those, which are parties to the +late Marine Treaty; nor can an apprehension, that the independence of +America would be injurious to the trade of the Baltic, be any +objection. This jealousy is so groundless, that the reverse would +happen. The freight and ensurance in voyages across the Atlantic are +so high, and the price of labor in America so dear, that tar, pitch, +turpentine, and ship-timber can never be transported to Europe at so +cheap a rate as it has been and will be afforded by countries round +the Baltic. This commerce was supported by the English before the +revolution with difficulty, and not without large Parliamentary +bounties. Of hemp, cordage, and sailcloth, there will not probably be +a sufficiency raised in America for her own consumption in many +centuries, for the plainest of all reasons, because these articles can +be imported from Amsterdam, or even from Petersburg, or Archangel, +cheaper than they can be raised at home. America will therefore be +for ages a market for most of these articles of the Baltic trade. + +Nor is there more, solidity in another supposition, propagated by the +English to prevent other nations from pursuing their true interests, +that other colonies will follow the example of the United States. +Those powers, which have as large possessions as any beyond seas, have +already declared against England, apprehending no such consequences. +Indeed there is no probability of any other power of Europe following +the example of England, in attempting to change the whole system of +the government of colonies, and reducing them by oppression to the +necessity of governing themselves. And without such manifest injustice +and cruelty on the part of the metropolis, there is no danger of +colonies attempting innovations. Established governments are founded +deeply in the hearts, the passions, the imaginations, and +understandings of the people, and without some violent change from +without, to alter the temper and character of the whole people, it is +not in human nature to exchange safety for danger, and certain +happiness for very precarious benefits. + +It is submitted to the consideration of your High Mightinesses, +whether the system of the United States, which was minutely considered +and discussed, and unanimously agreed on in Congress in the year 1776, +in planning the treaty they proposed to France, to form equitable +commercial treaties with all the maritime powers of Europe, without +being governed or monopolised by any; a system which was afterwards +approved by the King, and made the foundation of the treaties with his +Majesty, a system to which the United States have hitherto constantly +adhered, and from which they never will depart, unless compelled by +some powers declaring against them, which is not expected; is not the +only means of preventing this growing country from being an object of +everlasting jealousies, rivalries, and wars among the nations? If this +idea is just, it follows, that it is the interest of every State in +Europe to acknowledge American independence immediately. If such +benevolent policy should be adopted, the new world will be a +proportional blessing to every part of the old. + +The subscriber has the further honor of informing your High +Mightinesses, that the United States of America, in Congress +assembled, impressed with a high sense of the wisdom and magnanimity +of your High Mightinesses, and of your inviolable attachment to the +rights and liberties of mankind, and being desirous of cultivating the +friendship of a nation eminent for its wisdom, justice, and +moderation, have appointed the subscriber to be their Minister +Plenipotentiary to reside near you, that he may give you more +particular assurances of the great respect they entertain for your +High Mightinesses, beseeching your High Mightinesses to give entire +credit to everything, which their said Minister shall deliver on their +part, especially when he shall assure you of the sincerity of their +friendship and regard. The original letter of credence, under the seal +of Congress, the subscriber is ready to deliver to your High +Mightinesses, or to such persons as you shall direct to receive it. He +has also a similar letter of credence to his Most Serene Highness the +Prince Stadtholder. + +All which is respectfully submitted to the consideration of your High +Mightinesses, together with the propriety of appointing some person or +persons to treat on the subject of this mission, by + + JOHN ADAMS. + + Leyden, April 19th, 1781. + + * * * * * + +MEMORIAL TO THE PRINCE OF ORANGE. + + Leyden, April 19th, 1781. + +To his Most Serene Highness, the Prince of Orange and Nassau, +Hereditary Stadtholder and Governor of the Seven United Provinces of +the Low Countries. + +The subscriber has the honor to inform your Most Serene Highness, that +the United States of America, in Congress assembled, impressed with a +deep sense of your wisdom and magnanimity, and being desirous of +cultivating the friendship of your Highness and of the Seven United +Provinces of the Netherlands, who have ever distinguished themselves +by an inviolable attachment to freedom and the rights of nations, have +appointed the subscriber to be their Minister Plenipotentiary at your +Court, that he may give you more particular assurances of the great +respect they entertain for your Highness and for the people over whom +you preside as Stadtholder, beseeching your Highness to give entire +credit to everything which their said Minister shall deliver on their +part, especially when he shall assure you of the sincerity of their +friendship and regard. The original letter of credence, under the seal +of Congress, he is desirous of the honor of delivering whenever and in +whatever manner your Highness shall judge proper to receive it. He has +the further honor of informing your Highness, that the said United +States have honored him with full powers to form a Treaty of Amity and +Commerce with the States-General, and also with letters of credence as +Minister Plenipotentiary to their High Mightinesses; in consequence of +which he has done himself the honor to present a Memorial, a copy of +which is here annexed. + +The subscriber in the discharge of these trusts considers himself +rather as proposing a renovation of old friendships than the formation +of new ones, as the Americans have ever been the good and faithful +allies of this nation, and have done nothing to forfeit its esteem. On +the contrary, they are confident they have a better title to it, as +they adhered steadfastly through every trial to those principles which +formed and supported the connexion, principles which founded and have +supported this Republic, while others have wantonly abandoned them. + +The subscriber thinks himself particularly fortunate to be thus +accredited to a nation, which has made such memorable exertions in +favor of the rights of men, and to a Prince, whose illustrious line of +ancestors and predecessors have so often supported in Holland and +England those liberties for which the United States of America now +contend; and it will be the completion of his wishes if he should be +so happy as to recommend the cause of his country to the favorable +attention of your Most Serene Highness and of this people. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Amsterdam, April 27th, 1781. + + Sir, + +I have received your Excellency's letter of the 21st, and will send +you the list of the bills, and of the times of their becoming due, +according to your desire, as soon as I can make it out. I will examine +M. de Neufville's bill, and if it is good accept it. + +From the time I received from Congress their orders to borrow money +here, I have constantly in my letters requested that no drafts might +be made upon me, until there was news from me, that I had money to +discharge them, and this request I shall repeat. But the cry of the +army for clothes, induces Congress to venture upon measures, which +appear hazardous to us. However, by the intelligence I have, they had +grounds to expect that the drafts hitherto made would be honored. + +I sometimes think, however, paradoxical as it may seem, that one set +of bills protested, would immediately procure Congress a large loan. +No bills are in better credit than these. There is an appetite here +for American trade, as ravenous as that of a shark for his prey; and +if they saw a prospect of having their trade broken up, they would do +much to save it. + +I have the honor to acquaint your Excellency, that I some time ago +received from Congress, full powers to conclude with the +States-General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries, +concerning a Treaty of Amity and Commerce; and that I have very lately +received a letter of credence, as Minister Plenipotentiary to their +High Mightinesses, and another to his Most Serene Highness, the Prince +of Orange. Being thus fixed to this country for the present, I have +taken a house in Amsterdam, on the Keizersgragt, near the Spiegel +street, for the convenience of our countrymen, who have occasion to +visit me, and of the merchants, who have bills upon me, until their +High Mightinesses shall have taken the necessary time to deliberate +upon it, and determine to acknowledge the independence of the United +States, enter into a treaty with them, and receive me at the Hague. If +this should happen, I hope we shall obtain a credit here; but we +never shall before. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYON, AMBASSADOR OF FRANCE AT THE HAGUE. + + Leyden, May 1st, 1781. + + Sir, + +By the tenth article of the Treaty of Alliance between France and +America, the Most Christian King and the United States agree, to +invite or admit other powers, who may receive injuries from England, +to make common cause with them, and to accede to that alliance, under +such conditions as shall be freely agreed to, and settled between all +the parties. + +It will be readily acknowledged, that this Republic has received +injuries from England; and it is not improbable, that several other +maritime powers may be soon, if they are not already, in the same +predicament. But, whether his Majesty will think fit to invite this +nation at present to accede to that alliance, according to the +article, must be submitted to his wisdom. + +It is only proper for me to say, that whenever your Excellency shall +have received his Majesty's commands, and shall judge it proper to +take any measures, either for admitting or inviting this Republic to +accede, I shall be ready, in behalf of the United States, to do +whatever is necessary and proper for them to do upon the occasion. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Leyden, May 3d, 1781. + + Sir, + +On the 1st of May I went to the Hague, and wrote to his Excellency, +Peter Van Bleiswick, Grand Pensionary of Holland, that having +something of importance to communicate to him, I proposed to do myself +the honor to wait on him the next morning at half past eight, if that +time should be agreeable to him; but if any other hour was more +convenient, I requested his Excellency to mention it. The answer, +which was not in writing, was, that half past eight should be the +time. + +Accordingly, the next morning I waited on him, and was politely +received. I informed him that I had asked his permission to make him +this visit, in order to inform him, that I had received from my +Sovereign, the United States of America, full powers to treat with the +States-General, and a letter of credence, as a Minister +Plenipotentiary to their High Mightinesses, and another to his Most +Serene Highness, the Prince; and that it was my intention to +communicate those powers and letters to their High Mightinesses, and +to his Most Serene Highness on Friday next, the 4th of May. + +His Excellency said he would acquaint the States-General and his +Highness with it; that, in his private opinion, he thought favorably +of it, but that he must wait the orders of his masters; that it was a +matter somewhat delicate for the Republic. I replied, as to the +delicacy of it in the present state of open war between England and +Holland, I hoped that it would not be any obstacle; that I thought it +the interest of the Republic, as well as that of America. His +Excellency rejoined, "one thing is certain, we have a common enemy." + +As this was a visit simply to impart my design, and as I knew enough +of the delicate situation, and of the reputed sentiments of this +officer, to be sensible that he did not wish to enter into any very +particular conversation at this time upon public affairs, I here arose +to take my leave. His Excellency asked me if I had any good news from +America? I answered, none very late. He then said, he should be very +glad to form an acquaintance with me. I answered, this would be very +flattering to me, and thus took my leave. + +Tomorrow morning, I propose to go to the President of the +States-General, to Secretary Fagel, and to the Secretary of the +Prince. This moment, for the first time, I have received the Congress +account of General Morgan's glorious victory over Tarleton. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, May 7th, 1781. + + Sir, + +On the 4th of May, I did myself the honor to wait on Peter Van +Bleiswick, Grand Pensionary of Holland, and presented him a letter +containing a copy of my Memorial to the States-General, &c. His +Excellency said, that it was necessary for me to go to the President +and Secretary of their High Mightinesses, and that it was not +customary for foreign Ministers to communicate anything to the +Pensionary of Holland. I told him that I had been advised by the +French Ambassador to present copies to him, and they were only +copies, which I had the honor to offer him. He said he could not +receive them, that I must go to the President; but said he, "it is +proper for me to apprise you, that the President will make a +difficulty, or rather will refuse to receive any letter or paper from +you, because the State you say you represent, is not yet acknowledged +to be a sovereign State by the Sovereign of this nation; the President +will hear what you have to say to him, make report of it to their High +Mightinesses, and they will transmit it to the several Provinces for +the deliberation of the various members of the sovereignty." + +I thanked his Excellency for this information and departed. I then +waited on the President of their High Mightinesses for the week, the +Baron Linde de Hemmen, a deputy of the Province of Guelderland, to +whom I communicated, that I had lately received from my sovereign, the +United States of America in Congress assembled, a commission with full +powers and instructions to treat with the States-General concerning a +treaty of amity and commerce; that I had also received a letter of +credence as Minister Plenipotentiary to their High Mightinesses, and I +prayed him to lay before their High Mightinesses either the originals, +or a Memorial, in which I had done myself the honor to state all these +and to enclose copies. + +The President said that he could not undertake to receive from me +either the originals, or any Memorial, because America was not yet +acknowledged as a sovereign State by the sovereign of this country; +but that he would make report to their High Mightinesses of all that I +had said to him, and that it would become the subject of deliberation +in the several Provinces; that he thought it a matter of great +importance to the Republic. I answered, that I was glad to hear him +say that he thought it important; that I thought it was the interest +of the two Republics to become connected. I thanked him for his +politeness and retired, after having apprised him that I thought in +the present circumstances, it would be my duty to make public in print +my application to their High Mightinesses. I had prepared copies of my +Memorial, &c. for the Secretary, M. Fagel; but as the President had +refused to receive the originals, I thought it would be inconsistent +for the Secretary to receive copies, so I omitted the visit to his +office. + +I then waited on the Baron de Ray, the Secretary of the Prince, with a +letter addressed to his Most Serene Highness, containing a Memorial, +informing him of my credentials to his Court, and copies of the +Memorial to their High Mightinesses. The Secretary received me +politely, look the letter, and promised to deliver it to the +Stadtholder. He asked me where I lodged; I answered, at the Parliament +of England, a public house of that name. + +Returning to my lodgings, I heard about two hours afterwards, that the +Prince had been to the assembly of the States-General for about half +an hour; and in about another hour, the servant of the house where I +lodged, announced to me the Baron de Ray. I went down to the door to +receive him, and invited him into my room. He entered, and said that +he was charged on the part of the Prince with his compliments to me, +and to inform me, that as the independence of my country was not yet +acknowledged by the Sovereign of his, he could not receive any letter +from me, and therefore requested that I would receive it back, which I +did respectfully. The Secretary then politely said he was very much +obliged to me for having given him an opportunity to see my person, +and took his leave. + +The President made report to their High Mightinesses, as soon as they +assembled, and his report was ordered to be recorded; whereupon the +Deputies of each of the Seven Provinces demanded copies of the record +to be transmitted to the respective Regencies for their deliberation +and decision; or in the technical language of this country, it was +taken _ad referendum_ on the same day. + +The next morning I waited on the French Ambassador, the Duc de la +Vauguyon, and acquainted him with all the steps I had taken. He said +he still persisted in his opinion, that the time was not the most +favorable, but as the measure was taken, I might depend upon it he +would, as an individual, support and promote it to the utmost of his +power. + +It would take a large space to explain all the reasons and motives +which I had for choosing the present time in preference to a later; +but I think I can demonstrate, that every moment's delay would have +been attended with danger and inconvenience. All Europe is in a +crisis, and this ingredient thrown in at this time will have more +effect than at any other. At a future time I may enlarge upon this +subject. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Amsterdam, May 8th, 1781. + + Sir, + +I have the honor of yours of the 29th of April, and according to your +desire I have enclosed a list of the bills accepted, with the times of +their becoming due, and shall draw for the money to discharge them +only as they become payable, and through the house of Fizeaux & Grand. + +I sincerely congratulate you upon the noble aid obtained from the +French Court, for the current service of the year. Aids like this for +two or three years, while the United States are arranging their +finances, will be a most essential service to the common cause, and +will lay a foundation of confidence and affection between France and +the United States, which may last forever, and be worth ten times the +sum of money. It is in the power of America to tax all Europe whenever +she pleases, by laying duties upon her exports enough to pay the +interest of money enough to answer all their purposes. England +received into her Exchequer four hundred thousand pounds sterling in +duties upon the single article of tobacco, imported from Virginia +annually. What should hinder the government of Virginia from laying on +the same, or a greater duty, on the exportation? Europe would still +purchase Virginia tobacco, if there were eight pounds per hogshead +duty to be paid. Virginia alone, therefore, could in this way easily +pay the interest of money enough to carry on the whole war for the +thirteen States for many years. The same reasoning is applicable to +every article of export. + +Yesterday were presented to me fifty bills of exchange for eleven +hundred guilders each, drawn by Congress upon me on the 27th day of +January, 1781, at six months sight. And on the same day other bills +from No. 37 to No. 76 inclusively, drawn on me on the same 27th day of +January, 1781, for five hundred and fifty guilders each, payable at +six months sight, were presented to me. I asked time to write to your +Excellency, to know if these bills and the others, drawn at the same +time, can be discharged by you. If they cannot, it will be wrong to +accept them, for I have no prospect at all of getting the money here, +unless the States-General, who have taken the independence of America +_ad referendum_, should determine to acknowledge it. + +About the same time that their High Mightinesses took the +acknowledgment of the independence of the United States _ad +referendum_, M. Van Berckel demanded a declaration of his innocence, +or a trial. Whether the two affairs will aid or counteract each other +I cannot tell. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Amsterdam, May 16th, 1781. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to enclose copies of the memorials, which I had the +honor to present on the 4th instant to the President of their High +Mightinesses, and to the Secretary of his Most Serene Highness.[16] +The former has been published in English, French, and Dutch, and has +been favorably received by the public; but the public voice has not +that influence upon government in any part of Europe that it has in +every part of America, and therefore I cannot expect that any +immediate effect will be produced upon the States-General. They will +probably wait until they can sound the disposition of the Northern +Powers, Russia particularly; and if they should not join in the war, +their High Mightinesses will probably be willing to be admitted to +accede to the treaty of alliance between France and America. + + [16] These memorials are dated on the 19th of April. See above, p. + 493. + +The Dutch fleet of about ten-sail of vessels from the Texel and the +Maese has sailed. The news from the southern States of America of +continual fighting, in which our countrymen have done themselves great +honor; the capture of half the convoy under Hotham, by the Chevalier +de la Motte Piquet, and the destruction made at Gibraltar by the +Spaniards, have raised the spirits of this nation from that unmanly +gloom and despondency, into which they were thrown by the capture of +St Eustatia, Demerara, and Essequibo. But after all, this country at +present, is divided in sentiments; it is an Alexandrine, that "like a +wounded snake drags its slow length along." + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + +END OF THE FIFTH VOLUME. + + + * * * * * + +Transcriber's note: + +Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). + +Small capital text has been replaced with all capitals. + +Variations in spelling, punctuation and hyphenation have been retained +except in obvious cases of typographical error. + +Omitted words, shown as blank spaces in the original, have been +transcribed as four hyphens ( ---- ). + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Diplomatic Correspondence of the +American Revolution, Vol. V (of 12), by Various + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41833 *** |