belonging to the Most Christian King, or to the United Provinces, it
shall be restored to the first proprietor, paying the thirtieth part
of the value of the vessel, of the cargo, cannon, and apparel, if it
has been retaken in twentyfour hours; and the tenth, if it has been
taken after the twentyfour hours; which sums shall be distributed as a
gratification to the crews of the vessels recaptured. The estimation
of the thirtieth and tenth, beforementioned shall be regulated
conformably to the tenor of the article first of the present
Convention.
"ART. IV. The vessels of war and privateers of the one and the other
of the two nations shall be admitted reciprocally both in Europe, and
in the other parts of the world, in the respective ports with their
prizes, which may be there unloaded, and sold according to the
formalities used in the State where the prize shall have been
conducted; provided, nevertheless, that the lawfulness of the prizes
made by the French vessels shall be decided conformably to the laws
and regulations established in France concerning this matter, in the
same manner as that of prizes made by Dutch vessels shall be judged
according to the laws and regulations established in the United
Provinces.
"ART. V. Moreover, it shall be free to His Most Christian Majesty, as
well as to the Lords the States-General, to make such regulations as
they shall judge good relative to the conduct, which their vessels and
privateers respectively shall hold in regard to the vessels, which
they shall have taken and carried into one of the ports of the two
dominions.
"In faith of which, the aforesaid Plenipotentiaries of His Most
Christian Majesty, and of the Lords the States-General, in virtue of
our powers respectively, have signed these presents, and have hereunto
affixed the seal of our arms. Done at Versailles, the first of the
month of May, 1781.
GRAVIER DE VERGENNES,
LESTEVENON VAN BERKENRODE."
I have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN ADAMS.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Amsterdam, May 27th, 1781.
Sir,
In the Assembly of the States-General, the following Report has lately
been made.
"Messrs de Lynden de Hemmen, and other Deputies of their High
Mightinesses for Maritime Affairs, have, in consequence of the
commissorial Resolution of the 27th of the last month, examined a
letter of the Directors named in the commission by the respective
chambers of the granted general company of the Dutch East Indies, to
the Assembly of Seventeen, held the 23d of the same month at
Amsterdam, representing the great inconveniences to which it would be
exposed by the delay of the expedition of the vessels of the company,
if it were not soon provided with the customary provisions, at least
as much as in ordinary times, as well as the possibility that the
enemy may attempt an attack in that country, upon which the Directors
would be exposed to answer for it, having in the different chambers
seven vessels ready to put to sea, with the hope that ere long this
number will be still further augmented; soliciting to this end, a
convenient number of vessels of war, to give a safe escort to the
ships of the company, while the Directors on their parts will put all
in motion to watch over the safety of their vessels; wishing to this
end to arm some of these vessels in an extraordinary manner, to the
end that they may be able to oppose some resistance both for
themselves and for the others, scattered over the sea of the Indies.
That, nevertheless, if their High Mightinesses could not determine
themselves to this, they, the Directors, hoped that they should not be
responsible for the consequences which might result. That on the
contrary, all the sharers in general, and their High Mightinesses in
particular, would agree that in this the Directors have done all that
could be required of persons to whom had been confided the direction
of the goods of so many widows and orphans, of persons who, under the
immediate auspices of their High Mightinesses, had the honor to direct
a Colony whose prosperity is essentially connected with that of this
country.
"Upon which, having demanded and received the considerations and the
advice of the committees of the Colleges of the respective
Admiralties, which are at present here, we have reported to the
Assembly, that the gentlemen, the Deputies, should be of opinion, that
notwithstanding the most ardent wishes to employ a sufficient number
of vessels of war, not only for the defence of the ships but also that
of the possessions of the company of the East Indies of this country,
it would, however, be impracticable at this time, considering the
present situation of the navy of this State, universally known, which
could not appear strange to any one instructed in the natural
representations so often repeated from time to time by the Colleges of
the Admiralty in this respect; especially if he considers, that a
navy, fallen into so great a decay, could not be rebuilt so suddenly,
and placed so soon upon a respectable footing; that, moreover, this
navy already so enfeebled, was become still more so by the surprise
and capture of different vessels of war, by casual disasters happened
to others, and because the rest were dispersed into so many different
places, that for the equipment projected for this year, there was
wanting a great quantity of vessels and frigates well equipped and
provided, at least such as in the case in question could be used; that
besides the vessels ready to act, which are actually in the ports of
the Republic, ought in the first place, and before all things, to
serve for the defence of the coasts and harbors (or mouths of the
rivers) as well as for the protection of the navigation towards the
North Sea and the Baltic, and of the ships, which return from thence;
that principally by reason of the unheard of scarcity of seamen,
occasioned in a great measure by the capture of so enormous a quantity
of Dutch merchant ships, which had been manned by the best seamen of
the nation, it was almost impossible to determine the time when the
other vessels of war in commissions should be able to act.
"That, nevertheless, the Company of the East Indies was of too great
importance to this country, for us to be able to reject entirely her
demand; and by so much the less as the Directors do not request to be
protected to the detriment of the Republic, but they demonstrate also
that they are really willing on their part to make their last efforts
for their own defence, and contented themselves to require the
suitable support of the State, to sustain the forces which the company
was about to put in action; that from the refusal of a requisition of
this nature it might result, that in losing all hope in the protection
of the State, they may neglect also those efforts, which otherwise
might be employed with some appearance of success; that, besides, the
national establishments in this distant part of the globe would also
fall, and without the least resistance, into the hands of the enemy,
and that this Republic at the end of the present war would find itself
destitute of all its resources; that this presentiment, apparently,
ought to effect a close union of all the forces, to fulfil as far as
possible the desire of the said Directors, and that to the end to try
all practicable means, expecting at the same time the celestial
benediction, and the prompt and effectual succor of our high allies,
in default of ordinary remedies, it is necessary to have recourse
without the smallest loss of time to extraordinary remedies, and to
this effect his Most Serene Highness, in his quality of Stadtholder
and Admiral-General of the Republic, ought to be solicited and
authorised, if it was possible, either by borrowing vessels of war,
their equipages, or by purchasing or hiring here or elsewhere, other
suitable ships, which might be appropriated to this, or finally in
every other practicable manner to reinforce at the expense of the
country, the marine of the State, with the greatest celerity, and as
much as possible; in consequence of which, in concert with the said
Directors of the East India Company, we may regulate the time, the
manner, and the force of the protection to be procured for the company
in question; the whole, as his Most Serene Highness, saving the sense
of the resolution of their High Mightinesses of the 26th of March
last, shall judge the most convenient for the greatest utility of the
Republic, and of the said Company. Finally, that it would be
convenient also to intimate to the Colleges of the Admiralty
respectively of this country, to co-operate as much as possible with
his Most Serene Highness, not only to put and hold with the greatest
expedition in a convenient state the vessels of the Republic, but also
in particular for everything that may contribute to accelerate their
equipment and sailing, and to the greatest success of the enrolments;
with a promise, that the extraordinary expenses which shall result
from it and be advanced with the advice of his Most Serene Highness,
shall be restored and made good to them.
"Upon which, having deliberated, the Deputies of the Province of
Zealand have taken a copy of this report, to be able to communicate
more amply."
I do myself the honor to transmit such state papers entire, because
Congress will be able from them to collect the real state of things
better than from any remarks of mine. The state of the Republic is
deplorable enough. There is but one sure path for it to pursue, that
is, instantly to accede to the Treaty of Alliance between France and
America. They see this, but have not firmness to venture upon the
measure. Indeed, the military character both at land and sea, seems to
be lost out of this nation. The love of fame, the desire of glory, the
love of country, the regard for posterity, in short, all the brilliant
and sublime passions are lost, and succeeded by nothing but the love
of ease and money; but the character of this people must change, or
they are finally undone.
I have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN ADAMS.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Amsterdam, May 29th, 1781.
Sir,
The English, by the capture of St Eustatia, seem to have committed the
most complete blunder of all. There was found in that Island a greater
quantity of property belonging to the Britons themselves, than to the
French, Dutch, or Americans. They have broken up a trade, which was
more advantageous to them, than to any of their enemies, as it was a
channel through which British manufactures were conveyed to North
America, and much provisions and assistance to their fleets and armies
in the West Indies. As the British merchants were warranted by an act
of Parliament to trade to this Island, all those who are sufferers by
its capture are clamoring against government and especially against
Rodney and Vaughan, for illegally seizing their property and
threatening these commanders with as many law-suits as there are
losses. But what completes the jest is, that M. de la Motte Piquet has
carried safe into Brest two and twenty of the vessels loaded with the
spoils of St Eustatia, which Rodney had sent under convoy of Commodore
Hotham and four ships of the line; so that Rodney after having lost
his booty is likely to have law-suits to defend, and very probably the
whole to repay to the owners.
Thus the cards are once more turned against the gambler; and the
nation has gained nothing but an addition to their reputation for
iniquity. This is good justice. There is room to hope for more
instances of it; because their fleets are coming home from the West
Indies, and the Spanish fleet of thirty sail of the line under Cordova
is again at sea, and it is hoped the French fleet will soon go out
again.
The English fleets are so fully employed by the French and Spaniards,
that the Dutch might do a great deal if they would; but something in
this machine is fatally amiss. The patriots weep, but all in vain. The
fleets and ships that sail, are said to have orders to act only on the
defensive. The courtiers say, that Amsterdam is the cause of the war;
the friends of Amsterdam say, the courtiers are corrupted by the
English. Some say, the Prince declares he will never do anything
against the English; others say, that he has authorised the French
Ambassador to assure the King his master, that he was ready to make
arrangements with him; others report sayings of the Princess, that the
conduct of some of the courtiers will be the ruin of her family. All
these reports serve to no purpose, but to show the confusion and
distraction of the country. However, there must be a change soon for
the better or worse, for hunger will break down all ordinary fences.
I have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN ADAMS.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Amsterdam, May 31st, 1781.
Sir,
The following memorial lays open a dispute between two nations.
"High and Mighty Lords,
"It is well known to your High Mightinesses, with what constancy and
for how long a time, the subscriber has had the honor to lay before
you, by order of his Court, how much she desires to accomplish a
settlement of the differences, which exist upon the Rio Volta between
her subjects and yours, who have by little and little wrongfully
occupied and fortified the posts of Creve Coeur and of Good Hope,
which at present incommode and restrain the Danish establishments upon
that coast to a degree almost to destroy the existence of them, to put
them to expenses for their maintenance, which absorb their utility,
and to render more and more necessary measures, which his Majesty
would desire not to be obliged to think of. In consequence, although
the subscriber has rendered a faithful account of the assurances,
which have been repeatedly given him, of the desire, which your High
Mightinesses have to take away even from its source all subject of
misunderstanding reciprocally, a desire very conformable with that of
the King his master; nevertheless, as nothing has resulted from these
general assurances he finds himself at present obliged to execute the
orders, which he has received; to demand of your High Mightinesses to
cause to be evacuated the said forts of Creve Coeur and Good Hope,
the existence of which cannot consist with that of the establishment
of Denmark. He has express orders to make this requisition, and to
give to understand, that as his Majesty will be very sensible of this
friendly manner of terminating the present differences upon the coast
of Guinea, so will he see with sincere regret that you will oblige him
to give to this affair a more serious attention. The Hague, April
28th.
ST SAPHORIN."
I have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN ADAMS.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Amsterdam, May 31st, 1781.
Sir,
The cities of Haerlem and Dort have seconded Amsterdam, although the
other cities of Holland have hitherto been silent, as appears by the
following declarations.
"A declaration of the gentlemen, the Deputies of Dort, concerning the
proposition of the city of Amsterdam, made at the assembly of their
Noble and Grand Mightinesses on the 18th of May, 1781.
"The gentlemen, the Deputies of Dort, have declared to the assembly,
that they had been earnest to transmit to the Regency of their city
the propositions of the gentlemen, the Burgomasters and Counsellors of
Amsterdam, communicating to them at the same time, that with regard to
the matter, which makes the object of it, the gentlemen, the Deputies,
had beforehand declared, that since the substance of the said
proposition was entirely conformable to that, which for some time had
formed among the gentlemen, the Constituents, the object of
preliminary deliberations, the Deputies had believed themselves
tacitly authorised to adopt immediately the said proposition in all
its points, which determined them also to testify their very sincere
gratitude to the gentlemen, the Deputies of Amsterdam, and in their
persons to the gentlemen, the Burgomasters and Regents of the same
city, for the enlightened and vigilant zeal with which these gentlemen
in taking this step, so salutary and so necessary, had shown that they
have at heart the true interests of their dear country, which had
already experienced so many injuries. That at present, the gentlemen,
the Deputies, after the communications alleged, found themselves
expressly instructed to cause to be inserted in the minutes of their
Noble and Grand Mightinesses, for the justification of the Regency of
their city before posterity, that the venerable Magistracy of Dort,
approving what is before mentioned, had learned with a lively
satisfaction the proposition before mentioned; that it was ready and
disposed in the name of that city, to concur efficaciously in all the
means, which may be judged the most convenient, to save with alacrity
this country, now threatened and surrounded with the greatest and most
terrible dangers; that to this end the venerable Regents of Dort would
not fail to deliberate immediately upon the particular points, which
the proposition in question presents, and to cause in course their
resolution to be transmitted to the assembly of their Noble and Grand
Mightinesses."
Note of the Deputies of Haerlem, touching the provisional resolution
taken by their Noble and Grand Mightinesses, upon the proposition of
Amsterdam.
"The gentlemen, the Deputies of the city of Haerlem, resuming the
extension of the 18th of May, have declared, that in accepting the
proposition of the gentlemen, the Deputies of the city of Amsterdam,
their advice had been, that since the said proposition ought to be
attributed to a laudable desire to watch over the common interests,
the gentlemen, the Deputies of Amsterdam, and in their persons, the
gentlemen their constituents, ought to be thanked for the zeal and
marked attention upon this occasion for the utility of their dear
country. But, as at that time almost all the members relished this
advice in such a manner, that the assembly had converted it into a
provisional resolution, the gentlemen, the Deputies, had a good right
to presume, that, in imitation of many antecedent facts, this advice
would have become an essential measure, to cause to be passed the
beforementioned provisional resolution. But the gentlemen, the
Deputies, seeing the contrary, and their remarks made in this regard,
answered by a frozen silence on the part of the other members, they
have, both on account of this circumstance, and to ascertain what
really passed in consequence of the proposition in question, and to
justify the report made to the gentlemen, their principals, upon this
object, judged necessary to cause this note to be inserted in the
minutes of their Noble and Grand Mightinesses."
With hearty wishes that this dumb spirit may be soon cast out, I have
the honor to be, &c.
JOHN ADAMS.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE STATES-GENERAL.
Amsterdam, June 1st, 1781.
Sir,
I have received from my Sovereign, the United States of America, in
Congress assembled, their express instructions to notify to their High
Mightinesses, the States-General, the complete and final ratification
of the confederation of the Thirteen United States, from New Hampshire
to Georgia, both included, on the 1st day of March last.
I do myself the honor to enclose an authentic copy of this important
act, and to request the favor of you, Sir, to communicate it to their
High Mightinesses in such a manner as you shall judge most convenient;
as in the present circumstances of affairs I know of no more proper
mode of discharging this part of my duty.
I have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN ADAMS.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Amsterdam, June 5th, 1781.
Sir,
The Deputies of Middleburg, in the assembly of the States of Zealand,
on the 14th of May, consented to the petition for granting larger
bounties to those who shall engage in the service of the Republic by
sea. Their advice has been given in this manner;
"The gentlemen, the Deputies of Middleburg, have said that they were
authorised by the gentlemen, their principals, to conform themselves
to the report in question, in all its parts. They are further
specially instructed and ordered, (renewing the advice of their city,
communicated with their consent to the two States of war of the 9th of
last month,) to represent upon this occasion, in the name of the
gentlemen, their principals, and to insist strongly, that without
delay it should be deliberated by a committee, concerning the measures
the most prompt and the most efficacious to be taken by this Province,
to direct things in course in the generality, in such a manner, that
in the critical and disastrous situation in which the Republic is, we
should apply our attention conjointly, with redoubled zeal, activity,
and wisdom, in defence of the territory, commerce, and possessions of
the Republic; that we finally awake out of that unexpected inaction,
in which as is too apparent the Republic is still found, the causes of
which cannot, and ought not in any degree, to be attributed to this
Province; or that at least, without delay and without reserve, the
true reasons of this dangerous and disgraceful situation should be
communicated to the Lords, the States of Zealand, from whom nothing,
which concerns the Union ought to be concealed; to the end, that in
course they may deliberate sincerely with the other confederates upon
the means of deliverance and of precaution, the most prompt, and the
most convenient for the common advantage, safety, and preservation.
"The Lords, the States of Zealand, have also represented to their High
Mightinesses, the propriety of establishing batteries upon the coast
of Flanders, upon the places the most exposed, and to provide them
with cannon and necessary stores, that they may be able to act, with
the armed vessels stationed upon the river, against any enterprises
which may be attempted by the enemy's vessels.
"On the 22d of last month, their Noble and Grand Mightinesses
deliberated upon the proposition of the Counsellor Pensionary, made on
the 18th of the same month, in the name of the gentlemen, the
counsellors' committees, viz. that it having been resolved, by a
resolution of their Noble and Grand Mightinesses of the 16th of
January, to negotiate a sum of eight millions, at two and a half per
cent interest, this negotiation had had so happy a success, that it
was almost filled up, as the treasury general and the other treasuries
of the quarter of the south of this Province have received seven
millions fortysix thousand six hundred and fifty florins, and those of
the quarter of the north, five hundred and seventyeight thousand eight
hundred florins. That the Counsellor Pensionary, seeing that the
present situation of affairs requires in all respects, that the
treasury of the State should be provided of a larger quantity of
money, has proposed to the consideration of their Noble and Grand
Mightinesses, whether they did not judge it convenient to augment the
negotiation in question by four other millions, and, consequently, to
extend it to twelve millions, upon the same footing and with the same
interest, as determined by their resolution of the 16th of January
last.
"Upon which it was thought fit, and resolved, to consent to the
negotiation of these eight millions, and to increase it with four
others, so as to make twelve millions upon the same footing. The
Prince has made a tour to the Brille, Helvoetsluys, Goeree, and
Willemstadt, where he has reviewed the troops and vessels of war, and
returned to the Hague on the third of this month."
I send to Congress an account of these faint and feeble symptoms of
life, because there is no appearance of any more vigorous. I am told
that this _vis inertiae_ is profound policy. If it is policy at all, it
is so profound, as to be perfectly incomprehensible. However, their
property and dominion, their honor and dignity, their sovereignty and
independence are their own, and if they choose to throw them all away,
for aught I know, they have a right to do it. There is one comfort, if
other nations have nothing to hope, they have nothing to fear from
such policy.
I have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN ADAMS.
* * * * *
TO M. BERENGER, SECRETARY OF THE FRENCH EMBASSY AT THE HAGUE.
Amsterdam, June 8th, 1781.
Sir,