my proceeding in the same point of light, and that they will agree
with me, that it is of the highest importance to know, if he, whom
your High Mightinesses have clothed with the dignity of Field
Marechal, whom they have engaged and continued in their service in the
manner abovementioned, is in fact the true cause of the deplorable
state of the weakness of the Republic, of all the negligence they
suppose to have taken place, of all the false steps, that they say
have been taken, and of all the unhappy consequences, that have
resulted from them. Your High Mightinesses are to examine in the most
exact manner, things so interesting, and to see if this person is the
source of the distrust and disunion; for what reasons he would be
totally unuseful and prejudicial to the service of the State and of
his Highness; what are the proofs of his want of affection to the
country; in one word, for what reason he should be hereafter unworthy
of the confidence of the Prince, who is placed at the head of this
Republic, to whose testimony I here take the liberty of appealing;
finally, for what reason he hath merited to be removed from the person
of his Highness, and of his Court, as a perpetual obstacle to the good
intelligence between his Highness and the Court.
"And as my honor is more dear to me than life, and as I am attacked in
a part so sensible, it is also for this reason, and in consideration
of that, which I owe to myself even, and to the relations, which I
have as well with this State and to your High Mightinesses, as to
those which I still have with his Imperial and Royal Majesty, to which
otherwise I should be too much wanting, that I see myself obliged to
address myself to your High Mightinesses, and by them to all the
confederates, to supplicate them respectfully, and to insist in the
most express manner, that your High Mightinesses would deign, after
the most severe and scrupulous examination, to take such measures in
protecting efficaciously the character, which your High Mightinesses
have confided to me, that I may be justified in a proper manner from
the blame, that the abovementioned proceeding hath cast upon me, and
that so sensible an affront as hath been offered me by it, may be
suitably repaired; that to this end it may please your High
Mightinesses to direct things in such a manner, that the four reigning
Burgomasters of Amsterdam, who have caused to be delivered in their
name the said Memorial, according to the letter of Burgomaster
Rendorp, be obliged, as well as the Pensionary Vischer, to allege the
reasons they have had of injuring me so grievously as they have done
by the said proceeding, and by the accusation, therein contained, and
to verify the whole in a suitable manner, which I cannot but consider
all that, which is there said as calumnies, and that they may be
obliged, moreover, to specify more precisely the other heads of
accusation, that they pretend to allege to my charge, and to bring the
requisite judiciary proofs of them; and in case that they can specify
nothing, or that they cannot prove sufficiently their allegations,
that the authors of the infamous reports circulated against me may be
sought out, to the end, that they may be punished as calumniators,
according to their deserts; finally, that your High Mightinesses will
then, conjointly with all the confederates, take such justificatory
resolutions, as will save my honor and my reputation in the nation,
and in the eyes of all Europe; that thus I may be placed in a
situation to support with proper dignity the character, which your
High Mightinesses have given me, and that I may obtain the
satisfaction, that your High Mightinesses, according to their profound
wisdom and known equity, shall judge equivalent to the affront offered
to my character and my relations.
"I have the honor to be, with the most sincere and respectful
attachment, High and Mighty Lords, your High Mightinesses' most
humble, most obedient, and faithful servant, L. DUC DE BRUNSVIC."
I have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN ADAMS.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Amsterdam, July 5th, 1781.[1]
Sir,
The following is an extract from the registry of the resolutions of
their High Mightinesses, the States-General of the United Provinces of
the Low Countries.
_Thursday, June the 20th, 1781._ His Serene Highness, the Prince of
Orange and Nassau, having appeared in the Assembly, made to their High
Mightinesses the following proposition.
"High and Mighty Lords,
"I have judged necessary to propose to your High Mightinesses to
examine, with the greatest care, if, since the present troubles have
arisen, proper attention has been paid to the placing the marine of
the State in that situation, that it had been able to act
efficaciously against an enemy, particularly one so strongly armed by
sea as the kingdom of Great Britain is, or if any negligence or
supineness hath had place in that respect, and in that case, to what
it ought to be attributed; and to the end to receive the necessary
information on that head, to write to the respective Colleges of
Admiralty, that they may make report, and declare how many vessels
they had in 1776, and how many were then equipped, and with how many
men, what they have done since the English have begun to molest the
ships of the inhabitants of this country, employed in the West India
trade under pretext of the disputes arisen with their colonies in
North America, and by consequence from the end of 1776 and the
beginning of 1777, to place themselves as much as was possible and in
their power, in a state to protect the commerce of this country, and
what they have done since the troubles have begun in Europe, and that
it was to be feared, that the Republic would have a share in them, for
to put it as much as depended on them, in a state of not only
protecting her commerce, but also to be able to assist in defending
the country, and in attacking the enemy; if they have been active to
effect that, which hath been resolved by your High Mightinesses for
this object, or if there has been a negligence in this respect; and in
that case, for what reason they have not executed these resolutions;
if it has been possible for them to furnish the ships put in
commission and equip them, to the end, that it may appear from whence
it arises, that the Republic finds itself in so deplorable a state of
defence by sea, which is certainly the point the most interesting in
this war, and upon which all the inhabitants of this country have an
eye. Although on this occasion I make only mention of the defence by
sea, I esteem it necessary to represent to your High Mightinesses,
that I am very far from avowing by that, that the land forces of this
State are sufficient to assure us, that the country is in a
respectable state of defence by land.
"I do not think myself under the necessity of justifying my conduct,
and that your High Mightinesses are ignorant of the efforts I have
made since my majority to place everything, which regards this
Republic, in a respectable posture of defence; nevertheless, I have
thought it in my power to represent to your High Mightinesses, that I
have on more than one occasion, given it as my opinion, that this
Republic ought to be placed not only by land but also by sea, in a
proper state of defence, to the end to be able to maintain its liberty
and independence, and not to be obliged to take measures contrary to
the true interests of the country; but conformable to those of a power
from whose menaces it has at length more to fear, because it is not in
a state to resist it.
"It is for that reason that even in the beginning of 1771, I have
given to understand, that the Deputies of the Province of Holland and
West Friesland had proposed in the assembly of your High Mightinesses,
by the express orders of the gentlemen, the States their constituents,
to cause to be formed a petition for the construction of twentyfour
vessels of war; that I have not neglected to insist upon all
occasions, as well upon the re-establishment of the marine as upon the
augmentation of the land forces, and to press particularly more than
once the conclusion of the petition for the construction of vessels.
"It is for the same reason, that in the beginning of the year 1775,
upon occasion of the exertions made by the gentlemen, the Commissaries
of your High Mightinesses for the affairs of war, with some members of
the Council of State, to conciliate the different sentiments of the
respective confederates, in regard to the plan of augmentation of the
land forces, proposed by the Council of State, the 19th of July, 1773,
I have made a conciliatory proposition to this purport, viz. 'that
the sum for the department of war should be fixed at six hundred
thousand florins for the marine, and to make amends for that, that the
sum of one million five hundred thousand florins demanded in 1773, for
an augmentation to be made of the land forces, should be reduced to
nine hundred thousand florins;' which proposition was embraced at that
time by the gentlemen, the States of Guelderland, Friesland,
Overyssel, and Gronigen, but hath had no further operation.
"I shall not allege here the entreaties that I have annually made with
the Council of State by the general petition; but shall communicate
only to your High Mightinesses the proposition that I have made to the
assembly of the gentlemen, the States of Holland and West Friesland,
the 10th of March, 1779, which is of the same tenor with the letter I
wrote the same day to the gentlemen, the States of Guelderland,
Zealand, Utrecht, Friesland, Overyssel, and Groningen, a copy of which
I have the honor to remit to your High Mightinesses. I cannot disguise
that in my opinion it was to have been wished, that what I then
proposed had been more attended to, since I dare assure myself that if
the republic had found it good at that time to have caused to be armed
fifty or sixty vessels well equipped, and provided with every
necessary, whereof not less than twenty or thirty should have been of
the line, and to have augmented the land forces to fifty or sixty
thousand men of foot, it would not have found itself in its present
unhappy circumstances, but it would have been respected as an
independent State by all the powers, it would have been able to
maintain the system of neutrality, which it had embraced; and it would
have seen itself in a state to promise itself with reason, under the
divine benediction, that in giving great weight to the party to which
it should be joined, it would not have been to be feared that any
power whatsoever would have attacked it, but that it would have been
managed by each, and that her friendship being sought by all, and not
giving to any one of them just causes of complaint, it would have
obtained the esteem and confidence of all the powers, which would have
produced the best effects for the true interests of this State,
certainly and in every case, if it had been attacked by an unjust war,
to which a State is always exposed, it would have seen itself in a
state to make an opposition with hopes of success, and of obliging the
enemy to seek the friendship of this State, upon honorable terms for
the Republic."
The following is the letter from his Serene Highness to the Lords, the
States of Guelderland, Zealand, Utrecht, Friesland, Overyssel, and
Groningen, dated March 10th, 1779.
"Noble and Mighty Lords, intimate and good Friends;--We think
ourselves obliged to communicate to your Noble Mightinesses our
sentiments respecting one of the most important objects of your
deliberations, viz. we are very far from judging that it would be
expedient that this Republic should renounce the lawful rights, which
appertain to its inhabitants in virtue of solemn treaties; we think,
on the contrary, that they ought to be maintained by all the means
that Providence hath placed in the hands of this Republic, but that it
belongs only to your Noble Mightinesses, and to the Noble Mighty
Lords, the States of the other Provinces to decide, when it is time
that their High Mightinesses ought to take the resolution of granting
an unlimited protection to their commercial inhabitants, and that
their High Mightinesses not having engaged themselves by any treaty
whatsoever with any foreign power, to protect all branches of commerce
without distinction, no one hath a right to exact from them, that, in
granting protection, they ought to grant it to all vessels without
distinction, without leaving to their prudence to decide if they are
in a condition to protect all the branches of commerce; and if they
can do it in the present moment without hazarding important interests,
and exposing themselves to the greatest danger.
"We think, then, that in this case it will be proper to pay no regard
to anything else than the true interests of the Republic, and it is
for this reason that before a final resolution is taken to convoy
vessels loaded with wood, it would be necessary to examine the state
of the Republic, both by land and sea. In our opinion, nothing will be
more expedient for this Republic than an exact and punctual
neutrality, without prejudicing the treaties which it has with foreign
powers, but we think that to maintain and support it efficaciously,
and not only for so long a time as it may please one of the
belligerent powers to require of the Republic, in a violent and
threatening manner, that it takes a part, that it will be proper that
the Republic be put in an armed state, that to this end it will be
necessary to equip at least fifty or sixty vessels, not less than
twenty or thirty of them of the line, and to augment the land forces
to fifty or sixty thousand men, and that the frontier places should be
put in a proper state of defence, and the magazines provided with the
requisite munitions of war. In which case we are of opinion, that the
Republic would be respected by all the powers, and could do, without
obstacle, what is permitted it by the treaties, or would not be
prevented from doing and acting what it should judge proper to its
true interests.
"For these reasons we judge, that the fidelity we owe to our country
requires us to offer this consideration to the enlightened minds of
your Noble Mightinesses, and to give your Noble Mightinesses the
deliberation of it, to take a resolution, to the end that by the
construction of a considerable number of vessels, and particularly of
the line, the marine may be reinforced, and that by the augmentation
of the monthly pay or premiums, or by such other arrangements as your
Noble Mightinesses, and the Lords, the States of the other Provinces,
shall judge proper, it may be effected that the sailors necessary to
equip them be procured, and that at the same time your Noble
Mightinesses grant the sums for the necessary augmentation, to the end
to carry the land forces to the number of fifty or sixty thousand men,
and for the petitions respecting the fortifications and magazines.
"When your Noble Mightinesses and the Lords the States of the other
Provinces shall have done that, and this reinforcement, both by sea
and land, shall have been carried into execution, we think that this
is the epoch when the Republic may with advantage, and as an
independent State, take the resolution of maintaining the rights which
appertain to their inhabitants according to the treaties, and
particularly that of Marine, in 1674. But before the Republic is put
in a respectable state of defence, we should fear, that a resolution
to take under convoy all vessels indiscriminately, according to the
letter of the said treaty, and particularly vessels loaded with ship
timber, might have very bad consequences for the true interests of
this State, and expose the honor of its flag to an affront. And is for
this reason we are of opinion, that it would be proper, that it should
be resolved by an ulterior resolution, that the vessels loaded with
masts, knees, beams, and other kinds of wood necessary to the
construction of ships of war should not be taken under convoy, before
an equipment of fifty or sixty vessels, (not less than twenty or
thirty of them of the line,) is ready, and before having augmented the
land forces to fifty or sixty thousand men of foot; but that in the
meantime, to the end to protect as much as possible, the general
commerce of this country, without exposing the important interests of
the State, the necessary convoys as they were announced, shall be
granted to all other vessels not loaded with contraband effects, to
the end that all the branches of commerce may not be suspended and
left without protection, during the time of the deliberation upon the
protection of one branch only. We expect, that when the Republic shall
be put into this armed state, all the powers will leave her to
exercise the right which belongs to her of keeping an exact
neutrality, and of observing also on their part, everything which the
treaties it hath made may require, &c."
Which having been deliberated, their High Mightinesses have thanked
his Serene Highness for the said proposition.
"They regard it as a new mark of his assiduous zeal and solicitude for
the interests of the State, in declaring that their High Mightinesses
acknowledged with gratitude, all the efforts that his Serene Highness
hath employed since his majority, and in particular since the
commencement of the war between the two neighboring kingdoms, to put
the Republic in a proper state of defence, both by sea and land, and
could have wished that these efforts might have had the desired effect
in every respect; and besides, it has been found good and resolved,
that conformably to the proposition of his Serene Highness, it shall
be notified to the respective Colleges of the Admiralty, (in sending
to them a copy of the said proposition,) that they make report and
render an account how many vessels they had in 1776; in what condition
they were, and how many of them were equipped with the number of men;
afterwards what they have done since the English have begun to molest
the ships of the inhabitants of this country trading to the West
Indies, under pretext of disputes arisen with their Colonies in North
America, and thus from the end of the year 1776, and at the beginning
of 1777, to put themselves in a condition, as much as was possible and
in their power, to protect the commerce of this country, and what they
have done since the troubles have begun in Europe, and that it was to
be feared that the Republic would become a party, to put themselves in
a condition for what depended upon them, to protect not only their
commerce, but also to be able to aid in defending the country and
attacking the enemy; if they have been active to carry into effect
what your High Mightinesses have resolved upon this subject, and if
any negligence hath had place in this regard, and in this case, for
what reasons they have not executed those resolutions; if they have
been in a possibility of supporting and equipping the vessels put in
commission, to the end that it may appear to what we ought to
attribute the present situation."
I have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN ADAMS.
FOOTNOTE:
[1] Mr Adams arrived at Paris on the 6th of July, and consequently
could not have written this letter in Amsterdam on the 5th, although
it is thus dated in the original. He was absent during the whole month
of July, and yet several letters, as will be seen, are dated at
Amsterdam in that time. These letters contain chiefly intelligence,
which was probably collected by his Secretary, under different dates
during Mr Adams' absence, and forwarded by him on his return without
altering the dates. This will account for the circumstance of letters
being dated throughout the month of July, both at Amsterdam and
Paris.
* * * * *
TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES.
Versailles, July 7th, 1781.
Sir,
I have the honor to inform your Excellency, that upon an intimation
from you, signified to me by M. Berenger, and afterwards by the Duc de
la Vauguyon, that the interest of the United States required me here,
I arrived last night in Paris, and am come today to Versailles, to pay
my respects to your Excellency, and receive your further
communications. As your Excellency was in council when I had the honor
to call at your office, and as it is very possible that some other day
may be more agreeable, I have the honor to request you to appoint the
time, which will be most convenient for me to wait on you.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, Sir, your most obedient,
and most humble servant,
JOHN ADAMS.
The foregoing letter I sent by my servant, who waited until the Count
descended from council, when he delivered it into his hand. He broke
the seal, read the letter, and said he was very sorry he could not see
Mr Adams, but he was obliged to go into the country immediately after
dinner; that Mr Adams, _seroit dans le cas de voir M. de Rayneval_,
who lived at such a sign in such a street. After dinner, I called on
M. Rayneval, who said; M. le Duc de la Vauguyon has informed me, that
there is a question of a pacification, under the mediation of the
Emperor of Germany and the Empress of Russia, and that it was
necessary that I should have some consultations at leisure with the
Count de Vergennes, that we might understand each other's views; that
he would see the Count tomorrow morning, and write me when he would
meet me; that they had not changed their principles nor their system;
that the treaties were the foundation of all negotiation. I said, that
I lodged at the hotel de Valois, where I did formerly; that I should
be ready to wait on the Count when it would be agreeable to him, and
to confer with him upon everything relative to any proposition, which
the English might have made. He said the English had not made any
propositions, but it was necessary to consider certain points, and
make certain preparatory arrangements; to know whether we were British
subjects, or in what light we were to be considered, &c. Smiling, I
said, I was not a British subject, that I had renounced that character
many years ago, forever; and that I should rather be a fugitive in
China or Malabar, than ever reassume that character.
On the 9th, was brought me by one of the Count de Vergennes' ordinary
commissaries the following billet.
M. DE RAYNEVAL TO JOHN ADAMS.
Translation.
Versailles, July 9th, 1781.
Sir,
I have had the honor to inform you, that the Count de Vergennes
desired to have an interview with you, and it will give him pleasure
if you can meet him on Wednesday next, at nine o'clock in the morning.
Meantime, I have the honor to be, &c.
GERARD DE RAYNEVAL.
TO M. DE RAYNEVAL.
Paris, July 9th, 1781.
Sir,
I have this moment the honor of your billet of this day's date, and
will do myself the honor to wait on his Excellency the Count de
Vergennes at his office, on Wednesday next, at nine of the clock in
the morning according to his desire.
I have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN ADAMS.
Accordingly on Wednesday I went to Versailles, and met the Count at
his office, with M. de Rayneval, at nine o'clock, who communicated to
me the following articles proposed by the two Imperial Courts. That
Spain had prepared her answers; that of France was nearly ready; but
did not know that England had yet answered.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Amsterdam, July 7th, 1781.
Sir,
The following Resolution was passed at the Hague, the 2d of this
month, by their High Mightinesses the States-General, respecting the
Duke of Brunswick.
"Heard the report of Messrs de Lynden, de Hemmen, and other deputies
of their High Mightinesses for marine affairs, who, in consequence and
conformably to a commissorial resolution of their High Mightinesses of
the 21st of last month, have examined a letter of the Duke of
Brunswick, dated at the Hague the same day, and containing serious
complaints upon the proposition, that the gentlemen, the Deputies of
the city of Amsterdam, have made to his Highness, after that many
calumnies and atrocious accusations had been circulated against him in
public; upon which, having deliberated, it hath been found good and
resolved,