Chapter VI: Section 2: And be it further enacted, That on the (3)

The legion and State troops formed our advance, and were to
retire upon the flanks upon the enemy's forming. In this order we
moved on to the attack. The legion and State troops fell in with
a party of the enemy's horse and foot, about four miles from
their camp, who, mistaking our people for a party of militia,
charged them briskly, but were soon convinced of their mistake by
the reception they met with. The infantry of the State troops
kept up a heavy fire, and the legion in front, under Captain
Rudolph, charged them with fixed bayonets; they fled on all
sides, leaving four or five dead on the ground, and several more
wounded. As this was supposed to be the advance of the British
army, our front line was ordered to form and move on briskly in
line, the legion and State troops to take their position upon the
flanks. All the country is covered with timber, from the place
the action began to Eutaw Springs. The firing began again between
two and three miles from the British camp. The militia were
ordered to keep advancing as they fired. The enemy's advanced
parties were soon driven in, and a most tremendous fire began on
both sides from right to left, and the legion and State troops
were closely engaged. General Marion, Colonel Malmady, and
General Pickens conducted the troops with great gallantry and
good conduct; and the militia fought with a degree of spirit and
firmness that reflects the highest honour upon that class of
soldiers. But the enemy's fire being greatly superior to ours,
and continuing to advance, the militia began to give ground. The
North Carolina brigade, under General Sumner, was ordered up to
their support. These were all new levies, and had been under
discipline but little more than a month, notwithstanding which
they fought with a degree of obstinacy that would do honour to
the best of veterans, and I could hardly tell which to admire
most, the gallantry of the officers or the bravery of the troops.
They kept up a heavy and well directed fire, and the enemy
returned it with equal spirit, for they really fought worthy of a
better cause, and great execution was done on both sides. In this
stage of the action, the Virginians under Lieutenant-Colonel
Campbell, and the Marylanders under Colonel Williams, were led on
to a brisk charge, with trailed arms, through a heavy cannonade
and a shower of musket balls. Nothing could exceed the gallantry
and firmness of both officers and soldiers upon this (p. 054)
occasion. They preserved their order, and pressed on with such
unshaken resolution that they bore all before them. The enemy was
routed in all quarters. Lieutenant-Colonel Lee had, with great
address, gallantry, and good conduct, turned the enemy's left
flank, and was charging them in rear at the same time the
Virginia and Maryland troops were charging them in front. A most
valuable officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Hampton, who commanded the
State cavalry, and who fortunately succeeded Lieutenant-Colonel
Henderson in command, charged a party of the enemy, and took
upwards of one hundred prisoners. Lieutenant-Colonel Washington
brought up the corps of reserve upon the left, where the enemy
seemed disposed to make further resistance, and charged them so
briskly with the cavalry and Captain Kirkwood's infantry as gave
them no time to rally or form. Lieutenant-Colonels Polk and
Middleton, who commanded the State infantry, were no less
conspicuous for their good conduct than their intrepidity; and
the troops under their command gave a specimen of what may be
expected from men, naturally brave, when improved by proper
discipline. Captain-Lieutenant Gaines, who commanded the
three-pounders with the front line, did great execution until his
pieces were dismounted. We kept close at the enemy's heels after
they broke, until we got into their camp, and a great number of
prisoners were continually falling into our hands, and some
hundreds of the fugitives ran off toward Charleston. But a party
threw themselves into a large three-story brick house, which
stands near the spring; others took post in a picqueted garden,
while others were lodged in an impenetrable thicket, consisting
of a cragged shrub called a blackjack. Thus secured in front, and
upon the right by the house and a deep ravine, upon the left by
the picqueted garden and in the impenetrable shrubs, and the rear
also being secured by the springs and deep hollow ways, the enemy
renewed the action. Every exertion was made to dislodge them.
Lieutenant-Colonel Washington made most astonishing efforts to
get through the thicket to charge the enemy in the rear, but
found it impracticable, had his horse shot under him, and was
wounded and taken prisoner. Four six-pounders were ordered up
before the house--two of our own and two of the enemy's, which
they had abandoned--and they were pushed on so much under the
command of the fire from the house and the party in the thicket
as rendered it impracticable to bring them off again when the
troops were ordered to retire. Never were pieces better served;
most of the men and officers were either killed or wounded.
Washington failing in his charge upon the left, and the legion
baffled in an attempt upon the right, and finding our infantry
galled by the fire of the enemy, and our ammunition mostly
consumed, though both officers and men continued to exhibit
uncommon acts of heroism, I thought proper to retire out of the
fire of the house, and draw up the troops at a little distance in
the woods, not thinking it advisable to push our advantages
further, being persuaded the enemy could not hold the post many
hours, and that our chance to attack them on the retreat was
better than a second attempt to dislodge them, in which, if we
succeeded, it must be attended with considerable loss.

We collected all our wounded, except such as were under the
command of the fire of the house, and retired to the ground from
which we marched in the morning, there being no water nearer, (p. 055)
and the troops ready to faint with the heat and want of
refreshment, the action having continued near four hours. I left
on the field of action a strong picquet, and early in the morning
detached General Marion and Lieutenant-Colonel Lee, with the
legion of horse between Eutaw and Charleston, to prevent any
reinforcements from coming to the relief of the enemy; and also
to retard their march, should they attempt to retire, and give
time to the army to fall upon their rear and put a finishing
stroke to our success. We left two pieces of our artillery in the
hands of the enemy, and brought off one of theirs. On the evening
of the 9th the enemy retired, leaving upward of seventy of their
wounded behind them, and not less than one thousand stand of arms
that were picked up on the field, and found broke and concealed
in the Eutaw Springs. They stove between twenty and thirty
puncheons of rum, and destroyed a great variety of other stores,
which they had not carriages to carry off. We pursued them the
moment we got intelligence of their retiring; but they formed a
junction with Major McArthur at this place, General Marion and
Lieutenant-Colonel Lee not having a force sufficient to prevent
it; but on our approach they retired to the neighbourhood of
Charleston. We have taken five hundred prisoners, including the
wounded the enemy left behind; and I think they cannot have
suffered less than six hundred more in killed and wounded. The
fugitives that fled from the field of battle spread such an alarm
that the enemy burnt their stores at Dorchester, and abandoned
their post at Fair Lawn; and a great number of negroes and others
were employed in felling trees across the roads for some miles
without the gates at Charleston. Nothing but the brick house, and
the peculiar strength of the position at Eutaw, saved the remains
of the British army from being all made prisoners.

We pursued them as far as this place; but not being able to
overtake them, we shall halt a day or two to refresh, and then
take our old position on the high hills of Santee. I think myself
principally indebted for the victory we obtained to the free use
of the bayonet, made by the Virginians and Marylanders, the
infantry of the legion, and Captain Kirkwood's light infantry,
and though few armies ever exhibited equal bravery with ours in
general, yet the conduct and intrepidity of these corps were
peculiarly conspicuous. Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell fell as he
was leading his troops to the charge, and though he fell with
distinguished marks of honour, yet his loss is much to be
regretted; he was the great soldier and the firm patriot.

Our loss in officers is considerable, more from their value than
their number; for never did men or officers offer their blood
more willingly in the service of their country. I cannot help
acknowledging my obligations to Colonel Williams for his great
activity on this and many other occasions in forming the army,
and for his uncommon intrepidity in leading on the Maryland
troops to the charge, which exceeded anything I ever saw. I also
feel myself greatly indebted to Captains Pierce and Pendleton,
Major Hyrne and Captain Shubrick, my aids-de-camp, for their
activity and good conduct throughout the whole of the action.

This despatch will be handed to Your Excellency by Captain
Pierce, to whom I beg leave to refer you for further particulars.

I have the honour to be, &c.,
Nath. GREENE.

_____

_John Jay to Major William Pierce and others._ (p. 056)

Office for Foreign Affairs,
12 February, 1788.
_To the Honourables_
MAJOR WILLIAM PIERCE and NATHANIEL PENDLETON, Esquire, of
Georgia, and LIEUTENANT-COLONEL LEWIS MORRIS[46], MAJOR THOMAS
SHUBRICK and MAJOR HYRNE, of South Carolina, formerly aids of
the late General GREENE.

Sir: It gives me pleasure to have an opportunity of transmitting
to you, by order of Congress, a copy of the medal struck by their
direction in honour of the late General Greene. A variety of
circumstances conspire to render this work of public attention
acceptable to you, though I am persuaded none among them will
more immediately affect the feelings, than the relation it bears
to that great man, whose loss you in particular, and the people
of America in general, have great reason to regret and lament.

I have the honour to be, etc.
John JAY.

[Footnote 46: Colonel Morris's name does not
appear in the resolution of Congress. See No. 11,
page 50.]

No. 12. (p. 057) PLATE XII.

_April 19, 1782._

Libera soror. [Rx]. Tyrannis virtute repulsa.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BY THE UNITED NETHERLANDS.

LIBERA SOROR. (_Free sister._) The sun shedding its rays on two maidens, one of whom, with breast-plate and helmet, and personifying the States-General of the Netherlands, holds with her left hand a staff surmounted by a cap of Liberty over the head of her companion. The latter, an Indian queen (_America_), holds in her left hand a lance, a shield with thirteen stars (_the thirteen original United States_), and the end of a chain which binds a leopard (_Great Britain_), on whose head she rests her left foot. Their right hands, clasped, are extended over a fire burning on an antique altar ornamented with a caduceus and a cornucopia, the attributes of Mercury, god of commerce. Exergue: SOLEMNI DECR. AGN. 19 APR. MDCCLXXXII (_Solemni decreto agnita, 19 Aprilis, 1782: Acknowledged by a solemn decree, April 19, 1782_).

TYRANNIS VIRTUTE REPULSA. (_Tyranny repulsed by virtue._) A unicorn (_Great Britain_), royally gorged, lies extended at the foot of a precipice, against which it has broken its horn; in the background a vast country (_America_), diversified by plains, rivers and mountains. Exergue: SUB GALLIÆ AUSPICIIS (_Under the auspices of France_). On the platform: I. G. HOLTZHEY FEC. (_fecit_).[47]

[Footnote 47: See INTRODUCTION, page x.]

JOHN GEORGE HOLTZHEY was born in Amsterdam, in 1729. He was the (p. 058) eldest son of Martin Holtzhey, a celebrated engraver, who died in Middleburg, November I, 1767. John George Holtzhey was the pupil of his father, and engraved, in collaboration with him, the plates in a work entitled: "Catalogus der (73 stuks) Medailles en gedenkpenningen betrekking hebbende op de voornamste historien der Vereenigde Nederlanden (Amsterdam, 1755)." Among his works are two medals relating to the United States of America, "Libera Soror," and "Faustissimo Foedere Junctæ." He was one of the most eminent engravers of his day. He died in Amsterdam, February 15, 1808.

_____

ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

_John Adams to Robert R. Livingston._

To
Robert R. LIVINGSTON, Amsterdam, April 19th, 1782.
Secretary for Foreign Affairs.

Sir: I have the honour to transmit you the following resolutions
of the respective provinces, relative to my admission in quality
of Minister Plenipotentiary, together with two resolutions of
their High Mightinesses, upon the same subject, all in the order
in which they were taken.

I have the honour, etc.,
John ADAMS.

_____

FRIESLAND.

_Extract from the Register Book of the Lords, the States of Friesland._

"The requisition of Mr. Adams, for presenting his letters of
credence from the United States of North America to their High
Mightinesses, having been brought into the Assembly and put into
deliberation, as also the ulterior address to the same purpose,
with a demand of a categorical answer, made by him, as is more
amply mentioned in the minutes of their High Mightinesses, of the
4th of May, 1781, and the 9th of January, 1782, whereupon, it
having been taken into consideration, that the said Mr. Adams
would have, probably, some propositions to make to their High
Mightinesses, and to present to them the principal articles and
foundations upon which the Congress, on their part, would enter
into a treaty of commerce and friendship, or other affairs to
propose, in regard to which dispatch would be requisite.

"It has been thought fit and resolved to authorize the gentlemen,
the Deputies of this Province at the generality, and to
instruct them to direct things, at the table of their High (p. 059)
Mightinesses, in such a manner that the said Mr. Adams be
admitted forthwith as Minister of the Congress of North America,
with further order to the said Deputies, that if there should be
made, moreover, any similar propositions by the same to inform
immediately their Noble Mightinesses of them. And an extract of
the present Resolution shall be sent them for their information,
that they may conduct themselves conformably.

"Thus resolved at the Province House, the 26th of February, 1782.
"Compared with the aforesaid book to my knowledge,
A. J. V. SMINIA."

_____

HOLLAND AND WEST FRIESLAND.

_Extract of the Resolutions of the Lords, the States of Holland and West Friesland, taken in the Assembly of their Noble and Grand Mightinesses._

Thursday, March 28th, 1782.

"Deliberated by resumption upon the address and the ulterior
address of Mr. Adams, made the 4th of May, 1781, and the 9th of
January, 1782, to the President of the States-General,
communicated to the Assembly, the 9th of May, 1781, and the 22d
of last month, to present his letters of credence, in the name of
the United States of America, to their High Mightinesses, by
which ulterior address the said Mr. Adams has demanded a
categorical answer, that he may acquaint his constituents
thereof; deliberated also upon the petitions of a great number of
merchants, manufacturers and others, inhabitants of this Province
interested in commerce, to support their request presented to the
States-General the 20th current, to the end that efficacious
measures might be taken to establish a commerce between this
country and North America, copies of which petitions have been
given to the members the 21st; and it has been thought fit, and
resolved, that the affairs shall be directed, on the part of
their Noble and Grand Mightinesses, at the Assembly of the
States-General, and there shall be there made the strongest
instances that Mr. Adams be admitted and acknowledged, as soon as
possible, by their High Mightinesses in quality of Envoy of the
United States of America. And the Counsellor-Pensionary has been
charged to inform, under his hand, the said Mr. Adams of this
Resolution of their Noble and Grand Mightinesses."

_____

ZEALAND.

_Extract of the Resolutions of their High Mightinesses, the States-General of the United Provinces._

Monday, April 8th, 1782.

"The Deputies of the Province of Zealand have brought to the
Assembly and caused to be read there the Resolution of the States
of the said Province, their principals, to cause to be admitted
as soon as possible, Mr. Adams, in quality of Envoy of the
Congress of North America in the following terms:

_Extract from the Register of the Resolutions of the Lords, the (p. 060) States of Zealand._

April 4th, 1782.

"It has been thought fit and ordered, that the gentlemen, the
Ordinary Deputies of this Province at the generality, shall be
convoked and authorized, as it is done by the present, to assist
in the direction of affairs at the Assembly of their High
Mightinesses, in such a manner that Mr. Adams may be acknowledged
as soon as possible as Envoy of the Congress of North America;
that the letters of credence be accepted, and that he be admitted
in that quality according to the ordinary form, enjoining further
upon the said Lords, the Ordinary Deputies, to take such
propositions as should be made to this Republic, by the said Mr.
Adams, for the information and the deliberation of their High
Mightinesses, to the end to transmit them here as soon as
possible. And an extract of this resolution of their Noble
Mightinesses shall be sent to the gentlemen, their Ordinary
Deputies, to serve them as an instruction.
J. M. CHALMERS."

"Upon which, having deliberated, it has been thought fit and
resolved to pray, by the present, the gentlemen, the Deputies of
the Provinces of Guelderland, Utrecht, and Groningen, and
Ommelanden, who have not as yet explained themselves upon this
subject, to be pleased to do it, as soon as possible."

_____

OVERYSSEL.

_Extract from the Register of the Resolutions of the Equestrian Order, and of the cities composing the States Overyssel._

Zwoll, 5th of April, 1782.

"The grand Bailiff de Sallande, and the other commissions of
their Noble Mightinesses for the affairs of finance, having
examined, conformably to their commissarial resolution of the 3d
of this month, the addresses of Mr. Adams, communicated to the
Assembly the 4th of May, 1781, and the 22d of February, 1782, to
present his letters of credence to their High Mightinesses, in
the name of the United States of North America; as well as the
resolution of the Lords, the States of Holland and West
Friesland, dated the 28th of March, 1782, carried the 29th of the
same month to the Assembly of their High Mightinesses, for the
admission and acknowledgment of Mr. Adams, have reported to the
Assembly, that they should be of opinion that the gentlemen, the
Deputies of this Province in the States-General, ought to be
authorized and charged to declare in the Assembly of their High
Mightinesses, that the Equestrian Order and the cities' Judge,
that it is proper to acknowledge, as soon as possible, Mr. Adams,
in quality of Minister of the United States of North America, to
their High Mightinesses. Upon which, having deliberated, the
Equestrian Order and the cities have conformed themselves to the
said report.

"Compared with the aforesaid Register.
Derk DUMBAR."

_____

GRONINGEN. (p. 061)

_Extract from the Register of the Resolutions of their Noble Mightinesses, the States of Groningen and Ommelanden._

Tuesday, 9th of April, 1782.

"The Lords, the States of Groningen and Ommelanden, having heard
the report of the gentlemen, the Commissioners for the Petitions
of the Council of State and the Finances of the Province, and
having carefully examined the demand of Mr. Adams, to present his
letters of credence from the United States of North America, to
their High Mightinesses, have, after deliberation upon the
subject, declared themselves of opinion that in the critical
circumstances in which the Republic finds itself at present, it
is proper to take, without loss of time, such efficacious
measures as may not only repair the losses and damages that the
kingdom of Great Britain has caused, in a manner so unjust, and
against every shadow of right, to the commerce of the Republic,
as well before as after the war, but particularly such as may
establish the free navigation and the commerce of the Republic,
for the future, upon the most solid foundations, as may confirm
and re-assure it by the strongest bonds of reciprocal interest,
and that, in consequence, the gentlemen, the Deputies at the
Assembly of their High Mightinesses, ought to be authorized on
the part of the Province, as they are by the present, to admit
Mr. Adams to present his letters of credence from the United
States of North America, and to receive the propositions which he
shall make, to make report of them to the Lords, the States of
this Province.
E. LEWE, _Secretary_."

"The States-General, having deliberated the same day upon this
resolution, have _Resolved_, 'That the Deputies of the Province
of Guelderland, which has not yet declared itself upon the same
subject, should be requested to be pleased to do it as soon as
possible.'"

_____

UTRECHT.

_Extract of the Resolutions of their Noble Mightinesses, the States of the Province of Utrecht._

10th of April, 1782.

"Heard the report of Mr. de Westerveld, and other Deputies of
their Noble Mightinesses for the Department of War, who, in
virtue of the commissarial resolutions of the 9th of May, 1781,
the 16th of January, and the 20th of March, of the present year,
1782, have examined the resolution of their High Mightinesses of
the 4th of May, 1781, containing an overture, that the President
of the Assembly of their High Mightinesses had made, 'that a
person, styling himself J. Adams, had been with him, and had
given him to understand that he had received letters of credence
for their High Mightinesses from the United States of North
America, with a request that he would be pleased to communicate
them to their High Mightinesses,' as well as the resolution of
their High Mightinesses, of the 9th of January, containing an
ulterior overture of the President, 'that the said Mr. Adams (p. 062)
had been with him, and had insisted upon a categorical
answer, whether his said letters of credence would be accepted or
not;' finally, the resolution of their High Mightinesses, of the
5th of March last, with the insertion of the resolution of
Friesland, containing a proposition 'to admit Mr. Adams in
quality of Minister of the Congress of North America.'"

"Upon which, having deliberated and remarked that the Lords, the
States of Holland and West Friesland, by their resolution,
carried the 29th of March to the States-General, have also
consented to the admission of the said Mr. Adams in quality of
Minister of the Congress of North America, it has been thought
fit, and resolved, that the gentlemen, the Deputies of this
Province in the States-General, should be authorized, as their
Noble Highnesses authorize them by the present, to conform
themselves, in the name of this Province, to the resolution of
the Lords, the States of Holland and West Friesland, and of
Friesland, and to consent, by consequence, that Mr. Adams be
acknowledged and admitted as Minister of the United States of
North America, their Noble Mightinesses being at the same time of
opinion that it would be necessary to acquaint Her Majesty, the
Empress of Russia, and the other neutral powers, with the
resolution to be taken by their High Mightinesses upon this
subject, in communicating to them (as much as shall be necessary)
the reasons which have induced their High Mightinesses to it, and
in giving them the strongest assurances, that the intention of
their High Mightinesses is by no means to prolong thereby the
war, which they would have willingly prevented and terminated
long since; but that, on the contrary, their High Mightinesses
wish nothing with more ardor than a prompt re-establishment of
peace, and that they shall be always ready on their part to
co-operate in it, in all possible ways, and with a suitable
readiness, so far as that shall be any way compatible with their
honour and their dignity. And to this end an extract of this
shall be carried by missive to the gentlemen, the Deputies at the
Generality."

_____

GUELDERLAND.

_Extract from the Precis of the ordinary Diet, held in the City of Nimeguen, in the month of April, 1782._

Wednesday, 17th of April, 1782.

"The requisition of Mr. Adams to present his letter of credence
to their High Mightinesses, in the name of the United States of
North America, having been brought to the Assembly and read, as
well as an ulterior address made upon this subject, with the
demand of a categorical answer by the said Mr. Adams, more amply
mentioned in the registers of their High Mightinesses, of the
date of the 4th of May, 1781, and the 9th of January, 1782,
moreover, the resolutions of the Lords, the States of the six
other Provinces, carried successively to the Assembly of their
High Mightinesses, and all tending to admit Mr. Adams, in quality
of Envoy of the United States of North America, to this Republic;
upon which their Noble Mightinesses, after deliberation, have (p. 063)
resolved to authorize the Deputies of this Province, as they
authorize them by the present, to conform themselves in the name
of this Province, to the resolution of the Lords, the States of
Holland and West Friesland, and to consent, by consequence, that
Mr. Adams may be acknowledged and admitted, in quality of Envoy
of the United States of North America, to this Republic. In
consequence, an extract of the present shall be sent to the said
Deputies, to make, as soon as possible, the requisite overture of
it to the Assembly of their High Mightinesses.
J. IN DE BETOUW."

This resolution of Guelderland was no sooner remitted, on the
19th, to their High Mightinesses, than they took immediately a
resolution conformable to the unanimous wish of the Seven
Provinces, conceived in the following terms:

_Extract from the Register of the Resolutions of their High Mightinesses, the States-General of the United Provinces._

Friday, April 19th, 1782.

"Deliberated by resumption upon the address and the ulterior
address, made by Mr. Adams, the 4th of May, 1781, and the 9th of
January of the current year, to the President of the Assembly of
their High Mightinesses, to present to their High Mightinesses
his letters of credence, in the name of the United States of
North America, and by which ulterior address the said Mr. Adams
has demanded a categorical answer, to the end to be able to
acquaint his constituents thereof; it has been thought fit and
resolved, that Mr. Adams shall be admitted and acknowledged in
quality of Envoy of the United States of North America to their
High Mightinesses, as he is admitted and acknowledged by the
present."
W. BOREEL."
"Compared with the aforesaid register.
H. FAGEL."

_____

THE FORMAL RESOLUTION OF THEIR HIGH MIGHTINESSES.

_Extract from the Register of the Resolutions of their High Mightinesses, the States-General of the United Provinces._

Monday, April 22d, 1782.

"Mr. Boreel, who presided in the Assembly the last week, has
reported to their High Mightinesses and notified them, that Mr.
John Adams, Envoy of the United States of America, had been with
him last Saturday, and had presented to him a letter from the
Assembly of Congress, written at Philadelphia, the 1st of
January, 1781, containing a credence for the said Mr. Adams, to
the end to reside in quality of its Minister Plenipotentiary near
their High Mightinesses. Upon which, having deliberated, it has
been thought fit and resolved to declare by the present, that the
said Mr. Adams is agreeable to their High Mightinesses; that (p. 064)
he shall be acknowledged in quality of Minister Plenipotentiary,
and that there shall be granted to him an audience, or assigned
commissioners, when he shall demand it. audience, or assigned
above shall be given to the said Mr. Adams by the agent, Van der
Burch de Spieringshoek.
W. VAN CITTERS."
"Compared with the aforesaid register.
H. FAGEL."

_____

ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS, FROM THE ROYAL ARCHIVES AT THE HAGUE, RELATING TO THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BY THE UNITED NETHERLANDS.[48]

[Footnote 48: These copies were obtained through
the politeness of Baron de Zuijlen de Nijevelt,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of
the Netherlands to France. The original record of
the action of the State of Utrecht could not be
found in the Royal Archives.]

_Extract uit het Register der resolutien van de Heeren Staten der provincie Friesland van den jare 1782._

Adams te admitteeren als minister weegens het congres van
Noord-America.

Ter vergaderinge voorgedragen en in deliberatie gelegd zijnde het
versoek van de heer Adams om zijne brieven van credentie van de
Verenigde Staten van Noord-America aan Hun Hoog Mog' te
overhandigen, mitsgaders het nader adres ten dien einde, met
versoek van een cathegorisch antwoord door deselve gedaan en
breeder in de notulen van Hun Hoog Mog' van den 4 May 1781 en 9
January 1782, vermeld.

Waarop in consideratie genomen zijnde dat de voorschr. heer Adams
niet onwaarschijnlijk eenige propositien aan Hun Hoog Mog' zoude
hebben te doen en voorname articulen en gronden aan Hun Hoog Mog'
kunnen ter hand stellen, waarop 't congres aan haare zijde in een
tractaat van commercie en vriendschap zoude willen treeden of
andere zaaken hebben voortedragen, waaromtrent spoed vereischt
wierde, is goedgevonden en verstaan de heeren deeser prov.
gecommitteerden ter generaliteit te authoriseeren en te gelasten,
het ter tafel van Hun Hoog Mog' daar heen te dirigeeren, dat
gedagte heer Adams met den eersten als minister van het Congres
van Noord-America, werde toegelaten, met verdere last aan
opgemelde gecommitteerden, om indien door deselve eenige
soortgelijke propositien werden gedaan, daar van ten spoedigsten
Hun Ed. Mog' te informeeren.

En sal extract deeses aan hun worden toegesonden tot narigt en om
sig daar na te gedragen.

Aldus geresolveert op 't Landschapshuis den 26e February 1782.

_____

_Extract uit het Register der resolutien van de Heeren Staten van (p. 065) Holland en Westfriesland van den jare, 1782._

Donderdag den 28 Maart 1782.

Bij resumtie gedelibereert zijnde op het adres en nader adres van
den heer Adams den 4 Mey 1781 en 9 January 1782 aan den heer ter
generaliteit presideerende en den 9 Mey 1781 en 22 der voorlede
maand ter vergadering gecommuniceert, om uit naam der Vereenigde
Staten van Noord-America zijne brieven van credentie aan Hun Hoog
Mogende te overhandigen en bij welk nader adres gemelde heer
Adams een cathagorisch antwoord heeft versogt, om daar van aan
sijne principaalen kennis te kunnen geeven, als meede op de
requesten van een groot aantal commercieerende, fabriceerende en
sig door den handel geneerende ingezeetenen in deese provincie,
tot appui van hunne versoeken ter generaliteit den 20 deeser
gedaan ten einde tot verkrijging der handel uit deesen landen op
Noord-America, efficacieuse middelen werden beraamt, op den 21
deeser bij copie aan de leden gegeeven.

Is goedgevonden en verstaan dat de saak van wegens Hun Edele
Groot Mog' ter generaliteit daar heen sal worden gedirigeert en
daar op ten sterkste geinsteert, dat de heer Adams als afgezant
van de Vereenigde Staten van Noord-America, ten spoedigsten bij
Hun Hoog Mog' moge werden ge admitteert en erkent; en word de
raadpensionaris gelast den voornoemden heer Adams van deese Hun
Edele Groot Mog' resolutie onder de hand te informeeren.

_____

_Extract uit het Register der resolutien van de Heeren Staten der provincie Zeeland van den jare 1782._

Den 29 Maart 1782.

De raadpensionaris heeft ter voldoening aan Hun Ed. Mog'
onderscheiden resolutien commissoriaal van den 5, 11 en 25 deezer
maand, uit naam van heeren commissarissen gerapporteerd, dat
geexamineerd hadden het nader adres van den heer Adams, den 9
January deezes jaars aan den heer præsideerende ter vergadering
van Hun Hoog Mog' gedaan op het subject van het overhandigen
zijner brieven van credentie aan hoogstdezelve uit naam der
Vereenigde Staten van Noord-America, ten einde en met verzoek van
een cathagorisch antwoord daar op, om deswegens aan dezelve
kennis te kunnen geeven, voorts de resolutie der heeren Staten
van Vriesland den 5 deezer ter generaliteit ingebragt, houdende
een auctorisatie op derzelver gecommitteerden om het aldaar daar
heen te dirigeeren dat gemelden heer Adams met den eersten als
minister van Noord-America worde erkend, nog Hun Hoog Mog'
resolutie nopens de aan hoogstdezelve den 20 deezer
gepræsenteerde drie requesten door commercieerende, fabriceerende
en met verscheiden handel zig geneerende ingezeetenen deezer
landen, waar bij op het sterkste aandringen op een vryen handel
tusschen de ingezeetenen deezer republicq en die van
Noord-America, en eindelijk de den 25 deezer aan Hun Ed. (p. 066)
Mog' gepræsenteerde requesten door het collegie van de
kooplieden te Middelburg en die te Vlissingen, verzoekende dat
hoogstdezelve de heeren gedeputeerden van deeze provincie ter
generaliteit gelieven te auctoriseeren, om het ter vergadering
van Hun Hoog Mog' insgelyks daar heen te helpen dirigeeren dat
meergenoemden heer Adams in voorschr. qualiteit erkend, met
denzelven in onderhandeling getreeden en een tractaat van
commercie en navigatie gesloten werde, bij voorige notulen
breeder vermeld, bij welke gelegenheid de raadpensionaris wyders
heeft gerelateerd, dat even voor het aangaan van het besogne nog
ontfangen hebbende een request van een groot aantal kooplieden,
rheeders, assuradeurs, trafiquanten en fabricquers binnen de stad
Middelburg, tendeerende ten zelven einde als de twee evengemelde
requesten, heeren commissarissen, onder Hun Ed. Mog' welnemen
(als relatif tot het onderwerp waar over 't besogne was
gedecerneerd) geen zwarigheid hadden gemaakt om hetzelve al mede
te examineeren en daarop rapport te doen, ter wyl heeren
commissarissen ook waren geinformeerd geworden dat eenige
kooplieden te Veere mede van voornemen zijn geweest om tot
hetzelve oogmerk zig aan Hun Ed. Mog te adresseeren, indien
tijdig genoeg van de voorschr. requesten hadden kennis gehad; dat
heeren commissarissen, in ernstige overweginge genomen hebbende
het verval van den koophandel, die voorname zenuw van den Staat,
de vermindering, ja bijna geheelen stilstand van de fabricquen en
traficquen, mitsgaders het middel 't geen mogelyk zon kunnen
strekken om al het zelve wederom eenigsins te herstellen of wel
tot voorig aanzien te brengen, en dus de schaden, welken de
commercieerende ingezeetenen door den oorlog met het rijk van
Groot Brittannien bereids geleeden hadden, wederom vergoed te
krijgen, door naamelyk het sluyten van een tractaat van commercie
en negotie tusschen deeze republyk en de Vereenigde Staten van
Noord-Amerika als waar op zoo zeer door 's lands ingezeetenen
alomme wordt aangedrongen en waar toe ook van de zyde van het
congres sedert eenige maanden aanzoek was gedaan; na alles
rijpelyk onderzogt, als mede in 't breede beredeneerd te hebben,
eindelijk gemeend hadden Hun Ed. Mog' te moeten adviseeren dat de
heeren ordinaris gedeputeerden deezer provincie ter generaliteit
door Hun Ed. Mog' zoo spoedig immers doenlijk zij, zouden
behooren te worden aangeschreeven en geauctoriseerd, om het ter
vergadering van Hun Hoog Mog' daar heen te helpen dirigeeren, dat
de heer Adams, als minister plenipotentiaris van het congres van
Noord-America, ten spoedigsten werde erkend, deszelfs brieven van
credentie geaccepteerd, en in die hoedanigheid ter gemelde
vergadering van Hun Hoog Mog' toegelaaten, met verderen last aan
dezelve heeren ordinaris gedeputeerden om zoodaanige propositien,
als door den voorschr. heer aan deeze republijk zouden mogen
worden gedaan, ter kennis en deliberatie van Hun Ed. Mog'
copielijk overtenemen en dezelve ten spoedigsten overtezenden.
Waarop gedelibereerd zijnde, hebben de raadpensionaris voor den
heer eersten edelen, benevens de heeren gedeputeerden van
Middelburg, Ziericzee, Goes, Tholen en Veere copie verzogt van
het voorschr. rapport en die van Tholen ook van de drie over het
zelve onderwerp aan Hun Ed. Mog' gepresenteerde requesten, om te
brengen ter kennis en deliberatie van de heeren hunne respective
committenten. De heeren gedeputeerden van Vlissingen hebben
geinhaereerd het advys door dezelve omtrent de admissie van den
heer Adams op de laastvoorige sessie uitgebragt en wyders
geinsteerd dat de andere leden zig, zoo ras mogelijk op dit (p. 067)
important poinct gelieven te verklaaren, waar op die van Veere
aannaamen om in deeze zaak alle spoed te recommandeeren aan
de heeren hunne principaalen, ten einde zoo veel van dezelve
dependeerde, een spoedige conclusie zal kunnen worden genomen.

_____

_Extract uit het Register der resolutien van de Heeren Staten der provincie Zeeland van den jare 1782._

Den 4 April 1782.

De heer van Lijnden voor den heer eersten edelen en de heeren
gedeputeerden van Middelburg, Ziericzee, Goes, Tholen en Veere
verzogt zijnde zig te verklaaren op het rapport van het besogne
den 29 Maart, jongstleden ter vergadering uitgebragt, raakende
het erkennen van den heer Adams, als minister plenipotentiaris
der Vereenigde Staten van Noord-Amerika, by voorige notulen
breeder gemeld, heeft eerstgemelden heer aangenomen zig daar op
nader te zullen verklaaren; die van Middelburg, Goes, Tholen en
Veere hebben, op speciaalen last van de heeren hunne
committenten, zig met het voorschr. rapport geconformeerd en die
van Ziericzee uit specialen last gedeclareerd, dat indien de
kooplieden binnen de stad Ziericzee in tijds kennisse bekomen
hadden dat die van de Walchersche steden zig wegens deeze zaak
aan Hun Ed. Mog' zouden addresseeren, zij uyt overtuiging van het
nut, het geen uit eene alliantie met de Noord-Americaansche
Staten voor den koophandel en scheepvaart deezer landen zouden
voortspruiten, zig zeer gaarne daar bij zouden hebben gevoegd.
Dat Hun Ed. Actb. ook volkomen geconvinceerd van het important
belang hetgeen in zoodanige alliantie voor de geheele republiq
geleegen zij, van wegens hunne stad de dertien Vereenigde Staten
van Noord-America als vry en onafhankelyk erkennen en mitsdien
met alle empressement moeten insteeren, dat de heeren ordinaris
geedeputeerden ter generaliteit ten spoedigsten werden gelast,
den heer Adams als minister plenipotentiaris van het congres, ter
audientie te admitteren en als dan de propositien, welke door
denzelven tot het aangaan van een tractaat van koophandel of
eenige andere dergelijke, mogten worden gedaan, ter deliberatie
van Hun Ed. Mog' overteneemen. Het welk gehoord, heeft de
raadpensionaris verzogt dat den heer van Lijnden zig nu ook
geliefde te expliceeren, die daar op gezegd heeft dat, ziende de
inclinatie van alle deszelfs medeleden in de admissie van den
heer Adams zeer wel konde toekomen, doch dat eenige bedenkingen
hebbende op een te neemen resolutie, conform het dispositif van
het voorschr. rapport, zoude praefereeren dat in deeze zaak werde
te werk gegaan even als bij de heeren Staten van Holland, en
mitsdien hoogstderzelver resolutie gevolgd, en vervolgens door
den raadpensionaris daar op omvrage gedaan zijnde, hebben die van
Middelburg geoordeeld dat alle zwaarigheid zoude kunnen worden
weggenomen, indien maar eenvoudig wierde gesteld de volgende
periode: "en in die hoedanigheid, op de gewoone wijze
toegelaaten," zonder melding te maken van het "admitteeren"
bepaaldelijk "ter vergadering van Hun Hoog Mogende," de heeren
gedeputeerden van de vijf andere steden hebben zig met onderlinge
concurrentie met het gemeld conciliatoir advijs der heeren (p. 068)
van Middelburg geconformeerd, waar na de heer van Lijnden
heeft gedeclareerd dat, ofschoon meer inclineerde, zoo als gezegd
heeft, om de resolutie van Holland te volgen, echter bespeurende
de overeenkomende sentimenten der andere leden om, onder de
voorgeslage verandering, het rapport ter conclusie te brengen en
overtuigd zijnde van de noodzaakelykheid dat hier omtrent een
resolutie met eenpaarigheid werde genomen, zig als nu ook daar by
zoude voegen, om de afdoening deezer zaak te bevorderen.
Vervolgens bij resumtie gedelibereerd zijnde op het voorschr.
rapport, als mede op de onderscheidene requesten en andere
stukken daar bij gemeld, is, met eenparige bewilliging van alle
de leden, goedgevonden en verstaan dat de heeren ordinaris
gedeputeerden deezer provincie ter generaliteit zullen worden
aangeschreven, en geauctoriseerd, gelijk geschiedt by deeze om
het ter vergadering van Hun Hoog Mogende daar heen te helpen
dirigeeren, dat de heer Adams, als afgezant van het congres van
Noord-America, ten spoedigsten werde erkend deszelfs brieven van
credentie geaccepteerd en in die hoedanigheid op de gewoone wyze
toegelaaten; met verdere last aan dezelve heeren ordinaris
gedeputeerden om zoodaanige propositien, als door den voorschr.
heer Adams aan deeze republicq zouden mogen worden gedaan, ter
kennis en deliberatie van Hun Ed. Mog' copielijk overteneemen en
dezelve ten spoedigsten herwaards te zenden.

En zal extract van deeze Hun Ed. Mog' resolutie aan gemelde
heeren ordinaris gedeputeerden, tot derzelver narigt worden
gezonden, zonder resumtie.

_____

_Extract uit het Register der resolutien van de Heeren Staten der provincie Overijssel, van 11 Maart tot 1 November 1782._

Vrijdag den 5 April 1782.

De heeren de droste van Zalland en andere Hunner Ed. Mog'
gecommitteerden tot de zaaken van financie, ingevolge en ter
voldoening van derzelver resolutie commissoriaal van den 30
deezer hebbende geexamineerd de adressen van den heere Adams, den
4e Mey 1781 en 9e January 1782, aan den heere ter generaliteit
presideerende en den 9e Mey 1781 en 22 February 1782 ter
vergadering gecommuniceert, om uit naam van de Vereenigde Staten
van Noord-America, zijne brieven van credentie aan Hun Hoog
Mogende te overhandigen; als mede de resolutie van de heeren
staten van Holland en Westvriesland van den 28e Maart 1782 den
29e, dierzelfde maand ter vergadering van Hun Hoog Mog' ingebragt
op de admissie en erkentenis van den heere Adams, als afgezant
der Vereenigde Staten van Noord-America. Hebben ter vergadering
gerapporteert, dat van advise zouden wesen, dat de heeren
gecommitteerden van wegens deeze provincie ter generaliteit
zouden behooren te worden geautoriseerd en gelast, om ter
vergadering van Hun Hoog Mog' te declareeren, dat Ridders en
Steden van oordeel zijn, dat de heer Adams als afgezant van de
Vereenigde Staten van Noord-America bij Hun Hoog Mog' ten
spoedigsten behoorde te worden erkent.

Waarop zijnde gedelibereerd, hebben Ridders en Steden zig met
het voorschr. rapport geconformeert.

En hebben wijders de heeren gedeputeerden der stad Deventer (p. 069)
geinsteert, dat de twee overige pointen vervat in derzelver
resolutie van den 30 Maart 1782, geinsereerd in deeze onze
notulen van den 3 dezer mede ter deliberatie mogen worden
genomen.

Waarmede de heere droste van Ysselmuijden zig heeft gevoegd.

_____

_Extract uit het Register der resolutien van de Heeren Staten der provincie Stad en Lande (Groningen) van 1781-1782._

Dingsdag den 9 April 1782.

Gedelibereert sijnde op het rapport der heeren Gecommitteerden
tot de petitien van de Raad van State en deezer provincie
finances, in dato den 26 deser, tenderende om den heere Adams tot
het overgeven van zijne brieven van credentie van de Vereenigde
Staten van Noord-America aan Hun Hoog Mogende toetelaaten,
luidende als volgt:

_Rapport_ der heeren Gecommitteerden tot de petitien van de Raad
van State en deser provincie finances.

EDELE MOGENDE HEEREN.

Door de heeren Uwer Edele Mogende gecommitteerden ingevolge en
ter voldoeninge aan de resolutie commissoriaal, in dato den 4 May
des voorigen jaars, zijnde geexamineert, het verzoek van den heer
Adams, om zijne brieven van credentie van de Vereenigde Staten
van Noord-America aan Hun Hoog Mogende te overhandigen, als mede
ter voldoeninge aan de resolutie commissoriaal in dato den 14
Maart jongstl. daar tevens zijnde gelesen en naagegaan, de
resolutie der Heeren Staten van Friesland op den 5 Meert, daar
bevorens ter vergadering van Hun Hoog Mogende ingebragt waar bij
de heeren derzelver gecommitteerden ter generaliteit hebben
gelast ter tafel van Hun Hoog Mogende het daar heen te dirigeren
dat de heer Adams, als minister van 't congres van Noord-America,
by Hun Hoog Mogende werde toegelaten met verdere last aan
opgemelde gecommitteerden indien door dezelve eenige propositien
werden gedaan, betrekkelijk het aangaan van een tractaat van
commercie en vriendschap, daar van ten spoedigsten de heeren
Staten van Friesland te informeren, hebben de heeren
gecommitteerden de eer UEdele Mogende te rapporteeren, dat van
gedagten zouden zijn, dat in de hachelijke omstandigheden, waar
in de republyk zich thans ziet gebragt, zodane efficacieuse
maatregelen, zonder tijdverzuim, behoorden te worden genomen,
waar door niet alleen de geledene schadens en naedeelen tegens
allen schijn van recht, zoo voor als nae het declareren van den
oorlog door het rijk van Groot Brittannien, op zulk een
onregtvaardige wyze aan de commercie dezer landen toegebragt,
zoude kunnen worden vergoed, maar vooral ook de vrye scheepvaart
en koophandel van de Republyk voor het toekomende op vaste
gronden gestelt en door de sterkste banden van weederkerige
belangens bevestigt en beveiligt en dat overzulks de heeren
UEdele Mogende gedeputeerden ter vergaderinge van Hun Hoog (p. 070)
Mogende behoorden te worden geauthoriseert, om zoo haast door
de provincie van Holland en Westfriesland, of eene der meest
geinteresseerde provincien, daar in mede zal sijn geconsenteert,
den heer Adams, tot het overgeven sijner brieven van credentie
van de Vereenigde Staten van Noord-America toetelaten, diens te
doene propositie overtenemen en daar van aan UEdele Mogende ten
eersten verslag te doen.

Aldus gedaan binnen Groningen in het provincie huis, op dingsdag
den 26 Maart 1782--

was getekent:

T. VAN HOORN, G. LEWE,
L. A. TRIP, T. JARGES,
I. H. KEISER, S. I. NIEHOFF,
P. LAMAN, F. FIDDENS, en
I. A. ENGELHARD.

Hebben de heeren Staten van Stad en Lande, zich met het
uitgebragte rapport geconformeert en de heeren ministers
geauthoriseert, hier van extract naa der zaaken omstandigheid
geconcipieert, te verzenden; zonder resumtie aftewachten.

_____

_Extract uit het Register der resolutien van de Heeren Staten der provincie Gelderland van 1782-1783._

Mercurii den 17 April 1782.

Was ter vergaderinge ingekomen en aan gedeputeerden en
hoofdsteden copielijk medegedeeld.

1.

Een missive van de gecommitteerdens ter generaliteit van den 8
Maart, hebbende tot bylage copie van eene bij haar nevens de
heeren gedeputeerden van de provincien van Zeeland, van Utrecht
en van Stad en Lande overgenomene resolutie van de heeren Staten
van de provincie van Friesland op den 5 daar bevorens ter tafele
van Haar Hoog Mogende geexhibeerd, waar bij de gecommitteerdens
van welgemelte provincie ter generaliteit worden gelast, het ter
vergadering van Haar Hoog Mogende daar heenen te dirigereen, dat,
in consideratie der redenen in voorschreeve resolutie vervat, de
heer Adams, met ten eersten als minister van het congres van
Noord-America, bij de republicq werde geadmitteerd, van welke
missive en bijlage op den 9 Maart de afschriften aan
gedeputeerden en hoofdsteden waaren ingezonden.

2.

DAT 'T HOF ENZ.

Op welke voorschreve poincten voor zoo verre daar op niet mogte
geresolveerd zijn, welgemelde raaden verzogten, dat Haar Edele
Mogende zoodane resolutien zouden gelieven te neemen als na
derselver hooge wijsheid zouden oordeelen en vermeenen te
behooren.

Ter vergaderinge voorgebragt en gelesen zijnde het versoek (p. 071)
van den heer Adams, om uit naam van de Vereenigde Staten
van Noord-America, zijne brieven van credentie aan Hun Hoog
Mogende te overhandigen, mitsgaders het nader adres ten dien
einde, met versoek van een cathegorisch antwoord door denzelven
gedaan en breder in de notulen van Hun Hoog Mogende van den 4 May
1781 en 9 January 1782, vermeld, als mede de resolutie van de
heeren Staten van de ses andere provincien, ter vergadering van
Hun Hoog Mogende successivelyk ingebragt, alle tendeerende tot
het admitteeren van den heer Adams, als afgesant van de
Vereenigde Staten van Noord-America, bij dese republicq.

Hebben Haar Edele Mogende na gehoudene deliberatie, goedgevonden
de gecommitteerdens van wegens dese provincie ter generaliteit te
authoriseeren, gelijk geauctoriseert worden bij dezen, on zig
namens deze provincie met de resolutie der heeren Staten van
Holland en Westfriesland te conformeeren en dienvolgens te
consenteeren dat de heer Adams, als gezant van de Vereenigde
Staten van Noord-America bij deze republicq werde erkend en
geadmitteerd.

Zullende oversulx extract dezes aan welgemelte gecommitteerdens
worden toegesonden, om daar van ten spoedigsten ter vergadering
van Hun Hoog Mogende de vereischte opening te doen.

_____

_Extract uit het Register der resolutien van de Hoog Mogende Heeren Staten Generaal der Vereenigde Provincien van den jare 1782. 1 deel._

Veneris den 19 April 1782.

Bij resumtie gedelibereerd sijnde op het adres en nader adres van
den heer Adams, den 4 Mey, 1781 en 9 January deezes jaars aan den
heer ter vergadering van Haar Hoog Mogende præsideerende, gedaan,
om uit naem der Vereenigde Staten van Noord-America, zijne brieven
van credentie aan Haar Hoog Mogende te overhandigen, en bij welk
nader adres, gem. heer Adams, een cathegorisch antwoord heeft
versogt, om daer van aan zijne principalen kennis te kunnen
geeven.

Is goedgevonden en verstaan, dat de heer Adams als afgezant van
de Vereenigde Staten van Noord-America, bij Haar Hoog Mogende zal
worden geadmitteert en erkent, gelijk deselve geadmitteert en
erkend word bij deezen.

De heeren gedeputeerden van de provincien van Zeeland en Utrecht
hebben geinhaereert de resolutien van de heeren Staten hunne
principalen op het voorn subject ter vergadering van Haar Hoog
Mogende ingebragt.

_____

_Extract uit het Register der resolutien van de Hoog Mogende Heeren Staten Generaal der Vereenigde Nederlanden van den jare 1782. 1 deel._

Lunae den 22 April 1782.

De heer Boreel, in de voorleeden week ter vergaderinge
gepraesideert hebbende heeft aan Haar Hoog Mogende voorgedragen
en bekend gemaakt dat den heer John Adams, afgezant van de (p. 072)
Vereenigde Staten van America, voorleeden saturdag bij hem was
geweest en aan hem overgeleevert hadde een missive van de
vergadering van 't Congres, geschreeven te Philadelphia den 1
January 1781, houdende creditif op gemelde heer Adams, om in
qualitiet als hunnen minister plenipotentiars bij Haar Hoog
Mogende te resideeren.

Waarop gedelibereerd sijnde, is goedgevonden en verstaan mits
deezen te verklaaren dat gemelde heer Adams aan Haar Hoog Mogende
aangenaam is en dat deselve in de qualitiet van minister
plenipotentiaris sal worden erkent en dat aan dezelve audientie
sal worden verleent of commissarissen toegevoegt zullen worden,
als hij die zal komen te versoeken.

En zal hier van aan geme. heer Adams door den agent van der Burch
van Spieringshoek, kennise worden gegeeven.

_____

_John Adams to Robert R. Livingston._

To The Hague, April 22d, 1782.
Robert R. LIVINGSTON.

Sir: On the 22d of April I was introduced, by the Chamberlain, to
His Most Serene Highness, the Prince of Orange.

Knowing that His Highness spoke English, I asked his permission
to speak to him in that language, to which he answered, smiling,
"if you please, Sir." Although French is the language of the
Court, he seemed to be pleased, and to receive as a compliment my
request to speak to him in English.

I told him I was happy to have the honour of presenting the
respects of the United States of America, and a letter of
credence from them to His Most Serene Highness, and to assure him
of the profound veneration in which the House of Orange had been
held in America even from its first settlement, and that I should
be happier still to be the instrument of further cementing the
new connexions between two nations professing the same religion,
animated by the same spirit of liberty, and having reciprocal
interests, both political and commercial, so extensive and so
important; and that, in the faithful and diligent discharge of
the duties of my mission, I flattered myself with hopes of the
approbation of His Most Serene Highness.

His Highness received the letter of credence, which he opened and
read. The answer that he made to me was in a voice so low and so
indistinctly pronounced that I comprehended only the conclusion
of it, which was that "he had made no difficulty against my
reception." He then fell into familiar conversation with me, and
asked me many questions about indifferent things, as is the
custom of Princes and Princesses upon such occasions. How long I
had been in Europe? How long I had been in this country? Whether
I had purchased a house at the Hague? Whether I had not lived
some time at Leyden? How long I had lived at Amsterdam? How I
liked the country? &c.

This conference passed in the Prince's chamber of audience, with
his Highness alone. I had waited some time in the antechamber, as
the Duc de la Vauguyon was in conference with the Prince. (p. 073)
The Duke, on his return through the antechamber, meeting me
unexpectedly, presented me his hand with an air of cordiality
which was remarked by every courtier, and had a very good effect.

The Prince has since said to the Duc de la Vauguyon that he was
obliged to me for not having pressed him upon the affair of my
reception at the beginning. He had reason; for if I had, and he
had said or done anything offensive to the United States or
disagreeable to me, it would now be remembered, much to the
disadvantage of the Court.

I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your most obedient and most humble servant,
John ADAMS.

No. 13. (p. 074) PLATE XIII.

_October 8, 1782._

Favstissimo foedere jvnctæ. die VII Octob. MDCCLXXXII. [Rx].
Justitiam et non temnere divos.

TREATY OF AMITY AND COMMERCE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE UNITED NETHERLANDS.

FAVSTISSIMO FOEDERE JVNCTÆ. DIE VII OCTOB.[49] (_Octobris_) MDCCLXXXII. (_United by a most auspicious alliance, October 7, 1782._) Fame seated on the clouds is blowing a trumpet, held in her left hand; in her right she holds two shields: one bearing the arms of the United Netherlands, the other studded with thirteen stars (_the thirteen original United States_); above the two shields is a wreath, and beneath them are the lion's skin and the club of Hercules.

[Footnote 49: The date should be October 8, not 7,
as will be seen by the official documents below.]