The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution
Chapter 45 : Amsterdam, September 23d, 1778.The undersigned, Pentionary of the city of Amsterdam has

Amsterdam, September 23d, 1778.

The undersigned, Pentionary of the city of Amsterdam has the honor to make known to those who are duly authorised by the Congress of the United States of America, that he is empowered by the Burgomasters of the aforementioned city, to declare in their names, that, provided the said Congress do not enter into any engagements with the English Commissioners, which may be hurtful or prejudicial to the commerce of the republic of the United Provinces, directly or indirectly, the aforesaid Burgomasters on their side will be entirely disposed, as far as depends on them, so to direct the course of affairs, that whenever the independence of the said United States of America shall be recognised by the English, a perpetual treaty of amity shall be concluded between this republic and the aforesaid United States, containing the most extensive reciprocal advantages in relation to the commerce of the subjects of the two powers.

The undersigned has the honor further to declare, that it is the will of said Burgomasters, that this declaration may be employed, as shall be thought expedient, with the necessary precaution that it shall not come to the knowledge of those interested, to prevent, if possible, or at least to obstruct the execution of a plan, which has no other object than to promote mutual happiness and the true interests of the two republics.

E. T. VAN BERCKEL.

COUNT DE VERGENNES TO THE COMMISSIONERS.

Translation.

Versailles, September 24th, 1778.

Gentlemen,

By your note of the 28th of August, you requested free entry, with exemption from all duties, of the effects of many Americans in Europe, desirous of returning to their country. I have communicated your request to M. Necker, and send you herewith his reply. You will see in it the reasons which render it impossible to comply with your wishes, and the arrangements which can be made to favor the Americans, who wish to send their effects to America by the way of France.

I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, &c.

DE VERGENNES.

TO WILLIAM LEE.

Pa.s.sy, September 26th, 1778.

Sir,

We have considered, with some attention, the papers which you have laid before us, containing a project of a treaty to be made between the republic of the United Provinces, and that of the United States of America.

As Congress have intrusted to us the authority of treating with all the States of Europe, excepting such as have a particular commission designed by Congress to treat with them; and as no particular Commissioner has been appointed to treat with their High Mightinesses, we have already taken such measures as appeared to us suitable to accomplish so desirable a purpose, as a friends.h.i.+p between nations so circ.u.mstanced as to have it in their power to be extremely beneficial to each other in promoting their mutual prosperity. And we propose to continue our endeavors in every way consistent with the honor and interest of both.

But we do not think it prudent, for many reasons, to express at present any decided opinion concerning the project of a treaty, which you have done us the honor to communicate to us.

We cannot, however, conclude without expressing our real disposition to treat upon an object, which, besides laying the foundation of an extensive commerce between the two countries, would have a very forcible tendency to stop the effusion of human blood, and prevent the further progress of the flames of war.

We have the honor to be, with the utmost respect, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

B. FRANKLIN, ARTHUR LEE, JOHN ADAMS.

TO RALPH IZARD.

Pa.s.sy, 26th September, 1778.

Sir,

Last evening we had the honor of an answer from the Count de Vergennes to our letter respecting your goods. We enclose a copy of it to you, and believe it will be advisable for you to wait on M. de Sartine; perhaps he may, at first, recollect the article of the treaty, as M.

de Vergennes appears not to have done.

We have the honor to be, with great respect, &c.

B. FRANKLIN, ARTHUR LEE, JOHN ADAMS.

TO COUNT DE VERGENNES.

Pa.s.sy, September 26th, 1778.

Sir,

We had last evening the honor of your Excellency's letter of the 24th of this month, in answer to ours of the 28th ult. relative to the liberty for Americans to pa.s.s through this kingdom with their effects in their way home, duty free, enclosing a copy of a letter from M.

Necker to your Excellency upon the same subject. We shall take the liberty to pursue the rules prescribed by M. Necker, as there may be occasion.

At the same time we had the honor of your Excellency's letter of the 25th, relative to Mr Izard's goods.

The question your Excellency mentions, we apprehend cannot arise in this case, whether an enemy's s.h.i.+p makes merchandise the enemy's, because by the 16th article of the treaty of commerce, your Excellency will recollect, "that an exception is made of such goods and merchandise as were put on board such s.h.i.+ps before the declaration of war, or after such declaration, if it were done without the knowledge of such declaration. Ignorance of the declaration of war not to be pleaded after two months."

Mr Izard's goods were s.h.i.+pped before any declaration of war, or at least, two months had not pa.s.sed away after the first appearance of war, and before they were s.h.i.+pped.

We have referred Mr Izard to his Excellency M. de Sartine, and shall have the honor to apply to him ourselves, according to your Excellency's advice, as early as possible.

We have the honor to be, with the most perfect consideration, &c.

B. FRANKLIN, ARTHUR LEE, JOHN ADAMS.

TO M. DE SARTINE.

Pa.s.sy, September 26th, 1778.

Sir,

The honorable Ralph Izard, Minister from the United States to the Grand Duke of Tuscany, having ordered his baggage to Italy from London, has had the luck to have it taken in an English vessel, and carried into Ma.r.s.eilles. We have written to the Count de Vergennes on the subject, who referred us to your Excellency.

We apprehend, that by the 16th article of the treaty of commerce, Mr Izard has a clear right to a rest.i.tution of his goods. But perhaps it will be necessary for your Excellency to transmit to Ma.r.s.eilles a copy of the treaty, or some order relative to this property of Mr Izard, which we have the honor to request.

We have the honor to be, &c.

B. FRANKLIN, ARTHUR LEE, JOHN ADAMS.