The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

Foreign Intelligence.
HAGUE, Aug. 27.
The following is the proclamation respecting the Amnesty issued by our government on the 16th.—
"Batavians.—We should conceive ourselves deficient in duty to the country, if we did not seize with avidity the important period, of which we are witnesses, wherein—after a commotion as long as vehement, a dangerous warring of opposite passions, opinions, alarms, and interests—a well framed constitution is at length established, adapted to the nature and the wants of the people, which, by a balance fortunately restored, has brought back the state, almost rent in pieces, to the proper operation of its greatly divided powers, and the tranquility of a well ordered government.
"Fellow Citizens, we should not merit the confidence of this respected nation, if we did not at once embrace the moment so ardently implored of heaven in which the critical contest with formidable enemies abroad, is so unexpectedly and so honourably terminated; in which, with the established peace, is opened to us a transporting prospect of re-animated commerce, prosperity, and welfare; to make a decisive experiment for the perfect annihilation of all internal misunderstandings and contentions, which have thus far reigned in the midst of us, which have almost crushed us, and operated more prejudice to the dearest interests of the country, than the formidable armies and fleets of our powerful foreign opponents.
"What a potent excitement to a favoured nation; what a significant glance of benign providence; to render serviceable to them the favourable concurrence of such great events to those important ends which it, in its boundless wisdom, seems to have had in view!
"And in what manner can a mild and virtuous people more sincerely manifest their gratitude, how more acceptably, to the gracious supreme, or more worthy of humanity, than by a cordial reconciliation and a hearty and unfeigned forgetting and forgiveness of all supposed or real injuries? In what better and more interesting manner to the state, could a good and pious government respond to those blessings than by annihilating even the recollection of all that has been suffered or done amiss from a difference of opinions as to the interests of the state; in short, than by a general and unlimited amnesty and remission, without any exception; while justice alone shall preserve her vigilance with respect to those who have rendered themselves guilty of crimes, which, having no relation to politics, cannot in their nature be comprehended in this amnesty.
"Penetrated with the idea that, after vehement disturbances and rapidly succeeding revolutions, the only infallible care is, to tranquilize the minds of men, to temper the ardent passion for change, to smother the spirit of faction for ever, and to give the agitated state at length that calmness and rest once more which are so indispensable to the establishment of its dearest interests, and expressly adapted to secure it against new explosions; convinced that with the reconciliation of our last and most dreaded enemy, the independence of this state is guarded against all further attempts from abroad; cheered by the idea, that lovely peace has animated with new vigour the spirit of industry, so greatly impaired by dejection and adversity, and opened, more and more, all patriotic hearts to the gentler sentiments of confidence, unanimity, and mutual acts of benevolence, with the banishment, wholly and reciprocally, of all old and too long cherished revenge. We deem it necessary and consistent with our duty to propose such an unlimited amnesty to the Legislative Assembly; and in conformity thereto, by a resolution of that body, on the 13th inst. it is enacted:
"That there be granted a general amnesty, remission, and oblivion of all real, or supposed real crimes, which originated in a difference of political opinions; and this without any exception; to which end, all those are comprehended herein, who, at the time or after the change of affairs in 1795, flying, were necessarily excluded from the amnesty of March 25, 1801, during the preceding constitution; as also those who served the then enemy by water or land against this Republic, or who otherwise acted in political or military hostilities; all sentences pronounced and executed on them, on this account, being considered as annulled, although the punishment imposed be not wholly inflicted, with this proviso nevertheless, with reference to the last mentioned sentences, that the judge by whom they have been pronounced, at the request of the persons sentenced, shall previously have declared, that such sentence has alone been pronounced on account of deeds arising in a difference of political opinions, without being accompanied by other offences which, having no reference to politics, have, in all times and under all circumstances, been considered in a criminal point of view; to the giving of which declarations, the higher and lower Criminal Tribunals within this Republic, matters being disposed of accordingly, are hereby authorized and qualified: provided however, that strict attention be paid that these declarations, in no respect whatever, be extended to such high or inferior placemen and officers who have surrendered the national establishments, possessions, places or ships, through treason, ignorance, or cowardice, to the enemy, without having offered becoming resistance, or in any other manner have been unfaithful to their oath or promises made to this Government after the revolution of 1795, all whose offences, according to their grade and nature, are not comprehended in this amnesty; while, for the same reason, are especially excluded such commanding and other officers who, by actually surrendering or consenting to surrender, caused the national fleet in the Vlieter to fall into the enemy's hands on the 31st of August, 1799; the investigation of which transaction, so far as it yet remains undecided, shall be and remain subject to the High Military Tribunal of this Republic; all declarations which may be delivered by any Tribunals, repugnant to the aforesaid explication, being to be held null and void.
"That such, in consequence of this amnesty, criminal proceedings, on matters arising from a difference of political opinions as before alluded to, and which are still pending in the courts, shall, from henceforth, cease; and as soon as the accused shall be provided with the before-mentioned judicial declaration, the suit shall be considered as never having been commenced.
"That, lastly, no criminal prosecution shall further be allowed to be instituted by the public accusers within this Republic, on account of matters before specified; and in future all procedures of that nature shall be confined to offences committed after the issuing of this publication; provided, however, that by the annihilating of the aforesaid sentences, procedures, and acts, the condemned and the accused as little claim to demand a restitution of law costs, as to be restored to such political or military employments, which they may formerly have filled in this Republic.
"Come then, Batavians! and make an undaunted use of this act of oblivion and amnesty. Shew, by your future conduct that you, in case of need, with sacrificing your private opinions and interests, are averse to expose your country anew to confusion, discord, and civil war. Share henceforward, equally with others, in the advantages of Science, as well as in the flattering prospect of universal prosperity and welfare; and forget all supposed or real injuries as sincerely as you desire it of others. Do not lay us, against our will, under the painful necessity of giving indubitable indications, by a succeeding strict maintenance of the laws, that this measure was not the effect of imbecility, or distrust, as to the firmness of the present order of things, but of a real desire to extinguish the spirit of faction, to smother divisions, and to promote, with energy, the prosperity of the country.
"In the Hague, Aug. 16, 1802.
(Signed) G. SCHIMMELPENNINCK, P.
"By decree of the Government of State.
(Signed) "C. G. HULTMAN."