The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

The United Provinces have been frightened into a signature of a Treaty of Peace. This is more particularly evinced by a resolution of the States of Friesland, of which the following is an extract:—After stating the attempts they have made to prevail on the English to restore Negapatnam, and, on this being refused, at least to give up the salute insisted upon on the part of Great-Britain, by lowering the Dutch colours, they observe, that M. de Vergennes had roundly signified, that, whether they acceded or not, the signing of the treaty could no longer be deferred by the other contracting Powers; and then in order to make a virtue of necessity, they state the three alternatives left to the choice of the United Provinces, viz. either to reject entirely the proffered terms of peace, and continue the war against England; or, whilst the negociations are drawing on to a final conclusion, a tryal be made to treat directly with Great-Britain; or, that the Republic do accede to the treaty, however hard and disagreeable its conditions may be. As to the first, their noble and Great Mightinesses observe, that it ever had been their advice to carry on the war against England with redoubled activity: but their advice and earnest solicitations for that purpose had been disregarded, and that a constant mis-management had put it out of the power of the Republic to adopt so glorious a measure. As to the second, it seemed to them teeming with difficulties, and almost insuperable obstacles; for, supposing, which appeared plausible enough, that by treating immediately with Great Britain, the latter might be brought to consent to the restitution of Negapatnam, and to grant a freer navigation to the East Indies; yet these favors would perhaps be bought at a higher rate, and upon more humiliating terms, than by the renewing of former treaties, which the above power had so inconsiderately evaded or explained, as its interest would have them to be understood. The last, though most disagreeable alternative, was therefore the only one it suited their critical situation to fix upon, that is, however humiliating it might be, to accede to the treaty with as good a grace as possible; upon which it was resolved by these States that their High Mightinesses should be required to direct their Ambassadors at the Court of Versailles to renew their solicitations for some milder terms,—but, in case they should not be successful, to sign the treaty, in order to have a share in the benefits that may accrue from a general peace.