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Foreign News
November 9, 1782
The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Exeter, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
In April 1782, the provinces of the United Provinces of the Netherlands unanimously resolved to recognize John Adams as Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States. The States General formally acknowledged him on April 19 and 22, and Adams proposed a treaty of amity and commerce on April 23.
Merged-components note: This is a single continuous foreign news story about John Adams' diplomatic efforts and recognition by the United Provinces of the Netherlands, spanning pages 1, 2, and 4, as indicated by the text flow and the note '[For remainder see the last page]' on page 2.
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By the UNITED STATES in CONGRESS assembled, September 14.
On a report of the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, to whom was referred a letter of the 19th of April, 1782, from the Hon. John Adams:
Ordered, That the letter of the 19th of April, 1782, from the Honorable John Adams, to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, containing extracts from the register of their High Mightinesses the States General of the United Provinces, expressive of their resolution to receive and acknowledge the said Mr. Adams in quality of Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, be published; together with the resolutions of the States of each respective Province, relative to the same subject.
Extract from the Minutes.
CHARLES THOMSON. Sec'ry.
OFFICE of FOREIGN AFFAIRS
September 14, 1782.
Copy of a letter from the Honorable John Adams, Esq: Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, to their High Mightinesses the Lords States General of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, to the Secretary of the United States, for the Department of Foreign Affairs:
SIR,
Amsterdam, April 19.
I have the honor to transmit the following resolutions of their 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.
(Signed)
JOHN ADAMS.
FRIESLAND.
Extract from the Register Book of the Lords the States of Friesland.
The requisition of Mr. Adams, 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 9th of January, 1782.
Whereupon, it having been taken into consideration, that the said Mr. Adams would probably have 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 Mightinesses, in such a manner, that the said Mr. Adams be admitted forthwith as Minister of the Congress of North America, with further orders to the said Deputies, that if there should be made 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 20th of February, 1782.
Compared with the aforesaid book to my knowledge. (Signed)
A. J. 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 Great Mightinesses, Thursday, 28th March, 1782.
Deliberated by resumption upon the request, 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 hath demanded a categorical answer, that he may acquaint his constituents thereof:
Deliberated also upon the petitions of a great number of merchants, manufacturers, and other 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, a copy of which petitions have been given to the Members the 21st: It has been thought fit and resolved, that affairs shall be directed on the part of their Noble and Great Mightinesses, at the Assembly of the States General, and where 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 Ambassador of the United States of America, and the Counsellor Pensionary hath been charged to inform, under his hand, the said Mr. Adams, of this resolution of their Noble and Great Mightinesses.
ZEALAND.
Extract of the Resolution of their High Mightinesses the States General of the United Provinces, Monday, April 8, 1782.
The Deputies of the Province of Zealand have brought to the Assembly, and have caused to be read there, the resolution 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, according to the following resolution:
Extract from the Register of the Resolutions of the Lords the States of Zealand, April 4:
It hath 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 his 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 the 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.
(Signed) J. M. CHALMERS.
Upon which having deliberated, it hath 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 of Overyssel.
Zwoll, April 5, 1782:
Mr. the Grand Bailiff de Sallande, and the other Commissioners of their Noble Mightinesses for the affairs of finance, having examined, conformably to their Commissionarial resolution of the 2d 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 resolutions 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 the 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,
(Signed)
DERK DUMBAR.
GRONINGEN.
Extract from the Register of the Resolutions of their Noble Mightinesses the States of Groningen and Ommelanden, Tuesday, April 9, 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 Provinces, 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 a 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 hath 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 foundation, as may confirm and reassure it, by the strongest bonds of reciprocal interests: 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.
(Signed) E. LEEUWE, Sec'ry.
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 Resolution of their High Mightinesses, the States of the Province of Utrecht, April 10, 1782.
Heard the report of Mr. Werbeveld and others, Deputies of their noble Mightinesses for the Department of War, who, in virtue of the Commissarial resolutions of the 9th of May, 1781, 16th of January and 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 Mr. the President of the Assembly of their High Mightinesses had made, "that a person, styling himself John Adams, had been with him, and had given himself to understand that he had received letters of credence for their High Mightinesses, from the United States of N. 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 Mr. the President, "that the said Mr. Adams 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, & 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 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 Mightinesses authorize them by the present, to conform themselves, in the name of the 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 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, on the contrary, that their High Mightinesses wish nothing with more ardor than a prompt re-establishment of peace, and 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 honor and their dignity -- and for this end an extract of this shall be carried by missive to the gentlemen the Deputies at the Generality.
GUELDERLAND.
Extract from the Recess of the Ordinary Diet, held in the City of Nimeguen, in the Month of April, 1782.
Wednesday, April 17th, 1782.
The requisition of Mr. Adams, to present his letters 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 a demand of a categorical answer, by the said Mr. Adams, more amply mentioned in the registers of their High Mightinesses of the fourth of May, 1781, and of 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 resolved to authorize the Deputies of this Province at the States General, 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.
A true Extract.
(Signed) J. IN DE BETOUW.
This resolution of Guelderland was no sooner remitted on the 17th of April, to their High Mightinesses, than they took immediately a resolution conformable to the unanimous wish of the seven Provinces conceived in the following terms.
[For remainder see the last page]
Extract from the Register of the Resolution of their High Mightinesses the States General of the United Provinces.
Friday, April 19, 1782.
Deliberated by resumption upon the address and ulterior address made by Mr. Adams, the 4th of May 1781, and the 9th of January of the current year, to Mr. 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: and by which ulterior address, the said Mr. Adams hath demanded a categorical answer, to the end to be able to acquaint his constituents thereof; it hath 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.
Compared with the aforesaid Register.
(Signed) W. BOREEL. 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 22, 1782.
Mr. Boreel, who presided in the assembly, the last week, hath 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 presented to him a letter from the Assembly of Congress, written at Philadelphia, the first 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 hath been thought fit and resolved, to declare by the present, that the said Mr. Adams is agreeable to their High Mightinesses; that 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. Information of the above shall be given to the said Mr. Adams, by the Agent Van der Burk de Spieringhook.
(Signed)
W. VAN CITTERS.
Compared with the aforesaid Register,
Signed, H. FAGEL.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,
J. ADAMS.
On the 23d of April Mr. Adams had a conference at the Hague with Mr. Van Citters, President of the States General, to whom he presented the following memorial:
High and Mighty Lords,
The undersigned, Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, has the honor to inform your High Mightinesses, that he is charged, by the instructions of his Sovereign, to propose to the States General of the United Provinces of the Netherlands a treaty of Amity and Commerce between the two Republics, founded on the principle of an equal and reciprocal advantage, and compatible with the engagements already entered into by the United States with their Allies, as well as with such other treaties as they may intend forming with other powers. The subscriber has in consequence the honor to propose to your High Mightinesses to name and appoint some person or persons, with full power, to confer and treat with him on this important subject.
Hague, April 23.
J. ADAMS.
Their High Mightinesses on the same day appointed a grand Committee to treat, to whom Mr. Adams was introduced in the usual forms by two Noblemen, before whom he laid a plan of a treaty, which was immediately printed, and sent to the different members of the sovereignty.
On a report of the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, to whom was referred a letter of the 19th of April, 1782, from the Hon. John Adams:
Ordered, That the letter of the 19th of April, 1782, from the Honorable John Adams, to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, containing extracts from the register of their High Mightinesses the States General of the United Provinces, expressive of their resolution to receive and acknowledge the said Mr. Adams in quality of Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, be published; together with the resolutions of the States of each respective Province, relative to the same subject.
Extract from the Minutes.
CHARLES THOMSON. Sec'ry.
OFFICE of FOREIGN AFFAIRS
September 14, 1782.
Copy of a letter from the Honorable John Adams, Esq: Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, to their High Mightinesses the Lords States General of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, to the Secretary of the United States, for the Department of Foreign Affairs:
SIR,
Amsterdam, April 19.
I have the honor to transmit the following resolutions of their 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.
(Signed)
JOHN ADAMS.
FRIESLAND.
Extract from the Register Book of the Lords the States of Friesland.
The requisition of Mr. Adams, 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 9th of January, 1782.
Whereupon, it having been taken into consideration, that the said Mr. Adams would probably have 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 Mightinesses, in such a manner, that the said Mr. Adams be admitted forthwith as Minister of the Congress of North America, with further orders to the said Deputies, that if there should be made 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 20th of February, 1782.
Compared with the aforesaid book to my knowledge. (Signed)
A. J. 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 Great Mightinesses, Thursday, 28th March, 1782.
Deliberated by resumption upon the request, 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 hath demanded a categorical answer, that he may acquaint his constituents thereof:
Deliberated also upon the petitions of a great number of merchants, manufacturers, and other 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, a copy of which petitions have been given to the Members the 21st: It has been thought fit and resolved, that affairs shall be directed on the part of their Noble and Great Mightinesses, at the Assembly of the States General, and where 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 Ambassador of the United States of America, and the Counsellor Pensionary hath been charged to inform, under his hand, the said Mr. Adams, of this resolution of their Noble and Great Mightinesses.
ZEALAND.
Extract of the Resolution of their High Mightinesses the States General of the United Provinces, Monday, April 8, 1782.
The Deputies of the Province of Zealand have brought to the Assembly, and have caused to be read there, the resolution 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, according to the following resolution:
Extract from the Register of the Resolutions of the Lords the States of Zealand, April 4:
It hath 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 his 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 the 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.
(Signed) J. M. CHALMERS.
Upon which having deliberated, it hath 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 of Overyssel.
Zwoll, April 5, 1782:
Mr. the Grand Bailiff de Sallande, and the other Commissioners of their Noble Mightinesses for the affairs of finance, having examined, conformably to their Commissionarial resolution of the 2d 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 resolutions 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 the 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,
(Signed)
DERK DUMBAR.
GRONINGEN.
Extract from the Register of the Resolutions of their Noble Mightinesses the States of Groningen and Ommelanden, Tuesday, April 9, 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 Provinces, 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 a 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 hath 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 foundation, as may confirm and reassure it, by the strongest bonds of reciprocal interests: 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.
(Signed) E. LEEUWE, Sec'ry.
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 Resolution of their High Mightinesses, the States of the Province of Utrecht, April 10, 1782.
Heard the report of Mr. Werbeveld and others, Deputies of their noble Mightinesses for the Department of War, who, in virtue of the Commissarial resolutions of the 9th of May, 1781, 16th of January and 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 Mr. the President of the Assembly of their High Mightinesses had made, "that a person, styling himself John Adams, had been with him, and had given himself to understand that he had received letters of credence for their High Mightinesses, from the United States of N. 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 Mr. the President, "that the said Mr. Adams 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, & 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 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 Mightinesses authorize them by the present, to conform themselves, in the name of the 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 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, on the contrary, that their High Mightinesses wish nothing with more ardor than a prompt re-establishment of peace, and 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 honor and their dignity -- and for this end an extract of this shall be carried by missive to the gentlemen the Deputies at the Generality.
GUELDERLAND.
Extract from the Recess of the Ordinary Diet, held in the City of Nimeguen, in the Month of April, 1782.
Wednesday, April 17th, 1782.
The requisition of Mr. Adams, to present his letters 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 a demand of a categorical answer, by the said Mr. Adams, more amply mentioned in the registers of their High Mightinesses of the fourth of May, 1781, and of 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 resolved to authorize the Deputies of this Province at the States General, 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.
A true Extract.
(Signed) J. IN DE BETOUW.
This resolution of Guelderland was no sooner remitted on the 17th of April, to their High Mightinesses, than they took immediately a resolution conformable to the unanimous wish of the seven Provinces conceived in the following terms.
[For remainder see the last page]
Extract from the Register of the Resolution of their High Mightinesses the States General of the United Provinces.
Friday, April 19, 1782.
Deliberated by resumption upon the address and ulterior address made by Mr. Adams, the 4th of May 1781, and the 9th of January of the current year, to Mr. 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: and by which ulterior address, the said Mr. Adams hath demanded a categorical answer, to the end to be able to acquaint his constituents thereof; it hath 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.
Compared with the aforesaid Register.
(Signed) W. BOREEL. 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 22, 1782.
Mr. Boreel, who presided in the assembly, the last week, hath 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 presented to him a letter from the Assembly of Congress, written at Philadelphia, the first 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 hath been thought fit and resolved, to declare by the present, that the said Mr. Adams is agreeable to their High Mightinesses; that 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. Information of the above shall be given to the said Mr. Adams, by the Agent Van der Burk de Spieringhook.
(Signed)
W. VAN CITTERS.
Compared with the aforesaid Register,
Signed, H. FAGEL.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,
J. ADAMS.
On the 23d of April Mr. Adams had a conference at the Hague with Mr. Van Citters, President of the States General, to whom he presented the following memorial:
High and Mighty Lords,
The undersigned, Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, has the honor to inform your High Mightinesses, that he is charged, by the instructions of his Sovereign, to propose to the States General of the United Provinces of the Netherlands a treaty of Amity and Commerce between the two Republics, founded on the principle of an equal and reciprocal advantage, and compatible with the engagements already entered into by the United States with their Allies, as well as with such other treaties as they may intend forming with other powers. The subscriber has in consequence the honor to propose to your High Mightinesses to name and appoint some person or persons, with full power, to confer and treat with him on this important subject.
Hague, April 23.
J. ADAMS.
Their High Mightinesses on the same day appointed a grand Committee to treat, to whom Mr. Adams was introduced in the usual forms by two Noblemen, before whom he laid a plan of a treaty, which was immediately printed, and sent to the different members of the sovereignty.
What sub-type of article is it?
Diplomatic
Trade Or Commerce
What keywords are associated?
John Adams
Dutch Recognition
Minister Plenipotentiary
United Provinces
Treaty Commerce
States General
What entities or persons were involved?
John Adams
Charles Thomson
W. Van Citters
Where did it happen?
United Provinces Of The Netherlands
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
United Provinces Of The Netherlands
Event Date
April 1782
Key Persons
John Adams
Charles Thomson
W. Van Citters
Outcome
unanimous recognition of john adams as minister plenipotentiary; appointment of committee to negotiate treaty of amity and commerce.
Event Details
The seven provinces of the United Provinces resolved between February and April 1782 to admit John Adams as minister from the United States. The States General formally acknowledged him on April 19 and 22, granting audience. On April 23, Adams proposed a treaty of amity and commerce, and a grand committee was appointed to treat with him.