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John Adam's (then Minister Plenipotentiary) letter to the King of England...in part, restating the reason(s) for war against the English crown. In particular, for violating the law of nations.

The other pieces of the article included for interesting perspective.

Penned by John Adams, April 19, 1781. Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette, October 10, 1781.

MEMORIAL, presented by the Honorable Mr. ADAMS to their High Mightiness the States General of the Seven United Provinces.

High and Mighty Lords, THE subscriber has the honour to propose to your High Mightinesses, that the United States of America, in Congress assembled, have lately thought fit to send him a commission (with full powers and instructions) to confer with your High Mightinesses concerning a treaty of amity and commerce, an authentic copy of which he has the honour to annex to this Memorial.
...
But since the British administration, uniform and persevering in injustice, despising their allies as much as their colonists and follow subjects; disregarding the faith of treaties, as much as that of royal charters; violating the law of nations , as they had before done the fundamental laws of the colonies and the inherent rights of British subjects have arbitrarily set aside all the treaties between the Crown and the Republic, declared war and commenced hostilities, the settled intentions of which they had manifested long before; all those motives, which before restrained the Congress, cease: And an opportunity presents of proposing such connections, as the United States of America have a right to form, consistent with the relations, already formed with France and Spain, which they are under every obligation of duty, interest and inclination to observe sacred and inviolate; and consistent with such other treaties, as it is their intention to propose to other Sovereigns.

If there was ever among nations a natural alliance, one may be formed between the two Republicks. The first planters of the four northern States found in this country an asylum from persecution, and resided here from the year one thousand six hundred and eight to the year one thousand six hundred and twenty; twelve years preceding their migration. They ever entertained and have transmitted to posterity, a grateful remembrance of that protection and hospitality, and especially of that religious liberty they found here, having fought it in vain in England.

The first inhabitants of two other States, New York and New Jersey, were immediate emigrants from this nation, and have transmitted their religion, language, customs, manners and character: And America in general, until her connections with the House of Bourbon, has ever considered this nation as her first friend in Europe, whose history, and the great characters it exhibits, in the various arts of peace, as well as achievements of war by sea and land, have been particularly studied, admired and imitated in every State.
...
The subscriber has the further honour of informing your High Mightinesses, that the United States of America, in Congress assembled, impressed with an high sense of the wisdom and magnanimity of your High Mightinesses, and of your inviolable attachment to the rights and liberties of mankind, and being desirous of cultivating the friendship of a nation, eminent for its wisdom, justice and moderation, have appointed the subscriber to be their Minister Plenipotentiary to reside near you, that he may give you more particular assurances of the great respect they entertain for your High Mightinesses, beseeching your High Mightinesses to give entire credit to every thing, which their said Minister shall deliver on their part, especially when he shall assure you of the sincerity of their friendship and regard. The original letter of credence, under the seal of Congress, the subscriber is ready to deliver to your High Mightinesses, or to such persons as you shall direct to receive it. He has also a similar letter of credence to his most serene highness the Prince Stadtholder.

All which is respectfully submitted to the consideration of your High Mightinesses, together with the propriety of appointing some person or persons to treat on the subject of his mission, by

J. ADAMS.

Leyden, April 19, 1781.


242 posted on 09/09/2010 5:05:47 PM PDT by rxsid (HOW CAN A NATURAL BORN CITIZEN'S STATUS BE "GOVERNED" BY GREAT BRITAIN? - Leo Donofrio (2009))
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To: Spaulding; Red Steel; El Gato; LucyT; BP2; bushpilot1; STARWISE; pissant; Fred Nerks; ...
Yet another example of a founder (& signer of the Deceleration of Independence) who not only referenced Vattel as a respected authority, but who also clearly knows how to read and write French!

Richard Henry Lee mentions Vattel (& quotes some of his work in French!) in a letter to George Washington, 1775-09-04:

It is supposed and expected that justice will lead the General Congress to declare, upon their receiving the proclamation, that if any one is proceeded against here, for corresponding with the people of America, or befriending them here, they will immediately seize upon all those in America who correspond with the Ministry. Without such a declaration, their friends, and especially their agents here, will be at the mercy of the most unprincipled Administration that ever disgraced humanity. Vattel, the most respected writer on the Laws of Nations, has this apposite observation: "Le Due d' Alva condamnoit à mort tous les prisonniers qu' il pouvoit faire sur les confédérés des Pays-Bas; ceux-ci userent de represailles, et les contraignirent enfin à respecter, à leur égard, le droit des gens, et les loix de la guerre." The same check must be held over these men, whose inclinations are equally bloody and unjust

"Richard Henry Lee (January 20, 1732 – June 19, 1794) was an American statesman from Virginia best known for the motion in the Second Continental Congress calling for the colonies' independence from Great Britain. His famous resolution of June 1776 led to the United States Declaration of Independence, which Lee signed. He also served a one-year term as the President of the Continental Congress, and was a U.S. Senator from Virginia from 1789 to 1792, serving during part of that time as one of the first Presidents pro tempore."

244 posted on 09/13/2010 5:57:34 PM PDT by rxsid (HOW CAN A NATURAL BORN CITIZEN'S STATUS BE "GOVERNED" BY GREAT BRITAIN? - Leo Donofrio (2009))
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To: Spaulding; Red Steel; El Gato; LucyT; BP2; bushpilot1; STARWISE; pissant; Fred Nerks; ...
In a letter to the public ("I. The Nature of a federal Union. - The Powers vested in Congress, and therein of Sovereingty") in 1783, we see an interesting discussion on the authority of Vattel and the sovereignty of the United States.

Remember, this was written during the Articles of Confederation era...PRE Constitution. AND, it is written for PUBLIC consumption. At least, those that could read. Meaning, the public "at large" was aware of who Vattel was, and being exposed to his ideals.


246 posted on 09/17/2010 11:57:49 AM PDT by rxsid (HOW CAN A NATURAL BORN CITIZEN'S STATUS BE "GOVERNED" BY GREAT BRITAIN? - Leo Donofrio (2009))
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