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.
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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.
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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.
