E. T. VAN BERCKEL TO M. DUMAS.
Translation.
Amsterdam, September 23d, 1778.
Sir,
I have the honor to transmit to you herewith the declaration, which I am authorised to make, in order to prevent any mistake as to the intentions of the burgomasters of the city of Amsterdam; since it will be made evident by the above mentioned declaration, that they have not the absurd design of concluding a convention independently of their High Mightinesses, but only to make such preparations as are possible to accelerate the conclusion of a treaty of commerce, when the opportunity shall present. It is plain, that a treaty of commerce cannot be concluded, unless the principal commercial city of the republic gives its consent thereto, and that it cannot give its consent without having examined the terms. This examination may as well precede, as follow the acknowledgment of the independence of America by the English, in which case we should gain much time.
With regard to the terms, I will explain my own views, Sir, in a very few words, viz. that, in general, we should grant each other mutually all the facilities necessary to render commerce as free as possible, and that for this purpose we should take the treaty between France and America as the basis, changing nothing except those provisions, which cannot be applicable in the republic.
If this principle accord with the views of Congress on this subject, I will have the above mentioned treaty examined by experienced merchants, and communicate to you their opinion with regard to the additions, or omissions, necessary to negotiate a treaty of commerce between the republic and the United States of America on that basis.
If you wish for any further explanations, I beg you, Sir, to give me information, but I think the views I have proposed so simple, that nothing further will be necessary.
I have the honor to be, Sir, &c.
E. T. VAN BERCKEL.
Declaration of E. T. Van Berckel.
Translation.
Amsterdam, September 23d, 1778.
The undersigned, Pentionary of the city of Amsterdam has the honor to make known to those who are duly authorised by the Congress of the United States of America, that he is empowered by the Burgomasters of the aforementioned city, to declare in their names, that, provided the said Congress do not enter into any engagements with the English Commissioners, which may be hurtful or prejudicial to the commerce of the republic of the United Provinces, directly or indirectly, the aforesaid Burgomasters on their side will be entirely disposed, as far as depends on them, so to direct the course of affairs, that whenever the independence of the said United States of America shall be recognised by the English, a perpetual treaty of amity shall be concluded between this republic and the aforesaid United States, containing the most extensive reciprocal advantages in relation to the commerce of the subjects of the two powers.
The undersigned has the honor further to declare, that it is the will of said Burgomasters, that this declaration may be employed, as shall be thought expedient, with the necessary precaution that it shall not come to the knowledge of those interested, to prevent, if possible, or at least to obstruct the execution of a plan, which has no other object than to promote mutual happiness and the true interests of the two republics.
E. T. VAN BERCKEL.