M. de Welderen has sent the reply of Lord Suffolk to the representations of their High Mightinesses. "The Court of London," he says, "is willing to restore all the vessels seized, with costs and charges, and to pay for the naval stores which it shall retain; but its ambassador will submit to their High Mightinesses a proposition to alter the treaties on this point, and to consent to declare these articles contraband in future."
Fortunately, unanimity is necessary to grant this consent, and Amsterdam will not allow even the entering upon such a negotiation. Suffolk adds, as a proof of his king's moderation, "that he has not yet called for the aid which the republic is obliged by treaties to furnish him;" as if the republic had guarantied to England the monopoly of America. This is extraordinary. Three of us here believe, that this letter was not written in England, and has only returned hither.
The Secretary of their High Mightinesses is very much piqued, on account of the freedom with which the Committee of merchants addressed him, who, by reason of his equivocal answer, accused him of being in the English interest, like the majority of the chief men here. It is said, that it is truth only which is offensive.
I have finished the translation of the opinion of the city of Amsterdam, inserted in the Acts of the Republic, September 8th. I am preparing copies of it for you, Gentlemen, and for Congress. When yours is finished, I shall forward it with the request, that you will have two copies of it made by a skilful and exact French copyist, and send them to Congress as duplicates and triplicates of that, which I shall transmit to it from this place; for on the one hand, I consider this paper important and useful to the United States, both for the precise and authentic information which it affords relative to the present condition, political, military, &c. of this republic, and as an example of the evils it has drawn upon itself for the last century, by interfering too much with the imaginary balance of power, and with the wars of the European States, thus imposing upon itself the burden of a standing army, which has swallowed up its navy and subjected it to an imperious rival, &c. &c.; and on the other hand, this long paper occupies my time, which is valuable to me, and fatigues my hand, which unfortunately is not steady. My translation has been approved by our friend. It would be well to have it translated into English also, and if you had a translator who understood Dutch, I could transmit you the original.
I am, Gentlemen, &c.
DUMAS.
FOOTNOTES:
[53] See Van Berckel's Declaration, above, [p. 457], dated Sept 23d.