Translation.
Hague, November 4th, 1778.
Gentlemen,
The gentlemen from Amsterdam have returned with more strict instructions from their constituents. They will be followed, perhaps, by a third memorial, more forcible than the preceding. If the same evasions continue to be practised, Amsterdam will display other resources, which have not yet been communicated to me. The subject of the convoy will be discussed next week. Sir J. Yorke presented a memorial the day before yesterday, more moderate in its tone, but equally insidious in reality, on behalf of his Court. 1. It demands the appointment of Commissioners, with whom he may consult to settle the intent of the treaties relative to the articles, which it is desired to prohibit. 2. It declares that his Court is desirous, that the republic would not grant the convoys in question, as it cannot consent to allow the above mentioned articles to pass. He will find formidable adversaries from Amsterdam, who are firmly resolved on an absolute negative on these two points. A certain great personage, and the Grand Pentionary, are already prepossessed on the subject. The irritation against the English gains also in some of the nobility.
The project, with which you are acquainted, is prepared with some changes and additions on the basis already known to you. It is in the hands of the Burgomasters, who will examine the whole; after which a copy will be delivered to me, that I may also transmit one to you, to be examined by you in the same manner, and that your observations thereon may be communicated to them through me.
I have been assured on behalf of the Burgomasters, that it is not their intention to leave our future connexions dependent on Great Britain; on the contrary, it is their wish, that in course of time, their High Mightinesses may adopt a better system of measures, than is at present possible; this circumstance they have thought ought not to be concealed from you any more than their present situation, their wishes, and their expectation that you will be ready to concur in the steps, which it shall be in their power to take towards realising them.
On the whole, Gentlemen, I cannot give you a more clear idea of the whole matter, than the following; we correspond with a minority, which has this advantage over that of England, that if this republic will not declare itself our friend, it cannot be our enemy, on account of the unanimity required by the constitution; this circumstance alone is of high importance, and ought to persuade us to assist and confirm that minority.
Every time I see our friend, he begs me not to fail to communicate to him immediately any good news I may receive from America. He makes too good a use of such information to allow any delay on my part.
The two letters, for which I am indebted to Mr A. Lee, have been inserted in the Leyden Gazette. The Courier of the Lower Rhine contains a fine eulogy on Mr Joseph Reed, member of Congress; it is deserving of your notice. I wish I could send you the paper, but I have only one copy, which I am about to forward to Congress.
I am, &c.