Papers of John Adams, volume 11

To the President of Congress, 1 January 1781 JA President of Congress Huntington, Samuel

1781-01-01

To the President of Congress, 1 January 1781 Adams, John President of Congress Huntington, Samuel
To the President of Congress

Amsterdam 1 January 1781. RC in John Thaxter's hand PCC, Misc. Papers, Reel No. 1, f. 204–211. printed: Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. , 4:219–222.

Read in Congress on 19 Nov., this letter contained the texts of Britain's manifesto of 20 Dec. 1780, which constituted a declaration of war against the Netherlands, and an Order in Council of the same date authorizing letters of marque against Dutch ships. The British justified their 3declaration by citing continued Dutch violations of the law of nations, namely the refusal of the States General to grant the assistance required by the Anglo-Dutch treaty of 1678; the sanctuary given John Paul Jones at Texel in 1780; St. Eustatius' status as a conduit for trade with the United States and safe haven for American privateers; and the States General's refusal to punish Amsterdam for its role in negotiating the Lee-Neufville treaty of 1778. The Dutch responded on 12 March with a countermanifesto, for which see Adams' letter of 18 March to the president of Congress, calendared below.

John Adams described the two documents, which had arrived in the morning mail, as “a new Years Entertainment.” This was principally because, as Adams had informed Congress in two letters dated 25 Dec. 1780 (Nos. 29 and 30 vol. 10:433–436), the real reason for the British declaration of war was the Dutch decision to accede to the armed neutrality. Britain was determined to preclude assistance from the neutral powers by transforming the Netherlands into a belligerent. The British declaration ended the Dutch trade in naval stores with France and soon resulted in St. Eustatius' demise as an avenue for trade with the United States. But the war also deepened Britain's diplomatic isolation and determined the focus of Adams' activities during the first half of 1781, for it seemed to augur well for his efforts to obtain Dutch recognition of the United States and raise a loan.

RC in John Thaxter's hand (PCC, Misc. Papers, Reel No. 1, f. 204–211). printed : (Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. , 4:219–222.)

From the President of Congress, 1 January 1781 President of Congress Huntington, Samuel JA

1781-01-01

From the President of Congress, 1 January 1781 President of Congress Huntington, Samuel Adams, John
From the President of Congress
Sir Philadelphia January 1. 1781

You will receive herewith enclosed, a Commission as Minister Plenipotentiary to the United Provinces of the low Countries, with Instructions for your Government on that important Mission; as also a Plan of a Treaty with those States, and likewise a Resolve of Congress relative to the Declaration of the Empress of Russia respecting the Protection of neutral Ships &c.1

Proper Letters of Credence on the Subject of your Mission will be forwarded by the next Conveyance, but it is thought inexpedient to delay the present Despatches on that Account.

I have the Honor to be with the highest Respect & Esteem sir your most obedient & most humble Servant Sam. Huntington President

RC (Adams Papers).

1.

For the commission, instructions, and the treaty plan, all dated 29 Dec. 1780, see vol. 10:447–458; and for the resolution of 5 Oct. 1780, regarding the armed neutrality, see note 3 to the instructions (vol. 10:448). Note 1 to the instructions (vol. 10:448) erroneously states that JA received this letter and its enclosures on or about 19 March, the date of JA's letter to the president of Congress reporting their arrival, below. In fact, JA probably received the letter at Leyden on 25 Feb. (to Hendrik Bicker, 1 March, note 2, below).

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