The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 05
History
The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 05
United States -- Foreign relations -- 1775-1783; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Sources
_Hague, 4th of June._ "M. de Nowicoff, Secretary of the Prince de
Gallitzin, Envoy Extraordinary of the Empress of Russia, being
returned here the first of this month at night, from Petersburg, where
he has been as express some weeks ago, the Prince de Gallitzin had the
next day a conference with some members of government. A second
express, sent to Petersburg by the same Minister about the middle of
April, returned last night. We flatter ourselves, that the despatches
which they bring will contribute to accelerate the execution of the
project of an armed neutrality, for which her Imperial Majesty
continues to testify the most favorable dispositions, provided that
the other neutral powers act readily in concert with her. The
merchants of Dort and Rotterdam have followed the example of those of
Amsterdam, by presenting on the 2d a petition to the States-General,
to the end to supplicate them to hasten the equipment of the vessels,
which it has been resolved to arm, and to give to commerce the
effectual enjoyment of the protection of the State. According to the
ordinance projected to accelerate this equipment, 'no merchant vessel
belonging to the subjects of the Republic can put to sea, without
voluntarily delivering to the college of the Admiralty at least the
third man of her crew, under penalty of six hundred florins per head,
upon the captains and freighters of the vessel, which shall attempt to
go out without having made the said delivery.' It will not, however,
take place but twice a year, viz. the two first voyages which a vessel
shall make, and from this will be excepted those upon which there
shall be but two men besides the master, the vessels employed in the
different fisheries, the ships of the East India Company, and those of
the West Indies; in fine, the foreign vessels manned with crews of
their own nation, &c."
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