The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 06

United States -- Foreign relations -- 1775-1783; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Sources

The one, without regard to truth or decency, boasts of victories never
gained, and ostentatiously exaggerates the little advantages, which
superior numbers have sometimes given, while the other leaves the
debility of their enemy to express the brilliancy of their actions.
The one--but I should never have done if I were to mark the points in
which the British differ from a brave, humane, and polished nation.
The recapture of St Eustatia in all its circumstances, and the
disgraceful defence of Yorktown, prove that they are no longer the
people we once thought them; if ever they were brave and generous,
they have lost those virtues with the spirit of freedom. Adieu, my
Dear Sir, may your exertions in the cause of your country be attended
with all the success they merit.

I have the honor to be, &c.

                                                 ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

                  *       *       *       *       *

                    TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

                                        Amsterdam, January 14th, 1782.

  Sir,

Having received the advice of several gentlemen, members of the
States, and also of the opinion of the Duc de la Vauguyon and the
Count de Vergennes, I went to the Hague on Tuesday, the 8th day of
this month, and the next morning at ten, waited on the President of
their High Mightinesses, M. Van der Sandheuvel of Dort, a city of
Holland, to whom I made a verbal requisition in the following words.

"The 4th of May last I had the honor of a conference with the
President of their High Mightinesses, in which I informed him that I
had received a commission from the United States of America, with full
powers and instructions to propose and conclude a treaty of amity and
commerce between the United States of America and the United Province
of the Netherlands. I had the honor in the same conference to demand
an audience of their High Mightinesses, for the purpose of presenting
my credentials and full powers. The President assured me, that he
would report everything that I had told him, to their High
Mightinesses, so that the matter might be transmitted to the several
members of the sovereignty, to be submitted to their deliberation and
decision. I have not yet been honored with an answer, and for this
reason I have the honor of addressing myself to you, Sir, to demand
from you as I do demand, a categorical answer, which I may transmit to
my sovereign."

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Opening the text

History

The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 06

United States -- Foreign relations -- 1775-1783; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Sources

The one, without regard to truth or decency, boasts of victories never
gained, and ostentatiously exaggerates the little advantages, which
superior numbers have sometimes given, while the other leaves the
debility of their enemy to express the brilliancy of their actions.
The one--but I should never have done if I were to mark the points in
which the British differ from a brave, humane, and polished nation.
The recapture of St Eustatia in all its circumstances, and the
disgraceful defence of Yorktown, prove that they are no longer the
people we once thought them; if ever they were brave and generous,
they have lost those virtues with the spirit of freedom. Adieu, my
Dear Sir, may your exertions in the cause of your country be attended
with all the success they merit.

I have the honor to be, &c.

                                                 ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

                  *       *       *       *       *

                    TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

                                        Amsterdam, January 14th, 1782.

  Sir,

Having received the advice of several gentlemen, members of the
States, and also of the opinion of the Duc de la Vauguyon and the
Count de Vergennes, I went to the Hague on Tuesday, the 8th day of
this month, and the next morning at ten, waited on the President of
their High Mightinesses, M. Van der Sandheuvel of Dort, a city of
Holland, to whom I made a verbal requisition in the following words.

"The 4th of May last I had the honor of a conference with the
President of their High Mightinesses, in which I informed him that I
had received a commission from the United States of America, with full
powers and instructions to propose and conclude a treaty of amity and
commerce between the United States of America and the United Province
of the Netherlands. I had the honor in the same conference to demand
an audience of their High Mightinesses, for the purpose of presenting
my credentials and full powers. The President assured me, that he
would report everything that I had told him, to their High
Mightinesses, so that the matter might be transmitted to the several
members of the sovereignty, to be submitted to their deliberation and
decision. I have not yet been honored with an answer, and for this
reason I have the honor of addressing myself to you, Sir, to demand
from you as I do demand, a categorical answer, which I may transmit to
my sovereign."

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 06

The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 06

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