[Footnote 46: Colonel Morris's name does not appear in the resolution of Congress. See No. 11, page 50.] No. 12. (p. 057) PLATE XII. _April 19, 1782._ Libera soror. [Rx]. Tyrannis virtute repulsa. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BY THE UNITED NETHERLANDS. LIBERA SOROR. (_Free sister._) The sun shedding its rays on two maidens, one of whom, with breast-plate and helmet, and personifying the States-General of the Netherlands, holds with her left hand a staff surmounted by a cap of Liberty over the head of her companion. The latter, an Indian queen (_America_), holds in her left hand a lance, a shield with thirteen stars (_the thirteen original United States_), and the end of a chain which binds a leopard (_Great Britain_), on whose head she rests her left foot. Their right hands, clasped, are extended over a fire burning on an antique altar ornamented with a caduceus and a cornucopia, the attributes of Mercury, god of commerce. Exergue: SOLEMNI DECR. AGN. 19 APR. MDCCLXXXII (_Solemni decreto agnita, 19 Aprilis, 1782: Acknowledged by a solemn decree, April 19, 1782_). TYRANNIS VIRTUTE REPULSA. (_Tyranny repulsed by virtue._) A unicorn (_Great Britain_), royally gorged, lies extended at the foot of a precipice, against which it has broken its horn; in the background a vast country (_America_), diversified by plains, rivers and mountains. Exergue: SUB GALLIÆ AUSPICIIS (_Under the auspices of France_). On the platform: I. G. HOLTZHEY FEC. (_fecit_).[47] [Footnote 47: See INTRODUCTION, page x.] JOHN GEORGE HOLTZHEY was born in Amsterdam, in 1729. He was the (p. 058) eldest son of Martin Holtzhey, a celebrated engraver, who died in Middleburg, November I, 1767. John George Holtzhey was the pupil of his father, and engraved, in collaboration with him, the plates in a work entitled: "Catalogus der (73 stuks) Medailles en gedenkpenningen betrekking hebbende op de voornamste historien der Vereenigde Nederlanden (Amsterdam, 1755)." Among his works are two medals relating to the United States of America, "Libera Soror," and "Faustissimo Foedere Junctæ." He was one of the most eminent engravers of his day. He died in Amsterdam, February 15, 1808. _____ ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. _John Adams to Robert R. Livingston._ To Robert R. LIVINGSTON, Amsterdam, April 19th, 1782. Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Sir: I have the honour to transmit you the following resolutions of the respective provinces, relative to my admission in quality of Minister Plenipotentiary, together with two resolutions of their High Mightinesses, upon the same subject, all in the order in which they were taken. I have the honour, etc., John ADAMS. _____