From Harmen Flens (unpublished)
7th day of December 1779

I Harmen Flens, Pilot by authority of Government for the Texel-road, do hereby certify, that on the 28th. of November last, Vice-Admiral Reynst, Commander of the Dutch Squadron in this Road, sent an Officer on board here, to order this Ship to go to the Sea, at a time when the wind and weather rendered the departure of any Ship from this road to Sea not only dangerous, but absolutely impossible. And I do further certify, that from the 23d. of Nov. last, I having been on board as Pilot, the Wind and Weather alone has hindered me to bring this Ship out to Sea. Dated on board the American Frigate the Alliance at Anchor in the road of Texel, this 7th. day of December 1779.

Signed Harmen Flens.

The Dutch Original of the above Declaration I have delivered into the hands of Mr. Van Berkel, 1st. Pensionary of Amsterdam, to make proper use of it, whenever it shall be necessary.

Dumas
Agent of the United States of Am.
Copy translated from the Dutch origins
Endorsed: Dumas Decr. 1779
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