Dumas to the American Commissioners
ALS: American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief;
copy: National Archives
<The Hague, November 4, 1778, in French: I have just seen
our friend and take this opportunity to report our conversation.
Amsterdam has sent strong instructions to its representatives
and if the evasions continue will use other means, about
which they did not wish to tell me. Sir Joseph Yorke has presented
a more moderate but still insidious memorandum requesting
that commissioners be appointed to confer with him
concerning the interpretation of the [Anglo-Dutch] treaties
and declaring Britain’s desire that convoys not be granted.
Amsterdam will oppose him on both points. Irritation with
Britain is even beginning to reach members of the nobility. I
will send for your examination a copy of the Amsterdam burgomasters’
declaration when they are finished with it. They
intend that future connections [with America] not be dependent
on British permission. This minority can prevent the
unanimity required by the constitution for declaring this state
your enemy, a fact which should encourage us to support and
strengthen it. I have inserted two letters from Mr. Lee in the
Gazette de Leyde. The Courier du Bas Rhin has paid tribute to
Joseph Reed.>
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