[dateline] Brussels Decr. 28th. 1780
[salute] Sir
I Had written to your Excellency a long Letter on the State of Affairs, which the
Attention, I had the pleasure of paying to Mr. Dana, who staid here four or five days,
prevented me Sending, and which is now Swallowed up by what has I am told, passed
between the Courts of London and the Hague.
Never surely did a Nation seek for the Enmity of Mankind with more eagerness, than
the English do at this Time. Have they not Ennemies enough, that they shoud seek for
more? How can we Account for their proceedings? I saw with Astonishment the Memorial
of the 12th Instant. I saw in it a Conduct, that Confounded me, but it is plain, that
orders have been long since sent to Act offencively Against the Dutch in the East
and West, and that the present procedure is meant to warrant that Violence. One would
Imagine, that England well Knew what She was About in this business, if we did not
See, that She had been long Acting Contrary to all Knowledge
{ 444 } for many years in every Transaction with Us. Does She mean to Confound her Ennemies
by the Boldness of her Conduct as I have read is Sometimes a good Rule of Policy?
But Surely she ought rather to Confound her former Ennemies by direct Attacks on them,
rather than Create new ones, which will take off Her force from the first, to be exerted
against the last. This Conduct will certainly not Astonish, but please her former
Ennemies. Is she induced to war with the Dutch by the Hopes of Plunder, which the
Easy Capture of the Dutch Ships may Afford? Does She propose to take the Cape of Good
Hope and Conquer Batavia, what can be her Object? Is Holland insulted and attacked
on the Same Principle, that America was, i.e., that it is Easy to Subdue—I am weary
of Conjectures, But Dutch Fury is Equal to American Bravery and this Measure may be
productive of the greatest Evil to Her. However a Dutch War and the Armed Neutrallity,
if it Comes to any thing, may require that France Should Keep a greater Number of
Ships in Europe, than is Consistent with the Essential Object of our War. It may be
difficult perhaps to Convince the Dutch, that the Independancy of America is particularly
their Interest, as it will for Ever prevent their Rival from treating them with Insult
and Insolence in future, or that at least, America being freed from her present Embarrassements
by the Expulsion of the Ennemy, will Act with Astonishing Vigor against the Common
Foe; France at least ought to see it, and make the proper Efforts. Nothing ought to
prevent Her from sending a decided Superiority of Naval Force to the States of America.
That Measure alone will secure Europe from future Insult.
Does your Excellency think that England has any Dependance on the Emperor? He has
got his Brother Maximilian declared Coadjuter of the Bishoprick of Munster and Cologne,
which effects Holland on one Side, while the Low Countries border on the other. He
has an Eye on the Bishoprick of Liege and it is said, that Matter is settled to his
wish. This cannot but be alarming to the Dutch should He take a part against them.
It is likewise alarming to France, nor Can the King of Prussia be Easy at such an
increase of Influence and Power in the Emperor.
1 There is much Appearance of the War becoming general. The Fear of it however may
make a Peace, which I pray to God may be to the Honour and Advantage of our Country.
I cannot express to your Excellency the Pleasure, that I have had in Mr. Danas Company.
I wish our Country had many such.
I have received from London a Pamphlet intitled, a Short View of the Lord High Admirals
Jurisdiction and of the several Acts for
{ 445 } regulating and restraining the Trade of the british Plantations and of the Commissions
of Vice Admiralty Courts there, together with the Heads of a Bill for the better regulating
the same, printed 1775. This is, I believe, the Book your Excellency wanted, if so,
I will send it by the first Opportunity.
2
I have read Lord Howes Narrative and Galloways Answer, they are both Excellent for
Us. They ought to be read Universally.
I wish your Excellency and the Young Gentlemen Many happy Years.
I am Sir your Excellencys Most Faithful & Obedient Humble Servant