The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-07-25
DUTCH MEMORIAL.

In our remarks on the delulive picture of the
ftate of Europe, exhibited in the Monteur of
the 18th ut. we particularly noticed the doom
that awaited the Batavian Republic. The fol-
lowing memorial will lhow how exactly the fen
timents which we then exprefled coincide with
thofe now felt by the hopelefs fons Of freedom
in that devoted country.
TO THEIR HIGH MTGHrfNEssEs, REpREsEN-
TING TUE BArAvrAN REPUBLIC.
My it bleaje r0rr High Migbfinctes.
1Ae undersigned citizens and inhabitants Of
the Ba.avian republic, real friends to civil liner
ty, within proper bounds, and arieutIy attach
ed to the independence of the Batavian nation.
filled with deep anxiety for every thing which
might eudanger their fafety. and confidering
fnonarchicaI government Injurious to the prot.
perity and even exiHence OF this nation. have,
after being long time agtated by various ru-
mours, now learned, that in the Gazette Natl
oraie, or Monifear Univerjclls, No. los, of the
18th April latt, the official paper of France,
written Z, pubihed under the eye of the govern
ment of that country, after fome preliminary
remarks refpecting the form of government in
this country, it is declared, i" that fuch being
the fituaton OF Holland, f!,e mutt be gamer
ty any changes which f,c mutt make in her
contribution. ifthe landhoders, the merchants,
and the erlight ened men, are of opinion that
they can have representation, made by the
choice of the people. without diAinction of
claiIes or religion, they will create a fyfem
much more proper than the prefent one, IF
that be not their opinion, snd that they think it
neceifary to have rsconrie TO n constitutional
monarchy, they will do that which will be
more advantageous to their country than the
prefervation Of their exiting contribution can
be. 1t is their duty to examine their lituation,
. ind ,,f -irru ,n,,, -, l..
arc placed, and to- choofe between the two
fyHems that which is beR fuited to them, and
moi likely to efablIh, on a fold foundation,
the public PROPERTY and liberty"
The undersigned have been thrown by this
paragraph into the utmot anxiety, AS they fee
in it alternatives, ore Of which would fubiet9
them to form of government, to avoid which,
their forefathers commended, during the fpace
of almof whole century snrm of govern
meDt which, however, adapted to other natl
ons, would have a tendency TO diminifl all en-
ergy and activity in the poferity of thofe ce-
LIBERATED anceftors, Whole names they bear, and
who even remained allies of Rome, when almof
the whole world was fuhieet TO that empire
and the more 70, as the fyhem of republic
coutitutes, among the true Batayians, one of
the firf elements Of their eXiftence and no
wonder, as the general intere0, in the manage
rnent Of the dykes which form that artificial
and expenfve wal, for continuing the exifence
of the ground upon which they dwell, renders
4 Tepubiicau form of government abfolnteIy
neCehary; and that that republic lhouId be di-
vided, as It were, again into fnali republics.
For this reaion, republican fpirit mut prevail
in the hearts OF all our ccuntrymen, throughout
all the different clalies Of our people, indepen-
dent of the ancient influence Of the citizens,
even under the government Of the Dukes, how
ever modified, upon the appointment of local
governments and nc wonder again, rs com.
merce, under the protection ofan independent
republic, has enabled This fmall nation to ACT
part upon the Rage of the world, which has
rendered us, at times, hnce We nook off the
the Spsnilh yoke, ufciul and defirable allies 70
our neighbours, and even lometimes dangerous
enemies.
On the eve, perhaps, of being Obliged to
choofe between mouachcal and republican
form Of government, the underiighcd feel the
inextinguifbabIe fire of true patriotifm too
much, to remain tilcut, with an helitation, cuI.
pablo 10 their eyes at this valuable moment,
which perhaps, msy never return. They will
not leave your High MigbtineGcs ignorant of
The patriotic and republican fentiments which
aniDate their fouls. They cannot avoid de.
claring publicly and folemnly TO YOU, as repre-
fentatives ofthe Bstavian republic, their hopes.
that the Gate Of affairs may he direcfed in fIch
a manner as 20 fave them from form Of govern. |
meot which noG probably would put fpsedy
and fatal period 10. the inhabtabIe Rate and e. |