The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1894-04-28

50 eminent public man and editor to
plead the cause Of America, and with
tile shrewd activity Of so brilliant a
leader as the Dutch statesman van der
Capelen, the way was smooth for the
work Of our American minister, John
Adams, to whom is awarded the honor
OF securing from the government of
Holland the recognition of the United
States. Besides this the Dutch loaned
US 32'5OO,0OO f1orins, or $4,000, 900.
The last installment of the twelve Hol-
land loans was paid off by the United
States in 1909. This money, coming to
our country in the latter years Of the
revolutionary war, was in the very
nick of time, and by keeping our con-
tnental army well paid, fed and cloth
ed, had not little influence in baking
the schemes of those who had hoped to
set up a monarchy in our country.
1'Professor Luzac, in a book on Soc
rates, which he dedicated to John
Adams, says: 'Thus you have your
Washington, man whom freely COM
pare with Leonidas,. Epaminondas,
Tomolen, Fabius and Scipio.' He dis
cusses the freedom of the people, which
he rejoices is fixed in the American
Union. In like manner, also, he prais-
es Jefferson, and other honorable men,
Adams, Dana, and Bowdoin; and to
the day of his death Professor Luzac
had a warm feeling of interest in the
fortunes Of the rising American repub-
lie
when he died he was buried in the
Old French church in Leyden, but his
memorial is found in the edifice most
visited by Americans. The American
who visits st. Peters church, beneath
whose stone floor is buried John Rob
inson, the self-efacting pastor of the
pilgrims, will also see against the wall
Of the minister a handsome marble
monument ito this warm friend of the
United States. On the pyramid, rest
ing on a generous base is a medallion
portrait of Luzac, with reversed torches
the serpent with tail in his mouth form
ing a ring, and symbolical of eternity
and other artistic emblems.
Professor Luzac had sent to Wash
lns'ton one of his works, and in his
old age had written to him. Washing
ton replies in the following letter.
Mount Vernon, I'd Dec, 1797.
"Sir: The letter for which I am in
debted to your politeness, dated Ley
den, the 10th Of September, 1897 with
the book which accompanied it, I had
the pleasure to receive about three
days since, and, in thanking you for
both, hasten to acknowledge the sense
l have of the favorable sentiments you
have been pleased to express of me.
'"To have steered my bark, amid the
intrcacies Of variegated public employ
ment, ITO a haven of rest with an ap-
proving conscience, and, while receiv-
ing the appreciation of my own coun-
try for the part have acted, to meet
similar proofs Of it from many Of the
moderate and Virtuous of other coun-
tries, consummHtes my greatest wish
and all my ambition, and in my eve is
more precious than anything that pow
er Or riches could have bestowed.
I'm times Of turbulence, when the
passions are afoat, calm reason is swal-
lowed up in the extremes to- which
measures are attempted to be carried;
but when these subside, and the en-
pire of it is resumed, the man who acts
from principle, who pursues the paths
of truth, moderation and justice, will
regain his influence. Such, I persuade
myself will be, if it has not already
been. your case.
THE writings and conduct Of this
description (amongst whom you have
been placed) America is much indebt-
ed, and as a private citizen-for that is
the class in which I now novel offer
you my thanks for the part YOU ayow
to have acted, and for the annals you
nave been pleased to record of one
who with pleasure subscribes himself
Your most obedien't and very humble
servant. G. Washington.
NJ. Luzac'
"This letter I copied from the orig
inal, in the possession of Professor Luz
ac's granddaughter, though it has been
printed in Sparks collection. Mr..
Sparks, however, does not make any
reference to the gift with which the
Father Of his country accompanied the
letter. During all the revolutionary
war, Washington had used, as an i'm
portant article in the frugal furnish
ings of his headquarters tent. a camp
stool, or as the Dutch would call it
(the word "stoop being of Dutch origin)
stoeltje. What a pity it is that in En-
glish we have dropped off the pretty
diminutives Of the Dutch or Anglo
Saxon! Why not booky as well as
'cooky'?
With this letter George Washington
oCII IlAlS Cdlup StOO1, DOtu Ol WHICH
were carried across the ocean by the
United States ship Columbus. The YES
sci was unfortunately captured by the
French privateer. The French cap
tain, however, with a high sense of
honor, forwarded from Rochelle the
letter and the camp stool to Mr.. Muir
ray, the United States minister at the
Hague. Not detained or violated, this
letter reached Prof. Lozac, for whom
it was intended. It is pleasant for
Americans to know that this precious
relic of the Father Of his Country is
still preserved with reverence and scru-
pulous care By the grand-niece Of Prof.
Lozac
''The Dutchman, Claas Taan of Zaan-
dam, during the Revolutionary war
sent a portion of his commercial fleet
to America. At that time Claas Taan
and Sons owned eighteen vessels Of the
largest tonnage. Loading some Of his
ships with provisions, he broke the
British blockade at the mouth of the
Chesapeake, and got into Baltimore,
bringing timely and needed assistance
for that citv and tho American army