Title: VIII. Final Text of the Dutch-American Treaty of Amity and Commerce, 6 September 1782
From: Netherlands, States General of
To:

Tractaat van Vriendschap en Commercie, tusschen haar Hoog Mogende, de Staten Generaal der Vereenigde Nederlanden, en de Vereenigde Staaten van America, te weeten New-Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island en Providence Plantations, Connecticutt, New-York, New-Jerseÿ, Pensÿlvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Noord-Carolina, Zuid-Carolina en Georgia.
Haar Hoog Mogende de Staten Generaal der Vereenigde Nederlanden, en de Vereenigde Staten van America, te weeten New-Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island en Providence Plantations, Connecticutt, New-York, New-Jerseÿ, Pensylvanien, Delaware, Marÿland, Virginien, Noord-Carolina, Zuid-Carolina en Georgien, geneegen zynde, op een bestendige en billÿke wyze te bepalen de regelen, die in acht genomen moeten worden, ten opzigte van de Correspondentie en Commercie welke zy verlangen vast te stellen tusschen haare respective Landen, Staaten, Onderdanen en Ingezeetenen, hebben geoordeelt, dat het gezegde einde niet beeter kan worden bereikt, dan door te stellen tot een bazis van haar Verdrag, de volmaakste egaliteit en reciprociteit, en met vermÿding van alle die lastige praeferentien, dewelke doorgaens de bronäders zÿn van twist, verwarring en misnoegen; door aan iedere Party de vryheid te laten, om wegens de Commercie en Navigatie verder zulke Reglementen te maken, als die voor zig zelven het gevoeglykst zal oordeelen; en door de voordeelen van Commercie eeniglyk te gronden op wederzÿts nut, en de juiste regels van vrye handel over en weer; reserveerende by dat alles aan iedere Parthÿ de Vrÿheid, om, na deszelfs goedvinden, andere Natien te admitteeren tot het participeeren aan dezelsde voordeelen.

Op deeze grondbeginzelen, hebben voorgemelde haar hoog mogende de Staaten Generaal der Vereenigde Nederlanden, benoemd de Heeren . . .
. . .
uit het midden der Vergadering van Hun Hoog Mogende Gedeputeert.
En de gemelde vereenigde Staaten van America, van hunne zÿde met Volmagt voorsien, den Heer John Adams, laatst Commissaris van de Vereenigde Staaten van America aan het Hof van Versailles, geweezen Atgevaardigde op het Congres weegens de Staaten van Massachusetts Baaÿ, en Opper-Regter van den gemelden Staat, dewelke zÿn overeengekomen, en geaccordeert.
Art 1.
Daar zal een vaste, onverbreekelyke, en Universeele Vreede, en opregte Vriendschap zÿn, tusschen Haar Hoog Mogende de Heeren Staten Generaal der Vereenigde Nederlanden, en de Vereenigde Staten van America, en de Onderdanen en Ingezeetenen van de voornoemde Parthÿen, en tusschen de Landen, Eilanden, Steeden en Plaatzen, geleegen onder de Jurisdictie van de gemelde Vereenigde Nederlanden, en de gemelde Vereenigde Staaten van America, en derselver Onderdanen en Ingezeetenen, van allerleÿ Staat, zonder onderscheid van Persoonen en plaatzen.
2.
De Onderdanen van de gemelde Staaten Generaal der Vereenigde Nederlanden, zullen in de Havens, Rheeden, Landen, Eilanden, Steeden of plaatzen van de Vereenigde Staaten van America, of eenige van dezelve, geen andere of grootere Regten of Impositien, van wat natuur die ook mogen zÿn, of hoedanig dezelve ook genoemt mogen werden, betaalen, dan die welke de meest gefavoriseerde Natien zÿn, of zullen worden verpligt aldaar te betaalen. En zÿ zullen genieten alle de Regten, Vryheeden, Privilegien, Immuniteiten en Exemptien in Handel, Navigatie, en Commercie, het zÿ in het gaan van eene Haven in de gemelde Staaten na eene andere, of gaande na en van dezelve, van en na eenige vreemde Haven van de Weereld, welke de gemelde Natien reeds genieten of zullen genieten.
3.
Insgelyks zullen de Onderdanen en Ingezeetenen van de gemelde Vereenigde Staaten van America, in de Havens, Rheeden, Landen, Eilanden, Steeden of plaatsen van de gemelde Vereenigde Nederlanden, of eenige van dezelve, geen andere, of grootere Regten of Impositien, van wat natuur die ook mogen zÿn, of hoedanig deselve ook genvemt mogen worden, betaalen, dan die, welke de meest gefavoriseerde Natien, zÿn, of zullen worden verpligt aldaar te betalen. En zÿ zullen genieten alle de Regten, Vryheeden, Privilegien, Immuniteiten en Exemptien in Handel, Navigatie en Commercie, het zÿ in het gaan van eene haven in de gemelde Staaten na een andere, of gaende na en van dezelve, van en na eenige vreemde Haven van de Weereld, welke de meest gefavoriseerde Natien reeds genieten of zullen genieten. En zullen de Vereenigde Staten van America, benevens haare Onderdanen, en Ingezeetenen aan die van Haar Hoog Mogende laten het gerust genot van haare regten, omtrent de Landen, Eilanden en Zeeën in Oost, en West Indien, sonder haar daar in eenig belet, of hindernis te doen.
4.
En zal eene volle, volkomene en geheele vrÿheid van Conscientie worden toegestaen aan de Onderdanen en Ingezeetenen van iedere Parthÿ, en aan der zelver Familien, en zal niemand ter zake van den Godtsdienst, worden gemolesteert, mits hem omtrent publique demonstratie onderwerpende aan de Wetten van het Land. Daar en boven zal vryheid worden gegeeven aan de Onderdanen en Ingezeetenen van iedere Parthÿe, die in des anderen’s Territoir overlyden, om begraven te worden in de gewoone begraasplaetzen, of gevoeglyke en decente plaatsen, daar toe te bepaalen, zoo als de geleegendheid zal vereisschen; nogte zullen de doode Lighaamen van die geene die begraven zÿn, eenigzints werden gemolesteert. En zullen de beide Contracteerende Mogendheeden, ieder onder hun gebied, de nodige voorsieninge doen, ten einde de respective Onderdanen en Ingezeetenen van behoorlyke bewÿzen van Stersgevallen, waar bÿ dezelve zÿn geinteresseert, voortaan zullen kunnen worden gedient.
5
Haar Hoog Mogende de Staten Generaal der Vereenigde Nederlanden, en de Vereenigde Staaten van America, zullen tragten, zoo veel eenigzints in haar vermogen is, te beschermen en defendeeren alle Scheepen en andere Effecten, toebehorende aan wederzÿdsche Onderdanen en Ingezeetenen, of eenige van dezelve, zÿnde in haare Havens of Rheën, binnenlandsche Zeeën, Stroomen, Rivieren, en zoo verre haare Jurisdictie Zeewaards strekt, en wederom te bekomen en te doen restitueeren aan de regte Eigenaars, hunne Agenten of Gevolmagtigden, alle zodanige Scheepen en Effecten, die onder haare Jurisdictie zullen genomen worden: en haare convoÿeerende Oorlog Scheepen zullen, voor zoo verre zÿ eenen gemeenen Vÿand mogen hebben, onder haare protectie neemen alle Scheepen, toebehoorende aan elkanders Onderdanen en Ingezeetenen, dewelke geene Contrabande goederen, volgens de beschrÿving hier na daar van te doen, zullen hebben ingeladen naar plaetsen, waar meede de eene partÿ in Vreede, en de andere in Oorlog is, en na geen geblocqueerde plaats gedestineert zÿn, en zullen houden dezelve Cours, of gaan dezelve weg, en zullen zodanige Scheepen defendeeren, zoo lang als zÿ dezelve Cours houden, of dezelve weg gaan, teegens alle aanvallen, magt en geweld van den gemeene Vÿand, op dezelve wÿs als zÿ zouden moeten beschermen en defendeeren de Scheepen toebehoorende aan weedersÿds eigen Onderdanen.
6.
De Onderdanen der Contracteerende Parthÿen zullen over en weeder, in weedersÿdsche landen en Staten, van hunne goederen by Testamenten, Donatien, of andersints, mogen disponeeren; en hunne Ersgenamen, zÿnde Onderdanen van een der Parthÿen, in de Landen van de andere, of wel elders woonagtig, zullen dezelve Nalatenschappen ontfangen, selfs ab intestato, het zÿ in persoon, het zÿ by hun Procureur, of gemagtigde, schoon zÿ geen brieven van Naturalisatie zouden mogen hebben geobtineert, sonder dat het effect van die Commissie hun zal kunnen worden betwist, onder praetext van eenige regten, of voorregten van Provincien, Steeden, of particulieren Persoon: en soo de Ersgenamen, aan welke de Erstenissen mogten vervallen zÿn, minderjarig waren, zullen de Voogden of Curateurs by den Domiciliairen Regter der genoemde Minderjarigen aangestelt, kunnen regeeren, bestieren, administreeren, verkoopen en veralieneeren de goederen, welke de gemelde Minderjarigen bÿ ersenissen zullen zÿn te beurt gevallen; en generalyk met opsigt tot de voorsez: successien en goederen waarneemen alle regten, en functien, die aan Voogden en Curateurs, na dispositie der Wetten competeeren, behoudens nogtans, dat deeze dispositie geen plaats zal kunnen hebben, dan in gevalle, als wanneer de Testateur by Testament, Codicille, of ander wettig Instrument, geen Voogden, of Curateurs zal hebben genomineert.
7.
Het zal wettig en vrÿ zÿn aan de Onderdanen van iedere Parthÿe, zodanige, Advocaten, Procureurs, Notarissen, Solliciteurs of Factoors te emploÿeeren, als zÿ zullen goedvinden.
8.
Kooplieden, Schippers, Eigenaars, Bootsgezellen, Lieden van alderhande Soort, Scheepen en Vaartuigen, en alle Koopmanschappen en Goederen in t’Generaal, en Effecten van ieder der Bondgenooten, of van derselver Onderdanen, zullen niet mogen worden in beslag genoomen of aangehouden in eenige der Landen, Gronden, Eilanden, Steeden, Plaatsen, havens, Stranden of Dominien, hoe genaamt, van den anderen Bondgenoot, tot publicq gebruik, Oorlogs Expeditien, of bÿsonder gebruik van iemand, door arrest, geweld, of eenigsints daar na gelÿkende.
Noch te meer zal het onwettig zÿn voor de Onderdanen van iedere Parthÿ iets te neemen, of door geweld te ontvreemden, van de Onderdanen van de andere Parthy, zonder bewilliging van den Persoon die het toebehoord: het geen egter niet te verstaen is van die aanhalingen detentien en arresten, welke zullen worden gedaen op bevel en authoriteit van de Justitie, en volgens de ordinaire weegen, ten opzigte van schulden of misdaden, waar omtrent de Procedures moeten geschieden by wege van Regten, ingevolge de form van Justitie.
9
Verders is overeengekomen en beslooten, dat het volkomen vrÿ zal staan aan alle Kooplieden, Bevelhebbers van Scheepen, en andere Onderdanen of Ingezeetenen der beide Contracteerende Mogendheeden in alle plaatsen, respectivelyk gehoorende onder het gebied en de Jurisdictie der Wederzydsche mogend heeden hunne eige Saaken, zelfs te verrigten; zullende dezelve wÿders omtrent het gebruik van Tolken, of Makelaars, mitsgaders met opsigt tot het laaden, of ontladen hunner Scheepen, en al het geen daar toe betrekkelÿk is, over en weeder, op den voet van eige Onderdanen, en ten minsten, in gelykheid met de meest gefavoriseerde Natie geconsidereert, en gehandelt te worden.
10.
De Koopvaardÿschepeen van een ieder der Parthÿen, komende, soo wel van een Vyandelyke, als eige of neutrale haven, zullen vrÿ mogen vaaren naar een Haven van een der Vyanden van den anderen Bondgenoot, dog verpligt zÿn, soo dikwils het gevordert word, haare Zeebrieven, en verdere Bescheiden, in het 24ste. Artic: beschreeven, zoo wel op de open Zee, als in de Havens te exhibeeren, expresselyk aantonende, dat haare goederen niet zÿn van het getal dier geene, dewelke als Contrabande verbooden zÿn, en geene Contrabande geladen hebbende na een vÿandelÿke Haven, haare reize vryelyk, en onverhindert mogen vervolgen; dog zal geen visitatie van Papieren gevergt worden van Scheepen onder Convoÿ der Oorlogscheepen, maar geloof worden gegeeven aan het woord van den Officier, het Convoy leidende.
11.
Indien by het vertoonen der Zeebrieven, en andere bescheiden, by het 24e. Art: van dit Tractaat nader beschreeven, de andere Parthÿ ontdekt, dat er eenige van die soort van goederen zÿn, dewelke verbooden en Contrabande gedeclareert zÿn, en geconsigneert naar een Haven, onder de gehoorsaemheid van den Vÿand, zal het niet geoorloft zÿn de Luÿken van zodanig Schip op te breeken, of eenige Kist, Koffers, Pakken, Kassen of ander vaatwerk, daar in gevonden wordende, te openen, of het geringste gedeelte van haare goederen te verplaatsen, het zÿ sodanige Scheepen toebehooren aan de Onderdanen van haar Hoog Mogende de Staaten Generaal der Vereenigde Nederlanden, of aan Onderdanen, en Ingezeetenen van de gemelde Vereenigde Staaten van America, ten zÿ de Lading aan Land gebragt worde in presentie van de Officieren van het Admiraliteits hotf, en een Inventaris van deselve gemaekt, dog zal niet worden toegelaten om dezelve op eenigerhande wÿze te verkoopen, verruilen of veralieneeren, dan, na dat behoorlyke en wettige Procedures tegens zodanige Verbodene Contrabande Goederen zullen zÿn gehouden, en het Admiraliteits hof bÿ een gepronuntieerde Sententie dezelve zal hebben geconfisqueert, daar van altoos vry latende, zoo wel het Schip zelve, als eenige andere goederen daar in gevonden wordende, welke voor vry werden gehouden, nochte mogen dezelve worden opgehouden, onder voorgeeven dat die, als t’ ware, door de geprohibeerde Goederen zouden zÿn geinfecteert, veel min zullen dezelve als wettige Prÿs worden geconfisqueert: Maar in teegendeel, wanneer by de visitatie aan land word bevonden, dat er geen Contrabande Waaren in de Scheepen zÿn, en uit de papieren niet bleek, dat de neemer en opbrenger het daar uit niet had konnen ontdekken, zal deselve moeten worden gecondemneert, in alle de kosten en Schaden, die hÿ zoo aan de Eigenaren der Scheepen, als aan de Eigenaars, en Inlaaders der goederen, waar meede de Scheepen beladen sullen zÿn, door zÿne rukelvoze aanhouding, en opbrenging der Scheepen zal hebben veroorzaekt, met de interessen van dien; wordende wel expresselyk verklaert, dat een vrÿ Schip zal vrÿ maken de Waaren daar in gelaaden, en dat die Vryheid zig ook zal uÿtstrekken over de personen, die haar zullen bevinden in een vrÿ Schip, dewelke daar uit niet geligt zullen mogen worden, ten zÿ het waaren oorlogsluiden, in effectiven dienst van den Vÿand.
12.
In tegendeel is over eengekomen, dat al het geen bevonden zal worden geladen te zÿn door de Onderdanen en Ingezeetenen van een der beide Parthÿen, in eenig Schip de vyanden van den anderen, of aan deszelfs Onderdanen toebetworende, geheel, of schoon niet zÿnde van de soort van verbodene goederen, mag worden geconfisqueert, op dezelve wÿs als of het den Vÿand toequam, uitgezondert zodanige goederen en Koopmanschappen, als aan Boord van zodanig Schip gedaen waren voor de Oorlogs-Declaratie, of binnen Ses maanden na dezelve, welke goederen in geenen deele confiscatie zullen onderheevig zÿn, maar wel en getrouwelÿk, zonder uitstel, aan de Eigenaers, die dezelve voor de confiscatie, en verkoop zullen te rug vragen of doen vragen, in natura zullen worden gerestitueert, gelÿk meede het provenu daar van, indien de reclame binnen agt Maenden12 na de Verkoping, dewelke publicq zal moeten worden gedaan, eerst konde geschieden, dog zoo, dat, indien de gemelde Koopmanschappen Contrabande zÿn, het geenzints geoorlost zal zÿn dezelve naderhand te vervoeren na eenige Havens, de vÿanden toe behoorende.
13.
En ten einde de best mogelÿke zorg mag worden gedragen voor de Securiteit van de Onderdanen, en het volk van een der beide Parthÿen, dat deselve geen overlast komen te lyden van wegens de Oorlog Scheepen of Kapers van de andere Parthÿ, zullen alle de Bevelhebbers van Oorlog Scheepen en gewapende Vaartuigen van de voorsiz: Staten Generaal der Vereenigde Nederlanden, en van de gemelde Vereenigde Staten van America, mitsgaders alle derselver Officieren, Onderdanen en Volk, verbooden worden eenige beleediging of Schade, aan die van de andere zÿde, toe te brengen, en zoo zÿ dien contrarie handelen, zullen zÿ op de eerste klagten, daar over te doen, na behoorlyk ondersoek schuldig bevonden wordende, door haar eige Regters gestrast worden, en daar enboven verpligt worden satisfactie te geeven voor alle Schade, en den Interest daar van, door vergoeding, onder pœne en verbintenis van húnne personen en goederen.
14.
Tot meerder verklaring van het geen voorscz: is, zullen alle Kaper-Capiteinen, of Rheeders van Scheepen op particuliere bestelling en Commissie ten Oorlog uitgerust, voor dezelve gehouden zÿn, voor derselver vertrek, goede en suffiçante Cautie te stellen voor de Competente Regters, of in het geheel te verantwoorden de malversatien, die ze in haare Courssen, of op haare reisen zouden mogen begaan, en voor de Contraventien van haare Capiteinen en Officieren, teegen het teegenwoordig Tractaat en de Ordonnantien, en Edicten, die gepubliceert zullen worden, in kragte, en conform de dispositie van dien, op poene van verval, en nulliteit der voorscz: Commissien.
15.
Alle Scheepen en Koopmanschappen, van wat natuur dezelve ook zÿn, die hernomen zullen worden uit handen van Piratten en Zeerovers, sonder behoorlyke Commissie op de open Zee varende, zullen gebragt worden in eenige Haven van eene der beide Staten, en zullen aan de bewaring der Officieren van die Haven worden overgeleevert, ten einde geheel gerestitueert te worden aan den regten Eigenaar, zoo dra als behoorlyk en genoegsaam bewÿs, wegens den eigendom der zelve, zal gedaan zÿn.
16.
Indien eenige Scheepen of Vaartuigen, toebehoorende aan een van beide de Parthÿen, hunne Onderdanen of Ingezeetenen, op de Kusten of Dominien van den anderen zullen komen te stranden, vergaan, of eenige andere Zee Schade te lÿden, zal alle vriendelyke assistentie en hulp worden gegeeven aan de persoonen Schipbreuk geleeden hebbende, of die zig in gevaar daar van zullen bevinden, En de Scheepen; Goederen en Koopmanschappen, en het geen daar van geborgen zal zÿn, of het provenu van dien, by aldien die goederen verdersselyk zynde, zullen weezen verkogt, alle door de Schippers, of door de Eigenaers, of van haare gelaste, of Volmagt hebbende, binnen Jaar en dag gereclameert wordende, worden gerestitueert; mits betalende alleen de redelyke onkosten, en het geen voor bergloon door de eige Onderdanen, in het selve geval, betaalt moet worden; zullende insgelyks Brieven van Vrygeleÿ aan hun worden gegeeven, voor húnne vrÿe en geruste passage van daar, en retour van een ieder na zÿn eigen Land.
17.
Ingevalle de Onderdanen of Ingezeetenen van een der beide Parthÿen, met hunne Scheepen, het zÿ publique en ten Oorlog varende, of byzondere en ter Koopvaardy uitgerust, door onstuimig Weêr, najaaging van Zee rovers of Vyanden, of eenige andere dringende nood, gedwongen zullen worden, ter bekoming van een Schuilplaats en Haaven, zig te retireeren en binnen te loopen in eenige der Rivieren, Creeken, Baaÿen, Havens, Rheeden of Stranden, toebehoorende aan de andere Parthye, zullen dezelve met alle menschlievendheid en goetwilligheid werden ontfangen, en alle vriendelÿke protectie en hulp genieten, en zal hun worden toegestaen zig te ververschen en proviandeeren teegens reedelyke prÿzen, met Victuaille, en alle dingen benodigt tot onderhoud van haare persoonen, of reparatie van hunne Scheepen, en zÿ zullen op geenerley wÿs worden opgehouden, of verhindert, uit de gemelde Havens of Rheeden te vertrekken, maar mogen verzÿlen en gaan, wanneer en waar het hun behaagt, zonder eenig belet of verhindering.
18.
Tot des te beeter voortzetting der wederzÿdsche Commercie, is overeengekomen, dat indien een Oorlog mogt komen te ontstaan tusschen Haar Hoog Mogende de Staten Generaal der Vereenigde Nederlanden, en de Vereenigde Staaten van America, altÿd aan de Onderdanen van de een of andere zÿde sal worden gegeven den tÿd van neegen maanden, na dato van de rupture, of proclamatie van Oorlog, om haar te mogen retireeren met haare effecten, en deselve te vervoeren, waar het haar believen zal, het welk haar geoorloft zal zÿn te mogen doen; als meede te mogen verkoopen of transporteeren haare goederen en meubilen in alle vrÿheid; sonder dat men haar daar in eenig belet zal doen; ook, sonder geduurende den tÿd van de voorcz: neegen maenden te mogen procedeeren tot eenig arrest van haare effecten, veel min van haare personen, maar zullen in teegendeel voor haare Scheepen, en effecten, die zÿ zullen willen meede voeren, worden gegeeven Pasporten van Vrÿgeleide, tot de naaste Havenen, in elkanders Landen voor den tÿd, tot de reisen nodig. Ook zullen geen Prÿzen op zee genomen voor wettig genomen gehouden mogen worden, ten waare de Oorlogs-declaratie bekend was geweest, of had kunnen zÿn, in de Haven, die het genoome Schip het laast heest verlaten; maar zal voor al, het geen aan de Onderdanen en Ingezeetenen van weederzÿde binnen de voorscz: termÿnen ontnomen mogt zÿn, en de beleedigingen, die hun aangedaen zouden mogen zÿn, volkomen Satisfactie gegeeven worden.
19.
Geen Onderdaan van haar Hoog Mogende de Staten Generaal der Vereenigde Nederlanden, zullen mogen versoeken of aanneemen eenige Commissien, of Lettres de Marque, tot het wapenen van eenig Schip of Scheepen, ten einde als Kapers te ageeren teegens de gemelde Vereenigde Staten van America, of eenige der zelve, of tegens de Onderdanen en Ingezeetenen der gemelde Vereenigde Staaten, of eenige der zelve, of teegens den Eigendom der Ingezeetenen van eenige der zelve, van eenige Prins of Staat, met wien de voorscz: Vereenigde Staaten van America in Oorlog mogten zÿn; nochte zal eenige Onderdaan of Ingezeeten van de gemelde Vereenigde Staaten van America, of eenige derzelve eenige Commissie of Lettres de Marque versoeken of aanneemen, tot het Wapenen van eenig Schip of Scheepen, om ter Kaap te vaaren tegens de Hoog Mogende Heeren Staten Generaal der Vereenigde Nederlanden, of teegens de Onderdanen of Ingezeetenen van gemelde: Haar Hoog Mogende, of eenige van dezelve, of den eigendom van eenige der zelve, van eenige Prins of Staat, met wien de voorscz: Staaten in Oorlog zullen zÿn, en indien eenig Persoon van een van beide zodanige Commissie of Lettres de Marque zal aanneemen, zal dezelve als een Zeerover worden gestrast.
20.
De Scheepen der Onderdanen of Ingezeetenen van een van beide de Partÿen, komende aan eenige Kust, toebehoorende aan de een of andere der gemelde Bondgenooten, doch niet voorneemens zÿnde in een Haven binnen te loopen, of binnen geloopen zÿnde, en niet begeerende hunne Ladingen te lossen, of Last te breeken, of bÿ te laden, zullen niet gehouden zÿn voor haare Scheepen of Ladingen eenige inkomende, of uitgaende regten te betalen, nog eenige reekenschap van haare Ladingen te geeven, ten ware, dat er wettig vermoeden was, dat zÿ aan elkanders Vÿanden toevoerden Koopmanschappen van Contrabande.
21.
De twee contracteerende Partÿen vergunnen over en weeder aan elkanderen de vrÿheid, om ieder in de Havens van den anderen, Consuls, Vice Consuls, Agenten en Commissarissen van húnne eigen aanstelling te hebben, welkers functien gereguleert zullen worden bÿ particuliere overeenkomst, wanneer ooit eene der beide Partÿen goedvind zodanige aanstelling te doen.
22.
Dit Tractaat zal in geenerhande opsigten verstaan worden te derogeeren aan de 9e. 10e. 14e. en 24ste. Articulen van het Tractaat met Vrankrÿk, soo als die genummert zÿn geweest in het zelve Tractaat den 6 Februarÿ 1778 geslooten, zÿnde de 9e. 10e. 17e. en 22ste. Articulen, van het Tractaat van Commercie, soo als het nu in kragt is tusschen de Vereenigde Staten van America, en de Kroon van Vrankrÿk: en zal meede niet beletten, dat Sÿne Catholicque Majesteit aan t’selve zoude accedeeren, en van het beneficie der gemelde Vier Articulen Jouïsseeren.
23.
By aldien de Vereenigde Staaten van America, t’eeniger tyd, nodig mogten vinden, om by den Koning of Keizer van Marocco of Fez, mitsgaders by de Regeeringen van Algiers, Tunis, of Tripoli, of by eenige van dezelve, Negotiatien te entameeren tot het verkrygen van Pasporten ter beveiliging van hunne Navigatie op de Middelandsche Zee, zoo beloven Haar Hoog Mogende, op het aanzoek van Hoogstgedagte Vereenigde Staaten, die Negotiatien, door middel van hunne by den voorscz: Koning of Keizer en Regeeringen resideerende Consuls op de favorabelste wyze te zullen Secondeeren.
Contrabande.24.
De vrÿheid van Navigatie en Commercie zal zig uitstrekken tot alle zoorten van Koopmanschappen, uitgezondert alleen deeze, welke onderscheiden zÿn onder den Naam van Contrabande of Verbodene goederen: en onder deeze benoeming van Contrabande of verbodene goederen zullen alleen begreepen zÿn de Oorlogs Ammunitien, of Wapenen, als Mortieren, geschut, met zÿne Vuurwerken, en het geen daar toe behoort; geweeren, Pistoolen, Bomben, Granaden, Buspulver, Salpeeter, Swavel, Lonten, Kogels, Pieken, zwaarden, Lancien, Helbaarden, Casquetten, Cuirassen, en diergelÿke soort van Wapentuig, ook Soldaten, Paarden, Zadels, en toerusting van paarden.
Alle andere goederen, en Koopmanschappen, hier boven niet uitdrukkelyk gespecisiceert, jaa selfs alle Soorten van Scheeps Materialen, hoe zeer dezelve ook zouden mogen zÿn geschikt, tot het bouwen of equipeeren van Oorlog Scheepen, of tot het maken van het een of ander Oorlogstuig, te water of te Lande, zullen mitsdien, nog volgens den Letter, nog volgens eenige voor te wende interpretatie van dezelve, hoe ook genaemt, onder verboodene, of Contrabande goederen begreepen kunnen of mogen worden: zoo dat alle dezelve goederen, waaren, en Koopmanschappen, hier boven niet uitdrukkelyk genoemt, sonder eenig onderscheid, zullen mogen worden getransporteert, en vervoert in alle vrÿheid door de Onderdanen en Ingezeetenen van beide Bondgenooten, van en na Plaatsen aan den Vÿand toebehoorende, zodanige Steeden of plaatsen alleen uitgezondert, welke op die tyt beleegert, geblocqueert of geinvesteert zÿn, waar voor alleenlyk worden gehouden de zulke, die door een der Oorlog voerende Mogend heeden van nabÿ ingeslooten worden gehouden.
25.
Ten einde alle dissentie en twist ann beide zÿden mag werden vermÿd en voorgekomen, is overeengekomen, dat in geval een van beide de Parthÿen in Oorlog mogt komen te geraken, de Scheepen en Vaartuigen, toebehoorende aan de Onderdanen of Ingezeetenen van de andere Geallieerde, met Zeebrieven of Pasporten moeten werden voorsien, expresseerende den naam, eigendom en de groote van het Schip of Vaartuig, als meede den Naam, plaats of Wooninge van den Schipper of Bevelhebber van het gemelde Schip of Vaartuig, ten einde daar bÿ mag blyken, dat het Schip reëel en in waarheid aan de Onderdanen of Ingezeetenen van eene der Parthÿen toebehoord, welk Pasport zal worden opgemaekt en uitgegeeven volgens het Formulier agter dit Tractaat gevoegt. Dezelve zullen ieder reise, dat het Schip thuÿs is geweest, op nieuw verleent moeten zÿn, of ten minsten niet ouder mogen zÿn, als twee Jaar, voor de tÿd, dat het Schip laast is thuÿs geweest. Het is insgelyks vastgestelt, dat zodanige Scheepen of Vaartuigen gelaaden zÿnde, moeten weezen voorsien niet alleen met Pasporten of Zeebrieven bovengemeld; maar ook met een generaal pasport, of particuliere Pasporten, of Manifesten, of andere publicque Documenten, die in de Havenen, van waar de Scheepen laast gekomen zÿn, gewoonlyk gegeeven worden aan de uitgaende Scheepen, inhoudende een Specificatie van de Lading, de plaets van waar het Schip gezeilt is, en waar heenen het gedestineert is, of bÿ gebreeke van alle deselve, met Certificaten van de Magistraten, of Gouverneurs der Steeden, plaatsen, en Colonien, van waar het Schip vertrokken is, in de gewoone form gegeeven, op dat geweeten kan worden, of eenige verboode, of Contrabande goederen aan boord van de Scheepen zÿn, en of zÿ daar meede na’s Vÿands Landen gedestineert zÿn, of niet. En by aldien iemand goeddunkt, of raadsaem vind, om in de gemelde bescheiden uit te drukken de persoonen, aan wien de aan boord zÿnde goederen toekomen, vermag hy sulks vrÿelyk te doen; sonder egter daar toe gehouden te zÿn, of dat gebrek van die uitdrukking geleegenheid tot confiscatie kan of mag geeven.

26.
Indien de Scheepen of Vaartuigen van de gemelde Onderdanen of Ingezeetenen van een van beide de Parthÿen, zeilende langs de Kusten of in de open Zee, ontmoet zullen worden door eenig Schip van Oorlog, Kaper of Gewapend Vaartuig van de andere Parthy, zullen de gemelde Oorlog Scheepen, Kapers, of gewapende Vaartuigen, tot vermÿding van alle disordre, buiten bereik van het Geschut blyven, dog hunne Booten mogen zenden aan boord van het Koopvaardÿ Schip, welke zÿ op die wÿs zullen ontmoeten, en op het zelve mogen overgaan ten getalle alleen van twee a drie Man, aan wien de Schipper of Bevelhebber van zodanig Schip of Vaartuig zÿn Pasport zal vertoonen, inhoudende den eigendom van het Schip of Vaartuig, ingevolge het formulier agter dit Tractaat gevoegt; en zal het Schip of Vaartuig, na de vertooning van dusdanig Pasport, Zeebrief en verdere bescheiden, vrÿ en liber zÿn om deszelfs reis te verrolgen, zoo dat niet geoorloft zal zÿn het selve op eenigerhande wÿze te molesteeren of doorsoeken, nog jagt op haar te maken, of het zelve te forceeren haare voorgenomen Cours te verlaaten.

27.
Het zal geoorloft zÿn aan Kooplieden, Capiteins en Bevelhebbers van Scheepen, het zÿ publicque en ten Oorlog, of particuliere en ter Koopvaardy vaarende, toebehoorende aen de gemelde Vereenigde Staaten van America, of eenige van dezelve, of aan de Onderdanen, en Ingezeetenen van eenige derzelve, vryelyk in hunne dienst aan te neemen, en aan Boord van haare gemelde Scheepen te ontfangen, in iedere der Havens of Plaatsen onder de Jurisdictie van voornoemde haar Hoog Mogende, eenige Bootsgezellen of anderen, zÿnde Inboorlingen of Ingezeetenen van eenige der gemelde Staaten, op zulke voorwaarden als zal worden overeengekomen, zonder daer voor aen eenige boete, pœne, Strasse, Proces of berisping hoe genaemt, onderheevig te zÿn.
En zullen reciproquelÿk alle Kooplieden, Capiteinen en Bevelhebbers van Scheepen, behoorende tot de voorscz: Vereenigde Neederlanden, in alle de Havens en plaatsen, onder het gebied van de gemelde Vereenigde Staaten van America, het zelve voorregt genieten tot aenneeming en ontfangen van Bootsgezellen of anderen, zÿnde inboorlingen of Ingezeetenen van eenige der Domeinen van de gemelde Staten Generaal, met dien verstande, dat men nog aen de eene, nog aan de andere zÿde zig sal mogen bedienen van sodanige zÿner landsgenooten, die zig reeds in dienst van de andere Contracteerende parthÿe, het zÿ ten Oorlog, het zÿ op Koopvaardÿ Scheepen heest geëngageert, het zÿ men dezelve aan de vaste Wal, dan wel in Zee zoude mogen ontmoeten, ten zÿ de Capitein of Schipper, onder wiens bevel zodanige Persoonen zig mogten bevinden, deselve vrÿwillig uit hunnen dienst wilde ontslaen, op pœne, dat deselve andersints op den Voet van Weglopers zullen worden behandelt, en gestrast.
28.
De toeleg voor refractie, sal in alle reedelykheid en billykheid worden gereguleert, bÿ de Magistraten der respective Steeden, alwaar men oordeelt, dat eenige bezwaaren desweegens plaats hebben.
29.
Het tegenwoordig Tractaat zal worden geratificeert en geapprobeert by hoogstgem: Staaten Generaal der Vereenigde Nederlanden, en hoog gem. Vereenigde Staaten van America, en zullen de Acten van Ratificatien van de eene ende de andere zÿde, in goede ende behoorlyke forme, werden overgeleevert binnen den tÿt van zes maenden, of te eerder, zoo het zelve kan geschieden, te reekenen van den Dag van de Onderteekeninge.
Ten oirkonde deezes hebben wy Gedeputeerden en Plenipotentiarissen van de Heeren Staten Generaal der Vereenigde Nederlanden, en Minister Plenipotentiaris der Vereenigde Staten van America, uit kragt van Onze respective Authorisatie, en Pleinpouvoir, deeze Onderteekent, en met Onze gewoone Cachellen bekragtigt.
Gedaan in’s Hage den

Formulier van het Pasport dat gegeeven zal worden aan de Scheepen of Vaartuigen, ingevolge het 25e.—Articul van dit Tractaat.
Aan alle de geene die deeze tegenwoordige zullen zien, Salut: doen te weeten, dat by deezen vrÿheid en permissie gegeven word aan  Schipper en Bevelhebber van het Schip (of Vaartuig) genaamt  van de  van  groot  Tonnen of daar omtrent, leggende tegenswoordig in de Haven van  gedestineert naar  en beladen met  , om te vertrekken en met zÿn Schip of Vaartuig deszelfs gemelde reize voort te zetten, zodanig Schip of Vaartuig gevisiteert zÿnde, en de voornoemde Schipper of Bevelhebber, onder Eede, voor den daar toe gestelden Officier, verklaart hebbende, dat het gemelde Schip of Vaartuig, aan een of meer der Onderdanen, Volk of Ingezeetenen van  toebehoord, en aan hem (of hun) alleen; In getuigenis waer van, wÿ deeze tegenswoordige met Onze Naamen hebben Onderteekent, en het Zeegel van Ons Waapen daar aan gehegt, en het zelve doen contrasigneeren door  Tot  deezen  dag van het Jaar onses Heeren Christi

Formulier van het Certificaat, het welk aan de Scheepen of Vaartuigen zal worden gegeeven, ingevolge het 25e.—Articul van dit Tractaat.
Wy  de Magistraat (of Officieren der Convoÿen) van de Stad of Haven van  Certificeeren en Attesteeren, dat op den  dag van  in het Jaar onzes Heeren  C.D. van  in Persoon voor ons is gecompareert, en onder solemneelen Eede heest verklaart, dat het Schip of Vaartuig genaamt  van  Tonnen, of daar omtrent, waar van  van  tegenswoordig Schipper of Bevelhebber is, geregtelÿk en behoorlÿk aan hem (of hun) alleen is toebehoorende. Dat het zelve thans gedestineert is van de Stad of Haven van  na de Haven van  gelaaden met goederen en Koopmanschappen hier onder particulier gespecisiceert en opgenoemt, als volgt.
In getuigenis waar van wÿ dit Certificaat hebben onderteekent en met het Zeegel van Ons Officie bekragtigt, deezen  dag van  in het Jaar Onzes Heeren Christi:

Formulier van Zee-brief.
Alder-Doorluchtichste, Doorluchtigste, Doorluchtige, Grootmachtighste, Grootmachtige hoogh ende Welgeboorne, Wel-Edele, Erentseste, Achthbare, Wÿse, Voorsienige Heeren Keizeren, Koningen, Republicquen, Princen, Fursten, Hertogen, Graven, Baronnen, Heeren, Burgermeesteren, Scheepenen, Raden, mitsgaders Rechteren, Officieren, Justicieren, ende Regenten aller goede Steeden ende Plaatzen, het zÿ Geestelÿcke of Wereldtlÿcke, die deeze opene Letteren zullen zien oste hooren leezen: Doen Wÿ Burgermeesteren ende Regeerders der Stadt  te weeten, dat Schipper  van  (voor Ons compareerende) bÿ solemneelen eede verklaart heest, dat het Schip, genaamt  groot omtrent  Lasten, ’t welk hy althans voert, in de Geunieerde Provincien t’huys behoort, en dat geen Onderdanen van den Vÿandt daar in, direct of indirect, eenige portie of deel hebben, Soo waarlyk moest hem Godt Almachtig helpen. Ende want Wÿ den voorschreiven Schipper gaerne gevordert zagen in Syne rechtvaerdige Saken; Soo is Ons versoek allen voornoemt, ende yeder in het bÿsonder, daar den voornoemden Schipper met zÿn Schip ende ingeladen goederen komen zal, dat dezelve gelieven den voornoemden Schipper goedelÿcken te ontfangen en gehoorlyck te tracteeren, gedogende hem op syne gewoonlÿcke Tollen ende Ongelden, in het door-ende voorby-varen, Havenen, Stroomen en Gebiedt te passeeren, varen en frequenteeren omme syne Negotie te doen, daar en soo hÿ te rade vinden sal, het welk Wÿ gaarne willen verschuldigen. Des t’ Oirconde dezer Stede Zegel ter oorsake hier aan hangende den.
(In margine stond)
Ter Ordonnantie van de Hooge ende Mogende Heeren Staten Generael der Vereenighde Nederlanden.


Title: VIII. Final Text of the Dutch-American Treaty of Amity and Commerce: A Translation, 6 September 1782
From: Netherlands, States General of,Adams, John
To:

ante 6 September 1782

Treaty of Amity and Commerce, between their High Mightinesses, the States General of the united Netherlands, and the United States of America, to wit New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New-York New Jersey, Pensilvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
Their High Mightinesses, the States General of the United Netherlands, and the united States of America, to wit New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey Pensilvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, desiring to ascertain, in a permanent and equitable manner, the Rules to be observed, relative to the Commerce, and Correspondence which they intend to establish, between their respective States Countries and Inhabitants, have judged, that the said End cannot be better obtained than by establishing the most perfect Equality and Reciprocity, for the Basis of their Agreement, and by avoiding all those burthensome Preferences, which are usually, the Sources of Debate, Embarrassment and Discontent; by leaving also each Party, at Liberty to make respecting Commerce and Navigation Such ulteriour Regulations, as it shall find most convenient to itself: and by founding the Advantages of Commerce, Solely, upon reciprocal Utility, and the just Rules, of free Intercourse: reserving, withall, to each Party, the Liberty of admitting at its Pleasure, other Nations to a Participation of the same Advantages.

On these Principles, their said High Mightinesses, the States General of the United Netherlands, have named, Messieurs for their Plenipotentiaries, from the midst of their Assembly, Messieurs thier Deputies for the foreign Affairs from the midst of the Assembly of their High Mightinesses, And the said United States of America, on their Part, have furnished with Full Powers, Mr John Adams late Commissioner of the United States of America at the Court of Versailles, heretofore Delegate in Congress from the State of Massachusetts Bay, and Chief Justice of the said State, who have agreed and concluded, as follows, to wit
Article 1.
There shall be a firm, inviolable and universal Peace, and sincere Friendship, between their High Mightinesses, the Lords the States General of the united Netherlands, and the United States of America; and between the Subjects and Inhabitants of the Said Parties, and between the Countries, Islands, Cities and Places, Situated under the Jurisdiction of the Said united Netherlands, and the said United States of America, their Subjects and Inhabitants, of every Degree, without Exception of Persons or Places.

Article 2.
The Subjects of the said States General, of the United Netherlands, shall pay, in the Ports, Havens, Roads, Countries, Islands, Cities or Places of the United States of America, or any of them, no other, nor greater Duties, or Imposts, of whatever nature or Denomination they may be, than those which the Nations the most favoured are, or shall be obliged to pay: And they shall enjoy, all the Rights, Liberties, Priviledges, Immunities and Exemptions in Trade, Navigation and Commerce, which the Said Nations do or shall enjoy, whether in passing from one Port to another in the Said States, or in going from any of those Ports to any foreign Port of the World, or from any foreign Port of the World to any of those Ports.
Article 3.
The Subjects and Inhabitants of the said United States of America, shall pay in the Ports, Havens, Roads, Countries, Islands, Cities or Places of the said united Netherlands, or any of them, no other, nor greater Duties or Imposts of whatever nature or Denomination, they may be, than those, which the Nations the most favoured, are, or shall be obliged to pay: and they shall enjoy, all the Rights, Liberties, Priviledges, Immunities and Exemptions, in Trade, Navigation and Commerce, which the said Nations do or shall enjoy whether in passing from one Port to another in the said States, or from any one towards any one of those Ports, from or to any foreign Port of the World. And the United States of America, with their Subjects and Inhabitants Shall leave to those of their High Mightinesses, the peaceable Enjoyment of their Rights, in the Countries, Islands, and Seas in the East and West Indies, without any hinderance or Molestation.
Article 4.
There shall be an entire and perfect Liberty of Conscience, allowed to the Subjects and Inhabitants of each Party and to their Families; and no one shall be molested, in regard to his Worship, provided to Submits as to the publick Demonstration of it, to the Laws of the Country. There Shall be given, moreover, Liberty, when any Subjects or Inhabitants of either Party, Shall die, in the Territory of the other, to bury them, in the usuall burying Places, or in decent and convenient grounds, to be appointed for that Purpose, as occasion shall require; and the dead Bodies of those who are buryed, shall not in any wise be molested. And the two contracting Parties, shall provide, each one in his Jurisdiction that their respective Subjects and Inhabitants, may, henceforward obtain, the requisite Certificates in Cases of Deaths in which they Shall be interrested.
Article 5.
Their High Mightinesses the States General of the United Netherlands, and the United States of America, shall endeavour, by all the means in their Power, to defend and protect all Vessells and other Effects, belonging to their Subjects and Inhabitants respectively, or to any of them, in their Ports Roads, Havens, internal Seas, Passes, Rivers and as far as their Jurisdiction extends at Sea, and to recover, and cause to be restored to the true Proprietors, their Agents or Attornies, all Such Vessells and Effects, which Shall be taken under their Jurisdiction: and their Vessells of War and Convoys, in Cases when they may have a common Ennemy, Shall take under their Protection, all the Vessells belonging to the Subjects and Inhabitants of either Party, which shall not be laden with contraband Goods, according to the Description, which Shall be made of them here after, for Places, with which one of the Parties is in Peace and the other at War, nor destined for any Place, blocked, and which shall hold the same Course, or follow the same rout, and they shall defend such Vessells as long as they shall hold the same Course follow the same rout, against all Attacks, Force and Violence of the common Enemy, in the same manner, as they ought to protect and defend the Vessells belonging to their own respective Subjects.
Article 6.
The Subjects of the contracting Parties, may, on one Side and on the other, in the respective Countries and States, dispose of their Effects, by Testament, Donation, or otherwise; and their Heirs, Subjects of one of the Parties and residing in the Country of the other, or elsewhere, shall receive Such Successions, even Ab Intestato, whether in Person, or by their Attorney, or Substitute, even although they shall not have obtained Letters of Naturalisation, without having the Effect of such Commission contested under Pretext of any Rights or Praerogatives of any Province, City or private Person: and if the Heirs, to whom such Successions may have fallen, shall be Minors, the Tutors or Curators, established by the Judge Domiciliary of the said Minors, may govern, direct, administer, Sell, and alienate the Effects fallen to the said Minors by Inheritance, and in general, in relation to the said Successions and Effects, Use all the Rights, and fullfill all the Functions, which belong by the Disposition of the Laws to Guardians, Tutors and Curators: provided, nevertheless, that this Disposition cannot take Place, but in Cases where the Testator shall not have named Guardians Tutors or Curators, by Testament, Codicil, or other legal Instrument.

Article 7.
It Shall be lawfull and free, for the Subjects of each Party, to employ such Advocates, Attorneys, Notaries, Solicitors or Factors, as they shall judge proper.
Article 8.
Merchants, Masters and Owners of Ships, Mariners, Men of all Kinds, Ships and Vessells, and all Merchandises and Goods in general, and Effects, of one of the Confederates, or of the subjects thereof, shall not be seized or detained, in any of the Countries, Lands, Islands, Islands, Cities, Places, Ports, Rivers Shores or Dominions whatsoever of the other Confederate, for any military Expedition, public or private Use of any one, by Arrests, Violence or any Colour thereof. Much less shall it be permitted to the Subjects of either Party to take, or extort by Force any Thing, from the Subjects of the other Party, without the Consent of the owner: which, however, is not to be understood of Seisures, Detentions and Arrests which Shall be made by the Command and Authority of Justice, and by the ordinary Methods, on Account of Debts or Crimes, in respect whereof, the Proceedings must be, by Way of Law, according to the Forms of Justice.
Article 9.
It is further agreed and concluded, that it shall be wholly free for all Merchants, Commanders of Ships and other Subjects of their High Mightinesses and Inhabitants, of the contracting Parties, in every Place Subjected to the Jurisdiction of the two Powers respectively, to manage themselves their own Business: and moreover, as to the Use of Interpreters or Brokers as also in Relation to the Loading or Unloading of their Vessells, and every Thing which has Relation thereto, they shall be, on one side and on the other, considered and treated upon the Footing of with natural Subjects, or, at least, upon an Equality with the most favoured Nation.
Article 10.
The Merchant Ships of either of the Parties, coming from the Port of an Ennemy or from their own or a neutral Port, may navigate freely towards any Port of an Ennemy of the other Ally: They shall be nevertheless held, whenever it shall be required, to exhibit, as well upon the high Seas, as in the Ports, their Sea Letters and other Documents described in the twenty fourth Article, stating expressly, that their Effects are not of the Number of those, which are prohibited as Contrabande; and not having any Contraband goods for an Ennemy’s Port, they may freely and without Hindrance pursue their Voyage, towards the Port of an Ennemy. Nevertheless, It shall not be required to examine the Papers of Vessells convoyed by Vessells of War, but Credence shall be given to the Word of the officer, who shall conduct the Convoy.
Article 11.
If by exhibiting, the Sea Letters and other Documents, described more particularly in the Twenty fourth Article of this Treaty, the other Party shall discover there are any of those Sorts of Goods which are declared prohibited and Contrabande, and that they are consigned for a Port, under the Obedience of his Ennemy, it shall not be lawfull to break up the Hatches of such Ships nor to open any Chest, Coffer, Packs, Casks, or other Vessells found therein, or to remove the Smallest Parcell of her Goods, whether the said Vessell belongs to the Subjects of their High Mightinesses, the States General of the united Netherlands, or to the Subjects or Inhabitants of the said United States of America, unless the Lading be brought on Shore, in Presence of the officers of the Court of Admiralty, and an Inventory thereof made, but there shall be no allowance to sell, exchange or alienate the same, untill, after that due and lawfull Proscess, shall have been had, against such prohibited Goods of Contraband, and the Court of Admiralty, by a Sentence pronounced, shall have confiscated the same, Saving always, as well the Ship itself, as any other Goods found therein, which are to be esteemed free and may not be detained on Pretence of their being infected, by the prohibited Goods, much less shall they be confiscated as lawfull Prize. But on the contrary, when by the Visitation, at Land, it shall be found, that there are no Contraband Goods in the Vessell, and it shall not appear by the Papers, that he who has taken and carried in the Vessell, has been able to discover any there, he ought to be condemned in all the Charges, Dammages and Interests of them, which he shall have caused, both to the owners of Vessells, and to the owners and Freighters of Cargoes, with which they shall be loaded, by his Temerity in taking and carrying them in. Declaring most expressly the free Vessells, shall assure the Liberty of the Effects with which they shall be loaded, and that this Liberty shall extend itself equally to the Persons who shall be found in a free Vessell, who may not be taken out of her unless they are Military Men, actually in the Service of an Ennemy.
Article 12.
On the contrary, it is agreed, that whatever shall be found to be laden, by the Subjects and Inhabitants, of either Party, on any Ship belonging to the Enemies of the other, or to their Subjects, although it be not be comprehended under the Sort of prohibited Goods, the whole may be confiscated, in the same manner, as if it belonged to the Ennemy, except, nevertheless, such Effects and Merchandizes as were put on board such Vessel, before the Declaration of War, or in the Space of Six months after it, which Effects shall not be, in any manner Subject to Confiscation, but shall be faithfully, and without delay, restored in nature, to the owners who shall claim them, or cause them to be claimed, before the Confiscation and Sale, as also, their Proceeds, if the Claim could not be made, but in the Space of Six Eight months, after the Sale, which ought to be publick: provided, nevertheless, that if the said Merchandizes are Contraband, it shall by no means be lawfull, to transport them afterwards to any Port belonging to Ennemies.
Article 13.
And that more effectual Care may be taken, for the Security of Subjects and People of either Party, that they do not Suffer Molestation, from the Vessells of War or Privateers of the other Party, it shall be forbidden to all Commanders of Vessells of War, and other armed Vessells of the said States General of the United Netherlands, and the said United States of America, as well as to all their Officers, Subjects and People to give any Offence, or do any Damage to those of the other Party; and if they act to the contrary, they shall be, upon the first Complaint, which shall be made of it, being found guilty, after a just Examination, punished by their proper Judges, and, moreover, obliged to make satisfaction for all Damages and Interests thereof, by Reparation under Pain and Obligation of Persons and Goods.
Article 14.
For further determining of what has been said, all Captains of Privateers, or Fitters out of Vessells armed for War, under Commission, and on Account of private Persons, shall be held, before their Departure, to give Sufficient Caution, before competent Judges, either to be entirely responsable, for the Malversations which they may commit in their Cruises or Voyages, as well as for the Contraventions of their Captains and Officers against the present Treaty, and against the Ordonnances and Edicts which shall be published, in Consequence of and Conformity to it, under Pain of Forfeiture and Nullity of the said Commissions.

Article 15.
All Vessells and Merchandizes, of whatsoever Nature, which shall be rescued out of the Hands of any Pirates or Robbers on the High Seas shall be brought navigating the high Seas without requisite Commissions shall be brought into some Port of one of the two States, and deposited in the Hands of the Officers of that Port, in order to be restored entire to the true Proprietor, as soon as due and Sufficient Proofs shall be made concerning the Property thereof.
Article 16.
If any Ships or Vessells, belonging to either of the Parties, their Subjects or People shall within the Coasts or Dominions of the other, stick upon the Sands, or be wrecked or suffer any other Damage, all friendly Assistance and Relief shall be given to the Persons shipwrecked, or such as shall be in danger thereof; and the Vessells, Effects and Merchandizes, or the Part of them which shall have been saved, or the Proceeds of them, if, being perishable they shall have been Sold, being claimed within a Year and a day, by the Masters or owners, or their Agents or Attorneys, shall be restored; paying only the reasonable Charges, and that which must be paid, in the same Case, for the Salvage, by the proper Subjects of the Country: There shall also be delivered them, Safe Conducts or Passports, for their free and Safe Passage from thence, and to return, each one, to his own Country.
Article 17.
In Case the Subjects or People of either Party with their Shipping, whether public and of War or private and of Merchants, be forced, through Stress of Weather, Pursuit of Pirates or Ennemies, or any other Urgent Necessity for seeking of Shelter and Harbour, to retreat and enter into any of the Rivers, Creeks, Bays, Ports, Roads, or Shores, belonging to the other Party, they Shall be received with all Humanity and Kindness, and enjoy all friendly Protection and Help, and they Shall be permitted to refresh and provide themselves, at reasonable Rates, with Victuals and all Things needfull for the Sustenance of their Persons, or Reparation of their Ships, and they Shall no Ways be detained, or hindered from returning out of the said Ports, or Roads, but may remove and depart, when and whither they please, without any Let or Hindrance.
Article 18.
For the better promoting of Commerce, on both Sides, it is agreed that, if a War should break out, between their High Mightinesses, the States General of the United Netherlands, and the United States of America, there Shall always be granted, to the Subjects on each Side, The Term of Nine Months, after the Date of the Rupture, or of the Proclamation of War, to the End that they may retire, with their Effects, and transport them, where they please, which it shall be lawfull for them to do, as well as to Sell or transport their Effects and Goods, in all Freedom, and without any Hindrance, and without being able to proceed, during the said Term of Nine Months, to any Arrest of their Effects, much less of their Persons; on the contrary, there shall be given them, for their Vessells, and for the Effects, which they would carry away, Pass Ports and Safe Conducts, for the nearest Ports of their respective Countries, and for the time necessary for the Voyage. And no Prize made at Sea, shall be adjudged lawfull, at least if the Declaration of War was not or could not be known, in the last Port which the Vessell taken has quitted. But for whatever may have been taken from the Subjects and Inhabitants of either Party, and for the Offences which may have been given them, in the Interval of the said Terms, a compleat Satisfaction shall be given them.
Article 19.
No Subject of their High Mightinesses, the States General of the United Netherlands shall apply for or take any Commission or Letter of Marque, for arming any Ship or Ships, to act as Privateers, against the said United States of America or any of them, or the Subjects and Inhabitants of the said United States or any of them, or against the Property of the Inhabitants of any of them, from any Prince, or State, with which the said United States of America may happen to be at War: Nor shall any Subject or Inhabitant of the said United States of America, or of any of them, apply for or take any Commission, or Letters of Marque, for arming any Ship or Ships to act as Privateers against the High and Mighty Lords the States General of the United Netherlands, or against the Subjects of their High Mightinesses, or any of them, or against the Property of any one of them from any Prince or State, with which their High Mightinesses may be at War: And if any Person of either Nation shall take such Commission, or Letters of Mark, he shall be punished as a Pirate.
Article 20.
If the Vessells of the Subjects or Inhabitants of one of the Parties, come upon the Coast belonging to either of the said Allies, but not willing to enter into Port, or being entered into Port and not willing to unload their Cargoes or break bulk, or take in any Cargoe they shall be treated not be obliged to pay, neither for the Vessells nor Cargoes, any Duties of Entry in or out, nor to render any Account of their Cargoes, at least if there is not just Cause to presume, that they carry to an Ennemy Merchandizes of Contraband.
Article 21
The two contracting Parties grant to each other mutually the Liberty of having each in the Ports of the other, Consuls, Vice Consuls, Agents and Commissaries of their own appointing, whose Functions shall be regulated by particular Agreement, whenever either Party chuses to make such Appointment.
Article 22.
This Treaty shall not be understood, in any manner to derogate from the Ninth Tenth, Nineteenth and Twenty fourth Articles of the Treaty of Commerce with France, as they were numbered in the same Treaty concluded the Sixth of February 1778 and which make the Articles Ninth, Tenth, Seventeenth and twenty Second of the Treaty of Commerce now Subsisting, between the United States of America and the Crown of France: Nor shall it hinder his Catholic Majesty, from acceeding to that Treaty, and enjoying the Advantage of the said four Articles.
Article 23.
If at any Time the United States of America, shall judge necessary, to commence Negotiations, with the King or Emperor of Morocco and Fez, and with the Regencies of Algiers, Tunis or Tripoli, or with any of them, to obtain Passports for the Security of their Navigation in the Mediterranean Sea, their High Mightinesses promise that upon their Requisition which the United States of America shall make of it, they will Second such Negotiations, in the most favourable manner, by means of their Consulls, residing near the said King Emperor and Regencies.
Article 24. Contraband
The Liberty of Navigation and Commerce Shall extend to all sorts of Merchandizes, excepting only those which are distinguished under the Name of Contraband or Merchandizes prohibited: And under this Denomination of Contraband and Merchandizes prohibited, shall be comprehended only Warlike Stores and Arms, as Mortars, Artillery with their and Appurtenanes, Fusils, Pistols, Bombs Grenades, gun Powder, Salt Peter, Sulphur, Match, Bullets and Balls Pikes, Sabres, Lances, Hallebards, Casques, Cutlaces, and other Sorts of Arms; as also Soldiers, Horses, Saddles, and Furniture for Horses. All other Effects and Merchandizes, not before Specified expressly, and even all sorts of naval Matters, however proper they may be, for the Construction and Equipment of Vessells of War, or for the Manufacture of one or another Sort of Machines of War, by Land or Sea, shall not be adjuged Contraband, neither by the Letter, nor according to any Pretended interpretation whatever ought they, or can they be comprehended, under the Notion of Effects prohibited or Contraband: So that all Effects and Merchandizes, which are not expressly before named, may, without any Exception, and in perfect Liberty be transported, by the Subjects and Inhabitants of both Allies, from and to Places belonging to the Ennemy; excepting only the Places, which at the same Time Shall be besieged blocked or invested; and those Places only shall be held for such, which are Surrounded, nearly, by some of the belligerent Powers.

Article 25
To the End that all Dissention, and Quarrell may be avoided, and prevented, it has been agreed, that in Case that one of the two Parties happens to be at War, the Vessells belonging to the Subjects or Inhabitants of the other Ally, shall be provided with Sea Letters or Passports, expressing the Name, the Property and the Burthen of the Vessell, as also the Name and the Place of abode of the Master or Commander of the said Vessell; to the End that, thereby, it may appear, that the Vessell really and truly belongs to Subjects or Inhabitants of one of the Parties; which Passeports Shall be drawn and distributed, according to the Form annexed to this Treaty. Each Time that the Vessell, shall return, she should have such her Passports renewed, or, at least, they ought not to be of more ancient Date than two years before the Vessell, has been returned to her own Country. It has been also agreed, that such Vessells being loaded, ought to be provided also not only with the Said Pass Ports or Sea Letters; but also with a general Passport, or with particular Passports, or Manifests, or, other publick Documents, which are ordinarily given to Vessells which in the Ports from whence the Vessells have set sail in the last Place, containing a Specification of the Cargo, of the Place from whence the Vessell departed; and of that of her Destination, or, instead of all these of Certificates from the Magistrates or Governors of Cities, Places, and Colonies from whence the Vessell came, given in the usual Form, to the End that it may be known, whether there are any Effects prohibited or Contraband on board the Vessells, and whether they are destined to be carried to an Ennemies Country or not. And in Case, any one judges proper, to express, in the said Documents, the Persons to whom the Effects on board belong, he may do it freely, without however being bound to do it; and the omission of such Expression cannot and ought not to cause a Confiscation.

Article 26.
If the Vessells of the said Subjects or Inhabitants of either of the Parties, Sailing along the Coasts, or on the high Seas, are met by a Vessell of War, or Privateer or other armed Vessell of the other Party, the said Vessells of War, Privateers or armed Vessells, for avoiding all Disorder, shall remain, without the Reach of Cannon, but may send their Boats on board the Merchant Vessell, which they Shall meet in this manner, upon which, they may not pass more than two or three Men, to whom the Master or Commander Shall exhibit his Pass Port, containing the Property of the Vessell, according to the Form annexed to this Treaty: And the Vessell after having exhibited Such a Pass Port, Sea Letter, and other Documents, shall be free to continue her Voyage, so that it shall not be lawfull to molest her, or Search her in any manner, nor to give her Chace, nor to force her to alter her Course.
Article 27.
It shall be lawfull, for Merchants, Captains and Commanders of Vessells whether publick and of War, or private and of Merchants, belonging to the Said United States of America, or any of them, or to their Subjects and Inhabitants, to take freely into their Service, and receive on board of their Vessells, in any Port or Place in the Jurisdiction of their High Mightinesses aforesaid, Seamen or others, Natives or Inhabitants of any of the Said States, upon such Conditions, as they shall agree on, without being Subject, for this, to any Fine, Penalty, Punishment, Proscess or Reprehension, whatsoever.
And reciprocally, all Merchants, Captains and Commanders, belonging to the said United Netherlands, shall enjoy, in all the Ports and Places under the obedience of the said United States of America, the same Priviledge of engaging and receiving, Seamen or others Natives or Inhabitants of any Country of the Domination of the said States General: provided that neither on one side nor the other, they may not take into their Service such of their Countrymen, who have already engaged in the Service of the other Party contracting, whether in War or Trade, and whether they meet them by Land or Sea; at least if the Captains or Masters, under the Command of whom such Persons may be found, will not of his own Consent discharge them from their service: upon Pain of being otherwise treated and punished as Deserters.
Article 28.
The Affair of the Refraction shall be regulated, in all Equity and Justice, by the Magistrates of Cities respectively, where it shall be judged That there is any room to complain, in this Respect.
Article 29.
The present Treaty shall be ratified and approved, by their High Mightinesses the States General of the United Netherlands, and by the United States of America; and the Acts of Ratification Shall be delived, in good and due form on one Side and on the other in the space of Six Months, or sooner if possible, to be computed from the Day of the Signature.
In Faith of which, We, the Deputies and Plenipotentiaries of the Lords the States General, of the United Netherlands, and the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, in Virtue of our respective Authorities and full Powers, have Signed the present Treaty and apposed thereto the Seals of our Arms.
Done at the Hague.

Form of the Passport which shall be given to Ships and Vessells in Consequence of the Twenty fifth Article of this Treaty.
To all who shall see these Presents, Greeting. Be it known that leave and Permission, are, hereby given to  Master and Commander of the Ship or Vessell, called  of the Burthen of  Tons, or thereabouts lying at present in the Port or Haven of  bound for  and laden with  to depart and proceed with his said Ship or Vessell on his said Voyage Such Ship or Vessell having been visited and the said Master and Commander having made Oath before the Proper officer, that the said ship or Vessell, belongs to one or more of the Subjects, People, or Inhabitants of  and to him or them only; In Witness whereof, We have subscribed our Names to these Presents, and affixed the Seal of our Arms thereto, and caused the same to be countersigned by  at  this  Day of  in the year of our Lord Christ

Certificate
Form of the Certificate, which shall be given to Ships or Vessells in Consequence of the Twenty fifth Article of this Treaty.
We  Magistrates, or Officers of the Customs of the City or Port of  do certify and Attest that on the  Day of  in the year of our Lord  C.D.—of . . . . personally appeared, before Us, and declared by solemn oath, that the Ship or Vessell called  of  Tons, or thereabouts whereof  of  is at present Master or Commander, does, rightfully and properly belong to him or them only. That She is now bound, from the City or Port of  to the Port of laden with Goods and Merchandizes, hereunder particularly discribed and enumerated as follows.
In Witness whereof We have signed this Certificate, and sealed it with the Seal of our office, this  Day of  in the year of our Lord Christ.

Sea Letter.
Form of the Sea Letter.
Most Serenest, Serenest, Serene, Most Puissant, Puissant high, illustrious, Noble, honourable, venerable, wise, and prudent Lords, Emperors, Kings, Republicks, Princes, Dukes, Earles, Barons Lords, Burgomasters, Schepens, Councillors, as also Judges Officers, Justiciaries, and Regents of all the good Cities and Places, whether ecclesiastical or Secular, who shall See these Patents or hear them read
We, Burgomasters and Regents of the City of  make known that the Master of  appearing before Us, has declared upon oath, that the Vessell called  of the Burthen of about  Lasts, which he at present navigates is of the United Provinces, and that no Subjects of the Ennemy, have any Part or Portion therein, directly nor indirectly; So May God Almighty help him. And as We wish to See, the said Master prosper, in his lawfull Affairs, our Prayer is to all the beforementioned, and to each of them Seperately, where the said Master shall arrive with his Vessell and Cargo, that they may please to receive the said Master with goodness, and to treat him in a becoming Manner, permitting him, upon the usual Tolls and Expences, in passing and repassing, to pass, navigate and frequent the Ports Passes and Territories, to the End to transact his Business, where, and in what manner, he Shall judge proper: whereof We shall be willingly indebted. In Witness, and for Cause whereof, we affix hereto the Seal of this City.
in the Margin
By ordinance of the high and mighty Lords the States General of the United Netherlands.


Title: IX. Final Text of the Dutch-American Convention on Recaptures, 6 September 1782
From: Netherlands, States General of,Adams, John
To:

Conventie tusschen de Heeren Staten Generaal der Vereenigde Nederlanden, en Vereenigde Staten van America, rakende de hernomen Scheepen.
De Heeren Staten Generaal der vereenigde Nederlanden, en vereenigde Staten van America, geneegen synde, eenige gelykvormige grondbeginselen vast te stellen, omtrent het opbrengen van Prÿsen, door de Oorlog Scheepen en Commissievaarders van Weedersyds contracteerende Parthyen, op derselver gemeene Vyanden genomen, en omtrent de Scheepen van elkanders Onderdanen, door den Vyand genomen, en by de Oorlog Scheepen en Commissie-vaarders van weederzÿden hernomen, zÿn met den anderen overeengekomen, omtrent de navolgende Articulen.
Art: 1.
De Scheepen van eene der beide natien door Kapers van den anderen hernomen, zullen aan den eersten Eigenaar wedergegeeven worden, indien die Scheepen nog geen Vier en twintig Uuren in de magt van den Vyand geweest zÿn; mits door den Eigenaar van het hernoome Schip daar voor betaald werde een derde van de waarde van het Schip, mitsgaders van de Lading, Canons, en Scheepstoerustingen, welk derde in der Minne begroot zal worden door de geinteresseerde Parthÿen; of andersints, en zoo zÿ desweegens niet over een konden komen, zullen zÿ zich adresseeren aan de Bedienden der Admiraliteit van de plaats alwaar de Kaper die het Schip hernomen heest, het zelve zal hebben opgebragt.
Art: 2.
Indien het hernomen Schip langer dan vier en twintig Uuren in’s Vyands magt geweest is, zal het in’t geheel aan den Kaper, die het zelve hernomen heest, toebehooren.
Art: 3.
In gevalle een Schip zal hernomen geweest zÿn door een Oorlog Schip of Vaartuig, toebehoorende aan de Staten Generaal der Vereenigde Nederlanden, of aan de Vereenigde Staten van America, zal het zelve aan den eersten Eigenaar wedergegeeven worden, mits betalende een dertigste gedeelte van de waarde van het Schip en deszelss Laading, Canons en Scheepstoerustingen, bÿ aldien het binnen de Vier en twintig Uuren hernomen is, en het tiende gedeelte zoo het naa de Vier en twintig Uuren hernomen is: welke Sommen als een Gratificatie verdeeld zullen worden onder de Equipagien van de Scheepen die het zelve hernomen zullen hebben.
De begrooting der bovengemelde dertigste, en tiende gedeeltens sal gereguleerd worden naar luÿd van het eerste Articul der jegens woordige Conventie.
Art: 4.
De restitutie der Prÿzen, het zÿ door Oorlog Scheepen of Kapers hernoomen, zal ondertusschen en tot dat behoor-lyk en voldoende bewÿs vanden eigendom der hernomen Scheepen gegeeven kan worden, onder suffisante cautie wegens het nakomen der bovenstaende Articulen binnen een reedelyken tÿd, geadmitteert werden.
Art: 5.
De Oorlog—en Kaper Scheepen van de eene en de andere der beide Natien zullen wederzÿds, zoo in Europa als in de andere Weerelds deelen in elkanders respective havens toegelaten worden met hunne Pryzen, welke aldaar zullen mogen ontladen en verkocht worden, naar de formaliteiten gebruikelyk in den Staat, alwaar de prÿs zal weesen opgebragt, soo ver het bestaanbaar is met het 22dste. articul van het Tractaat van Commercie, met dien verstande, dat de wettig heid der prÿzen door Nederlandsche Scheepen gemaekt zal beslist worden, naar luid der wetten en Reglementen, te deezer zake in de Vereenigde Nederlanden vast gesteld, gelyk ook die der Pryzen door Americaansche Scheepen gemaekt, zal beoordeeld worden volgens de Wetten en Reglementen by de Vereenigde Staten van America bepaald.
Art: 6.
Voor het overige zal het aan de Staaten Generaal der Vereenigde Nederlanden als meede aan de Vereenigde Staten van America, vrÿstaan, zodanige Reglementen te maken als zÿ zullen oordeelen te behooren; met betrekking tot het gedrag ’t geen hunne Scheepen en Kapers weederzÿds verpligt zullen weezen te houden, ten opzigt der Scheepen die zÿ genomen, en opgebracht zullen hebben in de Havens der beide Mogendheeden.
Ten oirkonde deezes hebben Wÿ Gedeputeerden en Plenipotentiarissen van de Heeren Staten Generaal der Vereenigde Nederlanden, en Minister Plenipotentiaris der Vereenigde Staten van America, uit kragt van Onze respective Authorisatie, en Plein pouvoir, deeze Onderteekent, en met Onze gewoone Cachetten bekragtigt.
Gedaan in’s Hage den


Title: IX. Final Text of the Dutch-American Convention on Recaptures, 6 September 1782
From: Netherlands, States General of,Adams, John
To:

ante 6 September 1782

Convention between the Lords the states general of the united Netherlands, and the United States of America concerning Vessells recaptured.
The Lords the States General of the United Netherlands, and the united States of America, being inclined to establish some uniform Principles, with Relation, to Prizes made, by Vessells of War and commissioned by the two contracting Powers, upon their common Ennemies, and to Vessells of the Subjects of either Party captured by the Ennemy, and recaptured by Vessells of War, commissioned by either Party, have agreed, upon the following Articles.
Article 1.
The Vessells of either of the two Nations, recaptured by the Privateers of the other, shall be restored to the first Proprietor, if such Vessells have not been Four and Twenty hours in the Power of the Ennemy; provided the owner of the Vessell recaptured pay therefor, one Third of the value of the Vessell, as also of that of the Cargo, the Cannons and Apparrell, which Third shall be valued by Agreement between the Parties interrested; or, if they cannot agree, thereon, among themselves, they shall address themselves to the officers of the Admiralty of the Place, where the Privateer, who has retaken the Vessell shall have conducted her.
Article 2.
If the Vessell recaptured has been more than Twenty four hours in the Power of the Ennemy, she shall belong entirely, to the Privateer who has retaken her.
Article 3.
In case, a Vessell shall have been recaptured, by a Vessell of War, belonging to the States General of the united Netherlands or to the united States of America, she shall be restored to the first owner, he paying a Thirtieth Part of the Value of the Ship, her Cargo, Cannons and Appurtenances Apparell, if she has been recaptured, in the Interval of Twenty four hours and the Tenth Part, if she has been recaptured, after the Twenty four Hours: which Sums shall be distributed in form of Gratifications to the Crews of the Vessells which shall have retaken her.
The Valuation of the said Thirtieth Parts, and Tenth Parts shall be regulated, according to the Tenour of the first Article of the present Convention.
Article 4.
The Restitution of Prizes, whether they may have been retaken by Vessells of War, or by Privateers, in the mean time and untill requisite and Sufficient Proofs can be given of the Property of Vessells recaptured, shall be admitted, in a reasonable time, under Sufficient Sureties for the Observation of the aforesaid Articles.
Article 5.
The Vessells of War and Privateers, of one and of the other of the two Nations, shall be, reciprocally, both in Europe, and in the other Parts of the World, admitted, in the respective Ports of each, with their Prises, which may be unloaded and Sold, according to the formalities used in the State, where the Prise shall have been conducted, as far as may be consistent with the 22d. Article of the Treaty of Commerce: Provided always, that the Legality of Prises by the Vessells of the Low Countries, shall be decided conformably to the Laws and Regulations established, in the United Netherlands; as likewise that of American Vessells Prises made by American Vessells, shall be judged, according to the Laws and Regulations determined by the United States of America.
Article 6.
Moreover, it shall be free for the States General of the United Netherlands as well as for the United States of America, to make such Regulations as they shall judge necessary, relative to the Conduct; which their respective Vessells and Privateers ought to hold, in Relation to the Vessells which they shall have taken and conducted into the Ports of the two Powers.
In Faith of which We the Deputies and Plenipotentiaries of the Lords the States General of the United Netherlands, and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, have, in Virtue of our respective Authorities and Full Powers, Signed these Presents and confirmed the Same, with the Seal of our Arms.
Done at the Hague the.


Title: Resolution of the States General Authorizing the Signature of the Dutch-American Treaty and Convention on Recaptures, 17 September 1782
From: Netherlands, States General of,Borsselert, W. Z., van
To: Adams, John

Secreet
Extract uyt het Register der Resolutien Van de Hoog Moge. Heeren Staaten Generaal der Vereenigde Neederlanden

Martis den 17 September 1782

De Heeren van Randwijk, en andere Haer Hoog Moge: Gedeputeerden tot de buijtenlandsche Saaken, ingevolge en ter Voldoeninge van derserlver Resolutie Commissoriael van den 23 April deezes jaers, in conferentie getreeden Synde met den Heere Adams Minister Plenipotentiaris der Vereenigde Staten van America over het aangaan van een Tractaat van Vriendschap en Commercie met welgem: Staaten, hebben ter Vergaderinge gerapporteert dat gemelde Heer Adams op den 26. daer aan volgende aan haer had overgegeeven een Project van Zodanig een Tractaat, met versoek van het zelve te willen examineeren en daerbij te voegen zodanige punten als meest dienstig Souden vinden:
Dat zij Heeren Gedeputeerden, na ingenomen te hebben de Consideratien en het advijs van Gecommitteerden uyt de respve. Collegien ter Admiraliteyt op het voersz. Project gemaakt hadden eenige Remarques, en die beneevens eenige nadere Propositien op den 22 Aúgústús laastleeden aangem: Heer Adams hadden ter hand gestelt, maar op gem: Heer Adams deszelfs andwoord op den 27e. daer aen volgende aen haar Heeren Gedeputeerden hadde gecommuniceert. Dat zij het een en ander vergeleeken hebbende bevonden hadden, dat door het laastgemelde Andwoord alle oneffenheeden waaren uyt den weg geruymt en zij vervolgens een nieuw Concept Tractaat als meede een Concept Conventie weegens de hernomen prijzen, in die forme, als Zij oordeelden, dat dezelve behoorden te weezen en so als die hier na geinsereert sijn hadden geconcipieert, en op den 6e. deeze loopende Maend aen gem: Heer Adams ter hand gesteld, met welke beijde Concepten dien Heer Zeedert verklaard heeft volkomen genoegen teneemen. Zoo dat zij Heeren Gedeputeerden aan Haer Hoog Mogende in bedenken moesten geeven, oft Haar Hoog Mogende thans hun niet Zouden kunnen en behooren te authoriseeren om het voorsz. Tractaat en Conventie met geme: Heer Adams te sluijten ente teekenen.
Waar op gedelibereerd Sijnde is goedgevonden en verstaan, dat het voorschreeve Tractaat en Conventie op den bovengemelden voet afgeschreven, en in het net gestelt Sullen worden, om de laaste hand daer aanteleggen; en wordende welgemelde Heeren van Randwyk, en andere Haer Hoog Mogende Gedeputeerden tot de buijtenlandsche Zaaken mitz deezen versogt en gecommitteert om het voorsz. Tractaat en Conventie met gemelde Heere Adams te sluijten en te teekenen.

W: Z: Van Borsselert
Accordeert met voorsz. Register H. Fagel


Title: X. Resolution of the States General Authorizing the Signature of the Dutch-American Treaty and Convention on Recaptures: A Contemporary Translation, 17 September 1782
From: Netherlands, States General of,Borsselert, W. Z. van
To: Adams, John

Copy

Secret
Extract from the records of the Resolutions of their High Mightinesses, the States General of the United Netherlands.

Tuesday 17th. September 1782

The Lord van Randwyk and others, Deputies of their High Mightinesses for the Department of foreign Affairs, in Obedience to and in Compliance with their Resolution of the 23d. April of this present Year, having conferred with Mr. Adams, Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America, respecting the entering into a Treaty of Amity and Commerce with the said States, reported to this Assembly, that the said Mr. Adams on the 26th. of April thereafter, did deliver to them a Plan of such a Treaty, requesting the same might be examined, and that such Articles might be added as might be deemed most serviceable. That the said Gentlemen, Deputies, after having consulted and advised with the Committees of the respective Colleges of Admiralty upon the said Plan or Sketch of a Treaty, made sundry Observations thereon and also sundry separate Propositions, all which on the 26th. i.e., 22d. August last they communicated to the said Mr. Adams, who on the 27th. following returned his Answer thereto; which having compared with the said Propositions and finding the same in Substance conformable thereto, and all Difficulties that had occurred entirely removed, they drew up a new Treaty and also a new Convention on the Subject of retaken Prizes, in conformity to the Determination that had been previously adopted and resolved on, and the Treaties so prepared they handed to Mr. Adams on the 6th. of this current Month, who since has declared himself perfectly satisfied therewith.
Wherefore the said Gentlemen, Deputies for foreign Affairs, submit it to the Consideration of their High Mightinesses to determine, whether it would not be proper and necessary to authorize them to conclude and sign with Mr. Adams the Treaty and Convention aforesaid.
Whereupon having deliberated it is found and judged right, that the said Treaty and Convention be drawn out afresh and fair Copies thereof made, in Order that the finishing Hand may be put thereto; and the said Lord van Randwyk and others, their High Mightinesses Deputies for foreign Affairs, are hereby requested and authorized to conclude and sign the said Treaty and Convention with the aforesaid Mr. Adams.

W: Z: Van Borsselert
Compared with the Record H. Fagel
Translated from the Original by Henry Remsen


Title: XI. To Robert R. Livingston, 8 October 1782
From: Adams, John
To: Livingston, Robert R.

The Hague. October 8th. 1782

Sir
At 12. oClock today I proceeded, according to appointment, to the State-House, where I was received, with the usual formalities, at the head of the Stairs, by Mr: Van Santheuvel, a Deputy from the Province of Holland, and Mr: Van Linden, the first Noble of Zealand and a Deputy from that Province; and by them conducted into the Chamber of Business (Chambre de besogne,) an apartment adjoining to the Truce-Chamber (Chambre de Treve) where were executed the Treaty of Commerce, and the Convention concerning Re-captures, after an Exchange of Full Powers.
The Treaty and Convention are both enclosed, or at least, an authentic Copy of each. If the Copy should arrive before the Original, which I shall reserve to be sent by the safest opportunity I can find, it will be a sufficient foundation for the Ratification of Congress.
I hope the Treaty will be satisfactory to Congress. It has taken up much time to obtain the Remarks and the Consent of all the Members of this complicated Sovereignty. Very little of this time has been taken up by me, as Congress will see by the Resolution of their High-Mightinesses containing the power to the Deputies to conclude and sign the Treaty: for, altho’ all Communications were made to me in Dutch, a language in which I was not sufficiently skilled to depend upon my own knowledge, Mr. Dumas was ever at hand and ever ready to interpret to me every thing in french, by which means I was always able to give my answers without loss of time.
The Papers, in which the whole progress of this Negotiation is contained in Dutch, French and English; make a large bundle, and, after all, they contain nothing worth transmitting to Congress. To copy them would be an immense labor to, no purpose, and to send the Originals, at once, would expose them to loss.
Several Propositions were made to me, which I could not agree to, and several were made on my part, which could not be admitted by the States. The final result, contained in the Treaty, is as near the Spirit of my Instructions as I could obtain, and I think it is, in nothing, materially variant from them.
The Lords the Deputies proposed to me to make the Convention a part of the Treaty. My answer was, that I thought the Convention, which is nearly conformable with that lately made with France, would be advantageous on both sides; but as I had no special Instructions concerning it, and as Congress might have objections that I could not foresee, it would be more agreable to have the Convention seperate, so that Congress, if they should find any difficulty, might ratify the Treaty without it—This was accordingly agreed to.
It seemed at first to be insisted on, that we should be confined to the Dutch Ports in Europe, but my friend Mr: Van Berckel and the Merchants of Amsterdam came in aid of me, in convincing all that it was their interest to treat us upon the footing Gentis amicissima in all parts of the world.
Friesland proposed that a Right should be stipulated, for the Subjects of their Republic to purchase lands in any of our States: But such Reasons were urged as convinced them that this was too extensive an object for me to agree to—1st. It was not even stipulated for France—2d. If it should be now introduced into this Treaty, all other nations would expect the same, and altho’, at present, it might not be impolitic to admit of this, yet nobody would think it wise to bind ourselves to it forever—3d. What rendered all other Considerations unnecessary was, that Congress had not Authority to do this, it  being a matter of the interior policy of the Seperate States—This was given up.
A more extensive Liberty of engaging Seamen in this Country, was a favorite Object; but it could not be obtained.
The Refraction, as they call it, upon Tobacco in the Weigh-houses, is a thing that enters so deeply into their commercial Policy, that I could not obtain any thing, more particular or more explicit, than what is found in the Treaty.
Upon the whole, I think the Treaty is conformable to the Principles of perfect Reciprocity, and contains nothing that can possibly be hurtfull to America, or offensive to our Allies, or to any other Nation, except Great-Britain, to whom it is indeed, without a speedy peace, a mortal blow.
The Rights of France and Spain are sufficiently secured by the 22d. Article, altho’ it is not in the very words of the Project, transmitted me by Congress: It is the same in substance and effect. The Duc de la Vauguyon was very well contented with it, and the States were so jealous of unforseen Consequences from the words of the Article, as sent me by Congress and as first proposed by me, that I saw it would delay the Conclusion, without end. After several Conferences, and many Proposals, we finally agreed upon the Article, as it stands, to the satisfaction of all Parties.
The Clause, reserving to the Dutch their Rights in the East and West-Indies, is unnecessary, and I was averse to it, as implying a Jealousy of us. But as it implies too a Compliment to our Power and Importance; was much insisted on; and amounted to no more than we should have been bound to, without it, I withdrew my Objection.
The Proviso of conforming to the Laws of the Country, respecting the external shew of public worship, I wished to have excluded; because I am an Enemy to every appearance of restraint in a matter so delicate and sacred as the Liberty of Conscience; but the Laws here do not permit Roman Catholics to have Steeples to their Churches, and these Laws could not be altered.
I shall be impatient to receive the Ratification of Congress, which I hope may be transmitted within the time limited.

I have the honor to be, Sir, Your Most Obedt. humble. Servt.
J. Adams


Title: To John Adams from Henry Laurens, 25 August 1782
From: Laurens, Henry
To: Adams, John

Nantes 25th. August 1782

The anonymos Bill, alluded to, My Dear Sir, in your favor of the 15th. which I was honored with yesterday, I had dismissed at Sight, by a most contemptuos protest, notwithstanding it had been usher’d with great solemnity, boasting a derivation from as good a friend to America as any in Europe and as honest a Man. My friend who said all this, or in terms equal, I know merits that Character in both parts, but I am not so well warranted to answer for all his correspondents. I perceived in the first Instant he had been bubbled, and with the minds Eye, as instantly fix’d upon the Man, who had attempted to bamboozle, perhaps to embroil us all. I trust my leading marks—for my own conviction they are as infallible as those which to the benighted Traveler point the Boreal Pole. But when proof possitive is wanting, we must adopt silence be Civil and Circumspect; were I however very near you, I should have no scruples against disclosing, at least the Initials of the suspected Nameless, with such circumstantial evidence as would unite your opinion, that, He is the Man.
Our friend Mr. Jennings writ to me on this affair, some days ago, as from you; a direct communication would have answered all purposes as well and certainly would have been as honorable and as acceptable to me. My answer is full, it concludes, “’Tis a troublesome tho charitable Office, My Dear Sir, you have engaged in upon this occasion, but it may be finish’d by barely transmiting an exact Copy of the foregoing Lines.”
The transmission has undoubtedly been made, my abhorrence of the infamos scrap, as well as of the projector, is marked in terms which will satisfy you, that no impressions to the prejudice of my friends had been made in my breast. I shall be no more troubled with such diabolical Acts of friendship; and further, whatever unvouch’d informations may come from the suspected quarter, shall be classed in the Column Peut. Etre. to be believed when confirmed. But as you say, Enough of this.
I wish I could as easily dispose of your second proposition; I’ll do my best, premising, that I would not so freely Commit myself to every Man.
“Can we consistently treat with any Man who has not full Power to treat with the Ministers of the United States of America”? Certainly I think not. But as certainly, that the American Commissioners may treat with any Man, “Authorised to treat with the four Powers at War with Great Britain.” The United States being one of the four, no exception can be had to the deficiency of specification. All the powers being generally comprehended in the power to treat. Hence ’tis to be presumed the process of a Treaty is intended to be with the Ministers of the four Powers; This on the part of Great Britain amounts to a tacit acknowledgement of the United States represented by their Commissioners. These formalities being surmounted, the Treaty of Alliance and the Instructions of Congress will guide your proceedings, which I apprehend will be confin’d within a narrow compass, until Great Britain shall propound seperate and special Treaties, in this Case the extent of your authorities will be consulted. Truce or Peace with Great Britain by the joint consent of France and America may be established. The Independence of the United States formally or tacitly assured by a Treaty or Treaties which shall terminate the War, the contracting Parties, F. and the U S. will be at liberty to lay down their Arms. The United States will be an Independent Nation and must shift for itself in the general scramble of the World. The countenance and support of the Court of France in the entrance upon Treaty will be essential, the honor and the Interest too of that Court is engaged on our side and I see no cause to suspect the United States personated by Commissioners, will be exposed to slight or indignity. Possibly you may discover the “Authority,” you allude to, is to treat only with three Powers. A Treaty even upon such terms I conceive may be carried into effect, a general Peace take place, and the 8th. Article which is the Pole Star, fully complied with on the part of our Ally. But our Independence must be tacitly or formally assured and the War terminated by a Treaty or Treaties, unless we shall be disposed to fight G. B. alone. What War? the War which France and America are engaged in with Great Britain and which is made “Common Cause.”
A power, for aught we know, may be lodged in a distinct hand, for acknowledging the Independence of the United States and for treating with them. All this is consistent with the Pride of Kings, we may accomplish our views and contemn their manners. Our Commissioners are equal to the Task assigned to them, I am confident they will harmonize and perform their business honorably and effectually. In obedience to your demand, I have with great diffidence thrown out these suggestions, touching only the points France and America, should they prove unsatisfactory you can easily throw them in the Fire. “Certainly I think not.” might have been made a full answer to your Question, it would have been abrupt and as I conceiv’d disrespectful, therefore I presumed to enlarge in so far, as I judged would not be impertinent.
God forbid there should be time enough for obtaining from Congress an appointment of Mr. Jennings to Secretaryship to the Commissioners for Peace, I hope that Epoch is nearer to us. You know the unavoidable slowness of proceeding in all appointments by that Body; a Day for Nomination, variety of Candidates ineffective Votings and Postponings, Weeks debates on a Salary, and may be finally a Resolve that the appointment is unnecessary. Surely the Commissioners have an implied power for the purpose—there will be very little to do. If I were one of them I should no more hesitate upon appointing a Secretary than I would upon the purchase of Stationary.
You have been fortunate in establishing so ample a fund for the use of the United States, their Congress will not be so dilatory in Resolves and Orders to the Financeir general for exhausting it, as they would be in appointing a Secretary to the Commissioners, the Ratification however will require no stimulos.
I remember Sir, to have promised you a Copy of the Extracts and Parallels, it is not yet in my power, altho’ it is still my purpose, to comply. A hot long rapid journey from Bruxelles to Vigan near 800 Miles, involved my Amanuensis in much business and fatigue, sick myself all the way, and he often obliged to ride Courier to spare the Servant, whose Eye sight was endangered by excessive heat of the Sun; at Vigan I was twelve days out of fifteen in Bed or confin’d to the Chamber, from thence I traveled in very bad health to Nantes. Here I arrived in a shatter’d state and continued very Ill and drooping to the 11th. Inst. when for the first time in nine Months I buckled up my Shoes, I have Physicked bled and starved out the cause of my disorders, but am left in a feeble condition, not daring to feed, nor to fatigue. A very trifling blast would overset me again. The Young Man in the mean time is gone to Vigan to conduct his Sisters to this place, from whence or from L’Orient or England we shall embark for America, but I trust, before we go time enough will be found for making the Copy. I have said England—Upon being a little puzzled, to find a proper Vessel for the accomodation of my family, it has been suggested that I have a right to demand from the British Ministry a Passage and safe delivery in the United States, at my own expence, in return for the Exchange and safe delivery of Lord Cornwallis at his own House. The reasoning of my friends appears to me well grounded, it would be mortifying and it would be unjust that I should be again arrested on the high Seas, imprisoned or restricted, plunder’d and carried far out of my Road; all this might and as times go probably would befal me, were I to embark in an American or French Arm’d-Ship, Congress have made no provision for my return, either directly or by deputation that I can learn of; I am left to struggle through by my own means—thus circumstanced I have written to friends in England to apply for a Passage for myself and family to New York and a Passport from thence to Philadelphia. Should we succeed you will hear from me before I commence a journey to Calais or on my way thither.
Be so good as to present my respectful Compliments to Monsr. Dumas and to Mr. Thaxter if he is with you, and be assured I am with sincere Respect & Esteem, Dear Sir Your obedient & most humble Servt.

Henry Laurens