![WASHINGTON, George. Letter signed ("G:Washington") to Johan Derk, Baron Van der Capellan de Pol, head of the Patriotic Society of the City of Enkhuysen, Netherlands; "Head Quarters, State of New York" [New Windsor, near Newburgh], 2 August 1783. 2½ pages, folio, partial separation at central fold, otherwise in very good condition. Text in the fine, elegant italic hand of a secretary.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2000/NYR/2000_NYR_09364_0147_000(011318).jpg?w=1)
Details
WASHINGTON, George. Letter signed ("G:Washington") to Johan Derk, Baron Van der Capellan de Pol, head of the Patriotic Society of the City of Enkhuysen, Netherlands; "Head Quarters, State of New York" [New Windsor, near Newburgh], 2 August 1783. 2½ pages, folio, partial separation at central fold, otherwise in very good condition. Text in the fine, elegant italic hand of a secretary.
ON BEHALF OF THE "CONFEDERATED STATES OF AMERICA," WASHINGTON SALUTES THE NETHERLANDS: "MAY HEAVEN LONG BLESS YOUR COUNTRY WITH THE ENJOYMENT OF HER LIBERTY, THE CHOICEST EARTHLY FAVOR"
An important letter written in tones of gracious and expansive optimism, only a month before the signing of the Treaty of Paris which formally acknowledged the independence of the "Confederated States of America," as Washington here terms his new nation. Washington, as Commander-in-Chief, was the most widely recognized representative of the nation; here, he responds to salutations from the Baron on behalf of a Dutch organization which favored France and America in their seven-year struggle against Britain: "The very acceptable present of the Patriotic Society of the City of Enkhuysen, came safe to me By this agreeable token of their respect and regard, I feel myself highly honored--and it was a very particular enhancement of the pleasure that it was accompanied by a Letter from you: to this happy end my best Endeavours & most friendly disposition will not be wanting. Your Nation, Sir, and your Character have indeed merited the confidence & regard of the Confederated States of America, and they will long I trust be considered with grateful veneration. The Union so happily commenced will I hope be cultivated by both, with the utmost care and attention, and I pray to heaven that it may be as durable as mutual Interests and reciprocal benefits can render it. Permit me Sir most sincerely and cordially to rejoice with you on the re-establishment of your Honors & Usefulness & to felicitate not you only, but your Country, in whose cause you have proved yourself so noble and efficacious an Advocate, in this happy & most honorable Event, an Event which in my Opinion augurs well to the future Liberties & prosperity of the Republic."
"May Heaven long bless your Country with the Enjoyment of her Liberty, the choicest Earthly favor, and may personal happiness and domestic pleasure ever attend your footsteps." Alluding to the Society's inquiry about the export of fish to America, Washington diplomatically observes: "I feel some pain, that I cannot give that encouragement to the enlargement of this branch of their business since our Bays, harbours and Rivers are remarkably abounding in this and in the various kinds of Fish, which prove a present Blessing to our people, & will probably be improved into a source of future wealth. In other branches however, I fondly promise myself, that our Connection will be enlarged into a most fruitfull scene of mutual interests and reciprocal Benefits. To this happy end my best Endeavours & most friendly disposition will not be wanting."
Published (from the Varick transcripts) in Fitzpatrick, 27:74.
ON BEHALF OF THE "CONFEDERATED STATES OF AMERICA," WASHINGTON SALUTES THE NETHERLANDS: "MAY HEAVEN LONG BLESS YOUR COUNTRY WITH THE ENJOYMENT OF HER LIBERTY, THE CHOICEST EARTHLY FAVOR"
An important letter written in tones of gracious and expansive optimism, only a month before the signing of the Treaty of Paris which formally acknowledged the independence of the "Confederated States of America," as Washington here terms his new nation. Washington, as Commander-in-Chief, was the most widely recognized representative of the nation; here, he responds to salutations from the Baron on behalf of a Dutch organization which favored France and America in their seven-year struggle against Britain: "The very acceptable present of the Patriotic Society of the City of Enkhuysen, came safe to me By this agreeable token of their respect and regard, I feel myself highly honored--and it was a very particular enhancement of the pleasure that it was accompanied by a Letter from you: to this happy end my best Endeavours & most friendly disposition will not be wanting. Your Nation, Sir, and your Character have indeed merited the confidence & regard of the Confederated States of America, and they will long I trust be considered with grateful veneration. The Union so happily commenced will I hope be cultivated by both, with the utmost care and attention, and I pray to heaven that it may be as durable as mutual Interests and reciprocal benefits can render it. Permit me Sir most sincerely and cordially to rejoice with you on the re-establishment of your Honors & Usefulness & to felicitate not you only, but your Country, in whose cause you have proved yourself so noble and efficacious an Advocate, in this happy & most honorable Event, an Event which in my Opinion augurs well to the future Liberties & prosperity of the Republic."
"May Heaven long bless your Country with the Enjoyment of her Liberty, the choicest Earthly favor, and may personal happiness and domestic pleasure ever attend your footsteps." Alluding to the Society's inquiry about the export of fish to America, Washington diplomatically observes: "I feel some pain, that I cannot give that encouragement to the enlargement of this branch of their business since our Bays, harbours and Rivers are remarkably abounding in this and in the various kinds of Fish, which prove a present Blessing to our people, & will probably be improved into a source of future wealth. In other branches however, I fondly promise myself, that our Connection will be enlarged into a most fruitfull scene of mutual interests and reciprocal Benefits. To this happy end my best Endeavours & most friendly disposition will not be wanting."
Published (from the Varick transcripts) in Fitzpatrick, 27:74.