Philada. 25th June 1782.
Dear Sir
The bill which you lately inclosed to me
1
was duly honored, and the contents of it are in my hands subject to any order which you may wish to give.
A private letter from Mr. Adams of the 11th of April, informs his correspondent that Friesland, Holland, Utrecht, Zealand & Overyssel had taken decided resolutions for a treaty with the U. States, and that like resolutions might be expected in a few days from the two remaining provinces. A Leyden paper of posterior date, says that six provinces had concurred in this measure. This revolution ap[pear]s t[o have] been exceedingly stimulated by the [int]erest which apprehended that if the [. . .] was lost, they might be excluded [. . .]tion from some of the commercial privileges which England may obtain.
2 It is observed in a long memorial from the Merchants to the States General3 that, the importance of the American trade was experienced by them very sensibly prior to the loss of St. Eustatius, as it has been throughout the war by France; that the Ordinance of Congress agst. British Manufacturers4
presents a precious season for substituting those of other nations, & that this season ought the rather to be improved as nothing will be so likely to open the ears of G.B. to the demands of the U.S. & to a general Peace, as the prospect of being supplanted in the commercial preference, which she still expects from the habits of America.
The traffic with the Enemy's lines, had increased to so great a degree that it was thought necessary for Congress to renew their exhortations to the States upon this subject,
5 and to summ[on] of the people in aid of the public [ ] Resolutions will be laid before you [ ]tive character. We also understand [ ]cious intercourse with the Enemy is carryed on under collusive captures preconcerted between Vessels from N.Y. & vessels fitted out on the neighbouring coasts. This abuse lies more within the purview of Congress and a remedy for it is now under consideration. If the trade with N.Y. cannot be suppressed by some means or other it will very shortly steal from us all our hard money, and render our taxations abortive.
I am Dr. Sir with much respect, Yr obt friend & servt.
J Madison Jr.
Receiver's copy, Lee Family Papers, Houghton Library, Harvard University. Madison, Papers (Hutchinson), 4:367 - 68.
1 See ibid., pp. 244 - 45.
2 For the meaning of this fragmentary passage see the second paragraph of the Virginia delegates' letter of this date to Benjamin Harrison.
3 This "long memorial" is in Wharton, Diplomatic Correspondence, 5:251 - 54.
4 That is, the ordinance of January 2, for which see John Hanson to the States, January 6, 1782, note.
5 See Madison to Edmund Randolph, June 18, note 3; and John Hanson to the States, June 24, 1782.