What's New
Site Map
National Archives- Washington, DC.
(A translation of an original document recently discovered in the Archives in the Netherlands)
The States General of the United Netherlands. To all who see, hear or read this, Greetings. For your information: We have come to the realization that it might be very useful and valuable for the commerce and shipping of our country, and also for the expansion of commerce with the United States of America, that we appoint a capable and experienced person as consul for the provinces of New Hampshire and Massachusetts Bay, to be residing at Boston. Thus, after receiving positive recommendations about Diederik Leertouwer, and completely relying on his competence and zeal we appoint and commission the same Diederik Leertouwer as consul for Dutch commerce and shipping in the provinces of New England and Massachusetts Bay. To reside in Boston and act with complete power and authority, especially with jurisdiction to represent and favor the commercial agents of this country in the legal trade (with the USA), and to assist as best as possible the ships from this country that might dock there, and also to protect and safeguard the ship's crews and cargoes and specifically to see to it that the rights and privileges of the subjects of the United Dutch Republic will be respected, as guaranteed to this nation, especially those specified in the treaty of Friendship and Commerce agreed to on 07 October 1782, of which he will receive a printed copy. These provisional and general instructions have been approved in today's session, and he (Leertouwer) will receive a copy of the commission's appointment to conduct himself according to its instructions. In order to assure faithful discharge of his duties, Diederik Leertouwer will be required to take the oath, either here or in absentia. After this is done, we recommend to each person to whom this might apply to recognize and respect the afore-named Diederik Leertouwer as Consul in the Provinces of New Hampshire and Massachusetts Bay, and residing in Boston. Requesting from each and everyone to support and assist him in carrying out his duties and missions, which we here consider customary and a service to his country.
Enacted in the Hague and with the seal of the state, initialed by the Honorable Presiding Officer at our session and with the signature of our Secretary on 17 September 1784.
W. C. H. Van Lynden L. S.: As ordered by the High and Mighty Lords of the States-General H. Fagel