Summary
The Prussian emissary in The Hague informs William Short of the required formalities to be completed previous to the conclusion of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between Prussia and the United States.
Transcription
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a la Haye le 21. Aout 1785.
Je satisfais avec empressement a l’engagement que j’ai contracté envers Vous, Monsieur, ce matin en Vous retracant par ces lignes les observations que j’ai pris la liberté de Vous communiquer a l occasion de l’échange des exemplaires du Traité de Commerce conclû entre le Roi, et les Etâts-Unis de l’Amérique. Il n’est question que d’une simple formalité. Les ordres de ma Cour m’ont prescrit de transmettre à Berlin la Copie du Traité signée par Messieurs les Plénipotentiaires Américains aprés l’avoir munie de ma signature, et de faire passer par contre entre Vos mains celle que j’aurois fait expédier en langue Francoise, et a laqu’elle j’aurois apposé ma signature et mon cachet. Vous avés eû la complaisance, Monsieur, de m’offrir un double qui epargneroit au Secretaire d’Ambassade du Roi la peine de transcrire le Traité mais comme la Traduction Angloise se trouve a coté de l’original Francois et qu’on desire peutétre ches Nous que l’expédition de l’exemplaire que je dois avoir l’honneur de Vous remettre se fasse dans la Chancellerie de la Mission Prussienne, j’ai dû Vous temoigner a cet égard un scrupule que les ordres de ma Cour pourroient lever sans difficulté. C’est sur cet objet que je demanderai par la poste prochaine des Ordres precis, et Vous serés a méme, Monsieur, de Vous concerter egalement dans cet intervalle avec Messieurs Adams et Jefferson. Il me tarde de voir arriver le moment, ou je pourrai mettre la derniére main a une transaction qui constatera sur un pié solide les liaisons de Commerce et d’amitié etablies actuellement entre Vôtre Patrie et la mienne.
J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec la Considération la plus distingueé
Monsieur,
Votre trés humble et trés obéissant
Serviteur
Translated from the French
The Hague, August 21, 1785
Sir,
This morning I zealously fulfill the commitment I contracted with You, Sir, by reminding You with these lines the observations I took the liberty of communicating to You when the exchange of copies of the Treaty of Commerce concluded between the King and the United States of America took place. It is only a simple formality. My Court's orders have prescribed that I should send to Berlin the copy of the Treaty signed by the American Plenipotentiaries after my having signed it, and that I should give You, on the other hand, the copy in French , with my signature and seal, of the one I will have dispatched. You obligingly gave me Sir, the Treaty and a copy of it, which will save the Secretary of the King's Embassy the effort of transcribing the Treaty, but as the English translation is next to the original in French and we perhaps wish that the copy I will have the honor of sending You should be done in the Chancellery of the Prussian Mission, I have had to express to You a scrupule about this that my Court's order could withdraw without difficulty. I will request precise orders relative to this by the next post, and during this interval You will equally Sir, confer with Messrs. Adams and Jefferson. I long for the moment when I will be able to finish a transaction, which will give proof of the solid relations of commerce and friendship established at present between your country and mine.
I have the honor of being with the utmost consideration Sir, your very humble and very obedient Servant
de Thulemeier
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RC
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Reel 1, Papers of WS, LOC
Citation:
Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Thulemeier to William Short, 21 August 1785. The Papers of William Short digital edition, eds. Monica Henry and Marty D. Matthews. Columbia: University of South Carolina, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, Institute for Southern Studies, 2026.
Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Thulemeier to William Short, 21 August 1785. The Papers of William Short digital edition, eds. Monica Henry and Marty D. Matthews. Columbia: University of South Carolina, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, Institute for Southern Studies, 2026.