olutely necessary to
be presented with the original. I am happy to have made it to the
satisfaction of Mr Adams, and this translation will be read to their
High Mightinesses, whenever the Memorial shall be laid before
them.[42]

_May 2d._ I have attended Mr Adams to the Grand Pensionary. When he
told him, that his intention was to present himself on Friday next, to
the President of their High Mightinesses, in quality of Minister
Plenipotentiary from the United States, and that he had likewise
credentials from the same to his Serene Highness, the Prince of
Orange, the Pensionary answered, that he apprehended a difficulty
would arise against his admission in such a character, from their High
Mightinesses having not yet acknowledged the independence of America.
Mr Adams having replied, that this objection, since the war had broken
out between Great Britain and this Republic seemed to have lost all
its weight, the Pensionary agreed, that it was true at least both
nations had now the same enemy; however, he would make his report to
his masters and to the Prince of the notice given him.

_May 4th._ This morning his Excellency went to the Grand Pensionary
with a copy of his Memorial, which he declined to receive, saying it
was not the usage, when Memorials were presented to the President of
their High Mightinesses, to deliver copies of them to the Grand
Pensionary of Holland; and that it would be more proper to deliver
one to the Graphiary of the States-General. This we judged proper to
delay till after the audience at the President's, who received his
Excellency with great politeness, but declined charging himself with
the Memorial, alleging his acceptance of it would imply an
acknowledgment he could not take upon himself, but must reserve it to
their High Mightinesses, to whom he would immediately report the case.
His Excellency told him, that to avoid misconstructions, he should
find himself obliged to lay his Memorial before the whole world, by
publishing it immediately. At this the President smiled; and they
parted. It was now become improper to carry a copy to the Graphiary,
and therefore we dispensed with it. The President went into the
Assembly of the States-General, and made the report, which having been
recorded, the Deputies of all the Provinces (except those of Zealand,
who remained silent) asked a copy of the report, to transmit it to
their respective Provinces, when it will be matter of deliberation in
their P