I thereupon made
the proposition to him formally, by letter, mentioning particularly,
that we would choose our arbitrators of some neutral nation, and, of
preference, from among the Dutch refugees here. I was surprised to
receive an answer from him, wherein, after expressing his own readiness
to accede to this proposition, he added, that on consulting Mr.
Puchilberg, he had declined it; nevertheless, he wished a fuller
explanation from me, as to the subjects to be submitted to arbitration.
I gave him that explanation, and he answered finally, that Mr.
Puchilberg refused all accommodation, and insisted that the matter
should be decided by the tribunals of the country. Accommodation being
at an end, I wrote to Monsieur de Montmorin, and insisted on the usage
of nations, which does not permit the effects of one sovereign, to
be seized in the territories of another, and subjected to judiciary
decision there. I am promised that the stores shall be delivered; but
the necessary formalities will occasion some delay. The King being
authorized to call all causes before himself, ours will be evoked from
the tribunal where it is, and will be ended by an order to deliver
up the stores arrested, leaving it to the justice of Congress, to do
afterwards what is right, as to the demand of Schweighaeuser and Dobree.
Pages:
790
791
792
793
794
795
796
797
798
799
800
801
802
803
804
805
806
807
808
809
810
811
812
813
814