Given at Our Court at St. James's, the Thirteenth Day of December, One thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine, in the Twentieth Year of Our Reign.
_No printed copy found. Entered on Patent Rolls, and in Crown Office Docquet Book, vol. 12; entered in Privy Council Register, III Geo., vol. 17, p. 454. Printed in "London Gazette," December 14, 1779._
Through the whole Course of Our Reign, Our Conduct towards the States General of the United Provinces has been that of a sincere Friend and faithful Ally. Had they adhered to those wise Principles which used to govern the Republic, they must have shewn themselves equally sollicitous to maintain the Friendship which has so long subsisted between the two Nations, and which is essential to the Interests of both: But from the Prevalence of a Faction devoted to France, and following the Dictates of that Court, a very different Policy has prevailed. The Return made to Our Friendship, for some Time past, has been an open Contempt of the most solemn Engagements, and a repeated Violation of Public Faith.
On the Commencement of the Defensive War, in which We found Ourselves engaged by the Aggression of France, We shewed a tender Regard for the Interests of the States General, and a Desire of securing to their Subjects every Advantage of Trade, consistent with the great and just Principle of Our own Defence. Our Ambassador was instructed to offer a friendly Negotiation, to obviate every Thing that might lead to disagreeable Discussion; and to this Offer, solemnly made by him to the States General, the 2d of November, 1778, no Attention was paid.
After the Number of Our Enemies increased by the Aggression of Spain, equally unprovoked with that of France, We found it necessary to call upon the States General for the Performance of their Engagements. The Fifth Article of the perpetual Defensive Alliance between Our Crown and the States General, concluded at Westminster the 3d of March, 1678, besides the general Engagement for Succours, expressly stipulates, "That that Party of the two Allies that is not attacked, shall be obliged to break with the Aggressor in two Months after the Party attacked shall require it." Yet two Years have passed, without the least Assistance given to Us, without a single Syllable in Answer to Our repeated Demands.