Joan Derk, Baron van der Capellen tot den Pol was a Dutch nobleman who played a prominent role in the revolutionary events that preceded the formation of the Batavian Republic. As a member of the Patriots and inspired by the American Revolution, he wrote the noted pamphlet Aan het Volk van Nederland, pleading for a more liberal society and the end of the Stadtholder regime, which had been marked by corruption and nepotism. He was also an ardent supporter of the legal recognition of the recently created United States of America.
Appeltern 6 Oct: 1781 Monsieur Il ÿ quelque tems qu’un de mes plus proches parens S’addressa a moi pour me consulter, S’il n’ÿ auroit pas moien de placer dans l’armée…
Appeltern 6 October 1781 Sir It has been some time since one of my closest relations wrote me to ask if one of his nephews could be enlisted in the…
Zwol ce 31 Mars 1782 Monsieur Les Magistrats de Deventer ont pris Jeudi au Soir une Resolution dans les formes pour recevoir Votre Excellence en qualité de Ministre plenipotentiaire des…
Zwolle, 31 March 1782 Sir On Thursday evening, the Deventer magistrates passed the resolution necessary for your Excellency’s recognition as minister plenipotentiary of the thirteen United States of America. The…
Zwol le 6 Avril 1782 Monsieur J’ai la Satisfaction de communiquer à Votre Excell: que les Etats d’Overÿssel ont resolu hier nemine contradicente, 1 de reconnoitre Votre Excell: comme Ministre…
Zwolle, 6 April 1782 Sir I have the satisfaction to communicate to Your Excellency that the States of Overijssel resolved yesterday, nemine contradicente, 1 to recognize Your Excellency as minister…
Zwol 2 Maÿ 1782 Monsieur J’ai recu votre honorée du 6 Avril. Les raisons alleguées par votre Excell: me convainquent de l’impossibilité d’emploier mon Ami Valk, 1 dans ce Païs,…
Zwolle, 2 May 1782 Sir I received your letter of the 6th of April. The reasons cited by your excellency have convinced me that it would be impossible toemploy, in…