James S. Pike to “Baron Van Zuylen, September 23, 1861
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The Hague, September 23, 1861.
“Sir: I have had the honor to receive your communication of the 17th instant, which will, in due time, receive that attention its importance merits.
“Meantime I desire to observe that, as must have been obvious to you, I have hitherto contented myself with advancing general considerations appealing to the friendly dispositions of Holland, rather than in invoking the application of the strict rules of public law to the case under review.
“The Dutch government exercises its undoubted right in overlooking such considerations, and in assuming the championship of a so-called neutrality, which insists upon treating a domestic disturbance as a war between equals.
“For those who so desire, as I am sure Holland does not, it is easy to be persuaded of an incipient nationality in an insurrection, and to see a ship-of-war in every pirate that insults mankind with her depredations or shocks it with her crimes.
“I have great satisfaction in learning from his communication that Baron Van Zuylen recognizes the force of the considerations I have had the honor to present to him touching the evident violation of a just neutrality which is involved in the free use of the ports of the Netherlands by the cruisers of persons engaged in piratical depredations upon the commerce and shipping of the United States, and also in learning that the government of his Majesty has determined that it will not permit its ports to be made the base of operations against that commerce, and that instructions in this sense will be addressed to the governors of the Netherlands colonial possessions.
“It is in the power of the Dutch government, acting upon the rule it has thus laid down, to issue such instructions to its colonial authorities as shall prevent further cause of complaint on the part of the United States, if those instructions shall be executed in good faith.
“The United States government will rely upon the action of Holland in this respect, and will still confidently look for such a course on the part of the Dutch government as will aid it in driving the instigators of rebellion and plunderers of property upon the high seas from the haunts they infest, and in bringing them to condign punishment.
“I have the honor, &c., &c.
“Baron Van Zuylen, &c., &c.”
To-day I have addressed Baron Van Zuylen the following note:
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“The Hague, September 25, 1861.
“Sir: I shall to-day forward your communication of the 17th instant to my government. I do it with reluctance, since its basis is found, as I have already remarked to you, in the assumption of the government of the Netherlands that the domestic disturbance in the United States is a war between equals.
“It cannot be supposed that the United States will consent to debate the question of an abridgment of their sovereignty with Holland or any other nation.
“The United States are one whole undivided nation, especially so far as foreign nations are concerned, and Holland is, by the law of nations and by treaties, not a neutral power between two imaginary parties there, but a friend of the United States. There is in the United States, as there has always been since the establishment of the government, one political power, namely, the United States of America, competent to make war and peace, and conduct alliances and commerce with foreign nations. There is none other, either in fact, or recognized by foreign nations. There is, indeed, an armed sedition seeking to overthrow the government, and the government is employing military and naval force to suppress it. But these facts do not constitute a war presenting two belligerent powers, and modifying the national character, rights, and responsibilities, or the character, rights, and responsibilities of foreign nations.
“That Holland should take a different view of the case will, I am sure, be a subject of very deep regret to the United States.
“The undersigned, &c., &c.
“JAMES S. PIKE.
“Baron Van Zuylen, &c., &c.”
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant,
Hon. Wm. H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.