From Franco Petrus van Berckel to John Adams, 19 November 1794
From Franco Petrus van Berckel
Philad. Novr. 19th. 1794.
Sir,
In Consequence of Your recommandation of Mr. John Green, I have furnished him with a Letter of introduction to the Governor of Surinam requesting Him to do in behalf of Mr. Green, whatever his duty and the laws which He is obliged to maintain, will admit of.—1 At all events I have no doubt but the Governor will assist him with His best advice.
Being happy to be serviceable to an honest man, I feel at the Same time a gratification in having it in my power to assist a person recommended by You.—
I have the honor to be very respectfully / Sir, / Your very humble and / Most Obt. servant
F: P: van Berckel
RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “The Vice-President of the United States.”
1. Van Berckel, the Dutch minister to the United States, was assisting Capt. John Green, commander of the Empress of China, who had previously applied for access to Dutch Batavia. Juriaen François de Friderici (1751–1812) served as governor general of Suriname from 1792 to 1802 (vols. 18:141, 142; 19:208; David J. Wertheim, ed., The Jew as Legitimation: Jewish-Gentile Relations beyond Antisemitism and Philosemitism, Cham, Switzerland, 2017, p. 86).