Diplomatic memorandum, relations between Britain and the Netherlands

Copy of a memorandum presented to the States General of the United Provinces by Joseph Yorke, British ambassador, at The Hague on 26 Nov 1779, expressing the King's surprise at the silence that has followed the memorandum delivered more than four months ago, asking for 'les secours stipulés par les traités', and asking again for their co-operation.

Joseph Yorke, younger son of Philip, 1st Earl of Hardwicke, was born in 1724. He entered the military, where he served under the Duke of Cumberland at the Battle of Fontency, 1745. In 1749 Yorke was appointed Secretary to William Anne, 2nd Earl of Albermarle, then the ambassador extraordinary to France, and later later (1751) the envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the United Provinces. In 1761, Yorke himself was appointed ambassador extraordinary to the United Provinces, a post which he held until 1780, when he resigned due to the breakdown of diplomatic relations between Great Britain and Holland (caused by the latter giving aid to the US colonists during the War of Independence). During this period he was also elected MP for Dover in 1761 and 1768, and for Grampound, Cornwall, in 1774. He was created a General in 1777 and Baron Dover in 1788. Yorke died in 1792.

Single item.

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Bound as item no. 7 in a Goldsmith's Library volume containing printed material relating to Yorke's diplomatic mission, from a collection made by Reginald Pole-Carew (Ref: GL Cat 11920-1, 11927, 11947).

Collection level description,

8½" x 4¾"

Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project.

Further material concerning Joseph Yorke, Baron Dover, can be found at the British Library, London; the Centre for Kentish Studies; the Public Record Office; the National Library of Scotland, Edunburgh; the Brynmor Jones Library, Hull University; and Buckinghamshire Records and Local Studies Service.

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