Mr. Van Limburg to Mr. Seward.
Sir: Whilst the States General of the Netherlands are engaged with the draft of a law for the abolition of slavery in the colony of Surinam, the government of the King has under consideration the introduction of free laborers, which the adoption of the measure proposed would render necessary, and it is asked whether, among the people of color who in the United States have acquired or are acquiring their freedom, there could not be found many who would be willing to engage for a certain term of years (say, for example, 5 years) to dispose of their labor to a planter, under the protection of the Netherlands law; and in consideration of some advantages connected with their emigration to a country so fertile and extensive as that spoken of. The King’s minister for foreign affairs has done me the honor to communicate this idea to me, and has authorized me, Mr. Secretary of State, to submit officially to you, not only for the purpose of learning if the government of the United States would be disposed to cooperate, but also to benefit by the light which it would be able to throw upon the question.
I avail myself of this authorization, sir, to have the honor to address you officially, and to request you will have the kindness to inform me of the disposition of the government of the United States in relation to the measure in question, and if favorable to it, to enlighten me with information which its knowledge of the African race has given it.
If, in your opinion, sir, the end aimed at can be attained, I shall be happy to be able to communicate to the royal government how, in your judgment, it would be most effectively.
I seize this fresh occasion, sir, to repeat the assurances of my high consideration.
Hon. Mr. Seward, Secretary of State of the United States of America.