LOYALISTS WILLIAM H. ROBINSON (1766-1836) Son of prominent loyalist colonel and spy Beverly Robinson (1721-1792). Fine content war date A.L.S., 4pp. 4to, New York, June 27, 1780 discussing the breakdown in diplomatic relations between Great Britain and France with a mention of Butler's Rangers and other intelligence. The fourteen year old Robinson writes a friend enclosing "...two Newspapers which will give you the News by the Packet. There is however one article respecting the Dutch which is not in these papers & which I think worth copying for your better information & amusement." Robinson then commences to quote a lengthy extract from the London Gazette of April 17, 1780 concerning the formal end to the alliance between Great Britain and the Netherlands when the latter refused to assist in the war against France, Spain and the rebelling British colonies. He writes: "...Since the commencement of the war in which Great Britain is ingaged [sic]...repeated memorials have been presented by his Majesty's Ambassador to the States General of the United Provinces, demanding the Succour stipulated by Treaty...their High Mightiest have given no Answer, nor signified any intention of complying therewith: And whereas by the Non performance of the clearest Engagements, they desert the Alliance...and place themselves in the condition of a Neutral Power bound to the Kingdom by no Treaty...His Majesty...judge it expedient to carry into immediate Execution those Intentions which were formally notified in the Memorial presented by his Ambassador on the 21st of March last... Subjects of the United Provinces are henceforward to be considered upon the same footing with that of other Neutral States not Privileged by Treaty; and His Majesty doth hereby suspends...all the particular stipulations respecting the Freedom of Navigation and Commerce in Time of War... ". In December of 1780, Great Britain would declare war on the Dutch upon the capture of Henry Laurens, the first U.S. minister to the United Provinces. John Adams would succeed him and help secure critical loans and formal diplomatic recognition for the United States. Robinson continues, noting that "The above is copied from a paper enclosed to S [ or L?] Franklin by your Brother who says a Convoy was expected to be appointed in a few days from the sailing of this Packet. It appears that no Fleet has sailed from Brest nor any apprehension of one here, tho' in the Country they speak confidently of it.... ". Robinson (who is mistaken in his assumptions) is referring to the anticipated French fleet which would carry the force of Rochambeau to Newport later in the year. That would be the same force that would help Washington corner Cornwallis at Yorktown the following year. Robinson then goes on to report that their mutual acquaintance "...Ethan has joined [John or Walter] Butler with 300 Men. A Person from Rhode-Island lately saw an Account of it in the Newport Paper..." John Butler was an active loyalist commander conducting operations in upstate New York. His son, Walter Butler was responsible for the Cherry Valley Massacre in 1778. William Robinson's father, Beverly Robinson was an associate of John Andr? and figured in the events surrounding his ill-fated meeting with Benedict Arnold which would take place a few months following the writing of this letter. Both Beverly and William Robinson left for England at the end of the war, where William pursued a military career of his own. Light show-through, usual folds, one minor pin hole, otherwise fine condition. $300-500