Sint Eustatius—hence the Dutch nation—is the first to recognize the American Revolutionary government when the US brig Andrew Doria fires thirteen guns announcing their arrival in 1776.

An eleven gun response from Fort Orange salutes the Andrew Doria.

The Andrew Doria has arrived to purchase military supplies on St. Eustatius and to present to the Dutch governor a copy of the United States Declaration of Independence.

An earlier copy of the Declaration had been captured by a British naval ship.

The British are confused by the papers wrapped around the declaration, which they think is a secret cypher.

The papers are written in Yiddish for a merchant in Holland.