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Originally Posted by TLAM Strike
... The United Republic (The Netherlands old name) was also the first country to salute the American Flag.  (I think that at one point a few decades before they refused to salute a ship flying the British Flag, then the British declared war on them!  ) |
Actually the name was Republiek der Zeeven Vereenigde Neederlanden, which is, litterally translated, Republic of the Seven United Netherlands.
The incident you are referring to was in the first half of the XVIth Century. Britain, being an island, considered the surrounding seas as her possesion and demanded that any ship - but it was aimed at Dutch ships - therefor should salute the British flag.
Our Republic had as her policy the "Free Seas" and asked Hugo Grotius the find a legal basis for that in Natural Law - which he consequently did. Dutch ships were ordered
not to salute British ships at sea. British ships were ordered to shoot at any ship that did not properly accept British souvereignity of the seas.
The result was - as could be expected - a war with Britain, the first one (I think) of four.
Final score: 2-2.
By the way, the name of this thread should have been: Battle of Kamperduin (or Camperdune).