the Dutch Republic whether he could borrow the Scots Brigade and use them in the ongoing American Revolutionary War; van der Capellen voted against sending the regiment to North America. His overt support for the American revolutionaries was not appreciated either. Nevertheless, van der Capellen continued to dedicate himself to supporting the Americans, regarding their struggle as an example for Dutch patriots. To lend support to his views, he translated the text Observations on Civil Liberty by the Welsh philosopher Richard Price into Dutch. The book was an important inspiration to the American revolutionaries. The translation was banned by the Dutch government in 1789, together with other patriot writings. In 1782, van der Capellen arranged a loan for the American cause. A consortium was set up by Nicolaas van Staphorst and Wilhelm Willink. Eventually an amount of two hundred thousand guilders was raised. Van der Capellen contributed twenty thousand guilders himself. To the People of the Netherlands The year 1781 was to be the most important in his political career. In that year a pamphlet appeared entitled "Aan het Volk van Nederland" ("To the People of the Netherlands"). In this anonymous pamphlet the disadvantages of the hereditary stadholderate were explained. It should be replaced by a democratic society, based on popular sovereignty. Within a month after publication the pamphlet was banned. Besides, a substantial reward was offered to whoever would report the author. In spite of these measures it was illegally reprinted and distributed three times, and even translated into French, English and German. It was to exert a lasting influence on the democratic movement in the Netherlands. Van der Capellen, the author of the pamphlet, was forced to enjoy its success in silence, as well as the fact that the authorities failed to identify him as the author. With unflagging zeal he continued to propagate the American cause. Partly thanks to his influence, John Adams and with him the young American Republic were recognized in 1782 by the States General. Van der Capellen died in 1784, though his influence and legacy continued to impact well beyond the grave. A few years later, Orangists blew up his monument in Goor. Influence Politician Pim Fortuyn (1948–2002) was deeply inspired by Van der Capellen. In 1992 Fortuyn wrote a "To the people of the Netherlands" too and declared himself as the successor of Van der Capellen who has to struggle against the