What country was the first to grant diplomatic recognition to the new American state?

The Netherlands were the first to recognize the United States of America near Sint Eustatius (then under Dutch control) on November 16th 1776 when salute shots were answered by Johannes de Graaff, gouvernour of Sint Eustatius. The Andrew Doria was one of the first ships to Cary the American flag and was sent to pick up war supplies for the war against Britain and to deliver a copy of the Declaration of Independence to the gouvenour.