The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution Volume X Part 21

It is further agreed, that his Britannic Majesty shall cause to be evacuated the ports of New York, Pen.o.bscot and their dependencies, with all other posts and places in possession of his Majesty's arms within the United States, in three months after the signing of this treaty, or sooner if possible, excepting those posts contiguous to the water line abovementioned, which are to be evacuated on notice as specified in Article XVII.

ARTICLE XIX.

It is agreed that all vessels, which shall have been taken by either party from the other, after the term of twelve days within the Channel or the North Seas, or after the term of one month anywhere to the northward of the lat.i.tude of the Canaries inclusively, or after the term of two months between the lat.i.tude of the Canaries and the Equinoctial line, or after the term of five months in any other part of the world (all which said terms are to be computed from the third day of February last,) shall be restored.

His said Britannic Majesty and the said United States promise to observe sincerely and _bona fide_, all the Articles contained and settled in the present treaty; and they will not suffer the same to be infringed, directly or indirectly, by their respective subjects and citizens.

The solemn ratifications of the present treaty, expedited in good and due form, shall be exchanged in the city of London, or Philadelphia, between the contracting parties in the s.p.a.ce of ---- months, or sooner if possible, to be computed from the day of the signature of the present treaty.

In witness whereof, we, the underwritten, their Ministers Plenipotentiary, have signed with our hands, in their name, and in virtue of our full powers, the present definitive treaty, and have caused the seal of our arms to be put thereto.

Done at ---- the ---- day of ---- 1783.

RATIFICATION OF THE PROVISIONAL ARTICLES BY GREAT BRITAIN.

George R.

George the Third, by the Grace of G.o.d, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg, Arch Treasurer, and Prince Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, &c.

Whereas Provisional Articles between us and our good friends, the United States of America, viz. New Hampshire, Ma.s.sachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, were concluded and signed at Paris, on the thirtieth day of November, one thousand seven hundred and eightytwo, by the Commissioners of us and our said good friends, duly and respectively authorised for that purpose; which Provisional Articles are in the form and words following; [Here follows the treaty. See pages 109 to 115.]

We having seen and considered the Provisional Articles aforesaid, have approved, ratified, accepted, and confirmed the same in all and every one of their clauses, and provisos, as we do by these presents, approve, ratify, accept, and confirm them, for ourself, our heirs, and successors; engaging and promising upon our royal word, that we will sincerely and faithfully perform and observe, all and singular the things which are contained in the aforesaid Provisional Articles, and that we will never suffer them to be violated by any one, or transgressed in any manner, as far as it lies in our power. For the greater testimony and validity of all which, we have caused our great seal of Great Britain to be affixed to these presents, which we have signed with our royal hand.

Given at our Court at St James, the sixth day of August, one thousand seven hundred and eightythree, in the twentythird year of our reign.

GEORGE R.

_An Act of the British Parliament, repealing certain Acts prohibiting Intercourse with the United States._

An Act to repeal so much of two Acts, made in the sixteenth and seventeenth years of the reign of his present Majesty, as prohibits trade and intercourse with the United States of America.

Whereas it is highly expedient, that the intercourse between Great Britain and the United States of America should be immediately opened; be it therefore enacted and declared by the King's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons, in the present Parliament a.s.sembled, and by the authority of the same, that an Act pa.s.sed in the sixteenth year of his Majesty's reign, ent.i.tled, "An Act to prohibit all trade and intercourse with the Colonies of New Hampshire, Ma.s.sachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the three lower counties on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, during the continuance of the present rebellion within the said Colonies respectively, for repealing an Act made in the fourteenth year of the reign of his present Majesty, to discontinue the lading and discharging, lading or shipping, of goods, wares, and merchandise, at the town and within the harbor of Boston in the province of Ma.s.sachusetts Bay; and also two Acts, made in the last session of Parliament, for restraining the trade and commerce of the Colonies in the said Acts respectively mentioned; and to enable any person or persons, appointed and authorised by his Majesty to grant pardons, to issue proclamations, in the cases and for the purposes therein mentioned;" and also an Act, pa.s.sed in the seventeenth year of his Majesty's reign, ent.i.tled, "An Act for enabling the Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral of Great Britain, to grant commissions to the commanders of private ships, and vessels employed in trade, or retained in his Majesty's service, to take and make prize of all such ships and vessels, and their cargoes, as are therein mentioned, for a limited time;" so far as the said Acts, or either of them, may extend, or be construed to extend, to prohibit trade and intercourse with the territories now composing the said United States of America, or to authorise any hostilities against the persons or properties of the subjects and citizens of the said United States, after the respective periods set forth in his Majesty's proclamation for the cessation of hostilities between Great Britain and the United States of America, bearing date the fourteenth day of February, one thousand seven hundred and eightythree, shall be, and the same are henceforth repealed.

Anno vicesimo tertio Georgii III, Regis; cap. 26.

DAVID HARTLEY TO THE COMMISSIONERS.

Paris, August, 29th, 1783.

Gentlemen,

As the day is now fixed for the signatures of the definitive treaties, between Great Britain, France, and Spain, I beg leave to inform your Excellencies, that I am ready to sign the definitive treaty, between Great Britain and the United States of America, whenever it shall be convenient to you. I beg the favor, therefore, of you to fix the day.

My instructions confine me to Paris, as the place appointed to me for the exercise of my functions, and, therefore, whatever day you may fix upon for the signature, I shall hope to receive the honor of your company at the _Hotel de York_.

I am, Gentlemen, with the greatest respect, yours, &c.

DAVID HARTLEY.

TO DAVID HARTLEY.

Pa.s.sy, August 30th, 1783.

The American Ministers Plenipotentiary for making peace with Great Britain, present their compliments to Mr Hartley. They regret that Mr Hartley's instructions will not permit him to sign the definitive treaty of peace with America at the place appointed for the signature of the others. They will, nevertheless, have the honor of waiting upon Mr Hartley at his lodgings at Paris, for the purpose of signing the treaty in question, on Wednesday morning at eight o'clock.

DAVID HARTLEY TO THE COMMISSIONERS.

Paris, September 4th, 1783.

Gentlemen,

It is with the sincerest pleasure that I congratulate you on the happy event which took place yesterday, viz.; the signature of the definitive treaty between our two countries. I considered it as the auspicious presage of returning confidence, and of the future intercourse of all good offices between us. I doubt not that our two countries will entertain the same sentiments, and that they will behold with satisfaction the period which terminates the memory of their late unhappy dissensions, and which leads to the renewal of all the ancient ties of amity and peace. I can a.s.sure you, that his Britannic Majesty and his confidential servants entertain the strongest desire of a cordial good understanding with the United States of America. And that nothing may be wanting on our parts to perfect the great work of pacification, I shall propose to you in a very short time, to renew the discussion of those points of amity and intercourse which have been lately suspended, to make way for the signature of the treaties between all the late belligerent powers, which took place yesterday.

We have now the fairest prospects before us, and an unembarra.s.sed field for the exercise of every beneficent disposition, and for the accomplishment of every object of reciprocal advantage between us. Let us, then, join our hearts and hands together in one common cause for the reunion of all our ancient affections and common interests.[16]

I am, Gentlemen, &c.

DAVID HARTLEY.

FOOTNOTE:

[16] As the definitive treaty was an exact copy of the Provisional Articles (see above, p. 109) it is here omitted.

B. FRANKLIN TO CHARLES FOX.

Pa.s.sy, September 5th, 1783.

Sir,

I received in its time the letter you did me the honor of writing to me by Mr Hartley; and I cannot let him depart without expressing my satisfaction in his conduct towards us, and applauding the prudence of that choice, which sent us a man possessed of such a spirit of conciliation, and of all that frankness, sincerity, and candor, which naturally produce confidence, and thereby facilitate the most difficult negotiations. Our countries are now happily at peace, on which I congratulate you most cordially; and I beg you to be a.s.sured, that as long as I have any concern in public affairs, I shall readily and heartily concur with you in promoting every measure that may tend to promote the common felicity.

With great and sincere esteem and respect, I have the honor to be, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

TO DAVID HARTLEY.