Alexander Hamilton and William Floyd to George Clinton, 2[3] April 1783
Alexander Hamilton and William Floyd
to George Clinton
Philadelphia
April 2[3]d.1 1783
Sir,
We have the honor to inclose Your Excellency a copy of the resolutions passed on the [fifteenth Instant] relative to a ratification of the preliminary treaty—the reception of the posts in possession of the British troops and the surrender of the prisoners.2
We have this day received a letter from Sir Guy Carleton proposing that Congress should appoint one or more persons to assist persons appointed by him to superintend all embarkations which shall take place toward an evacuation of New York, conformable to the spirit of the 7th. article of the treaty—[which will probably be referred to the Commander in Chief.]3
Mr. Benson has made to us the communications directed by Your Excellency; it is possible Sir Guy’s reserve may have arisen from an unwillingness to enter into stipulations with a particular state.4 His present letter has the air of candour and good faith; but it is also possible there may be an intention of delaying the evacuation of the posts in hope of influencing our measures with respect to the British adherents.
We also communicate to your Excellency in confidence, that there is a doubt as to the true construction of the preliminary articles—to wit whether the evacuation of the posts & the other matters mentioned in the 7th. article are to take place on the ratification of the preliminary or deffinitive treaty. This doubt, however, Congress are unwilling to bring into view. The measures taken by the inclosed resolutions will bring [Genl] Careleton to an explanation—[perhaps the] ambiguity of Sir Guy’s conduct [may be attributed to the Same doubt.]
We have the honor to be With perfect respect Your Excellency’s Most Obed Serv
There is a frigate arrived from France which left Rochefort the 14th. of March. She brings little more than we have already had. It seems the dutch had not yet made their peace, but the Count De Vergennes5 considers the terms last offered by England as reasonable enough; and it is therefore probable that matter will soon have been brought to a [close.]6 He adds that they are about the definitive treaties, which offer no difficulty, and are only delayed by an invitation given to the two mediating powers to be parties to the business—Russia & the Empire.7 The matter would perhaps have been as well done without them.
[Wm. Floyd
Alexander Hamilton]
[His Excellency Govornor Clinton]
ADf, New-York Historical Society, New York City. The letter, except for the bracketed parts which probably were added by William Floyd, is in the writing of H.
1. The second number of the date is obliterated. In the , VIII, 153, the letter is dated April 23.
2. The enclosure is printed in the , VIII, 155.
4. For information on Egbert Benson’s communication, see George Clinton to H and William Floyd, April 16, 1783. Benson, at the request of Governor Clinton, had an interview with Sir Guy Carleton on April 8, 1783, to arrange a convention for the evacuation of New York City. In the account of the interview which Benson sent to Clinton he concluded that he had not “… obtained from Sir Guy Carleton a determinate answer to any Question I proposed to him … but on the contrary there was an evidently designed Evasion & a Desire to turn the Conversation to other Subjects” (, VIII, 144).
5. Charles Gravier, Comte de Vergennes.
6. The Anglo-French preliminaries of peace had been signed on January 20, 1783, but Great Britain and the United Provinces continued to negotiate over terms. Preliminary articles between the Dutch and the English were not made definitive until the treaty of May 20, 1784.
7. Russia and Austria were invited to serve as mediators in arranging peace between England and France. The invitation was extended, however, only after the French and English had signed preliminaries of peace on January 20, 1783.