1Instructions to the American Commissioners, May–June 1784 (Adams Papers)
Whereas Instructions bearing date the 29 th. day of October 1783 were sent to the Ministers Plenipotentiary of the United States of America at the Court of Versailles empowered to Negotiate A Peace or to any one or more of them for concerting Draughts or Propositions for Treaties of Amity and Commerce with the Commercial Powers of Europe Resolved That it will be advantageous to these United...
2Continental Congress to the American Commissioners: Instructions, [7 May 1784–3 June 1784] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives; press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society The instructions that follow established a new diplomatic commission to negotiate and sign a total of twenty treaties of amity and commerce with European and North African powers. Their creation was a long and contentious process. On October 29, 1783, Congress authorized the peace...
I have the Honor to transmit to you the following Acts of Congress relating to the formation of commercial Treaties &c viz— N1. Letter to the Ministers plenipotentiary at the Courts of Versailles and Madrid dated 17 th of October 1780— N2. Instructions to the Ministers of the United States for making Peace with Great Britain dated May 30 th 1783 N3. Instructions to the Ministers...
4Charles Thomson to the American Commissioners, 18 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor of forwarding three comm[issions] which were not prepared in time to go by M r Jefferson, [and] a duplicate of the instructions he carried with him. I [also] enclose a copy of the Journal of the last session of Congr[ess] as far as printed and a news paper containing the Ordinance for putting the treasury into commission and an Act defining the powers of the committee of the...
5Charles Thomson to the American Commissioners, 18 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have the honor of forwarding three comm[issions] which were not prepared in time to go by Mr Jefferson, [and] a duplicate of the instructions he carried with him. I [also] enclose a copy of the Journal of the last session of Congress as far as printed and a news paper containing the Ordinance for putting the treasury into commission and an act...
6Charles Thomson to the American Commissioners, 18 June 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of forwarding three comm[issions] which were not prepared in time to go by Mr. Jefferson, [and] a duplicate of the instructions he carried with him. I [also] enclose a copy of the Journal of the last session of Congr[ess] as far as printed and a news paper containing the ord[i]nance for putting the treasury into commission and an act defining the powers of the committee of the...
7Charles Thomson to the American Commissioners, 16 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives; copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania In obedience to the order of the Committee of the States, I have the honor to send you copies of the papers relating to the brig L’Amiable Elizabeth a french vessel that was deserted by her Crew at Sea and was boarded and taken up by citizens of the United States and carried into St Johns in Newfoundland, where she was seized by...
8Charles Thomson to the American Commissioners, 16 July 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
In obedience to the order of the Committee of the States, I have the honor to send you copies of the papers relating to the brig L’Amiable Elizabeth a french vessel that was deserted by her Crew at Sea and was boarded and taken up by Citizens of the United States and carried into St. Johns in Newfoundland, where she was seized by a public Officer and her cargo disposed of; that you may require...
9Charles Thomson to the American Commissioners, 13 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
In pursuance of the orders of the Com ee of the States I have the honor to transmit to you the Copy of a letter signed T. Gilfillan dated London the 19 feb y 1784 with the copy of an inspection roll of Negroes taken on board certain vessels at Anchor near Staten Island on the 30 Nov r 1783. to be made use of in any negotiations you may have with the Court of Great Britain agreeably to the...
10Charles Thomson to the American Commissioners, 13 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania In pursuance of the Orders of the Committee of the States, I have the honor to transmit to you the copy of a letter signed T. Gilfillan, dated London the 19 feby 1784 with a copy of an inspection roll of Negroes taken on board certain vessels at anchor near Staten Island on the 30 of November 1783, to be made use...
11Charles Thomson to the American Commissioners, 13 August 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
In pursuance of the orders of the Committee of the States I have the honor to transmit to you the copy of a letter signed T. Gilfillan dated London the 19 feby 1784 with the copy of an inspection roll of Negroes taken on board certain vessels at Anchor near Staten Island on the 30 Novr. 1783. to be made use of in any negotiations you may have with the Court of Great Britain agreeably to the...
You may with great Truth assure the American Ministers of our ready and friendly disposition to receive any proposals from the United States for the forming such regulations as may tend to the mutual and reciprocal advantage of both Countries.— That his Majesty’s govern t w d at all times be ready to concur in the forming such a System as may fully answer every purpose of commercial as well as...
13David Hartley to the American Commissioners: Memorandum, [16 September 1784] (Franklin Papers)
AD and copy : National Archives David Hartley met with the American commissioners on September 16 for what would be the last time. The purpose of his visit was to inform them of his recall and to reassure them that the British government remained eager to establish friendly trade relations. He left with the commissioners the present memorandum—passages excerpted from two letters he had...
14Luigi Pio to the American Commissioners: Résumé, 26 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives ⟨Paris, September 26, 1784, in French: I received the letter you had the honor to write me on the 22nd of this month, concerning a treaty of amity and commerce that the United States of America wishes to make with the king, my master, for the good of our respective subjects. I will forward it to His Sicilian Majesty and as soon as I receive a response, I will...
15De Pio to the American Commissioners, 26 September 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai bien reçu la lettre que vous me faites l’honneur de m’écrire le 22. du courant au sujet d’un Traité d’amitié et de Commerce que les Etats Unis de l’Amerique voudraient faire avec le Roy mon Maître pour le bien des sujets respectifs. Je me charge avec le plus grand empressement, Messieurs, de passer sous les yeux de Sa Majesté Sicilienne votre proposition, et si tôt que j’aurai la-dessus...
16Riviere to the American Commissioners, [26 September 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai recu la Lettre dont Vous m’avéz honoré le 22. d.c. et je n’ai pas manqué suivant vos desirs de la faire passer à ma Cour. Aussitot que j’aurai sa reponse, je me ferai un devoir de Vous la porter. J’ai l honneur d’etre avec un profond respect Messieurs Votre tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur, Chargé des affaires de la Cour de Saxe RC ( DNA : PCC , No. 86); without date, which has...
17De Scarnafis to the American Commissioners, 26 September 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai reçu, Messieurs, la lettre, que Vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire en date du 22. de Septembre, par la quelle vous m’informez, que Les Etats Unis d’Amerique assemblés en Congrès vous ont autorisés de pouvoir former un Traité d’Amitié et de commerce avec Sa Majesté le Roi de Sardaigne, je viens d’en faire part à ma Cour, et si l’on me mande quelque chose de particulier à ce sujet, je...
18The Conde de Aranda to the American Commissioners, with a Contemporary Translation, 27 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
Antes de ayer recibi la carta de V. S as. del 22 por mano del S r. Humphreys Secretarío de la comission, en la qual me comunican la íntencion de los Estados unidos de America de establecer con el Rey Catolico una correspondencia conveniente ã los dos Dominíos, y fundada en los principios de igualdad, reciprocidad, y amistad, que mutuamente sea ventajosa ã las dos Naciones. Que para este efecto...
19Aranda to the American Commissioners: Résumé, [27 September 1784] (Franklin Papers)
LS , translation, and copy: National Archives ⟨Paris, [September 27, 1784], in Spanish: I received your letter of the 22nd by the hand of Mr. Humphreys, in which you communicate the intention of the United States of America to establish with his Catholic Majesty an agreement that may be advantageous to the two nations. Certainly such principles as communicated in your letter will be pleasing...
20D’Aranda to the American Commissioners, 27 September 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Antes de ayer recibí la carta de Vuestras Señorías del 22 por mano del Sr. Humphreys, Secretario de la comissión, en la qual me comunican la intentión de los Estados Unidos de America de establecer con le Rey Católico una correspondencia conveniente a los dos Dominios, y fundada en los principios de igualdad, reciprocidad, y amistad, que mutuamente sea ventajosa a las dos Naciones. Que para...
21Delfino to the American Commissioners, 27 September 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
C’est avec la plus grande satisfaction, que je viens de recevoir La Lettre, que vous m’avez fait L’honneur de m’ecrire. Je ne manquerai pas, Messieurs, de transmettre au Senat votre information, et aussitôt que j’en aurai reçu Les reponses, je me ferai un devoir de vous Les communiquer. J’ai L’honneur en attendant d’être avec toute La consideration, et L’attachement possible: Messieurs Votre...
22De Souza to the American Commissioners, 27 September 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
L’Ambassadeur de Portugal a l’honneur de prevenir Messieurs Francklin, Adams, et Jefferson qu’il a reçu leur lettre et qu’il l’a fait passer immediatement a sa Cour dont il attend la reponse pour pouvoir communiquer avec eux sur les articles relatifs au Traité de Commerce. RC ( DNA : PCC , No. 86); in a clerk’s hand, unsigned; endorsed in part: “The Ambassador of Portugal.” Tr ( DNA : PCC ,...
23Baron Staël von Holstein to the American Commissioners: Résumé, 5 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives ⟨Paris, October 5, 1784, in French: When I received your letter from Mr. Humphreys, secretary of the Commission for Treaties of the United States of America, which I will forward to the king, I suggested that in order to save time, I also communicate some notion of what additions are being proposed by the United States. If you agree, I will send the dispatches...
24Stael de Holstein to the American Commissioners, 5 October 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai eu L’honneur de repondre préallablement au Secretaire de La Commission pour les Traités des Etats Unis de L’Amerique, Monsr. Humphries, en recevant La Lettre que Messrs. Les Ministre Plenipotentiaires m’ont fait L’honneur de m’ecrire, que je ne manquerai pas de La mettre Sous les yeux du Roi, mais que je Souhaitois pour gagner du temps d’etre mis dans le cas de pouvoir d’abord communiquer...
Je n’ai point différé de porter à la connoissance du Roi mon Maître les dispositions des Etats-Unis de l’Amérique pour la conclusion d’un Traité d’Amitié et de Commerce, que Vous m’avez fait connoître, Messieurs, par la lettre dont Vous m’avez honoré en date du 9. de Septembre Dernier. Sa Majesté ayant jugé à propos de me munir des Pleinpouvoirs requis pour donner au dit Traité toute la...
26Friedrich Wilhelm von Thulemeier to the American Commissioners: Résumé, 8 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives ⟨The Hague, October 8, 1784, in French: I have notified the king without delay of the dispositions of the United States for the conclusion of a treaty of amity and commerce, contained in your letter of September 9. His majesty has furnished me with full powers to conclude this treaty, of which I am enclosing a copy. It appears unnecessary to send you a copy of...
27De Thulemeier to the American Commissioners, 8 October 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Je n’ai point différé de porter à la connoissance du Roi mon Maître les dispositions des Etats-Unis de l’Amérique pour la conclusion d’un Traité d’Amitié et de Commerce, que Vous m’avez fait connoître, Messieurs, par la lettre dont Vous m’avez honoré en date du 9. de Septembre dernier. Sa Majesté ayant jugé à propos de me munir des Pleinpouvoirs requis pour donner au dit Traité toute la...
28Favi to the American Commissioners, 10 October 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai reçu la lettre, que vous m’avés fait L’honneur de m’écrire le 30 du mois passé, et par La quelle vous m’avés fait la grace de m’annoncer la commission et les pleins pouvoirs, dont vous avés eté revetus par Les Etats unis de l’Amerique assemblés en Congrés pour proposer, et former des liaisons d’amitiè, et de Commerce avec Les Etats de Toscane. Je me ferai un devoir de donner cette...
The Secretary of the Commission by appointment waited on the Duke of Dorset & delivered to him two Letters from the American Ministers dated the 28 th instant: whereupon the British Ambassador desired M r Humphreys to inform the Ministers of the United States, “that being entirely unacquainted with the negotiations proposed through M r Hartley to the Court of London, he could say nothing on...
30Francesco Favi to the American Commissioners, 16 November 1784 (Adams Papers)
Je n’ai pas manqué de faire passer à ma Cour La Lettre, dont vous m’avés honoré Le 30. 7b e dernier relative à un Traité d’amitié, et de Commerce entre Les Sujets de Msg̃r L’archiduc Grand Duc de Toscane mon Maitre, et ceux des Etats unis de l’Amerique. Je dois avoir L’honneur de vous informer, Messieurs, que cette invitation a eté très agreable à Son Altesse Royale, et qu’Elle recevra avec...
31Francesco Favi to the American Commissioners: Résumé, 16 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives ⟨Paris, November 16, 1784, in French: I sent to my court your letter of September 30. Your invitation was very agreeable to His Royal Highness, and he will receive with pleasure the communication of proposals.⟩ Published in Jefferson Papers, VII , 533, and, with an English translation, in Adams Papers, XVI , 430.
32Favi to the American Commissioners, 16 November 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Je n’ai pas manqué de faire passer à ma Cour La Lettre, dont vous m’avés honoré Le 30. 7be. dernier relative à un Traité d’amitiè, et de Commerce entre Les Sujets de Msgr. L’Archiduc Grand-duc de Toscane mon Maître, et ceux des Etats-unis de l’Amerique. Je dois avoir L’honneur de vous informer, Messieurs, que cette invitation a eté trés agreable à Son Altesse Royale, et qu’Elle recevra avec...
33The Duke of Dorset to the American Commissioners, 24 November 1784 (Adams Papers)
I transmitted without loss of time to the Marquis of Carmarthen, His Majesty’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Copies of the two Letters which you had done me the honor of addressing to me; and am in consequence authorized to assure you, on the part of His Majesty’s Ministers, of their readiness to take into consideration any proposals coming from the United States that can tend to the...
34The Duke of Dorset to the American Commissioners: Résumé, 24 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society ⟨Paris, November 24, 1784: I transmitted copies of the two letters you sent me to the Marquis of Carmarthen, His Majesty’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and am authorized to assure you of our ministers’ readiness to consider any proposals that will establish a system of mutual and permanent advantage to our two...
35Dorset to the American Commissioners, 24 November 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I transmitted without loss of time to the Marquis of Carmarthen, His Majesty’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Copies of the two Letters which you had done me the honor of addressing to me, and am in consequence authorized to assure you, on the part of His Majesty’s Ministers, of their readiness to take into consideration any proposals coming from the United States that can tend to the...
La lettre dont Vous m’avez honoré, Messieurs, en date du 10 de Novembre ne m’est parvenue que le 26 du même mois, par la voye d’un courier Hollandois. J’ai transmis au Roi une traduction françoise du Projet d’un Traité de Commerce à conclure pour l’avantage réciproque des Sujets de Sa Majesté et des Citoyens des Etats-Unis de l’Amérique, auquel les instructions récentes du Congrès Vous ont...
37Thulemeier to the American Commissioners: Résumé, 10 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives ⟨The Hague, December 10, 1784, in French: Your letter of November 10, conveyed by a Dutch courier, did not reach me until the 26th. I transmitted to the king a French translation of your draft treaty, to which the recent instructions of Congress obliged you to make a few changes that differ from the proposal I gave to Mr. Adams on April 9. I will notify you of...
38De Thulemeier to the American Commissioners, 10 December 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
La lettre dont Vous m’avez honoré, Messieurs, en date du 10 de Novembre ne m’est parvenue que le 26 du même mois, par la voye d’un courier Hollandois. J’ai transmis au Roi une traduction françoise du Projet d’un Traité de Commerce à conclure pour l’avantage réciproque des Sujets de Sa Majesté et des Citoyens des Etats-Unis de l’Amérique, auquel les instructions récentes du Congrès Vous ont...
J’ai rendu compte à ma Cour de l’ouverture contenue dans La Lettre que Vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 22. de Septembre dernier. Sa Sainteté faisant non moins attention à la convenance de Votre proposition, qu’ayant égard à ce que les prérogatives des Catholiques Romains habitans et Sujets des Etats Unis d’Amerique, y sont constamment conservées, m’ordonne de Vous déclarer que tous...
40Pamphili to the American Commissioners: Résumé, 15 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives ⟨Paris, December 15, 1784, in French: I communicated to my court the overture contained in your letter of September 22. His Holiness orders me to tell you that all vessels flying the flag of the United States of America will be welcomed in the ports of Civitavecchia, on the Mediterranean, and Ancona, on the Adriatic, with the reciprocal understanding that ships...
41The Papal Nuncio to the American Commissioners, 15 December 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai rendu compte à ma Cour de l’ouverture contenue dans La Lettre que Vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 22. de Septembre dernier. Sa Sainteté faisant non moins attention à la convenance de Votre proposition, qu’ayant égard à ce que les prérogatives des Catholiques Romains habitans et Sujets des Etats Unis d’Amerique, y sont constamment conservées, m’ordonne de Vous déclarer que tous...
42Sousa Coutinho to the American Commissioners: Résumé, 22 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives ⟨Paris, December 22, 1784, in French: I received your letter and the plan of a treaty it enclosed, which I will forward to the court at Lisbon. ⟩ Published in Jefferson Papers, VII , 580. The commissioners’ letter was dated Nov. 30 (above). The Portuguese court returned no answer until the fall of 1785, when it was prodded again by Sousa, himself responding to a...
43De Souza to the American Commissioners, 22 December 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai reçu la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire avec le Plan de Traité que les Etats Unis de l’Amerique Septentrional proposent a la Reyne ma Souvraine, le quel je fis passer à la Cour de Lisbonne. J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec une tres parfaite consideration Messieurs Votre très humble & tres obeissant Serviteur, RC ( DNA : PCC , No. 86); in a clerk’s hand, signed by De Souza;...
44John Jay to the American Commissioners, 14 January 1785 (Adams Papers)
On the 21 st: Ultimo I accepted the Place of Secretary for foreign Affairs. All the foreign letters which had been received during the recess of Congress were then and are still in the hands of a Committee to whom they had been referred—none have since arrived.— The adjournment from Trenton to this Place necessarily occasioned delay in business— Congress yesterday made a House, and I expect...
45John Jay to the American Commissioners, 14 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
LS and two copies: National Archives On the 21st. Ultimo I accepted the Place of Secretary for foreign Affairs. All the foreign letters which had been received during the recess of Congress were then and are still in the hands of a Committee to whom they had been referred—none have since arrived.— The adjournment from Trenton to this Place necessarily occasioned delay in business— Congress...
46John Jay to the American Commissioners, 14 January 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 21st. Ultimo I accepted the Place of Secretary for foreign Affairs. All the foreign letters which had been received during the recess of Congress were then and are still in the hands of a Committee to whom they had been referred—none have since arrived. The adjournment from Trenton to this Place necessarily occasioned delay in business. Congress yesterday made a House, and I expect that...
47Luigi Pio to the American Commissioners, 22 January 1785 (Adams Papers)
Ayant eu lhonneur de mettre sous les yeux du Roi mon maître Votre lettre du 27 7 bre. 1784 et Sa Majesté ayant fait mûrement éxaminer les propositions et les offres qu’elle contient, à l effet de l’engager à conclure avec les Etats unis un traité d’amitié et de commerce, m’a chargé de Vous assurer que rien ne peut lui faire un plus grand plaisir, puisqu’elle donne tous ses soins à...
48Pio to the American Commissioners: Résumé, 22 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives ⟨Paris, January 22, 1785, in French: I gave the king your letter of September 27, 1784, offering to conclude a treaty of amity and commerce. He has authorized me to assure you that nothing would give him greater pleasure. His Majesty has lately opened and established a free port at Messina in Sicily, open to all nations, as the enclosed edict will show. Moreover,...
49De Pio to the American Commissioners, 22 January 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Ayant eu l’honneur de mettre sous les yeux du Roi mon maître Votre lettre du 27 7bre . 1784 et Sa Majesté ayant fait mûrement éxaminer les propositions et les offres qu’elle contient, à l’effet de l’engager à conclure avec les Etats unis un traité d’amitié et de commerce, m’a chargé de Vous assurer que rien ne peut lui faire un plus grand plaisir, puisqu’elle donne tous ses soins à...
50VI. The Baron von Thulemeier to the American Commissioners, with the Prussian Observations on the Draft … (Adams Papers)
Le Roi mon Maître ayant trouvé bon de m’autoriser à faire passer en Vos mains, Messieurs, quelques Observations sur le Contre-Projet du Traité de Commerce à conclure pour l’avantage réciproque de Ses Sujets, et celui des Citoyens de l’Amérique, tel que Vous m’avez fait l’honneur de me l’adresser en date du 10. de Novembre dèrnier, et entré à la Haye par un Courier Hollandois le 26. du même...