Ratification of the Definitive Treaty of Peace, [14 January 1784]
Ratification of the Definitive Treaty of Peace
[14 Jan. 1784]
The United States in Congress Assembled,
To all persons to whom these presents shall come greeting:
Whereas definitive articles of peace and friendship between the United States of America and his Britannic majesty, were concluded and signed at Paris on the 3d day of September, 1783, by the plenipotentiaries2 of the said United States, and of his said Britannic Majesty, duly and respectively authorized for that purpose; which definitive articles are in the words following:3
In the name of the most holy and undivided Trinity.
It having pleased the Divine Providence to dispose the hearts of the most serene and most potent prince, George, the third, by the grace of God, 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. and of the United States of America, to forget all past misunderstandings and differences that have unhappily interrupted the good correspondence and friendship which they mutually wish to restore, and to establish such a beneficial and satisfactory intercourse between the two countries, upon the ground of reciprocal adavntages and mutual convenience, as may promote and secure to both perpetual peace and harmony; and having for this desirable end, already laid the foundation of peace and reconciliation, by the provisional articles, signed at Paris on the 30th of November, 1782, by the commissioners empowered on each part, which articles were agreed to be inserted in and to constitute the treaty of peace proposed to be concluded between the crown of Great Britain and the said United States, but which treaty was not to be concluded until terms of peace should be agreed upon between Great Britain and France, and his Britannic majesty should be ready to conclude such treaty accordingly; and the treaty between Great Britain and France having since been concluded, his Britannic majesty and the United States of America, in order to carry into full effect the provisional articles above mentioned, according to the tenor thereof, have constituted and appointed, that is to say, his Britannic majesty on his part, David Hartley, Esquire, member of the parliament of Great Britain; and the said United States on their part, John Adams, Esquire, late a commissioner of the United States of America, at the court of Versailles, late delegate in Congress from the state of Massachusetts, and chief justice of the said state, and minister plenipotentiary of the said United States to their high mightinesses the states general of the United Netherlands; Benjamin Franklin, Esquire, late delegate in Congress from the state of Pensylvania, president of the convention of the said state, and minister plenipotentiary from the United States of America at the court of Versailles; John Jay, Esquire, late president of Congress, and chief justice of the state of New York, and minister plenipotentiary from the said United States, at the court of Madrid, to be the plenipotentiaries for the concluding and signing the present definitive treaty: who, after having reciprocally communicated their respective full powers, have agreed upon and confirmed the following articles:
Article 1st. His Britannic majesty acknowledges the said United States, viz. New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pensylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina and Georgia, to be free, sovereign and independent states: that he treats with them as such, and for himself, his heirs and successors, relinquishes all claims to the government, propriety and territorial rights of the same, and every part thereof.
Article 2d. And that all disputes which might arise in future on the subject of the boundaries of the said United States may be prevented, it is hereby agreed and declared, that the following are and shall be their boundaries, viz. from the north-west angle of Nova Scotia, viz. that angle which is formed by a line drawn due north from the source of Saint Croix river to the Highlands; along the said Highlands which divide those rivers that empty themselves into the river Saint Lawrence from those which fall into the Atlantic Ocean, to the north-westernmost head of Connecticut river, thence down along the middle of that river to the forty fifth degree of north latitude; from thence by a line due west on said latitude, until it strikes the river Iroquois or Cataraquy, thence along the middle of said river into lake Ontario, through the middle of said lake until it strikes the communication by water between that lake and lake Erie; thence along the middle of said communication into lake Erie, through the middle of said [lake,] until it arrives at the water communication between that lake and lake Huron; thence along the middle of said water communication into the lake Huron, thence through the middle of said lake to the water communication between that lake and lake Superior; thence through lake Superior northward of the isles Royal and Philipeaux, to the long lake; thence through the middle of said long lake and the water communication between it and the lake of the Woods, to the said lake of the Woods, thence through the said lake to the most north-western point thereof, and from thence on a due west course to the river Mississippi, thence by a line to be drawn along the middle of the said river Mississippi, until it shall intersect the northernmost part of the thirty first degree of north latitude. South by a line to be drawn due east from the determination of the line last mentioned, in the latitude of thirty one degrees north of the equator, to the middle of the river Apalachicola or Catahouche; thence along the middle thereof to its junction with the Flint river; thence straight to the head of Saint Mary’s river, and thence down along the middle of Saint Mary’s river to the Atlantic ocean. East by a line to be drawn along the middle of the river Saint Croix, from its mouth in the bay of Fundy to its source, and from its source directly north to the aforesaid Highlands which divide the rivers that fall into the Atlantic ocean from those which fall into the river Saint Lawrence: comprehending all islands within twenty leagues of any part of the shores of the United States, and lying between lines to be drawn due east from the points where the aforesaid boundaries between Nova-Scotia on the one part, and East Florida on the other, shall respectively touch the Bay of Fundy and the Atlantic ocean, excepting such islands as now are or heretofore have been within the limits of the said province of Nova-Scotia.
Article 3d. It is agreed, that the people of the United States shall continue to enjoy unmolested the right to take fish of every kind on the Grand Bank and on all the other banks of Newfound-land; also in gulph of Saint Lawrence, and at all other places in the sea, where the inhabitants of both countries used at any time heretofore to fish; and also, that the inhabitants of the United States shall have liberty to take fish of every kind on such part of the coast of Newfoundland as British fishermen shall use, (but not to dry or cure the same on that island) and also on the coasts, bays and creeks of all other of his Britannic majesty’s dominions in America; and that the American fishermen shall have liberty to dry and cure fish in any of the unsettled bays, harbours and creeks of Nova Scotia, Magdalen islands, and Labradore, so long as the same shall remain unsettled, but so soon as the same or either of them shall be settled, it shall not be lawful for the said fishermen to dry or cure fish at such settlement, without a previous agreement for that purpose with the inhabitants, proprietors or possessors of the ground.
Article 4th. It is agreed that creditors on either side shall meet with no lawful impediment to the recovery of the full value in sterling money, of all bona fide debts heretofore contracted.
Article 5th. It is agreed that the Congress shall earnestly recommend it to the legislatures of the respective states, to provide for the restitution of all estates, rights and properties, which have been confiscated, belonging to real British subjects, and also of the estates, rights and properties of persons resident in districts in the possession of his majesty’s arms, and who have not borne arms against the said United States. And that persons of any other description shall have free liberty to go to any part or parts of any of the thirteen United States, and therein to remain twelve months unmolested in their endeavours to obtain the restitution of such of their estates, rights and properties, as may have been confiscated; and that Congress shall also earnestly recommend to the several states a reconsideration and revision of all acts or laws regarding the premises, so as to render the said laws or acts perfectly consistent, not only with justice and equity, but with that spirit of conciliation, which on the return of the blessings of peace should universally prevail. And that Congress shall also earnestly recommend to the several states, that the estates, rights and properties of such last mentioned persons shall be restored to them, they refunding to any persons who may be now in possession of the bona fide price (where any has been given) which such persons may have paid on purchasing any of the said lands, rights or properties since the confiscation. And it is agreed that all persons who have any interest in confiscated lands, either by debts, marriage settlements, or otherwise, shall meet with no lawful impediment in the prosecution of their just rights.
Article 6th. That there shall be no future confiscations made, nor any prosecutions commenced against any person or persons for or by reason of the part which he or they may have taken in the present war; and that no person shall on that account, suffer any future loss or damage, either in his person, liberty or property, and that those who may be in confinement on such charges, at the time of the ratification of the treaty in America, shall be immediately set at liberty, and the prosecutions so commenced be discontinued.
Article 7th. There shall be a firm and perpetual peace between his Britannic majesty and the said states, and between the subjects of the one, and the citizens of the other, wherefore all hostilities both by sea and land, shall from henceforth cease; all prisoners on both sides shall be set at liberty, and his Britannic majesty shall with all convenient speed, and without causing any destruction, or carrying away any negroes or other property of the American inhabitants, withdraw all his armies, garrisons and fleets from the said United States, and from every post, place and harbour within the same; leaving in all fortifications the American artillery that may be therein, and shall also order and cause all archives, records, deeds and papers, belonging to any of the said states, or their citizens, which in the course of the war may have fallen into the hands of his officers, to be forthwith restored and delivered to the proper states and persons to whom they belong.
Article 8th. The navigation of the river Mississippi, from its source to the ocean, shall forever remain free and open to the subjects of Great Britain, and the citizens of the United States.
Article 9th. In case it should so happen, that any place or territory belonging to Great Britain or to the United States, should have been conquered by the arms of either from the other, before the arrival of the said provisional articles in America, it is agreed, that the same shall be restored without difficulty, and without requiring any compensation.
Article 10th. The solemn ratification of the present treaty, expedited in good and due form, shall be exchanged between the contracting parties in the space of six months, or sooner if possible, to be computed from the day of the signature of the present treaty. In witness whereof, we, the undersigned their ministers plenipotentiary, have in their name, and in virtue of full powers, signed with our hands the present definitive treaty, and caused the seals of our arms to be affixed thereto.
Done at Paris, this third day of September, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three.
| (L.S.) D. Hartley, | |
| (L.S.) John Adams, | |
| (L.S.) B. Franklin, | |
| (L.S.) John Jay. |
Now know ye that we the United States in Congress assembled having seen and considered the definitive articles aforesaid have approved, ratified and confirmed and by these presents do approve, ratify and confirm the said articles and every part and clause thereof, engaging and promising, that we will sincerely and faithfully perform and observe the same, and never suffer them to be violated by any one or transgressed in any manner, as far as lies in our power.
In testimony whereof, we have caused the seal of the United States4 to be hereunto affixed.
Witness his Excellency Thomas Mifflin, president, this5 fourteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty four and in the eighth year of the sovereignty and independence of the United States of America.
Text from , xxvi, 23–8, where it is printed from “the copy in the writing of Benjamin Bankson, in Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs, No. 5.” MS (DLC: PCC, No. 29); entirely in TJ’s hand except as noted below. Significant differences between the two texts are indicated in notes.
On 13 Jan. 1784 the delegates from Connecticut and New Jersey presented their credentials. On the following day, nine states being present, Congress took up the report of the committee consisting of TJ, Gerry, Ellery, Read, and Hawkins that had been appointed 13 Dec. 1783 and to whom were referred the “Joint letter of Ministers at Paris 10 Sept. 1783 and definitive treaty signed 3 Sept. To prepare a form of ratification” (Committee Book, DLC: PCC, No. 186). The committee had reported on 16 Dec.; hence TJ’s draft of the resolution and form of ratification were drawn up between 13 and 16 Dec. 1783 (same; the Journals do not record the appointment of the committee or the date of report).
As indicated in note 1, Col. Josiah Harmar was immediately designated to carry the Treaty to Europe. Next day it was moved “that a triplicate of the ratification” be sent by Lt. Col. David S. Franks, “who is authorized and directed to take passage in the first vessel which shall sail from any port eastward of Philadelphia, for France or any port in the channel, in which neither of the instruments of the ratification, already forwarded, may be sent, provided such vessel shall sail before the 3 day of February next”; the resolution also provided that “the Superintendant of finance furnish Lieutenant Colonel D. S. Franks, with money to defray his necessary expences in going and returning” (, xxvi, 34–5). But this motion was lost, and another, moved by Gerry and seconded by TJ, to refer to a committee the question of considering “the most expeditious mode of sending a triplicate” was referred to the three delegates (Wadsworth, McComb, and Lee) who had voted against the motion to send Franks. They reported at once that “it having been signified to the house that Major [sic] David S. Franks is desirous of going to France on his own affairs, he be requested to take into his care the ratification of the D.T. and deliver it to our Ministers at Paris” and that he be supplied “with one hundred guineas for his extraordinary expense in so doing.” This report was written by Lee, and was adopted, though another, evidently introduced by Samuel Osgood to provide for Franks’ “necessary expences,” was evidently offered as a substitute, as still another by James Monroe providing for 200 guineas to enable Franks “to bear his expences”; Arthur Lee also apparently introduced a resolution requiring that certified copies of the ratification be sent by express to the governors of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island with the request that they “forward the same by the first vessel sailing from any port in their respective states” (, xxvi, 36). Franks and Harmar were delayed by the severity of the winter; Franks arrived in London on 7 April and the next day set off for Paris. The exchange of ratifications took place on 13 May 1784 (Va. Gaz. [N & P], 12 June 1784).
1. The form of ratification was, of course, embodied in a resolution. There is in DLC: PCC, No. 36, ii, in TJ’s hand a rough draft of the resolution, probably handed in on 16 Dec. 1783 along with the committee report. This reads: “Resolved that the ratification be <immediately expedited> in <good and due form under the seal> the following form to wit [here insert the ratification] and be transmitted to our ministers plenipotentiary <commissioned to negociate the said treaty> by whom the said treaty was negotiated and signed” (brackets are in MS). This resolution as adopted 14 Jan. 1784 was altered to read: “Resolved, unanimously, nine states being present, that the said definitive treaty be, and the same is hereby ratified by the United States in Congress assembled, in the form following:” (, xxvi, 23). That part of TJ’s draft resolution which was deleted became two as adopted on 14 Jan. 1784: that the “ratification be transmitted with all possible despatch, under the care of a faithful person, to our ministers in France, who have negotiated the treaty, to be exchanged” and that “Colonel Josiah Harmar be appointed to carry the said ratification” (same, p. 29; both resolutions, as revised, are in DLC: PCC, No. 36, ii, and are stated in , xxvi, 29, note, to be in the hand of Hugh Williamson, though Williamson was not a member of the committee).
2. This word interlined by TJ in MS in substitution for “Commissioners,” deleted.
3. MS reads: “[here insert them]” (brackets in MS), and does not include the text of the treaty. For official texts of the Provisional Treaty of 30 Nov. 1782, of the Armistice of 20 Jan. 1783, and of the Definitive Treaty, see W. M. Malloy, Treaties, 1910, p. 580–90.
4. The words “of the United States” are interlined in MS.
5. The following is deleted in MS at this point: “Day of December in the year of our lord 1783 and of the sovereignty and independance of the United States the eighth” (the phrase “of the United States” was altered by TJ from “of these states”). This deletion was made in Congress and words substituted therefor (that is, from this point to the end of the text) were written in Thomson’s hand on TJ’s MS.