181IV. The Declaration of Independence as Amended by the Committee and by Congress, 11 June–4 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Ed. Note: This document is TJ’s text of the Declaration as copied into his Notes of Proceedings in the Continental Congress, 7 June to 1 Aug. 1776 (which was eventually incorporated in his Autobiography) and is printed above as part of these Notes (q.v., p. 315), above; a facsimile text is available in Boyd, Declaration of Independence , 1945, pl. viii . This copy (actually there are two,...
182V. The Declaration of Independence as Adopted by Congress, 11 June–4 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776. THE UNANIMOUS DECLARATION OF THE THIRTEEN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA , When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect...
183Resolution of Congress Appointing Franklin, Deane, and Jefferson as Commissioners to France, 26 September 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeably to the Order of the Day, Congress proceeded to the Appointment of Commissioners to the Court of France. Resolved, That three be appointed. The Ballots being taken Mr. Franklin, Mr. Deane, and Mr. Jefferson were elected. Resolved, That Secrecy shall be observed, until the farther Order of Congress, and that until Permission be obtained from Congress to disclose the Particulars of this...
184Additional Instructions by Congress to Franklin, Deane, and Jefferson, 16 October 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Additional instructions to B F, S D, and T J, commissioners from the united states of America to the king of France. Whilst you are negotiating the affairs you are charged with at the court of France you will have opportunities of conversing frequen[t]ly with the ministers and agents of other european princes and states residing there. You shall endeavour, when you find occasion fit and...
185Bill for Raising Six Additional Battalions of Infantry, [28 October 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas it has been thought necessary by the American Congress that the armies of the United States should be augmented to eighty eight battalions, to be enlisted to serve during the continuance of the present war unless sooner discharged, and that fifteen of the said battalions should be furnished by this Commonwealth; and the said Congress by their resolutions have engaged to give to every...
186I. Resolution of Congress concerning a Commercial Clause, 31 December 1782 (Jefferson Papers)
In Congress, 31 Dec. 1782. “On the report of a Committee to whom was referred a letter of the 14th of October last from the Minister plenipotentiary at the Court of Versailles, Resolved” that the American joint commissioners be instructed “to endeavour to obtain for the Citizens and inhabitants of the United States a direct Commerce to all parts of the British dominions and posessions in like...
187III. Jefferson’s Commission as a Minister Plenipotentiary for Negotiating Peace, [8 January 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
The United States in Congress Assembled To all who shall see these presents Greeting. Know Ye that among the Records in our Secretary’s Office there is a Commission in the words following The United States of America in Congress Assembled to all to whom these presents shall come send Greeting Whereas these United States from a sincere desire of putting an end to the hostilities between his...
188Resolution of Congress Releasing Jefferson from His Commission to Negotiate Peace, 1 April 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved that the Secretary for foreign affairs inform the Hon’ble T. Jefferson in Answer to his Letter of the 13th. of March that Congress consider the Object of his Appointment so far advanced as to render it unnecessary for him to pursue his Voyage, and that Congress are well satisfied with the readiness he has shewn in undertaking a Service which, from the present Situation Affairs, they...
189Resolution Providing for Three Vessels to Transmit Definitive Treaty When Ratified, [26 December 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved that the Agent of Marine be directed to have immediately three proper vessels ready, viz. one at this Port one at New York, and one at some Port to the Eastward to receive and convey to some port in France copies of the ratification of the Definitive treaty of peace between these states and his Britannic majesty when the same shall be completed, leaving to his discretion to engage...
190Ratification of the Definitive Treaty of Peace, [14 January 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
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 plenipotentiaries of the said United States, and of his said Britannic Majesty, duly and respectively...
191Proclamation Announcing Ratification of Definitive Treaty, 14 January 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
By the United states in Congress assembled. A Proclamation. 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 third day of September 1783. by the plenipotentiaries of the said United states and of his said Britannic majesty duly and respectively authorized for that purpose which...
192V. The Ordinance of 1784, 23 April 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
CONGRESS resumed the consideration of the report of a committee on a plan for a temporary government of the western territory, which being amended, was agreed to as follows: Resolved, That so much of the territory ceded or to be ceded by individual states to the United States, as is already purchased or shall be purchased of the Indian inhabitants, and offered for sale by Congress, shall be...
193Resolution on Steuben’s Memorial, [15 April 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
Congress having been made sensible that Major Genl. Baron de Steuben when he left Europe to enter into the service of America, independantly of other sacrifices, relinquished offices of very considerable income and honour and that unless he can receive the monies due to him from these states, his return from their service will be to a situation dishonourable to them and discouraging to others...
194Resolution of Secrecy concerning Letters of Ministers, [3 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
Ordered that all letters from the Ministers of these states in Europe be considered at all times as under an injunction of secrecy, except as to such parts of them as Congress shall by special permission allow to be published or communicated. MS ( DNA : PCC , No. 36, ii ); entirely in TJ’s hand; below the text in Charles Thomson’s hand: “Mr Jefferson Mr Spaight. Yeas & Nays” on verso, also in...
195Enclosure I: Commission for Negotiating Treaties of Amity and Commerce, 16 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
The United States in Congress assembled To all to whom these presents shall come or be made known send Greeting Whereas an intercourse between the Subjects of Her Imperial Majesty of all the Russias and the Citizens of the United States of America founded on the principles of equality reciprocity and friendship may be of mutual advantage to both Nations Now therefore know ye that we reposing...
196Enclosure II: Instructions for Negotiating Treaties of Amity and Commerce By The United States in Congress Assembled, 29 … (Jefferson Papers)
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 First . You are instructed and authorised to announce to his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Germany or to his Ministers the high sense which the United States in Congress Assembled entertain of his exalted Character and eminent Virtues and...
197Enclosure III: Instructions to the Commissioners for Negotiating Treaties of Amity and Commerce, 7 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas instructions bearing date the 29th. 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...
198Resolution of Congress for the Arrest of Longchamps, 29 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas Congress have been informed by a note addressed to them by the Chevalier De la Luzerne, Minister Plenipotentiary of His Most Christian Majesty, of the 20th Instant, and the papers accompanying the same, that a violation of the Laws of Nations hath been committed by one Longchamps, who calls himself Chevalier de Longchamps, a subject of His Most Christian Majesty, by a violent assault...