1Continental 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...
2Continental Congress to the American Peace Commissioners: Instructions, 29 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
DS : Library of Congress; draft, two copies, and incomplete copy: National Archives; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society By The United States in Congress Assembled To the Ministers Plenipotentiary of the United States of America at the Court of Versailles empowered to negociate a Peace or to any one or more of them. First. You are instructed and authorised to announce to his Imperial...
3Continental Congress. Motion on Votes Cast in the Congress by States Not Yet Having Ratified the Constitution, [7 August … (Hamilton Papers)
Whereas the Convention assembled at Philadelphia in the Commonwealth of Pensylvania did on the 17th day of September last past resolve as the opinion of that Convention that as soon as the Conventions of nine states should have ratified the Constitution then and there agreed upon by the said Convention the United States in Congress assembled should fix a day on which electors should be...
4Ratification 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...
5Resolution 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...
6V. 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...
7Enclosure 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...
8Enclosure 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...
9Continental Congress. Report on a Letter from the Minister Plenipotentiary of France, [12 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
The Committee to whom was referred the report of the Secretary for foreign affairs on the note from The Minister Plenipotentiary of France with the papers accompanying it report— That it appears by the said note and the papers which accompany it, that the person mentioned therein, to wit Joseph Marie Anne Fermier commander of the Brig David is in substance charged with betraying his trust and...
10Resolution 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...