31David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners: Revised Article, [14–18] June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress (two), William L. Clements Library, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives; press copy of copy: National Archives It is agreed, that the Citizens of the United States of America shall be permitted to import into and to export from any Port or Place of the Territories belonging to the Crown of Great Britain in American Ships, any Goods, Wares &...
32David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners, 14 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to address the enclosed Memorial to your Excellencies, and to explain to you my Reasons for So doing. It is because many Consequences now at a great Distance, and unforeseen by Us may arise between our two Countries, perhaps from very minute and incidental Transactions, which in their beginnings may be impercepteble and unsuspected as to their future Effects. Our respective...
33David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners, 14 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, William L. Clements Library, Massachusetts Historical Society; two incomplete copies and incomplete transcript: National Archives The American peace commissioners grew increasingly suspicious as they waited for Fox to respond to the article that Hartley had presented to them without prior approval on May 21. Hartley drafted another memorial for them on June 1, but...
Permit me to address the enclosed Memorial to your Excellencies, and to explain to you my reasons for so doing. It is because many consequences, now at a great distance, and unforeseen by us, may arise between our two Countries, perhaps from very minute & incidental transactions, which in their beginnings may be imperceptible & unsuspected as to their future effects. Our respective territories...
I am sorry to inform you, that by the Resignation of M r. Livingston, as minister for foreign affairs, it has become necessary, that you should receive the Resolutions of Congress relative to your Mission, through my Hands. The Disadvantage arising from this Necessity, untill a Successor to that worthy Gentleman is appointed, will be yours, as it is impossible for me to do more than barely to...
36Elias Boudinot to the American Peace Commissioners, 16 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives This letter from Elias Boudinot, president of Congress, not only announces the resignation of Minister for Foreign Affairs Robert R. Livingston, it also encloses a resolution of great importance to the peace commissioners. On February 5 John Adams had written to Congress that there no longer was a reason to...
37Henry Laurens to the American Peace Commissioners, 17 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor of addressing you the 10 th. immediately after my landing at Dover— As early as possible after my arrival here I obtained an Interview with M r. Secretary Fox, who was pleased to read to me part of his latest Dispatches to M r. Hartley which he supposed would reach Paris on the 14 th. tis probable therefore that before this time, as much of the Contents as is proper for your...
38David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners, [19 June 1783] (Adams Papers)
1. That Lands belonging to Persons of any description which have not actually been sold shall be restored to the old Possessors without Price. 2. That an equal and free Participation of the different carrying Places, and the Navigation of all the Lakes and Rivers of that Country thro’ which the Water Line of Division passes between Canada and the United States shall be enjoyed fully and...
39David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners: Propositions for the Definitive Treaty, [19 June 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society (two), William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, National Archives (two); transcript: National Archives When the American peace commissioners saw David Hartley at Versailles on Tuesday, June 17, they told him that Congress had issued an order on April 24 opening American ports to British vessels—or so they understood from credible private...
40Henry Laurens to the American Peace Commissioners, 20 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to refer to what I had the honor of writing to you the 17 th. You will recollect my Suggestions, as soon as we perceived the falling off, from those warm Assurances which had been pressed in March and April, they were not ill founded; I dalayed a Week in hopes of Intelligence & left you with Reluctance; the temper of the times forbids even an essay. What a happy Country is this,...
As Congress have not yet elected any Minister for Foreign Affairs, and knowing the importance of your Being fully informed of every public transaction relative to these States, I have concluded that you would not think it amiss to hear from me on the subject of the removal of Congress to this place, tho’ I cannot consider this communication as official but merely for your information in my...
42Elias Boudinot to the American Peace Commissioners, 15 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives As Congress have not yet elected any Minister for Foreign Affairs, and knowing the importance of your Being fully informed of every public transaction relative to these States, I have concluded that you would not think it amiss to hear from me on the subject of the removal of Congress to this place, tho’ I cannot consider this communication as official but merely for...
43Lafayette to the American Peace Commissioners, 22 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society Having Been Honoured With letters from Congress, it Becomes my duty to Consult You Upon a point Which they Have particularly Recommended— In the late preliminaries no time is Mentionned for the American Merchants paying their English debts— A Matter of Great Moment to our Merchants who Require at least three or four Years to Accomplish the Business— Upon...
44Lafayette to the American Peace Commissioners, 22 July 1783 (Jay Papers)
Having Been Honoured With Letters from Congress, it Becomes my duty to Consult You Upon a point Which they Have particularly Recommended—in the late preliminaries no time is Mentionned for the American Merchants paying their English debts—a Matter of Great Moment to our Merchants who Require at least three or four Years to Accomplish the Business. Upon the Receipt of the Letter, I Have...
45Henry Laurens to the American Peace Commissioners, 9 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
Availing my self of your consent & recommendation I embarked at le Havre on board the Washington & Sailed from thence the 1 st Inst. On the 2 d. at 9 o’Clõ. AM. we were within six Leagues of Poole in Dorsetshire. The Wind being very favorable, I quitted the Ship, went on board a small Hoy bound to Poole & urged Capt. Barney to proceed on his Voyage, leaving my excellent Post Carriage to take...
46David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners, 12 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Public Record Office, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society August 12 and 13 were of far greater diplomatic consequence than this exchange of formal letters about the birth of an English princess (the present letter and the commissioners’ answer of the following day) would suggest. On Tuesday, August 12, at the weekly meeting of ministers at Versailles, Franklin and...
47David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners, 29 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
As the Day is now fixed for the signatures of the Definitive Treaties between Great Britain, France & Spain, I beg leave to inform your Excellencies that I am ready to sign the Definitive Treaty between Great Britain & the United States of America, whenever it shall be convenient to you. I beg the Favour therefore of you to fix the Day. My Instructions confine me to Paris as the Place...
48David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners, 29 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : William L. Clements Library; copies: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives; press copy of copy: National Archives As the day is now fixed for the signatures of the Definitive treaties between Great Britain France and Spain I beg leave to inform you that I am ready to sign the Definitive treaty between Great Britain and the united States of America...