41David 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...
Knowing the Expectation of the King’s Ministers, that a full Indemnity shall be provided for the whole Body of Refugees, either by a Restitution of their Property, or by some stipulated Compensation for their Losses, and being confident, as I have repeatedly assured You, that Your Refusal upon this Point will be the great Obstacle to a Conclusion and Ratification of that Peace which is meant...
Since the Early Period when I Had the Happiness to Be Adopted Among the Sons of America, I ever Made it My Point to do that which I thought would prove Useful to Her Cause or Agreable to Her Citizens— After we Had Long Stood By ourselves, France did join in our Quarrell, and So Soon as Count d’Estaing’s departure Made My presence Unnecessary, I Had a Permission to Return to France where, Among...
Since I was here last, I have seen, and conversed with, almost every one of the King’s Council. They are unanimous in the desire of concluding the Peace. But they are also unanimous in declaring that they think You unreasonable in refusing a general Amnesty and Restoration of Property, to the Refugees. They are unanimous in declaring that those Two Points must be insisted upon, and that every...
45Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston) to the American Peace Commissioners, 25 March 1783 (Jay Papers)
I am now to acknowledge the favor of your joint Letter by the Washington together with a copy of the preliminary articles— Both were laid before Congress— The articles have met with their warmest approbation & have been generally recd ^ seen ^ by the people in the most favourable point of view— The steadyness manifested in not treating without an express acknowledgment of y r . independance...
46Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston) to the American Peace Commissioners, 21 April 1783 (Jay Papers)
Upon the receipt of the provisional Articles and a subsequent account brought by a Vessel despatched by Count De Estaing — I wrote the Letter N o 1 to Sir Guy Carleton and N o 2 to Admiral Digby to which I received the answers N o . 3 and 4— You will find them cold and distant, those they wrote to the Minister of France in answer to similar communications made by him were still more so, and...
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...
48Lafayette 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...