41From John Adams to Henry Laurens, 12 March 1783 (Adams Papers)
M r Storer arrived Yesterday with your kind Letter of 6 March, with its Inclosure. I know not what to Say to the Subject of this Inclosure. it is a Mystery which Time will unriddle and to time I leave it, So entirely that I dont think it necessary to Say any Thing to our Colleague about it. Appearances, on the Side where you are, dont please me more than you. But I hope the Weather will soon...
42Alleyne Fitzherbert to the American Peace Commissioners, 18 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and two copies: Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress I have the honour to transmit to you herewith a packet containing one hundred passports for American Vessels which I have this moment received by a Courier from England. I take this opportunity of acquainting you that a proclamation was issued out in the King’s Name on the 14th Instant, making known the cessation...
43Reuben Harvey to the American Peace Commissioners, 10 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives Respected Friends John Adams, Benjamin Franklin John Jay & Henry Laurens, Esquires. Although my Name may be unknown to you, it is not so to many of your Countrymen whom the chance of War threw into Captivity at Kinsale & here during the late War, so unnaturally waged, & persisted in by a weak, wicked Ministry— In the early part of it some few warm Friends to America...
44Francis Dana to the American Peace Commissioners, 3/14 January [i.e., 14 January 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I was honoured with your favour of the 12th. of Decr: by the last post, enclosing a Copy of the preliminary Treaty of Peace between his Britannic Majesty and the United-States. I most heartily congratulate with you upon this great event, in which you have had the honour of so distinguished a part. I think that we ought to be, and shall be satisfied with...
45Draft of a Declaration to Be Made by the American Peace Commissioners, 2 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Two D : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Nous soussignés Ministres Plenipres. des Etats unis &a. Déclarons qu’en agréant et consentant a fixer par notre signature des articles qui avoient été discutés entre nous et M. Oswald muni de pleins pouvoirs a cet effet par S. M. le R. [Sa Majesté le Roi] de la grande Bretagne pour être inserés dans le futur traite de paix, nous n’avons eu...
46From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens, 24 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
L : South Carolina Historical Society Dr Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr Lawrens, has recd his Packet for Mr Livingston, and will forward it by the Courier, who will not leave Paris ’till Thursday, being to wait for Count de Vergennes Dispatches: so that any thing else that Mr. Lawrens may wish to send, will be time enough if it is here by Tomorrow Night. Addressed: His Excellency /...
47Henry Strachey’s Remarks to the American Peace Commissioners, 25 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: New York Public Library Strachey’s return to Paris opened a new round of intensive negotiations which culminated in the signing of a provisional peace treaty on November 30. The present document is Strachey’s recollection of what he said to the American peace commissioners when he presented them with the British counterproposal to their second draft treaty. This meeting was held at...
48Lafayette to the American Peace Commissioners, 21 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Newberry Library; transcript: New York Public Library 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...
49From John Adams to Henry Laurens, 6 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inclose a Resolution of Congress of the 17 of September, enjoining upon us all, Attendance on the Negotiations for Peace, and if it were not Presumption to Suppose, that any Thing could be added to So pressing a Desire of Congress, I would beg Leave to add my most earnest Entreaties that you would be so good as to join Us as soon as possible. It would give me the highest...
50Henry Strachey to the American Peace Commissioners, 5 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft) and three copies: Public Record Office; copies: William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society (two) 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...