Social pleasantries aside, the Jays were understandably eager to get home as soon as they properly could, staying in France only until peace was concluded and the Spanish accounts settled. It was Congress rather than the British government that held up ratification of the Definitive Treaty. By mid-December the delegates from only a bare seven states had made their appearance at Annapolis, the nation’s temporary capital, whereas the assent of nine states was required for ratification under the Articles of Confederation. Finally on 14 January 1784 delegates from two other states took their seats, and Congress proceeded at once to vote unanimous ratification. It still was necessary to transmit the ratification to Paris in compliance with the terms of the treaty, and only a bare six weeks remained to meet the treaty’s deadline. Three different agents were entrusted with copies of the ratification. All were delayed by accidents of weather, as a freakishly cold winter hampered travel along the entire eastern seaboard. Colonel Josiah Harmar (1753–1813) reached Paris first, arriving at the end of March, just ahead of Colonel David Salisbury Franks, who reached London the next day. Technically, the ratification had come too late, but the British Ministry waived the issue, and on 12 May Franklin and Jay for the United States and Hartley for Great Britain amicably exchanged ratifications in Paris.1

The settlement of the Spanish accounts, both public and private, depended on the cooperation and personal presence in Paris of Carmichael. The Jay-Carmichael relationship continued to be so tense and the negotiations so protracted that the subject merits a separate account.2 Financial affairs finally straightened out, the Jays left Paris on 16 May, and sailed from Dover on 1 June on the Edward, Captain Coupar.