George Washington Papers

Ratification of the Consular Convention with France, 9 September 1789

Ratification of the Consular Convention with France

[New York, 9 September 1789]

George Washington President of the United States of America.

To all to whom these Presents shall come—Greeting.

Whereas a Convention for defining and establishing the Functions and Privileges of the respective Consuls and Vice Consuls of his most christian Majesty, and of the said United States, duly and respectively authorised for that purpose, which convention is in the form and words following.1

Now be it known that I having seen and considered the said Convention, do, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate accept, ratify and confirm the same, and every article and clause thereof. In testimony whereof I have caused the seal of the United States to be affixed to these Presents, and signed the same with my hand. Given at the City of New York the 9th day of September in the year of our Lord 1789.

G: Washington

LB, DLC:GW.

In the letter book this document is headed “Form of Ratification.” For information on this treaty, see DHFC, description begins Linda Grant De Pauw et al., eds. Documentary History of the First Federal Congress of the United States of America, March 4, 1789-March 3, 1791. 20 vols. to date. Baltimore, 1972–. description ends 2:251–351, Moustier to GW, 1 May 1789, and GW to the United States Senate, 11 June 1789. On 29 July the Senate consented to the treaty and advised “the President of the United States to Ratify the same” (DHFC description begins Linda Grant De Pauw et al., eds. Documentary History of the First Federal Congress of the United States of America, March 4, 1789-March 3, 1791. 20 vols. to date. Baltimore, 1972–. description ends , 2:12).

1The text of the treaty was to be inserted at this point. For the text, see Miller, Treaties, description begins Hunter Miller, ed. Treaties and Other International Acts of the United States of America. Vol. 2, 1776-1818. Washington, D.C., 1931. description ends 2:228–41.

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