WILLIAM FAWKNER. FOOTNOTE: [14] See the following Papers in _Henry Laurens's Correspondence_, Vol. II. pp. 499-502, viz. 1. Articles proposed to the American Commissioners by Mr Hartley. 2. Mr Hartley's proposed Article of Agreement, delivered by him to the American Commissioners for their consideration, May 21st, 1783. 3. Observations and propositions of Mr Hartley, left with the American Ministers, May 21st, 1783. Also in _Franklin's Correspondence_, Vol. IV. pp. 78, 80, 92, and the following, viz. 1. Conciliatory Propositions. 2. Sketch of a Provisional Treaty of Commerce. 3. Supplemental Treaty. * * * * * COUNT DE VERGENNES' PROPOSED NEW ARTICLES. [Delivered to Dr Franklin on the 20th of May, 1783.] Translation. The intention of his Most Christian Majesty and the United States of North America, in concluding between them a treaty of amity and commerce, having been, that their respective subjects should enjoy all the advantages, privileges, and exemptions, which the most favored nations enjoy or may enjoy, and his said Majesty and the United States, wishing to prevent any misunderstandings that may arise by a false application of the 2d and 3d Articles of the treaty of commerce of February 6th, 1778, have thought it proper to determine in a precise manner the principles which ought to be followed on one part and the other, concerning the matter in question. In consequence, it is proposed, that his Majesty and the Congress of the United States agree to the following Articles. ARTICLE I. To interpret, as far as is necessary, the 2d Article of the treaty of amity and commerce, concluded February 6th, 1778, the United States declare, that all the advantages, privileges, and exemptions, which are accorded, or may be accorded hereafter, in regard to navigation and commerce, to any nation, power, or state, whatever, shall be common to the French nation, and that these shall be enjoyed conformably to Article 3d of the treaty, in such manner that in no case, or under any pretext, shall the said United States exact any compensation from his Most Christian Majesty. ARTICLE II. His Most Christian Majesty promises and engages on his part, to cause the subjects of the United States to enjoy, in conformity with the 3d Article abovementioned, all the advantages, privileges, and exemptions, which the most favored nations now enjoy, or may enjoy hereafter, and that without exacting any compensation from the said States. * * * * * TO MR GRAND. Paris, May 22d, 1783. Sir, We have received the letter you did us the honor to write us on the 10th day of this month, containing a brief state of the affairs of the United States, in your hands.