The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 10

United States -- Foreign relations -- 1775-1783; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Sources

That upon this principle, Congress did not hesitate a moment to reject
the proposition made by the British General and Admiral, as
Commissioners of peace, for admitting Mr Morgan, their Secretary, to
an interview at Philadelphia;

And that they are resolved to prosecute the war with vigor, until a
general peace shall be obtained, in which their allies shall be
comprehended;

That Congress placed the utmost confidence in his Majesty's
assurances, that he will readily employ his good offices in support of
the United States, in all points relative to their prosperity; and
considering the territorial claims of these States, as heretofore
made, their participation of the fisheries and of the free navigation
of the Mississippi, not only as their indubitable right, but as
essential to their prosperity, they trust, that his Majesty's efforts
will be successfully employed to obtain a sufficient provision and
security for those rights. Nor can they refrain from making known to
his Majesty, that any claim of restitution, or compensation for
property confiscated in the several States, will meet with insuperable
obstacles; not only on account of the sovereignty of the individual
States, by which such confiscations have been made, but of the wanton
devastations, which the citizens of these States have experienced from
the enemy, and, in many instances, from the very persons in whose
favor such claim may be urged;

That Congress trust that the circumstances of the allies, at the
negotiation for peace, will be so prosperous as to render these
expectations consistent with the spirit of moderation recommended by
his Majesty.

Ordered, That the Committee, who brought in the report, communicate to
the honorable Minister of France the above answer of Congress to his
communications.

Ordered, That the Secretary for Foreign Affairs transmit, by the first
opportunity, a copy of the same to the Ministers of these States at
foreign Courts.

FOOTNOTES:

[9] See these Notes of a Conference in the _Secret Journals of
Congress_, Vol. III. p. 218.

[10] _Secret Journal_, Vol. III. p. 138.

                  *       *       *       *       *

             ARTICLES AGREED ON BETWEEN THE AMERICAN AND
                      BRITISH COMMISSIONERS.[11]

                                                    October 8th, 1782.

Articles agreed upon by and between Richard Oswald, the Commissioner
of his Britannic Majesty, for treating of peace with the Commissioners
of the United States of America, on the behalf of his said Majesty on
the one part, and Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, of the Commissioners
of the said States, for treating of peace with the Commissioner of his
said Majesty on their behalf, on the other part.

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Opening the text

History

The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 10

United States -- Foreign relations -- 1775-1783; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Sources

That upon this principle, Congress did not hesitate a moment to reject
the proposition made by the British General and Admiral, as
Commissioners of peace, for admitting Mr Morgan, their Secretary, to
an interview at Philadelphia;

And that they are resolved to prosecute the war with vigor, until a
general peace shall be obtained, in which their allies shall be
comprehended;

That Congress placed the utmost confidence in his Majesty's
assurances, that he will readily employ his good offices in support of
the United States, in all points relative to their prosperity; and
considering the territorial claims of these States, as heretofore
made, their participation of the fisheries and of the free navigation
of the Mississippi, not only as their indubitable right, but as
essential to their prosperity, they trust, that his Majesty's efforts
will be successfully employed to obtain a sufficient provision and
security for those rights. Nor can they refrain from making known to
his Majesty, that any claim of restitution, or compensation for
property confiscated in the several States, will meet with insuperable
obstacles; not only on account of the sovereignty of the individual
States, by which such confiscations have been made, but of the wanton
devastations, which the citizens of these States have experienced from
the enemy, and, in many instances, from the very persons in whose
favor such claim may be urged;

That Congress trust that the circumstances of the allies, at the
negotiation for peace, will be so prosperous as to render these
expectations consistent with the spirit of moderation recommended by
his Majesty.

Ordered, That the Committee, who brought in the report, communicate to
the honorable Minister of France the above answer of Congress to his
communications.

Ordered, That the Secretary for Foreign Affairs transmit, by the first
opportunity, a copy of the same to the Ministers of these States at
foreign Courts.

FOOTNOTES:

[9] See these Notes of a Conference in the _Secret Journals of
Congress_, Vol. III. p. 218.

[10] _Secret Journal_, Vol. III. p. 138.

                  *       *       *       *       *

             ARTICLES AGREED ON BETWEEN THE AMERICAN AND
                      BRITISH COMMISSIONERS.[11]

                                                    October 8th, 1782.

Articles agreed upon by and between Richard Oswald, the Commissioner
of his Britannic Majesty, for treating of peace with the Commissioners
of the United States of America, on the behalf of his said Majesty on
the one part, and Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, of the Commissioners
of the said States, for treating of peace with the Commissioner of his
said Majesty on their behalf, on the other part.

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 10

The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 10

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