The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 10
History
The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 10
United States -- Foreign relations -- 1775-1783; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Sources
That the subjects of his Britannic Majesty and the people of the said
United States, shall continue to enjoy unmolested, the right to take
fish of every kind on all the Banks of Newfoundland, also in the Gulf
of St Lawrence, and all other places where the inhabitants of both
countries used at any time heretofore to fish; and also to dry and
cure their fish on the shores of the Isle of Sables, Cape Sables, and
the shores of any of the unsettled bays, harbors or creeks of Nova
Scotia, and of the Magdalen Islands. And his Britannic Majesty and the
said United States will extend equal privileges and hospitality to
each other's fishermen as to their own.
Whereas certain of the United States, excited thereto by the
unnecessary destruction of private property, have confiscated all
debts due from their citizens to British subjects; and also in certain
instances, lands belonging to the latter; and whereas, it is just that
private contracts made between individuals of the two countries before
the war, should be faithfully executed; and as the confiscation of the
said lands may have a latitude not justifiable by the law of nations,
it is agreed, that British creditors shall, notwithstanding, meet with
no lawful impediment to recovering the full value or sterling amount
of such _bona fide_ debts as were contracted before the year 1775. And
also, that Congress will recommend to the said States, so to correct
(if necessary) their said acts respecting the confiscation of the
lands in America, belonging to real British subjects, as to render the
said acts consistent with perfect justice and equity. As to the
cession made of certain lands in Georgia, by a number of Indians
there, on the 1st of June, 1773, for the purpose of paying the debts
due from them to a number of traders, the American Commissioners say,
that the State of Georgia is alone competent to consider and decide on
the same; for that it being a matter of internal police, with which
neither Congress nor their Commissioners are authorised to interfere,
it must of necessity be referred to the discretion and justice of that
State, who, without doubt, will be disposed to do what may be just
and reasonable on the subject.
Similar reasons and considerations constrain the Commissioners to
give the like answer to the case of Mr Penn's family.
From and immediately after the conclusion of the proposed treaty,
there shall be a perpetual and firm peace, &c. (the same as the second
article in the preceding set of articles.)
That the navigation of the river Mississippi from its source to the
ocean, shall forever remain free and open.
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