Christian Majesties, and between their heirs and fucceffors, kingdoms, dominions, provinces, countries, fubjects, and vaffals, of what quality or condition foever they be, without exception ei ther of places or perfons; fo that the high contracting parties fhall give the greatest attention to the maintaining between themselves, and their faid dominions and subjects, this reciprocal friendShip and intercourfe, without permitting hereafter, on either part, any kind of hoftilities to be committed, either by fea or by land, for any caufe or under any pretence whatsoever: and they shall carefully avoid, for the future, every thing which might prejudice the union happily re-established; endeavouring, on the contrary, to procure reciprocally for each other, on every occafion, whatever may contribute to their mutual glory, interests, and advantage, without giving any affiftance or protection, directly or indirectly, to thofe who would do any injury to either of the high contracting parties. There shall be a general oblivion and amnesty of every thing which may have been done or committed, before or fince the commencement of the war which is just ended.

Art. II. The Treaties of Westphalia of 1648; the Treaties of Peace of Nimeguen of 1678 and 1679; of Ryfwick of 1697; thofe of Peace and Commerce of Utrecht of 1713; that of Baden of 1714; that of the triple alliance of the Hague of 1717; that of the quadruple alliance of London of 1718; the Treaty of Peace of Vienna of 1738; the Definitive Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle of 1748; and that of Paris of 1763; ferve as a basis and foundation to the peace, and to the present treaty; and for this purpofe, they are all renewed and confirmed in the best form, as well as all the treaties in general which fubfifted between the high contracting parties before the war, as if they were herein inferted word for word; fo that they are to be exactly obferved for the future in their full tenor, and religiously executed by both parties, in all the points which fhall not be derogated from by the prefent Treaty of Peace.

Art. III. All the prisoners taken on either fide, as well by land as by fea, and the hostages carried away or given during the war, and to this day, shall be restored, without ranfom, in fix weeks at latest, to be computed from the day of the exchange of the ratifications of the prefent treaty; cach crown refpectively discharging the advances which fhall have been made for the fubfiftence, and maintenance of their prisoners, by the fovereign of the country where they fhall have been detained, according to the receipts and attefted accounts, and other authentic vouchers, which fhall be furnished on each fide, and fureties fhall be reciprocally given for the payment of the debts which the prifoners may have contracted in the countries where they may have been detained, until their entire releafe. And all ships, as well men of war as merchant-hips, which may have been taken fince the expiration of the term agreed upon for the ceffation of hoftilities by fea, fhall likewise be restored, bonâ fide, with all their crews and cargoes. And the execution of this article fhall be proceeded upon immediately after the exchange of the ratifications of this treaty.

Art. IV. His Majesty the King of Great Britain is maintained in his right to the Island of Newfoundland, and to the adjacent islands, as the whole were affured to him by the thirteenth Article of the treaty of Utrecht; excepting the Islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, which are ceded in full right, by the prefent treaty, to his Most Christian Majesty.

Art. V. His Majesty the Moft Chriftian King, in order to prevent the quarrels which have hitherto arifen between the two nations of England and France, confents to renounce the right of fishing, which belongs to him in virtue of the aforefaid Article of the treaty of Utrecht, from Cape Bonavista to Cape St. John, fituated on the eaftern coast of Newfoundland, in fifty degrees north latitudes and his Majefty the King of Great Britain confents on his part, that the fifhery af. figned to the fubjects of his Moft Chriftian Ma jefty, beginning at the faid Cape St, John, paffing to the north, and defcending by the weftern coaft of the Island of Newfoundland, fhall extend to the place called Cape Ray, fituated in fortyfeven degrees, fifty minutes latitude. The French fishermen fhall enjoy the fishery which is affigned to them by the prefent Article, as they had the right to enjoy that which was affigned to them by the Treaty of Utrecht.

Art. VI. With regard to the fishery in the Gulph of St. Laurence, the French fhall continue to exercife it conformably to the Fifth Article of the Treaty of Paris.

Art. VII. The King of Great Britain restores to France the Inland of St. Lucia, in the condition it was in when it was conquered by the British arms: and hisBritannic Majefty cedes and guaranties to his Moft Chriftian Majefty the Inland of Tobago. The protestant inhabitants of the faid island, as well as thofe of the fame religion who fhall have settled at St. Lucia whilft that island was occupied by the British arms, fhall not be. molested in the exercife of their worship: and the British inhabitants, or others who may have been fubjects of the King of Great Britain in the aforefaid iflands, fhall retain their poffeffions upon the fame titles and conditions by which they have acquired them; or elfe they may retire, in full fecurity and liberty, where they fhall think fit, and fhall have the power of felling their eftates, provided it be to fubjects of his Moft Chriftian Majefty, and of removing their effects, as well as their perfons, without being reftrained in their emigration, under any pretence whatfoever, except on account of debts, or of criminal profecutions. The term limited for this emigration is fixed to the space of eighteen months, to be computed from the day of the exchange of the ratifications of the prefent treaty. And for the better fecuring the poffeffions of the inhabitants of the aforesaid land of Tobago, the Moft Chriftian King fhall iffue letters patent, containing an abolition of the Droit d'Aubaine in the faid island.

Art. VIII. The Moft Chriftian King reftores to Great Britain the Inlands of Grenada, and the Grenadines, St.Vincent's, Dominica, St. Chrif. topher's, Nevis, and Montferrat; and the fortref

fes of these islands fhali be delivered up in the condition they were in when the conqueft of them was made. The fame ftipulations inferted ia the preceding article fhall take place in favour of the French fubjects, with respect to the islands enumerated in the present article.

Art. IX. The King of Great Britain cedes, in full right, and guaranties to his Moft Chriftian Majesty, the River Senegal, and it's dependencies, with the forts of St. Louis, Podor, Galam, Arguin, and Portendic; and his Britannic Majesty reftores to France the Ifland of Goree, which thall be delivered up in the condition it was in when the conqueft of it was made.

Art. X. The Moft Chriftian King, on his part, guaranties to the King of Great Britain the poffeffion of Fort James, and of the River Gambia.

Art. XI. For preventing all difcuffion in that part of the world, the two high contracting parties thall, within three months after the exchange of the ratifications of the prefent treaty, name commiffaries, who shall be charged with the fettling and fixing of the boundaries of the respective poffeffions. As to the gum trade, the English fhall have the liberty of carrying it on, from the mouth of the River St John, to the Bay and Fort of Portendic inclufively. Provided that they fhall not form any permanent fettlement, of what nature foever, in the faid River St. John, upon the coaft, or in the Bay of Portendic.

Art. XII. As to the refidue of the coaft of Africa, the English and French subjects shall continue to refort thereto, according to the ufage which has hitherto prevailed.

Art. XIII. The King of Great Britain reftores to his Moft Chriftian Majefty all the settlements which belonged to him at the beginning of the present war, upon the coast of Orixa, and in Bengal, with liberty to furround Chandernagore with a ditch for carrying off the waters: and his Britannic Majefty engages to take fuch meafures as fhall be in his power for fecuring to the fubjects of France in that part of India, as well as on the coafts of Orixa, Coromandel, and Malabar, a safe, free, and independent trade, fuch as was carried on by the French East India Company, whether they exercise it individually, or united in a company.

Art. XIV. Pondicherry fhall be in like manner delivered up and guarantied to France, as alfo Karikal: and his Britannic Majesty shall procure, for an additional dependency to Pondicherry, the two districts of Valanour and Bahour; and to Karikal, the Four Magans bordering thereupon.

Art. XV. France shall re-enter into the poffeffion of Mahe, as well as of it's factory at Surat; and the French fhall carry on their trade, in this part of India, conformably to the principles eftas blifhed in the thirteenth article of this treaty.

Art. XVI. Orders having been fent to India by the high contracting parties, in pursuance of the fixteenth article of the Preliminaries, it is farther agreed, that if, within the term of four months, the respective allies of their Britannic and Most Christian Majefties fhall not have acseded to the prefent pacification, or concluded a

feparate accommodation, their said Majefties fhall not give them any affiftance, directly or indirectly, against the British or French poffeffions, or against the ancient poffeffions of their respective alles, fuch as they were in the year 1776.

Art. XVII. The King of Great Britain, being defirous to give to his Moft Christian Majefty a fincere proof of reconciliation and friendship, and to contribute to render folid the peace reeftablished between their faid Majefties, confents to the abrogation and fuppreffion of all the arti cles relative to Dunkirk, from the Treaty of Peace concluded at Utrecht in 1713, inclufive, to this day.

Art. XVIII. Immediately after the exchange of the ratifications, the two high contracting parties fhall name commiffaries to treat concerning new arrangements of commerce between the two nations, on the bafis of reciprocity and mutual convenience; which arrangements shall be settled and concluded within the space of two years, to be computed from the first of January in the year 1784.

Art. XIX. All the countries and territories which may have been, or which may be conquered in any part of the world whatsoever, by the arms of his Britannic Majefty, as well as by thofe of his Moft Christian Majefty, which are not included in the prefent treaty, neither under the head of ceffions nor under the head of reftitutions, fhall be restored without difficulty, and without requiring any compenfation.

Art. XX. As it is neceffary to appoint a certain period for the reftitutions and evacuations to be made by each of the high contracting parties, it is agreed that the King of Great Britain fhall caufe to be evacuated the Iflands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, three months after the ratification of the prefent treaty, or fooner if it can be done; St. Lucia, (one of the Charibee Iflands) and Goree in Africa, three months after the ratification of the prefent treaty, or fooner if it can be done. The King of Great Britain shall, in like manner, at the end of three months after the ratification of the prefent treaty, or fooner if it can be done, enter again into the poffeffion of the Inlands of Grenada, the Grenadines, St. Vincent's, Dominica, St. Chriftopher's, Nevis, and Montferrat. France fhall be put in poffeffion of the towns and factories which are reftored to her in the Eaft Indies, and of the territories which are procured for her to ferve as additional dependencies to Pondicherry and to Karikal, fix months after the ratification of the prefent treaty, or fooner if it can be done. France fhail deliver up, at the end of the like term of fix months, the towns and territories which her arms may have taken from the English, or their allies, in the Eaft Indies. In confequence whereof, the neceffary orders fhall be tent by each of the high contracting parties, with reciprocal paffports for the hips which fhall carry them, immediately after the ratification of the present treaty.

Art. XXI. The decifion of the prizes and feizures made prior to the hoftilities, shall be referred to the refpective courts of justice; so that the legality of the faid prizes and feizures fhall be

decided

decided according to the law of nations, and to treaties, in the courts of juftice of the nation which fhall have made the capture, or ordered the feizures.

Art. XXII. For preventing the revival of the law-fuits which have been ended in the islands conquered by either of the high contracting parties, it is agreed that the judgments pronounced in the last refort, and which have acquired the force of matters determined, fhall be confirmed and executed according to their form and tenor.

Art. XXIII. Their Britannic and Moft Chriftian Majefties promife to obferve fincerely, and bonâ fide, all the articles contained and established in the prefent Treaty; and they will not fuffer the fame to be infringed, directly or indirectly, by their respective fubjects: and the faid high contracting parties guaranty to each other, generally and reciprocally, all the ftipulations of the prefent Treaty.

Art. XXIV. The folemn ratifications of the prefent Treaty, prepared in good and due form, fhall be exchanged in this city of Versailles, between the high contracting parties, in the space of a month, or fooner if poffible, to be computed from the day of the fignature of the prefent Treaty.

In witnefs whereof, we the under-written ambaffador-extraordinary, and minifters plenipotentiary, have figned with our hands, in their names, and in virtue of our refpective full powers, the prefent Definitive Treaty, and have caufed the feals of our arms to be affixed thereto.

Done at Verfailles, the third day of September one thousand feven hundred and eighty-three.

(L. S.) MANCHESTER.

(L. S) GRAVIER DE VERGENNES.

SEPARATE ARTICLES.

I. SOME of the titles made ufe of by the contracting parties, whether in the full powers, and other inftruments, during the courfe of the negotiation, or in the preamble of the prefent treaty,not being generally acknowledged, it has been agreed that no prejudice fhould ever refult therefrom to either of the faid contracting parties; and that the titles taken or omitted, on either fide, upon occafion of the faid negotiation, and of the prefent treaty, fhall not be cited, or quoted as a precedent.

II. It has been agreed and determined, that the French language, made ufe of in all the copies of the prefent treaty, fhall not form an example which may be alledged, or quoted as a precedent, or in any manner prejudice either of the contracting, powers; and that they shall conform, for the future, to what has been obferved, and ought to be observed, with regard to and on the part of powers who are in the practice and poffeffion of giving and receiving copies of like treaties in a different language from the French; the prefent treaty having, nevertheless, the fame force and virtue as if the aforefaid practice had been therein obferved.

In witness whereof, we the underwritten ambaffador-extraordinary, and minifters plenipoteniary, of their Britannic and Moft Chriftian Ma

jefties, have figned the prefent feparate Articles, and have caufed the feals of our arms to be affixed thereto.

Done at Verfailles, the third of September one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three. (L. S.) MANCHESTER.

(L. S.) GRAVier De VergENNEL.

DECLARATION.

THE King having entirely agreed with his Moft Chriftian Majesty upon the Articles of the Definitive Treaty, will feek every means which shall not only enfure the execution thereof, with his accustomed good faith and punctuality, but will befides give, on his part, all poffible efficacy to the principles which shall prevent even the least foundation of difpute for the future.

To this end, and in order that the fishermen of the two nations may not give caufe for daily quarrels, his Britannic Majefty will take the most pofitive measures for preventing his fubjects from interrupting, in any manner, by their competition, the fishery of the French, during the temporary exercise of it which is granted to them, upon the coafts of the Ifland of Newfoundland; and he will, for this purpose, caufe the fixed fettlements, which fhall be formed there, to be removed. His Britannic Majefty will give orders, that the French fishermen be not incommoded in cutting the wood neceffary for the repair of their fcaffolds, huts, and fishing-veffels.

The Thirteenth Article of the Treaty of Utrecht, and the method of carrying on the fishery which has at all times been acknowledged, fhall be the plan upon which the fishery fhall be carried on there; it fhall not be deviated from by either party; the French fishermen building only their fcaffolds, confining themfelves to the repair of their fishing-veffels, and not wintering there; the fubjects of his Britannic Majefty, on their part, not molefting, in any manner, the French fishermen, during their fishing, nor injuring their scaffolds during their abfence.

The King of Great Britain, in ceding the Inlands of St. Pierre and Miquelon to France, regards them as ceded for the purpose of serving as a real fhelter to the French fishermen, and in full confidence that thefe poffeffions will not become an object of jealousy between the two nations; and that the fishery between the faid islands, and that of Newfoundland, fhall be limited to the middle of the channel.

With regard to India, Great Britain having granted to France every thing that can ascertain and confirm the trade which the latter requires to carry on there, his Majefty relies with confidence on the repeated affurances of the court of Verfailles, that the power of furrounding Chandernagore with a ditch for carrying off the waters, fhall not be exercised in such a manner as to make it become an object of umbrage..

The new ftate in which commerce may, perhaps, be found, in all parts of the world, will demand revifions and explanations of the fubfifting treaties; but an entire abrogation of those treaties, in whatever period it might be, would throw

commerce

commerce into fuch confufion as would be of infinite prejudice to it.

In fome of the treaties of this fort there are not only articles which relate merely to commerce, but many others which enfure reciprocally to the refpective fubjects, privileges, facilities for conducting their affairs, perfonal protections, and other advantages, which are not, and which ought not to be, of a changeable nature; fuch as the regulations relating merely to the value of goods and merchandize, variable from circumstances of every kind.

When, therefore, the ftate of the trade between the two nations fhall be treated upon, it is requifite to be understood, that the alterations which may be made in the fubfifting treaties, are to extend only to arrangements merely commercial; and that the privileges and advantages,mutual and particular, be not only preferved on each fide, but even augmented, if it can be done.

In this view, his Majesty has confented to the appointment of commiffaries on each fide, who fhall treat folely upon this object.

: In witness whereof, we his Britannic Majefty's ambaffador-extraordinary and minifter plenipotentiary, being thereto duly authorized, have figned the prefent Declaration, and caufed the feal of our arms to be fet thereto.

prehends India as well as the other parts of the world; his Britannic Majefty may therefore be affured, that his Majefty will never permit that an object fo inoffenfive, and fo harmlefs, as the ditch with which Chandernagore is to be furrounded, should give any umbrage to the court of London.

The King, in propofing new arrangements of commerce, had no other defign than to remedy, by the rules of reciprocity and mutual convenience, whatever may be defective in the Treaty of Commerce figned at Utrecht, in one thousand feven hundred and thirteen. The King of Great Britain may judge from thence, that his Majefty's intention is not in any wife to cancel all the ftipulations in the above-mentioned treaty; he declares, on the contrary, from henceforth, that he is difpofed to maintain all the privileges, facilities and advantages, expreffed in that treaty, as far as they fhall be reciprocal, or compenfated by equivalent advantages. It is to attain this end, defired on each fide, that commiffaries are to be appointed to treat upon the state of the trade between the two nations, and that a confiderable fpace of time is to be allowed for compleating their work. His Majefty hopes that this object will be purfued with the fame good faith, and the fame spirit of conciliation, which prefided over the difcuffion of all the other points com- · prized in the Definitive Treaty; and his said Majefty is firmly perfuaded that the refpective commiffaries will employ the utmost diligence for the completion of this important work.

In witness whereof, we the under-written mi nifter-plenipotentiary of his moft Chriftian Majefty, being there to duly authorized, have figned the prefent Counter-Declaration, and have caused the feal of our arms to be affixed thereto.

Given at Verfailles, the third of September, one thoufand feven hundred and eighty-three. (L. S.) · GRAVIER DE VERGENNES.

two nations.

As to the fishery on the coafts of Newfoundland, which has been the object of the new arrangements fettled by the two fovereigns upon this matter, it is fufficiently afcertained by the Fifth Article of the Treaty of Peace figned this day, and by the Declaration likewife delivered to-day, by his Britannic Majefty's ambaffador-extraordinary and plenipotentiary; and his Majefty declares that he is fully fatisfied on this head.

In regard to the fishery between the Island of Newfoundland, and thofe of St. Pierre and Miquelon, it is not to be carried on by either party, but to the middle of the channel; and his Majefty will give the moft pofitive orders, that the French fishermen fhall not go beyond this line. His Majefty is firmly perfuaded that the King of Great Britain will give like orders to the English fisher

men.

The King's defire to maintain the peace comVOL. III.

that the Treaty of Peace figned this day at Veras mediator in the work of pacification, declare failles, between his Britannic Majesty and his Moft Chriftian Majefty, with the two separate Articles thereto annexed, and of which they form a part, as alfo with all the claufes, conditions and

tipulations which are therein contained, was conApoftolic Majefty. In witnefs whereof, we have cluded by the mediation of his imperial and Royal figned thefe prefents with our hand, and have

caufed the feal of our arms to be affixed thereto.

Done at Verfailles, the third of September, one thousand feven hundred and eighty-three.

LE COMTE DE MERCY ARGENTEAU. (L. S.)

to annexed, and of which they form a part, as alfo with all the claufes, conditions and ftipulations which are therein contained, was concluded by the mediation of her Imperial Majefty of all the Ruffias. In witness whereof, we have figned these presents with our hands, and have caufed the feals of our arms to be affixed thereto. Done at Versailles, the third of September, one thoufand feven hundred and eighty-three.

(L. S.) PRINCE IWAN BARIATINSKOY. (L. S.) A. MARCOFF.

HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S FULL POWER. GEORGE R.

GEORGE the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Duke of Brunswick and Lunenberg, Arch Treasurer and Prince Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, &c. To all and fingular to whom thefe prefents fhall come, greeting. Whereas, for perfecting the peace between us and our good Brother the Moft Chriftian King, which has been happily begun by the Preliminary Articles already figned at Versailles, on the twentieth day of January laft, and for bringing the fame to the defired conclufion, we have thought proper to inveft fome fit perfon with full authority on our part; and whereas our right trufty and right entirely beloved coufin and counfellor George Duke and Earl of Manchester, Viscount Mandeville, Baron of Kimbolton, lordlieutenant and cuftos rotulorum of the county of Huntingdon, has merited our favour, by his illuftrious defcent, eminent qualities of mind, fingular experience in affairs, and approved fidelity, on whom therefore we have conferred the character of our ambaffador-extraordinary and plenipotentiary to our faid good Brother the Most Chriftian King, being perfuaded that he will highly dignify the office, which we have refolved to entrust to him; know ye therefore, that we have made, conftituted, and appointed, and by thefe prefents do make, conftitute, and appoint, him the faid George Duke of Manchester, our true, certain, and undoubted plenipotentiary, commiffioner, and procurator, giving and granting to him full and all manner of power and authority, and also our general and special command, for us and in our name, to meet and confer with the faid moft Chriftian King, and his minifters, commiffioners or procurators, furnifhed with fufficient authority, as alfo with the ambaffadors, commiffioners, deputies, and plenipotentiaries of the other princes and states whom it may concern, being likewife furnished with fufficient authority, whether fingly and feparately, or collectively and jointly, and with them to agree, treat, confult, and conclude, upon the reestablishing, as foon as may be, of a firm and lafting peace, and fincere friendship and concord; and for us, and in our name, to Gign whatever may be fo agreed upon and concluded; and to make and mutually deliver and receive, a treaty or treaties, or fuch other and fo many inftruments as shall be requifite, upon the bufinefs concluded; and to tranfact all other matters,

which may relate to the happily accomplishing of the aforefaid work, in as ample manner and form, and with equal force and effect, as we, if we were prefent, could do and perform: engaging and promifing, on our royal word, that we will approve, ratify and accept, in every more perfect form, whatever may happen to be transacted and concluded by our faid plenipotentiary, and that we will never fuffer the fame to be violated or infringed by any one, either in the whole or in part. In witnefs, and for the greater validity of all which, we have caufed our Great Seal of Great Britain to be affixed to these presents, figned with our royal hand. Given at our court at St. James's, the twentieth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three, and in the twenty-third year of our reign.

LEWIS, by the Grace of God, King of France and Navarre, to all those who shall fee thefe prefents, greeting. The Preliminaries figned at Ver failles the twentieth of January, in the prefent year, laid the foundation of the peace re-eftablished between us and our most dear and most beloved good Brother the King of Great Britain. We have nothing more at heart than to confo❤ lidate that falutary and important work, by a folemn and Definitive Treaty: for these caufes and other good confiderations us thereunto moving, we confiding entirely in the capacity and experience, zeal and fidelity in our service, of our moft dear and well-beloved the Sieur Count De Vergennes, our counsellor in all our councils, commander in our orders, prefident of our Royal Council of Finances, counsellor of ftate military, minifter and secretary of ftate, and of our commands and finances, having the department of foreign affairs, we have named, appointed, and deputed him, and by these prefents, figned with our hand, do name, appoint, and depute him, our minifter-plenipotentiary, giving him, full and abfolute power to act in that quality, and to confer, negociate, treat, and agree, jointly with the minifter-plenipotentiary of our most dear and moft beloved good brother the King of Great Britain, invefted with full powers in good form, to agree upon, conclude, and fign, fuch articles, conditions, conventions, declarations, definitive treaty, acceffions, and other acts whatsoever, that he fhall judge proper for fecuring and confirming the great work of peace, the whole with the fame latitude and authority as we ourselves might do, if we were there prefent in perfon, even though. there fhould be fomething which might require a more fpecial order than what is contained in these prefents; promifing, on the faith and word of a king, to approve, keep firm and ftable for ever, fulfil and execute punctually, every thing that the faid Sieur Count De Vergennes fhall have ftipulated and figned, in virtue of the present full power, without ever infringing, or permitting the fame to be infringed, for any cause or under any pretence whatfoever; as alfo to cause our letters of ratification thereof to be expedited in good. form, and to cause them to be delivered, în order

to