to their being exchanged, in the time which fhall be agreed upon: for fuch is our pleasure. In witnefs whereof, we have caufed our feal to be put to thefe prefents. Given at Verfailles, the fourth day of the month of February, in the year of Grace, one thousand seven hundred and eightythree, and in the ninth year of our reign. Signed Louis; and on the fold, By the King, La Croix Marshal de Caftries; and fealed with the great feal of Yellow Wax.

THE EMPEROR'S FULL POWER.

WE Jofeph the Second, by the Divine Favour, Emperor Elect of the Romans, always Auguft, King of Germany, Jerufalem, Hungary, Bohemia, Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia, and Lodomeria; Archduke of Auftria, Duke of Burgundy, Lorrain, Stiria, Carinthia and Carniolia; Great Duke of Tuscany; Great Prince of Tranfilvania; Marquis of Moravia; Duke of Brabant, Limburg, Luxemburg and Gueldres, Wirtemburg, Upper and Lower Silefia, Milan, Mantua, Parma, Placentia and Guaftalla, Ofvecinia and Zatoria, Calabria, Barri, Montferat and Tefchin; Prince of Suevia and Carolopolis; Count of Hapfburg, Flanders, Tyrol, Hainault, Kiburg, Goritia and Gradifea; Marquis of the Holy Roman Empire, of Burgovia, Upper and Lower Lufatia, Muffopont and Nomeny, Count of Namur, Provence, Vaudemont, Albimont, Zutphen, Sarwar, Salm, and Falkenstein; Lord of Marchpurg, Slavonia, and Mechlin

By the tenor of thefe prefents, make known and teftify, to all and fingular whom it doth or may in any manner concern. During the time that the late extenfive war overspread almost the whole world, we, and her Majefty the Empress and fole Monarch of all the Ruffias, animated with an equal defire of putting an end as foon as poffible to the calamities of the war, did not omit frequently to manifeft our carneft inclination that by the interpofition of our respective and mutual friendly offices a reconciliation of the belligerent parties might be promoted, and the former peace and fincere concord between them be rettored. It was very agreeable to us to understand that our common endeavours had not failed of the defired effect; for a more pacific difpofition afterwards prevailing in the minds of the princes engaged in the war, and the business being already fo far happily advanced, that previous conditions of peace, or Preliminary Articles, were agreed upon between them, on which the general work of pacification might be founded, the aforefaid moft ferene and moft potent princes defired, in a friendly manner, that in concert with her Imperial Majefty of all the Ruffias, we would apply our joint attention to this falutary bufinefs, and interpofe our friendly offices for eftablishing the peace, of which the foundations were happily laid by the above-mentioned previous conditions, in order that by the united efforts of the mediators, the great work of peace might, on every fide, be the more certainly accomplished. We, ever intent upon that object, perceived with the greater fatisfaction the fentiments of the above-mentioned princes, and hav

ing previously concerted measures with her Majefty the Emprefs of all the Ruffias, did not hefitate to confirm the expectations they had conceived on our part, by accepting, with a willing and chearful mind, the truft committed to us. For which end we have made choice of the illftrious and noble, our faithful and beloved Florimond Count de Mercy Argenteau, knight of the Golden Fleece, our actual privy-counsellor, and our ambaffador refiding at the court of the Moft Serene and Moft Potent King of France and Navarre, a perfon of fingular fidelity, integrity, and experience, in the proper conduct of affairs; and have appointed, and hereby given him full power to take upon him, in our name, the office of mediator, conjointly with fuch perfon or perfons who fhall be appointed, and furnished with equal full power, as well on the part of her Majesty the Empress of all the Ruffias, as co-mediatrix, as on the part of the other princes who may be interested therein; and to contribute his counfel and affiftance for concluding, by the interpofition of friendly offices and united efforts, fuch treaties, conventions or regulations whatfoever, as may appear to be neceflary for compleating the work of peace; all which he fhall fubfcribe and fign, and fhall alfo deliver fuch inftrument or inftruments, on his part, as may be proper and required of him for perfecting the bufinefs: promifing on our imperial, royal, and archducal word, that we will ratify, accept, and faithfully fulfil, all fuch things as our faid ambaffador fhall have concluded, promifed and figned, by virtue of thefe prefents, and that we will order letters of ratification to be expedited at the time agreed upon.. In witnefs, and for the greater validity whereof," we have figned this inftrument of full power with our hand, and have ordered it to be confirmed with our imperial, royal, and archducal feal affixed thereto. Given in our city of Vienna, the 16th day of April, in the year of our Lord one thoufand feven hundred and eighty-three, in the twentieth of our Roman Germanic reign, and the third of our Hereditary reign.

JOSEPHUS.

W. KAUNITZ RIETBERG. By his Sacred, Imperial, and Royal Apoftolic Majefty's fpecial command.

ANT. SPIELMANN.

THE EMPRESS OF RUSSIA'S PULL POWER.

By the Grace of God, we Catharine the Se cond, Emprefs and Sole Monarch of all the Ruffias, of Mufcovy, Kiovia, Vlodomiria, Novogorod, Czarina of Cafan, Czarina of Aftracan, Czarina of Siberia, Lady of Plefcau, and Great Dutchefs of Smolensko, Dutchefs of Estonia, of Livonia, Carelia, Twer, Ingoria, Germia, Viat kia, Bulgaria, and other countries; Lady and Great Dutchefs of Lower Novogorod, of Czernigovia, Refan, Roftow, Jaroflow, Bel-Oforia, U doria, Obdoria, Condinia, Ruler of all the Side of the North, Lady of Iveria, and Hereditary

2 F 2

Princefs

named and conftituted for their plenipotentiaries, charged with the concluding and figning of the Definitive Treaty of Peace, viz. the King of Great Britain, the Moft Illuftrious and Moft Excellent Lord George, Duke and Earl of Manchester, Viscount Mandeville, Baron of Kimbolton, lord lieutenant and cuftos rotulorum of the County of Huntingdon, actual privy-counsellor to his Britannic Majefty, and his ambaffadorextraordinary and plenipotentiary to his Moft Christian Majefty; and the Catholic King, the Moft Illuftrious and Moft Excellent Lord Peter Paul Abarca De Bolea Ximenes d'Urrea, &c.. Count of Aranda and Caftel Florido, Marquis of Torres, of Villanan and Rupit, Viscount of Rueda and Yoch, Baron of the Baronies of Gavin, Sietamo, Clamofa, Eripol Trazmoz, La Mata de Caftil-Viejo, Antillon, La Almolda, Cortés, Jorva, St. Genis, Rabovillet, Arcau, and Ste. Colome de Farnés, Lord of the Tenance and honour of Alcalatén, the valley of Rodellar, the caftles and towns of Maella, Mefones, Tiurana, and Villa Plana, Taradel, and Viladrau, &c. Rico-Hombre in Arragon by defcent, grandee of Spain of the first clafs, knight of the order of the Golden Fleece, and of that of the Holy Ghoft, gentleman of the King's Chamber in employment, captain-general of his forces, and his ambaffador to the Moft Chriftian King: who, after having exchanged their respective full powers, have agreed upon the following Articles.

Art. I. There shall be a chriftian, univerfal, and perpetual peace, as well by fea as by land, and a fincere and conftant friendship fhall be re-, eftablished between their Britannic and Catholic Majefties, and between their heirs and fucceffors, kingdoms, dominions, provinces, countries, fubjects, and vaffals, of what quality or condition foever they be, without exception either 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 fubjects, 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 cause, or under any pretence, whatsoever: and they fhall 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, interefts, 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 fhall 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; thofe of Madrid of 1667, and of 1670; those of Peace and of Commerce of Utrecht of 1713; that of Baden of 1714; of Madrid of 1715; of Seville of 1729; the Definitive Treaty of Aix-laChapelle of 1748; the Treaty of Madrid of 1750; and the Definitive Treaty of Paris of 1763; ferve as a bafis and foundation to the peace, and to the preLent treaty; and for this purpofe, they are all re

newed and confirmed, in the best form, as well as all the treaties in general which fubfifted between the high contracting parties before the war, and particularly all thofe which are specified and renewed in the aforefaid Definitive Treaty of Paris, in the best form, and 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 religioufly executed, by both parties, in all the points which shall not be derogated from by the prefent Treaty of Peace.

Art. III. All the prifoners taken on either fide, as well by land as by fea, and the hoftages carried away or given, during the war, and to this day, fhall be restored, without ranfom, in fix weeks at lateft, to be computed from the day of the exchange of the prefent treaty; each crown refpectively difcharging the advances which shall have been made for the fubfiftence and mainte-" nance of their prifoners, by the fovereign of the country where they fhall have been detained, according to the receipts, attefted accounts, and other authentic vouchers, which shall 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 fhips, as well men of war as merchant-ships, which may have been taken fince the expiration of the terms agreed upon for the ceffation of hostilities by fea, fhall likewife 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. The King of Great Britain cedes, in full right, to his Catholic Majefty, the Ifland of Minorca; provided that the fame ftipulations, inferted in the following Article, fhall take place in favour of the British fubjects, with regard to the above-mentioned ifland.

Art. V. His Britannic Majefty likewife cedes and guaranties, in full right, to his Catholic Majefty, Eaft Florida, as alfo Weit Florida. His Catholic Majefty agrees that the British inhabitants, or others who may have been fubjects of the King of Great Britain in the faid countries, may retire, in full fecurity and liberty, where they fhall think proper; and may fell their eftates, and remove their effects, as well as their perfons, without being reftrained in their emigration, under any pretence whatfoever, except on account of debts or criminal profecutions; the term limited for this emigration being fixed to the pace of eighteen months, to be computed from the day of the exchange of the ratifications of the prefent treaty. But if, from the value of the poffeffions of the English proprietors, they thould not be able to difpofe of them within the faid term, then his Catholic Majefty shall grant them a prolongation proportioned to that end. It is farther ftipulated, that his Britannic Majefty fhall have the power of removing from Eaft Florida all the effects which may belong to him, whether artillery, or other

heretofore occafioned by the cutting of wood for dyeing, or logwood; and feveral English fettlement having been formed and extended, under that pretence, upon the Spanish continent, it is exprefsly agreed, that his Britannic Majesty's fubjects hall have the right of cutting, loading, and carrying away, logwood, in the district lying between the Rivers Wallis or Bellize, and Rio Hondo, taking the courfe of the faid two rivers for unalterable boundaries, fo as that the navigation of them be common to both nations; to wit, by the River Wa'lis or Bellize, from the fea, afcending as far as oppofite to a lake or inlet which runs into the land, and forms an ifthmus or neck with another fimilar inlet, which comes from the fide of Rio-Nuevo, or New River; fo that the line of feparation fhall pafs ftraight across the faid ifthmus, and meet another lake formed by the water of Rio-Nuevo, or New River, at it's current. The faid line fhall continue with the couife of RioNuevo, defcending as far as oppofite to a river (the fource of which is marked in the map) between Rio Nuevo and Rio-Hondo, and which empties itself into Rio-Hondo; which river fhall alfo ferve as a common boundary as far as it's junction with Rio Hondo; and from thence defcending by Rio-Hondo to the fea, as the whole is marked on the map which the plenipotentiaries of the two crowns have thought proper to make ufe of, for afcertaining the points agreed upon, to the end that a good correfpondence may reign between the two nations, and that the English workmen, cutters, and labourers, may not trefpafs from an uncertainty of the boundaries. The refpective commiffaries fhall fix upon convenient places, in the territory above marked out, in order that his Britannic Majefty's fubjects, employed in the felling of logwood, may, without interruption, build therein houfes and magazines neceffary for themfelves, their families, and their effects; and his Catholic Majefty affures to them the enjoyment of all that is expreffed in the prefent article; provided that these ftipulations shall not be confidered as derogating in any wife from his rights of fovereignty. Therefore all the English, who may be ifperfed in any other parts, whether on the Spanish continent, or in any of the islands whatfoever, dependent on the aforefaid Spanish continent, and for whatever reafon it might be, without exception, fhall retire within the district which has been above defcribed, in the fpace of eighteen months, to be computed from the exchange of the ratifications; and for this purpofe orders fhall be iffed on the part of his. Britannic Majefty, and on that of his Catholic Majesty, his governors fhall be ordered to grant to the English difperfed every convenience poffible for their removing to the fettlement agreed upon by the prefent article, or for their retiring whereever they shall think proper. It is likewife ftipu lated, that if any fortifications fhould actually have been heretofore erected within the limits marked out, his Britannic Majefty fhall caufe them all to be demolished; and he will order his fubjects not to build any new ones, The English inhabitants, who fhall fettle there for the cutting of logwood, fhall be permitted to enjoy a free fish

ery for their fubfiftence, on the coafts of the diftrict above agreed on, or of the islands fituated oppofite thereto, without being in any wife disturbed on that account; provided they do not establish themselves in any manner on the faid islands

Art. VII. His Catholic Majefty fhall reftore to Great Britain the Inlands of Providence, and the Bahamas, without exception, in the fame condition they were in when they were conquered by the arms of the King of Spain. The fame ftipulations inferted in the Fifth Article of this Treaty fhall take place in favour of the Spanish fubjects, with regard to the islands mentioned in the prefent article. 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 Catholic 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. VIII.

Art. IX. 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 fhall be fettled and concluded within the fpace of two years, to be computed from the firft of January 1784.

Art. X. As it is neceffary to appoint a cer tain 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 shall caufe Eaft Florida to be evacuated three months after the ratification of the prefent treaty, or fooner if it can be done. The King of Great Britain fhall in like manner enter again into poffeffion of the Inlands of Providence, and the Bahamas, without exception, in the space of three months after the ratification of the prefent treaty, or fooner, if it can be done. In confequence whereof, the neceffary orders fhall be fent by each of the high contracting parties, with reciprocal paffports for the fhips which shall carry them, immediately after the ratification of the prefent treaty.

Art. XI. Their Britannic and Catholic 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 refpective fubjects: and the said high contracting parties guaranty to each other, generally and reciprocally, all the ftipulations of the prefent treaty.

Art. XII. 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 one month, or fooner if poffible, to be computed from the day of the fignature of the prefent treaty. In witnefs whereof, we the underwritten ambaffadors extraordinary, and ministers plenipotentiary, have figned with our hands, in their

names,

SEPARATE ARTICLES.

I. SOME of the titles made ufe of by the contracting parties, whether in the full powers, and other inftruments, during the course of the negotiation, or in the preamble of the present 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 fhall conform, for the future, to what has been obferved, and ought to be obferved, 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 witnefs whereof, we the underwritten ambaffador-extraordinary, and minifters plenipotentiary, of their Britannic and Catholic Majefties, have figned the prefent separate articles, and have caufed the feals of our arms to be affixed thereto. Done at Verfailles, the third of September, one thousand feven hundred and eighty-three. (L. S.) MANCHESTER.

(L. S.) LE COMTE D'ARANDA,

DECLARATION.

THE new state 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 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 state 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 Majefty has confented to the appointment of commiffaries, on each fide, who fhall treat folely upon this object.

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

COUNTER-DECLARATION.

THE Catholic King, in propofing new arrangements of commerce, has had no other defign than to remedy, by the rules of reciprocity and mutual convenience, whatever may be defective in preceding treaties of commerce. The King of Great Britain may judge from thence, that the intention of his Catholic Majefty is not in any manner to cancel all the ftipulations contained in the above-mentioned treaties; he declares, on the contrary, from henceforth, that he is difpofed to maintain all the privileges, facilities and advanta➡ ges expreffed in the old treaties, as far as they shall be reciprocal, or compenfated by equivalent ad vantages. It is to attain this end, defired on each fide, that commiffaries are to be named to treat upon the state of trade between the two nations, and that a confiderable space of time is to be allowed for compleating their work. His Catholic Majefty hopes that this object will be pursued with the fame good faith, and with the fame fpirit of conciliation, which have prefided over the discus fion of all the other points included in the Definitive Treaty; and his faid Majefty is equally confident, that the refpective commiflaries will employ the utmost diligence for the completion, of this important work.

Done at Versailles, the third of September, one thousand feven hundred and eighty-three. (L. S.) LE COMTE D'ARANDA.

WE, ambaffador-plenipotentiary of his Impe rial and Royal Apoftolic Majefty, having acted as mediator in the work of pacification, declare that the Treaty of Peace figned this day at Verfailles, between his Britannic Majefty and his Catholic Majefty, with the two feparate Articles thereto annexed, and of which they form a part, as alfo with all the claufes, conditions, and ftipu lations which are therein contained, was concluded by the mediation of his Imperial and Royal Apoftolic Majefty. In witness whereof. we have figned these prefents with our hand, and have caufed the feal of our arms to be affixed thereto. Done at Versailles, the third of September, one thousand seven hundred and eightythree.

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

WE, minifters plenipotentiary of her Imperial Majefty of all the Ruffias, having acted as me diators in the work of pacification, declare that the treaty of peace, figned this day at Versailles, between his Britannic Majesty and his Catholic Majefty, with the two feparate articles thereto annexed, and of which they form a part, as alfo