same manner as the crowns aforesaid, and their subjects and possessions respectively: And whereas, a doubt has arisen, and a question has been made, concerning the sense and intention of the high contracting parties, by the words, "d'un mois depuis la Manche et les Mers du Nord jusqu'aux Isles Canaries, inclusivement," and by the words, "de deux mois depuis les dites Isles Canaries jusqu'a la ligne equinoxiale."

Now, in order to remove all such doubts and questions, and to the end that the same rule of justice may take place in all the Courts of justice, in both nations, it is hereby agreed and declared by in the name and behalf of his Majesty, the King of Great Britain, and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, to the Court of Great Britain, on the other, in the name and behalf of the said United States, that the line of latitude of the southernmost Canary Island was intended by the said contracting parties, and that the armistice aforesaid ought to be every where understood and construed in the same manner as if the words had been, "from the channel and the north seas to the latitude of the Canary Islands inclusively," and "from the latitude of the said Canary Islands to the equinoctial line;" and that all judgments and Decrees of Courts of justice of either of the parties to this declaration, rendered upon any different construction of the armistice aforesaid, ought to be reversed.

Done at Westminster, the

FROM JOHN ADAMS TO LORD CARMARTHEN.

My Lord,

Grosvenor Square, July 29,

1785.

The course of commerce since the peace, between Great Britain and the United States of America, has been such as to have produced many inconveniences to the persons concerned in it on both sides, which become every day more and more sensible. The zeal of Americans to make remittances to British merchants has been such as to raise the interest of money to double its usual standard, to increase the price of bills of exchange to eight or ten per centum above par, and to advance the price of the produce of the country to almost double the usual rate. Large sums of the circulating cash and as much produce as could be purchased, at almost any rate, have been remitted to. England; but much of this produce lies in store here, because it will not fetch, by reason of the duties and restrictions on it, the price given for it in America. No political arrangements having been made, both the British and American merchants expected that the trade would have returned to its old channels, and nearly under the same regulations, found by long experience to be beneficial, but they have been disappointed; the former have made advances, and the latter contracted debts, both depending upon remittances in the usual articles and upon the ancient terms; but both have found themselves mistaken, and it is much to be feared that the consequences will be numerous failures. Cash and bills have been chiefly remitted; neither rice, tobacco, pitch, tar, turpentine, ships, oil, nor many other articles, the great sources of remittances formerly, can now be

sent as heretofore, because of restrictions and imposts, which are new in this commerce and destructive of it; and the trade with the British West India Islands, formerly a vast source of remittance, is at present obstructed.

These evils, my Lord, as far as they merely affect the United States, should not be offered to your Lordship's consideration. They are proper subjects for the deliberations of Congress, and the legislatures of the several States, but as far as they affect the merchants and manufactures of Great Britain and Ireland, and as far as they affect the general system of commerce, revenue, and policy of the British Empire, your Lordship will undoubtedly give them their due weight. There is a literal impossibility, my Lord, that the commerce between the two countries can continue long to the advantage of either, upon the present footing. The evils already experienced will be much increased and more severely felt, if the causes of them are permitted much longer to operate. It is the desire of the citizens of the United States to cultivate the most friendly intercourse with the King's subjects, and it will be with regret that they shall see the necessity of searching for other resources, as substitutes for British commerce, either in other countries or in manufactures at home. Whether it is not putting at hazard too material an interest to risk an alienation from these kingdom's of the American commerce, or any considerable part of it, for the sake of the advantages that can be obtained by the present restrictions on it, is a question, which must be submitted to your Lordship's consideration.

In order to bring this subject, so momentous to both

countries, under a candid discussion, I do myself the honor to enclose to your Lordship, and to propose to the consideration of his Majesty's Ministers, a project of a fair and equitable treaty of commerce between his Majesty and the United States of America, prepared in conformity to the instructions of Congress, and submit it entirely to your Lordship to decide, whether the negotiation shall be conducted with your Lordship, or with any other person, to be invested with powers equal to mine, to be appointed for the purpose.

With great respect, &c.

JOHN ADAMS.

Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America to the Court of Great Britain.

Draught of a Treaty of Amity and Commerce between his Britannic Majesty and the United States of America.

The parties being willing to fix, in a permanent and equitable manner, the rules to be observed in the commerce they desire to establish between their respective countries, have judged that the said end cannot be better obtained than by taking the most perfect equality and reciprocity for the basis of their agreement; on these principles, after mature deliberation, they have agreed to the following articles:

ARTICLE I. There shall be a firm, inviolable and universal peace and sincere friendship between his Britannic Majesty, his heirs, successors, and subjects on the one part, and the United States of America and their VOL. IV.-33

citizens on the other, without exception of persons or places.

ARTICLE II. The subjects of his Britannic Majesty may frequent all the coasts and countries of the United States, and reside and trade there in all sorts of produce, manufactures and merchandize, and shall pay within the said United States of America, no other or greater duties, charges or fees whatsoever, than the citizens of the United States themselves are or shall be obliged to pay, and they shall enjoy all the rights, privileges and exemptions, in navigation and commerce, which the citizens of the said United States themselves do or shall enjoy.

ARTICLE III. In like manner, the citizens of the United States of America may frequent all the coasts and countries of his Britannic Majesty, and reside and trade there in all sorts of produce, manufactures and merchandize, and shall pay in the dominions of his said Majesty, no other or greater duties, charges or fees, whatsoever, than the natural born subjects of Great Britain themselves, are, or shall be obliged to pay, and they shall enjoy all the rights, privileges and exemptions in navigation and commerce, which the natural born subjects of Great Britain do or shall enjoy.

ARTICLE IV. More especially, each party have a right to carry any kinds of produce, manufactures and merchandize, of whatever place they be the growth or manufacture, in their own or any other vessel, to any ports or dominions of the other, where it shall be lawful for all persons freely to purchase them and thence to take produce, manufactures and merchandize of whatever place or growth, which all persons shall, in like manner, be free to sell them, paying in both cases such duties,