jesty, the King of Spain, the States General of the United Provinces, and the United States of America, as follows, that is to say. That such vessels and effects as should be taken in the channel and in the North Seas, after the space of twelve days, to be computed from the ratification of the said preliminary articles, should be restored on all sides. That the term should be one month from the channel, and the North Seas, as far as the Canary Islands inclusively, whether in the ocean or in the Mediterranean; two months from the said Canary Islands as far as the Equinoctial line or Equator; and lastly, five months in all other parts of the world, without any exception, or any other more particular description of time or place. And whereas the ratifications of the said preliminary articles between us, and the Most Christian King, in due form were exchanged by the ministers of us and the Most Christian King, on the third day of this instant February, and the ratifications of the said preliminary articles between us and the King of Spain, were exchanged between the ministers of us and of the King of Spain, on the ninth day of this instant February, from which days respectively the several terms above mentioned, of twelve days, of one month, of two months, and of five months, are to be computed; and whereas it is our royal will and pleasure that the cessation of hostilities between us and the States General of the United Provinces, and the United States of America, should be agreeable to the epochs fixed between us and the Most Christian King. We have thought fit, by and with the advice of our Privy Council, to notify the same to all our loving subjects; and we do declare, that our royal will and pleasure is, and we do hereby strictly charge and command all our officers, both at sea and land, and all other our subjects whatsoever, to forbear all acts of hostility, either by sea or land, against his most Christian Majesty, the King of Spain, the States General of the United Provinces, and the United States of America, their vassals or subjects, from and after the respective times above mentioned, and under the penalty of incurring our highest displeasure. ... Given at our court at St. James's, the fourteenth day of February, in the twenty third year of our reign, and in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty three. God save the King. TO THE MINISTERS PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. GENTLEMEN, Paris, Feb. 18, 1783. I have the honor to transmit to you herewith a packet containing one hundred passports for American vessels, which I have this moment received by a courier from England. I take this opportunity of acquainting you that a proclamation was issued out in the King's name on the 14th instant, making known the cessation of hostilities which has been agreed upon between the several belligerent powers, and declaring further that the several epochas at which the said armistice is to commence between his Majesty and the United States of North America, are to be computed from the third day of this instant February, being the day on which the ratifications of the preliminaries were exchanged between his Majesty and the most Christian King. I must add that his Majesty was induced to take this step under the firm and just expectation that you, gentlemen, will correspond to it on your parts, by adopting the same measure reciprocally in the -name of the States your masters. "I have the honor to be with great regard and esteem, Gentlemen, yours, &c. (signed) ALLEYNE FITZHERBERT. DECLARATION OF THE CESSATION OF ARMS ON By the Ministers Plenipotentiary of the United A DECLARATION Of the Cessation of Arms, as well by Sea, as Land, Whereas preliminary articles were signed at Paris on the thirtieth day of November last, between the plenipotentiaries of his said Majesty the King of Great Britain, and of the said States, to be inserted in and to constitute the treaty of peace, to be concluded between his said Majesty and the said United States, when terms of peace should be agreed upon between his said Majesty and his most Christian Majesty: and whereas preliminaries for restoring peace between his said Majesty the King of Great Britain, and his most Christian Majesty, were signed at Versailles on the twentieth day of January last, by the respective ministers of their said Majesties: and whereas preliminaries for restoring peace between his said Majesty the King of Great Britain and his Majesty the King of Spain, were also signed at Versailles on the twentieth day of January last, by their respective ministers: and whereas, for putting an end to the calamity of war, as soon and as far as possible, it hath been agreed between the King of Great Britain, his most Christian Majesty, the King of Spain, the States General of the United Provinces, and the United States of America, as follows, that is to say; That such vessels and effects as should be taken in the Channel and the North Seas, after the space of twelve days, to be computed from the ratification of the said preliminary articles, should be restored on all sides; that the term should be one month from the Channel and North Seas as far as the Canary Islands inclusively, whether in the Ocean or the Mediterranean; two months from the said Canary Islands, as far as the equinoctial line or equator; and lastly, five months in all other parts of the world, without any exception, or any other more particular description of time or place. And whereas the ratifications of the said preliminary articles between his said Majesty the King of Great Britain and his most Christian Majesty, in due form were exchanged by their ministers on the third day of this instant February, from which day the several terms abovementioned, of twelve days, of one month, of two months, and of five months, are to be computed, relative to all British and American vessels and effects. Now therefore, we the ministers plenipotentiary from the United States of America for making peace with Great Britain, do notify to the people and citizens of the said United States of America, that hostilities on their part against his Britannic Majesty, both by sea and land, are to cease at the expiration of the terms herein before specified therefor, and which terms are to be computed from the third day of February instant. And we do, in the name and by the authority of the said United States, accordingly warn and enjoin all their officers and citizens, to forbear all acts of hostility whatever, either by land or by sea, against his said Majesty the King of Great Britain or his subjects, under the penalty of incurring the highest displeasure of the said United States. Given at Paris the twentieth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eightythree, under our hands and seals. (Signed,) JOHN JAY. JOHN ADAMS. (L. S.) DAVID HARTLEY, Esq. M. P. TO DR. FRANKLIN. With propositions. MY DEAR FRIEND, London, March 12, 1783. It is a long while since I have heard from you, or indeed since I writ to you. I heartily congratulate you on those pacific events which have already happened, and I wish to see all other final steps of conciliation succeed speedily. I send you copies of two papers which I have already communicated to Mr. Laurens; the one called Conciliatory Propositions in March, 1783; the other, A Sketch of a provisional Treaty of Commerce for Opening the Ports between Great Britain and the United States of America without delay; to each of |