liminary 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 of 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 two months, and 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 our other 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

BRITISH KING'S PROCLAMATION DECLARING A CESSATION OF ARMS.

By the King.

A proclamation, declaring the cessation of arms, as well by sea as land, agreed upon between his Majesty, the Most Christian King, the King of Spain, the StatesGeneral of the United Provinces, and the United States of America, and enjoining the observance thereof.

George R.

Whereas Provisional Articles were signed at Paris, on the thirtieth day of November last, between our Commissioner for treating of peace with the Commissioners of the United States of America, and the Commissioners of the said States, to be inserted in, and to constitute the treaty of peace proposed to be concluded between us and the said United States, when terms of peace should be agreed upon between us and his Most Christian Majesty; and whereas preliminaries for restoring peace between us and his Most Christian Majesty were signed at Versailles on the twentieth day of January last, by the Ministers of us and the Most Christian King; and whereas preliminaries for restoring peace between us and the King of Spain were also signed at Versailles on the twentieth day of January last, between the Ministers of us and the King of Spain; and whereas for putting an end to the calamity of war, as soon and as far as it may be possible, it has been agreed between us, 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 in the North Seas, after the space of twelve

.

liminary 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 of 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 two months, and 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 our other 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

the respective times above mentioned, and under the penalty of incurring our highest displeasure.

Given at our Court at St James, the fourteenth day of February, in the twentythird year of our reign, and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eightythree.

God save the King.

ALLEYNE FITZHERBERT TO THE COMMISSIONERS.

Gentlemen,

Paris, February 18th, 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 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, &c.

AMERICAN

COMMISSIONERS'

DECLARATION OF THE

CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES.

By the Ministers Plenipotentiary of the United States of America for making peace with Great Britain,

A DECLARATION

Of the cessation of arms, as well by sea as land, agreed upon between his Majesty the King of Great Britain and the United States of America.

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 has been agreed, between the King of Great Britain, his