In my last I acquainted your Excellency, that Mr Hartley was soon expected here to exchange ratifications of the Definitive Treaty. He is now arrived, and proposes to make the exchange this afternoon. I shall then be enabled to send a copy. Enclosed is the new British Proclamation respecting our trade with their Colonies. It is said to be a temporary provision, till Parliament can assemble and make some proper regulating law, or till a commercial treaty shall be framed and agreed to. Mr Hartley expects instructions for planning with us such a treaty. The Ministry are supposed to have been too busy with the new elections, when he left London, to think of those matters.
This Court has not completed its intended new system for the trade of their Colonies, so that I cannot yet give a certain account of the advantages that will in fine be allowed us. At present it is said we are to have two free ports, Tobago and the Mole, and that we may carry lumber and all sorts of provisions to the rest, except flour, which is reserved in favor of Bordeaux, and that we shall be permitted to export coffee, rum, molasses, and some sugar, for our own consumption.
We have had under consideration a commercial treaty proposed to us by the King of Prussia, and have sent it back with our remarks to Mr Adams, who will I suppose transmit it immediately to Congress. Those planned with Denmark and Portugal wait its determination,
Be pleased to present my dutiful respects to the Congress, and believe me to be, with sincere and great esteem, Sir, &c.
B. FRANKLIN.
May 13th. I now enclose a copy of the ratification of the Definitive Treaty, on the part of his Britannic Majesty.
DAVID HARTLEY TO B. FRANKLIN.
Paris, June 1st, 1784.
Sir,