ARTICLES
Agreed upon by and between David Hartley, Minister Plenipotentiary of his Britannic Majesty for and in behalf of his said Majesty, on the one part, and John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and Henry Laurens, Ministers Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, for treating of peace with the Minister Plenipotentiary of his said Majesty, on their behalf, on the other part,
In addition to those Articles agreed upon, on the 30th day of November, 1782, by and between Richard Oswald, the Commissioner of his Britannic Majesty for treating of peace with the Commissioners of the United States of America, in behalf of his said Majesty, on the one part, and the said John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Henry Laurens, Commissioners of the said States, for treating of peace, with the Commissioner of his said Majesty, on their behalf, on the other part;
Whereas it is expedient, that intercourse and commerce should be opened, between the people and territories subject to the Crown of Great Britain and those of the United States of America, and that this intercourse and commerce should be established on the most enlarged principles of reciprocal benefit to both countries;
1st. It is agreed, that Ministers shall be forthwith nominated and vested with full powers, to treat, agree, and conclude, upon a permanent treaty of commerce between the two powers and their respective citizens, subjects and countries.
2dly. For the purpose of a temporary regulation of such intercourse and commerce, it is agreed,
That the citizens of the United States shall import into, and export from, any part of the dominions, subject to the Crown of Great Britain, in American ships, any goods, wares, and merchandises, which have been so imported, or exported, by the inhabitants of the British American Colonies before the commencement of the late war, paying only the same duties and charges, as the like sort of goods or merchandises are now, or may be, subject to, if imported by British subjects, in British ships, from any British island, or plantation in America; and that the subjects of his Britannic Majesty shall import to, and export from, any part of the territories of the United States of America, in British ships, any goods, wares, and merchandise, which might have been so imported, or exported, by the subjects of his Britannic Majesty, before the commencement of the war, paying the same duties and charges, as the like sort of goods, wares, and merchandises are now, or may be, subject to, if imported in American ships, by any of the citizens of the said United States.
This agreement to continue in force for all vessels, which shall sail from any port of either party, on or before the —— day of —— and no longer; provided always, that nothing in this agreement shall at any time hereafter be argued on either side, in support of any proposition, which may be made in the future negotiation of a permanent treaty of commerce.
JOHN JAY'S PROPOSED AGREEMENT.
June, 1783.