[17] In Congress, May 1st, 1783. On the report of a committee to whom was referred a letter of February 5th, from the honorable John Adams,
"Ordered, That a commission be prepared to Messrs John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, authorising them, or either of them in the absence of the others, to enter into a treaty of commerce between the United States of America and Great Britain, subject to the revisal of the contracting parties, previous to its final conclusion, and in the meantime to enter into a commercial convention, to continue in force one year.
"That the Secretary of Foreign Affairs lay before Congress, without delay, a plan of a treaty of commerce, and instructions relative to the same, to be transmitted to the said commissioners."
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Passy, September 10th, 1783.
Sir,
On the 3d instant definitive treaties of peace were concluded between all the late belligerent powers, except the Dutch, who the day before settled and signed preliminary articles of peace with Britain.
We most sincerely and cordially congratulate Congress and our country in general on this happy event; and we hope, that the same kind providence, which has led us through a rigorous war to an honorable peace, will enable us to make a wise and moderate use of that inestimable blessing.
We have communicated a duplicate original of the treaty to the care of Mr Thaxter, who will go immediately to L'Orient, whence he will sail in the French packet to New York. That gentleman left America with Mr Adams as his private Secretary, and his conduct having been perfectly satisfactory to that Minister, we join in recommending him to the attention of Congress. We have ordered Mr Grand to pay him one hundred and thirty louis d'ors, on account of the reasonable expenses to be incurred by his mission to Congress, and his journey from thence to his family at Hingham, in the Massachusetts Bay. For the disposition of the money he is to account. The definitive treaty being in the terms of the Provisional Articles, and not comprehending any of the objects of our subsequent negotiations, it is proper that we give a summary account of them.