Sir,
A packet from England arrived at this port last night, by which I have despatches from Mr Townshend, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, communicating official intelligence, that Preliminary Articles of Peace with France and Spain were signed at Paris, on the 20th of January last, and that the ratifications have been since exchanged at the same place.
The King, Sir, has been pleased, in consequence of these events, to order a Proclamation to be published, declaring a cessation of arms,[28] as well by sea as land, and his Majesty's pleasure signified, that I should cause the same to be published in all places under my command, in order, that His Majesty's subjects may pay immediate and due obedience thereto, and such Proclamation I shall accordingly cause to be made on Tuesday next, the 8th instant.
In consequence thereof, and in conformity to the Articles of peace, all our prisoners of war are to be set at liberty and restored, with all convenient despatch; entertaining no doubt, but that similar measures will be taken on the part of the United States of America. In like manner no doubt can be entertained, but that Congress, in conformity to the fifth Article of the provisional treaty, will lose no time in earnestly recommending to the Legislatures of the respective States, to provide for the restitution of confiscated estates, and to reconsider and revise all laws of confiscation, that they may be rendered perfectly consistent, not only with justice and equity, but with that spirit of conciliation, which on the return of the blessings of peace should universally prevail.
And I am further to inform you, Sir, that an instrument of accession to the suspension of hostilities, by the States General of the United Provinces, having been received in England, a cessation of arms with those States has been thereupon included in the Proclamation.
Upon this great occasion, Sir, I am to offer my strongest assurances, that during the short period of my command here, I shall be ready and earnest to cultivate that spirit of perfect good will, which between the United States of America, and the King of Great Britain, and the subjects and the citizens of both countries, will I trust always remain.
I am, with much consideration, Sir, &c.
GUY CARLETON.
FOOTNOTES:
[28] See this Proclamation in the Correspondence of the Commissioners for Peace, Vol. X. p. 124.