PART I. 



TREATIES. 



No. 1. 1778, February 6: Treaty of Alliance between the United 

 States of America and His Most Christian Majesty. 



The Most Christian King and the United States of North America, 

 to wit: New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhodes Island, Con- 

 necticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, 

 Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, having this 

 day concluded a treaty of amity and commerce, for the reciprocal 

 advantage of their subjects and citizens, have thought it necessary to 

 take into consideration the means of strengthening thos^ engagements, 

 and of rendring them useful to the safety and tranquility of the two 

 parties; particularly in case Great Britain, in resentment of that 

 connection and of the good correspondence which is the object of the 

 said treaty, should break the peace with France, either by direct 

 hostilities, or by hindring her commerce and navigation in a manner 

 contrary to the rights of nations, and the peace subsisting between 

 the two Crowns. And His Majesty arid the said United States, having 

 resolved in that case to join their councels and efforts against the 

 enterprises of their common enemy, the respective Plenipotentiaries 

 impowered to concert the clauses and conditions proper to fulfil the 

 said intentions, have, after the most mature deliberation, concluded 

 and determined on the following articles: 



ARTICLE I. 



If war should break out between France and Great Britain during 

 the continuance of the present war between the United States and 

 England, His Majesty and the said United States shall make it a 

 common cause and aid each other mutually with their good offices, 

 their counsels and their forces, according to the exigence of conjunc- 

 tures, as becomes good and faithful allies. 



ARTICLE II. 



The essential and direct end of the present defensive alliance is to 

 maintain effectually the liberty, sovereignty, and independence ab- 

 solute and unlimited, of the said United States, as well in matters of 

 government as of commerce. 



ARTICLE III. 



The two contracting parties shall each on its own part, and in the 

 manner it may judge most proper, make all the efforts in its power 

 against their common enemy, in order to attain the end proposed. 



1 



