DOCUMENTS BEARING ON TREATY OF 1783. 33 



A motion was made by Mr. Burke, seconded by Mr. Duane, after 

 the word " acknowledged," to insert the words " or tacitly assured." 



And on the question to agree to this amendment, the yeas and nays 

 being required by Mr. Gerry . . . 



So it passed in the negative. 

 ******* 



1779, August 3. ... Congress resumed the consideration of the 

 preliminary article; and on motion of Mr. Burke, seconded by Mr. 

 Duane, 



Resolved, That the word " acknowledged " be expunged ; and that in lieu 

 thereof the word " assured " be inserted. And that after " Great Britain " be 

 inserted the words, " agreeable to the eighth article of the treaty of alliance 

 between his most Christian majesty and these United States." 



And on the question, 



Resolved, N.D.C., That previous to any treaty, or negotiation for peace, the 

 liberty, sovereignty, and independence, absolute and unlimited, of these 

 20 United States, as well in matters of government, as of commerce, shall 

 be assured on the part of Great Britain, agreeable to the treaty of alli- 

 ance between his most christain majesty and the United States. 

 And if the same shall be done, 



Resolved, That the minister or ministers of these United States assist at, 

 and contract and stipulate in such negotiation for peace, as may bo set on foot 

 under the mediation of his catholic majesty, or otherwise. 



******* 



Wednesday, August 4, 1779. . . . The committee, to whom were re- 

 ferred the letters from A. Lee, Esq. and the communications of the 

 Minister plenipotentiary of France, in his memorial of the 9th, and 

 in the private audience of the 15 February, brought in a report; 

 Whereupon, 



Resolved, That previous to any treaty or negotiation for peace, the liberty, 

 sovereignty and independence absolute and unlimited of these United States, as 

 well in matters of government as of commerce, shall be assured on the part of 

 Great Britain, agreeable to the eighth article of the Treaty of Alliance between 

 his most Christian Majesty and these United States. And if the same shall 

 be done, 



Resolved, That the minister or ministers of these United States assist at, and 

 contract and stipulate in, such negociation for peace as may be set on foot 

 under the mediation of his Catholic Majesty, or otherwise. 



That in the negotiations the following ultimatum be insisted on: 



1. That the thirteen United States are bounded : North, by a line to be 

 drawn from the northwest angle of the boundary of Nova Scotia, along the high 

 lands which divide the rivers that empty themselves into the river St. Lawrence, 

 from those which fall into the Atlantic, to Connecticut river, thence down that 

 river to the 45 degree of north latitude, thence in that latitude to the river St. 

 Lawrence, thence to the south end of lake Nipissing, and thence to the source 

 of the Mississippi ; West, by a line drawn along the middle of the river Missis- 

 sippi from its source to that part of the said river which lies in latitude 31 

 degrees north from the equator ; thence south, by a line drawn due east to the 

 river Apalachicola or Catahouche, thence to the junction thereof with the Flint 

 river, thence in a straight line to the head of St. Mary's, and thence by a line 

 along the middle of St. Mary's river to the Atlantic ocean ; East, by a line 

 drawn along the middle of St. John's from its mouth to its source, or by a line 

 to be settled and adjusted between that part of the state of Massachusetts bay, 

 formerly called the province of Maine, and the colony of Nova Scotia, agreeably 

 to their respective rights, comprehending all islands within twenty leagues of 

 any part of the shores of the United States, between lines drawn due east from 

 the points where their boundary lines between Nova Scotia on the one part and 

 Florida on the other part shall touch the Atlantic Ocean ; provided, that if the 



A vote was taken. Noes 7. Ayes 4. 



