DOCUMENTS BEARING ON TREATY OF 1783. 175 



No. 110. 1782, November 29: Letter, Mr. Strachey to Mr. Townshend. 



PARIS, 29th Nov r 1782 



Eleven at night 



SIR, A very few hours ago we thought it impossible that any treaty 

 could be made. We have at last, however, brought matters so far to 

 a conclusion that we have agreed upon articles, and are to meet to- 

 morrow for the purpose of signing. 



Enclosed are such of the articles as are altered, and an additional 

 one which we mean as a security in case it be true that Bermuda is 

 taken. 



The article of the fishery has been particularly difficult to settle, as 

 we thought the instructions were rather limited. It is, however, be- 

 yond a doubt that there could have been no treaty at all, if we had not 

 adopted the article as it now stands. Mr. Fitzherbert was satisfied 

 that it would not interfere with the French negotiation, and we all 

 three concurred in opinion that this article, and all the others, as in 

 the enclosed paper, should be concluded upon. 



The 4th article, which was intended for the security of creditors 

 before the war, is now extended to all creditors. 



The 5th, regarding the refugees, is different from any of the modi- 

 fications which you left to our choice. But we think it will meet with 

 your approbation in several respects, especially as it is not attended 

 with any secret article of exceptions. The words " rights and prop- 

 erties " are added to the word " estates," agreeably to your wish ; and 

 the supplemental article, relating to debts and marriage settlements 

 (with the addition of or otherwise], is also inserted. 



The Gth article, of general amnesty, after much debate, and all 

 agreeing that our meanings were the same, was altered in words, but 

 remains in substance as it stood before. 



We attempted to have the 9th article in more explicit terms, but 

 could not contend farther than as it now stands, without raising a 

 suspicion of what we really meant, and it was evident that the Amer- 

 ican commissioners had yet received no advices concerning Bermuda. 



That the treaty may be safely transmitted to America, it is pro- 

 posed that you should send to Mr. Oswald a pass for the American 

 packet, the " Washington," Captain Barney, and that the commis- 

 sioners here should furnish you with an American pass for one of our 

 packets. 



As soon as the treaty is signed to-morrow, Mr. Oswald will dis- 

 patch a messenger with it, and I shall follow as expeditiously as my 

 indifferent state of health will permit. 



I have the honor to be with the greatest respect, Sir your most 

 obedient and most humble servant 



H. STRACHEY. 



Rt. Honble THOS. TOWNSHEND &c &c &c. 



106 No. 111. 1782, November 30; December 6: Extracts from Mr. 



Adams' Diary. 



.... From first to last I ever insisted upon it with the English 

 gentlemen, that the fisheries and the Mississippi, if America was not 

 satisfied in those points, would be the sure and certain sources of a 



