188 APPENDIX TO BRITISH COUNTER CASE. 



subject. Their possessing the country on the river north of the line 

 from the Lake of the Woods affords a foundation for their claiming 

 such navigation. And as the importance of West Florida to Britain 

 was for the same reason rather to be strengthened than otherwise, we 

 thought it advisable to allow them the extent contained in the sepa- 

 rate article, especially as before the war it had been annexed by 

 Britain to West Florida, and would operate as an additional induce- 

 ment to their joining with us in agreeing that the navigation of the 

 river should forever remain open to both. The map used in the 

 course of our negociations was Mitchell's. 



As we had reason to imagine that the articles respecting the bound- 

 aries, the refugees, and fisheries did not correspond with the policy 

 of this court, we did not communicate the preliminaries to the minis- 

 ter until after they were signed, and not even then the separate article. 

 We hope that these considerations will excuse our having so far de- 

 viated from the spirit of our instructions. The Count de Vergennes, 

 on perusing the articles, appeared surprised, but not displeased, at 

 their being so favorable to us. 



We beg leave to add our advice that copies be sent us of the ac- 

 counts directed to be taken by the different States of the unnecessary 

 devastations and sufferings sustained by them from the enemv in 

 the course of the war. Should they arrive before the signature of 

 the definitive treaty, they might possibly answer very good purposes. 

 With great respect, we have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient 

 and most humble servants, 



JOHN ADAMS, 

 B. FRANKLIN, 

 JOHN JAY, 

 HENRY LAURENS. 



No. 120. 178%, December 14' Extract from letter, Mr. Jay to Mr. 



Livingston. 



PARIS, December 1^ 1782 



DEAR SIR : From our preliminaries and the King's speech, the pres- 

 ent disposition and system of the British Court may, in my opinion, 

 be collected. Although particular circumstances constrained them to 

 yield us more than perhaps they wished, I still think they meant to 

 make (what they thought would really be) a satisfactory peace with 

 us. In the continuance of this disposition and system too much con- 

 fidence ought not to be placed, for disappointed violence and morti- 

 fied ambition are certainly dangerous foundations to build implicit 

 confidence upon; but I cannot forbear thinking that we ought not. 

 in the common phrase, to throw cold water upon it by improper ex- 

 ultation, extravagant demands, or illiberal publications; should such 

 a temper appear, it would be wise to discountenance it. It is our 

 policy to be independent in the most extensive sense, and to observe 

 a proper distance towards all nations, minding our own business, and 

 not interfering with, or being influenced by, the views of any, further 

 than they may respect us 



