DOCUMENTS BEARING ON TREATY OF 1183. 211 



not sufficient. We have also given them the right of fishing in the 

 Gulf of St. Lawrence, and at all other places in the sea, where they 

 have hertofore enjoyed through us the privilege of fishing. They 

 have likewise the power of even partaking of the fishery which we 

 still retain. We have not been content with resigning what we pos- 

 sessed, but even share what we have left. The United States have 

 liberty to fish on that part of the coast of Newfoundland which Brit- 

 ish fishermen shall use. All the reserve is, that they are not to dry 

 or cure the same on the island. By this grant they are at libert} 7 to 

 take our property, for which we have so long kept possession of the 

 island. This is certainly a striking instance of that liberal equity 

 which we find is the basis of the provisional treaty ! but where shall 

 I find an instance of that reciprocity which is also set forth in the 

 preamble ? We have given the Americans the unlimited privilege of 

 fishing on all the coasts, bays, and creeks, in our American dominions. 

 But where have they, under this principle of reciprocity, given us the 

 privilege of fishing on any of their coasts, bays, or creeks? I could 

 wish such an article could be found, were it only to give a colour to 

 this boasted reciprocity. The advantage we should derive from such 

 an article cannot be a consideration ; for every real and positive ad- 

 vantage to Great Britain seems to have been entirely foreign to the 

 intent and meaning of this peace in every particular; otherwise, I 

 should have thought it would have been the care of administration 

 not to have given, without the least equivalent, that permission which 

 they could never demand as British subjects. I am at a loss to con- 

 sider how we could grant, or they could claim.it as a right, when they 

 assumed an independency which has separated them from our sover- 

 eignty. 



By the seventh article all hostilities are to cease, and an unreserved 

 exchange of prisoners is to be made. We are also to withdraw, with 

 all convenient speed, all our armies, evacuate all our garrisons, and 

 withdraw our fleets from every part, place, and harbour within the 

 United States taking especial care to leave in all fortifications the 

 American artillery that may be therein. But where is the stipulation 

 for our British artillery to be restored by the Americans? We 

 127 have been as liberal in our grants, as we have been forbearing 

 in our requisitions. Surely there can be no reason for adduc- 

 ing this as an instance of reciprocity. There seems to be a peculiar 

 mockery in the next article, which grants us an eternal and free navi- 

 gation of the Mississippi, from its source to the ocean, in participa- 

 tion with the United States. Such is the freedom of the navigation, 

 that where we were not locally excluded, we have effected it by treaty. 

 We were excluded by the northern boundary. The east is possessed 

 by the Americans. The west had been ceded by the peace of Paris to 

 the French, who had since granted it to the Spaniards; and each 

 shore at its mouth is ceded by the present treaty to Spain. Where is, 

 then, this navigation, so free and open, to be commenced? All the 

 possession, I believe, that we shall ever have, will be its nomination 

 in this treaty. We must be content with the grant without the pos- 

 session. 



And now let me, sir, pause on a part of the treaty which awakens 

 human sensibility in a very irresistible and lamentable degree. I 

 cannot but lament the fate of those unhappy men, who were in gen- 

 eral objects of our gratitude and protection. The loyalists, from their 



