Ratification of the Treaty of Paris
1/14/1784
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The 1783 Treaty of Paris formally ended the American Revolution and established the United States as an independent and sovereign nation.
Negotiations that led to the treaty began two years earlier, and were filled
with behind-the-scenes dealings and suspicions. Messages in secret code
traveled across the Atlantic between the American peace commissioners in Great Britain (John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay) and Congress.
Despite the fact that both sides sought peace, the process was slow. In part, this was because Congress felt bound by the 1778 Treaty of Alliance with France, and initially directed the American negotiators to make no agreements without the knowledge of the king of France. Eventually, the Americans opened separate negotiations with the British, resulting in significant progress.
On November 30, 1782, preliminary articles of peace were signed. These articles, however, would only be effective when a similar treaty was signed between Britain and France. Fortunately, this occurred early in the next year, and on September 3, 1783, the formal Treaty of Paris was signed.
One week after the signing, Adams, Franklin, and Jay prepared a 16-page letter and sent it with the treaty to Congress. It took roughly two months for it to cross the Atlantic for delivery. When it arrived, Congress was in the process of moving from Princeton, New Jersey, to Annapolis, Maryland. When Congress finally reconvened in the Maryland State House on December 13, 1783, the letter and the treaty were read in Congress and referred to a committee (Thomas Jefferson, Elbridge Gerry, William Ellery, Jacob Read, and Benjamin Hawkins) for review. The committee recommended ratification a few days later.
Negotiations that led to the treaty began two years earlier, and were filled
with behind-the-scenes dealings and suspicions. Messages in secret code
traveled across the Atlantic between the American peace commissioners in Great Britain (John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay) and Congress.
Despite the fact that both sides sought peace, the process was slow. In part, this was because Congress felt bound by the 1778 Treaty of Alliance with France, and initially directed the American negotiators to make no agreements without the knowledge of the king of France. Eventually, the Americans opened separate negotiations with the British, resulting in significant progress.
On November 30, 1782, preliminary articles of peace were signed. These articles, however, would only be effective when a similar treaty was signed between Britain and France. Fortunately, this occurred early in the next year, and on September 3, 1783, the formal Treaty of Paris was signed.
One week after the signing, Adams, Franklin, and Jay prepared a 16-page letter and sent it with the treaty to Congress. It took roughly two months for it to cross the Atlantic for delivery. When it arrived, Congress was in the process of moving from Princeton, New Jersey, to Annapolis, Maryland. When Congress finally reconvened in the Maryland State House on December 13, 1783, the letter and the treaty were read in Congress and referred to a committee (Thomas Jefferson, Elbridge Gerry, William Ellery, Jacob Read, and Benjamin Hawkins) for review. The committee recommended ratification a few days later.
Only seven states were present and a vote could not happen until at least nine were there. Letters were sent to the states not yet represented informing them that "the safety, honor and good faith of the United States require the immediate attendance" of their delegates in Congress. On January 14, all of the representatives from nine states and single members from two other states were finally present; and the Treaty of Peace was unanimously ratified.
Text adapted from “Rough Journal Page Documenting Ratification and Final Page of the Treaty of Paris, 1783” in the September 2008 National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) publication Social Education.
Text adapted from “Rough Journal Page Documenting Ratification and Final Page of the Treaty of Paris, 1783” in the September 2008 National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) publication Social Education.
Transcript
[previous day's entry]N. Carolina - Mr Williamson } no
M. Spaight no} no
So. Carolina - Mr Read no } x
So is passed in the negative
[day of ratification]
Wednesday Jany. 14. 1784
Congress assembled. Present, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pensylvania [sic], Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina; Mr. [Richard] Beresford having this day taken his seat; and from the State of New Hampshire, Mr. [Abiel] Foster, and from New Jersey Mr. [John] Beatty.
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Thomas] Jefferson, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, Mr. [William] Ellery, Mr. [Jacob] Read and Mr. [Benjamin] Hawkins, to whom were referred the definitive treaty of peace between the United States of America and his Britannic Majesty, and the joint letter of the 10 September, from Mr. Adams, Mr. Franklin and Mr. Jay,
Resolved, unanimously, nine states being present, that the said definitive treaty be, [crossed out] ratified by the united states in Congress assembled
On the question to agree to this the yeas & [and] nays
being required by Mr Howell [/crossed out]
[crossed out] Mr Forster ay
[crossed out] MrGerry ay
[crossed out] Mr Partridge ay
[crossed out] Mr Osgood ay
[crossed out] Mr Ellory ay
[crossed out] Mr Howell ay
and the same is hereby ratified by the United States in Congress assembled, in
the form following
The United States in Congress assembled to all persons to whom these presents shall comes Greeting Whereas definitive Article of peace and friendship between the United States of America and his Britannic Majesty were concluded and singed at Paris on the third day of September 1783 by the plenipotentiaries of the said United States and of his said Britannic Majesty duly and respectively authorised for that purpose which definitive Articles are in the words following
Here insert the Treaty
Now know ye that we the United States in Congress assembled having seen and considered the definitive articles aforesaid have approved ratified and confirmed and by these present do approve ratify and confirm the said articles and every part and cause thereof engaging & promising that we will sincerely and faithfully perform and observe the same and never suffer them who violated by any one or transgressed in any manner a far as her in own power
In testimony whereof we have caused the seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed
Witness his Excellency Thomas Mifflin pre-
sedent this fourteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty four and in the eighth year of the sovereignty and independence of the United States of America.
On the question to agree to this the yeas and nays being required by W Howell
Newhampshire Mr Forster ay } ay
Massachusetts Mr Gerry ay } ay
Mr Partridge ay
Mr Osgood ay
Rhode island Mr Ellery ay } ay
Mr Howell ay
Connecticut Mr Sherman ay } ay
Mr Wadsworth ay
New Jersey Mr Beatty ay } x
Pensylvania Mr Mifflin ay } ay
Mr Hand ay
Mr Morris ay
Delaware Mr Tilton ay }
Mr M Comb ay
Maryland Mr Chase ay } ay
Mr Lloyd ay
Virginia Mr Jefferson ay } ay
Mr Lee ay
Mr Monroe ay
North Carolina Mr Williamson ay } ay
Mr Spraight ay
South Carolina Mr Read ay } ay
Mr Beresford ay
So it was resolved in the affirmative
Resolved that the said ratification be transmitted with all possible dispatch under the care
of a faithful person to our Ministers in France who have negotiated the treaty to be exchanged
Resolved that col Josiah Harmon be appointed to carry the said ratification
Ordered that the Superintendent of finance furnish Col Harmon with money [redacted] to
defray his necessary expenses.
Resolved that a proclamation be immediately issued notifying the said definitive treaty and
ratification to the several states of the Union & acquiring their Observances there of in the
form. following
By the United States in Congress assembled
A proclamation
Whereas definitive articles of peace and friendship between the United States of America and his Britannic Majesty were concluded and signed at Paris on the third day of Sept 1783 by the plenipotentiaries of the said United States & of his said Britannic Majesty duly and respectively authorised for that purpose which definitive articles are in the words following
Here insert the treaty
And we the United States in Congress assembled
having seen and duly considered the definitive articles aforesaid did by a [illegible] and under the seal of the United States bearing date this 14 day of Jan 7 1784 approve ratify and confirm the same and every part and clause thereof engaging & promising that we would sincerely & faithfully perform & observe the same and never suffer them to be violated by any one or transgressed in any [illegible] as far as should be in our power; And being sincerely desposed to carry the said articles into execution truly, honestly and with good faith awarding both intent and meaning thereof we have thought proper by these present to notify the premisses to all the good citizens of these United States, hereby requiring & enjoining all bodies of magistracy legislative executive and judiciary, all persons bearing Office civil or military of whatever rank degree or power, and all others the good citizens of these States of every vocation & condition, that reverencing those stipulations entered into on their behalf under the authority of that federal bond by which their excellence as an independent people in bound up together and is known & acknowledged by the nations of the world and with that good faith which in every man's surest guide, within their several Officer, jurisdictions & vocations, they carry
into effect the said definitive articles and every clause and sentence thereof generously strictly and completely. Given under the seal of the United States through his Excellence Thomas Mifflin our president at Annapolis; this 14 day of January in the year of our lord
one thousand seven hundred & eighty four & of the sovereignty & independence of the United States of America the eighth.
Resolved unanimously nine state being present that it be and it is hereby earnestly recommended to the legislatures of the respective states to provide for the restitution of all estates rights and properties which have been confiscated belonging to real british subjects, and also of the estates rights and properties of persons resident in districts which were in the possession of his Britannic Majesty's arms at any time between the 30th. day of Nov. 1782 and the 14 day of Jan 1784 and who have not borne arms against the said
United States, and that persons of any other description shall have full liberty to go to any
part or parts of any of the thirteen united states and therein to remain twelve months unmolested in their endeavours to obtain the restitution of such of their estates rights and properties as
may have been confiscated; and it is also hereby earnestly recommended to the several states to reconsider and revise all their acts or laws regarding the promises to as to under the said laws or our perfectly consistent not only with justice and equity but with that spirit of consideration which on the return of the blessings of peace should universally prevail: And it is hereby also earnestly recommended to the several states, that the estates rights & properties of such last mentioned persons should be restored to them they [illegible] to any persons who may be now in possession the bona fide price (where any has been given) which such persons may have paid on purchasing any of the said lands rights or properties since the confiscation.
Ordered that a copy of the proclamation of this date together with the recommendations be transmitted to the several states by the secretary.
[entry from the following day begins]
Thursday Jan of 15. 1781
Congress assembled, Present as yesterday
The committee consisting of M Osgood, M Williamson and M Fulton to whom was referred a memorial of the public creators in the city and neighbourhood of Philadelphia report that the said memorial set forth that the general assembly of the state of Pensylvania did on the 21 day of March last pass an act authorising and directing the treasurer thereof to make and issue notes and deliver the same to
On the question to agree to this the yeas & [and] nays
being required by Mr Howell [/crossed out]
[crossed out] Mr Forster ay
[crossed out] MrGerry ay
[crossed out] Mr Partridge ay
[crossed out] Mr Osgood ay
[crossed out] Mr Ellory ay
[crossed out] Mr Howell ay
and the same is hereby ratified by the United States in Congress assembled, in
the form following
The United States in Congress assembled to all persons to whom these presents shall comes Greeting Whereas definitive Article of peace and friendship between the United States of America and his Britannic Majesty were concluded and singed at Paris on the third day of September 1783 by the plenipotentiaries of the said United States and of his said Britannic Majesty duly and respectively authorised for that purpose which definitive Articles are in the words following
Here insert the Treaty
Now know ye that we the United States in Congress assembled having seen and considered the definitive articles aforesaid have approved ratified and confirmed and by these present do approve ratify and confirm the said articles and every part and cause thereof engaging & promising that we will sincerely and faithfully perform and observe the same and never suffer them who violated by any one or transgressed in any manner a far as her in own power
In testimony whereof we have caused the seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed
Witness his Excellency Thomas Mifflin pre-
sedent this fourteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty four and in the eighth year of the sovereignty and independence of the United States of America.
On the question to agree to this the yeas and nays being required by W Howell
Newhampshire Mr Forster ay } ay
Massachusetts Mr Gerry ay } ay
Mr Partridge ay
Mr Osgood ay
Rhode island Mr Ellery ay } ay
Mr Howell ay
Connecticut Mr Sherman ay } ay
Mr Wadsworth ay
New Jersey Mr Beatty ay } x
Pensylvania Mr Mifflin ay } ay
Mr Hand ay
Mr Morris ay
Delaware Mr Tilton ay }
Mr M Comb ay
Maryland Mr Chase ay } ay
Mr Lloyd ay
Virginia Mr Jefferson ay } ay
Mr Lee ay
Mr Monroe ay
North Carolina Mr Williamson ay } ay
Mr Spraight ay
South Carolina Mr Read ay } ay
Mr Beresford ay
So it was resolved in the affirmative
Resolved that the said ratification be transmitted with all possible dispatch under the care
of a faithful person to our Ministers in France who have negotiated the treaty to be exchanged
Resolved that col Josiah Harmon be appointed to carry the said ratification
Ordered that the Superintendent of finance furnish Col Harmon with money [redacted] to
defray his necessary expenses.
Resolved that a proclamation be immediately issued notifying the said definitive treaty and
ratification to the several states of the Union & acquiring their Observances there of in the
form. following
By the United States in Congress assembled
A proclamation
Whereas definitive articles of peace and friendship between the United States of America and his Britannic Majesty were concluded and signed at Paris on the third day of Sept 1783 by the plenipotentiaries of the said United States & of his said Britannic Majesty duly and respectively authorised for that purpose which definitive articles are in the words following
Here insert the treaty
And we the United States in Congress assembled
having seen and duly considered the definitive articles aforesaid did by a [illegible] and under the seal of the United States bearing date this 14 day of Jan 7 1784 approve ratify and confirm the same and every part and clause thereof engaging & promising that we would sincerely & faithfully perform & observe the same and never suffer them to be violated by any one or transgressed in any [illegible] as far as should be in our power; And being sincerely desposed to carry the said articles into execution truly, honestly and with good faith awarding both intent and meaning thereof we have thought proper by these present to notify the premisses to all the good citizens of these United States, hereby requiring & enjoining all bodies of magistracy legislative executive and judiciary, all persons bearing Office civil or military of whatever rank degree or power, and all others the good citizens of these States of every vocation & condition, that reverencing those stipulations entered into on their behalf under the authority of that federal bond by which their excellence as an independent people in bound up together and is known & acknowledged by the nations of the world and with that good faith which in every man's surest guide, within their several Officer, jurisdictions & vocations, they carry
into effect the said definitive articles and every clause and sentence thereof generously strictly and completely. Given under the seal of the United States through his Excellence Thomas Mifflin our president at Annapolis; this 14 day of January in the year of our lord
one thousand seven hundred & eighty four & of the sovereignty & independence of the United States of America the eighth.
Resolved unanimously nine state being present that it be and it is hereby earnestly recommended to the legislatures of the respective states to provide for the restitution of all estates rights and properties which have been confiscated belonging to real british subjects, and also of the estates rights and properties of persons resident in districts which were in the possession of his Britannic Majesty's arms at any time between the 30th. day of Nov. 1782 and the 14 day of Jan 1784 and who have not borne arms against the said
United States, and that persons of any other description shall have full liberty to go to any
part or parts of any of the thirteen united states and therein to remain twelve months unmolested in their endeavours to obtain the restitution of such of their estates rights and properties as
may have been confiscated; and it is also hereby earnestly recommended to the several states to reconsider and revise all their acts or laws regarding the promises to as to under the said laws or our perfectly consistent not only with justice and equity but with that spirit of consideration which on the return of the blessings of peace should universally prevail: And it is hereby also earnestly recommended to the several states, that the estates rights & properties of such last mentioned persons should be restored to them they [illegible] to any persons who may be now in possession the bona fide price (where any has been given) which such persons may have paid on purchasing any of the said lands rights or properties since the confiscation.
Ordered that a copy of the proclamation of this date together with the recommendations be transmitted to the several states by the secretary.
[entry from the following day begins]
Thursday Jan of 15. 1781
Congress assembled, Present as yesterday
The committee consisting of M Osgood, M Williamson and M Fulton to whom was referred a memorial of the public creators in the city and neighbourhood of Philadelphia report that the said memorial set forth that the general assembly of the state of Pensylvania did on the 21 day of March last pass an act authorising and directing the treasurer thereof to make and issue notes and deliver the same to
This primary source comes from the Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention.
National Archives Identifier: 2524346
Full Citation: Ratification of the Treaty of Paris; 1/14/1784; Rough Journals; Papers of the Continental Congress, 1774 - 1789; Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention, Record Group 360; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/ratification-treaty-of-paris, June 12, 2025]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
