With the upcoming semiquincentennial (250-year) anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the American Colonies from Imperial British rule, I decided I should start a series of geocaches highlighting well known and lesser known parts of history regarding the American War of Independence.
Treaty of Paris (1783)
After cessation of hostilities between the United States and Great Britian, the two nations outlined their terms offiically in Treaty of Paris signed on September 3, 1783 which is summarized as:
Article 1
King George III acknowledges the United States as an independent nation.
Article 2
Outlines the boundaries of the territory under control of the United States, particularly the area between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River south of the Great Lakes.
Article 3
Provides for fishing rights and exclusions around Newfoundland and the Gulf of Saint Lawrence for the United States.
Article 4
Both nations agree to honor and pay their respective debts.
Article 5
The United States agrees to restore any property confiscated from British subjects and American loyalists to its proper owner.
Article 6
The United States agrees to refrain from any future confiscations as punishment and cease all prosecutions for participating in the war in opposition to the United States.
Article 7
Each nation agrees to release prisoners, possessions, and records seized during the war.
Article 8
Permits each nation unobstructed, free use of the Mississippi River.
Article 9
Any conquered territory still in possession of the opposing nation shall be restored to the other.
Article 10
Each party will exchange the ratification of the treaty by their respective governments within six months.
During the negotiations of the treaty, the United States was represented by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay. Who was the negotiator for Great Britain?
- David Hartley; MP = N 41° 22.505′ W 88° 35.623'
- Charles Townshend, 1st Baron Bayning; PC = N 41° 21.479′ W 88° 35.580′
- Lord Frederick North = N 41° 21.305′ W 88° 35.408′