shall be settled and concluded within the space of two years, to be computed from the firft of January, 1784. X. As it is neceffary to appoint a certain period for the reftitutions and evacuations to be made by each of the high contracting parties, it is agreed, that the King of Great Britain fhall caufe Eaft Florida to be evacuated three months after the ratification of the present treaty, or fooner if it can be done. The King of Great Britain shall, in like manner, enter again into poffeffion of the iflands of Providence, and the Bahamas, without exception, in the space of three months after the ratification of the prefent treaty, or fooner if it can be done. In confequence whereof, the neceffary orders fhall be fent by each of the high contracting parties, with reciprocal paffports for the fhips which fhall carry them, immediately after the ratification of the prefent treaty. XI. Their Britannick and Catholick Majefties promife to observe fincerely, and bonâ fide, all the articles contained and established in the prefent treaty; and they will not fuffer the fame to be infringed, directly or indirectly, by their refpective fubjects: and the faid high contracting parties guaranty to each other, generally and reciprocally, all the ftipulations of the prefent treaty. XII. The folemn ratifications of the prefent treaty, prepared in good and due form, fhall be exchanged in this city of Verfailles, between the high contracting parties, in the space of one month, or fooner if poffible, to be computed from the day of the fignature of the present treaty. In witnefs whereof, we the under-written Ambaffadors Extraordinary, and Minifters Plenipotentiary, have figned with our hands, in their names, and by virtue of our refpective full powers, the prefent definitive treaty, and have caufed the feals of our arms to be affixed thereto. Done at Verfailes, the third day of September, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three. Separate Articles. Article I. SOME of the titles made ufe of by the contracting parties, whether in the full powers, and other inftruments, during the courfe of the negociation, or in the preamble of the prefent treaty, not being generally acknowledged, it has been agreed that no prejudice fhould ever refult therefrom to either of the faid contracting parties; and that the Titles taken or omitted, on either fide, upon occafion of the faid negociation, and of the prefent treaty, fhall not be cited, or quoted as a precedent. II. It has been agreed and determined, that the French language, made ufe of in all the copies of the prefent treaty, fhall not form an example which may be alledged or quoted as a precedent, or, in any manner, prejudice either of the contracting powers; and that they fhall conform, for the future, to what has been obferved, and ought to be obferved, with regard to, and on the part of powers, who are in the practice and poffeffion of giving and receiving copies of like treaties in a different language from the French; the prefent treaty having, nevertheless, the fame force and virtue as if the aforefaid practice had been therein obferved. In witness whereof, we the under-written Ambassador Extraordinary, and Minifters Plenipotentiary, of their Britannick and Catholick Majefties, have figned the prefent feparate articles, and have caufed the feals of our arms to be affixed thereto. Done at Verfailles the third of September, one thoufand feven hundred and eighty-three. (L. S.) MANCEHSTER, TH DECLARATION. HE new ftate in which commerce may perhaps be found, in all parts of the world, will demand revifions and explanations of the fubfifting treaties; but an entire abrogation of those treaties, in whatever period it might be, would throw commerce into fuch confufion as would be of infinite prejudice to it. In In fome of the treaties of this fort there are not only articles which relate merely to commerce, but many others which infure reciprocally, to the refpective fubjects, privileges, facilities for conducting their affairs, perfonal protections, and other advantages, which are not, and which ought not to be of a changeable nature, fuch as the regulations relating merely to the value of goods and merchandize, variable from circumstances of every kind.. When therefore the flate of the trade between the two nations fhall be treated upon, it is requifite to be underftood, that the alterations which may be made in the fubfifting treaties are to extend only to arrangements merely commercial; and that the privileges and advantages, mutual and particular, be not only preferved on each fide, but even augmented, if it can be done. In this view, his Majefty has confented to the appointment of commiffaries, on each fide, who shall treat folely upon this object. Done at Versailles, the third of September, one thoufand feven hundred and eighty-three. (L. S.) MANCHESTER. T Counter-Declaration. HE Catholick King, in propofing new arrangements of commerce, has had no other defign than to remedy, by the rules of reciprocity and mutual convenience, whatever may be defective in preceding treaties of commerce. The King of Great Britain may judge from thence, that the intention of his Catholick Majefty is not in any manner to cancel all the ftipulations contained in the above-mentioned treaties; he declares, on the contrary, from henceforth, that he is difpofed to maintain all the privileges, facilities, and advantages, expreffed in the old treaties, as far as they fhall be reciprocal, or compenfated by equivalent advantages. It is to attain this end, defired on each fide, that commiffaries are to be named to treat upon the ftate of trade be tween tween the two nations, and that a confiderable fpace of time is to be allowed for compleating their work. His Catholick Majefty hopes that this object will be pursued with the fame good faith, and with the fame spirit of conciliation, which have prefided over the difcuffion of all the other points included in the definitive treaty; and his faid Majefty is equally confident, that the refpective commiffaries will employ the utmoft diligence for the completion of this important work. Done at Versailles, the third of September, one thoufand feven hundred and eighty-three. (L. S.) LE COMTE D'ARANDA. WE, Ambaffador Plenipotentiary of his Imperial and Royal Apoftolick Majefty, having acted as mediator in the work of pacification, declare that the treaty of peace figned this day at Verfailles, between his Britannick Majefty and his Catholick Majefty, with the two feparate articles thereto annexed, and of which they form a part, as alfo with all the claufes, conditions, and ftipulations which are therein contained, was concluded by the mediation of his Imperial and Royal Apoftolick Majefty. In witness whereof, we have figned thefe presents with our hand, and have caufed the feal of our arms to be affixed thereto. Done at Verfailles, the third of September, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three. (L. S) Le Comte de MERCY ARGENTEAU. WE, Minifters Plenipotentiary of her Imperial Majefty of all the Ruffias, having acted as mediators in the work of pacification, declare that the treaty of peace, figned this day at Verfailles, between his Britannick Majefty and his Catholick Majefty, with the two feparate articles thereto annexed, and of which they form a part, as alfo with all the claufes, conditions and ftipulations which are therein contained, was concluded by the mediation of her Imperial Majefty of all the Ruffias. In witness whereof, we have figned thefe prefents with our our hands, and have caufed the feals of our arms to be affixed thereto. Done at Verfailles, the 3d of September, one thoufand feven hundred and eighty-three. (L. S.) Prince IWAN BARIATINSKOY. His Britannick Majefty's full Power. GEORGE R. G EORGE the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburgh, Arch-Treasurer and Prince Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, &c. To all and fingular to whom these prefents fhall come, greeting. Whereas for perfecting the peace between us and our good brother the Catholick King, which has been happily begun by the preliminary articles already figned at Verfailles on the 20th day of January laft, and for bringing the fame to the defired conclufion, we have thought proper to invest some fit perfon with full authority, on our part; and whereas our right trufty and right entirely beloved coufin and counfellor, George Duke and Earl of Manchester, Viscount Mandeville, Baron of Kimbolton, Lord Lieutenant and Cuftos Rotulorum of the county of Huntingdon, has merited our favour, by his illuftrious defcent, eminent qualities of mind, fingular experience in affairs, and approved fidelity, on whom therefore, we have conferred the character of our Ambaffador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary at the Court of our good brother the Moft Chriftian King, being perfuaded that he will highly dignify the office which we have refolved to entrust to him: Know ye, therefore, that we have made, constituted, and appointed, and by these prefents do make, conftitute, and appoint him, the faid George Duke of Manchester, our true, certain and undoubted Plenipotentiary, Commiffioner and Procurator; giving and granting to him full and all manner of power and au thority, |