Treaty of Paris

September 3 1783. Officially ended the American War of Independence between Great Britain and its thirteen colonies in North-America. There have also been other treaties with France and Spain that are known under the name Treaty of Versailles in 1783. Furthermore there are several other contracts that are known as Treaty of Paris.

The treaty had following conditions:

- The acceptance of the thirteen colonies as the independent United States of America.

- The localization of the borders between the United States and British North-America.

- Fishing authorization for US-American fishers in the Grand Banks at the coast of Newfoundland and in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

- The acceptance of the duty to pay valid dues on both sides.

- The Congress of the US recommends the legislative to help British citizens who were legal owners of confiscated land, to pay back all estates, rights and possessions.

- The US-Congress will avoid further confiscations.

- Every prisoner of war will be released and the equipment that has been left behind (including slaves) will not be damaged.

- Great Britain and the United States have everlasting access to the Mississippi River.

- Territories that have been occupied by the US after the signing of the treaty will be given back without compensation.

- The treaty has to be ratified in six months time after the signing by either party.

The treaty had been signed by David Harley (member of British parliament), John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and John Jay. The American Continental Congress ratified the treaty on January 14 1784. Britain`s ratification followed on April 9. Both ratifications had been finally exchanged on May 12 1784.

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Sources

Paris Peace Treaty of 1783. 13 Dec. 2009. <http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/milestones/paris/peace-treaty-1.html>

Treaty of Paris, 1783. 13 Dec. 2009 <http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ho/time/ar/14313.htm>

Treaty of Paris (1783). 13 Dec. 2009 <http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Paris_%281783%29>