American Commissioners of the Preliminary Peace Agreement with Great Britain, also known as the Treaty of Paris, is an unfinished 1783 painting by Benjamin West depicting the United States delegation that negotiated the 1783 Treaty of Paris, which formally ended the American Revolutionary War. Peace negotiations began in Paris on June 25, 1783, and the eventual signing of the treaty took place on September 3, 1783 at the Hotel York at 56 rue Jacob. The green drapery in the painting's background and the distant landscape with a classical colonnaded building emphasize the scene's formality.
Passy, Feb. 9. 1779 Gentlemen, Being informed that some Goods which you had purchased for Mr Simeon Deane, and sent to Nantes for a Conveyance, were there by Mistake suppos’d…
Passy Feb. 9. 1779. Sir We have recd yours of 16 January.— 1 in Answer to that Part of your Letter, which relates to your concerns with the Honourable the…
Passy Feb 9. 1779 Sir We have recd your Letters of the 12 Decr and 23 of January in the first You propose that We should write to Messrs Horneca…
American Commissioners inform Baron von Thulemeier that they have revised the draft treaty originally negotiated with John Adams, incorporating new articles mandated by the Continental Congress to clarify terms and address issues like contraband during war. They emphasize that one new article promotes humanitarian principles by reducing war's hardships, suggesting it would honor the King of Prussia to adopt such provisions. The Commissioners send the updated draft for Prussian consideration.
Paris Nov r 11 th. 1784 Sir Having assembled together at this place about the latter end of August we proceeded in obedience to the commands of Congress to notify…
American Commissioners report to the President of Congress on their diplomatic efforts in Europe, detailing correspondence with various foreign powers including Saxony, Spain, Portugal, and Sweden. They outline the exchange of letters, responses received, and ongoing treaty negotiations, emphasizing their adherence to Congress's instructions. The letter serves as an update on the progress of establishing formal relations and treaties following American independence.
American Commissioners respond to the Duke of Dorset's letter, expressing satisfaction with his ministers' assurances and clarifying their authority to negotiate. They state that if the proposal involves appointing a U.S. minister to reside at the British court, they must refer the matter to Congress, but if negotiations are to occur in London, they have full powers to proceed. They agree to meet in London despite inconvenience and await further instructions.
⟨Passy, December 9, 1784: We received your letter of November 16, informing us that His Royal Highness the Grand Duke of Tuscany would receive with pleasure our propositions for a…
Paris Dec r. 15. 1784 1 Sir In our letter of Nov r 11 th. we had the honour of laying before Congress a state of our proceedings till that…
⟨Passy, January 21, 1785: We have received your letter of December 10. 7 We assumed that the principles contained in the draft treaty, which we sent to you, would answer…
Paris [ 9 ] Feb ry. 1785 Sir In our last of Dec r. 15 we had the honour of communicating to Congress our letter to the Ambassador of Portugal…
American Commissioners inform Richard Henry Lee that they have forwarded a draft treaty to the Portuguese ambassador and received confirmation of its transmission to his court. They report ongoing negotiations with Prussian and Danish representatives regarding trade ports and request instructions from Congress on how to proceed. They also mention receiving but not responding to communications from Naples and Turin unless further developments occur.
Paris March 18 th. 1785. Sir, We received by the last Packet the favor of your letter of Jan ry. 14. in which we have the agreeable information of your…
Paris April 13. 1785. Sir Our letter to you the 18 th day of March with those preceding that period which had been addressed to the President of Congress have…
[ 12 September 1785 ] 1 The United States of America, heretofore connected in Government with Great Britain, have found it necessary for their Happiness to Seperate from her, and…
[ 11 October 1785 ] 1 Dear Sir We have the Honour to transmit to Congress, by M r Fitzhughs, 2 the Treaty between the United States and the King…
Grosvenor square April 25 th. 1786— Sir Soon after our meeting together in London, We had a Conference with the Secretary of State for foreign Affairs, in which we communicated…
London Jan. 27. 1787. 1 Sir We had the honor of transmitting to Congress, Copies of the Commission and Instructions, which in pursuance of the Authority delegated to Us, were…