British Cabinet to American Commissioners, November 19, 1782

[November 19, 1782] 5

Article 3. 6

The Citizens of The Said United States Shall have the Liberty of taking Fish of every Kind on all the Banks of Newfoundland, and also in the Gulph of St. Laurence; and also to dry and cure their Fish on the Shores of the Isle of Sables and on the Shores of any of the unsettled Bays, Harbours, and Creeks of the Magdalene Islands, in the Gulph of St Laurence, So long as Such Bays, Harbours and Creeks Shall continue and remain unsettled; on Condition that the Citizens of the Said United States do not exercise the Fishery, but at the Distance of three Leagues from all the Coasts, belonging to Great Britain, as well those of the Continent as those of the Islands Situated in the Gulph of St Laurence. And as to what relates to the Fishery on the Coasts of the Island of Cape Breton out of the Said Gulph, the Citizens of the Said United States, Shall not be permitted to exercise the Said Fishery, but at the Distance of fifteen Leagues from the Coasts of the Island of Cape Breton.

Article 4.

It is agreed that the British Creditors Shall meet with no lawful Impediment to the Recovery of the full Value in Sterling Money of Such bona fide Debts as were contracted by any Persons who are Citizens of the Said United States before the Year 1775.

Article 5. 7

It is agreed that Restitution Shall be made of all Estates, Rights and Properties in America, which have been confiscated during the War.

Article 6.

There Shall be a full and entire Amnesty of all Acts and Offences, which have been or may be Supposed to have been committed on either Side by reason of the War, and in the Course thereof; and no one shall hereafter Suffer in Life or Person, or be deprived of his Property, for the Part he may have taken therein. All Persons, in Confinement on that Account, Shall immediately on the Ratification of the Treaty in America, be set at Liberty: all Prosecutions which may be depending in Consequence of any of the said Offences, Shall cease, and no fresh Prosecutions Shall at any time hereafter be commenced thereupon.