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1786 of the national commerce, and that no measure should be wanting, on his part, which could tend to confirm thefe advantages, and to give additional encouragement to the manufactures and industry of his people.

On the 7th of May, a treaty of alliance and commerce, which had been figned the preceding year by the plenipotentiaries of the King of Pruffia and the United States of America, at the courts of the Hague, London, and Paris, was ratified, in due form, by the American Congrefs. This treaty is to be in force for ten years from the exchange of ratifications.

On the 24th of July, a convention was figned at London between his Britannic Majesty and the King of Spain; the object of which is, the fettlements, boundaries, and trade of the Mufquito coafts, &c. The principal articles are as follow:

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"Article I. His Britannic Majesty's fubjects, and the other colonists who have hitherto enjoyed the protection of England, shall evacuate the country of the Mufquitos, as well as the continent in general, and the islands adjacent, without exception, fituated beyond the linedescribed in the fecond article, as what ought to be the frontier of the extent of territory granted by his Catholic Majefty to the English, for the ufes fpecified in the third article of the prefent convention, and in addition to the country already granted them in virtue of the stipulations agreed upon by the commiffioners of the two crowns in 1783.

"II. It is agreed that the English line, beginning from the fea, fhall take the centre of the river Sibun or Jabon, and continue up to the fource of the faid river; from thence it shall cross, in a straight line, the intermediate land, till it interfects the river Wallis ; and by the centre of the fame river the faid line shall defcend to the point where it will meet the line already settled and marked out by the commiffaries of the two crowns in 1783; which limits, following the continuation of the faid line, fhall be obferved as formerly ftipulated by the definitive treaty.

"III. British subjects are permitted to cut all other wood, as well as logwood, not excepting mahogany; and to gather and carry away the fruits and produce of the earth in their natural and uncultivated state; and alfo to use saw-mills for cutting or otherwife preparing

the wood.

" IV. and V. The English are permitted to occupy the small ifland known by the names. of Caffina, St. George's Key, or Cayo Caffina, in confideration of the circumftance of that. part of the coafts oppofite to the faid island being looked upon as fubject to dangerous diforders. They are alfo allowed the liberty of refitting their merchant fhips in the fouthern triangle included between the point Cayo Caffina and the cluster of small islands which are fitu-ated oppofite to that part of the coaft occupied by the cutters, at the distance of eight leagues from the river Wallis, feven from Cayo Caffina, and three from the river Sibun, a placewhich has been always found to be well adapted to that purpose. But no fortifications or military works are to be constructed in these places, nor any ships of war to be stationed there. "VI. The English are allowed to fish on the coast of the country affigned to them by the laft treaty of peace, as also of that which is added to them by the prefent convention, &c. "VIII. It is agreed, that, if in course of time, the English should be in want of dying. wood or mahogany, with which the Spanish poffeffions might be provided, the Spanish government shall make no difficulty to furnish a supply to the English at a fair and reasonable price. The other articles contain feveral fubordinate regulations concerning formalities, &c. be-tween the officers and fubjects of the two powers.

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On the 26th of September, the following treaty of commerce and navigation between his Britannic Majefty and the Moft Chriftian King, was figned at Verfailles. The novelty as well as importance of this treaty, and the advantages it promifes to the dominions of Great Britain, induces us to infert it in all its form and extent.

TREATY of COMMERCE and NAVIGATION between his Britannic Majesty and the Most Chriftian King, figned at Verfailles, the 26th of September, 1786; as published by authority: "His Britannic Majesty, and his Moft Christian Majefty, being equally animated with the defire not only of confolidating the good harmony which actually fubfifts between them, but alfo of extending the happy effects thereof to their respective subjects, have thought that the moft efficacious means for attaining thofe objects, conformably to the 18th article of the treaty of peace, figned the 6th of September, 1783, would be to adopt a system of commerce on the bafis of reciprocity and mutual convenience; which, by difcontinuing the prohibitions and prohibitory duties which have exifted for almoft a century between the two nations, might procure the most solid advantages, on both fides, to the national productions and industry, and put an end to contraband trade, no less injurious to the public revenue than to that lawful commerce which is alone entitled to protection: for this end, their faid Majefties have named for their commiffaries and plenipotentiaries, to wit, the King of Great Britain, William Eden, Efq. privy counfellor in Great Britain and Ireland, member of the British Parliament, and his envoy extraordinary and minifter plenipotentiary to his Moft Chriftian Majesty; and the Moft Chriftian King, the Sieur Jofeph Mathias Gerard de Rayneval, knight, counfellor of state, knight of the royal order of Charles III.; who, after having exchanged their respective full powers, have agreed upon the following articles :

"Article I. It is agreed and concluded between the Moft Serene and Moft Potent King of Great Britain, and the Moft Serene and Moft Potent the Most Christian King, that there fhall be a reciprocal and entirely perfect liberty of navigation and commerce between the fubjects of each party, in all and every the kingdoms, ftates, provinces, and territories fubject to their Majefties in Europe, for all and fingular kinds of goods, in those places, upon the conditions, and in fuch manner and form as is fettled and adjusted in the following articles.

"II. For the future fecurity of commerce and friendship between the subjects of their faid Majefties, and to the end that this good correfpondence may be preferved from all interruption and disturbance, it is concluded and agreed, that if, at any time, there fhould arife any mifunderstanding, breach of friendship, or rupture between the crowns of their Majefties, which God forbid! (which rupture shall not be deemed to exift until the recalling or fending home of the respective ambassadors or ministers) the fubjects of each of the two parties refiding in the dominions of the other, fhall have the privilege of remaining and continuing their trade therein, without any manner of difturbance, fo long as they behave peaceably, and commit no offence against the laws and ordinances; and in cafe their conduct should render them fufpected, and the respective governments fhould be obliged to order them to remove, the term of twelve months fhall be allowed them for that purpofe, in order that they may remove, with their effects and property, whether entrusted to individuals or to the state. At the fame time it is to be understood, that this favour is not to be extended to those who fhall act contrary to the established laws.

"III. It is likewife agreed and concluded, that the fubjects and inhabitants of the kingdoms, provinces, and dominions of their Majesties, shall exercise no acts of hoftility or violence against each other, either by fea or by land, or in rivers, ftreams, ports, or havens,

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1786 under any colour or pretence whatsoever; fo that the fubjects of either party fhall receive no patent, commiffion, or inftruction for arming and acting at fea as privateers, nor letters of reprifal, as they are called, from any princes or ftates, enemies to the other party; nor by virtue, or under colour of fuch patents, commiffions, or reprifals, fhall they disturb, infeft, or any way prejudice or damage the aforefaid fubjects and inhabitants of the King of Great Britain, or of the Most Christian King; neither fhall they arm fhips in fuch manner as is above said, or go out to fea therewith. To which end, as often as it is required by either party, ftrict and exprefs prohibitions fhall be renewed and published in all the terriritories, countries, and dominions of each party where foever, that no one fhall in any wife ufe fuch commiffions or letters of reprifal, under the feverest punishment that can be inflicted on the tranfgreffors, befides being liable to make full reftitution and fatisfaction to those to to whom they have done any damage; neither fhall any letters of reprifal be hereafter granted by either of the high contracting parties to the prejudice or detriment of the other, except only in fuch cafe wherein juftice is denied or delayed; which denial or delay of justice shall not be regarded as verified, unless the petitions of the perfon who defires the faid letters of reprifal, fhall be communicated to the minifter refiding there on the part of the Prince against whose fubjects they are to be granted; that within the space of four months, or fooner, if poffible, he may manifeft the contrary, or procure the fatisfaction which may be justly due.

IV. The fubjects and inhabitants of the refpective dominions of the two Sovereigns fhall have liberty, freely and fecurely, without licence or paffport, general or fpecial, by land or by fea, or any other way, to enter into the kingdoms, dominions, provinces, countries, iflands, cities, villages, towns, walled or unwalled, fortified or unfortified, ports, or territories whatsoever, of either Sovereigns, fituated in Europe, and to return from thence, remain there, or to pass through the fame, and therein to buy and purchase, as they please, all things neceffary for their fubfiftence and ufe, and they fhall mutually be treated with all kindnefs and favour - Provided, however, that in all thefe matters, they behave and conduct themselves conformably to the laws and ftatutes, and live with each other in a friendly and peaceable manner, and promote reciprocal concord, by maintaining a mutual good understanding.

"V. The fubjects of each of their faid Majefties may have leave and licence to come with their fhips, as alfo with the merchandizes and goods on board the fame, the trade and importation whereof are not prohibited by the laws of either kingdoms, and to enter into the countries, dominions, cities, ports, places, and rivers of either party, fituated in Europe, to refort thereto, and to remain and refide there, without any limitation or time; alfo to hire houfes, or to lodge with other perfons, and to buy all lawful kinds of merchandizes, where they think fit, either from the first maker or the feller, or in any other manner, whether in the public market for the fale of merchandizes, or in fairs, or wherever fuch merchandizes are manufactured or fold. They may likewife depofit and keep in their magazines and warehoufes the merchandizes brought from other parts, and afterwards expofe the fame to fale, without being in any wife obliged, unlefs willingly and of their own accord, to bring the faid merchandizes to the marts and fairs. Neither are they to be burthened with any impofitions or duties on account of the faid freedom of trade, or for any other caufe whatfoever, except thofe which are to be paid for their fhips and merchandizes, conformably to the regulations of the prefent treaty, or thofe to which the fubjects of the two contracting parties fhall themselves be liable. And they fhall have free leave to remove themfelves, as alfo their wives, children, and fervants, together

with

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1786 with their merchandizes, property, goods, or effects, whether bought or imported, wherever they shall think fit, out of either kingdom, by land and by sea, on the rivers and fresh waters, after discharging the usual duties; any law, privilege, grant, immunities, or customs, to the contrary thereof in any wife notwithstanding. In matters of religion, the fubjects of the two crowns fhall enjoy perfect liberty :-they shall not be compelled to attend divine service, whether in the churches or elsewhere; but, on the contrary, they shall be permitted, without molestation, to perform the exercises of their religion privately, in their own houses, and in their own way. Liberty fhall not be refused to bury the subjects of either kingdom who die in the territories of the other, in convenient places to be appointed for that purpose; nor shall the funerals or fepulchres of the deceased be in any wife disturbed. The laws and ftatutes of each kingdom fhall remain in full force and vigour, and shall be duly put in execution, whether they relate to commerce and navigation, or to any other right, thofe cafes only excepted, concerning which it is otherwife determined in the articles of this present treaty.

"VI. The two high contracting parties have thought proper to fettle the duties on certain goods and merchandizes, in order to fix invariably the footing on which the trade therein shall be established between the two nations: in confequence of which, they have agreed upon the following tariff, viz.

"Ift. The wines of France, imported directly from France into Great Britain, fhall, in no cafe, pay any higher duties than those which the wines of Portugal now pay.

"The wines of France, imported directly from France into Ireland, fhall pay no higher duties than thofe which they now pay.

"2d. The vinegars of France, inftead of fixty-feven pounds five fhillings and three-pence and twelve-twentieths of a penny fterling, per ton, which they now pay, fhall not, for the future, pay in Great Britain, any higher duties than thirty-two pounds eighteen fhillings and ten-pence, and fixteen-twentieths of a penny fterling per ton.

"3d. The brandics of France, inftead of nine fhillings and fix-pence and twelve-twentieths of a penny sterling, fhall, for the future, pay in Great Britain, only feven fhillings fterling per gallon, making four quarts, English measure.

“4th. Oil of olives, coming directly from France, fhall, for the future, pay no higher duties than are now paid for the fame from the moft favoured nations.

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5th. Beer fhall pay reciprocally a duty of thirty per cent. ad valorem.

"6th. The duties on hardware, cutlery, cabinet-ware, turnery, and alfo all works, both heavy and light, of iron, fteel, copper, and brass, shall be claffed; and the highest duty shall not exceed ten per cent. ad valorem.

"7th. All forts of cottons manufactured in the dominions of the two fovereigns in Europe, and alfo woollens, whether knit or wove, including hofiery, fhall pay, in both countries, an import duty of 12 per cent. ad valorem; all manufactures of cotton or wool, mixed with filk excepted, which fhall remain prohibited on both fides.

8th. Cambrics and lawns fhall pay, in both countries, an import duty of 5s. or fix livres Tournois, per demi piece of 7 yards, English measure; and linens, made of flax or hemp, manufactured in the dominions of the two fovereigns in Europe, fhall pay no higher duties, either in Great Britain or France, than linens manufactured in Holland or Flanders, imported into Great Britain, now pay.

"And linen made of flax or hemp, manufactured in Ireland or France, fhall reciprocally pay no higher duties, than linens manufactured in Holland, imported into Ireland, now pay.

"9th. Sadlery

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9th. Sadlery fhall reciprocally pay an import duty of 15 per cent. ad valorem. "Icth. Gauzes of all forts fhall reciprocally pay 10 per cent. ad valorem.

11th. Millinery made up of muflin, lawn, cambric, or gauze of every kind, or of any other article admitted under the present tariff, fhall pay reciprocally a duty of 12 per cent. ad valorem and if any articles fhall be ufed therein, which are not specified in the tariff, they fhall pay no higher duties than those paid for the fame articles by the most favoured nations. 12th. Porcelain, earthen-ware, and pottery, fhall pay reciprocally twelve per cent. ad

valorem.

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13th. Plate-glafs and glass-ware in general fhall be admitted, on each fide, paying a duty of 12 percent. ad valorem.

"His Britannic Majefty referves the right of countervailing, by additional duties on the under-mentioned merchandizes, the internal duties actually impofed upon the manufactures, or the import duties which are charged on the raw materials; namely, on all linens or cottons, Rained or printed, on beer, glafs ware, plate glafs, and iron.

"And his most Christian Majefty alfo referves the right of doing the fame, with regard to the following merchandizes; namely, cottons, iron, and beer.

"And for the better fecuring the due collection of the duties payable ad valorem, which are fpecified in the above tariff, the said contracting parties will concert with each other as well the form of the declarations to be made, as also the proper means of preventing fraud with refpect to the real value of the faid goods and merchandizes.

"But if it fhall hereafter appear that any mistakes have inadvertently been made in the above tariff, contrary to the principles, on which it is founded, the two fovereigns will concert with good faith upon the means of rectifying them.

"VII. The duties above specified are not to be altered but by mutual confent; and the merchandizes not above specified shall pay, in the dominions of the two fovereigns, the import and export duties payable in each of the faid dominions by the most favoured European nations, at the time the prefent treaty bears date; and the hips belonging to the subje&s of the faid dominions shall also respectively enjoy therein all the privileges and advantages which are granted to thofe of the most favoured European nations.

"And it being the intention of the two high contracting parties, that their respective subjects fhould be in the dominions of each other, upon a footing as advantageous as those of other European nations, they agree that, in cafe they fhall hereafter grant any additional advantages in navigation or trade to any other European nation, they will reciprocally allow their said subjects to participate therein; without prejudice, however, to the advantages which they referve, viz. France in favour of Spain, in confequence of the 24th article of the family compact, figned the 10th of May, 1761, and England according to what he has practised in conformity to, and in confequence of the convention of 1703, between England and Portugal. "And to the end that every perfon may know, with certainty, the ftate of the aforefaid impofts, customs, import and export duties, whatever they may be, it is agreed that tariffs, indicating the impofts, customs, and established duties, fhall be affixed in public places, as well in Rouen and the other trading cities of France, as in London and the other trading cities under the dominion of the King of Great Britain, that recourse may be had to them whenever any difference fhall arife concerning fuch impofts, cuftoms, and duties, which fhall not be levied, otherwife than in conformity to what is clearly expreffed in the faid tariffs, and according to their natural conftruction: and if any officer, or other perfon in his name, fhall, VOL. IV. 4 I under

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