Page 77 - ASM Book 9/2020

Treaty of Paris . . .
u Acknowledged Independent & Sovereign United States of America u Established Territorial Boundaries u Freed Prisoners of War
1781
JUNE 11 - The Continental Congress named five peace commissioners to negotiate with British representatives – John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson and Henry Laurens.
JUNE 15 - The Continental Congress instructed the peace commissioners “to negotiate a treaty of peace on behalf of the United States. . . .You are to accede to no Treaty of Peace which shall not be such as may first
71
Treaty’s last page with peace commissioners’ signatures.
1783
effectually secure the
Independence and
Sovereignty of the 13
United States. . . . You
are therefore at liberty
to secure the Interest of
the United States in such
manner as Circumstances may direct.”
Unfinished portrait of American peace commissioners: John Jay, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Henry Laurens. The man behind
Franklin is his grandson. Painted by Benjamin West.
MARCH 5 - Parliament authorized peace negotiations.
APRIL 12 - Peace talks began in Paris.
NOVEMBER 30 - American and British peace commissioners signed the preliminary Treaty of Paris.
1782
JANUARY 20 - American, British, French and Spanish representatives signed a provisional peace treaty proclaiming an end to hostilities.
FEBRUARY 4 - England officially declared an end to hostilities.
APRIL 11 - Congress officially declared an end to the war.
SEPTEMBER 3 - The official Treaty of Paris was signed by John Adams, John Jay, Benjamin Franklin and David Hartley and was immediately dispatched to Congress and King George III for ratification.
1784
JANUARY 14 - Congress voted to approve the Treaty of Paris.
APRIL 9 - King George III ratified the treaty five weeks after the deadline.