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Domestic News
October 25, 1780
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
In 1778, U.S. Congress ratified the Treaty of Amity and Commerce with France but sought to annul articles 11 and 12 on trade duties. France's King agreed on Sept. 1, confirmed by commissioners Franklin, Lee, and Adams, removing molasses and merchandise export exemptions.
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PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 10.
CONGRESS having received from their Commissioners at the Court of Versailles, a copy of the treaty of amity and commerce, concluded at Paris on the 6th of February 1778, between the Plenipotentiaries of his Most Christian Majesty and these United States, did on the 5th of May that same year, ratify it, in whole; but on the next day passed the following resolution:
IN CONGRESS, May 5, 1778.
RESOLVED, That the commissioners, or any one of them, representing these states at the Court of France, be instructed to inform that Court, that although Congress here yesterday ratified the treaty of amity and commerce, and treaty of Alliance, and the act separate and secret between his Most Christian Majesty and these United States, in order to evince more clearly their sense of the magnanimity and goodness of his Most Christian Majesty, evinced in the said treaties; yet, from a sincere desire of rendering the friendship and alliance so happily begun, permanent and perpetual, and being apprehensive that differences may arise from the 11th and 12th articles in the treaty of amity and commerce, Congress are desirous that the said 11th and 12th articles may be revoked, and utterly expunged: The commissioners, or any of them, are therefore instructed to use their best endeavours to procure the abolition of the said 11th and 12th articles of the said treaty.
In consequence of which, the following declaration has been made and transmitted to Congress:
TRANSLATION.
A DECLARATION Of the King.
THE Congress of the United States of North America, having represented to the King, that the execution of the eleventh article of the treaty of amity and commerce, signed the sixth of February last, may be attended with abuse in future, and having in consequence thereof, decreed, that the said article may be expunged, agreeing on their part, that the twelfth article should be considered in like manner as null and void: His Majesty, in order, to give to the United States of North America a new proof of his affection, as well as of his desire to confirm the union and good correspondence established between the two states, has been pleased to pay a regard to their representations: And, therefore, he hath declared, and by these presents doth declare, that he consents to the suppression of the eleventh and twelfth articles above-mentioned, and that his intention is, that they may be considered as if never comprehended in the treaty signed the sixth of February last.
Done at Versailles, the first day of September, one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight.
(Signed) GRAVIER DE VERGENNES.
In conformity to the foregoing declaration of his Most Christian Majesty, the commissioners Plenipotentiary of the United States, made the following.
DECLARATION.
THE Most Christian King, having been pleased to regard the representations made to him, by the General Congress of North America, relating to the 11th article of the treaty of commerce, signed the sixth of February, in the present year; and his Majesty having therefore consented, that the said article should be suppressed, on condition that the 12th article of the same treaty be equally regarded as of none effect; the General Congress hath declared on their part, and do declare, that they consent to the suppression of the 11th, and the 12th articles of the above mentioned treaty; and that their intention is, that these articles be regarded as having never been comprised in that treaty, signed the sixth of February,
Done at Paris, the first day of September, 1778.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
(Signed)
ARTHUR LEE.
JOHN ADAMS.
The articles annulled, were the following:
ARTICLE XI. It is agreed and concluded, that there shall never be any duty imposed on the exportation of the molasses that may be taken by the subjects of any of the United States, from the islands of America, which belong, or may hereafter appertain to his Most Christian Majesty.
ARTICLE XII. In compensation of the exemption stipulated by the preceding article, it is agreed and concluded, that there shall never be any duties imposed on the exportation of any kind of merchandise, which the subjects of his Most Christian Majesty may take from the countries and possessions, present, or future, of any of the Thirteen United States, for the use of the islands which shall furnish molasses.
Published by order of Congress,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
CONGRESS having received from their Commissioners at the Court of Versailles, a copy of the treaty of amity and commerce, concluded at Paris on the 6th of February 1778, between the Plenipotentiaries of his Most Christian Majesty and these United States, did on the 5th of May that same year, ratify it, in whole; but on the next day passed the following resolution:
IN CONGRESS, May 5, 1778.
RESOLVED, That the commissioners, or any one of them, representing these states at the Court of France, be instructed to inform that Court, that although Congress here yesterday ratified the treaty of amity and commerce, and treaty of Alliance, and the act separate and secret between his Most Christian Majesty and these United States, in order to evince more clearly their sense of the magnanimity and goodness of his Most Christian Majesty, evinced in the said treaties; yet, from a sincere desire of rendering the friendship and alliance so happily begun, permanent and perpetual, and being apprehensive that differences may arise from the 11th and 12th articles in the treaty of amity and commerce, Congress are desirous that the said 11th and 12th articles may be revoked, and utterly expunged: The commissioners, or any of them, are therefore instructed to use their best endeavours to procure the abolition of the said 11th and 12th articles of the said treaty.
In consequence of which, the following declaration has been made and transmitted to Congress:
TRANSLATION.
A DECLARATION Of the King.
THE Congress of the United States of North America, having represented to the King, that the execution of the eleventh article of the treaty of amity and commerce, signed the sixth of February last, may be attended with abuse in future, and having in consequence thereof, decreed, that the said article may be expunged, agreeing on their part, that the twelfth article should be considered in like manner as null and void: His Majesty, in order, to give to the United States of North America a new proof of his affection, as well as of his desire to confirm the union and good correspondence established between the two states, has been pleased to pay a regard to their representations: And, therefore, he hath declared, and by these presents doth declare, that he consents to the suppression of the eleventh and twelfth articles above-mentioned, and that his intention is, that they may be considered as if never comprehended in the treaty signed the sixth of February last.
Done at Versailles, the first day of September, one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight.
(Signed) GRAVIER DE VERGENNES.
In conformity to the foregoing declaration of his Most Christian Majesty, the commissioners Plenipotentiary of the United States, made the following.
DECLARATION.
THE Most Christian King, having been pleased to regard the representations made to him, by the General Congress of North America, relating to the 11th article of the treaty of commerce, signed the sixth of February, in the present year; and his Majesty having therefore consented, that the said article should be suppressed, on condition that the 12th article of the same treaty be equally regarded as of none effect; the General Congress hath declared on their part, and do declare, that they consent to the suppression of the 11th, and the 12th articles of the above mentioned treaty; and that their intention is, that these articles be regarded as having never been comprised in that treaty, signed the sixth of February,
Done at Paris, the first day of September, 1778.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
(Signed)
ARTHUR LEE.
JOHN ADAMS.
The articles annulled, were the following:
ARTICLE XI. It is agreed and concluded, that there shall never be any duty imposed on the exportation of the molasses that may be taken by the subjects of any of the United States, from the islands of America, which belong, or may hereafter appertain to his Most Christian Majesty.
ARTICLE XII. In compensation of the exemption stipulated by the preceding article, it is agreed and concluded, that there shall never be any duties imposed on the exportation of any kind of merchandise, which the subjects of his Most Christian Majesty may take from the countries and possessions, present, or future, of any of the Thirteen United States, for the use of the islands which shall furnish molasses.
Published by order of Congress,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
What sub-type of article is it?
Politics
What keywords are associated?
Treaty Ratification
France Alliance
Articles Annulled
Congress Resolution
Versailles Declaration
What entities or persons were involved?
Gravier De Vergennes
Benjamin Franklin
Arthur Lee
John Adams
Charles Thomson
Where did it happen?
Philadelphia
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Philadelphia
Event Date
May 5, 1778 To September 1, 1778
Key Persons
Gravier De Vergennes
Benjamin Franklin
Arthur Lee
John Adams
Charles Thomson
Outcome
articles xi and xii of the treaty of amity and commerce annulled, removing duties on molasses export from french islands and compensatory duties on merchandise from u.s. to those islands.
Event Details
Congress ratified the Treaty of Amity and Commerce with France on May 5, 1778, but resolved to revoke articles 11 and 12. The King of France consented to their suppression on September 1, 1778, at Versailles, and U.S. commissioners confirmed the annulment on the same date in Paris.