which is prefixed a short state of the argument on each head.

As for the news of this country, you have doubtless heard, that Lord Shelburne's administration has for some time been considered as at an end, although no other has been as yet substituted in the place of it. It was understood yesterday, and I believe with good foundation, that what is now called the Portland party have been applied to, and they are now considered as the party most likely to succeed. As far as my wishes go, such an event would be most satisfactory to me. I have known the Duke of Portland for many years, and by experience I know him to be a nobleman of the strictest honour and of the soundest whig principles, sincere and explicit in every thought and transaction, manly in his judgment, and firm in his conduct. The kingdom of Ireland, of which he was lately Lord Lieutenant, bears unanimous testimony to this character of him. The Cavendish family (a good whig name) Mr. Fox, Lord Fitzwilliam, &c. &c. form the core of his system and connections. I most earnestly wish to see a firm administration upon a whig foundation, which I should consider as a solid basis on the part of this country for a perpetual correspondence of amity and conciliation with America. I am very anxious to hear of your health. tionate,

God bless you. Ever your most affec

D. HARTLEY.

CONCILIATORY PROPOSITIONS,

March, 1783.

Terms of peace having been agreed upon

between Great Britain and France on 20th January,

1783, there need not be any farther delay in proceeding to conclude the proposed treaty between Great Britain and the United States of America, upon the basis of the provisional articles of the 30th of Nov. 1782. y

It is to be observed that none of the articles of the provisional treaty are to take effect until the conclusion of the definitive treaty with America, at which time likewise all places in the American States in possession of the British arms are to be evacuated, and the British army withdrawn from the United States (by article 7.) If therefore it should be wished on the part of Great Britain to bring forward the 5th article respecting the loyalists, before the conclusion of the definitive treaty with America, the bayonet should be withdrawn from the American breast by the voluntary removal of the British troops with all convenient dispatch. This condition of the removal of the troops is likewise necessary before any provisional terms of commerce with America can take place.

By the 6th article of the provisional treaty all future confiscations in America are precluded, although the prosecutions at present subsisting are not to be stopped before the definitive treaty. But if the substantial pledge of returning amity on the part of Great Britain, viz. the removal of the troops, should be voluntarily anticipated, it would be but reasonable that all prosecutions should be immediately abated on the part of America, and to facilitate the removal of the troops, the loyalists may be permitted to remain in safety and unmolested (if they chuse to remain) from the period of removing the troops until twelve months after the definitive treaty.

There is another article of the provisional treaty, the delay of which is much to be lamented, viz. the mutual

release of prisoners of war on both sides. As this is an article of reciprocity, both sides from principles of humanity are equally interested to bring it forward into effect speedily; that those unhappy captives may not alone suffer the miseries of war in the time of peace.

Upon these considerations the following supplemental terms of treaty between Great Britain and the United States are proposed.

1. That the British troops shall be withdrawn with all convenient speed.

2. That the commissioners on both sides do proceed. to the conclusion of the definitive treaty.

3. That the commissioners do speedily negociate a provisional convention of commerce (hereunto annexed) to take place immediately. The terms of this temporary convention not to be pleaded on either side in the negociation of a final and perpetual treaty of commerce between Great Britain and the United States.

4. That the commissioners do negociate a perpetual treaty of commerce.

5. That all prosecutions of the loyalists in America be immediately abated, and that they be permitted to remain until twelve months after the definitive treaty unmolested in their endeavours to obtain restitution of their estates.

6. That all prisoners on both sides be immediately released.

7. That intercourse of amity and commerce do imme diately take place between Great Britain and the United States of America.

Sketch of a provisional Treaty of Commerce.

As soon as preliminaries of peace are signed with any independent states, such as Spain, France and Holland, the course of mutual commerce emerges upon the same terms and conditions as were existing antecedent to the war, the new duties imposed during the war excepted. The case between Great Britain and America is different, because America, from a dependent nation before the war, emerges an independent nation after the war. The basis therefore of provisional treaty between Great Britain and the United States would be simply to arrange such points as would emerge after the war, impracticable and discordant to the newly established independence of the American States, and to leave all others as much as possible untouched: for instance, that all instrumental regulations, such as papers, bonds, certificates, oaths, and all other documents should be between Great Britain and the United States, upon the same footing and no other than as between Great Britain and any other independent nation, but that all duties, drawbacks, bounties, rights, privileges, and all pecuniary considerations should emerge into action and effect as before. I say emerge as before, not stipulated for any fixed term, because I am speaking of a provisional treaty, not of a provisional bill of commerce for a specified period. By this means all difficulties which otherwise would be accumulated and obstruct a temporary and provisional act are avoided in limine. The ports will be immediately opened upon specified and known conditions. If the legislature of either country think proper to introduce on its own part any new conditions or regulations, even previous to the intended treaty

of commerce, that will not shut the ports again generally but only operate pro tanto according to the case; on which side soever any novel condition should arise the other will likewise be at liberty to make any corresponding regulations as between independent nations. The great object is to open the ports between Great Britain and the United States immediately on the signature of preliminaries of peace, as between France and Great Britain. By the proposition above stated, Great Britain and France, and Great Britain and the United States respectively on the subject of intercourse of commerce, would emerge again after the war, into situations relatively similar to their situation before the war.

The crown of Great Britain is enabled by the conciliatory act of 1782 to repeal, annul, make void, or suspend for any time or times the operation and effect of any act of parliament, or any clause, provision, matter or thing therein contained relating to the colonies or plantations now become the United States of America; and therefore the crown is not only competent to conclude, but likewise to carry into effect any provisional treaty of commerce with America. The first foundation must be laid in the total repeal of the prohibitory act of December, 1775, not only as prohibiting commerce between Great Britain and the United States, but as the corner stone of the war; by giving up universally all American property at sea to military plunder without any redress to be obtained by law in any British court of Admiralty. After this all obstructions from the Act of Navigation and other acts regulating the commerce of the States of America (formerly dependent upon Great Britain), may be removed. Instructions may be sent to the commissioners of the