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CONCLUSION.

THE peace of Ghent is, properly, the first period in the diplomatic history of this country. It is most probable, that the foreign relations will, hereafter, assume a different aspect, not only on account of the extraordinary revolution in South America, but because we cannot expect, again, to witness such another revolution as was consummated in Europe, by the general pacification of 1814.

Heretofore, nearly all the commerce of the United States, together with every other sort of communication, whether relating to the arts, sciences, literature or diplomacy, has been held with Europe; for, when this country became independent, every other portion of the American continent was in a condition of severe colonial subjection and oppression. America, following only that course of trade, indicated in the stipulations of treaties, favourable in general, though not on the most liberal principles, speedily attracted the attention of the world, as a great neutral and commercial state; and asserted claims exceedingly vexatious and embarrassing to the belligerents,— though actually possessing, herself, neither the means nor the power to support and enforce her system of foreign policy. This peculiar and very remarkable anomaly in the situation and condition of the United States, imparted a very novel character to the wars in Europe, in themselves of an extraordinary description. Those wars have now ended; and (separate from some difficulties respecting the Turks and the Spanish islands in the West Indies) there is, unquestionably, the prospect of a long peace. But not one of the neutral doctrines, for which America has always contended, and from the violation of which she has suffered so much, has yet been secured by treaty stipulation. The only undoubted foundation, laid

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and fou ter STURDOL. Ther vill be equa. x retoved from the pores and ascendancy of Europe. The Lunes M te the read it de cor Kape of tale part of the world; the without emnering into cowlour or association of any devemption the infiuence of fuck Burlestone w I be toore extensively felt and the docfrince of their neutral policy and commercial intercourse will. bucalver, End a wider empathy, and will be asserted with a great prospect of support and encouragement. A portion of Burope is engaged in resisting and counteracting this spinit and disposition;-in re-instating, in its ancient strength and grandeur, what, in the French idiom. is called, the monarchical principle. We have no reasons, perhaps, to expect wars from the opposition or rivalry of these systems-but different races of men will certainly be prepared under their influence; and, whatever effect the spirit of free inquiry and general education may have on the relations of nations with each other, (for the experience of the world has not yet shown, that the most enlightened states are the least exposed to wars), there can be no doubt but that changes and improvements in governments will, hereafter, be accomplished in a more gradual and satisfactory manner, and with less danger of violence and bloodshed.

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1. Of amity and commerce, of the 6th of February, 1778; negotiated at Paris, by C. A. Gerard, B. Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee. Ratified by Congress on the 4th of May, 1778. Annulled by act of Congress of July 7, 1798.

2. Of alliance, of the 6th of February, 1778; negotiated at Paris, by C. A. Gerard, B. Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee. Ratified by Congress on the 4th of May, 1778. Annulled by act of July 7, 1791.

3. Contract concerning the loan and re-payment of money, of the 16th of July, 1782; framed at Versailles, by Gravier de Vergennes, and B. Franklin. Ratified by Congress on the 22d of January, 1783.

4. Convention concerning consuls and vice-consuls, of the 14th of November, 1778; negotiated at Versailles, by L. C. de Montmorin and Th. Jefferson. Annulled July 7, 1798.

5. Convention for terminating differences, of the 30th of September, 1800; negotiated at Paris, by Oliver Ellsworth, William Richardson Davie, William Vans Murray, and Joseph Bonaparte, Charles Pierre Claret Fleurieu, and Pierre Louis Roederer. Provisionally ratified on the 18th of February, 1801; and finally declared to have been ratified on the 21st of December, 1801. Expired.

6. Ceding Louisiana, of the 30th of April, 1803; negotiated at Paris, by Robert R. Livingston, James Monroe, and Barbe Marbois. Ratified on the 21st of October, 1803.

7. Convention for the payment of sixty millions of francs to France for the cession of Louisiana, of the 30th of April, 1803; negotiated at Paris, by Robert R. Livingston, James Monroe, and Barbe Marbois. Ratified on the 21st of October, 1803.

8. Convention to secure the payment of the sum due by France to citizens of the United States, of the 39th of April, 1803; negotiated at Paris, by Robert R. Livingston, James Monroe, and Barbe Marbois. Ratified on the 21st of October, 1803.

TREATIES WITH THE STATES GENERAL OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS.

1. Of amity and commerce, of the 8th of October, 1782; negotiated at the Hague, by John Adams, George Van Randwyck, B. V. D. Santheuvel, P. V. Bleiswyk, W. C. H. Van Lynden, D. I. Van Heeckeren, Joan Van Kuffeler, F. G. Van Dedem, and H. Tjassens. Ratified by Congress on the 23d of January, 1783.

2. Convention concerning vessels re-captured, of the 8th of October, 1782; negotiated at the Hague, by John Adams, George Van Randwyck, B. V. D. Santheuvel, P. V. Bleiswyk,

W. C. H. Van Lynden, D. I. Van Heeckeren, Joan Van Kuffeler, F. G. Van Dedem, and H. Tjassens. Ratified by Congress on the 23d of January, 1783.

TREATY WITH SWEDEN.

1. Of amity and commerce, of the 3d of April, 1783; negotiated at Paris, by Gustavus Philip de Creutz, and Benjamin Franklin. Ratified by Congress on the 29th of July, 1783. By a separate article to this treaty, it was to have full effect only for fifteen years, counting from the day of the ratification. It consequently expired on the 29th of July, 1798.

TREATIES WITH GREAT BRITAIN.

1. Provisional articles of peace, of the 30th of November, 1782; negotiated at Paris, by Richard Oswald, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and Henry Laurens. Sanctioned by Congress on the 11th of April, 1783.

2. Armistice, declaring a cessation of hostilities, of the 20th of January, 1783; negotiated at Versailles, by Alleyne Fitz Herbert, John Adams, and B. Franklin. Sanctioned by Congress on the 11th of April, 1783.

3. Definitive treaty of peace, of the 3d of September, 1783; negotiated at Paris, by David Hartley, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay. Ratified by Congress on the 14th of January, 1784.

4. Treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation, of the 19th of November, 1794; negotiated at London, by William Wyndham, (baron Grenville,) and John Jay. The ratifications were exchanged at London, on the 28th day of October, 1795. The first explanatory article to this treaty was ratified on the

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