The Treaty of Paris

Was signed on September 3, 1783, ratified by the Congress of Confederation on January 14, 1784 and by the King of Great Britain, on July 14, 1784. The treaty document was signed at the Hotel d'York by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and John Jay (representing the United States) and David Hartley (a member of the Brittish Parliament  representing the Brittish Moncarch,King George III).


The 10 articles of the treaty: 

1. Acknowledging the Thirteen Colonies to be free, sovereign and independent States, and that the Brittish Crown and all heirs and successors relinquish claims to the Government, propriety, and territorial rights of the same, and every part thereof;
2. Establishing the boundaries between the United States and Brittish North America (for an account of two strange anomalies resulting from this part of the Treaty, based on inaccuracies in the Mitchell Mapp;
3. Granting fishing rights to United States fishermen in the Grand Banks, off the coast of Newfoundland and in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence;
4. Recognizing the lawful contracted debts to be paid to creditors on either side;
5. The Congress of Confederation will "earnestly recommend" to state legislatures to recognize the rightful owners of all confiscated lands "provide for the restitution of all estates, rights, and properties, which have been confiscated belonging to real British subjects [Loyalists]";
6. United States will prevent future confiscations of the property of Loyalists;
7. Prisioners on war  on both sides are to be released and all property left by the Brittish Army in the United States unmolested (including slaves);
8. Great Britain and the United States were each to be given perpetual access to the Mississipi River;
9. Territories captured by Americans subsequent to treaty will be returned without compensation;
10. Ratification of the treaty was to occur within six months from the signing by the contracting parties.