**TODAY ONLY**

January 14

Treaty of Paris Ratified
On this day in 1784, the Continental Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris, officially ending US War of Independence. War is Over? Although Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown in the Fall of 1781 marked the end of the Revolutionary War, minor battles between the British and the colonists continued for another two years. Finally, in February of 1783 George III issued his Proclamation of Cessation of Hostilities, which was formalized in the Peace Treaty of 1783. Live! From the USA! Representing the United States were John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, all of whom signed the treaty. Terms of the Treaty. By its terms, "His Britannic Majesty" had to withdraw his armies without "carrying away any Negroes or other property of American inhabitants."	What It Did. The Treaty of Paris established the United States as an independent and sovereign nation and provided for evacuation of all British forces. It gave the US territory as far west as the Mississippi River. Canada was reserved for Great Britain. Newfoundland fisheries remained available to Americans and navigation of the Mississippi River was open to both parties. Congress promised that they would recommend that states return confiscated loyalist property, but they didn't have the power to enforce this demand. Creditors in both countries were free to try to collect on debts., Long Time Coming. The previous April, the Continental Congress had approved preliminary articles of peace. That September the Treaty was signed in Paris. The problem was that Congress was required to return the ratified document to England within six months. Trouble Getting Off the Ground. Although they were scheduled to meet at the Maryland State House in November, by January 12, only seven of the 13 states had legal representatives at the ratifying convention. Congress, under the weak Articles of Confederation, didn't have the power to make them attend the convention. Without enough signatures, the treaty could not be ratified. And a journey to England took two months in those days. Time was running out.	Site where the treaty was ratified. The Maryland State House is the oldest state house still in legislative use. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1968. Trickle In Theory. Delegates continued to trickle in. Connecticut representatives presented their credentials to Congress on January 13, making the convention just one delegate short. Richard Beresford of South Carolina left his sickbed in Philadelphia for Annapolis. As soon as he arrived, the vote was taken. The treaty was ratified and shipped off in the nick of time. The US was independent at last. Link for More. See it. Read it. The Paris Peace Treaty. A stop on the timeline of history.

TODAY ONLY

January 14

Treaty of Paris Ratified

On this day in 1784, the Continental Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris, officially ending US War of Independence.

War is Over? Although Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown in the Fall of 1781 marked the end of the Revolutionary War, minor battles between the British and the colonists continued for another two years. Finally, in February of 1783 George III issued his Proclamation of Cessation of Hostilities, which was formalized in the Peace Treaty of 1783.

Live! From the USA! Representing the United States were John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, all of whom signed the treaty.

Terms of the Treaty. By its terms, "His Britannic Majesty" had to withdraw his armies without "carrying away any Negroes or other property of American inhabitants."

What It Did.

The Treaty of Paris established the United States as an independent and sovereign nation and provided for evacuation of all British forces.
It gave the US territory as far west as the Mississippi River.
Canada was reserved for Great Britain.
Newfoundland fisheries remained available to Americans and navigation of the Mississippi River was open to both parties.
Congress promised that they would recommend that states return confiscated loyalist property, but they didn't have the power to enforce this demand.
Creditors in both countries were free to try to collect on debts.,

Long Time Coming. The previous April, the Continental Congress had approved preliminary articles of peace. That September the Treaty was signed in Paris. The problem was that Congress was required to return the ratified document to England within six months.

Trouble Getting Off the Ground. Although they were scheduled to meet at the Maryland State House in November, by January 12, only seven of the 13 states had legal representatives at the ratifying convention. Congress, under the weak Articles of Confederation, didn't have the power to make them attend the convention. Without enough signatures, the treaty could not be ratified. And a journey to England took two months in those days. Time was running out.

Site where the treaty was ratified. The Maryland State House is the oldest state house still in legislative use. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1968.

Trickle In Theory. Delegates continued to trickle in. Connecticut representatives presented their credentials to Congress on January 13, making the convention just one delegate short. Richard Beresford of South Carolina left his sickbed in Philadelphia for Annapolis. As soon as he arrived, the vote was taken. The treaty was ratified and shipped off in the nick of time. The US was independent at last.

Link for More.

See it.

Read it.

The Paris Peace Treaty. A stop on the timeline of history.