The date was September 3, 1783. Nine years of the brutal fighting and conflict of the Revolutionary War had gone by, and every side of this dispute, America, Great Britain, France, and Spain, wanted change, restoration, and resolution. In response to these desires, dignitaries from America and Great Britain were meeting together in France to sign a treaty that would officially give America the very thing that they had been sacrificing everything to have: the recognition of being a free, independent nation. This monumental treaty was called The Treaty of Paris.
Opening with “In the name of the most holy and undivided Trinity…” this document spelled out the guidelines that would restore peace between the nations. The very first paragraph says one of the most important things for Americans when it says: “It having pleased the Divine Providence to dispose the hearts of the most serene and most potent Prince George the Third, by the grace of God, king of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, defender of the faith, duke of Brunswick and Lunebourg, arch-treasurer and prince elector of the Holy Roman Empire ect., and of the United States of America, to forget all misunderstandings and differences…and to establish such a beneficial and satisfactory intercourse…” In short, that the countries involved in the war would put the conflict behind them, and work to establish a good relationship between them.
The document goes on to talk about ten different articles that were to be followed, sort of like an order of conduct between the nations. The first article talks about how “His Brittanic Majesty,” the king of the British Empire, acknowledges that the thirteen colonies were “free sovereign and independent states…” The second and third article talks about boarder issues and fishing rights; furthermore, the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh articles go on to address the payment of goods gained during the war, the restoration of confiscated possessions, and the prosecution of those who confiscated possessions during the war.
The next article, article eight, is particularly interesting. While it is the shortest article, it has so much to do with how our nation became such a large and powerful one in the world. It states: “The navigation of the river Mississippi, from its source to the ocean, shall forever remain free and open to the subjects of Great Britain and the citizens of the United States.” Because of this river being made an open place for both nations, America was able to explore beyond what was once know as the “Old West:” the Appalachian mountain range to the Mississippi River. This exploration led to things like the Louisiana Purchase, settlement in the west, the transcontinental railroad, and the gold rush.
The second to last article, article nine, addresses what America or Great Britain should do if they were to conquer any land that belonged to either of them before this document reached America. It states that “it is agreed that the same”…the land conquered…”shall be restored without difficulty and without requiring any compensation.” Finally, the last article, article ten, says that the treaty shall be exchanged between the two countries within the next six months. Also, it says that the men who were present, D. Hartley, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay, were in agreement on these points when it says: “In witness whereof we the undersigned…signed with our hands the present definitive treaty and caused the seals of our arms to be affixed thereto."
Since the signing of this document, the United Sates of America has become a country that not many thought it would become. That is, not many besides these men, and the men like them who fought for our freedom, succeeded, and then spent the rest of their lives working for their new country. They did all of this because of a firm belief that America needed to be an independent nation, under the authority of God. Like them, people should have the courage to stand up for what we know to be truth, the Word of God, even in the face of those who disagree and who say that what we pray for will not happen. If we do, the Lord will accomplish things that no one dreamed could happen. Just like how thirteen little colonies stood up against an Empire for what they believed the Lord was telling them, and won.
Opening with “In the name of the most holy and undivided Trinity…” this document spelled out the guidelines that would restore peace between the nations. The very first paragraph says one of the most important things for Americans when it says: “It having pleased the Divine Providence to dispose the hearts of the most serene and most potent Prince George the Third, by the grace of God, king of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, defender of the faith, duke of Brunswick and Lunebourg, arch-treasurer and prince elector of the Holy Roman Empire ect., and of the United States of America, to forget all misunderstandings and differences…and to establish such a beneficial and satisfactory intercourse…” In short, that the countries involved in the war would put the conflict behind them, and work to establish a good relationship between them.
The document goes on to talk about ten different articles that were to be followed, sort of like an order of conduct between the nations. The first article talks about how “His Brittanic Majesty,” the king of the British Empire, acknowledges that the thirteen colonies were “free sovereign and independent states…” The second and third article talks about boarder issues and fishing rights; furthermore, the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh articles go on to address the payment of goods gained during the war, the restoration of confiscated possessions, and the prosecution of those who confiscated possessions during the war.
The next article, article eight, is particularly interesting. While it is the shortest article, it has so much to do with how our nation became such a large and powerful one in the world. It states: “The navigation of the river Mississippi, from its source to the ocean, shall forever remain free and open to the subjects of Great Britain and the citizens of the United States.” Because of this river being made an open place for both nations, America was able to explore beyond what was once know as the “Old West:” the Appalachian mountain range to the Mississippi River. This exploration led to things like the Louisiana Purchase, settlement in the west, the transcontinental railroad, and the gold rush.
The second to last article, article nine, addresses what America or Great Britain should do if they were to conquer any land that belonged to either of them before this document reached America. It states that “it is agreed that the same”…the land conquered…”shall be restored without difficulty and without requiring any compensation.” Finally, the last article, article ten, says that the treaty shall be exchanged between the two countries within the next six months. Also, it says that the men who were present, D. Hartley, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay, were in agreement on these points when it says: “In witness whereof we the undersigned…signed with our hands the present definitive treaty and caused the seals of our arms to be affixed thereto."
Since the signing of this document, the United Sates of America has become a country that not many thought it would become. That is, not many besides these men, and the men like them who fought for our freedom, succeeded, and then spent the rest of their lives working for their new country. They did all of this because of a firm belief that America needed to be an independent nation, under the authority of God. Like them, people should have the courage to stand up for what we know to be truth, the Word of God, even in the face of those who disagree and who say that what we pray for will not happen. If we do, the Lord will accomplish things that no one dreamed could happen. Just like how thirteen little colonies stood up against an Empire for what they believed the Lord was telling them, and won.
“Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, if ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and cast into the sea, it shall be done.”
~Matthew 21:21
Miss Shannon is a home school junior who loves the Lord Jesus Christ, and is striving to follow Him more and more. She blogs at Below the Plateau.
Hi! I am Miss Shannon. I am a home school junior who loves the Lord Jesus Christ, and is striving to follow Him more and more. Along with that, I am the daughter of two loving parents, sister to two siblings, and aunt to two cute, loud little boys. As I get closer to graduation, I am seeking the Lord's will in what He wants me to do in life. As for now, I am trying to be content and serve Him in the place that He has me.