away any negroes or other property of
the American inhabitants."[607]

It is clear, that notwithstanding the Act of the Massachusetts
Legislature, and in the face of the law of Congress on the question of
recaptures, Gen. Washington, the Congress of the United Colonies, and
subsequently of the United States, regarded Negroes as _property_ from
the beginning to the end of the war. The following treaties furnish
abundant proof that Negroes were regarded as property during the war,
by the American government:--

"PROVISIONAL ARTICLES BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AND HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY.

"Agreed upon by and between Richard Oswald, Esquire the
Commissioner of His Britannic Majesty, for treating of Peace
with the Commissioners of the United States of America, in
behalf of his said Majesty, on one part, and John Adams,
Benjamin Franklin, John Jay and Henry Laurens, four of the
Commissioners of the said States, etc., etc., etc.

"Article VII. * * * All prisoners on both sides shall be set
at liberty, and His Britannic Majesty shall with all
convenient speed, and without causing any destruction, or
carrying away any '_negroes or other property_' of the
American inhabitants, withdraw all his armies, garrisons and
fleets from the said United States, and from every port,
place and harbour within the same.* * *

"Done at Paris, Nov 30, 1782.

"RICHARD OSWALD, [L.S.]
"JOHN ADAMS, [L.S.]
"B. FRANKLIN, [L.S.]
"JOHN JAY, [L.S.]
"HENRY LAURENS, [L.S.]"[608]

"DEFINITE TREATY OF PEACE, BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA AND HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY.

"Article VII. * * * And His Britannic Majesty shall, with
all convenient speed, and without causing any destruction,
or carrying away any '_negroes or other property_' of the
American inhabitants, withdraw all his armies, etc., etc.,
etc.* * *

"Done at Paris, Sept. 3, 1783.

"D HARTLEY. [L.S.]
"JOHN ADAMS, [L.S.]
"B. FRANKLIN, [L.S.]
"JOHN JAY, [L.S.]"[609]

"TREATY OF PEACE AND AMITY,