o be established between the two nations, the
respective plenipotentiaries have signed a treaty of friendship and
commerce, designed to serve as a foundation for their mutual good
correspondence. His majesty, the French king, being resolved to
cultivate the present good understanding subsisting between France and
Great Britain by every means compatible with his dignity and the good
of his subjects, thinks it necessary to make his proceeding known to the
court of London, and to declare at the same time that the contracting
parties have paid great attention not to stipulate any exclusive
advantages in favour of the French nation, and that the United States
have reserved the liberty of treating with every nation whatever
upon the same footing of equality and reciprocity. In making this
communication to the court of London, the king is firmly persuaded it
will find new proofs of his majesty's constant and sincere disposition
for peace; and that his Britannic majesty, animated by the same friendly
sentiments, will equally avoid every thing that may alter their good
harmony, and that he will particularly take effectual pleasures to
prevent his French majesty's subjects and the United States from being
interrupted, and to cause all the usages received between commercial
nations to be, in this respect, observed, and all those rules which can
be said to subsist between the two courts of France and Great
Britain. In this just confidence, the undersigned ambassador thinks it
superfluous to acquaint the British minister that the king, his master,
being determined to protect effectually the lawful commerce of his
subjects, and to maintain the dignity of his flag, has, in consequence,
taken effectual measures in concert with the Thirteen United and
Independent States of America." In making this communication to the
house, Lord North moved an appropriate address to the king, which again
called forth the spirit of opposition. In discussing the motion, an
amendment was proposed requesting his majesty to dismiss the ministers.
Lord North was reproached with having suffered himself to be surprised
by the notification of a treaty which appeared to have been two years
under discussion, and with leaving the country on the eve of war
destitute of adequate means for its internal security. Without designing
to vindicate ministers, Governor Pownall detailed the circumstances and
progress of the treaty. The account, however, which he gave was widel