Details
LIVINGSTON, Robert R. (1746-1813). Letter signed ("Robt.Livingston") as Secretary of Foreign Affairs, TO MAJOR GENERAL [NATHANAEL] GREENE, Philadelphia, 12 March 1783. 2 pages, folio, integral blank (partial separation at central fold). Greene's docket: "Peace not yet certain."
"I BELIEVE THE WAR WILL BE REMOVED FROM US": NEWS OF THE PEACE TREATY AND PLANS TO DEFEND THE SOUTH IF NEGOTIATIONS FAIL
An important letter from the Department of Foreign Affairs (a predecessor of the State Department), established in 1781. As its first Secretary, one of Livingston's duties was to inform military leaders of political developments. Here, as the difficult negotiations in Paris for an end to the War of Independence draw to a close, Livingston sends Greene "...the preliminary Articles agreed upon between our Ministers and those of G Britain. In every point but one they are unexceptional...by the referrence [sic] of the Tories to their respective States, they have made a very slender provision for the Restitution they stipulate. What it imports you more to know is, that tho' our principle difficulties are removed, yet many remain to retard the peace. Our Allies [France, Spain, Holland] do not appear to have made such progress in their negotiations, and Count de Vergennes in a letter...speaks with great uncertainty of the issue of his negotiation...At all events, I believe the war will be removed from us, and directed to other objects in the Spring. The British Comissioners have made some propositions to ours about a Convention for permitting the Army to depart in peace. But as nothing was concluded some doubts may still remain on this head." He cautions the British may be preparing to seize West Florida if talks collapse: "Tho' you will find in Lord North's speech...a passage, that seems to take the Evacuation for granted...I have reason to suppose, that they do not mean to rest contented with the loss of West Florida, and are apparently collecting a force for its reduction at [St.] Augustine," he adds: "I should think it prudent to maintain so respectable a force in Georgia and South Carolina as would discourage any attempt upon them in case the Negotiations should prove abortive." He closes with news that "a Treaty is now on foot between Sweden and us. The Commission to his Swedish Majesty's Minister contains an ample and honorable recognition of our Independence..."
Preliminary articles between the United States and Britain were signed on 20 January and hostilities officially ended. Congress received the provisional treaty on 13 March (a day after this letter) and approved it, after some debate, on 15 April. Ratification by both nations was accomplished on May 12.
"I BELIEVE THE WAR WILL BE REMOVED FROM US": NEWS OF THE PEACE TREATY AND PLANS TO DEFEND THE SOUTH IF NEGOTIATIONS FAIL
An important letter from the Department of Foreign Affairs (a predecessor of the State Department), established in 1781. As its first Secretary, one of Livingston's duties was to inform military leaders of political developments. Here, as the difficult negotiations in Paris for an end to the War of Independence draw to a close, Livingston sends Greene "...the preliminary Articles agreed upon between our Ministers and those of G Britain. In every point but one they are unexceptional...by the referrence [sic] of the Tories to their respective States, they have made a very slender provision for the Restitution they stipulate. What it imports you more to know is, that tho' our principle difficulties are removed, yet many remain to retard the peace. Our Allies [France, Spain, Holland] do not appear to have made such progress in their negotiations, and Count de Vergennes in a letter...speaks with great uncertainty of the issue of his negotiation...At all events, I believe the war will be removed from us, and directed to other objects in the Spring. The British Comissioners have made some propositions to ours about a Convention for permitting the Army to depart in peace. But as nothing was concluded some doubts may still remain on this head." He cautions the British may be preparing to seize West Florida if talks collapse: "Tho' you will find in Lord North's speech...a passage, that seems to take the Evacuation for granted...I have reason to suppose, that they do not mean to rest contented with the loss of West Florida, and are apparently collecting a force for its reduction at [St.] Augustine," he adds: "I should think it prudent to maintain so respectable a force in Georgia and South Carolina as would discourage any attempt upon them in case the Negotiations should prove abortive." He closes with news that "a Treaty is now on foot between Sweden and us. The Commission to his Swedish Majesty's Minister contains an ample and honorable recognition of our Independence..."
Preliminary articles between the United States and Britain were signed on 20 January and hostilities officially ended. Congress received the provisional treaty on 13 March (a day after this letter) and approved it, after some debate, on 15 April. Ratification by both nations was accomplished on May 12.
Special notice
Tax exempt.