The End of the War

Sentiment for making peace had been growing in Great Britain. The war had proved a costly burden, more costly than many British leaders believed the colonies in revolt to be worth. There also was criticism that the war had been conducted ineptly by the British government. The victory at Yorktown, by showing the effectiveness of the France-American alliance, gave the nation an excuse to negotiate for peace.

Except for a few minor skirmishes in the South, an unproclaimed truce was in effect after Yorktown. In March, 1782, Lord Frederick North, whose ministry had direct-ed the war, was forced to resign as prime minister. He was succeeded by the Whig leader, the Marquis of Rockingham, who began negotiations for peace.

The negotiations for a final settlement were complicated by considerations involving France, Spain, and the Netherlands. The American and British peace commissioners, however, reached a secret preliminary agreement in November, 1782. Their final agreement, the Treaty of Paris, was signed September 3, 1783.

The first article of the treaty, and the most important, recognized the former colonies to be free, sovereign, and independent states." The second article set the boundaries of the United States to include the western lands to the Mississippi River between Canada and Spanish Florida. By another provision, United States citizens were granted limited fishing rights off Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and nearby British possessions. It was agreed that neither country would set up legal barriers to the payment in sterling money of private debts contracted before the war.

The treaty provided that Congress recommend to the states that seized property of British subjects be restored. Congress was also to recommend that the same provision apply to Americans who remained loyal to the crown behind British lines but did not take up arms.