John Adams: A Memorial on the Evacuation of the Posts

A Memorial

The Subscriber, Minister Plenipotentiary, from the United States of Aerica, has the Honour to represent to the Ministry of his Britannic Majesty, that by the Seventh Article of the Preliminary Treaty of Peace, between his Majesty and the United States of America, Signed at Paris, on the thirtieth day of November, One Thousand, Seven hundred and Eighty two, confirmed by the Definitive Treaty of Peace, Signed at Paris, on the third day of September, One Thousand Seven hundred and Eighty three, it was Stipulated, that His Britannic Majesty Should, 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 & Harbour, within the Same, leaving in all Fortifications the American Artillery, that may be therein.

That, although a Period of three Years, has elapsed, Since the Signature of the PreliminaryTreaty and of more than two Years, Since that of the Definitive Treaty, the Posts of Oswegatchy, Oswego Niagara, Presque Isle, Sandusky, Detroit, Michillimachinac, with others not necessary to be particularly enumerated, and a considerable Territory round each of them, all within the incontestable Limits of the Said United States, are Still held by British Garrisons to the Loss and Injury of the said United States.

The Subscriber therefore in the name and behalf of the said United States, and in obedience to their express Commands, has the Honour to require of his Britannic Majestys Ministry, that all his Majestys Armies and Garrisons, be forthwith withdrawn from the Said United States; and from all and every of the Posts and Fortresses herein before enumerated, and from every other Port, Place, and Harbour, within the Territory of the Said United States, according to the true Intention of the Treaties aforesaid

Done at Westminster, this thirtieth Day of November, one Thousand Seven hundred and Eighty five