Traité de paix entre le Roi et le Roi de la Grande-Bretagne, conclu à Versailles le 3 septembre 1783.

ENDING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR

First edition. Title-page vignette plus two woodcut illustrations to text. Small 4to. Period style quarter mottled calf over marbled paper covered boards, red leather label and gilt titles to spine. Title-page a little toned, but very good. 35, [1]pp. Paris, Imprimerie royale,

A very good copy of the document that concluded hostilities between England and France and saw the end of the Revolutionary War.

 

The twenty-four articles governed the exchange of prisoners, ensured that (with some minor changes) each power maintained possessions in the Caribbean, West Africa (thereby continuing the slave trade), and India. Importantly, while Great Britain retained Newfoundland, the islands of St Pierre and Miquelon were given to France, and so both enjoyed fishing rights to different parts of the North Atlantic. This was one of the most difficult negotiating points between the two countries.

 

George Montague, the 3rd Duke of Manchester and Charles Gravier, Comte de Vergennes signed the treaty for Great Britain and France respectively. The treaty had a lasting impact for both nations. Of course, Great Britain lost thirteen colonies in North America, while the lack of territorial gain for France is considered one of the aspects that led to revolution six years later.

 

Not in Wroth & Annan; Sabin, 96557.

Stock Code: 234155