ARTICLE I.

IF war ſhould break out between France and Great-Britain during the continuance of the preſent war between the United States and England, His Majeſty and the ſaid United States ſhall make it a common cauſe, and aid each other mutually with their good offices, their counſels and their forces, according to the exigence of conjunctures, as becomes good and faithful allies.

ARTICLE II.

The eſſential and direct end of the preſent defenſive alliance is, to maintain effectually the Liberty, Sovereignty and Independence abſolute and unlimited, of the ſaid United States, as well in matters of government as of commerce.

ARTICLE III.

The two contracting parties ſhall each on its own part, and in the manner it may judge moſt proper, make all the efforts in it's power againſt their common enemy, in order to attain the end propoſed.

ARTICLE IV.

The contracting parties agree, that in caſe either of them ſhould form any particular enterprize in which the concurrence of the other may be deſired, the party whoſe concurrence is deſired, ſhall readily and with good faith join to act in concert for that purpoſe, as far as circumſtances and its own particular ſituation will permit, and in that caſe, they ſhall regulate by a particular Convention the quantity and kind of ſuccour to be furniſhed, and the time and manner of its being brought into action, as well as the advantages which are to be its compenſation.

ARTICLE V.

If the United States ſhould think fit to attempt the reduction of the Britiſh power, remaining in the Northern parts of America, or the iſlands of Bermudas, thoſe countries or iſlands, in caſe of ſucceſs, ſhall be confederated with, or dependent upon the ſaid United States.

ARTICLE VI.

The Moſt Chriſtian King renounces forever the poſſeſſion of the iſlands of Bermudas, as well as of any part of the Continent of North-America, which before the Treaty of Paris, in 1763, or in virtue of that treaty, were acknowledged to belong to the Crown of Great-Britain, or to the United States, heretofore called Britiſh Colonies, or which are at this time, or have lately been under the power of the King and Crown of Great-Britain.

ARTICLE VII.

If His Moſt Chriſtian Majeſty ſhall think proper to attack any of the iſlands ſituated in the Gulph of Mexico or near that Gulph, which are at preſent under the power of Great-Britain, all the ſaid iſles, in caſe of ſucceſs, ſhall appertain to the Crown of France.

ARTICLE VIII.

Neither of the two parties ſhall conclude either truce or peace with Great-Britain, without the formal conſent of the other firſt obtain'd; and they mutually engage not to lay down their arms, until the Independence of the United States ſhall have been formally or tacitly affured, by the treaty or treaties that ſhall terminate the war.

ARTICLE IX.

The contracting parties declare, that being reſolved to fulfil each on it's own part, the clauſes and conditions of the preſent Treaty of Alliance, according to its own power and circumſtances, there ſhall be no after-claim of compenſation, on one ſide or the other, whatever may be the event of the war.

ARTICLE X.

The Moſt Chriſtian King and the United States agree, to invite or admit other powers, who may have received injuries from England, to make common cauſe with them, and to accede to the preſent alliance, under ſuch conditions as ſhall be freely agreed to, and ſettled between all the parties.

ARTICLE XI.

The two parties guarantee mutually from the preſent time, and forever againſt all other powers, to wit—The United States to His Moſt Chriſtian Majeſty the preſent poſſeſſions of the Crown of France in America, as well as theſe which it may acquire by the future treaty of peace; and His Moſt Chriſtian Majeſty guarantees on his part to the United States, their Liberty, Sovereignty, and Independence, abſolute and unlimited, as well in matters of government as commerce, and alſo their poſſeſſions, and the additions or conqueſts, that their confederation may obtain during the war, from any of the dominions now, or heretofore poſſeſſed by Great-Britain in North-America; conformable to the fifth and ſixth Articles above-written, the whole as their poſſeſſion ſhall be fixed and aſſured to the ſaid States, at the moment of the ceſſation of their preſent war with England.

ARTICLE XII.

In order to fix more preciſely the ſenſe and application of the preceeding Article, the contracting parties declare, that in caſe of a rupture between France and England, the reciprocal guarantee declared in the ſaid article, ſhall have its full force and effect, the moment ſuch war ſhall break out; and if ſuch rupture ſhall not take place, the mutual obligations of the ſaid guarantee ſhall not commence until the moment of the ceſſation of the preſent war, between the United States and England, ſhall have aſcertained their poſſeſſions.

ARTICLE XIII.

The preſent Treaty ſhall be ratified on both ſides, and the ratifications ſhall be exchanged in the ſpace of ſix months, or ſooner, if poſſible.

IN FAITH WHEREOF the reſpective Plenepotentiaries, to wit; on the part of the Moſt Chriſtian King, CONRAD ALEXANDER GERARD, Royal Syndic of the city of Straſbourg and Secretary of His Majeſty's Council of State. And on the part of the United States, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Deputy to the General Congreſs, from the State of Pennſylvania, and Preſident of the Convention of ſaid State; SILAS DEANE, heretofore Deputy from the State of Connecticut; and ARTHUR LEE, Counſellor at Law, have ſigned the above Articles both in the French and Engliſh languages; declaring nevertheleſs, that the preſent Treaty was originally compoſed and concluded in the French language, and they have hereunto affixed their ſeals.

DONE at PARIS, this Sixth Day of February, One Thouſand Seven Hundred and Seventy-Eight. (L. S.) C. A. GERARD. (L. S.) B. FRANKLIN. (L. S.) SILAS DEANE. (L. S.) ARTHUR LEE.

ARTICLE I.

THERE ſhall be a firm, inviolable and univerſal peace, and a true and ſincere friendſhip between the Moſt Chriſtian King, his heirs and ſucceſſors, and the United States of America, and the ſubjects of the Moſt Chriſtian King and of the ſaid States, and between the countries, iſlands, cities and towns ſituate under the juriſdiction of the Moſt Chriſtian King, and of the ſaid United States, and the people and inhabitants of every degree, without exception of perſons or places, and the terms herein after-mentioned, ſhall be perpetual between the Moſt Chriſtian King, his heirs and ſucceſſors, and the ſaid United States.

ARTICLE II.

The Moſt Chriſtian King and the United States engage mutually not to grant any particular favour to other nations, in reſpect of Commerce and Navigation, which ſhall not immediately become common to the other party, who ſhall enjoy the ſame favour freely, if the conceſſion was freely made, or on allowing the ſame compenſation, if the conceſſion was conditional.

ARTICLE III.

The ſubjects of the Moſt Chriſtian King ſhall pay in the ports, havens, roads, countries, iſlands, cities or towns of the United States, or any of them, no other or greater duties or impoſts, of what nature ſoever they may be, or by what name ſoever called, than thoſe which the nations moſt favoured are or ſhall be obliged to pay; and they ſhall enjoy all the rights, liberties, privileges, immunities and exemptions in trade, navigation and commerce, whether in paſſing from one port in the ſaid States to another, or in going to and from the ſame, from and to any part of the world, which the ſaid nations do or ſhall enjoy.

ARTICLE IV.

The ſubjects, people and inhabitants of the ſaid United States, and each of them, ſhall not pay in the ports, havens, roads, iſlands, cities and places under the domination of His Moſt Chriſtian Majeſty, in Europe, any other or greater duties or impoſts, of what nature ſoever they may be, or by what name ſoever called, than thoſe which the moſt favoured nations are or ſhall be obliged to pay; and they ſhall enjoy all the rights, liberties, privileges, immunities, and exemptions in trade, navigation and commerce, whether in paſſing from one port in the ſaid dominions in Europe, to another, or in going to and from the ſame, from and to any part of the world, which the ſaid nations do or ſhall enjoy.

ARTICLE V.

In the above exemption is particularly comprized, the impoſition of one hundred Sous per ton, eſtabliſhed in France on foreign ſhips, unleſs when the ſhips of the United States ſhall load with the merchandize of France, for another port of the ſame dominion; in which caſe the ſaid ſhips ſhall pay the duty above-mentioned, ſo long as other nations the moſt favoured ſhall be obliged to pay it; but it is underſtood, that the ſaid United States, or any of them, are at liberty, when they ſhall judge it proper, to eſtabliſh a duty equivalent in the ſame caſe.

ARTICLE VI.

The Moſt Chriſtian King ſhall endeavour, by all the means in his power, to protect and defend all veſſels and the effects belonging to the ſubjects, people or inhabitants of the ſaid United States, or any of them, being in his ports, havens or roads, or on the ſeas near to his countries, iſlands, cities or towns; and to recover and reſtore to the right owners, their agents or attornies, all ſuch veſſels and effects which ſhall be taken within his juriſdiction; and the ſhips of war of His Moſt Chriſtian Majeſty, or any convoy ſailing under his authority, ſhall, upon all occaſions, take under their protection all veſſels belonging to the ſubjects, people or inhabitants of the ſaid United States, or any of them, and holding the ſame courſe, or going the ſame way, and ſhall defend ſuch veſſels, as long as they hold the ſame courſe, or go the ſame way, againſt all attacks, force or violence, in the ſame manner as they ought to protect and defend the veſſels belonging to the ſubjects of the Moſt Chriſtian King.

ARTICLE VII.

In like manner the ſaid United States, and their ſhips of war, ſailing under their authority, ſhall protect and defend, conformably to the tenor of the preceeding article, all the veſſels and effects belonging to the ſubjects of the Moſt Chriſtian King, and uſe all their endeavours to recover, and cauſe to be reſtored, the ſaid veſſels and effects that ſhall have been taken within the juriſdiction of the ſaid United States, or any of them.

ARTICLE VIII.

The Moſt Chriſtian King will employ his good offices and interpoſition with the King or Emperor of Morocco or Fez; the Regencies of Algeirs, Tunis and Tripoly, or with any of them; and alſo with every other Prince, State or Power, of the coaſt of Barbary in Africa; and the ſubjects of the ſaid King, Emperor, States and Powers, and each of them, in order to provide as fully and efficaciouſly as poſſible for the benefit, conveniency and ſafety of the ſaid United States, and each of them, their ſubjects, people and inhabitants, and their veſſels and effects, againſt all violence, inſults, attacks or depredations, on the part of the ſaid Princes, and States of Barbary, or their ſubjects.

ARTICLE IX.

The ſubjects, inhabitants, merchants, commanders of ſhips, maſters and mariners of the ſtates, provinces and dominions of each party reſpectively, ſhall abſtain and forbear to fiſh in all places poſſeſſed, or which ſhall be poſſeſſed by the other party; the Moſt Chriſtian King's ſubjects ſhall not fiſh in the havens, bays, creeks, roads, coaſts or places, which the ſaid United States hold, or ſhall hereafter hold; and in like manner the ſubjects, people and inhabitants of the ſaid United States, ſhall not fiſh in the havens, bays, creeks, roads, coaſts or places, which the Moſt Chriſtian King poſſeſſes, or ſhall hereafter poſſeſs; and if any ſhip or veſſel ſhall be found fiſhing, contrary to the tenor of this Treaty, the ſaid ſhip or veſſel with its lading, (proof being made thereof) ſhall be confiſcated; it is however underſtood, that the excluſion ſtipulated in the preſent article, ſhall take place only ſo long, and ſo far as the Moſt Chriſtian King or the United States ſhall not in this reſpect have granted an exemption to ſome other nation.

ARTICLE X.

The United States, their citizens and inhabitants, ſhall never diſturb the ſubjects of the Moſt Chriſtian King in the enjoyment and exerciſe of the right of fiſhing on the Banks of Newfoundland, nor in the indefinite and excluſive right which belongs to them on that part of the coaſt of that iſland which is deſigned by the Treaty of Utrecht, nor in the right relative to all and each of the iſles which belong to His Moſt Chriſtian Majeſty, the whole conformable to the true ſenſe of the Treaties of Utrecht and Paris.

ARTICLE XI.

It is agreed and concluded, that there ſhall never be any duty impoſed on the exportation of the molaſſes that may be taken by the ſubjects of any of the United States, from the iſlands of America, which belong, or may hereafter appertain, to His Moſt Chriſtian Majeſty.

ARTICLE XII.

In compenſation of the exemption ſtipulated by the preceeding article, it is agreed and concluded, that there ſhall never be any duties impoſed on the exportation of any kind of merchandize, which the ſubjects of His Moſt Chriſtian Majeſty may take from the countries and poſſeſſions, preſent, or future, of any of the Thirteen United States, for the uſe of the iſlands which ſhall furniſh molaſſes.

ARTICLE XIII.

The ſubjects and inhabitants of the ſaid United States, or any one of them, ſhall not be reputed Aubains in France, and conſequently ſhall be exempted from the Droit d'Aubaine, or other ſimilar duty, under what name ſoever, they may by teſtament, donation or otherwiſe diſpoſe of their goods, moveable and immoveable, in favour of ſuch perſons as to them ſhall ſeem good, and their heirs, ſubjects of the ſaid United States, reſiding whether in France or elſewhere, may ſucceed them, ab inteſtat, without being obliged to obtain letters of naturalization, and without having the effect of this conceſſion conteſted or impeded under pretext of any rights or prerogatives of provinces, cities or private perſons; and the ſaid heirs, whether ſuch by particular title, or ab inteſtat, ſhall be exempt from all duty called Droit de detraction, or other duty of the ſame kind; ſaving nevertheleſs the local rights or duties as much and as long as ſimilar ones are not eſtabliſhed by the United States, or any of them. The ſubjects of the Moſt Chriſtian King ſhall enjoy on their part, in all the dominions of the ſaid States, an entire and perfect reciprocity relative to the ſtipulations contained in the preſent article: But it is at the ſame time agreed, that its contents ſhall not effect the laws made, or that may be made hereafter in France, againſt emigrations, which ſhall remain in all their force and vigor; and the United States on their part, or any of them, ſhall be at liberty to enact ſuch laws, relative to that matter, as to them ſhall ſeem proper.

ARTICLE XIV.

The merchant ſhips of either of the parties, which ſhall be making into a port belonging to the enemy of the other ally, and concerning whoſe voyage and the ſpecies of goods on board her there ſhall be juſt grounds of ſuſpicion, ſhall be obliged to exhibit, as well upon the high ſeas as in the ports and havens, not only her paſſports, but likewiſe certificates, expresſly ſhewing that her goods are not of the number of thoſe which have been prohibited as contraband.

ARTICLE XV.

If, by the exhibiting of the above-ſaid certificates, the other party diſcover there are any of thoſe ſorts of goods which are prohibited and declared contraband, and conſigned for a port under the obedience of his enemy, it ſhall not be lawful to break up the hatches of ſuch ſhip, or to open any cheſt, coffers, packs, caſks, or any other veſſels found therein, or to remove the ſmalleſt parcels of her goods, whether ſuch ſhip belongs to the ſubjects of France, or the inhabitants of the ſaid United States, unleſs the lading be brought on ſhore, in the preſence of the officers of the Court of Admiralty, and an inventory thereof made, but there ſhall be no allowance to ſell, exchange, or alienate the ſame in any manner, until after that due and lawful proceſs ſhall have been had againſt ſuch prohibited goods and the Court of Admiralty ſhall by a ſentence pronounced have conſiſcated the ſame, ſaving always as well the ſhip itſelf as any other goods found therein, which by this Treaty are to be eſteemed free; neither may they be detained on pretence of their being as it were infected by the prohibited goods, much leſs ſhall they be confiſcated as lawful prize; but if not the whole cargo but only part thereof ſhall conſiſt of prohibited or contraband goods, and the commander of the ſhip ſhall be ready and willing to deliver them to the captor who has diſcovered them, in ſuch caſe the captor having received thoſe goods, ſhall forthwith diſcharge the ſhip and not hinder her by any means freely to proſecute the voyage on which ſhe was bound. But in caſe the contraband merchandizes cannot be all received on board the veſſel of the captor, then the captor may, notwithſtanding the offer of delivering him the contraband goods, carry the veſſel into the neareſt port agreeable to what is above directed.

ARTICLE XVI.

On the contrary it is agreed, that whatever ſhall be found to be laden by the ſubjects and inhabitants of either party on any ſhip belonging to the enemies of the other, or to their ſubjects, the whole, although it be not of the ſort of prohibited goods, may be confiſcated in the ſame manner as if it belonged to the enemy, except ſuch goods and merchandize as were put on board ſuch ſhip before the declaration of war, or even after ſuch declaration, if ſo be it were done without knowledge of ſuch declaration, ſo that the goods of the ſubjects and people of either party, whether they be of the nature of ſuch as are prohibited or otherwiſe, which, as is aforeſaid, were put on board any ſhip belonging to an enemy before the war or after the declaration of the ſame, without the knowledge of it, ſhall no ways be liable to confiſcation, but ſhall well and truly be reſtored without delay to the proprietors demanding the ſame; but ſo as that if the ſaid merchandizes be contraband it ſhall not be any ways lawful to carry them afterwards to any ports belonging to the enemy. The two contracting parties agree, that the term of two months being paſs'd after the declaration of war, their reſpective ſubjects, from whatever part of the world they come, ſhall not plead the ignorance mentioned in this article.

ARTICLE XVII.

And that more effectual care may be taken for the ſecurity of the ſubjects and inhabitants of both parties, that they ſuffer no injury by the men of war or privateers of the other party, all the commanders of the ſhips of His Moſt Chriſtian Majeſty and of the ſaid United States, and all their ſubjects and inhabitants, ſhall be forbid doing any injury or damage to the other ſide; and if they act to the contrary they ſhall be puniſhed, and ſhall moreover be bound to make ſatisfaction for all matter of damage, and the intereſt thereof, by reparation, under the pain and obligation of their perſons and goods.

ARTICLE XVIII.

All ſhips and merchandize of what nature ſoever, which ſhall be reſcued out of the hands of any pirates or robbers on the high ſeas, ſhall be brought into ſome port of either State, and ſhall be delivered to the cuſtody of the officers of that port, in order to be reſtored intire to the true proprietor, as ſoon as due and ſuflicient proof ſhall be made concerning the property thereof.

ARTICLE XIX.

If ſhall be lawful for the ſhips of war of either party, and privateers, freely to carry whitherſoever they pleaſe, the ſhips and goods taken from their enemies, without being obliged to pay any duty to the officers of the Admiralty or any other Judges; nor ſhall ſuch prizes be arreſted or ſeized when they come to and enter the port of either party; nor ſhall the ſearchers or other officers of thoſe places ſearch the ſame or make examination concerning the lawfulneſs of ſuch prizes; but they may hoiſt fail at any time, and depart and carry their prizes to the places expreſſed in their commiſſions, which the commanders of ſuch ſhips of war ſhall be obliged to ſhew: On the contrary, no ſhelter or refuge ſhall be given in their ports to ſuch as ſhall have made prize of the ſubjects, people or property of either of the parties; but if ſuch ſhall come in, being forced by ſtreſs of weather or the danger of the ſea, all proper means ſhall be vigorouſly uſed, that they go out and retire from thence as ſoon as poſſible.

ARTICLE XX.

If any ſhip belonging to either of the parties, their people or ſubjects, ſhall within the coaſts or dominions of the other ſtick upon the ſands, or be wrecked or ſuffer any other damage, all friendly aſſiſtance and relief ſhall be given to the perſons ſhipwrecked, or ſuch as ſhall be in danger thereof. And letters of ſafe conduct ſhall likewiſe be given to them for their free and quiet paſſage from thence, and the return of every one to his own country.

ARTICLE XXI.

In caſe the ſubjects and inhabitants of either party, with their ſhipping, whether public and of war or private and of merchants, be forced through ſtreſs of weather, purſuit of pirates or enemies, or any other urgent neceſſity for ſeeking of ſhelter and harbor to retreat and enter into any of the rivers, bays, roads or ports belonging to the other party, they ſhall be received and treated with all humanity and kindneſs, and enjoy all friendly protection and help; and they ſhall be permitted to refreſh and provide themſelves at reaſonable rates with victuals and all things needful for the ſuſtenance of their perſons or reparation of their ſhips and conveniency of their voyage, and they ſhall no ways be detained or hindered from returning out of the ſaid ports or roads, but may remove and depart when and whither they pleaſe, without any let or hindrance.

ARTICLE XXII.

For the better promoting of commerce on both ſides, it is agreed, that if a war ſhould break out between the ſaid two nations, ſix months after the proclamation of war ſhall be allowed to the merchants in the cities and towns where they live for ſelling and tranſporting their goods and merchandizes; and if any thing be taken from them, or any injury be done them within that term by either party, or the people or ſubjects of either, full ſatisfaction ſhall be made for the ſame.

ARTICLE XXIII.

No ſubjects of the Moſt Chriſtian King ſhall apply for or take any commiſſion or letters of marque for arming any ſhip or ſhips to act as privateers againſt the ſaid United States or any of them, or againſt the ſubjects, people or inhabitants of the ſaid United States or any of them, or againſt the property of any of the inhabitants of any of them, from any Prince or State with which the United States ſhall be at war; nor ſhall any citizen, ſubject, or inhabitant of the ſaid United States or any of them, apply for or take any commiſſion or letters of marque for arming any ſhip or ſhips to act as privateers againſt the ſubjects of the Moſt Chriſtian King, or any of them, or the property of any of them, from any Prince or State with which the ſaid King ſhall be at war; and if any perſon of either nation ſhall take ſuch commiſſion or letters of marque, he ſhall be puniſhed as a pirate.

ARTICLE XXIV.

It ſhall not be lawful for any foreign privateers, not belonging to the ſubjects of the Moſt Chriſtian King, nor citizens of the ſaid United States, who have commiſſions from any other Prince or State at enmity with either nation, to ſit their ſhips in the ports of either the one orthe other of the aforeſaid parties, to ſell what they have taken, or in any other manner whatſoever to exchange their ſhips, merchandizes or any other lading; neither ſhall they be allowed even to purchaſe victuals, except ſuch as ſhall be neceſſary for their going to the next port of that Prince or State from which they have commiſſions.

ARTICLE XXV.

It ſhall be lawful for all and ſingular the ſubjects of the Moſt Chriſtian King and the citizens, people and inhabitants of the ſaid United States, to ſail with their ſhips with all manner of liberty and ſecurity, no diſtinction being made who are the proprietors of the merchandize laden thereon, from any port to the places of thoſe who now are or hereafter ſhall be at enmity with the Moſt Chriſtian King or the United States. It ſhall likewiſe be lawful for the ſubjects and inhabitants aforeſaid, to ſail with the ſhips and merchandizes aforementioned, and to trade with the ſame liberty and ſecurity from the places, ports and havens of thoſe who are enemies of both or either party, without any oppoſition or diſturbance whatſoever, not only directly from the places of the enemy aforementioned to neutral places, but alſo from one place belonging to an enemy to another place belonging to an enemy, whether they be under the juriſdiction of the ſame Prince, or under ſeveral. And it is hereby ſtipulated, that free ſhips ſhall alſo give a freedom to goods, and that every thing ſhall be deemed to be tree and exemptwhich ſhall be found on board the ſhips belonging to the ſubjects of either of the Confederates, although the whole lading or any part thereof ſhould appertain to the enemies of either, contraband goods being always excepted. It is alſo agreed in like manner, that the ſame liberty be extended to perſons who are on board a free ſhip, with this effect, that although they be enemies to both or either party, they are not to be taken out of that free ſhip, unleſs they are ſoldiers and in actual ſervice of the enemies.

ARTICLE XXVI.

This liberty of navigation and commerce ſhall extend to all kinds of merchandizes, excepting thoſe only which are diſtinguiſhed by the name of contraband, and under this name of contraband or prohibited goods ſhall be comprehended arms, great guns, bombs with their fuſes and other things belonging to them, cannon ball, gun-powder, match, pikes, ſwords, lances, ſpears, halberds, mortars, petards, gren • does, ſaltpetre, muſkets, muſket-ball, bucklers, helmets, breaſt-plates, coats of mail, and the like kinds of arms, proper for arming ſoldiers, muſket-reſts, belts, horſes with their furniture, and all other warlike inſtruments whatever. Theſe merchandizes which follow ſhall not be reckoned among contraband or prohibited goods; that is to ſay, all ſorts of cloths, and all other manufactures woven of any wool, flax, ſilk, cotton, or any other materials whatever, all kinds of wearing apparel, together with the ſpecies whereof they are uſed to be made, gold and ſilver, as well coined as uncoined, tin, iron, latten, copper, braſs, coals; as alſo wheat and barley, and any other kind of corn and pulſe, tobacco, and likewiſe all manner of ſpices, ſalted and ſmoaked fleſh, ſalted fiſh, cheeſe and butter, beer, oils, wines, ſugars, and all ſorts of ſalts, and in general all proviſions which ſerve for the nouriſhment of mankind and the ſuſtenance of life; furthermore, all kinds of cotton, hemp, flax, tar, pitch, ropes, cables, ſails, ſail-cloths, anchors and any parts of anchors, alſo ſhips maſts, planks, boards and beams of what trees ſoever, and all other things proper either for building or repairing ſhips, and all other goods whatever which have not been worked into the form of any inſtrument or thing prepared for war by land or by ſea, ſhall not be reputed contraband, much leſs ſuch as have been already wrought and made up for any other uſe; all which ſhall be wholly reckoned among free goods; as likewiſe all other merchandizes and things which are not comprehended and particularly mentioned in the foregoing enumeration of contraband goods, ſo that they may be tranſported and carried in the freeſt manner by the ſubjects of both Confederates, even to places belonging to an enemy, ſuch towns or places being only excepted, as are at that time beſeiged, blocked up or inveſted

ARTICLE XXVII.

To the end that all manner of diſſentions and quarrels may be avoided and prevented, on one ſide and the other, it is agreed, that in caſe either of the parties hereto, ſhould be engaged in war, the ſhips and veſſels belonging to the ſubjects or people of the other ally muſt be furniſhed with ſea letters or paſſports, expreſſing the name, property and bulk of the ſhip, as alſo the name and place of habitation of the maſter or commander of the ſaid ſhip that it may appear thereby that the ſhip really and truly belongs to the ſubjects of one of the parties, which paſſport ſhall be made out and granted according to the form annexed to this treaty; they ſhall likewiſe be recalled every year, that is if the ſhip happens to return home within the ſpace of a year; it is likewiſe agreed, that ſuch ſhips being laden are to be provided not only with paſſports as above mentioned, but alſo with certificates, containing the ſeveral particulars of the cargo, the place whence the ſhip ſailed, and whither ſhe is bound, that ſo it may be known whether any forbidden or contraband goods be on board of the ſame, which certificates ſhall be made out by the officers of the place whence the ſhip ſet ſail, in the accuſtomed forms; and if any one ſhall think it fit or adviſeable to expreſs in the ſaid certificates, the perſon to whom. the goods on board belong, he may freely do ſo.

ARTICLE XXVIII.

The ſhips of the ſubjects and inhabitants of either of the parties coming upon any coaſt belonging to either of the ſaid allies, but not willing to enter into port, or being entered into port and not willing to unload their cargoes or break bulk, they ſhall be treated according to the general rules preſcribed or to be preſcribed relative to the object in queſtion.

ARTICLE XXIX.

If the ſhips of the ſaid ſubjects, people or inhabitants of either of the parties ſhall be met with, either ſailing along the coaſts or on the high ſeas, by any ſhip of war of the other, or by any privateers, the ſaid ſhips of war or privateers, for the avoiding of any diſorder, ſhall remain out of cannon ſhot, and may ſend their boats on board the merchant ſhip which they ſhall ſo meet with, and may enter her to the number of two or three men only, to whom the maſter or commander of ſuch ſhip or veſſel ſhall exhibit his paſſport concerning the property of the ſhip, made out according to the form inſerted in this preſent treaty, and the ſhip, when ſhe ſhall have ſhewed ſuch paſſport, ſhall be free and at liberty to purſue her voyage ſo as it ſhall not be lawful to moleſt or ſearch her in any manner, or to give her chace or force her to quit her intended courſe.

ARTICLE XXX.

It is alſo agreed, that all goods, when once put on board the ſhips or veſſels of either of the two contracting parties, ſhall be ſubject to no farther viſitation, but all viſitation or ſearch ſhall be made before hand, and all prohibited goods ſhan be ſtopped on the ſpot before the ſame be put on board, unleſs there are manifeſt tokens or proofs of fraudulent practice; nor ſhall either the perſons or goods of the ſubjects of His Moſt Chriſtian Majeſty or the United States, be put under any arreſt or moleſted by any other kind of embargo for that cauſe, and only the ſubject of that State to whom the ſaid goods have been or ſhall be prohibited, and who ſhall preſume to ſell or alienate ſuch ſort of goods, ſhall be duly puniſhed for the offence.

ARTICLE XXXI.

The two contracting parties grant mutually the liberty of having each in the ports of the other, Conſuls, Vice-Conſuls, Agents and Commiſſaries, whoſe functions ſhall be regulated by a particular agreement.

ARTICLE XXXII.

And the more to favor and facilitate the commerce which the ſubjects of the United States may have with France, the Moſt Chriſtian King will grant them in Europe one or more free ports, where they may bring and diſpoſe of all the produce and merchandize of the Thirteen United States; and his Majeſty will alſo continue to the ſubjects of the ſaid States, the free ports which have been and are open in the French iſlands of America, of all which free ports the ſaid ſubjects of the United States ſhall enjoy the uſe, agreeable to the regulations which relate to them.

ARTICLE XXXIII.

The preſent treaty ſhall be ratified on both ſides, and the ratifications ſhall be exchanged in the ſpace of ſix months, or ſooner if poſſible.

IN FAITH WHEREOF the reſpective Plenepotentiaries have ſigned the above Articles both in the French and Engliſh languages; declaring nevertheleſs, that the preſent Treaty was originally compoſed and concluded in the French language, and they have thereto affixed their ſeals.

DONE at PARIS, this Sixth Day of February, One Thouſand Seven Hundred and Seventy-Eight. (L. S.) C. A. GERARD. (L. S.) B. FRANKLIN. (L. S.) SILAS DEANE. (L. S.) ARTHUR LEE.