President Thomas Mifflin
Ratified The Treaty of Paris
Fifth President of the United States
in Congress Assembled
November 3, 1783 to November 2, 1784
On November 22nd, 1783, John Thaxter, Jr., John Adams'
private secretary, arrived in Philadelphia and presented the Treaty of
Paris to President Thomas Mifflin for ratification consideration by
the USCA in Annapolis. Mifflin, concerned over the nine state quorum
challenges wrote the Governors of the states from Philadelphia, on November 23,
1783 this circular letter.
"I have the honor to inform you, that Mr. [John] Thaxter, the private Secretary to Mr. [John] Adams, arrived here from France last evening; being dispatched, by our Minister at Paris [Benjamin Franklin], with a copy of the definitive treaty of peace between the United States of America and Great Britain; which was signed on the 3rd of September last. As I find by the last article of the treaty, it is stipulated that 'the ratifications thereof, expedited in good & due form, shall be exchanged between the contracting parties in the space of six months or sooner if possible'; to be computed from the day of the signature; and as much of that time is elapsed, I think it proper to give your Excellency this information, to the end that the delegates of your State may be impressed with the necessity of their attending in Congress as soon as possible..."[80]
As feared by President Mifflin, the USCA failed
to achieve a quorum in November and well into December only managing the lower
limit of seven states on the 13th to convene the Annapolis
Congress. The Articles of Confederation, by constitutional requirement,
mandated that nine states were needed to ratifying treaty and bind all the
states so not vote was taken by the delegates.
On Saturday 20 December 1783 the USCA received
Commander-in-Chief George Washington’s letter notifying the President of his
arrival in Annapolis, Maryland, with the intention of "asking
leave to resign the commission he has the honor of holding in their service,
and desiring to know their pleasure in what manner it will be most proper to
offer his resignation; whether in writing or at an audience."
Upon reading the letter, debate ensued over the constitutional issue of the
resignation being approved by only a seven and not a nine state USCA
quorum. It was delegate James Monroe, from Virginia, who made the case
that seven states were enough to receive the Commander-in-Chief and accept his
resignation. He argue that although the Articles require nine states to
appoint a Commander-in-Chief, there was no stipulation that nine were needed to
accept a resignation. The Articles read:
The United States in Congress assembled shall never engage in a war, nor grant letters of marque or reprisal in time of peace, nor enter into any treaties or alliances, nor coin money, nor regulate the value thereof, nor ascertain the sums and expenses necessary for the defense and welfare of the United States, or any of them, nor emit bills, nor borrow money on the credit of the United States, nor appropriate money, nor agree upon the number of vessels of war, to be built or purchased, or the number of land or sea forces to be raised, nor appoint a commander in chief of the army or navy, unless nine States assent to the same: nor shall a question on any other point, except for adjourning from day to day be determined, unless by the votes of the majority of the United States in Congress assembled.[81]
The Delegates, after a lengthy debate, agreed and
resolved that Washington "be admitted to a public audience, on
Tuesday next, at twelve o'clock." [82]
George Washington's attendance in Congress set
the stage for one of the most remarkable events of United States
history. George Washington's resignation as
Commander-in-Chief would be the last great act of the Revolutionary War.
Historian David Ramsay wrote of Washington trek to new federal capital to
submit his resignation:
In every town and village, through which the General passed, he was met by public and private demonstrations of gratitude and joy. When he arrived at Annapolis, he informed Congress of his intention to ask leave to resign the commission he had the honor to hold in their service, and desired to know their pleasure in what manner it would be most proper to be done. They resolved that it should be in a public audience.[83]
The event began on December 22nd when
President Mifflin gave a dinner, of over two hundred covers, to the
Commander-in-Chief. Afterwards, a magnificent ball was given in his honor
by the Maryland Assembly. Washington opened the ball with the charming Mrs.
James MacCubbin, gallantly presenting her with an elegant fan. This occasion
was graced by "the beauty and the chivalry" of the
patriotic old colony.
The following day, the USCA convened and the
gallery at the Maryland State Capitol building was filled with ladies and
special guests of Congress. The governor, council, and legislature of Maryland,
several officers, and the consul-general of France were on all on the floor.
The members of Congress were seated and wore their hats to signify that they
represented the government. The spectators stood with bare heads. General
Washington entered and was conducted by Secretary Charles Thomson to a seat.
When all was quiet, President Mifflin said: "The United States, in
Congress assembled, is prepared to receive the communications of the
Commander-in-Chief." The USCA Journal reports:
According to order, his Excellency the Commander
in Chief was admitted to a public audience, and being seated, and silence
ordered, the President, after a pause, informed him, that the United States in
Congress assembled, were prepared to receive his communications; Whereupon, he
arose and addressed Congress as follows:
'Mr. President: The great events on which my
resignation depended, having at length taken place, I have now the honor of
offering my sincere congratulations to Congress, and of presenting myself
before them, to surrender into their hands the trust committed to me, and to
claim the indulgence of retiring from the service of my country.
Happy in the confirmation of our independence and
sovereignty, and pleased with the opportunity afforded the United States, of
becoming a respectable nation, I resign with satisfaction the appointment I
accepted with diffidence; a diffidence in my abilities to accomplish so arduous
a task; which however was superseded by a confidence in the rectitude of our
cause, the support of the supreme power of the Union, and the patronage of Heaven.
The successful termination of the war has
verified the most sanguine expectations; and my gratitude for the interposition
of Providence, and the assistance I have received from my countrymen, increases
with every review of the momentous contest.
While I repeat my obligations to the army in
general, I should do injustice to my own feelings not to acknowledge, in this
place, the peculiar services and distinguished merits of the gentlemen who have
been attached to my person during the war. It was impossible the choice of
confidential officers to compose my family should have been more fortunate.
Permit me, sir, to recommend in particular, those who have continued in the
service to the present moment, as worthy of the favorable notice and patronage of
Congress.
I consider it an indispensable duty to close this
last act of my official life by commending the interests of our dearest country
to the protection of Almighty God, and those who have the superintendence of
them to his holy keeping. Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire
from the great theatre of action, and bidding an affectionate farewell to this
august body, under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my
commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life'
George Washington then advanced and
delivered to President of the United States his commission, with a copy of his
address, and resumed his place. President Thomas Mifflin returned him the
following answer:
Sir, The United States in Congress
assembled receive with emotions, too affecting for utterance, the solemn
deposit resignation of the authorities under which you have led their troops
with safety and triumph success through a long a perilous and a doubtful war.
When called upon by your country to defend its invaded rights, you accepted the
sacred charge, before they it had formed alliances, and whilst they were it was
without funds or a government to support you. You have conducted the great
military contest with wisdom and fortitude, through invariably regarding the fights
of the civil government power through all disasters and changes. You have, by
the love and confidence of your fellow-citizens, enabled them to display their
martial genius, and transmit their fame to posterity. You have persevered, till
these United States, aided by a magnanimous king and nation, have been enabled,
under a just Providence, to close the war in freedom, safety and independence;
on which happy event we sincerely join you in congratulations.
Having planted defended the standard of liberty
in this new world: having taught an useful lesson a lesson useful to those who
inflict and to those who feel oppression, you retire from the great theatre of
action, loaded with the blessings of your fellow-citizens, but your fame the
glory of your virtues will not terminate with your official life the glory of
your many virtues will military command, it will continue to animate
remotest posterity ages and this last act will not be among the least
conspicuous . We feel with you our obligations to the army in general;
and will particularly charge ourselves with the interests of those confidential
officers, who have attended your person to this interesting affecting moment.
We join you in commending the interests of our
dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, beseeching him to dispose
the hearts and minds of its citizens, to improve the opportunity afforded them,
of becoming a happy and respectable nation. And for you we address to him our
earnest prayers, that a life so beloved may be fostered with all his care; that
your days may be happy, as they have been illustrious; and that he will finally
give you that reward which this world cannot give.[84]
What made this action especially remarkable was
that George Washington, at his pinnacle of his power and popularity,
surrendered his commission to President Thomas Mifflin, who had conspired to
replace him as Commander-in-Chief with Horatio Gates in 1777.[85]
Washington was now a private citizen. The next day he left Annapolis, and made
all haste to return to his beloved Mount Vernon holding true to the example of
Cincinnatus. [86]
Washington would serve as the first President of the Order of Cincinnatus.
Quorum challenges at Annapolis became more
complex after Washington’s resignation. The severe winter of 1783–1784,
due to the volcanic eruption of Laki in Iceland, prevented delegates from five
of the thirteen States from attending the USCA. The Treaty stipulated that the
USCA was required to approve and return the document to England within six
months of September 3, 1783. It was January 3rd, 1784, four months
into the timeframe, and a ratified treaty would take 45 days to cross the
Atlantic. Time was now of the essence.
A quorum of seven States was present and one
faction of the USCA argued these states could ratify the treaty because they
were merely approving and not entering into a treaty. Furthermore, it was
unlikely that the required delegates could reach Annapolis before the
ratification deadline. Thomas Jefferson led the delegates who
insisted that a full nine states were required to ratify the treaty. Any less,
Jefferson argued, would be chicanery and a "dishonorable
prostitution" of the Great Seal of the United States.
Additionally, a seven state ratified Treaty would open the door to Great
Britain declaring it null and void at later date when the King learned the USCA
did not meet the constitutional nine state requirement.
Jefferson headed a committee of both factions and
arrived at a compromise. The USCA would ratify with only seven states present
if the vote was unanimous and this would not set a precedent for future
decisions. The treaty would be forwarded to the US ministers in Europe who
would be instructed to request a delay of three months. If Great Britain should
insist on the meeting the deadline, then the Ministers should present the
seven-state treaty ratification. Shortly after the committee disbanded an
eighth state arrived and was in favor of the Treaty’s ratification. On
January 13th, the convention needed one more delegate to gain the nine states
necessary to ratify the treaty. The following day, South Carolina
Representative Richard Beresford, who was ill, arrived in Maryland achieving a
quorum. The vote was immediately taken upon on his arrival and on January 14,
1784 and the treaty passed unanimously. The USCA resolved
Unanimously, nine states being present, that the
said definitive treaty be, and the same is hereby ratified by the United States
in Congress assembled, in the form following A Proclamation To all
persons to whom these presents shall come greeting: Whereas definitive articles
of peace and friendship between the United States of America and his Britannic
majesty, were concluded and signed at Paris on the 3d day of September, 1783,
by the plenipotentiaries of the said United States, and of his said Britannic
Majesty, duly and respectively authorized for that purpose; which definitive
articles are in the words following:
‘The Most Holy and Undivided Trinity ... Done
at Paris, this third day of September, in the year of our Lord, one thousand
seven hundred and eighty-three. (L. S.) D. Hartley, (L. S.) John Adams, (L. S.)
B. Franklin, (L. S.) John Jay.’
In testimony whereof, we have caused the seal of
the United States to be hereunto affixed. Witness his Excellency Thomas
Mifflin, our President, this fourteenth day of January in the year of our
Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty four and in the eighth year of the
sovereignty and independence of the United States of America.
Resolved, that the said ratification be
transmitted with all possible despatch, under the care of a faithful person, to
our ministers in France, who have negotiated the treaty, to be exchanged.
Three copies were sent by separate couriers to
ensure delivery.

United States, in Congress Assembled Treaty of Paris Proclamation[88]
King George III did not ratify the treaty for
Great Britain until April 9, 1784 and his signature officially ended the
American War for Independence. At the writing of this chapter I am pleased to
report the Treaty Proclamation is currently displayed prominently at the
National Archives in Washington D.C. with Mifflin's signature, as “Our
President,” boldly penned just under the Great Seal of the United
States and opposite of “In the name of the most Holy and Undivided
Trinity.”(See above)
The Congressional Evolution of the United States of America
Continental Congress of the United Colonies Presidents
Continental Congress of the United States Presidents
July 2, 1776 to February 28, 1781
202-239-1774 | Office
202-239-0037 | FAX
Dr. Naomi and Stanley Yavneh Klos, Principals
The Congressional Evolution of the United States of America
Continental Congress of the United Colonies Presidents
Sept. 5, 1774 to July 1, 1776
September 5, 1774
|
October 22, 1774
| |
October 22, 1774
|
October 26, 1774
| |
May 20, 1775
|
May 24, 1775
| |
May 25, 1775
|
July 1, 1776
|
Commander-in-Chief United Colonies & States of America
George Washington: June 15, 1775 - December 23, 1783
Continental Congress of the United States Presidents
July 2, 1776 to February 28, 1781
July 2, 1776
|
October 29, 1777
| |
November 1, 1777
|
December 9, 1778
| |
December 10, 1778
|
September 28, 1779
| |
September 29, 1779
|
February 28, 1781
|
Presidents of the United States in Congress Assembled
March 1, 1781 to March 3, 1789
March 1, 1781 to March 3, 1789
March 1, 1781
|
July 6, 1781
| |
July 10, 1781
|
Declined Office
| |
July 10, 1781
|
November 4, 1781
| |
November 5, 1781
|
November 3, 1782
| |
November 4, 1782
|
November 2, 1783
| |
November 3, 1783
|
June 3, 1784
| |
November 30, 1784
|
November 22, 1785
| |
November 23, 1785
|
June 5, 1786
| |
June 6, 1786
|
February 1, 1787
| |
February 2, 1787
|
January 21, 1788
| |
January 22, 1788
|
January 21, 1789
|
Presidents of the United States of America
D-Democratic Party, F-Federalist Party, I-Independent, R-Republican Party, R* Republican Party of Jefferson & W-Whig Party
(1789-1797)
|
(1933-1945)
| |
(1865-1869)
| ||
(1797-1801)
|
(1945-1953)
| |
(1869-1877)
| ||
(1801-1809)
|
(1953-1961)
| |
(1877-1881)
| ||
(1809-1817)
|
(1961-1963)
| |
(1881 - 1881)
| ||
(1817-1825)
|
(1963-1969)
| |
(1881-1885)
| ||
(1825-1829)
|
(1969-1974)
| |
(1885-1889)
| ||
(1829-1837)
|
(1973-1974)
| |
(1889-1893)
| ||
(1837-1841)
|
(1977-1981)
| |
(1893-1897)
| ||
(1841-1841)
|
(1981-1989)
| |
(1897-1901)
| ||
(1841-1845)
|
(1989-1993)
| |
(1901-1909)
| ||
(1845-1849)
|
(1993-2001)
| |
(1909-1913)
| ||
(1849-1850)
|
(2001-2009)
| |
(1913-1921)
| ||
(1850-1853)
|
(2009-2017)
| |
(1921-1923)
| ||
(1853-1857)
|
(20017-Present)
| |
(1923-1929)
|
*Confederate States of America
| |
(1857-1861)
| ||
(1929-1933)
| ||
(1861-1865)
|
United Colonies Continental Congress
|
President
|
18th Century Term
|
Age
|
Elizabeth "Betty" Harrison Randolph (1745-1783)
|
09/05/74 – 10/22/74
|
29
| |
Mary Williams Middleton (1741- 1761) Deceased
|
Henry Middleton
|
10/22–26/74
|
n/a
|
Elizabeth "Betty" Harrison Randolph (1745–1783)
|
05/20/ 75 - 05/24/75
|
30
| |
Dorothy Quincy Hancock Scott (1747-1830)
|
05/25/75 – 07/01/76
|
28
| |
United States Continental Congress
|
President
|
Term
|
Age
|
Dorothy Quincy Hancock Scott (1747-1830)
|
07/02/76 – 10/29/77
|
29
| |
Eleanor Ball Laurens (1731- 1770) Deceased
|
Henry Laurens
|
11/01/77 – 12/09/78
|
n/a
|
Sarah Livingston Jay (1756-1802)
|
12/ 10/78 – 09/28/78
|
21
| |
Martha Huntington (1738/39–1794)
|
09/29/79 – 02/28/81
|
41
| |
United States in Congress Assembled
|
President
|
Term
|
Age
|
Martha Huntington (1738/39–1794)
|
03/01/81 – 07/06/81
|
42
| |
Sarah Armitage McKean (1756-1820)
|
07/10/81 – 11/04/81
|
25
| |
Jane Contee Hanson (1726-1812)
|
11/05/81 - 11/03/82
|
55
| |
Hannah Stockton Boudinot (1736-1808)
|
11/03/82 - 11/02/83
|
46
| |
Sarah Morris Mifflin (1747-1790)
|
11/03/83 - 11/02/84
|
36
| |
Anne Gaskins Pinkard Lee (1738-1796)
|
11/20/84 - 11/19/85
|
46
| |
Dorothy Quincy Hancock Scott (1747-1830)
|
11/23/85 – 06/06/86
|
38
| |
Rebecca Call Gorham (1744-1812)
|
06/06/86 - 02/01/87
|
42
| |
Phoebe Bayard St. Clair (1743-1818)
|
02/02/87 - 01/21/88
|
43
| |
Christina Stuart Griffin (1751-1807)
|
01/22/88 - 01/29/89
|
36
|
Constitution of 1787
First Ladies |
President
|
Term
|
Age
|
April 30, 1789 – March 4, 1797
|
57
| ||
March 4, 1797 – March 4, 1801
|
52
| ||
Martha Wayles Jefferson Deceased
|
September 6, 1782 (Aged 33)
|
n/a
| |
March 4, 1809 – March 4, 1817
|
40
| ||
March 4, 1817 – March 4, 1825
|
48
| ||
March 4, 1825 – March 4, 1829
|
50
| ||
December 22, 1828 (aged 61)
|
n/a
| ||
February 5, 1819 (aged 35)
|
n/a
| ||
March 4, 1841 – April 4, 1841
|
65
| ||
April 4, 1841 – September 10, 1842
|
50
| ||
June 26, 1844 – March 4, 1845
|
23
| ||
March 4, 1845 – March 4, 1849
|
41
| ||
March 4, 1849 – July 9, 1850
|
60
| ||
July 9, 1850 – March 4, 1853
|
52
| ||
March 4, 1853 – March 4, 1857
|
46
| ||
n/a
|
n/a
| ||
March 4, 1861 – April 15, 1865
|
42
| ||
February 22, 1862 – May 10, 1865
| |||
April 15, 1865 – March 4, 1869
|
54
| ||
March 4, 1869 – March 4, 1877
|
43
| ||
March 4, 1877 – March 4, 1881
|
45
| ||
March 4, 1881 – September 19, 1881
|
48
| ||
January 12, 1880 (Aged 43)
|
n/a
| ||
June 2, 1886 – March 4, 1889
|
21
| ||
March 4, 1889 – October 25, 1892
|
56
| ||
June 2, 1886 – March 4, 1889
|
28
| ||
March 4, 1897 – September 14, 1901
|
49
| ||
September 14, 1901 – March 4, 1909
|
40
| ||
March 4, 1909 – March 4, 1913
|
47
| ||
March 4, 1913 – August 6, 1914
|
52
| ||
December 18, 1915 – March 4, 1921
|
43
| ||
March 4, 1921 – August 2, 1923
|
60
| ||
August 2, 1923 – March 4, 1929
|
44
| ||
March 4, 1929 – March 4, 1933
|
54
| ||
March 4, 1933 – April 12, 1945
|
48
| ||
April 12, 1945 – January 20, 1953
|
60
| ||
January 20, 1953 – January 20, 1961
|
56
| ||
January 20, 1961 – November 22, 1963
|
31
| ||
November 22, 1963 – January 20, 1969
|
50
| ||
January 20, 1969 – August 9, 1974
|
56
| ||
August 9, 1974 – January 20, 1977
|
56
| ||
January 20, 1977 – January 20, 1981
|
49
| ||
January 20, 1981 – January 20, 1989
|
59
| ||
January 20, 1989 – January 20, 1993
|
63
| ||
January 20, 1993 – January 20, 2001
|
45
| ||
January 20, 2001 – January 20, 2009
|
54
| ||
January 20, 2009 to date
|
45
|
Capitals of the United Colonies and States of America
Philadelphia
|
Sept. 5, 1774 to Oct. 24, 1774
| |
Philadelphia
|
May 10, 1775 to Dec. 12, 1776
| |
Baltimore
|
Dec. 20, 1776 to Feb. 27, 1777
| |
Philadelphia
|
March 4, 1777 to Sept. 18, 1777
| |
Lancaster
|
September 27, 1777
| |
York
|
Sept. 30, 1777 to June 27, 1778
| |
Philadelphia
|
July 2, 1778 to June 21, 1783
| |
Princeton
|
June 30, 1783 to Nov. 4, 1783
| |
Annapolis
|
Nov. 26, 1783 to Aug. 19, 1784
| |
Trenton
|
Nov. 1, 1784 to Dec. 24, 1784
| |
New York City
|
Jan. 11, 1785 to Nov. 13, 1788
| |
New York City
|
October 6, 1788 to March 3,1789
| |
New York City
|
March 3,1789 to August 12, 1790
| |
Philadelphia
|
Dec. 6,1790 to May 14, 1800
| |
Washington DC
|
November 17,1800 to Present
|
Book a primary source exhibit and a professional speaker for your next event by contacting Historic.us today. Our Clients include many Fortune 500 companies, associations, non-profits, colleges, universities, national conventions, PR and advertising agencies. As a leading national exhibitor of primary sources, many of our clients have benefited from our historic displays that are designed to entertain and educate your target audience. Contact us to learn how you can join our "roster" of satisfied clientele today!
Hosted by The New Orleans Jazz Museum and The Louisiana Historical Center
Hosted by The New Orleans Jazz Museum and The Louisiana Historical Center
Historic.us
A Non-profit Corporation
A Non-profit Corporation
Primary Source Exhibits
727-771-1776 | Exhibit Inquiries
202-239-1774 | Office
202-239-0037 | FAX
Dr. Naomi and Stanley Yavneh Klos, Principals
Naomi@Historic.us
Stan@Historic.us
Primary Source exhibits are available for display in your community. The costs range from $1,000 to $35,000 depending on length of time on loan and the rarity of artifacts chosen.
![]() |
U.S. Dollar Presidential Coin Mr. Klos vs Secretary Paulson - Click Here |
The United Colonies of North America Continental Congress Presidents (1774-1776)
The United States of America Continental Congress Presidents (1776-1781)
The United States of America in Congress Assembled Presidents (1781-1789)
The United States of America Presidents and Commanders-in-Chiefs (1789-Present)
The United States of America Continental Congress Presidents (1776-1781)
The United States of America in Congress Assembled Presidents (1781-1789)
The United States of America Presidents and Commanders-in-Chiefs (1789-Present)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.