that the preliminaries of a general peace had been signed at Paris on the 20th of January."

On the 4th of April, a confirmation of the signing of the treaty on the 20th of January, under the hands of the American commissioners, arrived at Salem, in the ship Astrea, Capt. John Derby,* in 22 days from Nantz. Also, that his most christian majesty, and the king of Great Britain had ratified, and their ministers exchanged the same, on the 3d of February, from which day all hostilities by land and sea are to cease.

On the 10th, the treaty was published in the United States. On the 19th, his excellency Gen. Washington proclaimed the treaty in general orders to the American army. This day completed the eighth year of the revolu tionary war.

On or about the middle of June, the notes of the financier were received, agreeable to resolve of Congress, and a general settlement so far effected with the army, that they were honorably discharged, and returned quietly to their several homes.

On the 18th, his excellency Gen. Washington addressed a circular letter to the governors, and presidents of the several states, in which he impressively urged the necessity of the following important points.

"1. An indissoluble union of all the states under one federal head.

2. A sacred regard to public justice.

3. The adoption of a proper peace establishment.

4. The prevalence of that pacific and friendly disposition among the people of the United States, which will induce them to forget their local prejudices, and politics; to make those mutual concession which are requisite to the general prosperity; and in some instances, to sacrifice their

*The same captain who carried out to Europe the news of the Lexing ton battle in 1775.

individual advantages to the interest of the community. These are the pillars on which the glorious fabric of our independence, and national character must be supported. It remains then to be my final, and only request, that your excellency will communicate these sentiments to your le gislature, at their next meeting; and that they may be considered as the legacy of one who has ardently wished, upon all occasions, to be useful to his country, and who, even in the shades of retirement, will not fail to implore the divine benediction upon it."

The Hon. Peter John Van Berekel, minister plenipotentiary from their High Mightinesses the States General of the the United Netherlands, was admitted to an audience by Congress, October 31st.

The Chevalier De la Luzerne, General Washington, the superintendant of finance, with many other eminent char acters, together with the ladies of the first distinction, were convened in the chapel of Princeton College, to witness the ceremonies of this joyful occasion. Mr. Van Berekel opened his introduction with an elegant address, pronounced in a most dignified and graceful manner, and at the close, presented his letter of credentials from their High Mightinesses; to which the President of Congress returned an affectionate reply, in which he expressed the grateful emotions of Congress, for the repeated proofs of regard and friendship the United States had experienced from his illustrious house. The scenes of the day closed with the most cordial friendship, and conviviality:

His excellency General Washington, on the 2d of November, issued his farewell orders to the armies of the United States, in the following stile.

"It only remains for the commander in chief to address himself once more, and that for the last time, to the armies of the United States, (however widely dispersed the

individuals who composed them may be,) and to bid them. an affectionate-a long farewell. But before the commander in chief takes his final leave of those he holds most dear, he wishes to indulge himself a few moments in calling to mind a slight review of the past. He will then take the liberty of exploring with his military friends, their future prospects; of advising their general line of conduct, which in his opinion, ought to be pursued; and he will conclude the address, by expressing the obligations he feels himself under for the spirited, and able assistance he has experienced from them, in the performance of an arduous office. Being now to conclude these my last public orders, and take my ultimate leave, in a short time, of the military character, and to bid a final adieu to the armies I have so long had the honour to command, I can only again offer in their behalf, my recommendation to their grateful country, and my prayers to the God of armies. May ample justice be done them here; and may the choicest of heaven's favours, both here and hereafter, attend those, who, under the divine auspices, have secured innumerable blessings for others. With these wishes and this benediction, the commander in chief is about to retire from service. The curtain of separation will soon be drawn, and the military scene to him, will be closed forever."

Sir Guy Carleton, who now held the chief command at New-York, received the final orders of the British court for the evacuation of New-York, in the month of August and assured the president of Congress that he should loose no time in fulfilling his majesty's commands; but could not specify the time.

No provision had been made in the treaty for the tories, and at the return of peace all the corrupt passions of the human heart were let loose against this wretched, this de

voted people. All who had suffered by their ravages, and cruel depredations, all who had purchased, for a song their confiscated estates; all who were indebted to them, or otherwise maliciously disposed towards them, gave full scope to their passions, and were ready to drive them, not only from the country, but if possible from the face of the earth. The wisdom and benevolence of many of the best men in the country, saw the necessity of counteract ing, and if possible, suppressing these passions, both upon principle of policy, as well as humanity; but all in vain ; and the British government was constrained to provide settlements for this devoted people, in the dreary regions of Novascotia.

On the 25th of November, the British evacuated the city of New-York, and the Americans took possession with great dignity and good order. His excellency General Washington, with his principal officers, the governor of the state of New-York, &c. moved in procession, attended by a vast concourse of citizens. The ceremony was conducted with great solemnity, and did honour to the occasion.

When the festivity and hilarity of this interesting scene were closed, his excellency General Washington, took an affectionate leave of the officers who had been his brave companions in arms; retired to Philadelphia, and exhibited his accounts to the comptroller, in his own hand writing. He then retired to Annapolis, where Congress were then sitting, (by adjournment,) and on the 20th of December, 1783, resigned his commission of commander in chief.

The eventful epoch being announced, the members were all in their seats, and the galleries, as well as the floor of the house, were crowded with a numerous and respectable collection of ladies and gentlemen, when his excellency, agreeable to appointment, and by notice from the president, arose from his seat, and with the dignity of himself,

addressed the house in an appropriate speech. The president rose from his seat and addressed his excellency in an affectionate and dignified reply, and his excellency withdrew. Language cannot express the emotions of his soul, any more than it can paint the true worth and greatness of his character; the affections of Congress and of the audience did homage to his virtues by their tears of gratitude, which flowed spontaneously, as by the spirit of inspiration, upon this solemn, this interesting, this momentous occasion.

Thus closed the greatest revolution that had ever been attempted, accompanied with the greatest displays of wisdom, patience, fortitude, disinterested patriotism, and feats of arms, ever before recorded, and with a general success uncontemplated by the most sanguine sons of liberty.

The liberties of America were now sealed by the resignation of that illustrious chief, who had been the instrument in the hand of God, of obtaining and securing all her blessings; and on whose sword hung the destinies of America.

The father of his country retired to his seat in Virginia. there to enjoy in the bosom of repose, the prayers and benedictions of a free and grateful people.

The definitive treaty between Great-Britain and the United States, (accompanied with the joint letter of the American commissioners.) bearing date Passy, September 10th, was laid before Congress on the 13th of December, and referred to a special committee for consideration, who made their report on the 14th of January, to the acceptance of the nine states then present, and thus the treaty was ratified, and the seal of the United States affixed thereunto, together with the signature of his Excellency Thomas Miflin, president of Congress.