The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-08-03

PRECEDENTs FOR A PEACE TREATY
The settlement of terms OF peace is
always accompanied by difficulties and
usually with much etiquette and form
aIity. This country has not had much
experience with drafting OF treaties of
peace at the close Of a war with a for
eign power. but We have one precedent
which, however. need only be followed
In spirit and not in form. The treaty
of peace entered into between the
United States and Great Britain was
characterized by great firmness and de-
termination on the part of this govern
ment which compelled respect even from
our powerful foe Its form is anti
quated: the one to be made with Spain
will be simple and conciseiy framed.
The treaty of Paris, for ii was there
that the famous treaty of peace was
signed on the 30th day Of November.
1852 begins as follows:
lin the name of the most holy and undi-
v.ded trinity: 1t having pleased the Di-
vine Providence 10 dispose the hearts or
the most serene and most potent Prince
George the third, by the grace of God,
king of Grea, Britain. France and Ireland,
defender of the faith. Duke of Brunswick
Lunehurg, arch treasurer and prince cleo
tor Of the holy Roman empire. etc, and OF
the United States of America. 10 forget all
past Observation-Disclosures, ETC.
t1gT 1f rnr., xratt xfr-
tualIy the end of war between Eng
land and America. Although the Brit
ish parliament presented memorials to
the king urging more vigorous prosecu-
ton Of the war. the people were tired Of
il and the ministry was compelled to re-
sign: and a new cabinet was formed at
whose head was Lord Rockingham who
took office only on condition that the
independence of the United States
should be recognized. The death of
Rockingham left the task to the Earl Of
Shelburne. the American people being
represented by John Adams. John Jay
and Henry Laurens. Jay insisted upon
the acknowledgment Of independence as
necessary preliminary to the discus
sion of treaty. II was agreed that the
independent colonies should be desig
mated in the treaty the thirteen United
States of America" instead of naming
each state as at first intended.
The king reluctantly assented to ac-
acknowledgements Of the Independence of
the late colonies which he described as
the dreadful price of peace England
wished to retain the valley Of the Ohio;
t. extend the western line OF Nova SEQ
tia so as to hold "A larger portion Of the
territory of Maine: To deprive Americans
az the right 10 fish on the Grand Bank.
and the privilege Of drying fish ON Brit,
ish territory. In the end IL was decided
that the eastern boundary line Of the
United States should be at 81 CroiN.
The northern. the St Lawrence and the
Lakes. The western. the Mississippi
which was To be free 10 both nations
20 It's supposed source. and the southern
rot differeing essentially from the pres
ent northern line ~ Florida extended
to the Mississippi.
Although New York was evacuated
by the British on November -, 1852. ii
was not until September # the follow
ing year that the final treaty WAS signed
al Paris aud Great Britain Acknowledge
ed the United States Ia be- free. soye-
reign and independsnt.'
We had another experience In sign
ing a treaty OF peace In 1915 That vas
the celebrated occasion when General
jackson fought the British al New Or
leans two weeks after peace hal been
concluded al Client In the battle OF
New Orleans. In twenty five minutes.
the British haa los; 600 killed. l..eo
wounded. and 800 taken prisoners. while
;he American losS vas bat l..
This treaty Was not at all satisfac-
tory - the American people. and John
Quincy Adams In his diary relates that
Mr. CLAY said ia conference II The.
American commissioners the ,iay before
the final agreement. tha, we should
make a damned had treaty. ard he ,!fa
Not know whether he would sign it ~
act" The American commissioners.
following instructions, had declared
that 'the causes oG war having disar~
peared by the n,aratirie pAc3ication %
EaTore. the government % the United