TREATY OF PEACE WITH GREAT BRITAIN, 1783 Great Britain recognized the independence of the United States by the treaty of September 3, 1783, which was signed by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay for the United States, and by David Hartley for Great Britain. The successful conclusion of this treaty has been called "the greatest triumph in the history of American diplomacy." Above and on the facing page are reproduced the first and last pages of one of the originals of the treaty, which was received from the Department of State. FRENCH EXCHANGE COPY OF THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE AGREEMENT, 1803 Reproduced above are the ornate velvet and gold cover that protected, and the engraved gold box that enclosed a seal attached to, the French instrument of ratification of the treaty of April 30, 1803, by which France ceded Louisiana to the United States. The document was received from the Department of State. BRITISH EXCHANGE COPY OF THE HAY-PAUNCEFOTE TREATY, 1901 The Hay-Pauncefote treaty, signed November 18, 1901, superseded the Clayton-Bulwer treaty and removed one HAY'S PROPOSAL OF THE "OPEN-DOOR" POLICY, 1899 On September 6, 1899, Secretary of State John Hay requested France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, and Russia to adhere to a policy enunciated by him for an "open door" in China. This request was transmitted to Russia through an instruction to the American Ambassador at St. Petersburg, the first and last pages of which are reproduced above and on the opposite page. This instruction is among the records of American diplomatic and consular posts received from the Department of State. |