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The Hay-Pauncefote treaty, signed November 18, 1901, superseded the Clayton-Bulwer treaty and removed one
barrier in the way of the building of the Panama Canal by the United States. The last page of the British instrument
of ratification of the treaty is reproduced above. It is signed by Edward VII, who had become King on the death of
his mother, January 22, 1901. Note, however, that the seal bears the likeness of Victoria. The document was received
from the Department of State.

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.