(Jay's Treaty)

Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation, between His Britannick Majesty and the United States of America, Signed at London, the 19th of November, 1794. London: Edward Johnston, 1795 — Explanatory Article, Signed at Philadelphia, the 4th of May, 1796, to be Added to the Treat ... Signed at London, the 19th of November, 1794. London: Edward Johnston, 1796 — Explanatory Article, Signed at London, the 15th of March, 1798, to be Added to the Treaty ... Signed at London, the 19th of November, 1794. London: Andrew Strahan, 1798

3 works in one volume, 4to (8 x 6 in.; 200 x 155 mm). Title-page of Treaty of Amity soiled, marginal staining suggesting that all 3 documents were previously inlaid. Modern quarter green morocco over marbled boards, spine lettered gilt, plain endpapers.

Acquisition: William Reese

Treaty of Amity: Howes T741; Dictionary of American History III:169; Sabin 96577

3 works in one volume, 4to (8 x 6 in.; 200 x 155 mm). Marginal staining suggesting that all 3 documents were previously inlaid. Modern quarter green morocco over marbled boards, spine lettered gilt, plain endpapers.
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This, the second American treaty with England, was negotiated by Supreme Court Justice John Jay (and commonly known as "Jay's Treaty") and signed at London on 19 November 1794. It sought to resolve issues that arose out of the Definitive Treaty of Peace of 1783 and to clarify commercial relations and neutral rights between the two countries.

The principal points of contention were Britain's deliberate refusal to evacuate six frontier forts in the American northwest territory; state courts barring the collection of prewar debts by British creditors; and the alleged confiscation of  property of returning Loyalists after the peace. By this treaty, Britain agreed to relinquish her frontier posts in the Ohio country and to allow Americans the right to trade with British possessions in the West Indies while the Americans agreed to settle prewar debts. The one grievance that was not satisfactorily addressed by the treaty was that of neutral rights. British searches and seizures of American shipping continued unchecked, which provoked much hostility in the United States. It was only through President Washington's influence that the treaty was ratified by Congress.

The Explanatory Article of 1796 addressed the Indian tribes in the frontier, which allowed the Indians to cross borders in either direction in order to continue their trade and commerce uninterrupted and without the need for a license. The ESTC and OCLC locate only a total of six copies. The Explanatory Article of 1798, rarer than that of 1795, was concerned with the delineation of the northeastern border between the United States and Canada, specifically with the river St. Croix and the boundary between New Brunswick and what is now Maine. ESTC locates a single copy and NUC one other.