The Treaty of Paris | "A True Copy of the congressional instructions to the American peace commissioners, attested by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams

The Treaty of Paris

Three primary and related documents of the highest historical significance concerning the instructions from the Continental Congress to peace commissioners for the United States

1. The original enciphered instructions sent by the Continental Congress to the American peace commissioners—John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, and Henry Laurens—charged with negotiating with Great Britain the Treaty of Peace that would end the American Revolutionary War: Samuel Huntington, President of Congress. Manuscript document in cipher, [Philadelphia], 15 June 1781. 1 ½ pages, small folio. Signed 'Saml Huntington President" and attested and countersigned by Charles Thomson, Secretary to Congress. With endorsement "Mr Jay has the key."

2. A true copy of the deciphered instructions, attested by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams:

William Temple Franklin, Benjamin Franklin's grandson and secretary. Autograph document, being a transcription of the deciphered text of Huntington’s ciphertext. 3 pages, small folio. Attested by Benjamin Franklin at foot of page 3: "A True Copy B Franklin." Further endorsed on verso by Benjamin Franklin, "Instructions relative to the Peace Treaty" and by John Adams, "Ultimately to govern ourselves by their advice & opinion."

3. John Jay’s deciphering of the instructions:

John Jay. Autograph document, being a worksheet transcribing the enciphered passages of Huntington’s instructions to the peace commissioners. 2 pages, 4to.