Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 18 Part 2c.djvu/208

 FRANCE, 1778. 201 F R A N C E. FRANCE, 1778. [By act of Congress of July 7, 1798,U. S. Stat te t L, ·h. 67 l.1. 4 it was declared " that the United States are oft ifiglst ilreedugddteggnerathd from agile; stipulations of the treaties, and of the consular convention, heretofore concluded between the United States and France; and that the same shall not henceforth be regarded m legally obligatory on the Government or citizens of the United States."] THEATY OF ALLIANCE BETYVEEN THE UNITED STATES OF NORTH AMERICA Feb. 6, 1778. AND HIS MOST CHRISTIAN MAJESTY, CONCLUDED AT PARIS FEBRUARY 6, ———; 1778; RATIFIED BY CONGRESS MAY 4, 1778. Treaty of eventual and defeiwive alliance. _The Most Christian King and the United States of North America, to _Cc¤tmcting purwitz New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhodes Island, Connecticut, ms- New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, having this day concluded a treaty of amity and commerce, for the reciprocal advantage of their subjects and citizens, have thought it necessary to take in consideration the means of strengthening those engagements, and of rendring them useful to the safety and tranquility of the two parties; particularly in case Great Britain, in resentment of that connection and of the good correspondence which is the object of the said treaty, should break the peace with France, either by direct hostilities, or by hindriug her commerce and navigation in a manner contrary to the rights of nations, and the peace subsisting between the two Crowns. And His Majesty and the said United States, having resolved in that case to join their couneels and edbrts against the enterprises of their common enemy, the respective Plenipotentiaries impowered to concert the clauses and conditions proper to fulfil the said intentions, have, after the most mature deliberation, concluded and determined on the following articles : Anrrcma I. lf war should break out between France and Great Britain during Brl¥;;"'&b the continuance of the present war between the United States and Eng- oommoo ooooo land, His Majesty and the said United States shall make it a common cause and aid each other mutually with their good offices, their counsels and their forces, according to the exigcnce of conjunctures, as becomes good and faithful allies. Amicus II. The essential and direct end of the present defensive alliance is to m2:>.i°°%u3§ Els; maintain etfectually the liberty, sovereignty, and independence absolute oooo og- tho [mood and unlimited, of the said United States, as well in matters of govern- 3mm_ ment as of commerce. Anrrcmaz III. The two contracting parties shall each on its own part, and in the Bsth i>=;¤¤i¤;_ manner it may judge most proper, make all the efforts in its power ,';‘;t‘;a$;‘}hYot°o§d_ against their common enemy, in order to attain the end proposed.